Fhs dec 2013 newsletter

Francis Holland School Newsletter December 2013 Miss Green wins the Independent Schools' Lifetime Achievement Award!

From the Headmistress Dear Parents, “If you want an 8.25am to 4pm school, then FHS is not the place for you!”

Never has my standard advice to prospective parents been more true, as you will read in this newsletter – which is the tip of the iceberg, of course!

As this goes to press, the Parents’ Association Christmas Fair has just ended: huge thanks to the many FHS parents who helped make this Saturday afternoon such a happy and successful occasion – and above all, to everyone on the Parents’ Association Committee.

News that FHS has passed its accreditation into HMC came the same day as we learnt that Miss Joanne Green, who retired as Academic Deputy Head in August 2013, after 36 years’ exceptional service to FHS, had won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Independent Schools’ Award ceremony in Nottingham.

During the October half term holiday, there were three highly successful school trips. Mr Harry Clayton and a team of colleagues took the Upper Fourth on the annual History Department trip to the cemeteries and battlefields of WW1 in Ypres. Miss Colette Mahieu, accompanied by Mr Derek Ward and Miss Jane Tucker, led a memorable Sixth Form trip to Tanzania and Uganda, the main focus of which was the week-long visit to St Amedeus School, Tanzania.

The continued relationship between the two schools is very special and we are grateful for the warm welcome and generous hospitality that was extended by Headmaster Fr Furaha and his staff. Sincere thanks also to Mrs Kirsty Lombard who initiated F r a n c i s

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Miss Green with fellow winner Mr Brindley, keynote speaker Mr McCarthy, and award presenter Mr Godfrey-Faussett

Miss Joanne Green, former Academic Deputy Head, who retired in 2013 was the winner of the Independent Schools' Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday 14th November in Nottingham. Mrs Durham said, "I can think of no teacher more deserving than Jo Green of national recognition for their outstanding contribution to education. FHS – and I ! – were extraordinarily lucky to be the beneficiary of Miss Green’s exceptional talent and commitment for more than thirty years." and organised this FHS trip. Mrs Alex Francisco accompanied a group of enthusiastic Sixth Form Art Historians to New York during October half term and they enjoyed a non-stop schedule of art gallery visits. My thanks to Miss Clare MacDonnell and Mrs Alice Montgomery who also accompanied this trip.

The main school play this term, produced and directed by Mrs Kate Oakley, is Much Ado About Nothing, performed in the Hall on Wednesday 4th December – Friday 6th December, starting at 7pm. Tickets are currently on sale in school and can also be bought through Mrs Sue Gurini at sue.gurini@ fhs-nw1.org.uk.

“Successful parenting” was the theme of the parents’ evening hosted by the Parents’ Association Committee, following their AGM, in early November. Karen Doherty gave an inspiring presentation to an audience of FHS parents who had daughters aged 11-18, followed by a lively and enjoyable question and answer session. Many thanks to the PA Committee and especially Mrs Laurel Rafter, for organising such an excellent evening.

This year’s evening Carol Service at 6:30pm on Monday 16th December in St Cyprian’s Church will be particularly special, since it will be the final public FHS event for the Director of Music, Mrs Elisabeth Rolfe Johnson, who retires at the end of this term, after 32 years’ outstanding service to the school. Everyone is welcome to attend – but you are advised to arrive early to be sure of a seat! Please do join us for mince-pies and mulled wine in the School Hall after the Carol Service.

It was also wonderful to welcome back “polished corners” – including several who had recently graduated – to the excellent annual Quondam lunch on Saturday 9th November.

News of former FHS pupils is always most welcome and should be sent to Quondam via Mrs Helen Forbes at helen.forbes@fhs-nw1.org.uk.

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With all best wishes for the festive season,

Mrs V M Durham

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Mrs RJ closes the score after thirty-three years!

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Mrs Elisabeth Rolfe Johnson, who retires as Director of Music at the end of this term, has established a superlative reputation for music at Francis Holland School over the past three decades.

