Christmas at Queen's

National Honours for Bea Martin-Harrington

Bea Martin-Harrington Interview with Lily Owen (L6th)

We were all amazed to learn that lurking amongst our midst in Queen’s that we had world-class sportswomen! Bea Martin-Harrington 4th form has gone from strength to strength with her skiing, and has recently been selected to compete for England in a team of five girls. The event is the World School Championships in Pila, Italy, early March 2012.

So Bea, tell us, what was the driving force in your love for skiing? 

Well I’ve been skiing since I was six on snow. I used to go to Canada with my parents and my love for the sport unfurled! I joined the Gloucester Ski Club when I was eight and just really enjoyed the speed and the sensation! 

How do you feel going down the slope – what’s going through your head? 

I feel carefree and independent. I like to channel my worries and take it out on the slope, like when you get a demerit at school! If anything, it makes me faster. It’s brilliant!

How do you balance school and your skiing?

I manage to ski three times a week and school have been very accommodating to this – they have even started a Talented Athlete Programme for students with specialized sports like me.  This has helped my fitness and sports related techniques enormously. 

Where are you planning on going with your skiing?

I’d love to at some stage be in the Olympics, but it is so early to say. I would defo like to be in the British team. It’d be totally amazing.

Who do you ski for currently?

I represent the English ski squad, which is on snow, and for the dry slope, the South West Squad. I love being part of different groups as it allows me to make many new friends who love skiing just as much as I do!

We’re all so proud of the budding talent that is BeaKeep up the good work Bea; we’re all rooting for you in House!! 

Queen's & Christowe Debate

On Friday 4th November, Queen's and Christowe pupils and parents assembled in TLG to listen to some enlightening and at some points hilarious debates. 

First of all, the Lower College started with a series of balloon debates. Each pair fought to keep their ancient empire safe from each knockout round. This involved some diligent research so they would be able to produce original arguments that would overcome other competitors. Overall, the third form pair won, featuring George Cook and Georgie Roberts, cleverly turning their Greek epoch versus others to humor to win their crowd over.

Following this, the Lower Sixth debate was on the topic of the right to a fair trial, which elicited some controversial points of view in which the Christowe team argued that not everyone should have the right to a fair trial. Furthermore they suggested a predetermined punishment system. The Queen's girls, consisting of Lily Owen and myself, brought to the table some original and clever exemplifications of the failings of a fixed punishment system, however, on the final vote Queen's lost the majority vote very narrowly. 

Finally to round off the evening, the Upper Sixth’s debate was on the subject of monogamy versus polygamy. This debate caused a great split within the audience even before the debate had begun. Our Queen's girls, Lily Haycraft Mee and Flavia Bruce-Smith fought against the proposition. They produced some very clever lines of argument suggesting the practicalities of polygamy in Anthropology, and gave convincing examples of cultures that successfully function with polygamy: that stretched the Christowe team's ability and put them to the test. However the Christowe team used the arguments of questioning the morals of polygamy which led to them winning the majority vote at the end. 

Overall, the evening was a great success, highlighting the debating talents both within Queen's and Christowe. Many thanks should go to Mme and Mr Bates, and Mr Nelson who organised the evening, and special thanks to Mr Pepperman for chairing. We look forward to next year's debate already! 

Georgie Gunn, L6th, Q's

House Singing Competition - 'Send Me On My Way'

For house singing this year, Queen’s decided to combine the funky “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens. Our passionate Head of Music, Harriet Lloyd-Smith, directed rehearsals and arranged all the harmonies with her musical genius and great sense of fun. Without Harriet, house singing wouldn’t have turned out as successful as it was. We had regular lunchtime practices and we should also thank Miss Espley who was a massive support to us; she helped improve our performance and played a cheerful intro on the guitar. The competition was on Thursday 20th October in Chapel, many parents came to enjoy the entertainment and add to the competition. As you can see on the photo, Harriet dressed up in a tiger outfit, to make us smile and sing in a more relaxed way. Well done to all the houses who sang exceptionally well, it really was great fun!

Jess Ottley-Woodd (3rd form)

Murder Mystery Evening

Well done to the Queen's leavers 2011 on their outstanding A-Level results:  

         A*-B = 100%

        A*- A = 80.5%

        A* = 25%