Francis Holland School Newsletter February 2015 “Polished Corner” Joan Collins receives New Year’s Honour
From the Headmistress Dear Parents, 2015 began with the happy news that Miss Joan Collins, a member of Quondam (the association for all alumnae of this school) had been awarded a DBE for her services to charity in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. In 1996, Miss Collins and the Bishop of London officially opened the school swimming pool. Building work on the new swimming pool and changing rooms began at the beginning of term. This major project is one of the ways in which the school will be marking the centenary of its move from Upper Baker Street to Ivor Place in 1915. Congratulations to the Upper Fifth on completing ten days of mock GCSE examinations, which they undertook with impressive commitment. The annual Higher Education Evening, which will be held on Monday 2nd March for all Lower Sixth girls and their parents, is an important event, which will provide information about the UCAS application process and the ways in which the school offers guidance and support for all university applications, including those to Oxford and Cambridge. The 136th school birthday on Thursday 12th February is also the day of the finals of the inter-form drama competition. We are delighted that Miss Sarah Rick-Harris, a “polished corner” who frequently acted in school plays and who read Drama at university, will be this year’s adjudicator.
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In the first assembly of term, students were delighted to learn that Miss Joan Collins a “Polished Corner” has been awarded a damehood for her charitable and philanthropic work. She has supported a range of charities over the last several decades including the International Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities, earning the foundation's highest honour in 1988 for her continuing support. In 1990, she was made an honorary member of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Dame Joan Collins was also awarded the lifetime achievement award from the Association of Breast Cancer Studies in Great Britain for her contribution to breast cancer awareness. She is patron of Fight for Sight and in 2003 became a patron of the Shooting Star Children's Hospice while continuing to support several foster children in India, a cause she has supported for the past twenty-five years. The main school concert this term will be a joint performance with the Choral Society of Harrow School. This year’s concert promises to be particularly special, since it will be Francis Grier’s Around the Curve of the World and the composer himself hopes to attend the concert. The concert will be held in the Speeches Room of Harrow School on Tuesday 17th March at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £8 and are available via the Director of Music, Mr Robert Patterson at robert.patterson@fhs-nw1.org.uk A charity concert in aid of St Cyprian’s Church will be held at 6:30pm on Monday 30th March, in St Cyprian’s.
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I hope that many parents and friends of the school will attend this concert in which more than eighty FHS students will be singing. Tickets for adults cost £10 and can be obtained via Mrs Sue Gurini at sue.gurini@fhs-nw1.org.uk. Good luck to all those going on the school ski trip, led by Mrs Rona Grant, to To nale in Italy dur in g February half term.
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Mrs Felicity Forde celebrates forty years at FHS! In assembly in the final day of last term, the whole school gave a standing ovation to Mrs Felicity Forde who is Head of Learning Enhancement. She has completed forty years of outstanding service to FHS. Mrs Forde joined FHS in 1974 in the PE Department. During the last forty years, Felicity has held many posts most recently having been Pastoral Deputy Head and now works three days per week in the Learning Enhancement Department.
Mrs Forde at the Annual Quondam Netball match in November 2014
Staff News Congratulations to Miss Emma Williams on her appointment as the Deputy Head of Sixth Form. She will take over from Mrs Slocombe who will serve as Acting Head of Sixth Form for Mrs Francisco while she is on maternity leave. We welcome Miss Emily Wainwright who is our new Librarian while Miss Barlow is on maternity leave. We also extend a warm welcome to Mr Barnaby Archer who is the new percussion teacher in the Music Department. Congratulations to Miss Lindsey Barlow and her partner Cliff on the birth of their baby daughter Clara on Wednesday 10th December 2014.
Clara Middleton
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Mrs Durham said, “The school is immensely fortunate to have teachers as dedicated and gifted as Felicity Forde. There are very few schools who can boast having a teacher for forty years. We look forward to her beginning her fortyfirst year in September 2015.”
