The school’s inaugural alumni event ‘Come Home to Holme’ on Saturday 19th September was a heart-warming afternoon with around 80 guests, filled with stories and recollections from the moment they arrived at the front door. Visitors toured the school with current staff and students, explored the spaces where their education took place in formative years and enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea in the Pavilion.
Our longest-standing alumnus left Holme Grange in 1972 and clearly remembered a school which was, in some ways, very similar to the one we know today and, in others, remarkably different. He even brought along his school scarf, class photograph and uniform list. Most movingly, he was able to reconnect with old friends whom he had not seen for more than 50 years. We do not have a word in our language for ‘the joy you feel in reconnecting with friends you have not seen in decades’ but we need one!
We were also delighted to welcome Holme Grange’s first female pupils. They told us about a sports programme which included cricket, rugby and football, impressively ahead of its time! One has also kindly offered to support us as we develop our new alumni network.
The younger generation was out in force too, including former pupils who have left since 2020, some of whom are now at university. We were equally pleased to welcome familiar faces from the staff body of former years and to have the opportunity to reconnect with them.
Headteacher, Pippa Adams, commented: “It was a truly special way to launch the Holme Grange alumni programme. It is so important that we have a wide, supportive network for the school and this is a really positive step for us all. Thank you to everyone who joined us and who helped to make it such a success.”
If you would like to suggest future events for our alumni programme, please do complete this form to share your ideas.