Kestrel from King Edward’s Witley
ISSUE 39 AUGUST 2021
HOW TO TEACH STEAM SUBJECTS DURING A PANDEMIC
HELP THE ARCHIVIST
SCHOOL SHOWCASE DRAMA, MUSIC, MODERN LANGUAGES & SPORTS MEET OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS
MR DAN ROGERS 1
Contents 3
Welcome from the Treasurer
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A Note from the Head
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Old Witleian News
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Staff profile – Mr Dan Rogers
Teaching STEAM Subjects (Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) During a Pandemic 7
Pandemic Learning - Physics
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Pandemic Learning - Biology & Maths
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Pandemic Learning - Design & Technology
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Old Witleians Through the Decades
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Foundation Pupil Spotlight
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Be a Part of Giving – Recognition Circles
15
Donor Roll
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Ways of Giving
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Countess of Munster Musical Trust
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Music Update
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Drama Update & Modern Languages Update
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Sports Update
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Help the Archivist Dates for the Diary Communications will be sent out to all appropriate individuals closer to the events and shared on our social media channels however, do contact the Development Office on OldWitleians@KESW.org with any queries. 1950s & 1960s Virtual Reunion - Thursday, 23rd September 2021 1970s Virtual Reunion - Thursday, 21st October 2021 1980s Reunion - Saturday, 13th November 2021 Christmas Carol Service - Friday, 10th December 2021 1990s Reunion - Saturday, 29th January 2022 2000s & 2010s Virtual Reunion - Thursday, 17th February 2022 KESW Golf Day - Friday, 24th June 2022 KESW Community Day - Saturday, 25th June 2022 All in-person events are subject to COVID restrictions.
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Welcome from the Treasurer I am proud that the Bridewell Foundation forms such a significant and integral part of the rich history of the KESW Community. Despite the many challenges that the last eighteen months have brought for us all, I am delighted that we have the opportunity, through Kestrel, to show our gratitude to our Foundation supporters.
U6th pupil, Miss Chloe Kayiranga, receives prize from the Treasurer, Mrs Justine Voisin, on Prize Day
Every contribution, however small, is meaningful and allows us to continue providing crucial support to pupils at King Edward’s. The annual publication of Kestrel also allows me to share with you what has taken place over the last academic year at the School. You are an important member of the KESW family. I am sure that you will wish to help us to celebrate all our successes and understand how you can be a part of our community and Foundation journey. On behalf of the School and the Foundation, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all our donors, partner charities, City Livery companies and the City of London Corporation for your ongoing commitment to the Foundation. Your generosity allows us to support the education and unlock the potential of disadvantaged young people who, through no fault of their own, cannot thrive in their home environment. Without each of you, we would not be able to provide life-changing opportunities at King Edward’s to pupils in need of a boarding style education. We are looking forward to the year ahead with a renewed sense of optimism after all that we have experienced recently and appreciation of the continued and ongoing wonderful help and assistance we have received from our supporters. I very much hope that you will continue to join us in our endeavours to help as many young people as possible to fulfil their true potential. Thank you.
Mrs Justine Voisin BA Hons (Oxon)
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A Note from the Head Dear Old Witleian, I trust this finds you and your loved ones safe and well wherever you may be in the world and that by reading the latest edition of Kestrel you will continue to feel connected to the wider King Edward’s Community and enjoy another incredible past year in pictures and stories. I am sure in March 2020 when the world slowed down for COVID, none of us would have imagined that more than a year and a half later we would still be adapting our ways of working. I remain inspired by the resilience and flexibility shown by the numerous teams at King Edward’s as we have continued to deliver the best teaching and pastoral care to all our pupils under the most challenging of circumstances. Schools are all about journeys, the different paths that are available within them and the people we meet along the way. This year we welcomed Dan Rogers to the School as our new Director of Finance and Operations as Andrew Lewis, Director of Finance and Administration, stepped down after 11 years as the School’s Bursar. Richard Davies was promoted to Assistant Head Academic as Zeba Clarke becomes Deputy Head at St Paul's in Sao Paulo, Brazil after helping King Edward’s keep our teaching outcomes on track throughout the pandemic. Pat Enticknap, Sewing Room Manager, and Bettina Waters, Teacher of Modern Languages, retired after an astounding 30 years and 17 years respectively at the School. We wish them all the very best as they start their new journeys away from King Edward’s. Whilst our renovation plans for the new Upper Sixth Boarding House were temporarily put on hold last year, we are delighted that work will start in September. Further, we have exciting additional development plans for the site including repurposing the current Exhibition Hall into a new Reception, Centre for Learning and café. Work to create a significantly improved vehicular entrance is already underway and all of these projects (including the new Upper Sixth Centre) should be completed by the end of next year. By upcycling our existing buildings rather than dismantling and building anew, we benefit by avoiding costly, disruptive demolition and reconstruction work, as well as allowing our buildings to be brought back into use again after a shorter period of time. However, not all of our plans were delayed, and we were delighted to open our new 70 seat Studio Theatre, where the old Green Room was located, in the Autumn Term. The Summer Term started with the welcome return of all pupils to our beautiful grounds as our global community reunited once again. We were able to hold our 42nd Annual Golf Day and to celebrate the life of Bertie Mawer at an inspiring and moving memorial. The event was attended both in person and virtually by many Old Witleians, friends and family who remembered Bertie very fondly and shared their memories of all the amazing things Bertie had provided and achieved for the School. Bertie's memorial service can still be viewed online using this link: hiips://www youtube com/watch?v=25qucdZ17uc. Whilst we have had time to reflect, we are already looking forward to starting new traditions. We were disappointed to have to cancel the KESW Community Day – a day that promised to bring together so many parts of our KESW family with sport, drama, family entertainment and music. We look forward to hosting the event in June 2022 as a true embodiment of all that is wonderful about our School and the individuals who make up our family. I hope very much that when you read this edition of Kestrel, you will continue to feel connected to the School and you will be inspired to remain a part of our active and supportive community. I hope that you continue to be safe and well.
