Head's Half Term Reflections | Queen Margaret's School York

Dear All

What a whirlwind the last seven weeks have been, in the most enjoyable way. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know everyone within the community and I send a huge thank you to everyone who has given me such a warm QM welcome.

There is so much that has impressed me. The pupils certainly work hard and play hard and fit a huge amount into term time. Their energy and the strong culture of participation drive girls to make the most of opportunities which has found them working hard in the classroom, out on the sports field, then rushing in to join rehearsals on stage, amongst a host of other activities. All this is supported and driven by a team of hugely dedicated teachers and staff and I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise my appreciation of all their hard work, commitment, care and inspiration they provide to QM pupils.

My weekly highlights are numerous. On my walkabouts during the school day, it is wonderful to find girls engaging in such a rich variety of subjects and interests. This week, our Wednesday@1 concert from our Music Scholars was a real midday treat. Assemblies have celebrated such a range of topics from life as a Sixth Former, to Black History Month, to the diversity of our international students to the work of QMM and LVI’s Enterprise initiative. I have enjoyed cheering on QM lacrosse, hockey and netball teams. The Curry and Quiz night organised by Friends of Queen Margaret was a very enjoyable evening. My Saturday always starts with breakfast with prefects and the leadership of our Head Girl and her team was so evident in the highly successful Summer Fete held on the first weekend of term. Chapel services provide quiet, reflective moments in the busy week and a particular highlight was the OMA Chapel service so beautifully accompanied by Chamber Choir. As part of a busy programme of curricular trips, a group of girls is looking forward to heading off to France early on Friday to visit the Battlefields. The list goes on…. and I must mention Fun Song which, after everything I have heard, truly has become a QM tradition on an epic scale! My congratulations to last night's worthy winners, Garry House.

It has been delightful to see how quickly girls who joined us at the start of September have settled and to see them embracing the QM spirit so readily. At the other end of the school, as I read each UVI pupil’s UCAS application, I see the years of hard work and focus that have come together in their applications and the excitement for what lies ahead. There was a good buzz to last week’s Sixth Form Open Morning as Year V girls looked forward to the step up to life in Cloisters and Cottages and explored new subject options.

Thanks to the hard work of the External Relations and Admissions team, I have enjoyed meeting a steady stream of prospective families who have all been captivated by the special QM feeling, helped by our excellent pupil tour guides. Our first open morning in September was a full house and we are looking forward to another busy open morning on 16 November. I have enjoyed starting to get to know fellow Heads in the local area and am enjoying a schedule of visits to feeder Prep Schools.

I have been working hard with the SLT and Governors on our 5-year strategic plan, drawing on all the discussions I have enjoyed in opening weeks with girls, staff and parents, and I look forward to being in a position to share insights during the second half of term. The recruitment process is also underway for a Director of Finance and Operations who will take over from the Interim Bursar in 2025 and will play a key role in supporting the school moving forward.

Above all, I have been so impressed by the girls. They are articulate, focused, grounded, responsible, committed, individual, kind and fun-loving. I have heard many heart-warming stories from parents and girls of the transformational impact of a QM education. From my short time in school, it is absolutely clear to me that QM is a very special place that provides an exceptional all-round educational environment for girls and enables them to thrive in the best way possible. It instils in girls the self-belief to be themselves and follow their passions. There is a real warmth, openness, and genuineness in the pupils, staff and parents with a deep commitment to and appreciation of what QM offers. Quite simply, it is an inspiring school and has so much to celebrate.

I wish all girls, staff, and families a restful and enjoyable half-term break.

With very best wishes

Nicola Dudley

Head