Floreat Magazine by King's Worcester

The King’s Foundation Magazine

Winter 2021 Life on the river Rowing at King’s

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Rewriting the history book

Hands-on, brakes off education

Introducing Chorister Scholarships for girls

Interactive and practical learning at King’s Hawford

Psychology A Level comes to King’s Broadening minds in our Sixth Form #ShapedByKings

Winter 2021

The King’s Worcester family of schools

In this issue Features 4 5

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 2. 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:

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Rowing at King’s

14 Rewriting the history book

The King’s Choristers

16 Great minds and hearts

he name Floreat holds great significance for our Foundation. A Latin word that translates as ‘let flourish’, it comes from our school song, ‘Floreat Schola Vigorniensis’, which was written in 1884 by Rev W.E. Bolland, and still resonates strongly with the ethos of the School to this day. In this edition, we look back on the Spring and Summer Terms of 2021. Our aim is to delve a little deeper into key areas of school life, as well as sharing some news stories from across the Foundation, so prospective families can enjoy a glimpse into the magic of life here at King’s. We aim to challenge and inspire our pupils throughout their time as members of the King’s community, encouraging them to make the most of every single day. There is no greater place to stretch the imagination and develop key life skills than our cocurricular programme and I’m delighted to share more about this side of our provision on page 5. On pages 16 and 19 we take a closer look at our Prep Schools. Whilst they share many of the qualities and characteristics that bring us together as a family of schools, they are also wonderfully unique in their offering. Of course, our nurseries form an integral part of our Prep Schools too, and on page 22 you can read more about our award-winning provision. As well as news and success stories from across our Foundation, we are very proud to share some fantastic Rising Star profiles, which celebrate individual success. We also give you an insight into life beyond King’s, with an overview of our highly regarded Alumni programme. I hope you enjoy this edition; above all, I hope it leaves you with a greater sense of what King’s is all about, and the remarkable opportunities that await all Vigornians. Gareth Doodes, Headmaster, The King’s Worcester Foundation

Co-curricular activities

6 Shaped by King’s 8 Preparing for a life of leadership 10 Life on the river

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It gives me enormous pleasure to welcome you to Floreat – our brand-new magazine for the King’s Foundation.

At home with the Heads Above and beyond

Contents

Welcome

Floreat Magazine

Flourish at King’s St Alban’s

19 Hands-on, brakes off education

At King’s Hawford

22 Raising the bar

The King’s Nurseries

26 Transatlantic success

for a King’s OV

Regulars 7 Senior & Sixth Form 16 King’s St Alban’s 19 King’s Hawford 24 Sporting success 26 Alumni

#ShapedByKings

Winter 2021

At home with the Heads The King’s Foundation is lucky enough to have three inspiring Heads to deliver first-class independent education across our family of schools. Jennie Phillips and Richard Chapman lead our Prep Schools under the strategic leadership of Gareth Doodes, who is Chief Executive of the King’s Foundation and also Headmaster of the Senior School.

hile most Heads say they live and breathe their role, for Gareth, Richard and Jennie this really is the case. As part of a tradition that has stayed with King’s from our former days as a boarding school, each Head lives in the school grounds with their family. Richard and Jennie are permanent residents at King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford respectively, whilst Gareth and his family live within the grounds of our Senior School, next to the Cathedral on College Green. Jennie is the most recent Head to join the team, relocating with her family to Worcester in April this year when she took up her role at King’s Hawford, “We really do feel like one big happy family here at King’s Hawford and living within the school grounds just adds to that sense of community. I get involved with after school activities that I might otherwise miss, and I take great pleasure in seeing a child staying late or coming in early to work on a project that has particularly inspired them. It’s a fantastic way to bond with the children and embrace every aspect of school life.” Perhaps one of the most exciting things about having the Head living on site is the pets that come with them. The children at King’s Hawford are fascinated by the Phillips family tortoise, and pupils at both Prep Schools were delighted to welcome a puppy onto campus. “My popularity levels increased significantly when I announced the arrival of Digby,” comments Richard. “It’s wonderful to see how the children respond to him; there’s always a great deal of excitement when he pops in for a visit.

“For me, it’s really important to be present in the school community and for parents and children alike to feel comfortable stopping by for a quick chat or to ask a question. Being here throughout the evenings and weekends helps to create opportunities for that kind of communication.” For the Doodes family, living on campus is the key to juggling the demands of school and working life successfully. Both children attend King’s St Alban’s, which means just a short walk to school across the Senior School campus, and with son Humphrey being part of the King’s Chorister Programme, the family are frequent visitors to the Cathedral. “Being a Head is by no means a nine to five job, so living on-site enables me to immerse myself fully in the role. My wife Jessica grew up in Worcestershire and her family still live here, so in many ways relocating to King’s was like coming home. We are both fully committed to the King’s community and enjoy playing such an active role in school life. Living in the middle of Worcester with the Cathedral on our doorstep is just the greatest privilege.”

We really do feel like one big happy family here at King’s Hawford and living within the school grounds just adds to that sense of community. Jennie Phillips, Head, King’s Hawford

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Above and beyond The long-term benefits of co-curricular activities

hen choosing a school, it makes sense to research academic provision, achievements and results, but what about the opportunities that pupils are afforded outside of the classroom? There has been an increasing demand for a wellrounded co-curricular programme in recent years, but why is it so important? As a Foundation we are extremely proud of the rich and diverse programme on offer across all three of our schools. Computing Club, Dance Mix, Gymnastics, Scuba Club, Young Enterprise, Eco Club, Indoor Climbing, Robotics and Engineering, Ceramics…it’s an exhaustive list. Co-curricular activities serve many different purposes – for the majority it is an opportunity to enjoy some much-needed down time. For others, it provides the time to engage in an activity or sport that interests them, or for which they have a particular talent. Whatever the reason for signing up, simply joining in is providing significant long-term benefits as Alison Oliver, Deputy Head Co-curricular explains, “One of the biggest benefits of our provision is that it encourages pupils to jump in and have a go. We want them to develop into adults who have the confidence and self-esteem to take advantage of everything that life offers them, and the co-curricular programme is a great place to put these foundations into place.” The life skills gained as a result of a vibrant co-curricular programme are hard to ignore too: the ability to work as a team, but also

independently; knowing when to lead and when to follow; critical and creative thinking; communication; problem solving and reasoning, to name just a few. “There is the notion that we are preparing them for a world that will be vastly different from the one that we are living in right now,” continues Alison. “With global issues such as climate change to tackle, and emerging technologies that are completely changing the types of jobs that our children will end up doing, developing life skills and helping pupils to become resilient, adaptable and confident are some of the best ways that we, as a school, can prepare them for the future.” At King’s, there is an exciting schedule of clubs for pupils to enjoy before and after school, and during lunchtime too. Our Prep Schools have in excess of 30 clubs for children to choose from, which is great preparation for King’s Senior, where there are more than 100 clubs on offer. For many parents, it’s the bustling programme of co-curricular activities on offer that makes a private education so appealing. Busy working families can juggle the demands of work and family life, safe in the knowledge that their children are actively engaged in an activity or sport. The start of the academic year in September 2021 saw a welcome return to clubs and activities, which by their very nature proved more challenging to deliver remotely: Alison adds, “There is the greatest sense of gratitude, now more than ever, for the things we are lucky enough to experience here at King’s. #ShapedByKings

“If co-curricular opportunities are a priority for you, and I strongly believe they should be, take a walk around one of our schools at the beginning or end of the day and watch every inch of the school campus come to life. It’s really quite magical.”

