Holles Connect Magazine Spring 2021

LIFTING HEARTS AND SOULS

From the charity children choir of the past to the virtual cabaret stars of today, LEH Music Lives On

LOCKDOWN LIFE IMITATES ART

LEH pupils and staff recreate masterpieces at home

HOPE FAVOURS THE BOLD

Show some support for two of our most intrepid alumnae as they row across the Atlantic

A Portrait of 2020 by Ellie in the U6.

This image was created as part of Ellie’s A level coursework using a mix of charcoal, chalk and chalk pastel.

LEH Alumnae News Spring 2021 CREATIVITY ISSUE

CREATIVITY IN A TIME OF COVID

Our lives are more limited and stressful than ever before, can imagination still flourish?

Alumnae Advisory Group members Chair Jenny Blaiklock

(Director of Development & Communications)

Secretary

Susanna Frayn

(Alumnae Communications Officer)

Members

Sue Barber (LEH 1973-1980)

Emily Formby (LEH 1975-1985)

Vivienne Hay (LEH 2003-2010)

Joanna Hubbard (LEH 1977-1887)

Gillian Keller (LEH 1963-1970)

Lizzi Michael (LEH 1997-2007)

Jane Ross (LEH 1957-1964)

Charlotte Surguy (LEH 1982-1986)

Trish White (LEH 1947-1955)

Stay Connected with Holles Connect The alumnae community is a network of supportive women who want to celebrate and enjoy each other’s successes. All LEH pupils go on to become Remarkable Women and we love hearing your news.

Please do get in touch and let us know what you are up to, whether it’s a significant life event, job change, sports win, charity endeavour or just reaching out to former friends and teachers. We’re here to cheer each other on.

Please email: alumnae@lehs.org.uk

Follow us on social media:

WITH SPECIAL THANKS WITH SPECIAL THANKS Holles Connect editor Susanna Frayn would like to thank teachers Miranda Ashe, Andy Brittain and Alice Lindsay for their contributions to the magazine. Many thanks are also due to archivist Elizabeth Hossain for opening the LEH history books.

Plus, we are very grateful to our alumnae working in the creative industries, who kindly agreed to be profiled: Aisling Fowler, Poppy Gilbert, Annie Lee, Joy Lisney and Becca Madden. Thank you very much to all of them.

LEH Alumnae

@HollesConnect

@LEHalumnae

Lady Eleanor Holles Alumnae alumnae@lehs.org.uk

www.hollesconnect.org.uk

Lady Eleanor Holles Hanworth Road, Hampton, TW12 3HF T: 020 8979 1601 E: office@lehs.org.uk www.lehs.org.uk Registered Charity No:1130254 | Registered in England : Company Number 6871042

CONTENTS PAGE

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HEAD MISTRESS’ WELCOME

Heather Hanbury explains why LEH nurtures creativity in all that it does.

ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS

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TAKING A LEAD ON ONE OF THE WORLD’S FIRST COVID-19 VACCINES Melanie Ivarsson oversaw the clinical development of the Moderna vaccine.

CREATIVITY ISSUE DATES FOR THE DIARY

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Reserve your place

now.

HOLLES HIGHLIGHTS

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SPRING 2021

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SWEET CHARITY MUSIC

Singing has always played a vital part of life at LEH reveals our archivist.

THE ANNUAL REUNION GOES GLOBAL Alumnae from all round the world came together at the virtual meeting.

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A HELPING HAND WHEN IT’S NEEDED MOST

This year the judges gave special consideration to those whose lives had been impacted by the effects of the virus.

OBITUARIES

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ALUMNA LEADS CAROL SERVICE

For the first time, the Christmas celebration was conducted by one of our own.

EMERGING TALENT AWARD

W e bid a sad farewell to some much-loved alumnae.

THEN AND NOW

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EXPERIMENTING WITH IMAGINATION

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S ee how the school has changed over the years.

Creativity is not the sole preserve of the arts subjects at LEH.

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LOCKDOWN LIFE IMITATES ART

THEIR BOLDEST CHALLENGE YET

Two alumnae prepare to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

CREATIVITY IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND

Recreating masterpieces at home.

CREATIVE ALUMNAE

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THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED Even with classrooms closed, it was never an option for the choirs and orchestras to fall silent.

Follow us on social media:

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HOLLES CONNECT

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Join the conversation and find out what’s got alumnae talking this year.

CAN CREATIVITY FLOURISH IN LOCKDOWN? Five of our alumnae working in the arts world explain how they have dealt with the challenges of the pandemic.

LEH Alumnae

@HollesConnect @LEHalumnae Lady Eleanor Holles Alumnae alumnae@lehs.org.uk

Cover image: Joy Lisney

(LEH 2004-2011): Image credit: Nick Rutter

Head Mistress’ Welcome

One of the things that I love most about LEH is the vitality of it, the sheer passion and the palpable creativity that vibrates through the walls of the classrooms and rushes down the corridors. It even seems to fill the air that we breathe.

You can’t see it, smell it or hear it, but you can definitely feel it. Parents and visitors always remark on it. It’s a sort of infectious energy that comes about when we bring young, enthusiastic pupils together and encourage them to express themselves, to be playful and experiment, to use their imaginations, to share their thoughts and experiences – to simply be creative.

It’s there for all to see in the colourful artwork on the walls, in the heart-lifting music seeping beneath the music room doors and in the stunning pottery creations, bright textiles and innovative 3D printer products proudly on display around the school.

But more than that, it’s felt in every classroom, nurtured in each subject,

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at the very heart of all that we do at LEH. It is not something that just inhabits the school curriculum only as it relates to drama, music, art and other obviously creative subjects, it runs through all of school life, infusing the way human and natural sciences are learned, as Mr Brittain, Head of Physics, explains in his piece about creativity in STEM on page 23.

Creativity certainly doesn’t flourish when children are regarded as pitchers, simply to be filled with facts, nor when a teacher’s sole objective is aimed at coaching children towards exams. Yet despite being intangible it is a quality that can be learned, encouraged and valued. It works best when combined with deep knowledge and expertise.

We have long been planning to devote this edition of Holles Connect magazine to the creativity that I believe flourishes at LEH. Then along came the pandemic, forcing us to close our doors for much of the last year, and to enforce strict social distancing measures, one-way systems, and year group bubbles even when we were open. Our lives have been about restrictions and online learning, with teachers and pupils far apart from each other.

I have found great pride and joy in LEH’s indomitable creativity

Creativity might well have become another of the casualties of Covid-19.

But I have found great pride and joy

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Alumnae Duo Take on Boldest Challenge Yet

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Creativity Is the Secret Sauce in STEM

in LEH’s indomitable creativity – which has seen pupils creating lockdown art, taking part in virtual choirs and finding innovative ways to express themselves in lessons and at home.

Necessity is the mother of invention and as Mrs Ashe, Director of Music, and Miss Lindsay, Head of History of Art, both reveal in this edition, they simply had to find new ways to help students come together even as they stayed apart. Letting collaboration and creativity wither was simply not an option.

I know the students’ online performances – be they the Winter Concert, the Carol Service or the Cabaret Night In - have actually been more appreciated than ever, not just by the pupils and teachers, but by their proud parents and impressed alumnae, many of whom haven’t been able to enjoy a performance in person for some years.

And I am heartened to see how creativity continues to inspire many of our alumnae to go on to lead truly fulfilling lives. We are incredibly proud of all our alumnae and the Remarkable

Women they go on to be. I am sure you will enjoy reading about the achievements of five of them who are now working in the creative industries, hearing about how they overcame the challenges posed by the pandemic.

They are cellist Joy Lisney, opera singer Becca Madden, portrait artist Annie Lee, actor Poppy Gilbert and debut writer Aisling Fowler. Thank you to them for sharing their stories and we wish them all continued success.

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Getting People to Feel Something – That’s Why I Do It

I’m afraid it’s simply too soon, as lockdown restrictions are cautiously and gradually lifted this term and next, to say if we will be able to go ahead with the alumnae summer garden party we were hoping to hold. But we are increasingly confident about things returning to normal next academic year, so I hope – at the very least – to see some of you at our Alumnae Reunion in October and the Alumnae Carol Service in December. Please put the dates in your dairies now.

Until then, stay safe and well, and be creative!

Heather Hanbury Head Mistress

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Difficult Times Render the Arts Fundamental

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One of the Best Days of My Life So Far

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Alumnae in the News

Unearthing a Glittering Tale Netflix’s smash-hit film The Dig was a true labour of love for producer Ellie Wood, Class of 1993, who spent 15 years bringing the beautiful heartfelt period tale to the screen.

The Dig, which was released on Netflix earlier this year, explores the story of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, in 1939. The film is based on a novel of the same name written by John Preston. Many of the events and the characters depicted in both the film and the novel are inspired by real events and real people.

The rather understated, beautifully-told and very British film about making the most of fleeting friendships and loves, packs an emotional punch and has topped viewing figures around the world. It stars Carey Mulligan as landowner Edith Pretty who asks local archaeologist Basil Brown, played by Ralph Fiennes, to investigate a series of mysterious earth mounds on her estate.

Ellie first came across the story before it had even been published as a book, knowing as soon as she read John

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Preston’s manuscript that it needed to be turned into a film and “just becoming completely obsessed with it.

“For years I kept telling myself I’m going to make it happen.

I was just determined. It is such an amazing story and I could picture it all. You don’t come across such good stories that often and I always believed that audiences would be drawn to it.”

It is perfect lockdown viewing and the the film has received rave reviews and hit headlines around the globe. “It’s bigger than we could have imagined,” says Ellie. “It really seems to have struck a chord with people who are stuck at home, and that’s been combined with the might and reach of Netflix.

All the stars have just aligned. I couldn’t be more delighted that all those years of just believing and working away have finally paid off.”

The Dig is available to watch on Netflix and is highly recommended.

ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS

Alumna Takes a Lead on Covid-19 Vaccine

It’s been a hectic year for Melanie Ivarsson (Class of 1990), who is Chief Development Officer at Moderna, the US based pharmaceutical company, where she led trials of one of the world’s first Covid-19 vaccines.

Melanie has more than 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry and feels that LEH played a key role in her development and career. She told us: “Last year I was a keynote speaker for an event for female leaders and I spoke about LEH and how our school motto of ‘Hope Favours the Bold’ had been a philosophy that I have carried through my career along with the education, confidence and beliefs I gained from attending the school.”

The Moderna vaccine shows nearly 95% protection rates and was unveiled shortly after Pfizer announced that it too was in the late stages of developing a successful vaccine to protect against Covid-19.

Both companies have used a highly innovative and experimental approach to designing their vaccines which involves injecting part of the virus’ genetic code in order to

provoke an immune response.

Melanie was one of the speakers at the 2020 GeekWire summit, a virtual event exploring the future of tech, business, science, health, policy and innovation.

Taking part in a panel discussion, she said: “We are trying to save the world, and it’s a very exciting way to spend your day.” She went on to explain that Moderna is already exploring how the techniques that were developed for its Covid-19 vaccine can be applied to other infectious diseases such as seasonal flu.

She has been heartened by how quickly the scientific community came together to fight the pandemic: “Every day I’m really full of hope. Just the way we have come together as an industry, the transparency we’ve shown each other as companies. We are sharing our protocols, we’re releasing our data, we’re working so collaboratively.

