Year 7 Special Assembly with Author Mary Smith

This week, our Year 7 students were treated to a special assembly led by Mary Smith, author of A Schoolgirl’s War. 

Mary shared the remarkable true stories of MGGS students during the Second World War, offering a fascinating glimpse into what school life was like here under the challenges of air raids, disrupted lessons, and time spent learning in underground shelters.

The book features powerful first-hand recollections alongside a unique collection of paintings by former MGGS art teacher Helen Keen, who documented school life as the war unfolded, and who has now inspired the name of our new building, the Helen Keen Building, which will be ready in January 2026.

Students were captivated by these vivid accounts of resilience and courage shown by girls their age during such an extraordinary period in the school’s history.

If you would like to order a copy of A Schoolgirl’s War, you can do so here: https://mggs.ptly.uk/SchoolGirlsWarBook