Mrs Forde visiting the Cabinet Room at No. 10 Downing Street on Alexandra Day 2012
Effort, Achievement & Contribution to School Autumn Term 2014
Form Effort Achievement Contribution IIIJ Ava Dance Charlotte Hassenforder Tara Murray IIIM Charlotte-Rose Allan Iona Geidt Amaara Bahanda IIIS Annie Harrison Zahra Padmanathan Lorna Sibson LIVJ Amelia Carney Kalliopi Hadjipateras Rosie Bowyer LIVM Avery Sarrail Alia Azman Isabella Jackson LIVS Olivia Livingstone Cecilia Rafter Isabella Waite UIVJ Jessica Phillips Mariam Mohammed Yasmin Morrell UIVM Eman Jahangir Larisa Soskin Lily Abel UIVS Iman-Esayo Dekonor Courtney McNeil Ariella Lahyani LVC Maxine Freeman Rowena Koenig Helena McBurney LVF Selen Demirel Peyton Sarrail Scarlett De Wynter LVT Saffron Taylor Tabitha Dickson Emily Evangelou UVB Natalia Ameen Natalia Ruhe Angelica Maxwell UVH Tabitha Hull Madeleine Harding Lucy Minderides UVP Eleanor Bogle Tatiana Green Saydee Brown LVI Joy Evenden Vida Fatemi Amelia Mehra LVI Katey Jackson Christina Mantafounis Eleri O’Connor LVI Rosie Ling Elisabetta Quacquarelli Miranda Soskin LVI Caroline Turner Amalia White Jessica Tuli UVI Lily Dogmetchi Rachel Cowan Domenica Etherton UVI Katharine Marris Zoe Harrowell Daniels Katie Lowe UVI Zoya Pervez Alisha Mukherjee Reem Satti UVI Penelope Whitehead Grace Schneiderman Olivia Turner F e b r u a r y
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Oxbridge success
Congratulations to Rebekah, Lucy and Margot
The leavers of 2015 have continued to achieve impressive offers from the best universities in the country. Three of the Upper Sixth have received Oxbridge offers: Lucy Streeten has a conditional offer to read History at St Peter’s College, Oxford. Margot Smith has a conditional offer to read Natural Sciences at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Rebekah Hornsby has
a conditional offer to read Classics from Robinson College, Cambridge. Many congratulations to these candidates! Mrs Alex Francisco Head of Sixth Form
Saskia wins “Best Film” at British Film Academy Awards Saskia de Borchgrave Niblett, who is a member of the Head Girl's team, has recently achieved success on her short course at the British Film Academy, when, as the cinematographer, her team’s film was voted “Best Film” by the audience. Saskia plans to study film upon completing her A levels this year. Ms Jane Orr Head of Art Department
Congratulations to Saskia F r a n c i s
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FHS Charity Christmas Run December 2014
Wonderful stroll around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
On a frosty yet surprisingly sunny Sunday morning, FHS girls, parents and staff donned festive kit to take part in the first ever “Festive Run� around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. It was a great morning with lots of community spirit and an excellent way to keep the holiday season healthy! Many thanks to Mrs Lombard and Miss Tucker as well as the many parents who came to support us. Hopefully this will become an annual event. Miss Colette Mahieu Pastoral Deputy Head
Jogging towards the finish
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Carol Service at Marylebone Parish Church
The beautiful Marylebone Parish Church
On the last Tuesday of term, the annual school Carol Service was held at Marylebone Parish Church which effortlessly seated the whole school and hundreds of parents. Glorious solos from Natasha Waddell, Rim Douba and Isabella Roberts were matched with choral singing of a very high standard, especially following on from three productions of Guys and Dolls only the previous week.
The traditional processional of Britten's Hodie by candlelight finished the service as the church descended into the dusk of late afternoon in December. Mr Robert Patterson Director of Music
Mrs Kenyon and members of the junior chamber choir F r a n c i s
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Guys and Dolls Main School Play December 2014
On the 10th, 11th and 12th December Guys and Dolls thrilled sell-out audiences at Francis Holland. A vibrant cast of thirty girls re-created the slightly shady world off Broadway somewhere around 1950, where slick operator Sky Masterson (Sophia Charap) takes on the difficult task of taking Sister Sarah Brown (Helena Haines) on a date, initially just for a bet; meanwhile, hapless but ever-optimistic Nathan Detroit (Millie Wiliams) is scouting for a place to hold his next illegal dice game, aided and abetted by his trio of gambling “bums” Benny (Elle Bogle), Nicely-Nicely (Lulu Renney) and Rusty (Vida Fatemi) and is desperately trying to avoid the eagle eye of Lieutenant Brannigan of the NY Police (Anastasia Michanitzis) and the efforts of his fiancée Miss Adelaide (Rim Douba) to get him to put a ring on her finger.
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This is the twenty-fourth major production I have directed for Francis Holland schools, and the talents of the girls both on and behind the stage never cease to amaze me. Our tradition depends on well-oiled teamwork, this year with the exciting challenge of working with a new Musical Director, Robert Patterson, who transposed almost all the songs to comfortable pitches for our young singers, professional Choreographer Robbie O’Reilly, who created the showstopping dance numbers, and new Drama colleague Abigail Hine who directed the movement and interpretation of the solos and duets. Meanwhile the stage crew were gently and brilliantly managed by Stage Manager Eden Gundle, ensuring that all the props and cast were in the right places and the show moved seamlessly from street to Hot Box Stage to Sewer, to Cuban café on a tropical night.