Mrs Joanna Wright BA 4
Old Witleian News Farewell to Mr Andrew Lewis Staff bid a fond farewell to Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Andrew Lewis, in April following an over fifty years association with the School. Son of a former teacher, Mr Lewis was a pupil at KESW from 1975-1982 (Grafton) and returned to the School following a highly successful commercial career in 2009. In his 11 years as Bursar, Andrew brought financial stability to King Edward’s and with the Bridewell Foundation always close to his heart, he has been described as a mine of information and a guardian of Bridewell values. We wish him well.
Exciting New Pastures for Mrs Zeba Clarke
Mr Andrew Lewis, Director of Finance & Administration
Deputy Head (Academic), Mrs Zeba Clarke, joined King Edward’s in 2018 after an international career teaching both in the UK and Europe. During her time at the School, she led educational research and good practice and ensured the School reached for outstanding teaching and learning across all subject areas. We wish Mrs Clarke and her family well - including her dog Zazzi who was popular with everyone at the School - as she settles in at her new school in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
4th Earl of Selborne GBE FRS DL (1940-2021) A British Peer, ecological expert, businessman and long-term colleague and friend of the School, Lord Selborne was King Edward’s Treasurer between 1972-1983. To honour his firm resolve, clear direction and dedication to the Foundation, the Selborne Room is named after him. Appointed a KBE in the 1987 New Year Honours List and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours List for services to Science, Lord Selborne retired from the House of Lords in March 2020 and passed away peacefully in February 2021.
Former Head Mr Richard Roberts (Headmaster 1980-1985)
Mrs Zeba Clarke, Deputy Head, Academic
John Roundell Palmer, 4th Earl of Selborne
The School was sad to learn of the passing of Mr Richard Roberts age 89 in February after a short illness. Mr Roberts was Headmaster at King Edward’s in the early 1980s. Following his retirement in 1985, his wife and he enjoyed sailing. He shared his passion for sailing in a book published in 2018.
Former Head of Physics Mr Michael Clark (OW Staff 1960-1994) Mr Clark was Head of Physics, Ridley Housemaster, hockey coach and later Head of Science before his retirement from KESW in 1994 for which he was made a Freeman of the City of London in recognition of his dedicated years at the School. His legacy will endure through his design of the Warburg Science School and his inspirational teaching style to budding physics pupils. He sadly passed away in August 2020 aged 83.
Mr Richard Roberts, Headmaster 1980-1985
Remembering King Edward’s Legacy gifts provide a vital role in keeping our founding mission alive and enables us to provide life-changing opportunities to disadvantaged young people in need of a boarding style education. We are therefore very grateful to the following OWs who have sadly passed away recently and have remembered King Edward’s in their Wills: Mr Graeme Weir (OW 1937-1941), Mr Ronald Etherington (Staff 1994-2010) and Mrs Margaret Beesley (Friend of King Edward's).
Mr Michael Clark, Head of Physics & Ridley Housemaster
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Staff Profile:
Mr Dan Rogers
Director of Finance & Operations Mr Dan Rogers was appointed as the Director of Finance and Operations of King Edward’s Witley and Barrow Hills School in April this year following Mr Andrew Lewis’ departure. Mr Rogers, his wife Lucy, and their four children lived in Kent before joining King Edward’s; their children have joined King Edward’s and Barrow Hills. Mr Rogers is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years’ experience within the education sector. During this time, he has worked in various roles with both independent and state schools, including being the Financial Advisor for a multiacademy trust, Director of Finance and Operations at a state funded secondary school and, most recently, the Deputy Bursar at The King’s School, Canterbury. Before joining King Edward’s, Mr Rogers held the post of Chair of Governors at Barton Court Grammar School, where he restructured and developed their newly recruited Local Governing Body. Whilst he has now stepped down from this role, he continues to support Barton Court Academy Trust as a Member of the Trust, providing support to the Trusts Board and its group of schools. Mr Rogers’s passion for the education sector and the charitable status of Independent schools is what attracted him to the role of Director of Finance and Operations at The Bridewell Foundation. The historic nature of the Foundation and its charitable support of Foundation pupils was a particular draw as he feels very much aligned with this ethos. Now is an exciting time to be at King Edward’s and Barrow Hills as we approach a phase of investment and Mr Rogers brings with him the energy and enthusiasm to drive this development forward as the next chapter in Bridewell’s long history unfolds. Mr Rogers and his family are enjoying walking in the Surrey Hills and discovering new friends and places. The Rogers’ household continues to be noisy, in no small part due to their love of music!
Teaching in a Pandemic King Edward’s teachers have a long history of encouraging pupils to progress in the subjects they love. When current pupils interviewed Old Witleians for the feature Old Witleians Through the Decades (starting on page 10), the OWs reiterated that they received lots of support and how important that support was to them. We asked our STEAM departments how COVID had affected teaching over the past year and a half. STEAM fields include science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. These programmes aim to teach students innovation, to think critically and use engineering or technology in imaginative designs or creative approaches to real-world problems while building on pupils’ mathematics and science base. We continue to be proud of our teachers, as well as the pupils, who, despite the challenges they faced during COVID, achieved impressive final grades. What follows is an insight into how the departments coped with teaching online while continuing to inspire pupils. 6
Physics “Physics, in my opinion, is far and away the best subject to teach!” says Mr Nick Emsley. Working on the basis that everyone, because they live in and experience the world day-to-day, understands Physics, the department seeks to add some Mathematics to describe what is happening. Along with this come all the cool gadgets and toys in the classroom that make concepts come to life. Lockdown has made it more difficult to conduct traditional classroom experiments and investigations, but remote learning has some benefits and Physics is served fantastically well on the internet. Physics Education Technology (PHET) provide virtual experiments on everything from motion graphics to Rutherford Scattering, and even electronic circuits can be constructed using online kits. Our pupils have therefore been able to conduct experiments virtually in their own homes. Virtual experiences cannot cover everything, however, so good use has been made of the limited times we have had in the classroom this year. An example is where we learn through people modelling (or ‘interpretive dance’ as the pupils like to call it!) modelling the behaviour of, for instance, waves or atoms as a group movement activity. Whilst most lecture trips have been curtailed it has been possible for us to engage with live events delivered by world leaders in Physics and Engineering. We managed to fit in visits to Brooklands Museum of Aviation and Motorsport and Herstmonceux Observatory. We also delivered a fresh series of Café Scientific events on Relativity and Movie Physics. Forced to be inventive, our Physics teaching team have found more effective ways (including YouTube channels and live video demonstrations) to communicate many ideas and this has enriched the learning experience of our pupils and is evident in their attainment levels. Overall, this has allowed us to ensure that everyone has had a rich and engaging remote learning experience during this unprecedented period in the life of the School.
