Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School

Dear Parents and Carers

As Term 2 draws to a close, it is great to have this opportunity to reflect upon all that has been achieved over the last eight weeks. As you will see from this extensive newsletter, our staff and students have been extremely busy - in the classroom and beyond.

This has been a challenging term for our Year 11 and Year 13 students who have all taken their PPE exams. We are very proud of their excellent level of effort and commitment and hope that they can have a well-deserved rest over the Christmas holidays.

We started the term with our record-breaking collection for Faversham Foodbank, we then raised a staggering £4,000 for Children in Need and we are ending the term with our collection for the local charity ‘Catching Lives’. We have been delighted to see how keen all of our students have been to get involved in these important community charity events and we are also grateful for the support of our parents and carers.

We were really fortunate to have had the opportunity to take part in the University of Kent, phone-free project, linked with ‘Whitstable Unplugged’ and the brilliant FOMO production that we hosted last summer. 10 brave Year 9 students volunteered to be smart-phone free for a whole week as part of the project. A number of them certainly missed their iPhones, but others really enjoyed the challenge and could see the advantages of being smart phone free. Well done to all the Year 9 students who took part.

Additionally this term we have had various school trips - including the German Exchange to Cologne, the Mountain Bike trip, the CaliforniaQuEST trip and most recently the Year 7 Christmas Pantomime trip. We have welcomed our French Exchange partners and look forward to our return visit.

As well as all of this, there have been great successes in various sports and much to celebrate in music, film and drama.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fantastic members of staff who work so hard to make Queen Elizabeth’s such a vibrant and happy school and who provide so many wonderful opportunities. We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

Kind regards

Mrs A J McIlroy

GCHQ National Language Competition

GCHQ, one of the UK’s intelligence agencies, ran its annual National Language Competition (NLC) from 17th-21st November 2025. All Year 9 students were invited to take part. We entered 6 teams from QE. Over the course of five days, teams competed to score points by tackling a variety of fun, immersive, language-themed challenges of varying difficulty levels hosted on a virtual platform. Congratulations to all participants and especially 'Mellow Duck' (Thomas N, Annie S, Eva B and Esme M) who were the winning team from QE with 3175 points. 'Tenacious Crow' (Helena J and Lucia S) were very close with 2995 points. Well done to all participants!

MFL Culture Club

This Term, Key Stage 3 have been busy learning about St Martin, St Nikoalus and Day of the Dead in our lunch time clubs, doing crafts and singing songs. Well done to all participants!

German A level Christmas Baking!

Well done to the Year 12 German students who practised their German in culinary form this term, reading recipes in German and bringing in their bakes to share with the class. Well done especially to Sam, Henry. R and Freya!

CHRISTMAS MARKETS COME TO QE!

Year 8 pupils have been working hard for their exams in MFL this term. They were treated to a lunch time of Christmas Markets on Tuesday, where they could try snacks from Europe and enjoy the Christmas spirit with music and crafts.

GERMAN EXCHANGE to COLOGNE

28 participants were very excited to see their exchange partners again, but this time we were travelling to Cologne! We spent the weekend with our exchange partners and their families, some of us went to Phantasialand theme park, which was a lot of fun.

On Monday we experienced a German school day, which started very early!

On Tuesday we visited Cologne city centre, climbing to the top of the Cathedral tower to see an amazing view of the city, followed by a delicious Spaghettieis to refresh us! After that we walked along the river Rhine to the Lindt Chocolate Museum to see how chocolate is made and learnt about the sustainability of chocolate production.

On Wednesday we returned to the city with our partners to visit the Olympia Sport Museum and on Thursday we visited a climbing centre together with our partners. We learnt some German, tried new foods and loved the week with our partners! Friendships have been made.

A Wonderful Week with our French Exchange visitors

This year’s French exchange was once again a successful week, jam-packed with memorable adventures. Our visitors arrived on Thursday 4th December, and barely having time to catch their breath, were welcomed straight into two lessons. It was a brilliant introduction to life in a UK school, and many remarked on how different (and exciting!) the experience felt compared with their classrooms back home.

Friday saw the group set off on an unforgettable day in London. We began at the Natural History Museum, where students wandered among a number of towering dinosaur skeletons in Christmas jumpers, no less! Afterwards, we enjoyed a guided walking tour past many of the capital’s most iconic landmarks: Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards’ Parade, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye and Trafalgar Square. Of course, our French guests took countless photos, especially of classic red buses and pillar boxes, as well as black cabs! The day ended with a festive stop at Bluewater, giving everyone the chance to continue their Christmas shopping.

The weekend was equally full of fun, as host families treated their guests to bowling trips, sleepovers, trips to football matches and Netflix marathons.

On Monday, the French students explored the historic city of Canterbury. A guided tour brought its ancient streets and the Cathedral to life, followed by plenty of free time for yet more souvenir shopping!

Their final day, Tuesday, was spent participating in a variety of lessons back at school. By the time goodbyes were said that afternoon, there were tears from many students, a touching reminder of how quickly genuine friendships can form.

A big thank you goes to all the parents and carers who ensured our exchange students felt welcomed. We are already counting down the days until we see our exchange partners again when we visit France in March!

French Penpals Bring Festive Cheer

Year 7 French students were delighted to receive Christmas cards from their new penpals at Collège Saint Jacques in Hazebrouck, France this week. We have been busy writing replies, which will soon be whisking their way to France.

Meanwhile, Year 9 has begun an exciting letter exchange, creating friendships and cultural connections across the Channel. We look forward to seeing these international bonds grow throughout the year!

Axiom Maths Update

A picture of our completed Christmas tree!

This term, we expanded the Axiom Maths programme to Year 7, so now have two programmes running each week. The Year 7s have made a fantastic start to the sessions they have covered so far, demonstrating the 3As of Axiom brilliantly: Adventurous, Accepting and Articulate. At the end of term we enjoyed some festive activities. Last week the Axiom students took part in the Think Maths workshop Merry Mathsmas, learning mathematical magic tricks, paper folding and probability.

We ended the term with a Christmas party, where the students made fractal Christmas cards, solved Christmas puzzles, and began constructing a Serpinki's Triangle Christmas Tree - with a little help from the Junior Axiom Mentors, Mr. Yeatman, Dr. Perkins and some of the other Year 12 A level Maths students.

A massive thank you to the Year 12 Junior Mentors for their brilliant work this term, and we look forward to more Axiom fun the rest of this year!

UKMT Success

It has been another great term for UKMT success, this time with the Sixth Form. 35 Students achieved an award in the Senior Maths Challenge, with 5 Golds, 9 Silvers and 21 Bronze certificates. Well done to Charles, Alexis, Al, Cleo and Zeno who in addition to their Gold awards, also progressed through to the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo, a follow on round.

We also took a team to compete in the UKMT Senior Team Challenge. This was the first time we have ever taken part in their competition and the students conducted themselves excellently.

Year 7 Enjoys Festive Pantomime at The Marlowe Theatre

On Wednesday, 17th December, our Year 7 students were treated to an exhilarating trip to The Marlowe Theatre to see the pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The exciting, fun-filled family show featured an incredible cast, including Sarah Hadland (Miranda), children's favourite Phil Gallagher (Mister Maker), and Marlowe legend Ben Roddy (winner of Best Dame at the Pantomime Awards 2024).

