January 2024 newsletter Francis Holland School, Sloane Square Alumni Association Old Girls’ Don’t miss the Old Girls’ Birthday Drinks Party on 7th March - book now! Private lecture and exhibition at V&A South Kensington celebrating the life and work of Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
2 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Forthcoming Events 2 Best wishes, Anne Cyron and Audrey Mitchell, (née Wiggin) Co-chairwomen of Francis Holland Old Girls' Society Class of 2017 Reunion Class of 2017 alumna, Alice Beddows wishes to organise a year group reunion. She is looking to hold the reunion in a bar or restaurant fairly close to the School and would love for you to get in touch! If you would like to attend, please email Alumni Relations Officer, Claire Brazer at alumni@fhs-sw1. org.uk and we can get a date and venue set! If you would like a year group reunion for your 'Class of', please do get in touch by email at alumni@ fhs-sw1.org.uk Forthcoming Events.................................. From the Co-chairwomen ........................ From the Head.......................................... Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto........ Alumni Events........................................... Alumni News............................................ Alumni Careers Speakers......................... Travel Fund Report 2023.......................... School News............................................. Business Enterprise Award 2023.............. Development............................................ Obituaries................................................ Committee Members and Keep in Touch 2 3 4 5 7 11 14 15 17 20 22 23 24 CONTENTS
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 3 From the Co-chairwomen Audrey Mitchell Welcome to this 2024 edition of the Old Girls’ Newsletter. We start the year by welcoming the new Head of Francis Holland, Sloane Square, Mrs Alexandra Haydon. Mrs Haydon is only the eleventh Head in the School’s 143-year history. She comes with a glowing reputation from Millfield School in Somerset and has arrived with an abundance of passion and energy. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Haydon at some of our events this year and we wish her all the very best from the alumni community for her new role. As Co-chairs of Francis Holland Old Girls’ Society, our aims are to support the extended FHS network by helping our alumni stay connected. We bring together previous staff and pupils of the School through networking, lectures, visits to theatres and other social and cultural events. We do this in conjunction with our Alumni Relations Officer, Claire Brazer, and our dedicated website, the Alumni Network Homepage, FHS Sloane Square Alumni (fhs-sw1.org.uk), which helps all our members stay in touch with each other and the School, facilitating a professional and social network. Why is this important? Networks are what open our world to new ideas, possibilities and connections, as well as celebrating existing ones. The FHS alumni community is built on more than 3000 former pupils and staff, and growing all the time. Many of our alumni have enjoyed huge and varied successes around the world, and whatever stage of your career you are at, whatever new interest you want to pursue, we can guarantee you will find Anne Cyron someone in the Network who can help or who shares your passions. Current Sixth Formers who are about to embark on their first career often find mentors within our network; others who are embarking on their second, third or fourth careers can find new contacts and opportunities. We can all support each other in some way, no matter when we left the School - even if it’s just for reminiscing or hearing news of old friends. Our next school birthday celebrations will be held on Thursday 7th March at 6.30pm where we will be hosting our biennial alumni drinks party. As always, the drinks party will be a nice opportunity to meet some new friends as well as old, and to hear about the School’s plans. We also look forward to showcasing this year’s Business Enterprise Award winners at the birthday drinks. We hope to inspire more of our alumni to take those first steps in bringing business ideas to life as we start the new year. After the success of our second Business Enterprise Awards, we will be inviting applications for our next round of business start-ups, and we look forward to seeing more innovative ventures from our community. As part of the Old Girls’ Lecture series, we were excited to host alumna, Sarah Esdaile who pursued her passion for theatre, which she developed at FHS, and has achieved great success as a director both in theatre and of popular TV programmes such as EastEnders. Her inspirational story touched everyone who attended, and we all learnt something new from her career and personal journey. We also enjoyed a theatre trip to see Rebecca the Musical and welcomed over 100 alumni and guests at our second ever Private View at V&A South Kensington of the Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition. We enjoyed seeing this without the crowds and the morning included a lecture which really brought the extraordinary story of Gabrielle Chanel and her designs to life. Finally, we would like to welcome our Honorary member, Former Headmistress, Mrs Lucy Elphinstone, and we can’t wait to see her at some of our upcoming events and lectures. We wish both the school and all our alumni a successful and happy 2024. Best wishes, Anne Cyron and Audrey Mitchell (née Wiggin) Co-chairwomen of Francis Holland Old Girls' Society Below: the Old School House was full to the rafters at the Alumni Association Party for Mrs Banks and Mrs Elphinstone. The Class of 1992 enjoyed reuniting recently at the recent Chanel event
4 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk From the Head Having been appointed back in April last year, I could not be more excited to be finally taking up the Headship of this very special school and, in turn, the presidency of the Alumni Association. It has been lovely to meet some old girl parents at open days, school pick-ups and the amazing Private View of the Chanel Exhibition on 12th January, and to hear about past times at FHS. I look forward to meeting more of you at the 143rd Birthday Drinks Party and AGM on 7th March. Since the first time I came to the School last Spring, I have been struck by the wonderful sense of community at FHS. In my visits last term, my chats at breaktimes and lunchtimes with the girls and my conversations with the teachers, it is community that is the word that everyone uses to describe what is so exceptional about the school – and at this time, what could be more important. It is the lived embodiment of our values - love, compassion, humility, courage, hope and thankfulness – that makes this school tick. Under Mrs Elphinstone’s leadership came a clear understanding that children who feel loved, cared for and supported are freed to achieve extraordinary things, and in turn support and inspire others to do so too. They have the confidence to be that invaluable 10% braver. That is the magic here and I am delighted that the torch has been passed to me. And achieve extraordinary things they do! The GCSE and A Level results are superb by any measure, with value-added that is exceptionally strong. Girls are leaving Francis Holland to go to a wide range of excellent universities in the UK, US and across the globe to do a very wide range of courses: Mechatronics and Robotics, International Relations, Classics Philosophy… the list goes on. Their interests and passions are fired during their time here at FHS through the clubs, trips, expeditions, partnerships and outreach, the double national awardwinning Creative Enterprise programme, the brilliant TIPS (Thinking Innovatively and Problem Solving) Week, and more. Today it is not uncommon for many of our students to have hundreds or thousands of friends online, but these are often not authentic relationships. FHS is a busy, rich and complex environment, but many of the most important experiences will not be found in the event calendar. When you speak to the girls here, they describe how they feel known – known by their teachers, known by their peers -and, crucially, how the school has supported them to know themselves. And when girls feel truly known, they gain the ability to fly. At FHS there is a unique sense of ‘together we can’ that you can feel tangibly as you walk around the School. As a community, we do not underestimate the calamitous state of children’s mental health