A celebration of 140 years
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Celebrating 140 years Kensington Prep School was the first school to open in the Girls’ Day School Trust on January 21st 1873 and we have been at the forefront of education ever since. We hope you will enjoy this very special edition of our school magazine which celebrates our 140th anniversary in 2013 and the forward thinking culture of the school. Our school’s aim is to ‘equip’ girls for a changing world. As girls leave in Year 6 to join their secondary schools our aim is to have equipped them with excellent academic achievements and intellectual bravery, depth and stamina. This magazine is an anniversary celebration of our history and the girls’ education and experiences in 2012–13. It is a photo-montage of our contemporary ‘EQUIPS’ aim and buzzy school life. E Q U I P S
Excellent, exciting education offered Questioning, collaborative thinkers developed Uniqueness of the individual recognised Independence and exploration encouraged Pupils prepared for a changing world Sense of community fostered
Sensitivity, mutual respect and caring for others will remain key values. In a challenging future, society needs young women who will stand together and support each other. The overarching KPS school value of treating others as you would be treated, must continue to shine through every pupil. Many thanks to all the staff who help put this magazine together, particularly Miss Daverson, Mrs Smart, Miss Keys and Mrs McGinley. Prudence Lynch
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How life has changed 1873 – 2013 Life for girls in 2013, 140 years on from when the first 20 girls started at Kensington Prep (formerly the Chelsea School in Durham House) is very different from the life of these girls in the Victorian era. Life for Girls in 1873 A girl in 1873 expected • Little or no education beyond basic literacy • Little or no choice of careers • A short and often unhealthy life • No right to vote • When marrying, any property owned would be transferred to her husband • Uncomfortable and restrictive clothing
Education effectively ceased after 11 and largely consisted of mastering the 3 ‘Rs’ – reading, writing and arithmetic. Universities did not admit women or allow women to sit public examinations. No careers in business, the church, law, medicine or government were open to women. When they married, their property became their husband’s. Decisions about girls’ lives would largely be taken for them; they would have no money of their own; their social life would be restricted to their family and its friends and, if they wanted to learn something, they would have to teach themselves. Most likely at the age of 11 they would stay at home to help with the household and the younger children.
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Education then and now The novel idea of establishing good and affordable education for girls was down to the four founders of the GDST, Miss Maria Grey, her sister, Miss Emily Shirreff, Miss Mary Gurney and the Dowager Lady Stanley of Alderley. They came together in 1871 to launch the National Union for the Improvement of the Education of Women of all Classes (later known as the Women’s Education Union or simply the National Union). Queen Victoria’s sixth child 23-year-old Princess Louise, became the National Union’s founding president and helped to open doors for the campaign. Their aims were to provide academically rigorous girls’ secondary schools and to raise the status of teaching as a profession for women through formal teacher training. In June 1872 the inaugural meeting of the Girls’ Public Day School Company was held. The GDST’s founders did not expect the position of women to change, so a GDST education was intended to help them make the most of life as it was then. A good education was vital even if there seemed to be no immediate possibility of putting it into practical effect; a girl could at least develop
some self-respect and start thinking for herself. Kensington Prep School was the first school to be opened by the GDST. It opened in rented premises at Durham House in Chelsea – first known as the Chelsea School, later to become Kensington High School when it moved in 1879 and now Kensington Prep School. Chelsea was not the smart area it is today – minutes of the then Executive Council recorded the neighbourhood as being ‘objectionable’! The school was particularly noted for its music excellence. During the second World War Kensington High School’s premises at Lytham House, St Alban’s Grove were bombed and new premises were found at 17 Upper Phillimore Gardens as a temporary measure. But the building wasn’t big enough and the decision was taken to close the Senior School in 1948. The Junior School stayed and continued as a preparatory school. Seeking larger premises due to its continued popularity, Kensington Prep School moved to Fulham (the building was formerly a Marist Convent) in 1997.
