Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School

Dear Parents and Carers,

As usual we have had an extremely busy term with lots of exciting opportunities offered to our students - from the QuEST research projects presented at the Tonbridge Science Conference and MotorQuEST’s successful car testing at Mallory Park, to our Year 11s finding fresh inspiration at Poetry Live! A Level mathematicians met with Dr Frost in London and Year 7s engaged in immersive Shakespeare workshops. We’ve expanded on global friendships through our MFL programmes and our trophy-winning trampolinists have excelled. You can read all about this in our newsletter!

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of accompanying our students on the annual ski trip to Austria. As always, they were a credit to the school and you can read more about their mountain exploits further on.

Looking ahead to the new term, the calendar is already brimming with excitement as we prepare for the rescheduled French Exchange and our long-awaited school production of The Wizard of Oz. Finally, we are incredibly proud of the hard work shown by our Year 11 and 13 students as they move into revision and exams - please know that we are here to support them every step of the way.

Kind regards

Mrs A J McIlroy

Headteacher

What’s been happening in QuEST?

This term there has been lots happening in QuEST, with several students taking their projects to the Tonbridge Science Conference to present their research. Additionally, MotorQuEST have been to Mallory Park to test their car, ready to race in the coming months.

We also ran a Pi competition in celebration of Pi Day, where students could compete to see how many digits they could remember. Congratulations to the winner, Freddie in Year 8, who managed to recall an incredible 268 digits!

Well done to all of the KS3 students who took part in this year’s science fair, there were lots of really great presentations about a huge range of topics - from black holes to the physics behind straws. Thank you to Jonathan Cousins from the University of Kent who came in to help judge some of these presentations.

Zeno B. QuEST President

The original mapping of this project includes the use of a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor to map out and understand uneven terrain. However, I believe that this may have been too passionate of a goal for the old head, and for that reason, I have decided to instead focus heavily on allowing the car to move on even terrain and if I can achieve this quickly enough, the LiDAR may even come back into consideration.

Managing the project on my own has been tough, however I am very passionate about it and will continue to work hard until the project is completed.

Joseph M. Head of RoboQuEST

In EcoQuEST, we are currently gathering research to formulate a methodology within creating a bioplastic derived from algae. We are looking to extract alginate from varying species of algae with different pretreatment methods to explore how this affects the material characteristics (such as tensile strength, malleability, elasticity, etc.) Our chosen ‘source’ being algae is due to its highly renewable and biodegradable properties; as well as being carbon-negative as they consume roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis for growth as they release when they are consumed, decomposed, or converted into biofuel. They create a closed-loop carbon cycle that does not add new greenhouse gases to the atmosphere; so algae can be said to aid the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels.

Also algae’s lower lignin content in its cell walls compared to other plants will simplify the extraction process for polymers and reduce production energy (on a mass scale).

The alterations of bioplastic pretreatment methods with their respective physical properties can then go forth to be identified in future product uses: where they can replace conventional plastic, for example in packaging.

In terms 5 and 6 QE will be gaining an electron microscope - we aim to put this to use to observe our bioplastic’s composition at an intracellular level (eg: lignin walls etc). We are also researching the possibilities of making a 3D printing biofilament as well (also from alginate), which is already being used in areas such as tissue engineering (bone scaffolds), drug delivery, and 3D food printing.

Lottie O. Head of EcoQuEST

We have now finished the designing, programming and production of our final experiment, and have sent it off to Belgium on Tuesday.

This was only after some last minute soldering and wiring, as the unfamiliar Wago connectors, as well as mistakes in the printed circuit board in combination with time pressure, resulted in a considerable time-crunch to get everything working on time. The final steps consisted of ensuring the programming for both boards worked before shipping, working our way through international postage restrictions and wrapping our electronics in as many layers of bubble wrap as possible!

Over the last few weeks, we have also been able to gather some good test data from both boards, including in the vacuum chamber and sub-zero temperatures in a freezer. This has helped us identify any potential issues with our method, components, or even testing environments, and will help with our final interpretation of results after launch day.

Three members of our team were also lucky to attend the Science Conference in Tonbridge earlier this month, where we were able to present our project and any data we got through testing to a group of like-minded students from schools across the country, helping to build our public speaking skills while learning about interesting science the other groups conducted.

Overall, it has been a very successful month and we are excited to share our final results after the launch in April!

Josh H. Head of SpaceQuEST

This term has been a busy one and development has really moved forward. We were paid a visit by a few members from the Rotary club of Canterbury, who then sponsored us. This has been vital to order our driver gear (helmets, suits and gloves) as well as team polo shirts. We also secured a sponsorship with CGI who have funded our team gear. Gaining these sponsors is vital to go on trips and develop the car, so we are very grateful.

We attended the Tonbridge conference where we enjoyed speaking to different people about our project. It was definitely one of the most unique ones!

We’ve painted the car, made a nose and a bonnet, Hugo has built and coded a radio module to log data from the car. I am writing this on the bus on the way to Mallory Park for our first testing session with over 30 other teams.

Update. Just left Mallory Park!

We battled the hail, rain, wind and sun today. When we arrived we set up, added our final touches to the car and went to scrutineering, and passed! This was a major milestone to know that we had built our car correctly and it was race legal. The day consisted of two practice sessions, where we were lapping quicker than 50% of the cars. This was our first time driving flat out, and it was difficult fighting the crosswind and hail.

During the break, we made some adjustments and some fixes that had occurred from our first testing session, but then joined the track half an hour late but put in another 20 laps. This was hard on us drivers but we wanted to get as many laps in as possible.

The Rotary club (a sponsor) have written an article about the event, please access the link here.