and the inextricable relationship between wellbeing and learning. It is therefore so important that, if you were to walk among us down the corridors now, attend a lesson or sit in an assembly, listen to the conversations in the Staff Room, share in the joy and laughter, you would see, hear and feel the deep culture of joy and belonging. Every student, from Reception to Year 13, is involved in a wide-ranging co-curricular programme – the School excels in music, drama, the arts, sports, STEAM, trips and clubs – all things that we know increase connection, happiness and the feeling of belonging. Our religious services create a powerful sense of togetherness and we prioritise high levels of person to person social interaction. Humans never evolved to be successful as individuals – we evolved to be successful in the plural; as groups. We have a whole school curriculum for Life Skills and emotional wellbeing that addresses themes of collaboration and working together. Presently our Junior School students are completing their Friendology course, and learning new ways to articulate and resolve the ups and downs of the playground. All this is so important. I know that many of you will have fond memories of our Junior School, and we are delighted that, from September 2024, it will be relocated to an iconic Victorian Grade II listed building, just 15 minutes’ walk up the King’s Road. The brief was extremely tight; we needed a location that offered a real transformation in terms of facilities and space and would allow us to have two forms per year, but to remain as a small school and in a location close enough to maintain the strong familial connections with FHS Sloane Square. The building, which dates back to 1890, features impressive facilities including the old Chelsea library, a spacious School Hall with staging, a specialist science lab, an art room and an extensive outdoor play area. The move will create so many opportunities, and to reflect this, the Junior School will become Francis Holland Preparatory School from next September. As you all know, our Francis Holland community is a family, so if you’re on the lookout for a Prep School for your daughters, granddaughters, nieces or friends’ daughters, please do get in touch with our Admissions Department at [email protected]! I am delighted that Suzy Dixon, our current Head of the Junior School, will be continuing as Head of Francis Holland Prep. I will be maintaining overall leadership and look forward to exciting times ahead. So much will stay the same: the values of the school, the depth of nurturing relationships, even the uniform. Specialist Senior School staff will continue to advise and teach in both, and we know the Senior School will continue to attract pupils from the Prep at 11+. However, the move will allow the Prep to increase in stature and show the world what junior girls’ education can look like. The skills required for success in the 2030 workplace are different from those in 2020, and we are delighted that the transition will also provide a huge opportunity for the Senior School, giving us much needed space to innovate and create a campus that does our curriculum justice. I look forward to meeting you and best wishes for 2024. Alexandra Haydon, Head
5 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk entirely to Chanel were undoubtedly the dozens of iconic bouclé suits arranged in a spectacular rainbow-coloured arc. An optic-white room showcased Chanel’s quintessential perfume, Chanel No 5 with perfect simplicity, while by contrast an array of dazzling sequin trouser suits, feathertrimmed capelets and sumptuous gold embroidered coats closed the exhibition - a truly fascinating celebration of the life and work of Gabrielle Chanel. Many thanks to Alumni Association Co-chairs, Anne Cyron and Audrey Mitchell, who introduced Anne Haworth, thanked our guests and welcomed Head, Alexandra Haydon to her first ever FHS alumni event. And, of course, a huge thank you to all those who attended the biggest ever event hosted by Francis Holland’s Alumni Association. 2024 began auspiciously when almost 100 alumni, guests and parents enjoyed a stunning collection of Chanel's timeless elegance at January's exclusive event, held at V&A South Kensington. Guests marvelled at the collection, displayed both chronologically and thematically, with styles grouped together, accompanied by striking and characteristically minimal displays. The exhibition itself was supported by a fascinating exploration of the life of Gabrielle Chanel by lecturer, scholar and historian, Anne Haworth. Her captivating talk in the museum’s Hochhauser auditorium layered further context to the many visual nuances of the collection, revealing a powerful insight into the life of Chanel, bringing the collection yet more to life. Highlights of the first retrospective UK exhibition dedicated Gabrielle Chanel. fashion Manifesto Lecture and Private View for alumni at V&A South Kensington
6 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Former Upper Sixth pupils, Tess Vogels and Palmer Newsome, performed 'Marry the Man Today' Above, bouclé suits arranged in a rainbow arc. Below, the iconic No.5 perfume and, left, Chanel's later career saw her move away from simple, clean lines to something far sparklier!
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 7 Alumni Events 2023 Old Girls' Birthday Lunch 2023 On Saturday 4th March, our inspirational alumni community came together once again to celebrate the School’s 142nd Birthday with a convivial drinks reception and lunch – the first Old Girls’ Lunch hosted since before the pandemic! The event began with the AGM, leading swiftly on to a drinks reception before heading to the Senior Hall for a rendition of ‘Marry the Man Today’ from Guys and Dolls, performed by (now former) Sixth Form pupils, Tess Vogels and Palmer Newson (pictured top right), our accomplished lead roles in the School’s production of the musical. An impressive twocourse lunch followed, with many commenting on the muchimproved quality of school lunches since their time at FHS! From alumni who left as recently as 2018, to our ‘old girls’ who departed FHS in the 1960s, all welcomed seeing familiar faces, and enjoyed looking through archive materials, as well as embarking on a guided tour of the School’s impressive Sixth Form Centre, the Old School House. We were also delighted to welcome back many former staff members, who were keen to reconnect with alumnae they taught. Alumni Association Co-chair, Anne Cyron and former Headmistress, Lucy Elphinstone thanked guests, with Lucy commenting on the wonderful family atmosphere the School still enjoys; a key factor in its popularity. Alumna Sarah Maxwell commented, ‘What a lot of thought and effort went into giving us such a wonderful visit to celebrate the School Birthday! We were entertained so well, not only with tempting canapés and a delicious lunch, but also with the performance from Guys and Dolls and the tour to see the Old School House. The PowerPoint photos and the items on display from the Archive were fascinating and I think you must have chosen them specially for the era of the guests - the file of "Autobiographies" was particularly appreciated.’ A huge thank you to our alumni community of former pupils and staff who returned to Francis Holland for the Old Girls’ Lunch and Drinks Reception. Class of 1986 Reunite! When alumna Stephanie Longworth reached out to help arrange a reunion for her peers from the Class of 1986 (and thereabouts), we were delighted to oblige! Stephanie, alongside her fellow classmate Anjali Ranchandani, flew in from the US for a short visit, with the idea of bringing together as many former classmates as possible (especially so for those who exclusively attended the Junior School), many of whom hadn’t seen one another since they left the Junior School at the age of 11! As a result, ten alumnae arrived in March to meet former Headmistress, Mrs Elphinstone and tour both the Senior and Junior School, including the Old School House, before heading out for dinner locally. The group were impressed at the phenomenal amount of change the School has undergone since their time as pupils at FHS. Thanks go to the following Old Girls who came to visit: Stephanie Longworth, Susannah Grant, Kate Ewart-Biggs, Emily Turner (née Scott), Anjali Melwani (née Ranchandani), Clare Evans, Caroline Villamizar Duque (née Gorman), Guitty Kooros, Venetia Powell-Brett and Candia Marsland (née Carr). If you would like to arrange a reunion for your year group, please contact [email protected].
