We have been blessed with glorious spring sunshine today as we celebrate 144 years of educating Fearless Girls since our wonderful school was founded by Canon Francis Holland in 1881.
Always a very special occasion, this year’s School Birthday was particularly so as it brought together our Francis Holland, Sloane Square and Francis Holland Prep communities for the first spectacular joint celebration since our Prep School moved to the heart of Chelsea in September 2024.
The morning began with our annual School Birthday Service, which took place for the first time at St Luke’s Church, Sydney Street; Francis Holland Prep’s magnificent new local church. The congregation was dotted with the beautiful bright yellow of our school birthday flower, daffodil. As is tradition, our Prep School girls sported hairstyles beautifully decorated with daffodils for all to admire.
Led by our Chaplain, Revd. van der Hart and Bishop Emma, our School Birthday Service featured readings by our Head Girls, Prep and Senior pupils, performances by our Prep, Lower and Senior School Choirs and, of course, a spirited rendition of our school anthem, ‘Except the Lord build the house’. The service also included a poignant tribute to Dr Claire Price, our wonderful teacher who very sadly passed away earlier this week following a long illness.
The King’s Road was a shimmering sea of daffodils as our senior school pupils made their way back to school for our ceremonial School Birthday Cake cutting in the Playground by Mrs Haydon and an exuberant rendition of ‘Happy Birthday, Dear School’, followed by delicious School Birthday cupcakes for every pupil and member of staff.
Pupils and staff then enjoyed a captivating, hotly contested Staff vs Pupil Netball Match. The standard of both teams’ play was outstanding, with the teachers only just clinching the final victory with 13 goals to 12! This was followed by a fabulous Talent Show and our legendary annual school ‘Rockaoke’ in the Hall.
Another exceptional School Birthday! Thank you so much to all involved in organising and celebrating with such enthusiasm – we are looking forward to our landmark 145th Birthday next year already
