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The Old Fishes Association
Founded in 1851, the Old Fishes Association connects a network of former students, promoting ongoing communication between the School and all former students, parents and members of staff. By keeping in touch we are able to provide information about alumni events, share success stories and continue to offer a friendly service of support whenever our students need us after they have left the School.
Would you like to inspire the next generation of students? As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting current students with their future career planning, we are launching a series of subject specific networking events. These events aim to connect our current students… Read more
Set to be a wonderful day filled with magic and Christmas cheer, famillies are able to wander through the market delighting in tasty treats and creations from local small businesses. With the festive backdrop of the St Francis Woodland, the Christmas Market will transport you to … Read more
We're dreaming of an (alumni) Christmas! While some alumni may be "driving home for Christmas". we would love for you to join us in our first annual Old Fishes' Christmas celebration at New Hall School. With promises of mulled wine and min… Read more
Who are the Old Fishes?
New Hall Alumni are referred to as Old Fishes (formerly New Hallians, as well). The term Old Fishes is a traditional term, which was used for New Hall students from as early as 1799. At the time of Catholic persecution in mainland Europe, the founding Religious Community, The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre, and their students were forced to leave Liège, in the Low Countries (what is now Belgium). It was not a simple task, as students now had to be smuggled into the country. The sisters used the code name ‘fishes’ in their correspondences to cover up the real contents of the boats arriving on the English shores. This secret led to students across the decades to being referred to as ‘Fishes’, with alumni becoming ‘Old Fishes’ as they left the School. It is a unique and fascinating story that unites everyone associated with New Hall with the rich heritage of our past. It also makes an interesting talking point at dinner parties!
Old Fishes return to New Hall for the Oxbridge Dinner 2024. More...
Old Fish, Isha Dave (2002), returns to New Hall for a trip down memory lane. More...
Old Fishes, spanning almost seventy years, return to New Hall for a glorious day at the first annual Alumni Summer BBQ. More...
Old Fishes return to New Hall with smiles and memories for their fifty-year reunion. More...
Trespassers illegally entered the School grounds, felling a mature 61-year-old horse chestnut tree that was a landmark at the School’s historic entr… More...
On Sunday 21 April 2024, amongst the other 50,000 runners, Old Fishes took part in the London Marathon. Collectively, the Old Fishes featured ran 157.… More...