I can’t tell you the companies that have reached out to me and said: ‘How can we help?’ It’s just the most extraordinary experience to be a part of. So I am very, very hopeful, and incredibly proud of what we are doing.”

Two Alumnae Named in Queen’s Birthday Honours List Heartfelt congratulations to two of our alumnae – both from the Class of 1995 – who were recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in October.

Yasmine Chinwala received an OBE for her services to the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, while Lieutenant Commander Louise Wooller was given an MBE for her work with the Royal Navy.

Yasmine says: “I am humbled to have been awarded an OBE for my work on the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, which is a government-backed voluntary initiative to increase female representation in senior management across the financial services industry.”

Louise said she was “humbled and delighted” by the award.

She heads up the welfare duty of care for all Navy personnel undertaking training at HMS Raleigh with responsibility for over 1500 trainees across six different schools. “It can be quite a challenge,” she said, “But it’s very rewarding work.”

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ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS

Vanessa Kirby Stars in Pieces of a Woman Actor Vanessa Kirby, Class of 2005, is in the running for both an Oscar and a BAFTA for her moving performance as Martha in the Netflix film Pieces of a Woman.

It’s a powerful and unflinching tale of the aftermath of a neonatal death which has got viewers and critics everywhere talking. She prepared for the role by spending time on a maternity ward, watching a woman give birth.

It’s a far cry from her last major role playing the scene-stealing young Princess Margaret in The Crown, another Netflix hit.

Vanessa has used her new role to raise the profile of charities that support families who have been affected by the death of a baby, such as Sands (www.sands.org.uk).

She says: “I believe that when we hear our story, or a piece of our story in another’s, it shatters the cage of isolation that keeps grief trapped.

We can know that we’re not alone, even when we feel loneliness – we are connecting through our pain. And that in itself is healing.”

Pieces of a Woman is streaming on Netflix now. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that her powerful performance gets the award recognition its due.

Studying the Hidden Effects of Covid-19 Dr Daisy Fancourt, Class of 2008, has scarcely been out of the headlines in recent month, across TV and radio bulletins, online and in newspapers, talking about the findings of her Covid-19 Social Study.

The Associate Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London has been running the Covid-19 Social Study for a year. The study aims to understand the psychological and social impact of the virus and effects social distancing measures are having on adults in the UK.

More than 70,000 people across the UK regularly take part in UCL’s Covid-19 Social Study and share their experiences every month in online surveys, which reveal their levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, self harm, domestic abuse and compliance with regulations.

She has called for clear messaging as restrictions are eased.

“The times we found compliance going down have been when the rules have been relaxed,” says Dr Fancourt. “The implicit message is that things are not as serious, so it’s really vital that the government communicates effectively to ensure that the messages are getting out to everybody, rather than just a core few.”

The results are turned into weekly reports which are read by the Cabinet Office, the World Health Organisation, Public Health England and other organisations around the UK. If you’d like to take part or find out more about the study, please visit: www.covidsocialstudy.org.

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ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS

Garlanded with Praise Poet and playwright Caroline Bird, Class of 2005, won the prestigious Forward Prize for Poetry in October for her sixth collection of poems The Air Year.

Named for the first 12 months of a relationship before the ‘paper’ anniversary, the judges described her poems as “trapeze ropes made with words, swinging us up and out into the unknown.”

The critically acclaimed volume was also shortlisted for the Costa Poetry Award and the TS Eliot Prize, the poetry world’s equivalent of the Booker.

Following the online ceremony, Caroline said: “Obviously it feels amazing. But it is also unsettling, as I write poetry imagining no one will ever read it.”

The Air Year is published by Carcanet Press.

We All Get Pins and Needles Final year English student Alexandra Crawshaw (Class of 2018) has launched a brilliant new podcast aimed at the under 25s, offering insight and reassurance for those moving through struggle, which couldn’t be more timely.

The pandemic has seen a massive increase in the number of young people feeling isolated and struggling with mental health issues. Alexandra (also known as Sacha at school) hopes her podcast – called We All Get Pins and Needles – will offer listeners an uplifting combination of virtual company, reassurance and insight.

“Each episode is a constructive conversation with people about their experiences and their ways of overcoming versions of pins and needles in life: moving through struggle,” explains Alexandra. “I’ve been very heartened by the response it’s received.

People really seem to have been lifted by it, empowered even.”

The first season includes conversations with several of her contemporaries at LEH and is available on Spotify, iTunes and Podbean.

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ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS

Alumnae Duo Take on Boldest Challenge Yet Abby Johnston (Class of 2007 and current LEH Senior Rowing Coach) and Charlotte Irving (Class of 2008) have teamed up with Kat Cordiner, in a bid to break the record for the fastest trio to row 3,000 across the Atlantic, and all while raising funds for cancer charities.

The Talisker Whisky Atlantic challenge is an endurance race like no other. In December 2021, rowers from around the world will gather in La Gomera, the Canary Islands, as they prepare to row 3,000 miles unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean to Antigua.

Abby, Charlotte and Kat – known as team ExtraOARdinary - are rowing across the world’s second largest ocean in aid of three cancer charities: Cancer Research, Macmillan and The Royal Marsden. More people have summited Everest than have successfully rowed across the Atlantic and with less than 20% of all ocean rowers being female, the team hope to show girls all over the country just what can be achieved when you are prepared to push the limits.

Abby and Charlotte both learned to row at the Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club and were part of the crew that became National Champions in 2007. They both went on to row together at Newcastle University winning various national titles and qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta, but now they are taking on the toughest rowing race in the world…

Favours the Bold” to heart, as they have both already undertaken various impressive challenges in recent years.

“extraoardinary” challenge, although perhaps their teachers did not have something so extreme in mind…

In 2016, Charlotte walked the entire length of America on the Pacific Crest Trail, carrying everything she might need on her own back. The 2,600-mile trek across deserts and mountain ranges took her almost five months to complete.

The crew will be living on a 23ft boat for up to 60 days, rowing two hours on and two hours off as they race across the world’s second largest ocean. They will battle storms, 25-foot waves, salt sores, sleep deprivation, hunger and a lack of home comforts. In fact, they will be lacking most things - including beds and a toilet! Christmas and New Year will bring little in the way of presents and pudding, delivering instead potential equipment failure, marlin attacks, shipping lanes and capsizes instead.

Then in 2018, Abby took part in the Clipper Round the World Race. On a 70ft yacht, crewed by amateur sailors (herself included) Abby sailed from Australia, up to China and then across the North Pacific. Here she faced 60ft waves, freezing temperatures and seas so rough that most boats would not dare sail in these conditions.

LEH’s ethos of encouraging students to push their boundaries might well have inspired the intrepid duo’s desire to take on their latest With a target to raise £100,000 across the three charities, a number of fundraising initiatives are underway and can be followed on the team’s website and social media. Please do follow the team on their journey to the start line of this year’s race and if you would like to get involved you can donate to their GoFundMe, or get in touch via the addresses below.

The friends really seem to have taken LEH’s School motto “Hope

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With less than nine months to go before setting off on their journey, with a world-record time of 49 days, 13 hours, 49 minutes to beat, Kat, Charlotte and Abby are at the beginning of their rigorous training programme.

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www.weareextraoardinary.com

Instagram: @weareextraoardinary Email: crew@weareextraoardinary.com GoFundMe: gofund.me/76c4edbc

ALUMNAE IN THE NEWS

WEEKLY TRAINING PROGRAMME MONDAY Two hours strength training TUESDAY Stretching and one hour high intensity intervals on rowing machine WEDNESDAY Injury prevention exercises and 12-14k steady on rowing machine THURSDAY Rest day – including light stretching FRIDAY Two hours strength training SATURDAY Stretching and one hour high-intensity intervals on watt bike or running SUNDAY - Injury prevention exercises

The team are having to adapt to the ever-changing Covid-19 regulations, switching up their training to fit with whatever equipment they have at home. From rowing machines in lean-tos, to kettlebell circuits in the living rooms of top-floor flats. See the training programme section for what a normal week looks like for the team.

However, the aim of the race is not just to break a world record. The crew are

While the Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge effect on every aspect of our daily lives, cancer patients are among the worst hit by the current pandemic.

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives and this is an issue that is sadly close to home for so many – including the crew. Kat Cordiner, having already beaten cancer once, is currently battling against the disease again.

Kat says: “This challenge not only represents a chance for us to raise awareness of the massively detrimental impact that Covid-19 has had on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, but also to inject a much-needed

fundraising boost to our charities that have missed out on their usual opportunities this year.”

She continues: “This challenge also represents something more - to live like I’ve never lived before. We grow up thinking we’re guaranteed 85 years of life and the ability to do what we want. I read somewhere that a cancer diagnosis helps you understand life is a gift and not a guarantee, and this creates opportunities.

“Even after my first diagnosis, I found I stopped stressing over a lot of things, I gained perspective on what was important, and I’m determined to make the most out of however much time I have. The challenge to row the Atlantic in aid of three epic charities with the hopes of smashing the world-record is one that the team and I are incredibly passionate about – and cancer won’t stand in our way.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: Atlantic Campaigns

undertaking this massive challenge to turn the tide on cancer and raise muchneeded funds for cancer charities Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Holles Connect - Join the Conversation Making friends and finding like-minded souls is one of the most important aspects of school.

Often, as we get older, life gets in the way and we can lose touch, even with those whom we felt the greatest connection.

Holles Connect, the LEH alumnae community, is here to help you get reacquainted or to strengthen ties even further. It’s a strong, supportive network of Remarkable Women, all here to cheer each other on. There are many ways to stay in touch.

LEH Alumnae Twitter

For all the latest alumnae news and reactions, plus retweets from the Senior and Junior Schools, please follow us on Twitter. @LEHalumnae

Holles Connect website

Featuring alumnae news, profiles of former staff and pupils and plenty of photos, this is the mainstay of our alumnae communications. If you create an account online, you will not only have full access to all areas of the site, but will receive monthly newsletters and be able to join university and industry clubs. It’s also the place to search for former classmates, sign up for events and seek out an alumna mentor to help with your career. www.hollesconnect.org.uk

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Holles Connect Instagram

Please show your support for our newest social media account, which was launched just a few months ago. We’re running a campaign inspired by the school motto, asking alumnae What’s The Boldest Thing You’ve Ever Done? To find out what journalist Tanith Carey, Class of 1980, Stella Stephens, Class of 1949, and Rose Marmion, Class of 1984, have revealed, please visit the page and sign up. @HollesConnect.

Lady Eleanor Holles Alumnae LinkedIn LEH Alumnae Facebook page

We have a lively community of followers on Facebook who particularly enjoy the regular Throwback Thursdays photos. One of the most popular recent ones – a photo of an empty LEH corridor in lockdown prompted a flood of memories about running late for lessons and the just-glimpsed form rooms opening off it. @LEHAlumnae.

With more than 1,000 alumnae signed up, it’s an excellent place for networking opportunities and a great way of supporting former classmates as they celebrate their career successes. We often use it for shout-outs when the careers team are holding events or looking for guest speakers. Lady Eleanor Holles Alumnae.

Hoping to Get Back in Touch

The following alumnae are looking to reconnect with former classmates and have all lodged appeals on our “Lost Touch?” section of the Holles Connect website. Please visit the page if you can help.

