This year saw a record number of nominations and short-listed candidates for Queenswood at the Welwyn and Hatfield Sports Awards. The following pupils and staff were shortlisted:

• Rebecca Hurley – School Pupil of the Year and Volunteer of the Year
• Lucy Baker – School Pupil of the Year
• Hannah Williams – Sports Person of the Year
• Jessica Hurley- School Pupil of the Year
• Gabriella Murray-Panayiotou – School Pupil of the Year
• Maddy Wray – Young Participant of the Year
• Lucy Wakeley – School Pupil of the Year
• Ema Lazic – Sports Person of the Year
• U16 Indoor Hockey Team – Secondary School Team of the Year
• Aberdare Cup Tennis Team – Secondary School Team of the Year
• Mrs Jo Wakeley – School Teacher of the Year and Coach of the Year
• Mrs Mhairi Bullock – School Teacher of the Year
• Miss Rebecca Pratt – School Teacher of the Year and Coach of the Year

We were all delighted to be nominated and shortlisted, especially the staff nominated by pupils.

On Tuesday 8 March we all headed off to the Hawthorne Theatre in Welwyn Garden City in the hope and anticipation of receiving a few awards. With the Aberdare Cup team being National champions and the Hockey Team reaching National finals, not to mention hard-earned individual National success for Maddy Wray, Ema Lazic  and Hannah Williams, we were quietly confident.

But it was not to be. All parents,  staff and girls were feeling disappointment when at the end of the ceremony it seemed Queenswood had not picked up a single award. Finally the Olympic and Paralympic Value Awards were presented ( to individuals who have demonstrated these values based on the tradition of fair play and honourable sports competition) – and Mrs Wakeley was awarded the Respect Award! With mixed emotions she headed to the stage to receive her award, wishing one of Queenswood’s pupils/team  had been successful earlier in the proceedings.  With nine regional finals and two national finals achieved in a range of sports by the pupils and staff of our small but extremely enthusiastic school, we had hoped to come away with more.  

Nevertheless it was a fun evening and an opportunity for us to acknowledge not only the achievements of our  teams, pupils and staff but also their hard work and commitment,  particularly in the Pupil of the Year and Volunteer categories. 

We look forward to Queenwood’s first sports awards dinner next term – an opportunity  to celebrate everyone’s participation and achievement in sport at Q.