KGS Newsletter January 2016 by Kingston Grammar School

FRENCH PLAY ∙ page 8

Review of the French workshop for our Second and Third Year students

NCO NEWS∙ page 8

Four pupils have been selected for the National Children's Orchestra

NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2016 ∙ www.kgs.org.uk

OXBRIDGE SUCCESS Over 10 per cent of our Upper Sixth cohort have received an offer from either Oxford or Cambridge

e are delighted that twelve of our Upper Sixth students have secured offers from Oxbridge, with their chosen subjects ranging from Economics and Modern Languages to Egyptology & Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Human, Social & Political Sciences. It has been a successful year KGS Newsletter ∙ January 2016

for Kingston Grammar School’s Sixth Form with almost all the year group receiving at least one offer from a Russell Group university. Mr A Fitzgerald, Director of Careers and Universities, commented, “Twelve KGS students have attained places at Oxford and

Cambridge across a wide range of academic disciplines. This is a great achievement and reflects on their hard work and determination in preparing themselves well for a demanding selection process.”

Welcome

WELCOME

OUR NEWLY APPOINTED LOWER SIXTH PREFECTS 2

January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter

Comment

Happy New Year to all and welcome to the first KGS newsletter of 2016. You will have already noted that we have enjoyed almost unprecedented success with our Oxbridge entries this year. I am delighted for all those concerned, as I am for all those who applied to many other excellent universities, receiving offers including record numbers from Russell Group institutions as well as unconditional offers. KGS students are in high demand for Higher Education places! Those who did not achieve an offer from their first choice of university may well feel a little disappointed, but they should not. The aspiration was there, as was the talent and hard work, but things don’t always work out as we plan and we don’t always get what we want. Much like Christmas presents, no matter how many hints we drop, the decision of what to gift is in someone else’s hands.

huge effort. One four-course meal later (no one was ill, you’ll be pleased to hear) guided and inspired by a very talented and patient chef as mentor, I no longer feel as if cooking is something I simply cannot or do not want to do. I have moved from ‘I don’t get it’ to ‘I’d like to try it and know more’. It can be desperately hard learning a new skill but brandy and fennel seed-infused sea bream is on the menu tonight and I am wearing the apron! Attempting new challenges, allowing yourself to always be a learner, to get things wrong and to bounce back from disappointment is an essential part of living, working and being happy. That’s why whilst we celebrate our Oxbridge successes I reflect on the position of the entire Upper Sixth. Equally, as I hand out the shiny new badges to the new Lower Sixth Prefects over the next few days, I am equally proud of the positive reaction of those who are disappointed not to be selected. The same is true when it comes to any accolade, reward or celebration.

"KGS students are in high demand for Higher Education places!"

I’m not sure how it works in your family, but I believe that Mrs Lehec was trying to tell me something with the gifts she gave me this year: a magnificent book on the history, design, art and architecture of the London Underground and a voucher for a cookery course. She may have been saying that I am a geek who needs to get out more, or at least as far as the kitchen, but it may have been something far subtler. Indeed she could have been playing me at my own game of extolling the virtues of a growth mindset.

KGS Newsletter ∙ January 2016

Maybe next year I’ll get a Scalextric and a Lego Millennium Falcon! Or perhaps I’ll be on a patisserie course. I know I’ll be delighted either way. ●

The book was definitively an incentive, something I was already keen on and wanted to know more about. The beauty of Gant’s Hill and Swiss Cottage stations and the history and development of this incredible metropolitan network was juxtaposed with something I had little or no interest in or knowledge of. Simply put: ‘Cooking? I don’t get it.’ I am not a fan of ‘Bake Off’ or ‘MasterChef’ and left to my own devices I would happily eat egg on toast, beans on toast… or just toast. Is this because I have a lack of interest or because I have never been taught, inspired or, more importantly, challenged?