Rosemary Dellar (nee Soutter), Class of 1955, Anna House (nee Kibbey), Class of 1961, Kiran Virik, Class of 1979, Jacqueline Bryant (nee Rook), Class of 1957, Mary Holmes (nee Turner), Class of 1965, Stella Stephens (nee Buttress), Class of 1949, Helen Brunner (nee Marshall), Class of 1957 and Carole McGraw (nee Alexander), Class of 1955.

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Gifts That Go on Giving We are very touched and grateful that two of our former teachers have kindly remembered LEH in their wills.

The Junior School is to rename a new part of the library as The Jill Grant Reading Room, in memory of one their most cherished former teachers, who taught there for 30 years.

The dedication comes after a generous legacy from the popular teacher who was an avid reader herself. She fostered a lifelong love of reading in hundreds of girls over the years and gave huge amounts of extra time and commitment to running the Junior School Library, which took up every lunchtime and many other hours.

“Jill is still much missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her,” said Junior School Head Teacher Paula Mortimer. “I can’t think of a better way to keep her memory alive among a new generation of young book lovers.”

Dates for the Diary

And plans are now being drawn up to improve and develop LEH’s precious archives, thanks to a very considerate legacy from former teacher Mollie Newman (see her obit on page 43), who was married to LEH’s first Bursar, WingCommander Kenneth Newman.

Appreciating the importance of preserving the school’s history and maintaining records of important documents and photographs, she ring-fenced the money in her will.

“We are incredibly indebted to Molly and her family. This will really help us keep LEH’s story alive for future generations”, say archivists Elizabeth Hossain and Trish White. A search is now underway for a new location for the archive “cupboard” which is currently tucked away down a corridor near the Drama Department in the Senior School, as well as a heritage display area to showcase some of the artefacts and documents.

Please note these dates in your diary now and reserve your place via the Holles Connect website.

We will confirm nearer the time if they have to be held virtually. As lockdown restrictions are relaxed further, we hope to be able to announce more events, so please keep an eye on the monthly email newsletters for more details.

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ALUMNAE REUNION Saturday 2 October 10.30am-4.30pm

ALUMNAE CAROL SERVICE Monday 29 November

Location: LEH (we hope) Ticket cost £20 per person if we can hold the lunch 7.30-9pm Location: St Giles’ Church, Cripplegate (we hope)

A N N UA L LUNCH 2021

Please reserve your free place.

Alumnae, family and friends welcome.

All events can be booked at:

www.hollesconnect.org.uk

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HOLLES HIGHLIGHTS

Welcome to the nion 2020 Virtual Alumnae Reu

V I R T UA A LU M N L REUNI AE ON 2020

A Remarkable Turnout of Remarkable Women Determined not to cancel the annual get-together for alumnae, despite the fact Covid-19 had forced the school to shut its doors, we took it online. And that proved a popular decision with nearly 200 guests joining LEH’s first ever Virtual Alumnae Reunion in October last year, many from around the world.

The oldest alumnae who paid a virtual visit to the school was 91-years-old, from the Class of 1947, while the youngest was one of the most recent joiners – aged just 18 - from the Class of 2020. Others joined online from Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Canada, USA, Australia, Belgium, Germany and France.

felt the same.”

83-year-old Trish White, Class of 1955, said: “The Virtual Reunion was a great occasion and was very successful. It was so lovely for me to see quite a few of my year and it was great that we had some overseas visitors. Thank you all so much: the event meant a lot to me and I am sure that many other alumnae

She went on to talk about how touched and inspired she, and the whole school community, had been by the hard work and commitment demonstrated by our alumnae on the frontline during lock down and beyond in our fight against Covid-19.

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Visitors were greeted with a video address from Head Mistress Heather Hanbury, who told them: “A very warm welcome to this very strange Virtual Alumnae Reunion. It is sad that I don’t have you here with me in school today.”

She added: “Our relationship with you, our alumnae, is a very special one…

It’s a two way street. You give a great deal of support to us and I hope that through our Emerging Talent Awards, mentoring scheme and networking events, that you all feel that you benefit from your continued relationship and ongoing communications from us.”

Then there was a chance for school friends and contemporaries from across the years to catch up in person, with a series of 12 video chat rooms.

Some of the rooms were dedicated to the main reunion groups celebrating key anniversaries from the Class of 1955 – now aged 84 and marking 65

olars per fo Music Sch

HOLLES HIGHLIGHTS

rmances

We were all delighted to participate and are going to keep in touch

Welcome to our Vir tu

years since they left LEH, to the Class of 2000, who are now aged 38 and graduated 20 years ago. Other chat rooms, hosted get-togethers of LEH alumnae who’d attended during a particular decade.

The Class of 1970, who were celebrating 50 years since leaving LEH, chatted away for over two hours, with former Head Girl Liz Cheyne, Elizabeth Newby as was, stepping up to chair the conversation between 18 former class mates, to allow everyone a chance to speak for a few minutes about their memories of school and what they have been doing since.

Juliet Grimm, Class of 1970, said: “We were all delighted to participate and are going to keep in touch. As

someone pointed out, it was in fact thanks to Covid-19 that we were all together virtually. Had the reunion gone ahead as planned at the school many of those present on Saturday would not have been there so ironically it was a blessing in disguise for us. We have all agreed to do a Zoom again. “ Entertainment was provided on the day, as ever, by some of the school’s most gifted pupils – four of the current music scholars performed show tunes and classical pieces, and two L6 students gave thought-provoking research presentations, one with a biomedical theme and the other concentrating on neuropsychology.

Plus, for those who hadn’t stepped foot inside the school for years, there

al Tour

was a chance to take a look round and see how the Covid-19 restrictions are having an impact, as four of our Sixth Formers carried out a video guided tour of the classrooms and facilities, in PPE. There were also two wonderfully nostalgic photo galleries – one showing images of the school Then and Now, and another with an eclectic selection of school snaps through the years – from school productions, overseas trips and sports teams, to VIP visits and pupils messing around.

We were delighted by the enthusiastic response from those who took part, many of whom were attending a reunion for the first time, and who took time out afterwards to email their thanks.

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HOLLES HIGHLIGHTS

ALL

IES

OF PEOPLE OF COLOUR

ALLIES OF PEOPLE OF COLOUR

Together Towards Inclusion LEH’s first Diversity and Inclusion Forum resulted in a lively and constructive discussion in January, as 10 alumnae, who’d all volunteered to take part, shared experiences of their time at school as well as their ideas for taking the initiative forward.

LEH’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion Vakini Ranjan said: “Thank you so much to all the alumnae who took part in the forum. It was a great success. Hearing about their experience really opened my eyes to the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Additionally, it was wonderful to share with them how Topics discussed by the alumnae, far the school has come in terms of members of staff and the impartial Diversity and Inclusion over the last moderator included how best to decade.” celebrate the history and culture of ALLIES OF PEOPLE OF COLOUR people of colour within the curriculum and ideas for increasing the diversity of The next Diversity and Inclusion Forum will be later this year, with parents of the governing body and senior leaders current pupils. The School website at LEH. Head Mistress Heather Hanbury welcomed them to the virtual meeting and brought them up to speed with what the school is already doing to promote and embed equality, diversity and inclusion into classrooms and beyond.

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has also been updated to include a new dedicated page setting out more information about equality, inclusion and diversity at LEH. And if you’d like to see what pupils have been posting on the subject of Diversity and Inclusion, please check out their Instagram account @leh_apoc (Allies of People of Colour).

HOLLES HIGHLIGHTS

One Of Our Own Leads Carol Service For First Time Always one of the highlights of our calendar of events, we were determined for the Alumnae Carol Service to go ahead as planned despite the country being in lockdown for a second time.

All readers kindly agreed to film themselves and our LEH choirs were recorded, carefully edited and audio aligned to ensure a perfect performance for all to enjoy.

Usually held at St Giles’ Cripplegate Church in the Barbican, close to the place where the Lady Eleanor Holles School was founded, the virtual event allowed many of our overseas alumnae to enjoy the traditional service.

The celebration of the Christmas story, told through readings from the gospel, poetry and truly uplifting music was

conducted for the first time by one of our own alumna – the Reverend Lucy Thirtle (class of 1980). Lucy has been a vicar since 2004 and currently works part-time in a group of eight parishes, including St Giles’ in Noke, near Oxford, where she filmed her words of welcome, prayers and blessings.

Africa; former Biology teacher and alumna Stella Stephens, Class of 1949; recent leaver and rising star actress Ana Martin, Class of 2018; High Court judge Mrs Justice Cockerill, Sara Eaton, Class of 1986; and Financial Partner Yasmine Chinwala OBE, Class of 1995.

Readings were given by key members of LEH School, including the Chair of Governors, Head Mistress, Deputy Head (Academic) and the Head Girl team, as well of five of our illustrious alumnae: former Head Girl Liz Cheyne, Class of 1970, who now lives in South

Traditional yuletide music and carols were provided by three of LEH’s finest choirs, including the Holles Singers, Cantata and the Chamber Choir. They also sang perennial LEH favourite Star In The Sky.

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#LEHMusicLivesOn The pandemic has seen concert halls, theatres and stages across the UK fall empty. Live performances have been one of the most-missed casualties of Covid-19. In schools, with Government recommendations restricting singing and playing together, it was time to get creative in order to let music live on reveals LEH Director of Music Miranda Ashe.

In the first lockdown, in March 2020, the LEH Music Department created three virtual choir performances by recording videos and audio for Cantata and the Holles Singers to learn their lines at home.

We sent these out together with scans of the music and the singers recorded their individual lines from home and uploaded them to a google drive. Our producer then edited and mixed these and we synched all the videos to create three virtual performances.

The first was a performance of ‘The White Cliffs of Dover’ to commemorate

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VE Day. The second was a life-affirming mashup called ‘The Bright Side’ and our final project was a performance of Howard Goodall’s ‘Loving Kindness’, written in honour of the sacrifices made by the NHS workers throughout the pandemic.

In September, we returned to school, but music was constrained by rehearsals in year-group bubbles, leaving teachers mostly able only to run small-scale repertoire within those bubbles. So we decided to try broadcasting simultaneous rehearsals to all members of, for example, the Symphony Orchestra, and then record

in year-bubbles and multitrack it all to produce a final performance.

This has implications in terms of hours and effort needed – and indeed, we found ourselves making many recordings for this – when you have a grade six tuba player and diploma violinist in Year 7, it’s clear that recording them together is going to be carnage… We discovered that creative thinking helped enormously!

There is an open-air courtyard in the centre of the department so we put the flutes in the rooms opening off it with the doors ajar and the conductor with one year-bubble in amongst the ferns.

C R E AT I V I T Y I N T H E C L A S S R O O M S A N D B E YO N D The next step for the larger-scale projects was to set out a recording schedule to lay down basic foundation backing tracks for each piece. Three days of recording, editing and mixing later, the tracks had clicks added to them by our brilliant engineer and producer, ready for the year-bubble recording sessions.

Our main rehearsal room was transferred into Abbey Road for the recording fortnight and the wide-eyed excitement as pupils saw the set-up for the first time was a joy to see. The musicians came in full concert dress, listened to the foundation tracks through headphones and were recorded (audio and video) in their bubbles.

Symphony Orchestra alone has seven year-bubbles plus, so this was a long and complex project!

(We call it the baby giraffe pen on our rehearsal schedule.)

We also made use of an antechamber (well, the pupils call it a cupboard actually, but antechamber sounds so much classier) between our main rehearsal room and our theatre and put a separate year-bubble in there so they could join in live with rehearsals in the main room. We banished one unfortunate child in Year 7 in Symphony Orchestra to the corridor so she could play with a Lower 6 rehearsal within the main room.

