In
Textiles by Nyah
Welcome to the Autumn edition of The Coventrian.
What a stunning last six months of achievement and celebration we have for you in this issue of The Coventrian.
Whilst watching our production of Beauty and the Beast at the end of the summer term, Belle’s words “I want adventure in the great wide somewhere”, could not have been more apt for life here at Henry’s. One thing is for certain Belle would not have been bored here!
In this term’s issue you will be inspired by the creativity of our art department, enthused
Heads of School
Congratulations to our new Heads of School for 2024.
Heads of School: Freya and Harriet
Deputy Heads of School: Dharam and Roma
They have all been chosen for their leadership qualities and commitment to our school community. We are confident that they will lead us through a successful year ahead.
The Heads of School meet with the Headmaster Mr Dearden, every Friday morning to discuss all matters pupilrelated, from wellbeing to inclusion. They also lead a fabulous team of Senior Prefects, each of whom have a leadership role across the school in a particular area.
by the musical talent and commitment at House Music, whilst energised by the amazing successes of our sports teams. On a sporting front, I must single out and mention our senior netballers, who took us on a thrilling journey to the national finals, narrowly missing out in the final four.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to say a final farewell and congratulations to our class of 2017, who did so superbly well in their A Level examinations this summer.
Mr Philip Dearden, Headmaster
Exam Success
An impressive seven pupils won places on courses to study Medicine, including Raunak and Menagaa, who are now studying at Oxford University.
Also picking up his white coat is Sandeep, who studied five A Levels whilst also having the responsibility of being a young carer. Sandeep was honoured in the Houses of Parliament for his contribution to the National Citizenship Service.
An additional four pupils secured Oxbridge places, Hubert, Hemish, Aneel and Belle
“I’m delighted with these results, which saw a 100% pass rate, and just under 70% of entries gaining top A*/B grades.”
MR DEARDEN
“It’s wonderful to see the range of courses and institutions our young people are heading to – between them we’ll be seeing them saving lives, creating engineering wizardry, wowing in concert halls and art galleries, leading our diplomatic efforts, and heading up the big businesses of the future. I couldn’t be more proud,” Mr Dearden says.
In the GCSE results this summer, there was also much to celebrate with an impressive 100% pass rate and almost two-thirds of grades across all entries achieved a 7 to 9.
One pupil, Naomi, hauled an amazing nine grade 9s among her 12 GCSEs. An all-round superstar was Lauren, who has achieved three grade 9s and six grade 8s, as well as sporting accolades including National Ballroom and Latin Dancer and British Taekwondo Champion.
King Henry VIII Pre-Prep Opens
We were delighted to open King Henry VIII Pre-Prep this term with children joining us in Little Swallows Nursery, Reception and Year 1.
Based at our Kenilworth Road site, often known as Swallows, we educate pupils from 3 years of age in a nurturing environment. Set in beautiful grounds just a short walk from the Junior and Senior School site, our Pre-Prep is the perfect place for children to start their journey with us.
From the Archives...
Swallows is not just a place of learning - it’s a building rich in history. This early Georgian structure has stood on the site since 1720. According to The Coventry Society, the building predates those in Leamington Spa, making it one of the oldest buildings in the area and a unique landmark in Coventry.
Read the full story on our website.
Remembering Service and Sacrifice
The whole school community came together last month to honour the heroes of King Henry VIII School and all those who served their country.
In the Pre-Prep, our children created beautiful artwork to help them understand the importance of kindness, peace and courage.
Heritage Open Day
This year’s historical guided tour of the school for Heritage Open Day in September was an outstanding success.
We were delighted to welcome many visitors, who were captivated by the fascinating history of the school. Our expert guides, Rob Phillips and Peter Huxford, brought the past to life with their extensive knowledge.
We look forward to welcoming even more visitors to next year’s event.
The Battle for the Band Trophy
In the summer, all four Houses went into the final event of the year knowing that, if results went their way, they could still win the coveted Band Trophy.
Admittedly, for White’s to win, it would have needed the other houses to stage a boycott similar to the Moscow Olympics in 1980 but a full programme of events saw Sherwyn’s win the boys’ events overall and Hales’ the girls’ events. The end of term saw Hales’ deservedly win the Band Trophy especially since they also took the Participation prize on the same day.
Holland’s waved goodbye to Mr. Gerber who moved on to pastures new. The other House Heads may have hoped that this would then lead to a chaotic readjustment under new leadership akin to the Manchester United model but sadly/ happily Miss Davies has hit the ground running and Holland’s currently top the standings in the new season.
The 2024/2025 campaign began with the Dodgeball events and one of the undoubted highlights so far when Year 8 created an atmosphere that was a mixture of Coventry’s FA Cup semi-final (how long ago that seems now) and a Taylor Swift concert as Sherwyn’s stormed to the win.
