Fairfield High School wishes former Head of Maths a Happy 100th Birthday

A former head of mathematics at Fairfield High School for Girls, Kathleen Auty, has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Between 1938 and 1941, Kathleen studied mathematics at Girton College, Cambridge. 

There she met Christopher Robin Milne, the son of Winnie the Pooh author AA Milne. Christopher was studying mathematics at Trinity College and both were members of the Archimedeans, the Cambridge University Mathematical Society.

Kathleen continued her studies through the early years of World War Two, whilst most of the male students left to join the armed services.

In 1942, Kathleen took up her first teaching post at St Leonard’s School in St Andrew’s, Fife, Scotland. Following the end of the war, she moved back to England and taught mathematics at Barnsley Girls High School.

In 1948, she moved to Fairfield, where she was head of the mathematics department until 1958. At the school’s annual prize giving ceremony, the Auty Prize for Mathematics is still awarded to the subject’s brightest student.

Stephanie Bateman, head teacher at Fairfield, said: “There will be many in the Droylsden area who will remember Miss Auty and the excellence of her teaching. She was an incredible role model for the girls of the 1950s and some former pupils still keep in touch with her. She has a special place in the school’s history.”

After Kathleen’s father died in 1957, she made regular visits to see her mother in Yorkshire. 

Then, out of the blue, she was offered the job of head of mathematics at Skipton Girls High School, where she stayed until retirement in 1978.

Throughout her life, Kathleen has enjoyed the outdoors.

She was a keen walker and many holidays were spent walking with friends in Scotland and Switzerland in particular. 

She has climbed Ben Nevis, Snowdon and many of the Lake District peaks. She also made a memorable trip to the Holy Land and Jerusalem.

Kathleen’s passion for cricket has never wavered and she was a member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club for many years. 

She enjoys reading her daily copy of the Yorkshire Post, attempting the puzzles and crosswords, and watching sport on television, especially snooker and cricket.

Kathleen now lives at Townend Close Care Home in Crosshills, where she enjoys the company of others and the support and care provided by staff.

Because of the coronavirus, a party to celebrate her birthday, on March 20, had to be cancelled. 

However, Kathleen was delighted to receive a card from Her Majesty the Queen. She was able to cut a special birthday cake and enjoy a celebratory tea with other residents of Townend.

Miss Bateman added: “Our congratulations go to Miss Auty on this milestone of a birthday. We are living through difficult times and so it is even more important to celebrate such special events in whatever way possible.

“We have sent Miss Auty a card and a book on behalf of all pupils and staff, past and present, to mark her special day, along with our warmest wishes. What an achievement on reaching 100!”