We are delighted to say that, in 2018, the Withington Onwards alumnae magazine has been launched online!

This very exciting ‘Amazing Brain’ edition is packed full of news from the Development Office and updates on your fellow Withington alumnae. As you will see, this year the magazine has a brand-new look. This is because we wanted to make sure the edition looked great for all our readers- whether online or in print. We hope you’ll agree that it looks fantastic!

In this magazine, we celebrate the 100^th birthday of former Withington pupil and eminent neuroscientist Dr Brenda Milner. You can read more about Brenda’s fascinating career inside, as well as articles from other Old Girls who have gone on to forge careers in science and medicine, with a focus on the amazing brain.

2018 has been another extremely busy and successful year for the Development Team. We have enjoyed some wonderful events with our alumnae and former staff, including an afternoon tea in the Lake District, our annual Open Reunion, which was as popular as ever, and a special ‘Behind the Scenes’ event at Kew Gardens in London.

In October, we said a fond farewell to Development Director Toni Leden, who has retired after a distinguished career in charity fundraising spanning more than 28 years, the last four of which have been at Withington. We look forward to welcoming Toni’s successor, Mrs Lesley Dowdall, to the team in January. Lesley joins us from the University of Manchester, where she has worked for the past 18 years, 11 of which as Deputy Director of Development. You can find out more about Lesley in this year’s edition of Withington Onwards.

At the end of this term, Development Assistant Claire Morris will also move on to pastures new after three years at Withington. Claire will be moving to London to take up the role of Membership Officer at Shakespeare’s Globe. Claire says, “Thank you to the friendly, supportive members of the Withington Onwards community, some of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting at various events here at the school and across the UK during my time at Withington. My job has been made much easier thanks to your help and generosity!” We wish her all the best in this exciting new venture.

We are very grateful to all the alumnae and former staff who have supported us at various events and reunions this year. Thank you also to donors to our Bursary Fund, Annual Fund, Sports Campaign and those who have left a gift in their will for the benefit of future Withingtonians. Your continuing support is greatly appreciated by everyone here at Withington.

Please do keep your contact details and subscription preferences up to date, so that we can make sure you’re only hearing from us in the way you want to. Log in to the alumnae portal via our website or get in touch by email (development@wgs.org) or phone (0161 249 3494) to inform us of any changes you’d like to make to the way we contact you in future.

With warm greetings and very best wishes for 2019.