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Thousands of pupils have been inspired by her energy, enthusiasm and commitment, not to mention her outstanding practical ability.

She has led choir tours throughout Europe and North America, and has developed a productive working relationship with Harrow School for the annual choral concert.

We would like to thank her for her outstanding service to the school. She will be greatly missed by students and colleagues.

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Mrs M Watson and Mr A Smith Music Department

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Autumn Concert 2013 at St Cyprian’s The music performed in the Autumn Concert before half term represented the diverse and enormous amount of material learnt in the first half of this term. It was a most wonderful concert at which over one hundred and seventy girls performed – a far cry from the six girls who sang in a little group when I arrived all those years ago! The four choirs raised the roof with repertoire from Bach to Loewe and the instrumentalists delighted us

with the music of Mouret, Bach and Walton. It was great to hear beautiful solo playing from all our scholars and my grateful thanks go not only to the music staff and Oli Lallemant (for all his wondrous accompanying) but also to the girls for making it a very special Autumn Concert.

Mrs E Rolfe Johnson Director of Music

Junior Choir led by Mrs Watson

Srutti leads the symphony

The sopranos of Junior Chamber choir

FHS Staff Choir members

Junior Chamber Choir

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Upper Fourth Geography Trip to Cadbury World

The Upper Fourth undertook the annual trip to Cadbury World and Bourneville last half term. They studied the conditions in Victorian housing in Birmingham, followed by a comparison with the reform housing that Mr Cadbury built for his workers. A tour around the factory helped them understand the process of chocolate making as an economic activity and why Mr Cadbury chose Bourneville as the site of his factory. A great day was had by all and the girls behaved impeccably.

My thanks to them and my colleagues who accompanied us on the trip.

Natasha, Clarice and Aisling completing the environmental survey

FHS wins at Hans Woyda Maths competition

Ms S Hack Head of Geography Department

The Maths Society attend Marcus du Sautoy's X&Y show at the Science Museum On Thursday 10th October, ten girls who have shown particular interest in Mathematics beyond the curriculum attended the Twin Primes Theatre Company's production of X&Y at the Science Museum.

In this new show X&Y, Marcus du Sautoy, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of New College, and Victoria Gould used mathematics, humour and theatre to navigate the known and unknown reaches of our world.

Catriona, Sarah, Xiusi, Lara and Ruby after the win

In Round 2 of the Hans Woyda Mathematics Quiz competition on Thursday 7th November, the FHS Hans Woyda team beat the team from St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 39 - 15.

Members of the FHS team are Lara Evans, Sarah Mohammed, Xiusi Li, Ruby Sam Russell and Catriona Biggs. Very well done girls! We are proud of you!

Miss N Murugan Mathematics Department

Through a series of surreal episodes, X and Y, trapped in a universe they don’t understand and confronted for the first time with another human being, tackled some of the biggest philosophical and scientific questions on the books: where did the universe come from, does time have an end, is there something on the other side?

It was quite a high level show and I was very impressed with just how much our girls understood.

Mrs A Martin Head of Mathematics Department

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Sponsored Charity Walk in Regent’s Park On Friday 4th October, the entire school left for Regent's Park in their finest fancy dress for an afternoon of fun and fundraising. There were, as ever, some amazing costumes and some girls even dressed their dogs up to match their own outfits! The weather luckily stayed warm and dry, and the sun even appeared for a while to cheer us on. The girls completed laps of the park raising much-needed sponsorship money for the charities Plan UK, which seeks to fund girls' education across the globe, and Francis Holland's very own Summer Camp where looked-after children are taken away on an adventure holiday.

A good time was had by all and lots of money was raised in the process; thanks to all of the girls, parents and staff who made it a memorable event!

Miss J Farthing Help Fund Co-ordinator

Nina and Katie enjoying their walk in Regent’s Park

An afternoon out for the pups Miss Senegas with IIIM dressed as Disney characters!

