Kestrel from King Edward’s Witley
ISSUE 38 AUGUST 2020
OLD WITS THROUGH THE DECADES SAYING GOODBYE TO BELOVED SCHOOLMASTER
BERTIE MAWER
MEET OUR NEW DEPUTY HEAD
DAVID CORRAN PUPIL SHOWCASE ART & PHOTOGRAPHY, DRAMA, MUSIC & SPORT
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Contents 3
A Note From the Head
Welcome from Mrs Joanna Wright, Head of King Edward’s Witley
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Meet our new Deputy Head
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Obituary - Mr Bertie Mawer
King Edward’s bids farewell to one of our best loved teachers
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Head Girl and Head Boy Interviews
Miss Gulfara Bekbolatova and Mr Ben Dowson reflect on their time at King Edward's
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Old Witleian News Four alumnae share their stories: how King Edward’s shaped their lives
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Foundation For Life
An exciting new programme for pupils – and how Old Wits can help
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Old Wits Through The Decades
Four alumna share their stories and how King Edward’s shaped their lives
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Art and Photography
Staff Profile - Mr David Corran
Celebrating five years of fantastic IB and A-level artwork
16 Drama
Fostering a lifelong love of performance
17 Music
From London to Venice - how Music at King Edward’s continues to flourish
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A round-up of the School’s latest sporting achievements
Sport
King Edward’s Needs Reunion Ambassadors – Can You Help? The Development team is introducing Old Wit reunions that will run throughout the year! Starting this November, we will be hosting Decade Reunions and we need Reunion Ambassadors to help spread the word and organise events. Reunion Ambassadors are needed from all academic years and there is no need to come to the School in order to volunteer. If you are interested in finding out more, please complete this form and a member of the Development team will be in touch. kesw.shortcm.li/ReunionAmbassador
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A Note from the Head Dear Old Witleian, I hope that this finds you and your loved ones safe and well. I am pleased to reach out to you wherever you are and invite you to share in this past year’s journey as you read our latest edition of Kestrel in its new layout. What a year it has been! The pupils and staff have achieved much. Captured in the brilliant photos, you will see glimpses of our journey through the first two terms; highlights ranging from the services at St Bride’s and Admissions Day to the exuberant informality of House competitions. Beyond the planned events, the School community has achieved so much more – our response to being flung apart was to adopt new approaches to teaching and learning. The continuity of care and creativity have been amazing – and there have been many, many achievements that were not captured in a photo or official record. Schools are all about stories, the narrative that unfolds in and around us as we weave in and out of each others’ lives. As with all stories there are beginnings, middles and ends and so as we welcome David Corran, our new Deputy Head, we learn with sadness of Bertie Mawer’s death. We mark this end with gratitude for all that he has done and with certainty that the end of his life here is not the end of his story. The outpouring of messages and fond memories pay tribute to this outstanding schoolmaster whose faith, service and dedication inspired so many and will continue to do so. These last few months have been unprecedented but the School’s response of resilience and flexibility loop back directly to previous generations of Witleians who have responded to different and equally challenging situations in such a way that we have been enabled to be here now, appreciating the beautiful campus, deep friendships and spirit of enquiry and learning together. At this time of great change and global challenge,I believe that school must continue to be a place of calm certainty so that we can continue to build on the historical legacy for our pupils who came before us, who are with us now and for those yet to come. At Guildhall, we applauded the wonderful speech and readings by the Head Boy and Head Girl – a moment where we could celebrate and connect current pupils, Old Wits, the City of London, staff and Governors. I hope that this magazine will help create the same sense of wonder and closeness to all that is good in the School today. To summarise our experience in these last few months, it seems appropriate to signpost to the wonderful achievement of our pupils as they assembled concerts entitled 'Together at Home'. See it here: kesw.shortcm.li/ShowMustGoOn On behalf of the School, I send you warmest greetings.
Mrs Joanna Wright BA 3
Staff Profile
Mr David Corran Deputy Head King Edward’s was delighted to welcome Mr David Corran as Deputy Head last September. Mr Corran brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked at some of the UK’s most prestigious independent schools including Radley, Millfield, Charterhouse and St Edward’s Oxford.
Mr Stephen Pugh (L) and Mr David Corran (R) at Admissions Day 2019
After graduating with an MA in Modern Languages from Christ Church Oxford, Mr Corran trained as an accountant but moved into teaching after receiving an invitation from his former Housemaster, who was then the Headmaster of Peterhouse in Zimbabwe, to establish the school’s Spanish department. “It was definitely a leap of faith, but I loved it and knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do”, explained Mr Corran. “I enjoyed the varied life of a teacher in a boarding community, being involved with drama, sport and music and the sense of community pulled me in. I got a huge amount of experience very quickly.”
