Newsletter of King Edward VI School
Founded 1553
From The Head I write this introduction to KonnEctionS at the very end of November, and at the end of another extraordinary week in the life of KES. In fact, this week provided a bit of a metaphor for school life during a pandemic. Because this week we returned to live theatre in spectacular fashion, with a sell-out three-night run of the wonderful school edition of ‘Les Misérables’. It is an epic work, hugely demanding of the cast, crew and indeed teachers in charge. Almost to the week, it came two whole years after the last major KES production – and almost two years into the pandemic. And just a single day before the first night performance, both Mrs Gilmour (Head of Drama – and our fabulous Director) and Miss Forsey (Director of Music – and Musical Director for the entire show) returned positive COVID tests, and were therefore required to selfisolate with immediate effect. After many, many months of hard work and commitment from pupils and staff alike, the whole production
was thrown into doubt at the very last minute. We were confronted by the genuine prospect that all of the pupils’ work - learning lines, mastering dances, practising songs - would be for nothing.
at KES we once again moved to remote assemblies, and sadly faced the prospect that some of those special communal Christmas ‘events’ which mark the end of a term would once again need to be adapted or lost.
But of course, that wasn’t the case. Staff stepped up and stood in as best they could, and the pupils put in an extraordinary effort despite the sudden loss of the very teachers who had put the entire production together. It was the absolute epitome of ‘the show must go on’. It was resilience writ large! But it was much more than that, because when the show did go on it was simply spectacular. I don’t mean ‘despite the difficulties’. I mean that it was one of the best school shows I have ever had the privilege of witnessing, full stop. It was brilliant and wonderful. Three nights of magic – three nights each ending with a standing ovation from hundreds and hundreds of KES theatre goers.
This is life for our school at the moment. It is frustrating and saddening; but it is also inspirational and uplifting. I wish that our teachers and wider staff, and especially our pupils, did not have to endure these times – but they do, and they turn the constant challenges into something precious and fantastic time after time. ‘Les Mis’ was just one of many examples of this – and as you read KonnEctionS, you can see so many more. What brilliant staff we have – and what wonderful pupils. The show must, and will, go on! Neal Parker Head
The next day, the government advised all schools to return to wearing face coverings in communal areas, and
King Edward VI School Wilton Road . Southampton . Hampshire SO15 5UQ Telephone: 023 8070 4561
www.kes.hants.sch.uk