Stephen Lehec Head Master

So whilst my first gift took no effort to engage with and learn from, the second was something where I had no talent and had to make a

Follow Mr Lehec on Twitter @KGSHEADMASTER 3

school ALUMNIlife

ALUMNI PROFILE: DR AMY HUGHES

Dr Amy Hughes (OK 1998) has recently returned from Sierra Leone where she trained NHS professionals working with those affected by the Ebola outbreak. We spoke to her about her journey from Kingston to Freetown

s a pupil at KGS in the 90s, I loved my time as I was always involved in as much as possible. Rowing, House sports, CCF and, of course, the academic side too. I was most definitely fully engaged in everything as the opportunities were so rich and the academia integrated well with my co-curricular interests. The only thing I ruled out was Music as I’m tone deaf! I remember the small classes and the great rapport with teachers. My A Levels were Chemistry, Biology and Geography. Admittedly, Geography was a bit of an unusual choice for an aspiring medic but I really enjoyed it and I am still in contact with my Geography teacher, Mrs Sherwood. Whilst none of the subjects came easily to me, I worked hard at school and I enjoyed taking on extra responsibilities such as Senior Prefect whilst rowing for the Junior GB team. When I look back, developing the skills in time management and self-discipline, which were required to balance the academic side of school, the sport and other extracurricular activities I was involved with, was absolutely key to successfully getting into and finishing medical school. I certainly draw on those skills a huge amount now in balancing my current work strands! I’m sure subconsciously Geography did plant a bit of a seed early on for my interest for working within medicine in low resource countries and humanitarian environments. This has been a hugely fulfilling part of my career. After leaving university, I began my training towards a career in Emergency Medicine. I was particularly interested in pre-hospital care (HEMS) whereby you work as part of a paramedic/pilot/doctor trauma team delivering advanced interventions in the pre-hospital environment, stabilising the patient and transferring them to the relevant hospital. You draw on a huge number of logistical, practical, communication, decision-making and medical skills. Following the first few years of medical practice, I stepped away from hospital medicine to explore expedition medicine and I completed the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. This gave

me a much greater depth of understanding and awareness of health in different global contexts and really helped shape my future medical career. Following a spell as the medic for some remote expeditionary environments, I returned to hospital medicine for two years to continue my Emergency Medicine training. During this time I completed a European Master’s in Disaster Medicine which strengthened my drive to work within this area. In 2009, I spent 6 months working with the Royal Flying Doctors in Northern Australia and the Queensland Rescue Helicopter, delivering care to acutely unwell patients in remote parts of Northern Australia and aero-medically retrieving them back to a larger health facility. This was a fantastic experience and one which I would like to repeat in the future. On my return to the UK, I completed about 14 months with the pre-hospital country teams (Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance) before embarking on a 7-month secondment with Medecins Sans Frontieres in Northern Sri Lanka shortly after the conflict. Here, along with local staff and other MSF colleagues, we supported a hospital serving a community which had been deeply affected by the conflict. Working with the community and health colleagues, I learnt considerable amounts about delivery and access of health care in low resource environments, decision making in the context of low resources and the impact of culture, communities and logistics on health. On returning from MSF, and after a short period of re-acclimatisation back in the UK, I went back to pre-hospital work undertaking a wonderfully challenging 8-month secondment with London’s Air Ambulance HEMS team. Instead of returning to hospital medicine full time, in 2013 I embarked on a PhD at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, University of Manchester, exploring the role and training of foreign medical teams in humanitarian emergencies. My role at HCRI has expanded to include becoming a clinical lecturer in emergency response and being a core part of the UK-Med team which hosts the

UK International Emergency Trauma and Medical Registers (UKIETR/UKIEMR) – aimed at the training and support of health care workers deployed to humanitarian emergencies. Recently, UK clinicians from the UKIETR and UKIEMR have been trained and deployed to Typhoon Haiyan, the West Africa Ebola Outbreak and the recent Nepal earthquake. I am passionate about my career and have been privileged to work with some amazing communities and health care workers across the world. I have really enjoyed all angles of medicine and have, I hope, maximised my opportunities. This holistic approach to learning and life is something that I’ve definitely brought with me from KGS; its ethos of integrated learning and supporting students in all aspects of their school life has been key. So what’s next? I’d like to continue what I am doing, but perhaps I should start to think about putting down some roots and becoming slightly less nomadic… a country small-holding and pair of wellies, perhaps?