Returning to the UK when the political situation in Zimbabwe deteriorated, Mr Corran joined Radley College and then St Edward’s in Oxford, where he stayed for eleven years as Boarding Housemaster, teaching alongside King Edward’s current Head Mrs Joanna Wright. “I am delighted to be working with Joanna again”. It appears the stars were aligned just right when the Deputy Head position was advertised. “My wife happened to see a programme about vulnerable children in South London who were sent to board in Surrey, and of course that school was King Edward’s. I watched the film and I thought that the School was wonderful. It squared the circle for me as a boarding school with an important contribution to make in terms of social mobility and help for vulnerable young people.” Mrs Florence Corran, Mr Corran’s wife, is Director of Sixth Form at Sherborne in Dorset, and the couple have two daughters aged 15 and 17. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, pupil mental health is one of Mr Corran’s priorities. “Development of mental health and wellbeing is one of the biggest challenges facing schools today”, he explains. “We need to achieve that magic balance between supporting and validating young people’s experiences while at the same time not pathologising the normal aspects of growing up.” To date he has been impressed with how the School Community has responded to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, “There has been an exceptional response from staff, pupils and parents,” he says. While he’s quick to point out that the post-COVID-19 environment will create a very different school experience, he’s also optimistic about the future. “I think the next few years at King Edward’s are going to be tremendously exciting. This is a School that has everything that it takes to be the best possible example of socially responsible boarding and day education. I’m really energised by the idea of helping that process along.”
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Obituary
Mr Bertie Mawer Earlier this year King Edward’s bid farewell to one of our best loved teachers. Mr Albert Edwin Mawer, 94, passed away at home in Witley on the 23 rd March 2020. A beloved husband and father, he is survived by his wife Rosemary, their sons Nicholas and Charles and four grandchildren, Lizzie, Katie, Kit and Jem. “Bertie”, as he was called by all, was born in Lincoln and won a scholarship to The Lincoln School. He gained his teacher’s diploma at Bede College, Durham University. Called up for National Service in 1947, he was stationed at the College of the British Army on the Rhine (BAOR) in Göttingen in the Army Education Corps. Bertie married a local GP, Dr Rosemary Page in April 1964. Bertie was at the heart of King Edward’s as a teacher for 37 years, arriving in January 1949. Bertie served the School as a teacher of History and English, as Housemaster and from 1976 as the Senior Master. After his retirement he was the Honorary Fundraiser for the School’s Sports Hall and the Bridewell Foundation bursary fund. Bertie’s fundraising events drew on his passion for music. He was a founder member of Opera Omnibus (later Opera South) and as a trombone player helped to develop the School orchestra and launch the House Music Competition. Bertie was also passionate about History and English, to which his history of the School, Bridewell to Witley, King Edward’s School 1553-2000 , stands testament. Bertie was instrumental in the development of the School Library, Chairman of the School’s Arts Club, and the last serving member of the School Fire Brigade. He also helped to establish the King Edward’s School Witley Education Trust, of which he remained a devoted Trustee until 2017. Bertie was a Freeman of the City of London, a member of the Guild of Freemen and one of the first Bridewell Fellows. His dedication to the School was evident in the many relationships that he built over the years and which he continued to nurture even into his retirement when he edited the Old Witleian magazine and unofficially acted as the Alumni Relations Manager. Bertie was also a talented sportsman, playing and coaching both soccer and cricket. He once opened the bowling with future England captain Bob Willis. After discovering operetta while serving in the Army Education Corps in Germany in 1947, Bertie developed a lifelong love affair with everything Austrian. Holidays in the Alps, Vienna for the Ball Season, Bad Ischl for the Lehar festival, and regular ‘Stammtisch’ gatherings with the Anglo-Austrian society. He also joined the prestigious Johann Strauss Society. Bertie’s funeral took place on 1st April at 12.45pm at Guildford Crematorium. He is missed by all who knew him. A memorial will be held at King Edward’s on 4th October and all Old Wits are welcome to join us in celebrating Bertie's life. To help us safely accommodate all those who wish to attend, simply complete this form: kesw.shortcm.li/BertieMawerMemorial
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Head Girl and Boy Interviews Miss Gulfara Bekbolatova and Mr Ben Dowson reflect on their time at King Edward’s and hopes for the future. I joined King Edward’s in 2017, for the unique Pre-IB (Pre Sixth Form) programme. My first memory of the School was walking into Tudor House and being welcomed by my Housemistress and Matron - they were so friendly! This was my first experience in a boarding school, so I was extremely excited about the new opportunities that lay ahead of me. King Edward’s gave me the chance to study Economics, and from my very first lesson, I realised that I had discovered a new passion. My teacher, Mr Arch, really inspired me to explore all aspects of economics. The Economics and Business trip to New York was incredible and having taken part in the Model United Nations, it was mind-blowing to visit the real UN building. In September I will be taking a place at Warwick University to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and I feel that King Edward’s has prepared me well for the future. I have learned to be someone who looks out for new opportunities, but also someone who has made friendships for life. It has been a real honour to contribute to School life as Head Girl. My advice to current pupils would be to make the most of your time here and to try everything! When I joined the School, that was a vow I made to myself and I can proudly say that I have done some very interesting things.
