Founder's Day Fete Programme 2026

The 2026 FQE

Founder’s Day Fete

Saturday 20th June 2026 1pm – 4.30pm

Contents 03 04 06 09 11 12 15 17 19 27 30 32

Programme of the day Fete map Introduction from the Headmaster Help us hit our 2026 target!

Prefects playing their part alongside FQE How to become part of the Elizabethan family A tale of earth, wind & fire: remembering QE’s cricket pavilion New Sports Hall planning exhibition A taste of heaven. Food, glorious food at the FQE fete “ The fete is a community effort, and the community is you!”

Our 2026 donors and sponsors FQE Fete Sub-Committee

Queen Elizabeth’s School Queen’s Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 4DQ

020 8441 4646 enquiries@qebarnet.co.uk @qebarnet1573

Copyright © 2024 Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet Design: Edge Media (edge-media.co.uk) Printing: Taylor Brothers (taylorbros.uk.com)

qebarnet.co.uk

Programme of the day 10:45am

Founder’s Day Service of Thanksgiving

12:30pm

Roll Call and Reading of the School Chronicle

1:00pm

FOUNDER’S DAY FETE OPENS

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH FRONT OF THE SCHOOL

During the fete, an exhibition of plans for the School’s proposed Sports Hall & classrooms building, new Fives courts, and new outdoor cricket nets will be open to all between 1:30pm and 3:30pm in the Main Building’s Conference Centre.

PROGRAMME OF ENTERTAINMENT: all to take place on the stage 1:00pm

QE School Choir, Strings and Wind ensemble

1:30pm Hip-hop dance from QE pupils, Years 7–10 1:45pm From mindful breaths to graceful poses – Yoga Sadharm Anandana 2:00pm

QE’s Junior Jazz

2:20pm

Ta, the beginning – Kathak by Trishna Kumari

2:40pm

tealing the stage from the sons S Bollywood dance by School mums

2:50pm

raditional dance of Guangxi province T and Martial arts of Gongfu Fan

by Chinese UK Performing Arts

3:15pm

Telugu folk dance

by Sree Sabbella and group

3:30pm Maiden’s love

by Chinese UK Performing Arts 3:45pm –4:00pm

tealing the stage from the sons S Bollywood dance by School mums

4:30pm

FOUNDER’S DAY FETE CLOSES The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 3

TEACHERS

HEADMASTER

(ROLL CALL)

(ROLL CALL)

YEAR 7 ASSEMBLY

REGISTRATION DESK

PLANTS

TOMBOLA

FOOD SEATING AREA

STAGE

STAGE SEATING AREA

BOOKS

VOUCHERS

HOOK A DUCK

TOYS & GAMES

PLINKO

HOOPLA

T

P C

B BQ

V E G E TA R

IA N

B BQ

TOKEN SALES

SCHOOL SHOP PRIZES STALL

REFRESH M E N TS & C AKES

QUEEN’S ROAD GATE

(ROLL CALL)

S TO C KS BO W L T E AC H E RT H E OUT

4 www.qebarnet.co.uk

C R IC K E T

PLE ASE K

R

TEACHERS

Fete Map

(ROLL CALL)

AREA

CANDY FLOSS

TOKEN SALES

FIRST AID

T SQ UA R

E:

KEEP OF

F

OR G L A D IAT

BO U N C Y C ASTLE

TA RG E T

WIN A FOOTBALL

HENNA, FACE-PAINTING, TATTOOS

ALL

LUCKY DIP

BASKETB

BALL THR THE HOL U E

T H RU T H

GO L F BA

LL

E HOLE

PUZZLE CORNER

BALL IN BUCKET

INDIAN

FOOD SEATING AREA

SRI LANKAN KOTHU ROTI

ORIENTAL EURASIAN AFRICAN

FOOD SEATING AREA

PIMMS & BEER

TIN CAN ALLEY

SOUTH INDIAN DOSA

IN F L ATA BLE S L ID E

PA

SRI LANKAN

RO D E O BULL

JUNGLE RUN ASSAULT COURSE

TOKEN SALES MARRIOTT ROAD GATE

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 5

Saluting FQE on its first 60 years: supporting our School now more than ever A warm welcome to our QE families, alumni, staff past & present, neighbours, and all other guests: I hope you will enjoy the FQE Founder’s Day fete.

