With the end of the 2024 school year just days away, I want to finish the year the way I began: by thanking you for being so welcoming. I have had many ‘first days’ at schools. Depending on the culture I’m walking into, they can be a little cool, and occasionally even confrontational. At Queenwood, I sensed only the warmth of welcome. Just as our founders envisaged, I quickly discovered that Queenwood is a true community. It’s genuinely familial. There’s a spirit of generosity in so many of the parents I’ve met, and I thanked many of these parents at our first volunteers’ evening last week. The community support for our extraordinary Queenwood students gives our girls a quiet but sure confidence. For me, this has been evident in the number of thoughtful and unguarded conversations I’ve enjoyed here at Queenwood. More than at any other school I’ve led, it’s clear that Queenwood girls know who they are, and have a strong sense of their purpose and their worth.
Enjoy the gift of time
The end of school routines can be a divided blessing. On one hand, there is such freedom in taking a break from the constant pressure of lunches, uniforms, driving and events. (Parents, I see you and I thank you for all you do.) On the other, it’s easy for the whirl of Christmas and holidays and work demands to more than fill the spaces left by school and to create their own kind of unrelenting busyness. Constant striving can quietly rob us of meaningful time with our loved ones, so I encourage you to embrace this time without timetables to reconnect with your daughter. As you are, gently support her to create a holiday routine. We know from vast evidence that children and young people (and adults, I might add) benefit mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually from embracing gentle, life-affirming routines. So while your daughters are enjoying their downtime, encourage them to still embrace the disciplines that have served them so well at school – rising at a similar time (even if it’s a bit later), daily movement of some kind, and to continue to read. This, coupled with renewed time with you, will mean our girls will return to school fully refreshed for a new year and ready to learn.
2025 is just around the corner…
… and that means we’re about to commence our exciting Centenary year.
In a recent Spotlight, I outlined the celebrations we have planned, from a special parent welcome event right through to significant cultural, artistic and commemorative events throughout the year. Before then, of course, we’ll end the year next Monday night with our wonderful community carols event, and our speech night on Wednesday night. Both are meaningful and important events in our community life, and I look forward to welcoming you to both.