Jane Hamblett-Jahn - Housemistress Jane is delighted to be returning to Stowe as Housemistress of Queen's after a 6 year absence during which time she has had 2 children - Katarina and Alexander. She spent 10 happy years living in Nugent, Grenville and Lyttelton, where she was Housemistress from 1996-2001 when it was a 6th Form girls' House. During her time at Stowe she was Head of the Economics, Politics and Business Studies Department, a 6th Form Tutor and adviser on entrance to US universities. She was also involved in a number of the plethora of activities on offer - netball, swimming, drama, D of E, CCF and lucky enough to accompany Stoics to such far flung destinations as Romania, Russia, Nepal, South America, USA and Holland. Jane says she is excited by the prospect of returning to the classroom to discuss the intricacies of supply and demand, to the side lines to cheer on Stowe teams and to the Roxburgh and Music Room to watch and listen in awe as Stoics perform. But, primarily she is looking forward to welcoming and getting to know the new 3rd Form and L6th girls and together building Queen's House's character, culture and traditions.
Cathy Day - Matron Cathy lived in sunny Zimbabwe until 16 months ago. She is a qualified teacher and joins our pioneering team in Queen's House. Cathy has three adult children, Phillip, Grant and Brenda, who all live and work in the UK. She is keen on swimming, walking, attending theatre and concerts and intends to be involved with as many aspects of Stowe life as is possible along with the House duties.
Zoe Branford-White - Under-Housemistress & 3rd Form Tutor Zoë came to Stowe in September 2006 as a teacher of Geography and Head of Girl's Hockey. She was attached to Lyttelton House as a Fourth Form Tutor until her transfer to Queen's in September 2007, as Under-Housemistress and Third Form Tutor. Zoë is thoroughly enjoying living and working within such a vibrant and energetic House community. She is helping organise the Coldstream Cup team and is actively supporting all of the Queen's House residents to fully engulf themselves into boarding life at Stowe. Zoë enjoys spending her summers traveling and experiencing different cultures and traditions. She is a fan of skiing and enjoys 'hitting the piste' in the winter and Easter holidays (snow permitting!). She is originally from Bath and is a huge supporter of Bath Rugby. Zoë's passion for 'getting involved in all that Stowe has to offer' means that she supports and encourages the sports teams, theatre productions and musical events, all of which Stowe offers in abundance.
Jenny Nelson - 3rd Form Tutor Jenny came to Stowe in September 2006 as Head of Woodwind, having studied clarinet and saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music, culminating in a successful performance career with all the major orchestras in this country, including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. On arrival at Stowe she was attached to Chatham until moving to Queen's House in 2007 as 3rd Form Tutor. Jenny very much enjoys the interaction of living in Queen’s House with her husband Howard, a professional flautist and conductor and their two children Joss and Isla. Naturally Jenny is heavily involved in the many musical activities at Stowe and she helped with the Queen’s Unison Song victory in Michaelmas 2007. Travel and walking have always been a passion and Jenny has organised many trips, including Alpine ascents and trekking in the Himalayas and across India. She feels it is a privilege to be part of the pioneering Queen’s House team. Jenny has recently been appointed Housemistress of our next new girls' boarding House opening in Michaelmas 2008.
Tracy Hooker - 6th Form Tutor Educated at Wycombe High, with a BA Degree from Loughborough University, Tracy started at Stowe in 1996 and was Lyttelton Under-Housemistress until 2002, remaining attached to Lyttelton until her transfer to Queen's in September 2007. Tracy is now Head of Modern Languages, teaching French and Spanish. She also coaches junior girls' hockey and some tennis. Languages and sport are among her interests - hockey in particular, Tracy played for England as a junior and was England U18 Captain.
Hilary Ford - 6th Form Tutor Hilary Ford came to Stowe in April 2005 as Head of Keyboard and Accompanist-in-Residence. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music and Cambridge University, and has performed in venues throughout the country and Europe. During her time at Stowe, she has been Assistant Music Director for the acclaimed production of Les Miserables, and has helped a victorious Nugent team in the House Singing Competition before joining Queen's in September 2007. Hilary also plays the violin in the Stowe Orchestra, and enjoys running and yoga in her spare time.
Chris Walters - 6th Form Tutor
(Photo to follow soon.)
Chris initially joined Stowe part-time in 2004, becoming full time in 2007 as well as a member of a House team. He is thoroughly delighted to be involved with Queen’s House from the very start. Chris taught for many years at Lord Williams’s, a very large state comprehensive in Thame, near Oxford, and he started and ran Thame Youth Theatre for many years. He has three children, and he says that in his increasingly diminishing free time he likes to watch football, tend his garden, and make mosaics.
The Opening of Queen's House
We are delighted Queen's House is now fully open and that our Queen's girls were able to move from Stanhope into their new House at the start of the Lent term in January 2008.
We were honoured that the House was officially opened in the true sense of the word by Her Majesty The Queen on her visit to Stowe on Thursday 29 November 2007. Stowe was privileged to host Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh for lunch and an afternoon at Stowe which enabled us to show our guests what Stowe has to offer. For more news about this trully magnificent day at the school please do visit our news page and the extensive photo gallery which we are delighted to make available to commemorate the occasion. Royal Visit News and Photo Gallery >
Introducing Queen's House Situated in the area adjacent to the Chapel, Chatham House and Bruce House, the design and materials are creating a building for the 21st Century which will sit comfortably within the traditional surroundings of Stowe. On the southern side, a re-landscaped avenue of trees will be planted along the original 18th Century alignment to the Temple of Bacchus. The new building is being built to the highest modern, environmentally friendly standards. Careful thought has been given to the interior layout, to provide sympathetic space and light, particularly suited to girls of differing year groups. The four-storey houses comprise:
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A number of Common Rooms
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A variety of shared and single study/bedrooms, all with ensuite
facilities
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A dedicated area for day girls
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Music practice rooms
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Sports kit changing areas
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Accommodation for House Mistress, Under House Mistress, Matron
