Floreat Summer 23

The King’s Foundation Magazine

Issue 3

Building our Pupils’ Futures

The Foundation Strategic Plan 2022

A Sense of Belonging

Our Houses: The Place at King’s where you really feel at home

Healthy Minds, Happy Children

Promoting and developing good mental health

Learning to Lead

The importance of developing essential leadership skills

Along with the rest of the world, the Foundation has breathed a hearty sigh of relief this year as we finally seem to be on the other side of the pandemic, with almost all restrictions now a thing of the past. We have enjoyed a return to a normal school year, as our classrooms buzz with teaching face to face, Form and House meetings and activities are just as they used to be, trips and activities are firmly back on the school calendar, and pupils head back into the hushed surroundings of exam rooms as their work for the year draws to its close.

All three schools continue in robust good health, and we were delighted to hear that we have once again been ranked as one of the Top 10 independent secondary schools in the West Midlands in the latest Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide. This is due to the endeavour and commitment of all members of the Vigornian family in providing the very best all-round education; pupils, staff, parents and Old Vigornians all continue to play a vital part in our success.

As John “Hannibal” Smith used to say, “I love it when a plan comes together” and, after the launch of our strategic plan earlier this year, we are very much looking forward to the first physical manifestation of this in the remodelling of an existing building to accommodate an augmented Sixth Form Centre at the centre of the campus. Our Sixth Form curriculum has also been significantly enhanced as part of the continued evolution of King’s. You can read more details about this over the next few pages.

The King’s Worcester family of schools

The King’s Foundation is a dynamic, thriving community of independent day schools for boys and girls aged two to eighteen. It is comprised of King’s Worcester, which encompasses our Senior School and Sixth Form, and two Prep Schools, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford, both of which offer a pre-school provision for children from the age of two.

If you’d like to visit one of our schools in person, we’d be delighted to welcome you. For details of forthcoming open events and private tours during the school day, please visit us online at:

www.ksw.org.uk/shapedbykings

You will also have the chance to read about a few of the leadership opportunities we provide for our pupils and inculcate a love of languages and other cultures from the earliest stages in Reception. Our sporting and wider co-curricular programme goes from strength to strength, and an account of our recent Removes Production of Godspell can be found within these pages, along with stories of some of our sporting successes at Regional and National level, including triple success for our netballers and the remarkable achievements for our rugby players.

This is all part of the King’s DNA, at the heart of the School’s vision to be curious, caring and confident, and the mission to seek excellence in all we do and provide an outstanding preparation for life. Our former pupils recall with delight outstanding memories of the sporting camps and overseas tours, departmental trips, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme expeditions, CCF camps and music tours which they enjoyed, and all these activities have continued to flourish this year, alongside significant sporting success.

Many of those “Old Vigornians” provide careers advice and support for our current pupils as they prepare for the next stage, especially at our Careers’ Week Extravaganza, where not only our own pupils but also those from around the county benefitted hugely from their enthusiasm and expertise. It has also been a year of fantastic OV reunions, visits and successes and achievement.

Gareth Doodes, Headmaster, The King’s Worcester Foundation

Welcome to the third edition of Floreat, which provides a glimpse into the flourishing lives of all three schools and the wider Vigornian community which make up our Foundation, focussing on a few of the many highlights of this academic year.

The Foundation Strategic Plan: What next?

Building Our Pupils’ Future

The King’s Foundation Strategic Plan, Shaped by King’s, is an ambitious and far-reaching plan centred upon four Strategic Priorities: Foundation, Life Readiness, Sustainability, and Community. Its first physical manifestation is the development of our new Sixth Form Centre, strengthening our students’ educational experience and preparing them for the world beyond King’s.

Work started this Summer, remodelling an existing building, School House in the heart of the School, already home to the generously resourced and widely-used Matthew Armstrong Library. A plethora of enviable new facilities will provide a gold standard Sixth Form facility in the heart of Worcester, helping to fulfil our mission of seeking excellence in all we do and providing an outstanding preparation for life.

The phased development will include individual study spaces, a new café, seminar rooms, IT facilities and improved provision for university and career support.

Phase One will be completed by the Autumn with the transformation of the current Sixth Form Study area and a new café, where students will be able to relax in an informal setting.

The new Sixth Form Centre sits alongside a redeveloped Sixth Form Curriculum that augments our exceptional academic provision with an enhanced qualification programme, assisting students as they continue to Higher Education and their careers.

It will be made up of three areas: A-levels, where all students choose three from an offering of 24 courses, KSW Electives, which have been designed to offer enrichment

and challenge, widening horizons and preparing students for life beyond school, and our Life Skills Programme, designed to ensure that students are fully equipped with practical, independent skills for further education, life opportunities, experiences, and the world of work.

Headmaster, Mr Doodes adds, “Alongside the new Sixth Form Centre, our enhanced Sixth Form Curriculum will create wellrounded, ambitious young adults, who are well equipped to take their next steps, whether into Higher Education, apprenticeships or straight into the world of work.”

Mr Doodes, Headmaster

This is an exciting time for the growth of the King’s Worcester Sixth Form. The new Sixth Form Centre will offer a much-needed larger space for students to learn, study, meet, engage with staff, and develop the skills required for an effective transition into Higher Education and beyond.

Everyone will go to the ball!

We are delighted that Worcester City Council has approved our application to sublease the city’s historic Cinderella Ground 15 acre site, west of the City Centre. The School have taken control of the ground, providing access for pupils from across the King’s Foundation to extended sports facilities all year round. King’s St Alban’s, King’s Hawford and the Senior School and Sixth Form will all benefit hugely from this enhanced provision.

In addition, as well as playing host to summer holiday camps and tournaments, the grounds will also continue to be available for community use, with local schools and other groups enjoying excellent opportunities for rugby, football and cricket.

Headmaster, Gareth Doodes adds, “We are delighted that the council approved our application and that the ground was used extensively for this year’s cricket seaon. The addition of this

King’s Foundation

facility is central to our Foundation Strategic Plan, with community and outreach as one of its core pillars. Our dedicated Estates Teams have brought the site back to its former glory and enhancing the facilities for years to come.”

The Cinderella Ground offers additional acreage to our already generous 46-acre sports field site

on New Road as well as the 23 acres at King’s Hawford, our Prep School in the north of the city.

This is another example of our investment in developing campuses and facilities, together with Phase One of our new Sixth Form Centre.

Artists impression of King’s Worcester Sixth Form

King’s Foundation

Removes Production of Godspell Wows Audiences

Earlier this year, King’s Worcester’s John Moore Theatre opened its doors once again to welcome audiences to two unforgettable performances of Godspell Jr, expertly performed and produced by our talented cast and crew of pupils from Years 9 and 10.

The story of Godspell Jr follows a group of disciples as they help Jesus tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville are employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’ messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.

While the fast-moving musical score provided the leading actors with their own shining moments,

the whole cast were delightfully animated throughout, reactive to the action on the stage, in sync with the choreographed dance routines and superbly supportive of one another.

In her theatrical debut here at King’s, Upper Remove pupil, Rosie B, playing Jesus, lit up the stage with her powerful charisma, unconscious elegance and enchanting voice.

Judas, played by Lower Remove, Tigo M, cleverly commanded the stage with his wit and charm throughout, and a special mention must go to Esther G for her superb attitude, terrific acting, and willingness to understudy when necessary. James C must be commended for his affable portrayal as John the Baptist and a number of other roles. Opening the show is no easy feat, but he handled

the challenge with great confidence.

Soloists Bella C, performing Day by Day, and Ava H, with O, Bless the Lord my Soul, tackled the most recognisable musical numbers, blowing us away with their vocal control and power, and Louis H-M delivered with real tenderness in his remarkable rendition of Beautiful City

Ms Williams, who directed the show, adds, “Godspell was an absolute joy to direct and one that I will always look back on fondly here at King’s.”

The dedication and commitment of our cast and production team really is something to behold: as curtain fell on the final performance, our Musical Director Mr T, Rosie B, and Grace JVV made a mad-dash journey to Paris for the 2023 Music Tour. There really is no rest, for the wonderful as well as the wicked.

King’s Worcester Students Celebrate Remarkable A-level Results

We were delighted to recognise the achievements of this year’s A-level students, as a record-breaking 93% of students achieved all their grades at A*-C. Overall, 19% of all grades awarded were A*, 45% of results secured were A*- A and 77% were graded A*- B. The accomplishments of this year’s A-level students at King’s Worcester are truly remarkable, especially as they were taking public examinations for the first time this year and had to face many interruptions over the past few years.

