Introducing our new Graduate Assistants for 2024

Introducing our new Graduate Assistants! From L-R: Sami Alexander, Jasmine Starbuck, and Joyce Jan. We extend a very warm welcome to QM! Read more below.

Joyce Jan

What are your main roles at QM?

Ensure the safety and welfare of the girls and support day-to-day management of the boarding houses

Where did you come from before QM?

China

How do you relax when you are not at QM?

Enjoy the sunshine and music

What are you most proud of?

Completed my Masters degree at Leeds

Who would you most like to sit down and have a cup of tea/coffee with?

Professor Albus Dumbledore

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Follow your passion

What’s your favourite biscuit or treat?

Lindt (coconut one!!!)

Sami Alexander, Winnie's

What are your main roles at QM?

My main roles are assisting Clarisse Bale with the day to day running of Winnie's and the care of the Year IV and V students.

Where did you come from before QM?

Before QM I was studying English Language, Linguistics and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at York St John University in York city centre. Before that I studied for a foundation degree at Roehampton during 2020-21.

How do you relax when you are not at QM?

I am in the middle of some crochet projects, so when I have enough time to work on them I do – otherwise I meet up with friends in York, or have FaceTime coffee meetings with my family.

What are you most proud of?

Getting a good grade on my degree, and my family who all work hard for each other.

Who would you most like to sit down and have a cup of tea/coffee with?

I have a few people! First, a non-famous person would be my mum – we always have a good chat over a cup of tea or coffee! We can give each other a lot of great ideas and advice! Famous – it would have to be a mixture of Robin Williams, Julie Andrews or Vincent Van Gogh!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Keep going, the road is smoother the more you travel!

What’s your favourite biscuit or treat?

Chocolate bourbons! (oh, and Jaffa Cakes!)

Jasmine Starbuck, Sixth Form

What are your main roles at QM?

I am a Grad Assistant in Sixth form so I spend most of my time in the boarding houses with the girls ensuring they are having the best time possible.

Where did you come from before QM?

I graduated in June, from studying Law at Durham University.

How do you relax when you are not at QM?

I love to read a good murder mystery.

What are you most proud of?

I produced and associate-directed a play at Edinburgh Fringe this August, it only had a 4 person cast and crew, so it was a huge job but very rewarding. (It also received an endorsement from Russell T Davies, which you can check on his Instagram)

Who would you most like to sit down and have a cup of tea/coffee with?

I'd love to meet Ralph Fiennes because he's had such an amazing career on screen and stage.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I'd tell her that not getting into Cambridge isn't the end of the world.

What’s your favourite biscuit or treat?

You can't go wrong with a dark chocolate digestive.