Reunion 2008

Past Pupils Reunion 2008
Over 40 past pupils from Our Lady of Sion School attended the recent annual reunion, which was held in the school hall. Members who attended the event had left school between 25 and 58 years ago, with the highest number being from the 'class of 1968'. Eleven of the nineteen original members of the upper sixth form came to the reunion, and they had a wonderful afternoon swopping stories of their school-days and catching up with each other over lost time. A twelfth member, who lives in France, and was unable to attend the reunion, sent a huge bouquet of 40 roses, one for each year since they had all left the school. She later phoned up on her mobile, and spoke to all of her ex-classmates. Sister Elise Saudan, who was headmistress of the school in 1968, came to the meeting, along with Sister Ann McNally (previously known as Sister Scholastica), who was teaching at Sion in 1968. The class members of 1968 were delighted to meet their old teachers again, and the Sisters were delighted to meet up with some of their 'old' pupils.

For some of the members, it was the first time they had visited the school since they left, and they enjoyed the tours of the school given by the current Head Boy, Rishi Lall, Head Girl, Jessica Austin and Rachel Bolton, Deputy House Captain. They were equally surprised by what had changed, and what hadn't.

A special cake, with a photo of the class of '68 was cut and handed round, after the singing of the school song, which was the first time for quite a while, that the song had been heard in the school.

The 40^th anniversary reunion was the idea of Jackie Flowers-Leek (Jackie Tenant-Flowers whilst she was at school), and she had the following to say;

'It was an absolutely brilliant afternoon, and the turnout was fantastic. It was great that everyone came, and we really enjoyed singing the school song. The roses, and then the phone call from Fatimah Siddiqui in France was wonderful. She said that her two years in the sixth form at Sion were the happiest days of her school life.'

The names of the 1968 pupils who came to the reunion were; Susan cooper, Rosemary Snowdon, Carole Shepperd, Ann Hill, Felicity Rogers, Phillipa Turnbull, Adele Holmes, Annette Nightingale, Wendy Mellor, and Jackie Tenant-Flowers. They came from as far as Gloucestershire, Bedfordshire and Oxford to attend the reunion.

The Association is organised by Nita Steere and  Diana Thorne, and  is open to all ex-pupils. The reunion is held on the third Sunday in September. Further membership details can be obtained by e-mailing the school (enquiries@sionschool.org.uk).

Past Pupils Association 2008