On Thursday 7th March 2024, 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.
Proceedings began with a productive and convivial AGM, where attendees enjoyed hearing from our new Head and Chair of the Alumni Association, Alexandra Haydon, about the exciting developments in the pipeline for Francis Holland, including the opening of Francis Holland Prep in September and innovative new plans for the Senior School.
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!
