HAVE MYNDE 2024
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Have Mynde INSIDE Welcome pages 4 ‐ 5 A welcome from the Headmistresses Celebra ti ng Queen’s page 6 A recap of memorable moments Outdoor Learning page 7 Where learning knows no boundaries Careers page 8 Outstanding support and guidance Sharing the Learning page 9 Collabora ti on and collec ti ve understanding Music and Drama pages 10 ‐ 13 Queen's shines bright Promo ti ng Leadership page 14 Responsibility and resilience STEM page 15 Empowering girls to excel Art pages 16 ‐ 23 A gallery of work from our talented ar ti sts Trips pages 24 ‐ 27 Enriching educa ti on
Crea ti ve Wri ti ng
pages 28 ‐ 33
Impressive words from pupils across the school Global Ci ti zens Inspiring the leaders of tomorrow Giving Back pages 36 ‐ 37 Suppor ti ng chari ti es with Queen's kindness Beyond the Classroom pages 38 ‐ 39 Opportuni ti es to develop new skills Sport pages 40 ‐ 43 Celebra ti ng achievements Farewells pages 44 ‐ 45 A tribute to our colleagues Alumni page 46 Queen's community Sta ff pages 47 ‐ 48 Our amazing team at Queen's Results page 49 GCSE & A ‐ level results Des ti na ti ons page 50 Where our leavers are heading pages 34 ‐ 35
Re fl ec ti ons and Contempla ti ons: A year of old and new WELCOME
It is with immense pleasure and a touch of excitement that I welcome you to this year’s edi ti on of Have Mynde. This introduc ti on holds a special place in my heart as it marks my fi rst since taking up the Headship at The Queen’s School. And reading the contents I can honestly say “What a year it has been!” Every day, I am fi lled with pride and gra ti tude to lead such an extraordinary ins ti tu ti on, brimming with talented, and spirited, young women.
Re fl ec ti ng on the past year, I am con ti nually astounded by the remarkable achievements of our girls. They have not only excelled academically but have also shone brightly in sports, arts, and community ini ti a ti ves. It’s clear to me that the spirit of Queen’s is alive and thriving in every corner of our school. One of the highlights of my year has been witnessing the girls’ dedica ti on and passion across a variety of ac ti vi ti es. From the awe ‐ inspiring performances in our school produc ti ons, where I am convinced we have a few future West End stars in our midst, to the determined and unyielding spirit displayed on the sports fi eld, our students have shown that they are capable of great things. They have embraced challenges with enthusiasm and resilience, quali ti es that will serve them well in all their future endeavours. These are the moments that build our community and create memories that will last a life ti me. In our classrooms, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding has been nothing short of inspiring. Our students have engaged with complex subjects and have produced work of the highest calibre. Their curiosity and drive to learn remind me daily of the importance of nurturing a suppor ti ve and s ti mula ti ng environment. I must also extend my hear tf elt thanks to our dedicated sta ff and suppor ti ve parents, whose contribu ti ons have been invaluable in making this year so successful. Your unwavering
support ensures that our girls have the best possible environment to fl ourish and grow.
So, as we turn the pages of this year’s Have Mynde, I hope you share in my pride and admira ti on for our pupils’ achievements. This publica ti on is a testament to their hard work, crea ti vity, and the vibrant spirit of The Queen’s School. Here’s to another fantas ti c year of growth, learning, and unforge tt able experiences. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Enjoy the read, and let’s look forward to even more success in the year ahead.
Mrs Joanne Keville Headmistress
"These are the moments that build our community and create memories that will last a life ti me."
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Inspiring Queens As Head of Lower School, it gives me great pleasure to re fl ect on another year of life at Queen’s. WELCOME
Throughout the world, we are in a ti me of signi fi cant change not only poli ti cally, geographically and environmentally, but educa ti onally too, and schools everywhere are having to consider the best way to prepare children for an unknown future. The 2023 World Economic Forum has highlighted the following as the fi ve top work skills: cogni ti ve skills, namely analy ti cal and crea ti ve thinking, self ‐ e ffi cacy in the form of fl exibility and agility, mo ti va ti on and self ‐ awareness, and fi nally curiosity and life ‐ long learning. For me, this is reassuring news because, at Queen’s, everything we do focuses on a rich curriculum which priori ti ses skills, both cogni ti ve and personal. Back in 1897, ‘Have Mynde’ was adopted as the mo tt o for Queen’s, and we con ti nue to encourage our pupils to use their own minds, giving them the habit of re fl ec ti on, and the power of considera ti on. A holis ti c approach remains at the core of our philosophy, and together with a rich tapestry of experien ti al opportuni ti es, our pupils have exposure to learning within and beyond the classroom, which ul ti mately nurtures the green shoots of skills for life. Our co ‐ curricular provision con ti nues to be fi rst rate and, with day trips, residen ti als, Beach School, Forest Days and clubs, our children’s educa ti on extends so much further than the classroom. This year, we have considered how to travel more sustainably, and day trips to Liverpool have been successfully undertaken by making use of Bache Train Sta ti on just down the road. Our youngest charges have loved the adventure of train travel, and this has added to their lifeworld of experience. Added to this, our proximity to the centre of Chester has facilitated visits to the Cathedral, Storyhouse, small independent shops and supermarkets, fostering independence, responsibility and real ‐ life experiences for all our pupils. Our connec ti on to the community remains the cornerstone of our life in Chester. This year, we have strengthened our connec ti ons with St Thomas of Canterbury Church; the warm in ti macy of this space providing a comfor ti ng backdrop for our Harvest and Da ff odil Services. In addi ti on, our children have visited Upton Dene Nursing Home, and the joy of music has enabled our pupils to form meaningful rela ti onships with the residents, learning the importance of compassion and respect. Music, art, drama and sport provide holis ti c crea ti ve and physical experiences. Our inaugural Summer Serenade provided our instrumentalists, choirs and soloists with a pla tf orm to showcase their talents. This year, the children submi tt ed work to the Na ti onal Gallery ‘Take One Picture’ compe titi on ‐ a wonderful piece of felt ‐ work based on Henri Rosseau’s ‘Surprise’. Our performances of ‘A King is Born’, ‘Wiz Wham AlaKazam’, and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ provided every child with the opportunity to perform con fi dently. Finally, back in 1897 Queen’s girls played cricket, and, it therefore, shouldn’t
be surprising that alongside football, netball, hockey, swimming, tennis and athle ti cs our girls will once again enjoy cricket as part of a plethora of spor ti ng opportuni ti es. In today’s world, a quality educa ti on extends beyond the classroom walls. At Queen’s, we strive to provide an educa ti on enriched by diverse experiences, preparing our pupils for whatever the future may hold.
