Konnections Dec 2020

Page 1

Newsletter of King Edward VI School

Founded 1553

From The Head Welcome to the autumn edition of KonnEctionS. In what has been an unusual term, to say the least, I am delighted that we are able in this edition of our magazine to celebrate the sheer inventiveness of a KES education during a time of crisis. Even before the academic year began, some of our students were facing simply enormous challenges. The age-old public examinations process had been rewritten, and then rewritten again, and then abandoned completely even as the dates for results in August were approaching. For our A Level students, some of the most fundamental changes were made after they had actually received their initial results! All of this was the final act of a tumultuous exam season in the summer. I want to pay tribute to my staff and to the students who faced these uncertainties with such extraordinary resilience. As you read about their academic achievements, including some stunning GCSE and A Level results, please remember that these young people faced unprecedented upheaval in their studies and lives. It is undoubtedly true that the final grades awarded are both totally

justified and truly earned. These outcomes reflect not only the students’ performance in a one-off examination, but their consistent dedication and focus over a full twoyear course. Equal praise must be given to their teachers, who took on the considerable burden of a brandnew public exam marking process cheerfully and stoically, despite at the time having themselves to isolate (and teach!) from home during the first full lockdown. My thanks go to them, and my sincere congratulations go to the students. The wider disruption of the year also provided opportunities for creativity and innovation. In this edition of KonnEctionS you will see such flexible thinking writ large. The magazine is full of examples of traditional events and school activities reimagined, redesigned and recreated to suit a new reality. Whether it be the wonderful KES Super League, which has seen huge numbers of girls and boys participating in competitive sport on a Saturday, or else the multitude of charitable, cultural and intellectual activities taking place this term both within and beyond of the classroom. All have needed to be adapted. But it is such a credit to staff and pupils

alike that so much has continued undaunted, despite all. I hope that you enjoy reading about them in this magazine. Alongside these regular wider opportunities at KES, there are certain key events which are vitally important to us all. They provide us with a moment to reflect, remember or celebrate together. This term, Prizegiving, Remembrance Day and the Carol Service have always represented important collective experiences: times when we can pause and consider the world beyond the school gates. These opportunities matter deeply to us. But none could be held as normal this year. Nonetheless, we were determined that they would not be lost entirely, and thanks to tremendous efforts by pupils and staff, they instead became ‘virtual’. We may not be able to sit together in the same space for the moment, but we have nonetheless found new ways to stand together as a community. Enjoy KonnEctionS – we dearly hope that we will be able to see you again soon. Neal Parker Head

King Edward VI School Wilton Road . Southampton . Hampshire SO15 5UQ Telephone: 023 8070 4561

www.kes.hants.sch.uk


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