A FORMER teacher has put out an open invitation to past colleagues and pupils to her 90th birthday party – in New Zealand.

Ida Gaskin, nee Jacobs, taught at Wanstead High School from 1941 to 1946, before leaving to start a new life down under.

She taught English, Religious Instruction and History and joined the school as a fresh graduate from teacher's college during the war, while many male teachers had left to fight with the Armed Forces.

She now lives in Taranaki on the North Island and has lived quite a life since she left east London. In 1983 she became the first woman in New Zealand to win their version of the television quiz Mastermind, before standing for the Labour party in the general election of the following year.

In 1997 her hard work and dedication was recognised by her adopted homeland as she was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year's Honours List. She was also awarded a honorary doctorate from Waikato University in 2001.

Do you remember Miss Jacobs from your days at Wanstead High School in the 1940s? If so, contact James Ranger on 01992 563 123 or email jranger@london.newsquest.co.uk.