Term 2 Newsletter 24/25

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Message from the Headteacher

Dear QEHS Community,

Once again towards the end of Term 2 of the academic year, Queen Elizabeth’s High School has received an early Christmas present in the form of The Sunday Times Parent Power Survey 2025. This survey takes into account national data relating to the performance and academic outcomes of students in Year 11 and Year 13 following last summer’s public examinations. Specifically, the value added to each student following GCSE and A Level studies is taken into account, Typically, in a grammar school where students arrive having passed the 11+ test and accordingly represent the top 25% of students in terms of ability, it can be far more of a challenge to add value to already highly capable students. Also, as a large school with big cohorts, it can be harder to secure those all-important high average figures. It is mightily impressive, then, that QEHS has been ranked as the 9^th best (and 3^rd best co-educational) school in the East Midlands and 6^th best in Lincolnshire. A national ranking of 275^th out of over 4000, places QEHS in the top 7% of schools across the country. These placings are something to be incredibly proud of, and the whole QEHS community should take the plaudits. What a fantastic achievement and one that rightly puts QEHS on the map as a premier educational establishment within the region and, indeed, nationally.

This term’s newsletter is bursting with many individual achievements. Congratulations to Charlotte, Milo, Daisy and Harry on their Headteacher’s Commendation Awards. Congratulations also to Lottie who produced the simply stunning Christmas card design which has graced screen servers across the school this month, and has been sent to friends of the school as both traditional Christmas cards and electronically as animated e-cards complete with falling snow and festive sound effects! Elsewhere in this edition you will discover that Jacob in Year 10 has won the prestigious Lincolnshire Musician of the Year, and also note that AMP Rose have most generously donated a state-of-the-art 3D printer to the DT Department.

As always, there are numerous first-class examples of the Personal Development opportunities offered to students here at QEHS as illustrated by the recent EPQ showcase by Year 13 students, performances at the Gainsborough Light Switch-on Event, to the German Exchange Visit, the Year 8 Silverstone trip and Year 9 Geography fieldtrips to Lincoln in addition to the various House activities including House Drama.

In this edition of the Newsletter there are some excellent resources signposted for Year 9 and English revision. A great building block for students as they head towards Year 10 and the start of their GCSE courses.

During these last few days of term there has been: the Year 10 Enterprise Challenge Christmas Market, Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas dinners, the evening Christmas Celebration at All Saints Church, Carol Services and Talent Shows. All this has certainly filled everyone with festive spirit ahead of the start of the holiday season.

I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mr R Eastham

Headteacher

Attendance Certificates

Lottie's Superb Painting of QEHS

Well done to Lottie B (10B) whose House Art entry was selected to be used for the QEHS Annual Christmas Card which can be seen above. With a few extra festive additions, we had this image turned into Christmas cards which have been sent to friends of the school and we have also used this image as an e-card which has been sent out to the wider community. 

Well done Lottie, this is a fantastic piece of work! 

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Emily B (12S) and Oli D (12D) from our Sixth Form Marketing Team decorated the tree in Reception and some of our Year 7 students were selected to decorate the tree outside Upper School Hall.

Great job everyone! 

Sixth Form Open Evening

On Wednesday 13 November, we hosted our annual Sixth Form Open Evening. All of the subject departments had some fantastic work on display and there was a range of activities for visitors to take part in, from listening to students in Performing Arts, to toasting marshmallows on a fire pit.

Very well done and thank you to all of the students who helped out during the evening, whether you were assisting a particular department or greeting our guests as they entered the school, you were all very impressive and should be extremely proud of yourselves. 

Overall it was an extremely successful evening and we look forward to welcoming our cohort for 2025-26 into school next September. 

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Year 10 Young Enterprise Challenge

In a dazzling display of entrepreneurial spirit, the Year 10 Enterprise Challenge unfolded on Thursday 12 December and was a memorable event for all involved. Students showcased their creativity by establishing their own companies, engaging in activities ranging from selling soap to undertaking press-up challenges, all with the goal of raising money.

This year's Enterprise Challenge was nothing short of extraordinary, with students demonstrating not only their business acumen but also their determination to make a positive impact. The vibrant atmosphere and enthusiastic participation added a unique flavour to the event, making it a standout moment in the academic calendar.

A resounding applause is in order for all the Year 10 students who dedicated their time and effort to this initiative within their PSHE curriculum time and in doing so demonstrating their exceptional Personal Development. The students' commitment and innovative approach to fundraising deserves recognition, as they not only contributed to the success of the event but also showcased the incredible potential within their cohort.