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2013 Prize-giving at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Prize-giving 2013 was held, once again, at Queen Elizabeth Hall on the Southbank on Tuesday 1st October 2013.

Parents, pupils, governors and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the pupils' achievements in all aspects of life at FHS. This year we celebrated the 135th anniversary of the foundation of FHS in 1878.

We were honoured to have Mrs Catherine Longworth, former Chairman of FHST Governing Council, to award our most academic pupils with certificates for the best GCSE results and AS results. Prizes were awarded by Heads of Department, Governors and the Parents' Association, in all areas of school life, to girls of all ages. The programme included musical, dance and drama interludes highlighting the many extra-curricular activities on offer and exceptional talents of our pupils.

Congratulations to all our prize-winners and many performers for making the evening such a success.

Miss C MacDonnell Director of Extra-curricular Activities

Former Chairman of Governors, Mrs Catherine Longworth

Head of Sixth Form Mrs Francisco presents to Catherine

Holly performs on the harp

Headmistress, Mrs Vivienne Durham

Deputy Head Mrs Whiteman presents to Gabby

Governor Alison Edelshain presents to Sarah

Srutti and Swathy perform a South Indian dance

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Academic Deputy Head Miss Zugg presents to Claudia

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TANZANIA AND UGANDA 2013 With so much support from the FHS community, St Amedeus Secondary School is flourishing. Since our last visit in October 2011, St Amedeus has two new Science laboratories, extended living quarters for students and staff as well as the inclusion of 200 more students. In 2014, the hope is to offer A levels in Science with a maximum school population of 600 students. Whilst these 600 boys board, the school also offers local children pre year 7 education.

Kiki, Ciara, Talia, Sabrina, Sarah, Katharine, Rosie, Aine, Stella, Katia, Nina and Srutti all had the pleasure of seeing just how the school has grown and how the boys are educated, in a very different environment. Our students also helped to paint the new Science labs, plant new trees, teach Health, Craft and Dance as well as host a trip to Tarangire National Park.

After seven days at St Amedeus, the adventure continued in Uganda. We travelled to Bwindi National Park to trek through the jungle to hopefully catch a glimpse of one of 700 mountain gorillas left in the world. Not only did we see silverbacks, but we saw whole families of gorillas go about their day to day business. They are truly magnificent creatures.

Planting trees

Helping paint the new science labs

Thank you to Mr Derek Ward and Miss Jane Tucker for accompanying the trip and not least Mrs Kirsty Lombard for organising the entire experience. The entire trip was inspirational and a "trip of a lifetime" for everyone. Already some of the Sixth Form are re-thinking gap years, looking forward to returning to St Amedeus and to continue travelling the world.

Asante Sana!

Miss C Mahieu Pastoral Deputy Head

Mr Ward and Fr Furaha

Sixth Formers teaching Health

On a gorilla trek

Not as easy as it looks!

Nina with the class

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Upper Fourth History Trip to Ypres The History Department took the entire Upper Fourth to the battlefields of the First World War for three days at the beginning of half term. Having studied the war this term, the girls were able to see for themselves the remnants of this battle-scarred landscape, and could more easily appreciate the tragedy that unfolded between 1914 and 1918. The girls visited the superb Cloth Hall Museum in Ypres, as well as one of Europe’s largest cemeteries at Tyne Cot and a German cemetery at Langemark. They also spent a day walking along the trenches of the Battle of the Somme, some eighty miles to the south, and visiting the beautiful Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge. That evening, the girls attended the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony. One of the best known Commonwealth memorials anywhere in the world, the Menin Gate sits astride the road along which hundreds of thousands of troops passed on their way to the Front.

The highlight of the trip was our visit to the ever-popular Sanctuary Wood museum where the girls were able to walk along preserved trenches, and scramble through the maze of tunnels. After screaming ourselves hoarse, we headed back for home, with a brief stop at the Calais shopping centre to replenish our depleted chocolate and sweet supplies.

