The New Chalet Club

Hilda Annersley: Headmistress

Setting

The book is set during the year that Miss Annersley is absent from the Chalet School following the road accident at the beginning of GAY FROM CHINA AT THE CHALET SCHOOL/GAY LAMBERT AT THE CHALET SCHOOL, and runs parallel to this book, as well as JO TO THE RESCUE, MYSTERY AT THE CHALET SCHOOL, TOM TACKLES THE CHALET SCHOOL and THE CHALET SCHOOL AND ROSALIE, with occasional references to happenings in the school that are detailed in these books. The story gives the opportunity for us to learn how Miss Annersley's character and attitudes were formed, and what makes her the Head Mistress that she is.

Spoilers

There are fears that Miss Annersley may never recover from the accident, which the doctors try to keep from her, fuelling her anger and her determination to recover however long it took. As she improves, despite the protestations of her doctor, Miss Annersley is persuaded to use her knowledge of German to act as translator for a German POW who is refusing treatment, an incident which sets back her recovery.

Her slow recovery continues, and she recalls an incident in her childhood that resulted in her decision to become a teacher. This takes the form of a flashback, and we see Hilda Annersley at school. She agrees to help Jan with her studies to qualify for promotion. This has the effect of helping her own recovery. Whilst at her cousin's she is visited by Miss Wilson, Matey and Miss Edwards at half term and promises that she will try to attend the school's Christmas Play, if the doctors allow it.

Miss Wilson and Miss Annersley spend Christmas at Nell Wilson's cottage on Dartmoor, attending each others church service. Miss Annersley admits to her friend how badly she was injured and the fears that she had about her recovery. On learning of her responsibility for her niece's future, she finds that her niece has a clear vision of what she wants to do which conflicts with her father's views.

Miss Annersley tells her of her own experiences at that age and the situation is resolved. On going to collect Helen's daughter, there is a problem with the Deputy Headmistress who is temporarily in charge of the school. Miss Annersley, as the Headmistress of the Chalet School, solves the problem and helps the Deputy Headmistress to see her role clearly.