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Year 13 student Koji Takahashi’s reasoned argument on the benefits of continuing to map the Earth’s surface won him a place on the shortlist of a Cambridge University geography competition.

Entrants to the Trinity College Geography Essay Competition were invited to consider whether, given the extent to which continental land masses have been explored, anything significant remains to be mapped.

“Koji presented a piece of well-researched and reasoned argument, and is to be congratulated on his achievement,” said Head of Geography at QE, Guy Boyes. “He made use of elements studied in class, including population, resources, physical landscapes and frozen wilderness as well as drawing on his own interests in conservation and preservation.” 

Koji’s essay was one of only 15 to make it through for final consideration for the top prize. Dr Nick Cutler, Director of Studies in Geography at Trinity College, wrote to Koji thanking him for his entry. He stated that the overall quality of the essays submitted was “extremely high”.

“Most essays presented a rather traditional view of cartography and concentrated on physical features such as ocean ridges or tropical rainforests,” wrote Dr Cutler, the competition adjudicator. “The best essays were distinguished by a broader view that encompassed thematic as well as topographic mapping.”

In addition to questioning whether certain regions such as Central and South America and the polar regions are already sufficiently mapped, Koji addressed the issue of the dynamic physical properties of the earth – such as islands which emerge following volcanic eruptions.

He also discussed climate change and the demands of a growing world population on the planet, arguing that increased mapping is required to monitor and manage resources.

After completing his A-levels, Koji is planning to undertake a gap year involving some travelling, but linked to conservation. He is considering applying to Cambridge, with the intention of taking up a place in 2016.

Former QE pupil Richard Burr was a runner-up after reaching the final of the BBC’s The Great British Bake Off.

Richard (OE 1987-1994) impressed the judges once again, with celebrity chef and baker Paul Hollywood praising the “unbelievable” flavours of his final creation – a spectacular pièce montée cake modelled on a windmill. This final ‘bake’ was required to contain elements of cake, biscuit and choux pastry, and took inspiration from Mill Hill, the area of north London that Richard and his family call home.

Only three of the original 12 contestants reached the final. Richard was the front-runner during the latter stages of the competition, having been named ‘star baker’ an unprecedented five times.

In the end, however, first prize went to retired GP surgery manager Nancy Birtwhistle. Judge Mary Berry praised her “quiet determination”, while Paul Hollywood said of her: “Everything joined together for the final.”

Speaking after the result was announced, Richard, 38, said: “I think the greatest lesson I have taken out is [that] if you want to do something, just crack on and do it: if you don’t just open the door, you will never find out.”

Kushal Patel has been selected to train with the Middlesex County Cricket Club Academy. Kushal, who is in Year 12, has already played for the county’s Second XI, U17 and U15 sides.

He has been the School’s top scorer for the last two seasons and has been playing for QE’s First XI since he was in Year 9 – a rare achievement. Kushal started playing with Middlesex as an U10. At 16, he is at the very bottom of the age range at which the county selects Academy players.

He has already enjoyed some first-class coaching from former Middlesex, Surrey and England batsman Mark Ramprakash (pictured with Kushal below), who is one of only 25 players in the history of the sport to have scored 100 first-class centuries, and who was batting coach for the England Lions in India in 2012.

“The Academy only select six or seven young players each season, so Kushal’s selection is a great achievement,” said School PE teacher Jonathan Morgan. “He has been one of our stand-out players for a couple of years and the coaching he will receive as part of this élite group will only improve his game.”

Kushal will now train four times a week at the county’s Finchley site over the winter, before taking part in competitive matches against the other counties’ Second XI sides next summer.

He is currently studying A-level Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Geography and Economics & Business and is hoping in the future to combine cricket at the highest-possible level with university studies.

Other current members of the Academy include 18-year-old Sebastian Feszczur-Hatchett, a QE old boy who is a left-arm seam bowler.

The lowered voting age in the Scottish referendum added a special frisson of interest to this year’s visit to the Houses of Parliament by Year 12.

The QE Sixth-Formers travelled to Westminster knowing that, like their Scottish contemporaries, they might be given the right to vote at 16 and 17.

The tour allowed the 23 boys and accompanying staff to see the Central Lobby, the chamber of the House of Commons and Westminster Hall – the last remaining part of the original palace.

“Following events in Scotland, it may be that the voting age could be reduced in the rest of the UK,” said Helen MacGregor, Politics teacher and Head of History at QE. “The knowledge that this particular cohort might gain the right to vote certainly added to the experience, which the boys found highly stimulating. They particularly enjoyed brushing shoulders with senior politicians such as former Education Secretary and now senior Tory Whip, Michael Gove.”

As well as the tour of the buildings, the boys enjoyed a discussion with Parliament’s Education Service staff. Topics covered included comparing and contrasting different voting systems, including first-past-the-post and proportional representation, as well as putting together a manifesto.

“The visit has great inherent interest in its own right,” said Miss MacGregor. “It also helps to reinforce and build on what the boys have studied in School.”

QE’s players acquitted themselves well at the International Schools’ Chess Championship, especially as half the team comprised pupils from Years 7 and 8.

Playing against 14 élite chess-playing schools at the event held at Millfield School in Somerset, QE’s A team finished fourth, ahead of older opposition from several notable independent schools.

“I was pleased with the strong performance, which suggests that chess at Queen Elizabeth’s has a bright future,” said Geoff Roberts, teacher in charge of chess, “The boys did well to qualify in the top six for the Championship section of the competition and fourth is an excellent achievement in such a high-calibre event.”

QE entered two teams of 12 boys, along with two reserves. Two boys won individual prizes for leading performances on their boards: Aditya Ramdhian (Year 10) and Rohan Shah (Year 9).

The B team finished fifth in the Major competition after narrowly missing out on qualification for the Championship event. “They gained valuable tournament experience and several of these younger boys are sure to feature strongly in our top team in years to come,” added Mr Roberts.

“This year was also special as it marked the final year at the tournament for QE’s Chess Captain, Joseph Levene. Since he burst on the scene in Year 7, when he took maximum points on his board at this event, he has proved a consistently successful player for the School.”

QE boys sampled aspects of German life ranging from modern industry to an ancient castle on their language exchange.

Thirty boys from Years 9 and 10 visited QE’s partner school, the Friedrich von Bodelschwingh Gymnasium (grammar school), in north west Germany.

During their week-long stay, they took part in lessons in school, as well as enjoying climbing, handball – a popular sport in Germany – and a football tournament. Trips included a visit to the factory of the German catering products company, Dr Oetker, as well as excursions to Bielefeld’s Sparrenberg Castle and to the Heide Park, a theme park between Hannover and Hamburg.

Head of Languages Christopher Kidd, who was among the three members of staff on the exchange, said: “This was an excellent trip and the German teachers and parents were very complimentary about our boys.

“For their part, our young linguists seized the opportunity to improve their language skills and find out more about German life and culture, while also enjoying the opportunity to establish friendships with their German counterparts.”