The trip was a great success and I would like to thank my colleagues who did a fine job organising the girls and maintaining morale; Ms Barton, Mr Chiverton, Miss Lewis, Miss Thomson and Dr De Bono. Finally, credit must go to the girls of the Upper Fourth whose behaviour was exemplary.

Mr Clayton Head of History Department

At the Cloth Hall Museum

Emma at the Canadian memorial, Vimy Ridge

Paying their respects

The Upper Fourth at the Canadian memorial, Vimy Ridge

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A busy autumn term for the Art Department The Art Department has been very busy during this last half term, with the Lower Fifth trip to the Saatchi Gallery in Kensington on Friday 27th September, and the Lower Sixth Saturday workshop in East London on Saturday 21st September inspiring their coursework. The Advanced Drawing Workshop on Saturday 5th October proved immensely popular with both the Upper Fifth and the Sixth Form, with a return visit from an experienced artist and teacher from the Royal Academy. The Thirds Design pupils were treated to a stimulating presentation by Mark Hampshire on Friday 11th October, which supports their project on logo design.

Miss J Orr Head of Art Department

The Lower Fifth at the Saatchi Gallery

Advanced Draw

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Upper Sixth Frieze Fair trip Five lucky Upper Sixth Art students, accompanied by myself and Miss Orr, visited one of the world's most anticipated and cutting edge contemporary Art shows earlier in October.

Frieze Art Fair, which was launched in 2003, features more than 170 contemporary Art galleries and includes an exciting and comprehensive range of work by both established and emerging artists.

The girls found the afternoon thoroughly inspiring, enjoying pieces as diverse as a site specific glass installation by Dan Graham, to some exciting drawings by Cornelia Parker.

Keen to get back to the drawing board, Jinalee, Kirsty, Julia, Yasmin and Jo headed straight back to their Ivor Place studio and have already produced some impressive works informed by their trip.

Ms R Thomson Art Department

Some of the Upper Sixth at Frieze F r a n c i s

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European Languages Day

Upper Fourth Classics Lecture

Congratulations to Mr Gridelli

On 10th October, Peter Jones, an eminent Classicist who was a former lecturer at Newcastle University and has written several Classical books, came to inspire budding Classicists of the future at Francis Holland.

Many of the Upper Fourth, in addition to Year 9 students from several other schools, including St Marylebone and Queens College, attended this impressive afterschool lecture.

On 26th September, Catherine and Katy led the Sixth Form team to victory in the "boules" match against staff from the Modern Foreign Languages Department. This was part of the celebrations to mark the European Day of Languages. The French quiz was won

by Maya Thomas, Kalliopi Hadjipateras and Nula Kenzie. Steve King provided delicious European food for lunch.

Mme A Senegas Modern Foreign Languages Department

Dr Jones covered a wide range of topics over the course of the hour, including the relationship between Greek, Latin and other IndoEuropean languages, gravestones from Northern England and word order in Latin poetry.

At all times he was enthusiastic and amusing, the Upper Fourth thoroughly enjoyed the experience; for many, it was their first experience of a university style lecture.

Miss H Baig Head of Classics Department

Congratulations to Mr Nick Gridelli, Head of Spanish and Italian, on being offered a highly selective teaching course in Granada.

The course was a Comenius In-Service Training run by the British Council and consisted of twenty hours of lessons in a small group of four people and five hours of teaching methodology workshop for two people.

It also gave him the opportunity to stay ahead of the continuous process of renovation that MFL teaching undergoes as well as learning about the linguistic, social and cultural changes that Spain has experienced.

Lower Fifth MFL Lecture

Dr Simon Coffey, Head of Applied Linguistics at Kings College London, came to Francis Holland and gave a talk to girls from the Lower Fifth upwards in order to promote the importance of learning a modern foreign language.

The talk was well attended, and we had also invited City of

London Girls School and Queen's College school London. It was an inspiring talk that will, we are sure, encourage pupils to continue with languages at school and beyond.

