Francis Holland School Newsletter July 2012 Alexandra Rose Day
From the Headmistress Dear Parents, The national Diamond Jubilee celebrations led to school examinations being taken in the week before June half term, which was earlier than usual. The general consensus has been that this new timing was particularly successful, and therefore will be repeated in the summer term 2103. Sincere thanks to Mrs Jeannie Cohen, the School’s Chief Examinations Officer, assisted by an excellent public examinations team (Ms Hack, Mr Peters and Mrs Gurini) for invigilating several thousand GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A levels, with characteristic efficiency and good humour ! The swimming trip to Paphos to during June half term led by Miss Gallagher, and accompanied by Mrs Forde and Miss Tucker, was very successful: the girls enjoyed hours of swimming training under blue skies and warm sun. Parental support at the many extracurricular school events during the second half of this term has been wonderful, and much appreciated. In particular, pupils have enjoyed large audiences at the Junior Concert in St Cyprian’s, the Lower Fourth Science Fair, the evenings of the four Junior Plays and the Upper Sixth Leavers’ Prize-giving Evening. As ever, the GCSE and A level Art exhibitions were memorable evenings. Particular thanks to all members of staff in the Art department, particularly Miss Jane Orr, who is Acting Head of the Art Department during Mrs North’s maternity leave. F r a n c i s
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On 22 June 2012, Sophie Watson was accompanied by Mrs Forde to the Downing Street launch of the annual Alexandra Rose Day Charity Appeal with The Prime Minister. They were greeted by the Prime Minister in the Cabinet Room of No. 10 Downing Street, where he spoke with them about the Angelus Foundation, Francis Holland’s chosen charity, and made his own contribution to the Alexandra Rose Day collection.
Many thanks, in anticipation, to Mr Smith, of the English Department, and the team of FHS teachers and Sixth formers who will lead FHS Summer Camp 2012: the holiday activity week organised and sponsored for younger children in “looked after care” in liaison with Westminster Social Services; we wish them good weather and an enjoyable week at Sayers Croft, at the end of July. Also during the summer holidays, Mrs Pithouse, Head of Spanish Department, will lead a Spanish language trip to Calabria, accompanied by Mme Gustave. Mr Gridelli will lead an Italian trip to Sorrento accompanied by Mrs Francisco, Head of the History of Art Department. Good luck also to the Sixth Formers who will be undertaking their gold D of E assessed expedition in the Peak District from 27th to 31st August 2012. During August, the school dining room will be repainted and
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refurbished. The school office is also undergoing significant refurbishment to provide a better medical room and new office space. Details of the school office opening hours during the summer holidays may be found on the website: www.fhs-nw1.org.uk As you will read in this newsletter, Miss Addinall will be retiring at the end of term, having given loyal and dedicated service to the school since 1981, twenty-eight of these years as Deputy Head to four FHS Headmistresses. We wish Miss Addinall a well-earned retirement, and know that she will remain a beloved member of the school community, not least as an honorary member of the Quondam Committee. With best wishes for an enjoyable and relaxing summer holiday,
Mrs V M Durham
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