King’s Foundation

King’s Foundation 4

Floreat Magazine

Over 100 clubs and societies including rock climbing, mixed netball, scuba diving, CCF and yoga. Over 70 trips and excursions a year including St Ives for art, Italy for ski trips, South Africa and France for sports trips. The Good Schools Guide – King’s Senior

Shaped by King’s

In our busy school lives it is too easy to overlook or forget how blessed we are to live and work amidst such magnificent and inspiring buildings. How true it is that we shape our surroundings; thereafter they shape us. Gareth Doodes, Headmaster, The King’s Worcester Foundation

Winter 2021

We shape our surroundings, and then our surroundings shape us.

or nearly 500 years, King’s surroundings have shaped pupils in three schools which are redefining education and setting great hearts and great minds alight. Our pupils experience a unique mix of seventh century buildings oozing with character, alongside contemporary ones, such as the award-winning Michael Baker Boathouse, to provide purposeful spaces in which to study. There’s no doubt that meaningful places play a part in our emotional and physical well-being, but according to a National Trust study, they can have a significant role to play in shaping our identity too.

The beating heart of our Senior School campus is Worcester Cathedral, a wonderful place to gather for ceremonies and assemblies throughout the year, providing a time for reflection during the busy school day. Another landmark that is synonymous with life at King’s is the River Severn. An important backdrop to each of our schools, and a constant reminder of our own existence - full of history but constantly moving forward and

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King’s Senior

King’s Foundation

Floreat Magazine

Rising Star Amy H

forging a new path. Many pupils enjoy time on the river, most notably at the Senior School, where rowing is such an integral part of school life, but it also connects King’s Worcester and King’s St Alban’s in the city centre with King’s Hawford, just a few miles up-stream. King’s Hawford has its own unique history and there is no doubt that the pupils of this remarkable school are touched every single day by its founder Douglas Garrad, who set out to create a school with energy, heart and above all, a spirit of adventure. For the pupils who study at King’s, there is the greatest sense of those who have come before us and their efforts to shape our Foundation for the next generation. We are proud to celebrate that our pupils are shaped by King’s: shaped by the opportunities they receive; inspired by dynamic teachers and mentors; shaped by the buildings in which they study – meaningful places that leave a lasting impact on each individual.

A dedicated pupil who takes full advantage of everything on offer here at King’s, Amy made her debut for the Welsh hockey team last season, taking her first cap for the U18 team at just 16 years of age.

ince then, she has received a further four caps, including her first U19 cap for the Home Nations Competition, and over the course of the summer a place in the Welsh team for the U18 Futures Cup Competition. Amy’s love of Hockey developed in the Lower Fourth (Year 7), when she was encouraged by her PE teacher here at King’s to try out the position of goalkeeper. It was a pivotal moment, as Amy explains, “I was always a sporty child, and gave everything a go, but I just fell in love with hockey. It has always given me a place where I can feel confident and comfortable.” It wasn’t long before Amy was representing the school, and in the Fifth Form (Year 11) she was selected for the First XI Hockey

team. She also went on to join Cheltenham Hockey Club and pursue the Welsh pathway. Alongside her hockey commitments, Amy is studying for A-Levels in English Literature, German, Biology and PE. She has fully immersed herself in school life, enjoying a range of co-curricular activities, including rowing and athletics. “It’s a lot to fit in,” explains Amy, “but I’ve received support from my teachers who’ve helped me to balance my work and academic studies. It makes a big difference.” So, what’s next for Amy? “My aim is to head to university to study law, with the opportunity to play university hockey, potentially here or abroad. I’d like to continue along the Welsh pathway; my

#ShapedByKings

next step is the U21 Squad, and eventually the Senior Squad.” And when asked for her advice to anyone thinking of giving hockey a go? “Just go for it! You’ll definitely learn new skills, and you don’t know what it might lead to.” Good luck Amy. We look forward to following your journey.

It’s a lot to fit in, but I’ve received support from my teachers who’ve helped me to balance my work and academic studies. It makes a big difference. Amy H

Winter 2021

Preparing for a life of leadership

t King’s, leadership takes many forms. It can be the moment when a pupil offers a helping hand to someone who has fallen in the playground. It can be the time when a team captain encourages her players to dig deep and score the winning goal. It can be deciding to go in the other direction on a D of E expedition, as the rain beats against you. One of our greatest strengths as a school is the variety of activities on offer in addition to our core academic provision. Our bustling programme of trips and activities is specifically designed to enhance the learning experience and provide opportunities for us to guide each pupil in how to lead effectively, whilst giving them the space to discover their own leadership style.

There is no doubt that the skills they gain give them the competitive edge as they apply for courses or jobs in the future, and ultimately as they prepare for the challenges that await beyond their time at King’s.

Upper Sixth Leadership Roles Heads of House: Each year we appoint Heads and Deputy Heads of House to support House Tutors with the effective running of their House and the mentoring of younger pupils. As well as running activities during House time, they sit on the School Council, attend various meetings with their peers, and support House Staff in promoting the ethos of their House. Monitors: Responsible for upholding the rules and expectations of our school, Monitors are chosen through an interview process, an advisory vote, and after conversations with staff and members of the Houses. Through their ability to engage with pupils about the issues they face, our Monitors have been the catalyst for change in several areas of the School.

Heads of School: Each year we appoint two Heads of School from our body of Monitors. As well as leading our team of Monitors, they represent the school at formal events and make a number of key speeches throughout the academic year, including at our open days and events. Our Upper Sixth leaders benefit from formal training to develop key skills in leadership, including communication, planning, motivation and compassion. Josh Hand, Head of Sixth Form, comments, “We feel immense pride as we watch our young leaders develop the confidence to grow into their own leadership style and play a vital role in the day-to-day running of the School.

