The King’s School Co-Curricular Program
Chess
Chess Club
There are a number of opportunities for keen chess players across different levels.
1. Social games are held twice a week both in the morning before school and during lunch with coaching available at one session. This is open to all students in Years 7-12.
2. NSW Junior Chess League is a competition against other schools that runs on Friday afternoons in Terms 2 and 3. Students are transported to and from the School for away games.
3. The Chessmania Competition is an internal competition open to all students to crown the School Champion.
4. The best nine players in the School represent King’s in the annual GPS Chess Championships held as a single day tournament.
5. An Annual House competition is held to award the Champion Crown Chess House at The King’s School.
Reading and Writing
Reading Club
The Reading Club aims to provide a welcoming and dynamic social environment that empowers students to nourish their love for reading, to give them opportunities to explore and expand their personal literary experience by participating in discussions and activities with like-minded individuals. The Reading Club is open to all Senior School students. Members connect with likeminded readers, share their favourite books and authors, chat and debate about different literary
genres, watch latest book-trailers, participate in book challenges, and discuss the pros and cons of titles on different award short-lists. The CBCA and KOALA - major Australian young adult book awards are closely followed. Literary events like Roald Dahl Day, Australian Reading Hour, Library Lover’s Day, CBCA Book Week, and more are celebrated with engaging activities, innovative competitions, excursions, inter-school reader forums and weekly delicious treats.
Writing Club
If you are interested in creative writing, come along to the Writing Club, open to all in Years 7-12. In Week A, we have a structured lesson where members learn about the craft of creative writing. In Week B, members ‘free write’. Students work on their own writing project, with the teacher librarian ready to provide advice.
Educational Support
Homework Club
The Handwriting Club is for students requiring assistance with prep, assignment tasks, organisational and effective study skills, as well as general examination techniques. All sessions are supervised by the The King’s School staff to offer personalised support as required.
Handwriting Club
The Handwriting Club is for students who need some extra tuition in handwriting script. Early morning classes allow for intensive teaching and practice of this skill. Classes are small in number and available for Years 7-12.
The overall aim is to increase literacy skills and a knowledge of the English language. With a committed approach, these improved skills will assist students in all academic subjects and life beyond King’s. It will be open to invited students in Years 8-10 only.
Academic Extension Clubs
Multi-Sensory Language Classes Mary Burns Philosophical Society
An intellectual society for approximately 12 invited students from Years 7-8 in which a wide range of topics will be considered within a philosophical inquiry model. The aim is to open up the minds of members, whilst enjoying the social nature of the group. Boys will be introduced to the skills of conducting discussions about philosophical and ethical concepts and attend events such as the Ethics Olympiad.
Year 9-10 Student Colloquium
The Student Colloquium attempts to foster leadership and an enriched mind through discussion and debate for approximately 12 invited students from Years 9 and 10. A keen interest in the world around them and the desire to actively participate in conversation, taking intellectual risks and challenging assumptions is imperative for members of this club.
Senior Academic Clubs
These clubs are only available for invited students in Years 11 and 12, with students expressing an interest in joining these clubs at the start of Year 10. A selection process then occurs in Term 4 of Year 10 based on academic results and effort ratings along with other character and leadership criteria and students are invited to attend the following year. There are always a mixture of Year 11 and 12 students and discussions are based on current issues, historical perspectives, philosophy or various topics of esoteric interest.
The Twelve Club founded by Mr TW Cuff in 1950 and named after the original twelve members. This is led by the Headmaster.
Scipionic Club founded by Mr RI West in 1968, with the name originating from a group of Roman intellectuals of the second century BC. This is led by the School Chaplain.
Cartesian Club founded in 1966 by Mr JW de B Persse and takes its name from the French mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes. This is run by the Deputy Headmaster.
Tom Barrett Society founded in 1990 by Mr PJ Yeend and is named after Tom Barrett, a convict who arrived on the First Fleet in 1788. This is led by the Deputy Head (Character Development) of the Senior School.