Miss Iona Carmody Head of Lower School
"We con ti nue to encourage our pupils to use their own minds, giving them the habit of re fl ec ti on, and the power of considera ti on."
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CELEBRATING QUEEN’S
Prize Giving The Queen’s Community gathered in unity and celebra ti on for our annual Prize Giving ceremony at the Senior School in September 2023. Alumna Janine Turner ’75 delivered a cap ti va ti ng talk on inspira ti on, drawing upon her enduring passion for languages that had its roots right here at Queen’s. In the a ft ernoon, a more in ti mate Prize Giving session was held for our newest alumni, the leavers of 2023, as well as Year 12 students and their parents. It was a moment of shared pride and accomplishment as we acknowledged the achievements and hard work of them all. Infant Harvest Fes ti val In October A recap of memorable moments
Leavers of 2023 at our annual Prize Giving ceremony
Da ff odil Service The Lower School returned to St Thomas of Canterbury Church in March 2024, for the annual Da ff odil Service in celebra ti on of Easter. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere, the girls delivered beau ti ful performances, adding a touch of elegance to the conclusion of the spring term. Joined by loved ones, the event provided a
2023, Lower School pupils enjoyed a lovely celebra ti on at their annual Infant Harvest Fes ti val at St Thomas of
Lower School pupils at the annual Da ff odil Service
Lower School girls at the Infant Harvest Fes ti val
heartwarming moment for all. Head of Lower School, Miss Carmody , added to the occasion with a touching speech, making the day even more memorable, as the School bid farewell to Headmistress Mrs Wallace ‐ Woodro ff e . Commemora ti on In May, pupils, parents, alumni and sta ff were invited to Chester Cathedral for our annual Commemora ti on service. Beau ti ful performances from our Chamber Choir, Queen’s Young Voices and the winner of our Fes ti val of Music, Cole tt e
Canterbury Church. It was a tremendously special occasion, with opportuni ti es for our youngest pupils to showcase their wonderful singing, while families and friends made dona ti ons to the food collec ti on. Cathedral Carol Service December saw Chester Cathedral aglow with fes ti ve spirit as our annual
Hong , were enjoyed by all, alongside poignant and inspiring speeches.
Christmas Cathedral Service took place. Always
Chamber Choir at the Christmas Cathedral Service
a special event in the calendar, it featured performances by our Chamber Choir , Junior Choir , and Queen’s Young Voices .
Chamber Choir at Commemora ti on
Sports Awards Dinner Our Sports Awards Dinner , which took place in June 2023, was another huge success this year as pupils, parents and sta ff enjoyed a fantas ti c evening celebra ti ng sports at Queen’s. The School welcomed back Big Al , as well as guest speakers Ama Agbeze MBE , Commonwealth Gold Medallist for England Netball, and alumna and previous Head Girl, Ava Dempsey. Our 2024 Sports Awards Dinner, which again took place in
June, rounded o ff another year of spor ti ng achievements. This year's event saw our pupils take center stage as they hosted the evening. We were also pleased to welcome guest speakers Kate Haywood , former Olympic swimmer and silver medalist, and ex ‐ Queen's girl Alex Johnson . 6
1 Year 6 at
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Beach School
2 Recep ti on and Year 1
girls enjoying Forest Day
3 Year 5
exploring the coastline at West Kirby beach
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Where Learning Knows No Boundaries At Queen’s, we believe in the transforma ti ve power of outdoor learning. Our approach goes beyond tradi ti onal classroom boundaries, o ff ering opportuni ti es for our pupils to engage with the natural world. By immersing our girls in outdoor ac ti vi ti es, where they ac ti vely par ti cipate and take ownership, we cul ti vate a profound connec ti on to the world around them. OUTDOOR LEARNING
At the Lower School, our Beach School and Forest Days are an extremely popular part of our outdoor learning programme as the dynamic coastal and woodland environments encourage explora ti on, curiosity, and a deep connec ti on to nature. Through hands ‐ on ac ti vi ti es like scavenger hunts, ti de ‐ pooling, and beach clean ‐ ups, pupils develop not only academic skills, but also a heightened awareness and responsibility towards our planet, preparing them to become compassionate and environmentally ‐ conscious global ci ti zens. These programmes inspire a lifelong love for learning, nature, and the world around us, increasing the girls' knowledge and understanding, whilst importantly having lots of fun. Recep ti on had a wonderful ti me on their fi rst beach trip this year, as they searched the sand for interes ti ng treasures and were extremely excited to fi nd sea glass, sea po tt ery, pre tt y shells, and a mermaid’s purse. They returned to the beach with Year 1 and were tasked with working collabora ti vely to bring a story to life using resources provided by nature, showcasing their crea ti vity and teamwork. Year 1 also enjoying making use of metal detectors to see if they could fi nd any metals under the sand and using their scien ti fi c knowledge to discuss the materials. Year 2 took up the role of palaeontologists, digging for fossils and signs of dinosaur life. They also recreated 1666 London out of sand, using pebbles, shells, and other materials at their disposal. Year 3 imagined being transported back to the Stone Age, searching the beach for resources that might provide them food, water, warmth, or shelter, before crea ti ng imagina ti ve cave ‐ pain ti ngs in the sand. Year 4 applied their new knowledge of river features to iden ti fy streams, tributaries, meanders, the main channel, and the mouth of the River Dee on their trip; Year 5 took an alterna ti ve approach, as they walked from West Kirby beach to Hilbre Island and took part in a workshop on how to accurately use compasses. Finally, Year 6 enjoyed showing their apprecia ti on for the environment, including all it has taught them throughout their ti me at Lower School, by
carrying out a thor ‐ ough beach clean. They then fi nished o ff the day by showing o ff their understanding of the Ancient Mayans by designing and building ci ti es from natural resources. The end of spring term sees the start of our popular Forest Days. Recep ti on par ti cularly enjoyed making use of the woodland environment in their maths lessons; collec ti ng a variety of resources and sor ti ng them into categories, while keeping count of how many they had. They were joined by Year 1, where they delighted in playing a variety of circle games that fostered teamwork, before venturing into some explora ti on and free play, learning amidst the natural surroundings that the forest provides. Year 2 u ti lised their crea ti ve skills as they made tree trunk sprites out of clay, using fl owers and foliage to bring their sprites to life. Year 3 and 5 enjoyed taking advantage of the woodland environment during their Forest Days, as they worked in teams to build their own free ‐ standing shelters, demonstra ti ng some great teamwork and crea ti vity skills throughout. S’mores around the camp fi re are always a highlight for the girls, fun ac ti vi ti es that boost their con fi dence and self ‐ esteem without them even realising.
