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Marine biologist Nick Jones has worked in some of the most beautiful locations in the world – and with some of the most exotic animals too.

Nick (OE 1996-2004) became passionate about science – especially biology – while still at QE, but he feels sure few would have predicted then that he would become a marine biologist working in remote locations all over the globe.

Alongside the interest in biology, he also had a love of the sea, and it was these two passions that led him to enrol in the Marine Biology course at Southampton University. Gaining his Master’s degree in 2009, he won a scholarship for an internship at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences to work in the coral reef ecology department. That led on to an opportunity to establish a new coral reef research programme for the research and conservation company Blue Ventures in Belize, Central America.

During this time, he enjoyed some “awe-inspiring occasions”, including swimming with colourful reef fish, endangered manatees and turtles, and also sharing the water with potentially dangerous sharks and crocodiles.

In fact, sharks were a long-standing interest, so when he was then offered the chance to study Great Whites in South Africa, it was an opportunity too good to miss. Working with this endangered species was a dream job for Nick, albeit one that required constant vigilance, given that the sharks can reach over 20 feet in length and weigh over a tonne.

From there, he was drawn to the warmer waters of the Seychelles, working on a cutting-edge project to grow coral reef on large artificial reefs in an attempt to replenish the depleted coral reefs of the region. It meant living on an island with five times as many giant tortoises as people and being regularly interrupted by nesting Hawksbill turtles (he is pictured with one above).

After spending three years in the field, he has now returned to England to work for the Environment Agency. Since returning, he has been able to indulge another long-term interest – cricket. This has included organising an OE team for the Founder’s Day match against the School’s current First XI. This Founder’s Day match, an old QE tradition, was re-established in 2012 by Headmaster Neil Enright. It was also given a new name, The Stanley Busby Memorial Match, in honour of Mr Busby, a former QE parent and also a Governor from 1989-2011.

Neuroscientist Peter Zeidman is now pursuing his ‘real love’ – namely academic research. Working towards his PhD at the Wellcome Trust, he is already attracting national attention.

Peter (OE 1996-2003) appeared as part of a panel of young scientists in an updated radio version of the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World programme for Radio 5Live, where he discussed neural interfaces using EEG [Electroencephalography]. These could allow the identification of consciousness in patients incorrectly diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. It could potentially even allow two-way communication with these locked-in patients.

He took a first-class degree in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science from the University of Birmingham in 2006, and followed it with a Masters in Natural Computation and an MSc in Neuroscience from University College, London, in 2009. After teaching himself the cell biology, biochemistry and linear algebra he needed for his MSc at UCL, he received a distinction and won a prize for the best thesis.

To investigate whether a career in industry might be for him, he spent two years developing computer systems for Tessella PLC. Although he enjoyed the work, this period served to confirm that he would rather devote his career to academic research.

Peter is now studying for a PhD at the Wellcome Trust for Neuro-imaging at UCL. His research – which he describes as extremely exciting – uses MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to explore the relationship between memory, imagination and spatial awareness in the human brain. He hopes that understanding how a healthy brain comprehends visual scenes will lead to a better understanding of how the brain functions in illness and disease.

In a letter to the School, he describes how his time at QE created a platform for his current success: “Above anything else, Queen Elizabeth’s gave me the confidence to do well. Growing up with intelligent and interesting schoolmates also taught me a huge amount.”

Joe Sheffer is establishing himself as a freelance journalist and cameraman, based in Yemen, one of the world’s most notorious trouble spots. After leaving QE, Joe (OE 2000-2007) spent seven months touring on his motorcycle, visiting Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, China and the Himalayas, illustrating his blog with his own photography.

He returned to the UK to read Politics and International Relations at Manchester University, although his time as a student was punctuated by a cycling trip on the central Asian Pamir Highway – known as ‘the rooftop of the world’.
Realising that there were opportunities for a freelance journalist, after graduating Joe settled in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen.

He specialises in covering news in the Gulf and East Africa, and his news features have appeared in The Times, the Guardian, Private Eye and Global Post. He also works regularly for Channel 4 News. Joe has covered the conflict with al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula and reported on the anti-Government protests around the 2012 Grand Prix in Bahrain.

His interest in current affairs, self-reliance and energy were all evident during his time at QE. An original thinker, he spoke regularly and well in Sixth Form debates, and was greatly respected as the Sergeant Major in the CCF and as a Prefect. Alongside his studies for A-levels in Politics, Business Studies and History, he made time for a wide range of activities outside School, including attending local party political meetings, climbing, kayaking, organising work in a press agency, learning Arabic and planning his travels in the Middle East.

Piers Martin’s (OE 1987-1995) love of sport has led him to a number of top GB sports leadership and advisory roles.

