EXPERIENCING INDIA AND JORDAN
STUDENTS MAKE CONN
By Leda O’Rourke
At 16 years old, Adam AlQatawneh ’25 spent one month in the summer of 2024 studying in Ajmer, India. Along with Radwan Obeidat ’25, Kareem Abu Salah ’25, Joonyoung Kim ’24 and Rad Hasan ’25, he took part in a Round Square exchange program between King’s Academy and Mayo College.
The five King’s students spent the month of July at Mayo College. Located in Ajmer, the boys-only school was founded in 1875 by a British Viceroy —making it one of India’s oldest boarding schools. In return, King’s Academy, a much younger institution, hosted three students from Mayo.
During his time at Mayo College, AlQatawneh took several courses that are not offered at King’s, including Hindi and Aeromodelling. He also enjoyed the school museum, which had artifacts like the uniforms of war veterans, a weaponry collection, a Guinness Book of World Records plaque for the highest video game score, and preserved snakes and scorpions.
“Although the dorm spirit is nice in King’s, it felt 10 times stronger in Mayo,” AlQatawneh noted. “Intramural sports competitions happen often with traditions that will stick in my memory for long time. For example, whenever the upperclassmen of Ajmer House play in a final, underclassmen must use their bedsheets makeshift banners supporting their players!”
Another critical part of any exchange program learning about the culture of a new place. AlQatawneh was able to take cooking classes and learn how to make traditional Indian meals like
Biryani. He also saw similarities between Arab and Indian cultures, such as the shared value of family and community.
“There was a familiar sense of welcoming and hospitality in Mayo College and India as a whole,” Radwan Obeidat ’25 stated. “Whether it was the smiles on the faces of waiters in restaurants or the warm cup of Chai Masala we would have with every dinner, our experience in India was marked by unwavering generosity. It got me to think deeper and realize how similar the Arab and Indian cultures of hospitality truly are.”
The Exchange Students from King’s wearing traditional Indian headwear at a restaurant (Kareem AbuSalah ’25)
“A difference that struck me is the scheduling in Mayo College. While more rigid, it allows students to fill their day to the brim with time well spent.” Kareem Abu Salah ’25 said. “When they finish classes at 1 PM, they would have an hour of mandatory sports followed by another hour of co-curricular activities.”
The program was reciprocal so Mayo College students Yuvraj Singh Rathore ’25, Udaybir Maan ’25 and Aryaveer Singh ’25 came to Jordan. While in Jordan, King’s Academy became their home away from home, but they also toured the country and ate traditional Jordanian food with their hosts.
“In Jordan, I met some of my closest friends,” Singh Rathore said. “The country’s breathtaking wonders, coupled with its people’s warmth and hospitality was an incredible experience that forged me, my hosts and the exchange students from other parts of the world into a tight-knit group.”
“I would recommend anyone to take part in an exchange year,” AlQatawneh said. “You meet amazing people and visit places you never could otherwise. I learned so much about India, what
MICHAEL BARRACLOUGH: CRICKETCOACH ANDHISTORIAN
By Hadeel Qandeel ’27 & Raya Gupta ’25
Last summer, Mr. Michael Barraclough left the rainy temperate climate of the UK to embark on a new adventure in the Jordanian desert, bringing 30 years of teaching experience with him.
Mr. Barraclough is a renaissance man—having been a history teacher, head of department, housemaster (dorm head), officer in the Royal Navy Cadets, as well as a coach for hockey, rugby and cricket. He is, in fact, a professionally qualified cricket coach and has coached both boys’ and girls’ international teams.
But Mr. Barraclough also defined himself as an observer. He enjoys trying to understand the world. And that interest translates into his discipline of choice, history.
“History fascinates me because it's the art of seeing patterns and the matrix of life. If you look at history, you see—you see people, you see events, you see things,” he said. “And a great part of history is putting those together and seeing how events here connect over there and how what this person does connects to this person, connects to this person and connects to this nation, et cetera.”
He expressed a conviction that history is indispensable because it provides humanity the opportunity to learn from its mistakes. Something that he sees in his own life with his own history.
The exchange students from King’s visit a fort in India (Kareem AbuSalah ’25)
“You should never regret the decisions you make. The only reason I'm sitting here is because of the decisions I've made,” he said. “Sometimes, you make a decision and it doesn't work out. It’s hard because it seems like a disaster, but actually it's not. It's just a learning experience.”
