Rosalind Bluestone née Burns MBE

A wonderful ski trip to Switzerland with Mr & Mrs Felsenstein, and Mr & Mrs Webber.

There were lots of funny moments but the funniest was when Mr Riddick our history teacher gave out tiny pieces of paper for us to answer his history test. The test was double-fold; could you get 10 correct answers on a piece of paper slightly bigger than a postage stamp?!

Mr Leigh, our Ivrit teacher, made the language come alive for me. I loved his lessons. Mr Webber, our art teacher, stretched our minds to embrace and appreciate music and history of art. I have remained in touch with many of my classmates, and we have met up regularly over the years.

I was JFS school representative for Task Force. This was run by Camden Council, we did lunchtime visits to elderly residential neighbours in Camden, I helped to organise Christmas parties and outings together with the Task Force team.

I loved every minute at school. From the assembly to class registration, walking long distances from building to building. I loved the school lunches too. Sometimes we had a Zangwill pop-in at lunchtime, which was current pop music and very popular. It was the 60s and there was a clothing and music revolution, which we were all part of.

I was a very shy person when I started school and though I lived in Golders Green, my parents struggled to make ends meet. JFS gave me confidence and a wonderful social life. I left school ‘work-ready’ and was able to start working elsewhere as soon as I left school.

At the age of 60 I founded my own charity, Goods For Good (Global). The humanitarian aid delivery programme I managed at World Jewish Relief came to a sudden end and I was determined to find a way to continue this lifeline of essential goods to vulnerable communities. I had visited so many communities and witnessed abject poverty, people lacking in clothing, footwear, needing everyday essentials. I couldn’t turn my back on these communities who were struggling. So, in 2014 I set up Goods For Good and since, we have delivered essential items to 30 countries, including the UK, Ukraine, Poland, Israel, Romania, and the Philippines, and also responded to global disasters. I enjoy helping others and making a difference; by delivering practical help, together with hope and dignity.

I would advise and encourage students to get involved in charity work. Volunteering is a great opportunity to see the world through a different lens and give time for something meaningful.

I ‘fell’ into the charity sector. It wasn’t a career plan. However, it was the best thing that happened to me. My work keeps me motivated and focused on helping those less privileged than me.

I have best friends that I have been in touch with for many years now, attending their weddings, and their children’s weddings.

I visited Camden before they redeveloped the site and it was very nostalgic. One of my friends actually has a brick from the old building! It was such a special place for me and so many others.

It means a lot to me to be in touch with old friends.

My father went to JFS in Bell Lane, with his siblings.

My sons went to JFS in the early 90s when we came back over from Israel to the UK for a few years.

I married a student from JFS and we made aliyah with our children. I think our Jewish education impacted that decision somewhat.

My sister joined the JFS to the 4th year the same year I did in 1964. She had been bullied by antisemitic students at her old school, and it was a great relief to her to join JFS.