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What was on the syllabus? School days were shorter. The Chelsea School ran from 9.15am to 1.30 with a mid-morning break for recreation and ‘coffee and buns’. Subjects studied included: • Reading • Writing • Arithmetic • Book-keeping • French and German • Physical Science • Drawing • Class singing and harmony • Non-denominational religious instruction • Calisthenic exercises
More senior pupils also studied ancient and modern languages, history, mathematics, moral science and logic, physiology and economics. Girls wrote on black board slates with chalk, or on paper using scratchy pens which had to be constantly dipped in ink. At first, schools did not have uniforms, just hat bands or badges in school colours.
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School life then and now Spot the difference!
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Celebrating Kensington Prep School in 2013 We have 290 girls in 2013 in the school. Can you see in which areas of the school, each class photo was taken?
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EQUIPS This magazine is an anniversary celebration of our ‘EQUIPS’ aim and buzzy school life. In the following pages you will find snapshots of the girls’ education, experiences and achievements in 2012- 2013.
E Excellent, exciting education offered Q Questioning, collaborative thinkers developed U Uniqueness of the individual recognised I Independence and exploration encouraged P Pupils prepared for a changing world S Sense of community fostered
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Excellent, exciting education offered
Our accolades this year include gaining the Guinness World Record for taking part in the biggest-ever science lesson, winning the Junior category in the GDST Film competition, coming top in the GDST cross country championship, and achieving medal wins in netball, athletics, swimming and the national Maths Challenge.
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Winning achievements!
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Exciting Visits
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School activity days, visiting experts and workshops
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Class activities
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Questioning, collaborative thinkers developed
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‘Change’ Thinking Adventure This year, the whole school set to work investigating ‘Change’ for this year’s Thinking Adventure. Key Stage 2 worked in different subjects exploring changes that had taken place and how they could make changes. There was a fantastic sharing assembly where the girls showcased their work and we could hear the music ensemble and be taught the new PE games. Throughout the day, the girls’ creativity and thinking was superb and a true testament to their imaginative and collaborative thinking skills - much fun was had by all!
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Science Fair Ever wondered what happens to smarties in vinegar? Or which word you can read quicker? Or which stain is the hardest to remove? These were some of the questions that were puzzling Year 6 this year. Answers were to be found at the Science Fair. The Science Fair is an opportunity for Year 6 girls to explore their own investigation. They come up with a question, plan an experiment to find out the answer and then analyse their results to draw a conclusion. It’s a place for budding experimentalists to test their scientific ideas. The place where the Nobel prize winner began‌maybe?
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Collaboration in Music
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Sport
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Productions Reception: Nativity Year 1: The King’s Magic Cloaks Year 2: A Wonderful Wish Year 3 & 4: The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe Year 5: The Evacuees Year 6: Guys and Dolls
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School Council
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Classwork collaboration and questioning thinking
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Join the dots
Join the dots
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This page is brought to you by the lovely people at Douglas & Gordon, one of London’s most respected estate agents – helping you see the bigger picture. 16 14
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Uniqueness of the individual recognised
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Open Homework During ‘Open Homework’ week no other academic homework is set. Girls have a week to create anything they like associated with the given theme. This year their stimulus was ‘The Presidential Family’, a picture by Columbian artist Fernando Botero.
Whichever approach they take, they should learn something new. They might write a poem, a story or character sketch. They may wish to do a geographical, historical or scientific study. They may make a toy, game or some form of 3D montage. They may like to prepare some food, produce a piece of art or design something on the computer. There is no right or wrong way to approach ‘Open homework’ and it provides girls with the opportunity to be creative in an area of learning they particularly enjoy.