Mr. Barraclough is a firm believer that things happen for a reason and advises students to worry less and go with the flow.
From personal experience, he knows that university is a step along the journey of life rather than a determinant of everything to come.
He applied to a university in Birmingham to do a transport degree, but he did not get high enough grades to go. So he ended up taking a year out of school and reapplying for engineering. After a difficult year of engineering as a foundation course, he decided that he did not want to do that. So he went to study history instead. He got his degree and then pursued a masters in transportation planning while applying to the Royal Marines as an officer at the same time. He was successful in both endeavors but later changed his mind and became a teacher.
“University starts you on a path. You might change that path,” he said.
Mr. Barraclough’s path has not been straightforward or easy. His mother died when he was 18 years old; the hardest challenge he has had to overcome. But he does not exactly agree with the idea of “overcoming” something.
“People think that you can overcome stuff. You don't. You adapt,” he said. “You understand it, you accept it, the pain becomes a little less intense over time. But that doesn't mean it's gone, it's still there. It's still part of you, it's who you are. We are a collection of experiences, events, successes and failures.”
King’s Academy is now part of Mr. Barraclough’s experience. As with any new place, King’s has made him think differently and he has had to adapt.
“People's thinking is slightly different. People's cultural norms are different. But, you know, they’re teenage kids and they’re pretty similar around the world.”
He finds King’s students a bit more relaxed and rebellious than those at previous schools he has
“Having attended Pocklington Boarding School during his high school years, Mr. Barraclough understands and values boarding life. Despite the fact that he doesn’t always keep in consistent contact with his high school friends, he made some of his strongest and most long-lasting relationships at Pocklington.
“I know that if I ring them up tomorrow, and say, ‘Do you want to meet for a cup of coffee and let's have a chat?’ We'd probably sit and talk for four or five hours,” he said.
Head of School Mrs. Penny Townsend said that Mr. Barraclough stands out because of his commitment and experience with boarding life, which she sees as an integral part of King’s. She finds it easy to work with him and noted that they think alike in many ways.
“Mr. Mike is easy-going, he’s very kind and he cares deeply about the students,” Mrs. Townsend said.
“He is honestly a really helpful person with many
There is one thing that Mr. Barraclough is fond of that he might have to travel to Aqaba or the Dead Sea to enjoy—and that is water.
“I find being on the water very peaceful, even if that's sitting in a boat in a marina,” he said. “I find my best night's sleep is always when I'm on the water in a boat. And I find there's great beauty in just being afloat in water. I don't quite know why.”
MY TOP ALBUMS OF 2024
By Naya AlBadour ’27
Whether you’re into cinematic synths, heartfelt folk or even just want to expand your music taste, I recommend these albums highly.
The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift coming in top of the charts in the UK, “The Tortured Poets Department” by Taylor Swift was released on April 19, 2024. A folk-pop sound characterizes this album which has reached 2.7 billion streams on Spotify. The album runs for 65 minutes and features 16 songs plus one bonus track. The bonus track, “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone, became the most popular.
Contrary to her previous upbeat albums, this album holds a calmer melodic tone, telling the story of Taylor’s breakup with British actor Joe Alwyn. Although Taylor was deeply hurt after the breakup, the instrumentals provide an easygoing atmosphere for listeners. The music consists of warm acoustics and a slow rhythmic tempo that accommodates working environments.
I give it a solid 7/10!
Mr Barraclough’s beloved family (Michael Barraclough, Head of Upper School)
The Highlights by The Weeknd I also enjoyed “The Highlights” The R&B album was 2021. This album may music but contains some iconic songs The Weeknd his career. It has 30.51 and is 75 minutes long. songs, the most popular being “Blinding Lights”.
This album features electronic sound to give are emotional and themes like love, addiction create a balance of emotional vulnerability and conflicted personal identity. The moody instrumentals and emotional depth of the lyrics mould together to make beautiful songs that have become a symbol of R&B music.
Overall, an 8/10.
Stick Season by Noah Kahan “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan is my favorite of the three. Classified as a blend of folk and indiepop, this album was released on October 7, 2022. album has 1.2 billion features 14 tracks, the most popular song being “Stick Season.”