This outing allowed students to apply key concepts studied in their Drama lessons this term, particularly slapstick conventions and the nature of stock characters, bringing classroom learning to life.

The Drama department hopes this will become a new and enriching Queen Elizabeth's tradition, offering every Year 7 student the opportunity to experience high quality, professional theatre.

School Recognition at the National Youth Monologue Competition 2025

We are delighted to let you know that the school have been awarded a Schools and Groups Regional Commendation for the National Youth Monologues 2025.

This is a fantastic achievement, with only a few schools or groups being awarded this commendation and is a reflection of the high standard of work that was submitted by the school, which included two students represented in the National Final, three students making the Regional Shortlist and a further four students having their monologues commended.

The British Sociological Association - Young Sociologist of the Year Essay Competition

Every year the BSA sets a question for Sixth Form sociology students, with the question for 2025 being: 'What is the biggest challenge facing our generation?'. Only five entries are allowed from each school, so the pressure was on to use their sociological imaginations to answer the question in an individual and creative way.

Most entries are from Year 12 students, who have no grounding in sociology, making the entries even more outstanding. Students used their own experiences to narrow down the challenge, conducted primary research, following ethical guidelines, and used secondary research such as journal articles, resulting in an excellent standard of academic essay - and a very hard shortlisting decision for me to narrow down to only five projects. The creativity and range on display, as well as the high standard of research, were impressive, as can be seen from the topic variety below.

The final 5 submitted to the BSA topics were:

How has the gentrification of third spaces and the lack thereof in urban spaces affected generation Z's sociability and mental health?
In an ever-evolving society of multiculturalism, how are language barriers becoming an increasing challenge facing our generation today?
The forced acceptance of individualism and the pressure of choosing a label.
How does TikTok influence how young people construct and perform their identities — and to what extent are these identities 'real' or 'performed'?
The predicament of the climate crisis: how it shapes our identity, politics and future as Gen Z.

As well as these, the following 3 topics were very close:

Work or wives: How nouveau tradewife culture has shaped the educational gender structure of UK schools, and the resultant bleak outlook.
The ingrained patriarchal system is the biggest issue facing our generation of women and girls in society today.
Is our society regressing when it comes to gender equality?

Special mention is also made to these topics, which did make the first round of shortlisting:

How does the current housing crisis affect our generation?
Body Dysmorphia as a Result of Social Media.
To what extent has Artificial Intelligence had an impact on young people’s productivity within education?

Results from the BSA are expected towards the end of Term 3 - any shortlisted to the top 10 entries world-wide will be celebrated in the newsletter. I am very proud of all of our Young Sociologists at QE.

Mrs Longhurst

Humanity Heroes

We are delighted to award the following students 'humanity heroes' for their outstanding assessments, astute and frequent contributions to class discussions and impressive commitment to wider school activities in Humanities.

Year 7 - Lenny and Felix

Year 8 - Safiyya, Stan, Esther and Georgia

Year 9 - Bella, Mathis and Seth

Year 10 - Joshua and Amy

Year 11 - Owen and Frazer

Year 12 - Ashleigh

Year 13 - Fred & Grace

The Great History Debate

This Term we have launched Season III of our very popular knockout competition that pits students from Years 7, 8 and 9 against each other in a series of disputes related to controversial issues in the past.

So far, Joni, Douglas, Seth, Jude, Eddie, Annie, Jude, Thomas, Ron, Stanley, Rafi, Sophie, Rosie, Herbie, Henry, Kaden, Sophie, Kingston, Rex, Ewan and Sebastian have wrestled over subjects ranging from Sir Douglas Haig, Richard the Lionheart, Julius Caesar, Dunkirk, King John, the Norman Conquest and the sinking of the Titanic!

Everyone has been fantastic and we are greatly looking forward to both seeing how the victors thus will fair in Round II and how the rest of the Round I competitors will do from January onwards.

As always I would like to thank Mr Piotrowski for assisting with the interrogations and judging but also Katy, from the Sixth Form, who has volunteered her time to take part in those aspects too. I am also grateful to all of the pupils who have come along to watch - thank you for your questions, warm support and curiosity.

Who will be crowned the winner in 2026? - we can't wait to find out!

P.E. update for Term 1 and Term 2

Well, it has been a whole two terms since we last reported our sporting stories, so they are aplenty this time around!

Netball

What a start to Term 1 extra curricular sport! We had organised to have one Netball session for students across the school to attend, but it quickly became apparent we needed a change of plan due to the huge number of participants. As such, Year 7 had an after school practice that has seen on average, 35 students in attendance. Year 9/10 lunchtime has seen around 30 and Year 8, 30! It has been great to see so many students regularly participating in recreational activities!

In addition we have had Year 7-10 Netball teams compete in our District friendly fixtures both on and off site. Year 7 has shown huge potential and made a great start to representing QE, with Audrey. P leading the team to lots of victorious moments this season. Star players recognition goes to Margot. T, Tilly. N and Clem. P, with Claudia. F and Nancsi. H accumulating over 50 goals in two terms. Watch this space, second place District champions are chasing the trophy next year. Year 8 has shown massive improvements from last year - they have been closing the game on their competitors. Year 9 and Year 10 continue to shine!

A super tournament for our Year 8 students this term! The team managed to draw or win all of their games, except against the tough competition of Herne Bay High. Some fantastic Netball has been played - the team has developed so much over these past two terms. A special mention must go to Matilda. W for her consistent shooting and for Eva. A for her excellent defending. Unfortunately the team finished fourth on this occasion, on goal difference but Barton Court in third place but, it was a fantastic tournament and we are proud of them all.

Year 8 District Netball

Year 9 put their best foot forward going into a very difficult and challenging season within the District, going strength to strength as a team. Lucia. S and Annie. N worked tirelessly to motivate, organise and lead the team to many victories this season as the Year 9 dual Captains. The girls accumulated a fantastic 64 goals during their fixture matches, with a huge shoutout to Mila. C who takes credit for a large percentage of these goals. Mila also receives this year's ‘Star Player’ award, not only from the oppositions we have faced, but also from her own team players - well done and well deserved! We then took on six other teams at the District tournament to see who would be crowned champions. QE displayed some fantastic moments of play, which both staff and students from other schools commented on. However, the girls narrowly missed out on bringing the trophy back to QE due to losing their final game of the day. We are immensely proud of them all and look forward to seeing what next year brings.

The Year 10 team remained undefeated, storming their way through the friendly fixtures and culminating in an unbeatable performance at the District tournament. This is a strong team, both in attack and defence, with goalscoring opportunities aplenty from Mille, Maddie and Jess. Down the other end of the court, defence in the D is held together by Amy, Dora & Izzy, who are all ably supported by Darcie and Evie in the centre of the court. Owing to an injury, we managed to call up Erin who also played an excellent role in the middle of the court. This group have been dedicated to their school Netball since Year 7 and continue to improve week on week. They have been a pleasure to work with and deserve their District Champions title. A final special mention must go to both Jess and Izzy C - Jess for her Captaining duties and Izzy for her outstanding level of play and gaining the most Star Player nominations.

Year 10 District Netball Winners

Multi Sports club

We have enjoyed running multi-sports these last two terms with our KS3 students and have enjoyed supporting ‘recreational play’, but also friendly competition. We have participated in Badminton, Pickleball, Table Tennis, Just Dance and Volleyball. It has been great to see so many KS3 students regularly attending this club and enjoying themselves.