Mrs B Edwards Head of Modern Foreign Languages Department

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History of Art Sixth Form trip to New York

Some of the Sixth Form en route to Liberty Island

During October half term the Sixth Form Art historians enjoyed a brilliant tour to New York City. The trip began with a visit to the top of the Art Deco Empire State Building from which they surveyed all of Manhattan and beyond. Over the next few days the girls made the most of the city's museums, investigating the collections at MoMA, the Whitney Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The iconic building of the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum was studied closely and the perfect October weather enabled them to explore the many features of Central Park. No trip to NYC would be complete without a ferry ride out to Liberty Island, allowing the girls to view the statue up close as well as take in the famous city skyline. A real highlight for many was wandering along the new Chelsea High Line, providing great views of lower Manhattan and a space to view the works of contemporary artists.

After vintage shopping in Chelsea, the girls met up with three former FHS pupils who are currently studying at NYU. Now true New Yorkers, these "polished corners" shared a meal with the group at Union Square and were the envy of us all with their stories of campus life.

Mrs A Francisco Head of Sixth Form

Flag by Jasper Johns at MoMA F r a n c i s

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Parents’ Association Christmas Fair 2013

Tash taking Christmas wishes

A packed School Hall full of Christmas festivities

Christmas came early to FHS. The hall was once again filled with Steve’s beautiful Christmas cakes and puddings, homemade jams, colourful wreaths, enchanted looking Magic trees, and wonderful new vendors. The girls were thrilled by the addition of the photo booth, games, and especially the bubble tea! Santa’s Grotto, hosted by the Sixth Form was loads of fun and the jousting kept everyone entertained. Many enthusiastic students had stalls this year including For Goodness Cake, a chocolate fountain, beautiful mosaics, Greenfingers, and more. I would like to extend a huge "Thank You" to everyone involved in making

the fair so special. It could not be done without the support of the committee, teachers, students and parents.

Please look out for information about the Spring Quiz Night and Auction that will be held just after the start of Spring term.

Invitations will be sent home after half term.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Mrs L Rafter Chair of Parents’ Association

Chocolate tombola and lucky jars in the library

Many thanks to Laurel Rafter, the Parents’ Association committee and the many volunteers who all helped to make the Christmas Fair on Saturday 24th November such a success.

The money raised will go to three organisations: St Amedeus School, Tanzania, FHS Summer Camp and the Swiss Cottage Specialist School.

Katharine, Saskia, Tilly, and Issy spread the Christmas cheer!

Steve King’s wonderful Christmas cakes

Miss C MacDonnell Director of Extra-curricular Activities

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Theatre Studies trip to The Drowned Man On Thursday 10th October the Theatre Studies Department ventured to Punchdrunk’s performance of The Drowned Man – A Hollywood Fable. As a theatre company, Punchdrunk are known for their immersive style of promenade theatre, where the audience are free to roam and the action takes the form of episodic scenes performed in different areas throughout the vast studio space.

Typically, this production was far from ordinary and began with us all being escorted into a lift wearing ominous masks; immediately we were part of the play. There were four floors of spectacular sets, which we each were encouraged to explore individually, either by following performers or by simply choosing our own path. At times we were on our own, perhaps stumbling through a dimly lit and decrepit caravan park, at others we could find ourselves in a lively bar watching a sultry dance. The actors frequently involved spectators in some way - sometimes taking audience members into rooms on their own, sometimes hugging them or dancing with them. As the voice of the ‘production director’ at the beginning said, everyone chooses their own fate.

The journeys we took were mesmerising and put us in a dangerous yet alluring dream. No one had the same experience and the stories we exchanged were completely different, making us eager to go again and see parts we missed.

All in all it was a magical and breath-taking production, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

Mrs M Bachle-Morris English Department

Female Brass Quartet wows the thirds!

Our trumpet teacher at Francis Holland is a member of Bella Tromba an exciting and prestigious all-female trumpet quartet. The third formers were fantastic, participating throughout and exhilarated by the group’s interesting content and lively delivery. They played music from the sixteenth century through to brass arrangements of Lady Gaga songs! However the best part of the work shop was when Bella Tromba were joined by members of Phil Parkers, a specialist brass shop.

