Mrs. Lorna Gordon – History & English

The incredible History teacher was Lorna Gordon - we were devastated when she emigrated to the UK. I think it was Valda Schwartz who replaced her. - Ros Hakim

Note from Lorna Gordon: dictated to Brian Eisenberg – February 10, 2014;
how strange was that to take dictation over the phone from an ex-English teacher!

Some things don’t change. [Note: I sent her a copy of the report after our ‘Tea’ two weeks ago with a set of photos]

Brian

Thank you so much for sending me your notes and photographs. It was very special to meet you and Elaine and to talk about our cherished memories of Northview.

I taught for many years in England, but Northview was the highlight of my career. Eric Harrison was an inspiring Head-Master, and there was a wonderful pioneering spirit and camaraderie amongst the Staff and Pupils. It was a privilege to be part of the school. I often think of you all.

I look forward to reading all the personal stories.

Wishing everyone love and the best,

Lorna

Tea with Mrs Lorna Gordon (Brian)

As you know from prior communications I managed to track her down to her home in N London, a mere 12 minute drive from where I live.

She was very happy to make contact with our class and hosted Elaine (Oppenheimer) and I for tea this afternoon. Elaine made the 50 minute car journey from where she lives North of London.

As usual it’s hard after years of indoctrination to call a teacher by her first name, but we got over it and pretty soon after we arrived it was simply Lorna, Elaine and Brian.

‘Mrs Gordon’ - Lorna is now a sprightly 84, leading a very busy and active life, with a mind as sharp as ever and was most interested to receive the good wishes of the class (yes, Marian she remembers you fondly too!) and poured interestedly over all the documents and pictures Elaine and I brought along. Later in the day, after Elaine had left, Lorna would not let me go till I had taken her through all the pictures on my computer showing classmates, Form-group photos and pics of theatre productions. (She was still proud of her Hamlet and so happy to see the pictures – thanks, Marlene! – and mentioned you too, Mr Lynsky, as her collaborator in all this)

She regaled us with her many recollections of teaching at Northview.

Lorna left SA immediately after the Hamlet production (1961) – NOT, as some believed, for political reasons (although she and her husband, Ted – who passed away 12 years ago – were most unhappy with the political situation in SA) but to join her husband who had already left to take up a good teaching post in the UK (I think it was in Oxford). 15 years later they returned to SA because Ted had been offered the position of Deputy Principal at King David in Linksfield. They were most unhappy in SA and returned to the UK after approximately 18 months. Both Lorna and Ted continued teaching for many years – he history and she English, and over the years Lorna taught children from ages 7 to 17.  

She is now ‘retired’ from teaching but is very active in communal and charity work and one of her main activities is running a ‘Contact Centre’ which is a place where parents estranged from their children can meet these children in a neutral environment.  She is most proud of this work, although it’s sometimes stressful and disturbing, is ultimately most rewarding and beneficial for the children. 

I and Pnina had the pleasure of meeting Lorna Gordon in the UK after she moved there. She took us to the site (alleged) of Gray's Elegy, a field near Stoke Poges. It was fun to reconnect with her after many years. – Martin Griss

Talking of Valda Shwartz, she got married while at Northview & her name changed. I was taken by a date (approx 1969) to a wedding. She was there & I politely greeted her. Her response was “Max I’m so surprised to see that you are not in jail, you were such a naughty boy” I don’t have to mention that my date was horrified! I had a lot of explaining to do. – Max Salminis