Football

A record number of very talented boys trialled for the Year 7 football team this year making it incredibly tough to select 12 for the final squad. After a mixed start in the league due to various changes, the team found their feet when they thrashed Barton Court 7-0. Ever since then, the team have only gone from strength to strength evident from their very impressive Kent Cup run. The Year 7s rose to the challenge of a very talented School of Science and Technology team in the round of 32. The game finished 1-1 after normal and extra-time setting up a tense penalty shoot-out. Every spot-kick was converted up until the fifteenth, after which Orson. P buried the sixteenth to secure qualification into the last sixteen. QE continued to play some very fluid football against Herne Bay High. They were brave in possession and counter-attacked with pace and power. Edward. O troubled the Herne Bay back line all game, weaving in and out of players for fun, whilst Will. S played the lone striker role to perfection and he was rewarded with a tidy finish in the first half. QE went 2-0 up, with Edward. O finishing off another swift move before Herne Bay pulled one back with a free-kick 10 minutes from time. Captain and player of the season so far, Luke. S, seems to thrive under pressure and he was pivotal, as he has been all season, in preserving the lead to set up a quarter-final showdown with Simon Langton in the new year. George. P deserves a special mention for his tenacity and skill on the ball, whilst Louis. J has been a hugely influential player in terms of motivating, organising and scoring vital goals - a special Year 7 player! The year 7s have made the most impressive start to their footballing careers at QE and we can’t wait to see what they can achieve in the future.

The Year 8 boys always play with great pride and dedication, which helped them progress to the last 16 of the Kent Cup. Dylan. J continued his fine form at CB from last year and his new partner Elijah. O was immense against St John’s Comp - his power and crunching tackles made him unbeatable at the back. Big game performances from Harry. H, who has been a handful all season at LW, and Dan. G, who scored two goals, secured a challenging game against Rainham Mark Grammar School in the next round. QE dug in on a sticky pitch in the rain before Kingston. P scored two goals to take the lead, the latter of which was a power driver from a difficult angle. Oscar. K calmly scored with 15 minutes left to take the score to 1-3 in QEs favour. Unfortunately, 10 minutes of chaos followed! five goals later and Rainham somehow turned it around to win 5-4. Lessons were learned, but I am confident that the Year 8s enthusiasm and energy will serve them well next year!

The Year 9 boys’ football team had a tough season playing against the very best that the district has to offer, losses to Canterbury Academy, Langton and Herne bay should not detract from the fact that our team is one of the strongest in our school. We have some really good players throughout the spine of the team. Oli. W, Ethan. B and Seth. S to name just a few. Our most improved player is Oskar. G who is now knocking on the door of the District team - we are sure it won’t be long before he secures his spot there!

The Year 10 boys’ football continues to improve, we had good results in the District B League with a draw against St Edmunds School, a draw against The Whitstable School and finally a win against St Anselms!! Austin. W, Josh. P and Oliver. B were the outstanding players but Phillip. H won the prize for the most promising Goalkeeper award - well done!!

The U19 2nd XI have endured a tough season, conceding over 30 goals from their six games and scoring only three… However their teamwork and work ethic has been really impressive. Drummond and Oli. E has led the defense incredibly well in tough circumstances, Frazer has looked dangerous on the break and Aaron. F has been a great find in his preferred position of CDM. With the current group of Year 11 students being a strong footballing year, we believe the future is bright for our U19 football team!

The U19 1st XI made a strong start to the season drawing 1-1 away against Harvey Grammar School. Oscar. T scored one of the best goals in recent QE memory by plucking a 50 yard pass out of the air, dragging the ball past 2 defenders before slotting the ball past the outrushing goalkeeper. The following games proved challenging in a very tough league. They finished mid-table but highlights of the season include a silky 16 pass team goal, finished off by Gabriel. CS as part of a hat-trick against Borden Grammar and the team produced a very disciplined team performance against Bexley GS. The game finished 1-1 and we lost on penalties, but they were very unfortunate not to progress. Captain Charlie. O scored the goal of his life in the boys final game for QE- a dipping, curling free-kick from 25 yards. An emotional farewell speech by Charlie and Sammy. W capped off an up and down season, but the Year 13s have played with great passion throughout their time at QE providing some very memorable moments.

Girls’ Football

This is another area of growth for Queen Elizabeth’s and the standard of girls’ Football, locally and countywide is certainly improving. We entered two teams into the Kent Cup this year - U14 & U15 as this is where we have the greatest numbers participating. Both teams played some close first round matches, but both ending as victors and continuing through to the later rounds. The U14s started their campaign with a very convincing 5-0 win over Chilmington Green. This display of Football was great to see from the girls, with Harlow & Ocean dominating the midfield and both scoring 2 goals each. The 5th was put into the net by Maddie H - it was a great start to their season. In the second round, we travelled to Wye, where we narrowly won a very closely fought game, 1-0. Heading into the 3rd round we knew we would be facing tough opposition in Sir Roger Manwood’s and indeed, it was a very tough game. Our girls were not on form and they took advantage of this. Harlow scored an absolute beauty of a goal, but unfortunately they scored three more than us! This was the end of the cup run for the U14’s, which was sad. I know this group can play great Football and look forward to seeing what they can achieve next year.

The U15 team (Year 10) continued in the competition and have now reached the semi-final stage. They have pushed aside all of their opponents in the early rounds and are getting better and better with each performance. So far we have beaten Marsh Academy 1-0 (Maddie M), Sir Roger Manwood’s 3-0 (Maddie M x2, Erin B) and undoubtedly the most exciting quarter final win vs. Canterbury Academy.

Zhana opened the scoring with a super top corner goal and we dominated in attack for some time. They scored a scrappy goal in response and we went into the second half 1-1. With a goal from them early in the second half, our girls needed to wake up and play with passion. Indeed they did and it wasn’t long before a great series of linking play from the team saw Emma bury the ball for our second goal. At 2-2 we all thought we would be going into extra time, but Maddie M thought differently. The girls just didn’t give up. Zhana continued to run and link nicely with Erin in the middle of the pitch, whilst Freya played her best game so far on the left wing. With only 1 minute of normal time remaining, Maddie took a volley opportunity to score the winner - best goal ever!!!!!!!! I was so proud of the team on this day - they are a nonchalant group, not phased by much, but they all turned up for each other and their sheer determination led to their win. They have strength throughout the pitch and we are excited to see them play once again in the semi-final of this prestigious competition.

The semi-final will be played on Saturday 17th January, KO to be confirmed at Queen Elizabeth’s. We would love as much support as possible, so if you are at a loose end on that date, please come along and give them a cheer. They are playing against Highworth Grammar School, Ashford and I would like to wish them the very best of luck.

U15 Girls’ Kent Cup Quarter Final Winners

Dance Showcase update

This term we held auditions for the Dance Showcase, it was so good to see students 32 counts to their chosen song and musical. We have enjoyed watching students practice each week and see their dances and confidence building. The Dance Showcase will be held in February 2026, more details to follow next term.

Rugby Club

The KS3 rugby club is growing bigger and bigger as the term progresses - just in time for the District Competition to begin in Term 4. 30 boys have regularly attended this club and its army of helpers from KS4 have made the club the success that it is. Charlie and Jacob in Year 7 are showing serious potential - I am predicting we will have a very strong Year 7 team!

