Thank you to all who joined us for our virtual Founder’s Day on Saturday and showed such wonderful support for The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s and for the School.

Whilst it was, of course, sad not to be together physically, the day proved a huge success, with large numbers tuning in to our terrific YouTube broadcast and many having fun afterwards with our Cook-Along. If you missed any of it, it is not too late – click above to watch our Main Presentation, here for the Cook-Along and here for the special episode of the Roundness podcast from The Queen’s Library.

The total raised, including Gift Aid, has already topped £20,000, with other events such as the Year 7 QuizNite still to come, which might see it rise a little further. This is line with the sums raised in previous years – a quite remarkable achievement, given the situation.

I was touched by the many messages of thanks and appreciation – over 390, and counting! – that were left on the Founder’s Day JustGiving page. My thanks again go to Mrs Tricia Reid, Parent Governor and member of the Executive Committee of FQE, for her fundraising solo half-marathon.

We have now added to our Founder’s Day news report a gallery showing some of the photos that members of the Elizabethan community sent in of themselves enjoying the Cook-Along meal, together with some images taken from the main presentation and from the Cook-Along.

Founder’s Day was the grand climax to a great week. The return of Year 10 all went according to plan and it was super to see the boys’ happiness at being back in School and with their friends. I was also heartened by the pastoral checks I conducted with boys in Year 7 and 8, hearing directly from them how well their education and personal development are being catered for whilst they are working remotely. It was good to have it confirmed that they are very keen and excited to return to Queen’s Road as soon as possible, even if that means setting the alarm clock for an earlier hour!

As I said in my address on Saturday, I am sure that in the years to come it will be acknowledged how well the School has coped in these unprecedented circumstances. In this QE Update, you can read about the creativity our boys have shown during lockdown in our Art competition and you have a chance to lend your support to our high-flying engineering team.

I am confident that the forthcoming virtual events, such as the new intake induction and our Junior Awards, will be as successful in their way as Founder’s Day. We have begun welcoming our incoming Year 7s on to the site for their uniform fittings, which is an important step for our new families as they prepare to join us.

Set our below are our plans for the remainder of the term for the various year groups. All parents and boys should note that Friday 3rd July is a training day, so there are no lessons. Going back to our Six Ss for a Successful Summer (QE Updates passim), this will be a day to ‘switch off’, to ‘socialise’ safely and to enjoy the long weekend.

Our political leaders seem confident that schools will be open for all pupils to attend in person in September; we await the details of how social distancing guidelines are to be amended. In preparing for this, our priority will be to settle pupils into the routines of schooling and to ensure that they are safe and well – physically, mentally and emotionally.

My very best wishes

Mr Neil Enright
Headmaster