Mr Nick Emsley, Teacher of Physics & Grafton Housemaster
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Biology Nothing determines success more readily than tenacity and confidence. Skills are always secondary; skills can be acquired when guidance is sought. Teachers regularly echo this advice but there has never been a more challenging, yet rewarding, time for its application than the past 18 months. The King Edward’s Biology department, under the guidance of Mrs Marilena Pevreall, faced multiple challenges in order to continue fulfilling the School’s vision whilst providing a plethora of opportunities for our learners. Staff quickly tailored online lessons and pupils across the year groups adapted to virtual activities. One of the most popular activities has been our Medical Society. Pupils with a love for Biomedical Science were welcome to attend, together with aspiring Medics, and we delivered online lectures on autoimmunity and medical ethics. Due to the success of the society, an exciting program is already planned for next year with topics including medical ethics, shark conservation and dissection workshops. During the academic year, our U6th pupils carried out some exciting research including the effect of ethanol on cell membranes, liver toxicity, and chromatography of photosynthetic pigments to lichens as indicators of pollution and invasive species of plants. We have some inquisitive and capable pupils amongst us! During the COVID lockdown our resident mascot, Romeo, enjoyed some quieter times under the care of our lovely Biology teachers Dr Philip Attwell and Miss Ruth Hodges. Romeo is an African Clawed Frog who has lived at the School for 36 years. He used to share his aquarium with Juliette, another African Clawed Frog, but sadly she passed away in 2015. Since then, Romeo continues his regular hibernation cycle and enjoys plenty of attention from pupils, staff, and visitors during Open Days. He may be the only frog who has a holiday home; Romeo is spoiled rotten on a diet of fresh meal worms as he regularly stays with Mrs Alison Hill, our Science Technician, outside of Term.
Maths
Mrs Maria-Eleni Pevreall, Head of Biology
“Billy! Billy! Who’s Billy?”* My wife, working from home just like I was during the COVID lockdown, heard me repeating Billy’s name a hundred times during the course of one Zoom lesson. Such are the difficulties of teaching Maths during COVID but, more significantly, learning Maths. I replied, “I was just trying to make sure Billy’s camera was on, his microphone off, he was setting out his work correctly and that his ‘snapback’ was the right way round… oh, and that he was actually present and engaged.” Talking to colleagues and friends, it is clear that the King Edward’s pupils’ learning experience was more thorough and less disadvantageous than some other pupils in other schools. Sure, face-to-face teaching is way better but in the Maths department, our provision was certainly the least bad option. Everyone in the King Edward’s community is now hankering – and hoping - for a return to normality in September. The Maths corridors are looking pristine; all rooms are equipped with interactive boards and new 360° whiteboards on all other walls. The whiteboards were installed in the first weeks of the summer holiday and will allow the pupils to practise their mathematics for all the class to see. They will be able to explore for themselves, see how others ‘do’ maths, and have an opportunity to debate the relative merits of different mathematical methods. We want the pupils to take risks and make mistakes; they can always wipe the boards clean and start again! And, Mrs Emma Turnbull, one of our Maths teachers, is stencilling motivating quotes around the classrooms to keep everyone’s spirits up. We are all super keen to get down to business and, after the long break, hopefully the pupils will be too. Perhaps even Billy will want to impress and show that he can be the next entrepreneur or Grandmaster from King Edward’s. *Not his real name!
Mr Peter Head, Head of Mathematics 8
Design & Technology
How is it possible to teach a workshop based subject like Design Technology online, and keep it interesting? This was the situation facing the King Edward’s DT team for the first time ever during the COVID pandemic. Whilst theory could be delivered over ‘Zoom’ like many other subjects, the practical aspects posed an altogether different challenge. The initial panic experienced by the teaching team made way for some creative ideas, and, it must be said, great resilience from the pupils. Whilst we were aware that some of the pupils had access to well-equipped sheds at home, there are some pupils who live in smaller apartments without equipment or much space for creative pursuits. One of the themes available to explore was up-cycling, which seemed to blend well with the invigorated interest in sustainable living and lifestyle choices that were being debated around dinner tables and in the news during these unprecedented times. Wherever we live we create waste, and there is a real need to be creative in identifying further uses for items to keep them out of landfills. A reduction for the need of virgin materials can only be a good thing and is certainly a topic that is at the forefront of the pupils’ minds. The DT team asked pupils to put forward ideas on how to redeploy waste items from their homes. We reviewed images online to help the upcycling ideas flow. We were amazed with the range of ideas the pupils presented using everyday items from their homes and were treated to interesting planting pots to pallet furniture. Pupils proposed ideas in sketch form and then discussed their plans with their teachers; to encourage time away from computer screens, the pupils were inspired to use their normal DT lesson time to complete their projects. Some year groups were also taught Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills so some of the final projects were professional looking designs. The DT team is proud of the creative flair and pride the pupils showed in their projects. Whilst it is hoped we will never have to return to fulltime online learning, we made it work when it was required.
Mr Anthony Johnson, Head of Design & Technology
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Old Witleians Through The Decades For this feature we asked current King Edward’s pupils to interview Old Witleians who have gone on to study and develop their careers in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics). It is nice to be able to introduce Old Witleians from across the years to one another; while many things may have changed, what is at the core of being an Old Witleian, and what makes King Edward’s special, hasn’t really changed at all. We are grateful to Lower 6th pupils Pablo Von Baum Garcia, Emil Gladilov and Joachim Herau for interviewing the OWs and sharing what they learned. We hope you will enjoy reading what these three alumni are doing and how they developed their love of physics at King Edward’s.