8 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Alumni Events 2023 Old Girls' Lecture with alumna, Theatre and Television Director Sarah Esdaile Although not her first visit to Francis Holland in recent years, Sarah felt ‘pretty overwhelmed’ as she addressed her audience at 2023's Old Girls' Lecture, many of whom were old friends and teachers she hadn’t seen since her school days. Especially moving was her reacquaintance with former English and Drama Teacher, Patricia Metham. Speaking with warmth and humour, Sarah described how Francis Holland encouraged tenacity, risk and resilience, qualities that she honed and solidified during her school years which have stood her in immensely good stead to forge a career in the competitive and cut-throat creative industries. It was during Sarah’s years at FHS that she first fell in love with the idea of telling stories for a living. Two particular occasions had a profound effect on her: the school play competition, affording Sarah her first real attempt at directing, and a school trip to see a production of Romeo and Juliet at the Young Vic. “The seeds of that passion were sown in this very building, and I am also grateful for that and for the privilege of working out - by the time I was 18 - what I wanted to do with my life”, she commented. Sarah spoke candidly about her career, eruditely discussing how pushing out of her comfort zone and making bold and courageous decisions had gifted her the most rewarding life experiences. She generated laughter from her audience by telling stories from her days as Director on the set of EastEnders and spoke of her prescient decision to move from directing theatre to television, just before the emergence of Covid-19. Sarah revealed the struggles she has faced as a female director and, before taking questions from her audience, her future aspirations as a film director and novelist (preferably while living by the sea!). Our heartfelt thanks go to Sarah for engaging our alumni, parent, and pupil communities with such an inspirational talk. Sarah (second from right) photographed alongside her former classmates and former teacher, Anne Margetson (centre) Alumna, Dame Rose Tremain engaged staff and pupils as special guest of the Sixth Form Speaker Programme In April 2023, we were honoured to welcome Dame Rose Tremain to our Speaker Programme. Upper Sixth pupil, Sofia G wrote this account of the event: “Rose spoke to the Sixth Form girls about her life and her inspirations for her widely acclaimed novels. It was inspiring to hear from an old FHS girl how her life at our school shaped the person she is today. In particular, Rose emphasised the encouragement she received at FHS to write, to channel her young creativity and energy into stories. Rose told us all about her process in writing historical fiction, how she writes so descriptively and accurately about different settings, through research and travel, and how she creates such compelling characters. We were even lucky enough to hear the world premiere of her book, ‘Absolutely and Forever,’ to come out later this year. In asking many insightful questions, the Sixth Formers received some hugely helpful tips for writing both short stories and novels. We are so grateful to Dame Tremain for imparting her wisdom on us.” The Dame Rose Tremain Short Story Prize Dame Rose returned to Francis Holland in July, having previously agreed to sponsor a writing prize at FHS. Launched in November 2022, ‘The Dame Rose Tremain Short Story Competition' offered a £500 prize and drew entries from across the Senior School. These were shortlisted, and the winner and runner up chosen by Rose, who presented the award in person at July’s Prize-Giving Ceremony.
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 9 Alumni Events 2023 Prior to the reception, on the previous evening, the School held a legendary event in the FHS calendar: the annual Leavers’ Dinner. The excitement was palpable as the Class of 2023 and staff gathered in the playground, donned in a fabulous array of black tie finery, before making their way into the Senior Hall for the dinner. All enjoyed a fantastic speech from Head Girl, Carolina and Deputy Head Girl, Isabella in which they discussed fond (and often hilarious) memories of their year group’s seven years at FHS. Class of 2023 alumnae, Sabrina and Bianca also took to the stage for a brilliant speech about the many weird and wonderful happenings during their time at FHS, This was followed by a hugely poignant speech by former Joint Heads of Sixth, Mrs Banks (her last ever, after 21 years at the School) and Mrs Wilkes, in which they shared their fondest memories of each girl in the Upper Sixth and shared words of advice for the world beyond School from each member of staff present. We were then treated to a surprise interlude by Mrs Floyd, Mr Mercer and Miss Vickery with an acapella performance of 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life', matched later in the evening by an equally glorious rendition of 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' by Mr Croft. Next came Mrs Banks’ speech, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room as she looked back over her time at FHS, followed by an equally emotive speech by Mrs Elphinstone. We wish the Class of 2023 the best of luck with everything life must hold and look forward to welcoming them back as our youngest alumnae cohort in years to come. We would also like to thank Mrs Banks for being such a pillar of our community and brilliant Head of Sixth, and wish her the best of luck in her next adventures. Class of 2023 Leavers' Reception and Dinner On Friday 12th May, our Class of 2023 leavers gathered for an incredibly poignant final Leavers’ Service, marking the end of their time at FHS and their transition into treasured members of our Alumni Association. The service, held at St Mary’s Church, Bourne Street, celebrated the achievements, memories, and aspirations of our Class of 2023, as they prepared to embark on the next chapter of their lives. The service commenced with two beautiful performances: Grace Wharton and Caley Collins singing Taylor Swift’s moving tune ‘Never Grow Up’, and Teresa De Oliveira De Munoz De La Espada and Eloise Burkey performing Randy Newman’s ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’ on the cello and piano, respectively. Following an impassioned rendition of the School Anthem, ‘Except the Lord Build the House’, the service featured readings by former Heads of Sixth, Mrs Wilkes and Mrs Banks, the outgoing Head Girl, and Deputy Head Girls, Carolina and Bella, and former Headmistress Mrs Elphinstone. Girls were then invited to receive a lit candle from their Sixth Form tutors as a sign of love and commitment to them as they embarked on their lives beyond FHS, which also symbolised welcoming them into our Alumni Association. Following the service, the Class of 2023 and their families gathered in the Senior Hall for one final drinks reception to celebrate their final days at FHS.
