“The School has an important responsibility to speak out against inequality”: opening a dialogue about race

A new forum for discussing vital issues such as race, with respect to the School community and wider society, is being established in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in the United States and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Created in close partnership with Vice-Captains Thomas Mgbor and Ayodimeji Ojelade, the platform seeks to enable thoughtful and open conversations about critical societal issues, not least race and discrimination. This would not only be within the context of anti-black racism, but, in time, other forms of racism such as anti-Asian, Islamophobic or Antisemitic racism, as well as covering a diverse range of global issues on which it is important to think critically.

Introducing Virtual Founder’s Day 2020 

The Stapylton Field may be quiet and neither boys nor their teachers will be getting a soaking in the stocks this year, but there is still no shortage of fun and interest at Virtual Founder’s Day 2020.

Tune in at noon on the day itself – Saturday 20th June – for our special Founder’s Day YouTube Premiere. There will be contributions from pupils, staff and Old Elizabethans reflecting some of our treasured Founder's Day traditions. The School’s musicians will be showcasing some of their best performances produced during lockdown. And look out, too, for a special appearance by OE and TV personality, Robert Rinder.

As detailed elsewhere in this edition of QE Update, there’s a unique opportunity to join in with an online cook-along on YouTube led by expert chef Nik Gulhane directly after our main broadcast. The day will also see the launch of a special episode of Roundness, the recently launched podcast from The Queen's Library.

Founder’s Day is, of course, FQE’s major annual fundraiser. As set out below, The Friends have set up a Founder’s Day 2020 JustGiving page. The School is deeply appreciative of all contributions made.

How to give 

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s have launched a dedicated Founder’s Day 2020 JustGiving page to make it quick and easy for parents and supporters to give to the School.

The Founder’s Day Fete organised by FQE is the single biggest fundraiser for QE, annually bringing in around £20,000. With the School suffering a significant loss of lettings income through the pandemic, this financial support is more vital than ever this Founder’s Day.

The Headmaster says: “We are tremendously grateful for the support the Elizabethan community provides. The fantastic results are plain for all to see – such as the superb Queen’s Library, our multi-purpose Shearly Hall, the Martin Swimming Pool and a marvellous Dining Hall. We have ambitious goals for further outstanding facilities, including the Music School project, so please give generously and ask friends, family members and neighbours to do likewise – and why not leave a message of support on the JustGiving page?”

Parent to parent: “your donation will really make a difference”
in “these tough Covid-19 times"

Leaders of The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s have joined their voices to urge fellow parents to dig deep to support the School on Founder’s Day.

FQE Executive Committee member Mrs Anna Westcott says: “This year, the need to raise funds is even more acute due to the severe impact of Covid-19 on the income of the School – like many organisations QE has been hit hard. Your donation will really make a difference, as every penny will count towards helping the School.”

Music School: the next movement

Here is one of the latest artist’s impressions of the performance hall in the new QE Music School.

The Headmaster says: “The tender process is nearing its conclusion and we hope to be appointing a contractor soon to take this transformative project forward.”

Curry cook-along! An exclusive Founder’s Day opportunity

Chef Nik Gulhane is offering QE families a unique chance to learn how to cook a special Founder’s Day lunch live on YouTube.

Although anyone can watch, Nik, Founder of North London’s Spice Monkey cookery school, is especially encouraging QE pupils to try their hand at cooking – and urging them to get sponsorship to raise funds for the School for doing so.

Caring in the crisis

As the UK’s Volunteers’ Week draws to a close this weekend, the School salutes the sterling efforts of all those in the QE family who have been volunteering in their communities since the Covid-19 crisis began. Many boys have been undertaking charity fundraising, and bike ride challenges seem particularly popular, with pupils such as Year 9’s Dhruv Chadha (pictured here) taking to the saddle, in his case to support a homeless charity.

The Headmaster says: “In a normal year, QE boys contribute about 7,000 hours collectively in voluntary service and, in that tradition, I would encourage pupils to do whatever they can do safely in the present circumstances to help others – including, of course, supporting the FQE’s fundraising efforts on Founder’s Day and beyond.