From Queens to quarks
A group of A level physics students at The Queen’s School have been getting to grips with the origins of the universe after a visit to the Swiss city of Geneva.
At CERN (European centre for nuclear research) the students learned about how scientists working on the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s highest energy particle accelerator, plan to recreate the conditions just after the Big Bang. The aim is to answer fundamental questions about the workings of the universe and to reach a better understanding of the laws of nature.
The trip also provided the opportunity for the Queen’s School sixth formers to meet up with former high-flying pupil Susan Haines. Susan left The Queen’s School in 2003 and graduated from Cambridge with a first class honours degree in Natural Sciences. She is currently working at CERN as part of her research towards a PhD. The members of the party also took the opportunity to present Susan with the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award she achieved whilst at Queen’s.
Mrs Pam Steventon, physics teacher explained: ‘This visit provided a fantastic opportunity to experience, first hand, the work of an international organisation aimed at answering some of the great questions about our universe. It has enhanced the girls’ knowledge and understanding of the latest developments in particle physics.’
Year 12 student Jenny Overton agreed: ‘The visit was not only inspiring and interesting, but intellectually challenging. CERN provided us with a fascinating insight into both our past and future’.
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Captions
090330 CERN – (left to right) Susan Haines and Poppy Mackay, head girl, presenting Susan with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Press Contact:
Mrs Jane Taylor, The Queen’s School, City Walls Road, Chester, CH1 2NN
Tel: 01244 312078 Fax: 01244 321507
Email: jtaylor@queens.cheshire.sch.uk
The Queen’s School, Chester, Cheshire is one of the country’s leading independent schools for girls aged 4 – 18. We have a nationally renowned reputation for academic excellence and our girls consistently achieve outstanding results at GCSE and A level.
Our school celebrates young women and their potential. We prepare our girls to face their future with self-belief, energy and a ‘can do’ philosophy. Academic success is only one aspect of life at Queen’s and all girls are encouraged to explore their abilities, interests and passions in a wide range of extra-curricular activities. From drama, art and music to sports, community work and overseas adventures, the girls benefit from an education of the whole person, experiencing new challenges inside and outside the classroom.
At The Queen’s School, we seek to develop in each student a risk-taking spirit, leadership abilities, confidence and a love of learning. Our individual approach ensures each girl has the support she needs to thrive and succeed throughout her time here.
The school inhabits elegant Georgian and Victorian buildings, situated in a beautiful setting within walking distance of historic Chester. These surroundings prove a constant reminder of the heritage and traditional values that have shaped the school for more than 130 years.
Mrs Catherine Buckley is the headmistress of The Queen’s School with Mrs Felicity Taylor as head of the Lower School on Liverpool Road. The school has a number of bursaries available to very able students.
Past pupils include Beth Tweddle, Olympic Gymnast, Sarah Kelly, founder of the UK’s Neuromuscular Centre for muscular dystrophy and Vivienne Faull, the first woman to become Dean of an English Cathedral.
More information available from www.queens.cheshire.sch.uk
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