Tom W. Head of MotorQuEST

British Sociological Association's Essay Competition Results

We have received the results of the British Sociological Association's Essay Competition asking 'What are the most significant social challenges facing your generation?', which had over 150 entries from 16-19 year olds studying sociology around the world, and is limited to 5 entries per school.

Congratulations to Elva. H for her essay, 'How has the gentrification of third spaces and the lack thereof in urban spaces affected generation Z's sociability and mental health?', which was one of three runners up, and to Aleisha. B for her essay, 'In an ever-evolving society of multiculturalism, how are language barriers becoming an increasing challenge facing our generation today?', which was shortlisted as part of the top 10 entries.

POETRY LIVE TRIP - year 11 - Poetry comes alive!!

We are delighted to share that our Year 11 English Literature students recently attended a high-impact Poetry Revision Conference, featuring live appearances from several poets currently featured in the GCSE curriculum.

This event was a unique opportunity for students to engage with the texts on a deeper level, providing critical insights. for those with a keen interest in the subject - particularly those considering A Level Literature. The day was designed to be both challenging and inspiring, bridging the gap between classroom study and academic analysis.

The feedback from the trip has been overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few reflections from those who attended:

Student 1: "I really enjoyed how the poets gave us insight to the poems and it was helpful to understand the contexts."

Student 2: "Very interesting to hear about the poets' context."

Student 3: "Excellent advice from the exam board for Unseen Poetry - Good resources given to us all."

Student 4: "A worthwhile trip for any GCSE English student."

"Overall, I enjoyed the Poetry Live! experience. The poets themselves were good (although there were some I enjoyed a lot more than others). Unfortunately, I personally felt like everything I wrote down notes-wise, I’d already written down previously in lessons."

Oscar M

"I liked John Agard because he was passionate about his poems and uplifted our spirits."

Zayan M

"I loved how interactive the poets were and you could tell they were genuinely passionate about poetry and actually wanted to help us."

Charlotte M

"I found poetry live very useful as it provided an insight into poems and analysis, on personal details which will be helpful for big mark questions where the writer’s intent is the main focus. The poets spent their time also answering questions and analyzing their own poems which created helpful notes for revision."

Sophie B

"It was really useful to be able to find out exactly what the poets found important about their poems and what they explained them to mean. I also enjoyed hearing more poems, ones that we don't study, from the poets themselves."

Jemima W

"I thought the trip was really good! Seeing the poets from the anthology was really cool even the ones we don’t study were interesting. It was such a good experience. I wouldn’t really say it helped with revision of the poems but the unseen poetry was helpful although a little boring in comparison. My favorite poet was Liz Berry!"

Sophie F

Midsummer Night's Dream in action! Year 7 workshops

On Thursday 26th March all of Year 7 took part in an English /drama workshop based on their recent study of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. Here are some of their impressions!

“I enjoyed asking questions to a professional actor.” Ada. B

“I enjoyed the fact it was immersive and it was very fun.” Banji. M

“I loved the tableau activities, as they were engaging and very fun, as we know the plot of the play.” Teddy. T

“It was good, it involved a lot of teamwork and understanding of the play.I liked it because it was very creative.”

“I loved it because it was interactive and we got to meet someone who actually acts for a living.”

“I enjoyed it, I thought the man who did it was really nice and learnt a few more things about the play.”

“I loved how fun it was and time flew by during it, especially the freeze frames.”

“I loved the workshop and the man who was doing the workshop was brilliant.”

“I think that it was a very fun and a lovely thing to do.”

“I thought the workshop was quite interesting and I learnt quite a few new things such as drama skills and facts about Shakespeare plays and how to successfully do a freeze frame.” E. B-T

“I found it really interesting to see the play from a different perspective and also all the activities were engaging and fun. Jackson also knew a lot about the play so he gave some thoughtful insight into the eyes of an actor.” F. Ladd

“I really enjoyed it. I loved learning about the backstory of MSND and also doing the freeze frames from different scenes in the play.” M. Wilde

“I think it was very fun and I enjoyed the teamwork aspect of it. I also think I could focus even more on the characters by acting them.” M. Witney

“The workshop was very fun and brought out the drama skills in everyone.” V. Tinsey

Bookdrop Newsletter

As part of the National Year of Reading 2026, a UK-wide campaign to inspire lifelong reading habits, we are excited to share Bookdrop. Created in partnership with the Open University’s ‘Reading for Pleasure’ team and leading children’s publishers, Bookdrop is a free digital newsletter designed to support readers at school and at home.

You can find this term’s edition here: BOOKDROP

New Mural Transforms Our Library Space

We are thrilled to finally unveil the stunning new centerpiece of our school library. This vibrant, modern representation of Faversham’s iconic landmarks has completed our transformation of this space, bringing a fresh wave of creativity and energy to our quiet study hub.

A huge thank you goes to Greg, from Dare to Differ, for his expertise, vision and artistic talent. Thanks also to Grace. R (Year 13), for her support in helping bring this vision to life.

It’s wonderful to see our local heritage celebrated in such a contemporary way. It really brightens up the room. Head over to the library to check out the new look.

Turning the page, Emma M’s writing journey continues with a 5-Day Novella!

We are thrilled to interview teen author Emma M from our own school community. From Controlled by the Crown, her first Romantasy novel in 2025 to the dark corners of psychological horror, Emma M is a writer who refuses to stay in one lane. This time, we’re diving into Emma’s second published book - a haunting twist on ancient myths. We sat down with this prolific young author to learn how she balances the demands of Year 10 with the intense research and focus required to bring her newest ideas to life.

How would you describe your new book and what sparked the idea for this story?

My new book is a multi-POV novella that puts a psychological spin on ancient legends. It actually started with a dream. I woke up, immediately wrote the idea down, and then developed it into a full story. I’ve always had a special interest in Greek Mythology, so I drew on years of research to create this mythological fiction.