Miss Gulfara Bekbolatova King Edward’s offered me a great start in life and I will always be grateful for the opportunities the School provided me. Joining the School at 13 opened my eyes to diversity. King Edward’s is a truly international school. With everything that is happening globally right now,it is really important that young people understand different perspectives; King Edward's instilled this in me. As I get ready to start university, I feel equipped to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. I remember my first day at King Edward’s. It was a very structured environment, but I quickly grew to admire and respect my teachers. Dr Attwell, my Biology teacher, helped me to fall in love with science and to realise my dream of studying veterinary medicine. I've wanted to be a vet since I was 8 years old. During my time at King Edward’s I tried to make the most of every opportunity, whether academic or extra-curricular, and enjoyed school productions and playing for the hockey team. Being chosen as Head Boy was a surprise and a privilege. It’s been an honour to represent my School and to give something back. I hope that I’ve been able to inspire our younger pupils. (L-R) Treasurer, Mrs Justine Voisin; Barrow Hills Head Boy; King Edward's Head Boy, Mr Ben Dowson; Alderman Sir Peter Estlin; King Edward's Head Girl, Miss Gulfara Bekbolatova; Barrow Hills Head Girl
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Mr Ben Dowson
Old Witleian News Knighthood Awarded to Alderman Sir Peter Estlin Alderman Sir Peter Estlin - former King Edward’s Head Boy, past Treasurer and current Governor - was awarded a knighthood for services to international business, inclusion and skills in the 2020 New Year Honours List. A passionate advocate of King Edward’s, Sir Peter joined the School in 1972 when his father was serving in the Royal Navy. Sir Peter served as the 691st Lord Mayor of the City of London from 2018 – 2019.
Farewell to Mr Stephen Pugh Pupils and staff bid a fond farewell to Senior Deputy Headmaster, Mr Stephen Pugh, in December. Hanging up his academic gown after 30 years’ service, Mr Pugh hosted a retirement party for 120 in the Selborne Room. Mr Pugh held many roles at King Edward’s including Head of Classics, Director of Studies, Deputy Head and Senior Deputy Headmaster. As a teacher, he inspired many Old Witleians to pursue Latin, Greek and the Classics and, in his role as Master in Charge of Oxbridge, motivated and thoroughly prepared pupils for their interviews. We wish Mr Pugh a very happy retirement!
Alderman Sir Peter Estlin
Mrs Fiona Kirton Retires Bursaries and Charities Officer, Mrs Fiona Kirton retired in October, after 23 years at King Edward’s. During her time at the School, Mrs Kirton helped countless families to secure bursary funding. Speaking on her retirement, she said: “We take on many pupils whose lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own. They flourish in the security, care and education here. That is what we do well.” We wish Mrs Kirton the very best as she starts the next chapter of her life.
Head, Mrs Joanna Wright and Senior Deputy Headmaster, Mr Stephen Pugh
Bridewell Day 2020 On 10th March 2020 the School celebrated Bridewell Day with a lunch at Guildhall followed by a service at St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street, marking 153 years since King Edward’s moved from Southwark to the Surrey Hills. Pupils were joined by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell. Welcoming the School back to the City, he celebrated King Edward’s legacy as a school to help disadvantaged children.
Bursaries & Charities Officer (Ret), Mrs Fiona Kirton
Vice President, Alderman Sir David Wootton, presented five Bridewell Medals to Old Witleians and to The Worshipful Company of Girdlers, thanking them for their generous support of the School and the Bridewell Foundation.
Mr Bob Jenkins Runs his Fortieth Marathon Mr Bob Jenkins (OW 1955) is training to run his fortieth marathon in the London Marathon which is now scheduled to take place on 4th October. This is Mr Jenkin's last marathon and he is graciously running once again in support of The Bridewell Foundation. If you would like to support him, please donate by calling the King Edward's Development office or by visiting his donation page: kesw.shortcm.li/BobJenkinsMarathon
St Bride's Church, Bridewell Day celebrations 2020
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Foundation For Life:
Preparing Our Pupils for a Brighter Future King Edward’s is launching an exciting new careers programme for pupils. Head of Careers and Higher Education, Mrs Moira Davies explains how the scheme will work and how Old Witleians can help. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” This quote from Charles Dickens’ 'A Tale of Two Cities' could not be more relevant in this time of extreme uncertainty. The future world of work, already disrupted by the onset of technology and AI, has been further unsettled by the global interruption of COVID-19 and a possible recession. What does this mean for our pupils and how can we best support and prepare them for an uncertain and evolving labour market?
