Snippets

Lee Balch (KES 90-97) returned to KES for the first time since leaving, for his cohort’s 25-year reunion in February this year. Following his renewed contact with the School, Lee kindly offered to talk to current Sixth Formers and we were delighted to welcome him back to speak during Foundation Studies last term and hear about his experiences of growing up as a gay man in 1990s Britain, his life since leaving KES, including his planned and unplanned gap years, his university studies and his career in the NHS.

Ellie Jones (KES 05-12) recently returned to School to help us mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Ellie proceeded to Oxford upon finishing KES and now works for the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright.

Martin Brisland (KES 64-71) recently donated 4 signed copies of his local history and fact books to the school library. From his work as a tour guide with See Southampton (whose aim is to promote the city, its communities, culture and heritage), Martin has picked up a whole host of weird, wonderful and interesting facts and anecdotes, which he shares in his books. Secret New Forest, Secret Southampton, the A-Z of Southampton and Celebrating Southampton are all published by Amberley and provide a fascinating insight into the lesser-known facts about our local area. Martin is also currently working on two new titles to include the nearby town of Romsey.

Kit Chapman’s (KES 96-01) recent book Racing Green has won the RAC’s Motorsport Book of the Year 2022.

Ellie received an autism diagnosis about 3 years ago when in her 20s, and spent time talking to KES staff and students about the impact the diagnosis has had on her life, including within the workplace and personally. She explained how a diagnosis had helped her with her own self awareness and understanding of her needs, as well as how different strategies have been useful in helping her deal with situations that she can find challenging. Ellie championed the support that she has received from her employer and also spoke about the positives of being neurodivergent.

Rory Penrose (KES 16-21) has been selected for the 2023 GB Men’s Hockey Elite Development Programme.

Caroline Taylor (KES 03-10) returned to the South Coast in December for a special Christmas fundraiser at St Mark’s Church. Caroline, and her co-performers performed an hour-long programme of songs and arias from shows including West Side Story, La Bohème, Carmen and South Pacific, alongside familiar Christmas favourites, to raise funds for Ben Pavitt’s Legacy of Love Fund.

Zofia Rogers (KES 16-18) has just started her first national radio presenting role on Capital Dance. She started radio at university in 2019 and, after graduating, took part in community radio for a year whilst searching for a role in national radio.

Martha Tipple (KES 99-06) now runs her own business (AME Training & Consultancy) specialising in training junior employees on how to manage, and nurture client relationships. She also helps those new to the world of working - teaching communication, negotiation, problemsolving and conflict management skills.