Today, over 900 Francis Holland Sloane Square and Francis Holland Prep pupils and staff have gathered to celebrate 145 years of shaping character, cultivating curiosity and opening doors for young women since our schools were founded by Canon Francis Holland in 1881.

The morning began with our annual School Birthday Service, which took place in the beautiful St Luke’s Church, Sydney Street. The congregation was a shimmering sea of yellow with our school birthday flower, the daffodil. As is tradition, our Prep School girls sported intricate hairstyles decorated with daffodils for all to admire.

Led by our Chaplain, Revd. van der Hart, 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’.

Next up was our ceremonial School Birthday Cake cutting in the Playground by Mrs Haydon and an exuberant rendition of ‘Happy Birthday, Dear FHS!’, followed by delicious School Birthday cupcakes for every pupil and member of staff.

Pupils and staff then enjoyed our annual Staff vs Student Netball Match – our students reclaimed their title with a final score of 14-12! This was followed by our legendary annual School Birthday karaoke in the Hall.

Another fabulous School Birthday, signalling our five year countdown to our landmark 150th School Birthday in 2031! Thank you so much to all involved in making the day such a sensational celebration of 145 years of Francis Holland girls dreaming fiercely and achieving extraordinary things.