Our Founding Ethos As the Head of Careers, these questions have been uppermost in my mind as I prepare for the next academic year and the challenges it will bring. The solution lies in returning to the School’s founding ethos, providing a ‘Foundation For Life.’ Reviewing the history of the School and its ties to industry helped me realise we have indeed come full circle. The vision of the Founding Fathers is as relevant today as it was in 1553: education can transform lives and today's children are tomorrow's future. No one can be certain what the future world of work will look like, but as educators we can strive to give our pupils the necessary experiences, skills, tools and resources that will prepare them to be relevant and adaptable in a skills-based labour market. This is the thinking behind Foundation For Life (FFL). With support from Old Wits, we can help every pupil to shine.
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A Journey to Excellence FFL is a skills-based blended learning programme that offers pupils from 1st Form to Upper Sixth insights into real world career opportunities and self-discovery modules and workshops. The aim is to take all our pupils on a journey to excellence and provide them with a foundation that allows them to develop life skills, critical thinking and leadership training. Whilst the FFL programme will be available to all pupils, it will be especially supportive in celebrating our Foundation Pupils (formerly known as bursary pupils), giving them the skills and confidence to achieve their full potential. Amongst other activities, Foundation For Life will include industry mentoring opportunities, work experience and a monthly in person/online SneakA-Peek Speaker Series that offers insights into careers, employability skills and current trends in the labour market. Statistics show that alumni insights like these have a positive impact on pupils, helping them to learn from first-hand experiences.
How You Can Help We’re asking Old Witleians to support Foundation For Life by giving us the ‘Gift of Your Time’. We’d like to invite you to share your experience of the working world by taking part in our Sneak-A-Peek Speaker Series consisting of in person and online talks. By sharing your business acumen, you will provide the foundation of discovery to support our pupils in making informed choices for their future. If you are able to contribute your expertise in any of the topics below, or if you can offer work experience or mentoring opportunities, we would love to hear from you.
FFL Programme Sneak-A-Peek Series Topics · Careers in Healthcare (Nurses, Paramedics, Doctors and Dentists) · Applying to Oxbridge (application completion and interview prep) · How to Land a Job in Business and Finance · Creating a Stellar CV When You Have No Work Experience · How to Network Effectively · STEAM Careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) · How Can Volunteering Help My Skill Set? · Careers in Law · Filmmaking · Psychology · Entrepreneurship If you would like to suggest another topic or can offer something different to the Foundation For Life Programme, do get in touch. This is your gift to King Edward’s pupils - so your ideas are most welcome! Please complete the confidential ‘Gift of Your Time’ document or email Mrs Moira Davies at daviesm@kesw.org or Mrs Heidi Kitson at kitsonh@kesw.org to let us know how you can support the next generation. Thank you for your support. We are excited to hear from you and hope you will join us on this journey to excellence through the Foundation for Life Programme.
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Old Wits Through The Decades King Edward’s has a rich history of inspiring pupils to achieve and fulfil their potential. Our pupils go on to lead extraordinary lives all over the world, carrying our values with them. Old Wits have many great stories to tell, and their experiences illustrate how education influences what we become. In this special feature, we share the stories of four alumna, who studied with us at very different times. From the 1950s to the 2010s, they explain how King Edward’s shaped their lives.
Mrs Lesley Syme 1952 to 1959
The Queen Mother planting a tree, 1958
Mrs Lesley Syme (née Williamson) joined King Edward’s when the School became co-educational in 1952. Here she recounts her experiences as one of the first 38 girls and remembers a special royal visit in 1958. I was living with my grandparents in Surbiton when I was offered a place at King Edward’s at the age of 11. It would be my first time away from home, but I don’t remember feeling nervous. The fact that I was one of the first girls didn’t seem significant. In those days we simply did as we were told. We travelled to the School by coach and stopped for a picnic at Wimbledon Common. We arrived and were given our dormitories: mine was Magnolia. I remember there was a painted pixie frieze on the top floor of the Junior House. It was there for many years afterwards. Later I’d move up to Queens’ House.
