Evolution
(Anonymous, Butler)
Back when Wycombe was,
an idea existing
Only in the mind.
Turned into a school,
Overcoming hardships with
determination.
Many hardships made
Thrills of mid-term holidays
worked hard for and earned.
Many things have changed,
Yet school spirit still remains,
In fide vade!
---
Walking Into the Past
Response to a Bucks Free Press Article, March 1913: Saunderton Station Gutted by Fire
by Lita T, Pitt
I walk through the past and I see all these people. A policeman, a suffragette, and a huge railway with signs: ‘SUTTON’S SEED’ and ‘WAY OUT’.
“Hello?” I call, but no one can hear me. “Good afternoon?” I call again, but still no one seems to hear.
I am walking through the past and eye an old lady by the name of Mrs Harman, who seems distressed as she explains that she heard the sound of hailstones, though they are in fact fragments from the burning railway station. I hear the barking of a dog and I shiver in my nightgown. I see the High Wycombe Brigade and I scream out to them to put the burning railway to a stop. But I’m walking through the past, and no-one understands.
The fire keeps growing larger and larger and soon the heat is enveloping me like I’m a human-sized oven. The red flames are like piercing eyes, staring at me. I start running.
But no matter what chemicals they douse it with, the fire is too strong.
---
A Denunciation of Miss Dove
Response to the WA Gazette, Nov 1907
by Sophia and Hannah, Pitt
As I'm sure many of you will have been made aware, Wycombe Abbey has just released an article of the most abhorrent, unbecoming nature. They claim to prepare their students ‘for the life of a modern girl’.
Instead of abiding by the natural behaviours of mankind, with women residing in their homes as the dutiful wife while our men strive to flourish, Miss Dove puts treacherous ideas into the minds of our young women. She prompts them to rebel and reject the ways of our society, throwing our carefully balanced hierarchy into danger.
Miss Dove would prefer young girls to learn subjects much too complex, corrupting their minds. Think about a world where all girls and wives rebel against authority in order to chase their impossible dreams. This is a mistake which Miss Dove must soon rectify if she wishes to keep her precious school.
Only by teaching young girls to be obedient and dutiful will our society prosper. Miss Dove should focus on preparing them for the reality of supporting a household.
– Eton College
- --
Standing
(Anonymous, Cloister)
Tough times came and went;
memories stayed.
Rules evaded minds, laughter
resiliently survived,
students left, the Abbey remained.
The stories imprinted and ever-ingrained
left behind in written words to be
discovered by today’s age.
---
A day in the life of Norah Stott
Response to Norah Stott’s school report, aged 14
by Estelle, Pitt
This morning, Miss Smith handed me my report: a dull, plain piece of paper. However, inside lay the bare truth of my exams that I knew would soon turn my parents’ smiles upside down. I took the sheet with trembling hands as I hesitantly flipped it over.
“Oh God,” I muttered under my breath.
How could I get 3 C's? I only got one A and that was for French — but even then, that’s because I'm fluent. I took a deep breath and forced a smile at Miss Smith. “Thank you, but I don’t think I need to go over it,” I said.
Miss Smith raised one thinly drawn eyebrow. “Why? You can always talk to me if you feel upset or happy about your exams. I honestly thought you did pretty well. Second in the class and you're still upset?”
I looked at the mahogany floor and shuffled my shoes. Of course. She doesn't understand how strict my parents can be. I am always compared to my brother, a King’s Scholar at Eton that gets A's in every subject he takes.
“Yes,” I replied coldly. With that, I hurriedly left the musty classroom where Eli and Diane were waiting. (But not for me, because we hadn’t spoken in months. Their eyes avoided mine as I glared at them. I still haven't forgiven them yet, for what they did last year.)
The tall wooden pillars towered over me as I walked down the corridor. My loud shoes echoed across the marble floor and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I was tired. The eyebags under my eyes cast dark shadows, my posture was as crooked as a hunchback, and my hair was tied up scruffily by somebody who woke up too late to eat breakfast. I walked away before the mirror exposed much more. My mind was a mess. My grades were a mess.
I stopped in my tracks as I took a deep breath to calm myself. However, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder. “Norah, are you alright?” a deep voice asked. Wait. Was that…?
Turning around, I gasped.
---
Modernity
Response to the WA Gazette, Nov 1907
(Anonymous, Butler)
She talks of modern,
Yet it seems to be so old.
What a lady dove!
---
Legacy
Response to the WA Gazette, Oct 1897
(Anonymous, Barry)
The Wycombe Gazette,
An example to be set,
A paper used for years to come,
first of many, but just as one
is written back, upon this day
History renewed through WA.
Volume one, in nineteen eighty-seven,
A school of life, almost a heaven,
from the very first game of lacrosse
to all the pitches, and built-up moss;
Winter, spring and summer terms.
Within this school our heart burns
for all the girls, years and years ago.
Your legacy follows you as you go.