"One of the more reflective moments of 2023 was the funeral in November of Finton’s first cook, Alice Payton." says Ben Freeman.

Miss Alice started when the school moved into 171 Trinity Road in 1988, cooking lunches in what is now Miss Catherine’s office and Mr Ben's office, and remained the school cook for the next thirty years, retiring in 2018 at the age of 72! Lots of OFs and staff will have very fond memories of her as one of the kindest and most caring people, renowned for her legendary meatballs in a tomato sauce.

"She was a wonderful person, and she was absolutely committed to making sure that all the Finton children and staff were well fed." remembers Miss Cai with deepest admiration.

Image: pencil portrait of Miss Alice by practising artist Miss Eunjung Seo Feleppa commissioned by Finton House School. Born in South Korea and now a long term London resident, Miss Eunjung stuied Fine Art at Hong-Ik University in Seoul and took a PGCE at UCL. For further information please click here.