10 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Alumni Events 2023 Lucy Elphinstone and Julia Banks' Alumni Leaving Party On a warm June evening, we held a very special leaving party for former Headmistress, Lucy Elphinstone, and former Joint Head of Sixth Form, Julia Banks, who both left Francis Holland at the end of the Summer Term after an incredible 11 and 21 years’ respectively. The event packed the Old School House Common Room with an impressive guest list of 90 former pupils and staff, including former Headmistress, Stephanie Pattenden, alumna and Governor, Julia Woodham-Smith and very many recent leavers, plus current staff, keen to offer their thanks and good wishes. Alumni Association Co-chairs, Audrey Mitchell and Anne Cyron, spoke of Mrs Elphinstone’s dramatic impact on the School during her tenure, noting its progression and change more than at any other time in its history. After a moving introduction from former Joint Head of Sixth Form (now Director of Futures and Innovation), Caroline Wilkes, Julia Banks spoke with visible emotion and warmth of her time at Francis Holland, as her husband and son looked on. We welcome Mrs Banks to the alumni community and Mrs Elphinstone as an Honorary Member of the Old Girls’ Society now they are officially Francis Holland alumnae! Below left, Lucy Elphinstone, and right, Julia Banks Alumni enjoy 'Rebecca' at the Charing Cross Theatre 20 former pupils and staff, photographed above, braved September's stormy conditions to watch the musical production of ‘Rebecca’ at the Charing Cross Theatre. Based on the novel by Daphe du Maurier, the production, featuring 22 original songs, opened on 4th September. The thriller tells the story of Rebecca, newly married to the wealthy Maxim de Winter, who brings his wife home to his estate Manderley, where Rebecca is confronted by the malevolent Mrs Danvers… 'Rebecca' marks the third theatre production that alumni have attended as part of the Alumni Association’s ongoing programme of exclusive events for the School’s community of former pupils and former staff. We greatly appreciated the support of everyone who came to watch 'Rebecca' - the show was met with enthusiasm from alumni of all ages. Above, (L-R) Eileen and Marina Gallagher, Anne Margetson, Audrey Mitchell (née Wiggin), Jane Orr (née Dorman), Christine Elliot, Katherine Howard-Cairns (née Josselyn) and Felicity Josselyn. Above: Julia Banks, right, and Audrey Mitchell
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 11 Alumni News Liane Baldock, (née Griffith, Class of 1958) I am still living in our cliff side folly in South Devon, but sadly no longer with John, who died in December last year after 59 years of happy married life spent in Uganda, Peru, Botswana, Ecuador, Zimbabwe and Leicestershire before finally retiring to near Dartmouth. However, I am so thankful that he was spared the horrors of advanced Parkinson’s Disease. I keep busy with local issues; the live screenings of opera and ballet from the Royal Opera House and the cinema in Dartmouth are a great joy. Walks on the beach below our house (100 steps down!) keep me fit and a recent visit by a family of seals with a pup was a rare treat. My three sons are a great support team and I have been to Lanzarote and Majorca with Andrew and his family for Half Term holidays and am off to Brisbane in January to visit Tom. Dana Gillespie (Class of 1963) When I was first at FHS in 1961, I was known as Richenda Gillespie, but within a year I got everyone, including the teachers, to call me Dana, which is the name I made up for myself. Richenda is a family name and I didn’t want it used by people outside of the Buxtons, Gurneys and Frys, who are my relations. I’m now 74 and this year I have been busier than ever. One good thing was going in March with my band, the London Blues Band, to play at the famous music and film festival called South By South West in Austin, Texas. As ever I am doing gigs in Europe, as well as Ronnie Scott’s in Soho, and a great venue in Chelsea called the 606 Club, off the King’s Road, but I also return to Vienna three times a year to sing with an Austrian band. The publisher of my memoirs, ‘Weren’t Born A Man’, wants me to do a coffee table book of my life so that is keeping me busy and will hopefully be out next summer. I have just finished recording my 74th album with an artist called Marc Almond but at the time of writing we don’t yet have a release date. Hopefully soon! My older sister, Nicola Gillespie, also an FHS girl and known as Nixi, died in Switzerland on October 30th 2023 so now I am on my own. Nixi was three years older than me, and someone who was far brainier than me, so she was at university at the young age of 16. There was no hope like that for me except my FHS life was saved by Miss Muriel Ashby, the marvellous piano teacher in the 60s, and I often think of her and how kindly she allowed me to learn to play jazz in the school piano rooms, where normally one only heard classical music! So I am still a rebel in a way, and every morning I swim for 30 minutes, a routine I have had for the last 40 years, but when I was at FHS, the school swimming club was called the Dolphins, which of course I loved but I have no idea if it still exists in the School. Swimming keeps me fit enough now to be on stage for three hours when I have my concerts, and in 2024 I shall be doing a campaign called 'Round The World In Sixty Songs'. Watch this space! Betty Perks (née Butler, Class of 1972) This autumn saw the publication of my book, 'Candida: A Different Kind of Life' about the life of my disabled daughter. It has variously been described as “luminous with love” and “simply wonderful, and wonderfully simple”. To buy a copy, for £12 and £3.60p postage and packing, please email [email protected]. Candida herself continues to thrive.