AMY HAS SINCE RECEIVED AN MBE IN THE NEW YEAR HONOURS 2016 FOR HER SERVICES TO HUMANITARIAN AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE. ●

January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter

school life

London Schools Symphony Orchestra Selection Sixth Form student Lucy Roberts performed as co-principal cellist of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican

his Christmas, I was lucky enough (and very surprised) to be selected as the coprincipal cellist of the London Schools Symphony Orchestra, AKA the LSSO. We spent eight full days and three evenings rehearsing our repertoire - Beethoven’s third Leonore overture, Brahms’ double concerto and Sibelius’ fifth symphony, first of all under our rehearsal conductor and then under Arvo Volmer, a highly regarded professional conductor from Estonia. Rehearsals were intense and exhausting, resulting in a lot of shoulder pain, and for about two weeks I seemed to spend my life on the train/tube with my cello! However, it was an incredibly rewarding and fun time - as the music got better, it became more enjoyable, and we all got to know the repertoire intimately. The concert took place on the evening of Monday 11th January and, after an afternoon rehearsal getting used to the acoustics in the Barbican, we performed our repertoire in front of an audience of hundreds of people. We started with the Beethoven, which went much better than any of the rehearsals, and was a real joy to play, then moved onto the Brahms double concerto. Both soloists were professors in the Guildhall strings department and were fantastic - playing with pros really made us up our game to match them, and they helped us with technique in the rehearsals, telling us to play ‘bonsai’ (don’t ask) and advising tone and expression. Finally, after the interval, we played the finale of the evening - Sibelius’ fifth

symphony, which contains some of the most gorgeous tunes and is a very emotional piece to play. It was a real experience to be able to play a beautiful symphony in a professional concert hall with a fantastic orchestra, and I’m so glad I had this opportunity.

and as I have never played there before, I cannot wait.

And now, rehearsals are over… well, until Sunday, when they start up again for our next concert! We’re playing at the Royal Festival Hall in February as part of a children’s festival,

Lucy Roberts, L6ALH

Overall, it was a great way to spend my Christmas break, and I’m looking forward to the next course already. ●

CU Houseparty Over the Christmas holidays a group of Fifth Year and Sixth Form students enjoyed a funfilled weekend away at the SCU Houseparty. Our venue, near Bodiam Castle, gave us the perfect opportunity to take a trip down memory lane; on the first afternoon we returned to the site of that epic First Year trip all those years ago. It had seemed a lot bigger back then – although I suppose we were much smaller – but we very much enjoyed the opportunity of recreating the Battle of Hastings for the second time in our KGS careers! As well as this outing, we also had a great time ice skating, swimming, walking and playing football – both on the Xbox and outside. Our venue was some KGS Newsletter ∙ January 2016

converted Oast Houses and they were the height of luxury and a wonderful place to relax with their own pool and sauna! The food was fantastic and we were treated to some amazing meals. Our speaker for the weekend was Rory Kinnaird, who has worked with the Christian Union in the past. It was good to have him back with us, and we enjoyed listening to some inspiring talks from the book of Philippians. Overall, we all had a brilliant weekend – and we look forward to returning next year! ● Elspeth Birchall, L6JWS

school life

WORKSHOP TAKING PLACE IN THE LOVEKYN CHAPEL

Maggini Workshops K

GS’s Music Scholars and other talented musicians enjoyed an afternoon of chamber music coaching with two members of the Maggini Quartet, David Angel and Michal Kaznowski. It is always a pleasure to be able to explore the finer detail of ensemble playing, and these workshops were a chance to look carefully at some charming works. With David Angel in the Lovekyn Chapel, Alborz Farahati, Nonny Jones and Nora Bajwa explored the sometimes extraordinary harmonies of Faure’s Sicilienne in detail, looking at the effect of posture upon ensemble and sound, as well as understanding and refining the magical ‘sound world’ created. The String Trio of Shayma Al Saraf, Emilia Hazel and Emily Sprackling focused upon the hierarchy of bowing - learning that “there is no democracy in bowing” - and, together with working on balance, giving the cello line more prominence. Enjoying the suspensions, they created a sound which had substantially more character, more light and shade. They also enjoyed thinking of the Mozart from a dancer’s viewpoint! The Piano Trio of Vivek Haria, Lucy Roberts and Mr Tierney rounded off the Lovekyn Chapel workshop, ambitiously playing the first movement of the Debussy Piano Trio with considerable attention to detail; 6

they investigated the expressive possibilities of different fingerings and bow placement, as well as the ebb and flow and sharing of melodies between the instruments. After the second workshop, Michal Kaznowski commented that the flute trio of Penny Cairney-Leeming, Zoe Mason and Juliet Gray played with excellent ensemble, and he particularly enjoyed the Brass Ensemble of Aoife Parr, Anna le Huray, William Everitt and Kevin Liu, with their bravura Handel.