Year 2 pupils crea ti ng images in the sand
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Outstanding Support and Guidance We pride ourselves on having a fully ‐ embedded careers programme across all curriculum areas at Queen’s. From university guidance to careers advice, our Academic Lecture Programme and alumni visits, these opportuni ti es o ff er invaluable lessons and inspira ti on to pupils planning for their next steps. CAREERS
Queen’s girls start preparing for life a ft er school early on, with programmes on o ff er to all pupils, from Year 7 to Year 13. As pupils make their steps towards further educa ti on, the School provides many opportuni ti es to help them make informed and con fi dent decisions. Year 10 began thinking about their next steps as they a tt ended the UK University & Appren ti ceship Fair in Liverpool. There, they spoke one ‐ to ‐ one with admissions tutors, universi ti es, and employers, as well as a tt ending seminars on topics such as ‘Why take a degree appren ti ceship’ and ‘How to choose a course’. This year also saw the return of our annual Mul ti ple Mini Interview (MMI) evening, tailored for aspiring medics, den ti sts and other healthcare science applicants who can expect to face interviews in their applica ti on process. We were fortunate to welcome the help of alumni and parents, whose support was extremely valuable in providing interview ti ps and advice to the girls. As part of our University and Post 18 Applica ti ons Programme , Year 12 a tt ended the UCAS Universi ti es Fair in Manchester, which hosted around 140 universi ti es from across the country, as well as a range of employers o ff ering appren ti ceships or opportuni ti es on gradua ti on. This event is a vital opportunity for pupils to speak directly to universi ti es, employers, appren ti ceship and gap year providers. It also gave them the chance to a tt end seminars on Student Finance, Personal Statements, and speci fi c subject talks. Year 12 also bene fi ted from an informa ti ve session on Gap Years as part of the School’s QUEST programme. Delving into the bene fi ts and poten ti al pi tf alls of taking a year out before university, the girls discovered how such experiences can enrich their CV or Personal Statement, as well as the diverse opportuni ti es it presents, from internships and volunteering, to immersive travel experiences and skill development. Academic Lecture Programme Our Academic Lecture Programme is a key part of our Sixth Form provision, as we invite leading academics to speak to Year 12 pupils, giving them a fl avour of university ‐ style lectures and broadening their horizons. This year we welcomed academics from a variety of fi elds, including world ‐ famous fer ti lity expert Professor Baron Robert Winston , who spoke about his work on fer ti lity treatments, and leading medical researcher Professor Stephen Hughes , who gave pupils a fascina ti ng insight into the development of treatments for life ‐ threatening condi ti ons. We also welcomed expert criminologist Paul French , whose talk covered the purposes of punishment, and Sarah Louisa Phythian ‐ Adams , an alumna of Queen’s, who spoke about the economic value of cultural ac ti vi ti es such as live music events. This year’s programme concluded with talks from PhD researchers Courteney Fisher , who explained how the computer game Tetris can be used to modify memories, and Francesca Nanne tti , who spoke
about using electricity to s ti mulate and change brain ac ti vity. The School also invited Vishal Mistry , a third ‐ year undergraduate student, to give an insight into the mental models used to devise solu ti ons to complex problems. Inspiring role models At Queen's, fostering alumni rela ti onships isn't just a tradi ti on, it's a cornerstone of career development. Beyond providing insights into speci fi c industries and professions, alumni serve as living proof of the possibili ti es awai ti ng ambi ti ous students. This year, the Careers Department welcomed a variety of alumni to speak to pupils. Alumna Liv Jones ’17 , an award ‐ winning journalist at the Telegraph newspaper, connected with aspiring writers in Year 11 and 12, o ff ering valuable insights into her vibrant career and the journey she took to get there.
