2021 Winners Put Funds to Good Use

Musician and singer Paige Reynolds (professional name Bea), Class of 2012, used her grant to help part-fund the post-production on her second album, which is called Goodbye, Then ! She says: “I’m super thankful that LEH – a school where I have so many fond musical memories – could support me in doing this.”

Client Portfolio Manager, Meena Santhosh, put her ETA towards creating a new Junior Chess Club for under-18s across Surrey. She says: “The Emerging Talent award has been instrumental in setting up our Chess club for success. We managed to fund our chess equipment and venue for the initial months which meant we had the bandwidth to offer free membership.”

Cellist and composer Joy Lisney used her ETA to help add a new string to her bow by purchasing specialist software to help her compose for the screen for the first time. She says: “I will never leave pen and paper behind entirely, but now I am able to synthesise new sounds using Logic Pro on a powerful desktop computer, as well as prepare my scores for printing at a professional level – concert hall ready!”

Late Afternoon, the online homeware brand created by LEH friends and business partners Rose Robertson and Claire Haddon-Lowson, both Class of 2006, has gone from strength to strength since using their ETA to help drive their digital marketing strategy.

Their colourful artisan-made homeware and ceramics have been a social media sensation and generated plenty of media interest. Excitingly Liberty is now stocking a selection of their products.

TO READ THEIR FULL REPORTS PLEASE VISIT: WWW.HOLLESCONNECT.ORG.UK.

The remembrance ceremony for Lexie Hennessey, who left LEH in 2019, was attended by many of her LEH friends and teachers last term. Alannah O’Hare, Class of 2021, pays tribute to her dear friend.

“Lexie joined LEH in September 2014 from Wimbledon High Junior School and quickly became a popular and much-admired member of her form class, 3X. Her kindness, friendly smile and good sense of humour ensured she soon made lots of friends and she settled into school life quickly. Living in Wimbledon meant Lexie travelled on the C7 joint LEH-Hampton school bus every day, another opportunity to expand her social circle and have fun on the way to and from school.

Lexie’s irrepressible diligence and astounding work ethic also made her a favourite amongst teachers, she was renowned amongst her class for never handing in a piece of homework late and her work was frequently used as a

Alexia Hennessey 2002 – 2022

model example. Lexie’s zest for learning meant she excelled at the academic side of school and although she achieved the very top marks across the curriculum, her particular passion for RS, English and languages shone through. The L4 trip to France and L5 RS trip to St Paul’s Cathedral were just a couple of the trips she enjoyed during her time at LEH.

Away from the classroom, Lexie was a familiar face in the sports hall as a gymnast and always played a major role in the annual gym display. Her talent for tumbling and trampolining earnt her a place in the gym squad and she regularly represented the school at gymnastic competitions, including the London Schools Trampoline Championships in 2016. She made friends across different year groups through gymnastics and was always noted for her smile and willingness to help younger students.

Outside school, Lexie lived with her family in Wimbledon. She loved her cats and dog, enjoyed helping at Girl Guides and having fun with her friends. She was also very creative, and enjoyed taking photos, making videos, fashion and writing.

In her time at LEH, Lexie brought so much joy and kindness to many people. Her ambition and determination were an inspiration, she always went above and beyond what was expected of her and was selfless in her enthusiasm to help others. Her generosity, good humour and brilliant mind will never be forgotten.

Lexie was very much loved by her innumerable friends and will always be remembered as a friendly, committed and compassionate member of the LEH community. She will be sorely missed by all.”

Lexie is seen here on her very first day at LEH. Her mother, Gail Hennessey, says: “Lexie came to LEH from Wimbledon High Juniors, one of three girls who were moving from Wimbledon High to LEH at the same time as Mrs Hanbury. Mrs Hanbury would always give them a big smile when she saw them, which made Lexie feel very special! Lexie loved school and especially enjoyed the academic side of things, particularly languages, English and RS. We were so moved and grateful that so many of her teachers and friends were able to join us for her remembrance ceremony.”

Shirley Jones (Best) 1936 – 2021

Shirley Jones, Class of 1954, who passed away last year aged 85, was a Hampton girl, writes LEH lifetime friend Lindy Chris. She enjoyed playing in the Nursery Gardens which her grandfather owned, and she became a Holles girl in the Preparatory classes that met in the Iron Room.

She stayed in Hampton when the buzz bombs came over and Burlington House was closed. She was artistic, liked sewing and embroidery and got Greek As from Miss Denney for her history pictures. She met Colin Jones at the Hampton Baths and got into trouble with Miss Scott for having his pictures in her desk.

We were very sad to hear from Rebecca Savochkin (nee Stanford), Class of 1989, that her mother and long-time LEH former Deputy Head Mary Stanford had just passed away in October 2022.

Mary will be fondly remembered by many of our alumnae as she worked for LEH for nearly 20 years, first joining the staff in 1976 as a part-time Geography teacher. She progressed to Head of Geography in 1978 and was then made Deputy Head in 1981 before finally retiring in 1995.

She and husband Ed had three daughters, all of whom attended LEH. In addition to Rebecca, Julia O’Grady, was in the Class of 1985, and Kate Tedstone, was Class of 1987. Beckie says: “It was a mixed blessing having

When she left LEH she spent a year at the now defunct Cripplegate Secretarial College and got a job at W.H. Smith in the Art Department. While on holiday in Jersey with classmate Faye Maynard she met and fell in love with James Wilson. They were married in Glasgow where, after starting their family, he decided to re-train and become a doctor. After working as an anesthesiologist, he was offered a position in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia.