Let the festivities begin! Celebrating the 450th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s School

The Spring Term is now well under way and plans for our 450th anniversary celebrations are rapidly taking shape, with the special service in Westminster Abbey on the day of the anniversary itself, Friday 24th March, the undoubted climax of this term’s activities.

We believe it is important to take time in the life of our busy School to commemorate this landmark. It gives all of us a rare opportunity to consider our place within 450 years of history and to express our gratitude for the opportunities that we now enjoy thanks to the courage and sacrifice of those who came before.

The start of the celebrations was, of course, heralded by the visit of HRH The Duke of Gloucester in late November. This was a very happy occasion and, moreover, one in which our pupils were heavily involved, from the CCF cadets providing a formal welcome; the rugby players training out on Stapylton Field and the musicians playing in our new building, to the VEX robotics teams who explained to our distinguished visitor how he could drive one of their hi-tech creations. There were many smiling faces among the Year 7 boys as the Duke made his way back down the drive to the tree-planting ceremony involving members of our Eco Network and representatives of the six Houses.

Currently, Years 8 and 9 are beginning anniversary research projects in their Personal Development Time sessions, making full use of our QE Collections online archive. We also have an anniversary poetry competition running to find the official poem of the year, with a theme of ‘opportunity’. In similar vein, the programme of activities being planned for the summer and autumn will fully involve the boys, with the accent both on celebrating the anniversary and on generating a legacy from the year.

The service of thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey on 24th March, which begins at 12 o’clock and will last for an hour, promises to be a very special occasion. I am acutely aware that the active and steadfast support of our families is one of the key factors in the School’s ongoing success, and I am therefore keen that as many parents as possible should attend. Since space within the Abbey is limited, we are running a special ballot to allocate places to parents. I do hope that as many of you as possible will enter: to do so, simply click the button below and enter a few details for the chance to claim your space.

Before the service, parents are also warmly invited to the launch event for the eagerly awaited history of the School written by my predecessor as Headmaster, John Marincowitz – details below. 

Thank you for all your support,

With best wishes

Neil Enright

Headmaster

School history book launch: your invitation

The launch of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet: 1573-2023, John Marincowitz’s definitive history of QE, takes place on Wednesday 1st March. The evening will feature readings, an audience Q&A and the chance to see archive materials including QE’s original royal charter – plus, of course, the opportunity to ask Dr Marincowitz to sign your copy of the book. To reserve your place at the launch, click on the button below, and if you haven’t ordered your book yet, there is still time to buy it from the FQE Shop at the discounted price of £35.