Alumna Alice Pym with Year 12 students Farrah Smales and Lucy Vaughan
Deanna Coleman speaking to Year 12 students
Deanna Coleman ‘16 , now immersed in the world of Sustainability in New York with a US airline, regaled Year 12 students with tales of her life at St Andrews, including a year studying in Hong Kong, and her Master’s degree at Columbia. Year 12 students Zara Islip and Grace Crook were fortunate to engage in a one ‐ to ‐ one discussion with alumna Jessica Jones ‘19 , who spoke with them about their aspira ti ons and shed light on the myriad of career paths available to those taking an Arts subject at university. Alice Pym ’15 returned to inspire Year 12 students Lucy Vaughan and Farrah Smales with her thriving career in Physiotherapy. With a par ti cular interest in neuro and stroke rehabilita ti on, Alice emphasised the importance of work experience for voca ti onal courses. And fi nally, alumna Elizabeth Wood Bowyer ’15 , a Performance Engineer at Williams Formula, spoke to Year 12 student Kirsten Robertson about how her roots in the School's Combined Cadet Force (CCF) ignited her passion for engineering. Mul ti ple Mini Interviews provide ti ps and advice to students
Year 12 students at the UCAS Universi ti es Fair
Our Academic Lecture Programme is very popular among pupils
Year 10 at the UK University & Appren ti ceship Fair
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A Queen’s community Pupils ac ti vely share their learning, ideas and insights with others in the School and the wider community, cul ti va ti ng a culture of collabora ti on while at the same ti me deepening their collec ti ve understanding. Throughout the year, A ‐ level Business students worked as mentors with Year 9 pupils, helping them as they prepared their pitch presenta ti ons for the Tycoon Enterprise Compe titi on . They shared the concepts learnt in Business Studies lessons, as Year 9 were tasked with developing a product idea, which they had to sell to raise revenue and gain fi rst ‐ hand experience of managing a business. Year 4 were delighted to also gain insight from older pupils, as they travelled to the Senior School to receive a Geography lesson led by Year 11. Focussing on river features, the girls had fun exploring new vocabulary through an ‘escape room’ style challenge, before then crea ti ng their own drainage basins. In May, Year 3 enjoyed an exci ti ng Roman Day that included a trip into Chester, as well as a visit to the Senior School, where they joined Year 10 Classics students to learn about Roman houses and make their own mosaics. Love of languages Pupils at Lower and Senior School have been enjoying sharing their passion for language learning. On mul ti ple occasions throughout the year, A ‐ level French students visited the Lower School to teach Year 5 and 6 pupils French. They demonstrated French conversa ti ons and ran a carousel of ac ti vi ti es, including tongue twisters and quizzes. It was a great opportunity for our A ‐ level students to share their love of the language, and for our Lower School girls to ask them about life at Senior School and plans a ft er Sixth Form. A testament to the value of these collabora ti ons is the SHARING THE LEARNING
A ‐ level French students teaching Year 5 and 6 pupils
success of Olivia Steele in Year 11, who, a ft er being tutored in Greek by Caroline Johnson in Year 13, became the fi rst student at Queen’s to sit the new Intermediate Cer ti fi cate of Classical Greek examina ti on, achieving a dis ti nc ti on. In the community As well as developing a collec ti ve learning environment
within school, the girls are eager to also share their knowledge and ideas with the wider community. Girls taking part in our Architecture
Architecture & Design Club
& Design Club received a commission from a local business to design a breakout room where clients can relax. They were given a brief that included considera ti ons such as ligh ti ng, sea ti ng and décor, and were tasked with pitching their design ideas to the client. Year 2, 3 and 4 pupils were also keen to share their learnings with the community when they visited Upton Dene Nursing Home to sing alongside the residents. They enjoyed singing well ‐ known tunes such as 'Can't Help Falling in Love' and 'This Li tt le Light of Mine' . Year 10 Religious Studies pupils immersed themselves in a day of ethical debate at Chester Cathedral’s ‘Chris ti an Controversies’ revision conference. The sessions considered a range of issues, from the status of women in religion to the church’s response to sexuality, and gave the girls the opportunity to share their
insights with, and hear from, pupils from other schools.
Year 2 visi ti ng Upton Dene Nursing Home
Year 3 enjoying Roman Day at the Senior School
Year 10 students at the Chris ti an Controversies revision conference
Year 13 student Caroline Johnson tutored Olivia Steele, Year 11, in Greek
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MUSIC & DRAMA
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Taking centre stage Lower School This year has seen another full performance schedule at the Lower School, allowing our talented girls to shine in many ways. As the leaves turned colour and slowly fell to the ground, the Lower School Music Department was in full steam ahead for celebra ti ng autumn. The lovely church of St Thomas’ accommodated us for a special Harvest Fes ti val service for our Infant pupils. Girls shone with their sparkly cut ‐ out stars while serenading the congrega ti on with ‘Catch a Falling Star’ . The programme con ti nued with percussion instruments and brightly coloured displays of poems. Next up up was our Infants’ spectacular rendi ti on of ‘A King is Born’ . Dressed in their na ti vity ou tf its and singing Christmas songs, the performance created a special fes ti ve feel to close the winter term. The Queen’s School Parents’ Associa ti on (QSPA) and Mrs O’Hare worked extremely hard on preparing a community event Carols by Candlelight . The event was full of audience par ti cipa ti on, and lots of laughter and fun was enjoyed throughout the evening. Everyone loved the mince pies and the girls’ rendi ti on of ‘Rudolph’ ! In March, over 14 pupils took part in an a ft ernoon piano recital. From those just beginning to learn the instrument, to our more accomplished performers, it was a lovely occasion to celebrate our hard ‐ working peripate ti c teachers and the wonderful, gi ft ed musicians we have in school. As winter turned its corner, we celebrated spring with our annual Da ff odil Service . Both choirs – Nigh ti ngales and Queen’s Young Voices – performed, with every year group also performing a song that they had been working on. As the girls pinned da ff odils to form a cross, a moment of unity and re fl ec ti on was clear. It was, of course, Mrs Wallace ‐ Woodro ff e ’s last Da ff odil Service, and the girls did Queen’s proud by hos ti ng such a memorable event. Both Nigh ti ngales and Queen’s Young Voices joined forces to compete in the Chester Compe titi ve Fes ti val of Performing
Arts , conducted by Queen’s choral leader, Mrs O’Hare. A ft er their rendi ti on of ‘Try Everything’ and ‘Revol ti ng Children’ , the girls were awarded Highly Commended and le ft with a trophy. Year 2 pupils were fortunate enough to visit Upton Dene Nursing Home when Li tt le Beat , a community ‐ based charity, reached out to the School to join their project. The girls joined Amanda Wrigley in singing well ‐ known songs with the residents. In May, Making Maestros asked the Nigh ti ngale Choir to visit the nursing home again, but this ti me performing with student nurses who have been working on a singing project led by Mrs O’Hare. In the spring term, Year 3 and 4 performed ‘Whiz Wham Alakazham’ , telling a story of wizards who had to work as a team to save the sun and prevent ice creatures from taking their castle. All pupils did a fantas ti c job crea ti ng their characters, pu tti ng together costumes, and even crea ti ng their own spells to perform. Our Summer Serenade in June marked a lovely occasion where parents were treated to a musical showcase by pupils who had received peripate ti c music lessons. From solos to ensembles and larger groups of the orchestra, string groups, Nigh ti ngales and Queen’s Young Voices , it was a truly deligh tf ul way to spend a warm, sunny evening.