King’s Sixth Form News

Comes to King’s

Sixth Form Physicists’

Success in British Physics Olympiad

Psychology A-Level

ongratulations to seven of our Upper Sixth (Y13) pupils who took part in the British Physics Olympiad earlier this year and achieved Bronze Certificates and Commendations. The British Physics Olympiad encourages the study of Physics and recognises excellence in young physicists through annual competitions. Our pupils took part in the first round of the competition, where they were required to answer a set of short-answer questions and several long thematic questions. Alfie P, Ben H and Jamie H all achieved Bronze Certificates, whilst everyone else received a Commendation. This is a significant achievement, given that 1,606 pupils from 270 schools participated from the UK and overseas schools, as well as 2,000 pupils in China. Furthermore, out of the UK entrants, only 271 pupils received the Bronze Certificate. Physics provides pupils with many useful skills, such as thinking logically, solving complex problems and analysing data. Here at King’s we have well-equipped laboratories to ensure pupils are able to access practical experiments and resources, to gain a true understanding of the complexities and delights of this most fascinating of subjects. Congratulations to all of our Sixth Form Physicists who participated.

e were delighted to launch A-Level Psychology at King’s in September 2021. The introduction of a new subject is part of our commitment to provide a wide range of learning opportunities for our Sixth Form students, who now have more than 25 academic subjects to choose from when selecting their A-Levels. The Psychology A-Level gives pupils an insight into human behaviour and how the mind really works, and lends itself to many other subjects, whether pupils enjoy the sciences or the arts and humanities. During the course of this academic year we are looking forward to inviting guest speakers to bring the subject to life and to provide an insight into the careers that are on offer in the field of psychology. Mrs Rebecca Kent, who was appointed as the new Head of Psychology earlier this year, comments,

King’s Senior

Floreat Magazine

I am incredibly excited to become part of the King’s community, especially the opportunity to launch Psychology at A level. It is such a fascinating course, which gives young people an insight into the human mind and behaviour. Mrs Kent, Head of Psychology

Josh Hand, Head of Sixth Form Throughout their school career, pupils can take on leadership roles in their house, or as a sports or activity captain as part of our cocurricular programme. All these opportunities help them to develop the confidence to apply for one of the prestigious leadership roles that become available as they complete their final year with King’s in Upper Sixth.

#ShapedByKings

E ON

Winter 2021

King’s Senior

Floreat Magazine

V I E R R E H T L to R: Matthew D, Jack B, Alice C, Alice B, Luke B

Rowing at King’s It’s 7:30am on a crisp October morning. Under the warm glow of the autumnal sunrise, and against the backdrop of the majestic Michael Baker Boathouse, the King’s Rowing Team are heading out onto the water for an early morning training session.

here is a fine tradition of rowing at King’s that can be traced back to 1877. With the iconic Boathouse situated within the school grounds, but taking pride of place on the riverside overlooking the River Severn, rowing remains an integral part of the school’s Co-Curricular and Games programme. The Boat Club has produced four Olympians to date, the most recent being Zac Purchase, who enjoyed an inspiring 10-year career which included an

Olympic Gold and Silver, three World Championship titles, and both World and Olympic records. Despite a challenging 18 months amidst the pandemic, rowing continues to thrive at King’s, as Head of Rowing, Jim Chalmers, explains, “One of our greatest strengths as a club is our sense of community. During lockdown we had to look at ways of keeping the community spirit alive without being able physically to gather in the Boathouse.”

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The hard work certainly paid off as the Boat Club continued in fine form. In February this year, Alice B claimed Silver at the World Rowing Indoor Championships, hosted by the international governing body of Rowing. At just 16 years of age, Alice competed in the gruelling 2000 metre Under 19 Women’s race, coming in just a fraction of a second behind the gold medal winner. The success continued into the summer, with Alice competing

with her rowing partner Georgie T at the British Junior Rowing Championships. Going up against seven crews from some of the best rowing clubs in the country as well as some of the top rowing schools, the formidable pair led the race throughout to take home the Gold in the J18 Women’s Pair division. Like many of our rowers, they had been working towards this goal since taking up rowing in Lower Remove (Year 9). Shortly after, the Boat Club enjoyed a successful trip to Henley Royal Regatta, with an impressive three crews competing in the event. The Girls’ Eight and Boys’ Quad provided some of the most exciting racing, resulting in some incredibly positive technical reviews from the rowing commentators, and both

teams making Sir Matthew Pinsent’s pick of the day. With a team of specialist coaches at King’s, athletes are supported in all areas of their development. “It’s a lot to take on,” explains Jim, “but our top performers achieve outstanding academic results alongside their rowing accolades because they are well equipped to prepare for, and focus on, the task in hand. Of course, it also provides some much-needed down-time from their academic studies and a chance to exert themselves physically.” Along with all major sports at King’s, rowing is very much seen as an all-inclusive sport, not just for those who want to take it to a competitive level. Jim comments, “We encourage everyone to have a go, so they can discover what rowing is all about. Some are looking to compete, but most students just love getting out on the water as a co-curricular activity.” Pupils are formally introduced to rowing from the age of 14, when it features on the Games Programme for pupils in Lower Remove (Year 9). Every pupil has the opportunity to row on the River Severn and experience the facilities on offer at the Boathouse, which include changing rooms, a suite of rowing

#ShapedByKings

Nothing beats that feeling of being out on the water first thing in the morning. The tranquillity of the water and watching the world slowly come to life; it really does set you up for the day ahead. Ollie T and Georgie T, Former Boat Club Captains (20/21)

machines for indoor training, and easy access to the river for boats to be taken on and off the water. Alongside the Games programme there are opportunities for pupils to participate in a wealth of co-curricular opportunities, with regular before and after-school clubs. For those who become a member of the club, there is the opportunity to attend the Junior and Senior Rowing Camp - the latter of which often takes place in Europe. From the Boat Club, the message is clear: “Come along and have a go. Whatever your experience or ability, there really is something for everyone.”

The show must go on! Senior Production of Harlequinade

A King’s named in

TOP 100 Cricket Guide

ricket has gone from strength to strength at King’s over the past few years, so we were delighted to be named in both the 2021 and 2022 Cricketer Schools Guide as one of the UK’s Top 100 cricketing schools.  The guide lists what it judges to be the 100 UK senior schools that demonstrate “a compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programmes and coaching.” With 32 pupils taking part in the Worcester County Cricket Club (WCCC) Winter Training Programme and WCCC Academy, cricket continues to flourish at King’s. A full-page write-up in the guide reflects our extensive offering including facilities, cricket provision, location and the school’s Senior Cricket Academy. Simon Greenall, Director of Cricket, comments, “It’s great to be featured as part of the prestigious guide. Despite this last year not being the best year for cricket, we were really pleased to return to a full set of fixtures in the summer.” The Guide also credited the breadth of our fastgrowing provision for girls’ cricket and their success in the previous year’s Lady Taverners tournaments. Further to this, it credits the prospects of pupils, some of whom play for the local county boys’ and girls’ elite teams. The quality of the Senior School does not stand alone as both the prep schools, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford, are actively inspiring pupil cricketing talents. Alongside timetabled summer lessons, pupils also have access to the school’s highly popular Saturday Junior School Cricket Academy, run by exprofessional coaches.