The same tree outside the Science Block, 2020
Our uniform was a grey skirt and blazer, light blue blouse and hat and in the Summer Term we wore coloured striped dresses. We collected everything in a large initialed bag and were given our School number; mine was 324. Our House Mother worked in the basement and was in charge of the laundry, uniforms and general running of Queen Mary House. Miss Lily, a biology teacher, lived on the top floor and kept a close eye on us. I really enjoyed games at King Edward’s. There was a swimming pool in those days that was only used in the summer. In the winter it was boarded over and became the gym. I swam and played tennis for the school, taking part in matches at Bedales and the Naval School at Hindhead. In 1958 the Queen Mother visited King Edward’s to open the Science Block. I remember it vividly. We all lined up outside the School and she had lunch with us in the dining room, sitting on the stage with the Headmaster, Mr Humphreys. We had steak which was a real treat! When I was 15, I had an accident playing rounders which caused me to lose the sight in one eye. The experience shaped my life in a positive way, as having spent time in hospital I decided to train as a nurse. I studied at King’s College Hospital and went on to work in emergency medicine. I live in Chichester now and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. My years at King Edward’s taught me to be self-reliant and above all to be fair. That was part of the School’s ethos. My message to today’s pupils would be to make the most of their time and take every opportunity. My education gave me a very good grounding and prepared me well for adulthood. 10
Dr Liz Gordon 1965 to 1970 Old Witlean, Dr Liz Gordon, has lived in New Zealand for nearly 50 years, working as a lecturer, barrister, and serving as an MP for the Alliance Party from 1996 to 2002. After leaving Parliament she founded her own research agency and is a current council member of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Liz has held a number of honours and awards, including a doctoral scholarship, a Fulbright Travel Award and a Claude McCarthy Fellowship. I started at King Edward’s on 14th September 1965. I was 10 years and 8 days old, more than a year younger than my peers. Like many at the time, my sister and I came to the School as a result of a family breakdown. I am forever grateful. I remember my first day. I loved what the School looked like, but so much was new! Large dormitories, strict rules and lots of new people. I liked the classes though. As a Liz, I was automatically in Elizabeth House. That year, the new Tudor House was formed, so most of the girls in my year went into that house. I enjoyed English, maths and geology even though the teacher taught the theory of the time that earthquakes were caused by rips in the earth crust. I’ve since lived through more than my share of earthquakes! I liked French in the Sixth Form and read Camus’ ‘La Peste’ in French, a fictional story of the plague. In the current pandemic, I have thought a lot about that. I left King Edward’s after Lower Sixth and after working in London, moved to New Zealand. It was the best thing I ever did. New Zealand is exciting, relaxed, quirky, bright and beautiful. I worked for a number of years, got married, had a child (Sonya) and then decided to go to university. My good school qualifications helped in that decision. I completely fell in love with the social sciences, earned a PhD and accepted a job as a lecturer. My study opened me up to politics. I became a political junkie and, when the opportunity to enter Parliament arose, I took it, representing The Alliance from 1996 to 2002. I’m most proud of my achievements in education, campaigning against huge university fees. I see education as a human right. I think it’s so important for young people to be politically aware. Politics is all around us: it defines relationships, where we live, our wealth, health and happiness. Humans have the ability to change their own lives and that of others, and that is what politics is about. After leaving Parliament I became a lawyer and researcher. I run a small research company working with government and community partners, write books, sit on various Councils including the Royal Society of NZ Council, and also volunteer at a local prison. I remember King Edward’s with some affection. I had problems coping with the discipline - I hope the School today is more geared to meeting pastoral care needs - but I did enjoy the learning and the religion. While no longer a Christian in practice, I still follow Christian principles. Overall, the gift King Edward’s gave was great learning.
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Dr Carole Presern 1966 to 1973 With a global health career spanning three decades and continents, Dr Carole Presern has dedicated her life to helping others. After leaving King Edward’s, Carole enjoyed a career in nursing, midwifery and global health diplomacy, working forWHO andThe Global Fund. Carole has lived in Nepal, Pakistan and Zimbabwe and Geneva. In September Carole starts a Professorship at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Growing up on a council estate in London, it was hard to imagine my future. My mother was a single parent bringing up two children alone. I was a quiet child who escaped through books. In 1966 when I was 11, I was offered a place at King Edward’s. The idea of boarding was quite a big thing. I was nervous but very excited. I was in Copeland, the Junior House, and our Matron was fierce but kind! I’ll never forget my first night away from home. The girl in the bed next to me lived in Brunei. The very next day I looked it up on a map and it made me want to know more about other cultures. Throughout my time at King Edward’s I sought out mentors who would open my eyes to the world. We had lessons from Monday to Saturday and went to chapel each morning before breakfast. That’s why I decided to join the choir. Our Music Master, Mr Sheldon, was fantastic. Wherever I’ve lived in the world I’ve been in a choir. King Edward’s gave me a lifelong love of choral music. I particularly loved languages. I enjoyed Latin because we had the most inspiring teacher, Mr Herbie Winter, who sadly died just a few years ago. I didn’t like traditional practical subjects – things like needlework and cookery. I was in the first cohort of girls who were able to do carpentry or metal work instead. My mother still has a bowl that I made! When I was at School, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do in life. After training as a nurse, I secured a place at St Mary’s Paddington and took the advice of a colleague who had worked in Africa, who urged me to study midwifery. So off I trotted to Queen Charlotte’s to learn how to deliver babies. They largely deliver themselves, in truth, but the privilege of being part of a family’s life at that moment is indescribable. My sights were firmly set on working overseas, but I was aware that not having a degree might hold me back. I enrolled at UCL to study Anthropology but the travel bug persisted, so I took a year out to study in Nepal before taking a job in a refugee camp on the Thai-Cambodian border.