Mr Burge

Assistant Headteacher (Enhancing Best Practice)

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AMP Rose donate a state-of-the-art 3D printer to Design & Technology

The Design & Technology Department is delighted to extend a heartfelt thank you to AMP Rose for their incredibly generous donation of a state-of-the-art 3D printer. This cutting-edge equipment is already having a significant impact on our students' learning and creative projects, enhancing their experiences, and enabling them to push the boundaries of their design work.

The 3D printer, which was kindly purchased and donated by AMP Rose, has quickly become an invaluable tool in our department. Students working on their GCSE and A Level Design and Technology projects are already making full use of it, creating detailed prototypes and intricate components. The ability to bring their digital designs to life in such a tangible and precise way is providing our young designers with an exciting and innovative way to explore their ideas.

Our thanks go to AMP Rose for their continued support of our school and for their commitment to helping inspire the next generation of engineers, designers, and innovators. This donation will have a lasting impact, not only for this academic year but for many years to come, as future cohorts of students continue to benefit from the possibilities this 3D printer offers.

We look forward to seeing how this wonderful addition to our department will continue to inspire and support our students in their educational journey.

The Design & Technology Department 

Lest We Forget

On Monday 11 November we held our annual Remembrance Service to honour the fallen soldiers of the World Wars who attended our school. Our Head Boy, Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy delivered powerful and emotional speeches. Year 7 students joined the service along with the A Level English students who read the names of our 'Old Boys'. Our cadet students paraded ahead of the service dressed in their uniforms. The service was live streamed for the rest of the school to watch in classrooms. All this helped to ensure this was a poignant service for all concerned. 

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Term 1 Superstars

Congratulations to all the students who have been selected this term's Subject and Year Group Superstars! 

Headteacher's Commendation Award

Following recommendations from staff, congratulations are in order for Charlotte S (9C), Milo P (13A), Daisy M (12D) and Harry R (12D) for being awarded this term's Headteacher's Commendation Awards as detailed below:

Behaviour for Learning - Charlotte S (9C) nominated by Mrs Redgate-Large

For always being keenly engaged in lesson, contributing wonderful answers to lesson and never being afraid to ask questions when she is unsure. Charlotte is kind, friendly, polite and helps students around her. She is a pleasure to teach and a model student who is wonderful in every single lesson.

Leadership for Learning - Milo P (13A) nominated by Ms Auchterlonie

For showing remarkable determination and resilience, leading to significant improvement in his grades. Milo takes great pride in his progress, reflecting his hard work and dedication. With the support of his teachers, he actively seeks help and works collaboratively to overcome challenges. His efforts make him an outstanding role model for others. Milo demonstrates that perseverance and a strong work ethic can lead to success.

Learning for Learning - Daisy M (12D) nominated by Mrs Lawrence 

For her determination to organise, run and lead Chamber Choir rehearsals. Daisy is also working towards a performance at the Christmas Concert. She has been a phenomenal support to the Music Department this term.

Environment for Learning - Harry R (12D) nominated by Mrs Lawrence

For giving up his free time to check and set-up the headphones in the Recital Room, as well as checking and rewiring the keyboards in Room 88 so that the keyboards can be used to enhance the quality of students' lived experience in Music. 

Library Awards

So far this academic year across Years 7 and 8 we have 23 students who have been awarded their ‘Word Millionaire’ certificates. This means they have read and been quizzed on around 17 books each. Congratulations to: Aisha A (7B), Alexander U (8E), Angelina G (8S), Ania R (7B), Daniah M (7A), Ella H (7D), Ellie P (8S), Elsie W (7B) , Eva T (8A), Ifraadh C (7D), Imogen de la C (7B), Janson W (8A), Jessica R (7B), Josh A (8D), Laila S (8A), Mahum A (7A), Nate M (7A), Nithara P (7S), Rahma K (8S), Rajin J (7B), Robin X (7S), Theodore S (8S) and Travis R (7D).

Moreover, Ellie P (8S) and Josh A (8D) have gone on to achieve Triple Millionaire status!  This is incredible given that we are only a third of the way through the academic year.

Several students have also completed the Library ‘Read a Rainbow’ challenge which encourages students to read from six different genres (there are 12 to choose from). This exposes them to a wider range of vocabulary, authors, writing styles, concepts and experiences building their overall reading skills and empathy. These students are listed below: 

Congratulations to all our amazing readers!

Check out the podiums below for our most borrowed titles this term for Years 7, 8 and 9:

Mrs J Stevenson and Mrs M Timms 

Library Team

EPQ Students showcase their work

The Year 13 EPQ students produced an impressive showcase of their work earlier this term. Their presentations were excellent and they all spoke with genuine passion about their individual projects. The Year 9 HPQ students really appreciated the chance to see what they are working towards and went away feeling both inspired and supported by their senior peers. We are so proud of what Year 13 have produced and the manner in which they have approached their EPQ experience.

