Remembering Mrs Margaret Smithers
HEAD TEACHER 1977 - 1986
When Mrs Smithers was appointed Head Teacher in 1977, she was ideally suited to the job in several ways.
Varndean was in the process of converting from a girls’ Grammar School to a mixed Comprehensive High School. A variety of new skills were required to educate a broader range of students. Mrs Smithers possessed these, having already been a Deputy Head at Dorothy Stringer (then a secondary modern school) and Head of Knoll Girls’ School in Hove.
However, she also understood Varndean’s traditions. As Margaret Stonor, she had been a student here herself, serving as School Captain in 1942-3. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she remained in Brighton and described war-time schooling, including having to race to the air raid shelters at the back of the school when the sirens sounded for a day-light raid.
She successfully guided the fortunes of the new mixed comprehensive for 9 years until her retirement, when she passed the baton on to Pam Bowmaker.
It's happening now Borjas Spanish cuisine now being served by Borja himself #spanish #varndean #chickpea #lemonchicken #varndeancateringteam https://t.co/ulDXqNScfA
It's Golden Ticket time with Ms Baker this morning for Esther, Emilie, Ruby, Eleni, Leily, Bo & Caitlin for winning the Junior Girls Brighton Schools Cross Country Championships recently and Dulcie received a Headteacher's Award for winning the Inter Girls Y10/11 race! https://t.co/8iZKoNqDtn
It's #HotChocFri a day early this week and we celebrated Hannah giving 100% in the recent PPEs and making @TuringVarndean very proud! Superstar! https://t.co/uPREWafJsr