We now look forward to the next Workshop Afternoon with the Maggini Quartet, on Tuesday 9th February, and the culmination of the Maggini Chamber Music Project on the evening of Friday 26th February, where the KGS Chamber Groups will share a concert with the Maggini Quartet; this is shaping up to be an excellent concert, so do put the date in your diary! ● Miss P Hyde January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter

school life

Diary Dates Christian Union dates: Junior CU Houseparty: 9th – 12th April Summer Camp (all years): 13th – 20th August Consent forms are now available.

Golf Society Spring Scramble At Hoebridge Golf Centre, Old Woking, GU22 8JH on Thursday 24th March 2016. Tee times from 10am. Teams of three, competing in three categories: Category S Each of the three players to have a current school connection – students, staff or parents (not necessarily all the same) Category FP All three players to be former pupils Category E (for eclectic) Players may in combination be any of the above, or from other schools’ societies, or guests Entries are invited from complete teams, or from individuals who will be teamed up together. First prize (Waterstone vouchers) will go to members of the best team overall, with prizes also for the winners of the other two categories. Entries close March 15th. £37.00 per head – includes bacon roll & coffee, and buffet lunch.

ARTWORK CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY IN THE BAXTER GALLERY

‘Exploded As It Left’ O n the 14th January, a new art exhibition exploded onto the walls of the Baxter Gallery!

Artists Jacob Seddon, Harry Bland and Beth Hadfield are soon to complete their final year of a Painting Degree at Wimbledon College of Art and grabbed the chance to exhibit their work in a show entitled ‘Exploded as it Left’.

unpredictable and the representational. This is the first of many thought-provoking exhibitions to occupy the Baxter Gallery in 2016 which is emerging as a popular venue for local art students in addition to showcasing the work of established artists.

The next exhibition, ‘Sad Culture’, opens to the public on Thursday 25th February. ● Miss S Christie

Please notify intentions and/or details of teams to crook.graham@btinternet.com OR mrodgers@kgs.org.uk OR makin@johnmakin.demon.co.uk

KGS Newsletter ∙ January 2016

Influenced by genres such as abstract expressionism, surrealism and street art, the paintings often break the traditional rules regarding composition and colour theory, creating an unsettling balance between the

school life

Les Trois Mousquetaires

his month we were delighted to welcome Freshwater Theatre Company for another of their splendid workshops, this time for our First and Second Year French students.

"All for one and one for all!" On Monday morning we went into the Hall to take part in a French drama workshop based upon 'The Three Musketeers'. Some of us were able to play parts, such as the King and the horse! We all joined in with shouting chorus lines to set the scene and the atmosphere. We enjoyed acting out the story and it was a really fun way to learn the story. ● Juliet Gray (1LSK), Cathlyn Boyle (1ROP) & Isabella Walsh-Whitfield (1ROP)

NCO Success Record number of students in the National Children’s Orchestra

our Junior students – Third Year Emily Sprackling on cello, Second Year Penny Cairney-Leeming on flute and First Years Anna Le Huray and William Everitt, on horn and trumpet respectively - were delighted to hear that they had been selected for a place in the National Children’s Orchestra (NCO), a very prestigious organisation with six age-banded orchestras from the ages of 7 up to 14. Although all four had been members of the NCO before – quite astonishingly this is either their 3rd or 4th year of membership - entry to the next age-banded orchestra is not in any way automatic; all students are reauditioned each autumn so they were all the more relieved to hear that they had been re-selected. Penny said she had had an anxious two-month wait for the result and Emily had been very worried that she wouldn’t get in again as next year, once she turns 14, she will be too old to apply. Imagine ‘retiring’ at the age of 14!

