Madge Bettany

Joined/Left: Madge Bettany founds the school in April 1931.  She leaves the school after her marriage in July 1933, but maintains her involvement and interest in the school.   

Full Name: Margaret Daphne

Nickname(s):  Madame

Family: Madge has a younger sister, Joey, and a twin brother, Dick.  Dick works for the Forests in India.  Their parents are both deceased, their father, David, dying before Joey’s birth, and their mother, Margaret, shortly after.  Their guardian, until his death early in 1931, is their Great Uncle Matthew.  She has two Aunts, who are both married and have long families.  She has a Great Uncle William.

Birthdate: Madge was born on July 4, 1906.

Home: “Greenacres”, Taverton, England (until April 1931); “Die Rosen”, Sonnalpe (July 1933 – Spring/Summer 1938); “Bonne Maison”, Torteval, Guernsey (Summer/Fall 1938 – April 1940); “The Round House” (Summer 1940 – Summer 1950); Llan-y-penllan, Wales (from Summer 1950)

Nationality: English; Protestant

Subjects: Madge Bettany is the Headmistress of the Chalet School from April 1931 until her marriage in July 1933.  She remains as Joint Headmistress during the fall term of 1933, when she comes down from the Sonnalpe twice a week to teach Literature to the Seniors.  She teaches English Subjects, including English, Literature, and History. During the fall term and winter terms of 1931/1932 she also teaches Geography.  She is the first Captain of the Chalet School Guide Company, beginning in the summer term of 1932 until her marriage in July 1933.

Education: 

Hair:  She has dark brown curly hair.

Eyes:  She has dark brown eyes.

Appearance:  Madge is slight and slender. She is graceful and has a sweet and delicate face.

Personality:  She is open-minded.

Notes: Madge Bettany is the founder of the Chalet School and maintains an interest in it.  She becomes the Head of the Chalet School Ltd. in 1950.

After Leaving: Madge becomes engaged to Dr. James Gilbert (Jem) Russell in March 1932.  She marries him on July 27, 1933. 

Her first son, David James, is born in May 1934.  Her first daughter, Sybil Margaret, is born in March 1936.  Her second daughter, Josette, is born in November 1938.    Her third daughter, Aline Elizabeth (Ailie), is born in August 1943.  Her second and third sons (twins), Kevin Jack and Kester Richard, are born in Novmeber 1947.

The Russell’s become the guardians of Daisy and Primula Mary Venables, the children of Jem’s sister Margot, after her death in February 1939. 

Jem gets his baronetcy on the Birthday Honours List in the fall of 1942.