This year we were treated to a range of advent readings and Christmas poems given by key members of the LEH community, including Chair of Governors, David King, Head Mistress, Heather Hanbury, Deputy Head, Pastoral, Amanda Poyner, our Head Girl team, and past pupils and teachers.

Our alumnae readers were (from left to right) Yutong Zhang, Class of 2016, Diana Gollop, Class of 1996, Dr Annabel Jenkins, Class of 1973, Kirstie Jenkins (Newson), class of 1989, and former teacher Jacqueline Khan (Rutherfurd). Annabel said: "What a lovely start to the Christmas season. It was such a pleasure to attend the carol service and to catch up with a few friends. There is something so lovely about happy reminiscing! The singing was particularly impressive and I enjoyed it enormously. I always think about my Huguenot ancestors when at St Giles’, and that adds to the occasion."

In the candlelit splendour of the medieval church in the heart of the City of London, close to where LEH was first founded in 1710, the truly exceptional 60-strong Holles Singers choir, alongside the smaller but no less stunning Chamber Choir, sang a beautiful selection of carols and original compositions by LEH in-house composer Brendan Ashe.  As usual the highlight of the service was a spine-tingling version of LEH favourite Star in the Sky.

The service was conducted for the first time by newly-appoined Reverend Canon Jack Noble, who has been in post for seven months.  The Alumnae Carol Service was his first festive celebration at St Giles' and he was impressed by the calibre of singing and reading. He said afterwards: "What a wonderful occasion.  It was a genuine pleasure to be a part of the LEH service this evening. Thank you for getting our Advent underway with such warmth and joy."