MORE than 70 former students of Peter Symonds Sixth Form College took a trip down memory lane as they met 46 years after they left at a reunion.

The first cohort of the newly-formed Peter Symonds Sixth Form College gathered on June 25 for a reunion at the University of Winchester.

They graduated in 1976 after girls were first been admitted in 1974.

Alison Preston said: "The reunion included attendees from New Zealand, Singapore, Morocco, Korea, Ireland, France and UK.

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"Five former staff members from this era were also able to attend and meet their former students.

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"About 225 former students from the year group were found during the past couple of years of lockdowns, using a combination of personal memory, internet searching and the formation of an active social media group.

"Alumni were found from Alaska to Australia, Botswana to Morocco, and Land’s End to Scottish Highlands, with several remaining in the Winchester area. Many have re-established old friendships and made new connections, with much discussion about their school days in Winchester and sharing of old and new memories and photos.

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"A reunion was initially planned for 2021, but had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. The group are planning a down under reunion for those in Australia and New Zealand, and hope that the recent gathering in Winchester will be just a warm up for their 50th anniversary in a couple of years’ time."

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