We added to this a marquee outside for the first half of term, so we could sing in a reckless and cavalier manner (still distanced and in year-bubbles though) and the mission to keep LEH Music live was up and running, even if it was arctic out there from time to time! We told anyone who complained that it was necessary to suffer to be an artist or else their performances would lack depth.

We learnt that the pupils must always We’re currently putting the finishing have one headphone on the ear and touches to the Rock, Pop and Jazz one off, or they’ll sing/play out of tune Concert and can’t wait to get everyone without exception – even the most back in a room having real, live accomplished ones. And then finally, rehearsals!! I have a lump in my throat it was over to the technical wizardry just thinking about it. of our producer who multitracked and blended it all together for countless hours to produce the end result.

LEH School Cantata Virtual Choir sing Using this approach, we managed to produce an online Winter Concert and Carol Service and maintain a sense of normality and continuity in the musical year.

As we were locked down again in January 2021, we returned to the musicians recording in their own homes.

The first project was Cabaret Night and we had recorded band backings with some professionals to make it all the more exhilarating.

It was a devastatingly slick and professional online release with choral numbers, ensembles and solos!

‘The White Cliffs of Dover’

Where to see #LEHMusicLivesOn Search for the hashtag on social media or visit the LEH School YouTube channel and look in the Video’s section: bit.ly/LEHYouTube bit.ly/LEHACabaretNightIn bit.ly/LEHRockPopandJazz21

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‘No Music Ever Moved Me So Deeply In My Whole Life’ Creativity was simply not an aspiration for the very first pupils of LEH, back in the eighteenth century. But even so, their sweet singing stole the hearts of all of those who heard it, paving the way for the freedom to express themselves and the rich imagination enjoyed by pupils today, reveals LEH archivist Elizabeth Hossain.

Anyone, who visits LEH today or reads about it through Holles Connect, will know that creativity thrives at LEH in the twentieth-first century. There are wonderful displays of artwork from students along the corridors, exciting and impressive music making in concerts and carol services and who, of those present, for the performances of ‘Chicago’ which inaugurated the opening of the Jane Ross theatre will ever forget the exuberance and professionalism of all who contributed to that production.

Girls today have a myriad of opportunities to display imagination and originality. They do so at school, and many choose careers in creative areas or enjoy choirs, amateur dramatics or art in their leisure time.

The early days The situation was quite different when the school was first established in Redcross Street, Cripplegate.

Creativity was not an aspiration the patrons and trustees of the ‘Lady Holles’ Charity School’ had for its pupils.

In 1710 the emphasis was on girls learning their catechism, followed by

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learning to read. Once the girls could read ‘competently well’, they were to be taught to knit stockings and gloves, to sew and mend, to spin and, finally, perhaps to write. Learning to write was at the discretion of the Trustees and, in the eighteenth century, only a few were chosen to be taught writing. The aim of the school was that the 50 poor girls who attended would know their place in society, be good members of the Church of England and earn their living as domestic servants.

A far cry from the plethora of opportunities and resources students at LEH have today to use their imagination and ideas to express themselves in writing, art, design, drama and music!

However, even in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries charity schools in the London area became known for their singing. On June 1st, 1710, just after the Lady Holles’ Charity school

opened, the first 50 girls took part in the annual procession of charity children to St. Sepulchre’s Church in Giltspur Street to celebrate the setting up of charity schools. The girls were part of almost 3,000 charity school children attending the service which ended with a specially written hymn sung by all the children in unison. The Lady Holles’ girls then returned to school for a celebratory dinner.

C R E AT I V I T Y I N T H E C L A S S R O O M S A N D B E YO N D

These are the words of the hymn sung in 1710.

A Hymn for Any School On this auspicious happy day, What incense shall we bring?

What grateful humble homage pay To an Almighty King?

Be his dread name on earth confessed, As ’tis by those above!

What is th’ employment of the bless’d, But songs of praise and love?

That breath from heaven we did receive, We thus in hymns restore; And while we on his bounty live, We’ll wonder and adore.

Rescued from want, and vice and shame, We’ll all our future days Our great Creator’s love proclaim, And live but to his praise.

May heart, and voice, and life combine, His goodness to express; May all that hear us with us join, And our Redeemer bless.

Source: An Account of Charity Schools …, 9th edn.

(London: Joseph Downing, 1710), 61; and issued separately as A Hymn to be Sung at the Anniversary Meeting of the Charity Schools (London: Joseph Downing, 1710).

From 1782, as the numbers attending had grown so large, the service was held in St Paul’s Cathedral and the massed singing of the students began to attract a wider audience. Girls were prepared with extra coaching for months before given by the church organist of St Giles’ Cripplegate. Some idea of the spectacle can be seen in this engraving - on the right - from 1842.

By the mid-nineteenth century, the meeting of the charity children had become a huge and moving public occasion, reported regularly in The Times. The singing had an emotional impact on those who heard it. After his visit to the service in June 1791, Joseph Haydn wrote in his ‘London Notebook’, ‘No music ever moved me so deeply in my whole life’. In 1851, after hearing

the charity children in St Paul’s, Hector Berlioz wrote to his sister that, ‘I have never seen or heard anything as moving in its immense grandeur than this gathering of poor children singing, arranged in a colossal amphitheatre’. It is reported that he was so impressed with the impact of the chorus of 6,500 children that he added a part for children’s voices in his ‘Te Deum’.

Hackney years Aspirations for pupils changed in 1878 when the Lady Holles’ Middle School was set up in Mare Street, Hackney for the education of middle-class girls.

Drawing and vocal music were on the curriculum and individual piano instruction was available as an extra. However, it is not until 1902, when the Hackney School became part of a national system of secondary education, that we have real evidence of greater creativity from the school magazine which was started in 1902. The original cover design for the magazine, shown here, was the result of a competition amongst pupils.

‘Our magazine’, the school magazine from 1902 until the start of the First World War in 1914, shows the enthusiasm of many pupils for creative writing and poetry. From 1906 the school had a dedicated Art Studio and the annual prize giving, usually in December, was always followed by a concert. In December 1905, the concert began with a piano duet and several solos, then a recital, ‘The Death of Sydney Carton’ from Dickens’ ‘A

Tale of Two Cities’, and ended with the performance of an operetta, ‘Princess Zara’.

Margaret Bartlett, who regularly wrote fairy type stories for the magazine, went on as an ex-pupil to write a children’s play, ‘The Fairy Twin Sister’, with songs and music by Gilbert Carpenter. The play tells the story of the joys and sorrows of Mary Meadows and her fairy twin sister. Scenes are set partly in the woods and partly at Dame Crochett’s school. In the early years

Art Studio at Mare Street

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of the twentieth century, before the outbreak of war in 1914 pupils regularly referred to themselves as ‘Holly fairies’ with Miss Clarke (Head Mistress) as Queen and to the school as ‘Hollyland’.

We may smile at this innocent world today but can surely identify with the sense of community and participation it encouraged.

societies were amongst the first.

Despite war time conditions, the societies got off to a good start. By 1941 the Art club had grown to 100 members and was holding fortnightly competitions. The Literary Society had put on two plays and the Music Club had given three concerts including one given by Iris Loveridge, a former pupil who was a concert pianist.

Move to Hampton.

There was some disruption when the school moved to Hampton in 1936.

The need to focus on making best use of the temporary accommodation in ‘Summerfield’ and then setting up the school, attracting pupils and moving into the new building on the Hanworth Road site in 1937 took priority. But, at the end of the Spring term 1939, Nora Nickalls, the Head Mistress who had co-ordinated the move from Hackney to Hampton, judged the school was on a sound enough footing for clubs to be started and Art, Literary and Music

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The tradition of an annual school play, usually produced at the end of the summer term, was also started in this post war era. Margery Duce, appointed Senior English teacher in 1947, played a key role in producing plays such as Lady Precious Stream (1951), The Rivals (1953), Murder in the Cathedral (1956), The Romanticks (1957) and The Servant of Two Masters (1959).

Encouraged by successive Head Mistresses at Hampton, these modest beginnings provided the foundations for Art, Music and Drama to take the more central place in the curriculum which they do today.

The Fairy Queen, centre stage, with the help of elves and fairies putting all to rights for Mary and her fairy twin sister.

Dame Crochett’s School Unfortunately, school magazine production ceased with the onset of war in 1914 and was not begun again until 1935 so we have few examples of creative work from these years. But, from interviews with staff and pupils from Hackney, we know creative work continued, both at school and in the ‘Holly Club’, the society for ex-pupils.

for a drama competition organised by the Sixth Form which gave all students the chance to take part and which was often judged by an outside adjudicator.

Elizabeth Hossain

Iris Loveridge

An orchestra took longer to take shape but, by summer 1948, seemed to be gaining in expertise as it was noted in the December 1948 magazine, ‘The School is usually rather unkind in its comment on the orchestra, but this time the School must admit that, even to the most sensitive ear, they gave a very pleasant performance’.

At the end of the summer term 1947, the first school drama competition was held. This had been initiated by the girls and organised by ‘an enthusiastic member of the LVI’. This proved so popular that it set the pattern

PS - Backdrops for these plays in the 1950s were provided by the Art department.

We’d love to hear from anyone who took part in any of these plays from the 1950s, either on or backstage, with their reminiscences.

We’d also love to hear from players from other productions to help us build up the archive.

1959 The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni

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Creativity Is the Secret Sauce in STEM

The essence of being creative is the ability to generate ideas, look at things with a fresh eye, examine problems with an open mind, make connections and use imagination to explore new possibilities. All essential ingredients when you’re studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, reveals LEH STEM Co-ordinator Andy Brittain.

search for new ways to articulate, represent, and communicate our ideas: we can synthesise solutions. This approach is found to a greater of lesser extent in every subject. However, in STEM it finds a uniquely productive form of expression, as revealed by the extraordinary achievements of LEH students - even during a pandemic.

Students with samples of moon rock

Every day I take the bus to work, past Michael Faraday’s grace-and-favour residence, Mason House, just round the corner from LEH near Hampton Court. It was awarded to Michael Faraday in the mid-19th century

by Queen Victoria for a life-time’s devotion to science.

the ground. They become more subtle: I release a feather, it gently drifts to the ground. They accommodate significant variations: I release a helium balloon, it rises. After a while we feel confident that our models are sufficiently nuanced to enable accurate predictions to be made.

Queen Victoria was a passionate patron of the sciences. She believed wholeheartedly that Britain’s role as a great nation depended on its scientific advances and intelligent use of emerging technology. She acknowledged the true meaning of technology: the “science of art”. At LEH we extend this to the science of “artistry”. Creatives are welcomed into STEM with open arms: take these tools and build something new.

In our idle moments we reflect upon what could be. Are there behavioural categories of motion? What common features do these objects share?

Could we prevent things falling to the ground or rising to the sky? Does initial altitude matter? Does it matter over which patch of ground we drop things? Do they fall at the same rate?

Do they glide, or plummet? Do they bounce or shatter? Do they tumble or remain stable? Does their temperature change?

We form an understanding of our world through the relationships we form in our mind: our schema. The frameworks we construct start off basic: I release something, it falls to

Questions are the birth of creative thought. We can choose to be neglectful parents and let our progeny dissolve into the aether or we can

Just as we became aware of the murmuring approach of viral hoards, moon rocks landed at LEH - on loan from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Youthful imaginations burned like a thousand suns. Questions, hypotheses and investigations pushed beyond mere display case observations into the realm of poetry, art and experiment.