Aoife Parr, a current Fourth Year student, knows what it’s like to ‘retire’ from the NCO and still misses her time there but is now pursuing some other exciting musical endeavours which will undoubtedly appear in future news articles! Anna is most looking forward to playing at different venues and to discovering new places; all spring and summer holiday courses are residential, culminating in concerts in illustrious concert venues such as Colston Hall, Bristol and the Anvil, Basingstoke. Emily, as a member of the Main NCO and Anna and Penny in the U13 Orchestra, were thrilled to discover that they will also perform at the Barbican Concert Hall in December. Penny said that she couldn’t wait to see the friends she had made over the years and to find out what her orchestra was going to play. Students in the NCO naturally play at a very high standard; we were recently delighted to hear Emily had scored a very high mark in her ABRSM Grade 7 cello exam and subsequently has been invited to perform at the High Scorers’ Concert in Sunbury next month! January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter

school life Director of Music, Mr M von Freyhold, was naturally extremely proud of the four students and said: “Many congratulations to Emily, Penny, Anna and William for having been selected again to be part of the NCO. The experience of playing in such a fine ensemble, together with the numerous performance and training opportunities, is an invaluable addition to their instrumental lessons and their general music education at KGS and elsewhere.” ● Mrs T Watkins

Talking Objects, Sharing Stories L

ower Sixth students Bethany Hill and Justin Foreman are delighted to be running an afternoon of children's activities at Kingston Museum during the halfterm holidays. The forthcoming exhibition, 'Talking Objects, Sharing Stories', explores 18 migration tales from members of the borough's South Asian community who settled in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s. All the exhibits are culturally significant possessions they brought with them when they left their home countries. Bethany and Justin took inspiration from everyday items in the exhibition, as well as the more luxurious and unusual objects on show. They are looking forward to engaging and inspiring the borough's children on Thursday 18th February - good luck! ●

Mrs K Pinnock

Our Charities Team raised £6,245.67 for 12 charities in the Autumn/Winter term.

KGS Newsletter ∙ January 2016

British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) T

his year eight students made it through the qualifying round. Congratulations go to William Vine, David Buchanan, Ari Biggart, Wilhelm Johannis and Hugo Delattre for their commendation scores. Finn Harman achieved a Bronze II Award and Stefan Hales achieved a Silver Award. Sitting at the top of the tree is Alex Saoulis who has achieved a Gold Award, placing him in the top 150 students nationally.

No doubt this experience will stand Alex in good stead should he meet his offer to read Physics at Oxford. Well done to you all – you have done yourselves and the Physics Department proud! ● Mr I Deepchand

school SPORT life

"All gained valuable experience and raced well"

Quintin Head Our rowers take to the river for the first race of the year following a month of poor conditions

he senior boys’ squad made a statement of intent in the first race of 2016, finishing second in their category at the Quintin Head of the River, a time trial along half of the Boat Race course, from Hammersmith to Mortlake. The top VIII, picked from across the squad because of some injury and illness, finished behind only Bristol University in the Intermediate 3 category. They beat many university and adult club crews with a time of 13 minutes 14.4 seconds and were 24th overall of the 212 crews racing. Joe Hilty competed in his first sweep race for two years after overcoming a back problem, while Will Holman stepped up as a late substitute to perform well in the bow seat. With several of its possible members moving into the top boat, though, the boys’ 2nd VIII was unable to race.

are held – with three eights competing. All gained valuable experience and raced well despite not having been on the water for the last month because of poor river conditions caused by the recent heavy rain. The KGS senior girls’ squad were unable to compete because the organisers limited the types of boat allowed to enter. However, recent OK Isobel Dodds raced in the Oxford University second eight that finished second in the Women’s Senior event. The boat club competes regularly this term, with the main goal the Schools’ Head of the River, between Mortlake and Putney, on Thursday 17th March. ● Mr MW Gough

The Under-15 squad got their first taste of the Tideway – the stretch of the Thames below Teddington on which many of the major races 10

