Viewing archives for Trips

Eleven Year 12 pupils headed for Imperial College London for the Environmental Design Challenge – a competition that encourages young people to work collaboratively to design eco-friendly human settlements.

Joining the international challenge for the first time, the QE sixth-formers worked with some 70 pupils from other schools to produce ideas for “a sustainable transformation of Milton Keynes” on a trip organised by QE’s Physics and Geography departments.

One member of the group, Tanush Madadi, won an individual award for Best Leadership in a non-leadership position.

The Environmental Design Challenge (EDC) is organised by the Space Science and Engineering Foundation, organisers of a series of competitions connected with outer space, including the UK Space Design Competition (SDC), in which QE has a long and successful record.

Head of Physics Jonathan Brooke said: “The EDC takes the structure of the UK SDC and broadens its appeal to include Year 12 students with a breadth of interests linked to sustainability and public policy. It coincides with several of the priorities of our Boundless School Plan – especially nurturing pupils so that they become ‘sustainability literate’.”

“Working to a tight deadline, the boys had to cope with the stress of working under pressure,” said Mr Brooke, “It was a great opportunity for them to develop project work skills they will need at university and in employment, to get them out of their comfort zone, and to collaborate with people they were meeting for the first time.”

All three ‘companies’ formed on the day comprised pupils from several schools, with the QE contingent split between two of them. These two companies called themselves Milton Greens and Keen for Keynes.

The three companies worked on a presentation to find solutions to three tasks related to MK’s “sustainable transformation”:

• Reimagining Milton Keynes’ transportation
• Developing a strategy for sustainable growth
• Designing a climate-resilient development.

Keen for Keynes (pictured here on stage celebrating their win) won the competition on the day.

Geography teacher Elin Hopley said the boys drew on their knowledge from the GCSE and A-level courses, as well as from research done on the day: “I was hugely impressed by the significant amount of work all the participants had put into their presentations. The room was buzzing with excitement as groups prepared to present and answer the judging panel’s questions.”

Tanush, who won his award for his contribution to Milton Greens, said: “Pitching our socio-economic strategy to industry judges at Imperial College London was a fantastic, rewarding learning experience.”

Other QE participants equally reflected on a rewarding trip. Aarnav Mahajan enjoyed applying his interest in mathematics and science to some real-world challenges. Adithya Ananthakrishnan found it inspiring to work with “so many other like-minded young people”, while acknowledging that presenting to a large audience forced him out of his “comfort zone, which was extremely valuable”. And Danyal Rahim, who aspires to work in sustainability-related fields, said: “One of the highlights was collaborating with other schools in large teams, with never-ending pizzas sustaining us throughout the day!”

As work progresses on a new rugby stadium in the Far East that will be the world’s largest, Year 8 pupils saw behind the scenes at the current holder of that crown, the mighty Twickenham.

The boys had the chance to see how the 82,000-capacity Allianz Stadium Twickenham –the world’s biggest dedicated rugby union venue – was built.

Their day in south-west London included a tour of Twickenham that also involved visits to the England changing rooms, going into the President’s Suite (Twickenham’s VIP facility), and learning about the history of the stadium.

Pupil Lele Cen said: “As I am interested in engineering, it was great to see the whole stadium. It was exciting to see how it was constructed and how in the VIP area they have glass where people can look out, but not look in.”

The day began at Rosslyn Park FC, where pupils took part in a lively training session led by members of the club’s U23 squad. This gave the boys the opportunity to develop their rugby skills while focusing on teamwork, communication and decision-making.

After lunch, the group travelled to Twickenham and took a guided stadium tour, offering them a glimpse behind the scenes in areas normally reserved for players, officials and VIP guests, as well as a visit to the Rose and Poppy Memorial Gates, unveiled in 2016 as a tribute to rugby players from around the world who have lost their lives in war.

The day concluded with a visit to the World Rugby Museum, in the stadium’s south stand, where pupils explored the rich history and development of the game. Interactive exhibits and historical displays brought rugby’s traditions and evolution to life.

Lele’s fellow Year 8 pupil, Kai Hau, said his time at Rosslyn Park had shown him “how much work goes into a training session”. He added that he had enjoyed touring Twickenham, including “the privilege to go to the President’s Suite and sit in the area that royalty sat in to watch the game”.

PE teacher Nicholas Langley-Pope, who organised the day, said: “The trip was a fantastic opportunity for pupils to develop their rugby knowledge, enhance their practical skills, and experience the history and culture of the sport first-hand. The pupils represented the School exceptionally well throughout the day and should be commended for their engagement, behaviour, and enthusiasm.”

Thirty-four GCSE and A-level musicians enjoyed a memorable evening in the Victorian splendour of the Royal Albert Hall at the 80th Anniversary Celebration Concert of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

For many, it was their first experience of hearing a professional orchestra play live.

The RPO served up an 80th birthday treat for their ears, opening the concert with the world premiere of a piece by Errollyn Wallen, Master of the King’s Music, before delivering consummate performances of works by Beethoven and Richard Strauss.

