Mary was an enormously generous Head with a very clear vision of the school she wanted Bancroft’s to be. Her decisions were driven by a fundamental belief that every pupil deserved the best possible education, and she led by example in demonstrating the personal commitment that required from teachers, whether that was attending weekend sporting fixtures or travelling to Edinburgh in August to support school productions. Staff were never left in any doubt that their own contributions were highly appreciated; she wanted people – pupils and staff – at “her” school to be happy. 

She proved a very supportive friend to me in what turned out, so sadly, to be the last eighteen months of her life. Her appointment as Junior Warden of the Drapers was an entirely fitting tribute to her altruism, and there can no doubt that there is, on balance, far more happiness in the world as a result of her presence with us.