1 ‐ 2 Infant Na ti vity performance
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Pupils at Chester Compe titi ve Fes ti val of Performing Arts
Pupils performing at the Da ff odil Service
At the Senior School, parents and friends were submerged into a pirate adventure by our Year 5 and 6 girls. Adventures on Skeleton Island, fi nding treasure and working together as a team were highlighted throughout this marvellous performance of ‘Forever Treasure Island’ . The girls were thoroughly dedicated to the rehearsals and to delivering a high standard produc ti on. We look forward to them joining next year’s produc ti on at the
Whiz Wham Alakazham performance
Nigh ti ngales performing at Upton Dene Nursing Home
Forever Treasure Island produc ti on
Harvest Fes ti val at St Thomas' Church
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Chamber Choir at Carol Service
Queen's School Fes ti val of Music winner Cole tt e Hong (right) and runner up Grace Crook (le ft )
MUSIC & DRAMA
Senior School Music Our Senior School Music Department have had another successful year, which started with a magical Christmas Carol Service at Chester Cathedral, which included resplendent performances by our Chamber Choir, Junior Choir , and Queen’s Young Voices . A collec ti on of hymns and Christmas carols ended the term beau ti fully, fi lling all those in a tt endance with Christmas spirit. The annual Queen’s School Fes ti val of Music saw a rewarding day for pupils, as instrumentalists and vocalists competed for their category. This year encouraged whole ‐ school par ti cipa ti on as House Choirs took to the stage to compete for the House trophy. Thompson House was triumphant, winning both the House Choir compe titi on and the overall fes ti val. External adjudicators were extremely impressed with the high standard of performances and awarded the pres ti gious Amy Underhill Trophy to Year 8 cellist Cole tt e Hong (who also performs with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Academy Orchestra) for her rendi ti on of No tt urno by George Goltermann. In March, parents and sta ff were treated to a full programme of music and drama items at Cabaret . Both nights saw a variety of ensembles, including our newly formed Jazz Band and a par ti cularly special performance from A ‐ level musician Zara Islip , who had composed her own piece of music. The musical talents on display were truly astonishing. Many of our girls from both Senior and Lower School sat their ABRSM graded music examina ti ons this year, with phenomenal results. We can’t wait to see where their talent will take them in the future. The Music Department closed another jam ‐ packed successful year with a Summer Soirée , featuring solos and ensembles from Years 7 ‐ 9, as well as performances from our Chamber Choir . The sta ff in the Music Department are grateful to have such highly skilled and enthusias ti c peripate ti c teachers who inspire and educate our talented musicians. Senior School Drama In March, our GCSE and A ‐ level Drama students completed their prac ti cal scripted examina ti ons in front of an examiner. Year 11 pupils chose scripts ranging from ‘A Taste of Honey’, ‘My Mother Said I Never Should’, ‘Be My Baby’ , and ‘Two’. From the naive innocence of the pregnant teenage girls in ‘Be
Queen's School Fes ti val of Music winners
My Baby’ to the drama ti c confronta ti on between the landlord and landlady in ‘Two’ , all our GCSE pupils performed to an excellent standard throughout. A ‐ level student Toncsi Young performed a monologue from ‘The Permanent Way’ by David Hare for her prac ti cal examina ti on, portraying a bereaved widow who had lost her husband in the Po tt er’s Bar train crash. Her performance was moving and thought provoking, as Toncsi conveyed the impact of this disaster on her character. In our Cabaret evenings, Key Stage 3 Drama students proved once again what excep ti onal talent they have. Parents and sta ff were treated to a Year 9 Drama Queen’s performance of ‘A Charming A ff air’ and a Year 7 and 8 Drama Fun performance of extracts from ‘Blood Brothers’ . Not to be outdone, our Year 7 pupils demonstrated their drama ti c and comedic talents in a
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selec ti on of pieces from their LAMDA examina ti ons. In April, 55 pupils from Years 7 ‐ 12 took their LAMDA examina ti ons. Under the expert guidance of Ms Childe, pupils enjoyed weekly lessons exploring di ff erent scripted extracts and honing their performance skills. We Will Rock You The phenomenal talent of our pupils was on full display during the three ‐ night performance of our outstanding produc ti on of ‘We Will Rock You’ . The fi nal night was a sell ‐ out event and anyone that went to watch will undoubtedly agree the show and talent was West End worthy! ‘We Will Rock You’ features more than 20 hit Queen songs and follows two rebels as they try and restore rock ‘n’ roll to the ‘iPlanet’ in a post ‐ apocalyp ti c world. The hard work and dedica ti on of everyone involved in bringing the show to stage was incredible. Pupils were involved in every aspect of the produc ti on, from the cast, band, stage management, set and props, costumes, ligh ti ng, hair and makeup, and even as Assistant Director – there really was something for every pupil to experience. Hats o ff to our amazing Drama and Music Departments who worked ti relessly with the girls to deliver a memorable produc ti on.