King’s Senior

Winter 2021

fter many COVID-related postponements, the Fifth Form (Year 11) and Sixth Form cast and senior production crew finally found their moment to shine with their performance of Harlequinade in June this year. “Harlequinade” is Terence Rattigan’s 1940s farce about a middle-aged theatrical couple who take Romeo and Juliet out on tour. The audience follows the misadventures of the theatre company as they encounter some typical last-minute disasters. The cast and crew started work on the production in September 2020, but rehearsals were put on hold at the height of the pandemic. Once they were given the green light to go ahead, they had just one week to rehearse and prepare fully before the final piece was performed in our John Moore Theatre and streamed on-line. It was a delight to watch Ella F and George C bring Edna and Arthur, the famous theatrical couple, to life. We also enjoyed stand-out performances from Darcy S-W and Sophie B, who played stage manager siblings Jack and Jill. Maddie H gave a wonderfully flamboyant portrayal of Dame Edna, whilst Maddie C’s softly spoken Joyce provided a brilliant contrast to the boisterous activities of the theatre crowd. Congratulations to the cast and crew for creating such a theatrical piece for us all to enjoy.

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Model United Nations Success

ive King’s pupils participated in an on-line version of the Bath International Schools’ Model United Nations (MUN) Conference in March this year. It proved an extremely successful weekend for the team, who came home with both individual and team commendations.  Model United Nations provides a fantastic opportunity for pupils who are interested in international affairs and global politics to gain an insight into how the United Nations works. Hundreds of thousands of pupils worldwide take part every year, assuming the role of national ambassadors to seek to achieve solutions to the global problems that will affect us all. At the conference, 117 delegates from 13 different schools across the UK joined the on-line meeting. The delegation from King’s represented Kenya and was comprised of George ( Security Council), Salva (Health Committee), John (Environment Committee), Ben (Disarmament Committee) and Maddy (Human Rights Committee). Maddy won a Highly Commended in her Human Rights Committee, and George was commended in Security Council. The delegation as a whole won a Commendation for their total contribution. George, who was in the Fifth Form at the time, deserves a special mention as Security Council is usually for Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth students, so to stand out in that crowd is very impressive indeed.

King’s pupils excel

at Worcester Competitive Arts Festival

or the first time in their 70-year history, The Worcester Competitive Arts Festival took place on-line this year. Here at King’s, we were delighted to see 15 of our pupils taking part in various classes, with many achieving particularly successful results. Sixth Form pupil Amelia D was awarded the Arts Trophy Prize for Music, which is a prestigious award given for the promise she shows in musical theatre. Worcester Competitive Art Festival said, “Amelia is to be congratulated on receiving the arts trophy in music awarded for high achievement in musical appearances.” Rosie B in Upper Fourth (Year 8) won Gold with Distinction in the Rock and Pop Vocal Class, for her String Solo and for her Piano Solo at this year’s festival. Rosie explains, “I was thrilled to receive gold in each category, especially as I couldn’t see anyone else’s performance because it was a virtual festival this year, so it was a real surprise!” Molly B in Lower Fourth (Year 7) won Bronze with Distinction for the Intermediate Musical Theatre Acted Song Solo Class and also won The Shakespeare Solo (for 12 years and under), receiving Gold Highly Commended for her outstanding performance. Congratulations to all our talented music pupils for their spectacular success in this year’s competition. #ShapedByKings

CCF Summer Camp

t was another busy week of activities for our CCF Cadets this summer at their annual Summer Camp. Army Section cadets spent two days learning about cadet weapon systems and passing their weapon handling test, which is taken every six months and focuses on safety and marksmanship. The RAF Section spent most of the week training side-by-side with the Army Section. However, whilst the Army section completed their Skill at Arms training, the RAF Section learned about the Principles of Flight and put their skills to the test on a flight simulator. We offer a huge thank you to the West Mercia Search and Rescue Team, who spent a day with our cadets so they could find out more about their line of work, and practise some of the key skills involved in being a Search and Rescue Technician. After an intense week of training, the cadets let off some steam at Aztec Adventure, where they enjoyed a day on the water and a round of the high ropes course. Thank you to all involved for providing a week of engaging activities.

Rewriting the history book Introducing Chorister Scholarships for girls

Worcester Cathedral Choristers form a rich part of our history here at King’s. Since our re-founding in 1541, boy choristers have combined their studies at King’s Worcester with the commitment of singing in the Cathedral. Read on to find out more about new developments to the programme to ensure equal opportunities between boy and girl choristers.

Winter 2021

n a partnership that is steeped in great tradition, choristers still sing in the Cathedral to this day, as well as performing in a whole host of special services and concerts at the Cathedral and other exciting venues throughout the year. In return, they receive unparalleled musical training from the Cathedral’s professional music staff, alongside a first-class education at King’s St Alban’s and King’s Senior. In 2006 the programme took a significant step forward with the recruitment of girl choristers, a number of whom also attended King’s. It was a successful move, but with girls singing in just one service per week whilst the boys continued to sing on a near daily basis, there was still a significant divide between the experience on offer for girl and boy choristers.

Earlier this year we were delighted to join with the Cathedral in announcing a brand-new era for the chorister programme, to ensure equal opportunities between boy and girl choristers. With the announcement of 18 new chorister scholarships for girls, from September this year girl choristers have been singing on a new schedule equal in commitment to that of the boys, with the added benefit of being able to join the programme at a younger age, and gaining access to the Chorister Scholarship programme here at King’s Worcester.

We caught up with Annie B and Leah H, two of the first pupils to take advantage of the new scholarships for girls:

What is your favourite thing about being a chorister? Annie: It’s such a great feeling when a difficult piece comes together and we love the way it sounds. It’s always nice to spend time with the other choristers too -we’re a close bunch. Leah: For me it’s the wide range of music that we sing; it’s not repetitive, it’s a new thing every day.

How does it feel to be one of the first girls to take advantage of the Chorister Scholarship? Annie: It feels like such an exciting time to be joining the programme, so I’m very grateful that I’ve been offered the scholarship and given the opportunity. Leah: It’s a privilege to be able to take part in such a big change; our schedule has increased a lot but I’m really enjoying the new challenges and advantages that have come with it.