Students of photography acquired images and conducted real time examinations of the macro and microscopic. Observing texture, density, morphology! We scrutinized the visible and uncovered the invisible. Some of our artists painted planetary landscapes, while physicists employed magnetometers to map ethereal influences. All appreciated the scientific narrative: accumulated information, proffered alternatives, gathered data and communicated findings. Unconfined application of mind!

LEH is a member of the Institute for Research in Schools (IRIS). At the online IRIS Student Conference, two of our research groups discussed the interaction of leaves with

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C R E AT I V I T Y I N T H E C L A S S R O O M S A N D B E YO N D The selection of appropriate data, means of display and expression all fell to the creativity of the students.

High levels of oracy facilitated careful use of descriptions and phrases to best convey the meaning of the study. Innovation and combination demands careful reflection - as was shown in each submission to the STEM/Geography/English poetry competition. Who would have expected a student to write a poem entirely in binary code? Again we see rules channelling creativity.

Moon Rock Landscape by Lauren in U6D

nuclear emissions. They proposed this investigation themselves and exposed their samples to alpha, beta and gamma radiation. Carefully controlled conditions did not limit their imagination in the slightest – it was channelled, like a tidal bore!

Some variables were fixed and others adjusted. Desktop technology and bespoke software identified and processed data. Collective knowledge and understanding secured conclusions. Observation and selective combination produced originality. To reinterpret Cicero: freedom is our power to do what we please, as long as we are not prevented by natural laws. Very well done to several members of our Sixth Form, who all submitted video presentations.

Creativity and innovation cannot be judged by one standard. Students that reach new heights before being formally handed the tools, deserve our admiration and recognition. When Sophie and Heidi, both in U4, first explored the Bifilar Pendulum they had no idea what this mechanical system was. They researched, they studied, they innovated. This is authentic learning.

They recorded their data over several weeks, compiled their report, completed their analysis, and submitted a video summary. They secured a CREST award for this work, but their objective was to make an original discovery. The structure of the study might have already been well established – but they were not aware of that. They forged their own path.

They created something new.

Collaborative endeavours present new and exciting challenges. Administrative and communicative issues need to be considered. Technology can provide the means, and our students are very good at finding new ways to transfer information, but it doesn’t configure the content.

LEH researchers, Zeta, Eleanor, and Sadie, presented their investigation using sonified data to study magnetic undulations in space at Queen Mary University’s “CosmicCon” virtual conference. This was in collaboration with representatives from Reach Academy and Grey Court school.

We also stretched our “thespianic” muscles in the cross year-group rehearsals of Durrenmatt’s “The Physicists”, and the Thirds STEM/ Drama adaptation of Dr Who: “Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror”. The musical musings of Mr Ashe, Composer in Residence, adapted atmospheric signals to more appropriate acoustics.

This achievement reached the magical manuscript milestone – with a pending public performance.

Creativity extends beyond the direct product of one’s endeavours – great though that product might be. In the U4 Sophie, Heidi, Prakriti, Saanvi and Clemmie made up our Design Award winning BIEA team, calling themselves “Fanatical about Physics”, and representing LEH in a global webinar (with speakers from the US, Barbados and Malaysia) on bringing STEM designs to market. Our pupils consistently expand the horizon of collaborative exploits. We continue to find new combinations: within year groups, between schools, in partnership with higher education and with industry professionals.

Sophie and Heidi in U4 exploring the Bifilar Pendulum

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C R E AT I V I T Y I N T H E C L A S S R O O M S A N D B E YO N D L5 student Catherine also developed an app that supported people suffering with dementia. Among the many accolades her invention accrued was a prestigious Gold CREST Award, with a certificate signed by Professor Alice Roberts. Catherine went on to have her work listed by the British Science Association as one of the most creative scientific projects undertaken this year by a student. Oxford recognized her talent too, by awarding her first prize in their Physics Schools Poster Competition.

Serena, in the Thirds, was inspired by the James Dyson Foundation Geodesic domes construction project to build her own dome

Recognizing the value of collaborations – Heidi, Prakriti and Sophie, were founding researchers in a project funded by the Royal Society’s Partnership Scheme. This project has a long-term remit to monitor the environment with sensors built by LEH students using the resources and talent of the DT department and skilled science technicians.

Components were ordered from companies all over the world. When they arrived, we faced the challenge of soldering delicate circuitry.

Our girls carefully followed the guidelines set by Kings College London, who have been providing advice and support throughout the process.

Again, during lockdown, pupils in L5 Lina, Anna, Mathumita, and Sunny won Bronze in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition.

“Attack on ZombieCats” presented their concept of a space sleep schedule system at the NASA International Space Apps Competition.

Indeed, LEH’s work with the BIEA is gaining such renown that L5 pupils Catherine, Avni and Wenyue were interviewed by the China Global Television Network, achieving international recognition from the broadcast.

The success and overall engagement of our students was applauded in a school STEM assembly, a webinar interview given by this correspondent to the British Science Association, and an article in the Times Educational Supplement.

The extent to which our STEM pupils reach out to the wider world cannot be overstated. A record number of the LEH community won medals in the British Physics Olympiad’s Junior

Challenge last year. While Ella received a Platinum Award for participation in the Isaac Physics programme run by Cambridge University and Polina has pitched for the prestigious Arkwright Engineering Scholarship.

Serena, in the Thirds, noticed the James Dyson Foundation Geodesic domes construction project – which combines artistic aptitude with technical know how – and built her own dome!

The production line of innovative ideas continues to rumble on: The first LEH STEM Fair mooted and advanced by Polina and Phoebe in U5P, during the early days of the pandemic has gained some traction.

Amazing video investigations were submitted- and three virtual speakers agreed to participate in the event: Professor Heather Jarman (Consultant Nurse), Geraldine Cox (Imperial University’s Artist in Residence) and Marlo Garnsworthy (US Science Communicator).

Both our incumbent L6 STEM Scholar, Arabella and our incoming STEM Scholar, Isabelle, U5, contributed inspirational videos to the Fair.

Arabella has advanced her own initiatives by issuing regular STEM newsletters and assembling an elite squad of eco diversity warriors in the Thirds to take part in the BP Ultimate STEM Challenge.

It is exactly these qualities of passion, imagination and creative thinking, which as you can see, extend right across the school, that are key if we are to fit our pupils for the challenges that lie ahead – be they future pandemics, climate crisis or automation in the workplace. For all our sakes, creativity in every subject, but perhaps most especially STEM, needs to be a priority.

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Lockdown Life

Using cuddly toys, house plants, towels or other items lying around the house, LEH pupils and staff got truly creative in their mission to recreate some of their favourite works of art.

Imitating Art

An important feature of A level History of Art lessons at LEH has always been for the students to act out the paintings, sculptures and buildings (yes – buildings!) that they learn about.

It brings the works of art to life, as well as making the lessons as interesting and varied as possible.

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C R E AT I V I T Y I N T H E C L A S S R O O M S A N D B E YO N D

Proof of just how fun this is lies in the fact that people from all around the world have been doing the same to keep themselves occupied during the various lockdowns, and it wasn’t long before the wider LEH community followed suit with an Art Imitation Competition launched by Miss Lindsay, ‘our’ Head of History of Art. The guidelines were simple: find a painting to recreate and capture said recreation in a photograph. Pupils were urged to be as inventive father and daughter in Grant Wood’s ‘American Gothic’. Grace gathered all her house plants to best express Frida Kahlo and Rosie summoned the whole family for a Thanksgiving feast:

as possible with costumes and props, and encouraged to include other family members and pets if necessary. Prizes were awarded for the most realistic, the most creative and the most unusual imitations and the competition yielded some fantastic results overall.....

Then came the Thirds, with some fantastic pet appearances for Iona’s and Alice’s Renoir and Leonardo da Vinci imitations. Hanna produced a very convincing Vermeer, and Shimmy’s costume was second to none!

Miss Lindsay led by example and, after a rummage around in the fancy dress box and some careful coaxing of her dog, managed to recreate Bronzino’s ‘Portrait of a Lady in Red’:

The final flourish came in the form of the entries from SMT, who also wanted a piece of the fun. Mrs Blaiklock took to her chair for an extremely lifelike ‘Whistler’s Mother’ while Mrs Sinnett called upon some cuddly toys for another fabulous Frida Kahlo.....though where was the monobrow?! And Mr Piper must be commended for his compositional diligence in his Hockney recreation.

Next up were the L6 Art Historians with some very impressive attempts: Marie-Louise went all out in embodying David’s iconic painting ‘The Death of Marat’, and Emily and Ike perfectly captured the impassive, pitchforked

These have been strange times, but also times of great creativity, and the fact that so many have turned to art speaks volumes of its accessibility as well as its power to inspire, entertain, educate and bring joy.

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C R E AT I V E A L U M N A E

Getting People to Feel Something – That’s Why I Do It The award-winning and highly acclaimed Joy Lisney, Class of 2011, is one of the most exciting young musicians to have emerged in recent years, with a glittering international career as a cellist, composer and conductor.

Music is in her very DNA - her father, James, is a professional concert pianist, her mother, Sally, is a violinist and violin teacher and her younger sister Emma, Class of 2013, is also a professional violinist. They often perform together.

“Growing up, there was music around the house all the time,” recalls Joy. “Dad was friends with all these amazing musicians. I remember playing toy soldiers with Dame Emma Kirby (one of the UK’s foremost sopranos), which was a very special experience.”

She was five when she started to learn the cello, although by then she’d been pleading with her parents for a couple of years to have lessons. They had initially encouraged her to play the violin, but she had been inspired by Jacqueline De Pre and was determined to take up the much larger instrument.

Joy took to the cello straight away. “In its range and sound, the cello is the

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most similar instrument to the human voice,” she explains. “And I’d done so much singing and grown up with music always in my ears. I knew all the piano works of Schubert as my father played them at home all the time. So it seemed like the cello was just an extension of what was already there.”

Joy was awarded both music and academic scholarships for LEH. “But most teachers will remember me as one of the sporty kids because I was in the first team for tennis, athletics and lacrosse. Sport was the thing I absolutely adored, and I was in the PE department all the time. Music was also a passion, and in addition to playing in the orchestra and being in the Holles Singers, I continued to perform at concerts in the school holidays.” Joy went on to Cambridge University to study music at Clare College and is just about to finish her PhD in composition at King’s College, while also captaining the University cricket team.

She aims to divide her time between being a cellist, composer and conductor. “They are interconnected for me. Each one makes me better at the other. When I’m working hard, I don’t like to listen to too much music.

I find it too intense and distracting.

Music is like a language and I’m much more expressive in music than anything else. I love the technical and intellectual element of music and the performing and physical element. I treat performing like a sport. I prepare like an athlete, both in the physical sense and with the repetition needed to execute a skill under pressure, like a basketballer shooting lots of hoops.

You have to have technical mastery in order to be free to express yourself in music.

“You have to keep wanting to improve. It’s about self-discovery and self-improvement, and I enjoy that.

Actually being on stage, performing and sensing the audience’s enjoyment and getting people to feel something

Image Credit: Krisztian Siphos

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– that’s why I do it. If a picture paints a thousand words, then music is the next level up. It says something different to everybody and tells a different story each time.”

