Page 24 - OM Newsletter - Issue 43 - 2020

OM EVENTS IN 2019
No.3 Reunion 8 June 19
We are grateful to Mrs Fiona Packham for al- lowing us to publish excerpts from her speech.
It is wonderful to welcome back so many from so far afield: the network of OMs from No.3 covers the USA, Australia, Japan, Nigeria, Kenya, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Belgium Germany, France, Monaco, Italy and Spain. With us here today we have past Housems and ‘spousems’ and family of past Housems, tutors, House Prefects and Heads of House; I would like to highlight one family in particular whose association with No.3 dates began with Richard Hirst Simpson (who arrived in No.3 in 1888) and continues to this day with the fifth generation currently in Upper Sixth and in the FY!
What is it that keeps us all wanting to return to celebrate our time in No.3? There is no doubt a recipe for the success: lots of fun, laughter, team spirit, camaraderie, support, encouragement, advice, a few tears, lots of hugs, some celebrations and rewards, and mountains of pizza and chocolate! In my 13 years in No.3 the House has operated under three key values of respect, excellence and friendship; perfect guidelines for the positive relationships developed in the House. It is these values that have meant that the girls of No.3 have excelled in a wide variety of areas after leaving Malvern. I believe that No.3 has a very supportive and cosy atmosphere; one where girls can be themselves and can be confident even if they are that little bit
different. We certainly encourage them all, but also tease a little, so that the importance of a sense of humour and not taking one self too seriously also develops; alongside an ever- increasing resilience which will stand them in good stead for all that will come their way in later life.
The girls have excelled recently in so many areas of College life: the House Music Competition, the Lea-Smith Reading Competition, the Physics Challenge in inter-House Science Competition, the Senior Athletics Trophy on Sports Day and the Canoe Polo Competition. It seems to me that whatever challenges the girls of No.3 undertake they are full of enjoyment, camaraderie and determination. I think that what makes me so very proud of them all is the fact that they really do believe in the House as an extended family and anyone who wishes to take part has just as much right to play in a team, appear on stage in the House singing or House drama, as anyone else. They may not win every competition but I know that our teams are made up from ‘all comers’ and not just the best athletes, actors or musicians chosen for their prowess on the pitch or their artistic skills.
We are also tremendously proud of the role that our girls take in CCF. Our current Head of House, Esther Woods, has just been given the honour of being made the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire’s cadet as well as being named as Senior CCF cadet.
I cannot let this moment pass without saying a huge thank you to my assistants Bev - Miss Smith or Smithers - and Karen Lovering who has worked as my non-resident assistant. These are wonderful women who have made No.3 such an enjoyable and cohesive community. Both Karen and Beverley will be retiring this year, Karen after seven years and Bev after an incredible 19 years of service to No.3.
I hope that you will come up to the House where some of the girls are waiting to show you around. I hope that some of you will not be too disappointed by the fact that your studies may no longer be recognisable and that the smell of festering boots has been replaced by cupcakes and cookies being made in what were the shower and changing rooms!
I can assure senior OMs of No.3 that, although the interior of the House may be a little different from your time, the House spirit is the same – a warm and welcoming environment in which pupils are encouraged to be themselves, do their best and always be thoughtful and respectful, with of course a great sense of fun and a lot of laughter! To develop a strength of character to aim high but cope with a change of plan, or even failure, but to embrace it with good humour and excitement.
FCP
24 | Old Malvernian Newsletter