I have received many lovely compliments from members of all three audiences. But if I had to pick a performance I would say that Wednesday was probably the best: the show was very ready to slot into place and it gripped, entertained and moved the audience from the opening moments to the standing ovation, a Francis Holland first. Congratulations everybody from a proud director. Mrs Kate Oakley English and Drama Department Photographs taken by Guy Lucas, Regent’s Park Photographic
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Upper Fourth French Poetry Competition
Just before the Christmas Holidays, the French department launched a poetry competition aimed at all Upper Fourth students. We studied Jacques Prévert’s Le déjeuner du matin in depth, analysing the language, the main tense, and the images and themes of the poem. Students were then asked to write their own poems on a topic of their choice, the only condition being that they had to use the past, present and future tenses. The girls’ response was fantastic and it was very difficult to choose a winner in each group. Native speakers and near native speakers competed in a separate category. We are very pleased to announce the following students as winners in their group: Emma Monnickendam (UIVJ) in the Native Speakers or Near Native Speakers Category, Rosie Morris (UIVJ) in Ms Spera’s group, Liya Khwaja (UIVS) in Ms Lamas’s class, Andrea Salguero-Ramsohoye (UIVM) in Mrs Tomsett-Rowe’s group and Ellie Dubois (UIVJ) in Mrs Slocombe’s class. The following girls were also shortlisted for writing moving and insightful poems; Mariam Mohamed (UIVJ) and Anna Clayton (UIVJ), Gayatri Bhatt (UIVJ) and Olivia Muccio (UIVS), Maya Simmonds (UIVS) and Nula Kenzie (UIVJ), Savannah Roeser (UIVJ) and Kitty Gilbey (UIVS). Félicitations! Ms Alessandra Spera Head of French Department
Upper Fifth Maths in Action lecture On Friday 12th December 2014, the Upper Fifth went to a Maths in Action lecture to broaden their Mathematics knowledge beyond the curriculum and aid an informed choice for A levels next year. The talks were on a diverse range of topics by a variety of eminent speakers: Boomerangs, Bouncing Balls and Other Spinning Things by Hugh Hunt, University of Cambridge The Human Herd by Hannah Fry, University College London The Man Who Cannot Lose by Matt Pritchard, Scientist and Magician From Euclid to the Electric Guitar by David Acheson, Oxford University Weird and Wonderful Maths by Steve Mould, Science Communicator It was both an entertaining and thoughtprovoking day. Mrs Anjali Martin Head of Mathematics Department
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Extending learning beyond A level through the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Congratulations to Leora!
Our congratulations go to Rachel Cowan, Rebekah Hornsby, Matilda Ruback, Lucy Streeten and Katia Pagano in the Upper Sixth who completed their Extended Projects in December 2014. This involved researching and writing a 5,000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice and presenting their findings to an audience of students, staff and parents in early December. The Extended Project, an optional qualification offered to all students in the Sixth Form and worth half an A2 level grade, is taken in addition to A Levels and is designed to challenge the most able students. The projects are wide-ranging in their subject matter and reflect the students’ interests. The qualification tests their organisational skills, their capability for independent research and their ability to analyse sources and solve problems, all extremely valuable skills for university study. Miss Kristina Lewis, Extended Project Coordinator, has overseen the whole process with dedication and has taught the girls the skills required to complete their projects. I would like to thank Miss Lewis and her team of supervisors (Miss Barton, Mrs Farthing, Mrs Packford and Mr Ward) for the support and guidance they have given these students over the past year. Miss Jacqueline Zugg Academic Deputy Head
Congratulations to Leora Browning who successfully auditioned for a place in the National Youth Choir.
Upper Fifth Charity Event On Friday 5th December the Upper Fifth organised a talent show, which featured girls from each year group each performing a dance based on different musicals, as well as a teachers‘ team. The show was a huge success and all the proceeds, over £500, will go to the Rainbow centre, a charity with which we work closely in Sri Lanka which enables children from underprivileged backgrounds to access education. It also provides daily care and medical treatment to these children.