Everyone attending this year’s event will see

and offices redecorated, and solar panels

clear evidence of the latest works that the

added to the south-west facing side of the

support of the Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s

Main Hall.

has enabled. Thanks to pledged investment of around £300k from FQE, the School

The funds raised today will go straight

unlocked £2m in government grant, leading

into the refurbishment of our Biology

to an essential and large-scale restoration

department, beginning next month,

of our historic Main Building – the most

improving accommodation for science.

significant since the 1950s. Since last year’s Founder’s Day, 130,000 roof tiles have been

For an insight into our ambitious future

replaced, ten flat roofs repaired, 50 classrooms

plans, I would invite you to visit the

6 www.qebarnet.co.uk

Conference Centre (inside the Main Building)

This is not without a huge amount of

to see our emerging proposals for the campus,

dedication and hard work. I offer my sincere

most notably a new Sports Hall and associated

thanks to the FQE Fete Sub-Committee, led by

facilities for cricket and Fives.

Rekha and Simon Essex, and all the volunteers, donors and sponsors whose efforts have made

These build upon the gradual transformations

today’s event possible. I am also grateful to the

to our school environment over recent

dependable service of our Sixth Form prefects

decades, which are wholly thanks to the

and members of staff, who invest such care

support of FQE. I therefore encourage you

and energy in ensuring these special occasions

to spend freely and donate generously today,

are a success.

as you are making a direct investment into opportunities for QE students present and

This year marks the 60th anniversary of

future, plus those from the local community

the establishment of The Friends of Queen

who will also benefit through our partnerships.

Elizabeth’s as a charity. While we look to the World Cup to see if England can end ’60

Founder’s Day is also a vibrant celebration

years of hurt’, we can reflect on 60 years of

of our wider community: from alumni

sterling work by its trustees and supporters

returning to connect with one another, to

during which time the School has not only

the new families joining us here in Barnet in

been transformed physically, but grown its

September (or perhaps even due to become

educational reputation to the point that it

Elizabethans in Dubai or Gurugram through

is now recognised internationally. With your

our QE Global Schools initiative); from the

ongoing assistance, I do believe that its

local businesses sponsoring the event, to

potential is boundless.

the diverse delicacies of the international food tents. One of our greatest strengths is the way

With best wishes,

in which the School, and FQE, is able to bring people together with shared aspirations and common purpose.

Neil Enright Headmaster

Help us hit our 2026 target!

Give via our dedicated Founder’s Day JustGiving page FQE’s 2026 Founder ’s Day fundraising target is £25,000. The money will be used to help implement QE’s new Estates Strategy – starting with the refurbishment of all the Biology laboratories. Giving is easy: just use the QR code below to go straight to our JustGiving page.

GOAL!

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s

Recent Founder’s Days

– or FQE – is a registered charity

have raised record-breaking

which exists to support the School

amounts, including 2025’s

and its pupils. Founded in 1966, it has

fantastic £43k-plus. We hope

a fantastic track record. In fact, over

to maintain momentum and

several decades, FQE has been at the

continue investing. With the Main

heart of major capital projects which

Building work almost complete

have transformed the School’s campus

and the overhaul of the Biology

into a superb learning environment.

department beginning next month,

The charity’s aim is that pupils of all

a new Sports Hall is now firmly in

backgrounds be provided with the

our sights.

very best educational opportunities.

Donations are gratefully received.

Scan the QR code to access the online donation platform or visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/ fqefoundersday2026 FQE is a registered charity, no. 289174

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 9

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Prefects playing their part alongside FQE Tunishq Mitra, 2026 School Captain, reflects on what makes Founder’s Day special, how it all happens, and how the money raised is spent.

Founder’s Days have been fun

over 100 prefects to help set up Stapylton Field,

to see. Every year, it’s a good

including pitching marquees and bringing out

opportunity to see the wider School community

the stage. We’ll be supported by the company

and local people together. While my year

putting up tents and, of course, by Friends of

group missed the Year 7 roll call due to COVID,

Queen Elizabeth’s parents, who will be just as

I remember hearing Mr Enright’s Headmaster’s

crucial to the success of the day as us.

speech on the 450th anniversary year Founder’s Day in 2023 – a key moment for me.

Founder’s Day is a key part of what FQE as a whole does. More broadly, too, their support

It’s always a landmark event in our year.

and fundraising has been exceptional.