Basketball

Our school's basketball clubs go from strength to strength. In KS3 Max in Year 7 is proving to be the one to beat, closely followed by Felix. L, Arlo. M and Viggo. The Year 8s have applied themselves really well, Elijah, Nathan and Jason are setting the pace and make for a formidable team.

In the KS4 club, the Year 11 boys have set the bar really high for new standards in basketball. Sam. W, Adesh, Ned and Malachi have had the most success, scoring freely and defending as though their lives depended on it! Thanks to all that attend these clubs they have been hugely popular with over 60 students regularly attending - absolutely brilliant!

Cross Country

This term saw the return of the cross country season and a couple of events for all. It began with Years 7-9 participating in an inter-house competition - Year 7's first opportunity to earn sporting points for their house. The students ran laps of our Abbey field, competing to finish in the top five and there were some excellent results seen. Before I mention the results, it must be noted that ALL students should be commended for their effort and endeavour. We recognise this may not be everybody’s favourite event, but the levels of effort from all students was outstanding. The results are presented below:

This meant we had a very strong qualifying contingent to represent Queen Elizabeth’s at the District cross country at The Langton. It was a very cold morning when they headed off, accompanied by Miss. Washington & Mr. Charlton and the team produced some fantastic results - the best in many years for our school. In terms of team results (the first 4 qualifying runners in each age group) our Year 7 boys absolutely stormed to glory, taking an emphatic first place, the Junior Girls came second and the Junior Boys third. Individual performances from Will, Ed & Archie, all in Year 7, finished in that respective order, whilst Lucy. K, in Year 13, finished strong in second place in the Senior Girls race. We now have a very talented group of students representing Canterbury and St Augustine’s District at the county event in January. This is a tough, very prestigious event with the best of the best runners from across the county’s schools and we would like to wish all our representatives the very best of luck.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our P.E. staff for their continued dedication and commitment to extra-curricular school sport - I know the students appreciate them and this is shown by the huge numbers of students we have attending clubs and playing in representative teams. Watch out next term for much of the same.

Kind regards

Mrs French

VEX Robotics 2025

In November, students from Queen Elizabeth’s fielded a robot in the VEX Robotics Competition at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys. The robot, named GAEL, was designed to undertake a number of different skills including picking up objects, placing objects and undertaking an autonomous period. The students from Year 10 and Year 11 had a successful qualification round making it through to the quarter finals where they were eventually knocked out. A great effort!

Electron microscope (A&B) & biology resource publication (RMS)

Below is an extract from the 'Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers Company' publication regarding a National project that our Science Faculty has been supporting for several years: The Scanning Electron Microscope in Schools Program.

Gauntlet Trust funds a scanning electron microscope for loan to schools

by Liveryman Dr James Perkins and Ms Anne-Marie Clift

A QE student helping with the set up and calibration of the Scanning Electron Microscope. The sample under examination was the spiny leaf of a nettle.

Many of you will know, or have heard of, the Materials Science Committee's decision to contribute a significant sum of money towards the purchase of a scanning electron microscope for schools. This is to join an existing loan machine from Hitachi that travels to different schools for several weeks at a time providing state of the art science equipment to be used by school children. The A&B scanning electron microscope has now arrived and has already been working hard! After unboxing in March, the first group of students to get their hands on the instrument came from Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham, Kent. Under the watchful eyes of Liveryman Dr James Perkins (Head of Science at Queen Elizabeth's) and Dr Alex Ball, Head of Imaging at the Natural History Museum in London the students were given a full demonstration of the capabilities including the x-ray spectroscopy addition donated by Oxford instruments.

The machine really is the latest iteration of tabletop electron microscopes. It has a motorised stage, multiple imaging modes, variable pressure (to allow imaging and analysis without a layer of metal on the samples), x-ray analysis and remote operation capabilities. It is exactly what is used in “real" research labs in industry and academia and it is only right that school age students should be able to gain authentic experience of scientific investigation and be able to do research themselves. This is not a fancy binocular, this machine uses electrons to magnify objects to a far greater extent than conventional light microscopes.

In its first few weeks on the road, the microscope visited Tonbridge School where technician and project partner, Ramona Szalczinger, created curriculum materials to be provided to schools who may not have expertise readily available to make use of the microscope. These samples and lesson plans provide a scaffold to help teachers and students alike learn some related science and get used to using the microscope. For more experienced teachers, the SEM can be used straight away in lessons and STEM clubs.

The SEM moved swiftly on to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School where some Year 10 students were working on a research project

Dr Perkins was clothed for the Livery on Master's Day 2025.

with a PhD student from the University of Kent on lunar habitat building materials. They subsequently presented their findings (including SEM images) at a conference at UCL at the end of June. The microscope featured regularly in lessons from Year 7 biology to A-level physics as well as STEM club activities and QUEST (Queen Elizabeth's Science and Technology Society) research work until the end of the summer term.

Over the summer holidays the SEM visited a large microscopy conference in Manchester as the hub for the Royal Microscopical Society's learning zone, and then the residential summer school “Magic of Materials” at St Paul's school, a 3-day materials course for Year 10 state school students from across the country. It also contributed to various events throughout the summer before returning to base to prepare for loan to schools over the next academic year.

With its large Armourers & Brasiers logo on the side, there's no escaping the Company's link to this significant project. Schools will have the opportunity to enter an imaging competition for which there is a cash prize kindly donated by the Gauntlet Trust. This initiative will enable deep-impact pathway changing opportunities for students at all levels. The project coordinators are hugely grateful for the funding provided by the Gauntlet Trust and the vision of the A&B Materials Science Committee in encouraging that support.

Armourers & Brasiers' involvement is obvious!

This term at QuEST, we were lucky enough to host two speakers. The first was Jack Gander-Compton - an ex-pupil who came in to share his fascinating career in software engineering. It was very inspiring and a testament to what hard work can achieve. He was even able to talk to many of the computer science classes as part of his visit. The second speaker was Lis Robertson - a professor at the University of Kent. She attracted a huge crowd of biology students who were eager to learn about immunology and what a degree in biomedical sciences would entail. It’s always wonderful to hear about the research people have conducted.

This term, we also hosted a design competition for the lower school. The competition was to design a lunar experiment, inspired by Matt Parker’s Moon Pi launch. We received some amazing entries. It was very hard to judge but we had the help of QuEST Alumni Jools E. We are very proud of everyone who participated! The winning entries are below:

Finally, this is the last term with the current QuEST committee. We have all found the past year to be an incredibly enriching experience. It’s bittersweet to be handing over, whilst we will miss it, we are excited to see what the new committee will do. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to lead QuEST and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished in this role.

Alexis. E. QuEST President

This term has been a busy term for MotorQuEST, with the season fast approaching in March next year. The biggest achievement has been getting the car up and running, including testing of the motor, steering and brakes. Once built, we moved our car into the hall to give us more room to work with, now that the wheels are on.

The team has turned their attention towards obtaining sponsorship for the car, to fund building a chassis, testing different materials and aerodynamic designs, creating teamwear and supporting transport and accommodation for race weekends. Emails have been sent off to local and regional firms, and we have advertised sponsorship on our social media platforms. We are still reaching out for sponsorship, so if you know a firm that could help us, please contact us via our instagram @a.p.e.engineering or by email @a.p.e.engineering1@gmail.com .

We have also ordered and received panelling for the body work of the car, which will soon be attached to the car, so building a nose cone can begin!!