Well done all!

QEHS Performs at the Gainsborough Light Switch On Event

On Saturday 16 November, QEHS students were asked to take part in the Christmas Lights Switch on in Market Square, Gainsborough. QEHS provided a number of performances for over 50 minutes, including choir, solo and duo singers and a dance act.

The audiences enjoyed the performances and it was a great experience for our students. Below are a few reflections on what was a great event, and has led to our students being booked for further events during 2025.

Mr Rigby

Head of Drama

I really enjoyed being part of the Christmas light switch on as it was an amazing opportunity to perform and watch other performances. My favourite part of the day was listening to Elite Voices singing their songs. I also thoroughly enjoyed being able to partake in the light switch on, playing two pieces, my favourite being "Everywhere, Everything" as it was the most fun to play and sounded amazing. The other song we played, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", really suited the festival vibe. I am very excited for the next two upcoming events and can't wait to be able to perform again!

Harry R (12D)

Being a part of the Christmas light switch on show was amazing! The atmosphere was great because of all the music, stalls, and people. My favourite part was watching the younger children perform Christmas songs, and it bringing a smile to everyone’s faces, and also performing with my choir. I loved performing “It’s Quiet Uptown” as we’ve worked really hard on it, and the harmonies are very pretty to sing. I’m looking forward to the summer event next year as it will give us an opportunity to sing a different style of song, and not be as cold!

Daisy M (12D)

The Christmas light switch on was a great experience to be a part of as it made me feel like we were a real team, almost like family. My favourite part was when we went back on the stage and bowed and we didn’t know what to do so we just did our own individual bows then rushed off, something that’s funny to think back on. The best part of the day was of course performing, trying to bring joy to those listening with our voices. My favourite piece to perform was 'Happy' since it was our first song that we ever performed, and brought a nostalgic feeling and came back to us instantly. I’m looking forward to getting to know our group better and discovering what we can create just by using our voices. I'm so grateful to be a part of this amazing and kind group.

Charlie S (11E)

I really enjoyed performing at the light switch on as it was an event away from school with a chance to show off my talents on stage. My favourite part was performing on stage with all my friends having a really fun time. My best bit of the day was watching my friends do an amazing job on their own pieces.  My favourite piece to perform was 'It's Quiet Uptown from Hamilton' as I really like the song and enjoyed having some solo lines in the piece. I am looking forward to performing on 17 December at the Christmas Concert as I love performing and I enjoy going to concerts.

Alfie J (9C)

I thoroughly enjoyed doing the Christmas light switch on as it gave me an opportunity to perform in a public place in a professional event. It was the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit alongside other performers. My favourite part was working as an ensemble and solo artist. I am really excited for further performances in the community.

Summer C (13D)

My experience of being a part of the event was something new and exciting as I haven't done anything like it before. My favourite part was performing with my friends who are also in our singing group but the best bit of the day for me was seeing my friends and family who came to watch our group perform. My favourite piece to perform was ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ because it is a festive and fun Christmas song that suited our performance for the Christmas light switch on and now that we have some future events coming up, I’m looking forward to some more new experiences. 

Darcey T (10C)

The Christmas light switch on was a really enjoyable event and I hope to be able to do it again. It was really nice to get to perform outside of school. The best part of the day was probably when we got to watch the other acts, it was enjoyable to see others performing too. My favourite piece to perform was ‘Happy’ because it was a really fun piece to work on and just as enjoyable to perform. I'm really looking forward to the future events we are part of so we can show more people what we can do outside of school and to make others smile! :]

Jessie B (10D)

German Exchange Visit - Building International Friendships in Bavaria

Our students returned to the start of Term 2 refreshed and happy after a very successful German exchange visit, strengthening the partnership between Queen Elizabeth's High School and our partner school in Germany, Joseph von Fraunhofer Gymnasium. From 16 October to 22 October, our students had the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in German culture, language, and daily life! 

Highlights of the trip included an unforgettable tour of the historic city of Regensburg, where students wandered through medieval streets and experienced the city's rich cultural heritage - we certainly learnt some interesting aspects to medieval life! We also spent a particularly memorable day in the beautiful Bayerwald (Bavarian Forest), enjoying the stunning views and exciting slides on our very first morning in Bavaria. Students also spent time experiencing German school life and noting all the similarities and differences. There certainly was plenty to discuss!