A brand new era

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How do you balance the commitment of being a chorister with the demands of daily school life?

What advice would you give to any young girl considering a Chorister Scholarship?

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Annie: “Go for it!” It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I know it’s something that I’ll look back on with fond memories. You don’t need to worry about juggling homework and school activities; the older girls will always help you. Leah: I would also say just go for it. It’s a really fun experience and a great privilege to be part of a such a warm and friendly community.

Annie: I go to choir when I arrive at school, then after practice I have about five to ten minutes with my House before we go to lessons. We have no chorister commitments on a Tuesday, so that’s a great opportunity to spend time with my House. Leah: I tend to do a lot of my work of the weekends. Also, being in Sixth Form I have the advantage of free periods which really helps me to get organised and complete my school work.

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Great minds and hearts

Beep beep!

A wonderful walking journey for Reception

flourish here... alk to any parent or child at King’s St Alban’s, and they’ll confirm that the school day is action-packed with engaging lessons, co-curricular activities, and a wealth of sporting and creative opportunities. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find there’s much more to King’s St Alban’s. It’s a place where kindness rules and pupils are encouraged to rise to the challenge, as Head of King’s St Alban’s, Richard Chapman, explains, “We inspire them to think big, and help them to build the strongest foundations for their next pivotal steps.” Nestled in the heart of the city centre, next to the Senior School, pupils at King’s St Alban’s are regular visitors to ‘Big King’s’, as the Senior School is known colloquially. This means they have access to some outstanding facilities, including drama and dance studios, a fully equipped theatre, and a state-of-the-art sports centre.

If we can help them to develop the resilience to tackle life’s challenges head on, and the confidence to go out there and take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way, then we’ve done the job that we set out to do. Richard Chapman, Head, King’s St Alban’s Richard continues, “It creates a seamless transition when the time comes to move to King’s Senior, and it also gives them something to which to aspire. They are lucky enough to see performances from our Sixth Form musicians, who are at the very top of their game,

Winter 2021

or watch the senior rugby team conducting a training session in the sports centre. They find it very exciting and come away thinking ‘that could be me when I’m older.’” In addition to inspiring facilities and opportunities to learn, King’s St Alban’s has fully embraced the principles of Professor Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset. The idea focuses on the belief that pupils’ abilities can be developed over time through dedication and hard work - they aren’t fixed or limited in any way. “It’s incredibly motivating, and a wonderful mindset to have,” explains Richard. “If we make mistakes, we look at the opportunities to learn and grow. Rather than saying we can’t do something, we talk about how we can’t do it just yet.” Alongside the work on growth mindset and encouraging the children to ‘think big’, there is a calmer side to the school that focuses on mental health and well-being. For several years now, King’s St Alban’s has been leading a mindfulness initiative within school, working to the guidelines provided through the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP), a national charity for young people and schools. All teachers receive mental health first aid training and children participate ksw.org.uk

in a diverse range of activities, from mindful colouring to relaxing yoga and ‘wake up and stretch’ sessions. “Happy children succeed, so we place great emphasis on taking care of ourselves both mentally and physically,” comments Richard. Children in the Prep School receive additional support with the delivery of the Paws b Curriculum, a mindfulness programme which teaches valuable breathing techniques to help improve focus and concentration, whilst also minimising anxiety. Since introducing mindfulness, teachers have reported calmer children, who seem more fulfilled and more supportive and caring of each other. Concentration levels have also increased significantly, helping them to perform better both in and out of the classroom. For Richard and his team, the hard work in this area is set to continue. The school has recently appointed Year 6 Mindfulness Ambassadors for each class in the Prep School. These Ambassadors will run a five-minute meditation in their classroom each day. Richard reflects, “I have no doubt that the work we are doing is helping our children to understand the importance of mental health, and what they can do to support their own well-being.”

ere at King’s St Alban’s we are lucky enough to have such wonderful places of interest on our doorstep for the children to visit. During the summer term, our Reception children were delighted to take a trip out as part of their Journeys and Holidays topic. The first stop was a very exciting visit to classmate Rudy’s house boat. The children loved learning about how the boat works and enjoyed a full tour, including the opportunity to beep the horn. The next stop was a visit to the Diglis Miniature Steam Trains. The children learnt how electric and steam trains work and then had the most fabulous time riding on four different trains. Mr Chapman also joined Reception for a circuit of the track, much to the excitement of the children! Hearing the children’s squeals of delight and laughter was just wonderful. After all that fun it was time to refuel with a picnic and a play in Diglis Park. This was a wonderful morning creating memories. Well done Reception.

Rising star Leo’s story

ing’s St Alban’s is a place where kindness rules and pupils are inspired to think big, two characteristics that have served us well during the course of the pandemic. One such example comes from nine-year-old Leo S, who was shocked to discover the true extent of food poverty as the issue hit the headlines earlier this year. In just a few short months Leo had raised more than £1440 for The Trussell Trust and played an instrumental role in a leading UK supermarket chain’s plans to introduce measures to make it easier for online shoppers to help tackle food poverty. Determined to help those suffering the devastating effects of food poverty, Leo established The Great Malvern Hills Climb, which saw him climbing the Malvern Hills with his brothers and father to raise funds for The Trussell Trust. Our PE Department jumped at the chance to support Leo and promptly challenged the King’s St Alban’s community to walk, run, cycle, scoot or even row a collective 612 miles. This distance was the equivalent of every Junior School child travelling 4.5 miles, which is the distance from the Worcestershire Beacon Walk to the highest point of the hills.  It was an impressive effort, but Leo was determined to do more and set about writing to the major UK supermarket chains to suggest they add a donate button to online shopping checkouts. Leo’s letter caught the attention of Waitrose, who were already discussing ways to include a ‘donate’ button in their checkout process. The team were so inspired, including Waitrose CEO James Bailey, that plans to introduce the feature were implemented as quickly as possible.  Richard Chapman, King’s St Alban’s Head adds, “We all observe things that make us sad or angry, but it takes courage, leadership and responsibility actually to do something about it.” Leo and his Mum are now thinking of new ways to raise awareness of this issue and vital funds. We can’t wait to see what he does next.