Enthusiastic parents have been working on

The Friend’s Recital Hall has allowed for so

recipes for weeks, multiple music ensembles

many ensembles to grow in strength, and

have kept up with rehearsals even in a busy

encouraged more Elizabethans to take up

exam season, and the younger students

music – a really impactful change. More

have that roll call, one of our most significant

recently, The Robert Dudley Studio has been

traditions.

a great addition – whether it’s staging plays or hosting talks that can now reach a wider

The prefect help is a huge undertaking. From

audience, it’s being utilised very well. Without

Friday afternoon, we’re expecting

FQE, none of this would be possible.

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 11

How to become part of the Elizabethan family Arif Rahman, parent to Year 7 pupil Onirban, reflects on his first year getting involved with FQE and volunteering at School events.

When my son joined QE, I knew the School

What struck me most was watching

was academically exceptional. That is not

experienced FQE parents in action. Some

exactly a secret. What I did not realise was

have boys who left QE years ago, yet they still

how much of QE’s wider strength comes

give up considerable time because they care

from the parent community around it.

deeply about the School and this community.

That says something powerful. They are not

Over the past year, I have had my first proper

doing it because they have to, but because

experience of FQE: helping at hospitality

QE, and the network of parents supporting

events, supporting this year’s Founder’s

it, clearly mean something to them.

Day Fete, and getting involved with the estate boards that promote the fete across the local

At hospitality events, I saw parents who knew

area. I started, like many new parents probably

exactly what needed doing: where every plate

do, by thinking I would just help a little where

should go, how the room should flow, how

needed. Then you turn up, someone hands

to coordinate smoothly with the School, and

you a job, and before long you are part of

how to keep everything moving without fuss.

the machine.

Alongside that, there was the humour, the

12 www.qebarnet.co.uk

small conversations, the quick banter

pupils all seem invested in something

between volunteers. It was organised,

bigger than themselves.

but not stiff. Efficient, but human.

QE’s success in league tables, university The estate boards gave me another view

admissions and wider achievement is

of the same spirit. A board outside a house

impressive, of course. But behind those

may look like a small thing, but behind it is

outcomes is a community that keeps turning

a parent willing to help, a volunteer organising

up. That is what I have seen through FQE.

logistics, and a shared wish to make the fete a success. Nothing happens by magic –

I really wish every new Year 7 parent knew

though some of the experienced parents

how rewarding volunteering can be. You

make it look dangerously close.

do not need to know everything or to be on a committee from day one. Just turn up,

I have found this parent support network

help for an hour, pour drinks, move chairs,

quite unlike anything I have seen before. It is

host a board, answer a message – do one

practical, committed and quietly relentless. I

small thing.

think this is part of why QE continues to thrive.

The School is not private, but in many ways

That is how it starts. And before you know

does far more than many private schools. The

it, you are not just a QE parent. You are part

boys benefit not only from excellent teaching,

of the Elizabethan family.

but from a culture where parents, staff and

A tale of earth, wind & fire: remembering QE’s cricket pavilion

QE has a shining reputation for its cricket and a fine square, but there is no pavilion. It was not always so. Here we look at the history of the building that once stood on the earth where the stocks and bowl-at-a-teacher stalls are placed for today’s Founder’s Day Fete.

The first pavilion at QE arrived almost

had stood there before: “The most striking

as soon as the School acquired Stapylton

feature on entering the field is the new

Field in 1885 – although judging from the

pavilion, which has been placed on the

photo showing the 1887–1888 football team

western side, where it eclipses the old one.

standing in front of it, ‘pavilion’ may have

There is ample space…for dressing, scoring,

been a rather grandiose term for what

and keeping the cricketing plant. But all these

looks like a slightly fancy hut.

advantages have not accrued to the School Cricket Club without cost. …The club owes

Nevertheless, according to The Elizabethan

Mr. Lee [John Bond Lee, Headmaster 1875–

of July 1885, it was an improvement on what

1906] some £8 for this outlay.”

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 15

repaired as needed. A plan of the School

noticed that the pavilion on Stapylton is no

grounds in 1968 shows a building on Stapylton

more than a mound of rubble... The great

Field which isn’t labelled, but is likely to have

oak which was blown down in the hurricane

been this hut.

landed amidships.”