Piers (OE 1987-1995) swam internationally during his time at QE, but then switched to water polo, playing for Great Britain as a Junior and Senior.

“I made a natural move into coaching and tutoring whilst at [Manchester] University,” he says. “I then took a job as National Development Manager for Water Polo with the ASA, the governing body for swimming.” Later, he was appointed as a Director, running the North West Region.

Following an MBA at Manchester Business School, he took up a role consulting on the UK set-up of the World Academy of Sport - a global programme offered to sports federations.

This was followed by his recruitment to help prepare fencing for London 2012, with a focus on taking the sport from one led by an amateur committee to one run as a successful business.

During the run-up to the 2012 Games, Piers was the Guest of Honour at QE’s Founder’s Day service at Chipping Barnet Parish Church, where he spoke of his work with the Olympic team.

The fencers enjoyed mixed fortunes at the 2012 Olympics. Britain remains without an Olympic fencing medal since 1964, but there were some promising signs: in the quarter-finals of the men’s team foil, the British team were only narrowly beaten by the world number-one team, Italy, who went on to take the gold medal.

Piers backed a post-Games, sport-by-sport Olympic assessment by the Independent newspaper, which called for British Fencing to be allowed to continue implementing “far-reaching change” for another Olympic cycle.

Since stepping down from his role with British Fencing, Piers has taken on a number of sports-related appointments.

In 2012 he became a director of The Podium Group, which creates strategies for Sport & Business and also of Saxon Vaal Consulting Ltd. Between 2012 and 2014 he was the Chief Operating Officer of British Bobsleigh. He was appointed as a Trustee of both UK Deaf Sport and the British Disabled Fencing Association in 2014. In 2014 he also became an advisor to British Wheelchair Basketball.

The Autumn Term began on a high note, with the School still celebrating our most successful year to date for A-level results. The proportion of A*, A and B grades achieved rose to 98.5%. By this measure, in 2012 QE is probably the best-performing state school in the country. This was, and is, a superlative academic performance to be savoured by all and, I trust, one that will be emulated in the years to come.

The Autumn Term brought further external recognition of the School’s achievements. First came news that, based on 2011 examination results, we had been named the best boys’ state school in the Financial Times Top 1,000 Schools table. Similarly, QE retained its place as the best boys’ state school in the Sunday Times’ Top 200 State Secondary Schools league table and, in terms of A-level statistics published in the newspaper’s table for independent schools, matched the top-placed boys’ school, St Paul’s, while outstripping the runner-up, Westminster.

I am very pleased to be able to announce that Queen Elizabeth’s School has also won the Academic Excellence Award in the annual London Evening Standard School Awards: at time of writing, we await confirmation of the date of the presentation ceremony.

Gratifying though such awards are, there is, of course, no room for complacency. This term, we have held meetings for parents in each year group to explain our School Development Plan. Aspects of the plan that we are tackling this year include taking a fresh look at how we use questioning in lessons to prompt better responses from all boys. We hope that the boys will become more adept at expressing their points of view, articulating extended and complex arguments. Encouraging such high-level discourse is a key factor in maximising academic progress among very able boys. Teachers are working on how to best facilitate this.

We are also evaluating the use of the time that boys spend with their form tutors, examining how we might better use this time to support boys’ personal development. This evaluation has involved, inter alia, consulting the boys themselves for their views through the medium of the termly Pupil Conference.

There has been much talk recently in the news media about the importance of balanced parenting in producing children who are confident and, therefore, ultimately successful. At QE, we contend that it is most important to give boys the freedom to identify their own genuine academic interests and, indeed, to find and develop wider interests, too. I urge boys of all ages to discover these and then to throw themselves wholeheartedly into pursuing them through their studies and through our extensive range of extra-curricular clubs and activities. On a personal note, I am greatly looking forward to joining the German exchange to Bielefeld next summer.

Improvements to the School campus have continued this term. Recent work has included decoration and the fitting of new windows in our School Hall, as well as the refurbishment of other parts of our Main Building. As you can read elsewhere in this newsletter, this autumn we have been celebrating the 80th anniversary of the opening of these buildings. We continue to make progress towards the creation of our new Library and Dining Hall, which is proving to be a complicated build.

The Autumn Term has been a time of preparation for university entrance among our Sixth Form, involving many mock interviews. I am optimistic that we can look forward to good news following boys’ real-life university interviews.

This term, I have also enjoyed several social gatherings, including the Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s quiz. Similarly, I greatly enjoyed our Christmas Concert: it is always pleasant to meet parents, friends and old boys of the School at such informal occasions.

May I conclude by wishing you a restful and happy festive season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Neil Enright

Queen Elizabeth’s School this term celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the official opening of its main building on the present site.

On 3rd November 1932, Prince George, fourth son of King George V, was the Royal Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony and symbolically unlocked the School’s front door.

