The Weekly Window - Friday 25th April 2025
Friday 25th April 2025
Welcome back for the summer term.
Weekly Window - 25th April 2025
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Weekly Window. The inspiring Young Musician of the Year competition was a real highlight of the week. Find out about our latest Enrichment offering, news of Daisy’s fundraising, plus a free parent Q+A from Elevate Education. Looking ahead, our community fundraising continues this weekend with the annual Colour Run.
Have a great weekend!
Update from the Head
The term has got off to a musical start with QM’s Young Musician of the Year competition on Wednesday. A day of performances in all age categories culminated in a stunning set of performances at the Advanced Final in the evening. I would not have liked to be the judge! Huge congratulations to all participants, and in particular to all our winners and highly commended players. I say this time and again, but the talent of the girls never ceases to impress me. The quality of music at QM is exceptional and is up there with the very best schools in my view. This was endorsed by the words of the judge, Mr Trevaskiss who is a former professional musician and an experienced Director of Music in a number of schools.
The talent and hard work of the girls are supported and inspired by a wonderful team spirit which pervades the Music department and was in evidence at the annual Music dinner on Wednesday. There is fun and strong camaraderie across the Music department which gives girls a strong sense of belonging and inspires them to work hard, follow their musical passions and step up to opportunities. My thanks to the dedicated team of teachers who inspire the girls, led by Dr Horseman, supported by Mr Reeves and Dr Viner together with our brilliant team of dedicated visiting music teachers.
It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that Dr Sam Horseman, Director of Music, will be leaving us at the end of this term. She has shared this news with the girls and I know they will be very sad to see her go. She is to be very warmly congratulated on being offered a fantastic new position as Deputy Director of Music at Eton College which is a huge accolade to her talent and capability. Dr Horseman is the first female appointed to this role at Eton. We have been so lucky to have Sam’s inspiration and commitment for the last 12 years and she has taken the Music Department at QM from strength to strength. I am pleased to announce that Mr Chris Reeve will step in as Acting Director of Music on Sam’s departure. Mr Reeve is well placed to ensure continuity in the department and will continue to build on Sam’s legacy.
Young Musician of the Year video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDl3xmohpE0
Young Musician of the Year 2025
Wednesday was a full day of music at QM as the Young Musician of the Year competition returned - a highlight of the calendar for the Music Department and the school community. The day began with the junior rounds, which ran throughout the morning and afternoon, and ended with the Advanced Final - a live evening performance featuring some of our most experienced musicians.
Thank you to guest adjudicator Martin Trevaskiss, who brought a wealth of professional insight to the day.
Hailey (UVI), Music Prefect, was named this year’s winner following an outstanding performance of a jazz waltz on the vibraphone. Her playing combined technical precision with real musical depth.
Reflecting on the day, Dr Horseman, Director of Music, said:
“The Queen Margaret’s Young Musician of the Year 2025 is always a highlight of my year. Yesterday we heard over 60 performances over the course of the day – celebrating the individual endeavours of our musicians and of course, culminating in the much-anticipated live event in the evening, for our advanced finalists. Whether hearing our girls for the first time or seeing the progress year on year for our existing musicians, the day is always one that makes me incredibly proud of the Music Department and our girls. The standard on display in the live final was exceptional, and most heartening was the support and encouragement the girls showed each other. This was followed by our Annual Music Dinner where we really celebrate the community, fun and great memories made over the course of the year. The camaraderie and friendship in a music department is what really makes it a second home for many of our girls and the Annual Dinner really celebrates this – as ever, a fantastic evening had by all.”
You can view the full list of winners and watch the recording of the Advanced Final by clicking below.
Colour Run to Support Cancer Awareness
This Sunday, 27th April, we’re looking forward to our annual QM Colour Run! This year, the run also has a fundraising focus, with all proceeds going to CoppaFeel!, a breast cancer awareness charity chosen by our Prefect team.
CoppaFeel! aims to help young people understand the importance of checking their bodies and recognising early signs of breast cancer. Their work is especially relevant to our community, and we’re proud to be supporting their efforts.
If you would like to support QM’s community fundraising for this hugely important charity, CoppaFeel!, please donate via our Just Giving page available below.
Daisy’s Dedication to Relay For Life
Year III pupil Daisy has been busy once again raising funds for Relay For Life York, showing real commitment to a worthy cause. As part of her team, Rainbow of Hope, Daisy recently raised £203 at a community brunch held in Strensall. This is just one of several fundraising efforts she’s completed in the run-up to the annual Relay For Life event, which takes place in June and involves teams walking in shifts around a track for 24 hours, all in support of Cancer Research UK.
