On Thursday 11th May, we held a legendary event in the FHS calendar: our annual Upper Sixth Leavers’ Dinner. This year’s Leavers’ Dinner was particularly special as it was Joint Head of Sixth Mrs Banks’ last, after 21 years of outstanding service to the school, and Mrs Elphinstone’s last after 11 years of incredible headship.

The excitement was palpable and girls and staff gathered in the playground donned in a rainbow array of black tie finery. We were delighted to welcome back a number of old friends including Mr Casselle, Ms Carr Gomm and Father Kenny, and the girls enjoyed reminiscing about their time at FHS over drinks and nibbles.

In the nick of time, just as the heavens opened, we made our way to the Senior Hall for the main event. We all enjoyed a fantastic speech from Head Girl Carolina and Deputy Head Girl Isabella, in which they discussed fond (and often hilarious) memories of their year group’s seven years at FHS.

After a delicious starter, Sabrina and Bianca took to the stage for another brilliant speech about the many weird and wonderful happenings during their time at FHS, before a fabulous buffet main course prepared by our indefatigable catering team.

This was followed by a hugely poignant speech by Joint Heads of Sixth Mrs Banks and Mrs Wilkes, in which they shared their fondest memories of each girl in the Upper Sixth and read out nuggets of advice for the world beyond school from each member of staff present. We were then treated to a surprise interlude by Mrs Floyd, Mr Mercer and Miss Vickery with an acapella performance of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, matched later in the evening by an equally glorious rendition of Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Mr Croft.

Next came Mrs Banks’ speech, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room as she looked back over her time at FHS and thanked the Upper Sixth for being an amazing year group, followed by an equally emotive speech by Mrs Elphinstone.

Finally, we enjoyed a delectable selection of puddings, before saying our goodbyes. Thank you so much to the Upper Sixth for being a truly exceptional year group; we wish them the best of luck with everything life has to hold and look forward to welcoming them back as alumnae in years to come. We would also like to thank Mrs Banks for being such a pillar of our community and brilliant Head of Sixth, and wish her the best of luck in her next adventures.