Francis Holland School Newsletter July 2010 Alexandra rose day
From the Headmistress Dear Parents, The public examination season now extends from early May until late June and involves more than half the students in the school, because all the Lower Fifth sit three modules of their science GCSEs. Sincere thanks to the excellent team, led by Mrs. Jeannie Cohen, the School’s Chief Examinations Officer, that organised several hundred examinations with efficient calm and good humour - no mean feat!
Elena Georgiou and Isobel Apter sell their first rose to the Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron. Report on page 3.
As this newsletter goes to press, the visit of Father Faustine Furaha, Headmaster of St. Amedeus School in Moshi, Tanzania, is coming to an end. Father Faustine has spent two weeks at FHS and gave a memorable presentation about the work of his school in assembly. We look forward to continuing our sponsorship of St. Amedeus School and learning more about its work from Miss Gallagher, when she returns in September from her secondment in Moshi. Thanks to many of you who have attended the large number of school events in the second half of this term. In particular, girls have been well supported at events such as the Junior Concert, the Lower Fourth Science Fair, the Lower Sixth Italian play, the Upper Sixth Leavers’ Prize-giving Evening and the Evening of Jazz. The GCSE and A level Art exhibitions were most enjoyable occasions, as ever; we were delighted to welcome F r a n c i s
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Lady France, Chair of Governors until 2005, to the GCSE exhibition. Particular thanks to all in the Art department.
leadership speak for themselves. May both Miss Williamson and Rev’d Locke enjoy long, happy and well deserved retirements.
Two members of staff are retiring at the end of this term. Both have had most distinguished teaching careers. Miss Williamson, Head of English and Drama, came to FHS in 1992 and has inspired generations of students with her intellectual energy. Her passion for Shakespeare and Chaucer is little less than legendary! Miss Williamson has generously donated a school prize, a Poetry Quaich, which will be presented for the first time at the School Prize-giving Evening on September 30th at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Rev'd Locke, Head of Religious Studies, taught for many years at North London Collegiate School and was Assistant Chaplin at Stowe, before coming to FHS. The results of the R.S. Department under Rev’d Locke’s
During the summer holidays, the Sixth Form Common Room will be enlarged and extensively refurbished to provide more space in September for the sixth form, which will number almost 120 pupils. Please see our website (www.francisholland.org.uk) for details of the school office’s opening hours during August and for details of events next term.
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With best wishes for an enjoyable and relaxing summer holiday.
Mrs. V.M. Durham 1