Francis Holland School Newsletter June 2013 Ascension Day
From the Headmistress Dear Parents, As public examination season begins for senior pupils, “Change and continuity” was the theme chosen by Miss Joanne Green for her final whole school assembly, earlier this term. Miss Green has worked at FHS since 1977 and was appointed by Miss Ann Holt, a Headmistress whose photograph is on display in the school entrance hall. Miss Green was the first Academic Deputy Head in the school's history and has introduced important enhancements to the curriculum, such as the Extended Project Qualification, which can be taken in addition to A levels by the Sixth Form. Governors will be hosting a retirement party for Miss Green at the end of term in recognition of her outstanding service to the school. We were honoured to welcome the Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon. Richard Chartres KCVO, to lead our Ascension Day service in St Cyprian’s, during which three pupils were confirmed. Congratulations to Natasha Waddell in the Upper Fifth F r a n c i s
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Ascension Day was celebrated by the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon. Richard Chartres KCVO. The service included the baptism and confirmation of Iman-Esayo Dekonor and the confirmations of Charlotte Hogarth and Saffron Taylor. After the service, the confirmands and their families joined the Bishop for coffee in the Gloucester Room, where the girls were presented with their Confirmation Certificates and a Bible, a gift from the school. who was awarded the “persona grata” cup by the Head Girl’s team. We wish all the Upper Sixth the very best of luck in their A level examinations and thank them for the superb contribution they have made to many aspects of school life during their seven years at FHS. My personal thanks go to Head Girl Sophie Watson, who not only proved herself an intrepid sky-diver in aid of charity, but also led this year’s sterling Head Girl’s team: Olivia Boothman, Natasha Kleeman, Rosie Lom, Olivia Morelli, Cornelia Pianim, Zoë Silkstone and Phillipa Taylor. Many thanks to the Parents’ Association Committee for organising another highly S c h o o l
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enjoyable Supper Quiz at the beginning of term. The evening was hosted by Mr Hugh Pym, father of Kirsty; the scores were marshalled into order by Mrs Dawn Hobson, mother of Amy. Sincere thanks also to the generous FHS parents who donated prizes for the raffle and the silent auction and to the Lower Fifth volunteers who were such excellent waitresses throughout the evening. Mrs Sue Silkstone retires at the end of this term as Chairman of the Parents' Association after seven years' outstanding service on the committee. The success of the Christmas Fair in recent years is very much due to Sue's legendary organisational skills and sheer hard work;
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I cannot thank Sue enough for all she has contributed to the school via the Parents' Association. Mrs Laurel Rafter, who currently has two daughters at FHS, will be Chair of the Parents' Association Committee, from September. I look forward to seeing many of you at events during the second half of the Summer term, particularly at the Junior Concert; the Upper Sixth Leavers’ evening; the Junior plays and Sports Day in Regent’s Park on 9th July. Full details of all school events are kept up to date on our school website: www.francisholland.org.uk
Mrs V M Durham
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