The day is the main annual fundraiser for the Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s charity. So I am delighted that not only did FQE hit their new Founder’s Day £25,000 target – they positively smashed it! At last count, the total, including takings on the day, sponsorship from last Friday’s inter-House music competition, advertising revenue, online giving and Gift Aid, stood at £41,042.48. Thank you to everyone who gave so very generously. It is not too late to donate: our dedicated Founder’s Day JustGiving page remains open.

Founder’s Day 2023 was not just an opportunity for marking the 450th anniversary; it was a day on which the past, present and even the future came together as we collectively made QE history.

The day began with a procession to the Thanksgiving Service in the parish church from our historic home, Tudor Hall. Afternoon visitors enjoyed a rare chance to see our original 1573 Royal Charter – still in excellent condition – and to have their copies of the new definitive history of the School signed by my predecessor as Headmaster Dr John Marincowitz.

There was ample opportunity to reflect on present success during the retirement ceremony for our Chairman of Governors, Barrie Martin, who took up the position in 1999 and has overseen the School’s rise to its current position of national distinction.

And the burying of a time capsule, hopefully to be opened by our successors on the 500th anniversary in 2073, was a reminder that we must keep looking forward if we are to maintain our current success.

Above all, Founder’s Day 2023 was a time for celebration – and nowhere was that better seen than in the fun of the fete. Attendance was the highest in recent memory, and there was plenty for the crowds to enjoy. A full programme of music and dance took place on the stage, while the ever-popular international food tents were extended this year. There were some new attractions: Ju Jitsu and a VEX robotics tent – proved a particular draw, and not only with the young!


In his Thanksgiving Service address, Giles Martin (OE 1992–1999), an educationalist who in his School days was part of QE’s undefeated water polo team of the late 1990s, reminded the congregation of the importance of teamwork – a quality which was to the fore among the alumni on Third Field, where the OE team rather efficiently despatched the School team in the Stanley Busby Memorial Cricket Match. It was good to see so many old boys of all generations throughout the day.



Founder’s Day 2023 was emphatically a worthy high point in our 450th anniversary programme. A triumphant success as a fundraiser, it was also a happy celebration of what makes Queen Elizabeth’s School and our whole diverse QE community so special. For a further overview and to read some special features, take a look at our 56-page colour Founder’s Day brochure.

May I close with an appeal for you to consider volunteering for Founder’s Day 2024, which will be on the third Saturday in June? Success such as we have seen this year can only be sustained if fresh faces step up to help.

With my thanks and warm wishes,

Mr Neil Enright
Headmaster