Assistant Director of Music Caroline Grint, who led the trip, said: “Such first-hand experiences are deeply enriching for those studying at GCSE and A-level, helping to deepen their understanding of the context of the music they study, while also providing a valuable cultural experience.

“We’re very fortunate that QE is within easy reach of world-famous venues like the Royal Albert Hall – and, as our Boundless School Plan sets out, we seek to take full advantage of that proximity.”

The performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto was “technically dazzling”, Miss Grint said, while the concert’s concluding piece, Richard Strauss’s epic tone poem Ein Heldenleben, featured “an impressive nine French horns”.

Errollyn Wallen’s piece, entitled FLARE, had been specially commissioned by the RPO for the concert. The Belize-born British composer was appointed by King Charles in 2024.  She was awarded an MBE in 2007 and CBE in 2020, both for services to music.

Founded in 1946 by conductor and impresario Sir Thomas Beecham, the RPO has grown from its first concert in Croydon to become an internationally acclaimed orchestra, performing across London, the UK and around the world, as well as reaching audiences through digital and media platforms.

“Our students were particularly struck by the extraordinary technical skill of the internationally acclaimed soloists, pianist Julia Fischer, cellist Pablo Ferrández, and pianist Jan Lisiecki in the Beethoven concerto,” Miss Grint added.

Boys took advantage of extremely windy weather on their adventure in Aberdovey to try sailing their canoes, instead of paddling them.

Rigging up an emergency shelter as a makeshift sail, the Year 9 and 10 pupils took to the sea for a little wind-powered boating.

It wasn’t all plain-sailing, however – the winds were so strong that the canoes had to be lashed together for safety, while the boys were met with torrential rain on their arrival at the west Wales coast.

Assistant Head (Co-curricular & Partnerships) Crispin Bonham-Carter, who leads the QE Flourish co-curricular programme, said: “This trip is designed to take pupils beyond their comfort zones – and the pouring rain when we arrived certainly did that, but happily it then got sunnier and sunnier.

“Over the course of three action-packed days, the boys’ determination was tested and they developed resilience, independence and teamwork – qualities that will stand them in good stead for their GCSE years ahead. There were some difficult challenges, but the trip was leavened with lots of fun…and some very high-quality ice-creams!

“It was a successful trip, with the boys discovering new strengths and gaining lasting memories along the way. This year’s participants even set a record, with more than ever before – ten boys – completing the commando rope challenge, where they have to cross a stretch of water on a rope.”

Sixty Year 10 pupils and 36 Year 9s, accompanied by eight members of staff, headed off to Outward Bound’s Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) Outdoor Education Centre on the edge of the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park.

They tackled outdoor challenges including canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling and hiking.

For Year 9 pupil Evan Joseph, one of the highlights was the jetty jump – pupils wearing wetsuits leap from the jetty into the sea in what has become an Aberdovey rite of passage. “I usually stick to doing things that I know. But on this trip, I got to try different things, and I will never forget this great experience.”

Yaw Hayfron, of Year 10, relished the camaraderie. “The activities were fun, and I really enjoyed the jetty jump and the gorge scramble – where you have to navigate the natural obstacles through a gorge. It was great that I got to be with my friends so we could do this together. I couldn’t imagine doing it on my own.”

Giving up their weekend along with Mr Bonham-Carter were: QE Flourish co-ordinator Brooke Farron; Geography teacher Thomas Bartlett; Maths teacher Phillip Brady; Physics teacher Phillip Collington; Economics teacher Abdoulaye Diallo; Biology teacher Darren Goffin; and French & German teacher Elisa Perra.

“Opportunities such as this are a cornerstone of QE Flourish, helping our pupils become, in the words of our Boundless School Plan, leaders of influence and valued collaborators,” Mr Bonham-Carter added.

QE’s first-ever expedition to Borneo saw pupils exploring the island’s amazing wildlife, working on jungle conservation projects, and mixing with local children amid monsoon rains.

Their trip featured encounters with four of the Asian island’s ‘big five’ animals, as well as camping in the rainforest, snorkelling around coral reefs, and climbing a mountain.

The Year 10 & 11 expedition group even set a record – for the most species of trees spotted on a Borneo World Challenge trip.

PE teacher & QE Flourish tutor Nicholas Langley-Pope said: “On their trip to the third-largest island in the world, our boys experienced a new culture, challenged themselves thoroughly, and developed greater independence.

“With Borneo boasting over 400,000 square miles of rainforest and some 15,000 different plant species, they loved discovering some of the world’s most remarkable wildlife.

“It was a wonderful trip in so many ways and, for many, I am sure, an experience that they will never forget.”

The World Challenge company organises pupil-led school expeditions on which participants develop qualities of leadership, independence and resilience, as well as other life skills. Those involved have to raise their own funds.

The wildlife was a major attraction for the QE adventurers. They visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see rescued wildlife. The boys enjoyed cruises along the Kinabatangan River, where they spotted crocodiles, birdlife and monkeys. They thus saw four of the ‘big five’, namely the proboscis monkey, rhinoceros hornbill, Bornean orangutan, and saltwater crocodile (the only one they missed being pygmy elephants). Snorkelling at Gaya Island and paddleboarding provided opportunities to discover the region’s spectacular marine life and coral reefs.

