275 Newsletter February 2023

Celebrating together in our 275 anniversary year

WELCOME

I hope you will enjoy reading this month’s edition of the 275 Newsletter, particularly the review of Shakespeare’s timeless classic, The Merchant of Venice. The play was performed here at Kingswood in 1898 and is the focus of our “Kingswood In 12 Objects” feature. Drama has always held an important place at Kingswood and will undoubtedly continue to do so for the next 275 years and beyond!

As the Deputy Head Academic of Kingswood Senior School, I have the privilege of designing a curriculum, together with our fantastic teachers and Heads of Department, that develops our pupils into lifelong learners and prepares them for life beyond Kingswood.

My family (Tom and our two boys, both at the Prep School) and I were fortunate to join the Kingswood community this September. However, before becoming a teacher, I spent several years in research and completed a PhD in Physical Chemistry before undertaking post-doctoral research in the USA. These experiences drive me to always think about ways in which we can broaden our pupils’ horizons and aspirations by giving them lots of

opportunities for interdisciplinary and exciting learning, while also ensuring they gain the qualifications to match. Just this term, we introduced our Upper Sixth enrichment program with courses ranging from ‘International Relations’ to ‘Aspects of Pharmacology,’ and the vast range of supra-curricular activities on offer will certainly cater to all our young enquiring minds.

Part of my job also involves observing lessons and talking to pupils about their learning experiences. I am always excited by the range and quality of the learning they receive. Recently, I shadowed some Year 9 pupils for the day and saw a heart dissection, learned some Shakespeare poetry, applied compound interest laws to a mortgage calculation in Maths, had a conversation

in German, designed a rocket car, and composed a piano trio - all in one day!

As a Chemistry and Physics teacher, I am always particularly excited when I get to observe other subjects, and Drama lessons are one of my favourites. A subject that enhances creativity, develops communication, and improves confidence and self-esteem is central to what a Kingswood education is about, so it’s no surprise that Drama has been a core part of our provision here for over 200 years. Those of you who were lucky enough to see the recent production of Little Shop of Horrors will have seen how passionate and creative our pupils are, both behind and on the stage.

Dr Rachel McIlwaine Deputy Head Academic

A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS

WE LOOK FORWARD TO ENJOYING AN EXCITING LINE-UP OF EVENTS FOR OUR 275 ANNIVERSARY YEAR.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

APRIL

WEDNESDAY 19 APRIL

• London Business Networking Event

• East India Club – 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Everyone welcome

Please contact Michele Greene to book your free place: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

TUESDAY 25 APRIL

• Dr Rebecca Torrance Jenkins

Dr Rebecca Torrance Jenkins, Head of Preparatory Science at KPS, spent a decade working in the field of educational neuroscience, using science to explain what makes a great teacher so great. Her work across all ages, and in both the independent and state sector, has seen her link theory and practice; testing laboratory findings in real classrooms to improve learning outcomes. Dr TJ will be sharing her top takeaways and guidance for parents. This lecture will be streamed live, details to follow.

MAY

WEDNESDAY 10 MAY

• Hong Kong Reception – Evening

SATURDAY 13 MAY

• Tokyo Reception – Evening

Please contact Graham Papenfus to join either of these international reception events: gpapenfus@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

TUESDAY 23 MAY

• Sophie Montagne –Polar Performance Ice Maidens Expedition

Sophie is a former journalist and luxury

2023

marketer who took on the Ice Maidens challenge, despite her fear of the cold and aversion to physical activity. She underwent intense training and overcame personal obstacles, eventually being selected for the final team. The experience was transformative, giving her confidence and a new perspective on her abilities.

In her talk, she will share her journey and the lessons she learned from participating in the Ice Maidens challenge. Click here to find out more.

JUNE

FRIDAY 9 JUNE

• 275 Community Golf Day

• Cumberwell Golf Club

Everyone welcome

Please contact Michele Greene if you are interested in playing either on your own or in your own fourball: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

THURSDAY 15 JUNE

• Nairobi Reception – Details TBC

FRIDAY 23 JUNE

• 275 Community Supper

Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a lovely supper cooked by our School Chefs in the School Dining Hall – guests welcome. Please contact Michele Greene: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

£15 per person

SATURDAY 24 JUNE

• 275 Celebration Day – Details TBC

Open to Old Kingswoodians

An opportunity to return to School for Class Reunions, a Chapel Service and School lunch. Please contact Michele Greene for further details or to book: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

SEPTEMBER

• The Modern Maverick, Ed Haddon – Details TBC

KINGSWOOD 275 CAMPAIGNTRANSFORMATIONAL BURSARIES

Kingswood’s vision is to ‘transform lives through the power of a holistic education where children grow in body, mind and spirit within a diverse and inclusive community’. A key focus for the Kingswood 275 Campaign is about enriching the whole Sixth Form experience while offering transformational opportunities to pupils whose parents can pay full, partial or no school fees at all.

Historically, the fees of sons of Methodist Ministers were met by the Methodist Church but as sons of laymen were admitted, financial help fell increasingly onto the School’s shoulders. A small Methodist Bursary Fund continues to provide some bursarial funding but as we look to grow our transformational bursary fund, we are asking the wider Kingswood Community to join our existing donors who are generously funding 10 transformational bursaries.

We are accredited with The Royal National Children’s Springboard Foundation who are helping to drive social mobility by broadening access to life-changing opportunities. Very generous support from the Baines family saw the first ‘Springboarder’ join us last year and the second this year. We are also very grateful to the Quadstar Foundation for their 50% funding this year for three boarding pupils and a further two joining us next year. Nick Butcher from the Quadstar Foundation shared their mission of ‘supporting educational opportunities for individually talented pupils with Sixth Form bursaries covering not only tuition but also books, uniforms, laptops and school trips’.