How would you sum up the book in just five words?

Psychological twist on Greek Mythology.

You wrote and published this incredibly fast. What was that timeline like?

It was intense. It took five days of focused writing to complete the draft and then just two days to get it through the publishing process.

Have you published any other types of writing?

Alongside my published novel, I have written music review articles for My Global Mind and Jace Media Music.

How do you manage that kind of output alongside school?

I do my homework the day it’s assigned so it doesn't build up. That keeps my evenings free for writing.

What is your number one piece of advice for other teens looking to publish?

Focus on your pacing. You need to balance your story with different intensities - make sure you have high-action areas but also quieter moments spread throughout the book to heighten overall impact.

The Games of Oizys is available to borrow from the library or purchase via Amazon.

A Level Maths in Action

Our A Level Mathematicians swapped the classroom for a day at the Emmanuel Centre in London for an exhilarating day at the Maths in Action 2026 conference. After a smooth train journey into the heart of the capital, our students joined hundreds of peers from across the country to see how the maths we study shapes the world around us.

The morning sessions were great. We were treated to a high-energy presentation by Sophie Maclean on the mathematics behind colouring, including a surprising fact about the minimum number of colours required to colour any map in the world. Jennifer Visser-Rogers led a talk on the importance of statistics, providing a detailed overview of the importance of hypothesis testing and applications of wider statistical distributions, and included an opportunity for one of our mathematicians, Josh, to win some chocolate. After a refreshing lunch break in a nearby London park we continued our day of mathematics with a talk from Bobby Seagull on his experiences as a trader during the economic crash in 2008, followed by an engaging deep dive into Pokémaths with Tom Crawford, including the surprising conclusion that the pokemon world should be filled with floating Whales.

But the real highlight of the day? The one and only Dr Frost took to the stage! Dr Frost provided great insight into A Level exam techniques, tips and tricks followed by a talk on Euler's number. The day also contained calculator signings from Dr Frost himself (even for Mr Yeatman), as well as some of the other guest speakers! Students were also able to submit questions throughout all of the talks, and speak to guest lecturers during breaks. We ended the day with a group photo with Dr Frost.

Well done to all the students on the trip who were, as usual, highly engaged and fantastic representatives of our school.

Humanity Heroes

The following students have been awarded ‘Humanity Hero’ certificates and prizes in recognition of their efforts during Terms 3 and 4. Their excellence and commitment have led to outstanding outcomes:

100 Day AQA R.E. Challenge

Year 10 students have been completing the ‘100 Day Challenge’ in RE. There is still time to take part, entries close on 3rd May 2026.

Each day, students are asked to complete one short task. For every task completed, you earn one sticker. There will also be bigger prizes for reaching key milestones.

This challenge will help students to:

Build exam confidence
Improve exam technique
Stay consistent with revision
Earn rewards
Feel proud of their progress

For more information, please contact Mrs Nottage.

Humanities Hub

Every Tuesday at lunchtime in H8, Humanities specialist staff are available to support you with any homework, classwork, or queries. Please feel free to bring your lunch with you. We can also provide extra resources and help guide your revision strategies.

HISTORY

This term has seen pupils from across Years 7 to 11 competing in QEs inaugural 'The Great History Art Competition.' With a nod towards acknowledging the 450 year anniversary of the Elizabethan Charter, which granted Faversham the right to re-establish a grammar school, students interested in taking part were tasked with producing a piece of artwork in response to the theme - 'Propaganda Fit For A Queen.' Choosing either to glorify or chastise Elizabeth I's reputation, pupils submitted entries for our 'pop-up gallery' that opened its doors to staff and students one lunchtime at the end of term. Flora and Leon were runner-up and winner in Year 7, Phoenix and Sonny came second and first in Year 8, Iggy and Maya took silver and gold in Year 9 and in Year 11 Elizabeth and Maddalena placed respectively. The Overall Runner-Up was Leon and Maddalena took the ultimate crown. The winning entries are set to be displayed outside the School Library for anyone who missed the opportunity to see them in the gallery. We would like to thank everyone who got involved and hope to see what you can produce when this competition is relaunched, with a new theme, in 2027!

Just before the Easter break students in Years 7-10 were informed of another new competition that we are looking to get off the ground this year. 'The Great Historical Fiction Writing Contest' has been advertised to History students on Google Classroom. However, any Year 10s interested in taking part can ... all they need to do is email Mr Buckland for details. Again, with a doffed cap to the charter's anniversary, students keen to take part must create something set in the Tudor period. We are looking for either a complete short story or just a section (a chapter or few) of a longer story that falls within 2,001 words! The aim is to make something that all of the best historical fiction writers aspire to - something gripping (mysterious / frightening / amusing etc.) but also something contextually accurate and well-researched (bar the dialogue!) The deadline for entries is June 8th 2026 and they must be either sent to Mr Buckland's email address (pwb@queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk) or handed directly into him (in H2) as soon as they are finished. Prizes and fame are certainly in the offing!

Finally, 'The Great History Debate' has continued to roll on at tremendous speed this term. Ezra and Wilf battled it out with Arthur and Isaac over the Armada, Annabelle and Anna clashed with Clementine and Matilda over Napoleon, Oswin and Alex disputed the decision to drop nuclear bombs in 1945, Joni and Seth argued about the causes of the English Civil War, Jude and Kaden wrestled over Richard III's reputation, Stanley and Rafi pitted their wits against Herbie and Henry over Hitler's rise to power and Gemma and Liam scrutinised the merits of George Washington and Abe Lincoln. We are now into Round Two of this knock out competition and have been very much impressed by the standard of speech writing and delivery from contestants as well as the quality of the audience participation. I would also like to say a special thank you to Katy and Ashleigh - two A Level historians who have given up lunch times to help us adjudicate.

