Thriving from Ancient Roots

Last Friday’s service in Westminster Abbey on the very day of the 450th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth I granting the Charter for the founding of our School was a great occasion, and one which I was glad to share with a good number of alumni. Those old boys who were successful in gaining a place through our ballot joined all 1,295 current boys and other guests for a wonderful celebration of all that is best about Queen Elizabeth’s School.

I have been reflecting on both our founding and on our foundations – that is, on the bold assertion of our Royal Charter that we should be ‘one Common Grammar School in or near the town of Barnet… for the education, bringing up and instruction of boys and youth…… and the same to continue forever’. For not only have these principles served us well, helping QE to weather many storms over the past 450 years, but they continue to underpin all we do and give us direction for the future. Fittingly, then, the service featured elements both ancient and modern. It began with the Charter itself being ceremonially carried into the abbey together with the new banner presented by HRH The Duke of Gloucester on his visit in November. There were wonderful performances of music from each century of the School’s existence. And the service ended with the world premiere of a new anthem commissioned by the School from internationally renowned composer, Howard Goodall, which portrays QE as a great tree, drawing nourishment from deep and widely spread roots.

Several important projects are associated with the anniversary. I was pleased that Old Elizabethans were able to join us for the very enjoyable and relaxed evening launch of Dr John Marincowitz’s new definitive history of the School. The book definitely sheds new light on the QE story, so if you haven’t already acquired a copy, do buy one (or, better still, join our 450 Club – see below – and receive a complimentary copy). And our team at QE Collections have done a brilliant job on the digital presentation of the Charter: scroll down on the home page to read the fascinating results of their research.

Our alumni continue to excel themselves in their support for current pupils. Thank you to Paul Ofordu (OE 2018–2022), Manav Khindri (OE 2015–2022), Sultan Khokhar (OE 2015–2022), Raphael Herberg (OE 2015–2022), Bishoy Yassa (OE 2012–2019), Kushal Savla (OE 2005–2012) and Zeke Essex (OE 2014–2021), who all came in early in the term to give their take on university life to our sixth-formers preparing to take the plunge. You can read below about alumni involvement in our Careers Convention earlier in the term, while I was so pleased to see many 2022 leavers returning to guide current Year 12 pupils at this week’s University Convention. It was great to catch up with them two terms into their time as Old Elizabethans over the buffet lunch we held for them and staff afterwards in the Main School Hall. Our even-busier-than-usual end to the term also saw the 56th Annual Elizabethan Union Dinner Debate – a mix of formality and fun, as ever. This year’s event included a nod to the previous day’s anniversary, in the shape of white chocolate discs bearing our 450 logo served with the dessert, and through the topic, This House would leave the past behind us. Opposing the motion, Saifullah Shah (OE 2013–2020) and Mipham Samten (OE 2012–2019) spoke well, but, after a lively and engaging floor debate, with many Year 13s contributing, the final vote went against them.

Our young sportsmen also continue to benefit from your support. The visit of recent leavers at the start of the year to play water polo with our current senior players is fast becoming an annual event; it was good to hear that a number of the visitors continue to play the sport at university. As for the 47th Annual QE Sevens, this was a great success, with the U14 as well as the U16 competition held this year for the first time since before the pandemic, and with some vintage rugby played by our own boys. As ever, it was good to see our alumni on the touchline in some numbers.

Our 450th anniversary is a significant milestone and is truly an opportunity to celebrate, safe in the knowledge that QE in 2023 stands stronger than ever, well fed by its roots – which I certainly take to include the support given to us by you, our alumni. But in duly taking stock and giving thanks, we must also look forward. And in that, too, the alumni will play a major part, so that, inspired by our history and invigorated by the successes of the present, we as the Elizabethan family can move decisively towards a shining future for Queen Elizabeth’s School: may it ever flourish!

With best wishes, 

Neil Enright

Headmaster

Putting pupils on the right career pathway

Dozens of alumni, including a number of ‘first-timers’, turned out for the School’s new-style Year 11 Careers Convention. Motivational speaker and executive coach Kam Taj (OE 2004–2011) got the day under way with a keynote speech on Keeping an Open Mind. That was followed by seminars and an afternoon careers fair, where OEs were on hand to give boys one-to-one advice.

Join our 450 Club

As we celebrate our big anniversary year, the 450 Club is still open to new members. To join the ranks, just commit to donating £450 or more – and you don’t have to do it all in one go! Why not give your payments a 450th anniversary theme? At £45.00 a month it would take ten months, or it could be £20.23 or at £15.73 monthly. The benefits of joining include the chance to name a seat in The Robert Dudley Studio for drama and the spoken word once it’s completed, and we will send you a complimentary copy of Dr John Marincowitz’s brilliant history of the School.

“Past generations of OEs helped make me who I am”

Andrej Porovic (OE 2005-2012) is CEO at PES Technologies Ltd, a company which works with leading industry and academic experts to provide farmers with the most comprehensive picture of soil health. After leaving QE, he read Physics at Imperial and then took an MA in Digital Game Theory and Design at Brunel University.

“I chose to become a member of the 450 Club, as growing up and attending QE, I was aware that our School benefitted from the kindness and donations of former pupils – that it helped make it one of the best schools in the country, and helped make me who I am today,” he says. “Now that I am financially established enough, I am keen to help new students coming through in a similar manner. ‘Paying it forward’ is how it is typically described these days!” Andrej added that he hopes to see more of his contemporaries attend the OE Association Dinner and other events, so he can re-connect with them.

Seoul food: championing QE in South Korea

Established Korean TV and radio host Peter Bint (OE 1994–2001) is always proud to tell his audiences about his alma mater. And this term, his loyalty was instrumental in bringing a 60-strong TV crew to film an episode of Korean Lunch Tray – a popular show made by South Korean broadcaster, JTBC.

“Whenever I mention how old my secondary school was and that it takes its name from Queen Elizabeth the First, not the Second, it gets a lot of gasps of surprise,” he says. Some have even made mention of Harry Potter and Hogwarts when they learn just how old the School is!"

450th anniversary Founder’s Day Fete: Let’s make it a success!

As reported in the last end-of-term QE Connect, the FQE Founder’s Day Fete steering group is aiming to make the 450th anniversary fete on Saturday 17th June 2023 even more special than normal – and still needs support from the alumni! There’s more information and contact details for various tasks in this recent QE Update that we produced for parents. Please do consider signing up today.

A life under the ocean wave: Nick gains his doctorate

Old Elizabethan academic and marine biologist Nick Jones (1997–2004) has completed his PhD in Florida, awarded for his research into coral reefs. His work on understanding the future prospects of the reefs has been presented at international conferences and published in international journals.

Aftermath of a tragedy: QE old boy’s acclaimed exhibition on 2011 Japan disaster comes to Cambridge

An award-winning exhibition curated by academic Makoto Takahashi (OE 2003–2010) about the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that hit Japan in 2011 has returned to the UK.

Paul and Petros’s plan for the big time with their AI-driven study business

QE contemporaries Paul Evangelou and Petros Christodoulou (2001–2008) and a friend have launched an innovative business that leverages the power of AI to help students revise and learn.

One to watch! Surya picked in Emerging Curators list

Surya Bowyer (OE 2007–2014), the School’s former Curator of Collections & Head of Library Services, has been named by The British Art Network as one of 15 Emerging Curators for 2023. Surya, pictured here interviewing former Headmaster John Marincowitz as part of the latter’s QE history book launch, is currently on a curatorial placement, working predominantly with the Science Museum’s art collections and exhibitions.

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.