January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter

school life sport

1st XI Boys’ Hockey Tour O

ver the Christmas holidays, the KGS boys’ 1st XI hockey team spent three days in the Devon and Somerset region on tour. After a training session in the morning, we travelled to our first match, against Taunton Vale Men’s Hockey Club. Playing on a cold evening, after a three-hour coach journey and a bucketful of KFC, we were delighted with a 6-1 victory. The music blasted out of the minibus all the way to Exeter where we stayed overnight, and the team was in good spirits heading into our second, and hardest, match against Exeter University. It was here that we lost our unbeaten record for the season, losing 5-1, although this was respectable as we were playing one of the best university teams in the

country, which contained many players with international experience. A swim, shower and sauna were available at our next hotel in Bournemouth and this was much needed after the strenuous activity of the previous couple of days. With a much-depleted, through injury and illness, and tired team, we struggled to a 3-2 victory over Canford School in our final match before returning to Kingston. The tour stands us in good stead for the Schools’ National Cup which commences in February and the team is thankful to Mr Williamson and Mr Bartram for giving up some of their holiday.● Ben Park, L6JMD

Social Media Morning

t 9am on Tuesday 26th January, the First Year gathered in the theatre for not a regular assembly, but a two-period-long ‘social media morning’. Despite the name, we weren't going to be spending a blissful few hours on Instagram, but rather learning how to be safe on it. And that was something that all of us could stand learning. Firstly, we were given a talk (aided by some interesting - all right, very funny video clips and slideshows) by Mrs Williams and Mr Forsyth, explaining the biggest problems of social media and how we can prevent them. During second period, though, we split up into some smaller groups to discuss the pros and cons of the ‘computer in your pocket’, also learning how to enable multiple ingenious security measures on different kinds of social media. I am happy to announce that from now on, my phone is invincible! Overall, I found our morning fun, interesting and educational. And I can now rest in peace knowing that, yep, it turns out that there is a way to disable Instagram from stalking me…● Carmen Gessell, 1LK

THE 1ST XI BOYS IN ACTION

Higgins Youth Hockey Awards E

llie De Heer won the Hockey Writers’ U16 Player of the Year award sponsored by Higgins. This is a prestigious award which is voted on by hockey journalists who watch the Futures Cup and junior international matches. Congratulations must also go to Lottie Ross who came second to Ellie in the U16 category and to Holly Munro who came second in the U18 category. All three players are part of the National Age Group Programme and have a large number of Junior International caps between them. ● Mrs N Maclean

KGS Newsletter ∙ January 2016

school life

Diary of a Rower Upper Sixth student Miles Seabrook writes about his week of training as a Kingston Grammar School rower

onday training starts at lunchtime, with a session we like to call Rowga. These are yoga-inspired stretches with emphasis on flexibility and core strength, targeting the muscles we use most, which is all tied to good posture under pressure in the boat and trying to reduce the occurrence of injuries. That evening we’ll do a body circuit, normally for around 45 minutes to an hour. Normally we would be on the water but recently we haven’t been able to because of bad weather causing the river to run too fast. Luckily we try to bring the same intensity to the circuits as we would a water session, one good example being a circuit we did at Ditton Field gym where as soon as it finished we all dropped to the floor unable to stand any longer, thanks to some well-placed squats by the coaches. Tuesday starts early, as we get in to school for 7am in order to do the first ergo of the week. Last week was 10x500m step rate, rate being how many strokes are taken a minute. The aim of this ergo was for the intensity to increase as the rate goes up, allowing us the chance to set in good technique then test it under increased pressure. In the evening it’s weights. We’ve now moved onto the strength phase, after a term of working on improving technique and "hypertrophy" (building muscle capacity). This means high weights but only a few repetitions, with people squatting over 1.5x their body weight. Wednesday games sessions tends to be when we do our longer distance water session of the school week. Typically we will do 14km, which is from Hampton Court to Teddington and back. This will normally contain some technical work, emphasising efficiency at the start of the stroke, but we will also mix in some hard physical work and pieces such as 2x15 minutes at rate 26/28. In the longer term, we will gradually increase the rate over the course of the year, looking to hit 34 efficiently by Easter, as this will be the minimum that we race at during the sprint season. Thursday is time for more weights after school, using different lifts to target various muscle groups. For example, instead of squats, we will do deadlifts and here the weights will be even greater. This is all to further increase our strength and power, allowing us to produce more boat speed and benefit. Friday is another early start, again getting in for 7am. Although it’s a tough end to the school week, an ergo such as the 2x3km at rate 12

A BUSY SCENE AT THE KGS BOATHOUSE 26 with just 5 minutes’ rest between the two really wakes you up in the morning. This is to keep preparing us both physically and mentally for the 5km test at the end of the month, which we’re all so looking forward to.

us to practise our endurance for events such as Quintin.

