Holland House School

Holland House School

Alumni


It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our Alumni Relations Community at Holland House School!

We place a huge emphasis on building positive relationships with pupils and parents. Children feel safe and at home here and have often said that ‘we are like one big family’. We strive to develop these lifelong relationships between past pupils and staff after they have left. We would like to keep in touch and are keen to hear about where life has led you after leaving us.

Looking forward to hearing your news,

Mimi Ko, Alumni Relations Officer

 

I am delighted to share the news of some of our past pupils:

Evelyn Ding 2013-2020

I had the opportunity to visit HHS again, and it was very interesting to see how the teachers, students and the entire school have developed since I left. 

First, I visited Year 5 to give a small talk and some advice about the experience of secondary school and the 11+ examination and answered some very insightful and perceptive questions. It was really fascinating to see the way Year 5s thought through the perspective of someone who had also been through the same experience.

After that, I helped a bit during the break, where it particularly felt most nostalgic, to see friendships across students from different year groups. This made me realise how close and valuable these friendships are, especially since life at secondary school is more independent and self-reliant. 

To end off my visit, I helped the Reception and Year 1 students with reading, who were all intrigued by their books and read very confidently.

 

Amey De Souza 2009-2016
Holland House

My name is Amey De Souza, I am 18 and I used to be a student at Holland House School, Class of 2016. I made so many happy memories during my time at HHS, but the one that sticks out the most is the number of great friends I made there and its so great to say that we are still in contact with each other! I also remember the amazing productions we used to put on at Christmas time and being part of the school’s choir. It definitely taught me to have that extra confidence in myself!  I am now a 2nd Dan black belt in Goju-ryu karate. I also own 2 of my own Dojos and instruct children from the ages of 4 and upwards with different needs and abilities. I have also competed in International and National Competitions, winning many trophies and medals, hence also running competition training classes for anyone that is interested in competing. Kaishi Karate School is also linked with a dojo in Japan where we organise trips to train there, and recently I have been scouted from my karate school by a 4th Dan Japanese Kata Champion, who I am very thankful for being given this opportunity to train with him out of 600 students. Karate has taught me discipline, to have more confidence and to defend myself, alongside many more life skills. Lastly, thank you to all the staff at Holland House for helping me to become who I am now!

 

Alex Hart 2006-2013
Holland House

During my time at Holland House, I was set the task of writing one composition per week – and it was those years of story-writing which first founded my love of creative writing. 

After leaving Holland House, I attended Habs Girls, where I met my best friend and co-author. At the age of twelve, we decided to start writing a novel together, and at the age of nineteen, we finally got it published. If someone had told twelve-year-old me that one day I would be published in Waterstones, she would not have believed them. But on the 29th of March 2022, that is exactly what happened. 

In my final year of an English and History undergraduate degree at Durham University, I now travel the country visiting schools and libraries to share my novel, ‘Alight’, and encourage other children to take up writing. Sharing the story of how ‘Alight’ was written is just as important to me as sharing the story from its pages. Having experienced first-hand the power of determination and persistence, I now talk to children about the wonders of imagination – whether it relates to a fantasy world and or simply to their own goals.

I was recently accepted into Oxford University for a masters in Creative Writing! It’s a two year course and I am very excited to start in September.

 

Matthew Seaman 2005-2012
Holland House
 

Following my time at HHS, I moved on to University College School for secondary education, and most recently graduated from King’s College London with a BA in English. I now work at Maidwell Marketing, specialising in the West End and touring theatre. Holland House taught me discipline and diligence, conscientiousness and courtesy. Practising these traits in such a well-structured environment prepared me so well for life beyond primary school. It was a friendly place, where I was encouraged to be an individual - especially in the realm of creative writing. I feel proud to have been head boy back in 2011/12, and cherish my memories under Mrs. Tyk’s extremely strong reign! 

 

 

 

 

Sonum Sumaria 1993-2000
Holland House
 

I have some beautiful memories of my time at Holland House. I remember feeling very much at home, and being really able to thrive - surrounded by good friends and supportive teachers. 

After leaving HHS, I went to Habs girls and then took a gap year (where I spent six months travelling and volunteering in Latin America), before studying Spanish and Russian at Cambridge University. I'm now an independent filmmaker and photographer, and I'm most drawn towards making documentaries about social issues and marginalised communities. You can see some of my work at www.guerrerafilms.com

I couldn't have asked for a better experience at HHS and I hope the school will continue to be a nurturing and inspiring environment that encourages its students to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.

 

 

Dean Rowell 1966-1970
Holland House

Amongst my finest memories of Holland House, I enjoyed history lessons with the then Headmaster Mr. Peebles. He made his lessons very interesting with a little bit of fun.

If I remember correctly, we had united singing each week in the main Assembly Hall, which I enjoyed and this engagement with singing fostered my love for music and choral singing.

I also looked forward to the opportunity to be creative with drawing and painting, and the art and craft lessons were particularly memorable.  Mrs. Moretti, who taught us from 1969-1970 was an exceptional artist. After leaving Holland House, I went to Bushey Meads School, where in addition to my academic subjects, I learnt to play a brass instrument as a pupil.

Eventually, I studied for a Degree in History and Education at the University of London and later went on to become a Salvation Army Officer.  I am still a member of the Salvation Army playing a brass instrument in the Band and I am also a Flautist within an amateur ensemble.  Eventually, I completed further Degrees, including a Masters Degree in Educational Research at the University of Durham.  Currently, I work as a Careers Adviser and Employment Adviser in Tyne and Wear.

I have had the opportunity to write and publish a number of children’s paperbacks.  I am also casually employed at the University of Durham in a supporting role for undergraduates.

I appreciate the period of time that I was a pupil at Holland House, and I wish the school, staff and pupils every success for the future.

 

Ms Pugh contacted Holland House with some of her finest memories.

Ann Pugh 1951-1956
Holland House

“I remember my days at Holland House very well.  When I joined at aged 5, I was in the kindergarten as it was called then.  Our teacher was a lovely lady, Miss Flight, who had blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and rather rosy cheeks!  I can remember crying from the minute my mother left me in the morning until she collected me at midday.  I am sure I got over it!”


 

If you would like to be part of our Alumni Relations Community, please contact us by email: alumni@hollandhouse.org.uk