MISS STEPH LAWRENCE, EXTERNAL RELATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

This past Saturday, we were delighted to welcome back the Classes of 1995, 2005, and 2015 for their 30th, 20th, and 10th reunions, along with several much-loved former staff members who joined us for the special occasion.

The day began in the Clarissa Farr Theatre with a relaxed drinks reception in the foyer, where Old Queenswoodians and their guests collected name badges and caught up with familiar faces. Everyone then made their way into the theatre for welcome talks from Mrs Andy Nicoll, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Mrs Kate Belshaw, Chair of the Old Queenswoodian Association.

After the talks, guests split into their year groups for personalised tours of the school. Each tour was thoughtfully tailored to spark memories and stories from their time at Queenswood. Highlights included visits to the beautiful Chapel, the Pauline Edgar Library (formerly the swimming pool), the ABC, and the Bellman Sixth Form Centre (once the school library). I had the pleasure of guiding the Class of 2015 – an especially sporty group – who particularly enjoyed revisiting the Pavilion and the Leach building. A recurring comment across the classes? “It still smells the same!”

These tours wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our fantastic Year 12 boarders – Didi, Sophia, and Maria. A huge thank you to them for their support in making the day so special. It was heartwarming to see current and former Queenswoodians connecting across generations.

Everyone then gathered in the Dining Hall to enjoy a classic school lunch, accompanied by a nostalgic display of archive photos. Afterwards, we strolled out to Trew Lawn, where the iconic Queenswood rhododendrons were in full bloom – providing the perfect backdrop for group photos.

The day wrapped up with optional boarding house tours. Guests explored Trew (formerly Upper and Lower Trew), Swanick and Centre Social (formerly Hartley and Waller), and Mymwood (formerly Clapham North and South), reminiscing about their boarding days and revisiting their old rooms.

It was a truly memorable day, filled with laughter, stories, and reconnections. We’re already looking forward to welcoming back our 1970s leavers on 7 June!