On Friday 14th June, we held our Senior School Gala at Drapers’ Hall in the City of London, to fundraise for two important causes: our transformational bursary Promise Campaign and FHS capital projects.
Always a highlight of the Summer Term, this year’s Gala was a particularly spectacular due to the stunning venue, some very exciting entertainment and the fact that it was our Head, Alexandra Haydon’s first ever Gala at FHS!
The evening began with a Champagne Reception in the beautiful Court Dining Room, followed by a delectable supper in the Livery Hall. Next, our guests enjoyed a mesmerising immersive performance by International Opera Singer and Award Winning Mezzo Soprano, Friederike Krum, who sung a range of pieces including Puccini, the Aria from Carmen and “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. Guests were then regaled by High End Cabaret and Couture Act J’Adore La Vie, who combined dance, burlesque and theatre into a fabulous immersive performance.
Following this, our Chair of the Senior School Parents’ Association, David Sweeney, our SSPA Head of Events, Daniela de Montby, and our Head, Alexandra Haydon, gave speeches thanking our guests and highlighting the importance of the evening’s causes. Mrs Haydon described how a proportion of the funds raised will be used to transform an area of our current Junior School into The Collaboration Space, a vibrant, multi-functional space that will inspire our girls’ thinking and further develop their essential life skills. The new area will include a social space, creative studio, classroom space and dedicated pastoral hub, which will provide our girls with a calming and supportive environment and will promote belonging and wellbeing.
She also discussed our Promise Campaign Bursary Fund, which aims to raise a £15 million endowment fund by 2032 to support 50 bursary students with full-fees awards at any one time. A large proportion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the Campaign, which will allow us to share the amazing resources we are lucky to treasure at FHS with generations of future FHS girls who lack financial means, ensuring that their potential is nurtured and their aspirations are supported.
The evening continued with an epic silent auction, featuring 80 exciting lots generously donated by members of the FHS Community, followed by more brilliant performances by Friederike Krum and J’Adore La Vie, announcement of the Raffle results and, finally, dancing in The Court Room with DJ Speechlis.
What a night! We are delighted to have vastly surpassed targets and raised over £55,000. Huge thanks to all who donated to support FHS capital projects and the Bursary Fund and all the auction prize donors and buyers, as well as our Sponsors, the Haase Family and the Woolf Family, our performers, and Bees & Lilacs Flowers, who supplied gorgeous floral arrangements for the evening. A particularly special thanks must go to our SSPA Events Committee and our FHS Development Team, whose planning, organisation and tireless dedication was integral to the evening’s success.
