From the Head

I write this introduction to The Edwardian sitting at home just after the long Easter weekend. An extraordinary gale is howling outside my window, and the fire is roaring. It seems that winter has one last trick up its sleeve before we can look forward to the sunnier uplands of the Summer Term. However, despite the inclement weather, it warms the heart to reflect upon the wonderful, full, exhilarating Spring Term just finished, as well as to reminisce on the Autumn Term before that.

Highlights of the school year so far for me? Well, there have been so many! Sporting triumphs; academic endeavour and success; partnership and charitable activities and events. But perhaps the stand-out moment from the perspective of our fabulous pupils was the brilliant production in the Dobson Theatre of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ last autumn. Full of colour and life, it brought together fine acting with exceptional dancing (including tap) and song. Truly professional in ambition and scope, it was also thoroughly professional in execution. It never ceases to amaze me how remarkable KES productions can be; they are a true testament to the dedication of the staff and the talent of the pupils. I say that ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ has been a highlight – but that is to be unfair on the many other creative and performing arts events we have enjoyed this year: from a wonderful Dance Gala; through to the Junior and Senior Spring Concerts; and on to a new event – a multicultural showcase evening in which staff and pupils performed poetry, songs and dance from their own cultural and family heritage (as well as offering up some truly delicious international food). Particularly moving was a beautiful Ukrainian-language poem dedicated to peace, performed by two of our current Ukrainian pupils, attending KES after the devastation of their homeland. I, like many, was too spell-bound by the performance to read the English translation until much later: you did not need to understand every word to feel the emotional power of the poem.

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But perhaps it is unsurprising that the arts should so flourish at our School… it seems it was ever thus. For me personally, another highlight of recent weeks was in attending an exhibition in our very own Art Department of the paintings of Peter Folkes – a highly respected professional artist and Head of Art at King Edward’s in the 1950s. It is to his great credit as a teacher as well as an artist that so many came to celebrate his work and to revisit their old school. For me, it was lovely to chat about art with numerous Old Edwardians, and to enjoy their reflections upon life at KES, and especially how they fell in love with art and creativity under the tutelage of Peter Folkes. Indeed, getting to know our School better through meeting former pupils is always a pleasure for me, and this year I have been delighted to attend a number of Old Edwardian events. These have included both 10 and 50-year reunions at KES; plus a fabulous social night in London, attended by OEs from many different eras and decades. If you were at any of these wonderful evenings, then I thank you for your support of KES and your excellent company. I hope to meet many more of our OE community at future social events, so that I can hear your stories about life after KES; and hopefully so that you can rekindle your links with your School, and perhaps even feel able one day to be in a position to offer your support and the valuable experience you have gained in life for the benefit of the young people now at King Edward’s. In the meantime, if you ever wish to visit King Edward’s, do not be shy in getting in touch – we would love to see you!

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