Last Friday, just before our annual Prize-giving, we were delighted to welcome Ernst Sondheimer, his son Julian Sondheimer and daughter Judith Robertson and Julian’s family, to a tree planting ceremony at Bromley High in memory of Ernst Sondheimer’s wife, Janet Sondheimer. Janet, who attended Bromley High School and went on to be a Trustee of the GDST for 34 years, was passionate about education, particularly women's education, so it is particularly appropriate to have this ‘living’ memory to her amazingly diverse and rich life, planted in the very heart of her old school; in the grounds of our fabulous new outdoor space, the ‘Quad’. Our girls have already started to enjoy learning and performing on this amazing outdoor stage and the tree will be in very lively company.
We were extremely grateful to Mrs Lorna Cocking, Chair of the GDST Trustees , who joined us for this special occasion, along with Bromley High School Governors, our Junior School Head Girls’ team, Rosannah How, Year 13, Bromley High School, winner of the 2012 Sondheimer Award and other distinguished guests from the GDST, including two former Chairs.
Both Louise Simpson, Head, and Lorna Cocking spoke, expressing deepest appreciation of Janet Sondheimer’s contribution to the work of the GDST and dedicating the Silver Birch tree to her memory. Julian Sondheimer and Judith Robertson planted the tree on behalf of their father, the rain clouds lifted and the sun appeared - shining down to give a warm welcome to this special and graceful tree.
We look forward to watching it flourish.