The Faraday Club founded in 1950 to foster interest in matters scientific, the Faraday Club went into abeyance in 1972. Student interest has seen this Club revitalised under the patronage of the Director of Character Development and Leadership.
Academic Extension Opportunities
There are a number of events throughout the year such as Individual Learning Projects, Model UN, da Vinci Decathlon, Ethics Olympiad and external competitions, events and camps to which students can be invited or where they apply throughout the year.
Individual Learning Projects
The Independent Learning Projects (ILP) is a way of facilitating students’ passions and interests outside of the classroom and school. It is designed for students who are performing well in their current studies and who are already spending time outside of school on endeavours that could potentially link to an academic area of study, external competition or could be used for an application to a competition or grant.
These programs are academically challenging and require students to work independently on their chosen project over a long period of time. As there is a limit to amount of facilitation that can be offered, entry into this project is based on student applications.
Da Vinci Decathlon
The da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition held at Knox Grammar School, where hundreds of teams from local and regional schools work collaboratively competing in tasks which focus on a particular theme. The da Vinci Decathlon celebrates students’ academic abilities with a challenging and stimulating competition featuring 10 activities throughout the day, in the spirit of an Olympic Decathlon.
The da Vinci Decathlon is open to high ability students from Years 7-11. The School enters one team of eight students per year group (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) into the competition.
Model United Nations
We invite UN Youth NSW to come and provide a day of learning along with facilitating an internal debate amongst 30 of our students. This provides exposure to the rules and nuances of the competition and from this day we select our representatives to attend the annual, two-day weekend competitions. This event is part of an International Rotary project to educate senior high school students (Years 9 - 12) on the United Nations organisation and its vital commitment to world peace, in addition to health, education and living standards around the world. The event provides an excellent forum for students to develop and practice their public speaking skills, whilst debating on topical world issues and researching and representing a particular country. We enter teams of three students Years 10-12 in these events.
GATEway 8
GATEway 8 is an academic competition held at Macarthur Anglican School where over 40 teams from local and regional schools work collaboratively, competing in tasks focusing on a particular theme. GATEway 8 offers a challenging and stimulating competition featuring 8 activities throughout the day, inspired by the Olympic Octathlon.
GATEway 8 is open to high ability students from Years 7-10. We enter one team of eight students per year group (7, 8, 9, 10) into the competition.
External Competitions/ Events/Camps
There are a number of competitions for students to be involved in throughout the year that are organised by the School.
Competitions such as ICAS, Science Olympiads, various Mathematics competitions including Olympiads, Informatics Olympiad, Geography Olympiad, National History Competition are all offered by the School. There are also a number of other competitions that we encourage students to pursue independently with a comprehensive list across a variety of domains made available to students.
Attendance of The King’s School students at a variety of external events and competitions on weekends and holidays is encouraged and supported. The School participates in The National Youth Science Forum, The Young Entrepreneurs Program, UN Youth State Camp, The National Invention Convention.
Ethics Olympiad
The Ethics Olympiad promotes respectful, creative and rigorous discussion of ethics among students within and across school communities. Students compete against other school teams to solve a difficult problem whilst impressing the judges with thoughtful analysis, reasoning, logic, and coherent communication of ideas. Students work in teams of five to compete in a series of three Ethics Olympiad rounds. The scoring criteria rewards clear, concise, and respectful discourse around interesting ethical cases.
Ethics Olympiad is open to high ability students from Years 7-12. We enter two junior and two senior teams of five students per grouping (Junior, 7-9 and Senior, 10-12) into the competition.
Christian Community
Junior And Senior CRU Groups
As part of our Christian Community at King’s, Junior and Senior CRU groups are a space where students can further explore the Christian faith outside of formal classes. We meet weekly and encourage new members to attend.
CRU Leaders Group
Students in Senior CRU, are invited to become part of the CRU Leaders’ Group. CRU Leaders meet weekly to plan meetings and to explore what leadership means from a Christian perspective.