The event was enjoyed by everyone. UVP won the competition with their fantastic choreography of a mashup of Mamma Mia, in second place came LIVM dancing to the lyrics to the Nicest Kids In Town by Hairspray and in third place were IIIJ dancing to I Want To Be Like You from the Jungle Book. Mrs Marjorie Gustave Head of Upper Fifth
UVP took first place with their mashup of Mamma Mia F r a n c i s
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The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Congratulations to the following girls for completion of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award which they received in December: Ambre De Tourniel Kathryn Waters Willow Hellier Watts Important Dates 2015 If your daughter has recently enrolled in any level of the award, please note the training and expedition dates and venues below: Gold Award Training: Saturday 7th February (10am – 4pm approximately in school) Practice Expedition: 13th – 17th July, Peak District Assessment Expedition: 24th – 28th August, North Wales Silver Award Training: Saturday 7th February (10am – 4pm in school) Practice Expedition: 2nd – 4th May, Chelmsford Assessment Expedition: 23rd – 25th May, Chesham Bronze Award Training: Saturday 12th September (9am – 4pm in school) Practice Expedition: 26th – 27th September, Harlow Assessment Expedition: 10th – 11th October, Chelmsford
Aisling and Maria enjoy their well-constructed tent
Plenty of girls are making great progress with their awards, and some are nearing completion, which is fantastic! If you would like any on-line help with an area of your award or you just need the last section signed off, please come to D of E clinic on a Tuesday at short break in the ICT room. Thank you! Mrs Kirsty Lombard Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Co-ordinator
Parents’ Association News A very happy New Year to all from the Parents Association. We are busy planning two fundraising events for next term and have dates for your diary.
Parents’ Association Committee 2014-2015
The Spring Quiz Night and Silent Auction will be held on Wednesday 29th April. Hugh Pym of the BBC and Simon O‘Hagan of The Independent are back once again as our host and quiz master challenging all we know. Start organising your table now for this spirited night. We are looking for donations for the silent auction and raffle. The committee can be contacted by email: PA@fhs-nw1.org.uk.
Mrs Laurel Rafter, Chair
The second annual BBQ and Tennis Hit and Giggle is all set for Friday evening 5th June at the Regents Park Tennis Courts. Last year we had a great time with fabulous food catered by Steve and tennis for all abilities. We hope many more will join us this year. Invitations and details for both events will arrive by clarion call later this term. We all hope you can join us for these two fun evenings that raise money for our chosen charities: The Swiss Cottage Special School, St Amedeus School, FHS Summer Camp and Teacher Wish List. Mrs Laurel Rafter Chair, Parents' Association Committee
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Mrs Vivienne Durham, President Mrs Fran Whitehead, Secretary Mr Rob Haine, Treasurer Ms Eilis Tobin Mrs Sally Cowan Mr Paul Turner Mrs Dawn Hobson Mrs Varney Polydor Ms Rose Campbell Mrs Louise Cable-Alexander Mrs Barbara Grillmaier-Stick Ms Hope Davies Mrs Marie Louise Flood Mrs Erin Boeckman Mrs Annie Gregson Miss Angharad Langley, Teacher Liaison Miss Clare MacDonnell, Teacher Liaison
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Spring Term Sports Report
The Thirds hockey team in action!
The Spring term is already flying past fast! The Junior and Senior Gymnastics squads have represented FHS at the Middlesex Gymnastics competition. Well done, girls! The Thirds and Lower Fourth got into step during our inaugural January Dance workshop. African and Indian cultural dance styles were learned in a fun-filled morning of activity. And February Fitness Fortnight is just about to arrive again—during lessons the girls will test their fitness, strength, agility and speed, and mark their progress against last year’s scores. The preparation also heats up for the annual Gym and Dance Display on the 6th of March. Just one week later we get our running shoes on for the FHS ”Mini Marathon“ held in Regent’s Park. Our Summer Sports Trials begin early this year again in preparation for the short summer term. The Inter-form Netball tournament finishes the term in a flurry of fun and competition. Woven around all of these activities are many team fixtures and FHS is also entered into the u12 and u13 Middlesex Netball tournament. Please do come and support these events if you have a spare moment! Congratulations to all girls who received a Sports Commendation at the end of the Autumn term. Your effort, determination and commitment certainly were noticed and the PE Department will be on the lookout this Spring term for more worthy recipients. Ms Jane Tucker Head of PE Department Spring PE dates to note: Friday 13th March FHS Mini Marathon, Regent’s Park Tuesday 17th March u12 & u13 Middlesex Netball Tournament, LEH School Monday 23rd March Summer Sports Trials begin (continue in the Summer term), Regent’s Park Monday 30th March Inter-form Netball Competition, Regent’s Park
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Maia sets her sights on the goal
Results of the Inter-form Hockey Tournament December 2014 In what could only be described as “idyllic hockey conditions”, the 2014 Inter-form Hockey tournament was a wonderful week of matches, set in a framework of blue skies and crisp air. Each form was duly represented and another “battle of the forms” was on to seek out the superior class. Well done to all the forms—participation was close to 100%, and so too were the smiles. Winners from Best and fairest players from each year each year group are: group are: IIIJ Thirds – Charlotte Hassenforder LIVJ Lower Fourth – Kalliopi Hadjipateras UIVJ Upper Fourth – Felicite Auterac LVT Lower Fifth – Saffron Taylor UVB Upper Fifth – Alice Haine Upper Sixth beat the Sixth Form – was not awarded, as there Lower Sixth were too many fantastic players to (in extra time!) choose from!