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1 ‐ 4 Fabulous performances at Cabaret 5 ‐ 9 We Will Rock You
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1 House Captains: Dragons Poppy Binks and Zara Green, Unicorns Amelia Thane and Isabella Banham, Phoenix Charlo tt e Kermode and Tea Ru ti li, Gri ffi ns Philippa Rajadurai and Maisie Barlow 2 Heads of Houses (le ft to right): Lili Jones, Rachel Ho, Natalie James, Hollie Tempero, Tilly Jones, Sasha Hughes, Isabella Iles, Scarle tt Toovey and Toncsi Young 3 Year 5 leading a Mental Health Day assembly
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Responsibility and resilience PROMOTING LEADERSHIP At Queen’s, we value the cul ti va ti on of leadership skills from an early age, recognising the profound impact it has on shaping con fi dent and capable individuals. This ethos resonates throughout our school community, star ti ng from the Lower School and extending seamlessly into Sixth Form. In the Lower School, our girls embrace a myriad of esteemed roles, each carrying its own sense of responsibility and honour. From House Captains to Junior Safety O ffi cers, Student Council members to Eco ‐ Commi tt ee representa ti ves, our pupils eagerly assume posi ti ons where their voices are not only heard, but valued. The process of selec ti ng House Captains exempli fi es this commitment to leadership development, as candidates cra ft and deliver speeches before their peers. As our pupils transi ti on to the
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and forward thinkers of the future. Year 9 made use of this programme through the explora ti on of online learning and Massive Open Online
Courses (MOOCs), as well as short courses in research and presenta ti on skills, and how to prepare CVs and job
applica ti ons. Year 10 expanded their focus towards leadership skills, academic discussion, emo ti onal intelligence, and how to maximise high performance. LEAP also provides Queen’s girls with the opportunity to a tt end inspira ti onal events and meet industry professionals. Our Year 8 and 9 LEAP pupils celebrated Interna ti onal Women’s Day at Storyhouse’s Women Schools’ Day , which involved talks from a range of female role models. Aligning with Na ti onal Careers Week , this event allowed the girls to focus on their futures, as they received an introduc ti on from Storyhouse’s CEO, Annabel Turpin, and a tt ended interac ti ve workshops and a Q&A panel discussion. Role models Our Lower and Senior School girls are eager to seize other opportuni ti es that develop
Senior School, the opportuni ti es for leadership con ti nue, encouraging them to lead with vision, integrity, and empathy. Whether it's spearheading a co ‐ curricular club, par ti cipa ti ng in the Student Parliament, or assuming roles within the Head Girl Team, our pupils are empowered to make meaningful contribu ti ons to our school community. Natasha Latham and Marni Hugo proudly stepped us
Head Girl Natasha Latham and Deputy Head Girl Marni Hugo
leadership and allow them to be role models to other pupils. At the Lower School, girls have focussed on promo ti ng kindness and posi ti ve behaviour, including discussing
as the new Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl a ft er a rigorous selec ti on process involving wri tt en applica ti ons, formal interviews, and engaging hus ti ngs videos. Addi ti onally, our House Leadership Team, this year led by Toncsi Young as Senior Head of Houses, ensures that every pupil has the chance to lead and inspire.
Catalina Solan was awarded 'The Eagle Award'
strategies for avoiding con fl ict and nega ti vity when online. In celebra ti on of Odd Sock Day, the girls joined together to show that it’s okay to be di ff erent and to stand up against bullying. The day consisted of various ac ti vi ti es that promoted kindness, including crea ti ng ‘kindness fl owers’ and ‘caught you being kind’ cards for their friends. In prepara ti on for World Mental Health Day , Year 5 also led an assembly on how to manage di ffi cult emo ti ons, which included useful ti ps, a short drama sketch, and a quiz for pupils to take part in. At the Senior School, Year 10 students enjoyed a team building day with the Royal Navy, with a range of ac ti vi ti es showcasing their personal strengths. The girls enjoyed problem ‐ solving challenges and fi tness and leadership sessions, and fi nished by building and launching their own rockets. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is also an excellent opportunity for pupils to develop important skills and quali ti es, such as leadership, the ability to work in a team, and the ability to adapt to various situa ti ons. Year 11 student Catalina Solan is one of the many role models taking part in CCF and was awarded ‘The Eagle Award’ for demonstra ti ng amazing commitment and progress in the Force.
The School saw a brief change in leadership for a day when Year 11 student Francesca Barnes won the remarkable opportunity to be Headmistress for a day. She
experienced a jam ‐ packed i ti nerary that provided her with an insight into the world of school leadership. It included leading the morning sta ff brie fi ng, holding a Recogni ti on Assembly, a tt ending an Estates mee ti ng for our new Astroturf project, and enjoying a Hot Choc and Chat session with Year 7 pupils. Our Leadership and Enhanced Academic Programme (LEAP) provides opportuni ti es for Queen’s pupils to enhance their professional skills outside the classroom. This co ‐ curricular club helps girls develop key skills that will make them the leaders Francesca Barnes as Headmistress for the Day
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STEM
Empowering Girls to Excel Science
