Current circumstances dictated that Saturday’s annual Quondam AGM and reunion had to be completely re-imagined. With physical separation a necessity, one of the few blessings of the pandemic was the opportunity afforded to Polished Corners from across the globe to attend.

Instead of the usual lunch and AGM in school, a virtual celebration was devised and streamed to over 100 former pupils and staff, creating a hat trick of firsts for Quondam. Not only was this our first major event to be held remotely, it was also the first to be attended by so many Polished Corners who live abroad - and with attendance figures surpassing 100, our most popular event to date!

Hosted by Quondam Chair, Susanne Nedas (née Quastel), the event – streamed virtually on Zoom – included a film made by Headmaster Charles Fillingham and Francis Holland School Quiz compiled by Former Deputy Head, Jeannine Addinall, and of course the AGM.

Individual chat rooms were created for guests to catch up with their former peers, some, such as the Class of 1988, chatting on way past the scheduled finish time of 5.45 until 7.30pm! The event closed with the School Hymn, which was performed by pupils and filmed during lockdown.

Such was its success, we have received many requests from Polished Corners for more reunions, and to continue with live-streaming for the benefit of those who live abroad at future in-school events. 

Quondam Chair Susanne Nedas commented, “As soon as the Committee knew Quondam’s Annual Reunion Lunch and AGM could not be held in School this year, it was determined not to be thwarted!  Polished Corners are determined beings!  An emergency meeting was held online, and the concept of holding the event remotely was born!  

I wish you could have all been there on Saturday to see the excitement as all arrived on screen!  The shrieks of “oh, there’s......”, and “I remember you so well”, etc. It really was a huge, buzzy party.  The committee hopes to hold other Quondam Remote Reunions so that those from far away can meet annually.  

With huge thanks to our President, Mr Charles Fillingham,  the Committee, the Hosts, and especially to Laura Barron of IQPC and Claire Brazer, the Trust’s Alumni Relations Officer, and to all of you who attended and helped to make history for Quondam!”

Mr Fillingham’s short film, which includes an update of the School, can be viewed using the link below. Huge thanks go to our formidable Polished Corners who worked so hard in organising the ‘Class of’ reunions.

If you have any stories you'd like to share of successful reacquaintances made during the event, please email quondam@fhs-nw1.org.uk

https://vimeo.com/475918599/c5f37d042d