Page 28 - OM Newsletter 2024-2025

Empowering girls
in Uganda
Congratulations to Victoria Beach who was awarded an MBE last year for her services to empowering girls in Uganda.
Vicki is passionate about holistic education and has spent much of her life dedicated to providing quality education to girls, from nursery upwards, in Uganda. She is the founding Trustee of RedEarth Village Schools Uganda, a charity focused on funding projects which improve learning outcomes, vocational skills, health and nutrition, particularly for girls.
Vicky started working with one girls’ primary school in rural Uganda several years ago and it is now the top performing school in the District out of 68 schools. Vicki says: “Village life is tough; many children do not go to school or drop out, crops are unreliable, and children are hungry... there is so much more that I hope to achieve across the community and beyond, trying to make a difference to each and every Ugandan girl’s childhood and giving them hope for a bright future.”
Vicki is always fundraising to improve education facilities in Uganda. If you would like to find out more about RedEarth Village Schools Uganda or how you can support the charity’s work, visit: www.redearthschools.com.
Victoria Beach (née Bateman EOG.63-68)
A voyage to remember
Who remembers the Ellerslie educational cruises? For many, these unique voyages were a highlight of the school year, combining travel, learning, and unforgettable memories.
Emma Illingworth recently shared with us a wonderful photograph and her vivid recollections of one such adventure. Emma was part of Cruise No.175 aboard the SS Uganda, a ship
that would later serve as a hospital vessel during the Falklands War.
“We flew to Venice to meet the ship and set sail on 23rd April 1981,” Emma recalls. “Our journey took us to Corfu, Itea, Haifa, Santorini, Piraeus, and Valetta. While at sea, we had classroom sessions and were tasked with creating a scrapbook documenting our travels.”
Emma’s memories are rich with detail: swimming in the Dead Sea, exploring Jerusalem and Bethlehem, admiring the whitewashed houses of Santorini, navigating the canals of Venice, and marvelling at Malta’s stunning architecture. “The ship was very basic but functional,” she adds. “One night the sea was so rough we all gathered in the cinema to watch a film - it was too difficult to stand up!”
Reflecting on the experience, Emma admits, “At the time, I probably didn’t fully appreciate what my parents had given me. But now, I’m incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity.”
What a remarkable experience to have had at school!
Emma Illingworth (née Pettifor, EOG.79–84)
ELLERSLIE SCHOOL