Magazine
For Old Queens who have held this moniker for some time you may recall an annual mailing entitled ‘The Old Queen’s Society Report’. This magazine contained updates from the College, upcoming Old Queen’s Society events, financial reports and most importantly, news from Old Queens. Before the advent of Facebook, this was one of the main ways people kept in touch and in the know with one another. Times have certainly changed.
The last known publication was Summer 2009, and until about 2016 the history of the Old Queen’s Society and our alumnae programming gets a bit fuzzy. Files and systems got updated and boxes were shipped to the archives.
We hope you find this reimagining of an Annual Report a bridge between then and now. Inside you’ll find spotlights on Old Queens, updates from the College and a glimpse of things that happened with alumnae over the last year. As stewards of the alumnae stories, we would also love to hear from you for future articles, or just a bit of what you have been up to. Celebrating big and small life happenings is a wonderful tradition, and we hope you’ll feel excited to share yours with Queen’s and the wider Old Queens Community. We would love to hear from you!
Elizabeth Donnelly
Events round up
International Women’s Day: In Conversation with Emma Freud
As part of the celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, alumnae, along with current pupils, parents and staff gathered at the College for an ‘In Conversation’ with media industry powerhouse Emma Freud OBE (OQ 1980). Emma’s humour and quick wit filled the hall with laughter and giggles, but the highlight of the evening was hearing her talk about her own biggest inspiration – her daughter Scarlett Curtis. Listening to the story of Scarlett overcoming personal and professional challenges really brought home how important events like International Women’s Day still are. Emma’s moving advice for the next generation of women leaders was ‘be more Scarlett’ and be more kind.
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
On a wintery evening in December, Old Queens from across the years gathered in the Somerville Hall for an evening of wreath making and festivities. The hall was filled with greenery, ribbon and pinecones, as old friends reconnected and caught up with each other. The wreath making workshop was expertly led by our Head of Art, Ros Thomson, and everyone was able to create and take home a beautiful wreath to hang on their door. Alongside their crafting, all enjoyed a glass of mulled wine and mince pies, while exploring the school; reminiscing about happy memories, and some tales of mischief! It was a fantastic way to get into the Christmas spirit and reconnect with old friends.
Arts & Media Industry Networking Lunch
Queen’s was thrilled to host BAFTA Award winning costume designer PC Williams (OQ 2004) and Emmy and BAFTA Award winning director MJ Delaney (OQ 2004) for an industry networking lunch with students from the Senior College. Pupils heard how Williams and Delaney had made their way from school into their respective careers in TV, film & entertainment, and had the opportunity to ask questions and gain advice on how best to pursue their own goals and aspirations. It is fantastic to see Old Queens leading in their industry and inspiring the next generation of creatives.
Annual Gathering and Alumnae Flower
Annual Gathering 2024 was a fantastic event, celebrating all the achievements and successes of the last academic year, and welcoming the Class of 2024 into the Old Queens community. As always, each pupil wore a flower to represent their year group, and this year we wanted to include our alumnae in this well-loved tradition. Alumnae voted and the purple iris will now serve as the alumnae flower during Annual Gathering. As a parting gift, each member of the Class of 2024 was presented with a purple iris pin badge, to remind them of Queens, and the happy memories they have gathered here as they embark on new adventures and chapters.
Recent Leavers’ Reception
Leavers from 2019-2023 gathered in the Lower Common Room for an evening of catching up with friends and old teachers. Many stopped by the A-Level Art Exhibition and saw friends still at the College. I Senior students joined to chat about university experiences and see how everyone is finding their studies and asking for advice. With so many in attendance it was a fun and laughterfilled evening.
Frances Ramsey Interview
An Interview with Frances Ramsey, Principal of Queen’s College, London
2007-2019:
can you tell us a bit about how you got into working in education, and your journey to becoming principal at queen’s?