Mid-Week Fellowship
Year 7 Mid-Week Fellowship held after dinner is an opportunity to welcome all Year 7 boarders to get to know others, to take part in devotions and discussion, and to encourage each other in what it means to be a Christian Community at King’s.
Friday Night Youth - Boarders
Friday Night Youth is focused on Boarders in Gowan Brae and in Year 8. Its purpose is to have some fun playing active games outside like ‘Tennis Rugby,’ to build friendships and connections across Gowan Brae and Senior Houses, and to have a short reminder from the Bible about what it means to live as a Christian Community at King’s with our eight core values.
Debating and Public Speaking
Debating
Debating is a lively, intellectual challenge that requires the development of an argument by a team. The skills that a student develops within debating will easily carry through to other subjects and beyond school into the wider community. All students in Years 7-12 are invited to trial for team placement in two main competitions. These are: the ISDA Debating Competition (Term 1) and the GPS Debating Competition (Term 3).
All boys including those who have not made team selection for ISDA and GPS are eligible to participate in the inter-school Sloane Cup Debating Tournament (Term 2). Catering for novices and debaters of all abilities, this competition enables students to practise their skills and learn more about the art of debating in a fun and friendly competition. In Term 4, all boys are welcome to join our Debating Workshops to build on their knowledge of core topic areas and further develop their debating skills.
Public Speaking
Running since 1996, The Faversham Oratory, is an internal public speaking competition. It is endowed by Mr SE Edwards of Merriwa and is named in memory of his father who lived in Faversham, Kent and had a great love of both the written and spoken word.
Students are invited to write and perform their speech in front of a panel of internal adjudicators and audience. There are three age groups run across the School, Junior (Years 7-8), Intermediate (Years 9-10) and Senior (Years 11-12).
The School also offers opportunities for a variety of external representative public speaking competitions such as The Plain English Speaking Competition, UN Youth Voice Competition,
and the Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award. Numbers for these events are usually capped, so students who are interested or have won internal events such as The Faversham Oratory are candidates invited to attend.
Science and The Future Project
STEAM Club
The purpose of The King’s School STEAM Club is to truly engage Years 7-10 students with the scientific method whereby they learn to hypothesise, conduct experiments, understand and explore various ideas, whilst communicating results just like in the real world. Activities are designed around hands-on science experiments incorporating Stages 4-6 syllabus and STEM projects.
In addition to the learning of science activities and projects, students will be guided for different external competitions throughout the year.
The Future Project Junior Interns
The Future Project is a unique collaboration between The King’s School and scientists. Students are able to join The Future Project in Year 10 as Junior Interns. They specialise in either Physics, Chemistry or Biology and work on an authentic scientific research project. The selection process for students going into Year 10 occurs in Term 4 of Year 9 with work completed in Year 10 Science classes and during school holidays.
The Future Project Senior Interns
The Future Project is a unique collaboration between The King’s School and scientists. Working with students from other schools, students work on an authentic scientific research
project culminating in a poster, a presentation, and a journal article. The selection process for Senior Interns occurs in Term 4 of Year 10 and all work is completed outside of normal classes (after school and during school holidays).
After School Academic Interest Clubs
Includes boys from Years 7-11 two afternoons a week at the School’s Ag plot. Students engage in the care and maintenance of show livestock. During Terms 1 and 4 the boys prepare for the steer showing at the Sydney Royal. Boys in Years 7 and 8 prepare the sheep for showing across regional areas of NSW all year to attend a number of regional shows across NSW. Sheep showing runs all year. Participants can also engage in a peer mentoring program with boys from the Prep Ag Club.
Visual Arts Club
The Visual Arts Club covers a large range of practical experiences including using GoPros, printmaking, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, drawing, spray painting, video and animation. It includes guest artist presentations and workshops involving professional photographers, drawers and graffiti artists. Students produce a number of refined artworks, driven by their own personal interests across a large range of media.
