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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.”

This year’s Year 7 chess champion is Devin Karia, who won all six of his games to take the title with maximum points. Runner-up Joshua Wong was among a number of boys who took five from six points.

The competition attracted a high-quality field of 72 boys, who enjoyed a competitive morning of chess. “I was very pleased to see such a large group of highly able and enthusiastic chess players in Year 7,” said Geoff Roberts, teacher in charge of chess at QE. “It was especially pleasing to see the high standard of chess being played by so many of the competitors at such an early stage in their school careers.”

The competitors were assisted by Sixth-Formers Joseph Levene and Harshil Joshi. “They made invaluable contributions to the running of the tournament,” said Mr Roberts. “They administered the pairings for each round and acted as arbiters in the case of rules queries. The Year 7 boys undoubtedly enjoyed receiving coaching and advice from Joseph and Harshil, who have been highly successful at chess over many years.”

The final positions were:

First place – Devin Karia

Second place – Joshua Wong

Third place – Aqif Choudhury

Bhar Rambhiya was placed fourth, Paarth Singhal fifth, Sam Cohen sixth and Muhnnad Tingari seventh.

Year 11 pupil Bushry Basheer was among the best-performing delegates at a competition designed to simulate the work of the United Nations.

Bushry Basheer was singled out as one of the award-winners at the Model United Nations Conference held at Reigate Grammar School. He was among 200 participants at the event.

QE entered two teams, one comprising four Year 11 boys and one made up of four pupils from Year 10.

“Bushry did very well to be awarded an Outstanding Delegate award for his role as the delegate from the Philippines on the Economic & Social Committee, said Nisha Mayer, Head of Academic Enrichment at QE. “He lobbied, caucused and submitted resolutions on trade and prostitution. It involved a great deal of preparation ahead of the event itself and his attention to detail and commitment to getting his resolutions through and passed by his committee contributed to his success.”

Topics for debate at the event spanned a broad range of topical world issues. The teams each adopted a country and championed its cause throughout the day’s debating.  Each participant took a seat on one of the committees, which included Environment, Human Rights, Economic & Social and Health.

Besides Bushry, the Year 11 team comprised Chris Deane, Shayen Sathiananthan and Neal Vithlani, while the Year 10 team was made up of Atul John, Karan Sanghavi, Suraj Shah and Jathieesan Umaasuthan.

Budding engineer Marcus Rodin enjoyed the opportunity to meet and interview two of the key engineers behind London’s iconic Shard building – the unusual prize in a national competition.

Marcus, a Year 13 student, had to write a short letter detailing why he thought he should be given the chance to meet Kamran Moazami and Ron Slade – the Project Director and Design Director for the 87-storey skyscraper respectively. The competition was run as part of STEM education, a government-backed initiative to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in schools and in Higher Education.

He was one of 11 winners given the opportunity to meet Mr Moazami and Mr Slade. All 11 students contributed to the interview and asked a number of searching questions, both about The Shard and about engineering as a career.

When asked why they had chosen structural engineering as a profession, Mr Slade said that his father had been a carpenter, which had sparked an interest in doing something “along those lines”, although he was unsure of his choices up to university level. Mr Moazami thought of becoming a doctor but his father discouraged him, telling him: “You know what, just think of yourself as a doctor for buildings and you’ll be good to go.” Kamran said he was thankful he had listened to his father.

Speaking about The Shard, they revealed the challenge of fulfilling the architect’s vision. “Every building must have something iconic,” said Mr Moazami.

Marcus, who took part in a structural engineering summer school at Coventry University, said: “I enjoyed the opportunity to meet two leading figures in an industry in which I hope to work. It was an inspirational experience to hear at first hand the challenges and successes they face in every project they undertake.

Tours of three factories formed the backbone of a Sixth Form Economics trip to the Czech Republic, while there were also opportunities to savour Prague’s historic attractions.

On the first day the boys relaxed with a cruise on the River Vltava, the longest river in the country. The next day was taken up with a tour of the Skoda factory – one of very few car manufacturers to allow visitors into its plants. The tour included a short film on the 119-year history and development of Skoda car production and the opportunity to compare the collection of historic cars with the vehicles emerging today from the ultra-efficient modern production plant.

Later in the day the group of 25 boys from Years 12 and 13 were taken on a guided walking tour of Prague. Highlights included the Castle, Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter – once the largest Jewish ghetto in Europe.

The trip was rounded off with tours of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery & Museum in Pilsen, west of Prague, and of the Bohemian Glass factory. The QE party enjoyed a guided tour of the Museum of Communism, and visited the Strahov Library and the famous 'Mirror Maze' at Petrin. The boys also enjoyed the opportunity to spend a little free time wandering in Prague’s famous Wenceslas Square.

“We fitted a great deal into just four days,” said Economics teacher Sonia Strnad, who led the trip and is herself from this part of the world. “The boys had a wonderful opportunity to see three completely different, but internationally renowned, manufacturing operations, as well as to enjoy the historical and picturesque aspects of the city.”

“It really was a wonderful trip,” said Year 13 student, Ralph Flint. “The factory visits helped to reinforce work we’ve covered in Economics lessons, while the city itself is soaked in history. It exceeded our expectations and I would say it’s the best School trip I’ve ever been on.”

The School’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) took part in the special High Barnet commemoration events to mark Remembrance Sunday in the World War I centenary year.

The CCF joined other cadet forces, including the Sea Cadets and the Air Training Corps, in paying tribute to those who have given their lives in conflict. They gathered with adult reservists and veterans at a special service at St John’s Church. This included a two-minute silence and the sounding of the Last Post; it was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial outside the Church, also attended by many local people who had gathered there to pay their respects.

“The boys were very keen to be involved,” said the contingent’s leader Captain Armon (Mev Armon, of the School’s Biology Department). “They all felt the particular poignancy of the centenary of the start of World War I and the solemnity of the remembrance of all those who have died in various theatres of war up to the present day.”

QE’s CCF regiment, which is open to boys in Year 9-13, started the day at Barnet’s Army Reserve Centre with a parade, which included a miltary marching band and ended it with a march past the borough’s Deputy Lieutenant, Martin Russell, who took the salute. The boys had to wear their Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) uniform, including jacket, green t-shirt, green belt and highly polished boots.

The High Barnet church parade was one of more than a dozen Remembrance Sunday services and wreath-laying events taking place around the borough.