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UK Senior Maths Challenge December 2014
Egyptian Day Lunch!
Congratulations to pupils who took part in the UK Senior Maths Challenge at the end of last term. The results for the UK Senior Mathematical challenges are as follows: In the Upper Sixth, the following girls get a Bronze Certificate: Estella Macchi di Cellere Katia Pagano Margot Smith Reem Satti Katie Lowe Deanna Chaytor
Happy 50th Birthday to FHS chef Mos who celebrated by cooking an Egyptian-themed lunch for the school.
Academic Enrichment Lecture Programme 2014–2015
Sarah Kehoe has been awarded a Silver Certificate as well as the Certificate for Best in Year. In the Lower Sixth, the following girls were awarded a Bronze Certificate: Elizabetta Quacquarelli Madeleine Oglaza Jasmin Aked Lydia Hook
Our new series of Academic Enrichment Lectures continues this term, with talks by Mr Harry Clayton and Mr Nicola Gridelli. The lectures provide an opportunity for students to stretch themselves academically and engage with their academic subjects beyond the curriculum. They are open to all students in the Lower Fifth and above and will be particularly valuable to the Upper Fifth and the Sixth Form, especially those students considering applying for Oxbridge and other top universities. The lectures take place in the Lecture Theatre, starting at 4:20pm.
The following girls were awarded a Silver Certificate: Jessica Tuli Vida Fatemi
Spring Term Wednesday 11th February Mr Nicola Gridelli (Head of Modern Foreign Languages) Lost in (Google) translation?
Over and above all, Xiusi Li has been awarded a Gold Certificate as well as the Certificate for Best in Year and the Certificate for Best in School for the Senior UK Maths Challenge. Her excellent result has qualified her to sit the Senior Kangaroo paper, which is a great achievement.
Miss Jacqui Zugg Academic Deputy Head
Model United Nations
Very well done, girls! Miss Neermala Murugan Mathematics Department
Hosted at Saturday 14th March FHS Regent’s Park 10am – 4pm
FHS Charity Choral Concert in aid of St. Cyprian’s Church
For more details please contact harry.clayton@fhs-nw1.org.uk
Monday 30th March 2015 at 6.30pm Tickets are £10 and are available via Mrs Gurini at sue.gurini@fhs-nw1.org.uk All are very welcome to attend.
Future Dates for your Diary
Tue 3rd Feb Wed 4th Feb Fri 6th Feb Thu 12th Feb Sat 14th Feb Mon 23rd Feb Mon 2nd Mar Tue 10th Mar Wed 11th Mar Tue 17th Mar Wed 25th Mar
FHS Gym & Dance Display
FHS Gym & Dance Display 5 – 6pm on Friday, 6th March All parents welcome
Friday, 9th March at 5F.00pm rancis 1 2 Pre-drinks in the Library at 4.30pm
Thursday 5th March Mr Harry Clayton (Head of History) A brief History of the Hundred Years War.
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Upper Fifth Parents’ Evening (Al – Is) ............................................. 5:30pm Upper Fifth Parents’ Evening (Ke – Ze) ........................................... 5:30pm Lower Fourth Disco in the Hall ................................................. 7:30 – 10pm 136th School Birthday Service in St Cyprian’s Church ................... 8:45am Inter-form Drama Competition Finals .................................. 9:30am – 4pm Ski Trip to Tonale, Italy, departs (returns Fri 20th Feb) Sixth Form mock examinations begin Higher Education Evening for all Lower Sixth and parents in the Hall ....................................................................... 5:30pm Lower Fifth Parents’ Evening (Ac – Kh) .......................................... 5:30pm Lower Fifth Parents’ Evening (Khar – Wi) ....................................... 5:30pm Joint Choral Concert with Harrow School ....................................... 7:30pm Lower Sixth Parents’ Evening ............................................................ 5:30pm
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