Millie. H. Member of MotorQuEST

This term pollution, QuEST has been preparing to put our pollution monitor with a Swale Borough Council/ Kent County Council monitor in Sittingbourne in order to determine how accurate our PM2.5 sensor is and ensure that any future data we collect will be accurate.

We will also be able to collect lots of data here as it will be there for a couple of weeks and this will help us to see what the levels of air pollution are like in the local area as we collect both CO2 and PM2.5 data. To do this, we have been designing boxes which both protects the monitor from the weather but also allows for air flow to the sensors.

We have also presented at Los Altos High School in California as part of QuEST’s California trip over half term where we were able to tell them about our project so far, hear their suggestions and also learn about the projects they are completing there which were very interesting.

Ellie K-J. Co-Head of PollutionQuEST

BioQuEST has currently been working along with EcoQuEST exposing Daphnia to saline to look at environmental impacts of salt drift off from the use of fertilisers. We hope to look further into this next term exploring how tobacco and vape smoke impacts daphnia heart rate and survival, to further our research into cigarettes vs vapes exposure affect our lungs and bodies. We got the following results:

Our general findings were that the higher the salt concentration, the higher the daphnia mortality rate, hence why more should be done to protect our freshwater lakes/areas from salinisation.

Grace. R. Head of BioQuEST

This term, at MedQuEST we were able to conduct our investigation on the effectiveness of different concentrations of the antibiotic tetracycline on E. coli bacteria. We are particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms of action which the antibiotic undergoes and how antibiotics are distributed by pharmacists in order to be both effective and profitable.

The experiment required us to practice aseptic techniques in order to deliver valid results, this meant working with sterile equipment, on sanitised surfaces and next to Bunsen burners. We also practiced serial dilutions, which required us to take precise measurements and calculate precise concentrations, combining practical skills with careful calculations.

We are currently analysing our data, after getting successful results that followed our predictions, as well as looking at conducting gram staining in order to study the physical appearance of E. coli bacteria before and after antibiotic treatment.

Grace. K. Member of MedQuEST

Since the last newsletter, we have completed our proposal submission along with CAD and officially applied for the project, currently waiting on a response. Additionally, we contacted organisations and businesses to ask for funding, including Bensted’s charity and KCC, who helped last year’s team. This has mostly been a success and we’re grateful for all the support. In the future we plan to find some other sources of funding, such as smaller local businesses or in school charity events.

As of 3rd December, we now have all of the core parts of our primary ASGARD experiment and, after some expert soldering work, have temporarily wired them to an arduino UNO for ease. We have also begun the programming for the experiment in order to test if the parts are working as expected, and record a measure of the speed of sound using the ultrasonic sensor which is within our accepted value

The rest of our team is currently working on research into sound-absorbent materials we can test to reduce stray reflections in our final experiment, and designing a PCB (left side of the CAD) to consolidate our electronics and allow us to know the final dimensions of our frame.

Our secondary, more ambitious project is also in the works, as we have started research into how to make our own microcontroller using only the necessary components (right side of the CAD, in the image shown).

Joshua. H. Member of SpaceQuEST

This term in JuniorSTEM the sixth formers delivered a wide range of activities, including making and testing shampoo which involved the use of a microscope! In addition to this we engaged in a variety of festive activities such as racing ‘turkeys’.

To conclude the term, we held ‘QuESTmas’ in which we ran 6 different events, for instance, sleigh making and a Christmas themed science quiz. Our Year 8 members have completed their rockets, which was an on-going project from last term.

Katie. S. Head of JuniorSTEM

A Season of Incredible Performances

It has been an exceptionally busy and musical term here at QE. From prestigious concert trips in London to our very own St. Mary’s Church in Faversham, our students have showcased their talent, dedication, and passion for Music. Here is a look back at the highlights from the past few months.

Inspiration Beyond the Classroom

Our students have been busy exploring the professional world of music through several exciting trips and talks:

GCSE Brightsparks Concert: On Thursday 6th November, our Year 10 and 11 GCSE musicians travelled to the Royal Festival Hall for a GCSE-focussed concert by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This was a fantastic opportunity for them to hear set works performed live by a professional orchestra, bringing their studies to life.
Waterbear Music College: On Wednesday 11th November, we welcomed James from Waterbear Music College, who provided invaluable career talks to our GCSE and A Level musicians, giving our students a glimpse into the diverse opportunities within the modern music industry.
A-Level Philharmonia Trip: Our A-Level students returned to the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 27th November for a powerful performance of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique by the Philharmonia Orchestra. Experience of such high-level Romantic repertoire is essential for their advanced studies, and all came away with a newfound love of orchestral music.

Music for a Cause

On Friday 15th November, the H Block Gig returned in support of Children in Need. It was a high-energy event that saw students from various year groups performing to raise money for a great cause. Particular highlights were our two Year 8 bands: The Gremlins (Elliott J, Ava R-W, Beatrice V G & Mylo D-J) and WILD (Elliott N, Elodie G-P, Isabella W, Alyssia C, Liam T & Thomas D). Thank you to everyone who performed and donated!

A New Tradition: Primary School Carol Service

Friday 12th December marked a special milestone: our inaugural Primary School Carol Service. We were delighted to welcome key stage 2 pupils from Bysing Wood and Ethelbert Road primaries. The concert was incredibly well-received and served as a wonderful bridge between our school and the local community. It was a joyful start to what we hope will become a long-standing QE tradition.

The Queen Elizabeth's Carol Services

On Monday 15th December, we held our traditional Carol Services. The day was a true testament to the spirit of our school:

Afternoon Services: Our Key Stage 3 and 4 students participated brilliantly. The atmosphere was one of great respect and enjoyment, with every musician and audience member contributing to the festive spirit.
Evening Service: The final service of the day was truly mesmerising and emotional. It was a top-class display of the musicianship we are so proud of at QE. A special mention to our soloists across the services:
- Gaudete: Charles M-K, Lucy R, Evie C, and Ben S
- Once in Royal David’s City: Claudia F, Teddy T, Penny E, and Alice R

Wonderful performances from the Year 7 Drama club at the carol services. Their rendition of 'Twas the night before Christmas' was festive, entertaining and dramatic, thank you and well done from their Sixth Form Directors.

A recording of the evening service will shortly be made available via the QE Music YouTube channel; subscribe to it to be alerted when it is uploaded!

A Note of Gratitude

Finally, a huge thank you must go to our A-Level musicians. Not only did they deliver stunning performances throughout the term, but they also worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their help with the logistical challenges, setting up and packing down and providing the technical support for these large-scale concerts was invaluable. We couldn't do it without you!

The Complete Destinations and Online Careers Platform

In keeping with our commitment to providing students with outstanding careers guidance and tailored support when choosing their next step after school, we are using Unifrog; an award-winning, online careers platform. All students in Years 7-13 have access to this excellent website.

The Unifrog platform is designed to support learners in making the most informed decisions about their futures and has a range of tools that are suitable for all year groups. Each student has their own personal account that provides a wide range of information related to their interests and aspirations. Key features of the platform include:

Exploring Pathways – personality quizzes, career and subject profiles, MOOCs and webinars

Recording – self-reflection about extracurricular activities and key employability skills

Opportunities – search tools showing live vacancies/courses/placements for apprenticeships, universities (in the UK and abroad), Further Education, virtual work experience and much more

Applications – tools to help students build applications for a range of pathways (e.g. CVs, Personal Statements, Common App Essays).