Beyond the organised trips, what makes the exchange truly special is the authentic experience of German family life. As our students were reunited with their exchange partners and met their families for the first time, tears were shed. True friendships have been established and it was fantastic to hear about all of the wonderful experiences our students had enjoyed over the weekend with their families, visiting different cities and even meeting film stars! This immersive experience certainly also provides invaluable opportunities for practising German language skills in real-life situations. We really hope that students will visit each other again independently and know some plans are already being made! 

The German department extends its gratitude to all participating families whose support made this enriching cultural exchange possible and of course to our partner school for all their organisation. Running an exchange is very different from a normal residential and unfortunately the number of exchanges are decreasing nationally. We are also grateful to the UK German exchange for the funding they awarded us to help bring down costs for our families. For myself and Mrs Brown it was a pleasure to see our young people enjoying and becoming part of a different life. The farewell meal on the last Sunday was truly special, when we could see just how well looked after our students had been. Their Headteacher was also delighted to receive a QEHS hoodie!  

It truly was a pleasure to lead this group of young people as experiences like this make being a teacher worthwhile. We hope the students continue to explore Germany in the future and have made memories for a lifetime. We look forward to hearing all the stories!

Ms G Turnbull 

Head of Languages

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Year 8 Silverstone Trip

The recent Year 8 trip to Silverstone was a huge success with all 50 students participating for the full day in an interactive museum and 4D Cinema experience and having the chance to watch F3 cars being test driven. They were also given a tour of the circuit and grounds and given a workshop on the engineering materials and component parts used and worn by the F1 teams.  

Here is just some of what Year 8 had to say about their recent visit:

“I enjoyed the F3 cars racing around the track, I loved the whole thing to be fair. Overall, it was fantastic!" Heera T (8B)

“I think the trip was really good, my favourite part was probably watching the F3 cars racing or looking at the nice cars in the showroom. Overall a great experience. The instructors who showed us around were good. I feel I've gained knowledge and experience from this trip” Joel F (8B)

“I enjoyed looking at the different racing cars through time and the motorbikes and the 4D experience. I enjoyed the whole day” Grace M (8A)

“It was very fun and I would recommend the day to anyone interested. There was a lot of information about material engineering and how the helmets are produced and what goes into the steering column.” Aidan P (8C)

Mrs S Frow

Teacher of Design and Technology

Year 9 Geography Fieldtrip to Lincoln

Fieldwork is the essence of geography and students in Year 9 were introduced to studying the dynamics of urban areas on the 6 and 7 November during their fieldtrip to Lincoln. The trip focuses on the regeneration of Lincoln and students collect data to see if Lincoln has achieved the aims of the Lincoln City Masterplan. Our mood surveys, environmental surveys, pedestrian counts, land use tallies and field sketches confirmed that Lincoln is a fantastic example of really successful urban regeneration. Geography staff would like to congratulate all Year 9 students for their superb engagement on the day and we hope that you enjoyed finding out more about the world in which you live.

Mr J Kingdom

Deputy Headteacher and Teacher of Geography

Year 9 take part in World War 1 Day

David Allton and Richard Townsley of Frontline Living History delivered an excellent in-school First World War education experience which was entertaining, engaging and  included a range of  authentically resourced artefacts. The students were able to try on uniforms and handle the many different objects that David and Richard had brought into school. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about WWI and support our History curriculum outside of the classroom.

See some of the students feedback below: 

‘I thought the History Day opened up a part of WWI that we would not have seen by being in the classroom. The day included a series of items that were handed out for us to have a look at. During the talk we were told about lots of things including, why a man would enlist and what a soldier would wear and how this would change throughout the war. Some students were chosen to try things on and it helped to show what people would have looked like in the army uniform.’ Charlotte B (9C)

‘Overall, I thought that Living History Day was a great experience for everyone. Throughout the whole experience, objects such as grenades, rifles, pistols, boots, and even biscuits (the type they had in WWI not the ones we have now) would be passed around the students so we all got to hold them. This meant that we didn’t just listen to what they had to say, we experienced the thrill which some soldiers would have felt of holding real weapons. Another big part of the experience was two students being picked out from the crowd and having to dress up as soldiers from the start and the end of World War I. As they were putting the costumes on, the people leading the experience told us what each part of the uniform was for and why it had changed over the course of the war. This was interesting because it was a visual way of learning and the facts they told us were memorable’. Starla H (9C)

‘I enjoyed when they showed us all of the outfits and everything they used in WWI’ Niamh J (9A)

‘The presenters kept it entertaining and you could tell they were very interested and knowledgeable about the subject’. Isla C (9D)

Mrs N Slack 

Head of History

Year 12 visit the University of Hull

On Monday 16 December, 41 Year 12 students visited the University of Hull as part of their EPQ Study Day. They had a session on academic referencing and they were also given a tour of the campus. They worked extremely hard accessing useful resources from the online journals that Hull kindly allowed us access to. It was such an extremely useful day and the students were superb. 

