Life story retold by Yota Dimitriadi
Caroline Gertrude Rundell was born on 31st August 1852. She was the second Head Teacher in the history of Kendrick School, Reading, a post that she held for nearly 29 years.
We know from her obituary (The Reading Standard, Friday 15th February 1935) that she began her teaching career at Croydon High School in 1876, one year before the Kendrick Girls’ School came into being. She was at Croydon until 1880, when she went to the Roan School, Greenwich. After four years there, she came to Reading as head teacher of the Kendrick Girls’ School in 1885 [ the newspaper reports 1886]. Her sister came with her from Greenwich, as her first assistant and remained with Miss Rundell until her marriage, when she moved to New Zealand. Her sister’s married name was Mrs Cassell.
During her long term of office Miss Rundell was untiring in her efforts to promote the success of the school. After her retirement in August 1913 [though the newspaper reports July 1914], Miss Rundell went to New Zealand where she spent a year at her sister’s home and when she returned she took up residence at 7 Alexandra Road where she had lived ever since her retirement. She died there on 11 February 1935 in her 82nd year.
Her interest in the school continued and she followed its development and growth with interest. She was very popular with the alumnas (the Old Girls of the school as they were referred to). Her obituary reports that “her friendship was very real, practical and sympathetic.” They in turn honoured her by presenting her portrait to the school in 1931. It was unveiled in the Large Hall by the then Madame Mayor of Reading, Mrs FG Sainsbury, who was herself an alumna of the school.
Miss Rundell was keenly interested in church work and was an active member of St. John’s, Reading. She was particularly interested in missionary work and at one time she considered resigning from teaching and going out as a missionary, but for reasons not known she was unable to do so. She was for many years the honourary secretary of the Reading Branch of the Police Court Mission.
The funeral took place on Thursday 14th February 1935. It was attended by many people and there were many floral tributes, some from her ex-students.
The service was at St. John’s church. Mr P.R. Scrivener, who was at Kendrick School with Miss Rundell was at the organ and some of the girls of the school formed the choir. Psalm XXIII, “The Lord is my Shepherd” and the hymns “The Saints of God!” and “For all the Saints” were sung. Mr Scrivener played “Ases Tod” (Grieg), “O Rest in the Lord” (Mendelssohn), Chorale Preludes of Parry, and “I know that my Redeemer Liveth” (Handel).
Among the mourners was her sister, Mrs Cassell, Mr G. Smith (executor), Miss Prebble (head teacher of Kendrick School), Miss Ashcroft (representing the Governors of the school), Alderman A.W.A. Webb (representing the Reading Education Committee). The Funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs Heelas Ltd under the personal supervision of Mr WB Fordham.
Miss Rundell made a bequest to the school and was used to buy an organ in February 1936. The following inscription was placed on it: “This organ was installed to give effect to the generosity of Gertrude Caroline Rundell who made a bequest to this purpose and to fulfil the desire of the Town Council to commemorate her devoted services as head mistress of the Kendrick Girls’ School from 1885-1913.“
Reading Standard (Friday 07 February 1936) reports that the organ was chosen by Mr Scrivener. It was reconditioned and installed by Mr Hill and Sons, Norman and Beard, a well-known London firm. It was small and suited to the size of the hall. Ten and a half feet in height and a manual of 56 note and a pedal keyboard of 30 notes, conforming to the Royal College of Organists’ pattern. Mr Scrivener is also buried in Reading Old.
During the first performance with the organ a letter by Mrs Cassell was read which said: “It was one of her [Miss Rundell’s] great wishes that the beloved school should have an organ, but this far exceeds her fondest hopes, which she treasured for years. I want to thank you, the school governors and the Town Council and all who have helped so generously to bring about this realisations.”
Buried in Section 51, Row A, Number 38