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Art and DT
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Maths
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Autumn Music Results Morgan Adams Alexandra Armitage Raya Arunachalam Emily Atkin Sasha Barrow Sarah Bettis Ellie Bowen-Thomas Kate Brunskill Ella Bryn-Jones Iris Canning-Jones Lauren Carroll Lola Carver-Broome Samsara Chakkara Violette Chereau Niamh Comerford Hannah Davis Keya Downward Posy Earle Georgina Field Senara Gambhir Annie Gasiorowski Annie Gasiorowski Hazel Geneiser Larissa Giles Lily Glenn Georgina Gough-Willetts Alice Grossman Iman Hafeez Maddie Hargreaves Lauren Hogan Georgie Huxford Sophie Isotta Madeleine Jablonowska Aisling Kelly Natasha Macbeth Isabella Mackie Sophia Margolin Xenia Mockett Eva Moscoso Valentina Nicolosi Phoebe Ollerenshaw Alice Politi Milly Rees Mirella Sadotti Katie Saunders Marina Semple Isabella Steinmeyer Ivy Thomas Sophie Thomas Maya Wijayaragavan Olivia Williams Olivia Williams Sophia Williams Ella Winter Lin Yap
Descant Recorder Trumpet Violin Cello Flute Violin Clarinet Clarinet Violin Piano Flute Flute Violin Violin Violin Violin Bassoon Singing Violin Trumpet Violin Piano Trumpet Cello Singing Piano
02 04 03 02 01 04 01 01 02 01 01 01 02 03 01 01 03 01 03 02 04 03 02 05 01 05
Merit Merit Distinction Distinction Merit Pass Pass Pass Merit Distinction Distinction Merit Pass Pass Pass Pass Distinction Distinction Merit Pass Merit Pass Merit Merit Merit Pass
Viola Piano Violin Piano Clarinet Singing Clarinet Cello Singing Descant Recorder Cello Flute Cello Trumpet Flute Viola Flute Singing Harp Violin Piano Oboe Guitar Violin Singing Piano Violin Flute Violin
02 01 01 01 01 02 04 04 01 02 02 01 05 03 04 02 04 P 01 03 01 01 01 02 04 04 01 01 02
Distinction Pass Distinction Distinction Pass Pass Distinction Distinction Distinction Merit Merit Pass Pass Distinction Merit Pass Pass Distinction Merit Pass Merit Distinction Pass Distinction Merit Merit Pass Pass
Well done!
Spring Music Results Sarah Bettis Clara Canning Jones Samsara Chakara Amber Collison Olivia De Rin B Dickie Keya Downward Calista Eitel Porter Annie Gasiorowski Caroline Gay Lily Glenn Zoe Halsey Lola Harmer-Mersch Madeleine Jablonowska Aisling Kelly Sonya Lebedeva Isabella Mackie Sophia Margolin Amelia Monaghan Eva Moscoso Misha Patel Alexandra Riddell-Webster Unity Saunders Alice Simpson Ivy Thomas Grace Torrance Jessica Trodden-Mittnacht Jasmine Ventham Emilie White Maya Wijayaragavan
Piano Piano Violin Cello Violin Oboe Piano Descant Recorder Piano Piano Piano Descant Recorder Violin Clarinet Piano Violin Descant Recorder Cello Descant Recorder Piano Violin Violin
04 04 01 03 02 01 02 03 02 01 01 02 02 02 01 01 01 01 04 03 03 02
Pass Merit Distinction Pass Pass Distinction Merit Merit Merit Pass Pass Distinction Pass Distinction Merit Merit Merit Distinction Merit Merit Pass Pass
Viola Clarinet Violin Descant Recorder Violin
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Pass Pass Distinction Distinction
Harp Clarinet Violin
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Summer Music Results Emily Atkin Jessica Ballard Gigi Beeson Francesca Bowden-Jones Clara Canning Jones Iris Canning Jones Zoe Carruthers Olivia De Rin Millicent Deere B Dickie Calista Eitel-Porter Thalia Eitel-Porter Catherine Gay Hazel Genieser Alice Gibbs Alice Gibbs Molly Glenn Hannah Goldin Anna Haestrup Anna Haestrup Madeleine Hargreaves Lola Harmer-Mersch Sophie Isotta Madeleine Jablonowska Olivia Jackson Sienna Jacobs Shauna Keane Aisling Kelly Anessa Kitchin Liv Kobberstad Liv Kobberstad Robyn Lustman Natasha Macbeth Alexa Maclaren Estella Maclaren Lettie Mantle Annie Mather Tatum Meadows Amelia Monaghan Anna Nicolosi Valentina Nicolosi Phoebe Ollerenshaw Aliya Pereira Chloe Preston Unity Saunders Flora Stockdale Michelle Takanashi Alana Taylor Jessica Trodden-Mittnacht Anya Trofimova Jasmine Ventham Summer Westover Alice Wheatcroft Maya Wijayaragavan
Cello Singing Singing Clarinet
01 01 01 01
Pass Pass Pass Pass
Viola Violin Piano Singing Violin Oboe Oboe Piano Cello Singing Violin Piano Piano Cello Singing Violin Piano Harp Flute Piano Violin Clarinet Flute Cello Violin Piano Violin Singing Cello Violin Piano Flute Descant Recorder Singing Flute Piano Piano Flute Piano Violin Piano Violin Violin Violin Violin
