UK and International Alumnae Groups

The Australian Group links women across the continent from those who matriculated in 1945, right up to those who graduated in the last couple of years. Events are held regularly, particularly in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. When the Principal visits, a sparkling Sydney Harbour provides the backdrop for a lively thought-provoking and diverse conversation. The group is coordinated by Melissa Fisher (NC 1996). A special Australian biannual newsletter is edited by Victoria Jennings (NC 1995) and circulated by email. Please let Melissa know if you would like to be on the email list for distribution. They welcome new members.

The Bristol and South West Group is relatively recently formed, but is very active. Events range from lunch at alumnae’s homes, to meeting for coffee, to trips to the theatre. They encourage alumnae in the area to get in touch. Please contact Kate Davenport (NC 1976) (01275 333646).

The Cambridge group and local members continue to support many College events and initiatives. Members of the Cambridge group have recently been instrumental in organising the annual Roll Family Picnic and the annual Newnham Family Forum.

The Gloucestershire Group has been meeting for over 20 years. They organise an annual trip to the Cheltenham Literature Festival, and try to support Newnham authors speaking there. Several members of the Gloucestershire group continue to join the Malvern group quite regularly at their monthly pub lunch. Other activities include Christmas teas, museum visits and trips to gardens.

The Group was very interested in the College’s proposals for the Young Alumnae Group and would strongly encourage the next generation of alumnae to establish their own Newnham group in parallel. If anyone in the area is interested in doing this, they’d love to hear from you – please contact the Development Office.

The Hong Kong Chapter was formed in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength. Each year its members gather to welcome the Principal and Development Director to Hong Kong at its special Newnham Dinner, hosted by Joy-Shan Lam Kung (NC 1989). Joy-Shan produces a biannual newsletter especially for alumnae in Hong Kong. Members represent many fields including business, medicine, law, education, finance and the government sector. This year the Chapter has established the Newnham Hong Kong Group Award to support a student from Hong Kong who is either in financial need or requires additional funds for work experience. If you would like to know more about the group, please email Joy-Shan.

Several London alumnae events were held during the year and we would like to invite other London-based alumnae to step forward to get involved. It doesn’t take too much time to put on an event and it’s a great way of supporting College, making connections and having some really lovely evenings. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Development Office.

MACUW has three main meetings a year, an Annual Dinner, a Summer Meeting and the AGM, which is followed by a talk and lunch.

We are always delighted to welcome new members: just come along to one of our events. For membership details, please contact Catherine Bankes (Chadwick, NC 1961).

The Midlands Group (formerly the Daventry Group) covers the amorphous area of the East Midlands, extending into adjacent areas. They meet occasionally for a social lunch combined with other visits. If you are interested in the group, please contact Rosalind Willatts (NC 1963) (01536 770875).

The North Yorkshire Group meet twice a year for an informal lunch – one in Leyburn and one in York. If you’re interested and live within travelling distance of York or Leyburn, please contact Jane Ritchie (NC 1968).

The Oxford Group was formed in 2020 and has yet to meet, although they very much intend to. If you would like to join the Oxford group, please contact Kathy Hodder-Williams (NC 1983).

The Scottish Group welcomes members from across Scotland. They enjoy a variety of cultural excursions, often involving good food! Whether it involves visits to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Royal Collection on display at Edinburgh’s own Queen’s Gallery, a ramble or hosting the Principal or other visitors from Newnham over dinner, they are delighted to strengthen the Newnham community north of the border.

There are alumnae book groups in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both would welcome new members, so please get in touch with Chris Ayton (NC 1977) if interested. Failure to read the odd book has never been a disqualifier – it’s as much about gathering together for good conversation and to enjoy the Newnham connection.

Formed 4 years ago, the Singapore Group gets together and offers support for both the College and its members in Singapore. The group hosts the Principal and the Development Director each year and invites freshers from Singapore for tea a few weeks before they start their adventure at Newnham. Members of the group help the Oxbridge Society in Singapore with practice interviews for potential applicants. Please contact Sharon Chin (NC 1996) or Eleanor Great for more information.

Newnham in America is a well-established network of former students living across the USA. There are particularly strong concentrations of alumnae in New York, Washington, Boston and in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our US Alumnae Committee has members from many different states and is always interested in hearing from others who would like to join. It holds three conference call committee meetings each year.

The Principal aims to visit annually and meet alumnae with members of the US Committee. Each year, groups attend the Cambridge in America days on the East and West coasts and enjoy a special Newnham outing for brunch beforehand.

The US Alumnae Committee, chaired by Margaret Campbell (NC 1966), generously supports a competitive Travel Award each year for a Newnham student to carry out a project in the US during the summer vacation.

Voting is currently taking place for US alumnae to decide on the winning application for the 2020 US Travel Award. Please click here to read the shortlisted candidates’ proposals.

To read the report from the 2019 US Travel Award beneficiary, please click here.

When Fellows visit the US they are delighted to meet with alumnae and often speak at special Newnham events hosted by the US Committee.

Please note the Newnham US website is no longer active.  Any information regarding the Newnham group in the US will be posted here from now on.  

The Wessex Group includes Newnham Roll members from Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. They aim to get together at least once a year to meet old friends or make new ones; keep themselves up-to-date with developments at the College; and celebrate the lives and works of local Newnhamites. In particular, events have included garden parties, dinners, lunches and concert trips.

If you live in the Guildford area and would like to be invited to lunch or dinner there, please contact Fiona Yeomans (Main, 1975) (01483 302334).

Recently formed and headed by Dr Jo Withers, the North Home Counties Group broadly covers those in Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.