Like all musicians and live performers, the pandemic has had a profound impact on Joy and her career. “I couldn’t imagine not performing and on the first day of the first lockdown I decided to record myself playing something every day. I quickly ran out of compositions for single cello, so I started arranging and performing pieces for cello ensemble.” Her lockdown videos went viral with a repertoire stretching from Bach, through classics such as Barber Adagio and Elgar’s Nimrod to the Beatles, Queen and the theme tune for BBC Test Match Special.

Joy has also taken part in a few live online streamed concerts and, when regulations permitted, carried out a couple of socially distanced

If a picture paints a thousand words, then music is the next level up. It says something different to everybody and tells a different story each time.

performances. But she feels the sector has been badly let down. “Music has really suffered in this country more than elsewhere, because we don’t fund it properly. We just don’t seem to

value music and the arts even though they’re a massive part of our economy.

A lot of orchestras are nearly bankrupt now and freelance musicians have had no work and no support. We’ll lose a generation of musicians and it’s very sad.”

To highlight their plight and raise the profile of #LetMusicLive, Joy conducted a moving musical protest in October 2020, when 400 freelance musicians gathered in Parliament Square to perform a fifth of Mars from Holst’s The Planets to represent the maximum 20 per cent that freelancers receive from government grants.

“There were just hundreds of musicians, spread out across the square, all dressed in black. I was wearing red so they could see me more easily. I’d never met any of them before and we hadn’t had a chance to rehearse at all. I just stood up, gave a downbeat, and off we went. It was amazing. There were a couple of

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C R E AT I V E A L U M N A E minutes of silence at the end, which was incredibly moving. I like to think the MPs who were inside debating that day could hear us and that it had an impact.”

In some ways Joy has appreciated the chance to step off the international concert merry-go-round. “I have been performing professionally since the age of 14 and it’s so easy to get burn-out.” The break from her at times

gruelling travel schedule has allowed Joy to rejuvenate and focus on her composition.

She is feeling recharged and is currently hard at work composing a piece, with a working title of ‘Viriditas’, for a large orchestra and choir which will be their first performance after lockdown. Joy says: “Viriditas is difficult to translate but is integral to life itself. It’s about nature, about

re-birth, growth and our union with those things as people. It’s an optimistic and ultimately triumphant piece. We could all do with some of that after the year we’ve been through.”

If you’d like to find out more about Joy, please visit her website and follow her on social media: www.joylisney.com Instagram and Twitter: @joylisney

Joy’s muse Joy’s musical patron is the world-famous violin expert, craftsman and dealer Charles Beare OBE. He gave her her first cello at a young age, just as he had supported Jacqueline De Pre and Yo Yo Ma before her.

“I played for him at the age of six and he’s given me instruments ever since, so I have been very lucky to play on beautiful cellos growing up. My current one is a Seraphin violoncello which is 250 years old and was originally from Venice.”

Worth over a million pounds, Joy is understandably very

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protective of it, buying a seat for it to sit next to her when she flies and never letting it out of her sight.

“Not every cello fits every player. Each one is unique and the sound you make as a string player is down to you, the bow on the strings and the vibrations that makes within the instrument. When I tried the Seraphin at Beare’s, there was an immediate connection. Charles gives the cellos to me on an unofficial lifetime loan. I could never afford to buy them. They are simply too valuable and I feel incredibly lucky to play the Seraphin every day.”

Writing is the Thing That Grounds Me Much to her surprise, debut author Aisling Fowler, Class of 2004, found herself in the midst of a fierce bidding war for her first ever novel.

The rights were won by international publishing giant HarperCollins, and Fireborn, part one her epic new prehistoric magical adventure series, is due out this autumn.

work though. As a result, I dropped English after GCSEs with a sigh of relief and continued solely with sciences.

Post-LEH, I took the career equivalent of the scenic route, studying biology, then working as a support worker before training as a nurse and moving into ITU. I would probably still be there now if not for two important things.

Firstly, on my nursing course, I met a brilliant girl who was writing a book in her spare time. It was an epiphany for me: someone doing exactly the same thing as me, but simultaneously managing something I’d quietly wanted to do for years. Inspired, I began to write regularly on my days off.

Books almost scuppered my education at LEH before it had even begun. Not wanting to frighten their book-obsessed daughter, my parents decided not to tell me that the entrance exam into the Junior School was a) quite important or b) an exam at all.

The second piece of the puzzle came a couple of years later when my husband’s job unexpectedly took us to the US. I took a sabbatical from ITU and told myself that if I couldn’t write a book with seven whole months off, then I should give up on the idea altogether.

What I thought was going on I have no idea, but what I remember very clearly is that the girl beside me finished her paper with time to spare and was told she could read in the book corner until everyone else had finished. You can probably guess what happened next …

My poor mum: when I cheerfully told her I’d handed in my paper unfinished, she was horrified. Luckily, that particular story had a happy ending.

I saw Fireborn – my middle grade fantasy, coming out in October – purely as a learning exercise and had no expectation of being published.

There was a lot to get to grips with: finishing a first draft, editing it, asking friends to read it (the terror!), then rewriting and editing again. I discovered sending submissions to agents is a whole artform in itself but once I’d done that, I started to plan my ‘real’ book, the one I hoped would one day be published.

You might assume that English was a favourite subject in school but it actually wasn’t. I loved books more than ever and spent a lot of time trying to read my way through the entire library. At home, I even wrote what would probably now be called fan-fiction. Fundamentally, I wanted books to remain a pleasure rather than

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Then something incredible happened: I somehow hooked the most magnificent agent. She raised enough interest in Fireborn that it ended up in a multi-publisher auction. On one particularly wild day I had five meetings around London – an absolute

whirlwind of rooms dressed as scenes from my story, editors who seemed to think I was a proper writer, gifts (!!) and me just saying ‘thank you’ over and over. Two days later, I had a three-book deal with HarperCollins.

That was 18 months ago and my writing routines have remained relatively unchanged. As strange as it sounds, Covid hasn’t drastically altered my days as I was already mainly operating from home. My first forays into writing full-time were in an unfamiliar city where I knew no-one, and I can’t help but wonder if that helped to prepare me for working through a pandemic. I’m very lucky that I haven’t found it difficult to concentrate or stay motivated; writing is the thing that grounds me.

For anyone reading this who has that voice in the back of their head urging them to write: do it! I hope if you take anything from this, it’s that the only qualification you need to write stories is to read them and love them. My advice would be not to wait for the Muse to strike but to sit down when you have time and not let yourself get up again until you’ve written something.

For me a target word count helps, but this is not for everyone.

Read everything you write with a combination of great suspicion and curiosity. What is working? What is not?

How can it be better? Do this regularly.

Ideas will come. You will improve. You will be a writer.

Aisling Fowler

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If I Didn’t Try, I’d Always Wonder What Could Have Been Solution Engineer Becca Madden, Class of 2012, loved her job in engineering and software development at Jaguar Land Rover, but she could never quite let go of her childhood dream of being a professional opera singer.

She says: “I started piano lessons when I was four and singing lessons when I was eight at my primary school. It had always been my childhood dream to be a professional singer one day. But science was a great passion too and when I joined LEH in 2005, I was lucky enough to be able to pursue both interests. I had a music exhibition from Year 7 and then a scholarship in Sixth Form, plus an academic scholarship in Physics. I’ve always been a bit torn between the two!”

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During her time at LEH, Becca made sure to seize every opportunity to be involved with school productions and choirs. She says: “I always thought of the music department as almost a second home. I had some of the most fantastic opportunities at LEH and I can honestly say that the Music Department played a HUGE role in me being where I am today.”

After leaving LEH Becca went on to study Aeronautical Engineering at Durham University, where she ended up with a First Class Masters degree. As a student, Becca received sponsorship from Jaguar Land Rover for her studies and worked at the company during summer holidays.

So afterwards it seemed only natural to join their graduate programme, working first in their Aerodynamics team, before moving on to become a Software Engineer. Becca enjoyed her dream job at JLR, but she felt most alive when she was singing, and could never quite relinquish that

childhood dream.

“I love singing but I do also really enjoy engineering. Particularly in my last couple of years at JLR I was working primarily as a software developer and I found it to be very creative. I love problem solving and coming up with creative solutions, so it really was a good career option for me. And it’s so tough to leave the security of a steady job with a good salary to jump off into the unknown and often unstable world of music!”

C R E AT I V E A L U M N A E “But I kept thinking: if you don’t try you never know! I umm-ed and err-ed about whether I should audition for conservatoires, whether I was ready, thinking I couldn’t possibly compete against people who’d been doing singing full time since leaving school.”

But she finally plucked up the courage to audition for music schools and was thrilled to be offered a place at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance as a postgraduate student in Vocal Performance. She started the course in September 2020.

She has found it incredibly fulfilling: “I love music, but for me I really love the combination of music and drama

that comes with singing, particularly opera. Some of my favourite parts of preparing music is discussing character, coming up with back stories and motivations and trying out different ways to portray them. Not just for my own character but for the whole production.

The productions I’ve been a part of that I enjoyed most have been the ones where the director was open to conversations and creative input.

Working together to bring a production to life is so satisfying.”

Lockdown restrictions have obviously had a profound effect on Becca’s studies. “I’m pursuing a Masters in Performance (Voice) and as I’m sure you can imagine, there’s not a lot of performance we can do right now!” she says. “I’m using the time to brush up on my technique using private practice, getting to grips with language and explore new roles and characters in more detail while there isn’t a production deadline.“

Becca’s favourite performances at LEH • In Year 7 (2005-2006) I was a member of the children’s chorus for the school production of Carmen. It was the first real experience I’d had of performing opera and I absolutely loved it!

• In Year 8 (2008) we put on a production of Dido and Aeneas, which was fantastic. I played Witch 2/Mercury and had the wonderful witches duet which is a lot of ‘ho ho ho’ laughing.

• In 2009 I was Ado Annie in the joint LEH/Hampton musical Oklahoma.

I think it was one of the first productions at Hampton’s new theatre (LEH didn’t have one yet) and it was so cool to be in such a

professional feeling production.

• In 2010 the Holles Singers were finalists in the BBC Choir of the Year, and won the Youth category. I was singing a solo in the final and the whole thing was broadcast on TV. It was incredible.

• In 2011 I was one of the Holles House music reps and conducted the House choir. It was a great experience although we didn’t win but we bought small LED key rings for everyone in the choirs and had a great set of light-based choreography for our rendition of ‘’Fireflies’. We won the prize for best choreography!

“I am really, really missing working with a pianist though. I have a fantastic coach at college but sadly we are rather limited on what we can do at the moment and performance really is a collaborative process. It’s just not the same singing to a backing track.

You have no creative freedom to emote while singing along because the backing track won’t slow down/speed up/pause/get quieter/get louder or anything with you!”

“I have still been able to do bits and pieces though. I’ve been part of two virtual concerts and two virtual productions already and am working on another at the moment. It’s a very different experience but the pandemic has inspired some exciting new ways to perform which I hope will continue in the future.”

“In some ways, this time has made me treasure my singing even more. No matter your genre, I’m sure we’ve all put on music to lift our mood or have a good cry to. It’s definitely an important emotional outlet for everyone, performers and audience alike, at this stressful time.”