I first became a teacher because I loved History, the subject I studied at university, and I wanted to share my enthusiasm for it with others. But once I started working in schools I realised that there were so many different roles to play, and I have had a lot of different jobs including being a head of department, running a boarding house, organising staff professional development, arranging school trips and many more. At Queen’s though I was able, for the first time, to have what is often called ‘the best job in the world’ – being a headteacher. I am so grateful to the members of the Council who back in 2009 were brave enough to entrust the College to my care.
what were some of the most memorable moments or achievements during your tenure as principal?
In my time we did quite a lot to provide better facilities in the College. The main projects were: opening up the basement floor to give more space to dining, creating the outdoor courtyard space and, perhaps most important, converting the attics of 43-47 Harley Street into a light and modern space for the Seniors to enjoy as the Sixth Form Centre. It was also exciting that in my time more girls started to apply to join Queen’s and this made it necessary to take on more staff too. So the community grew and there was a sense of this wonderfully venerable school, the first to offer girls a serious education, now undergoing a renewal - keeping the best of its past but embarking on a new phase.
did you have any favourite queen’s traditions or events?
I loved the end of term Entertainments which the girls put on in the Somerville Hall. I hope they still go on! Also, Annual Gathering because it gave me the opportunity to reflect and talk about everything that had gone on over the course of the year. Everyone being personally introduced to the visiting speaker was somehow quite specially Queen’s.
would you be happy to share a bit about what you have been up to since leaving queen’s?
I’m still a headteacher in London, having moved from Queen’s to Godolphin and Latymer in 2017. I get to keep in touch with all the QCL news when I see Mr Tillett at headteacher meetings, and also through my daughter, who is an Old Queen and has a great network of Queen’s friends.
Queen’s welcomed Michaela’s family to dedicate the space in January 2024.
Michaela’s Space
Old Queens often reminisce on how there is a ‘spark’ or a bit of rebelliousness that unites women who went to Queen’s College, London. This year, Queen’s honoured Michaela Bergman (OQ 1980) and it is evident that she too had that spirit that her peers speak so fondly of.
Michaela shone brightly during her career, forging new areas of expertise based on her drive to make an impact on the world. She was a social development expert and facilitated social change through her work with financial institutions. She led the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s work on social issues and developed its approach to the promotion of gender equality in infrastructure.
It is no wonder that even in the terribly sad news of her passing at age 60, that she continued to make an impact on the communities she loved. Queen’s received a generous bequest in her Will, which was unknown until her family was in touch with the College this year.
Working with her family to find a fitting tribute to her life, Queen’s has named a newly renovated space in her honour. ‘Michaela’s Space’ is an area where students can take a break from their studies and find a quiet moment to recalibrate or reflect. While this renovation of the old
If you are inspired and would like to remember Queen’s in your estate, discuss with your solicitor to add Queen’s College, London (charity no: 312726) or email development@qcl.org.uk
Caretaker’s Flat was already being planned, the bequest enabled the College to go above and beyond in making the space a haven for students. Pupils were consulted in every step of the renovation; choosing the colour of the walls, light fixtures and even a place to make a cup of comforting hot chocolate. Michaela’s legacy will help inspire the future generations of Old Queens to go out into the world and make a lasting difference.
News and Updates
Patricia Rennie (OQ 1950) has had her botanical paintings featured in a 3 month exhibition at the Hunt Institute in Pittsburg, USA. Her collection, which has now been donated to the Institute, includes 127 artworks from across her career, created in the United States, Greece, and her home country of England. Her body of work includes watercolours, pencil drawings, pen and ink illustrations and metalpoint, as well as several field drawings and preparatory sketches.
Aindrea Emelife (OQ 2012) curated the second-ever Nigerian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2024 in April of this year. After leaving Queen’s she went on to read Art History at The Courtauld Institute of Art and is currently the curator of modern and contemporary art at the Museum of West African Art (MOQAA).
Emily Warburton-Adams (OQ 2012) was featured in this summer’s edition of Independent School Parent’s ‘Movers and Makers’. Emily co-founded the first BCorp certified, female founded catering and healthy meal delivery companies in the UK - Pow Food and Pow At Home.
