Almost 200 attend school concert honouring late headteacher
Almost 200 people have attended a concert at a Staffordshire school to honour the life of a former headteacher.
Sister Helen Weston was the headteacher of St Dominic’s Grammar School in Brewood from 1978 to 1990, when she famously won a bet with Wolves owner, Sir Jack Hayward, to help build a new sports hall.
She died in December, aged 93, and the school held a tribute concert on Wednesday, when a plaque was unveiled to formally name the school chapel in memory of Sister Helen.
Head of St Dominic’s, Peter McNabb, said: “It was a great success, with about 180 people in attendance.
“We were delighted to welcome lots of Old Dominicans and I very much enjoyed giving them guided tours of the school and hearing their stories and memories.
“In memory of Sister Helen, we have renamed the chapel after her, dedicated a plaque in her honour and planted a special rose.
“The event was a wonderful celebration of Sister Helen’s life, and parents were delighted to see the children - some as young as six - perform with such confidence and clarity.”
The story of Sister Helen and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Sir Jack Hayward centred on the construction of a new sports hall at the school which Sir Jack had donated £30,000 towards.
The hall was finished but not completely paid for when Sir Jack turned up to open it in 1987. Sister Helen took the opportunity to win two bets with the VIP netting the school a further £12,000 and then another £10,000.
All proceeds from the concert will go to the St Dominic’s music department to develop the recording studio and enhance the musical provision for school pupils.
