Introducing Head Girl Harriette Pemberton

My name is Harriette and I have been fortunate enough to take on the role of Head Girl for this academic year.

I have been at QM for six years which seems utterly unimaginable since it felt like yesterday I was a Year I, desperate to be in the Sixth Formers' shoes who seemed like adults!

I am currently studying Spanish, Politics and Geography A Level and can genuinely say that I really enjoy all of them. The variety of my chosen subjects allows each day to be unique, from learning about architecture in Spain to different waves of feminism in Politics, I am always learning something different. My subject teachers are incredibly helpful and create a brilliant support network by arranging clinics and clubs to answer any student's needs. Coupled with my small class sizes of just 2 in Politics to 6 in Geography, this has meant that I have been incredibly lucky to experience an education tailored to each individual.

The activities on offer at QM are so distinctive with there being countless clubs to choose from. As of right now, I take part in Mavericks (which is a netball club available for the senior part of the school), hockey, LAMDA, the school play and a Model United Nations club. It is safe to say that my days are always action-packed, but so rewarding since I enjoy seeing different members of the school community throughout the day and working on a shared goal together.

There is so much to enjoy at QM. The small size of the school, as well as it being all-girls, creates an empowering female environment, instilling courage and confidence into all - something which I have certainly benefited from. There is also such a sense of community, which always reveals itself at our annual Fun Song evening, where the atmosphere is filled with excitement and nerves about which House will take the win with the best dancing performance. Another aspect of QM life which I certainly enjoy is the school plays - which this year is Oliver Twist.

Throughout my time at QM, I have participated in different plays allowing me to meet new people and make long-lasting memories each time. From sticking fake beards on each other and back-combing one another's hair, they have been undeniably memorable! I have also loved being a full-boarder throughout my time at QM since it has enabled me to build strong friendships with both staff and students outside of the school day. This is something which I have truly valued since the pressure of A-levels began, where having a solid network of support has been imperative to juggle both work and activities.

The reason I went for the role of Head Girl is to build on the community-orientated environment we have at QM and reflect on the successes in and around school, encouraging others to celebrate one another and truly cherish QM life. Since taking on the role of Head Girl, I have begun a series of videos released each Half Term in assembly, celebrating all of the achievements and highlights of that Half Term whilst incorporating a few familiar faces of the teachers much to their surprise! This has been received positively so far and is something I would like to continue with so that at the end of the year, everyone has the opportunity to reflect on it.

I also believe it is so important to give back to the community in order to remain grounded in such a fast-paced society. It was a pleasure to work alongside the Charity Council earlier this month and raise funds for the Pink Ribbon Foundation (a charity which supports Breast Cancer Awareness), so supporting others is something I would definitely like to continue with during my time as Head Girl. Additionally, as I continue this year, I hope to build on the school spirit by providing more opportunities for all pupils to engage in school life in order to strengthen the already tight bonds between students.