Kitty (OQ 2012) and Rose (OQ 2013) Sparks have recently founded Clementine Parker. As they approach 30 (in fact, one is there already!) they thought enough was enough when it came to talking about working together, instead they said –‘let’s just give it a go!’ They left Queen’s and went to university to read History of Art (Kitty) and Fashion (Rose). They have always shared a passion for art, photography and design so it came naturally that they would mix these skills with their love for collecting. Items are sourced from auction houses, antique shops, house sales and their travels. The aim is to create a place where people can view antiques in a fresh light – with good photography and smart styling, along with a wide range of prices, available for many audiences. Clementine Parker mixes old with new; some of the pieces are hundreds of years old, others just a few. Visit the website here –clementineparker.co.uk and follow on Instagram at clementineparker.antiques – please say hello!
50th Reunion Interest
Leavers from the Class of 1974 are celebrating their 50th anniversary since leaving Harley Street this year. If you left Queen’s in 1974, 1975 or 1976 and would like to get in touch to help plan your 50th reunion celebration or help get in touch with former classmates do let us know. Please email development@qcl.org.uk if you are interested in attending an upcoming reunion and be on the lookout for digital communications.
Stella Werth (OQ 2017) is thriving in the world of music and the arts, having worked for the Military Wives Choir, London Youth Choirs, Include Choir, National Youth Choirs and more.
As the Events Coordinator at the Royal College of Music, Stella is responsible for delivering the internal Development Events programme focusing on cultivation, stewardship and fundraising events.
In her ‘spare’ time, Stella founded and runs the hugely popular East London Singers, and regularly performs with the London Youth Choir’s Chamber Choir which recently has taken her to France to perform for the BBC. Submitted by Lilly Werth (OQ 2014)
This year, two Old Queens have celebrated publishing new books:
Daisy Goodwin (OQ 1977) has released Diva – a heartbreaking, power novel about the legendary Maria Callas.
In this remarkable novel, Daisy Goodwin brings to life a woman whose extraordinary talent, unremitting drive and natural chic made her a legend. But it was only in confronting the heartbreak of losing the man she loved that Maria Callas found her true voice.
The Lagos Wife by Vanessa Walters (OQ 1995) was published in 2024, it is ‘A gripping mystery, a portrait of an exhilarating but perilous city and a nuanced examination of clashing cultures” (FINANCIAL TIMES)
Nicole Oruwari has the perfect life: a handsome husband, a palatial house in the heart of Lagos and a glamorous group of friends. She left London and a troubled family past behind to become part of a community of expat wives.
But when Nicole disappears without a trace after a boat trip, the cracks in her so-called perfect life start to show. As the investigation turns up nothing but dead ends, her aunt Claudine flies to Nigeria to take matters into her own hands. As she digs into her niece’s life, she uncovers a hidden truth. But the more she finds out about Nicole, the more Claudine’s own buried history threatens to come to light.
175th Anniversary Celebrations
Queen’s was thrilled to welcome back so many of our community members for the 175th Anniversary Archive Exhibition. The anniversary celebrations didn’t stop there. In the Michaelmas term we concluded our 175th year of Queen’s College, London with a show-stopping production of ‘Annie’ at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Over 100 pupils from across the College and the Prep took part in every aspect of the production: on-stage, backstage and in the band. The show was introduced by Patricia Hodge, who very generously stayed to watch the show, after which she remarked, ‘Brilliant, they did not put a foot wrong.’
To mark the occasion in perpetuity a mural was commissioned in the Mosaic Hall. Many Old Queens might remember rows of pigeonholes located in the Mosaic Hall, which were removed a few years back. In their place is a beautiful mural depicting the history of Queen’s marking notable alumnae and events throughout our history. If you are ever in the area, all Old Queens are welcome to stop by and have a look for themselves or schedule a visit by emailing devlopment@qcl.org.uk.