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This was after the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia and one of the world’s most appalling genocides. I was the only trained midwife in a camp of 60,000 people. Anyone with medical knowledge had been killed by Pol Pot and the hospital was barely fit for purpose. I was, to put it mildly, well out of my depth. It was a humbling, life-changing experience that taught me many lessons. After leaving the camp, I finished my degree before taking a role with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). It was the springboard for years of working abroad and in 1986 I moved to Nepal to manage their VSO programme. I lived there for 7 years and my 3 children grew up there. I never had a blueprint for my career. I’ve just stumbled from one thing to the other. In the 70s I met David Nabarro – who is now the WHO Special Envoy for COVID-19. David has been a hugely influential figure in my life, encouraging me to apply for my first Government job with the British High Commission in Pakistan which took me into a different world of diplomacy, health development and international policy. In 1992, just before moving to Pakistan, there was a terrible plane crash in Nepal, where I was living. I looked after a British family who had lost 5 relatives in the accident. Years later I realised that one of the victims, Andrew Wilkins, was a former King Edward’s pupil, and one of my classmates. I couldn’t believe the coincidence. Over the next 20 years I made the switch from nursing to diplomacy, working with DFID in Zimbabwe, the UK Mission in Geneva, and WHO as Director of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH). One of my proudest achievements is persuading Nelson Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel, to chair the Board when I moved to The Global Fund. Having Mrs Machel on the Board significantly elevated the profile of the Partnership, which does vital work in improving the health and wellbeing of women and children around the world. It can sound a bit ‘twee’, but the desire to give back is, for me, very strong. If you can do something to help people without privilege, that’s so important. I once met the great Desmond Tutu which was very daunting. He gave me a piece of advice which I’ve never forgotten: “Always remember the face. Keep the faces of people in your mind." I’ve tried to live by this advice, from remembering the faces of my teachers to Leng, the first woman who sadly died in my care as a midwife in Cambodia. As a nervous 11-year-old from a council estate in Pimlico, I could never have imagined the path my life would take. King Edward’s certainly gave me a great start in life. It helped me to realise that there was a vast world just waiting to be explored. I’ll be forever grateful for that.
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Miss Morgan Johnson 2012 to 2014 Miss Morgan Johnson joined King Edward’s in the Sixth Form, moving to Witley from her home in Guernsey. Training first as an accountant and then as a teacher, she shares how her years at King Edward’s defined her future. I was really excited to join King Edward’s. It happened at a really good point in my life when I was becoming more independent. My prep school motto was “A Family Not A Factory” and King Edward’s felt the same. I joined Elizabeth House and settled in immediately. King Edward’s really opened my eyes to the world around me. Growing up in Guernsey I had no experience of big cities and enjoyed the outdoors and sailing. Suddenly I was living with pupils from different countries and backgrounds. Getting people from diverse cultures to work together, and discover what they have in common, is something that the School does brilliantly. It gave me an excellent grounding. I had some fantastic experiences at King Edward’s but one that really stands out was a paintballing trip organised by Mr Pennell. I came away with a few minor injuries! On a more serious note, I took part in the 2013 Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. I was asked to be a colour bearer for the Sea Cadets and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph. It was a real privilege and a memory that will stay with me.
Another great memory is singing for Mrs Abraham in the School chapel on her wedding day. A group of us from Elizabeth House sang ‘Danny Boy’ acapella. The chapel acoustics produced a beautiful sound, it was truly magical! I loved studying a variety of subjects for the International Baccalaureate. Geography and business were favourite subjects and I was really inspired by my teacher Mrs Wilson who used her own experiences to bring business to life. I went on to work for KPMG after leaving school but kept my interest in geography and eventually decided to combine the two by becoming a teacher. I have recently finished my PGCE at Oxford and I start my first secondary teaching job in Guernsey this September. I had a fantastic experience at King Edward’s. It really shaped the path that I took and taught me lots of things beyond the academic that I don’t think I would have learned anywhere else. I saw how the City of London works because of the relationship the School has with St Bride’s and I learned so much about the world and about different people.
King Edward's pupils, 2014
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If I could offer any advice to current pupils it would be to make the most of every opportunity and to keep your eyes open. There is always more to see than you realise. King Edward’s allows you to begin to see the world. It’s a really great place to start.
