150 years of putting girls first.
Then. Now. For Good.
For 150 years, Newcastle High School for Girls has been dedicated to one clear mission: empowering girls to thrive.
Since the very first day of Gateshead High School in 1876, we have been opening doors, removing barriers, and giving generations of girls the confidence to lead.
Our alumnae are living proof of that mission: trailblazers in business, innovators in science, artists, campaigners, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the globe. Each carries with her the spark first lit here at school.
Now, in our 150th year, we invite you — our alumnae — to help us pass that spark on. Together, we can ensure that every talented girl has the opportunity to walk the same path you once did.
Girls First. Then. Now. For Good.
The Alumnae Legacy
From our earliest graduates to our most recent leavers, our alumnae have made their mark on the world. They:
- Break barriers in male-dominated industries.
- Lead with compassion, determination, and confidence.
- Give back to their communities as changemakers, mentors, and role models.
“My education at Newcastle High has meant everything throughout my life. It is an education that teaches resilience, self-reliance and self-worth, mindfulness and compassion, confidence, leadership, integrity, risk-taking – all core skills a girl should have to help her achieve her true potential wherever that may lie. I call it rocket fuel and it is powerful stuff. It is the foundation of everything I have achieved and I still draw on it today.'
Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE
Why Bursaries Matter
A bursary changes everything. It is the spark that transforms a gifted girl’s potential into a life of possibility. Female leaders are critical to the future. And leadership doesn’t start in boardrooms – it starts in classrooms.
NHSG bursaries:
- Remove financial barriers for bright young women across the North East.
- Open access to an education that empowers girls to be ambitious, fearless, and unapologetically themselves.
- Sustains our proud legacy of alumnae who shape the world for the better.
“The kindness of strangers has changed my world and I will always be grateful for it every single day. Don’t underestimate the difference your donation will make’.
Lucy, NHSG Alumna Class of 2023
"As a headteacher, it was a privilege to witness the progress of my pupils, especially those who received bursaries. With the School’s support, they reached their full potential academically and contributed richly to the school community, offering fresh perspectives and ideas. I too benefited from a bursary from age 11, which gave me excellent teaching, guidance for further education, and friendships that have lasted a lifetime. I am full of admiration for NHSG and its excellent bursary scheme and I am proud to be linked to it in however a small way.
As a donor, a recipient and as a former GDST employee, I feel qualified to ask you to please consider making a gift to the bursary fund, you may change a life."
Angela Chapman
Head 1982 - 1999
Alumnae Spotlight: Jo Ashbridge
Global Humanitarian | Founder & Director, AzuKo
Jo Ashbridge is the visionary founder and director of AzuKo, an architecture charity dedicated to facilitating development and change through design. Working with communities living in extreme poverty, AzuKo creates sustainable solutions to ensure every person enjoys the right to dignified living conditions.
Jo’s journey began with values instilled during her school years — values that continue to shape her work today.
“Strong, educated girls can be a force for good. My school taught me confidence, resilience, and openness to new possibilities — but most importantly, it instilled a responsibility to use opportunities with kindness and to pay them forward. AzuKo was founded on these values, to make the world a better place for all.”
Alumnae Spotlight: Izzy West
CEO & Founder @ Hirestreet & Zoa Rental | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Drapers 30 Under 30 | GBEA Disruptor of the Year NE | North East Young Business Person of the Year
Izzy West is a trailblazer — a young female entrepreneur making waves in the male-dominated tech industry. As a passionate advocate for sustainability and for women in leadership, Izzy is redefining what success looks like in the modern workplace.
"When times get tough, it’s your network you turn to for support — and I have not found a greater one than the girls I was surrounded with whilst at school. That environment taught me the power of women supporting women, of lifting each other up’.
Alumnae Spotlight: Dr. Ellie Cannon
Dr Ellie Cannon is a familiar and trusted voice in British healthcare — a practicing NHS GP, media commentator, and columnist for the Mail on Sunday. With regular appearances on BBC Breakfast, ITV News, and Channel 5, Ellie brings clarity and compassion to public health conversations across the UK.
Her passion lies in empowering patients to make informed choices, and her work spans mental health, women’s health, and family medicine. She’s the author of two books, including Is Your Job Making You Ill?, which explores the impact of workplace stress on mental wellbeing.
Ellie’s journey from the classroom to the clinic and the camera is a testament to the power of education, empathy, and advocacy. She continues to inspire future generations of women to lead with purpose and compassion.
“My school gave me the confidence to speak up, the resilience to keep going, and the curiosity to ask questions — all of which have shaped my career in medicine and media. It taught me that knowledge is powerful, but sharing it with kindness is transformative.”
The Power of Alumnae Giving
As an Alumna, you know first-hand the difference our education makes. The friendships, the encouragement, the belief that your voice matters — these are gifts that last a lifetime.
Now, it’s your turn to pass those gifts on. Every donation, large or small, makes a direct impact on a girl’s future. Together, we can:
- Create life-changing opportunities.
- Empower more girls to step forward with confidence and resilience.
- Keep our mission alive for the next generation.
Girls First. Then. Now. For Good.
The Next Spotlight Could Be Hers
Compassionate, educated girls are the most powerful legacy we can leave behind, they hold our future in their hands.
For 150 years, NHSG alumnae have been shaping the world — in boardrooms, laboratories, theatres, classrooms, and communities across the globe. Their achievements are proof of what our education makes possible.
But for every story we share, there is another waiting to be written. A girl with ambition, potential, and determination — who needs just one chance.
With your support, she can walk through our doors. She can discover her confidence, find her voice, and take her place in the world.
“Education has given me the freedom to choose my own future. Without the support of a bursary, I would never have had the opportunities I’ve been fortunate to embrace, nor the confidence to make the most of them.”
Lauren, bursary recipient, NHSG Class of 2015
150th Anniversary Bursary Fund
When you give to the 150th Anniversary Bursary Fund, you are investing in the future. You are ensuring that the next generation of alumnae will continue to inspire, to lead, and to put girls first.
Girls First. Then. Now. For Good.
