WRITE THE GIRL

Play Written by Sixth Formers Wins Recognition

A play about the survival of children during a siege, written by Sixth Form students Diya Sengupta and Amy Brian, reached the semi-finals of The Women’s Prize for Playwriting last year.

The pair wrote Of Silent Words having been mentored by a professional playwright as part of LEH’s Write the Girl initiative. This is a programme set up by the school in 2019 to encourage more plays to be written for large casts of females by both professional and student playwrights. Betsey, the main drama production of the year, was written specially for LEH by Lucy Foster as part of this same initiative. It charted the life of Elizabeth Hamilton who was an impressive philanthropist in 18th century New York. She also happened to be the wife of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers, but her story was never told…until now. This dynamic play offered opportunities for ambitious ensemble choreography, a playful set with many levels and a climbing wall, raw percussion accompaniment and live singing. The production certainly reflected Elizabeth Hamilton’s adventurous spirit and her story has inspired a new generation of young women.

Books are the Mirrors of the Soul

LEH Music is back LIVE and in Person

LEH Junior School has a beautiful new Reading Room, bursting with colourful wall art and inspirational quotes, all aimed at bringing books alive and sparking young imaginations. The transformation has been created by Leaps and Strides, a design company, run by LEH alumna Ruth Mulholland, Class of 1992, so this was a project close to her heart. She said: “Stepping back into LEH was powerfully emotive. I feel especially proud to have been asked to design this legacy piece for LEH.”

The new space has been called the Jill Grant Reading Room, in memory of the much-loved teacher, who taught at the Junior School for 30 years and left a generous legacy in her will. An avid reader herself, Jill fostered a lifelong love of reading in hundreds of girls over the years.

The striking design has proved an instant hit with pupils: “It’s fantastic and beautiful,” said one member of Year Five. “I really like the quotes from the books – it makes you want to read them.”

Live music roared back to LEH with a vengeance in two breathtaking Winter concerts. The buzz and sense of excitement and anticipation was palpable in the sold-out assembly hall, and the audience responded with rapturous applause.

The Symphony Orchestra produced an overwhelming opening with die Meistersinger Overture and Brass Group closed the concert with a slinky James Bond medley. In between, there was highlight after highlight - from all of the choirs singing their hearts out to our astonishing instrumental ensembles. With performances ranging from Tchaikovsky to Strauss, Elton John to Little Mix and Sondheim to Balmages, it was a dazzling display of verve, musicianship and chutzpah.

The world premiere of ‘Life’ written by Mr Ashe (LEH’s Composer-inResidence) for our new Thirds, saw over 140 children singing in four-part harmony with soloists, narrators and dancers accompanied by live band. After such difficult times for live music it was a wondrous thing to be able to say that #LEHMusicLivesOn in the most spectacular way!