Every year, pupils from Manor House School, Bookham, in Surrey, celebrate Founders Day.
Manor House School, now an Independent School in Surrey, started life as two small classes run by Mis Green and Miss Wheeler in Sidmouth, Devon in 1920. They joined forces and 'The Beehive' was born.
By 1929, the two ladies decided to move to Surrey because they wished to branch out into boarding and it was felt that Devon was too far for London families to travel. For seven years they rented Mickleham Hall in Dorking, but in 1937 the School moved to Bookham after Miss Green purchased the Manor House at Auction.
Elizabeth Green and Lillian Wheeler became joint headmistresses, with a roll of fifty girls and three boys.
The Surrey School has grown over time with the extension of Arcot Hall, Elizabeth Green Hall, The Mason Centre, Main Block, Creative Arts and Food and Nutrition Room, as well as the Sport facilities.
Miss Green retired in 1965 and moved to Meadow Cottage which was built for her in the grounds. She died on 8 October 1976 and is buried in All Saints Church, behind Manor House School, next to Miss Wheeler.
On Founders Day, The Headteacher, Head and Deputy Head Girl, with our Senior Prefects and Form Captains, visit the graves and plant flowers as a mark of remembrance.
The day starts with a captivating assembly, presented by Drama Scholars and members of Senior Drama Club. They dress up in the old green and yellow stripe uniforms and recount memories from the writings of former pupils. It is evident that the close School community and family feel that exists today, is founded on traditions and ethos, that stretch back to the School when it started in Bookham.
Pupils (and staff) enjoy iced buns at break time too!
Thank you to Mrs Williams, Head of Art & Drama and Key Stage 4, for devising a wonderful Founders Day again this year.
The founders, Miss Green and Miss Wheeler, who were two very inspirational and forward-thinking women, would be very proud of their legacy.
