On Tuesday, 10 December, the School held its annual Christmas Carol Service at St John the Baptist Church, Chipping Barnet.

The traditional Nine Lessons and Carols Service was presided over by Father Samuel. The full congregation included the Mayor, Cllr Danny Rich, along with invited guests from the School’s governance boards and the local community: Debbie Lane, Member of the Board of Trustees; Toyin Aderoju, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Martyn Bradish, Chair of the Endowment Fund Trustees; Vivienne Bell, School Archivist, Endowment Fund Observer and Committee Member of the Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School Guild (Alumna Association); Barbara Taylor, Chair of The Hyde Foundation and Yoshimi Gregory of Yamaha Music London, responsible for cultural relations. Also in attendance were other invited guests, parents and carers of our student performers, staff and friends of the School, as well as members of the wider School community.

The traditional Nine Lessons were read by students from each year group, concluding with the Ninth Lesson read by the Headteacher, Mrs Walker.

Music and carols were enjoyed by all throughout the Service, featuring the Chamber Choir, School Choir, and School Orchestra. They were accompanied by the renowned organist and harpsichordist, Jonathan Gregory who is also the Founder and Music Director of the UK-Japan Music Society. The School was delighted to also have members of Borehamwood Brass contributing to the School’s performance pieces. These included traditional and modern variations of carols such as The Holly and the Ivy, Ding Dong Merrily on High, and Away in a Manger.

The Service concluded on a festive note with the Orchestra performing Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson. Following the Service, refreshments and mince pies were enjoyed by all as a further welcome to the Festive Season!