12 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Alumni News Beatrice d'Eufemia (Class of 2008) Happy to announce the birth of Emmanuel Felix Peter, born 29th June 2023, pictured below. Sibylle Hyde - Former Staff I have not graduated again myself but my daughter is now a pupil at Landmark Chambers. If legal assistance is required, she should be your first port of call! She graduated with a First from LSE, then a Masters with Merit, plus the Bar School, also with Merit. The law is in safe hands now! Carolina Mountford (Class of 1990) Having had a varied career in media, corporate language training, the civil service and luxury drinks, I have come full circle (my degree was in Psychology) and work as a Mental Health Speaker and Writer. I focus mainly on eating disorders, depression, anxiety, suicide prevention, maternal mental health and neurodiversity, and I speak to schools, colleges, universities, medical students as well as corporates and faith groups. I am also an Ambassador for Beat, the UK’s leading eating disorder charity. Diya Kanoria (née Chopra, Class of 2001) I would love to share that this year I started my own education business called Make The Change (makethechange.education) in Switzerland to empower kids to thrive in a world of climate change. I'm excited to be following my passion for education (which began at FHS!) and sustainability. I think back to FHS, and realise my entrepreneurial days started then with the 'young enterprise' scheme where we were selling handcreated picture frames. Life is good here in Zurich with my husband, our six-year-old daughter, pictured below, and our dog!
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 13 The Annapurna Challenge The Annapurna Challenge arose from former Headmistress, Lucy Elphinstone's concern for the mountains so many children have to climb to fulfil their potential – or even a sustainable existence. An education at an elite independent school like Francis Holland is such a privilege, inconceivable to families for whom finding enough money to feed and clothe their children preoccupies all their time. As my legacy, I wanted to do something to ensure that at least one child could be given this life-changing gift – and so the idea of hiking the 180 kilometres over Annapurna, climbing the highest mountain pass in the world at 5416 metres, was born. It so happens that £180,000 is the cost of providing a full transformational bursary all the way through the Senior School. We set up a leaderboard by year group, and pupils began enthusiastically getting sponsored to walk, run or swim their way to helping us with the target. It was wonderful to see our parents, too, get behind the message, and I was humbled by the generosity of those who not only gave money but thoughtfully provided extreme weather gear to my daughter and me (she was despatched by my family to ensure I didn’t perish in the snow). Gradually we saw that we had set our sights too low. It might be possible to raise £500,000 and thereby provide the Elphinstone Scholarship in perpetuity. We attempted the climb at Easter 2023, flying to Kathmandu in Nepal, and then starting the nine day trek up through stunning scenery of lakes, forests, waterfalls, stupas, ancient villages, to base camp. Accompanied by a guide and two porters, we walked between twelve and twenty five kilometres a day, staying in tea houses with only the most basic of accommodation – no hot water, wooden beds, outdoor holein-the-ground loos – and rice (dal bhat, a sort of lentil curry) for every meal. The people were wonderful but it was tough, physically, and as the air thinned, walking became increasingly difficult. The night before our final ascent, it snowed heavily and we wondered if we would make it over the pass, but we arose on Easter Sunday at 3.30am to a magical starlit sky. With crampons and poles, we edged our way upwards through deep snow in bright moonlight until a pink dawn flooded the peaks. With lungs bursting and legs like lead, I reached the prayer flags of the Thorong-la Pass at midday to cheers from other climbers as my daughter inexplicably called out how old I was! But for me, I only wept tears of joy at the impact this feat would have on dozens of little girls whose lives would be changed forever. It took another five days to hike down the mountain and the long path to Pokhara through a different world of verdant valleys and the beautiful Himalayan panorama at Ghorepani. It was the hardest challenge I have ever completed and one which changed my life too. Lucy Elphinstone, former Headmistress
14 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Alumni Careers Speakers 2023 saw two alumnae return to FHS to deliver careers talks to Sixth Form pupils Beatrice Petitbon (Class of 2008) Business Analyst at Financial Times Beatrice discussed her academic journey, through university up to the present day. She explained the twists and turns in her career and gave the Sixth Form brilliant tips for deciding their future. Lower Sixth pupils, Violet Yonge and Arizona Gunn attended the talk and submitted the following article: 'The Sixth Form attended a fascinating talk from FHS alumna Beatrice Petitbon, a Financial Times Business Analyst. Beatrice told us about her study of International Relations and Business which led her to become a Financial Times Analyst. She discussed her day-to-day life in the workplace and the ability to balance this with her home life. Although Covid slowed things down, it did not prevent her from flourishing in the world of work, such as going back to school to complete her Master’s which all helped to inspire us in our grit and determination. 'Beatrice emphasised the importance of not being afraid to switch between professions and her experience of returning to studying after setting up her own business is truly admirable. As a student facing a daunting time, where important decisions about careers and the future are constantly being made, the difference between the subject she chose at university and her current career is extremely settling and highlights that no matter what you decide to go into, there is always an opportunity to broaden your knowledge and search for other possible subjects that interest you. Beatrice explained that although you may not always be equipped with all the knowledge for a subject, there are always ways to explore your options and, in her experience, experimenting with different types of work experience was an extremely useful way to indicate what profession intrigued her most, this is one of the key things that I took away from this talk and believe is especially useful. 'Beatrice delivered an exceptional talk and covered the subject matter in great depth with great answers for our many questions. Her guidance and reassurance about the unsettling journey we are currently experiencing was incredibly helpful and seeing someone who has achieved so much and is currently working in such a phenomenal job was commendable.' Sasha Almonte (née CourtenayStamp, Class of 2013) Founder of The Thin White Duke Alumni Association Business Enterprise Award 2023 winner, Sasha, spoke to pupils in September about her career journey to date. Lower Sixth pupil, Samara Chandok thoroughly enjoyed the talk: 'We were delighted to have FHS alumna Sasha Almonte to guide us through her journey of acting, scenic design, and film. An entrepreneur, she came in and talked to the Sixth Form, giving her insight and influence on running her own bar. She discussed her struggles while juggling being a new mother, newly married and opening a business, all within a few months! 'Sasha has worked on her own theatre shows and as production designer on short films, commercials, and a series of music videos. She trained in Design at Central Saint Martins, AutoCAD at Pinewood Studios and with the National Youth Theatre at Rose Bruford in Scenic Construction. 'It was refreshing and interesting to see the vicissitudes of opening her bar, named 'The Thin White Duke', which was inspired by her icon, David Bowie. She taught us that it takes time, strength, and courage to open a new business and that we shouldn't be afraid of failure. Her perseverance reflected the creativity and beauty behind her projects and truly encouraged us to think outside the box.' You can read more about Sasha's Business Enterprise Award on page 20.
