TGS Chapter 120. Venetia Stent Class of 1970

I was a pupil at TGS from September 1963 - July 1970

The first thing I remember was on the first day being asked if you are not called by your first name put your hand up, needless to say I was too nervous to do so and as a result my name changed from Mary which I was called at home to Venetia which it has been ever since except to my family. 

I remember my maths teacher through out the school as Miss Heale, we were the first year to do a new maths course. 

Mrs Eames taught us the "Facts of Life" in a first year science lesson. 

My house was Beale, I played house hockey but otherwise my best sport was tennis making the under 13 final but losing in 3 sets to Sue Scott - Moncrieff who I am still in touch with. I also played tennis every lunch time with Jackie Pargeter now Baker, Judy Bassett now Brain and Carol Reader. We loved the grass courts which were kept so well. 

I took Chemistry, Physics and Pure Mathematics A levels. Taught by Miss Homewood, Mrs Riley and Miss Heale, all excellent teachers. 

I went on to do a degree in Chemistry at Bristol University getting a 2 1.I had little interest in the subject and only studied it because I wanted to go to university and I was good at it. During my time there I contacted the medical school with a view to changing to medicine but was told I would need to fill in an UCCA form and have a year without a grant. This seemed impossible so I carried on with Chemistry. 

I applied for VSO and was posted to Nigeria where I taught Maths for 2 years, in the holidays I travelled around West Africa on a motorbike. While I was there I heard that one of my fellow chemistry students was studying medicine so I applied and was accepted by St Bartholomews Hospital in London. I then had 2 years without a grant and survived on various grants from charities and working in the holidays. 

I went on to train as a general practitioner and spent 27 years as a GP in Twickenham and Hanworth. 

I married a science writer and fortunately had 2 children a boy and a girl. 

I have now been retired 12 years and spend my time playing tennis, golf and bridge, plus visiting galleries in London and a bit of gardening. 

My first grandchild was born this year. 

Altogether a very lucky life. 

Sorry this so long but you did ask for it!

Best wishes, 

Venetia Stent 

Tennis team 1969 - 1970

Front row from left: myself, Wendy Rich, Helen Harrison (later head girl in my year)

Back row from left Jackie Pargeter, Sue Scott - Mon Crieff

Can anyone help us identify the tennis students right back row?