The spring term has started with a real buzz for all of us at Q. Years 11, 12 and 13 have settled into the demands of their mock examinations and are able to see the benefit of their revision and hard work over the Christmas break. This is always a challenging time for the girls but as they begin on the next phase of their journey towards the final summer examinations it is fabulous to witness their resilience and determination to succeed and be the best they can be. I know that the staff are already planning their schedules to support the girls as they make the most of this post mock phase.

As I have already mentioned resilience and success I would like to add that I have been bowled over by the Year 13 girls who have been hearing from Oxford and Cambridge over this last week. As we can all appreciate, the amount of hard work, dedication and confidence that is required for an Oxford or Cambridge application is huge and our girls have responded with the courage and commitment that only a Queenswood girl can. I am immensely proud of all our girls who applied, and I am delighted for those who have been offered places for September 2017.

Just a week and a half into the term, there is already plenty of sporting success to celebrate. U13 Netballers were runners up at the Kimbolton Tournament this weekend, while Year 7 A and B Hockey teams both won at Haileybury. Meanwhile in the USA OQ Katty Weymouth is performing very well in singles tennis at Furman University. On Saturday 14 January, our Tennis Team had a day’s international training at the University of Hertfordshire, ahead of their trip to Brazil in March to compete in the World Schools Tennis Finals. They had the chance to work with teams representing GB schools in a range of sports, and participated in workshops on Anti-Doping and Injury Prevention.

This is always a busy period for performers. As I write, Years 8 to 11 are gearing up for the House Performing Arts Competition, which will be held in the Clarissa Farr Theatre on Sunday 29 January. Year 11 in particular are working tremendously hard to direct and choreograph short adaptations of musicals, and we are thrilled that Melanie Marshall will be our adjudicator. Melanie has been a friend of the school for many years, and performed the mesmerising solos in our performance of John Rutter’s Feel the Spirit at the Barbican in 2014, which I know inspired so many members of the school community.

On Saturday Stamp House held their Year 7 lunch with a Jungle Book theme. This was a fantastic opportunity for the Year 7 parents, girls and staff to get to know each other and even join in with a lively rendition of ‘The Bear Necessities’ and other familiar tunes! A really wonderful afternoon was had by all, and I would like to thank the House staff and Year 7 Stamp girls for their organisation. The event also raised over £200 for the Stamp House charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital.

With a very busy term ahead, I am looking forward to all that it will bring and as days start to get longer the opportunities for us all to start to enjoy our fabulous school site in day light will be much appreciated.