This year saw the first return to normal exam conditions and A-level grading since the pre-COVID year of 2019 and the subsequent impact of CAGs, TAGs or assisted grading. We are proud that the 2023 percentages for A*- A, A*- B, and A*- C are all higher than in 2019. We applaud the students’ outstanding achievements and are thrilled to celebrate their successes.

Headmaster, Gareth Doodes praised the students on their achievements, ‘We were overjoyed to hear of the outstanding accomplishments of our Upper Sixth students, who persevered through years of disrupted study

with unwavering determination and tenacity. The outstanding resilience displayed by our students, who had never taken public exams before this summer, is truly commendable. These exceptional results, with the A* to C percentage being the best in the School’s history, are a clear demonstration of the hard work and unwavering commitment of this year group. As ever, I am extremely grateful to our teachers, who maintain an exceptional standard of education whilst also offering unprecedented pastoral support for our pupils.’

In addition to A-levels, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) results achieved by 37 students on a diverse range of questions were outstanding, with 73% awarded A* grades, and 84% A*–A. Equivalent to half an A-level, the EPQ allows students to undertake indepth research in an area of personal interest, enabling them to stand out in their university applications and develop extra skills.

Of particular note are the 34 students who received A* or A grades, including Head of School, Bobby Riddell, who will read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Durham and Senior Scholar, Grace Miller, who will

study Dentistry at the University of Bristol University. Other examples of outstanding results were those of Alfred Kelsey, who received an Organ Scholarship to Oxford, rowing Vice-Captains of Boats, Rosie Stanley and Charlie Webster, who will both be reading Law at Exeter University, and First XV Rugby Captain Laurie Checkley, who is heading to Liverpool University to study Medicine.

We are proud that such a significant number of our students have been accepted to pursue very prestigious courses of higher education, including Medical or Veterinary-related degrees, Law, Architecture, Geography, Maths, History, and Product Design.

Two students gained places on the prestigious and extremely competitive Business, Accounting and Finance degree apprenticeship programmes with world leading firm PWC, and one student will be joining Rolls Royce on their Finance and Apprenticeship Scheme. These students will gain real hands-on work experience, whilst studying towards Masters’ level professional qualifications.

“What’s My Line?”

The King’s Careers Extravaganza, March 2023

One of the most valuable benefits of our wide Foundation community is the fund of knowledge, experience and expertise provided by our present and past parents and our former pupils. This was certainly very much in evidence at our recent Careers Extravaganza, held during National Careers Week, with a real focus on two of our Strategic Pillars, Futures and Community & Outreach. The extensive range of experience, enthusiasm and advice on hand was invaluable for both King’s own pupils and many from the wider Worcestershire community.

Following overwhelming interest from the local business community, the event ran over four afternoons and opened pupils’ eyes to a plethora of career options and pathways. Not only were numerous businesses and professionals in attendance, including many Old Vigornians (as we call our former

pupils) and members of the wider King’s community, but we also welcomed some truly inspirational business leaders, who ran a series of seminars each afternoon. These seminars threw a spotlight on careers in the medical professions, professional services, engineering and science, and business and computing. Medical professionals included a Rheumatology Consultant and a Genetic Counsellor, as well as those representing dentistry, psychology, pharmacology, midwifery, nursing and physiotherapy. The civil service, law, accountancy, architecture, insurance, human resources, recruitment, financial planning and environmental health were among the professional services under discussion and design, electrical, and structural engineering, forensic linguistics and biomedical science were also to the fore. In the wide world of business and computing,

topics included business transformation, sales and marketing, app development and tech and digital apprenticeships.

Key speakers over the week included Claire Gott MBE, a feature on whom can be found on page 37, who advised on how to excel in the world of engineering, and Mark Wright, Winner of the BBC’s The Apprentice, who explored entrepreneurship in all its forms. The events were open to all Worcestershire pupils in Year 10 upwards and their parents and were totally free of charge. All those who attended thoroughly enjoyed talking with the exhibitors about their career journeys and what lies ahead for the next generation.

Rising Star Alfred K

Senior

We are extremely proud of Upper Sixth (Y13) student Alfred K, who has been awarded an Organ Scholarship at Somerville College, Oxford.

Alfred joined King’s Worcester in the Sixth Form and immediately threw himself into the life of the Music Department, becoming involved with most of the school ensembles as a singer, pianist and clarinettist. Remarkably, he only began organ lessons in the Lower Sixth (Y12), progressing at an astonishing pace. All his hard work has been rewarded with a prestigious Organ Scholarship at Oxford.

Organ Scholars are appointed by colleges to play for chapel services and to direct or assist with the work of the chapel choir. Such experience is without parallel for those wishing to engage in music-making at the highest level, as the chapel music environment in Oxford is extremely lively and offers opportunities not only for outstanding work in chapel contexts but also for external activities such as tours and recordings.

The gruelling application process involved producing written work and demonstrating practical keyboard skills such as transposing and harmonising. Alfred describes his experience, “The interview process itself spanned three days in Oxford, with three academic interviews and the organ audition. I am very grateful for the support of the Music Department at King’s for all their support and tuition. My teachers helped me to prepare and practise all the skills required, and a mock interview with Nicholas Cleobury, OV really helped with my confidence for the real thing.”

Alfred continues the legacy of former pupils such as Nicholas and Sir Stephen Cleobury, and, more recently, Peter Holder. Peter is now the Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey and had the honour of playing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s funeral; he started playing the organ in his time at King’s St Alban’s.

It is thanks to our close relationship with Worcester Cathedral and our fantastic Music Department that, along with many other musicians, organists are able to thrive at King’s.

We are truly delighted for Alfred, who follows in the footsteps of the many Old Vigornians awarded organ scholarships at Oxbridge, a list including several distinguished national and international musicians.

Director of Music at King’s, Simon Taranczuk

King’s Senior

CCF

As far as leadership challenges go, motivating a group of tired, cold, and muddy cadets to emerge from under the sheets of camouflaged plastic which have only partially sheltered them from the pouring rain of the previous night into their second freezing morning of military manoeuvres is a pretty tall order. But that is just what the Cadet NCOs of the School’s Combined Cadet Force must do on a regular basis, having themselves spent the previous day teaching the basics of “Fieldcraft” to raw recruits and facing the challenges of leading mock ambushes and attacks as soon as the survival rations that pass for breakfast have been consumed.

The CCF is one of the most challenging yet popular cocurricular activities at King’s. The School has a contingent of which it is justly very proud, with over 150 pupils across the Senior School and Sixth Form making up the Army and RAF sections which combine to form the contingent as a whole. The CCF at King’s is entirely voluntary; pupils can join the Contingent from the beginning of the Year 9 onwards and stay for as short or long a time as they choose, although almost all who join remain in the Contingent until they leave the School. No matter where, or for how long, cadets find themselves in CCF, their experience is particularly

memorable and will serve them far beyond their time at King’s.

The CCF was founded at King’s in 1909 as the Officer Training Corps, in response to a national drive by the War Office to address a shortage of suitable officer candidates for the reserve forces. While the modern-day CCF is certainly not a recruiting organisation, each year several members of the contingent move on to careers in the Regular or Reserve Forces. But every cadet takes away with them the confidence and skills of self-reliance, teamwork and leadership which the CCF has developed in them.

The Regular Army’s Leadership Code, which is founded on the six values of Courage, Discipline, Respect for Others, Integrity, Loyalty and Selfless Commitment also lies at the heart of what is taught and practised in the CCF. They are much more than words on a page; they are what the CCF stands for, and what sets its cadets and adults apart from much of the rest of society.

The CCF experience at King’s provides a useful insight into the role and activities of the armed forces, giving a flavour of military values, activities and influence in changing times. Enhancing the personal development of pupils and providing them with

For me, CCF has been the cornerstone of my life at King’s. I have experienced an immeasurable amount of leadership challenges, military tactics and communication roles, whilst also learning about myself and others through teamwork and resilience, especially when soaking wet in a field, or sleeping in sub-zero temperatures! It is certainly character building, but I would never change it.

opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, self-confidence, resourcefulness, and a sense of service is fundamental to our CCF provision. In their weekly sessions after school on Fridays and their weekend training, cadets acquire skills in map reading, first aid, navigation, shooting, fieldcraft, drill and self-reliance. They develop resilience, problem-solving and survival skills, take on assault courses, fly and glide, climb and abseil, teach and take command when leading cadets, compete in national competitions and also use King’s own indoor rifle range, which is located on-site. Each term the contingent runs several

King’s Senior

weekends of training, and there is an annual adventure training camp in the Easter holidays and two camps of military and adventure training activities in the Summer. Once a year the cadets swap their camouflage kit for black tie and ball gowns at the annual Mess Dinner, which is always a very popular event. There are also many opportunities to attend camps and activities run externally, such as a six-week camp in Canada, adventurous training, national leadership courses, and gliding or flying scholarships.