Picture Perfect:
Art and Photography at King Edwards Many of the pupils at King Edward’s participate in the Art and Photography programme, regularly producing show-stopping works of art. Unfortunately, the Art department was affected by the School closing due to COVID-19 in March and the opportunity to complete all coursework or hold our regular final shows was not possible. Rising to the challenge, we were able to digitally showcase a selection of work by all 5th Form and Upper Sixth students who studied one of our art courses. This will remain on the school website for viewing (kesw.shortcm.li/CreativeArts). Despite the challenges they faced, an extraordinary effort was made by our students who achieved a high level of sophistication, imagination and individuality with their work. The determination shown by our pupils, in the face of adversity, was commendable and has resulted in an outstanding exhibition of work. The unique exhibition, showcasing a selection of work by our A Level and GCSE artists, will be on display during the Autumn term in The Bunker Gallery and we are hopeful that the gallery will be open to visit in person. Caroline Shouksmith, Director of Art and Photography
Sibel Oztas, GCSE
Scott Pickering, GCSE
Cali Hamilton, A Level
Tom Fox, A Level
Helen He, GCSE
Maria Nobre Albarran, GCSE Lucianelle Nguyep Semou, GCSE
Munir Sharif, A Level Thomas Perkins, GCSE
Finlay Shouksmith, GCSE
Hugo Worthington, GCSE
Luke Whatley-Bigg, GCSE
Alexia Sakellarios, GCSE
Corin Ewbank, GCSE
Edwina Keary, IB
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Behind The Scenes:
Drama At King Edward’s Drama is central to the lives of many pupils at King Edward’s and our extensive co-curricular programme involves hundreds of pupils both on and off the stage. Last year the School staged a number of outstanding productions, beginning with the annual House Drama Competition in September. 150 performers and crew were involved and Ridley and Wakefield were this year’s worthy winners. In October, 4th Form staged a powerful adaptation of 'Face', Benjamin Zephaniah’s compelling novel in which a young man’s life is changed when his face is badly scarred. This was followed in November by 'The IB Collaborative Project', an original production written, performed, and designed by Sixth Form pupils in The Green Room Studio. The Spring Term got underway with 'The Acting Showcase', an amazing array of plays, monologues and sketches staged by pupils in 3rd and 4th Form. More than 60 pupils were also involved in rehearsing 'Bugsy Malone'. Unfortunately, production was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic when the School closed in March, but pupils enjoyed the experience of staging and rehearsing the famous comedy musical and working alongside a professional choreographer. We make regular trips to the professional theatre, and this year was no exception. Before the curtain closed in March, pupils enjoyed performances of 'Hedda Tesman', 'A Monster Calls' and 'Macbeth' at the Chichester Festival Theatre, 'A History of Water in The Middle East' at The Royal Court Theatre in London and 'The Lovely Bones' at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. A particular highlight was 'Crowded', an immersive poetry and theatre performance at Farnham Maltings in February. We were also delighted to see ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ which was beautifully staged at the National Youth Theatre. Inspired by these productions, our pupils have continued to enjoy taking part in the LAMDA programme and a number of professional drama masterclasses. In October we welcomed world renowned theatre company ‘Frantic Assembly’ to work with our GCSE, IB classes and drama scholars, and then in February, actor and director Cheryl Stapleton hosted an inventive comedy and mask workshop with our IB theatre students and drama scholars. At King Edward’s we believe that drama builds confidence, develops communication skills, and fosters creativity and critical thinking. As the future of UK theatre looks increasingly uncertain, we will be doing all we can to nurture our pupils’ talents and foster a lifelong love of performance. Lynsey Cleaves, Director of Drama
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Not Missing a Beat:
Music at King Edward's Music continued to grow and thrive at King Edward’s as we built on the legacy of past generations of pupils. The Music School enjoyed some refurbishment and for much of last year was bursting at the seams with activities from morning to evening. Chapel Choir was as busy as ever both near and far. Now some 50 strong, they continued to be wonderful ambassadors for the School. From Evensong at Winchester Cathedral to this year’s Bridewell Service in London, they delighted parents and guests with their performances. Perhaps one of the highlights of the year was the tour to Venice where they sang at the English Church and the Basilicas of Frari and St Mark’s. In March they performed Fauré’s Requiem where they were joined by Old Witleians, parents, staff, pupils from Barrow Hills as well as guests from the local community. Symphony Orchestra and ensembles were very busy with some 20 concerts before the Spring term was brought to an abrupt close. Musician of the Year had over 120 participants in the first round before a mammoth six-hour final in early March! It was a pleasure to see the standard of playing progress as we moved from the beginner to advanced classes. Pupils formed the entire pit band for the School musical and played with flair during the dress-rehearsals. Not to be deterred by the COVID-19 pandemic, musicmaking continued remotely with individual music lessons and ensembles happening weekly. In the first half of the Summer Term, pupils prepared 40 pieces for our first virtual concert called “Together at Home” which went live over half term. With over a hundred pupils taking part from both King Edward’s and our partner School, Barrow Hills, it was a tour de force showing that our pupils were not going to let the sound of music stay silent! We have been very fortunate with the Countess of Munster Trust sponsoring tuition for three pupils along with parents of an Old Witleian sponsoring a fourth pupil. This means that we can continue to provide one to one instrumental and vocal lessons to those who would otherwise not be able to pay for them. This is true to the founding principles of the School and enables all to enjoy the benefits of such tuition, and keep music at the cultural heart of the School. Stasio Sliwka, Director of Music at Barrow Hills and King Edward's
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Having a Ball:
Sports at King Edward's It has been another great year for sport at King Edward’s. We were delighted to welcome water polo, swimming, badminton and volleyball as new team sports. New facilities, including the full re-development of Upper Gurdons, new cricket nets and the swimming pool refurbishment, will have a huge impact on our sporting programme. Here are some of the highlights from last term. Girls’ Hockey The 3 rd and 4 th Form teams made excellent progress with the U14A winning all but one of their fixtures. The commitment from all age groups was fantastic and the School is proud to support our County Hockey player Fleur Marren.
