Over 30 ORs joined in person, by zoom or by phone for the ORA AGM at the Caledonian Club on Monday this week. An AGM conducted as a hybrid meeting was a first for the ORA, and it went well.

Mary Henderson, President of the ORA, opened the meeting with the sad news of the death of Cecilia “Bobby” Robinson, who had taught cricket at Roedean from 1949-81, was deputy Housemistress of No.4 and then Housemistress in the Junior House. Cecilia had also had a distinguished cricket career both at County and International Level.

Erica Faircloth, ORA Treasurer, presented the accounts of the ORA. She noted that the pandemic had had an impact on the investment income for the year.

Trustee Kate Coker presented the report and accounts for the OR Scholarship Fund. She was pleased to announce that the number and frequency of awards that could be given to girls entering the 6th form had increased. There were now four OR Scholars at the school, two in each of the 6th form years. She also thanked the ORA for their donation of £10,000 to the fund.

Vice President Lois Johnson reported on the OR Magazine, now available online for free as well as in hardcopy by subscription and encouraged ORs to look at the online version which was available on the Roedean Community Network.

Vice President Noëlle Chase updated the meeting on the progress with the ORA Heritage Projects – the Astrolabe on the Front Terrace, the Ensigns in the Chapel, the Sylvia Lawrence Friezes in the Houses, the Fountain in the Cloisters and the Tiles in the Art Studio.  Visits had been made over the summer to the school with contractors and conservators and cost estimates had been obtained for nearly all the projects. Comparative estimates were also being sort from alternative suppliers.  With the initial cost estimates in hand, fundraising could now commence.  She announced that the ORA having already funded the conservation reports for the Ensigns and the Tiles and would now also be covering the fees required to achieve planning consents for the Friezes and the Astrolabe – a total of nearly £6,500.  Noëlle said that the ORA would like at least to have restored the Astrolabe in time for the 125th anniversary of the School at its current site in 2023. She was delighted to report that ORs had already made pledges of £5,500, and after the meeting further pledges for £1,500 were received.

Reports were received about OR Sport – now encompassing Tennis, Golf and Sailing – the report delivered by our sailing skipper Caroline Bowen was particularly enthusiastic as she described the twists, turns and bumps experienced while racing in the Arrow Regatta.

114 new Members were elected to the ORA together with 11 former staff who were elected as Honorary Members. Jane Aldred was elected as a new member of the ORA Committee and Mary Henderson was re-elected for a further two year term as President of the ORA.

Three resignations from the Committee were announced, Lois Johnson who had served for 10 years as the Membership Secretary and latterly as Vice President, Ginny Stephen, former ORA President who had been appointed as Vice President of the Corporation of Roedean School at the recent AGM, and Scholarship Fund Trustee, Rosemary Eaton. Mary thanked them all for the work they had put into the ORA while they had been members of the Committee.

Vivien Smiley, Interim Chair of Council, gave an update on the recent ISI Inspection of the School which had taken place the previous week, though was not able to give any result yet.  She then answered questions.

After the meeting, those who attended the meeting in person were able to retire to the Library at the Caledonian Club to join with new Members for Drinks and Canapés.