On Saturday 6th March, former Francis Holland pupils and staff celebrated the School’s 140th birthday on Zoom

Circumstances this year dictated that our annual celebration of the School’s birthday was held not as a Saturday lunch, as it would ordinarily have been, but re-imagined as a virtual event. Over 50 former pupils and staff joined our online celebrations, which took place after the AGM. Guests watched as a colourful display of birthday messages from pupils were presented to alumni, before welcome speeches from Co-Chairs Audrey Mitchell and Anne Cyron and Headmistress Lucy Elphinstone.

We also watched the Music Department’s film, Psalm 150, created for the School Birthday and introduced by School Archivist, Clive Bartram.

As part of the event, we asked Old Girls to tell us about their own memories of time spent as a Francis Holland pupil, and received some fantastic contributions. Funny, poignant and insightful, some of these recollections were recorded by two of our current pupils, Cara and Tess Vogel. You can watch the recording, here.

The event closed with a recording of the BBC Songs of Praise Young Choir of the Year 2019, featuring our Senior School Chamber Choir.

We look forward to welcoming you next year, when hopefully we can celebrate in person!