On Thursday 19th September 2019, Francis Holland School, governors and parents gathered together for our annual Prize-Giving Awards, held at the prestigious Cadogan Hall.
The evening was a wonderful occasion to celebrate the achievements of girls and to welcome back our 2019 leavers. As well as the traditional awarding of prizes, we were treated to music, ballet and drama performances!
The evening began with a beautiful recital of Gavotte Holberg Suite performed by our Scholars Ensemble. Following the Chair of FHST Governing Councils, Mrs Marie Winckler’s thought-provoking speech, Headmistress Mrs Lucy Elphinstone thanked the parents, teachers and governors for their support over the last year and congratulated the girls on their achievements and their resilience. We patiently and carefully lay the foundations so that ultimately they are able to stand alone and be resilient in the face of setbacks, making a brighter future for themselves and for others. Our guest speaker, Entrepreneur and Digital Pioneer Hero Brown, had the pleasure of congratulating the prize winners as they collected their cups and books. Please click here to view the Headmistress full speech.
After a successful career as a journalist, Hero Brown created Muddy Stilettos – an urban guide to the countryside. The innovative lifestyle site is the UKs biggest digital platform talking directly to a quarter of a million urbane, fun-loving women outside London who are desperate to make the most of their free time. Like all good ideas, Hero said that her idea grew out of a need; a need for women wanting more things to do outside London. In her speech, Hero offered the girls advice on how they should best equip themselves for future challenges in the world telling them that talent and ambition will open doors, but only happiness and passion for your path will push you through the right ones. She advised them not to be afraid of change, and that most importantly, they mustnt be afraid to fail, and that in life, you will have the choice between safe and spectacular. Go for spectacular.
We also enjoyed some fantastic drama, a scene from Metamorphis by Franz Kafka, as well as three wonderful solo ballet performances. The Senior Choir took to the stage with a beautiful performance of You Raise Me Up/Homeward Bound by Josh Groban, directed by Miss Helen Vickery and accompanied by the Scholars Ensemble.
As is our tradition, the Class of 2019 attended a celebratory drinks reception afterwards to meet up with their former teachers and pupils one last time before heading off on their different paths. We cant wait to welcome them back into our alumni community in years to come.
