IN MEMORY OF:  Mrs Fenwick (Sylvia)

(SCIENCE 1959-1962 & 1970s-1999)

Sylvia Fenwick (née Gerrard) taught at Priory from 1959, shortly after qualifying as a teacher, until 1962, when she travelled to Uganda where she taught at Nakasero School and married Geoff. 

She returned to Priory in the mid-1970s, where she remained until her retirement in 1999. 

Sylvia taught Biology and had a lifelong love of plants and animals. She loved working at Priory, where the Science department felt like an extended family, and she greatly valued the friendships she formed with colleagues and pupils alike. 

Sylvia was immensely proud of the students she taught and always enjoyed hearing about what they went on to achieve. Until very recently, she particularly enjoyed joining her earliest pupils for ‘Class of 59’ lunches. 

In retirement, Sylvia and Geoff travelled widely across North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia, and in 2022 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a party attended by several colleagues from her time at Priory. 

Sylvia passed on 14 January, ten months after Geoff.

Past pupils gave tribute:

“My biology teacher for separate sciences, she told me of her travels in Africa, I followed her to teach in my gap year in Uganda aged 18. A wonderful woman a huge legacy of inspiring her students.”

“Such a shame, a lovely lady and inspirational. She always gave time and patience to all. Biology was one of those lessons I wish I’d had more of. Fond memories. Blue skies Mrs Fenwick.”