Francis Holland Sloane Square Old Girls' Society

On Saturday 20th April, the Senior School Parents’ Association (SSPA) hosted the first ever Spring Fair at Francis Holland, Sloane Square.

The Fair, which spread from the Senior Hall, through the playground, into the Gym, CCE, Junior Hall and the Roof Garden completely took over the school site and brought together pupils, parents, teachers, and members of the local community for an afternoon of fun-filled activities and fundraising initiatives.

A vintage clothes sale, second-hand book stand, photobooth, obstacle course, hair and make-up stations and ice-cream stand were all run by our incredible parent and pupil volunteers. Independent, local businesses were selling everything from candles to jewellery, from cakes to flowers and the event’s catering was expertly provided by Accent. The popular raffle saw winners walk away with fantastic prizes that included tickets to the Royal Preview of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a case of Nyetimber sparkling wine!

Pride of place, in the middle of the playground, were our pupil entrepreneurs promoting their small businesses and selling items they had made themselves! Pupils in Years 7-9 were given the opportunity to pitch, Dragon’s Den style, to sell their wares at the Fair. The winners included customised, recycled notepads, handmade resin keychains in a range of colours, handmade charity bracelets, shimmering fragrance sprays and clay trays for jewellery, loose change and keys.

The whole event was raising money for the Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea and we were delighted that their CEO was able to join us for the afternoon. KLS was set up as a legacy from an FHS alumna and has been a charity at the heart of the community of Battersea since 1924 – this year KLS is celebrating its centenary year!

A huge thank you to everyone who came along on Saturday and supported this amazing event. Thanks must go to the brilliant SSPA; particularly Jo Hamlyn who dedicated so much time, care and attention to the organisation. The vibrant spirit of the event encapsulated the strong sense of community that defines our school.

Yesterday evening, we welcomed over 70 FHS Sloane Square alumni from the Class of 1956 through to Class of 2023, as well as former staff, to a sensational celebration marking 143 years of FHS educating Fearless Girls.

The Senior Hall was abuzz with excitement and nostalgia as former pupils and staff caught up over delicious canapés (our legendary honey mustard sausages were a particular hit!) and drinks, reminiscing fondly about their time at FHS. Guests also loved perusing FHS uniform and incredible archival materials dating all the way back to the late 19th Century, and taking away their own FHS Old Girls cupcake!

Our Head, Mrs Haydon, addressed guests, discussing what makes FHS so special and how important our Old Girls are in the amazing community we are so lucky to treasure at FHS. Our Alumni Association Co-Chairs, Anne Cyron and Audrey Mitchell, then addressed the audience and introduced our special guest speaker, Emiko Ishii, who had flown all the way from LA for the party!

Emiko, a Class of 2004 FHS alumna, recently won our Alumni Business Enterprise Award. She has founded Epika Dance, an International Bollywood Fusion Dance Company known for its unique fusion of Indian, Japanese, Western and Martial Arts Performances. She thanked the Alumni Association and described how the grant she has received as an award winner will allow her to share her knowledge and passion for Bollywood dance globally by launching her online training course and mentorship programme, ‘Bolly-On’.

She also described how she’s been inspired by a Japanese proverb that says “when you fall down 7 times, you must get up 8”, meaning you must believe in yourself, be resilient and never give up on pursuing your dreams. It’s a delight to see our Fearless Girl ethos described and embodied so beautifully by one of our Old Girls.

Thank you so much to all the Old Girls and Staff who made yesterday evening such a success, and to our wonderful Alumni Association for all their hard work. We’re looking forward to the big 144 already!

The SSPA would like to ask SSQ alumnae to pitch for the chance to have a stall at the SSPA Spring Fair on Saturday 20th April. Please see below for more info!

The Inaugural Spring Fair will be open to both the FHS Community and the Public, raising funds for the Katherine Low Settlement, celebrating its 100th Anniversary. Should you have a product you would like to showcase and be interested in hosting one of these stalls, please forward details of your brand to: [email protected]

Please include any images, websites and Instagram posts with your proposal (no more than one paragraph).

Charges for the stall will be £100 per pitch plus a donation of your choice from your collection towards the Raffle. Raffle lots will be featured throughout our Spring Fair marketing.

Deadline for submissions to host a stall is Wednesday 7th February.

We hope to have a varied range of stalls, embracing a commitment towards sustainability. The Pop Up Committee will review all pitches and be in touch with shortlisted stall holders by half term.

We're delighted that our annual alumni magazine, the Old Girls' Newsletter, is now available to download!

This year's Newsletter features the private lecture and exhibition at V&A South Kensington celebrating the life and work of Gabrielle Chanel, the Alumni Association Business Enterprise Award Winners 2023, School and Development News, Travel Fund winners, and an introduction from Head, Alexandra Haydon.

Download your copy of the Old Girls' Newsletter via the Alumni Network, below:

https://alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk/news/old-girls-news/525/525-Old-Girls-Newsletter-

We are thrilled to invite our alumni community to join us in celebrating the 143rd School Birthday at the Old Girls' Alumni Drinks Party at FHS. It will take place on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 6:30pm. The AGM will also be held at 6pm. We hope to see you there - please RSVP via the link below.

https://alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk/event/old-girls-alumni-association-school-birthday-drinks-party-and-agm

Thanks to Audrey Mitchell for this photo of Class of 1992 alumn! Taken at last Friday's exclusive view and private lecture of V&A South Ken's spellbinding Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition, the event proved a huge success for alumni, parents and guests alike!

Close to 100 alumni, guests and parents enjoyed a stunning collection of timeless elegance at this morning’s exclusive, private view of ‘Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto’ at V&A South Kensington.

https://alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk/news/old-girls-news/522/522-Alumni-Association-Lecture-and-Private-Viewing-of-Gabrielle-Chanel-Fashion-Manifesto

Class of 2023 alumnae return to FHS to discuss degree apprenticeships! Many thanks to Lucy and Annabelle for speaking to our Year 12 pupils during today's lunchtime careers workshop.

https://alumni.fhs-sw1.org.uk/news/old-girls-news/521/521-Class-of-2023-alumnae-return-to-FHS-to-discuss-apprenticeships-

We have only 4 tickets left (2 alumni/2 guests) for the private lecture and view of Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at V&A South Kensington from 8am until 10am next Friday 12th January. This is a highly anticipated event for FHS alumni - don't miss out! Link to purchase tickets is below.

Exclusive Lecture and Private View of Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto We are delighted to invite you to an Exclusive Lecture and Private View of Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto at V&A South Kensington

Calling any alumnae who have careers in the sciences, engineering, green finance, climate and the environment - FHS is looking for representatives from these industries to take part in their forthcoming careers fair on the evening of the 8th February 2024.
So far, a sustainable fashion show, a green go-kart, university representatives, and talks from sustainability consultants are planned for the event. Please email [email protected] if you are able to take part.