Gryphon Gallery: Rosemary Penn—NHS alumna, parent and vice-principal

Rosemary Maud Penn (Bridgman) joined NHS in September 1971, hired by Winifred Scott as her Vice-Principal and senior English teacher. She was a Norfolk House Old Girl (1938-43) and worked as a ward aid, nursing returning World War II veterans before attending Victoria College and then Newnham College, Cambridge to study English Literature. She married Michael Penn upon graduating. 

Rosemary had known Winifred since her arrival in 1957 for in that year her eldest child Caroline entered Grade 1 and Andrew was in Kindergarten. Briony joined the school later and like Caroline, is a NHS graduate. 

According to Miss Scott: “Rosemary quickly had the liking and respect of staff and girls. She took over from me many of the items of internal organization. What was even more important was that I now had someone with whom I could discuss academic policy and who could bring to me any concerns of the staff. If I had to be away, I could be sure that things were in safe hands. In addition, she worked with me on the timetable and we also shared the administrative responsibilities during the summer.” 

Mrs. Penn retired in 1980 and there were few activities in the school that hadn’t benefited from her support, including playing her part in Shakespeare Days (note her Richard III character above). She also coached debating. Her belief in the importance of debate led her to head up the Canadian Debating Federation and Debate and Speech Society of BC. Following in the steps of her parents, of Bridgman field hockey fame, she was also a keen supporter and the first president of the BC Women’s Field Hockey Association.

Former teacher Marion Jenkins wrote of her: “.. a person whose only fault is in giving more to others than considering her own interests. There is no one more willing to do a job or grant a favour. Both staff and students will sorely miss Mrs. Penn whose diplomacy, intelligence, generosity and selflessness have added something very special to the school. Her love for her students and her respect for colleagues will be long remembered.”

Apart from her time at NHS, Mrs. Penn taught at Westerham, St. Margaret’s, Queen Margaret’s, the Open Learning Institute, University of Victoria and Pearson College. In between, she fulfilled two life long dreams, starting a bookstore (Acorn Books) and becoming a principal. In 1984, she set up an international school in Manila, Philippines. Oh and did I mention she raised five children on top of all that!