Japanese Visitors

Early this term we welcomed 15 student teachers from Japan. They visited various faculties and gained an insight into the UK education system. Some Year 8 pupils were invited to participate in Japanese workshops provided by our visiting teachers including Origami, Calligraphy and Japanese Speaking, which was a fantastic experience for our pupils.

QE Buddies for Spanish Group from Miranda

For the third year in a row, we welcomed a group of pupils from a Spanish school (in Miranda) for a week via the Concorde High School Integration Programme. They were buddied up with pupils from Year 8, 9 and 11, attended lessons and made good friends. The week ended with a graduation ceremony and all participants received certificates and sweets. Well done to all who took part in this international buddy programme.

My experience on the German Exchange and what came after

When first hearing about the German Exchange I was at first hesitant to sign up. Would I fit in? Could I handle a new language and lifestyle? However after discussing with many classmates I finally came to the conclusion of signing up. Best decision ever!

Last year I met Emilia, my exchange partner from the school, AMG in Cologne. Emilia had come over to Faversham as well as all the other exchange students and we all got on so well together. Everyone was super friendly. Eventually, it was our turn to go over to Cologne and we were all super ecstatic. No nerves, no fears, just pure excitement. I truly felt right at home in Germany, although having never been! I still to this day remember the joy of walking into the German school and seeing unfamiliar faces and hearing a language that you don’t speak from day to day. Safe to say that school was one of the highlights of my trip, not only did I enjoy the lessons but I also made new friends including my exchange! Immediately after our trip to Cologne, Emilia and I had already made plans to meet each other again the following year. Shortly after 2026 began we planned for me to go visit her again during the February half term as this is when Cologne celebrated Karneval. So when February 14th came around, I was flying, by myself, to Cologne to meet my exchange family again!

When arriving in Germany the celebrations were already beginning with discos and parties all around. The city was buzzing with anticipation. Then came Karneval itself! It was an unforgettable experience filled with lively parades and the infectious energy from the locals. Imagine a kaleidoscope of costumes, from the quirky to the downright bizarre, filling the streets with joy. Germany does not know how to disappoint! The parades were insane with floats piled high with flowers and sweets, marching bands blasting out local Kölsch tunes and everyone shouting “Kamelle!” to win sweets from the floats. From singing “Alaaf” at the top of my lungs to trying all of the local treats, I fully embraced the spirit of Karneval.

So if there is one thing I would want you to take away from this report it is to not be afraid to sign up. If you’re considering participating in the German exchange program, DO IT! You never know where it may lead you in the future. This experience taught me the real and true meaning of “going with the flow”. It opened my eyes to a new culture, gave me lifelong friends and inspired me to step out of my comfort zone. Who knows, maybe next year you will be the one writing about your own adventures to Cologne and celebrating Karneval.

Written by Ruby M

Term 4 2026

Term 4 has been another mega-busy time for all of us in the PE department, with participation clubs boosting our activity numbers, right down to some local, county and national competition representation.

KS3 Football

Girls’ Football club has seen over 30 girls from Years 7 and 8 regularly getting together for a kick around. This was also opened up to any KS3 boys’ who have never represented the school as their chance to shine on the football field. It was relatively non-competitive and just an opportunity to have some fun!

As well as the club, we have had a few friendly football matches against our local Canterbury schools. Some mixed results for Years 7 and 8 but special mention must go to Alice and Frankie for holding the defence together so well, very ably supported by both Tilly and Ivy. Amber has been the star on the wing, with many others working well throughout the pitch. I am looking forward to seeing what they can achieve next season as we enter the Kent Cup for their age group, for the first time.

Kent Cup Final

As many of you will already be aware, we played the U15 Kent Cup Final earlier this month at Faversham Town FC, against an incredibly strong side from Bullers Wood in Bromley. It was not to be on the night for our Year 10 girls, but they really did give it everything they’ve got to put up a fight. It was commented on by the Kent School’s Football Association Chairman that all players should be very proud of what they achieved. They represented the school superbly and had already achieved great things in reaching the final of this very prestigious cup competition. This was the second schools cup final some of these girls have played in over the last few years, and they are determined to come back next year - third time lucky! There were lots of outstanding performances throughout the whole squad, but special mention should go to Zhana for captaining the team so excellently for the whole season. I continue to be very proud of each and every one of them and look forward to doing it all again next season.

Rugby

The boys have had a very busy Rugby season, hosting two tournaments most weeks with more than 5 schools in attendance on occasions. These opportunities have seen teams from Years 7-10 getting involved in the action and some older students helping out too. The season has finished with Year 10 travelling to Wye School to play in a ‘friendly’ match! It was an incredibly close game, but QE were the eventual winners, by one try. The final score was 25-20 and there was outstanding play from Henry. PS, Arthur. H, Liam. D and Jack. T.

The Swale Shield is a competition run by Sittingbourne Rugby Club and this year, teams from Years 7, 9 and 10 attended from QE. The only victors were Year 9 this year who worked together superbly to defeat some strong opposition from Borden Grammar School and The Howard School.

Dance Competition

This was our first time entering a National Dance competition and getting the opportunity to perform in the regional round at the Central Theatre, Chatham. We took a group of dancers from Year 9 and Year 10 who performed their very moving lyrical piece. They were up against some very tough competition, with large troupes and very experienced dancers, but all danced beautifully. They really did the school and themselves proud, and brought a tear to the eyes of those watching. This was the idea of the dancers themselves who also managed to choreograph the whole dance, with some assistance from Mrs Lester. We hope they are already planning their return for next year, as we are excited to enter once again and attend the show in the evening - a great night out! Well done to all involved.