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I was watching a television show with my Mum about food banks and I felt like I wanted to do something to help. Leo S

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A carnival of words and music

Hands-on, brakes off education The importance of learning by doing

B The King’s St Alban’s

Aquathlon

upils in Years 3 to 6 were delighted to participate in the King’s St Alban’s Aquathlon in July this year. The energetic event included a swim in the pool, followed by a run beside the River Severn or around the school site. The event, which was held over a two-week period, saw the children competing for their House, running a range of distances according to their age. Each year group produced a brilliant race, creating a fantastic atmosphere around the school and a great deal of excitement amongst the children. We had a number of close finishes, with the children pushing each other to the very end and, in the case of the Year 5 group, a photo-finish to determine the winner. We were so proud of the children and how hard they pushed themselves to compete to the very end. Congratulations to Thomas House for taking the overall win.

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ack in May, Years 3 and 4 were spellbound as Camille Saint Saën’s story played out in a carnival of words and music. The children listened with rapt attention and very much enjoyed the story of Camille’s Farm, which was told using words and music. With the story narrated by Chris Jaeger, director of Worcester Competitive Arts Festival, and illustrated by Shulah Oliver on violin and viola and Janine Parsons at the piano, we heard of runaway donkeys (or ‘personages with long ears’ as they prefer to be known!), slow tortoises, glistening fish and a plodding elephant, amongst many, many others. There were many enthusiastic cuckoos in the audience too. It was particularly wonderful for the children to see Miss Oliver, who teaches violin to a number of them, demonstrate the extraordinary range of pitch, dynamics and techniques of string instruments – from the flittering high harmonics on the violin in the Aquarium to the rich sonority of the viola in The Swan. A great big thank you to all involved for inspiring our young musicians.

For the team at King’s Hawford it’s also been a successful way of helping children to develop key life skills. Pupils are taken out onto the canal in one of the school’s fleet of Katakanus from the age of seven and children as young as three are using mallets and saws during their Forest School sessions. The health benefits of learning in this way are clear. Spending periods of time outside gives an instant feeling of well-being, whilst the physical movement boosts energy levels. It’s also the perfect antidote to today’s digital world, where children are spending greater periods of time interacting with a screen. Initial reports have shown that the children are happy, in fact significantly above the benchmark in their assessments, and the academic achievements continue both across the board and in terms of individual pupil achievement.

estled in 23 acres of the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, King’s Hawford is something of a pioneer when it comes to outdoor learning. With countless success stories to tell, perhaps the most notable being the prestigious LotC (Learning outside the Classroom) Gold Award, which only 35 schools in the UK

have received, children arrive with a natural curiosity and leave with an insatiable appetite to learn. King’s Hawford has always been a place where children spend time in the great outdoors, but it’s how that time is intertwined with the curriculum that seems to be proving so successful. Jennie Phillips, Head at King’s Hawford explains, “Children learn by doing, so our role is to set out the theory and then create exciting opportunities for individuals to apply what they’ve learnt.” Whether it’s time spent in the purpose-built outdoor classroom, the magical Forest School, or just out and about on a nature walk, every child is encouraged to get involved. “Quite simply, we encourage the children to have a go,” Jennie continues, “Not only are they more engaged, but they develop the confidence to try new things. #ShapedByKings

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Whether inside or out, learning is practical and interactive – we saw coloured counters used to learn the column method in maths, video clips and punchy questions used to explore special places in Judaism and children making an electronic game in science. The Good Schools Guide 2021 Jennie adds, “We take a very creative approach to teaching and learning, one that is greatly inspired by our love for the great outdoors. The results come in abundance because the children are truly inspired and engaged, and taught by a team of highly intuitive teachers.”

Going green

Charity Day at King’s Hawford

F King’s Hawford celebrate

British Science Week

n Monday 8th March we were not only delighted to be able to celebrate the children finally returning to school, but were also lucky enough to enjoy a wonderful Science Day to mark British Science Week: a 10-day celebration of science, engineering, technology and maths.  The theme for the day was ‘Innovating for the Future’ and the children were set the challenge of coming into school with ‘mad hair’. We welcomed two visitors into school, albeit virtually, who gave us a great deal to think about and discuss. Farmer Rob from Atkins Farm talked to the children about the use of technology to support farming, and Anna Bunney from ORCA, a company that works to protect whales and dolphins in UK and European waters, gave a fascinating talk about whales, dolphins, and marine conservation. There were plenty of hands-on science-based activities to enjoy too, with lessons incorporating the theme throughout the day.

rom weird and wonderful sustainable costumes to competitions and sweet treats, this year’s Charity Day was another action-packed event with a special focus on sustainability. Sustainability is something on which we place great importance at King’s Hawford. Green Day gave us the chance to encourage discussions with the children about the importance of the environment, whilst raising money for our chosen charities, WWF and the Canal & River Trust. The children were asked to create a costume or accessory out of recycled or re-used materials. We received a fantastic response, with children participating throughout the school, even those in Kindergarten. We were dazzled with homemade skirts and dresses, old clothes that had been upcycled to create completely new outfits and fabulous creations made from old cardboard boxes and newspapers. In the run up to Green Day, we asked the children to create their very own Switch It Off Posters as part of a competition. We’re pleased to report that the winning posters are now on display around the school, reminding staff and pupils to switch off lights and equipment when not in use. A huge thank you to the Hawford community for helping to raise over £500 to support our chosen charities.

Our science curriculum places a lot of emphasis on practical hands-on investigation. We had experiments taking place in the lab and investigations taking place outside in the glorious spring weather. What a fantastic way to mark our return to school. Jo Rand, Science Coordinator

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Rising star Michelle Z

ased on the ethos that everyone is musical in some way, Music is a big part of life at King’s Hawford. Starting with our youngest children in Kindergarten, who excitedly participate in weekly 'Shake, Rattle and Groove' sessions, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get stuck in and have a go. It comes as no surprise, then, that a phenomenal 85% of children at King’s Hawford are currently receiving singing or instrumental tuition and enjoying regular 1:1 tuition with our dedicated team of Peripatetic tutors. One pupil who has flourished musically during her time at King’s Hawford is Michelle Z. At just ten years of age, Michelle is already an accomplished musician, currently studying for her Grade 7 piano exam. In addition to the piano, she is a talented violinist working towards Grade 5, and has recently passed her Grade 5 Theory with flying colours. Michelle always makes the most of the brilliant array of musical opportunities available at King’s Hawford. She is a regular member of the Senior Choir and Orchestra, and enjoys assisting

her teacher with the Beginner Strings Group when she is not composing her own pieces of music or performing in school assemblies and concerts. Michelle’s musical achievements have been recognised outside of school too. In September she was awarded a Gold prize in the Performance Grade 7 class of the London Young Musician competition – an international online classical music performance competition for musicians under the age of 28 from all countries. She has also received several first prize trophies in local festivals, including the Birmingham Music Festival and the Worcester Competitive Arts Festival.

There’s no doubt that Michelle has a very bright future ahead of her and we can’t wait to see what she does next.