All the girls could all try different types of trumpets and also the new trombones made of bright red and yellow plastic! The dulcet tones of wonderful music and playing could be heard all round Francis Holland and we would all thank Mr Smith for arranging such a marvellous workshop.

Mrs E Rolfe Johnson Director of Music

Enjoying a musical afternoon!

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FHS Literary Society London-born author and actress Clara Salaman was invited to speak to the Senior Literary Society about her latest novel and her working life, during their last meeting before half term. In 2009 Ms Salaman published a controversial fictionalisation of her unusual upbringing and schooling under the title Shame on You. This dark debut explores the impact of education in an unnamed cult on home life and the subsequent issues of unstable identity and eroded self-confidence.

The girls were interested in Ms Salaman’s use of the first person narrative voice, the decision to fictionalise fact, the technique of the dual narrator and double-time chronology and her views on modern feminism. Her second novel, a thriller, is to be published in January and the Senior Literary Society fully intends to invite this engaging writer back for a more developed debate about modern fiction-writing and the status of women writers in twenty first century Britain.

Dr F De Bono English Department

Author and Actress Clara Salaman

Philosophy and Ethics Lecture On Wednesday 9th October twenty Sixth Form girls studying Philosophy and Ethics made their way to the New College of the Humanities for a discussion with the prominent philosopher Professor AC Grayling. The focus of his talk was "the meaning of life" and girls were able to ask him all manner of thought-provoking questions.

He was an exceptional speaker, giving interesting and engaging ideas and inspiring us all with his extensive knowledge and ability to make everything so interesting and relevant.

Miss J Farthing Head of Religious Studies Department

FHS gains accreditation

by HMC! FHS Regent’s Park has successfully gained accreditation into The Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ conference. This is a professional organisation of leading independent schools. We are delighted that the school passed its accreditation with flying colours earlier this term. The school will also continue to belong to the Girls’ School Association (GSA) as it has done for many years.

Miss C Mahieu Pastoral Deputy Head

Sixth Form students with Professor Grayling

Upper Sixth Extended Project Presentations Six students in the Upper Sixth will be presenting their independent research conducted as part of the Extended Project Qualification, a stand-alone qualification which is the equivalent of an AS subject. During the presentations the girls will explain their experiences and the outcomes of their extended projects to an audience, including their mentors, who will all have the opportunity to ask questions for them to respond to. This is the final part of their assessment process.

Extended Project Presentations Sixth Form Lecture: Monday 2nd December 3:30pm ~ Cleo Fabian ~ Is the female brain a construct of evolution or is it socially engineered?

3:50pm ~ Bea Kilgour ~ Are children aware of gender stereotypes in the workplace?

Evening: Tuesday 3rd December 6pm ~ Anna Cutteridge ~ Which is the more vengeful gender?

6:20pm: Isobel Schaw Miller ~ To what extent was the clean up in Italian politics in the 1990s successful?

6:40pm ~ Srutti Suresan ~ What is the most effective treatment for Parkinson's Disease?

7:00pm ~ Emma Taylor ~ To what extent can Genre painting be used as historical evidence?

Miss J Zugg Academic Deputy Head

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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Congratulations to all the Bronze participants who have completed and passed their practice and assessment expedition weekends during the first half term. The girls should be proud of their efforts!

The girls should now be focussing on completing a project about one element of their expeditions; this should then be handed in to Miss Hallett by the end of November. Girls must also upload all evidence onto the ‘e DofE’ website including any pictures taken over the expedition weekends. If your daughter needs help with the online aspect of the award then please encourage her to come along to the online clinic which is conducted by Mrs Wood and takes place every

Tuesday at short break in the ICT suite.

Any girl in the current Lower Fifth who is thinking of carrying on with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, and progressing onto the Silver Award, must complete three out of the four sections of her Bronze award before January 2013.

