The event was a wonderful celebration of the 2017/18 academic year. As well as the traditional awarding of prizes, we were treated to music, ballet, ballroom dancing and drama performances!

The evening began with a beautiful musical performance by our Scholars Ensemble, and an address by Marie Winckler, Chair of Governors. Headmistress Lucy Elphinstone thanked the parents, teachers and governors for their support over the last year, and congratulated the girls on their achievements, including the excellent results achieved at GCSE and A Level. Mrs Elphinstone then introduced our guest speaker, Liz Earle MBE, who congratulated every prize winner as they went on stage to collect their cups and books. Please click here to view the full Headmistress’ speech.

Liz Earle is known for her passion for natural health and wellbeing, as well as her considerable charity and campaign work. She is the bestselling author of over 35 books, a TV presenter, an entrepreneur and a farmer. Liz offered the girls advice on how they should best equip themselves for future challenges in a world where they are likely to have multiple jobs and possible entrepreneurial futures. She told the girls to ‘network well, be brave and retain a good and positive attitude’ which is a philosophy we foster here at FHS. She advised them to ‘not be afraid to take risks and not be afraid to fail when things go wrong,’ something which Headmistress Lucy Elphinstone often reiterates to the girls. Liz ended her speech by giving her own heartfelt and personal congratulations to all the girls stating ‘you are the top, you have reached the peak on the first part of your own personal life journey, so go well.’

We also enjoyed a captivating ballet performance by Lina of ‘Arabian Divertissement’ from Act II of George Balanchine’s 1954 production of The Nutcracker, whilst three of our Drama pupils performed a scene from Dealer’s Choice by Patrick Marber. Upper Sixth pupil Anastasia performed a captivating waltz with her partner Victor Solecki. To round off the evening, our Senior choir took to the stage with a mesmerizing performance of You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, which was arranged by former pupil Daisie Sitlani (class of 2018).

The Class of 2018 were invited back to a celebratory drinks reception afterwards to meet with former teachers and pupils one last time before heading off to University. We look forward to welcoming them back into our wider FHS alumni community in many years to come.