Every time Michelle performs we are just blown away by her talent. Her technical ability is outstanding and the way she performs is just completely enchanting. It’s hard to believe that she is only just ten years old. Jennie Phillips, Head, King’s Hawford

Perfect pizza at King’s Hawford

e were delighted to announce the arrival of our very own custommade, outdoor pizza oven at King’s Hawford earlier this year, funded by our generous Parents’ Association. Much to the delight of the children, they were given responsibility for building the oven, working with Matthew from The Fabulous Cob Oven Company. Each class took it in turns to spend time with Matthew, helping to complete the oven over the course of four days. Tasks included barefoot clay making, laying the foundations and creating a layer of insulation from empty glass bottles. For our first pizza party it was once again a team effort, with Year 4 preparing the dough and each class taking it in turns to visit the pizza oven and test out the goods. We can’t wait for more school events so we can share our delicious pizza with the King’s Hawford community. #ShapedByKings

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Raising the bar

The King’s Nurseries

The King’s Worcester Foundation has a long tradition of providing an outstanding independent education, but over the past few years the King’s Nurseries – which include the King’s Hawford Kindergarten and the King’s St Alban’s Nursery – have been quietly making their mark too.

They get to use all the ‘big’ school facilities to give her the best day every day she’s at nursery. From swimming to forest school, to soft play or PE in the barn, stories on their double-decker bus or picnics in the teepee! Just brilliant! Parent review www.daynurseries.co.uk

ow ranked as one of the Top 20 rated Nursery Groups in the UK and two of the top nurseries in Worcestershire on the popular review site www.daynurseries.co.uk, a nursery education at King’s is a popular choice with parents and guardians of pre-school children. But what is it that makes our nurseries so unique? With a spacious, purpose-built nursery in the heart of the city centre at King’s St Alban’s, and a countryside setting that fully embraces outdoor play at King’s Hawford (just north of the city), The King’s Foundation has two outstanding nurseries from which to choose, both of which take boys and girls from their second birthday. Both nurseries benefit from ksw.org.uk

King’s St Alban’s is a gem of a nursery. The staff are wonderful and there is a real community feel with the wider school. It’s clear that the nursery staff have a real passion for early years and nurture the individual child. Parent review www.daynurseries.co.uk It’s a formula that clearly works well, with many parents praising both King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford for the broad range of activities on offer, but many are quick to comment on the attentive nature of the Nursery staff too. Anna Kingston, Head of Early Years at King’s Hawford, adds, “Our priority is to create a nurturing environment that is very warm and welcoming, and our staff go above and beyond to ensure that every child gets the most out of their time with us. “The combined level of experience of staff is unrivalled – nothing phases them and they always prioritise the happiness of the child.”

Communication is also top of the agenda at King’s, with many parents complimenting the level of feedback received. “Handing your child over is never easy, particularly if they’ve spent a great deal of time at home, which is quite often the case at the moment following the pandemic,” explains Sarah Pugh, Nursery Manager at King’s St Alban’s. “We make sure parents are given the time to ask questions and bring us up to speed when they drop off in the morning, and we provide a full debrief at the end of each day. In addition, we have regular 1 to 1s to discuss ongoing progress.”

As a parent the school also takes a lot of time to engage and communicate with us to keep us involved. It’s both a fun and a safe place; everything a parent and pre-schooler could hope for. Parent review www.daynurseries.co.uk

Nursery

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Need to know Both King’s Hawford and King’s St Alban’s currently have the highest rating of 10/10 on popular review site www.daynurseries.co.uk, and as a group, The King’s School, Worcester is in the Top 20 Small Nursery Groups 2021. Each Nursery offers up to full-time provision to support busy working families. Drop off at King’s Hawford is from 7:30am and at King’s St Alban’s from 7:45am. Both are open until 6pm in the evening and operate throughout the school holidays.

an extensive range of indoor and outdoor facilities, including exciting forest schools, spacious outdoor gardens and learning zones, early years libraries, stunning purposebuilt prep halls and, at King’s Hawford, the indoor swimming pool. In fact, it is their location within a Prep School that really sets them apart: Richard Chapman, Head at King’s St Alban’s Prep School explains, “The King’s Nurseries form an integral part of our school journey. They sit within the heart of each Prep School, so the children have access to first class facilities and teaching staff. We are able to offer regular music sessions, PE, Foreign Language sessions, and even weekly swimming lessons at King’s Hawford.” #ShapedByKings

Pupils shine at

Schools National Final Games 2021

U13 and U15 Girls’ Cricket Teams crowned

County Champions

he Under 15 (U15) and Under 13 (U13) girls’ cricket teams attended the Lady Taverners cricket festival at Kidderminster Cricket Club in July this year. Unfortunately, a number of schools in the U13 category were unable to play, resulting in the King’s U13 team having to compete in the U15 competition. The girls played RGS Dodderhill and Studley High School, finishing with a final group game against each other. The U15s batted first, scoring a respectable 69 runs, with the U13s needing to score four off the last two balls, due to some fine batting by the likes of Esther G and Bea W. Excellent bowling by Lucy W denied the U13s victory, finishing on 68. This final game placed King’s

U15 team first place in the group and the U13s second. After a break for lunch, both teams played each other again in a first place playoff, with the winner becoming County Champions. The U15s were first up to bowl. Keeping the U13s to a respectable 51 runs, the U15s were able to knock these off with five wickets to spare, taking the title of Lady Taverners Winners. Both teams took the title of County Champions in their age divisions. Miss Preece, who accompanied the teams, comments, “The girls demonstrated assertiveness, leadership, endeavour and a real camaraderie and support for each other. It was a joy to observe.”

King’s rugby players make

Warriors Academy

e were delighted to see that four of our Sixth Form pupils progressed to the U18 Worcester Warriors Academy earlier this year, and enjoyed their first matches for the squad during the summer months. Alex T (Scrum Half), George B (Back Row /Second Row), Ben W (Front Row) and Will C (Second Row) have been in the wider squad for several years, as part of the U14 team, but were thrilled to progress to the elite U18 team. The team will play competitive fixtures against other academies in the Northern Conference of Premiership Rugby’s U18 Academy. Over the course of the summer, the boys enjoyed games against Exeter, Gloucester, Harlequins and Bristol. All four boys play for the King’s First XV team and have been supported on their rugby journey by our Athlete Development Programme. They will now play in the Academy whilst continuing to represent King’s.

