‘The common tie that makes us one’ is a memorable line from the School Hymn. It is also the sentiment that drove the collecting of the stories that feature here, in this our online exhibition to mark the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the opening of George Watson’s Ladies’ College in October 1871.

Eliza, Lorna and Molly, senior pupils of George Watson’s College asked Former Pupils of the Ladies’ College for stories of their time at school from the 1940s through to the early 1980s.

‘We wanted to hear people’s recollections from their time at school, of the building itself, what everyday life at school was like, relationships with teachers and friends, and the social expectations placed upon girls at the time.

We loved reading all the stories we received. It was clear that an elegant written style was one result of a George Watson’s Ladies’ College education. We were struck by both similarities and differences between our experiences and those of our predecessors. School food seems to have improved, but the pride in wearing the maroon blazer has remained the same.

This exhibition features only a fraction of the stories collected. We know that the School would welcome more, to add to its archive and be used to highlight the values and traditions from the Ladies’ College that remain relevant and true for the current and future generations of George Watson’s pupils.’

Ex Corde Caritas