Page 5 - Southwell School Chronicle July 2018

The Southwell School magazine of 1974 lists Miss J L Smith as School Secretary. Upon returning from living in London,
Jo Smith, a young twenty-four year
old, was interviewed and employed by the Headmaster, Moss Marshall, as the Southwell School Secretary. Little was Jo to know that this was to be the beginning of an incredible forty-three year long relationship with the school. In those days the position came with
a ‘corporate car’, Flossie, the fawn coloured Standard 10, later to be upgraded to a white Triumph Herald, and the roll was 142 boarders and 186 day boys.
Over the years Jo witnessed many changes; she worlked with four Headmasters (and knew six) and
nine Old Boys’ and Girls’ Assocation Presidents; the school doubled in size; many building projects were completed; and girls were introduced. Jo and Ron’s first child was a girl and Jo mentioned to the Headmaster that she hoped
that by the time their daughter went to school that Southwell would be co-ed. The Headmaster replied “over my dead body.” Times do change!
During her years at Southwell Jo wore many hats, including that of School Secretary, parent, 28 years as Executive Officer of OBGA, School Archivist and Fellow. One of the highlights of Jo’s time at Southwell was writing the history book – what a fabulous record of Southwell’s first one hundred years. It is a book that is treasured by many of our old boys and girls. It is often used as a point of reference, especially now that we don’t have Jo on speed dial!
Special moments for Jo:
• The long lunches under the trees
• Christmas parties
• Parties at Moss’ house
• Jo’s marriage to Ron in All Hallows
Chapel with the choir boys as guard
of honour
• Moss Marshall dancing the light
fantastic at her wedding reception
• Her son Alex becoming a Southwell
boy
• The first time Alex walked up the
aisle as a choir boy
• Celebrating and planning the 100
years of Southwell
• Being front of house at the opera • Athletics days
Jo always enjoyed reminiscing about ‘her’ Southwell old boys – the good and the bad. She continued to keep the school updated when old boys hit the headlines even if it was sometimes for the wrong reasons!
“I have made enough friends to last me a lifetime from staff members, old boys, Fellows and many of the former Southwell parents.” Jo often said, “Driving through the gates of Southwell each morning was an honour and a privilege.”
Jo was a true friend to Southwell, not just because of the years she put in
but because of her unstinting loyalty, her protectiveness of the Southwell traditions, her interest and knowledge of our old boys and girls and for the belief, dedication and love she had for our unique school. Southwell has lost its ‘know all’. Sadly, Jo passed away on 22 November 2017.
Per aspera ad Astrum.
IN MEMORIUM
REMEMBERING JO BACKHOUSE
EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF OBGA, SCHOOL SECRETARY, SCHOOL ARCHIVIST AND FELLOW
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