Saturday we get down to the boathouse at 7:30am for a double water session. This will typically consist of the first session being a distance session where we will try to do at least 14km, like on a Wednesday, but with more of a technical focus. Then it’s time for toasties, which are possibly the highlight of the morning. Finally it’s time for the last session of the week which is a work session. Although last weekend was Quintin Head, which is a high intensity time trial-style race on the Tideway around Putney, normally we would do pieces such as 2x15 minutes at rate 28, in order for

Miles Seabrook, U6PJR

Sunday is a rare day off before the whole cycle begins again the next day. ●

Upcoming Boys’ Hockey Competitions In the coming weeks we have the Boys' Hockey London Cup competition at U14 level as well as the U18 National Cup Competition. The 1st XI boys remain unbeaten to school sides so hopes are high! They have drawn Peter Symonds College in their first round. On Wednesday 27th January the U16 Boys came runners up to Whitgift School in the U16 London Finals. ● January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter

school life

BOOK REVIEW

CADET TRAINING CONTINUES

CCF UPDATE T

he Army section is concentrating on developing their field craft, navigation and first aid skills and the RAF section has been turning its attention to the annual Air Squadron Trophy at RAF Halton on Sunday 31st January 2016 where they will be competing against the top CCFs in the London area.

lone on a Wide Wide Sea tells the story of Arthur, a British boy orphaned during the Second World War, who is separated from his sister Kitty and sent to Australia. This sad story follows Arthur’s difficult time on the other side of the world working in brutal conditions on Piggy Bacon’s farm and his subsequent escape and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The book is well written and Arthur’s story is compelling, as is that of his daughter, Allie, who narrates the second half of the book and details her long journey as she sails to Britain to find her long-lost Aunt Kitty. I would highly recommend this book to those looking for an exciting storyline and to those keen to discover more about what might have happened to one of the 7,000 to 11,000 British children sent to Australia between 1947 and 1967. ● Dr K Kennedy

Alone on a Wide Wide Sea by Michael Morpurgo

The competition is designed to test the RAF cadets on all aspects of their syllabus, including activities such as Drill and Turnout, Command and Control, Teamwork, Physical Fitness, RAF Knowledge and Principles of Flight, to name but a few. Should the team achieve a top three placing, they will then be invited to compete in the national competition with the title of best RAF Section in Britain at stake. The KGS CCF RAF Section Team is: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Sgt Pugh Sgt Cutts Cpl Cole Cpl Phillips Cdt Jones Cdt Humphrey Cdt King Cdt Jones Cdt Hedley Cdt Paterson Cdt Samama Cdt Elley Cdt Polemsky Cdt Bajwa

"Good luck to all those taking part in the annual Air Squadron Trophy"

BOOK CLUB

Good luck to all those taking part. The CCF are always on the lookout for new staff both from within our existing staff and indeed any parents or friends of KGS who might have a keen interest in assisting with our training. Should you be keen to find out more about what would be involved in helping out with CCF, please contact either Mr Gardner, the School Staff Instructor for the CCF, or alternatively, Mr Beggs, Contingent Commander. ●

Trinity Book Club meets every Monday at Break in the Fenwick Library. All welcome. Don’t forget the deadline for the student competition is February 5th. Entries to Mrs Cleaves. ●

Mr A Beggs

KGS Newsletter ∙ January 2016

school life

Welcome Home, Captain Fox! T

hird Year pupil Rory Stroud is going to be on the London stage in February performing in a brand new comedy, 'Welcome Home, Captain Fox!' The play is based in the 1950s and is about a man who has lost his memory and is trying to find his family. Although the play is set on the East Coast of America, Rory's character, a 10-year-old boy known as 'Mr Madensale', is from California and he appears in the second half. A quick-witted character who is mature for his age, he has an important role in the way the plot develops through to the end. Rory says, "Rehearsals are mainly after school, at the weekend and during half term. I share the role with two other boys and the whole cast has a voice coach to help us with our American accents. Now that I have learnt my lines the rehearsals are really good fun. I enjoy getting to know the other actors and the production team as they are all friendly and talented. I was thrilled as I like the character and was excited to not only play him but also to be part of the cast at the Donmar Warehouse theatre. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity." ● Mrs N Man

