On Thursday 19^th September 2019, Francis Holland School, governors, parents and alumni gathered together for our annual Prize-Giving Awards, held at the prestigious Cadogan Hall.

The evening celebrated the achievements of our pupils and welcomed back the Class of 2019 leavers. As well as the traditional awarding of prizes, we observed some stunning music, ballet and drama performances.

The evening began with a beautiful recital of ‘Gavotte’ Holberg Suite performed by our Scholars’ Ensemble. Following the Chair of FHST Governing Council, Mrs Marie Winckler's thought-provoking speech, Headmistress Mrs Lucy Elphinstone thanked the parents, teachers and governors for their support over the last year and congratulated the girls on their achievements and their resilience, commenting: “We patiently and carefully lay the foundations so that ultimately they are able to stand alone and be resilient in the face of setbacks, making a brighter future for themselves and for others.”

Guest speaker, Entrepreneur and Digital Pioneer Hero Brown, had the pleasure of congratulating the prize winners as they collected their cups and books. After a successful career as a journalist, Hero Brown created “Muddy Stilettos” - an urban guide to the countryside. The innovative lifestyle site is the UK’s biggest digital platform talking directly to a quarter of a million urbane, fun-loving women outside London who are desperate to make the most of their free time. Like all good ideas, Hero said that her idea grew out of a need; a need for women wanting more things to do outside London. In her speech, Hero offered the girls advice on how they should best equip themselves for future challenges in the world telling them that “talent and ambition will open doors, but only happiness and passion for your path will push you through the right ones”. She advised them not to be afraid of change, and that most importantly, they mustn’t be afraid to fail, and that ‘in life, you will have the choice between safe and spectacular. Go for spectacular’.

We also enjoyed some impressive acting: a scene from Metamorphis by Franz Kafka, as well as three wonderful solo ballet performances. The Senior Choir took to the stage with a beautiful performance of ‘You Raise Me Up/Homeward Bound’ by Josh Groban, directed by Miss Helen Vickery and accompanied by the Scholars’ Ensemble.

As is our tradition, the Class of 2019 attended a celebratory drinks reception afterwards to meet up with their former teachers and pupils one last time before heading off on their different paths.