As we officially welcome you, our newest leavers into our Alumni community you may suspect that this in when the alumni journey begins. In reality it starts on day one as you started here at Queen's – either in the Lower School, The Senior School or maybe in Year 12. 

 Do you remember your first day or week here at Queen's? For me personally I'll never forget the kindness of my colleagues, other students and members of the support team to help me settle in. This introduction helped me feel supported, valued, involved and more importantly welcome and this hasn't changed. 

Only last week we received positive feedback (not that it was asked for) from a Year 7 Parent who was so appreciative of the experience her daughter had received only two days into a term. She made a favourable comparison against another school she has experience of and this highlighted again that as a community we are known for welcoming everyone into the Queen's community/family from the outset. What a way to set a good tone for the year! 

 This is what we are known for, this is what we want to know be know for. 

 So what does this mean for you… As you begin a new chapter in your Queen's journey, one of alumni we want you to know that we are here to still support, value, involve and welcome you here at Queen's.

 You are now part of a Queen's wider, global community and can take advantage of our alumni services and the benefits of alumni connection. For example, you are welcome at alumni events where you can informally meet fellow alumni, making it easier to ask for career advice, seek a mentor or connect online. Your fellow alumni can offer support from the Careers, advice, guidance mentoring and more. 

 Moving forward you may be in a position one day to be able to identify and foster future talent for and organisation you are part of. Why not start with our Queen's alumni? It already happens, alumna will contact us to ask if we know of anyone suitable for a post or to offer work experience, provide guidance and expertise. 

 Don't wait until then, it is immensely satisfying too to provide mentorship, advice and support to current students. Could you come back to school to offer to talk to students about university experience, applications, course advice or maybe teach a small group something you know or are interested in. Our EPQ students would be grateful for support, information, or for you to be part of their research? Can you support Queen's extra-curricular activities or one day be part of our governing body? All of the above has happened and is still happening. 

 Over to you….. Join The Queen's Network (TQN), create your own profile and opt in to all the ways in which you can still be connected to us here. Call or email me and share with us all your success' We hope to see you all at our Christmas Cathedral Service on the 13th December and afterwards in the Cathedral refectory and RSVP directly.  Keep your TQN profile up to date, check what's happening on our Alumni Facebook or LinkedIn.   Remember once a Queen's girl… always a Queen's girl. We'll see you soon.