For some, camping in the rainforest for three days, sleeping in hammocks among the trees, was a particular highlight.

The physical challenges of carrying equipment and coping with the heat and humidity during a three-day trek through the jungle beneath Mount Kinabalu tested the boys, yet also helped them find their hidden reserves. Ryan Goyal, of Year 11, said: “We weren’t prepared for the amount of trekking due to our fitness levels, but after day 3 it felt normal.” Their trip included a hike to the 1,420m summit of Mount Nuluh Lingion.

The trip offered opportunities for the party to immerse themselves in local culture and undertake a cultural exchange – another highlight for many, including Year 11’s Noah Green. Meeting the locals, they sampled Malaysian cuisine and even played football with Malaysian children in the monsoon rain. “As part of the cultural exchange, we got to dance and sing Malaysian songs,” said Noah. “Year 10 made up a rap about English culture and school. Although we were nervous, once we performed it, it was a lot of fun – and very funny, too.” The cultural experience was, said Alex Bicar-Fields, of Year 10, “a doorway into a different world; and it was life-changing seeing how other people live”.

Conservation was another important aspect of the experience. The boys helped to support biodiversity by clearing invasive plants and vines, and replanting trees to support reforestation in the jungle.

Throughout the trip, every QE boy got the chance to lead, learn and listen. Year 10’s Sahas Sudhagar, who celebrated his birthday during the expedition, said of his fellow travellers: “They took on different roles and responsibilities throughout the activities. It helped them to develop confidence and independence.”

Ansh Hegde, of Year 10, summed up the expedition’s overall impact: “It was life-changing – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”  Krish Bhatia, also of Year 10, added: “The trip was a good integration of culture and learning experiences.” And for any QE pupils thinking about tackling a future World Challenge expedition, Ryan Goyal had this advice: “Just do it, as you only live once.”

Accompanying the boys were the following QE staff: Mr Langley-Pope; Mathematics teacher Matthew Tricker; Head of Library Support Services Jenni Blackford; and PE teacher Guy Ashby – supported by their World Challenge Leader and local guides.

• QE Flourish reporter Salaheldin El Seed, of Year 8, contributed to this report.

Fifty of QE’s younger pupils joined four sixth-formers to learn together about the Normandy landings in a new activity arranged especially for their summer visit to France.

The Lower School boys and French A-level students were on the School’s long-running trip to the Château de la Baudonnière in Normandy – an action-packed week of French language, culture, history, and adventure.

In previous years, QE groups have visited the Bayeux Tapestry, but since that is currently on loan to the British Museum, this year’s trip organisers seized the opportunity to take a close look at D-Day – the Allied landings on 6 June, 1944 – and other aspects of France’s World War II history.

Their excursion day started with a visit to the Mémorial de Caen museum.

French & German teacher Fiona McAndrew, who led the trip, said: “This provided a useful introduction for the Year 7s, and gave valuable context to the A-level students, who study Un sac de billes by Joseph Joffo, a novel set during the Nazi occupation of France.”

In the afternoon, a museum guide accompanied them to see the American Cemetery – which is close to one of the landing beaches – and a German gun emplacement, where the pupils learned more about the German defences.

“Having a guide with us really brought this critical period of modern history to life for the students and gave them a better understanding of the importance of the Normandy landings to the outcome of World War Two and of the human sacrifice that required,” Mrs McAndrew added.

Set in 100 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside, the château provided an immersive environment in which boys could practise their spoken French while taking part in a wide range of activities and working together as a team.

The pupils were encouraged to challenge themselves. The programme included raft-building, archery, and climbing.

There was also the somewhat infamous assault course, offering opportunities aplenty to get wet and muddy. Jason Xu, who has just entered Year 8, said: “There were moments when it was tempting to give up, but everyone encouraged each other and kept going. Finishing the course felt like a real achievement.”

Naturally enough, the trip featured French cuisine, including croissants, baguettes, cheese and even snails.

Beyond developing their confidence in French, the week encouraged the boys to work collaboratively, experience a different culture, and live communally with their peers. For the younger boys, it was an introduction to learning beyond the classroom, while the Year 12 students were able to put their A-level French into practice in an authentic setting.

Lele Cen, of Year 8, said: “It is very different using French in a classroom compared with hearing people speak it in France! I tried to listen carefully, recognise familiar words and use French whenever I had the opportunity. Even when I was not completely sure what to say, it was good to have a go.”

Afterwards, Kush Thakore, also of Year 8, reflected on the whole experience: “The Normandy trip proved that a challenge does not always have to be something huge. Sometimes it is about stepping outside your comfort zone, trying something difficult and being willing to make mistakes.”

The pupils were accompanied by Mrs McAndrew and by: Assistant Head (Destinations & Progress) Robert Hyland; French & German teacher Elisa Perra; QE Flourish tutor & Biology teacher Sam Acors; and Biology teacher Darren Goffin.

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