A note in the 1973 Steering Committee

The estimated cost of a new pavilion was

minutes from 13th May 1970 moots the idea

put at £80,000 and Harris somehow acquired

of fundraising for a new pavilion, but dismisses

£10,000 towards this. Plans were drawn

it on the grounds that cricket was only played

up (shown above, with white backgrounds),

for one term and seemed to be declining in

A-level Design students chipped in with their

in popularity. Instead, squash courts were

ideas, and Harris interpreted a line in the

proposed.

budget from Barnet Council – which then

38

1989 OE newsletter: “Visiting O.Es will have

50

October 1987. As Harris wrote in the spring

spot for almost a century, presumably being

CAVENDISH ROAD

It is likely that the building remained at this

funded the School – as capital funding for 26

a new pavilion. “The amount listed is about

another decade, but was destroyed by fire in

enough for three-and-a-half good walls,

the summer of 1983. Lamenting the loss, the

a sure sign that we are looking at pavilion

September 1983 Old Elizabethans newsletter

money,” he wrote in the spring 1989 newsletter.

20

The existing hut/pavilion soldiered on for

described it as a “treasurehouse of schoolboy graffiti”. The initial estimate for rebuilding was

His enthusiasm was still undimmed three

£20,000.

years later: “[The pavilion] will stand for those 12

O.E.s who remembered their school days with some affection. It will stand for those who feel 10a

It was duly rebuilt after a fashion – “botched up to the standard of a barn”, as Headmaster

8

Eamonn Harris quipped later in The Elizabethan of January 1992. The result of this work may be glimpsed in the background of the colour photo.

2

But it was not long before disaster struck 8

again, thanks to the famous storm of

6

16 www.qebarnet.co.uk S

9

4

ES

But here the trail goes cold. The archives

It will stand for those who played and won

record no further mentions, and the once

on that field... the shrine of that sporting

scorched earth where boys are today

reputation. It will not be a groundsman’s

bowling balls at their teachers bears no

shed, it will be a pavilion with changing

traces of any such building. For once, the

facilities and a verandah.” (January 1992

indomitable Headmaster Harris must have

OE newsletter).

been unsuccessful.

60

52

87

Path

99

they owe the smallest debt to the school.

42

SEE PL A N S FOR Q E ’S NE W SPO RTS H A LL A N D CRI CKET NE TS TO DAY 75

40

rd

a multi-purpose four-court space

Elizabeth’s School. While there are

accommodating facilities including

no plans (yet!) for a pavilion, the

indoor cricket nets.

sport occupies a central place in the latest big development in QE’s

Nearby would be six outdoor, ECB-

new estates strategy.

compliant cricket nets, together with six new Fives courts, thus also giving

All attending the fete are invited to

that thriving sport the playing space

view a special exhibition of planning

it deserves. The new building would

Estate proposals for QE’s new Sports

have changing rooms on the ground

Hall, cricket nets and Fives courts.

floor and ten additional classrooms

If approved, the Sports Hall will be

on the third floor.

Queens

Road

David House

TridentLuxurI -y12.Coach 00m 3-Axle 15m 6WS 15m14m6WSPSVLuxury Coach

ES

S

16

You can VIEW, and COMMENT ON, detailed planning proposals Ne for this development IN THE CONFERENCE CENTRE WITHIN THE wm an Ho us e MAIN BUILDING FROM 1:30PM UNTIL 3:30PM on Founder’s Day. 1

ELIZABETH CLOSE

Queen Elizabeth's School

7

REGINA CLOSE

63

Builders Ya

In 2026, cricket is thriving at Queen

2

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A taste of heaven Food, glorious food at the FQE fete If this Saturday afternoon, you have a sudden craving for barbecue, just head off across Staplyton Field and eat your fill.

Ah, but you’re vegetarian? No problem, just

and Türkiye (Turkey) back at home?

stroll to the veg. BBQ stall. Because whether it’s Victoria sponge that takes your fancy, or Indian

Naturally enough, with 1,300-plus hungry boys,

dosas, or Eurasian food, or African cooking,

food is important at the School, too. When QE

or, or, or…from curries to cakes to candyfloss,

recently waved goodbye to 24 French exchange

we’ve got you covered!

partners from Bourg-en-Bresse, how were they sent on their way? With a full English breakfast,

Food has long played an essential role at the

of course. Pupils have this year been growing

fete. What better way to celebrate the cultures

fresh vegetables at the Byng Road allotments.

represented in the Elizabethan community

And when it comes to important School

than to enjoy together the richest of cuisines

events, it’s not just Founder’s Day at which

from around the world?

food plays an important role. Where would the Old Elizabethans’ Reunion Dinner and the

If your appetite has been whetted today, why

Elizabethan Union Dinner Debate be without a

not try out the following recipes from Sri Lanka

good spread?

