4 minute read
The Executive Committee
THE OLD KINGSWOODIAN ASSOCIATION
The objectives of the Old Kingswoodian Association are to provide opportunities for former students and staff to meet and keep in contact with each other.
As an Old Kingswoodian your membership is for life and we hope that you keep in touch from the day you leave school.
We love to hear your news and please come back and visit, just let us know in advance so that we can welcome you.
We have an Executive Committee who are a small team of volunteers who meet regularly to discuss how to continue to develop relationships between yourselves and the School.
THE COMMITTEE FOR 2021 TO 2022 IS; • President – Andrew Gordon-Brown • Chairwoman – Kirsty Allen (KS 1979-87) • Treasurer – Theo Gammie (KS 2011-18) • Rosie Wakefield (KS 2008-15) • Natasha Brand (KS 2003-10) • Edgar Mottershead-Davies (KS 2014-21) • Tim Lindsay (KS 1969-74) is our
Representative on the Governing Board.
Day to day running of the Old Kingswoodian Association is done by Michele Greene, Alumni and Community Manager, who is a former parent. Please contact her at mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk or 01225 734283
OldKingswoodianAssociation
Andrew Gordon-Brown Kirsty Allen
Theo Gammie Rosie Wakefield Natasha Brand
A GAP YEAR WITH A DIFFERENCE
ED VICKERY My plan upon leaving Kingswood was always to have a gap year, however it has not quite been how I imagined it to go….
Coaching cricket in the Australian sun whilst everyone else braved the English Winter sounded like the perfect gap year to me, however due to Covid the plan was scuppered.
I returned to Kingswood but this time as a member of staff and I really had no idea of what to expect from working as a Development and Alumni Assistant. The first few weeks were extremely busy just like any part of school starting a new year. But with the help of Michele and Graham I quickly settled in and got down to work ahead of a very busy first term. A key part of the job in the first term was helping Michele with our brand new database/website Toucan Tech. We had to build the platform almost entirely from scratch and it was equally challenging and rewarding. We also travelled across the country holding Old Kingswoodian events, such as the Edinburgh Dinner and the London 20’s and 30’s. The events are really enjoyable and I recommend everyone attends Old Kingswoodian Events if they can!
As well as being busy in the office, I have also had the pleasure of helping out with both prep and senior sport in the afternoons. In the rugby term I took the U14C team which I must say are by far the best ‘C’ team I have ever seen. And in the hockey term I helped Mr Reeman with the U14A team.
When my time at Kingswood comes to an end in April I plan to travel to South East Asia with 2 of my mates for 3 months, with hopefully a whole lot of cricket and sun for when I return in August. In September I will be travelling up north to watch my beloved Newcastle United week in week out along with reading Business and Geography at Newcastle University.
I am extremely grateful to Michele and Graham over the past 2 terms for allowing me to work as their gapper. Each day brought a new challenge which I have thoroughly enjoyed.
CHAPLAIN’S WELCOME
REV KATY THOMAS – KINGSWOOD CHAPLAIN ‘Born in song! God’s people have always been singing.’ I wonder if you ever sang those hymn words by Brian Hoare in the School Chapel? It is such an appropriate hymn for Methodists, and I am very pleased to say that singing can once again be heard in Chapel.
I enjoyed some Chapel services at the start of my first term, but we soon had to return to online worship with services held on Teams (like Zoom), leading whilst sat at my office desk. We always listened to a piece of music, but it is never the same as being able to sing together as a community. We were however able to sing outside for the Remembrance Day Service where all the year groups were stood below the Chapel. It was the most moving occasion hearing all the names read out on the Roll of Honour as crosses were placed in the ground.
We had hoped to all be at the newly reopened Abbey for Christmas but with Covid numbers on the rise in Bath we were only able to take Year 13, readers, and the Choir. The service was live streamed from the Abbey into classrooms, and I’m told that some competitive carol singing
was heard along the corridors of the Ferens!
Now we are almost ‘back to normal’ where each Year group from Year 7-13 has at least one morning service in Chapel a week in addition to a fortnightly Friday morning service. It has taken a bit of time to get back to full voice after such a long break but the incredible Organ music of Mr Knights and the strong voices of staff at the back are giving the needed encouragement. We will soon be raising the roof once again!
It has been lovely to read how special music was in your experience of the Chapel. As Kingswood community sings, it lifts the heart and soul.
Psalm 95:2-3
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Colossians 3:16
‘…with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.’
