BHSG 'Memories Book' - contributions needed!
28th March 2011
I am co-ordinating a 'Memories Book' which we hope will be published in May 2012, in time for the 130th anniversary. We should appreciate your contributions such as a short anecdote, an essay, photographs etc., indeed anything which would be of interest to anyone who has fond memories of this wonderful school. A recipe for the Bedfordshire clanger given to you by the Home Economics Department or instructions for deportment would be most welcome! Please send handwritten accounts to the school at Bromham Road or via the Guild. Email or word processed memories can be sent to memories@bedfordhigh.co.uk
Yours sincerely,
Jesse Lawrence (Head of Economics and Business Studies)
Ex Bedford High Student Wins Adobe’s Design Achievement Award
3rd November 2010
Nan Chiriayukool, who recently studied A level Art at BHSG, has been revealed as among the winners of Adobe's Design Achievement Award which were recognised in 12 categories across Interactive Media, Film and Motion and Traditional Media. Now of Kingston University, Nan's submission - What Makes Your Day? - is themed around the 'little pieces of happiness' that make someone's day, the end result being a two-minute film made up of a series of interviews with people from different walks of life who are depicted as rabbits - the year Nan was born in the Chinese Horoscope.
Nan comments, "This is the biggest accomplishment of my life so far and will open so many doors for me in the future. I remember the morning I got the email confirming I was a finalist - I was so excited and it made it worth all the months of hard work that I'd put into creating my animation. I'd heard of Adobe as I often use Photoshop, After Effects and Flash in my work and have always loved how they help me transform my ideas into moving images, but it was one of my close friends who first told me about the Design Achievement Awards and suggested I enter. I'm naturally a really happy person and wanted my submission to reflect that, which is where the concept of 'happiness' originally came from."
Nan became an expert user of Photoshop and After Effects while undertaking A Level Art here at BHSG. One of her portfolio pieces was a short film based on the theme of 'Love' that received positive comments from the examination board. Matthew Bean, Head of Art, comments, 'We are delighted that Nan has continued her work in digital art and has received national recognition of her achievements. We are looking forward to her winning the Turner Prize in a few years!' Nan receives a US$3,000 cash prize, a winner's certificate, a 3D award, and a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection software.
Guild Silver Brooch
25th February 2010
Available to purchase, a delicate round silver lapel brooch depicting the eagle design as used by Bedford High School Guild from its inception in 1892. Incorporated in the design is the school motto ‘Alta Petens' (Aim High). To own one of these beautiful and symbolic brooches, all you need to do is complete the order form, accessible via the icon button on the main Guild web page and return it to:
Development Office
Bedford High School for Girls
Bromham Road, Bedford
MK40 2BS
Each brooch costs £30 which includes post and packing.
Please make your cheque payable to Bedford High School Guild.
Former Pupil Head of Strings at Royal Academy of Music
13th January 2010
Jo Cole, cellist, who left Bedford high in 1980 and who recently adjudicated in the School Music Festival, has just been appointed Head of Strings at the Royal Academy of Music. This is a very prestigious post at one of Europe's premier conservatoires.
An invitation from HM The Queen
8th June 2009
Many congratulations to Mrs Ross who has recently received an invitation from Her Majesty The Queen to attend a garden party in July at Buckingham Palace. (Image copyright Buckingham Palace Press Office.) This is in recognition of her years of valued service to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Congratulations from all at Bedford High School for Girls and we hope you have a very enjoyable day.
Sarah McQueen leads Mon Mome on victory lap
08 April 2009
Stable hand Sarah McQueen former pupil of Bedford High School for Girls leads Mon Mome on a victory lap after his shock Grand National triumph.
Sarah, who cares for the horse that provided one of the biggest shocks in the National's 162 year history, works for Venetia Williams one of the UK's leading National Hunt handlers based in beautiful countryside close to the River Wye in rural Herefordshire. Venetia is only the second woman trainer to win the National.
The 100-1 long shot's victory was cause for much jubilation and friends, family and staff gathered for a village garden party.
Ira (Irene) Blake's First Book
20 November 2008
At the class of '88 reunion on Nov 1st, Ira revealed that her book: ‘Project Managing Change' is being published by The Financial Times as part of their Management Series.
Ira wrote the book because when she started in her first role as a change manager on an international project, she had no idea what she was supposed to do or how she fitted into the rest of the work - and there was no-one to tell her. In consulting, every new job and every new client means starting from scratch - getting to know the company, the people, the strategies and how work and departments are organised. This is the book she (and all the consultants she has subsequently worked with) wish they had to help them hit the ground running.
Ira's book is listed at Amazon.co.uk and will be on bookshelves in Waterstones and all large bookstores from December 2008.
Sarah's Latest Book - Tower Hill
01 August 2008
Sarah Pinborough who revisited Bedford High for a 1990 reunion has just released her latest book. Tower Hill by Leisure Books, released July 2008.
A charismatic new priest has come to Tower Hill. A handsome new professor is teaching at the college. And a nightmare has settled over the town. A girl is found dead and mutilated - by her own hand. Another has slashed her face with scissors. Have the residents of Tower Hill all gone mad? Or has something worse ... something unholy ... taken over?
Sarah is a supernatural, mystery and thriller writer, so if this is your sort of reading then this is one for the holidays.
Emma Banks - Music Industry's Woman of the Year
30 March 2008
Emma Banks has been awarded the prestigious music industry Woman of the Year. Emma who left Bedford High School in 1986 took her first steps in the music industry, drinking champagne with the Pogues, after she had booked them for Reading University rag week. This first success led her to join the university's entertainment team, where she booked acts and organised shows.
There followed a pivotal interview with Ian Flooks of Wasted Talent, which got her started as a junior agent in 1990. With no real training - her degree is in food science - she built up a portfolio of contacts and knowledge, working with the likes of U2, Kraftwerk, Texas and Crowded House.
When Wasted Telent merged with Fair Warning in 1994, Emma continued in that venture, which ultimately became Helter Skelter where she later became managing director. A year ago she made a move with her long time colleague Mike Greek to set up the London Office for US Agency CAA where she works with a team of 2 people based in Hammersmith.