To celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March, girls and staff gathered in the playground for a moment of celebration and ceremonial baton-passing.

This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’ could not be more fitting to our community and ethos at Francis Holland. Underpinned by our values of love, courage and hope, we constantly encourage our pupils to ‘be the difference’ in society and make their own unique and meaningful contribution to the world – by finding the power and value exactly where they are.

Our Head, Mrs Haydon, spoke movingly about the power and significance of this day, before our outgoing Upper Sixth leadership team spoke about women who have inspired them from all walks of life – women who have achieved truly extraordinary things and demonstrated the power of dreaming fiercely. This was followed by the ceremonial passing of the baton to the incoming Lower Sixth leadership team, led by our incoming Head Girls, Bea and Ginevra, who gave a beautiful reading of ‘Legacy’ by Rupi Kaur. Mrs Haydon concluded the ceremony by encouraging pupils and staff to give thanks to a woman who has touched their life in an act of selfless giving.

Thank you to everybody who made this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations so special, meaningful and poignant.