Help us create a lasting legacy from our 450th anniversary – and let the festivities begin!

The Spring Term is now well under way and plans for our 450th anniversary are rapidly taking shape, following on from the very happy occasion of the Duke of Gloucester’s visit before Christmas, heralding the start of the anniversary year. The special Service of Thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey on the day of the anniversary itself, Friday 24th March, is the undoubted climax of this term’s activities. If you haven’t already submitted your ballot application for a seat, I would urge you to do so by the end of January to give yourself the best chance of success.

We believe it is important to take time in the life of our busy School to commemorate the landmark of our anniversary. It gives all of us a rare opportunity to consider our place within 450 years of history and to express our gratitude for the opportunities that we now enjoy thanks to the courage and sacrifice of those who came before.

We are keen that there should be a legacy from this special year, with all members of the Elizabethan community having the opportunity to play their part in securing the future success of the School. We are therefore asking alumni and supporters to make a financial contribution to enable us to deliver further enhancements to our campus. This will help us bring more opportunities to future generations of Elizabethans, ensuring that we can help them thrive in the modern world.

We maintain an unwavering commitment to offering the very best education to young people of all backgrounds, including those of modest means. Our aim is to give able boys truly transformational opportunities, enabling them to achieve great success in their careers and adult lives, following in the footsteps of so many OEs. To this, we need your help. 

With inflation, our existing income does not stretch as far as it did only relatively recently, so we will rely on new, as well as returning, donors to keep us on track. Please consider giving what you can. You could, for example, donate an anniversary-themed amount of £15.73, £20.23 or £45.00 per month. Commit to donating £450 and you could achieve membership of the 450 Club, with full members invited to name a seat in our planned Robert Dudley Studio for drama and the spoken word.

Such monthly donations are an effective means of giving to the School via FQE and are easy to set up. Single gifts are, of course, welcome, too. You may also wish to consider remembering the School in your will.

I look forward to seeing alumni and other supporters in Westminster Abbey on 24th March. Don’t forget that before then, there is the launch of John Marincowitz’s history of the School, and on the day after the service, the Elizabethan Union Dinner Debate takes place: details below.

Thank you for all your support.

With best wishes, 

Neil Enright

Headmaster

School history book launch: your invitation

The launch of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet: 1573-2023, John Marincowitz’s definitive history of QE, takes place on Wednesday 1st March. The evening will feature readings, an audience Q&A and the chance to see archive materials including QE’s original royal charter – plus, of course, the opportunity to ask Dr Marincowitz to sign your copy of the book. To reserve your place at the launch, click on the button below. 450 Club members receive a free copy of the book. For other alumni and friends, there is still time to buy it from the FQE Shop at the discounted price of £35.

Diary date: 56th Annual Elizabethan Union Dinner Debate, Saturday 25th March

All alumni are welcome to come along to our dinner and annual debating contest, at which OEs take on the cream of our current Year 13 debaters.

And finally…

We trust you have enjoyed reading this edition of the QE Connect e-magazine produced by QE for all our old boys. What next? Well, if you haven’t already discovered QE Connect, our online social and business network, why not take a look.