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 19

CHICKEN KOTHU ROTI PREP. TIME: 30 mins to 1 hour COOKING TIME: 30 mins to 1 hour SERVINGS: 4

INGR E DIE N TS FOR THE CHICKEN CURRY

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1kg/2lb 4oz chicken thighs, bones removed, cut

mangetout or green beans), to serve

into 2cm/¾in pieces 4 tsp roasted Sri Lankan curry powder

FOR THE KOTHU

1 tbsp Greek yoghurt

4 frozen roti or paratha

2 tbsp sunflower oil

4 tbsp sunflower oil

½ tsp black mustard seeds

4 free-range eggs

½ tsp fennel seeds

2 garlic cloves, grated

1 red onion, finely chopped

1cm/½in piece ginger, peeled and grated

10 fresh curry leaves

1 leek, halved lengthways and sliced

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 red onion, thinly sliced

2.5cm/1in piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped

½ carrot, peeled and sliced into matchsticks

½ tsp ground turmeric

2 tsp chilli powder (optional)

3 medium vine ripened tomatoes, finely chopped

2 tbsp soy sauce

300ml/10fl oz coconut milk

salt

M ET HO D 1. Add the chicken pieces to a large bowl with 2 teaspoons of the roasted Sri Lankan curry powder, 1 teaspoon salt, a good crack of black pepper and the Greek yoghurt. Mix well, cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.

2. To a large frying pan on a medium-high heat add the sunflower oil, the black mustard seeds and fennel seeds. When the mustard seeds start to spit, add the onion, curry leaves, garlic and ginger and cook until the onions are translucent.

chicken, coconut milk and 200ml/7fl oz water and cook on a medium-high heat for about 20 minutes until it’s deep in colour, then set aside.

4. Cook the frozen paratha as instructed on the packet, then set aside to cool.

5. Once cool cut into small rectangles approximate 1x2cm/½in x ¾in.

6. When it’s time to cook, do it in two batches, otherwise the wok gets too full. Place a wok on a high heat then add 2 tablespoons of the oil.

7. Crack 2 eggs into the wok, along with half

3. Add the remaining Sri Lankan curry powder

of the garlic and ginger, and leave to cook for

and turmeric. Give everything a good mix

20 seconds then scramble. Add in half of the

then add the chopped tomatoes, marinated

leek, onion and carrot and mix. Cook for about

20 www.qebarnet.co.uk

2 minutes stirring occasionally.

8. Add half of the chopped paratha along with half of the chicken curry, salt, chilli powder (if using) and soy sauce. Mix well, chopping it with a wooden spoon or dough scraper, and cook for about 4–5 minutes constantly stirring.

9. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, keeping the first two portions warm in a low oven while you do so.

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L AHMACUN

FOR THE TOPPING 4 onions, peeled, roughly chopped

A much-loved part of Turkish cuisine, Lahmacun is a flatbread with minced

4 large ripe tomatoes 1 large kapya biber / red bell pepper, cored, roughly chopped

meat, vegetables & spices.

1 large sivri biber / green bell pepper, cored, roughly chopped 1 large bunch (50g) fresh parsley, very finely chopped 6 garlic cloves, peeled, finely grated

INGR E DIE N TS

1 tsp cumin

FOR THE DOUGH

1 1/4 tsp paprika

300ml warm water

1 1/4 tsp pul biber / chili flakes

1 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp tomato puree

125ml warm milk

2 tbsp Turkish sweet red pepper paste (Tatlı biber

1 sachet (7g) fast action yeast

salçası)

800g plain white flour

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp salt

1 tsp salt

50g natural yoghurt

1 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (+ a little extra)

500g 15-20% fat beef / lamb mince

Proud to support:

QUEEN ELIZABETH’S SCHOOL

M ET HO D FOR THE DOUGH

up to three until it doubles in size and bubbles start

Pour the water and milk into a large bowl and

to appear (anything between 25-35C is a good cosy

gently stir in the sugar, followed by the yeast.

temp, sometimes I preheat the oven to it’s lowest

Let the yeast activate for 5 minutes or so –

setting, turn off, then proof the dough in there with

you will see the bubbles appear.

the door slightly ajar).