You don’t just have to take our word for everything that the CCF does for our pupils: the contribution

to young people’s development and well-being provided by the CCF is widely recognised. The key finding of the University of Northampton’s research project, commissioned by the Ministry of Defence and conducted between 2016 - 2020 to consider the social impact and return on investment from expenditure on the Cadet Forces in the UK was that participation in the Cadet Forces has significant positive impacts on young people, increasing their performance at school and improving their employment and career prospects. When we consider how much fun they have in the CCF at the same time as reaping all these benefits, it’s definitely a win-win!

Cadet Colour Sergeant Sophie P, Army Section and Contingent Senior Cadet.

House Music Competition Returns

A Great Shout Out for Music

Emergingback into the bright light of normality after the darkness of the pandemic, a full programme of House Music events has finally returned to King’s. For the first time since 2019, the House Song Competition, colloquially and unfairly known as ‘The House Shout’ has taken place, an event that features every pupil in each of the nine Houses, with performances masterminded and rehearsals led by the senior pupils.

Sixth Formers encourage and cajole the members of each House, turning them into an ad hoc choir, as well as organising other pupils to accompany the song. The nine

songs were performed in College Hall, with the other Houses forming the audience. There was lots of laughter and smiles, some excellent conducting, a few impressive pupil bands, some decidedly dodgy dancing, a range of singing quality and even a proposal amongst all of the performances! The adjudicator for the day was William Gee, Head of Music at St Benedict’s, Alcester, and he crowned Oswald House as the winner, with Choir House second and Castle House third.

The first part of the day involved 55 solo performances, divided between the Middle Years and Sixth Form in piano, vocal and

instrumental classes. Whilst there was a competitive element to the day, it felt more like a series of short concerts, with the adjudicator giving some brief and encouraging words of advice.

The Winners’ Concert, which followed two days later, was a wonderful opportunity for parents to enjoy performances of the top three winning House Songs, as well as those from the winners of each class of the solo round. As always, it was an excellent occasion, with the chance for the vibrant musical life of King’s to be appreciated by a wider audience.

Opening Up with an Open Mic

Pastoral Care: Welcoming Harriet Dyke

Forging a Flourishing Foundation Family

Our new Deputy Head (Pastoral), Harriet Dyke joined the Senior School in January from Forest School, a large independent day school in North-East London. In her role there she was a member of the Senior Leadership Team and directly responsible for the academic progress, personal development and safeguarding of pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11.

As live performances continued to feature more and more in our programme of performance, we welcome back the ever popular Open Mic Night, with three taking place this year.

These popular events attract a large audience of pupils, staff, parents and family friends, who together create a relaxing and encouraging environment for all the performers. The Summer Open Mic Night featured performances from a large number of Upper Sixth (Y13) leavers; this term saw much more from the Middle Years, showcasing their remarkable talent.

The evening began with Ava H, Austin B and Jack B performing two numbers, this first of which was Stevie Wonder’s Superstition Ava and Austin were two of the small number of Lower Years pupils who performed at previous Open Mic Nights and now in the Lower Remove (Y9), their confidence and stage presence were clear for all to see.

Much of the first half included songs performed by Middle Years singers. Singing teacher, Sarah Stone is a great supporter of these events and she encourages many of her pupils to take part. There are more opportunities for drummers

and guitarists to accompany many of these songs too; Eleanor W was busy playing bass guitar throughout the evening!

The second half began with Hannah B and her ‘session band’ performing David Bowie’s iconic Starman Sixth Former and regular performer, Elijah B, gave a beautiful rendition of Dancing On My Own, with the addition of Sam P playing an expressive countermelody on the ‘cello.

Upper Sixth students Henry H and Alicia W gave a stunning performance of Florence and the Machine’s Shake It Out ; their voices and harmonies blended perfectly together. The evening finished with a band comprised of Amelia D, Archie G, Sam P and Mrs Stone performing The Dead South’s version of You Are My Sunshine. It was clear from the applause throughout the evening that the audience had thoroughly enjoyed the show.

In joining our Vigornian community, she is also returning much nearer home; Harriet is a proud bostin’ Brummie, born, bred and educated, and she’s delighted to be reconnecting with the Midlands, an area which meant so much to her when growing up.

Harriet comments, “Family is hugely important to me; I’m a proud auntie, sister, daughter and godmother and it is wonderful to be closer to Birmingham, where my family is still based.”

She first taught in Edgbaston at King Edward’s High School for Girls and Elmhurst Ballet School as a French and Spanish teacher, before moving to London in 2015 to work at Forest School. In 2016, she was appointed Head of House, being promoted to Head of Middle School in 2018. She has extensive experience from these roles of working with external agencies on safeguarding matters as well as a passionate interest in young people’s mental health and well-being and all the factors that can have an impact on those vital aspects of their lives. Providing a muchneeded break from her busy and demanding working life, she is an avid fiction reader and musical theatre lover.

A Sense of Belonging

Whether it’s belting out a classic in College Hall alongside seventy fellow pupils in the House Song competition or forcing yourself across the finishing line in the Inter-House Sports Day, there’s no feeling quite like representing your House, especially when the activities push you out of your comfort zone. Our Year 7 and 8 pupils, which we call Lower Fourths and Upper Fourths respectively, begin their time in the Senior School in Form groups, and from Year 9, the Lower Removes as they are known, they join one of nine Houses, where they will remain throughout the rest of their time in the School. The bonds that are built between pupils in those years often last a lifetime.

Earlier this year, the Department for Education released their State of the Nation report into children and young people’s well-being. The report’s data indicated a strong positive relationship between well-being and school belonging, whereby those with greater subjective well-being were substantially more likely to report that they felt they belonged at school every day.

One of the key ways in which we foster a sense of belonging at King’s is through our strong House system. The House system has its origins in the time when King’s was predominantly a boarding school, and it’s still a fundamental part of school life today, providing pastoral care, mutual support, and essential esprit de corps. The size of the Houses, which will usually be between seventy and eighty pupils, means that they are small enough for everyone can get to know each other well, but there’s also room for each individual to develop their unique talents and enthusiasms. Being part of a House means being a key member of an inclusive community within a community.

For everyone in Lower Remove and above, every day at King’s starts with time in House, reinforcing their importance in the fabric of our school routine. In these morning sessions there is time for our pupils to check in with their House Tutors and Year Group Tutors, present and listen to

assemblies, discuss current affairs, develop and practise learning and revision techniques, plan forthcoming House competitions, engage in Well-being Wednesday activities, and take part in quizzes and other competitions.

House Tutors and Year Group Tutors, all of whom are also members of the teaching staff, facilitate the caring and supportive environment where pupils are known, valued and supported. It is the quality of these working relationships that are the hallmark of our King’s pastoral care. Year Group Tutors build strong bonds of

mutual respect and understanding during this crucial time in the pupils’ academic and personal development, enabling them to offer advice for future study, assist with applications for the next stage of education and careers, and craft those all-important references required to secure places at college or university, in apprenticeships or in the world of work.

Throughout each year there are myriad House Competitions; Houses compete in everything from sport to quizzes, art to music, with maximum participation and encouragement from all. The variety of activities

I believe that it is the care from staff that really makes my House stand out. The staff members constantly make us feel we have someone to turn to. The House has always looked to improve the well-being of its pupils, through oneto-one interaction with the tutors, checking up on us and ensuring all aspects of life are running smoothly.

Upper Sixth student and Head of House, George

Our Houses: the place at King’s where you really feel at home

means that everyone has something to offer, wherever their aptitudes may lie.

The House system also provides many leadership opportunities for pupils: organizing activities, coordinating fund-raising and charity events or running teams. One of the most demanding but rewarding roles is leading their House in the annual House Music Competition, fashioning an impromptu choir made up of every member of the House to perform in front of the School. The ultimate role for pupils is that of Head of House, taking a lead and working

King’s Senior

alongside the House Tutor to navigate the direction of the House each year.

So, as they put on a metaphorical sorting hat at the end of their time in the Lower Years, the question we ask each of our Upper Fourth pupils is which House will you belong to at King’s? Will you shine in Bright or be creative in Creighton? Become a scholar in School or find your voice with Choir? Be a change-maker in Chappel, see your resilience grow in Wulstan or your ambitions develop in Oswald? Will you showcase your caring in Castle or your kindness in Kittermaster?

