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Ben Pugh (2002-2009) played a significant role in his team’s quarter-final victory in the BBC quiz show, University Challenge. Pembroke College, Cambridge stormed to a 145- point lead – a position from which fellow Cambridge team, Clare College, could not recover, despite a spirited fight back.

As in earlier rounds, Ben made his mark by answering a number of starter questions – covering a broad range of topics including politics, philosophy, the American constitution and geographical terminology.

After a brief lull in which Clare College edged closer, Pembroke picked up the pace to win 250 – 175. This second straight quarter-final victory saw them through to the semi-finals.

Ben, who is reading German and Russian, achieved top grades in his A-levels during his time as a student at QE.

A Year 11 pupil has been placed equal 15^th in the British Mathematical Olympiad. Gabriel Gendler is only the second QE boy ever to qualify for the second round of this competition.

He achieved his high position despite being younger than most of his fellow Olympiad competitors, many of whom were Sixth-Formers. Gabriel was invited to participate in the competition because of his outstanding previous performance in the Senior Maths Challenge. Both the Challenge and the British Mathematical Olympiad are run by the UK Mathematics Trust.

Along with five other QE boys – and around 1,300 strong mathematicians from around the country – Gabriel first sat the Round 1 Olympiad test. This consisted of six extended questions which had to be completed in three-and-a-half hours. Gabriel scored 50 out of a possible 60 marks and was awarded a silver medal, a book prize and entry to the second round.

Only 34 students nationally qualified for Round 2, in which participants had three-and-a-half hours to attempt four extended questions. Gabriel’s score of 12 points gained him joint 15^th position overall.

“We offer our warmest congratulations to Gabriel,” said Mathematics teacher Wendy Fung. “He performed very well in a competition which attracts the brightest and best of young mathematicians from across the UK each year. This experience will stand him in good stead for future competitions.”

Leading poet John Mole gave Year 7 boys plenty to ponder during a special visit to the School.

As part of the Year 7 enrichment programme, the Poetry Society’s Poet in Residence to the City of London was invited to QE to speak to pupils on writing poetry.  Mr Mole, who is also an accomplished jazz clarinettist and jazz reviewer, is renowned for poetry that seeks to make political themes accessible to young people.

The aim of the event, which was organised by English teacher Victoria Maule, was to inspire pupils to think more creatively and imaginatively about poetry.

Mr Mole has won several prizes for his work, including an Eric Gregory award, Signal Award and Cholmondeley Award. He began by introducing the pupils to a number of riddles, which they were asked to interpret using their creative thinking skills.

“Our Year 7 boys were undaunted by the challenge and came up with some inspiring and highly original interpretations that demonstrated their ability to think metaphorically and imaginatively,” said Ms Maule. “John went on to read a range of his longer poems, often enlightening us as to the planning and creative processes behind the finished product, and from where he found his sources of inspiration. The event was very popular and our boys clearly benefitted from the lively question-and-answer session which rounded off the visit.”

John Mole had to face a range of challenging questions, which he answered with a series of anecdotes that provoked much thought and laughter.

“Introducing our boys to this calibre of guest speaker is exactly the way to inspire them to engage more creatively and originally with the often neglected curriculum area of poetry,” concluded Ms Maule.  “John Mole’s immensely personal approach, and highly entertaining delivery, left our boys inspired, energised, and eager to go forward and create poetry of their own.”

This term’s major theatrical production marks another step in the renaissance of drama at Queen Elizabeth’s School.

Entitled All the World’s a Stage, the play is a series of scenes that have been assembled using the stimulus of Jacques’ famous Seven Ages of Man speech from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

“In order to bring these scenes together, we have used the long history of Queen Elizabeth’s School to weave an imaginary debate between past students about which scene best represents one of the Ages of Man,” explained Co-ordinator of Drama, Elaine White.  “The initial project and ideas came from me, but as we have rehearsed, the boys have come up with both improvised and scripted scenes.”

The Headmaster, Neil Enright, congratulated Mrs White, her colleagues and the boys on their efforts.

He said: “I fully intend that drama should be a strong element of life at QE. There is a long tradition of an annual play at the School and I am delighted that we have been able to revive this in the past couple of years.  Last year’s production of The Tempest was a significant development, and I feel confident that All the World’s a Stage will mark another step forward for drama at QE, not least because it is the first play to be staged in the Shearly Hall.

“The boys involved have worked hard to hone their skills, to rehearse and to prepare themselves for the challenge of performance. A fine balance of analytical skills, imagination and practical work has been required and I am sure that the boys have enjoyed the testing but fulfilling process of staging the play. Of course, these major productions complement a range of other drama clubs and activities organised by the English department and through the House system,” Mr Enright added.

All the World’s a Stage takes place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 29th February and Thursday 1st March 2012. Tickets are available from the School Shop.

Two Year 12 students who each achieved 11 A* grades in their GCSEs have been presented with Outstanding Achievement Awards 2011 for Academic Excellence. Mohammad Moinuddin and Salman Khan received their awards at a special reception at the Bangladeshi High Commission in London.

The competition is open each year to UK pupils of Bangladeshi origin and recognises high achievement at GCSE and A-level. Mohammad and Salman received their plaques and certificates from the High Commissioner, Dr M Sayeedur Rahman Khan.

“The reception was a very encouraging and enjoyable event,” said Mohammad. “There were pupils from all parts of the United Kingdom. My parents were very proud of me and were thrilled to be able to take part in the reception.” (Mohammed and his parents pictured below with Dr Rahman Khan.)

There were 106 award-winning students in total: 60 received awards for their GCSE achievements and 46 for A-level. Mohammad hopes to repeat his GCSE success when he takes his A-levels in 2013.

“I am currently studying Chemistry, Biology, Maths, English and Critical Thinking, and I wish to study Dentistry at University – preferably at King's College London, which was recently voted the UK's best university for dentistry in 2012,” said Mohammad. “Getting into King's is a major aspiration of mine.”

Alumnus Jamie Sherman (2002-2009) is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity by running the London Marathon in April.

Jamie, who is in his second year at Durham University studying Physics and Philosophy, is raising money for the Homestart charity. Homestart provides practical support for families who are experiencing difficulties, whether due to illness, financial hardship or isolation. The charity also supports families who face parenting challenges.

“I’m training five times a week to get myself ready for the big day,” says Jamie. “I’m aiming to raise £2,500 over the next few weeks, so please consider sponsoring me at www.virginmoneygiving.com/jamiesherman – I’d really appreciate any contribution at all.”