03 03 04 01 03 02 02 03 02 03 02 02 01 03 04 04 01 01 02 03 02 01 01 04 03 01 02 02 02 02 01 03 03 02 02 P 01 03 04 01 01 02 02 02 02
Pass Merit Pass Pass Pass Merit Merit Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Merit Pass Pass Merit Pass Distinction Pass Pass Pass
Flute Harp Violin Descant Recorder Singing
01 05 01 03 04
Pass Distinction Pass Pass Pass
Pass Distinction Merit Pass Pass Merit Merit Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Merit Pass Pass Pass Pass Merit Pass
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Classwork
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Independence and exploration encouraged
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Year 4 Trip: Isle of Wight
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Year 5 Trip: Cornwall
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Year 6 Trip: France
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Clubs
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We have over 30 clubs. Here are some photos of the girls’ activities in action.
LAMDA Speech and Drama Club A big ‘congratulations’ to the fifty nine KPS girls who participated in Introductory LAMDA examinations this year. The examiner thoroughly enjoyed listening to the poetry recitals and hearing all about the girls’ favourite books, pictures and toys.
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Class activities
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Pupils prepared for a changing world
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ICT
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Year 6 Project Year 6’s project this year was an ‘Entrepeneur Challenge’ to create a company to launch a new product from design to market. Learning business and marketing skills with visiting experts as well as design, packaging and marketing techniques the girls’ task was to create a new ‘canape’ business. They shared their amazing product concepts, business plan considerations and promotional literature/website designs in a fabulous presentation to parents.
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Classwork
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Sense of community fostered
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Our Community
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Carnival 2013
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Charities
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Thank you parents! Thank you to all our parents for all your help and support!
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Founders Day
We held a special Founders Day to celebrate out 140th anniversary and to mark the centenary of our former pupil, suffragette Emily Wilding Davison who famously died for the cause after colliding with the Kings
Horse at the Epsom Derby in 1913. The girls and staff wore suffragette colours and Philippa Bilton a descendant of Emily joined our assembly to explain more about the suffragette campaigners.
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14oth party
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What does the future hold? A big thank you to all the parents and girls who completed the ‘Change Survey’ we conducted as part of our Thinking Adventure Day in May and the school’s 140th anniversary celebrations. We were curious what parents and girls would think suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, who died 100 years ago for the cause, would be fighting for now if she were alive today? For their daughters growing up today what is the top ‘how to succeed’ advice they would give them. Who are the contemporary women role-models living now they most admired? These are the survey top-line results. What you said…… If Emily Wilding Davison were alive today most parents and girls believed she would still be fighting for women’s rights – for better women’s education and ‘free’ education for all throughout the world. Other issues such as pollution, gun control and animal welfare, as well as equal pay and numbers of women MPs and board directors in the UK, would also concern her according to the survey feedback.