Girls’ Netball A successful term for netball saw every Junior, 3rd and 4th Form girl represent the School in at least one fixture. Our 15A’s won over 80% of matches and with the majority of the A team being U14, this is some achievement! The highlight of the Seniors Season was the Lord Wandsworth College Netball Tournament in mid-March, where we played outstanding netball against strong opposition, finishing 3rd overall.
Boys’ Football The football season was a terrific success for most age groups. Across all age groups our teams won 64% of their matches, the highest achieved since 2014. The U15 and U16 sides did particularly well in the National ESFA Cup competitions, reaching the final 16 games.
Boys’ Hockey The boys’ hockey season was one of mixed fortunes with a number of games lost to the weather and the closure of the School at the end of term. In between missed matches there were many highlights, the most obvious being the U16 side picking up another Silver Medal at the Hampshire Trophy.
Mixed Cross Country Cross Country really took off last year, with several boys and girls attending St Edmund’s annual cross country event and the Waverley Cross Country Trials. Every pupil taking part did the School proud on this tough course. Freddie Alexander (2nd place finish), Harry Mavin and Felix Wood were outstanding, and qualified to represent the Waverley District in the Surrey Cross Country Competition.
Mixed Swimming Our swimming team has also reformed after several years in the wilderness. They certainly arrived back with a bang as they took the spoils, by just two points, in a gala hosted at St Edmund’s.
Mixed Table Tennis The School’s large table tennis squad entered The Surrey Championships where they all competed well. Congratulations to Gabriela Lee who qualified for the National Championships.
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Mixed Volleyball In our inaugural season of playing volleyball, the team won 50% of fixtures and will be looking to strengthen this record as we move forward.
Boys’ Tennis Our partnership with Premier Tennis, as well as the astute management of Mr Langan, has meant that our tennis first team have had their first real taste of national level competition. They won 2 out of their 3 group games, winning 6-0 at RGS Guildford.
Boys’ Basketball Our basketball team recorded 3 back-to-back wins over Rodborough School, Eton College and TASIS. It was also a first official competitive year for our Middle School team who had a 50% win rate. Not bad for a first season!
Boys’ Rugby The U15 and U16 boys enjoyed an incredible season, winning every single game last year. Quinn Tierney, as always, led by example.
Boys’ Water Polo King Edward’s played their first ever competitive fixture this year in water polo. The team had a lot of fun and played the sport in a great spirit.
Boys’ Badminton Our badminton side have a 100% record which is superb considering the quality of opposition. The victories over Cranleigh (twice) and Worth School were brilliant to watch.
Individual Sporting Successes & Representative Honours Mattie Butler - 1st Form - is currently ranked in the top 10 in Europe for Slalom Skiing. Timur Gimalov - Lower Sixth - continues to rank highly in fencing. Elliot Moreve - 5th Form - has secured a place on the British Cycling Programme which takes in potential Olympic candidates. Jamie Pickering - 2nd Form - is now placed as one of the top Butterfly swimmers for his age group in Surrey and is pressing for national selection. Fleur Marren - 3rd Form - has achieved a place in the Surrey County Hockey Squad. Jenson Hoskins - 3rd Form - continues to place well in the Daytona National Karting Circuit. Gabriela Lee - 5th Form - has won several table tennis titles as well as representing Surrey at both U18 and Senior (adult) level. Toby Roberts - 4th Form - continues to represent England in climbing and recently featured on the BBC after his success at the European Climbing Championships. 19
King Edward’s Witley Godalming Surrey GU8 5SG Tel:
+44 (0)1428 68 6730
Email: development@kesw.org Bridewell Royal Hospital Foundation, incorporating King Edward’s Witley, is a Registered Charity no. 311997
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Web: www kesw org OldWitleians
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Old Witleians' Association
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