Sift the flour into a large bowl, stir through

While the dough is proving, make the topping

the salt, then add in the yoghurt and olive oil,

mixture.

followed by the activated yeast liquid and either stir with a large spoon and flip onto a clean

Place the tomatoes in a bowl of hot water, leave

surface to knead by hand for around 10 minutes

for a couple of minutes, then peel off the skins and

until the dough is soft, pliable and smooth, or

roughly chop. Blitz the onions in a food processor,

use a mixer with dough hooks for 8-10 mins.

then place them into a sieve over a large bowl so excess liquid can drain out.

Rub a little extra olive over the dough, tuck the sides under to form a smooth ball, place it back

Blitz the tomatoes and peppers add them to the

into the bowl, and cover the bowl with clingfilm

sieve too to drain some, but not all, of the excess

and a tea towel and leave somewhere warm

juices.

and cosy for at least a couple of hours, or even

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 23

Preheat your oven to the hottest setting and place

minute, then open the oven door and carefully and

an overturned baking tray on the bottom of the

quickly slide the baking paper out from under the

oven. This will provide the uncooked lahmacun with

lahmacun, close the oven door and cook for another

a really hot base to crisp up on. Make sure the oven

2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy.

and the overturned tray are fully hot before you cook any of the lahmacun in there.

Once you have the first one in the oven, the trick is to start rolling the others until you’ve always got one

Once the dough is bubbly, ready and risen, take it

in the oven and another one waiting to go straight

out of the bowl and gently punch it down a little

in. Stack them on top of each other as they come

then divide it into 20 equal sized pieces, roughly 60-

out of the oven and cover them tightly with foil so

65g each and roll into smooth balls on the surface.

that all the lahmacun are fully sealed, and lay a tea

Cover them with a tea towel so that they don’t dry

towel on top so that they stay hot while the others

out.

cook. Serve immediately, keeping the ones you are not eating wrapped in foil.

FOR THE TOPPING Take the topping mixture out of the fridge.

These are wonderful served with lots of freshly squeezed lemon, sliced onion, fresh parsley and

Flour the surface liberally and start rolling out one

sumac (I like fresh tomatoes and thickly sliced red

of the balls into a thin, circular disk, turning at a 45

cabbage in there too), then rolled up and devoured.

degree angle each time to you roll, until it’s roughly the size of a dinner plate (approx 25cm diameter).

TIPS:

Place the thin base on a large piece of baking paper

• Ensure your oven is on the highest temperature

then gently spread 3 desert spoons of the topping across the whole of the base (you can either use

possible to cook the lahmacun.

• Place an overturned oven tray at the bottom

your clean fingertips for this, or the back of a spoon

of the oven to heat up fully so that it is super

but be gently so not to tear the base) leaving a thin

hot when you place your lahmacun on it.

perimeter around the edge to allow those parts to

Crispy bottoms and light crusts all round.

bubble and crisp up while they cook. Carefully lift

• Once as you open out your lahmacun dough,

the baking paper with the uncooked lahmacun up

place it on a piece of baking paper which will

and onto the overturned tray in the oven. Cook for a

make it easier to lift it into the oven.

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 25

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PICTURED: Nadia (centre, hi-vis jacket); Mala Shah to her immediate left; and Bee Rahman

(other hi-vis); with other volunteers Jyoti, Bhuvana, Lubna, and Rupa at our first fete.

“ The fete is a community effort, and the community is you!”

Nadia’s son, Faaiz, helping alongside Ahsan and Keeyan at his first fete.

During this, I met Mala Shah, a seasoned Year 12 mum Nadia Adil on serving with

sub-committee member, who encouraged me

the Fete Sub-Committee

to join. I took her advice – and am glad I did.