Mrs R Coupland 

Head of Year 12

House Drama

Performers View

The run up to House Drama is all about working as a team to create performance using the script written by our Sixth Formers. One of the best things about House Drama is that you make new friends that share your interests of being on stage but also, as a team, you show support for one another and it's a really enjoyable experience. There is a mix of age groups that take part, ranging from Year 7 all the way up to Sixth Form and everyone has the chance to be on stage and shine.

When it comes to the performance night you realise all the hard work you have put into this is about to be shown in front of everyone. From the moment you step onto the stage until you take your bow at the end, you see the reward for all of your hard work, from learning your lines to the endless rehearsals. You can’t help but feel proud of yourself and your friends for fighting through nerves and performing the best that we can. Everybody has a chance to take part and show off their own particular talents.

House Drama is one of the House events I love the most. I have loved taking part so much that I have done it every single year I have been at QEHS. It's an amazing opportunity to do something you love or even try something new. I have made many friendships along the way whilst performing together and had many laughs and smiles during rehearsals with friends from all year groups.  This event has given me some of the best memories here at QEHS and I do encourage other people to give it a go and take part. 

Darcey T (10C)

Parent's View

As not only a parent of one of the participants but also as a member of the audience, I found this year’s competition particularly enjoyable. The talent on stage was incredible and the confidence shown by some of the younger students in standing on that stage, probably for the first time, was a pleasure to watch.

The students truly excelled this year in entertaining the audience with both singing, acting and humour. The Sixth Formers involved should be particularly proud of themselves for encouraging and supporting the younger students to shine on the stage. Confidence and acting talent varies with the breadth of experience on the stage, but what I enjoyed seeing was everyone getting a chance to play their part, even if that part is small and in the background. Not everyone can be the lead, but the lead is nothing without a strong cast to enhance the production. I applaud those students who got on that stage for the first time and tried their best. I hope they are proud of themselves and will take up the challenge to do it again and again until they have the confidence to take the lead.

I find the competitive House system to be a particular accolade to QEHS as the older students are encouraged to engage with the younger students and build their confidence at a level which goes beyond the usual ‘teacher’ / ‘student’ relationship.

More often than not a school concentrates on sporting accolades, however I think that QEHS also places a great deal of time and effort, through the support of the excellent Drama Department, in Performing Arts. By building students confidence in themselves to perform in front of people on a stage, the school is developing invaluable skills for students' future. At the core of most notable careers is the need for confident communication and the ability to perform under pressure; these skills are perfected on the school stage.

For those students who heroically perform for the audience despite their obvious nerves, I hope their confidence grows with every House competition. I am in awe of your bravery and look forward to next year’s competition.

Mrs Simmonds (Mother of Darcey)

ABRSM Results

Congratulations to Ethan E (13B) who passed his Grade 8 ABRSM singing exam. 

Everyone in the Performing Arts Faculty are extremely proud of your achievements. 

Mr D Rigby

Head of Drama

Jacob wins Lincolnshire Young Musician of the Year

Congratulations to Jacob W (10B) who won the Lincolnshire Young Musician of the Year Competition in Louth on Saturday 9 November. Jacob won the Seniors Under 18 Instrumental Trophy and was awarded the Overall Winner of the evening which means he is the Young Musician of the Year 2024.

Well done Jacob!

You can watch Jacob's performance via the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu6rm-QrgvA

Eleanor and Zarna perform in the 'Nativity - The Musical'

Eleanor S (7C) and Zarna L (11A) took part in a week's long production, 'Nativity - The Musical' at the Plowright Theatre with Brigg Amateur Operatic Society, earlier this term. Every performance was sold out and even the famous Darren Johnson aka Annie Fanny, gave standing ovations to what was an outstanding performance.

Well done to the both of you! 

Simon Breaks into the top 50 in the UK

I went to the National Speedcubing Championships during the first weekend of November. These are my results from the competition: https://live.worldcubeassociation.org/competitions/6338/competitors/608669 (PR noting if that was my best time so far in competition)

And this is the my profile where you can find all of my results and achievements:  https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/persons/2022HAGO01

Highlights from the competition were my 5x5 times, where I managed to break into the top 50 in the UK for both single best time and average. The former of which also places me 348^th in Europe and 1113^th globally. 5x5 is the event where I placed the highest, finishing 34^th out of the 500 competitors there. I performed well in 3x3, breaking my previous PR single with an 8.02 second solve and I broke my 2x2 single with a 2.23 solve.

I am still waiting for the systems to update in terms of finding out if I've made it into the top 100 in the UK in terms of overall ranking but I think I will be close.