Students may login to Unifrog using their email address and password and they can do so from any computer, tablet or smartphone. We would encourage you to use the platform with your child so you can support them through the process of deciding their next step.

For more information, go to www.unifrog.org

Year 13 Oxbridge and Early Entrants - Interview sessions with Lauren Dolby from Escalate Education

Just after half term in October, we welcomed former QE student and founder of Escalate Education, Lauren Dolby, to come in to give preparation sessions for students applying to Oxbridge and other early entry courses.

Lauren gave invaluable, expert advice to our students through a presentation, discussion and a very useful Q&A session.

National Apprenticeships Week takes place from 9th-15th february 2026.

Further information can be found via: naw.appawards.co.uk and students will be able to explore apprenticeships during form times throughout the week.

National Careers Week takes place from 2nd - 7th march 2026.

We will be sharing resources with students and information will be provided via the students' Google Classrooms. We also invite you and your child to join the National Careers Week Virtual Careers Fair. Further information to follow.

Please visit nationalcareersweek.com for further information.

Careers Advice and Guidance at queen elizabeth's

If any Year 12 or Year 13 student would like advice and guidance about their next step, or if they need to discuss any aspect of the pathway they are considering, please email Miss Butterly, a Level 6 Careers Guidance Adviser who is based in the Sixth Form Office, via hsb@queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk

Please visit the Careers section of our school website for further information about how we support, advise and guide students in their step or with any aspect of their careers research: www.queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk/learning/careers-guidance

Commemorating Remembrance Day in the Library

This November, our library was filled with the spirit of remembrance and reflection as we commemorated Remembrance Day. Our student librarians and book club members have worked together to create a meaningful and thought-provoking display in the library.

Making Poppies, Sharing Thoughts

As part of our commemoration, students have been making poppies and writing quotes to show their appreciation for those who have served and sacrificed for our country. The poppies were displayed in the library, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of this day.

Book Display: "Lest We Forget"

Our student librarians and book club members have curated a book display featuring titles that reflect the themes of war, peace, and remembrance. The display includes fiction and non-fiction books and poetry, all chosen to inspire reflection and contemplation.

A Message from the Student Librarians and Book Club members

"We hope you were able to take a moment to visit the library and explore our Remembrance Day display. We're proud to share our thoughts and feelings about this important day, and we hope it inspired you to do the same."

Student Artwork

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible work of our talented Art Club students! They have created a truly stunning piece of artwork that now graces our freshly revamped library.

This beautiful installation, a colourful collage featuring diverse book covers, is a testament to the creativity, dedication and hard work of our Art Club members. They genuinely enjoyed creating this project and are excited to see their masterpiece displayed.

Their contribution is more than just decoration; it's a fantastic visual representation of the wide world of literature available in our library. We hope this vibrant display inspires every student who walks past it to explore the diversity of our collection and discover their next favourite read!

Royal Charters of Faversham book

A huge thank you to our School Governor, Yvonne Wills, for gifting the Library the precious Royal Charters of Faversham book!
This stunning book holds special meaning for us as it references our school’s own Charter, signed by Queen Elizabeth I in 1576! A true piece of local history. The Library is thrilled to treasure this gift and it is on display to share its stories with you. Thanks again, Yvonne, for this incredible donation!

Wishing you all a joyous Christmas from the Library

This festive season we have been busy in the library with Junior Librarians and Book Club members creating fabulous seasonal displays of cosy winter reads and Christmas themed books. We have decorated the library with paper crafted stars and folded book Christmas trees.

Happy Christmas reading!!

A Festive Treat for Our Young Carers!

Our wonderful Young Carers recently enjoyed a delightful festive morning. They had a great time baking chocolate spread-filled Christmas trees with Mrs. Shooter and Mrs. Edwards.

The festive fun continued when Macknade kindly gifted each of our Young Carers with a hot drink voucher and the Tesco Community Champion, from the Faversham branch, generously gave them each a mini goodie bag! A big thank you to Macknade and Tesco, our Young Carers were delighted with their gifts.

New Equipment Secured for Young Carers by PTFA

More fantastic news. Thanks to successful PTFA fundraising, Mrs. Shooter has acquired a Nintendo Switch for use during future Young Carers school activities. This new equipment will be a wonderful addition to their sessions! Thank you PTFA!!

Queen Elizabeth's Water Polo Team - Autumn term UPDATE

Water polo may seem like an odd sport to include in the newsletter, but this tough game is part of school sport by virtue of many of our swimmers participating outside school and hence a critical mass of players that have been able to represent QEGS in the English Schools Swimming Association Water Polo Competition. This year we are fielding u15 boys & girls (Years 7 - 10) teams as well as U13 mixed (Years 7 and 8). The tournaments start with a seeding round, after which the teams play schools that should be of a similar standard hence the championship, plate and bowl levels of the competition. QEQS has made it to the plate tier and won the U13 Cadet Competition last academic year.

Individual successes have followed. We have already reported on Flora P (Year 7) and Paloma T (Year 9) playing at the National age groups for their club (report from Paloma below), as well as Flora’s selection to the England talent programme alongside older brother Barnaby (Year 8): Both qualified through rigorous assessment to be part of the England talent pathway for water polo. Avid players at county and regional level, they are now on the elite program which develops core skills and match knowledge as part of a development squad for the National teams.

Paloma has had further success being selected for the South East Regional side in the U14 inter-regionals tournament (the team were placed 3rd, Bronze!) as well as being selected for the Prince of Wales Cup - a tournament in Manchester for the best born 2012 age group players in the country. Barnaby P (Year 8) is also flying QE colours at the Prince of Wales Cup for the boys and played at Walsall at the boys inter-regional competition for South East England.

Our U15 boys started their English Schools campaign up at Alleyn’s school with a tough seeding round…Daniel L (Year 10) gives a match report below.

We continue to grow school water polo via Faversham Swimming Club - for any strong swimmers interested in trying water polo, please contact Dr Perkins via email: jmp@queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk, or find him in the science block at lunch.

Swim England Water polo Nationals

Two QE girls travelled to Coventry to take part in the Swim England National Water Polo Championships 2025 as part of Faversham Swimming Club's U15 girls team. This is the first time that a team from rural Kent has been able to field a team at the Nationals, the top level of club competitions in the country. Flora P (Year 7) and Paloma T (Year 9) are both exceptional players who were selected for the team.

Paloma said, “I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to have taken part in the U15 National Water Polo Competition in the UK and to be a part of a very powerful group of girls who competed for Faversham. During the tournament, I learnt new skills and have gained friendships. Although the score line didn't go our way and I personally made the top three major queens! (sent out the most times due to exclusion foul - a 'major'), I had a lot of fun and experienced something I never thought I would be a part of."

Flora at the NAGS U15. Photographer: Will Johnston

U15 boys English Schools Swimming Association Water Polo competition First round

by Daniel. L

On 18th of November, the QE Waterpolo team went to Alleyn's in London for the opening competition of the U15 2025-26 season. We came into our first game against Alleyn's with high spirits and notably managed to almost win with a score of 2-1, a tremendous accomplishment given how Alleyn's was one of the best teams in the country. In our other games, we managed to put up a good fight against some experienced teams, with skillful goals and passes from Dylan, Leo, Dani and Barnaby in particular, however everyone gave it their all. Despite some unlucky losses, we have a fantastic team with so much potential, so I can't wait for the next round of matches to show what a great team QE has.

