King Edward VI School
February Bulletin 15 February, 2019
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GCSE and GCE Examination Contingency Days
lthough rather damp and chilly we have had relatively few disruptions to fixtures as a result of poor weather. However, a weekend of snow stopped us all in our tracks. Both hockey and netball have seen impressive numbers involved with some successes against a very good level of competition.
You are reminded that in the highly unlikely event of national disruption to a day of examinations in summer 2019, the awarding bodies will need to reschedule any missed examinations and the affected candidates will be expected to make themselves available up to and including Wednesday 26 June.
The first half of term has been punctuated with excellent cultural events with a very clever Sixth Form play, “Schoolboy Errors” directed by Head of School Evie Wateridge and penned by Mr Collinson, a very successful Battle of the Bands concert raising nearly £1900 for Summer Camp, an exchange visit from Charlotte Country Day School in North Carolina, an inspiring school music competition and a lively Junior Spring Concert. We have had dozens of school trips, activities and charity events as well as the Upper Sixth and Fifth Year mock examinations and many of our students are in need of the break that half term provides although some will be away to Berlin, Salamanca and Florence.
Please be aware of this contingency arrangement and take it into account when making your plans for the summer. THERE WILL BE NO LATE BUSES ON FRIDAY 29 MARCH
SCHOOL LUNCH REMINDER The deadline for changes to School lunch arrangements for the Summer Term is:
4pm Friday 8 March It will not be possible to meet requests that arrive after the deadline. Please email dinners@kes.hants.sch.uk giving pupil name, tutor group and the change intended.
Work is proceeding well with the Library project and will begin in earnest in April when the hundreds of books will be moved into a holding area. We are aiming to have it completed in time for the start of the autumn term. It will provide another 60 study places and refreshed facilities for all of our students. The School’s student council have been regularly consulted and the final design may be found here.
No action is required if arrangements are to continue as at present. Parents of Fifth Year and Upper Sixth pupils should refer to the email they have received informing them of the reduction in lunch charges due to leave of absence for examinations.
Any request using the dinners@kes email address will have their request acknowledged
I wish you and your children a good break over half term and hope to see a number of you at Parents’ Evenings and other events in February and March.
PUPILS LEAVING THE SCHOOL For all pupils, other than those in the Upper Sixth, who intend to leave KES at the end of this academic year, a reminder to parents that written notice must be received in all cases by the Registrar or the Head before the end of the spring term.
AJ Thould Head Master
Staff & Parent Prayer Meeting Tuesday 26 March 2019 1.00pm - 2.00pm in the Commemoration Room
If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the Registrar on 02380 799216. 1
Click here to book your place. All Third Year Spanish students will be treated to the Spanish production El viejo salรณn by the energetic and engaging Onatti group on 28 February. It will be fun!
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High Tech Trek to eEstonia 18 - 24 October 2020.
Girls Cricket is Coming to KES! We are very excited to announce that from this summer, cricket will be the main summer team sport for girls in the Lower School.
Open to current Second, Third, Fourth & Fifth Year pupils
With England ladies reigning world champions and the success of the Kia Superleague, girls’ and women’s cricket is currently experiencing massive growth in popularity across the nation and we want to be a part of these exciting times for the sport.
This uniquely tailored trip for pupils who wish to greater their understanding of how digital technology can and will be integrated into society. More details can be found here.
The majority of our feeder schools are now doing more cricket than rounders and there has been a rapid growth in the number of girls cricket teams at local clubs. There are already a number of talented female cricketers in the School and we look forward to bringing cricket to more of our girls this summer.
Easter Holiday Sailing Activities During the first week of the Easter Holidays (1 - 5 April) SWAC are offering bespoke activities for Stroud and KES pupils. The courses on offer include:
Further information about the introduction of cricket to the girls’ sports programme can be found here.
Beginner Sailing (RYA Stage 1+2) Advanced Sailing (RYA Stage 3+4) Multi-activity (paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing etc)
The Diversity Society will be hosting KES Pride: Celebrating Everyone event on Friday 15 March
The cost for the week is £135 and can be paid with childcare vouchers. Please book direct with SWAC on 02380 915753 or info@swac.co.uk and quote KES/Stroud. Minimum age is 8.