Made up of current and former parents, the

I joined the Fete Sub-Committee in 2022,

sub-committee includes several sub-groups.

helping prepare for the first fete after the

One is ‘stallholders’. A friend and fellow Year 8

pandemic. I wanted it to be special for those

mum, Bee Rahman, joined at the same time,

like my son – then in Year 8 – who had not

and together we inherited this role from two

experienced a Founder’s Day and fete in

outgoing parents. It involves raising awareness,

person before.

filling volunteer roles, and on the day itself keeping everything running smoothly. In the

My involvement began when I helped organise

first year we learnt the ropes. From the second,

a paintballing trip at the end of Year 7, held

we streamlined things. I suggested an online

instead of the traditional trip to France.

form for parents to volunteer on stalls. Bee

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 27

Proud to support Queen Elizabeth’s School Barnet Founder’s Day Fete

2018 - 2026

LETTING AGENT IN N20

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Residential Sales, Letting & Management across London

020 8369 5570

created a feedback form for parent-volunteers

raised go directly into supporting the boys.

to complete afterwards.

Every stall, every game, every plate of food sold contributes to something meaningful.

My son, Faaiz, is now in Year 12. From previously helping on the day with his friends,

If you have ever wondered whether your

Ahsan (Bee’s son) and Keeyan (Mala’s son), to

involvement would make a difference, the

assisting this year in his role as senior prefect,

answer is an unequivocal yes. Whether a

it has been a joy to watch him grow in this.

couple of hours on a stall, helping with set-up, or joining the sub-committee, every

When I first joined the committee, my

contribution counts. The fete is, at its heart, a

motivation was straightforward: my son’s

community effort, and the community is you.

Year 7 had been consumed by the pandemic.

I wanted to help ensure that by the end of

As our sons reach the end of their time at QE,

Year 8 there would be something truly special

Bee and I will soon be moving on. We would

to celebrate. Now, five fetes on, serving

love to hand over to parents who will bring

has become a genuine privilege. QE offers

their ideas and make it their own. You will meet

boys unparalleled, and the fete is one very

wonderful people, have fun, and contribute to

impressive expression, with its games stalls,

something your son will remember long after

selling stalls, and the much-loved food stalls,

he leaves QE. Interested? Please do get in

all run by parent-volunteers. Without their

touch.

effort, it simply could not happen. The funds

Our 2026 donors and sponsors: thank you!

Achin, Gauri & Ananmay Gupta

Eshaan, Tanish, Venkat & Archana Mukku

Alistage Ltd

Everest Abercorn – Chet Narayan Aryal

Ameet, Manisha, Aaryan, Kyan & Shayan Shah Bansuri Dabeli Kingsbury – Pravin & Nita Barnet Parish Church Benugo Café Company Cake Box Chinese UK Performing Arts DeliFrance Divya, Sriram & Gautam Sriram Ekansh Mohanty & family

Finchley Nurseries GAIL’s Bakery Barnet Gayatri Sweet Mart – Ajay Dhir and his staff Indian Darbar – Vamshi Krishna Samudrala Isaac, Becky & Adam Porter Jumpin’ Jacks Inflatables Kingsbury Fruit & Veg – Vanita Kunvarji

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

School Stage

Lawrence Grant LLP Chartered Accountants

Sicily Restaurant – with special thanks to Paul Boguslavsky

Maybe A Cookie

Sparks Catering Ltd

Morrisons – Borehamwood

Spencer & Sener Estate Agents

Mr Whippy

Sree Sabbella & group

N3 – Ruby’s of London

Stretch Out Marquees

Patisserie Valerie

Sumant Patel

R&B Desserts – Rodica Bercu

Supreme Laturia

Rohit & Shweta Chauhan and Arjun & Anirrudh Raj Singh

TeaTime Events

St John’s Ambulance Sambal Express – Harrow Sangeeta’s Kitchen – Stanmore

Vasantha Bhavan – Wembley Veg Chennai Srilalitha : Watford – Ambika Purushothaman & Advait Keerthi Kumar

Santa Nata – with special thanks to Francisco Saldanha Oliveira

The Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s Founder’s Day Fete 31

FQE Fete Sub-Committee With thanks to the FQE Fete Sub-Committee for their hard work over recent weeks and months.

Anandana Nadhavajhala Anirban Banerjee Arif Rahman Astha Shukla Bhumika Patel Bushra Rahman Cecil Lee Dolly Singh G Gajendra Mala Shah Nadia Adil

Nida Sethi Priya Raykar Rekha Essex } Joint Chair Simon Essex } Joint chair Sadia Gul Shammy Biju-Dhyaneish Sripriya Sreedher Swati Banerjee Tatiana Atanasova Udita Duggal Ujala Haleem

In addition, thanks go to Tony Binstock (Chair of the FQE Executive Committee) for his continued support.

32 www.qebarnet.co.uk

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