Overall it was a very solid competition for me, especially as I had practiced quite a lot during October in the build up to it, making some of my friends a little sad that I was beating their PBs.

I will very likely be attending next year's National Championships and I will see if I can break into the top 20 or even make finals (top 16) in an event. Even if I make finals it is still very unlikely that I would win or podium but it means they announce my name over the speakers and I get to walk out with lots of people cheering.

Simon H (11E)

Well done Simon! 

Cheryl Wins Best All-Round Performer

Congratulations to Cheryl N (7E) who won an award for best all-round performer in the Under-13s Lower YDL Campaign at the Doncaster Athletics Club’s Presentation Evening on Friday 29 November.

Well done Cheryl!

Amelia Competes in Paris

Congratulations to Amelia P (9C) who had an amazing opportunity to compete in the 'Future Cheer Brings It On International Competition' in Paris during the last weekend of November. Amelia is part of Tsunami Allstars Cheerleading in Scunthorpe and her team, H2O, finished 4th place in a very tough division.

Amelia has been cheerleading since she was seven years old and she spends at least 8 hours training every week. She is very passionate and dedicated to this sport. Amelia travels with her team around the UK for competitions several times a year and attends competitions outside the UK once a year. Last year she attended the competition in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Well done Amelia!

Emily Wins Third Place in NSEA Eventing

Congratulations to Emily B (11C) who competed in the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) 90cm Arena Eventing at Epworth on Sunday 17 November and came 3rd place, qualifying for the NSEA Championships at Hickstead in May 2025. Well done and good luck!

Also, well done to Elsie B (10E) who also competed and came 7th, just missing out on the qualification.

Ella Wins Three Medals at the Remembrance Meet

Congratulations to to Ella H (7D) who attended the Remembrance Meet at The Pods in Scunthorpe and received three Medals and secured many PBs. Ella swam in five events and won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

Well done Ella!

Sophia Wins a Gold Medal at the Remembrance Meet

Congratulations to Sophia S (8D) who attended the Remembrance Meet at the The Pods in Scunthorpe on Remembrance Sunday and won a Gold medal for her performance in the 50m breaststroke.

Well done Sophia! 

Ava is accepted into the Aspire Programme

Congratulations to Ava M (9B) who attended the Aspire Basketball trials which she had been nominated for and has been successfully recruited onto the Aspire Programme. Aspire is a national basketball programme for the most talented individuals in the country aged between 11-15 years old, The Aspire Programme represents a pathway to going on to represent England and Great Britain. Well done Ava! 

Aidan designs Biodiversity Net Gain Logo

Well done to Aidan M (9C) who created a logo for the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) department where hi mum works. Aidan enjoys digital designing and has made thumbnails and logos for his friends too. He is planning to choose Graphics as an option for GCSEs and would like to continue to be digitally creative.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an ambitious government strategy to make sure that habitat for wildlife is to the forefront of considerations around any major development projects moving foreword. You can read more about BNG below:

https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2024/01/29/biodiversity-net-gain-where-to-start/ 

Andy hands over a copy of 'Hickman-Hill - A Lesson in History'

On Friday 15 November Andy Birkitt (Chairman of the Gainsborough Heritage Centre) came in to school to give Mr Eastham a copy of a recent book ‘ Hickman-Hill - A Lesson in History’ written by Jeremy Curtis,  which encapsulates the life and times of QEHS. Prior to Mr Birkitt’s visit we were also able to find an old photo of him with his form from 1977 which Mr Birkitt was thrilled to receive as he scanned the image of his classmates, some of whom he still has contact with today. Josh R from Year 13 also escorted Mr Birkitt on a nostalgic tour of the school which Mr Birkitt found to be quite an emotional journey down memory lane.

A review of Jenson's studies at the University of Hull

As the first semester of university comes to a close, studying for a degree in Biology at the University of Hull has so far been a very fulfilling and enjoyable academic experience.

The Biology programme at Hull offers a diverse range of modules, covering topics such as microbiology, cell biology, and diversity of life, and many other zoology, marine biology, biochemistry and biology related modules. This flexibility allows students to tailor their studies to their interests and career goals. As I'm still exploring my career path, it has given me the opportunity to experience various areas of biology and discover which topics I find most engaging. This freedom, rather than a rigid curriculum, has made the course much more enjoyable for me.

So far, I have focused primarily on microbiology, cells and organelles, and plan to study the biochemistry related modules throughout my course. The 'Cells and Organelles' module has provided insight into the fundamental units of biology, the functioning of organisms and life processes, while studying microbiology has deepened my understanding of the significance of the vast microbial life on Earth.

