What an incredible TIPS Week it’s been this year. Each year gets better and better and this year was no exception. With over 25 different workshops on offer, the Year 7s and 8s discovered a whole host of new talents – from Juggling to Scottish Reeling, Self-Defence to Posh Graffiti, there were countless opportunities to develop those all-important 7 Cs.

TIPS Week (Thinking Innovatively and Problem Solving) is a three day festival of bespoke workshops unique to Francis Holland which are especially designed for Year 7 and 8 pupils. The workshops aim to challenge and inspire our girls to tackle a diverse set of problems in groups, and individually, with an emphasis on our 7 C’s: Confidence, Commitment, Craftsmanship, Communication, Curiosity, Collaboration and Creativity. TIPS is an alternative to the traditional exam week.

The Young Film Academy returned to inspire the next generation of film-makers, whilst the Physics department put on an incredible Escape Room to get the Year 7s thinking outside the box. A trip to Battersea Park later and we’ve got some landscape artists in our midst. We also saw the art of Conducting in the music rooms whilst others were racing around school to win Taskmaster. The creativity on display this year has been second to none and we’ve had the pleasure of seeing the pupils’ imagination come to life across workshops: from Bracelet Braiding and Abstract Embroidery to Worry Doll Woodwork, Minecraft Building and Podcasting.

Without a doubt, the Year 7s and 8s have had the most wonderful time and we couldn’t be prouder of the determination and perseverance they have shown as they try new things and learn new skills. We hope they feel inspired and have made new friends this week. That’s what TIPS Week is all about and we can’t wait for next year already!

Miss Lorimer, Head of Year 7