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 15 Travel Fund Report 2023 This year, two grants were awarded to alumnae Olivia Cuddy and Charlotte Cotton from the Old Girls’ Travel Fund. For details on how to apply for the 2024 Travel Fund, turn to page 17. Olivia Cuddy (Class of 2015) Earlier this year during my final year at Medical School, I had the opportunity to travel to Trinidad and Tobago for a medical elective. Shortly after completing my final examinations, I undertook a four-week placement where I was based in emergency department at Scarborough General Hospital. The hospital is located in the capital of Tobago, a small Caribbean island around seven miles from the coast of Venezuela. The emergency department was a busy, fast-paced environment. It was often the first point of contact for many patients needing urgent medical care. I was encouraged to get involved with treating patients. One of my main duties was to see patients in order of medical priority after they had been assessed by the nursing team. I would assess and examine patients and order any investigations I felt appropriate, then would discuss the cases, and formulate a management plan. I saw a wide variety of cases, ranging from road traffic accidents to injuries from marine life. One of the striking differences to my experience of working in the UK was the availability of resources. Certain equipment and medications were less readily available than I was accustomed to. Space was even a limited resource in this busy department, with staff often resorting to examining patients in the waiting areas due to a lack of bedspace. However, I was inspired by the resourcefulness of the staff who taught me ways in which they overcome this. I was also able to learn about the country’s public health system. Similarly to the NHS, Tobago has a completely free healthcare system. Whilst the medical staff were very proud of this, they acknowledge the difficulties that can be faced with accessing care. This meant I often saw patients presenting with issues that would typically be seen by a GP, and in some cases presenting with conditions at a later stage, making them harder to treat. Outside of the hospital, I had the chance to explore the Island and immerse myself in its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes. My hosts were keen to show me all of Tobago’s natural beauty and teach me about the history and local cuisine. Tobago is home to a unique ecosystem, with the Main Ridge Rainforest covering most of the island being the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. Surrounding coral reefs meant I was able to see a vast array of rare marine life and animals. The locals I met were extremely passionate about protecting their environment and educating others on this. My visit also coincided with the annual carnival celebrations, so I was lucky enough to experience the first of these since Covid-19 restrictions and learn about their cultural traditions. This elective has been a transformative opportunity which has not only helped to develop my medical knowledge but allowed me to learn about and experience this incredible community. I have learnt how to manage conditions which would be rarely seen in the UK and how to be resourceful in my approach. Since returning from this placement, I have begun working as a Junior Doctor in London and have been able to apply lessons learnt from Tobago to shape my approach to working with patients.
16 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Travel Fund Report 2023 Charlotte Cotton (Class of 2015) I write with joy and gratitude, reflecting on my mountain running and racing journey throughout the summer and autumn of 2023, which was made possible by the ongoing generous support of the Francis Holland School Old Girls’ Travel Fund. Your steadfast belief in my potential has been crucial in nurturing and securing these accomplishments, and I am proud to share these milestones with all of you. The highlight of the season was the World Masters Mountain Running Championships, where I secured victory in the uphill race in both my age category and the overall championship, becoming the World Champion. The race took place in majestic Madeira on a warm day in early September. It was completely uphill being 9km in length with 700m in height gain, which is precisely what I love. I fought hard from the start, taking the lead from the gun, and retaining my position until the end. The training and preparation from the previous months all came together. Your sponsorship was instrumental in making this dream a reality and I heartily wish to convey my appreciation for your continued support on this athletic journey. In July, I had the honour of representing both Francis Holland and Belgium at the European Masters Mountain Running Championships in Switzerland. Having both British and Belgian ancestry, I decided to honour my Belgian aunt and grandfather who were both Olympians, and so I opted to run for Belgium. In this race I won the silver medal in my age category and was fourth overall. I was happy with this result. However, I was capable of more. Following the World Championships in November 2022, I had frustratingly suffered an injury which left me unable to compete for more than four months. This was another challenge to be overcome and in March, the road to recovery began. As the 2023 season continued, I gradually increased my strength and stamina with the hope of returning to full fitness. Between July and October, I embarked on the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, where I competed in idyllic locations such as Gran Canaria, Spain, Switzerland, France, and Italy. This challenge provided a wonderful opportunity to compete, form friendships and lasting connections with fellow competitors from around the globe. There is something unique about elite mountain runners. We are a humble breed, genuine yet strong willed and fearless. Francis Holland School; the academic powerhouse where I began my studies in Modern Languages has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in fostering these international relations. In the same period, I also took part in the Vertical KM Skyrunning World series. Some of the more thrilling challenges I embraced, all were steep uphill races involving climbing 1000m or higher in a distance of between 3 and 5km. These races demand speed, strength, and agility; scrambling up rocky mountain faces, ropes and ladders. I won races in Bulgaria and Madeira, qualifying for the final in Italy, finishing third overall. Balancing my full-time teaching position at a British school in Madrid with weekend travels for competitions was challenging. Many races coincided with the school term, particularly in September and October. Navigating busy school schedules whilst ensuring optimal conditions for competition, rest, and training presented its demands. However, the experience of competing among exceptional athletes made every effort worthwhile. In December, I took on a new role as a committee member of the World Mountain Running Association. It is my honour to represent Belgium in this capacity and I am heartened that FHS will be with me on this journey. Once again, I would like to thank you for your unwavering support. Your sponsorship has not only fuelled my athletic achievements but has also engendered a sense of belonging and pride. I would be delighted to speak to present day pupils to share my experiences and am immensely proud to be an alumna of Francis Holland. I look forward to sharing more adventures with you in the future. In January 2024, Charlotte excitedly informed us that she has been voted best European Master Off Road Athlete of the Year!
