Alumnae Summer Reunion 2025!

Disco balls, bubbles and delight, yes, those are my top take-aways from this event. Oh yeah, and a cracking endorsement from Mr Holmes: “it was really buzzin’ yesterday evening…it was a great event!” And I fervently agree.

It was that time of year again when we got the privilege of hosting our wonderful alumnae community – which includes our honorary alumnae: your former teachers and former staff members – back at base to celebrate their time at Channing and the friendships that were formed.

Do you remember practising those dance moves that took the nation by storm? Or your first form room and form teacher…or perhaps that form teacher who bought you your first stick of Mac lipstick? How about that residential trip when…STOP…what happens on the residential stays on the residential! Whatever came back for you during the reunion we hope it carries on to delight and amuse the senses, as well as adding to your memories of Channing.

We hope you all enjoyed seeing the school again, whether it was on an official tour, a rogue expedition with your group of friends or with a current member of staff …I saw the photos afterwards – was the staff room all you’d hoped for? To be fair, the staff make all manner of magic happen in the classroom, so why on earth would the staff room(s) be any different (LOL)?

I was also heartened, but (not at all) surprised, to learn that The Flask is still a favourite meeting point for alumnae. The Class of 1970 even came along with photos from their time together: they kindly showed us a fab photo from their last day before they went on study leave in the summer term, after skipping out of the school hall and into The Flask…where the same group of Channing Ladies met up ahead of the reunion to reminisce – #OnceAChanningGirl…

For all of you who enjoyed looking around the new buildings, especially the Arundel Centre, we will be running ballots throughout the academic year for alumnae to win tickets to school productions, the Carol Concert at St Michael’s and more, so watch this space!

The sun definitely has her hat on today, and for the foreseeable remainder of the summer (fingers well-and-truly-crossed!)…now all that’s left to do is to thank you all for making our alumnae community what it is, which is exceptional, and to enjoy the weekend!

Ms Francis

Alumnae Engagement & Archive Manager