The Weekly Window - Friday 2nd May 2025

Friday 2nd May 2025

Welcome to the Weekly Window! The Colour Run was a highlight of the weekend with a fantastic result raising money for the CoppaFeel! charity. Ms Dudley supported their efforts with her own London Marathon achievement. Our A Level Geographers visited the coast, the Scholars celebrated with afternoon tea, the outdoor pool made a grand opening, and our tennis teams faced some challenging opponents.
Have a great Leave Out weekend!

Update from the Head

QM’s week started with our fundraising challenge for CoppaFeel!. The charity was chosen by our prefects, keen to support the charity’s hugely important work, raising awareness of breast cancer in young people in order to promote early detection and save lives. I am delighted to say we have raised £1505 for CoppaFeel!. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so generously to this very worthwhile cause.

Whilst the boarders enjoyed the annual QM Colour Fun Run, I am pleased to report I had a good run in the London marathon and have been riding on the wave that comes with completing a personal challenge. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible and I certainly felt carried along by the support of the crowds all the way round. When you are hit by the wall of support on landmarks around the course, you can’t help but feel the emotion.

I ran my first marathon 18 years ago for Cancer Research. At the time, I said I would do just one marathon, but one turned into another, and I enjoy the process of having a big goal to work towards. Running is my escape, my switch off. I can run for several hours and have no idea what I have thought about, I simply clear my head. When it comes to the events, there is an incredible camaraderie between runners from all walks of life. Everyone is challenging themselves often in aid of causes close to their heart. Everyone is pushing through the pain and exhaustion at some point. And then there is the shared elation on crossing the finish line. There is something powerful about being part of this.

Many congratulations to Mr Jamie Costa, Tennis Coach, who also took part last Sunday along with a number of QM parents.

It has been lovely to see girls making the most of our beautiful surroundings during this incredible week of early summer weather, relaxing and studying outside, playing tennis and even in the outdoor pool. I think this might be a record - the outdoor pool at QM in use in April! Wonderful to hear screams of delight coming from the pool as the girls enthusiastically braved the cold water at the end of a warm summer’s day. It is moments of fun, laughter and friendship such as these that stay with them and create such a bond between QM girls. The Summer Term is definitely in full flow and I see the focus and hard work of girls preparing for A Level and GCSE exams.
Wishing you all a wonderful May bank holiday weekend.
QM JustGiving for CoppaFeel!

A Level Geographers Explore the Holderness Coastline

On Tuesday, the LVI A Level Geography students headed out on one of their compulsory fieldwork trips, with the warm spring sunshine making for a very enjoyable day at the coast.

The morning was spent at Flamborough Head, where students explored marine processes and erosional landforms. They were also lucky to spot a large group of seals basking on the rocks - a memorable addition to the day.

In the afternoon, stops at Ulrome, Hornsea and Mappleton allowed for a look at a range of coastal management strategies along the Holderness coastline.

There was even time for a quick stop at Mr Moo’s, where the group discussed an example of farm diversification - and enjoyed a well-earned ice cream!
Geography at QM

Scholars’ Afternoon Tea

This week, QM Scholars were invited to the Scholars’ Afternoon Tea - a special event recognising their achievements and contributions to school life including the wonderful series of fascinating talks on a diverse range of subjects.

Held in the Wenlock Library, the Catering team created a delicious afternoon of tea, cakes and conversation in a relaxed and celebratory setting, beautifully decorated by Housekeeping. Thank you all, and thanks to Emily P for the photos!
Academic Enrichment

Colour, Laughter and a Great Cause

The boarders ended last weekend with plenty of colour and laughter during this year’s Colour Run. The event helped raise funds for CoppaFeel!, the breast cancer awareness charity chosen by our prefects, and we’re thrilled to have raised over £1,500 to support their work.

It was a brilliant way to come together as a community and round off the weekend on a high.

This weekend, girls staying at school for Exeat will be enjoying a packed schedule as part of our Stay In For Leave Out programme, including a trip to Manchester, the cinema, the theatre to see Mary Poppins, and more!
See more photos

Fun in the Sun

The sunny weather this week created the perfect conditions for the first swim of the year in our outdoor pool! While the water temperature may have been fresh, to say the least, the girls had fun making memories for life - as many of our OMs will attest!

Enrichment

Sports Review

A challenging week for our tennis teams in their fixtures against St Peter’s, with some closely contested matches and valuable experience gained across the board.
Read more

Attendance Update

As we begin to see the government guidance on attendance fully bed into schools, this is a reminder that the expectation is that pupils are attending school at least 90% of the time. Pupils with an attendance of 90% will still be missing 17 school days per year, and this has a significant impact on their education.

We will be opening up attendance statistics on pupil reports this term. You will be able to see the attendance for your own child, in addition to the year group attendance for both the week and the rolling academic year. The absence recorded includes both authorised and unauthorised absences.

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The Week Ahead
Week M

Monday 5 May
– 18:00–20:00 – Leave Out ends

Tuesday 6 May
– 08:00 – FoQM Meeting
– 09:00–15:00 – GCSE Spanish Speaking Examinations (Cloisters Classrooms)
– 09:00–16:50 – A Level Fine Art Examination (Art Department)
– 09:00–16:50 – A Level Photography Examination (Art Department)
– 16:00 – Tennis Fixtures:
• U13A vs Joseph Rowntree School
• U12A vs Joseph Rowntree School

Wednesday 7 May
– 08:30 – Assembly
– 09:00 – A Level Chinese Speaking Examination (Times TBC, EH1 and Main School Computer Room)
– 09:00–16:50 – A Level Photography Examination (Art Department)
– 09:00–16:50 – GCSE Textiles Examination (Art Department)
– 12:10 – Year V Study Leave commences

Thursday 8 May
– All Day – GCSE Examinations (Sports Hall)
– 11:00 – Tennis Fixture: U13A vs Pocklington School
– 13:00 (PM) – GCSE Italian Speaking Examinations (Cloisters Classrooms)
– 18:30–22:30 – Drama Theatre Trip: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Year II, UVI Drama students and scholars

Friday 9 May
– All Day – GCSE Examinations (Sports Hall)
– 08:30 – Morning Prayer (St Margaret’s Chapel)
– 13:00 – Queen’s Society Meeting (H3)
– 16:00 – Practice Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition begins (LVI students)
– 17:00 – House Meetings:
• Duncan – Mountgarret
• Garry – Thompson
• Pitlochry – Café
• QM Hall – St Margaret’s Chapel
• School – Wenlock Library
• St Aidan’s – Chapman Theatre
– 17:45 – Supper:
• 17:45 – Garry, QM Hall and St Aidan’s
• 18:00 – Duncan, Pitlochry and School

Saturday 10 May
– All Day – Practice Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition (LVI students)
– 12:00 – UVI Study Leave commences
– 13:00 – Tennis Fixtures vs Bradford Grammar School:
• U18A, U15A, U14A, U13A, U12A
– 19:00 – Sixth Form Takeaway Night
– 19:00 – Warwick – Cake Decorating
– 19:00 – Winnie’s – Australian Evening

Sunday 11 May
– Until 18:00 – Practice Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition (LVI students)
– 11:30–13:00 – Brunch (Main Dining Room)
– 13:00 – All Years – Shopping and Activity Centre
– 17:15–18:15 – Supper (Time TBC, Main Dining Room)
– 19:00 – New Head Girl Team – Reflection (Chapel)