Finally, one former Francis Holland School student has been invited to St. James’s Palace in mid-December to be presented with her Gold Award. This is a huge success for her!

Mrs K Lombard Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Co-ordinator

Each year Harvest is a major event in the school calendar. Girls collect considerable quantities of food and decorate their Harvest boxes, and this year was certainly no exception! The girls really outdid themselves and collected an amazing amount of food, and the box designs were innovative and fun. All of our donations were gratefully received by the charity North London Action for the Homeless, who have already said that our donations have made a huge impact on their ability to help others. The Harvest service that the whole school attended at St Cyprian’s Church really made us consider how fortunate we are, thanks to a wonderful sermon delivered by Reverend Beauchamp.

We were glad that we had been able to do so much for those who are homeless.

Harvest Festival at St Cyprian’s

Miss J Farthing Head of Religious Studies Department

Ella, Ella, Iman and Maya with some of the donations in St Cyprian's F r a n c i s

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Quondam Lunch and Netball It was wonderful to welcome such a large number of “Polished Corners” to school for the annual Quondam lunch on Saturday 9th November.

Guests spanning the decades from the post-war years to the twenty first century enjoyed a convivial atmosphere aided considerably by a typically delicious lunch provided by school chef, Steve King.

It was preceded by a netball match played in Regent’s Park, by Polished Corners who differed in age, but who were all equally as enthusiastic as 12 year olds when they set out. Watched by husbands, children, families and friends, teams of Eighties leavers threw themselves around the Regent’s Park court as if they were still in the Thirds. They even managed to maintain their enthusiasm despite the torrential rain.

After lunch, Quondam Chair, Alison Edelshain, paid a special tribute to Nadia Demetriou Ladas, Quondam co-ordinator, for her immense hard work in organising the event.

Miss C MacDonnell Director of Extra-curricular Activities Reflecting on old school photos

Alumnae group huddle

Lunch in the School Hall with Governor Alison Edelshain

Enjoying refreshments in the Library

"Polished Corners" on the netball court

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Autumn Term Sports Report It never fails to amuse me, that the extra "nip" in the air always adds an extra incentive to sprint around the Hockey pitch just that little bit faster – in some ways I wish it was continually winter! I am very happy to report that the girls are progressing very nicely in lessons and our fixture results have been fantastic as the squad members have grown into their teams throughout the term. Our Senior and Intermediate Netball teams have represented the school well at the Middlesex Netball tournament this term. There has also been much anticipation and excitement in the lead up to the Inter-form Hockey tournament; more to follow in the next newsletter.

The new spring fixtures list can now be found online via the school website. Please do come along to the matches and cheer as loudly as you like! The spring term is packed with many PE extra-curricular events; please make note of them in your diaries.

Spring dates to note:

Wednesday 15th January Second Hand Uniform Sale Gym Sunday 26th January Middlesex Gymnastics Competition LEH School Monday 27th January Thirds and Lower Fourth Dance Workshop FHS (in lessons) Thursdays Ongoing FHS Olympics 3-a-side Soccer School Playground Monday 3rd February February Fitness Fortnight begins FHS (in lessons) Mid-March u12 & u13 Middlesex Netball Tournament TBA

Friday 14th March Gym and Dance Display 5pm FHS Hall

Friday 21st March FHS Olympics Mini Marathon Regent’s Park Monday 24th March Summer Sports Trials begin (continue in the Summer term) Regent’s Park Tuesday 1st April Inter-form Netball Competition Regent’s Park Miss J Tucker Head of PE Department

