Two days to remember at Queen Anne’s

Queen Anne’s in Caversham, Berkshire, had a few days to remember recently as they played host to two extra-special events at their school.

On Thursday, 2 February, Queen Anne’s students were captivated by a talk from Sir Nicholas Winton MBE. Sir Nicholas, who is affectionately know as the ‘British Schindler’, held an inspirational assembly with year 8 girls about his extensive humanitarian work and his extraordinary life story.

Sir Nicholas’s work saved the lives of many children across war-time Czechoslovakia. Between 1938 and 1939, he helped a total of 669 Jewish children to evacuate the country and pass safely to Britain just before the German invasion of Poland halted his heroic efforts. Sir Nicholas didn’t tell a soul about rescue mission, not even his wife, Grete, until she discovered a scrapbook in their attic over half a century later which contained names, photos and letters of rescued children.

One of these children was grandfather to Sophie Grosz-Dequenne, a student at Queen Anne’s. Sophie said of the visit: “Sir Nicholas was fascinating; it was so interesting to learn more about what my grandfather went through.”

The 102-year-old, who was described as ‘very sprightly’ by the school, was knighted for his services to humanity in 2002. Supporting the year 8 English and PSHE curriculum, the event began with a short film covering Sir Nicholas’s humanitarian work, before the girls asked a number of questions regarding his experiences.

This encounter was followed, on Tuesday 7 February, by Queen Anne’s hosting the internationally-renowned Orchestra of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, in a public concert.

The orchestra, known for its fresh and brilliant interpretations of the world’s most beautiful classical music, performed from their impressive repertoire of Handel, Britten, Elgar, Mozart and Bach. The concert was exclusively available in an intimate setting and was attended by many guests including the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Debs Edwards and other local dignitaries.

John Padley, Director of Music at Queen Anne’s, said of the concert: “I have to say that their performance of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major was one of the most engaging, musical and exciting performances I have heard for many years. The total professionalism and musicianship of this group is wonderful to see and hear and I was fully absorbed in their performance and communication of works by Handel, Britten, Elgar, Bach and Mozart.”

In the afternoon, prior to the performance, some of the ASMF musicians worked on the Simple Symphony with Queen Anne’s string players and the insight and help that they gave really inspired the girls to aim high. “It was a really great experience, learning from such professionals,” said 13-year-old student, Harriet Herridge.