As part of the College’s on-going commitment to schools, industry and the town, an innovative project at QE has been set up to promote engineering, develop skills in maths and science and enthuse young people in their quest for knowledge.

Steve Hunnisett, Vice Principal at QE is leading the project and explains:
‘We are working with Year 10 pupils from Darlington School of Maths and Science and Woodham Technology College to design and build hovercrafts using sheets of insulation foam and fans from vacuum cleaners. Young graduate engineers from Mech-Tool and Cummins are helping and everyone is very excited by the progress being made. The Year 10s have combined their science, maths and practical skills with their imagination and the finished products are remarkable. We are hoping to do more in the future to highlight the profession of engineering and the career opportunities that are available. Creating hovercrafts has really linked the classroom with the world of work.’

Chetan Kotur, a former QE student, (now at Loughborough University) and undergraduate placement engineer at Cummins has helped with the project. He comments:
‘It’s been great coming back to QE and helping. I’ve enjoyed supporting the pupils from DSMS and Woodham and think that they have learned a lot. I really hope that more people consider engineering as a career - there are some fantastic, exciting opportunities out there!’

14 year old James Beal from Woodham sums up:
`We’ve learned how to work together as a team. Building a hovercraft has been an enjoyable educational experience – even the physics has been fun!”

Paul Carroll, QE Sport Development Co-ordinator comments:
“It was the second time that QE had entered the competition and it was the second time that we won it! It was a magnificent achievement and the team of Will Crossen (running), David Hookway (swimming) and Taylor Cardus (cycling) were over the moon with the result and their winning team time of 1 hour 6 minutes.
Taylor, David and Will put in a lot of effort and their hard work on the day really paid off - they recorded great individual times. The three combine regular training in their individual disciplines alongside their studies and other interests and are a credit to the College and their families.”
Photo attached: (l to r) – David Hookway, Taylor Cardus, Will Crossen

Lauren, who is taking A Level Maths, Chemistry and Sport & leisure at QE is off to university in York in the Autumn to study Sports Coaching and is thrilled with the honour. She says;
‘I’m very proud and very excited. All my family and friends are coming to see me. It’s the chance of a lifetime and a wonderful thing to do!’

Lauren, who lives in Bishop Auckland, will run with the torch through Hartlepool over a distance of 1-2 miles - not a problem as she is a pentathlete. Indeed, Lauren was selected as a torch bearer for her commitment to the pentathlon and for the volunteering she does for her sport with younger people.

Becky Stannard, Student Services Co-ordinator, explains:

‘‘The President and Vice President become governors of the College, meet regularly with the Principal and senior staff and, along with their 20 strong Executive, organise social and charity fundraising events. Their leadership skills are vital in representing the views of the student body and affecting change.
This year’s election saw seven candidates competing for the prestigious positions and the turn out was the biggest to date, with more than 1400 students exercising their right to vote. All candidates created their own promotional campaigns and presented their views in speeches in the Student Common Room. They also produced short videos to highlight their ideas. All did superbly well, proposing changes and policies to enhance the student experience.’’

New President Rosie Burns is studying Philosophy, ICT, Economics and Performing Arts at QE. After her A Levels, Rosie plans to have a gap year travelling before going on to University to take a degree in War, Peace and International Relations.
Rosie says:

‘‘I am really pleased to be the next QE Student President. I was surprised when I was elected as the other candidates were very strong. I’m excited to meet the upcoming year group and hope that I can make their first year and our last year at College awesome and memorable.’’

Vice President Erin Denny is studying Philosophy & Ethics, Tudor History, Applied Science and Psychology and is hoping to study a Classics degree in Edinburgh.
Summing up, Beccy Stannard says:

“Next year promises to be really exciting. Rosie and Erin are passionate students who are dynamic and determined. I am sure they will have an innovative approach and I look forward to working with them.”

At Eton, Dominic will be involved in intensive academic study with specialist course sessions led by Eton Masters or Dons, small tutorial group work and independent academic research. At the same time as furthering his academic knowledge and expertise, Dominic will experience all aspects of life at Eton including recreational and sports activities and a formal farewell supper on the last evening. He has also been invited to a service in Eton’s Chapel.

Dominic, whose ambition is to win a place to study History at either Oxford University or Cambridge University, says:
‘It’s a great opportunity and the chance to study academic topics not covered by my programme at QE is exciting. It will be fun to stay in such an historical setting and fantastic to experience life at such a well-known place of learning.’

At QE, 17 year old Dominic (who lives in Long Newton) is currently studying AS Levels in
Modern History, English Literature, Further Maths and Chemistry. After progressing to university in Autumn 2013 he hopes to eventually become a journalist and write a book on a historical topic.

Louise Nicholson, Director of Languages at QE, accompanied the students and gave the following details:
‘The students had three full day excursions into Paris itself and a day at Disneyland! Highlights included the Montmartre District and Latin Quarter, as well as Victor Hugo’s house, a Bateau Mouche trip along the River Seine and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. The visit proved to be an invaluable opportunity for students, as they were able to put their language skills into full practice, given that most of the host families spoke very little English.’

Student, Hannah Winship added:
‘I now feel much more confident and independent. Staying with a French family allowed me to challenge myself and prove how much I’ve learned!’

All in all, the trip was a great success, and many of the students eagerly anticipate their next visit to La Belle France!

Gemma Holgate summed it up:
‘I loved the whole week. The days were packed and the nights with the family were fun and useful.’

The big bands at the Festival – Durham County Youth Big Band, the Durham Alumni Big Band, the Bush Big Band, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form Big Band, Little Big Band and the Darlington Big Band - spanned the generations from those scarcely in their teens to those some sixty years and more further down the musical road.

Steve Mcgarvie, Head of Music at QE said:

‘The event was a fitting tribute to the late Alf Hind who taught brass in schools throughout Darlington and directed the Darlington Youth Big Band in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a sell-out and I was delighted that QE students were able to feature so strongly in it. Our students featured in the |Durham Big Band, the Darlington Big Band and of course the QE Big Band and they all performed really well. It was a great experience for students and they came away feeling exhilarated and pleased that they and so many others had enjoyed their music.’