However, none of this would be possible without Dr Perkins and Mr Gibson for taking us there and their coaching. And once more, well done to the QE team! If this has piqued anyone's interest, make sure to email Dr Perkins for more information regarding water polo.

The Prince of Wales Cup

The Prince of Wales Cup is a large tournament that takes place annually where the top 60 selected U14 school water polo players around the country all compete in four teams: Spitfire, Hurricane, Vulcan and Typhoon. These teams all play each other and receive a reward once the tournament is over, putting them into ranks where some could possibly be selected to play for England/GB depending on the International fixtures in the coming year. Congratulations to Paloma T and Barnaby P who were selected!!

Snowdonia Trails: A Weekend of Mountain Biking

While the rolling hills of Kent have their charms, they can’t quite compete with the rugged, world-class terrain of the Welsh mountains. QE students returned to the legendary Coed y Brenin Forest in Snowdonia for a weekend of mud, grit, and gravity-defying mountain biking fun. With a few 'over the bars' incidents in the warm up, there was some trepidation about the trails with names such as ‘Uncle Fester’ and the ‘beginning of the end’, however, everyone's skills developed quickly and trails were conquered! They were really lucky with the weather, it didn't rain and they were even treated to some Welsh sunshine!

The trip was led by Dr Perkins, Miss Gidler and Mr. Anderson and having visited Coed y Brenin before, they knew exactly what to expect and ensured the students enjoyed a high-quality off-road experience that tested both fitness and nerve - check out the trail footage HERE. The itinerary was packed from start to finish, designed to squeeze every drop of adventure out of the Snowdonia landscape.

It was a fantastic weekend of outdoor education, and judging by the tired smiles on the journey home, Coed y Brenin remains a firm favorite for the QE mountain biking community.

CaliforniaQuEST Trip

During the October half term, QuEST went to California for a week of learning, exploring and trying new things. After a very early start on the Saturday morning, QuEST made it to California and had an evening of exploring Fisherman's Wharf and trying some American food.

On Sunday we first enjoyed a tour around the Natural Bridges State Park, where we learnt about the collapse of the bridges and the new formation, and we also got to see the wonderful large kaleidoscope of monarch butterflies. Sunday afternoon was taken up with surfing, where two groups surfed the waves at Pacifica Beach, with quite a few QuESTies managing to stand up!

Monday saw QuEST visiting Los Altos High School, a long-awaited return visit after they have visited us a few times. It was nice to see their facilities and be shown how they carry out their research. QuEST also participated in a symposium whilst we were at Los Altos, with Space, Pollution and Motor sharing their projects with the students from Los Altos. Monday afternoon was spent on a driving guided tour of Silicon Valley, visiting the Google and Apple headquarters. The evening was spent in Union square, where we split up to explore. Some of the places people went to included: Target, Cheesecake factory, Seven Eleven, Macys and more. The day ended with getting the Tram back to the hostel for a much-needed sleep.

On Tuesday we visited Stanford, and had a tour of their electron microscopes facilities, and got to see them in action. We also had a tour of their arts facilities, seeing their workshops and welding areas, and then had a tour around their drawing studios. They have some very impressive facilities! After this we sat down and had a chance to ask questions about the difference between American and English universities, as well as what studying at Stanford is like. In the evening, we went back to Fisherman’s Wharf and had a whole group dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Wednesday, we went across the San Andreas fault line whilst travelling to the Henry Cowell Redwood state park to have a tour and learn about the history of why they are still around. QuEST then went to UC Santa Cruz for lunch and a tour of one of their labs. We then had a talk about the admissions process for the University of California, which was very insightful to see the differences between how their courses and majors work compared with the UK.

Wednesday evening was spent at an ice hockey game between the San Jose Barracudas and the Coachella Valley Firebirds where QuEST got fully immersed in the game, joining in with the chants, and some of the students were invited onto the ice in between the periods! First on was Mig and Lucy, racing to be the first to score a puck whilst completing other obstacles. Then between the second and third period Hugo, Monty, Nell & Jessie played musical chairs with the Barracudas mascot! They had a lot of fun!

Thursday was our last full day in California. We went to Monterey Bay to explore and have lunch, and then went to the aquarium and saw lots of sea animals including jellyfish and sea otters. Before we left, we went on a walk along the coast whilst waiting for our coach driver. In the evening, we explored Fisherman’s Wharf again and had dinner at various restaurants.

On our final day in California, we went to the Exploratorium and enjoyed seeing the different exhibits about the senses. We then went to the Golden Gate Bridge and walked across it, finding a Brass band at the end! Then it was home time for QuEST and we made our way back to the airport and had a long flight home. We arrived back in Faversham tired and weary, but full of souvenirs and memories we will have for a lifetime.

Millie. H, Year 13

KS3 Charity Day

We are delighted to announce that our Key Stage 3 students successfully organised and executed another outstanding Charity Day in support of Children In Need, generating a remarkable total of £4,153.67.

The event featured 22 distinct stalls offering a diverse range of activities for students to partake in, as well as items for sale, including various baked goods, crafts (such as crochet and bracelets), novelty items (fiddle toys) and services like hair braiding. Students also enjoyed a special singing performance by Mrs. McIlroy during the lunch break, perfectly rounding off a truly memorable and charitable occasion.

Catching Lives Collection

We are pleased to share that the Catching Lives collection was delivered yesterday and warmly received. The team expressed their sincere thanks for the thought and care that went into the gifts donated.

Catching Lives is an independent charity based in Canterbury, supporting people who are homeless or insecurely housed across East Kent. Through their Canterbury day centre, they provide essential services such as food, laundry and shower facilities, alongside tailored support to help individuals improve their housing situation, health and social connections.

Thanks to your generosity, these donations will make a meaningful difference and will enable Catching Lives to distribute gifts to members of the community during the festive period. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped support this important work.

Green Group hold QEBAY Event

On Wednesday 10th December, Green Group hosted their most successful QEbay event yet. We received a huge amount of donations, including a particularly fantastic collection of CDs, DVDs and cuddly toys. The event proved to be very popular with students from across the year groups attending. In just 40 minutes we raised £150 and since then have raised at least another £50 as students and staff have come back for reserved items.

Green Group would like to thank parent/carers, students and staff for their continued support of these events. Dr Brunger and Mr Davison would also like to thank the QEbay project team and other Green Group members for organising the event, designing the posters, pricing the items and running the event on the day.

The money raised by these events will continue to support projects within the school. We are currently investigating how we can collect rainwater to use this within our schoool infrastructure to help us be more sustainable with the use of water.

Year 9 Festive Film Night

Year 9 rounded off Term 2 in true festive spirit with a special treat, they gathered together in the school theatre to enjoy the film Nativity! Laughter, music and plenty of feel good moments made it the perfect way to unwind and celebrate all their hard work this term.

A big well done to Year 9 for their enthusiasm and wonderful festive spirit. We’re already looking forward to more moments like these next term!

Christmas Card Design Competition

Congratulations to Pearl H (Year 12), the winner of this year’s Christmas card design competition! The Art Department was blown away by the lifelike detail of Pearl’s reindeer design and her mastery of the medium. Her work perfectly captures the magic of the season. Congratulations to Pearl and all our talented runners-up!

