Queenwood educates girls from kindergarten to Year 12, setting high academic goals enriched by a strong cultural and sporting program that emphasises achievement through self-discipline. Academic excellence, creativity, Christian ideals and community service are school goals. In Year 11, students can choose to study the Higher School Certificate or the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Facilities: The Senior School has excellent facilities for student learning. The Rennie Library integrates traditional and electronic resources and gives girls the opportunity to differentiate their learning with quiet areas, seminar rooms and teaching spaces. The music and drama areas provide teaching and rehearsal spaces that culminate in performances in the 600-seat Astra Theatre. Computing technology is a vital aspect of teaching and there is also a specialist art and design school. In 2010 Queenwood built a brand new Sports and Science Campus including a 25 metre pool, learn to swim pool, multi-purpose sports court and state-of-the-art science facilities.
Subjects Years 7 to 10: English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Commerce, Computing Studies, Drama, Studies in Society, Music, Textiles Technology, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Personal Development.
Electives Years 11 and 12: English (all courses), Mathematics (all courses), Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Drama, Economics, French, German, Italian Beginners, Japanese, Latin, Information Processes and Technology, Geography, Modern History, Music, PD/Health/PE, Physics, Textiles and Design, Visual Arts, various extension and distinction courses.
IB subjects Years 11 and 12: World Literature, Mathematical Methods, Mathematical Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Economics, Psychology, History, Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts.
Sport: Gymnastics, athletics, swimming, netball, hockey, skiing, softball, rowing, T-ball, cricket, tennis, snowboarding, water polo, indoor hockey, basketball. Recreational sports include windsurfing, bicycling, skiing, bushwalking, camping, canoeing, abseiling, aerobics, equestrian sports, soccer, volleyball and caving.
Extracurricular activities: Debating, speech, drama, band, orchestra, choir, music ensemble, computer club, chess, camping, school newspaper, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Tournament of Minds, Mock Trial, Model United Nations, overseas trips and exchanges.
Welfare and personal development: School discipline is based on understanding obligations to others and is important in the moral and spiritual teaching in the school. The strong pastoral care program involves parents, peer support and the SRC. Work experience, careers guidance and counselling are also offered. A vigorous camping program is part of both personal development and leadership training. Uniform must be worn and jewellery and make-up are not allowed.
Special features: Academic scholarships are offered in Years 7 and 11. In Year 11, the scholarships may include study in foreign languages and visual arts. The school caters for gifted and talented students and girls with special abilities.
Famous ex-students: Writers Shirley Hazzard and Dorothy Porter, musician Ann Carr Boyd, actress Anna Volska, Olympic bronze medallist Zali Steggall, Rhodes scholar Gemma Figtree.
From the school: From its beginnings in 1925 Queenwood has dedicated itself to the pursuit of excellence in girls’ education. The Queenwood experience, blending intellectual and artistic inquiry with a pastoral care program centred on personal responsibility and community service, moulds young women of exceptional awareness and confidence. In other words, young women ready to make a difference in their chosen field. Queenwood offers your daughter a learning experience like no other. We continue to adapt and evolve while remaining true to our founding philosophy — to create an environment in which young women excel. Queenwood — “Building Exceptional Young Women”.