As we head towards half-term, our thoughts are already turning towards Founder’s Day 2021 on Saturday 19th June. As in 2020, this will once again have to be a virtual event: we are lining up a strong programme of online events and activities, so that we can all get involved together as a School community and have some fun. Crucially, Founder’s Day enables FQE to raise much-needed funds to support the current generation of QE pupils: I hope that as many as possible will join us on the day and give generously through our JustGiving page. My thanks go to all involved in organising activities and to those such as the Lad family who have already been (extremely!) active in raising money. See below for a sneak preview of the day’s events.

Looking further ahead, we are planning – Covid 19 restrictions permitting – to run an Open Day on Thursday 8th July. Prospective QE pupils and their families will be able to visit the School in person. The event is ticketed and will be run at a reduced capacity compared to previous years; it is exclusively for those who have shown serious interest by registering their sons for the entrance test. We will be asking most current pupils to study from home on 8th and 9th July, which gives them an opportunity to reinforce their independent learning skills. Work will be set online via eQE. A number of boys will be asked to help out in departments or serve as tour guides on 8th July: arrangements for them will be communicated in due course.

My thanks go to all the candidates who stood in the Parent Governor Elections and to all who voted. It was both the largest field of candidates and the highest turnout in many years: I am delighted to see such high levels of parental engagement. I warmly welcome our two new Parent Governors, Hitesh Dave and Shashankar Jana, to the Governing Body.

It is good to be able to report that the first half of the term has proceeded smoothly. Contractors working on our new Music School continue to make excellent progress. Extra-curricular activities have largely returned in one form or another: our hugely successful robotics teams have, for example, been competing online at the VEX Robotics World Championships, while boys have been pitting their wits against each other in our popular QIQE quizzes. And sporting fixtures are back, with cricket aplenty whenever the weather has held.

Our revised lunchtime arrangements – in fact, a return to our usual timetable, albeit with year group bubbles maintained – mean that some year groups will have to wait a little longer for lunch than in recent months. Our caterers, Holroyd Howe, offer a breakfast and breaktime service for those feeling peckish!

Internal assessments have been completed for Years 11 and 13. I send my very best wishes to Year 13, who have now left – I look forward to seeing them firstly on results day, and then in the future as part of our alumni community. Year 11’s transition to the Sixth Form is under way, with a number of inductions scheduled for June, and boys also doing bridging work in each of their A-level subjects, as well as virtual work experience.

Seeing such landmarks take place this year has been yet another welcome sign that we are slowly and safely returning to a more normal School experience.

Enjoy next week’s break.

Mr Neil Enright
Headmaster