Trampolining Competition

We also entered an inaugural trampolining competition this year, open to all schools in East Kent. We took a large team of about 20 jumpers from year groups 8-12, and a couple of sixth formers to help manage and judge. After a term of hard work in our gym, they performed excellently and produced some great results. We finally came home with 7 trophies and lots of very happy jumpers. A special thank you to Mrs Lester and Mr Higbee for supervising them on the day and for all your hard work in preparing the gymnasts. They all thoroughly enjoyed the competition and we hope to return next year for some more success. Special mentions (and trophies) go to the following:

Flo. H, 3rd - Yrs 7/8 Novice
Thomas. R, 2nd - Yrs 9/10/11
Mark. H, 3rd - Yrs 9/10/11
Annie. H, 1st - Yrs 9/10/11 Novice
Maddie. W, 3rd - Yrs 9/10/11
Bethany. S, 3rd - Yrs 9/10/11 Inter
Claudette. R, 1st - Yrs 12/13 Inter

This term marks the end of our Winter Sports Programme and we all look forward to welcoming back Rounders, Athletics, Tennis, Softball, Cricket and Pickleball onto the curriculum, clubs and competition schedules.

U15 open water polo

Our first game of the waterpolo season took us to the English Schools Swimming Association's tiering round in London at Alleyns, where all schools would be sorted into the appropriate division. After some great performances from all of our players, we managed to put up a good resistance against Alleyn's, particularly notable as they are considered one of the best schools in the UK. In spite of this, after some unlucky encounters, we were placed into the Bowl, however this only meant we had a greater chance of winning our later matches.

This led our team to Brighton College for the semi-finals, where we would be facing the hosts and Millfield School. After an extremely narrow loss against Millfield, we refocused, and together, managed to win a well deserved victory against Brighton, allowing us to go to the National Bowl finals. To be at this level is already such an achievement of itself, to score several goals against Millfield, which [alumni of the school] holds several Olympic medals, and to beat Brighton College, the "School of the decade" as according to the Times, only proves what an amazing team QE has.

Finally, on the 17th March, we were brought over to the Northampton School for Boys for the national finals, an incredibly competitive competition against some of the best schools in England. And with some amazing goals and defence from our team, notably from Luca, Paloma, Danny and Barnaby, we proved that we deserved to be there amongst the best private schools in England for the finals. And whilst we lost our games, we still held our head high and tried our best.

On a more personal note, I would like to thank all of our team who have tried so hard to get where we are now, Dr Perkins for his coaching and support, and all the members of staff who came with us and made this all possible. And as this season draws to a close, and as captaincy ends, I know that the QE team will continue to succeed and do well. Well done to Daniel L, Danny H, Dylan R, Barnaby P, Elliot B, Eric S, Leo J, Luca G, Paloma T, Arthur T as well as Isaac V and Syd M who contributed earlier in the season.

Written by Daniel. L

The girls U15 water polo

The girls U15 water polo team travelled up to London to play against some of the best schools in the tiering round of English Schools Water Polo Competition. We played Colfe’s School, Croydon High, Eltham College and Alleyn’s School. We didn’t expect to even score, given how we played last year, but we managed to cause a few goal-difference upsets with our defensive play. We knew we would perform okay against most schools except Alleyn’s as they are the previous national champions, and last year we lost 13-0 against them. However, this year we only lost 6-0 which shows how much everyone has improved. We all persevered despite several of us unluckily getting injured.

I would like to say a special well done to Xanthe T. She played in goal this year for the first time and made some amazing saves including at least two penalties. I also would like to say a special well done to Flora P and Mimi (Year 7), they were the youngest of the whole tournament and well done to Flora for being one of our goal scorers.

We had a variety of experiences this year and yet everyone played their best. I’m so proud of all of you for keeping it up and I can’t wait to see how far you all can go in the sport.

I’m very proud to be your captain and be part of this amazing team. Carry on girls!

The majority of this team can play again next year in this age group. If you’re interested in trying water polo, QE has a dedicated training session on alternate Thursday mornings before school starting after Easter. If you would like more information, please speak to Dr Perkins.

Written by Caycee. W

Young Cooks Competition

Well done to Virtue A-D (Year 11) and Ollie B (Year 10), who both got through to different age categories in the finals of the Young Cooks Competition held in Broadstairs last week. The number of entries to this competition, run by 'Social Enterprise Kent', was considerable and both did extremely well to get this far. Congratulations to both and particularly Virtue, who won the competition in her age group. The judge, Jane Beedle said that the standard of her food was exceptional and that she really was impressed by her talent.

QE Bake Off: Landscapes Theme

The standard displayed by our six finalists was nothing short of superb. Guest judge Jane Beedle remarked that the level of technical skill and the quality of the sponges even surpassed many of those seen in the official Bake Off tent!

While the competition was incredibly tight, the trophy ultimately went to a very deserving Hannah M. Her winning creation, 'Angel Falls,' was a stunning edible tribute to the iconic Venezuelan waterfall.

QE Ski Trip 2026

What a week! Our skiers are back from an unforgettable adventure in Austria’s Stubai Valley. From the heights of the Stubai Glacier to the trails of Schlick, it was a week defined by grit and great snow. Under the guidance of five expert instructors, every student - from first-timers on the 14 blue runs to pros tackling the 16 km black pistes - conquered the mountain.

Back at Hotel Stubai, the group refueled with delicious food and enjoyed a packed social calendar of swimming, bowling and a highly competitive quiz night. A massive thank you to our fantastic students and tireless staff for making this trip a total triumph!

Read on for quotes from our students as they share why future skiers shouldn’t miss out on this incredible experience:

“It is the best trip by a landslide. Don't be afraid of going with no friends, everyone including students, teachers and instructors are so supportive and welcoming.” Ethan. T.