Dr Harriette Stone 1998 to 2005 Dr Harriette Stone (née Trumble) studied at King Edward’s from 1998-2005 (Tudor). After leaving School, Harriette studied Civil Engineering at the University of Exeter, Structural Engineering at the University of Surrey and received her Doctor of Engineering (EngD) from University College London. After all her education and experience, somehow, electricity still baffles her! Like most young people, Harriette wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to do from a career perspective, but she knew she wanted to study and work with subjects she enjoyed. To help her figure out which subjects suited her, she attended a King Edward’s Careers event, where, of 13 possible careers that linked to her interests, 12 involved engineering! After discovering that engineers work on “cool things” like planes, buildings and bridges, Harriette took her A Levels in Physics, Maths & Geography. These three subjects, she felt, were connected to one another and her interests and helped her to better understand the world. At University, Harriette enjoyed taking science trips and remembers a favourite trip was about learning how to design a dam. She loved being in the lab; running experiments was an opportunity to make mistakes, learn from them and get them right next time. Mechanics and space always intrigued Harriette, but as for electricity, she admits she is still not sure how it works. As far as she is concerned, it is magic! After University, Harriette went to work designing buildings in London and around the world. Two buildings she helped bring to fruition in London are the Guys Hospital Cancer Centre, designed by the Architect Richard Rogers’ firm, Rogers, Stirk, Harbour + Partners, and 1 Embankment Place which serves as PWCs Headquarters. Harriette currently lives in Barbados, West Indies where she is the Team Leader for United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF). Her team manages an aid programme worth £330 million and is responsible for building roads, bridges, ports, water systems, and irrigation networks across nine countries in the Caribbean. The programme encourages growth in these countries, supports improved livelihoods, provides poverty reduction and safer conditions for all citizens. Harriette thinks we do not yet understand which professions we might need in the future in the field of physics and that things can change very quickly. She does feel that the skills and brainpower humans have today are not ready to be replaced by AI (artificial intelligence) or robots… yet! 10
Dr Karen Dalton 1980 to 1986 Dr Karen Dalton (née Barrett) lives in Oxford having studied at the University there after leaving King Edward’s in 1986. She is a Physics, Maths & Latin teacher at a boys’ prep school, but prior to pursuing a teaching career that almost happened by accident, she led exciting science research at Oxford University. Here she recalls her memories of King Edward’s and midnight feasts. In September 1980, Karen stood on a little blue mat in a grand room at the Guildhall to be sworn in as a KESW pupil. She had said goodbye to her parents and was bussed down to Witley where she joined Copeland House, later moving to Tudor. She is still in touch with some of the friends with whom she shared dorms, classes, meals and all aspects of boarding life, including the occasional midnight feast. There was plenty of “down time” to be outside in the grounds, to socialise in the House activity areas, or to find a quiet spot in the Music school or library. The Chaplain, Revd. John Pridmore, known to everyone as “Jasper,” welcomed pupils to his house to read Asterix books or to eat toast with peanut butter. A few pupils visited an elderly woman, Miss Cooper, who lived across the road and was born in 1894; they had tea and sang hymns with Miss Cooper. Her fondest memories of King Edward’s were the people and staff, many of whom welcomed the pupils into their homes. She is particularly grateful for her Physics teacher Mr Michael Clark who was wonderfully inspiring and acted as a father figure to Karen; he was the Ridley Housemaster who was involved with the Science department and helped her develop her love of physics. Mr Ken Murfitt’s Chemistry lessons included lively demonstrations, not least “Fisk’s Folly,” an explosive powder mixture for which the unwise Fisk had been expelled. Mr Murfitt awarded a Mars bar for learning the Periodic Table, but the best reward for me was the scientific training, and the sense of the history of science, that we received from him. The English department introduced Shakespeare, and Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” stirred up Karen’s 16-year-old conscience for social justice. Karen was a member of the sailing club led by Mr I. Young who was the Edward Housemaster. Karen recalls that two other pupils and she were invited to sell programmes at the Lord Mayor’s Show and found a great spot outside a tube station. They sold the most programmes and were invited to Mansion House for a drinks reception and to take in a play at The Barbican. She took the train from Waterloo to Witley, unaccompanied late at night, and walked back up the Snicket Path from the station, through the grounds in the pitch black. This would not be allowed to happen now! Karen thinks she always wanted to do physics research and to be a physicist. After leaving King Edward’s, she studied Physics at St. John’s College, Oxford and stayed on to do her Doctor of Philosophy on research into experimental semiconductor physics and then became a tutor at Hertford College, Oxford. She carried on teaching at Oxford University until she had two children. After a career break when her children were young, she became a Teaching Assistant at her children’s school. She then became a Maths teacher and later, took on the top set Physics and a bit of Latin – fondly remembering Mr Herbie Winter in his King Edward’s classroom with a map of the Roman Empire painted on the wall. While she naturally wants her pupils to succeed, she also wants each one to feel accepted as a person without it being conditional on their achievements and hopes she will be able to contribute positively to their lives, as her teachers did to hers.
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Alexander Koenig 2012 to 2014 Mr Alexander Koenig, originally from Germany, studied the IB at King Edward’s from 2012 - 2014. The School made an impression on Alex and he made friends almost immediately; he is still in contact with the boy who conducted his School tour in 2011. Alex was not particularly interested in physics, but that all changed during his time at KESW; he recevied his Bachelor’s in Engineering Science from Technical University of Munich and he is now pursuing his Master’s degree in Biorobotics at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States. Alexander came to King Edward’s eager to study the IB and easily settled into Edward House. Alex took an immediate interest in science and he particularly remembers after school astronomy sessions offered by Mr Nick Emsley, his physics teacher. He spent many happy hours with his friends staring into the skies, fascinated with the stars. In physics classes, he was able to use the many gadgets that were provided. These first experiences awakened his passion and interest in physics. Alex feels the IB gave him a great opportunity and that the programme prepares students well for Individual Assessments (IA’s) and extended essays. Looking back, he was very grateful for the way the IB taught him to answer scholastic questions, and he especially enjoyed the practical and research-oriented assignments required from the IB. In his final year at King Edward’s, Alex was privileged to be Head Boy. He had to work diligently to juggle his responsibilities as Head Boy and his studies, however, he admits that he saw this dance as more ’enjoyment‘ than ’work’ and was honoured to have the opportunity to lead the School. After leaving KESW, Alex saw many potential directions for his future life: medicine, architecture, or engineering. He decided to study a B.Sc. program in Engineering Science to acquire a broad technical foundation, which is useful in various fields. Engineering is a subject heavily reliant on physics and is full of real-world applications. His interest in Robotics and bio-inspiration led him to study Biorobotics at Harvard University in the United States which for him, provides a way of finding new and creative solutions from nature. Once combined with physics and computer science, these solutions will solve many real issues the world is facing now. Specifically, Alex works on autonomous robotic grasping, which is relevant in various areas such as industrial, domestic or medical robotics. As for the future, following his Master’s at Harvard, Alex plans to return to Europe to look for work in the field of medical robotics. From there, who knows where his life will take him!
