It was wonderful to welcome over 20 ORs to join Head, Niamh Green, new ORA President, Noelle Chase, and Head of Alumnae and Development, Grace Chaston to lunch at Manhatta in New York City. 

It has been long overdue for our USA based ORs to have a reunion, and for us to travel over from the UK to meet everyone. The conversation flowed from the moment the ORs started to arrive, and lasted long after the restaurant staff needed us to leave the room and so carried on in the bar. Our guests ranged from the Class of 1954, through to the Class of 2018, but this didn’t hold back everyone from sharing memories of their time at the School. The common themes and traditions of the School were fully evident – with loud cheers and laughter when Mrs Green talked about having a strong House identity, calling each of the teachers ‘Madam’ and of course the views and Roedean wind. 

We were joined by ORs who now live in New York, and from all over the States and the world – San Diego, Houston and New Mexico were all represented, as well as one OR who lives in London, has never been to an OR event before – but happened to be in New York for work!

As well as an update on the School from Mrs Green, Noelle shared an update on the Heritage Projects and the need for the funds to be raised to preserve these important aspects of the School for future generations to enjoy. If you would like to learn more about how you can support the appeal, please contact heritage@oldroedeanians.co.uk.

We are looking forward to this being the start of more regular events in the USA, and will hopefully soon have news to share of a new USA OR Rep. Regional Reps are fantastic for helping the ORA and the School to develop our communities around the world, and so if you are interested in being a Rep for your region please do get in touch.