Whichever House you join, you’re sure to find yourself positively shaped by King’s, facing challenges together, developing your own potential and building friendships that will last a lifetime.

“Watch et!” Our geographers certainly know their onions

Our intrepid L6 (Y12) geographers visited the coast of North Somerset recently to study Coastal Landscapes and Changing Spaces; Making Places, as part of the fieldwork for their A-level course.

The first day focussed on coastal management in Minehead, with students assessing the various impacts of different protection strategies. On Day Two, Porlock Bay was the study area, with the aim of the day being to review the coastal processes at work along this stunning section of coastline.

The weather was particularly kind, showing the area off in all its magnificence, and students were able to develop the skills that may well be used later in the year in their Non-Examined Assessments, as coursework is officially known.

On the final day, Watchet provided an excellent location in which to study place identity and change, and students enjoyed engaging insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by coastal communities. Visiting the enchanting East Quay

and appreciating a fascinating presentation from the members of the pioneering ‘Onion Collective’ were highlights and will provide excellent case studies for our students as their course progresses.

Fieldwork is an integral part of the Geography curriculum and it was wonderful to see our students gain so much from immersing themselves in the various study locations that were visited. As with so many aspects of school life, there really is nothing better than getting out and enjoying it to the full.

Our annual ski trip saw 37 Upper Sixth (Y13) students and five members of staff set off for Saalbach Hinterglemm in Austria.

Ski Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…

An old favourite of King’s, the resort has extensive skiing for all abilities, and the group enjoyed superb snow conditions throughout the week. Instruction from the Austrian Ski School was first class, and each group had certainly covered many kilometres of piste by the end of Day Six.

The party had a busy schedule, with five hours of instruction each day and lots of enjoyable activities with which to unwind in the evenings. Some of the highlights of this apres-ski included bowling, skating, a pizza night and a local Austrian burger night. All in all, the trip was a great success, with no broken bones and lots of progress in terms of skiing ability, along with strengthened friendships and many happy memories.

Head of Design & Technology in the Senior School, Chris Wilson, who organised and led the trip adds, “It’s always so

Resident Artists Inspire pupils

Drawing on the Talent of the Art Department

King’s Artists were truly inspired by Artist in Residence, Ian Murphy, who spent the first week of the Spring Term working with Sixth Form students, focusing on developing their drawing skills. Alongside his teaching, he also staged an exhibition of his stunning painting and drawing in the Senior School’s Sir Terry Frost Gallery, work influenced by his travels far and wide. The exhibition was not only enjoyed by Senior School pupils; Ian also spent time discussing his work with Year

Six pupils from King’s St Alban’s and Sixth Form Art students from Christopher Whitehead Language College as part of our outreach to the local community.

The residency culminated with a Saturday drawing workshop, which gave pupils the opportunity to put into practice the skills developed during the week, each producing an ambitious A1 drawing. To develop

King’s Senior

reinvigorating being back in the mountains, and it was a real pleasure spending time with such a fun-loving group of students”.

their drawing skills further, the first of a series of evening life-drawing sessions also began for the Sixth Form; this challenging discipline will enable them to compile work for their coursework portfolios.

In addition to their artist in residence, the Art Department have opened their doors to many other visitors; for example, they have invited artists of all ages to take part in this year’s Big Draw event. Inspired by the theme of Colour, pupils, friends and family were able to decorate a kite with colour and pattern, eventually filling the gallery with an impressive array of beautiful designs.

Finally, the Art Department has also been celebrating the news that Lucy Turner, who completed her A Levels last summer, has had one of her Upper Sixth sculptures selected by the Royal Society of British Artists to be exhibited as part of their Annual Exhibition at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London. This is a wonderful achievement, particularly as only 20

pieces were selected from across the country; it is testament to the dedication and creativity Lucy showed throughout her A Level studies. We are grateful to The Arts Society Worcester, who nominated her work, and we look forward to seeing the sculpture on display in March.

Making memories that last a lifetime

Whether it’s catching up on the latest from the House of Commons and exploring the Churchill War Rooms on a Politics trip to London, immersing yourself in another language and culture during a Modern Language exchange to France or Spain, or stepping back in time on a week-long museum-filled Classics trip to Italy, King’s provides a plethora of opportunities to bring classroom learning to life and experience new cultures and places. Our Senior School trips offer a raft of opportunities to make friends and memories for life.

The Spring Term saw the long-awaited return of many trips post-COVID, with eager pupils and staff who ventured to various parts of the globe.

Our Physics Department made their biennial trip to CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, in the beautiful city of Geneva, where they spent time exploring the incredible museum, and enjoying a tour of the control

room, research and engineering facilities. Our biennial music tour, involving the School Choir and the Chamber Orchestra, flew to Paris to perform several concerts at the Church of Saint-Sulpice, followed by an action-packed two days of sight-seeing. The Senior dancers performed in Disneyland Paris and, in Aprica, Italy, our junior skiers took to the slopes with six days of skiing in perfect snow and glorious sunshine.

Our ever-popular annual sports tours, such as the football trip to Madrid, netball, hockey and rugby tours to South Africa and cricket tour to India, give pupils the chance to meet, experience and play against local communities. Pupils encounter many exhilarating activities such as windsurfing and SCUBA diving, all whilst visiting some of the most famous landmarks and most beautiful places in the world.

Rising Star George C

Ifeel I have been incredibly fortunate to attend King’s and am very grateful to the School for the diverse range of leadership opportunities that it has provided. Without the support of the School, I would not have had the opportunity to develop my self-confidence and skills of leadership in the ways that I have.

In my role as Senior Scholar, I have co-led the School’s Academic Society with Becky Y. Each week, one of our scholars has given a talk to the Society on a topic of interest to them. It has been a real privilege to lead it this term; not only have the talks each week been insightful and engaging, but it has also offered us the opportunity to improve our public speaking and share our passions with others.

Another absolute highlight for me this year was the Senior Production of The Madness of King George III, in which I took the role of King George himself. My confidence and comfort on stage has improved so much over the last seven years because of the productions in which I have taken part and I am very grateful to the whole Drama Department for enabling this to happen. The cast this year was also a very special group, which made it an even more incredible way to end my seven years of involvement in the school productions.

Two further highlights were when Sir Vince Cable came into school in person to talk about his experiences as a politician and to take questions from the floor, and the Question Time style event with local political figures, including the Rt Hon. Jacqui Smith and Robin Walker MP. These were both very special occasions because of the great experience and expertise which Sir Vince and our panellists offered the audience. Both events also helped to improve my leadership skills because of the boost to my confidence in dealing with the guests and panellists on stage and interacting with the audience. Although far from perfect, my organisational ability has also improved thanks to these events and to the input of many

King’s Senior

different members of staff during the process.

Further to this, my involvement in the School’s Debating Society since Year 7 and Model United Nations since Year 9 has contributed significantly to the development of my leadership skills in school. The clubs have given me the confidence to speak in front of large audiences and the ability to analyse quickly and come up with arguments on almost any topic.

I’m really excited to be studying Economics at St Andrews. However, I know that whatever I end up doing, the leadership skills which I have been able to develop in school will support me the whole way.

One happy skier said,

It was great to explore a new country and try a new language. I also really enjoyed the variety of activities such as bumboarding and ice-skating, in addition to fantastic skiing.

I know that whatever I end up doing, the leadership skills which I have been able to develop in school will support me the whole way.

Healthy Minds & Happy Children

King’s St Alban’s is delighted to have been recognised for its “outstanding mental health and well-being provision.” King’s St Alban’s Prep School places a great emphasis on pastoral care and the children’s social and emotional development so receiving the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS) in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau is a huge testament to our provision.

The Wellbeing Award for Schools, a National Standard for Positive Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing has been developed by the National Children’s Bureau in conjunction with Optimus Education to recognise the outstanding work taking place within school communities across England to promote mental health and wellbeing. The award is based upon research by Professor Kathy Weare who looked at how promoting social and emotional well-being and responding to mental health problems impacts pupils in schools.

Visiting the school earlier this term, Therese Hoyle, Optimus Education Wellbeing Award for Schools Adviser spent the day immersed in life at King’s St Alban’s. Therese was particularly impressed with the schools ‘Making KSA Smile’

initiative which was spearheaded by Deputy Head, Mrs Lisa Kilbey as a response to meet the needs of children. The initiative provides a solid base of well-being principles to meet the needs of not only the pupils at King’s St Alban’s but also the staff and parents. The whole school ethos provides children with a tool kit with which to identify and support positive emotional health. The objectives for the initiative include:

• Pupils’ well-being embedded across the curriculum

• Pupil Voice and Well-being

• Creating an ethos that promotes respect and values diversity

Therese commented “A clear and enriching whole school approach and long-term strategy – ‘Making KSA Smile”, has been developed in relation to supporting the emotional

well-being and mental health of the school community. This is the best Well-being Strategy that I have seen in my 6 years of being an Advisor with Optimus Education.”

