Farewell To James

ARCHIVE

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Enjoying your 2022 copy of The Alfredian? Did you know students have been making school magazines since KAS opened in 1898?

The earliest editions of ‘The KAS Magazine’ were handwritten and included original illustrations. Students from all year groups contributed. The pages were then bound into an annual volume. Articles ranged from poems to sports news to a 1914 Roll of Honour showing KAS alumni and staff serving in the war effort.

In 1923, the format changed to print. Beautiful student-made wood block cover prints, a treasure of the archives, were printed here on the KAS press until 1938. The contents are interesting too! The first issue featured a poem about KAS, news from the annual garden fete and a report on a visit by the Inspectors from the Board of Education. Witty editorials give insight into school life and the antics of the magazine committee.

The historical context of the wider world infiltrated the pages of the school magazines. In Winter 1939, the editor wrote, “Since the last magazine was published KAS has seen events moving fast in Europe. The crisis affected the School as it has affected every community in this country.” WWII soon saw the magazine go on hiatus.

In 1948, The Alfredian was revived in print form with a jubilee edition. It has been going strong ever since, with issues published biennially until the current annual format was adopted in the 1990s. Perhaps 100 years from now historians will be reading this Alfredian!

Alfredian 1923 KAS Poem

Alfredian Jan 1923 Alfredian 1948

KAS Magazine Senior Part King Alfred

KAS Magazine Junior Part Alfredian Bundle

1955 Printers Devil Film Showing Nov 11 and Nov 12 1955

1955 Filming Printer’s Devils Photo

KAS ON FILM

The KAS Archive holds more than just dusty old documents – we have a small collection of historic film.

The earliest KAS productions date to the 1950s. One of the first films, ‘Printer’s Devils’ made 1955, was a fictional story set in the KAS Print Rooms. ‘Dear Lucy’ made in 1957 follows a letter sent to the protagonist who left KAS to attend Bedales! A series of ‘KAS News Reels’ from 195865 capture everyday life, trips and special events.

KAS staff and student filmed, edited and even starred in the films. The finished productions premiered in the Main Hall. Copies were made available for other organisations to hire. These film projects were hugely successful - KAS even invested in state-of-the-art cameras to make them.

The original KAS films have been deposited at the BFI for safe keeping. Watching them provides a unique glimpse of mid-century KAS.

1950s School Film Camera Bell and Howard Filmo 70 Dear Lucy Title Screen 1957 1955 Filming Printer’s Devils Photo

1963 KAS News Reel

Film Canisters