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 17 School News Supporting Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank In autumn 2022 it was becoming increasingly apparent that the cost-of-living crisis would have a major impact on UK foodbanks. The Senior School Parents’ Association hatched the idea of instigating a monthly collection at School for a local foodbank. This was met with unanimous approval, and links were made with The Trussell Trust’s Hammersmith and Fulham branch, a borough where many FHS girls live. In 2022-23, the Trussell Trust distributed almost three million emergency food parcels through its foodbank networks, with more than one million of these being for children. They have seen a rise of nearly 30% in the number of users over the last year, and sadly there is no foreseeable improvement in sight. Since our inaugural Foodbank Day in November 2023, we have seen an incredible response from both girls and parents each month. In the 2022-23 academic year, FHS donated 3.5 tonnes of produce. As a School, we have contributed 6% of all food donations to the Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank since we started. This is a phenomenal amount. Junior and Senior School families have been terrific at providing exactly the right type of food and toiletries - whole meals in a tin such as spaghetti and meatballs, long-life milks and juices, as well as toiletries for adults and nappies. UPPER SIXTH PUPILS AND ALUMNAE CAN APPLY FOR UP TO £1,000 TOWARDS A TRAVEL PROJECT OLD GIRLS’ TRAVEL FUND 2024 CLOSING DATE 14TH APRIL 2024 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY, EMAIL [email protected]
18 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk School News www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Mvumi Appeal The School's partnership with Mvumi, a specialist school in Tanzania catering for pupils with learning needs and visual impairment, continues to go from strength to strength. One of last year’s highlights was Kayla K’s (Year 9) initiative. After visiting Mvumi with her family, Kayla decided to target the school’s needs and raised £3,000 for a Braille reader, new resources for the library, and other essential pieces of equipment. Also in 2023, Mr Dyson, Miss James and two of our Year 11 students visited pupils, teachers and parents at Mvumi. This pioneering trip marked our first visit with pupils and sought to strengthen links with the school. A carefully crafted programme saw our group teaching lessons, visiting the homes of sponsored pupils, attending staff meetings, chapel services and addressing the Mvumi School community. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Mika B and Elisabeth C (both Year 11 pupils) who taught alongside Mr Dyson and Miss James respectively. In November, the School raised a fantastic £7600 for Mvumi at the SSPA Senior School Quiz Night, with a short presentation about the visit given at the event. Below: Kayla's visit to Mvumi Francis Holland Foresters, which takes girls in all Junior year groups on adventures to Wimbledon Common, Norbury Park and beyond. Last but not least we were Highly Commended in the ‘Most Dynamic STEM Programme’ category, in recognition of our unique STEAM Programme designed around principles of creativity, innovation and enterprise. Easter Eggs for Elders at KLS FHS has had a longstanding and mutually beneficial partnership with Katherine Low Settlement (‘KLS’) in Battersea since the charity was founded by an FHS alumna in 1924. Amongst other initiatives, including supporting over 350 children from migrant backgrounds, KLS runs an Elders Programme where they work with older people in the local community to support their lives and wellbeing, and reduce loneliness and isolation through a busy calendar of weekly activities. For one of these initiatives, every girl in this year’s Year 8 made a beautiful handmade card with a personal Easter message for the Elders. Year 7 and 8 volunteers and members of the SSPA gathered in the Dining Room to wrap and creatively decorate Easter Eggs to accompany cards for the Elders. The Easter presents were then taken to the Easter Lunch later that week; the girls enjoying chatting to the Elders about their fascinating lives in London. FHS achieve multiple successes in Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2023 In May, we were thrilled to discover FHS was chosen as one of five finalists in the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2023, ‘Special Sixth Form’ category, in recognition of our transformational Sixth Form education based in our state-ofthe-art Sixth Form Centre, the Old School House. Fortuitously enough, June brought about the news that out of over 400 applicants, we had been declared the overall winner! It’s wonderful to be recognised for the distinctive and innovative learning experience our dynamic staff provide for our most senior students, for the pastoral care provided by their tutors and for the inspiring leadership of our Heads of Sixth Form. Also in May, we were pleased to learn that Francis Holland Junior School was Highly Commended in the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2023, ‘Best Experiential Learning’ category, for our bespoke outdoor learning programme,
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 19 School News www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Coronation Celebrations The weekend of the King’s Coronation was highly anticipated across the country and, with millions of parties planned, Francis Holland certainly did not miss the opportunity to celebrate in true FHS style. Former Upper Sixth pupil, Tess Mayes, commented: "A sunny Friday lunchtime saw many members of the School gathered in the playground to celebrate the event. The catering staff did a wonderful job in providing delicious fruit skewers, cupcakes and much needed ice lollies. Students and teachers alike gathered under the Union Jack bunting that adorned the playground and, accompanied by the ever-talented FHS musicians, belted out the National Anthem with all their might (remembering to sing ‘King’ and not ‘Queen’ as they had done so many times before!). Mrs Elphinstone, as per usual, took the top prize for having the most passion and best projection - I hope our new Head has been practising her singing, as topping that performance will be an amazing feat!' High Altitude Helium Balloon Launch: Mission Impoppable! STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and Mathematics) at FHS is designed to encourage discussion and problem-solving among students, the development of practical skills and an appreciation for collaboration. The aim is to integrate the five disciplines into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications. In June, Mission Impoppable 2023 sent a science payload to the edge of space via highaltitude helium balloon. A team of Sixth Form students overcame logistical and technical challenges to problem-solve their way to success. The balloon was launched from Vincent Square at 05:30 BST on 25 June 2023, ascending to a height of 28583.7m and experiencing temperatures as low as -48.6 °C, before going POP! The parachute deployed, and the payload was tracked via GPS and ultimately recovered in a wheat field near Thaxted in Essex. It was almost completely intact after its incredible journey to the stratosphere and back.