Kahan uses melancholic sounds to convey his heartbreak, growing up, loss and unique storytelling style and authenticity make it a worthwhile listen.
for its emotional depth, stunning blend of folk and
The moody instrumentals and the emotional depth of the lyrics mould together to make beautiful songs that have become a symbol of R&B music.
MORE THAN JUST TEACHERS— UNIQUEBONDSINTHEKACOMMUNITY
By Hadeel
Qandeel ’27, Dylan AlJaff ’27, & Banah AlLawamah ’27
At King’s Academy, teachers and students have a relationship that extends outside the classroom and past graduation.
Ms. Anais Amer ’18 attended King’s Academy as a student and was inspired by the commitment and support her teachers gave her. She then returned to provide that same guidance to new generations of King’s Academy students.
Ms. Amer, who teaches history, is not the only student to come back to King’s in a faculty position. Mr. Hamzeh Qudah ’11, Mr. Ahmed Khalayleh ’15 and Mr. Mohammad Al-Quraan ’10 have returned as well, giving back to the community that helped shape them.
Current students also express the importance of well-qualified and passionate faculty to their King’s experience.
“What makes King’s special for me is its teachers. I have had the opportunity to learn at a truly collegiate level because I have had teachers who have taught at that level. When I look back at my King’s experience, it is those teachers and classes
that I will remember,” Raya Gupta ’25 said.
King’s Academy, as a boarding school, also gives students unique access to teachers outside of school hours. Ahrin Kim ’27 remembers a time when she was struggling with a presentation for English and was able to get help from her teacher around dinnertime.
“We went to Dr Matt [Gilmore] for three sessions and he really helped us,” she recounted.
King’s Academy needs faculty who understand the difficulties of attending a boarding school and can support students outside of the classroom. Like Ms. Meghna Gandhi, who brings food to her students after late play rehearsals and lends them pots to cook for themselves.
“One of my students was having a bad day, and she texted me to ask if she could come over to my apartment and have some tea,” Ms. Gandhi said. “Another time I skipped a party to help one of my students finish her college applications. It is part of the lifestyle here.”
Students prepping for their final in Ms. Amer’s ninth grade history class (Khalid AlHabat '28)
An intense game between faculty and middle school students (Lana AbuKhader, Department of Physical and Life Sciences)
MIND & SOUL: A REVIEW OF KING’S ACADEMY ART AND MUSIC
mystery or family drama. It was a learning experience for the performers and the audience.
is about so much more than entertainment,” director Ms. Meghna Gandhi explore the social, political, provocative theater in the classroom, but it was really put it on the stage and bring a different perspective to our audience in the hope that it make them think and feel differently by the end.”
By Tareq Oweis ’27
Last fall, thrice over the span of four weeks, the lights in the auditorium dimmed and the curtains opened on the culmination of two months of rehearsal—three stunning artistic displays in theater, dance and music which collectively involved over 100 students.
The King’s Academy Fall Play 2024
On October 23rd, students performed a stunning theatrical adaptation of the award-winning book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime by Mark Haddon.
The annual Fall Play was a thrilling storytelling and acting experience that focused on the story
Christopher Boone. Played by Layan Dawani ’25, Christopher is an intelligent and logical teenager with a unique perspective.
Christopher journeys across England to reach his mother, played by Lubna Sabbagh ’27, after realizing that his father, portrayed by Isaac Jackman ’26, lied to him about her “death.” Unbeknownst to Christopher, his father was also behind the death of their neighbor’s dog.
Yet this play goes beyond being just a murder
Thirty-one student actors and tech members alongside four faculty dedicated an incredible amount of time to pulling off an amazing production. The group worked through normal co-curricular hours, into late rehearsals on Wednesday and eventually weekend rehearsals. There was even a last minute rehearsal during the entire school day prior to the first show!
“It was an amazing experience,” ensemble actor Leda O'Rourke ’27 said, “The Fall Play had a deep impact on me, and I hope that the audience felt all those Friday rehearsals and backstage bonding.“
The detective movement sequence (Ahmed Khalayleh)
Siobhan acted by Leen Al-Masri ’25 upon learning Christopher’s A-level results (Ahmed Khalayleh)
The King’s Academy Dance Concert 2024
On November 6th, the Dance Concert dazzled audiences, delivering a performance that was nothing less than extraordinary with its unique, diverse and electrifying choreography.
