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The lowered voting age in the Scottish referendum added a special frisson of interest to this year’s visit to the Houses of Parliament by Year 12.

The QE Sixth-Formers travelled to Westminster knowing that, like their Scottish contemporaries, they might be given the right to vote at 16 and 17.

The tour allowed the 23 boys and accompanying staff to see the Central Lobby, the chamber of the House of Commons and Westminster Hall – the last remaining part of the original palace.

“Following events in Scotland, it may be that the voting age could be reduced in the rest of the UK,” said Helen MacGregor, Politics teacher and Head of History at QE. “The knowledge that this particular cohort might gain the right to vote certainly added to the experience, which the boys found highly stimulating. They particularly enjoyed brushing shoulders with senior politicians such as former Education Secretary and now senior Tory Whip, Michael Gove.”

As well as the tour of the buildings, the boys enjoyed a discussion with Parliament’s Education Service staff. Topics covered included comparing and contrasting different voting systems, including first-past-the-post and proportional representation, as well as putting together a manifesto.

“The visit has great inherent interest in its own right,” said Miss MacGregor. “It also helps to reinforce and build on what the boys have studied in School.”

QE’s players acquitted themselves well at the International Schools’ Chess Championship, especially as half the team comprised pupils from Years 7 and 8.

Playing against 14 élite chess-playing schools at the event held at Millfield School in Somerset, QE’s A team finished fourth, ahead of older opposition from several notable independent schools.

“I was pleased with the strong performance, which suggests that chess at Queen Elizabeth’s has a bright future,” said Geoff Roberts, teacher in charge of chess, “The boys did well to qualify in the top six for the Championship section of the competition and fourth is an excellent achievement in such a high-calibre event.”

QE entered two teams of 12 boys, along with two reserves. Two boys won individual prizes for leading performances on their boards: Aditya Ramdhian (Year 10) and Rohan Shah (Year 9).

The B team finished fifth in the Major competition after narrowly missing out on qualification for the Championship event. “They gained valuable tournament experience and several of these younger boys are sure to feature strongly in our top team in years to come,” added Mr Roberts.

“This year was also special as it marked the final year at the tournament for QE’s Chess Captain, Joseph Levene. Since he burst on the scene in Year 7, when he took maximum points on his board at this event, he has proved a consistently successful player for the School.”

QE boys sampled aspects of German life ranging from modern industry to an ancient castle on their language exchange.

Thirty boys from Years 9 and 10 visited QE’s partner school, the Friedrich von Bodelschwingh Gymnasium (grammar school), in north west Germany.

During their week-long stay, they took part in lessons in school, as well as enjoying climbing, handball – a popular sport in Germany – and a football tournament. Trips included a visit to the factory of the German catering products company, Dr Oetker, as well as excursions to Bielefeld’s Sparrenberg Castle and to the Heide Park, a theme park between Hannover and Hamburg.

Head of Languages Christopher Kidd, who was among the three members of staff on the exchange, said: “This was an excellent trip and the German teachers and parents were very complimentary about our boys.

“For their part, our young linguists seized the opportunity to improve their language skills and find out more about German life and culture, while also enjoying the opportunity to establish friendships with their German counterparts.”

This year’s Year 7 chess champion is Devin Karia, who won all six of his games to take the title with maximum points. Runner-up Joshua Wong was among a number of boys who took five from six points.

The competition attracted a high-quality field of 72 boys, who enjoyed a competitive morning of chess. “I was very pleased to see such a large group of highly able and enthusiastic chess players in Year 7,” said Geoff Roberts, teacher in charge of chess at QE. “It was especially pleasing to see the high standard of chess being played by so many of the competitors at such an early stage in their school careers.”

The competitors were assisted by Sixth-Formers Joseph Levene and Harshil Joshi. “They made invaluable contributions to the running of the tournament,” said Mr Roberts. “They administered the pairings for each round and acted as arbiters in the case of rules queries. The Year 7 boys undoubtedly enjoyed receiving coaching and advice from Joseph and Harshil, who have been highly successful at chess over many years.”

The final positions were:

First place – Devin Karia

Second place – Joshua Wong

Third place – Aqif Choudhury

Bhar Rambhiya was placed fourth, Paarth Singhal fifth, Sam Cohen sixth and Muhnnad Tingari seventh.

Year 11 pupil Bushry Basheer was among the best-performing delegates at a competition designed to simulate the work of the United Nations.

Bushry Basheer was singled out as one of the award-winners at the Model United Nations Conference held at Reigate Grammar School. He was among 200 participants at the event.

QE entered two teams, one comprising four Year 11 boys and one made up of four pupils from Year 10.

“Bushry did very well to be awarded an Outstanding Delegate award for his role as the delegate from the Philippines on the Economic & Social Committee, said Nisha Mayer, Head of Academic Enrichment at QE. “He lobbied, caucused and submitted resolutions on trade and prostitution. It involved a great deal of preparation ahead of the event itself and his attention to detail and commitment to getting his resolutions through and passed by his committee contributed to his success.”

Topics for debate at the event spanned a broad range of topical world issues. The teams each adopted a country and championed its cause throughout the day’s debating.  Each participant took a seat on one of the committees, which included Environment, Human Rights, Economic & Social and Health.

Besides Bushry, the Year 11 team comprised Chris Deane, Shayen Sathiananthan and Neal Vithlani, while the Year 10 team was made up of Atul John, Karan Sanghavi, Suraj Shah and Jathieesan Umaasuthan.