St. Joseph’s Convent

A Memory of Redhill.

My name is Victoria Garcia. At 15 years old, I arrived at the school in the middle of winter.

Coming from an all summer weather year round, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, it was a shock how cold it was.

I was greeted by sister Jerome and two girls and friends, boarders as well. Jacqueline Lemaitre and Beatrice Velez. Vally Escallón previous student, came all the way from London for a day visit.

Then the settling in began. Purchasing winter clothing, the tailor came from London for uniform measurements, then the uniforms arrived. Gray hat and coat, burgundy jacket, cardigan, skirts, gray shirt and tie. I was ready to go.

With one obstacle. I did not understand a word of English. It took me over a year of reading, use of dictionary and lots of Agatha Christie’s novels to insert in my brain all these new knowledge.

And so it’s my great time in this boarding school.

Victoria García

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