20 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Business Enterprise award 2023 In 2021, under the directive of Co-chairwomen Audrey Mitchell and Anne Cyron, the Alumni Association established the Business Enterprise Award, offering up to £10,000 to support fellow Old Girls in a variety of business and entrepreneurship initiatives. In January 2023, the Alumni Association launched the second Business Enterprise Award, and, as ever, the quality of applications was outstanding. Five alumnae were invited to the second round of the application process, before proceeding onto an interview with Alumni Association Committee members. The judges meticulously assessed each business proposition on several factors, including sustainability and social responsibility, before deciding on this year’s three winners: Sasha Almonte (née Courtenay-Stamp, Class of 2013) Sasha opened cocktail bar, members’ recording studios and music production house, 'The Thin White Duke', in 2022. “It's been an absolute honour to receive the £3,000 award,” she said. “It's set us off on our journey of bringing our new brand to market, allowing us to begin developing our product and start market testing. It's also a truly persuasive endorsement as we go out to present our project to potential investors in a very competitive arena. The process also afforded me the invaluable opportunity to hone my pitch and talk through the numbers with an expert panel. I look back with so much gratitude on my time at Francis Holland - the teachers and their encouragement really granted me the confidence to branch out and establish my own business at the age of 26 in a male-dominated industry.” thethinwhiteduke.london
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 21 Emiko Ishii (Class of 2004) Epika Dance is an International Bollywood Fusion Dance Company known for its unique fusion of Indian, Japanese, Western and Martial Arts Performances. Established in 2012, they offer performances in film, TV, corporate events, award ceremonies and weddings. With her extensive knowledge and experience of 19 years in the industry, Founder and Artistic Director, Emiko Ishii, offers mentorship in Dance and Bollywood teaching qualifications for aspiring dancers that want to pursue a career in the arts. Emiko also teaches workshops all over the UK, India and Japan, as well as LA. Emiko said, “winning the FHS Business Award gives me the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for Bollywood dance globally. My online training course and mentorship programme, ‘Bolly-On’, will allow aspiring dancers and teachers to take their dance career to the next level from the comfort of their own home. The £3,000 grant will allow me to create the initial content and marketing strategy that will help to launch the course this year!” emikoishii.com Lily Carr-Gomm (Class of 2017) Lily, awarded £4,000, is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of music and culture magazine, Last Bus. Lily said, “I set up my own music and culture magazine (almost four years ago now!) and it is my pride and joy. We have just started to expand from uploading interviews and reviews and organising photoshoots, to hosting live gig nights and curating festival line-ups, and soon hopefully much more. I heard about the enterprise initiative from our 'Class of 2017' group chat we all still very much use, so I am very grateful for my FHS girls!” lastbusmagazine.com Epika Dance
22 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Development Remarkable strides made by Promise Campaign We are delighted that in the 2022-23 academic year, our Promise Campaign has raised an awe-inspiring £950,000 for bursaries, thanks to the generosity of over 200 alumni, parents and others. This remarkable sum is the most significant amount ever raised for bursaries in a single year at FHS and means that we now have even more pupils benefitting from full fees awards at FHS Sloane Square, representing the highest number of students with free places in the School’s recent history. This is something of which we are immensely proud and grateful. The essence of the Promise Campaign, building a bursary endowment fund, lies in its commitment to providing opportunities and support those who seek to excel but don’t have the financial means to do so. Bursaries at FHS are lifechanging, empowering young girls to fulfil their potential and pursue their dreams. Your generosity, as part of the FHS community, has been instrumental in paving the path for a brighter future for these young individuals, and we are truly grateful for your contributions. The Promise Campaign, launched in Summer 2022, has the ambitious objective of doubling the number of full-fee bursaries from 25 to 50 by 2032, has seen an extraordinary response to date. Alumni, parents and friends of the School have given unprecedented support to the campaign. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made the remarkable achievements of this year possible. Special mention must of course go to Mrs Elphinstone, who stepped down as Headmistress in 2023. Her remarkable achievement of walking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal raised an astounding £500,000 towards our overall target and establishes the Elphinstone Scholarship. During the year, we launched the 1881 Circle, a community of caring individuals who contribute to the School’s future plans and value the School’s mission. The OXO Tower played host to a splendid launch event and there were further events at the House of Lords and Claridge’s, which significantly advanced the campaign. We look forward to many more such memorable occasions. We would encourage all FHS alumni to become members of the 1881 Circle by giving a gift related to the School’s founding year, 1881. Starting a monthly gift is one of the easiest and most impactful ways you can help enable deserving girls to benefit from a FHS education. We would like to thank each and every one of our alumni who has played a part in the first year of the Promise Campaign. We are so grateful for your involvement in the campaign which has already transformed lives and created a lasting impact that will shape a brighter future for generations to come of FHS girls. If you are not yet involved with the Promise Campaign or the 1881 Circle, please scan the QR code below for more information and for details of how to donate. Every donation, whatever its size, will make a difference. Thank you. Tom Robertson Director of Development [email protected] 1881 Circle launch at the OXO Tower 1881 Circle launch at the Oxo Tower Senior School Gala Dinner at Claridge's
www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk 23 Obituaries Dame Phyllida Barlow 1944-2023 Renowned sculptor and former pupil, Phyllida Barlow (pictured right), died on 4th March 2023 aged 78. A great-greatgranddaughter of Charles Darwin, Phyllida left Francis Holland in 1960 and studied at the Chelsea College of Art. Phyllida was a Teacher of Art at the Slade School of Fine Art for four decades before embarking on a career as a sculptor and installation artist, and has exhibited at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the Serpentine Gallery, and represented Britain in the Venice Biennale in 2017. She became a Dame in 2021, and was awarded a CBE in 2015.
24 www.alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Committee Members Susannah Barran [email protected] Alice Beddows [email protected] Claire Brazer Alumni Relations Officer [email protected] Alex Crawford [email protected] Anne Cyron Co-chairwoman [email protected] Gabriella Gordon [email protected] Lois Heslop [email protected] Fardokht Keating [email protected] Anne Margetson [email protected] Vanessa McKinley Director of External Relations [email protected] Audrey Mitchell Co-chairwoman [email protected] Aimee O’Keeffe [email protected] Jane Orr Treasurer [email protected] Nadine Seif [email protected] Camilla Speck [email protected] Sophie Tredinnick [email protected] Gail Wellings [email protected] X @FHSSloaneSquare Instagram @fhssloanesquare Website www.fhs-sw1.org.uk/support-us/old-girls Post Alumni Relations Officer, Francis Holland School, 39 Graham Terrace, London SW1W 8JF Keep in Touch Network Register for more news: alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk Facebook @FHSSloaneSquareAlumni LinkedIn Francis Holland Sloane Square Alumni Association Email [email protected] If you have changed your contact details or name, or if you have a new job or qualification, please update your details on the Alumni Network at https://alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk and select your name in the top right-hand corner, then 'My Settings'. We are committed to communicating responsibly with regard to reducing our impact on the environment and would therefore like to encourage you to visit the Alumni Network where you can opt to receive this Newsletter, and other communications, electronically, by following the instructions above. President Honorary Members Jennifer Anderson | Sarah Mahaffy | Stephanie Pattenden | Lucy Elphinstone Alexandra Haydon Head Old Girls' Committee