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Foundation Pupil Spotlight Marcus Durkan 2019 to 2021 In 2019 Marcus Durkan joined Wakefield House at King Edward’s Sixth Form and joined the IB programme studying History, Computer Science and English. As a full time boarder and a Foundation pupil, Marcus was struck by the unique support living in a boarding house provided him; he received encouragement from the pupils in each of the other Forms as well as the outstanding care provided by the House team comprised of Mr Angus Macmillan, Housemaster, Mr Sammy Laurent, Wakefield’s Assistant Housemaster, and the ever-present and helpful Matron, Ms Carrie Withers. Marcus knew he wanted to study subjects he enjoyed, primarily computer science, which had become a hobby he thoroughly enjoyed. However, when Marcus was in secondary school, he had no aspirations to go to university. That changed at King Edward’s where he developed the confidence to apply for a place at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. COVID dominated every aspect of Marcus’ Sixth Form, including his interview preparations which were conducted over Zoom with helpful members of the wider KESW Community; Marcus even sat his interview for Oxford University whilst self-isolating in the School Medical Centre! Marcus had not considered Oxford as a University choice, but with the support of the Head of History, Mrs Megan Phillips, who taught him, and Deputy Head Academic, Mrs Zeba Clarke, Marcus completed his applications. He is also grateful for the support of his Computer Science teacher, and Director of ICT, Dr Anthony Lennard who Marcus describes as “the most patient man alive”. Marcus will start his History & Politics degree at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford in September 2021. Highlights from his time at King Edward’s include ‘KESx’ – a 6 week programme of social activities including kayaking and paintballing which he thoroughly enjoyed. Marcus also remembers fondly the time spent with his friends and how lucky he was to have them close by throughout a difficult year. Marcus is steadfast in his belief that being a full time boarder prepared him for university life. Being a Foundation pupil at King Edward’s provided Marcus with resources and opportunities he would not otherwise have had; the purchase of school books, additional learning support to help him study, and attending a Summer Course at Cambridge. Each of these opportunities was possible due to the financial assistance the King Edward's Community continues to generously provide for our Foundation pupils. Support from Old Witleians like you meant that Marcus never felt different from his peers or that going to university was “something other people did”. As a result of his time at King Edward’s, a future Marcus felt was completely out of reach is now a firm reality. After University, Marcus plans to study for a master’s degree and envisages a career in International Relations or Politics.
Support Our Fund a Foundationer Campaign Inspiring young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is a part of King Edward's heritage - it sits at the core of the Bridewell Foundation. Every member of our community - each individual, Charity, Trust or Livery - who generously supports the Bridewell Foundation and our Fund a Foundationer campaign is making a contribution to the wider efforts of the School. By pledging only £20.21 per month, you can help us achieve our goal of fully funding a Foundation pupil in the 2022/2023 academic year. Help us unlock the potential of a young person through a life-changing King Edward's education. If everyone offers a little, together we can achieve so much more. 13
Be a Part of Giving By supporting the School, you will be a part of a broad philanthropic community helping to deliver an education to those most in need of a boarding school education. We hope that all Old Witleians continue a long-standing tradition of giving something back to King Edward’s School and will feel a sense of pride in doing so, secure in the knowledge they are a part of something very important.
Bridewell Charter Patron Our most generous donors of £100,000+ are in receipt of the Bridewell Medal, join all Fellowship events and are offered regular opportunities to engage with the Head and the Treasurer to be involved in the strategic direction of the Foundation.
Bridewell Patron – Individuals and Charities Bridewell Patrons, and Patron Charities, have donated over £50,000 to the Bridewell Foundation. All Patrons hold the Bridewell Medal and are members of the Bridewell Fellowship.
Bridewell Fellows – Individuals and Corporations The Bridewell Fellowship recognises donors and donor organisations who have given over £10,000 (£20,000 for organisations) to the Foundation. Bridewell Fellows are awarded the Bridewell Medal by the Lord Mayor of the City of London at a ceremony at the Guildhall held every March. Bridewell Fellows are invited to the Bridewell Fellows’ Lunch and Carol Concert at King Edward’s each Christmas and other important School events throughout the year.
1867 Society Celebrating the year the School moved to Witley, members of the 1867 Society donate over £1,000 during the year to the Bridewell Foundation. Their generosity is recognised on the annual Donor Roll, members are invited to School events and to an annual 1867 Society event.
Bridewell Friend Bridewell Friends make regular or one-off donations of up to £1,000 during the financial year. Friends are listed on our annual Donor Roll, receive the Bridewell Foundation Report and invitations to free School events.
1553 Guild Members of the 1553 Guild have pledged a legacy in their will to the Bridewell Foundation. Members of the Guild are recognised on the annual Donor Roll and are invited to an annual 1553 Guild event at King Edward’s. Unless anonymity has been requested, all donors are recognised in the annual Donor Roll. Bridewell Royal Hospital Foundation, incorporating King Edward’s Witley, is a Registered Charity number 311997.
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Ways of Giving We are grateful for every gift to the Bridewell Foundation. Donations can be made in a number of ways: Gift Aid
If you are a UK taxpayer and pledge Gift Aid, the School can increase your gift by almost 25% by reclaiming tax from HRMC, at no additional cost to you or us. The Make a Gift form inserted in this magazine, has a Gift Aid section. Email your form to Development@kesw.org or post it using the Freepost envelope.
