TGS 120 Chapter, Ann Forrester (nee Jennifer Ann Collins, 1948-1955
 

Dear Pippa,

Re  your recent e-mail regarding celebrating the history of TGGS – as I still think of it. I spent the happiest years of my life there 1948-1955.

I am attaching  brief notes on Memories and Bio plus a copy of a somewhat battered photo of one of my year’s early science classes;  (it must have been taken in the autumn of 1948 because we are in winter uniform) but has travelled many
miles since it was taken. Science was a new experience for most of us and we were fortunate
to have Miss Powell to introduce us to its mysteries and the bugs pond just outside. In the
photo she is standing at the far end of the back row. I’m sure none of the classrooms look like
this now – but this was not long after the end of WW11 and we were all excited to be at “grammar school” so the peeling walls were of no consequence. I can identify some of the girls in the photo if necessary.

I think one of the most important things I learned from my years at TGGS and which has remained with me throughout my life and varied work experience, is the importance of ethical standards. I don’t think we ever had a specific lesson on ethics but somehow the unspoken expectation that we would “do the right thing” and always do our best was absorbed by osmosis from the standards of our teachers. I have always been aware of the great debt I owe all the staff I had in my years there and many memories have remained with me and helped me at various times.

I wonder if the outdoor theatre is still in use? Miss Andrews guided us through a production of Antigone, (I was the Chorus), my introduction to the Greeks. I cried my heart out in that theatre on my last day at Tonbridge all those years ago. Sadly, I lost touch with my classmates once we went our different ways. If your project turns up any news of students from that time frame I will be so interested to hear of them.

Will you be printing the words to the School Song “ School on the Hilltop…”? I could never sing it’s high register but would love to see the words again.

Wishing you all the best for the celebrations.

Memories: Tonbridge Girls’ Grammar School (TGGS), Deakin Leas, Tonbridge, Kent. 

I remember many of the staff from that time although not all the names of them or my classmates, tempus fugit  and all that. 

Head mistress: Miss Arnold, whom I remember with great affection; she was very understanding each time I was sent to her for tearing up the rabbit snares set by the groundsman. 

Miss Mallard was an unforgettable history teacher and librarian whose active description of defenestration remains clear in my memory to this day.  

Miss Warren, indomitable teacher of mathematical mysteries. 

Miss Sproule, who carefully shepherded us through Latin, which in turn taught me English. 

Miss Andrews & Miss Duncan, introducing us to literature and drama and grammar.  

Miss Powell - Science 

Misses Capper & Smith – P.E, 

There are more whom I remember by voice or presence but regretfully no longer by name but each and every one had an influence on me and my subsequent life. 

Brief Bio

After leaving TGGS I went to secretarial college in London for a six month course and then fulfilled a lifelong dream and worked with the BBC, initially in their training school and then at the then new Television Centre. I married and had four children  (now seven Grands and six Greats) but worked many interesting temporary jobs over the next years, in many different fields and gaining a wide experience. As a family we moved a great deal:  Southampton, Woking, Jersey, Portsmouth and two years in Sydney, Australia. When the children grew and left home, I returned to full-time education and obtained a B.A. (2:1) degree from Sussex in 1984 and M.Phil (Arts) from Birmingham in 1986. 

By that time, my husband was working in America and I made a decision to join him. Once my degrees had been validated I was able to teach English and Humanities at a variety of State Colleges and particularly at the Community College of Philadelphia, where I enjoyed almost ten years of working with adult students from all levels of society. This period enriched me considerably and I loved every minute of it, even the long commute from southern New Jersey where we were living.