Previously, Daisy has raised an impressive £750 by creating and selling Easter hampers and homemade dog biscuits at local events in her village. She also contacted local shops to ask for donations for the hampers. Daisy told us:
“I take part in Relay for Life every year. It’s a 24-hour event in June where someone from your team is always walking around a track. In the months leading up to it, you can organise your own events to add to your team total. This time, I raised £750 by making Easter hampers and dog biscuits and selling them at events around my village.”
Well done, Daisy for all your hard work.
This Term’s Enrichment Programme
We are pleased to share the Enrichment clubs and activities currently on offer for this term. The programme offers a wide range of opportunities for pupils to explore new interests, develop skills, and take time away from the academic timetable.
Please note that the document is live and may be updated as the term progresses. Pupils are encouraged to check for any changes and speak to the relevant member of staff if they have questions about a particular activity. Alternatively, Miss Whittle is also available to help with any queries.
Thank you to all staff who are giving their time and energy to make this programme possible.
Free Parent Q&A with Elevate Education – 6th May
We’re pleased to share details of an upcoming opportunity for parents, hosted by Elevate Education - the team who works closely with our pupils, delivering workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation.
On Tuesday 6th May from 18:00 – 19:00, Elevate will be running a free live Q&A session for parents, offering practical advice and the chance to ask questions directly. Whether you're curious about how to support your child during revision season, or would simply like a better understanding of the strategies being introduced at school, this is a valuable opportunity to learn more.
To help get the conversation going, Elevate Education suggests you might consider speaking to your child beforehand. These questions could be a useful starting point:
Is there anything about exams you're particularly worried about?
What would help you feel more supported with your studying?
Do you have any questions about what to expect in the coming months?
The Week Ahead
Saturday, 26 April 2025
Week M
13:30 – Tennis Fixtures vs St Peter’s School, York
U18A, U18B, U18C, U15B, U14B (U15A and U14A fixtures cancelled)
19:00 – Sixth Form – Spa Night
19:00 – Warwick – Mega Movie Night
19:00 – Winnie's – Benchball Tournament
Sunday, 27 April 2025
Week Q
10:30 – Morning Prayer – Escrick Church
11:30 – 13:00 – Brunch (Main Dining Room)
13:30 – All Years – Colour Run (on site)
17:15 – 18:15 – Supper (Main Dining Room)
Monday, 28 April 2025
Year IV Examinations (Sports Hall – all day)
08:30 – Year Group Assemblies
09:00 – A Level PE Moderation
09:00 – 16:50 – A Level Graphics Examination (Art Department)
09:00 – 16:50 – A Level Textiles Examination (Art Department)
19:00 – Scholars’ Dinner (Wenlock Library)
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
GCSE Chinese Speaking Examinations (Times TBC – EH1 & Main Computer Room)
Year IV Examinations (Sports Hall – all day)
09:00 – A Level PE Moderation
09:00 – 16:50 – A Level Graphics Examination (Art Department)
09:00 – 16:50 – A Level Photography Examination (Art Department)
09:00 – 17:00 – A Level Fieldwork Trip – Flamborough Head & Holderness (LVI & optional UVI)
19:00 – Boarders’ Assembly (The Chapman Theatre)
Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Year IV Examinations (Sports Hall – all day)
08:30 – Tutor Time
09:00 – GCSE Mock PE Practical Moderation (Year V – UVI involved)
09:00 – 11:00 – GCSE French Speaking Examinations (Cloisters Classrooms)
09:00 – 16:50 – A Level Fine Art Examination (Art Department)
09:00 – 16:50 – GCSE Fine Art Examination (Art Department)
11:00 – 17:00 – GCSE PE Moderation
11:15 – 11:45 – GCSE German Speaking Examinations (Cloisters Classrooms)
Thursday, 1 May 2025
Year IV Examinations (Sports Hall – all day)
09:00 – 16:50 – A Level Fine Art Examination (Art Department)
09:00 – 16:50 – A Level Graphics Examination (Art Department)
09:00 – 16:50 – GCSE Textiles Examination (Art Department)
16:30 – Swimming Fixtures (All matches vs The Mount School cancelled)
Friday, 2 May 2025
08:30 – Morning Prayer (St Margaret’s Chapel)
09:00 – 12:00 – Year IV Examinations (Sports Hall)
11:00 – 12:00 – Pre-loved Uniform Shop Open
12:10 – Leave Out begins
Saturday, 3 May 2025
Leave Out – Week Q
Sunday, 4 May 2025
Leave Out – Week M