Life at Queenwood

Sophie (Year 12) and Isabelle (Year 10) Lavis live in Manly and are senior students at Queenwood in Mosman. Here, the sisters talk about life on the Beaches and their experiences and memories at Queenwood.

What do you love about living on the Northern Beaches?

ISABELLE: I am always close to the beach and the Beaches have always felt like a community. SOPHIE: The beautiful beaches, the great surf breaks and the community – enjoying all of this from sunrise to sunset.

Tell us about one of your earliest memories at Queenwood?

ISABELLE: My first day at Queenwood was at the end of Year 1, and I remember sitting in a classroom on the floor in a circle. My teacher was Mrs Baker and I felt so welcomed by all the girls and instantly loved it. SOPHIE: My first day at Queenwood was in Year 3. As I walked into the playground for the very first time, I remember the girls in my class running up to me with grins on their faces, excited to show me around the school.

What’s something you do or are a part of at Queenwood that surprised you?

ISABELLE: I never thought I would do water polo because I am not a very fast swimmer, but now it is one of my favourite sports, and I am improving every day. SOPHIE: Recently, the school offered me the opportunity to help support a new initiative with Mahboba’s Promise, a group of Afghan children who have recently found refuge in Sydney. On Saturday afternoons, we bring them to the Queenwood pool for an afternoon of activities. This has been such an eye-opening experience and so I am grateful to have met these children.

What does Queenwood teach you outside of the curriculum?

ISABELLE: Over my time at Queenwood, I have participated in all types of sports such as soccer, dance, water polo, netball, tennis and hockey. I have also taken part in music opportunities such as guitar ensemble, saxophone and piano. SOPHIE: Queenwood offers an amazing variety of co curricular activities. In Senior School, I have been involved in surfing, an engineering course, dance, guitar ensemble, tennis and the Social Justice Club.

How do you balance school life and other activities?

ISABELLE: My teachers are flexible and understand the challenges of balancing co-curricular and schoolwork. I normally have enough time to do both and am often not in a rush. SOPHIE: My two passions are surfing and dancing. When I was dancing five days a week, it was challenging to meet the demands of school, but it helped me to become more organised with my time management. Now in Year 12, I find that surfing gives me the balance I need and helps clear my mind.

What are some of the best things you experienced at school?

ISABELLE: Some of my best memories have been made at school. Queenwood (has) challenged me to experience new things and make life-long friendships. One of my favourite moments would be the House Music Festival in Year 8, where my friends and I participated in a dance-off called Junior Item. The process of learning the dances and laughing when we all fell over made my year so much brighter. SOPHIE: One of the best things I have experienced at school has been the sense of community, and the encouragement not only from the teachers but from the girls in my cohort. We also take the Queenwood bus which picks us up from Manly.

What does Queenwood instill in you for your future endeavours?

ISABELLE: Queenwood has taught me to pursue my dreams and achieve my goals by overcoming the challenges thrown my way. SOPHIE: One of the school’s values, ‘Service’, has taught me to always consider others and the importance of giving back to the community and those in need.

What do you think is unique to Queenwood? ISABELLE: I think Queenwood is unique because each year group contains roughly 100 people. This has created a strong community within each year group and to strengthen the friendships between year groups, Queenwood has started to introduce Q-munity groups. This is where a few people from each grade come together for fun activities. This has expanded my social circle, especially in my younger years when knowing an older girl gave me the confidence to thrive at school. SOPHIE: Nancy the Cow , haha! (A cow statute in the playground with school history behind it). The location of the school along the beautiful Balmoral Beach is one of my favourite unique features about Queenwood. In PE, we are lucky enough to do different sport activities such as running along the esplanade and playing sports on the sand. •