One of the best things about Newnham is its vibrant and welcoming community. Our regional and international groups offer alumna the chance to reconnect with the Newnham network, to make new friends and catch up with old ones, and to join in with a varied programme of activities.
Newnham alumnae have set up a number of groups both within the UK and internationally.
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Young Alumnae group
- About
Alumnae under 35 are invited to join Newnham’s Young Alumnae group. The Young Alumnae group was established by the Roll Committee in 2014 to connect recent graduates and younger alumnae, broadly under the age of 35.
- Mentoring
The Young Alumnae organise a mentorship scheme connecting final year students with more experienced Newnhamites for career advice and professional guidance.
2024 Mentee Sign-Up Form (final year students only)
2024 Mentee Sign-Up Form- Socials & networking
Social and networking events are also held regularly and have included Zoom socials, picnic in Hyde Park London, Southbank Christmas market walk, and Pizza & Prosecco at Newnham College.
- Committtee
The group’s committee includes: Alisha Burman (NC 2013), Anne Hewitt (NC 2019), Charlotte Cattaneo (NC 2019), Lilit Nagapetyan (NC 2013), Rachel Decruz (NC 2012), and Urte Laukaityte (NC 2011).
- Contact
Events are advertised via emails from College and the Young Alumnae’s Instagram (@youngalumnaenewnham). You can also email the Young Alumnae directly here.
Alumnae groups by location
- Australian group
The Australian group links women across the continent from those who matriculated in 1945, right up to those who graduated in the last couple of years. Events are held regularly, particularly in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. When the Principal visits, a sparkling Sydney Harbour provides the backdrop for a lively thought-provoking and diverse conversation. The group is coordinated by Melissa Fisher (NC 1996). A special Australian biannual newsletter is edited by Victoria Jennings (NC 1995) and circulated by email. Please let Melissa know if you would like to be on the email list for distribution. They welcome new members.
- Bristol & South West group
The Bristol and South West group is relatively recently formed, but is very active. Events range from lunch at alumnae’s homes, to meeting for coffee, to trips to the theatre. They encourage alumnae in the area to get in touch. Please contact Kate Davenport (NC 1976) (01275 333646).
- Cambridge group
The Cambridge group and local members continue to support many College events and initiatives. Members of the Cambridge group have recently been instrumental in organising the annual Roll Family Picnic and the annual Newnham Family Forum.
- Gloucestershire group
The Gloucestershire group has been meeting for over 20 years. They organise an annual trip to the Cheltenham Literature Festival, and try to support Newnham authors speaking there. Several members of the Gloucestershire group continue to join the Malvern group quite regularly at their monthly pub lunch. Other activities include Christmas teas, museum visits and trips to gardens.
The group was very interested in the College’s proposals for the Young Alumnae Group and would strongly encourage the next generation of alumnae to establish their own Newnham group in parallel. If anyone in the area is interested in doing this, they’d love to hear from you – please contact the Development Office.
- Hong Kong group
The Hong Kong Chapter was formed in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength. Each year its members gather to welcome the Principal and Development Director to Hong Kong at its special Newnham Dinner, hosted by Joy-Shan Lam Kung (NC 1989). Joy-Shan produces a biannual newsletter especially for alumnae in Hong Kong. Members represent many fields including business, medicine, law, education, finance and the government sector. This year the Chapter has established the Newnham Hong Kong Group Award to support a student from Hong Kong who is either in financial need or requires additional funds for work experience. If you would like to know more about the group, please email Joy-Shan.
- London group
Several London alumnae events were held during the year and we would like to invite other London-based alumnae to step forward to get involved. It doesn’t take too much time to put on an event and it’s a great way of supporting College, making connections and having some really lovely evenings. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Development Office.
- Manchester Association of Cambridge University Women
MACUW has three main meetings a year, an Annual Dinner, a Summer Meeting and the AGM, which is followed by a talk and lunch.
We are always delighted to welcome new members: just come along to one of our events. For membership details, please contact Catherine Bankes (Chadwick, NC 1961).
- Midlands group
The Midlands group (formerly the Daventry group) covers the amorphous area of the East Midlands, extending into adjacent areas. They meet occasionally for a social lunch combined with other visits. If you are interested in the group, please contact Rosalind Willatts (NC 1963) (01536 770875).
- North Home Counties group
Recently formed and headed by Dr Jo Withers, the North Home Counties group broadly covers those in Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire.
- Oxfordshire group
The Oxfordshire group was formed in 2020 and has yet to meet, although they very much intend to. If you would like to join the Oxford group, please contact Kathy Hodder-Williams (NC 1983).
- Scottish group
The Scottish group welcomes members from across Scotland. They enjoy a variety of cultural excursions, often involving good food! Whether it involves visits to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Royal Collection on display at Edinburgh’s own Queen’s Gallery, a ramble or hosting the Principal or other visitors from Newnham over dinner, they are delighted to strengthen the Newnham community north of the border.
There are alumnae book groups in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Both would welcome new members, so please get in touch with Chris Ayton (NC 1977) if interested. Failure to read the odd book has never been a disqualifier – it’s as much about gathering together for good conversation and to enjoy the Newnham connection.
- Singapore group
Formed 4 years ago, the Singapore group gets together and offers support for both the College and its members in Singapore. The group hosts the Principal and the Development Director each year and invites freshers from Singapore for tea a few weeks before they start their adventure at Newnham. Members of the group help the Oxbridge Society in Singapore with practice interviews for potential applicants. Please contact Sharon Chin (NC 1996) or Eleanor Great for more information.
- US group
Newnham in America is a well-established network of former students living across the USA. There are particularly strong concentrations of alumnae in New York, Washington, Boston and in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our US Alumnae Committee has members from many different states and is always interested in hearing from others who would like to join. It holds three conference call committee meetings each year.
The Principal aims to visit annually and meet alumnae with members of the US Committee. Each year, groups attend the Cambridge in America days on the East and West coasts and enjoy a special Newnham outing for brunch beforehand.
The US Alumnae Committee, chaired by Margaret Campbell (NC 1966), generously supports a competitive Travel Award each year for a Newnham student to carry out a project in the US during the summer vacation.
When Fellows visit the US they are delighted to meet with alumnae and often speak at special Newnham events hosted by the US Committee.
Please note the Newnham US website is no longer active. Any information regarding the Newnham group in the US will be posted here from now on.
- Wessex group
The Wessex group includes Newnham Roll members from Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. They aim to get together at least once a year to meet old friends or make new ones; keep themselves up-to-date with developments at the College; and celebrate the lives and works of local Newnhamites. In particular, events have included garden parties, dinners, lunches and concert trips.
- Yorkshire group
If you are interested in connecting with other Yorkshire-based alumnae, please get in touch with Dr Liz Newbronner (NC 1979); liz@newbronner.com.
Start a Group
If you have started an alumnae group, please get in touch with the Roll & Development group and we will list it on this page.
Roll & Development Office
Newnham College
Cambridge
CB3 9DF
Tel. 01223 335757
"…outstanding support network of young women from all sorts of subjects and all different ages" Zahra Haider (NC 2010)
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