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QE’s Year 7 and 8 cricket teams sealed a successful School year by winning the Middlesex Cup Final for the second consecutive year.

Match reports by Head of PE, Peter Coke

QE’s Year 7 and 8 cricket teams sealed a successful School year by winning the Middlesex Cup Final for the second consecutive year.

Following a string of positive results and well taken opportunities, the Year 7 squad, led by PE teacher Nick Bird, reached the finals of the Middlesex Cup Final, where they played The John Lyon School at Old Millhillians Cricket Club. QE won the toss and elected to bat first.

The opening batsmen for QE did a sterling job, especially Romil Depala, who scored a commendable 47 runs. This was supported by an equally good performance from wicket-keeper and leading run-scorer Musaji China, who added 32 runs of his own without losing his wicket. The team managed an impressive 118 for 6 from 20 overs. The Year 7 team bowled superbly and soon took the first wicket courtesy of captain Reuben Chacko. He later took another wicket to add to some impressive fielding, capping a leading performance from the QE captain. John Lyon completed their innings on 101 for 9 wickets – giving QE a much deserved 17-run victory.

For the Year 8 match, The John Lyon School were the hosts, with St Benedict’s School this year’s opponents for QE’s defending champions, who were led by PE teacher Richard Scally. On a very warm afternoon, St Benedict’s won the toss and chose to bat. They made an aggressive start, scoring freely and benefiting from too many extras, racing to 80 runs within 9 overs. This positive approach meant chances were given and, with some excellent catches in the field, wickets began to slow St Benedict’s run rate. A first-rate bowling spell from Jayaram Raghuveer (3 wickets for 5 runs) then reduced St Benedict’s to 113 all out. After losing both openers early, the modest total was beginning to look more challenging. However outstanding batting performances from Sebastian Feszczur-Hatchett (56 not out) and Nikhil Patel (34 not out) saw QE home with an 8-wicket win.

Year 9 also reached their Middlesex Cup Final, but lost to Harrow School.

Although the School stands just on the Hertfordshire side of the Herts/Middlesex border, historically QE has chosen to participate in the Middlesex Cup both because of the stronger competition available in Middlesex and for reasons of accessibility.

A group of 65 boys and seven staff enjoyed the Key Stage 3 trip to The Netherlands. The highlights included a visit to the Delta Expo, which explains the history of the construction of the storm surge barrier in the Eastern Scheldt and the 2,000-year struggle against the sea.

This theme was continued at The Nieuw Land Erfgoedcentrum, an exceptional building situated on the dividing line of land and water. There was a trip to a cheese and clog factory and the opportunity to have fun at the Walibi Theme Park. “The aim of a trip such as this is to combine stimulating learning opportunities with a measure of fun,” said Assistant Head Neil Enright. “The boys all thoroughly enjoyed their time in the Netherlands and were a credit to themselves and the School.”

This term’s Leavers’ Concert was acclaimed by the Headmaster as one of the highlights of the School’s musical year.

The event featured an eclectic programme. Leaver Benjamin Yadin paid homage to the 200th anniversary of the death of Joseph Haydn with a movement from Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major.

There were pieces by a diverse range of composers from JS Bach and Johann Strauss to film music composers Ron Goodwin and Howard Shore. The programme concluded with a collection of theme tunes from the James Bond films to mark 100 years since the birth of 007 creator Ian Fleming.

The ensembles taking part were: Concert Band; Senior String Orchestra; Indian Music Ensemble; Bollywood Ensemble; Top Brass; Chamber Choir; Camerata and the Symphony Orchestra.

QE’s Director of Music Kieron Howe paid tribute to those involved: “The boys all worked incredibly hard and showed excellent commitment in preparing for the concert. I would also like to thank all the ensemble directors for preparing the groups to such a high standard.”

It has been a particularly creative term in Art, according to QE’s Head of Art, Ashley West. Boys entered a range of competitions including The Founder’s Day Poster, Google Doodle, Body Language, Olympic Logo and Digital Arts Awards, the outcomes of which are still awaited.

This term student-teacher Emily Welham contributed enormously to the Year 8 Natural Form Project. “She encouraged the writing of some wonderful poetry written in response to the making of clay sculptures, in connection with the work of such artists as Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore,” said Mr West. A short video was made of the boys talking about their work.

Mr West added that the GCSE moderator made very positive comments about the breadth and high level of skills displayed in the boys’ coursework.

Three Year 13 boys entered for this year’s Chemistry Olympiad were awarded either gold or bronze. Jian Siang Poh and Jimmy Lam both picked up gold, with Jack Scannell receiving a bronze award.

Jan Siang was among the top 25 students who qualified for Round 2 of the competition at Cambridge University. He just missed out on selection to represent the UK internationally, although he was invited to attend the London International Youth Science Forum at the end of July. “Jian Siang did tremendously well to finish in the top five or six in the competition,” said Head of Chemistry, Malcolm Russell.

Jian Siang also took gold in the Biology Olympiad; Jimmy Lam was awarded silver and Jack Scannell bronze. Piri Ananthavarathan, Diarmuid Chevalier, Kareem Ibrahim and Shiva Varma were all highly commended.

The School has received glowing feedback from employers who hosted Year 11 QE work experience placements. Here is a selection of the comments:

• “Sagar was extremely enthusiastic and very competent…he is an asset and very good representative of the School.” (Roger Weston, Saffery Champness) 
• “Rikesh was probably the best school placement Ihave worked with here.” (Mick Harvey, C+G ) 
• “Matteo made an excellent impression on everyone here. He made contributions at one meeting which two year-qualified solicitors did not make.” (Richard Evans, Beachcroft LLP)
• “Priyank was a great pleasure to have in our company – would have him again.”(Laxhi Patel, Varbud Construction Co Ltd)

Year 8 boys participated in a new careers event at the start of July: Careers 4U, run in conjunction with the Barnet Education Business Partnership, brought a number of professionals into the School, ranging from lawyers and management consultants to surveyors and doctors.