On Thursday 11th December, our FHS community gathered in St Columba’s Church, Pont Street, for two wonderful Christmas Carol Services.

The services were led by our School Chaplain, Revd van der Hart, who helped us to reflect on the true meaning of the Christmas: that Jesus Christ came into our world to bring light in the darkness and hope for all humankind.

Alongside stunning solo and choral performances and 18 traditional biblical pupil readings spread across the two services, the congregations were delighted to get stuck into all-time favourite carols including “Once in Royal David’s City”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Hark! The Herald Angel’s Sing”. We were also delighted to welcome a number of FHS alumni and former staff to sing in our Francis Holland Chorus, which consists of our Senior Choir, Lower School Choir, Staff Choir and Parents and Alumni Choir. Much of the music in both services was selected by Miss Helen Vickery, whom we were pleased to congratulate on her 25 years of outstanding service to musical life at Francis Holland Sloane Square.

Special thanks go to Revd van der Hart, Miss Vickery, Mr Mercer and the Music Department for the months of hard work and dedication they have put into making the services so special, joyful and meaningful. Huge thanks must also go to all our wonderful performers, to our Operations Team and all the staff involved in the complex logistics of rehearsals, and to all the FHS families and alumni who joined us for the second service and got so enthusiastically stuck into carol singing!

What better way to conclude a spectacular term of music and usher in the Christmas holidays!