It is a beautiful day on the day of our ten-year reunion. July 2024 and the Palace remains glorious. Few people who dutifully troop back into their old school are lucky enough to be greeted with such a light, sunny prospect as our main courtyard, the azulejos eternally shouting out from the building's façade, the grandest of staircases. I once wet myself on that staircase in Year 10 during a laughing fit. What a privilege it was to call this place mine!

Entering the terrace overlooking the Headmaster's Garden, I find lots of sophisticated-looking people in their late twenties gathered in small groups, enjoying a welcome drink. I couldn't predict the joy that spread through me upon seeing my old classmates as fully-fledged adults, so glamorous, so self-possessed! The class of 2014 catches up with staff members who have taken the time to attend: hugs and praises are exchanged and we clink glasses over our milestones since graduating, and over our shared memories. Myself and my cohort are extremely grateful to the staff that came along and helped guide us towards a feeling of belonging that grew and grew as the night went on.

Our reintegration into the school begins properly with an impassioned speech from Mr Paul Morgan, a Head who is very proud of the excellent character he sees in St. Julian's students. He welcomes us warmly back to the school and he and his cute dog, also in attendance, strike me as great defenders of its territory! After spending some time scratching her belly (the dog) I join my classmates for a short walking tour led by our familiar Mr Burke. In true History teacher mode, he reveals fascinating anecdotes from the school's history, accompanied by artefacts, photographs and points of interest in the rooms adjacent to the terrace. It's lovely to connect ourselves to the school's heritage of nearly a century; we get to know more about some of its most eccentric and influential alumni.

Undoubtedly, we're all very grown-up and sophisticated now. However, it is perhaps fated that during the tour, Mrs Bastos de Sousa needs to firmly tell us to be quiet and stop messing around. Just like old times. Ultimately, we were kids together and when packed into our old space and at precisely the moment we are meant to be behaving, instead old friends start to jostle each other, eyes are searching for shining eyes from across the room, some of us can't stop ourselves giving out whoops and cheers. There is something in the air.

From then on, we have dinner, drinks, dancing. First and foremost, we talk. As much as we can in the time we have.

Building companies and quitting toxic jobs. Changes for the better. Hopping between continents. Engagements, weddings. One of our own gets married today! I overhear three people solemnly discussing the roundabout in Elephant & Castle. Well, internationals will always be able to bond over living in London. The special thing about meeting your old cohort is that you are able to naturally connect your past to your future. Old memories were pleasurably fished out and we were forced to recount the journey we have made solo since graduating. Then, these conversations inspired plans for the future: to see one another, to go there and do this, to be the person you once wanted to become. For me, that connection is the meaning of “belonging”.

The evening draws to a close an hour and a half later than our supposed “closing time”, with half of us dancing go-go style to the school song and belting it at the top of our lungs. The garden below, I like to imagine, hears it all and is glad.

Madeleine Howard, Class of 2014

Please see a gallery of photos below.