“I loved swimming and every slope we did was so fun because the vibe was so good and everyone was so nice.” Charlotte. B.

“There were amazing views whilst on the slopes and the instructors were all so nice and patient. It was also amazing to be able to ski with your friends. The quiz night was nice, as after skiing I was very tired and it was nice to get to know new people whilst doing a more chilled out activity.” Lacey. E.

“The outdoor pool was so fun when it was snowing! The slides were terrifying but probably the best ones I've ever been on. Everyone on the trip becomes like a family and is so lovely to one another, and the instructors are experts.” Rosie. W.

“I loved making lots of new friends with people in my ski group who I wouldn't have talked to otherwise as well as making lots of new memories with previous friends. Swimming was really fun too. Going down the slides and outside in the snow in the heated pool was something I hadn't experienced before but would love to do it again now!” Rose. G.

“At first, I was nervous about going into the super deep snow but it was one of the best parts once I tried it. Don't worry about it, you'll meet new people, have loads of fun, and have a great time skiing.” Charlotte. S.

“The trip was exciting, funny and memorable.” Louis. H.

“I was taught how to use my poles properly when skiing, which made me feel easier on the slopes. The instructors are very nice and no one judges you in your group if you fall.” Paloma. T.

A standout moment was the time where I completed my first red slope. A challenge I overcame was learning to fully parallel turn and ski. My advice is, don’t worry you won't be the only person to not have skied before”. Oliver. L.

“The standout moment was on the last day when we all skied down a hard slope together as a group - something we hadn't yet done. My biggest challenge that I overcame was getting off the ski lift; I fell off the first time - I got the chicken hat for that! However it felt really good when I managed to do it successfully the next time.” Harlow.

“I enjoyed everything but a stand out moment for me was on the last day when lots of people dressed up and all the groups went together and we went down lots of runs through the thick snow and in the wind it was very fun and enjoyable!” Xanthe.

“It's a really lovely trip, and you learn in a very safe environment”. Elian. H.

Post 18 Options Evening

Parents/carers and Year 12 students were invited to join us for a Post 18 Options Evening on Thursday 12th March to present and discuss the different options available after Sixth Form.

Throughout the course of the evening, we had talks from three different speakers to give their experience and impart their knowledge of the choices they made.

Former student, Lauren Wraight from Pfizer, talked about her journey into an apprenticeship and the apprenticeship opportunities, together with the pathways in how to gain a place. She went on to discuss the application process and the opportunities it can offer.

Elizabeth Hooper-Mitchell, again a former student, gave a talk about switching universities and the pros and cons associated with this. Elizabeth explained to the audience that it is OK to change if your original plan does not quite work out.

Ben Pettit, Higher Education Adviser from the University of East Anglia, held a very informative talk on university through his talk 'Why do People go to University?' He also discussed what life is like at the University of East Anglia and all the opportunities it brings by attending uni.

All presentations from the evening were shared with parents and carers after the event, if you could not attend the evening.

National Careers Week - (2nd–7th March 2026)

National Careers Week (NCW) is a one-week celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. The aim is to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help support young people develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways.

A variety of resources were shared with students to access via Google Classroom to help students look at the wealth of opportunities available such as learning about job/career roles, insights into industry, apprenticeship pathways, further training, CV building and interview skills, workshops and webinars, and virtual work experience.

Students were also invlited to attend a Virtual Careers Fair; major feature where participants could interact with employers and explore various career opportunities online.

Here is a link with further information about the week: https://ncw26.co.uk/#intro

Students in Years 9 and 10 received an assembly from a representative in industry (insurance) who explained how she got to where she is now & then discussed insurance career options and routes into those roles.

Upcoming events: UCAS Information for Year 12 Parents/carers and students - Wednesday 20th May, 6-7pm. Further information to follow.

If any student in Year 12 or 13 wishes to make an appointment with Miss Butterly, Careers Coordinator for Queen Elizabeth's, and Careers Adviser, please pop in to the Sixth Form Office or email hsb@queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk

This term’s focus within the SEND department has been Quality First Teaching Toolkits.

Since September, we have been looking at different ways of supporting our SEND students with their learning, but also assisting teaching staff with adaptive teaching and meeting the needs of SEND learners within their lessons.

So, what does this mean? It means that by the end of this term, each faculty will have a Quality First Teaching Toolkit!

The toolkit contains a number of items and resources to help support students to access their learning.

This includes: wobble cushions, timers, focus tools (fidgets), chair bands, pencil grips, ear defenders, overlays and much more.

The SEND department would like to thank the PTFA, because with their support, we are now in a position to offer toolkits to ALL faculties this term, rather than the faculties receiving the items at different points throughout the year.

Wellbeing Ambassadors Update

This term, our Wellbeing Ambassadors have continued to play an important role in supporting the school community and helping to promote a positive and welcoming environment for all students.

One of the highlights of the term was organising an Easter egg hunt around the school. Students enjoyed searching for hidden clues and treats, and the activity brought lots of excitement and smiles across the school community.

Our ambassadors have also started running weekly sessions in the Student Support area. These sessions are designed especially to support students in Years 7 and 8, giving them a friendly space where they can ask questions about school, talk about any worries they might have, or simply spend time playing board games and getting to know other students. The sessions have already been a great way to help younger students feel more comfortable and connected within the school.

In recognition of their dedication and positive contribution, all of our Wellbeing Ambassadors were awarded a Faversham Gem Award this term. This is a fantastic achievement and a well-deserved acknowledgement of the time, effort, and care they put into supporting their peers.

We are very proud of the work our Wellbeing Ambassadors continue to do and look forward to seeing their ideas and initiatives develop further next term.

