Wednesday morning saw the whole school gather in St. Cyprian’s Church to celebrate the 146th Birthday of Francis Holland, Regent’s Park.

Our Head, Mrs Woodcock opened the assembly by giving a history of the school and its founder, Canon Francis Holland, who formed the original cohort of pupils at 6 Upper Baker Street on 1 October 1878 with his wife Mary Sibylla.

A poem written by an Upper Fourth pupil in 1963 was read, recounting her experience of becoming a Polished Corner, before we rose to sing the school hymn.

Our Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl then gave a heartfelt address to Canon Francis Holland, thanking him for founding our school and updating him on what our pupils have achieved thus far – from a Muddy Stilettos Excellence in STEM Award this year, to the fine art of crafting perfectly buttered toast in the school’s Sixth Form Centre, Linhope House.

Lastly, it wouldn’t be a birthday without a cake, which was presented to the school having been baked by our fantastic catering team. As is tradition on the school’s birthday, the cake was cut by both our oldest and youngest girl before we, of course, sang Happy Birthday!

Pupils continued to enjoy and celebrate with cupcakes at breaktime.

Happy Birthday Francis Holland, Regent’s Park!