Victoria Bastiman and Fiona Tannock (née Newbould), OHs 1989-96 have been best friends since meeting in Year 7 at Hymers College in 1989.  They were two of only twenty-one girls who started that year in 1989, surrounded by 76 boys.  Due to the introduction of the girls that first year, there were four forms but only two had girls in them.  Eleven girls started in Form 7A and ten, including Vikki and Fi, were in Form 7B.  In Year 8, a further 15 girls enrolled and 10 girls in Year 9.  The Sixth Form had already started accepting girls since the 1970s, but still there were more boys than girls.

So, although the school was now official co-ed, there was still a high number of boys compared to girls in those early years.  Each year after, the number of girls did increase and now the school is roughly equal in proportion of girls and boys.

Form 7B

Being one of the first girls in the Senior School meant that we had a unique experience. There were only 21 girls in our year. For me, I felt that all the girls got along better, as we were in the minority, and looked out for each other, while the boys looked after us and were protective.

Vikki Bastiman, OH 1989-96

Fiona was very musical at Hymers College and played in the school orchestras and wind band, along with singing in the first Girls' Choir.

When the school became co-educational, uniform for the girls was introduced.  Fiona and Vikki remember the wrap around skirts, which weren't the greatest of designs.  With a plastic zip and a velcro square, the girls often found that while running, the plastic zip would catch and open, leaving the skirts flapping and being held up precariously by the velcro square.

The games kit wasn't designed much better at the time, with the red skirts being of a similar design, along with red knicker shorts and an unflattering red and black squared hockey top.  And I don't think any of the girls liked the changing facilities due to the lack of privacy.  The showers were only used to quickly wet their hair after running on ahead of Mrs Glover, the Girls' Games Teacher (OH Staff 1989-94).

As the year had such a low female to male ratio, it wasn't uncommon to be one of only a few girls in a class for a subject as they progressed to GCSEs and A Levels.

In Year 13, I was the only girl to study IT and meant I was subjected, in fun, to teasing from the boys in the class.  However, I also knew they would be the first to defend me if anyone else said anything. I made friends, both female and male, for life at Hymers.

Vikki

It was a unique time in the school's history but one that created lifelong friendships and a strong bonding experience.

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