QE students support International Women's Day Event

Elsy and Jasmine recently took part in a wonderful International Women’s Day event organised by Faversham Town Council. During the day, they lovingly created hand-crocheted purple hearts to give to those attending and helped members of Faversham Gunpowder WI serve tea and cake. Together, the event raised an amazing £300 for SATEDA. Elsy and Jasmine also went into Faversham to hand out their crochet hearts, warmly inviting members of the public to join the celebrations. There were a variety of workshops throughout the day, and both girls particularly enjoyed taking part in a collage workshop, where they shared a little about themselves and their interests. It was a truly positive and inspiring day, and we would like to say a big thank you to Elsy and Jasmine for representing the school so brilliantly.

Community Outreach - Students Making an Impact

Over the last few terms we have had a team of volunteers supporting a few of our local Primary Schools, expanding on our initial links with Ospringe Primary School.

Every Wednesday afternoon a group of Sixth Form students opted to volunteer their own enrichment time by partnering with Ospringe Primary School and Bysing Wood Primary School. Don't take my word for it, here's some words from the volunteers themselves...

“For the last 2 terms, I have been using my Wednesday afternoon enrichment time to volunteer at Bysing Wood Primary School, helping with their Year 1 and Year 5 P.E. classes. I have been lucky enough to help Year 1 pupils with football last term and this term helped them with their gymnastics skills. With the Year 5s, I have been able to help with a range of different sports including; unihock, hockey, dodgeball and rugby. I have also been lucky enough to be able to go on a couple of P.E trips with some of the students at Bysing Wood. I went with the Year 1s and 2s for their Rapid Fire Cricket tournament where I was lucky enough to help and watch them come 2nd overall, and the Year 5s and 6s Dodgeball tournament. This volunteering opportunity has been very valuable for me as it has allowed me to gain so much more confidence and experience when working with children, and it has really secured my dream to become a PE teacher. Overall, this opportunity has been so much fun and valuable, and I only wish I could carry on for longer.” - Annabel E

“I have really enjoyed my time volunteering at Bysing Wood Road Primary School. It has allowed me to become more confident speaking with both the teachers and students and has given me a good insight into teaching PE lessons. It has been a great opportunity to learn and experience what it would be like to work with young children and how important PE lessons are for children's development within school.” - Jessica P

I would like to thank Mr Harrison and Mrs Ralph for their continued support and for the wonderful opportunities they have afforded our students in developing their leadership and interpersonal skills.

Miss A Davison

Community Outreach Coordinator

Young Carers at Easter

On Friday 27th March a group of our Young Carers were treated to a morning of creating mocktails and milkshakes, courtesy of a local cafe.

The students were set up with glasses, blenders, ice cubes and recipe cards lovingly created by hand by Sammy. They then helped themselves to a variety of ingredients to make their own drinks. With plenty of chocolate and cream on offer, milkshakes were a popular choice but all the students had a go at making mocktails too and after a few recipe tweaks, the Nojito and Cherry Fakewell were a big hit!

It was wonderful it was to watch the group experiment with their own drink creations and the feedback from the group has been positive. One student summed it up perfectly, calling them “delicious mocktails and milkshakes,” while another shared that the “Mango Nojito was my favourite”.

Staff at the cafe kindly gifted each of our students with an Easter Egg as we left. Thank you to the local cafe for their hospitality and we look forward to visiting them again soon.

Setting Sail for Gold!

Ralph H continues to sail to success with a great first open championship at Island Barn, winning Gold out of 40 sailors! Well done to Ralph!

Yachtsandyachting.com have written an article on Ralph and his plans for the year ahead, you can read it here.

Nasio Trust Trip Update

A huge well done to Ruby R in Year 11 who has recently travelled to Kenya to volunteer at the Nasio Trust. Ruby has shared her experience with you below.

"I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Kenya in half term with my family and volunteer at a charity called the Nasio Trust, based in Musanda. Firstly, we took a trip to the GMK (George Mudenyo Kadima) medical centre, where I folded bandages and took some patients' blood pressures. I went to St. Irene’s daycare centre, where I read stories to children aged 3-7. My family and I served food to the supported children on several occasions, and played with them at break times. We went to church, where we did a lot of dancing, and experienced a very different culture. We smeared the house of a supported family with cow dung, to repair cracks in the walls while volunteers removed Jiggers (sand fleas that burrow into the body) from two of the children.

We went to Mumias market, where I bought a huge watermelon. We visited the new resource centre, some of which was paid for by my great grandma, who passed away in January last year. Lastly I taught a geography lesson, where I compared the UK to Kenya, and showed the class pictures of the town where I live and our school to compare it to theirs.

As well as volunteering we were lucky enough to experience a safari in Nairobi National Park, where we saw rhinos, giraffes, elephants, zebras and buffalo, a water safari on Lake Victoria, a trip to the impala sanctuary in Kisumu, and a glance at a Kisumu market. Overall, I'd describe this as the trip of a lifetime, a truly eye-opening experience."

This term, our Alumni feature continues as we reconnect with former Queen Elizabeth’s students. We aim to discover what they have been doing since school and how their time here prepared them for their current careers.

Darja Katova

Our latest interview is with Darja, who kindly shared her journey to becoming a 2D Animator and Illustrator. Darja has clearly established a solid foundation in a career she is passionate about, with experience spanning freelance projects for YouTubers, working as a Pre-Production Lead in a studio, and producing her own independent animation.

Please provide a brief overview of your role and the primary activities that make up your average workday.

My name is Darja Kotova, and I am a 2D animator and illustrator. I work both freelance and within a studio environment, taking on a variety of roles across the animation production pipeline. Currently, I am working as a Pre-Production Lead at King Bee Studios, where I am developing a pre-production art book for an undisclosed project.