Summer Camp’s Annual Triathlonathon Friday 22 March
Once pupils have their stage 1 they are welcome to join the School Sailing Club.
The Summer Camp Team, teachers and students from all year groups will be taking part in the event; cycling, rowing and running in the Crush Hall, over the course of 12 hours, 8am-8pm, finishing during the KES PTA Quiz. They will be asking for sponsorship so please sponsor participants generously as all funds raised will be going towards Summer Camp 2019.
2 March, 2019 7.00pm for 7.30pm - 11.30pm Three course meal, music, dancing and the famous KES auction The South Africa team will be hosting the ball in support of the Goedgedacht Trust Tickets £30 via KESpay Black Tie 3
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Friday 15 Feb
Sixth Form trip to Salamanca Fifth Year trip to Berlin Third/Fourth Year trip to Florence 18 to 22 Feb Half term Wednesday 27 Feb Third Year Parents’ Evening Thursday 28 Feb Information Evening for Prospective First & Third Year pupils Tuesday 5 March Second Year Parents’ Evening Wed 6 March Senior Spring Concert Monday 18 March INSET Day - School closed Tuesday 19 March Lower Sixth Parents’ Higher Education Evening Friday 22 March Summer Camp Triathlon KES PTA Quiz Please note: Friday 29 March Term ends A more comprehensive calendar, which is Third & Fourth Year Spanish trip to Andalucia updated and reviewed regularly, is available Saturday 30 March Ski trip to France on our website at https:// Tuesday 23 April INSET Day - School closed intranet.kes.hants.sch.uk/welcome/parents Wednesday 24 April Summer term begins MORRISBY TESTING
For all our latest news, events and updates, you can now follow us on Facebook, Twitter and our new Instagram account: https://www.facebook.com/KESSouthampton/ https://twitter.com/KESSouthampton https://www.instagram.com/kessouthampton/
Many of you will be aware that HMC Schools frequently offer Morrisby Testing to students in their pre-GCSE years. King Edward’s offers the test to all Fourth Year pupils. The test is intended to provide detailed profiles of your child’s aptitudes, learning styles and problem solving abilities and provide useful information for detailed careers guidance. The test is booked for the morning of Wednesday 20 March, 2019.
JUNIOR HOUSE SPRING DATES 1, 8 & 15 March 4.10pm - 5.15pm
Feedback interviews, that parents are also welcome to attend, will be provided at the start of the summer term.
Service of Thanksgiving 2019 On Wednesday 13 March we will be holding our annual Service of Thanksgiving at Winchester Cathedral. This is our formal opportunity to thank God for our life together and to reflect on all the many blessings we enjoy at King Edward’s, not least because of the vision and generosity of those who founded and endowed the School over many generations. We will be operating the KETA homeward buses from Winchester so there may be changes to arrival times at bus stops at the end of the day. We aim for all buses to leave the Cathedral between 3.45pm and 4.15pm and as we are not able to give exact times of arrival at stops we would encourage pupils to communicate with their parents during the journey home. Pupils who need to get back to School will have transport provided. There will be no late buses on this day and no after school activities. If you are happy for your son/daughter to make their own way home from the Cathedral you must let us know by emailing thanksgiving@kes.hants.sch.uk stating your child’s name and tutor group by 4pm on Monday 11 March. The service will start at 2.15pm and parents are welcome to attend. If you are planning to join us, please take your seat by 2pm.
Please contact Mrs Mandley on cjm@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.
LOWER SIXTH INFORMATION University Open Days - Please could students see KJ in the HE & Careers Centre to confirm their attendance on our university visits. Students will also need to register online with each university for individual lectures. There are currently places available on all our Open Day visits, but places do fill up quickly so please ‘book’ your space by paying on KESpay as soon as possible. Lower Sixth Parents’ Higher Education Evening on Tuesday 19 March at 7pm in the Dobson Theatre This information evening is designed to help Lower Sixth parents understand current procedures for applications to universities, and in particular how we at KES prepare our students. We will be joined by an Admissions Tutor who will talk about the process from a university point of view. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions about our Higher Education Programme. We do hope you will be able to attend and we look forward to seeing you. 4