Give Through A Single Or Regular Gift
Complete the Single or Regular gift section of the Make a Gift form provided and return the form to the Development office. You can also set up Direct Debits online at hiips://www.kesw.org/make-a-gift/ Gifts made by credit card payment can be made at hiips://kesw.shortcm.li/CreditCard, by completing the Make A Gift form or by calling the Development Office. Bank transfer to King Edward’s School Witley, Sort Code: 16-00-15, Account no: 23109401 Please reference your full name so we are able to include your name on the annual Donor Roll Online at King Edward’s Virgin Money Giving page: hiip://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/bridewellfoundation
Give Via CAF Or Charitable Foundations
King Edward’s is always grateful for any donations given via CAF or other charitable foundations. Please make CAF cheques payable to King Edward’s School Witley. Our charity number is 311997.
Giving Through Your Pay Or Pension
You can give money to a charity directly from your pay, a company pension or a personal pension using the Payroll Giving scheme. This is cost-effective for donors because the donation is given before any tax is deducted. You can give to as many charities as you would like to under the Payroll Giving scheme and cancel agreements at any time.
Company Matching Gift Schemes For Payroll Giving
Many companies will match an individual employee’s gift to a charity. If your company offers this scheme to enable employees to support the School, please inform the Development Office.
Gifts Of Shares, Equities And Securities
By gifting shares or securities to King Edward’s, you can make substantial savings in both capital gains tax and income tax, as donations of shares receive income tax relief of 100% of their market value.
Leave A Legacy
Supporting King Edward’s with a gift or donation in your Will is a highly personal way of giving that has a lasting impact on future generations. You can choose to donate a specific sum, a share of your estate, or other assets such as stocks and shares. Making a bequest to charity can also lessen the burden of inheritance tax on your executors. Many people have multiple demands on their finances which might preclude them making a gift in their lifetime. Equally, they may have been supporters of the School in their lifetime and wish to make a final gesture of support. A legacy can be a final tribute to King Edward’s, a gift which endures in perpetuity, and one which can be put towards any number of areas through the Bridewell Foundation. Bequests are exempt from inheritance tax (IHT) and for estates leaving 10% or more to charity, there is a reduction in IHT from 40% to 36%. If you would like an information pack on how to make a legacy to King Edward’s School which gives you membership to the 1553 Guild, please contact the Development team on 01428 68 6770 or by email Development@kesw.org. Bridewell Royal Hospital Foundation, incorporating King Edward’s Witley, is a Registered Charity number 311997.
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A Rich Musical History at the
Countess of Munster Musical Trust The association between King Edward’s and the Countess of Munster Musical Trust dates back to the 1950s. When Hilary, Lady Munster was looking to set up a charitable trust to support musical education, she was helped in its foundation by Gerald Coke, the then Treasurer of the Court of Bridewell. As a result, the Munster Trust came to be administered in its early days by the Clerk to the Governors from an office within the School and, in recognition of the considerable assistance afforded by the School, Lady Munster helped endow the King Edward’s Music School which still bears her name. It was in 1990 that the Trust leased a small parcel of land next to the Music School from King Edward’s on which to build its own office and it is from here that the Trust has been administered ever since. The sound of our typing is accompanied by the various lessons and practice sessions taking place in the rehearsal rooms right next door, and so we are entertained by all sorts of musicians ranging from virtuoso pianists to the joyous sound of the samba band. In 2018, as a continuation of the relationship between the Trust and the School, the Munster Trust Exhibitioners project was established whereby the Trust each year funds individual music lessons for three pupils who otherwise might not have access to the tuition they need to progress. The students must demonstrate an aptitude for an instrument and show a real interest in continuing their musical education to a high level. The Trust has, over the past two academic years, supported three highly talented and very motivated Munster Trust Exhibitioners. In spite of the challenges faced by these pupils, they have found ways to move forward with their instrumental and vocal talents through their involvement in various ensembles and with a general enthusiasm to be involved in the musical life of the School. The Countess of Munster Musical Trust’s main charitable activity is providing financial awards to help support pupils undertaking postgraduate classical and jazz music courses, usually at one of the United Kingdom’s music conservatoires, and many of the Trust’s former beneficiaries have gone on to highly distinguished international musical careers. Maybe, in a few years’ time, we will have the pleasure of receiving an application for a postgraduate award from a former King Edward’s Munster Trust Exhibitioner! www.munstertrust.org.uk
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Not Missing a Beat:
Music
A year like no other. Just over eighteen months ago we celebrated Bridewell Day with an uplifting Service at St Bride’s with Chapel Choir and Brass ensemble on fine form. This was followed by lunch at the Guildhall where we were entertained by the Jazz Band. Who would have thought by the end of that week we would find ourselves in lockdown with all live music-making being put on hold? We had a few weeks to rethink what we could do to keep music alive at the School. Despite the need to cancel many events, we moved into the unchartered territory of music in the virtual world. We set up SoundCloud and YouTube channels and we managed to share concerts and Proms. Whilst not replacing live music, it nevertheless allowed us to reach a wider audience of parents, pupils - past and present, and to connect with OWs across the globe. We had hoped to return to live music in September and we did so to some extent albeit in restructured ensembles to allow for socially distanced rehearsals. These challenges allowed for new initiatives, such as an expansion of smaller ensembles to be formed, and we have enjoyed numerous performances over this past year. A temporary recording studio was set up and pupils enjoyed the benefits from learning to use it. We will continue to record all concerts in the future so that we can stay connected with Old Witleians.
