Excited chatter filled the hall at Portsmouth High School on Saturday 15 March as the School welcomed back former pupils who left over 50 years ago.

The School and the Old Girls’ Guild organised the reunion for those who left between 1950 and 1959. For many it was the first time that they had returned to school; others had visited more recently for the School’s 125th Birthday reunion, which provided the inspiration for this weekend’s event.

Many still live locally in and around Hampshire, while some travelled much further distances to attend, including one former student now living in Washington DC and another in Australia, whose trips to Europe fortunately coincided with the reunion date.

Over 60 Old Girls attended the reunion, which included a drinks reception and buffet lunch as well as opportunity to re-kindle old friendships and acquaintances and time to catch-up on news and reminisce.

As well as sharing stories and looking over photographs and other memorabilia, the Old Girls were also able to have a tour the Senior School with members of the Sixth Form, whilst Year 6 pupils showed the visitors around Dovercourt, the Junior Department. The tours were an opportunity to jog memories and stories of teachers, lessons and practical jokes came flooding back!

The current pupils also gained a tremendous amount from the visit and the Year 6 pupils were full of tales of what used to be taught in their classrooms whilst the Sixth Form pupils were much more reflective, hoping that they too will have the opportunity to stay in contact with their school friends in 50 years’ time.

The School is very keen to hear from former students, to catch up on their news, find out about their studies and which direction their careers have taken them in. Next year the School will be holding a reunion for those who left between 1960-1969. If this is your era, please do email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call the school on 023 9282 6714 so that invitations to this event can be sent.