This is an incredible achievement for King’s St Alban’s, recognising the emphasis that we place on pupil well-being. It truly is at the heart of everything that we do.

Headmaster, Mr Richard Chapman

King’s St Alban’s

Foundation Prep School pupils head for

Year 6 in both the King’s Foundation’s Prep Schools have been looking forward to the next step in their King’s educational journey: their transition to the Senior School, or, as they call it, ‘Big King’s’. As an important part of this, pupils from King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford spent an afternoon developing friendships and familiarising themselves with their new surroundings.

Travelling across the city, the children from King’s Hawford arrived at King’s St Alban’s, which is just across the road from King’s Worcester, for a joint assembly in the beautiful King’s St Alban’s chapel at the centre of the School. Mr Chapman, Headmaster of King’s St Alban’s spoke to the pupils about risktaking, making new friends and the importance of making a good first impression, not just with one another, but with the teachers and staff at the Senior School; this is advice that will set them in very good stead going forward.

The assembly concluded with a rousing hymn, sung beautifully by both Year 6 groups.

Following the assembly, King’s St Alban’s pupils took their King’s Hawford counterparts across to the Senior School dining hall, where they tucked into a delicious meal together. It was wonderful to witness pupils from the two Prep Schools intermingling as they enjoyed their lunches and afterwards outside in the playground.

With full stomachs and plenty of fresh air in their lungs, pupils enjoyed a carousel of activities hosted by subject specific teachers from the Senior School. Split into four groups, each comprising of a mix of boys and girls from both Prep Schools, pupils pulled faces in the Drama Studios and created masterpieces using print techniques in the Art Department. They made their very own pocket torches in the Design Technology

Workshop, learned to navigate ‘Big King’s’ campus using ordnance survey maps in Geography and developed robots in the Computer Technology laboratories. After all of that it was time to refuel with squash and cookies in the School Gardens before heading back to their respective schools.

The Headmaster of the King’s Foundation, Mr Gareth Doodes later welcomed parents to the School for an initial transition information meeting.

This is just one aspect of our extensive transition programme, which aims to make this big step a comfortable one into a familiar place, with faces they will recognise, in the company of friends old and new.

‘BigKing’s’

King’s St Alban’s

“Green Light, Go!” for Eco-Committee

Therewas a determined buzz in the room as the King’s St Alban’s Eco-Committee met for their first meeting of the Spring Term, eager to continue their work from before Christmas. They were full of ideas on how to continue to make King’s St Alban’s an environmentally friendly school, which they were bursting to share. Last year’s EcoCommittee’s hard work resulted in us being awarded the coveted Green Flag Award and the pupils are certainly very keen to hold on to it this academic year!

The first job of the meeting was for the children to assign Energy Monitors to each class. Energy Monitors are responsible for turning

Rising Star Rook

off lights and closing doors as they leave classrooms. It is hoped that this will become a way of life, both at home and at school, thereby helping to save energy in everyday life. Energy Monitors act as role models for the rest of the School by setting an energy-conscious example each and every day.

The meeting produced a plethora of ideas and suggestions from the committee, which ranged from encouraging car-sharing, via a “Walk or Cycle to School Week”, more bins around school and a litter picking rota to various environmentally themed days to raise everybody’s awareness. The children even suggested having plants in each classroom, which

would not only improve the air quality but could also improve concentration levels. It was lovely to witness such enthusiastic young people, full of interesting initiatives, which we hope to put into place throughout the school year and beyond.

As a further part of our eco drive, we are all very much looking forward to Creative ConneXions at the end of this term, with its theme this year of Our Precious Planet, raising awareness of the wonderful world in which we live and what we should be doing to look after it. Our Eco-Committee will no doubt be

Rook T is a 10-year-old King’s St Alban’s go-kart racer, who balances his busy school life with the competitive and challenging sport of go-karting and has the ambition one day to be on the Formula One podium.

Rook started go-karting in North London, on the same karting track where Lewis Hamilton began his Karting to Formula 1 journey! At first it was just a case of having fun racing around the track, but things soon became much more competitive. In his first proper race, Rook finished first in a 50cc Bambino Karts competition for

5 to 7-year-olds. Since then, he has raced in Australian club and state championships and last year joined the Super One Series in the UK, which has allowed him to race all over the country. Last year, Rook finished sixth in the championship, a challenging but exceptionally cool accomplishment.

This year, Rook will compete in the Super One Series again, and has qualified to race against the top 40 drivers aged between 10 and 13 years old in the UK in the British Karting Championship.

Rook adds, “I’ve won some trophies, but that’s not what I consider my biggest achievement. I feel most proud when I can race my kart to its limit, make quick decisions under pressure, and keep up with the faster drivers. Overtaking them takes courage, and when I can do it, it makes me feel great. I also enjoy learning about the engineering side of the kart and how changing the setup can help improve my driving performance and lap times. Every fraction counts and you have to stay focused, calm

and aggressive all at the same time, which I sometimes find very difficult.

“My ambition in karting is to keep getting better and better. I know a lot of people in karting want to be Formula One drivers, and I do too. But I also know that it’s really difficult to get there. I’m always grateful to everyone who supports me; without their help it would be impossible to race at this level.

“Next up, I’ll be racing in Cumbria for the Super One Series and Cambridge for the British Karting Championship. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me in kart racing!”

Ask the Head

Tom Butt

Who or what inspired you to become a Headmaster, and how?

I have always looked to challenge myself and I enjoy trying new things. Every job I have had in teaching I have enjoyed more than the last and I felt that it was time to step right out of what could have been a comfort zone into my current role. The opportunity to lead a community such as the one we have at King’s Hawford was an inspiring one in itself, as many not just of the Foundation’s values but also those wonderful King’s Hawford idiosyncrasies align closely with my personal philosophy on life.

What do you think is the best thing about your school?

I am going to give you three. The best thing about King’s Hawford is the children I am privileged to work

with on a daily basis. A very close second is my inspiring staff, who challenge and nurture every one of these children in equal measure, fostering a “can-do” approach to every area of school life. I am also extremely fortunate to be part of the wider King’s Hawford community, which includes parents, grandparents and alumni, all of whom care so deeply about the School and all for which it stands, whether that is our brilliant outdoor learning, fantastic sport or breadth of musical provision, to name but three.

What is the best piece of advice you give pupils?

To put your hand up and have a go. We can talk about Growth Mindset but unless we see it in action

these are just words. I am happy to say I see this in action every day: sparky, confident children supporting each other to have a go.

Who is your hero?

I am in awe of anyone who really dedicates themselves to something, resulting in achieving tremendous results. In my teenage years, it would have been someone like Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson or Jonny Wilkinson, maybe even Liam Gallagher. Nowadays, it would still be pretty cool to spend some time with Ben Stokes and I wouldn’t say no to meeting Mick Jagger for a chat!

If you could have one superpower, what would it most like be and why?

It has to be flying, hasn’t it?

King’s Hawford

It’s the turn of Tom Butt, who has recently joined the Foundation as Headmaster of King’s Hawford, to face our questions about his new role.

Community at the Heart of Hawford

The weather gods blessed us with a bright, warm, late September day for our Welcome Home event at King’s Hawford this year. The Parents’ Association had arranged a broad spectrum of activities to suit all tastes and talents from Hook a Duck and a Tin Can Alley to dodgems and bouncy castles. As ever, a trip on the canal in the Katakanus was popular with both children and adults, although many left the final docking point a little soggier than when they started! The new barbecue was christened with epicurean delights ranging from hearty hot dogs to the somewhat more exotic halloumi burgers. No festival would be complete without some music and the crowd were in for a treat with a couple of music sets by former King’s Hawford teacher, Jodie Loftus.

Chair of the King’s Hawford Parents’ Association, Mrs Gemma Carlisle added that it

was “fantastic to see the Hawford community coming together for our Welcome Home event. It was great to see the children and parents enjoy themselves with all the activities.”

King’s Hawford parents hail from up to an hour away, as far as Wales, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Birmingham, so many are grateful for the wrap-around care offered from 7.30am to 5.30pm and the network of mini-busses run in conjunction with the other Kings’ schools. They appreciate the close community and village school atmosphere with all the opportunities of a much bigger school.