Opening of the Music School in 1963
St Bride’s Annual Concert, June 2021
One to one instrumental and vocal lessons have continued in person where possible with lessons over Zoom as a backup. We have a record number of pupils taking music lessons and despite the Knapton-Cavill funding having run dry, funding has been secured from the generosity of Old Witleians and their families, City of London Livery Companies and the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. We are very grateful to all for providing this financial support which enables all pupils, regardless of their circumstances, to access high quality music lessons. The requests for the provision of these lessons has never been so extensive and we remain fully committed to delivering our vision of music being accessible for all. With a restructuring of the department, we will be able to continue to do this in the future by appointing a full time Head of Keyboard and part time Heads of Brass, Strings, Voice and Wind. We were disappointed we had not been able to welcome guests to live events this past year but we continued to reach out to the School's community with many recorded events such as Showcases, Musician of the Year, House Music, School Concerts, Scholars’ Concerts and Proms. Our Carol Service was recorded with a reduced Chapel Choir and was enjoyed by the School community, the Guild of Carmen and other Livery Companies. We did manage a number of live events in the Summer Term including our annual Concert at St Bride’s in June; this marked the first time pupils were able to perform in front of a live audience in fifteen months. Perhaps the most moving occasion was the memorial service for Bertie Mawer. Our newly formed Chamber Choir, Camerata, sang two anthems that were special to Bertie and the organ was played by OW Jozef Gaszka who has finished his 2nd year as a Music Scholar at the Royal Academy of Music. It was truly moving to hear all that Bertie had done for the School as well as an opportunity for us to say ‘thank you’ and celebrate all that he had done for our Music department. As we look to the future, we have much to celebrate and the calendar of events for the next few years is exciting. A new annual event, a choral performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass, is planned which will bring Old Witleians, pupils, parents, and the wider community together. In 2023 we will perform Virtues by Alexander Goehr which was commissioned by the Countess of Munster to mark the opening of the Music School in 1963. It is hoped that Old Witleians will join current pupils to perform the work.
Mr Stasio Sliwka, Director of Music 22
Behind the Scenes:
Drama
Whilst out running last week I met a lady whose son was a pupil at the school 45 years ago; when I revealed my job title she eagerly and proudly recalled his various house drama roles, both on stage and behind the scenes! The Charter Hall has not changed much in the years since her son was a pupil at King Edward’s but perhaps you may recall the Green Room next door, with its smoky mirrors, rails of costumes and low lighting. This is now unrecognisable having been transformed into a 70 seat Studio Theatre with professional lighting and sound technology. It was a joy to welcome pupils back after the pandemic and for them to be able to use the Studio Theatre immediately for their weekly drama lessons, workshops, rehearsals, and performances. With restrictions in place this year, we adapted our Drama programme to enable the pupils to share work internally rather than on a large scale with visiting audiences. House Drama was restricted to one lucky year group, the 4th Formers, who wrote and performed original plays based on a period of history. Our Queen Mary House pupils, 1st and 2nd Form, learned and performed scenes from The Wind in the Willows in the beautiful gardens, and 3rd Formers performed scenes from Hollywood blockbusters in the new Studio Theatre. We have planned several performances for next academic year including the whole school musical production of Bugsy Malone in February and a promenade performance exploring the history of the School which will be written and performed by staff and pupils in June. Our first production will be a senior production of Shakespeare’s delectable comedy Twelfth Night, to be performed on 28th and 29th November and I hope you might be able to join us. Please do keep in touch with the School and when you are able to visit, I would love to hear your memories of House Dramas and to show you around our new drama facilities.
Going Places:
Mrs Lynsey Cleaves, Director of Drama
Modern Languages
Travel may have been restricted this year, but Modern Languages at King Edward’s remain undaunted! Online learning saw teachers adapt to new technology in ever more creative ways. Languages often provided a welcome form of social contact for pupils in times of quarantine, with Zoom ‘breakout room’ activities offering meaningful interaction with peers. The department went on to trial quality Sanako language-learning software to help learners prepare for IGCSE and IB speaking examinations, and is excited now to build further upon this, as we integrate this technology permanently into the multimedia learning suite in the North Side IT room from September. The Modern Languages department aims to make languages meaningful for all. The 3rd Form enjoy French and Spanish through a bespoke curriculum focusing on real contexts, culminating in our own version of The Apprentice where pupils work in teams to achieve a business objective. Whilst trips may have been temporarily curtailed, we were fortunate enough to host (online) two Business Language Champions events this year, for the 3rd and 4th Forms, based around the concept of Europe Goes to Tokyo, marking this year’s Olympics. This theme was further enhanced by our Japanese taster activity, supported by our incoming Head Girl, Kokoro Windsor who is bilingual and speaks Japanese fluently. Meanwhile, the return of GCSE examiner Ron Wallace to run his successful workshop for the 5th Form was welcomed in a live context - socially distanced of course! IB Diploma courses remained popular across all levels, leaving pupils ready to live and work across the globe - a skill not to be taken for granted in this day and age. Following the 2020 appointment of Mrs Pickering and Mrs Hinde-Brown as Subject Coordinators, French, German and Spanish now each have their own department ‘champion’. After teaching German for 17 years at King Edward's, Mrs Bettina Waters retired at the end of the school year. Dr Cathrin Brockhaus will be joining the team and will take over 'German for Native Speakers' from September 2021. The Languages department remains set to help Witleians reach expanding horizons!
Mr Andy Baynes, Head of Modern Languages 23
For the Love of the Game:
Sports
After a long COVID interruption, we were finally able to play some fixtures this Summer Term! It has been a most welcome return for interschool matches with fixtures taking place in cricket, rounders, athletics, and tennis. There has been a real buzz around King Edward’s, particularly in Queen Mary House, with some excellent results. Mr Phil Miller, Director of Sport
Girls’ Cricket This is the first ‘proper’ season of cricket considering the postponement of all fixtures during the 2020 season. The girls played a total of 23 fixtures and were able to win sixteen fixtures giving them a 69% success rate! The U13A side are worthy of note having won 6 out of 6 all by comfortable margins. A particular highlight of their season was a high scoring victory over Amesbury. The whole team were superb but note must be made of Penny Frampton, Robyn Kersey and April Klein who lead from the front with their bowling. The U15A side also enjoyed similar success for only one solitary defeat in their season with some hefty victories on the way. There was one tense moment where they managed to steal a victory over Box Hill by just one run! The U14B side fixtures were the most disrupted due to the weather but when they were able to play, they were only defeated once in their season.
