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Thanks and best wishes go to all staff leaving QE at the end of this academic year, but the retirement of Malcolm Lee merits a special mention.

Mr Lee has given almost 20 years’ service since joining us from Verulam in St Albans, the large majority of them as Head of English.

“All at Queen Elizabeth’s will, I know, join me in wishing Malcolm a long, happy and fulfilled retirement,” says Headmaster John Marincowitz. “An outstanding classroom teacher himself, he has led and managed the department in a quietly understated, yet highly effective manner.

“Experienced and new staff alike have benefited from his guidance and support, and from the meticulous administration which has caused the department to run smoothly. Malcolm’s love of literature has shone through his teaching and been transmitted to his pupils; their achievements and the growth in the numbers opting to study English Literature at A Level are a fitting testament to his contribution,” Dr Marincowitz concludes.

Year 13 pupil Akhil Amlani has chosen to create an Environmental Awareness Garden at the School with £1,000 awarded to him as part of his prize for winning the London Region title in the DEFRA Climate Change competition.

The eco garden has been created on previously unused ground at the School. Akhil and fellow Year 13 pupil Ashley-James Turner, who designed the garden, focused on the key environmental principles of reduce, reuse and recycle.

The garden uses drought-resistant plants, solar energy lighting and recycled materials. It also incorporates a pond, which creates a new eco system. Akhil and his classmates, Kishen Patel and Xi Chen, gave up four days of their spare time to lay
slate, create bedding areas, complete the planting and build the pond.

Akhil said: “I really hope this garden can be an inspiration, showing that tackling climate change can be practical, enjoyable and educational.” 

Part of his prize money for the School has also been spent on a new solar-powered weather station on the School’s south-facing roof. Akhil himself is to travel to The Netherlands where he will visit an offshore wind farm, attend a reception at the British Embassy and meet the Ambassador, as well as taking part in a meeting at The Hague with a senior minister in the Dutch government.

As part of his role he will also take part in a range of television and radio interviews discussing young people’s views on climate change. “This is an impressive achievement,” said Head of Geography Anne Flook. ”Akhil will have chance to really make a difference and become an important figure in young people’s politics over the next year.”

All Year 7 boys visited Bhaktivedanta Manor in Aldenham, the largest Hindu temple outside India, to experience the culture of Hinduism.

The boys enjoyed bullock cart rides aound the grounds, a visit to the cow sanctuary, and the opportunity to dress up in traditional costume and learning about the key Hindu gods and their roles. “It was a great trip – fun as well as educational and I particularly enjoyed hearing the stories about some of the gods,” said Seun Shodimu of 7L.

Four QE pupils have successfully completed this year’s Engineering Education Scheme. Jonathan Daniels, Patrick McHugh, Theepan Saravanpavan and Kelvin Chan worked with the housebuilder and regeneration specialist, Lovell, to design a biomass boiler.

They ended the year on a high note with a Celebration Day at Ford’s Technical Centre in Dunton, where they set up a display stand for their project. They gave a 15-minute presentation in which they discussed their concepts and showed the EES assessors their plans and model.

“The pupils presented with clarity and confidence, impressing both the assessors and the other schools invited to take part in this prestigious scheme, which is sponsored by the Engineering Development Trust.,” says teacher Simon Vincent.

As part of the day the pupils also presented their concept to assessors for the BA Crest Awards, a nationally recognised accreditation scheme for project work in Science and Technology. All team members achieved the highest standard – the BA Crest Gold Award.

Two history trips this term brought to life very different aspects of the past two centuries.

An overnight trip took 45 Year 9 boys to the First World War battlefields in Belgium and France. They visited Ypres, hearing the Last Post at Menin Gate and seeing the Sanctuary Wood preserved trenches, the Newfoundland Memorial to Canadian troops, the Langemark German cemetery and the Vimy Ridge underground tunnels. Time was also found to visit the chocolate shops of Ypres!

A group of 45 Year 8 boys went to the Black Country Museum as part of their studies on the Industrial Revolution. Boys saw costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bringing the Victorian buildings to life with their specialist knowledge, skills and Black Country humour. The visit included a trip down a coalmine and a chance to eat fish & chips from an Edwardian fried Fish Shop.

The School welcomes news of Old Elizabethans, including those taking “gap years”. One such is Joe Sheffer whose year includes a motorbike journey through Europe and the Middle East towards India and then back through Russia.

It is possible to keep track of Joe’s journey by logging on to: www.joeontheroad.co.uk.