Today has been a very special and memorable day at FHS – the last day of the 2022-23 academic year and Mrs Elphinstone’s last day as Headmistress of FHS!
The morning began with a wonderful End of Year Service at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, led by Reverend van der Hart. We were treated to moving readings by students and staff which encouraged us all to look back over what has been a truly sensational academic year and feel grateful to feel part of this glorious school community. We also enjoyed fabulous performances of The Lord’s My Shepherd by Chapel Choir, Ave Verum Corpus by Staff Choir and finally the legendary I was glad by Senior and Staff Choir.
We made our way back to school for our legendary End of Year Assembly in the Playground. The assembly began with an epic performance of Mack the Knife by Staff Choir, followed by a moving farewell to the staff and students who are sadly leaving us this year but will always be important members of our alumni community. Next came a fabulous performance by our Lower School Chamber Choir, followed by an announcement we had all been waiting for with bated breath… the winners of this year’s House Cup by Miss Newsome! Congratulations to our winners this year, Ashcroft!
Next, our sensational FHS Rock Band came to the stage for a performance of 9 to 5 which had everyone on their feet and dancing, followed by a performance of Oasis’s classic, Champagne Supernova – with a twist in tribute to Mrs Elphinstone! – by the Three Tenors (Mr Trussell, Dr Upcott and Mr Edes), which was rightly greeted with a similarly ecstatic reception. Amelia in Year 8 then took to the stage, with a breath-taking performance of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now.
Finally, we were again treated to Sofia in the Lower Sixth and Mrs Elphinstone’s amazing duet of Bridge over Troubled Water – a throwback to their fearless last minute performance at Prize-Giving on Monday – before the show concluded with all-time classic Sweet Caroline, which naturally had staff and students alike going wild!
Mrs Elphinstone gave an emotive final farewell to the students, but assured them that she will always be an important member of the FHS community and her legacy will live on in the unique family atmosphere and intrinsic values of love and service which make our school so exceptional and have been the foundations of our success over the last decade. Thank you so much to Mrs Elphinstone and the other staff and students sadly leaving us and we look forward to welcoming you all back soon as members of our alumni community.
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer!