Industrial Arts Club Agriculture Club
Boys in Years 7-12 are given the opportunity to work on individual projects or catch up on classwork under the supervision of teaching staff. In particular, extra time is provided for boys to work on their HSC Major Projects.
Programming Club
Digital Learning Computing Studies
Years 7-12 students meet two afternoons each week to learn new and exciting skills beyond what’s taught in the curriculum. Students will learn Python, Swift and later in the year, Object Orientated Programming. Students will have the opportunity to develop mods for Minecraft, build apps, games, and participate in Cyber Security challenges. This is an introductory program so no prior knowledge of programming is needed or expected. For those students with prior experience, extension activities are available to further extend their knowledge and participate in national competitions.
Media & Podcast Team
Years 7-12 students meet twice a week to learn new skills and will join either a media production or podcast team. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in podcasting, interviewing, video production, and filming and editing. Students will eventually be producing work that will be consumed by the School and wider community. Media Club students will have the ability to capture events at King’s and be involved in the organising of these events. Students will also be able to enter into national video and animation competitions throughout the year.
Robotics
Years 7–12 students meet twice a week to learn new and exciting skills beyond what’s taught in the curriculum. Students will learn how to design, build, program and control robotic units, and will have the opportunity to enter competitions and test their skills against others. This is an introductory robotics program so no prior knowledge is needed or expected. For those students with prior experience, extension
activities are available to further extend their knowledge and they are able to act as mentors for younger students whilst preparing for competitions.
The Minecraft Guild
The Minecraft Guild has a limited number of spaces for Year 7 and Year 8 students. Students participate in two different styles of sessions; Build and Battle. Build sessions encourage students to complete a building challenge which may require research and discussion with others within the allocated time. They can also level up their Minecraft skills or learn more about Redstone and the Code Builder capabilities of the platform.
Battle sessions invite students to participate in friendly e-Sport Competitions within the Minecraft realm where students either face others independently or engage in team contests and challenges. Students interested in joining the Guild will need to apply via the application process.
Theatre Tech Crew Drama
The Tech Crew is responsible for assisting with all technical aspects that allow a show to run smoothly. These include lighting, sound, and backstage management. Boys in all years are afforded the opportunity to be part of the Tech Crew for both the musical and the play. Tech Crew for the musical begins in Term 1 and the play in Term 3.
The Play
In conjunction with the girls from Tara, boys in Years 10-11 have the opportunity to perform in the Term 4 play with rehearsals taking place during Term 3. A great experience for those that want to act – without the need to sing or dance! Past productions include Don’t Drink the Water and The Bourgeois Gentleman.
The Musical
The School Musical is a large-scale production that incorporates all the elements – acting, singing and movement. Boys in Years 9, 10 and 11 can audition with rehearsals taking place in Term 4 and Term 1, building to performances in March - often playing to packed houses. Past productions include Shrek, School of Rock and We Will Rock You.
The King’s School Cadet Corps Leadership
Student Representative Council (SRC)
The Student Representative Council is an avenue for the development of leadership skills across Years 7-12, with strong emphasis on servant leadership, excellence, and responsibility. An SRC member requires compassion, fortitude, and a creative mind, in order to foster a positive culture in their community both in and outside of The King’s School. The aim of The King’s School Student Representative Council is to give all students a voice in the development of the School’s culture and to confirm and strengthen the values and presence of The King’s School community. Voting and then allocation of positions on The Student Representative Council occurs towards the end of Term 1 for Year 7 and in Term 4 for Years 8-12.
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is comprised of three levels of increasingly greater challenges. It is an internationally recognised award and encourages our boys to be well-rounded students who make a positive contribution to society and their own communities. All Year 9 boys are required to participate in the Bronze Award, which requires at least six months to complete. Once completed, boys may continue and complete the Silver Award from the age of 15 or when they finish Bronze regardless of age.
