When the 2020 Alumna of the Year Award, which had been planned to take place at The Chelsea Physic Garden, London, was cancelled for the second time, the Calne Girls' Association (CGA) boldly decided to take the event online. On the evening of 17th March, alumnae and the whole school community were invited to join in with the virtual celebrations.

Launched in 2018 by Headmistress, Dr Felicia Kirk, the award was introduced to recognise and honour the contributions and achievements of our alumnae. This year, a total of 11 Calne Girls were proposed for the Award, with Dr Kirk and the Head Girl's Team tasked with the challenge of selecting a winner from this seriously impressive field.

On the night, Chair of the CGA, Cate Bell, welcomed everyone and expressed how pleased she was to introduce the CGA’s first online event. Dr Kirk then spoke about the importance of young women having successful women as their role models. She expressed how lucky the pupils of St Mary’s are to have a network of exceptional women to provide this motivation, so aptly demonstrated by the nominees for this award. 

The pre-recorded ceremony included inspirational videos of each of the nominees, which really helped give a flavour of each of the women’s achievements. The celebrations drew to a close with Dr Kirk’s announcement of the winner, Dr Christie Peacock (pictured). Christie, a 1975 Leaver who is the Founder of Sidai Africa Ltd, an innovative social enterprise in Kenya, was nominated by alumna, Joanna Martin, not only for devoting her life to helping farmers in Africa, but for her pioneering work in NGOs and the Third Sector. A video of Christie in the stunning setting of her beloved Kenya clearly showed how delighted she was to receive the award.

We all look forward to bringing together the 2020 nominees at our eagerly anticipated celebration for the 2021 Alumna of the Year Award at The Chelsea Physic Garden, London, on 16th September 2021.

Mrs Bethan Dudley Friar (Director of Vocal Studies - St Mary's Calne) - ‘I loved the celebration of our astounding women. Such characters with so much to offer in their personal and professional lives’

Thelma Caughey (1965 Leaver) - 'May I offer my congratulations to all who were put forward for the award, any of whom could have been chosen as the winner!'

A video of this very special evening, can be viewed by clicking here.

To learn more about those who were nominated and the winner of the CGA 2020 Alumna of the Year Award click here