In August 1937, Miss Penson died (1922-1937). 

From her staff Miss Penson won loyalty and gratitude.  Her girls, their happiness and welfare, their enjoyment of a rich and full life, keeping abreast of the times, were always in the forefront of her mind. 

As a public speaker she left her mark.  Not only was she remembered by her yearly report delivered each Speech Day with charm of manner and without a note, but many are the country places where she was welcomed at Women's Institutes and other gatherings.  She loved the beauties of Gloucestershire, its valleys and its hills, and she delighted and amazed many audiences by her teaching of the history of the past.

She was a woman of wide interests, she loved travel and she loved books.  

Miss Green became Acting Headmistress.

 

Debate with Crypt Sixth Form

On Friday 12th November the Crypt Debating Society and some members of our Sixth Form, accompanied by Miss Neve and Miss Evans, met to discuss "Woman's place is in the Home".

Mr Hook, who took the chair, called on Mr Beard to propose the motion.  He was seconded by Eva Goldsworthy, while Betty Chandler and Mr Stock opposed the motion.  When the debate was open for discussion it was noticeable that the boys were much more ready to speak than the the girls, and the debate would have been more interesting if the girls had taken more part in it.  When the vote was eventually taken the motion was declared lost by 19 votes to 15.

The Chairman then thanked the principal speakers, and said that as the meeting had proved successful hee hoped that the two schools would meet again officially in the future.  Ruth Meadows, on behalf of the Sixth Form, thanked the members of the Crypt for their kind invitation.  Refreshments then brought a very pleasant evening to a close.  Muriel Wager, Sixth Form.

 

In January 1938, Dr White was appointed Headmistress. 

A memorial fund was set up in Miss Penson's name to endow an Annual Leaving Grant, to endow an annual History Prize, to purchase a Head Mistress's chair for the platform and to erect a gravestone and to provide for the upkeep of the grave.

 

Old Girls' News

Alison Cowan is taking a course of History and Political Economy at Edinburgh University.

Kathleen Collinbourne is teaching Biology and Physical Training at Linden Road School, Gloucester.

Millicent Jeens will be teaching Biology at Kingsholm School in September.

 

What's happening in history?

12th of April 1937 : Whittle tests the 1st Jet Engine
8th of July 1937 : First 999 Call
21st of September 1937 : Tolkien Publishes The Hobbit
1st of December 1937 : Sellotape Goes on Sale