Welcome back Class of 2001!

“Last Nite,” sang The Strokes in 2001. And last night, we brought it full circle as we welcomed back the Class of 2001 for an evening of nostalgia, memories and a chance to see just how much – and how little – had changed.

A quarter of a century ago, our guests walked out of the school gates for the last time, ready to make their own mark on the world. For some, last night marked their first return to RGS since leaving in 2001, making the occasion all the more special.

The reunion began at Reception, where old friends quickly slipped back into familiar conversation, excitedly reminiscing about their school days, the teachers who had shaped their time at RGS and the moments that had stayed with them over the years. Mr Louis was among those remembered, as stories and shared memories brought the past vividly back to life.

There was plenty to reflect on, from being part of the first intake of girls at the school (Sixth Form aside) to recalling where lessons took place, which buildings stood proudly on the school grounds and which had since disappeared. The group couldn't resist peeking into classrooms, revisiting old haunts and comparing the school they remembered with the RGS of today.

For many, the memories were wonderfully specific: the language labs, the nerves and exam stress of sitting exams in the Concert Hall, and the all-important question of where to spend their free time. Cornwallis and the Studio Café emerged as familiar favourites, fondly remembered as the Sixth Form common room, complete with its pool table and all the conversations, laughter and downtime that went with it.

As the evening unfolded, it became clear that a quarter of a century had done little to dull the memories or the friendships formed during their time at RGS. Buildings may change, classrooms may move and school days may become a distant memory, but the shared experience of growing up together remains.

It was a pleasure to welcome the Class of 2001 back to RGS, to hear their stories and to see them reconnect with the school that played such an important part in their lives. Twenty-five years on, the faces may have changed a little, but the spirit of the class was unmistakably still there.

The evening continued in The Cage, where the group reunited with a few more familiar faces and soaked up the atmosphere, reminiscing about their school days and reliving a little of their youth.

Here's to the memories made, the friendships kept and the stories still being told. And, of course, to bringing it all full circle – one more time.