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.
From all of us at #TeamVarndean, we wish you a fun-filled #easterholiday and well-deserved break. Please see below for the support you can receive if you or your child is struggling during the #easterholiday https://t.co/SdLYMLBv5z
Our spring edition of the Varndean Eye has been sent out! Head to our website via the link below to see all that we've been doing this last term @LennoxVarndean @AngelouVarndean @RussellVarndean @TuringVarndean @EllisVarndean https://t.co/agoz6uQjTk
The team at @bmeypp are delivering an Easter programme over the Easter break to our BAME students aged 11-16 who receive free school meals. To book your child's place, please email info@bmeypp.org.uk and see below for all the details: https://t.co/m3jSKSHJdO
For #WomensHistoryMonth, our Year 8s have been having lessons on notable women in history and the story of how women got the vote in England. Equality, kindness and standing up for what's right continues to play a large part of Varndean's ethos. https://t.co/dMsV2Hyy6F
The points are in for this term and the winner is...@LennoxVarndean, having narrowly taken over @EllisVarndean from last term! @AngelouVarndean @RussellVarndean and @TuringVarndean better watch out! #TeamVarndean https://t.co/jeeEBebOi7