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efore returning to school in September, Amy H (Lower Sixth / Y12), Maisie L (Fifth Form / Y11) and Freya S (Fifth Form / Y11) all competed at the 2021 School Games. The aim of the competition is to spring-board young athletes to greater heights in their sporting careers. 75 of the athletes who represented Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics had previously competed in the Schools Games National Finals. Amy competed for Wales Hockey, who won both games in their group stages against England Blue and Scotland, with Amy keeping a clean sheet. After a strong start, the team lost 4-0 in the final against Ulster. Amy also competed in the Long Jump and came sixth overall. Maisie and Freya, who play for Severn Stars Under 15 netball team, played against other netball franchises from across the country. They won four games and lost three, coming seventh in the overall standings. Congratulations to all involved.

Recordbreaking The King’s St Alban’s

Kick Start Challenge

E isn’t the easiest of subjects to deliver online, but, thanks to our creative Sports Department, the King’s St Alban’s community continued to stay active during lockdown. In January this year, just as Lockdown 3.0 was announced, the department launched the King’s St Alban’s Kick Start 2021 Challenge to engage pupils in some form of regular daily activity. Each day, the team suggested three different activities for the children to try. The activities offered a diverse range of sporting choices, from running, cycling and ‘Harry Potter yoga’, to fun challenges like juggling and ‘Disney Dance’. In addition to physical activities, the team included a range of mindful activities, such as getting permission to ring a friend, creating a healthy snack or playing a board game. Jo Clark, Director of Sport at King’s St Alban’s explains, “Creating the challenge was a fantastic way to celebrate our ‘get up and go’ attitude, and really helped to keep the children active as they engaged in our home learning programme.” #ShapedByKings

Sports Day

e were delighted to welcome parents back into King’s Hawford before the end of the Summer Term for our annual Sports Day events. The first event was our Early Years Sports Day for our Kindergarten and Reception pupils. Cheered on by their parents and team-mates, the children showed true grit and determination as they enjoyed running races, relay races, and a teddy bear race. The Pre-Prep Sports Day followed that afternoon. There was a hint of friendly competition in the air, but we must congratulate our Pre-Prep children for their perseverance, concentration and team-work. The final event of the week was the Prep Sports Day. With an action-packed itinerary of field and track events, it was wonderful to see how the children had come on throughout the term, with some outstanding speed and technique on show. A special mention must go to Year 5 pupil Fabian W, who broke not one, but two school records. Firstly, in the Year 5 eighty metre sprint with a time of 11.98 seconds, and secondly, in the Year 5 High Jump, with an incredible 1m 25cm jump. Well done Fabian.

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Winter 2021

Transatlantic success for a King’s OV

Welcome to

the family

Alumni

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For the majority of our pupils, their school days come to an end when they leave our Sixth Form at the age of 18. However, in many respects, their journey with King’s is just beginning.

A A Day in the Life with Immie Gillgrass

mmie Gillgrass left King’s Worcester in 2020 to take up a place at Wake Forest University in North Carolina to read Health and Exercise Science with a Minor in Counselling and Environmental Studies. An extremely talented hockey player, Immie played for the Under 18 England team before leaving King’s, and was also awarded Junior Female Sports Person of the Year in the City of Worcester Sport Awards in 2018. We caught up with Immie to hear what she had to say about her time at King’s and to understand how it led to where she is today.

What does a typical day look like for you? We have hockey practice from 9am-9:30am, six days a week. After practice I have a gym session and then my classes begin at 11am and last until 3pm. I then grab lunch, take a 45-minute nap, and do my homework. Some evenings I have a session in the Chemistry lab too. On Thursdays we normally travel to our away games ready to play on Friday and Sunday. They can be all over the country, from up in Iowa City to Louisville, Kentucky and Boston.

What’s your favourite bit of your day? Training! I wouldn’t have travelled 3500 miles from home if I didn’t absolutely love hockey.

Why did you want to study abroad? I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world. This was an amazing opportunity for me to experience a different country and culture, whilst studying at one of the most prestigious universities in America and, of course, doing the sport that I love.

King’s Hawford awoke my interest for exploring; I developed a real passion for the outward-bound activities and travelling to different parts of the country for overnight trips. But it also taught me about independence and gave me the confidence to do these kind of things.

Family. Caring. Supportive.

of Sport). From a young age, my parents gave me the freedom to choose what sport I liked, what musical instruments to play, all the way through to what subjects I should take for GCSE and A-Level. King’s Hawford nourished that too, especially in the earlier years with all the opportunities to embrace Art and outdoor learning. Mrs Miller-Symonds was my coach at King’s and she was also in my House, which made it easy to talk to her. She is an amazing player both on and off the field, so if she critiqued my performance I always had great respect for her opinion.

What’s the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

What advice would you give to a young person hoping to study abroad?

From my current coach at Wake Forest, who celebrated her 30th year coaching here earlier this month, “When you can’t control other people’s reactions or words, control your own personal emotions and reactions.”

Go for it! It gets hard sometimes; I’m currently in my fifth month away from home and my family, but they’re only a phone call away! It’s an extraordinary experience that you’ll never forget.

As a former pupil of King’s Hawford and King’s Senior, what three words would you use to describe King’s?

In terms of role models, who has inspired you and why?

s our pupils walk proudly out of College Hall for the last time, they officially become Old Vigornians, or OVs. The OV network is a warm and welcoming community that plays a significant role in both current school life and beyond, as Head of Alumni Relations, Sophie Borrillo-McLellan explains, “We find that OVs are very generous with their time and enjoy giving back to the School where they can.” For those still in school, this means an exciting range of visits and talks from OVs, covering a diverse range of subjects and themes. Our Sixth Form pupils also benefit from specialist sessions with OVs, focussing on university applications, apprenticeships, gap years, business skills and much more. There have been many examples of OVs supporting individual pupils too. “Sometimes it’s about connecting a pupil who has a particular interest with an OV who works in the relevant field or sector, “ continues Sophie. “It’s a powerful connection, and has led to some incredible opportunities for our pupils.” For the OVs, there’s plenty of support too. The Development and Alumni Relation Team coordinate a bustling programme of professional meet-ups and school reunions, as well as helping to put individuals in touch with each other. The team also produce various publications, including a weekly newsletter, to share both school and OV news.

Seeing OVs come together, whether it’s to reminisce about their school days, share career advice with pupils, or support each other in a particular industry, is a real joy and just goes to show what King’s is all about. It really is a network for life. Sophie Borrillo-McLellan, Head of Alumni Relations

My parents, and Mrs Miller-Symonds (King’s Senior School Director ksw.org.uk

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Get in touch Senior School and Sixth Form (Ages 11 – 18) T 01905 721700

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Nursery and Prep School (Ages 2 – 11) T 01905 354906

Kindergarten and Prep School (Ages 2 – 11) T 01905 451292

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Articles inside

Rewriting the history book

Preparing for a life of leadership

Life on the river

Shaped by King’s