The Ballet Department was thrilled to hold Royal Academy of Dance ballet examinations last weekend. We welcomed Ms Vikki Allport from the RAD who examined over 40 girls from both Junior and Senior school.

Students from Y2, Y3, Y4, Y7, Y8 and Y9 took exams, from Primary to Intermediate. Despite the heat, the girls were as enthusiastic as ever and approached the day with maturity and professionalism. The ballet staff would like to thank the girls for their dedication and enthusiasm and look forward to watching this progress continue after the summer break.

I arrived in Francis Holland School in September of 2019. My first lesson on a rainy and autumnal Tuesday morning was a very energetic and enthusiastic Year 1 class. Straight away I was impressed with FHS girls’ engagement and passion for ballet. Fast forward six months later, we went into lockdown and online lessons; a new learning experience for both myself and the girls dawned. As the first few lessons on zoom began, I found the girls were teaching me just as much about zoom as I was teaching them about ballet. I was so incredibly overwhelmed by the girls’ continued motivation and passion for ballet during our online learning sessions…. It kept me sane!! The joy of being back in the ballet studio with all the girls, live accompaniment again (and the return of my spare room) is a memory I’ll treasure.

The opportunity to choreograph again for our Gym and Dance Shows and our Prize Giving performances is something I’ve enjoyed enormously, particularly hearing the girls’ eager and creative ideas for choreography; some more realistic than others! However, the girls’ continued dedication to their ballet, their professionalism and commitment during examination preparation is one of my biggest take aways from my time in school.

Fast forward almost four years since I first walked into the ballet studio, and I must bid a fond farewell to FHS. After commuting back and forth between The Netherlands and London, often on a weekly basis, I feel the time is right for a new challenge and a permanent move to Holland. I shall miss FHS hugely, but look forward to visiting and checking everyone’s toes are still pointing…

Miss Stephanie Ross, Ballet Teacher