BHS Reunion and BHS 150 Digital Archive Campaign Launch

Now firmly established as a biennial tradition, on Saturday 16 March we held the 2024 Reunion for Bath High School, one of our two founding schools, when we welcomed over 60 former BHS students including alumnae representatives from every decade from 1950s to 1990s.

Not only was this a wonderful occasion for alumnae to come together to catch up, reminisce and remind each other of their many shared memories of their school days but this year we also launched the BHS 150 Digital Archive Campaign, and were privileged to enjoy the company of a very special guest in Miss Margaret Winfield, former BHS Head and first Head of Royal High School Bath, who has thrown her inimitable spirit behind the campaign.

As we look towards Bath High School’s 150th anniversary since it’s foundation in September 1875, with the support of the RHBA Committee we have embarked upon a project to digitalise the entire Bath High School archive of photographs, documents and memorabilia. This will not only preserve this precious material but also make it accessible to all, both for research purposes within school and externally, and for alumnae to recall their school days from wherever they are in the world. Miss Winfield has often said that the archives have always been a constant concern to her and so, following the near completion of the digitalisation of the archives of RHSB’s other founding school, The Royal School, Bath High School members of the RHBA Committee are particularly delighted to see this project come to fruition.

We also welcomed to the event representatives of the SDS Group who have worked with many companies, clubs and historical institutions and societies as well as numerous schools, including others in the GDST family, to bring their archives to life. Thanks to Mark Coleman and his team, the gathered alumnae enjoyed a fun and interactive demonstration of what has been achieved with the archive site so far and some impressive and inspiring examples of what the future possibilities are. SDS has already been working with us on the digitalisation of The Royal School’s archives and it is reassuring to know that all our archive material is in such safe hands.

The project’s success is reliant on our alumnae’s support and, true to form, everyone immediately set to work on Saturday afternoon pouring over the displayed photographs and documents adding dates, names and associated anecdotes generating a loud buzz of activity, chatter and laughter in the Hudson Centre. This was followed by a well-earned lunch in the Rebecca Barrell Room afterwards where the hum of joyful chatter continued well into the afternoon!

Bringing the Bath High School community together to realise this dream, and in doing so promote and commemorate Bath High School’s legacy, is fitting a way to celebrate the School’s 150th anniversary.

To view the complete album of photos from the event, please click here.

Please click here if you would like to donate to BHS 150 Digital Archive Campaign.