Stephen Perse Cambridge News Feed - Stephen Perse Guild News

Jane Mackay (AG43) exhibition of paintings and book launch for ‘Painting Britten’, Aldeburgh, June 2026

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:10:11 GMT

Jane Mackay was at Perse Girls (now Stephen Perse Cambridge) from 1958–65, and now works as an artist painting classical music.

Jane’s project to paint 100 watercolours of works by Benjamin Britten culminates at this year's Aldeburgh Festival, with an exhibition at the Pond Gallery, Snape Maltings (14–25 June, closed 18 June). Her book 'Painting Britten' will be launched on 18 June at Britten's old home, The Red House, Aldeburgh. Free entry; refreshments, music, book & painting sales 10.30–4.30pm.

Gwen Clayton (AG68) publishes English translation from Japanese of "Rice, Miso Soup, Pickles"

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:23:59 GMT

Gwen Clayton was at Perse Girls from 1983-1990 and is currently working as a translator from German and Japanese into English. Gwen published her first book-length translation from Japanese in 2025 and is publishing two books translated from German in 2026. She read Japanese at the University of Oxford and spent 8 years working as a solicitor before becoming a freelance translator.

Guild Reunion 2026 Tickets On Sale!

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:23:43 GMT

We are delighted to invite members of the Stephen Perse Guild to our 145th Birthday Celebration and Annual Reunion on Saturday 27 June 2026.

Welcome to our Alumni News section!

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:56:09 GMT

Guild members - we warmly invite you to share your stories!

Noah (Year 12) covers Paris and Copenhagen Fashion Weeks for JKKSPACE magazine

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:01:05 GMT

Noah (Year 12) recently visited Paris and Copenhagen Fashion Weeks as part of his work experience, gaining first-hand insight into the fashion industry from the inside.

Kseniia S (Year 12) Wins Gold Medal at International AI Olympiad

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:56:58 GMT

Stephen Perse Cambridge Year 12 student, Kseniia S. competed at the International AI Olympiad in Slovenia in February 2026, winning a gold medal.

Run under the auspices of UNESCO, the Olympiad invited national winners from 24 countries, including the USA and China. The Olympiads in AI are still in their infancy and this was the third individual event since 2024. Kseniia is currently the only female gold medallist amongst the competitors at these initial three events and hopes that this will change soon! She writes:

World Silver Medallist: George D (AG103) Triumphs at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, August 2025

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:50:44 GMT

George writes: "I have recently returned from the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA), having had a fantastic time and achieved a silver medal as part of the UK team, which was placed joint second in the world with this year’s hosts, India."

Daphne Mee, née Eley, 1929-2025

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:21:09 GMT

In Memoriam: Daphne Mee, née Eley, 27th March 1929 - 5th June 2025

Marion Morfett, 1953-2025

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:36:51 GMT

We were very sorry to hear from former staff member Sheila Lynn about the passing of former Perse Girls colleague, Marion Morfett.

Joanna Miller (AG65) publishes first novel, The Eights, April 2025

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:42:57 GMT

Stephen Perse Alumna Publishes Debut Novel with Penguin!

Lore Henrietta Schirokauer (née Strich), 1930-2024

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:34:15 GMT

Lore Henrietta Schirokauer (née Strich) died in Cleveland, Ohio on December 19th, 2024, at the age of 94. Lore was born in Munich, Germany on September 19th, 1930, to Walter and Marta Strich. Her family moved twice in the 1930’s, first to Florence, Italy, in order to avoid persecution by the rising Nazi regime and subsequently to Cambridge, England, where they established permanent residency and where Lore completed her primary and secondary schooling at The Perse School for Girls.

Sarah Hamilton-Garrett (née Smith), 1947-2024

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:43:35 GMT

Sarah Hamilton Garrett (née Smith) lived from 12 February 1947 – 6 June 2024. Sarah (and her twin sister Julia) attended the Perse Girls School, followed by completing the Senior Secretarial Course at Cambridge Technical College. She initially worked for the Cambridge University Department of Maths and Mathematical Statistics before spending her first year of married life with Colin in Nancy, France, working in a language laboratory helping trainee teachers pronounce their English words correctly. On their return, she worked for Cooper, McDougal & Robertson in Berkhamsted and was secretary to the Chief Vet.

Penelope Dix (AG91) on the 80th anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:06:33 GMT

On 8th June 2024, the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and always, we're thankful for all the Guild members, their families and friends, who took part in and supported D-Day, and proud of all Guild members who currently serve in the Armed Forces, the Intelligence Services, and supporting operations.

Adele Warner, Perse School for Girls Faculty, Modern Languages 1980s-2016

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:23:09 GMT

We recently received the sad news that Adele Warner (pictured, above right, alongside Claudia Freeman) passed away on the 2 April 2024 after many battles with cancer. She had already lost her husband to cancer in 2021. She passed away with her family around her. Adele had been a German teacher since the late 1980s at the Perse School for Girls. She retired in summer 2016.

Former Head Girl, Anne Keast-Butler, AG66, appointed Director of GCHQ, May 2023

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:53:25 GMT

The School was delighted to see former Head Girl, Anne Keast-Butler, appointed as Director of GCHQ in May 2023, succeeding Sir Jeremy Fleming as the seventeenth holder of this role.