The School has been digging through the archives to discover how it was reported at the time.

QE had made its home on Wood Street in Barnet from 1573, but by 1929 “it was decided that the accommodation of the old school was inadequate for modern needs …The Hertfordshire County Council therefore decided to erect entirely new school buildings worthy of the traditions of the old” (from the official Opening Ceremony Programme). The former School building on Wood Street, Tudor Hall, remains the oldest building in Barnet.

There was much excitement generally in Barnet on the day of the Royal visit. The Barnet Press of 5th November 1932 reported: “This was the first ceremonial visit of Royalty to Barnet, and the Prince had a most enthusiastic reception. Flags floated gaily from the principal buildings in the town, and the main streets formed a perfect panorama of decorative designs, all signifying a warm welcome to the Royal visitor….’Here comes the Prince!’ was the joyful message passed along the large concourse of people assembled in the grounds of the new Grammar School…” Once at the School, the official Programme provides that “The Prince George will unlock the door of the School with a key to be presented by the architect, and proceed to the main Hall.” There followed speeches and a hymn: “Prince George was received with prolonged applause when he rose to make his speech.

He said: “I am very pleased to be here today to open the new buildings of this historical school… here you have a fine range of classrooms, laboratories, hall, and gymnasium; also a large playing field… the modern school system… offers an opportunity for all those attending public elementary schools to obtain, by competition, a free place at a grammar school. Then it offers access to the universities, and is a stepping stone from elementary schools to these seats of learning. The excellent results… bear out the success of this system… I now, therefore, have great pleasure in declaring these buildings to be open, in the hope that within their walls new generations will carry on the fine traditions of the last three hundred and fifty years.” (from the local News Chronicle, 4th November 1932)

Prince George, accompanied by the Headmaster E.H. Jenkins and various dignitaries, “then made a tour of inspection of the new building. The Prince displayed a keen interest in the various departments, and a great admiration for the general planning and equipment of the school”. The company were then “provided with refreshments from buffets installed in the dining hall and gymnasium. From 5 p.m. onwards the school was opened to the public for inspection, and large numbers of people took the opportunity.” (News Chronicle).

Since 1932, many additions have been made to the School site, including the Fern and Heard buildings, the Friends’ Music Room, the Clark Laboratories, the Martin Swimming Pool and the Shearly Hall. The new Food Technology suite has recently been completed, and work is underway to create a new Library and Dining Hall.

The 117th Old Elizabethans’ Association Annual Dinner saw a group who joined QE in 1962 celebrate together 50 years on, with many reunited for the first time since they left the School. Attendance at the formal dinner reached 100 – a significant increase on last year.

Twelve former pupils celebrated the golden anniversary of their joining the School at the dinner in the main School Hall.

The 12 were brought together following extensive research by one of their number, OE Rob Walsh, with assistance from Martyn Bradish, the Chairman of the Association. Rob said: “Of the 90 joiners in that year, I was able to track down 64, using various websites. Of these 64, four had sadly died and seven lived overseas. I sent e-mails and letters to all others, inviting them to the Anniversary Dinner, and had many replies apologising that they were unable to attend the evening.

“For most of us who did attend, it was the first time we had met since leaving School, and the evening was filled with endless chat, reminiscing and swapping pictures. I only wish we had got together 20 years ago.”

In addition to the 12, as is usual all who left the School ten years ago were sent invitations. Of course, all OEs were welcome and there was a good spread of old boys from across the generations.

The evening began with a sherry reception at 7.15pm and was followed by dinner at 8pm at which salmon mousse, braised lamb shank and crème brûlée were served. The dress code was black tie or lounge suit.

The MC for the evening was the President of the Association, David Farrer.  Nigethan Sathiyalingam, the School Captain, proposed a toast to the Association and Martyn Bradish replied with a speech. John Keeley, who was part of the historic QE trip to Russia in 1962 – and therefore was celebrating another golden anniversary – also made a speech and proposed a toast to the School. The Headmaster, Neil Enright, responded.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening,” said Mr Enright. “It was particularly pleasing to note the increase in attendance and to witness how much enjoyment the Old Elizabethans gained from meeting once again, often after a break of nearly half a century.”

Alistair Bell (OE 1996-2003) was joined by a number of QE old boys when he got married this summer at his university alma mater, Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

QE alumni at the wedding included not only Alistair’s father, Raymond Bell, but also his twin brother and best man, Stewart Bell, and the ushers, Ravi Lakhani, Deren Olgun and Veli Aghdiran (son of one of the School’s Assistant Heads, Emi Aghdiran).

He met his bride, Lizzy, while they were both at Sidney Sussex: she was reading Theology and Philosophy and he Engineering.