Pupils celebrated Biology Week at the Senior School with a range of ac ti vi ti es to champion the value and importance of girls in STEM. The grand fi nale of the week featured a cap ti va ti ng talk by Rachel Owen , a dis ti nguished fi gure in the fi eld, serving as a clinical supply manager at Astra Zeneca. The School has welcomed a variety of inspira ti onal women working in STEM to talk to the girls. This includes a visit from author and astronomer Dr Sheila Kanani , who regaled Lower School pupils with fascina ti ng facts about space, her life as an astronomer and author, and the opportuni ti es available for females in the industry. Senior School Psychology Society pupils were visited by Dr Caroline Anderson , who gave an inspiring and very honest account of her experiences leading to her becoming a Clinical Psychologist, as well as the possible career pathways in psychology. Keen physicists in Year 11 took part in the Bri ti sh Physics Olympiad (BPhO) Intermediate Challenge – a compe titi on aimed at stretching students beyond the GCSE curriculum. The standard was extremely high and the girls performed excep ti onally well, with Olivia Zazzi ‐ Smith , Aster McCann , Daisy Wainwright , Julia Roberts , Melita Peel , Annabelle Latham , Alicia Johnstone and Catrin Fagan receiving Bronze awards, and Ellenore Whi tf ield , Catalina Solan , Simran Sambhi , Lotus McCarry and Amelie Be tt achieving Silver awards. Year 12 Physics students competed in the BPhO Senior Physics Challenge , an online and wri tt en compe titi on consis ti ng of hugely challenging problem ‐ solving tasks, and achieved outstanding results. Constance Fowles , Alexa Byrne and Kirsten Robertson achieved the Bronze II award, Abigail Jeavons achieved the Bronze I award. Jess Dodgson in Year 13 took part in the Interna ti onal Psychology Olympiad 2023 , achieving a Gold award and ranking 17th globally out of 334 entries, as well as being the only UK entrant to achieve the Gold award. Compu ti ng Pupils in Years 3 ‐ 9, plus our GCSE and A ‐ level computer scien ti sts, took part in this year’s Bebras computa ti onal thinking challenge, with many of our girls achieving strong results. 19 pupils achieved the pres ti gious Gold award, placing them in the top 10% na ti onally, and were invited to take part in the Oxford University Compu ti ng Compe titi on (OUCC) . Special praise to Robbi Chan in Year 7, who achieved best in school for the junior challenge with a Gold award, Bethany Flynn in Year 9, who was awarded best in school for the intermediate challenge, Annabel Bartle tt in Year 10 for the senior challenge, and Cerys Fagan in Year 13 for the elite. Year 10 and 11 computer scien ti sts competed in the Perse Coding Team Challenge in January – a compe titi on which challenges students to complete increasingly di ffi cult coding
A ‐ level students performed excep ti onally in the UKMT Senior Mathema ti cal Challenge
Dr Sheila Kanani with Lower School pupils
problems in Python 3. Year 8 also demonstrated their enthusiasm for compu ti ng as they competed in the NCSC’s Girls CyberFirst Compe titi on. This compe titi on, aimed at inspiring girls to pursue a career in cyber security, had pupils compe ti ng in a variety of challenges for ten days. The girls performed extremely well and found it a rewarding opportunity. Maths Lower and Senior School girls took part in a variety of challenges and events that showcased their passion for mathema ti cs. For Number Day, Year 5 challenged their peers with a series of maths challenges that progressively become more di ffi cult as the girls became more ambi ti ous and compe titi ve. A group of avid mathema ti cians from Years 11 and 12 visited the Storyhouse to experience their Maths Inspira ti on event which, covered topics including escaping mazes and message encryp ti on. It was an exci ti ng opportunity for students to see the real ‐ world applica ti ons of maths and be inspired by professionals in the fi eld. A ‐ level Maths and Further Maths students demonstrated their knowledge in the subject by compe ti ng in the UKMT Senior Mathema ti cal Challenge and performing excep ti onally well. Year 13 student Cerys Fagan went on to compete in the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangeroo and achieved a merit. Year 12 students Milly Hay , Alice Wu , Tamsin Watson and Antonia Traista also showcased their passion for maths as they par ti cipated in the Na ti onal Mathema ti cal Olympiad for Girls and received outstanding results. In February, Neha Sreeram, Cherry Lam, Likitha Pydah and Kera Monaghan in Year 10 par ti cipated in the Maths Feast , a regional maths compe titi on run by the Advanced Mathema ti cs Support Programme . They tackled challenging problems and secured a prize for consistently scoring highly in every round. Year 12 student Alice Wu was invited to a prize giving at Bletchley Park a ft er being awarded a Silver medal in the Na ti onal Cipher Challenge . This is a na ti onal compe titi on run by the University of Southampton, sponsored by Trinity College Cambridge and GCHQ. The event included talks, as well as a tour of Bletchley Park with her peers, where she learnt about the importance of cryptography and its relevance today.
Year 12 success in the Na ti onal Mathema ti cal Olympiad
Alice Wu at Bletchley Park
Year 11 success in the BPhO Intermediate Challenge
Year 12 success in the BPhO Senior Physics Challenge
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Clara Johnson, Recep ti on
Lower School Art
Emily Lipscombe, Recep ti on
Elodie Greaves, Year 1
Ciaga Dakin, Year 1
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Riva Fox, Year 2
Elena Owen, Year 2
Abigail Ryan, Year 3
Annabel Smith, Year 3
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Ovea Thayaparan, Year 4
Esme Banham, Year 4
Ava Bickersta ff , Year 4
Olivia Newberry, Year 5
Molly Evans, Year 5
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Poppy Binks, Year 6
Freya Mara, Year 6
Cecilia Byrne, Year 6
Charlo tt e Kermode, Year 6
Zara Green, Year 6
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Catrin Fagan
Lucy Mackay
Anisha Booth
Emma Barlow
GCSE Art
Lotus McCarry
Genevieve Li
Millie Wa tt s
Elizabeth Edwards
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Serena Alford
Esme Graham ‐ Palmer
Emma Johnson
Gracie Parkin
Eva Hoarty
Tanya Pulupula
Isla Swi ft
Felicity Garne tt
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A Level Art
Eleanor Tozer
Emma Hopkins
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Belle Moss
Holly Sheldrake
23
1 Year 1 girls seeing
Cinderella at the Storyhouse
2 Year 2 at
Chester Fire Sta ti on
1
LOWER SCHOOL TRIPS
2
Enriching Educa ti on At Queen’s, educa ti onal trips and visits are vital extensions of classroom learning. These experiences o ff er pupils the chance to explore new cultures, historical sites, and outdoor adventures, fostering independence and valuable life skills. Read on to discover just some of the enriching opportuni ti es our pupils have enjoyed this year.
