On Saturday 28th February, we warmly welcomed back some of our oldest Old Edwardians for the Gemstones Reunion. Bringing together alumni from the classes of 1966, 1976 and 1986, alongside guests from a range of other year groups across both KES and KEHS. The event was a wonderful celebration of shared memories, filled with nostalgia and laughter.
The day began with a joint welcome reception at KEHS, where Chief Master & Principal, Kirsty von Malaisé, greeted guests and shared an update on school life today. It was heart-warming to see so many Old Edwardians reconnecting, some with friends they had not seen in more than 50 years. Kirsty then handed over to our guest speaker, Lucy Smith (OE 2020), who delivered a fascinating talk on codebreaking at Bletchley Park and its historical links with KEHS.
The final activities of the morning invited guests to contribute to a special Alumni Yearbook and take part in interviews for the digital archive. It was wonderful to see so many alumni eager to record their stories and leave their mark. The Archive displays, curated by the BGOEC (Birmingham Girls Old Edwardian Club) and our Archivist, Charlotte Gallant, was also a popular stop, sparking lots of reminiscing!
Following the morning activities, guests made their way to the boys’ Dining Hall for a delightful buffet lunch. After lunch, year group photos were taken before attendees embarked on guided tours of KES, led by our current prefects. Highlights included visits to the school library, Big School and several former classrooms – prompting plenty of fond memories and reflections on how much, or how little, has changed.
The reunion concluded in the Common Room with tea, coffee and a special performance by our Old Edwardian band, Ken Wood & The Mixers, a perfect finale to a day full of warmth, conversation and shared history. We were delighted to welcome everyone back to school and look forward to seeing them again at the next reunion in ten years’ time!