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Difficult Times Render the Arts Fundamental Rather than Frivolous Rising star Poppy Gilbert, Class of 2015, has known she wanted to perform since the age of 12 and seized every opportunity that she could while she was at LEH. Since graduating drama school, she has continued to work on stage and screen.

I love the community aspect of acting, these enormous teams of people working on set or backstage all seeking to create the same show, no one group or person more important than another.

I least like it when people are excluded from that community. Historically it has been often nepotistic and restricted, depending on gender, age or race. It feels as though there is the momentum and drive to move away from this, but it can be slow.

I don’t think I considered myself a creative person when I was at school.

I wasn’t very good at painting the reflection of the trees in the ponds at Bushy Park and the clay pot I brought home from Year 8 art was comically bad.

I thought of acting mathematically. I was good at remembering the lines and I could reproduce those lines in such a way that they sounded like normal human speech. It sounds so basic, but it made sense to me.

At Drama School we were actively encouraged to explore our creativity but I was shy. How could I get an A* in creativity? Not something I felt prepared for. Nevertheless, the more I learned, the more I gave myself permission to call myself an artist and, perhaps more importantly, to feel like one.

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The arts are so linked to politics and morality in my mind that being an actor has absolutely become part of my identity. It is frustrating when old fashioned tropes are flung around; melodramatic, loud people, especially women, desperate to be the center of attention. I think being an actor is about exercising empathy and listening because everyone has stories and you might be asked to retell them.

Watching the way people walk or interact on the Tube, or squabble with their partner in the queue at Pret à Manger. I think actors sometimes see the world a little differently.

I think it is less about whether or not you train, which agent you sign with or how quickly you get on the telly. If you want to be an actor, work hard, be open, give yourself permission to really care about what you are saying, don’t

be afraid to be wrong or to be rubbish.

The industry can be mean, so be kind to yourself. I am glad I went to drama school because on the slow days, or the ‘I am a useless, talentless pigeon’ days, I have a toolbox given to me by Guildhall and a gorgeous, supportive community of alumni.

Everything came to a screeching halt in March. I am hopeless at being patient and that was what was required. I did however enjoy the time to watch more and to read more and, in particular, a series called ‘When They See Us’ directed by Ava DuVernay sparked my interest in the law.

In March, I created a small company with my sister selling T-shirts to raise money for a charity that supported vulnerable women. Without wishing to negate the importance of fundraising, it struck me that there was more I could do. So I decided to get a qualification in Law as it seems to allow you to strengthen your understanding of so many aspects of human life.

I’m doing my graduate diploma in Law at London South Bank University, as they offered evening seminars so I could do them after filming, and I have been so overwhelmingly impressed with them as an institution. The pastoral care and support offered, including for mature students, is exceptional.

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Image credit: Guildhall School.

Poppy’s highlights at LEH and beyond Dandy Dan in Bugsy Malone (Year 8) Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz Mimi in Guys and Dolls Madame Thernardier in Les Miserables Roxy in Chicago Roles at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama include Laurey in Oklahoma!, Mary in Detroit and Isabella in Measure for Measure.

Lesley Pike in the smash hit BBC ONE drama Call the Midwife 2020 Thomasina Tuckerton in the chilling BBC ONE Agatha Christie mini series The Pale Horse 2020 Ginerva De Benci in Leonardo (Sony Pictures and Big Light Productions) to be released March 2021 in Italy, and then to the rest of the world.

Virginia Galilei in The Life of Galileo at Chichester Festival Theatre, director Jonathan Church, originally May 2020, now postponed until 2022 Barbie in Netflix’s new eight part thriller Stay Close which is currently in production and is likely to screen next year.

This is the equivalent of a law degree so the next stage would be specific training to become a solicitor or a barrister. I do not know if I will continue, the future of my job is so unknown and often spontaneous that I don’t know what I will be doing in six months let alone two years. I am loving the PGDL for now and all other bridges will be crossed as and when I get to them! I’m actually finding it rather helpful combining the law course with the acting. I’m currently working on the character of a hired assassin – and the two seem to compliment each other!

Recently acting has felt trivial when compared with the exceptional NHS workers running understaffed hospitals, or the cleaning staff making transport safer for us to use, or the supermarket employees working round the clock, but acting is not a frivolous pursuit. Discussing the art I am consuming is the bulk of conversation when I catch up with my friends. It provides a space for laughter, for grief and for people to feel that their stories are being told. If I’m not much mistaken, a large proportion of the country feels this too.

I think being an actor is about exercising empathy and listening because everyone has stories and you might be asked to retell them.

Similarly, whenever I struggled at school and my mental health was wobbly, I found solace in the music department. Mrs Ashe’s passion, and the support she and Mrs Tate offered me, have been the most meaningful part of my entire education. It seems to me that difficult times render the arts fundamental rather than frivolous.

Poppy Gilbert

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It Was Definitely One of the Best Days of My Life So Far Multi-talented artist Annie Lee, Class of 2018, juggled A levels and filming to become a semi-finalist on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2019.

Annie recalls: “Filming took place the week before my A levels and I entered the competition just before the deadline, sort of on the spur of the moment, not expecting anything to come of it, so I didn’t even think to mention it to my family. I was astonished when they selected me to take part.”

“It was hard to keep it all a secret for almost a year. They ask you to sign a confidentiality contract so you don’t spoil the TV series and you have to be very discreet about who you tell.

I obviously had to let Miss Pauffley (then Head of Art at LEH) know, as I’d submitted one of my A level self portraits and they wanted to film the original! But I couldn’t say anything to my friends and that was hard.”

In the first round Annie painted actor Gina McKee, mentally managing to block out the lights and TV cameras, and really focus despite often being interviewed by the judges and presenters, and all the while being watched by the crowds.

“It was amazingly absurd that Gina McKee selected my portrait to take home, and then I got shortlisted as one of the three final artists, and then Stephen Mangan called out my name as the heat winner! To be Self-portrait: Image Credit: Annie Lee

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Annie wins the heat, after painting Gina McKee for Portrait Artist of the Year: Image credit: Storyvault Films

honest, I hadn’t even imagined that I’d even hear back at all, having entered the competition on a whim. It was definitely one of the best days of my life so far.”

“I have learnt so much from the experience and developed as an artist as a result of it.”

In the semi-final round she painted musician Courtney Pine but found the experience more challenging. While painting as the youngest contestant she was sandwiched between two

professional artists (one of them being the eventual winner). This meant she was more aware of the pressure, although it was a great privilege to learn about their methods too.

Re-attempting the portrait in her own time was a beneficial way to reflect on the more intense experience within the competition.

She adds: “I only have positive things to say about the programme and I would really recommend just giving it a go: I have learnt so much from the experience and developed as an artist as a result of it.”

It helped assure Annie’s ambition to pursue art further: “I can’t stress enough what an incredible experience it was - making me think, even just for a moment, that maybe wanting to be an artist might not be such a bad choice after all.”

Annie’s passion for creativity flourished with her GCSE and A level art studies

and her discovery of art beyond the curriculum. But it was being awarded the first Art Scholarship in the Sixth Form at LEH which was a huge boost in confidence.

“I’ve always found it easier to express myself visually,” she explains. “Creating art allows me to voice intangible feelings, emotions and experiences in my own way. It’s about producing work that reflects experiences I’ve had, often channelling the memory or nostalgia of growing up and comingof-age. When sharing this with others I hope to provoke reflections of their own relationships with themselves, others, and their environment.”

She goes on to explain: “The idea of art being two-way is interesting. I present something to an audience, and they will get something from it, or interact with it and it adds another dimension or even completes the artwork. It’s as much about their experience as it is mine. Even if they’re

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C R E AT I V E A L U M N A E non-traditional forms can make my artwork more relatable to everyday life. I was making some Rocky Road cakes recently, and after scraping the chocolate leftovers in the bowl with my finger, I spontaneously documented this Van Gogh-like mark making as an ‘artwork’. Who knows how creativity will present itself to you?”

She advises others interested in pursuing a career in art to: “Create the stuff you want to create for yourself rather than others. Soak up the world around you whether it’s art related or just your passion for something. You can get inspiration for your art from anywhere, including science, music, and your grandparent’s armchair. Don’t feel you have to follow all the rules!”

The pandemic meant that ‘It All Comes Down’, a group exhibition at the Barbican in April 2020 had to go online, which meant re-thinking and re-working many of the ideas. Annie says: “The physical experience of art has always been very important and yet it’s now having to turn digital, forcing us to adapt and think differently.”

Portrait of Courtney Pine: Image Credit Annie Lee

saying, ‘what on earth has this artist done’, I still find that interesting – it’s triggered something within them.”

have something in my head and then I navigate the most appropriate medium to show it.”

After completing her A levels, Annie went on to undertake an Art Foundation course at Central Saint Martins, and would now be studying a Fine Art BA at the Slade School of Fine Art, but as Covid-19 hit, she decided to take a year out and is now tutoring, supporting students taking Art GCSE/A level or applying to Art School, taking portrait commissions and working with galleries like the Barbican/Calvin Klein for exhibitions.

Annie works across different media, including photography, sculpture and film, in addition to her painting. “I

She hopes to encourage others to explore their creativity. “The art world can be elitist. It’s not always that accessible, with many barriers to opportunities and success and understanding about art. I want to make it accessible to those who think they just can’t draw or find gallery spaces intimidating.”

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“It’s not about oversimplifying art, but more about making it so the language isn’t inaccessibly pretentious.

I am interested in universal human experiences, and finding creativity in

How else has the pandemic had an impact? “I think creativity is more important than ever now – we live in an increasingly divided society.

Art has the power to amplify underrepresented voices and bring people together. It makes us consider how to reach people in ways that will get them thinking about topics such as race, gender, sexuality, class and disability.”

“For me, the pandemic has given me time to step back and reassess where I am in life and my creativity. Teaching other young people and being inspired by their own progress and ideas has really helped with that. Be creative if you want to, but if you don’t feel like it that day, then treat yourself to something else. Let it come naturally.

There’ll be golden nuggets of creativity hidden in places you’d least expect!”

To see more of Annie’s work, please visit: www.annabellalee.co.uk

A N N UA L LU N C H

2021

Incorporating reunions for 6’s and 1’s

Saturday 2 October 2021 10.30am - 4.30pm, at LEH (we hope) £20 per person

Alumnae and former staff members are warmly invited to this year’s alumnae lunch.

To reserve your place, please visit www.hollesconnect.org.uk

E M E R G I N G TA L E N T AWA R D

Helping Alumnae Take On New Challenges

All four of our 2019 recipients put their awards to good use. To see their full reports, please visit the Emerging Talent Award page on www.hollesconnect.org.uk.

2019 Winners Reports Chanella Buck (Class of 2007) is the Founder of an innovative new online beauty platform called On Beauté and used her award to help fund the beta platform.

Film maker Hannah Congdon (Class of 2014) used her award to help fund the post -production costs of a powerful new documentary she’s making about the gruelling 3000km drive along the Pamir Highway, the second highest international road on Earth, crossing through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

She explains: “My online platform On Beauté has a fundamental purpose to support and aid the consumer in validating their beauty purchases by corralling all necessary and relevant information in one location.

Save research time, save money and earn money on your beauty purchases. On Beauté will be a neutral and informative site independent from Brand marketing and sponsorship; it will be the first of its kind.”