Winning Design by Pearl. H, Year 12

Runners-up

Bethan. W, Year 12

Darcy. B, Year 12

Imogen. C, Year 12

Lily. B, Year 12

Lights, Camera, Panto! The Sixth Form Returns to the Big Screen

The festive season officially kicked off this week with the highly anticipated premiere of the QE Panto. A cornerstone of our school’s holiday traditions. This year’s production proved once again that when you mix Sixth Form creativity with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor, magic happens.

Beyond the jokes and the sketches, the panto serves as a wonderful bonding exercise for our Sixth Formers. It’s a chance for them to step away from their studies, work as a team and leave a lasting, lighthearted legacy for the younger years to enjoy.

The whole school community gathered to watch the screening of the panto and as the credits rolled, cheers echoed through the hall. It was clear that the ‘panto spirit’ is alive and well. Congratulations to our Sixth Form students and the Head Student Team for a stellar production!

Christmas Lunch

The spirit of the season was in full swing as our students gathered in the school restaurant for the highly anticipated annual Christmas lunch. It was a wonderful opportunity for the school community to pause, celebrate, and enjoy some festive cheer before the end of term.

An impressive array of Christmas jumpers were on display, and the festive look was completed with plenty of tinsel, Santa hats, and reindeer antlers, making for a truly vibrant atmosphere. As students sat down to eat, the air was filled with the sounds of Christmas classics - from upbeat holiday pop to traditional favorites, the music provided the perfect backdrop for students to relax and enjoy the company of their peers. The sense of camaraderie was palpable, with plenty of laughter and holiday spirit shared across the tables.

Of course, the highlight of the event was the magnificent lunch provided by our catering partners. We would like to extend a massive thank you to the Cucina team for their hard work and dedication. They prepared a traditional feast with all the trimmings, ensuring that every student enjoyed their delicious meal to celebrate the occasion.

As we head into the winter break, we wish all our students and their families a very Merry Christmas and a restful New Year!

Odd Sock Day

On Monday 10th November, our school marked Odd Sock Day with students wearing colourful, mismatched socks for the day. The day was a fun reminder that our differences make us unique. Students and staff proudly showed off their brightest pairs to promote kindness, acceptance and positive mental health.

Congratulations to all those who took part in the Odd Sock Day colouring competition - our overall winner is Tallulah, in Year 8, whose winning design will be made into a real life art piece courtesy of our Crochet Club team.

Year 10 Student Elected to Kent Youth County Council

We are delighted to share the exciting news that Daniel in Year 10 has been successfully elected as a member of the Kent Youth County Council (KYCC). This achievement follows a dedicated campaign in which he demonstrated impressive leadership, communication skills, and a genuine passion for making a difference in his community.

Throughout his campaign, Daniel focused on issues that matter to young people across Kent, including mental health support, opportunities for youth voice in local decisions, and improving the environment for young people both in and out of school. His enthusiasm and clear vision for positive change resonated strongly with his peers, earning him their support and ultimately a seat on the council.

As a KYCC representative, Daniel will work alongside other elected young people from across the county to influence local policy, raise awareness of youth concerns, and help shape projects that benefit the wider community. This is a fantastic opportunity for him to develop his leadership skills while contributing to meaningful change.

We are extremely proud of Daniel for his commitment, resilience, and willingness to speak up on behalf of others. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he will make during his term on the Kent Youth County Council.

Queen Elizabeth's in the Community

This term has seen our links with our local primary schools strengthen. Not only are we pleased to welcome back primary schools in Term 6 for our STEM Day but this term we have been establishing new opportunities for our Sixth Formers.

Here's a brief word from Ava. O about her experiences this term in Ospringe Primary School;

"Being given the opportunity to volunteer at Ospringe Primary School every Wednesday afternoon has allowed me to gain a valuable insight into a primary school environment within and outside the classroom as well as developing my own communication and support skills. My role has focused heavily around one-to-one reading with the Year 4 pupils, engaging with the books they are reading, asking questions and sparking informative conversations to encourage them to develop their own understanding of their books as well as creating a comfortable environment for them. This role has been extremely rewarding watching the children's confidence grow whilst forming a close bond with the students. I'm thoroughly enjoying my role in the school's community - the staff are welcoming whilst the students are engaging and show enthusiasm."

Additionally our Crochet Club, along with Mrs Martin and the help of the wonderful 8G, have been busy preparing some gifts for a local residential home in the form of handmade Christmas cards, which are filled with our students' favourite holiday traditions. Our gifts are pocket sized Christmas hugs. We would like to wish everyone at Cooksditch House a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Film Academy Success!

Congratulations to Nick A, Neve H-H, Jan K-L and Laurence B on the premiere in November of the films 'Like Him' and 'Like Them'. The Year 13 Film Studies students were all accepted onto the highly competitive British Film Institute's Film Academy course where they worked with industry mentors to create two short films. Laurence's screenplay was chosen for the fiction short 'Like Him', with Nick doing excellent work as Director of Photography and Neve as Art Designer. Jan worked particularly hard as the editor of the, making-of documentary 'Like Them' and both films were warmly received by a packed out audience at Folkestone's historic Grand Hotel. The films will now be screened along with the other regions' BFI Film Academy projects at Pinewood Studios in February. Prior to the event, the four QE students were also given a personal congratulations video message from filmmaker Louis Theroux!

Furniture Makers Award Finalist

Congratulations to Zak K, a prior Year 13 student, for making it to the final 8 of the National Furniture Makers Award. Zak was asked to present his Kuro Table to a poll of judges explaining how he had designed and manufactured it. Zak’s Kuro Table was made using up-cycled materials with a ‘burnt’ finish on the table top to give it a unique look. We think you’ll agree, it looks fantastic. Well done Zak, we hope you continue to create wonderful products.

Film Of The Month Award

A huge well done to Finn R in Year 13 who has been awarded film of the month by IntoFilm who are the equivalent of Netlix! The award is a monthly competition for young filmmakers and Finn entered the one that could be on any topic. Finn’s film was a hopeful take on the transgender experience, following a teen who is anxious to talk to his parents for the first time after coming out the previous night. He made the film for his EPQ that was about the representation of trans characters in the film industry, making this artefact in an attempt to improve on the historically damaging tropes and characterisation that pervade the industry. Congratulations Finn!

Sailing to Victory

Ralph H had a very eventful end of the sailing year at Wembley, the last championship of the ITCA Autumn Championships. Ralph had the pressure put on him, but he kept his head and won the event which clinched the Autumn Championship for him! This was added into the ITCA London S&E Annual Championship tournament which gave him a win overall. With this win and coming 4th in the World Championships, it’s been a great year.

Meet Our New Team Members

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Mrs Stevenson to the team as our newest Teaching Assistant! Mrs Stevenson joins us with valuable experience and we are sure her knowledge and enthusiasm will be a great asset to our students and staff.

We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mrs Tyler, who has recently joined our Premises Team as a cleaner. Mrs Tyler is already doing a wonderful job helping to keep our school sparkling and tidy.

'easyFundraising' for Queen elizabeth's

Turn your everyday shopping into free donations for QE, it only takes 2 minutes to register for an account with ‘Easyfundraising’ and select to support QE.

Once registered, every purchase you make from over 8,000 brands costs you nothing extra, but the brand makes a donation directly to QE.

Scan the QR code to get started!

Term 2 Newsletter 2025/2026