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QE has been developing its links with two high-achieving girls’ schools to enable boys to benefit from encountering different perspectives in their studies, whilst improving their social and inter-personal skills.

Forty-one boys from the Year 10 Gifted & Talented cohort joined 100 girls from North London Collegiate School to take part in a series of academic symposia designed to share ideas on a wide range of issues.

Students were divided into groups of 10 and each group was given a theme to discuss, chaired by Year 12 students from the two schools. The subjects included Art, Music, Classical Civilisations, Geography, History and Science. Seven QE teachers took part and materials for three of the symposia were provided by QE.

The symposia were based on six sources, including written articles, images and videos and each student gave a short talk on one source, followed by whole-group discussion.

QE teacher Tahmer Mahmoud, who is responsible for Academic Enrichment, said: “The event was designed to stretch pupils’ thinking within the subjects represented. It included the use of material at a level beyond what they would usually encounter in their GCSE courses, such as articles written by academics.”

Year 8 students enjoyed a day-long debating consortium with girls from The Henrietta Barnett School (HBS).

The day, which was hosted by QE, was spent discussing topical motions. Pranesh Varadarajan, Norbert Sobolak and Paavan Sawjani reached the final alongside three girls from HBS, debating the motion This House believes that the UK should not have a monarchy.

All the boys enjoyed their first experience of debating outside the school and are now looking forward to competing for places in national competitions from next year.

This year’s Geography trip to Iceland was in danger of cancellation due to the very volcanic activity the boys were to study. Fortunately it went ahead and 44 boys in Years 7, 8 and 9, accompanied by five members of staff, enjoyed an unforgettable expedition.

“The trip was very memorable. The boys were able to see firsthand some of the most amazing landscapes on earth. The best moments of the trip for the boys were floating in the Blue Lagoon eating ice cream, trekking up and down numerous volcanoes, and applying mudpacks for their healing properties,” said Geography teacher Geraldine Booth.

The aim of the trip was to learn about the features associated with volcanic activity, particularly at a moving plate margin. The five-day tour included a visit to Þingvellir in southwestern Iceland, the site of a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge separating the Eurasian Plate and North American Plate.

2010 QE leaver Amar Amlani has been awarded his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in a ceremony at St James’s Palace.

He excelled in several of the five categories he was required to complete for gold – volunteering, skills, physical recreation, expedition and residential. Amar volunteered for the Red Cross for 12 months and did public speaking for six months, taking grade 6 (Bronze) and grade 8 (Gold) examinations with LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), both with Distinction.

He completed a five-day expedition on foot in the Peak District and Snowdonia despite terrible weather conditions. His team showed good knowledge of navigation, campcraft and cooking. Amar completed a residential opportunity with Medlink, a course held at Nottingham University’s School of Medicine, where he spent a week attending lectures and staying in halls of residence. He also pursued weightlifting for 18 months.

Amar, who was a Senior Prefect in his final year, completed A-levels in Mathematics, Economics, History and Chemistry in 2010 and won a place to study Economics at Nottingham.

He was following proudly in the footsteps of his older brother, Akhil, another D of E Gold winner. Akhil left QE in 2008 a few months after winning the title of London Region Climate Change Champion and consequently meeting PM Gordon Brown. He used the prize money to create the eco-garden in the School’s Fern Building.

Rahul Mansigani (1999-2006) has enjoyed a high-profile year in his role as Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) President.

He was elected for the 2010-11 academic year after a decisive election victory, gaining 1,403 votes – an 11% majority over rival candidate Beccy Talmy.

During his term of office, he has spoken out on issues including education cuts and the tripling of student tuition fees, with media appearances including BBC’s Newsnight and Sky News. He also publicly applauded news recently that the university is to invest in a new sports centre, following a CUSU campaign for improved facilities.

Rahul who is also a former Junior Common Room President at Robinson College, Cambridge, left QE with 4 A grades at A-level in 2006 in Economics, English Literature, German and History.

He participated widely in many areas of School life, from debating to drama. In the Sixth Form he was involved in the peer mentoring scheme, helping younger members of the School. He held responsibilities as a Senior Prefect and helped organise the Elizabethan Review. He read Law at Cambridge.

The CUSU President provides representation for Cambridge students to the University, the National Union of Students and local and national government. The position is one of CUSU’s ‘sabbaticals’ – paid employees who are elected annually by students to work full-time for the union.

He told Varsity newspaper at the time of his election: “I really hope to develop CUSU into a more relevant, connected union, and will be putting all my effort into making sure that we’re there to actively support JCRs, MCRs [middle common rooms] and individual students, as well as putting pressure on the University on issues like the Sports Centre, rents and Access."

Two QE Sixth-Formers have been shortlisted for the final of a prestigious national competition for student economists.

Akash Raja (pictured) and David Alam were amongst 500 entrants to the 2011 Royal Economic Society Essay competition and are two of just 17 selected for the final. Akash chose the essay topic Is the rise of China good for America and Europe? David chose An NHS free at point of access is unsustainable in the 21st Century and an alternative funding model is needed.

Announcing the shortlist, the judging panel commented on the high standard of the entries this year. The winner, who will be announced next year, will be awarded £1,000 and an engraved trophy.

Akash Raja also enjoyed success in the Quincentenary Prize competition held by St John’s College, Cambridge, which was open to all Year 12 students in the country. Akash had to write an essay of between 2,000 and 4,000 words on a topic of his choice from one of three headings: global warming; economic recovery; or centenaries. He chose the highly topical subject of Is there a future for the Eurozone? Although he did not win first prize, he was officially commended as one of the 14 short-listed finalists.

Five QE boys helped the Barnet Water Polo team to fifth place at the London Youth Games, held at the Crystal Palace Swimming Pool.

The boys from Years 8 and 9 took part in the all day event, competing in five matches of 12 minutes each. Dinos Caryotis, Freddie Flinn, Tom Segev, Rohun Valecha and Brian Kong all play for the Watford Water Polo Club, run by former Serbian International Nik Jovanovic.

“QE currently has 20 pupils attending the partnership and Nik has been impressed with their development which he described as fantastic,” said PE teacher Nick Bird. “Clearly the swimming pool [pictured] is a great asset to the School and it is very satisfying to see our boys progressing so well in the sport.”