Photo - Mrs Lizzie Thomas with her daughter Connie (Year 4)

We are delighted to welcome our new Association Chair, Mrs Lizzie Thomas, who has recently taken over the role from BGS parent, Katharine James.  

The Edit interviewed to find out more about her role and what’s planned for the coming year and beyond.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

I came to Bedford from West Yorkshire at 18, to study drama. After that, I spent several years working in the recruitment industry, which included a move to London. Eventually, the lure of performance drew me back in and I went to drama school to gain my Masters Degree. I then worked professionally as an actor (not a successful one, you won't have seen me in anything! I made a living doing corporate role-play).  In 2008 I married my husband Dan and we made our home in Bedford. Our daughter Connie was born in 2014 and then Danny came along in 2018. I have recently retrained as a hairdresser. It's never too late to learn a new skill! Both our children have attended Pilgrims Pre Prep School and we are so happy that Connie is at BGS. We think it is the perfect fit for her.

What does the Chair of The Association do? 

I think that my role within the organisation is to help to keep it relevant and useful. I have to be in lots of places with lots of hats on. Sometimes I am a businesswoman, sometimes I am a hostess, and sometimes I am a gibbering wreck in the corner.

What attracted you to get involved with The Association? 

I felt strongly that I wanted to be really involved as Connie began her life at BGS. It was a big change for both of us when she left Pilgrims and I thought that the best way to embrace the change was to get involved! I love talking to people and I love being helpful. To be honest, I never expected to end up as the Chair! But I am rising to the challenge and feel really supported by all the staff and parent committee members, who have welcomed me so warmly since I joined.

What do you most admire about BGS? 

In the Junior School, it's the learning philosophy. The IB Primary Years Programme is fantastic. I love the fact that the girls have a sense of ownership of their learning and that they are encouraged to make the connection between what they have learned and how it links to the real world. And it's wonderful that a big focus is on learning about important women in history. Through this, the school is nurturing generations of strong, powerful, kind and forward-thinking women. 

Why is The Association so important to BGS?

As well as raising important funds and organising fantastic events, I hope that The Association reflects how much parents mean to the school and what an important part they play, every day. A parent's role doesn't just end when we drop our daughters at the school gates, it continues in the support of their sporting endeavours, their academic and artistic achievements and in ensuring that they are getting the most out of their time at the school. We are very lucky in our Association, that it is populated with a large number of staff members, including both Headmistresses, who recognise the role that parents play, and are committed to nurturing the relationship between the staff and parent communities.

What upcoming community events are on the horizon? 

We have the Christmas Fayre just around the corner on Saturday December the 3rd! The New Year brings our infamous Burns Night supper and Ceilidh on Saturday January the 28th. Quiz Night is on Saturday 4th March and look out for our always popular uniform sales and other events.

How can a parent/guardian get involved with The Association? 

We cannot function without volunteers! We always need help at events, even if it's just for half an hour. We welcome new faces on the committee. And I would love to hear from anyone who has ideas about events that they would like to see. We are an Association that really wants to be inclusive for our whole community and which reflects the entire school community through our events, so please do let us know your thoughts! If you would like to volunteer, join the committee or chat about your ideas, please send us an email, at [email protected].

And… Can you tell us what is planned for this year’s exciting Christmas Fayre?

Of course! We have many gorgeous independent, local businesses turning up to sell their wares, including; clothing, jewellery, beauty and skincare products, decorations and gifts, candles, art work, food and drink and much more. We will be offering mulled wine, and mince pies, to be taken whilst listening to the heavenly sounds of the junior school choir, singing a medley of festive songs. There will be games and activities for the children, including; glitter tattoos, hair braiding, crafts, a lucky dip, hook-a-duck, a sweet stall, a cake stall and much more. And rumour has it that the Big Man himself may make an appearance! But keep that to yourself....