Top ‘how to succeed’ advice for girls from parents ‘Positive thinking’ was the greatest advice parents believe they can give their daughters, from their experience of what they now know about the world, the survey revealed. Perseverance, determination and confidence were most commonly quoted as the top 3 skills parents believed their girls need to learn to succeed in life. “Never give up!”, “Believe in yourself, and be yourself”, “Character more than ability and achievement is important” were typical pleas from parents to their daughters. “It’s better to try and fail, than fail to try” was a common message. “Girls shouldn’t be afraid of taking risks – they should not let set-backs keep them from achieving their dreams”. Parents feared the biggest difficulties facing girls will be global competition for jobs and just as today, juggling careers with motherhood. The greatest combination of skills a girl can have a parent commented are, “social skills, team skills and decision making skills”. Getting higher degrees and learning several languages was also thought to be going to be advantageous. One parent believed the best advice for a girl to succeed is to marry an old rich man and wait until he kicks the bucket! But most parents were adamant that girls should aim to be financially independent. To be successful in the world of work, confidence and adaptability and critical thinking will be what they need in the future.
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Top 20 women contemporary role-models Among the top 20 women role-models with qualities parents most wanted their children aspire to, according to the survey were:
The girls and parents singled out 15 year-old Malala Yousafzai, who survived after having been shot in the head by the Taliban, for particular praise for her efforts to promote girls’ education.
• T he Queen • Harry Potter author: J.K. Rowling • Burmese pro-democracy campaigner: Aung San Suu Kyi • Sports champions: Ellen McArthur, Jessica Ennis, Beth Tweddle, Ellie Simmonds, Victoria Pendleton • US First Lady: Michele Obama • Entrepeneurs and businesswomen: Sheryl Sandberg (CEO of Facebook) • UK and international politicians: Margaret Thatcher, Angela Merkel, Christine Lagarde, Hillary Clinton • Karren Brady (former managing director of Birmingham City Football Club and current vice-chairman of West Ham United) • Martha Lane Fox (Founder of website Lastminute.com) • Journalists and broadcasters: Stephanie Flanders, Kate Adie • Actress: Angelina Jolie • Children’s campaigner: Camila Batmanghelidjh
There were other less famous very deserving women that many parents and girls also chose – but these 20 were the most commonly mentioned. We really appreciated the time and effort that parents and girls took with their answers to our survey. We received a whole range of views and detailed comments which sadly we don’t have the space to fully do justice to, here. But we hope this brief summary gives you some of insight into some contemporary issues as perceived by parents and girls today in 2013 and the top-line survey results.
HM Queen Elizabteh II © NASA/Bill Ingalls. Aung San Suu Kyi © Htoo Tay Zar. J K Rowling © Sjhill. Martha Lane Fox © Cabinet Office. Sheryl Sandberg © World Economic Forum
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Congratulations! Year 6 destinations September 2013 Celeste à Brassard Morgan Adams Alexandra Armitage Sarah Bettis Kitty Bright Ella Bryn-Jones Zoe Carruthers Millie Deere Olivia de Rin Rijul Desai Thalia Eitel-Porter Georgina Field Annabel Gasiorowski Phoebe Head Gabriela Katzaros Aisling Kelly Sonja Lebedeva Anouska Lee-Gupta Avery Louis Alexandra McAlpine Tatum Meadows Amelia Monaghan Gaia Nicolosi Harriet Noble Misha Patel Sophia Ponsonby Amelia Ramsay Alexandra Riddell-Webster Rachel Tait Sophia Targui Sophie Thomas Jessica Trodden-Mittnacht Evie Turle Jasmine Ventham Olivia Williams Lin Yap Hana Yun-Stevens
Francis Holland, Graham Terrace Latymer Upper St Paul’s Girls School Godolphin & Latymer St Paul’s Girls School Lady Margaret School Downe House St Paul’s Girls School Lady Margaret School St Paul’s Girls School St Paul’s Girls School Lady Eleanor Holles Surbiton High School Queen’s Gate School St Paul’s Girls School Bedford Middle School, Connecticut USA Wycombe Abbey Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST St Paul’s Girls School Wimbledon High School GDST Putney High School GDST St Paul’s Girls School City of London School for Girls Wimbledon High School GDST Putney High School GDST St Mary’s School, Ascot Godolphin & Latymer Godolphin & Latymer St Paul’s Girls School Singapore Godolphin & Latymer City of London Girls School Francis Holland, Graham Terrace. Wycombe Abbey (Exhibition) Putney High School GDST Francis Holland, Graham Terrace Sevenoaks School
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