This year the school's annual Prize-Giving ceremony took on a brand new look with a different location much closer to 'our home', a new format and for the first time, the inclusion of our Class of 2019 leavers in our celebration of FHS achievements. The ceremony took place in the beautiful St Marylebone Church. Pupils, parents, staff and alumni gathered together to celebrate the pupils' achievements over the last academic year.

A fanfare of trumpeters heralded in a procession of staff, the Head Girls' team and our presenters. Chair of Quondam, Susanne Nedas awarded the Quondam Junior and Senior Writing Prizes and we welcomed back former Class of 2019 pupils Alice Emelyn-Jones, Emilia Franco, Courtney McNeil, Mariam Mohammed and Ameya Shah to collect their prizes.

We celebrated the achievements of our scholars and exhibitioners, our academic attainments, our sporting excellence and performance in the arts as well as recognising those whose service to the school and the wider community has been admirable. There were outstanding performances from the cast of the upcoming school play, Shakespeare's The Tempest, as well as the Thirds and Junior School choir.

We were honoured to welcome guest speaker, polar explorer Felicity Aston. Her recounting of an expedition to Antarctica with other women representing commonwealth nations was a true example of drive, determination and teamwork. Thank you to all family and friends who joined us for a wonderful evening of celebration and recognition of the girls' hard work and dedication to their studies throughout the academic year. It was fantastic to celebrate the Class of 2019 and we can't wait to welcome them into our alumni community in years to come.