Participants, at all levels, are required to complete four sections: Voluntary Service, Skill, Physical Recreation, and Adventurous Journey. At the Gold Level, participants also complete a Gold Residential Project. Adventurous Journeys that are co-ordinated by King’s have in the past included Mountain Bike Riding in Tasmania, Sailing in New Caledonia, Cross-Country skiing in the Australian Alps, and Hiking in areas such as New Zealand, The Himalayas, Tasmania or the Australian Alpine Region.
The King’s School Cadet Corps (TKSCC) is the oldest and one of the largest cadet units in Australia. Our unit engages over 850 cadets in various cadet activities throughout the school year. TKSCC is a compulsory activity for all students in Years 8-10 and it becomes optional for those in Years 11-12. From Term 4 2025, the School will integrate the program from Year 7.
TKSCC adopts the vision, purpose and values of the Australian Army Cadets (AAC). The AAC is a leading national youth development organisation, with the customs, traditions, character, and values of the Australian Army. It is founded on a strong community partnership, which fosters and supports an ongoing interest in the Australian Army.
In TKSCC, cadets develop leadership skills, learn and experience discipline, teamwork and character building exercises, in preparation for the Annual Field Exercise (AFX) held at the end of Term 1 during Camps Week, where cadets are challenged and tested in the field. This is a thrilling experience for cadets and incorporates military-style training exercises and a variety of outdoor education experiences.
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Program is an alternative pathway for boys at the end of Year 10, where the commitment to The King’s School Cadet Corps has become optional. In Term 3 each year, students are invited to apply for inclusion in the Program, and then they commence active engagement in Term 4. During Term 1, the boys continue their service-learning activity. In Term 2, the boys reflect upon their learning, review their engagement and share their experiences. There are also additional opportunities to continue active participation during this time. The boys have engaged with outside agencies, preparing, cooking, and constructing meals that are distributed by the agencies to those in need. Active and ongoing engagement with the wider community is the focus of the Community Outreach Program.
Sport
There are many sporting opportunities at The King’s School beyond the compulsory Winter and Summer sport seasons.
Equestrian Club
Open to any boy in Years 7-12 who has their own horse and the capacity to transport it to Coonabarabran for the North West Equestrian Expo held during May/June each year. Events include hacking, polocrosse, jumping, cross country, team penning, and sporting.
Shooting Club
Interested boys from Years 8-12 are invited to come to Shooting Club held at the School’s Smallbore Range. During this time boys who are new to the sport of Rifle Shooting are taught safety, skills, and discipline in the sport, whilst others are engaged in honing their skills of accuracy and commitment. Many boys obtain their shooting licence during their training through the Shooting Club.
Towards the end of Term 2 a number of competent shooters (about 16) are selected to attend a Shooting Camp in preparation for the annual AAGPS Shooting Competition held at the Hornsby Range in July.
Snowsports
Open to any boy in Years 7-12 who wishes to compete for the School in either skiing or snowboarding. Boys will need to be available at the snowfields during the middle week of June/July holidays and then, if successful, the NSW Championships (late August) and National Championships (early September).
Strength and Conditioning Gym
The Strength and Conditioning Centre is open to any boy in Years 7-12 and its aim is to teach students to be fit and healthy and promote their physical wellbeing. Strength and conditioning programs are based on scientifically proven principles for children and adolescents recommended by organisations such as the Australian Sports Commission, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association.
There is no minimum age for students to undertake a strength program. They need to be emotionally mature and have the ability to follow instructions, from the School’s accredited strength and conditioning coaches.
Optional Cricket Training
The School has optional cricket training available in Terms 1 and 4 for all cricketers from Years 7-12 looking to improve their cricket skill set. Boys will work with the School’s specialist cricket coaches on a one on one basis. Batsmen will have the opportunity to use the bowling machines where their batting technique can be closely monitored. Bowlers are videoed to review bowling actions and suggested corrections are communicated by the coaches.
