Queenswood has links with schools in different countries throughout the world and an exciting exchange programme is well established. The programme is available to Year 9 girls and participating girls live and study abroad for one term while their counterparts come and stay at Queenswood. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Canada are all places where our girls may be able to sample a different way of life and many new friendships are formed.
Spring in New Zealand
In Spring 2006 Victoria S and I went to Rangi Ruru Girls' School, Christchurch, New Zealand, through the exchange programme for Year 9. As we are boarders at Q, we boarded at Rangi and had an amazing time. Victoria's exchange family lived in the town of Christchurch but I lived on a farm about 40 minutes away from the school. I had loads of fun, learning to drive, white water rafting, motor biking across mountain ranges and watching the All Blacks in their rugby training session! We travelled around both the north and south island, seeing amazing scenery which was unforgettable! It was a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Connie W, Year 11
School exchange 'Down Under'
I left a rainy England in spring and took a 24 hour journey to a beautifully sunny Melbourne in Australia. I was slightly nervous and anxious but very excited. My host family were absolutely lovely and I am still in touch with my exchange partner, Sammy.
My family were great and they took me to all the famous sights in Melbourne: the Australian Open Tennis Championships, the Great Ocean Road, Philip Island, Melbourne Zoo, a vineyard and - of course - to all the good shops. We also went to Sydney where we met up with my family who decided to join us for Easter. Here we went to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the famous Bondi Beach. At Point Lonsdale we stayed in Sammy's family beach house where I had fun surfing and tried the Australian equivalent of fish and chips - shark and chips.
St Catherine's School in Melbourne is a lovely school and is a bit like Q with more day girls. I chose to study Drama, Human Development, and French and I loved everything about the school. One of their main sports is rowing and it was an incredible experience to row on the Yarra River and take part in races at the weekend. We had so much fun!
Sammy loved her time at Q and still misses everyone. She loved visiting all the London sights and was even introduced to the Queen when Her Majesty visited our village, where Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother spent some of her childhood! We also hopped across the Channel to Paris and Venice for a weekend. It was great that Sammy�s family was able to visit her while she was here on exchange in the UK.
Spending three months in Australia on school exchange was definitely one of the best things I have ever done. It gave me more independence and confidence and allowed me to take a step into the outside world by myself. Both Sammy and I loved the opportunities we were given and I would recommend our exchange programme to anyone.
Alex L, Year L6