From the Archives

was delighted to receive copies of these wonderful photographs from Tim Everson, son of Robert Everson who attended the School between 1927 and 1932. Mr Everson Senior passed his General School Certificate with a distinction in French in 1932. After KGS he studied German in evening classes and became fluent in that too. At the beginning of World War II he was in the Army Service Corps, but from 1942 he was in the Intelligence Corps, using his language skills to question German prisoners of war. The photos date from about 1930 and are rare amongst our collection in that they show quite relaxed, informal poses. They are also unique in that most of the names are recorded. ● Mrs J Halford, Archivist

JESS, DAISY AND FREYA WITH CLIVE, DOCTOR OF ZOOLOGY, WITH HIS BOOK ON HUMAN NATURE

Wingham Court Care Home E

very Wednesday a group of four Lower Sixth students attend Wingham Court Care Home in Claygate to read to residents with brain injuries. This volunteering project allows us to give companionship to people who are often isolated.

with this great opportunity - residents and staff alike. We look forward to the rest of the year! ● Daisy Parker, Jess Murray, Freya Kille and Nicole George, all Lower Sixth

By reading to the residents we are able to develop mutually rewarding relationships and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped to provide us 14

January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter

KGS Friends

school life

Entrepreneurial Evening Thursday 10th March KGS Theatre, 6.30pm

KGS is proud of the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship that thrives within its student and alumni bodies. To celebrate this long tradition, KGS Friends is holding a special evening for established, budding and prospective entrepreneurs on 10th March. Join us to learn the secrets of success, share ideas and make useful contacts. We are delighted to have formal presentations from OKs Sophie Cornish, The Founder and Director of notonthehighstreet.com, Peter Harris, who brought us Hotel Chocolat, Alexander McLean, founder of the charity African Prisons Project, and Richard Dawes, whose PR company DawBell represents just about anyone who is anyone. The panel will be chaired by business and management guru Jez Cartwright, after which guests will have the opportunity to chat to a wide range of entrepreneurs with a huge galaxy of experience over drinks and nibbles. Welcome drinks from 6.45pm in the QEII Building. Tickets are ÂŁ5 and are available to Alumni, Sixth Form pupils and parents. Please visit the following link to book - http://tiny.cc/EntrepreneurialEve

KGS Newsletter â&#x2C6;&#x2122; January 2016

school life

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CADET TRAINING CONTINUES

CCF UPDATE The cadets have returned with vigour from their Christmas holidays and have begun their next phase in their cadet training

he Army section concentrating on developing their field craft, navigation and first aid skills and the RAF section turning its attention to the annual Air Squadron Trophy at RAF Halton on Sunday 31st January 2016 where they will be competing against the top CCFs in the London area. The competition is designed to test the RAF cadets on all aspects of their syllabus, including activities such as Drill and Turnout, Command and Control, Teamwork, Physical Fitness, RAF Knowledge and Principles of Flight, to name but a few. Should the team achieve a top three placing, they will then be invited to compete in the national competition with the title of best RAF Section in Britain at stake. The KGS CCF RAF Section Team is: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 16

Sgt Pugh Sgt Cutts Cpl Cole Cpl Phillips Cdt Jones

6. Cdt Humphrey 7. Cdt King 8. Cdt Jones 9. Cdt Hedley 10. Cdt Paterson 11. Cdt Samama 12. Cdt Elley 13. Cdt Polemsky 14. Cdt Bajwa Good luck to all those taking part. The CCF are always on the lookout for new staff both from within our existing staff and indeed any parents or friends of KGS who might have a keen interest to assist with our training. Should you be keen to find out more about what would be involved in helping out with CCF, please contact either Mr Gardner, the School Staff Instructor for the CCF, or alternatively, Mr Beggs, Contingent Commander. ● Mr A Beggs

January 2016 ∙ KGS Newsletter