Thirty-five students participated in the concert, and several of them took the initiative to choreograph their own pieces.
“There were seven student choreographed pieces, and one more that heavily incorporated student choreography,” Mr. Ryuji Yamaguchi—the of the dance program at King’s—said.
Whether choreographed by students or by Yamaguchi himself, the dances had a impact on audience members.
“I was totally riveted by the performances, entranced by their beauty and emotion,” Gupta ’25 exclaimed.
students to collectively make dance works,” Mr. Yamaguchi said. “This concert was particularly strong because, in addition to contemporary dance works, we had student choreographed Dabke and a collaboration with theater students inspired by their fall play.”
Group Dabke performance (Ahmed Khalayleh, Communications and Photography)
“It was really beautiful seeing how students came together through traditional and contemporary dance, as well as how we were able to show support for Palestine through art,” Shahd Al Meqdadi ’25 said.
Almost half of the performances at the dance concert were Dabke, a traditional Levantine dance form that is important in Jordanian, Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian culture. It is often performed at celebrations and has become a part of Palestinian cultural resistance.
In the Dabke performances, the dancers glided in the air, guided by tradition and culture. The modern dance performances were like watching scenes unfold from a cinematic masterpiece.
“The strength of the King’s Academy dance program comes from the diversity of its dance students alongside the creativity of these
The King’s Academy Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble, and Digital Music Concert 2024
The final major performance took to stage on November 13th with the banging of drums and the plucking of strings. The King’s Academy Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble and Digital Music Concert of 2024 was a spectacle to both the eyes and ears.
The concert began with a guitar ensemble, showcasing the remarkable versatility of seven students, who were able to perfectly blend classical and contemporary music.
The 30 student King’s Academy Orchestra followed, composed of strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
“To play what I play, a person might need an
extra arm or two,” percussionist ’26 said.
The Orchestra performance innovation and cooperative delights such as “Hornpipe” orchestral jazz such as “Rhapsody George Gershwin
The digital music production modern twist, melding technology It showcased the creations enrolled in the digital music production classes at King’s Academy across genres including horror, romance and jazz.
“I was in awe at the talents of our young musicians!” Mr. Jeromel Dela Rosa Lara recounted. “I invited the children of my family
A stellar performance (Ahmed Khalayleh, Communications and Photography)
Dance class performance, light and shadows (Ahmed Khalayleh, Communications and Photography)
And now they're officially seniors (Aseel Al Manaseer, Communications and Photography)
(Aseel Al Manaseer, Communications and Photography)
A WORD FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM
Welcome to the first issue of The Rexonian! It has been a long time in the making, but it is finally here. When we started the project of rebooting the school newspaper, we did not realize how hard it would be. Journalism is not easy—not the logistics nor the actual writing style nor the organization—but it is worth it.
The Rexonian is an ineluctable part of our school spirit and community. It is an outlet for student expression, a medium that showcases our school pride, and a way to improve the school as a whole. A lot is going on at King’s, and there are a lot of unique voices—two elements that we wish to bring to the forefront with The Rexonian. And we will need your help to continue doing it.
Thank you to all of our writers and editors. Without you, there is no newspaper. Thank you also to our Head of Layout Shahd Al Meqdadi ’25, and Amber Playle ’26 whose creative eye has been instrumental in the production of this inaugral issue. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Mr. Jeromel and Dr. Christina, our faculty advisors, for their invaluable guidance and expertise. And most importantly, thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Editor In Chief
Adam AlQatawneh ’25
Managing Editors
Raya Gupta ’25
Basel Zurub ’25
Mohammad Al-Ahmad ’25
Heads of Arabic
Leen Darawsheh ’25
Heads of English
AmberPlayle’27
LubnaSabbagh’27
Head of Layout
Shahd Al Meqdadi ’25
Editors
Lamar Wahbeh ’27
Tareq Oweis ’27
Suhib Alhamad ’26
Jude Sulh ’26
Rofaida AbdElatty ’25
Yousuf Alwahsh ’26
Arabic Layout
Naqaa AlAnanzeh ’26
The
Issue 1 01/2025
Rexonian
King’s Academy, ManjaMadaba, Jordan