St Martin-in-the-Fields High School For Girls - a Church of England School in South London

We are on our way to see the Queen

In March 2016 St Martin's were honoured to be invited to attend Westminster Abbey for the Thanksgiving Service for Commonwealth Day in the presence of HRH Queen Elizabeth. We had a fantastic view of the Royal Family and all the dignitaries. Follow the link to see St Martin's featured on the royal uk commonwealth day website:

https://www.royal.uk/commonwealth-day-2016

This year, on 13th March, 10 students will have the amazing opportunity to be flag bearers on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, in the presence of the Queen for the Queen's Baton Relay.

The Queen's Baton Relay, similar to the Olympic Torch Relay, is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The Baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently Queen Elizabeth II.

The Relay traditionally begins at Buckingham Palace in London as a part of the city's Commonwealth Day festivities. The Queen entrusts the baton to the first relay runner. At the Opening Ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the baton back to the Queen or her representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games.

The tradition of the Queen's Baton Relay started in Wales; the Cardiff 1958 games saw the first Queen's Baton Relay. Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia will host the the 21st Commonwealth Games 4th and 15th April 2018.

The 2018 Games will be the largest sporting and cultural event to have taken place within the City of Gold Coast. Over 6500 athletes and team officials from 71 nations and territories will compete in 18 sports and 7 para-sports in this spectacular 11 day event.

The Gold Coast relay will start on Commonwealth Day, 13th March 2017, at Buckingham Palace. The Queen's Baton will then travel to every Commonwealth country including Wales.

We will update you with more news and photographs after the event.