Practical laboratory sessions form a key component of the course, reinforcing theoretical concepts we study. These practical sessions are diverse and expand upon some of the concepts studied at school, as well as introducing new material and ideas with access to more advanced lab equipment. For example, we were introduced to new concepts like culturing bacterial samples and identified their species while using aseptic techniques, and we were introduced to more advanced versions of microscopy and equipment like Gilson pipettes. These practical sessions provide excellent preparation for any future lab-based career you may be considering!

Additionally, studying Biology at Hull provides opportunities to undertake field-based practical sessions. For example, we visited botanical gardens where we were tasked with identifying and recording diverse plant species of our choice and creating scientific drawings of them. This allowed us to practice our observational and identification skills as well as appreciate the unique and exotic plants present in the garden. Another benefit to the practical sessions is that they often involve teamwork, which has been a great opportunity to make new friends.

Assessments are mainly based on coursework, lab reports, presentations, and practical sessions, replacing the more traditional, closed book exam format. Personally, I have found this alleviates some of the pressure that revising for exams often brings and has also been an effective way to reinforce what I’ve learned throughout. So far, I have found the workload on the course to be well-paced, allowing me to have a healthy balance between academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities, with the university offering a wide variety of societies and sports clubs.

Studying at Hull is an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience that I would recommend to anyone considering studying Biology at university. The diverse and interesting modules, flexible assessment methods, hands-on practicals, well-paced workload, and opportunities for extracurricular activities allow for a balanced and fulfilling university experience.

Jenson C

QEHS Alumni

Key Stage 3 English Revision through Google Classrooms

As part of our QEHS drive to promote independent learning from our students, the English Department has created GCSE Revision Google Classrooms for our Year 10 and Year 11 students to access a range of resources to support their studies. Feedback from the students has been incredibly positive and so, in order to develop those key independent learning skills earlier, we are in the process of developing similar revision pages for Key Stage 3.

These classroom pages for each year group will give the students direct access to relevant videos, resources, exam techniques and guidance that will add further depth to their classroom learning. It will also give the students the opportunity to take responsibility for developing those essential skills needed for their GCSE studies and for their future educational experiences.

The revision classrooms are a working document and will therefore have resources constantly added. Students will be directed to these at key points during their time in Key Stage 3, but the onus is also on them to tap into this resource to support their learning. 

Please encourage your child to utilise this resource on a weekly basis to enable them to keep building on their English skills and understanding; constant retrieval of their learning is a well-researched and evidenced element to increased exam success.

For parents of our Key Stage 4 students, please continue to direct your child to their revision classroom to enhance their revision and recall. Year 10 students can use this to either revise ‘An Inspector Calls’ and the anthology poems they have studied, or as pre-learning for their text focus of ‘Macbeth’ which begins after the Christmas break.

Mrs L Wood 

Teacher of English

Improving Literacy

Did you know that your child will need to be adding at least 3,000 new words to their vocabulary per year if they are to keep up with the increasingly challenging requirements of academic texts. Research at Cambridge University suggests that students need to hear a word 160 times in order to learn it.

To support our students to access these challenging academic texts, Year 7 and 8 students will be trialing a vocabulary focused registration activity during the spring term. Not only will the students be given a ‘Word of the Week’ as their focus, but they will also complete activities with their tutors that build on their knowledge of the etymology of key words, and develop their narrative, oracy, and reasoning skills.

Year 8 students have had a taster of what these activities will look like in a recent assembly and were given the challenge to write a 20-word story based upon the picture of a robot. Please read some of their fabulous creations below:

Mrs L Wood 

Teacher of English

Key Stage 3 National Writing Competition

Wicked Writers: Be the Change

Following the success of the competition last year, the National Literacy Trust will be launching their ‘Wicked Writers: Be the Change’ competition again in January.

This year, students in Years 7-9 are asked to write persuasively about a positive change they would like to see in their local community. This could be anything from the environment to mental health, or even social justice. With prizes including class trips to see 'Wicked' in London, writing workshops for QEHS, book bundles and publication in an anthology, this is a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their skills.

More details about the competition can be found on the National Literacy Trust website (https://literacytrust.org.uk/programmes/young-writers/wicked-writers-be-the-change/) and competition details will also be shared with Key Stage 3 students once we return from the Christmas break.

Mrs L Wood

Teacher of English

Salvation Army

Thank you to parents/guardians, students and staff for your kind donations for the Salvation Army!

Children in Need

An amazing £520.13 was raised from the Children in Need Bake Sale on Friday 15 November! Thank you to all the students who took the time to bake and sell them and also the students who purchased them. A huge well done to you all! All monies raised from the Bake Sale will be donated to Children in Need. 