Boys’ Cricket At U13 level there is an extraordinary enthusiasm for cricket with excellent talent and willingness to participate running through Queen Mary House. We have been able to rotate pupils in and out of teams to ensure as much participation as possible with 88% of first form and 70% of second form contributing to the school teams. The U13A side have had a terrific season. There have been some enormous victories, notably against Christ’s Hospital and Barrow Hills. Will Craggs and Max Holden (both 1st Form) are the notable performers based on statistics with Will scoring an average of over 50 with the bat whilst Max has taken 11 wickets during the season. Joe Bain has developed into a brilliant wicketkeeper! Johnny Fleming, Will Cook, Tom Harrison, Luke Botha and Freddie Alexander have also had excellent seasons. The B team were only defeated once during a lengthy season with many players performing well enough to become firm fixtures in the A team. The C and D sides were rotated to ensure participation for all and experienced only one defeat across both teams demonstrating the depth of talent in this age group. In the Middle School, the U14A side had a very good season with Oli Fitch, Jess Thompson and Josh Cook leading from the front. They were undefeated but were hit hard by the weather conditions early in the season which resulted in a reduction of fixtures. The U15A’s endured a difficult season but can look towards a narrow loss at Christ’s Hospital which could have gone either way. It was a similar story for the first team however they did have the honour of playing against the MCC; we are pleased that this fixture has returned to the calendar! 24
Mixed Tennis Our mixed tennis sides took on Churchers and Barrow Hills this term. Our U15A side were taken to the wire and ultimately lost 3-2 despite some excellent play from Lily Lindfors and Fleur Marren. Our younger pupils then took on Barrow Hills in a friendly competition aimed at maximising playing time rather than the results. There was some great play on show with Joshua Parker-Perryman the standout performer.
Individual Sporting Successes Jake Tapley (5th Form) and Phoebe Wilson (3rd Form) – Athletics Jake represented the School at the District Athletics Championships in the 100m sprint. He confidently took a victory with a time just beyond his personal best. This qualified him to represent Waverley at the Surrey Championships and we look forward to hearing how he performs. It is the same story for Phoebe Wilson who took part in the High Jump. She jumped a personal best to qualify for the district side.
Oliver Fitch (3rd Form) – Hockey Oliver played his club Hockey for Surbiton HC and is part of the Southern England U14 side. His Surbiton side took 2nd place in the national finals.
James Howell (5th Form) – Football We were delighted to hear that James has been offered professional terms at Portsmouth FC, a club he has been with for many years. We hope that he continues his terrific progression and, ultimately, makes his way into the first team squad.
Jack Berry (2nd Form) – Athletics Jack recently took part in the 400m at our revised mini-Sports Day following the cancellation of the full formal event (due to COVID). Despite this, he clocked 64.74 seconds breaking the School record which was set in 2004!
Fleur Marren (4th Form) – Hockey Fleur continues to make great strides in County Hockey and is still representing Surrey for her age group.
Elliot Moreve (L6th) – Cycling Elliot has been part of the GB cycling setup for a number of years. He has now progressed into adult cycling and is faring well against his more experienced competitors.
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Snapshot of King Edward's Through History Hambledon Workhouse General View In 1941, eighty years ago, King Edward’s left Witley and relocated to Hambledon following the Admiralty’s requisition of the School’s buildings during World War II. Renamed A.S.E. Witley (Admiralty Signals Establishment), also known as HMS Mercury, the site was crucial in the development of naval radar and welcomed eminent young scientists to lead the research to further the war effort. The phrase that emanates the School’s significance in the development of naval radar is “The battle of the Atlantic was won on the playing fields of Witley.” The School’s Governors decided to relocate to Hambledon, rather than closing altogether, in order to maintain the education of 120 boys, a reduction from the 280 boys studying prior to 1941. Thankfully, the Admiralty allowed the School to continue using two playing fields and the chapel, as the facilities at the Hambledon site, a former workhouse, did not match those at the Witley site. This photo provides a glimpse into the changed environment for King Edward’s pupils between 1941 and 1949.
Help the Archivist The School's Archivist, Miss Tarabella Ward, is attempting to log all the photos currently in our archives but she requires the help of our eagle-eyed Old Witleians to compile the correct details. If you have any helpful information regarding the photos that follow, email Miss Ward on OldWitleians@kesw.org. She would be happy to receive any photos OWs have of their school days, in particular photos of the girls sports teams. Send high resolution scans or post the hard copy of the photo. If you would like us to return your photo after adding it to our archives, please indicate this in your correspondence.
Edward House Winning House Music 1965-1966 Old Witleians have commented on Edward House’s prolific victories in House Music and House Sport Competitions over the years, and here is a photo recorded in the archives of Edward House winning the House Music Competition in the 60s. We believe the year to be either 1965 or 1966, but can you pinpoint the exact year? Can you identify the musicians? Please email us to share your memories! 26
KESW Field Marshal Lord Montgomery with Edward House 1961 An Old Witleian kindly sent the Archives a scan of a photograph of Edward House with Field Marshal Lord Montgomery of Alamein taken during his visit to the School in the Summer Term of 1961. As noted in Bertie Mawer’s book Bridewell to Witley 1553-2000: King Edward’s School, he asked to be photographed with the whole School, although in the absence of a panoramic camera he settled with group photographs with the staff and with each House. Do you have a copy of a House photograph with Field Marshal Lord Montgomery?
1970 School Trip to Hafod Lwyfog, Wales King Edward’s Witley used Hafod Lwyfog, a School Mountain Centre in Snowdonia, for trips and training, including for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Schemes and the Headmaster’s Annual Leadership Course for Prefects. Do you recognise anyone on this particular trip?
1908 Military Band 2021 marks 145 years since the Military band was formed by Reverend Edward Rudge, Headmaster 1856-1886, to replace the Drum and Fife Band. Since every battalion and cavalry regiment had a band, band members were highly sought-after, and King Edward’s boys were quickly recognised and recruited by regimental bandmasters. Following military service, some former King Edward’s band members joined and performed in orchestras around the UK, including the BBC’s Symphony Orchestra and its Wireless Military Band. 27
Godalming Surrey GU8 5SG Tel:
+44 (0)1428 68 6730
Email: OldWitleians@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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OldWitleians
Photo courtesy of Richard Matthewman
King Edward’s Witley
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