Our Parents’ Association committee is made up of parents and staff, but we also believe that every staff member and parent is part of the Parents’ Association, supporting the wider aims of the School. By organising a whole range of events for the school community to enjoy, the Parents’ Association does a fantastic job of raising funds to support school initiatives and

purchase additional equipment. Fundraising activities and events include our annual Summer Ball, a magical Christmas fayre, a Bonfire Night Fireworks Extravaganza, the May Fête, a summer camp out, and regular quiz and race nights.

A warm King’s Hawford Welcome Home to All King’s

In an interview with Talk Education, Tom Butt, Headmaster of King’s Hawford commented that,

“The parent body is very present. It’s a fantastic support network for the school, turning out in droves for sports or dramatic performances, devising initiatives to support local charities and raising funds for items on the School’s wish list. It is currently boosting the coffers for ‘Project Aviary’, which will be a new covered, weather-tight outdoor classroom, performance and chillout space. Their commitment to the School is an essential part of the welcoming and inclusive community of our Foundation family.”

Sport

Rising Star Erin L King’s Hawford

plays a huge part in the life of all at King’s Hawford. The opportunities are extensive and everyone from Kindergarten upwards is encouraged to try their hand at everything on offer. One pupil who has thoroughly embraced sport during her time at King’s Hawford is Erin L.

Since joining King’s Hawford in Reception back in 2016, Erin has impressed staff with her dedication and sporting ability. During her time in Pre-Prep, Erin worked hard to master basic skills in a range of different sports and by the time she reached Year 3 she was more than ready to represent the School on the sports pitches. A regular member of all of the School’s sporting teams, Erin’s passion for sport and work ethic were clear to see.

Erin is a natural sportswoman and is able to turn her hand to several different sports. She holds county honours for cricket and swimming and is a keen hockey player and athlete. Outside school Erin is a member of several sports clubs including Droitwich Dolphins Swim Club and Worcester Hockey Club.

This year Erin has been selected for the U11 Girls Worcestershire County Cricket Club Development Programme. In the pool she has competed in the Worcester County Swimming Championships in the 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle and qualified for the West Midlands Swimming Championships. In April of this year, she won a silver medal at the Bristol International Open Meet and this term she represented King’s Hawford at the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Regional Meet in the 50m breaststroke.

On the track, Erin has had success at both 100m and 200m. In 2022 Erin qualified to represent King’s Hawford at the IAPS championships in the 100m.

Whilst Erin’s passion for sport and natural ability have seen her excel in wide range of sports, it is on the hockey pitch that Erin is at her happiest. Over the past two seasons Erin has represented both King’s Hawford and Worcester Hockey at Regional level.

Erin is a tremendous role model for younger pupils at King’s Hawford. In her final year she has been an integral part of the Student Leadership Team, as during the Spring Term she was a Citizenship Prefect and in the Summer Term was given the honour of being Head of School. It is clear that Erin has embraced every opportunity afforded to her. She is an excellent role model for her peers and a true Hawfordian.

Learning to Lead

Alongside teaching our children to be good citizens within our school community and in the wider world, across the Foundation we believe it is essential to develop their leadership skills. Pupil leadership takes a wide range of forms, including classroom-based roles, whole-school responsibilities, and participation in particular initiatives and projects.

We want our pupils to be active leaders, honest, hardworking, and resilient, guiding their peers and recognising when someone needs support. They need to be forward-thinking and influential drivers of positive change, challenging conventional thinking and always looking to improve their school. When required, they must also be prepared to take difficult decisions, informed in their thinking by a strong moral compass.

Throughout the Foundation there are a wide range of leadership opportunities available. From membership of

our eco-committees to Heads of School, the opportunities are myriad, often pushing the pupils out of their comfort zones but thereby developing their sense of responsibility, both for themselves and for the whole community. We recognise that pupils have logical perspectives and opinions on issues that matter in the classroom, in the School, and in the community, and provide opportunities for them to take an active role in influencing decisions about these issues as well as in the implementation of such decisions, enabling them to participate as active young citizens.

Pupil Leadership is an essential

part of life at King’s Hawford. Our older pupils have always acted as brilliant role models for children throughout the School. In September 2021, Heads of School from the pupil body were appointed for the first time. The School made the decision to introduce a Student Leadership Team, encouraging pupils to take on leadership roles and inspire their peers. Alongside the appointment of Heads of School, a team of School Prefects was also chosen. The selection process was modelled on the process in place for School Monitors at “Big King’s”: all Year 6 pupils were invited to apply by letter for their chosen role,

outlining why they believed they would be appropriate role models for their fellow pupils and give something back to the School.

The Heads of School represent King’s Hawford and the pupil body, assist in the running of the School Council, including chairing meetings, are confident and comfortable talking to and in front of adults and fellow pupils and have good organisational and communication skills, taking a mature and thoughtful outlook.

King’s Hawford Prefects act as role models for other pupils by demonstrating punctuality, good attendance, behaviour and

appearance. They show a willingness to serve, to do whatever is asked of them and volunteer in key situations. All Prefects display a sensible deposition and a pleasant nature, enabling very good relationships with all members of the school family. A key part of the role is the ability to lead, to show initiative and to be level-headed and honest in all situations.

Being part of the Student Leadership Team gives pupils skills to take with them beyond King’s Hawford. The importance of pupils taking ownership of their learning and having greater roles within school decision-making from a

young age is increasingly recognised as key in the world of education. Extensive research by the National College of Teaching and Leadership demonstrates clearly that providing pupils with opportunities for and experience of leadership roles from a young age significantly improves their capacity for learning and academic achievement, as well as their selfconfidence and sense of being part of a community. By providing these opportunities for pupils to interact with a wider group and learn from each other, we hope to fulfil our vision of pupils becoming more curious, caring and confident, not only at School but in their lives to come.

King’s Hawford

A key part of the role is the ability to lead, to show initiative and to be levelheaded and honest in all situations.

It’s never too soon to say

“Allons-y, Lass uns gehen!”

One aspect of our nursery provision that might surprise new parents is the study of modern foreign languages. But this is something we embrace, with French lessons taught by Mrs Kilbey in King’s St Alban’s and German lessons at King’s Hawford with Mrs Hyde.

Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, criticalthinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility, have improved reading, writing, and maths skills, and generally score higher on standardized tests. Acquiring a second language early in life primes the brain to learn multiple other languages, opening up a world of opportunities.

This aspect of the curriculum is fundamental to our wider Foundation ethos as it is recognised

that children who are exposed early to other languages also display more positive attitudes to the cultures associated with those languages. The experience of learning a language introduces them to the world in ways they might otherwise have not experienced, feeding their curiosity, making them more caring and building their confidence.

In our lessons with the youngest children, we lay the foundations for their academic, social and cultural future; lessons are interactive and full of fun, and the long-term benefits can clearly be seen as they move up through Pre-Prep and Prep and into the Senior School, as the pupils go on to learn French, German, Spanish and

Russian, all before the age of eleven.

To quote one parent, “My son started learning German in Kindergarten 2; he’s now in Year 1 and German is still one of his favourite lessons. Mrs Hyde does a wonderful job of developing a love of languages in her lessons.”

With so many educational and life benefits, it’s easy to see why foreign languages are a key part of early years education at King’s.

‘Oarsome’ Rowers Smash Fundraising Target

In true King’s community style, our Boat Club rowers ended the Autumn Term by taking on their annual challenge of rowing one million metres to raise funds for their chosen charity.

In this well-loved, if gruelling charity event, members of the Boat Club worked together to cover the distance, with the Fifth and Sixth Formers (Years 11 to 13) sculling throughout the otherwise silent night. Their ambition to achieve this target was as remarkable as ever, raising funds this year for Mental Health UK.

In the wee small hours, their resilience was certainly put to the test, but the camaraderie and team spirit of the Boat Club shone through, and the target was smashed; they raised over £4,000 by their efforts for the worthiest of causes.

Captains and Vice-Captains of Boats, Anna, James, Rosie and Charlie collectively sculled throughout the night and, despite their understandable fatigue, describe the feeling during and after the event, “The resilience at 2.30am was incredible; whilst some Boat Club members were catching up on sleep, others were quietly rowing to achieve the final target. Everyone was willing just to get on the ergos and do what was needed. The atmosphere and teamwork were ‘oarsome’. It was a great way end to the term.”

Head of Rowing, Jim Chalmers adds, “As it is every year, this was a true challenge, even more so with many pupils unable to take part due to international trips and the inevitable winter illnesses. Despite this the pupils rallied together, providing continual motivation and encouragement throughout the gruelling 17 hours.