Friday 15 November was also a 'Civvies Day' and a total of £865.50 was raised. £432.75 will go to Children in Need and £432.75 will go towards Supporting QEHS Projects. 

We also had a draw to win a Browns Beauty Hamper which was kindly donated from Browns Store in Marshall's Yard. Congratulations to Mrs Guest who won the Hamper. The total raised from this was £358.00. £179 will go to Children in Need and £179 will go towards Supporting QEHS Projects.

The total amount that will be donated to Children in Need is £1,131.88. This is a fantastic amount. Thank you all! 

Christmas Hamper

Congratulations to the parents of Niamh J (9A) and Noah J (11A), who were the winners of the Christmas Hamper. 

Thank you to everyone who entered. A total of £273.02 was raised. £136.51 will go to Save the Children and £136.51 will go to Supporting QEHS Projects. This total will go up when the 'Christmas Jumper Day' money is included. 

December Grade Cards

Term 2 is an important term in our assessment calendar. All students will receive a full grade card, sent to parents via email in the last week of term. The grade card will contain information on:

The Learner Standards

We award every student a grade, based on the criteria in the Learner Standards. The full Learner Standards can be found in the inside covers of each of your child’s exercise books and are different for every subject. The Learner Standards also provide strategies for improvement in each subject. An extract from our whole school Learner Standards is below:

Projected Grade

It is important that parents and students understand that a projected grade is not a prediction. Many students exceed their projected grade and some fall short. A projected grade is the grade that the majority of students of similar ability achieved in previous years.

Current Performance Grades

GCSE and A Level classes receive Current Performance (CP) grades based on the public exam grading systems. 

Students in Years 7 – 9 receive QEHS grades. These grades fall into coloured bands, which indicate the student’s likely outcome at GCSE, based on their performance and progress so far.  The grades awarded by departments for each band are shown in the table below:

Mr J Kingdom

Deputy Headteacher 

Careers

HETA Apprenticeship talk

HETA will be visiting QEHS on Thursday 19 December to talk to students in Years 10 -13 about engineering apprenticeships. There is still time to sign up for this talk and gain an insight into apprenticeship schemes post-16 and post-18. HETA work with an extensive list of companies, from sole traders to multi nationals, many of which are household names and help students secure apprenticeship positions and training.

Careers in the NHS.

Are you a student between the ages of 15 and 18 and interested in careers in the NHS?

The NHS Talent Academy run frequent events throughout the year. To be the first to know about these events, please sign up to receive alerts at lincstalentacademy.org.uk/events.

There are two online events running in Term 3 which you can sign up for now:

Aspiring Mental Health Careers event on 23 March 2025. (Online).

Aspiring Nurses Careers at Lincoln County Hospital (18.00-20.30) on 12 February 2025.

Please see Mrs Sacker for more details.

Work Experience

Careers Interviews

Nearly all of Year 11 have now attended a careers interview. We hope students have found the interviews useful in planning their options post-16.

Mrs A Sacker 

Careers and Work-Related Learning Co-Ordinator 

Term 3 House Events

Inter Girls Football and Boys Rugby
Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 January

House Music rehearsal day

Monday 27 January

House Music

Tuesday 28 January at 17.30

Junior Girls Football and Boys Rugby
Thursday 13 and Friday 14 February

Term 2 Staffing Update

Farewells

We say a sad farewell to the following colleagues this term. We wish them all the very best for the future:

Mrs G Clapham (Teacher of Music)

Mrs K Peaker (School Business Director)

Mrs A Roberts (HR Manager)

Mrs S Wood (Teacher of German)

Welcome

This term we welcomed the following staff: 

Miss E Wray (Teacher of English - Maternity Cover)

Mrs L Charlton (Welfare and Attendance Administrator)

Mrs S Blanchard (Midday Supervisory Assistant) 

Mrs S Joseph (Teaching Assistant)

Buy-A-Brick Campaign

Mrs Redgate-Large fundraising for MQ Mental Health

On the Monday 16 December, Mrs Redgate-Large held a sweet sale to fundraise for the charity MQ Mental Health. She was able to raise £152 from the sale. A huge thank you to every student who supported the fundraiser. Mrs Redgate-Large is fundraising for MQ Mental Health and will be running London Marathon in April for the charity. If you would like to donate, please use the link below. 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/emily-kneller-1717082529482?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Femily-kneller-1717082529482&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share&fbclid=IwY2xjawF6RBNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfz7tzny_2BrvBXbpuAUgA0daaIpmJ8km4R44DYF5mSmNmbuGX6cjZLVRg_aem_8DkrlCGRfQGMFiYgTy-X6Q

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