Alongside my studio work, I freelance as an animator for various clients. One of my regular clients is a YouTuber called, Sillyincorporated, for whom I create comedy videos and animated skits for a channel with over 860,000 subscribers. Outside of industry work, I also animate independently, developing my own short films and submitting them to film festivals.

Could you provide a brief overview of the qualifications and career path that led you to your current role?

After leaving QE, I studied BA Animation at Middlesex University London, where I graduated in 2025 with a First-Class Honours degree.

During my time at Queen Elizabeth’s, I studied Art, History, German, and EPQ at A Level. The EPQ was particularly significant for me, as I chose to create a 2D animated video for my project, which became a key piece in my portfolio. Alongside my studies, I regularly created animated content and illustrations at home, focusing on original characters and storytelling.

This combination of coursework and personal passion helped me secure a place at university, receiving three unconditional offers. I chose Middlesex because it offered the resources and support I needed to develop my skills further.

While at university, I produced two standout student films in my second and final years, which led to awards and festival submissions. My final-year film, Rave-olution, was submitted by my tutors to the Royal Television Society Programme Awards and is also scheduled to be showcased at the Monstra Film Festival in France.

Towards the end of my degree, I began freelancing for YouTube channels, which led to opportunities to work and collaborate with clients such as Sillyincorporated, Century Games, Glorbworldwide and many more. This experience, combined with my academic work, helped me secure an internship at King Bee Studios, which later developed into freelance studio work in animation pre-production.

Overall, both my education and personal projects played a huge role in building the opportunities that led me to where I am today.

Which teacher or subject had the biggest impact on you, and why?

Many of my A Level teachers had a significant impact on me, whether by building my confidence or encouraging me to push myself further. However, the Subject EPQ stood out as particularly influential.

Mrs Day was a teacher at QE who was incredibly supportive of my EPQ animation project and encouraged me to fully pursue my idea. When I received my final mark, just one mark away from full marks, and a phone call home praising my work, it gave me a huge boost in confidence. That moment made me fully realise my potential and motivated me to continue creating animation, ultimately helping me secure my place at university.

If you could go back and tell your ‘QE self’ one thing, what would it be?

Be confident in yourself and your work. Comparing yourself to others will only hold you back rather than help you grow. It can be discouraging when things don’t go as planned or when you don’t achieve the results you hoped for, but that’s okay. Everyone has their own path and their own strengths, which develop over time into something meaningful and beautiful.

As Mr Sladden says, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” which is something I still strongly stand by, up until this day.

Are there specific values or habits you learned at school that you still use in your job today?

One of the most important habits I developed at QE was strong time management and meeting deadlines. This was especially important during Art A Level and my EPQ, where I had to produce work quickly while maintaining a professional standard as well as managing other responsibilities.

This skill is essential in animation, and it’s something I still rely on today as I consistently aim to deliver work early without compromising quality.

I also learned the importance of working independently while maintaining a healthy balance. Being able to stay focused, take breaks when needed, and prioritise your wellbeing is crucial. Work is a marathon, not a sprint.

What is the one achievement you are most proud of so far?

The achievement I am most proud of is how early I was able to establish myself within the industry as a graduate, as well as the connections I have built simply by sharing my work online.

Posting both my university projects and personal work has opened the door to a wide range of client relationships and opportunities. One of my first major milestones was having my work dubbed into Portuguese by a Brazilian company Quartel Canvete, that has worked on well-known indie productions such as Metal Family and Ramshackle, as well as receiving my first film festival invitation from Beverly Hills ’BreakOut Music, Movie, and Media Festival.

These two experiences gave me a huge boost in confidence and motivated me to continue creating, leading to a steady flow of new and paid opportunities.

Overall, I am incredibly proud of how far I have come and the effort I have put into building my career.

What do you think is the most important skill for a young person to develop in 2026?

In a constantly evolving world, building connections is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. In animation and illustration especially, networking is key, many connections can lead to recommendations, collaborations and job opportunities.

These connections can come from anywhere, whether it’s your university peers or industry professionals. Sometimes, the most unexpected meetings can grow into long-term working relationships and it is something I have personally experienced with my career.

At the end of the day, kindness and professionalism go a long way. A friendly, reliable person is far more likely to succeed than someone who is difficult to work with, regardless of talent.

Parent Governor Update

Since no additional nominations were received for the role of Parent Governor, we are pleased to announce that Mrs. Holmes has been re-elected. We look forward to her continued contribution to the governing body.

Talk: Queen Elizabeth Charter 450 Years On

This year marks 450 years since this school was founded. The townspeople of Faversham petitioned Queen Elizabeth 1 asking for a school for the town after the loss of the school within Faversham Abbey, when it was dissolved by King Henry V111. Queen Elizabeth granted a charter for a free grammar school to the people of Faversham in her name for perpetuity and this was sealed on 14th July 1576. This charter is kept in a display cabinet at the rear of the school hall.

To mark this important anniversary, the school, its former pupils association Faversham Elizabethans and Faversham Charters and Magna Carta have collaborated to arrange a talk about the charter and its importance. The talk will take place on Monday 13th July at Queen Elizabeth’s School, in the assembly hall where the charter is housed. The talk is being given by Sheila Sweetingburgh special associate lecturer in Mediaeval and Early Modern Studies at Kent University. She will talk about the importance of the charter and its impact over the last 450 years.

Doors open at 18.30 with an opportunity to view the charter and have light refreshments before the talk at 19:00. Tickets cost £5, however there is a 50% discount for parents/carers of students who attend Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School; please quote the promo code: QEParents

Eventbrite - Talk: Queen Elizabeth Charter 450 Years On

Another celebration of 450th anniversary is that Faversham Freemasons have kindly offered to open the original Queen Elizabeth Grammar School - now the Masonic Hall on Saturday 4th July for the school fete. This is a splendid opportunity to see inside this old building.