make clay pots inspired by the Beaker people. In March, the girls also enjoyed their fi rst residen ti al trip to Ta tt enhall Conway Centre . From team building to marshmallow toas ti ng, tree climbing to zip lines; it was a delight to see them engage in ac ti vi ti es that pushed them out of their comfort zones. During a trip to the World Museum , Year 4 had an interes ti ng ti me as they explored the Ancient Egyp ti an gallery, made some sketches of the artefacts, and took part in a mummi fi ca ti on workshop. In March, pupils embarked on an unforge tt able trip to Kingswood Residen ti al and Outdoor Ac ti vity Centre , where they had a wonderful ti me developing their independence, communica ti on and teamwork skills. From archery to caving, climbing to teambuilding challenges, our girls embraced every opportunity with gusto. To further their research into rainforests, Year 5 also visited Chester Zoo and par ti cipated in a workshop on the internal structure common to all rainforests. The girls put their knowledge to the test as they had to complete various tasks and challenges. They also enjoyed a day of culture in Liverpool and visited various museums as part of their work on Ancient Greeks. They explored the World Museum ’s ‘Greek Gods’ expedi ti on, discovering even more about Greek mythology, and found several depic ti ons of Ancient
With the wide variety of ameni ti es on our doorstep, Lower School pupils have enjoyed taking lessons out of the classroom on many day trips. Recep ti on had a lovely visit to Chester Zoo , with the girls able to maximise the ti me spent seeing as many animals as
Recep ti on pupils at Chester Zoo
possible. Their energy and excitement propelled them forward through guided tours of the enclosures, seeing gira ff es, penguins, o tt ers, snakes, and so much more. Year 1 had a magical trip to the Storyhouse in December, where they enjoyed the produc ti on Cinderella, adding a sparkle to their lead ‐ up to Christmas. In the summer term, the girls also enjoyed a day exploring Chirk Castle, where they saw the dungeons and medieval rooms of Adam's Tower. They studied medieval dresses and had lots of fun trying on knights' helmets and shields. A trip to Chester Fire Sta ti on gave Year 2 the chance to explore a fi re engine and learn about the role of a fi re fi ghter, even having a go at trying on some fi re fi gh ti ng kit. They also enjoyed a trip to the Liverpool Museum in October, where they had a tour of the ‘Bones and Stones’ exhibi ti on and learnt about smaller creatures during a fascina ti ng ‘Bug’ talk. Taking a step back in ti me, Year 3 had a fabulous day of Stone age to Bronze age explora ti on at the Weaver Hall Museum , where they had the chance to see and handle lots of exci ti ng artefacts and
Year 3 at Ta tt enhall Conway Centre
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Year 4 at Kingswood Residen ti al
Year 3 at the Weaver Hall Museum
Greek gods and goddesses at the Walker Art Gallery . The highlight of their trip calendar was certainly their residen ti al stay at Rhos y Gwaliau , taking part in a range of ac ti vi ti es including canoeing, paddleboarding, gorge walking and exploring slate mines. Year 6 pupils became safety experts following a visit to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Safety Central Educa ti on Centre . The girls had a fantas ti c day taking part in mul ti ple workshops focusing on safety and health, including fi re preven ti on, road safety, fi rst aid, water safety, wellbeing, and healthy ea ti ng. They also had a look at the very realis ti c police sta ti on and court room, even spending some ti me in the cells! In June, the girls enjoyed a special trip to France , where they experienced a variety of ac ti vi ti es that emersed them in French culture. The girls par ti cularly enjoyed visi ti ng a chocolaterie, cra ft ing clay ti les, baking bread, and even trying escargot! A perfect culmina ti on to their Lower School experience.
Year 5 at Chester Zoo
Year 5 at the World Museum
Year 4 at the World Museum
Year 6 on their trip to France.jpeg
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A ‐ level Business, Economics and Psychology students in London
GCSE Geography students on their fi eld trip to the River Clwyd
SENIOR SCHOOL TRIPS
the Warner Bros Harry Po tt er Studio , where they experienced marke ti ng and branding in ac ti on. They visited Bethlem Hospital and the Museum of the Mind , before receiving a guided walking tour of the Jack the Ripper Whitechapel area in the evening. The fi nal day gave students the opportunity to sail down the River Thames to see the highlights of the London skyline, including its fi nancial district. Our Sixth Form English and Spanishs tudents have also enjoyed London’s vast theatre op ti ons, with A ‐ level English Literature students watched The Duchess of Mal fi at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse , and Year 13 Spanish students saw The House of Bernarda Alba , a play they had been studying in their A ‐ level classes. The girls thoroughly enjoyed seeing such ground ‐ breaking produc ti ons performed at London’s renowned performing arts venues. In a joint venture between the Classics and Religious Studies departments, sta ff and students had a splendid four days in Rome during the October half term. Immersing themselves in the city’s cultural, historical and architectural riches, a lot was packed into the trip. The girls explored key
Our trips programme at the Senior School kicks o ff as soon as we start the academic year with our Year 12 Sixth Form residen ti al trip to Anglesey Conway Centre . Girls moving up from Year 11, together with newcomers to Sixth Form from other schools, enjoyed a range of woodland challenges and problem ‐ solving ac ti vi ti es aimed at developing new skills and teambuilding. The girls par ti cularly enjoyed the ra ft building exercise, which was followed by a race between the teams to fi nd out which ra ft s were most seaworthy. The outdoor ac ti vi ti es were supplemented with classroom work, which helped students prepare for the academic challenges they will be facing at A ‐ level. In November, Year 7 set o ff on a thrilling residen ti al at the picturesque High Adventure Outdoor Educa ti on Centre in Yorkshire, fostering teamwork and the cul ti va ti on of enduring friendships. From indoor climbing and abseiling to low ropes, spider web challenges, orienteering, archery, and naviga ti ng a labyrinth, the i ti nerary was packed with exhilara ti ng experiences. Witnessing the girls conquer personal fears and wholeheartedly embrace novel experiences was rewarding for everyone. Our academic excursions serve as a bridge between theory and prac ti ce, solidifying classroom learning by providing hands ‐ on
experiences and real ‐ world applica ti ons. Geography students have bene fi ted from a range of fi eld trips to strengthen their data gathering skills and deepen their understanding. Year 11 explored Betws ‐ y ‐ Coed , A ‐ level geographers spent the day at Llandudno beach and Colwyn Bay , and also enjoyed an urban explora ti on of Liverpool; Year 7 pupils explored the North Wirral Coastline inves ti ga ti ng the hard engineering structures between Leasowe Bay and Leasowe Lighthouse, and GCSE students took a journey along the River Clwyd to develop a deeper understanding of their topic on rivers. Year 12 and 13 Business, Economics and Psychology students travelled to London for an ac ti on packed two days, star ti ng at
Senior School pupils enjoying the sights of Rome
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