“The Boat Club and this challenge are not just about current pupils. In true King’s Boat Club family tradition, we welcomed a raft of OVs and were grateful, as ever, for their support with the challenge. I’m incredibly proud of all those who took part. “This fundraising event really demonstrates the Boat Club community’s ethos of humility and kindness towards others and is a challenge to which pupils look forward every year. This year it was wonderful to welcome parents back in the closing hours and the atmosphere when the captains crossed the 1-millionmetre mark was inspirational.”

The Boat Club One Million Metre Challenge is now in its eighth year and to date has raised over £38,800 for local and national charities chosen by our pupils. The event not only raises essential funds for charities but also provides pupils with life-enhancing skills in both resilience and teamwork.

Footballers Enjoy a Taste of the “Real” Thing

Footballers

from our Fifth Form, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth (Years 11 to 13) travelled to Madrid for a football training camp at Valdebebas, Real Madrid’s impressive training complex.

Our latest camp was with Manchester City, and we were delighted this year to see the return of our international trips 30 excited King’s footballers met at school at a very early 2.30am on the morning after term had finished. It was an action-packed five days, enjoying four training sessions with Real Madrid Academy coaches at their fantastic facilities.

There were also two practice football matches for each team, in which the first team drew one and lost one and the second team won one and lost one against good local opposition. All the games were very competitive, and a great experience for all the players.

The team also took tours around the stadia and museums of Real Madrid’s Bernabeu and Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, followed by a quick walking trip through the centre of Madrid.

Head of Football, Mr Sarriegui adds, “The trip was a great success, with plenty of wonderful memories and fantastic opportunities for our footballers. They started the main season, in their respective teams with a good camp behind them. The 1st team squad continued a great season which started by playing their first-round match reaching the last 28 out of 120 schools in the Independent Schools’ Football Association (ISFA) Cup. We are still in the last 16 of the ISFA National Shield competition and in the quarterfinals of the County Cup. Many thanks go to Pro Handling Solutions for supporting us with tour kit for our camp at Valdebebas.”

Three King’s teams at the Regionals are!

For only the second time ever, three King’s netball squads made it through to the Regional Finals.

Nine Lower Remove (Y9) girls attended the Worcestershire County U14 Netball tournament, hosted by Bromsgrove School. Throughout the competition, they showed depth and versatility as a squad, working in numerous combinations across court. They progressed through to the final against a polished Bromsgrove side. Determination and steely confidence saw the girls put up a great fight, narrowly losing 5-7; as runners-up, they secured a place in the Regional competition.

The U16 team continued their winning ways, also making it through to the Regional Finals in November. In the final, a strong Bromsgrove side took the County Title, with King’s once again as runners up. It was a great performance from the whole squad, who are now looking forward to their Regional fixture.

The U19 squad are always the last to attempt to get through to the Regional Finals and, with the success of the U14 and U16 having

already qualified, the pressure was on. This, however, did not phase the squad and all of the team members played their part. Having to play all teams, the players knew that it would be a tense afternoon and they would have to play well in all their games. With big scores posted in the early rounds, the squad had secured a goal average of 3.7, which made them runners-up, and therefore they also claimed a place at the Regional Finals in January.

Then Director of Netball, Mrs McGinley adds, “This is only the second time in King’s’ history that three teams have successfully made it through to the Regional Finals. Worcestershire County is always a difficult area from which to qualify, so this makes it even more of an achievement and one of which I am very proud. At King’s, Netball is a sport for all, with every year group having specific coaches who work with them, in order to prepare them for fixtures and competitions, and the progress of all three of these teams to the Regionals is welldeserved after all their efforts.”

Success Twice Over at Midlands Hockey Finals

Both our U12 and U13 hockey teams had a brilliant time at the Worcestershire County Hockey Tournament, each qualifying for their respective Midlands Hockey Finals.

The U12 team were crowned County Champions at the Tournament, which meant they qualified for the Midlands Finals. There they dominated their pool, winning the group, but sadly lost their semi-final.  The girls gave an excellent account of themselves, and the defeat was very narrow. However, they had a positive experience, have made wonderful progress throughout the year through their commitment to training at school and external hockey clubs, and look forward to improving next season.

The U13 team were crowned runners-up at the County Tournament. They had faced a challenging group, with four victories, one draw and one defeat. However, their performance meant that they progressed to the semifinal, where obtaining a place in the Midlands Finals would come down to goal difference. Although they lost in the semifinal to the eventual winners, King’s nevertheless qualified.

The girls’ attitude and support of each other throughout the day was inspiring. Their coach adds that they have been a pleasure to work with throughout the season. The U13s in particular have made such progress, and this was on display at the Midlands Finals, a competition they did not even qualify for as U12s!

Senior Sports

Senior Sports Making Memories in South Africa

This summer, 74 Senior School and Sixth Form pupils travelled to South Africa for the long-awaited trip of a lifetime on their Hockey and Netball and Rugby Tours. These sports tours certainly make life-long memories, as friends come together, cultures are experienced and sporting skills are honed.

The Hockey and Netball tour began in Johannesburg, where the girls started by visiting the Apartheid Museum to learn about the history of the country and gain a better understanding of the local culture. In the days which followed, the girls were treated to a performance hockey session led by South African Indoor Coach, Justin Rosenburg, and a netball session at the high-performance centre, led by ex-Protea player, Martha, as well as matches against a local school. The girls were then bubbling with excitement for their adventures at Mabula Game Lodge, where, on a late-night safari and early morning

game drive, they saw a range of animals including “The Big Five”!

Whilst on tour, the girls played a good number of netball and hockey matches, visited the city of Pretoria and the breathtaking Stellenbosch region, enjoyed surfing in Cape Town and basked in the sun on the magnificent Table Mountain. During their action-packed tour the girls also visited The Goedgedacht Trust, where they learnt how the Trust was helping the local villagers, educating adults in order to improve their employability, feeding the local villages, and providing a free childcare facility for those who worked in the local villages. The girls donned their overalls and, with the local children, supported a school painting project. Sadly, their spectacular tour had to come to an end, but the girls went home with many inspiring stories to tell, and memories made for a lifetime.

The boys’ rugby tour did not disappoint either. Rugby is like a religion in this warm, friendly nation

of rugged natural beauty, so the groups were looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime tour. The tour also started in Johannesburg, before steadily working its way through the Drakensberg Mountains, Durban, Mdantsane, Knysna, Kariega Game Reserve, Brenton-on-Sea and Hermanus Bay, then travelling on to Cape Town. Highlights on the journey from Johannesburg included surfing in Durban, seeing a huge variety of wildlife on the game drive and working with local children at the Kariega Foundation. The boys soaked up the delights of Cape Town and in the time they were there they visited the Cape of Good Hope, watched penguins, took a boat trip to Seal Island and also climbed Table Mountain.

During their tour the boys enjoyed four rounds of fixtures for the First and Second XVs, which provided the players with some unforgettable moments both on and off the pitch.

U15s Smash Opposition in England Rugby National Schools Competition

Earlier this year our U15 Rugby Team travelled down to the StoneX Stadium in London, home of Saracens Rugby Club, to play in the Plate Final against Abingdon School.

The England Rugby National Schools competition is the premier and largest schools’ rugby tournament in the country, with over 450 school teams competing for the chance to play at an international stadium and clinch the coveted title. Last year’s final had over 35,000 live streams.

The competition didn’t start as King’s would have wished, with a narrow defeat in the first round; they quickly regrouped, setting themselves the goal of winning the Plate competition. There were some exceptional performances on the way to the final, with over 130 points being scored and only three tries conceded in the five games.

King’s went ahead in the first 15 minutes of the game and two further individual tries meant that by half time, King’s were leading 19 – 0. As the second half began, King’s scored again and held their intensity for phase after phase culminating in try number five. The game continued at the same tempo, with another score and conversion

giving King’s a further seven points. Abingdon came back after the restart, and their constant pressure led to their first score in the 50th minute. Their continuing efforts were rewarded with another try in the 55th minute, taking the game to 36-12. From there on, King’s held the game until the clock went red, and kicked the ball out to end the match. Throughout it was fantastic to enjoy such strong support from family and pupils, who had travelled down to London to support their peers.

2014 World Cup Winner, Rocky Clark MBE was the commentator during the game and explained to the crowd, ‘King’s have worked hard and done the basics well. “There were strong carries from

their forwards and all of them have just worked so well as a team. I’ve been really impressed with this school: they are a naturally a sporty group, who turn their hands to most sports.’