Autumn Term 2013 Form Captains

Izzy Maguire

IIIJ

Games Captains Rosie Bowyer

Charlotte McBurney IIIM Eva Perez Anastasia Joukovski

IIIS Eliza Kay

Rosie Morris LIVJ Gabby Rapp

Antonia Woolf LIVM Ella Sprosta

Ella Roeser LIVS Fatma Hammad

Emilia Kalff UIVJ Rae Farrow

Andie Macarthur UIVM Marita Andrews

Peyton Sarrail UIVS Saffron Taylor

Martha Barron LVB Alice Haine

Rose Brookfield LVH Lucy Minderides

Claudia French LVP Jessie Clayton

Georgia Young UVC Tilly Holt

Ambre de Tourniel UVF Asia Nicoletti

Sawyer Eaton UVH Jess Tuli

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Spring Term 2014: Monday Sixth Form Lectures January 13th Sport/Olympian ............................... Debbie Flood:

Olympic Silver Medallist and

Gold World Champion Rower 20th Fashion/Magazine publishing .... Susie Forbes:

Principal of Condé Nast College

of Fashion and Design 27th History/Humanitarianism ............ Molly Teshuva and Florence Hastings:

Visit to Auschwitz through Holocaust

Education Trust February 3rd Charity/Medicine ............................ Chloë Meredith: Ambitious about Autism 17th Half term, 24th February and 3rd March Mock Examinations March 10th History of Art ................................... Alex Fielding: The Bigger Picture.

Lecture on the High Renaissance

and the architecture of St Peter’s

Basilica, Vatican 17th Eating Disorders and Recovery .. Jennie Eggleton 24th Lower Sixth Sexual Health ......... Shirldon Barthelmy

Session – Group 1

Upper Sixth UCAS session with ASF/ALS 31st Lower Sixth Sexual Health ......... Shirldon Barthelmy

Session – Group 2

Upper Sixth – .................................... Lucy Salmon: UCL Finance Department

Session on University Finance

Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th and Friday 6th December 2013 7.00pm Tickets £3 (FHS girls) and £8 Please email Mrs Gurini at sue.gurini@fhs-nw1.org.uk for tickets

Quondam Writing Competition 2014

The Quondam Sixth Form Travel Scholarship 2014

This year the Quondam Writing Prize takes a new direction with an inspiring themed subject, The Great War, to reflect the centenary of the start of World War I.

The Quondam Travel Scholarship helps girls who have been at the school who seek to broaden their education and experience by travelling abroad within twelve months of receiving the prize.

Essays should be between 300 and 1000 words in length.

The Scholarship The scholarship will not be more than 50% of the total amount which the applicant needs to raise.

The Junior Prize (£25) is open to Thirds, Lower Fourth and Upper Fourth students.

The Senior Prize (£50) is open to Lower Fifth, Upper Fifth and Sixth Forms.

The maximum scholarship awarded will be up to £750.

Entries must be sent by Friday 18th April 2014 to Helen Forbes at quondam@fhs-nw1.org.uk with the subject line "Quondam Travel Scholarship Entry".

Entries must be sent by Friday 18th April 2014 to Helen Forbes, Quondam School Liaison at quondam@fhs-nw1.org.uk with the subject line "Quondam Writing Prize".

For further details: www.fhs-nw1.org.uk/alumni_quondam

For further details: www.fhs-nw1.org.uk/alumni_quondam

Future Dates for your Diary

FHS Carol Service

Tue 3rd Dec Presentation of Upper Sixth extended projects in the School Hall 6pm Wed 4th Dec School production of Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare in the School Hall .......................................... 7pm Thu 5th Dec School production of Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare in the School Hall .......................................... 7pm Fri 6th Dec School production of Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare in the School Hall .......................................... 7pm Wed 11th Dec Lower Fourth parents' evening for LIVJ and LIVM (Abel to Meynell)

5:30pm Thu 12th Dec Lower Fourth parents' evening for LIVS and LIVM (Modi to Woolf)

5:30pm Fri 13th Dec Whole school Mufti Day in aid of the Rainbow Centre, Sri Lanka Tue 7th Jan Beginning of Spring Term ................................................................... 8:25am Fri 17th Jan 11+ entrance examination day Sat 25th Jan 11+ Art scholarship day

in St Cyprian’s Church at 6.30pm with mulled wine and mince pies in the School Hall after the service.

All friends and family are welcome.

F rancis

H olland

S chool

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