Hannah says: “We used the drive to speak to as many women as we could en route, learning what life is like for women living in a society that feels miles away from our own. The documentary is filled with empowering stories of women igniting micro-revolutions within their communities; whether it’s Sabina, who’s paving the way for women’s Taekwondo in Tajikistan, or Jamilya, who helps women experiencing domestic violence so that they don’t have to go through the same abuse that she did.”

Student Madeleine Nutt (Class of 2016) put the award to amazing effect, becoming a European champion, as she won a gold medal at the duathlon championships in Spain just before the lockdown in March 2020.

The challenging event sees contestant run 10km, followed by a 40km bike ride and then a final 5km run. Maddy says: “Crossing the line after a gruelling two hours and seven minutes of racing, I felt a huge rush of emotion and broke down into tears, completely taken aback by my own performance, taking the win by over three minutes, as well as being tenth female overall.”

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Medical student Maria Charalambides (Class of 2015) put her award towards funding an exciting research and clinical placement at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, the largest clinical dermatology department in the UK. She says: “Through undertaking these projects I have developed invaluable clinical and research skills that I can carry forward to the rest of my career. Despite these unprecedented times, I endeavoured to approach all the challenges it brought with grace and integrity, as LEH had always taught me.”

E M E R G I N G TA L E N T AWA R D

In this most exceptional of years, the judges decided to give special consideration to those whose lives have been particularly impacted by the pandemic.

2020 Winners Revealed

Theatre maker Antonia Beck (Class of 2003) is developing a new contemporary piece of theatre, exploring the themes of life, death, community and ritual. She says: “I’m delighted to receive an award, and I’m really excited by the opportunity to further develop my artistic practice.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the arts sector, and like many theatre makers and performance artists, I’m now having to review how I continue to make work at this time. I’m planning to use this opportunity to invest in my skills as a writer for my next project called ‘The Long Barrow’.”

What is the Emerging Talent Award?

It aims to extend LEH’s support and encouragement of students beyond the classroom, to encompass our entire community of remarkable alumnae. It upholds the School ethos of encouraging pupils to stretch themselves to become their best, to be supported by strong role models, and

Dr Gayatri Saxena (Class of 2011) is currently undertaking an education fellowship, designing training for medical students and junior doctors. She says: “It’s just awesome that LEH supports alumnae with this award and I’m thrilled to be a recipient. It will advance my pursuit of effective and sustainable ways to deliver high quality medical education in a climate where Covid-related restrictions are projected to endure for a number of years, but the demand for skilful healthcare professionals only increases.”

Composer Kate Marlais (Class of 2002) had much of her work cancelled due to Covid-19, including a film project, so she decided to record her first album, rather than relying on ‘live’ work.

She says: “I am absolutely over the moon to be selected for this award. It will provide me with an invaluable opportunity at this stage in my composing and writing career, as the funding will support the continuation of my album recording, allowing me to keep on creating and exploring work that is exciting, bold and true to me as an artist.”

Clothes designer Priya Velusami (Class of 1997) runs her own business, called Pri Pri, selling colourful accessories and kids wear made from upcycled saris. She says: “Wow, thank you LEH for this award to invest in my new kids wear business Pri Pri. The funds will help me to launch new products in the range, and to create my own website – something I’ve been keen to do for a long time.” to have the freedom to experiment and take on new challenges.

What support might I receive?

The Alumnae Advisory Group can offer grants of up to £1,000, to an alumna who has a talent in any field or is at any stage of their career. They can be embarking on a new project, undertaking further professional

training, looking to fund a placement or perhaps be a business woman or fledgling entrepreneur who needs a helping hand.

How do I apply?

Applications for the Emerging Talent Awards 2021 can be made on the alumnae website: www.hollesconnect.org.uk.

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OBITUARIES

Jennifer Saunders (nee Bush) 1933-2021 It was with great sadness that we learned in February that 87-year-old Jennifer Saunders, Class of 1950, had died peacefully at her home surrounded by her three children.

Much-loved sister of Trish White, Class of 1955 and former LEH Deputy Head, Jennifer left school from U5 to go The Cripplegate Secretarial College, which was part of the same foundation as LEH. There, in addition to secretarial skills, she spent an intensive year studying finance and accounting, drama and French and went on to be a private secretary to the Senior Director of The Thames Haven Oil Wharf Company.

Jennifer is pictured here, aged 15, wearing the stripped senior summer uniform dress. She was musically very gifted, playing piano and teaching guitar and always had a great passion for Scottish dancing.

Jen remained life-long friends with some her former LEH classmates and a group of 15 or so of them met

regularly for lunch and coffee to reminisce about school days and favourite teachers such as Miss Cross, Miss Denney and Miss Ruby Davies, who sometimes joined their gatherings.

Stella Stephens, nee Buttress, Class of 1949, first got to know Jen and Trish when they were all under the age of 10 and she used to take them to Sunday school. She later went on to attend Jen’s guitar lessons for many years, remembering that Jen was part of a band that often used to entertain residents in local care homes. “She was such a lovely lady,” says Stella. “So kind, patient and talented.”

Rosemary Burdett, nee Abbott, Class of 1950, was also a close friend having lived next door to Jen and Trish all her life until she got married. As children they were in and out of each other’s gardens all the time, playing table tennis and sneaking through the gate in the back fence. While Jen and

Rosemary were in different classes at LEH, they both attended Cripplegate College together, and landed jobs in the City, where they would meet up for lunch.

Rosemary recalls: “We were always close and always there for each other.

It was a sorry day for me when she died as she had always been in my life. She will be greatly missed by all of us.”

Our thoughts are with Trish and Jennifer’s family at this sad time.

Maureen Sharman 1933-2021 Dear friend of LEH Maureen Sharman (nee Denham), Class of 1949, has passed away aged 87-years-old, after contracting Covid-19 while in hospital.

Maureen was not only the Secretary of the Holly Club for many years but also a Governor of the School in the 1980s and 90s. Her daughter Wendy Smith (nee Sharman), Class of 1979, also attended LEH. Current Alumnae Advisory Group member Jane Ross, class of 1964, says: “Maureen really was a charming, lovely

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person. She inaugurated and used to organise the cheese and wine summer Holly Club events in the 70s, moreor-less single-handedly. She was a wonderful hostess. It was a pleasure to be on the Committee as she used to hold meetings at her home and feed us lovely suppers.”

Fellow AAG member Gillian Keller, class of 1970, said: “I am so sorry to

hear the sad news about Maureen.

I have known her since 1978 when I first joined the Holly Club Committee and we used to meet in each other’s houses before we then started meeting in school. I remember that she always smiled. My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”

OBITUARIES

Mollie Newman 1924-2020 touch with quite a lot of people from the school – old girls and their parents.

She and Kenneth were so proud of their connection with the school and their flat is filled with mementos of their time – mugs, tea towels, books, photos and more…

She was remarkable and would have been 96 on 1st October.”

Former teacher and great supporter of LEH, Mollie Newman, passed away in September last year.

In addition to teaching RE and Catechism in the Junior School, Mollie was married to LEH’s first Bursar, Wing-Commander Kenneth Newman (LEH 1973-1987), and always took a keen interest in the school.

We were informed by her niece Julie Hall, who says: “I know that she kept in

Hilary Vit (LEH 19721979) was one of the alumnae who kept in touch with Mollie, especially during the pandemic. She says: “I really enjoyed my ‘phone chats earlier this year with Mollie. Despite some health issues, she was still very positive and seemed full of life and enthusiasm. She was a great raconteur, having an excellent memory for detail, but also took an interest in me too.

“I was especially interested to hear of Ken’s appointment as Bursar to LEH, as I remember their arrival in 1973. At that

IN OUR PRAYERS

Every year at the Alumnae Carol Service, we remember all those who have sadly passed away in the preceding 12 months.

time Ken was the only male member of staff to be seen around the school corridors, so it caused quite a stir, as you can imagine!

“Apparently, it was Mollie who had seen the job advertised and who contacted School to ask for details. On the day of the interview, she told me that Ken drove up to the front entrance of School in their somewhat battered car to be confronted by two Staff cars, one Army, the other Navy, both sporting flags! They promptly decided to park in a less obvious spot!

“After a tour of the school, it was time for the interview itself. Ken was asked whether he wanted Mollie to go into the interview with him, and responded, “Of course! We do everything together.” Apparently, he was the only candidate to do so... Clearly, this was the correct decision, and the rest is history.

“Mollie and Ken were stalwart supporters of LEH, always present at school events. Indeed, in talking to Mollie, it was clear that LEH had meant a great deal to both of them. They had thoroughly enjoyed their time there, and the school still held a special place in her heart.”

In 2020 we prayed for the following members of our community: Audrey Atterbury (nee Allison, LEH 1935-1943) Anne Pearce (former member of staff) Beryl Bird (nee Randall, Class of 1948) Betty Young (nee Adler, LEH 1933-1938) Jennifer Whiffin (nee Mills, LEH 1951-1958) Marian Marland (nee Deakin) Rosemary Middleton (nee Hooper, LEH 1953-1957) Sophia Bach Nielsen (LEH 1996-2003) Sophia Gomm (LEH 1950-1958)

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LEH THEN AND NOW Over the years, the uniforms might change and classrooms move about, but at its heart, the school remains the same.

To see the full gallery, please visit the photo section of www.hollesconnect.org.uk.

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Alumnae Advisory Group members Chair Jenny Blaiklock

(Director of Development & Communications)

Secretary

Susanna Frayn

(Alumnae Communications Officer)

Members

Sue Barber (LEH 1973-1980)

Emily Formby (LEH 1975-1985)

Vivienne Hay (LEH 2003-2010)

Joanna Hubbard (LEH 1977-1887)

Gillian Keller (LEH 1963-1970)

Lizzi Michael (LEH 1997-2007)

Jane Ross (LEH 1957-1964)

Charlotte Surguy (LEH 1982-1986)

Trish White (LEH 1947-1955)

Stay Connected with Holles Connect The alumnae community is a network of supportive women who want to celebrate and enjoy each other’s successes. All LEH pupils go on to become Remarkable Women and we love hearing your news.

Please do get in touch and let us know what you are up to, whether it’s a significant life event, job change, sports win, charity endeavour or just reaching out to former friends and teachers. We’re here to cheer each other on.

Please email: alumnae@lehs.org.uk

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WITH SPECIAL THANKS WITH SPECIAL THANKS Holles Connect editor Susanna Frayn would like to thank teachers Miranda Ashe, Andy Brittain and Alice Lindsay for their contributions to the magazine. Many thanks are also due to archivist Elizabeth Hossain for opening the LEH history books.

Plus, we are very grateful to our alumnae working in the creative industries, who kindly agreed to be profiled: Aisling Fowler, Poppy Gilbert, Annie Lee, Joy Lisney and Becca Madden. Thank you very much to all of them.

LEH Alumnae

@HollesConnect

@LEHalumnae

Lady Eleanor Holles Alumnae alumnae@lehs.org.uk

www.hollesconnect.org.uk

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From the charity children choir of the past to the virtual cabaret stars of today, LEH Music Lives On

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HOPE FAVOURS THE BOLD

Show some support for two of our most intrepid alumnae as they row across the Atlantic

A Portrait of 2020 by Ellie in the U6.

This image was created as part of Ellie’s A level coursework using a mix of charcoal, chalk and chalk pastel.

LEH Alumnae News Spring 2021 CREATIVITY ISSUE

CREATIVITY IN A TIME OF COVID

Our lives are more limited and stressful than ever before, can imagination still flourish?