Viewing archives for Uncategorized

Year 7 boys faced a broad spectrum of challenges in this year’s House Mathematics competition. The event formed part of the department’s enrichment and extension programme, and was inspired by the UKMT Team Maths Challenge – a national competition for pupils in Year 8 upwards.

Stapylton took first prize after amassing 598 points; Harrisons’ scored 580 to secure second place, ahead of Underne in third with 562. Harrisons’ won the separate competition to create a poster on the theme of What is Mathematics?

“The boys took part in a carousel of activities,” said Assistant Head of Mathematics Wendy Fung. “Some involved more familiar mathematical problem-solving activities, such as cross numbers [similar to crosswords, but with numbers] and others were more practical, such as origami and tangrams [puzzles consisting of seven flat shapes].  The boys clearly enjoyed themselves using their Maths skills, often under time pressure, to aid their own House whilst trying to beat the others.”

After these activities, all the teams took part in a relay which required both speed of movement about the room and speed in solving Mathematics problems.

Old Elizabethan Tom Aggar (1995-2002) regained his best form to claim victory at the World Cup regatta at Eton Dorney.

In the para-rowing arms and shoulders single sculls, he finished six seconds ahead of the 2012 Russian bronze medallist, Aleksey Chuvashev, who came in second, ahead of Tom’s training partner and fellow Briton, Andy Houghton.

Tom has admitted to being “devastated” by his inability to retain his Beijing Paralympic title last year at Eton Dorney, but has regained his winning ways in 2013 with a victory in Italy as well as this most recent triumph. His next target is the World Championships in South Korea in August.

"I showed good strength and put together a good race and I'm really pleased with the result," he told British Rowing after the race at Eton Dorney, but said conditions had been tough. "About halfway through, I noticed I was edging through and after that I felt confident and strong. Last year I underperformed and it is special to win here after the disappointment of last year and it makes up for it a little."

Tom and his wife, Vicky, became parents in 2013 with the birth of their son, Daniel.

Professionals from disciplines including Law, Management Consultancy, the RAF and Creative Media were on hand to advise Year 9 pupils during a special careers day.

The boys had been asked to consider what they thought they might be interested in,but were also allocated to a group led by someone from an industry in which they hadn’t expressed an interest.

“We believe it is helpful for boys to start thinking about possible careers at an early stage, so this day is aimed at boys as they prepare to start their GCSE studies, to help them to clarify their thoughts,” said organiser Dr Sarah Westcott, Head of Pupil Progression. “We were particularly keen to challenge their preconceptions and encourage them to think more broadly about how they could employ their talents in a range of professions.”

Pupils were faced with real-life scenarios from each of the industries represented and participated in a number of activities designed to demonstrate the skills each type of career requires. These activities included constructing scrap towers or rockets.

This year’s Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s main social event had a Latin theme running through both the menu and entertainment.

Entitled Viva la Fiesta, the evening included a three-course dinner of authentic South American dishes, as well as Latin American music and dance.

“The evening was very well attended and the occasion was enjoyed by all,” said Headmaster Neil Enright. “We value very much the contribution FQE make to the life of the School.”

The guests were welcomed by Mariachi El Mexicano, a band based in the UK who perform traditional music, dressed in Mexican attire. 

Choices for starters included mojo potatoes, bean dip, gazpacho and chorizo, eaten to the accompaniment of Conjunto Sabroso, a London-based band specialising in salsa.

The main course included choices of traditional or vegetarian chilli and chicken or vegetable empanadas, served with taco boat shells, sour cream and guacamole, during which Mariachi El Mexicano played again.

Following the main course, guests were treated to a performance by dancers from the Dream of Dance School, which led in to a dance session for the guests, accompanied by Conjunto Sabroso.

Deserts included chocolate chilli mouse, mango fool and pineapple platters. A further opportunity to dance followed on to round off the evening.

Culture and religion were the focus of a Year 7 trip to the Museum of London. Thirty boys toured the galleries, which cover the history of London from pre-Roman times through to the modern day.

“The boys enjoyed the opportunity to discover what London was like during the Pre-historic, Ancient, Mediæval, Early Modern and Modern periods,” said History teacher Kristina Lewis, who organised the trip. “They were told to choose an object to illustrate one key feature of any of these periods and selected a number of interesting artefacts, including mediæval knives. They were also asked to describe and explain the item’s significance and its value to the museum.”

In addition to the permanent galleries there were a number of exhibitions, including one on the history of bicycles in London and another on royal children.

“We were able to sit outside for lunch – directly next to the remaining parts of the Wall of London, construction of which was started in the 1st Century. It was a very enjoyable day, which combined educational opportunities with fun!” added Miss Lewis.

Alumnus Roger Pearce (1961-69) has been putting his experiences as former Head of the Met’s Special Branch to good use, with the publication of his second work of fiction. He has also given a number of media interviews in the wake of recent revelations about Special Branch’s undercover unit.

His latest book, The Extremist, has been launched this summer, the second in a two-book deal with Coronet, an imprint of Hodder and Stoughton. As with his first book, Agent of the State, published in 2012, Roger has drawn on his first-hand experience for his second foray into the thriller genre.

Roger graduated with a BA Honours in Theology from St John’s College, Durham University, in 1972 and originally planned on becoming ordained as an Anglican priest, but instead joined Durham Constabulary before transferring to the Metropolitan Police in 1975. After joining Special Branch he also completed an external LLB Honours degree from London University, qualifying as a barrister-at-law in 1975.

He has been increasingly in demand by the national media as an expert voice, following a number of news stories in 2012 and 2013 about the Branch’s undercover unit. Since he was not only Head of Special Branch from 1999 to 2003 but also a former Director of Intelligence at the Met who authorised surveillance and undercover operations, Roger is particularly well placed to offer informed comment.

All his latest news and a video of him talking about Special Branch as the impetus for his writing can be found on his website: http://www.rogerpearce.info/

Roger has been married to Margaret for more than 40 years. They have two sons, both former QE pupils: Andrew, a composer, and Matthew, an airline pilot. Their daughter, Laura, is a personal assistant.