Winter Cricket Training
Each year, the School selects cricketers to participate in optional winter training sessions in Terms 2 and 3 which is in addition to their normal winter sport. Boys work with our 1st and 2nd XI coaches and other specialist cricket coaches in small group sessions aimed at developing and extending the leading cricketers at the School. These sessions also prepare cricketers for the annual June/July cricket tours that the School runs both domestically and internationally each year.
Optional Rugby Training
The School has optional training available for all boys looking to improve their skills in kicking and in hooker throwing and halfback/five-eighth passing. Boys from all age groups work with specialist coaches, whose focus is to improve kicking technique, involving place kicking and general field kicking, and to improve throwing and passing technique.
Music
There are numerous opportunities for boys to engage in music across the School, both within the classroom, beyond the classroom, and in private lessons. We offer several exciting and enriching ensembles, including orchestra, concert bands, stage bands, contemporary bands, string ensembles and choirs. Our boys, whether a beginner or advanced musician, have an ensemble they can experience and contribute to at The King’s School.
Senior Choir
One of the largest ensembles in the School, the Senior Choir, is non-auditioned and open to any boy. Many choral opportunities exist during the year including, assembly performances, chapel performances, large ensemble concerts, large external concerts, and the end of year Festival of Carols.
Barbershop Quartet
The Barbershop Quartet is a specialist acapella ensemble. Auditions are open to students who display exceptional aural skills and the ability to sing confidently in harmony with others. This is a specialised group of singers who perform at school functions and assemblies.
Symphony Orchestra
This orchestra is for more advanced players from Years 7-12. They perform regularly throughout the year, in large ensemble concerts and public events. Students in the orchestra have advanced playing skills and selection is through invitation.
Chamber Strings
The Chamber Strings are one of the School’s premier performance ensembles and suited to upper-intermediate to advanced string players. Auditions are open to all students who meet these requirements. The Chamber Orchestra performs regularly throughout the year.
Corelli Strings
This ensemble is where boys will start if they already play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Each boy will be auditioned by the Head of Strings. Those who are successful are invited to participate in regular weekly rehearsals. Corelli Strings will have the opportunity to perform at several events during the year.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is the most advanced level band at King’s. Auditions are open to students who display exceptional skill on their musical instrument. This ensemble caters to advanced brass, woodwind, and percussion students with performances occurring regularly throughout the year.
Wind Orchestra
This is the ‘middle’ band in The King’s School Band program. The band plays at a high level and performs at school events and competitions during the year. Entry is competitive, and boys in Years 7-12 are encouraged to audition. The Wind Orchestra will have the opportunity to perform at several events during the year.
Middle School Concert Band
This ensemble is a starting point for boys in Years 7-8 who already play a wind, brass or percussion instrument. Each boy will be auditioned by the Head of Woodwind, Brass
and Percussion. Those who are successful are invited to participate in regular weekly rehearsals. The Middle School Band will have the opportunity to perform at several events during the year.
Stage Band - Intermediate and Senior
These ensembles progress from intermediate to advanced and provide access to jazz and contemporary repertoire along with the opportunity for boys to build improvisation skills. Both stage bands perform regularly and work towards competitions and festivals, such as the Merimbula Jazz Festival.
Drum Line
The Drum Line is the heartbeat of The King’s School. The members have performed for many different events including Seven Network’s ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Australia’s Got Talent’. The Drum Line is open to audition for skilled and committed percussion students, Years 7-12. Selection for this prestigious ensemble is determined by the Drum Line Director.
Small Ensembles
There are several small ensembles including: piano trios, string trios, string quartets, flute, saxophone, clarinet, low brass, and guitar ensemble. These are generally non-auditioned ensembles and the selection process is based on a student’s involvement in one of the larger ensembles within the program.
Contemporary Bands
These ensembles are created specifically to cater for our keen drummers, guitarists, vocalists, and keyboard players. Boys are encouraged to rehearse with each other in regular contemporary music rehearsal times. Contemporary/rock groups and rock bands perform at assemblies, house dinners, and other informal gatherings.