We launched our ‘10 for 1 Bursary Fund’ in 2018 where 20 regular monthly donors are fully funding two pupils (one of an Old Kingswoodian) from Year 7.

Old Kingswoodian Tony Deyes said that ‘his contribution to the 10 for 1 Bursary Fund was an opportunity to share with others the responsibility for ensuring that current and future generations at Kingswood continue to enjoy the excellent broad educational experience’. The Old Kingswoodian parent of the second 10 for 1 Bursary Fund said that ‘her son has a greater sense of purpose and determination to succeed, knowing that other families were committed to his future through the bursary’.

Through the generosity of Old Kingswoodian David Ensor, we look forward to welcoming a daughter of a Methodist Minister (also an OK) into the Sixth Form next year.

We are also very grateful to three Old Kingswoodian 1994 leavers who are part-funding a transformational bursary. Simon Allison shared that ‘looking back at his years at Kingswood he could see more clearly now the quality of education, the opportunities it afforded and the

the opportunity to give something back’.

Our immediate target is to match fund the five Quadstar pupils at £17,500pa each – a total of £87,500, or £14,000 per pupil per year plus Gift Aid.

If you are interested in finding out more or are able to support the transformational bursary fund, please drop me a line at gpapenfus@ kingswood.bath.sch.uk or 01225 734399.

Thank you

Graham Papenfus, F.IDPE CFRE Development Director

benefits of living in such a nurturing environment and

LEARNING & CREATIVITY AT KINGSWOOD

We support and guide independence and hope to prompt our pupils into adopting a sophisticated and creative mindset as they embark upon their literary journey. The Kingswood English department is comprised of staff who are passionate about their subject and hope to instil a lifelong love of language and literature.

Creative writing is an important part of the English curriculum. It allows pupils to develop and express their thoughts and ideas in a unique and imaginative way. Through creative writing, pupils can hone their writing skills and enhance their ability to think critically and creatively. It also provides a platform for pupils to

explore different perspectives and develop empathy, as well as fostering their understanding of the power of language. Creative writing is essential in the Senior School as it helps our pupils become confident and effective communicators, which is crucial in all aspects of their personal and professional lives.

275 CREATIVE WRITING ANTHOLOGY AN ANTHOLOGY COMMEMORATING 275 YEARS

The English department is marking the 275 anniversary with a bumper creative writing anthology that is sure to inspire and captivate.

Pupils were challenged to craft a piece of fiction that incorporated the number 275. From tales of fear, love, mystery, power, loss, and hope, the submissions showcased the wealth of imagination and great talent within the pupil body.

The love for creative writing extends across the years, with many aspiring young writers from Year 7 submitting creative pieces. It bodes very well for the future of creative writing at Kingswood!

the anthology is shaping up to be an unforgettable keepsake.”

With 30 chosen stories set to be published in the summer, the anthology is shaping up to be an unforgettable keepsake.

During this month, a new competition will begin, this time with a focus on poetry and the theme of “Memory.”

There is also an opportunity for pupils to send in their artwork to be featured within the anthology, making it a truly multi-dimensional celebration of creativity. Get ready to take a journey through the thoughts, emotions and memories of Kingswood’s pupils as we commemorate our 275 years of excellence! To find out more, email: cchua@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

“Write about what really interests you, whether it is real things or imaginary things, and nothing else.” C.S. Lewis

A HISTORY OF KINGSWOOD IN 12 OBJECTS

This month, as we delve into the rich legacy of Kingswood, we reflect on its history through 12 objects. Our focus turns to Drama, as we shine a spotlight on the performance of “Merchant of Venice,” which celebrated 150 years of academic excellence at Kingswood.

OBJECT TWO

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE PROGRAMME

To celebrate 150 years of academic excellence, the school marked the opening of the Jubilee Commemorative Week in 1898 with a grand performance of Shakespeare’s timeless classic, The Merchant of Venice.

The entire school gathered in the Dining Hall to witness this once-ina-lifetime theatrical extravaganza, commemorating a milestone in the school’s rich history.

The Kingswood Magazine in 1898 records that:

“… for many years the Literary Association has with but few intermissions, given an annual entertainment; usually it has been given in the Reading Room (the Art Centre, today) with very homely embellishments, and nothing beyond adaptations of every-day dress: this year has been marked as befits a Jubilee Year, with startling progress. The rather fragmentary selections of former attempts gave place to a connected whole, the entire school was permitted to see the result of our Literary ambitions, and adequate attire was provided for the full appreciation of time and place. We may say and very truly-that in this the Literary Association has made a big ‘hit’ ...”

On the evening of Monday June 20, the stage at the northern end of the Dining Hall was buzzing with excitement as tea was served at 5.00pm, followed by the highly anticipated performance at 6.00pm. This school enterprise was no ordinary play, as it reached stunning heights of grandeur, featuring an impressive cast of four masters in key roles and women, who were a rare sight on the Kingswood stage until the 1960s, taking the lead female parts. The event was elevated even further with a small orchestra providing a magnificent overture and entr’actes.

Click here to view our image gallery of 275 years of drama and learning at Kingswood.

Do you have fond memories of your time at Kingswood that you would like to share with the community? If so, we would like to hear from you.

We would very much like to include some of your most treasured moments from your time at Kingswood. Whether it was a particular event, a memorable teacher, or a group of friends that made a lasting impact on you, we want to know about it! Simply send an email to marketing@kingswood.bath.sch.uk with your memory, keeping them to a maximum of 150 words. You could see your memory in the next edition.

Zoë Parsons, Archivist

The Government Inspector,

Noah, 1950