The Senior School opened its refurbished Science corridor yesterday, in memory of Mary Goodchild and Heather Kerr who were Scientists, Doctors of Medicine and lifelong friends who met at Bromley High School school in the 1950s.

The corridor refurbishment was funded by Mr David Morrison following his donation in recognition of his mother Heather Kerr (later Dr Heather Morrison) and his godmother Mary Goodchild. Mary joined the school at the age of 7 in 1944 and left to start a medical career at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1955 with A-levels in Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology.  Heather joined the school in the Sixth Form in 1952 to study Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology as Mary, and went on to study medicine at Guy’s Hospital.

Mr Morrison’s donation funded new wall artwork depicting space as a recognition of our place in the universe, the biggest science lab of them all and our planet as a source of life. The artwork also shows imagery of DNA as the building blocks of life and the science behind the double helical structure which spans all science disciplines.

To commemorate the opening, a plaque was unveiled by David.  He also enjoyed a tour of the Science department with Head of Science, Dr Rowley and Sixth Form Science Prefects, Morolake, Cyrina and Amelia.

Mr David Morrison, Heather Kerr’s son, was proud to unveil the plaque

Head of Science department, Dr Rowley, with Mr David Morrison

Mr David Morrison with Sixth Form Science Prefects, Morolake, Cyrina and Amelia.

 

Find out more about Mary Goodchild and Heather Kerr

Mary Goodchild
(1.2.1937 – 08.11.2019)

Mary’s medical career led her to specialise in the care of families whose children were afflicted by cystic fibrosis, running a hospital unit in Wales, and to be part of the research efforts to understand and treat this disease. Huge progress in the treatment of cystic fibrosis has been, and continues to be, made since Mary started her career. 

The photograph above taken around 1961, shows a young Dr Mary Goodchild (second from right) meeting Mr John O’Connell (third from right), a leading neurosurgeon, at Hill End Hospital. Both Mary and Mr O’Connell trained at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London.  Mary was impressed by the surgeon’s accomplishments, as he completed a successful operation to separate craniopagus Siamese twins in 1958 and then two further such operations in the 1960s.

Heather Kerr
(12.08.1936 – 19.6.2013)

Heather always knew she wanted to become a doctor. She was originally at a school in Bromley which did not teach Science or at least, not to a sufficient level for her to fulfil this ambition. Her parents, and Heather were therefore delighted when she gained a place at  Bromley High School in Sixth Form in 1952. 

Heather went on to train at Guy’s Hospital and became a paediatrician working in clinics and schools in South London, particularly Southwark, Lambeth and Croydon.