Rhubarb October 2022

Here come the girls... I n the Spring of 1983 the School announced that it would be taking girls in the Sixth Form from September 1983. Here John Phillips, 10thWarden (1978-1988) writes in the Chronicle Magazine: “After considerable thought and discussion, the Governors have authorised that the School should admit a small number of day girls to the Sixth Form. I am sure that this will prove beneficial to the School as well as pleasing the many parents who, over the last four years, have asked me whether the School would open its doors to their daughters.We are keeping the numbers small, both because we do not wish to undertake more than we can cope with, and because we have no intention of changing the nature of the School by a radical alteration of the balance.”

Emma, Dorien and Fiona all joined the Sixth Form at Teddies in 1983 – the first full cohort of girls to arrive at the School. Here they talk about their experiences of joining the School and their memories from that time.

FEATURE

EMMA MARSHALL, (née Bigland), Segar’s, 1983-1985

circuits – and it gave me structure and provided the opportunity to form strong friendships with both boys and girls.We were really successful and won nearly all the races that year. I remember we were pretty much unbeaten and we accumulated a lot of silverware! I was made Captain of Girls’ Rowing and, whilst the boys were given a ‘Rep Tie’ in recognition of this accolade, I was given a cricket jumper instead! I still have the certificate to this day and I still visit Henley Regatta every year.

What is your standout memory from your time at Teddies?

Rowing. It was an amazing experience. I had never rowed before. I made some great friends and it helped really integrate into co-ed school life. It gave me lots of structure which I really benefitted from but also a lot of freedom. And we were successful!

1983, Emma on the left.

1983 Girls’ Rowing Team.

Do you know why you and/or your parents chose Teddies in the first place? Brave decision?!

I would also mention wonderful friendships made and lots of fun throughout the two years.

I was at an all-girls’ boarding school in Surrey when I decided I wanted to go to a co-ed Sixth Form. My father and uncle had both attended Teddies and my grandfather was a Governor there, so it seemed a natural choice.

How did your school experiences shape your choices after leaving School?

What was your experience of being one of the first girls to attend St Edward’s?

I gained lots of confidence at Teddies and found it easy to integrate and socialise with boys and girls when I went on to do Business Studies at Kingston Poly. I’m still in touch with many Teddies friends today.

My first memory is of sitting in Assembly and everywhere you looked were boys – 600 of them! I came from a girls’ boarding school, so it was very different. But the boys were very welcoming and kind and we made friends quickly. Accommodation wasn’t provided when I arrived (many of the girls were day girls from Headington) so my first year was pretty unstructured.The first term I lived with an old aunt who lived up theWoodstock Road and I had to cycle to School every day. I then lodged in digs on theWoodstock Road. I had no accommodation planned for my second year so was grateful when SubWarden Peter Church (MCR, 1950-1987) and his wife Josie agreed for me to stay with them.They were very kind and it gave me the structure I needed. There was also no sport offered to the girls for the first year which led to us having an awful lot of free time (which wasn’t always used wisely!) Fortunately, in my second year we were introduced to rowing and it was amazing.We trained with the boys – running to the Boat Club every day, training and doing

What have you been doing since you left School?

After completing my degree in Business Studies, I went into publishing and then ran an events and catering business for over 20 years. I then studied for a second degree and I’m now a registered Oncology Nutrition Consultant and experienced chef who specialises in working with breast cancer patients. (DipCNM, mBANT, CNHC, ANP) www.emmamarshallnutrition.com Nutritional Therapist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, Certified

I am married with three children and live in Buckinghamshire.

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