“We were married on 18th August, which amazingly turned out to be the hottest day of the year, with perfect three-piece morning suit temperatures of over 30 degrees!” says Alistair.

After a honeymoon in Thailand, the couple are in the process of settling down in London. Alistair is now working for Stage Technologies – a global entertainment automation company with offices in London, Las Vegas, Macau, Hong Kong and Australia – while Lizzy is employed by management consultancy firm MWM in Piccadilly.

George (OE 2002–2009) has appeared at major festivals, held a sell-out national tour, featured on a number of TV and radio programmes and had his first poetry collection, Search Party, published. He even enjoyed a truly global audience when he performed at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

After gaining A grades in English Literature, Sociology and Politics A-levels, George won a place at King’s College, Cambridge, to read Politics, Psychology and Sociology (PPS), where he went on to become Chair of the college’s student union.

While still an undergraduate, he built a strong reputation as a politically and socially engaged poet, performing at venues across London. His performances of his rap-influenced poems have also gained a significant following on youtube.

In 2012, he spoke to the Harrow Observer about his time at QE, his upbringing on the St Raphael’s housing estate and the inspiration for his poetry: “I always had the aim of academic success and my school was supportive in this way. My main motivation was my parents as we were all brought up in a culture which celebrated academic achievement – and all the negative stuff about the area only encouraged us more. I wanted to move away from all of that, but as I have matured I have realised I don’t want to run away from it, but help to change it – that’s a lifelong battle.”

Widely known as George the Poet, George previously performed as MC Shawalin, before deciding to focus on performance poetry.

Early highlights of his career to date included winning a £16,000 prize from The Stake competition, sponsored by Barclays and Channel Four. The prize was to fund a series of poetry workshops called The Jubilee Line (TJL), to be aimed, he says, “at empowering underprivileged young people with the thinking tools they need to transcend their environment”. In his application to the competition, George set out how the workshops would draw on his own experiences “as a …Cambridge University student of African descent, hailing from a council estate in North-West London”.

He performed before The Prince of Wales at the Awards for Excellence, run by the Prince’s charity, Business in the Community. In 2012, he was also named one of the UK’s Top Ten Black Students in Rare Recruitment’s Rising Stars awards.

2015 saw him rise to national prominence. He took a runner-up place in the Brits Critics’ Choice Award, fifth place in the prestigious BBC Sound of 2015 Award and tenth place in MTV’s Brand New for 2015 competition – in each case competing as a poet against a field that comprised largely musicians.

His media appearances have ranged from being a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House programme to discuss the day’s news to headlining an episode of BBC Two’s Artsnight programme, in which he explored the meaning of black culture in four spoken-word chapters. He was also the subject of a BBC Radio 1 documentary and of several national newspaper features.

At the 2015 Cheltenham Literature Festival, George headed the poetry strand as a Guest Director and spearheaded the festival’s schools’ poetry competition. In the same year, he also appeared at Glastonbury Festival and at the Edinburgh Book Festival.

Roger, who writes based on his first-hand experience, secured a publishing deal with Coronet, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton, and the first book, Agent of the State, was published in 2012.

Roger, of Underne House, was at the School when Tim Edwards was Headmaster and John Pearce (no relation) his Housemaster. After graduating with a BA Honours in Theology from St John’s College, Durham University in 1972, Roger married Margaret, a former pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School, whom he had met when both were Sixth-Formers. Roger had intended to become ordained as an Anglican priest, but instead joined Durham Constabulary in 1973 and transferred to the Metropolitan Police in 1975.

Within a year Roger had applied to join Special Branch at New Scotland Yard. (He also began an external LLB Honours degree from London University by private study and in 1979 qualified as a barrister-at-law at the Middle Temple.) The mission of the Special Branch, which was formed in 1883, was to gather secret intelligence against terrorists and extremists. It conducted sensitive assignments here and abroad and was also responsible for the protection of the Cabinet, of visiting heads of state and of VIPs. Roger became the head of Special Branch in 1999 and also served as the Met’s Director of Intelligence, authorising surveillance and undercover operations against serious and organised crime. He held both posts until 2003. The Met’s Special Branch was merged with the Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch (SO13) to form Counter Terrorism Command, or SO15, in 2006.

In his last months of service, Roger was approached by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to take up the newly formed post of Counter-Terrorism Adviser, where he worked with government and intelligence experts worldwide in the campaign against Al Qaeda. In 2005 he was hired by GE Capital in London as managing director of European security.

Roger and Margaret celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2012. They have two sons, both former QE pupils: Andrew, a composer, and Matthew, an airline pilot. Their daughter, Laura, is a personal assistant.

Roger had been writing for several years and was delighted when a top London literary agent agreed to represent him and eventually brought him together with the team from Hodder.