Director of Rugby and U15 head coach Mr Williams comments,

I’m extremely proud of the boys; this is nothing short of what they deserve after all the hard work they have put in this season. Winning a national title is an amazing achievement and taking the title at the StoneX Stadium is a memory that will stay with these boys forever. The travelling support of their peers, friends and families was excellent, making the occasion even more special.

Cross Country Trail-blazers Impress at Nationals

TheSummer Term saw a team of eight King’s Hawford pupils from Years 5 and 6 joined Mr Butt and Mr Hodgkins at Malvern College for the National Prep Schools Cross-Country Competition. The conditions were cold and windy, but the children conducted themselves with outstanding levels of focus, behaviour and resilience throughout and enjoyed the opportunity to run alongside schools from all over England on a very undulating

Malvern Hills cross-country course.

First up were Harriette T, Georgia P, Erin L and Harriet B, who took on the 2,800m course. They ran brilliantly and showed the intelligence to pace themselves, enabling all to complete strong sprint finishes and cross the line with excellent times.

Having cheered on the girls, the boys then took to the start line. Jack M, Hudson M, Freddie P and George M worked hard throughout the

Young Netballers Nail the Nationals

Earlyon a sharp Wednesday morning in February, the King’s Hawford girls met to board the minibus which would take them to Rugby. Gone were the tumultuous dark clouds we had seen at training the night before; instead, high, sunlit clouds drifted across an otherwise clear blue sky. It was set to be a great day.

The U11 netball team were off to Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) National Competition.

From the first match, we looked strong and confident, and this remained consistent throughout the day. Such spirit and determination saw the team regularly get the ball into the Shooting D, despite the games

becoming more competitive as the rounds progressed.

Several of our games saw endto-end netball with Erin, Issie, Rose and Lottie steady in centre-court play and Isla, Poppy and Arya tenacious in defence and mid-court play. With the constant rotations, all players played their roles well and were focused on getting the ball to our shooters. We showed great movement; the team supported each other well and were fierce

race, including the gruelling incline at the beginning of the course.

All of the boys displayed superb determination and resilience, giving their very best for the School.

We were immensely proud of all eight King’s Hawford runners, who were the first children to represent the School at the National CrossCountry event and have laid the foundations for future cohorts to follow in their footsteps.

on the ball. Our quick side line play and rebound reactions in the D proved successful and showed our competitiveness. As the girls progressed out of the group stages, their coaches Mrs Beech and Miss Holtham could not have been prouder. The girls played with great heart and should be proud of their achievements on what was a successful IAPS competition for the King’s Hawford Girls.

A Day in the Life of OV

Claire Gott MBE

We asked OV, Claire Gott MBE, UK Head of Industry for WSP, about her work in one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms.

What does a typical day look like for you?

As the UK Head of Industry for WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering professional services consultancies, I drive client strategy and steer sector growth and innovation. The Industry Team engineer and deliver projects to clients in the Biotech & Pharmaceutical, Chemicals,

Gas, Hydrogen and CCUS sectors. 50,000 employees worldwide and over 9,000 employees in the UK, WSP has nearly so much of my time is spent on Teams video conferences with my industry colleagues, or on trains, travelling between meetings to visit key client sites.

What is the best part of the day?

Focusing on the big opportunities for the engineering industry; a couple I’m particularly interested in are the huge potential for growth in the pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences industries, and the decarbonization of industrial clusters across the country to support the UK’s target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Why did you want to pursue this career path?

My lightbulb moment came when I was on a King’s School trip to Tanzania at the age of sixteen. I had spent a week in an orphanage, helping to rebuild bunk beds, and seeing first-hand how practical hands-on skills could have such a positive impact on a community sparked my passion for engineering. Then, using the globally transferable skills I developed at university, I went on to co-found the international engineering charity Cameroon Catalyst to deliver clean water, medical and educational facilities and solar power in rural Cameroon and thereby help improve the lives of those less fortunate.

As a former pupil of St Alban’s and of King’s what three words would you use to describe King’s?

Supportive, Future-focused, Inspiring

What is the best advice someone has ever given you?

Don’t just do what you are good at, do what you are passionate about: what gets you up in the morning, what excites you and what challenges you. Ask yourself, what can you do that will make a difference?

Who (if anyone) inspired you at King’s and why?

So many King’s teachers made a lifelong impression on me: Mr Roberts, my Maths teacher, always made the subject fun and engaging; Mrs Wilson, my netball teacher encouraged me “always to believe in yourself”; Mr Lummas, my DT teacher taught me how to turn theory into practice; Mr Le Marchand, my House Tutor offered unwaving support; and Mr Griffiths, my careers advisor helped me choose Civil Engineering.

What advice would you give to a young person aspiring to go into engineering?

Engineering is a vibrant and dynamic industry of which to be part but is also one that is undergoing a huge period of change. At WSP, our main commitment is helping clients overcome their own challenges and seize opportunities to help their projects be future-ready. I would therefore encourage any future engineer to see challenging situations as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Union President Success for King’s OV

Sailing Close to the Wind OV is Sailor of the Year

Old Vigornian Ellie Driver has recently been awarded the outstanding accolade of Sailor of the Year 2022 in Sailing Today’s British Yachting Awards.

Old Vigornian (as we call our former pupils) Charlie Mackintosh, who was a pupil at King’s from 2016 to 2020, was elected President of the Oxford Union for Hilary Term 2023 in a landslide victory. The Oxford Union is an internationally renowned and prestigious debating society, formed in 1823, but many will know the Union for its high profile and often controversial speaker events.

Past Presidents of the Union include many who went on to be politicians and Prime Ministers, including William Gladstone, Edward Heath and Michael Foot. More recently Ann Widdecombe was both Secretary and Treasurer and Jacob Rees-Mogg was Librarian.

Charlie has been an active member of the Union since starting his Philosophy, Politics and Economics degree at New College, Oxford in 2020. This has included taking on the roles of Press Officer and then Librarian for the society, both of which have been handled brilliantly in the face of all the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charlie adds, “I am delighted to have the utter privilege of being elected by the members of the Oxford Union to serve as its President for Hilary Term 2023. The Oxford Union Society has been a massive part of my time at university and to serve as its president, particularly in the year of its 200th anniversary, is a truly great honour.”

Ellie learnt to sail at the age of seven and spent most of her weekends during her time at King’s Hawford on the water, racing her Oppie, Top Dog. While at King’s Senior School, she continued to compete both nationally and internationally, representing Great Britain in the 420-dinghy class with another former King’s pupil, Rachael Cross.

Having left King’s in 2019, Ellie moved to Southampton University to study for her degree in Marine Engineering, where she started double-handed offshore racing on Chilli Pepper, a Sunfast 3300. The highlight of 2022 was completing the gruelling 2000m Round Britain & Ireland Race with her father, Jim; they finished in sixth overall and Ellie is the youngest skipper to have

completed the race, which took a gruelling 15 days.

Ellie was up against stiff competition for the Sailor of the Year accolade, including finalists 83-year-old Kenichi Horie, who sailed solo across the Pacific; the crew of Ziggy, for their Cowes Week performances on a budget; the crew of Dark ‘n Stormy, for their summer of racing success at Cowes Week, the Round the Island Race and elsewhere; and Richard Palmer and Rupert Holmes on Jangada for winning the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race. Coming out on top against these boating behemoths is testament to Ellie’s resilience and ambition, acquired through her remarkable commitment and dedication.

OV Reunions are back!

Throughout the School year, the Alumni office arranges an array of opportunities for Old Vigornians (OVs) to meet up and re-connect with each other and King’s. This includes year group reunions for our newest OVs, and those celebrating their 5- and 10-year anniversaries, the Annual OV Reunion Weekend, London Drinks, and Overseas reunions. There are also Network 1541 events, which is a business networking group for the King’s community. And not forgetting OV sporting events, including Rugby-7s, football, rowing and cricket!

We are over the moon that life is resuming some normality and this year has seen the return of wonderful opportunities for Old Vigornians (OVs) to reconnect with each other and the School.

Milestone anniversaries have been celebrated for the leavers of

2017, 2012 and 2013 with their fiveand 10-year Reunions respectively. We have also enjoyed the company of OVs and Hon OVs from across the generations at our annual OV Reunion Weekend, including a great turnout from the years of 1992 and 1997, and made our first foray into overseas reunions with OV dinners in Singapore and Sydney.

In addition, OVs give current pupils a huge amount of time, providing careers advice and guidance, whether during the School’s Careers Week or on a one-to-one basis. We are incredibly grateful to the OV family for giving such great support and helping future generations.