A new event this year was the Year 7 House Day just before their residential started. A day of sport, drama and quizzing saw White’s secure their only win so far this year with an emotive performance of Cinderella. Excitingly for Mr. Bond, the makers of Only Connect have been in touch to borrow some of his quiz questions.
The half term culminated in House Music where for the first time in years, it was felt that all four Houses were in with a chance of winning. Holland’s deservedly won with a packed stage singing to Stand By Me with Sherwyn’s a close second after celebrating their House colour with Coldplay’s Yellow. Hales’ brought the rock with Livin’ On A Prayer while White’s provided one of the visual moments of the competition as a moving snow shower effect cascaded from the balcony during their performance. Huge credit must go to the Sixth Formers who organised their performances in an entirely pupil-led competition.
We now look ahead to House Drama and the news that no pupil in the school was alive when Holland’s last won this competition. Looking at the records, it’s clear that many of the younger teachers weren’t alive either so it’s clear that Holland’s are due a win.
Thank you to all the pupils who have taken part in events so far.
The House Heads
HOUSE HEADS
Hales’
Anna and Lucy
Holland’s Oscar and Izzy Sherwyn’s
Dharam and Aneesa
White’s Sidney and Olly
B eaut AND THE B eas
In July, our sell-out production of Beauty and the Beast Junior dazzled audiences in the Drama Studio.
Despite the sweltering heat and heavy costumes, our 40-strong cast and crew delivered exceptional performances. The talented cast, made up of pupils from Years 7 to 10, including several first-time performers, brought this demanding show to life with stamina, emotional depth and humour.
Behind the scenes, our crew created the perfect atmosphere with expertly executed lighting and sound. Sixth Formers took on leadership roles, while younger pupils gained valuable experience in stage management, all under the guidance of our technician, Mr. Miles. The choreography, expertly crafted by Mr. Owen and Miss Ainsworth, brought the show’s iconic songs to life, while the costumes and set - featuring pieces from the first UK tour of the professional production - added to the magic.
Save the Date
The Drama Department is already in rehearsal for our next big show, Legally Blonde, our biennial whole-school musical
With around 100 pupils involved in the cast, band and crew, along with two adorable dogs playing ‘Bruiser’ and ‘Rufus,’ we are in for another spectacular performance!
Tickets will soon be available for performances running from 12-14 March at the Burgess Hall.
Be sure to mark your calendars!
Art Showcase
The End of Year Art Exhibition showcased the incredible work of our GCSE and A Level pupils.
It was a wonderful opportunity for friends, family and the public to view and celebrate all the exceptional talent on display.
Well done to our pupils who have secured places at prestigious art universities this year, including courses in Fine Art in Bournemouth and Illustration at Falmouth University - renowned as the best in the country for illustration.
Julia’s Artwork Shines
We are thrilled to announce that Julia in Year 11 achieved the honour of having her artwork selected for the London Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Her life-sized oil painting, inspired by her own horse and the works of artists Mark Wallinger and George Stubbs, was recognised as a standout piece among 21,500 applicants. What an extraordinary accomplishment!
Celebrating Art Locally
We were delighted to host our annual ‘Celebration of Art’ event, welcoming children from Years 5 and 6 from four local primary schools, as well as our own pupils.
Now an annual event, it showcased an impressive array of thoughtful and creative artwork and poetry.
Renowned local illustrator, Emma O’Brien joined us to award prizes to three exceptional pupils from the primary schools and also shared some of her own inspiring work.
“The talent and creativity displayed by the pupils from Henry’s and other Coventry schools in this year’s ‘Celebration of Art’ was truly inspiring.”
EMMA O’BRIEN
Congratulations to all the participants for making this year’s event a fantastic success.
Creative Art Projects
Our Year 7 and 8 pupils have been showcasing their creativity through exciting art topics exploring formal elements and Japanese art and culture.
Year 7 have been busy crafting vibrant and imaginative designs for “Delicious Delights” and cupcakes, delving into formal graphics and typography. They have also developed their observational skills by
creating artist copies inspired by architect Hundertwasser’s unique works.
Year 8 have been mastering watercolour techniques, using subtle tones and delicate skills to emulate the elegance of Japanese Koi’chi birds. Additionally, they have embraced the bold, vibrant style of Takashi Murakami, producing their own repeatpattern designs bursting with colour.
Christmas Cards
This festive season, we encouraged our pupils to let their creativity shine by designing the School Christmas cards.
From traditional holiday themes to unique and imaginative ideas, the submissions have been very impressive.
Some of the fantastic entries from the last couple of years.
After much deliberation, we are delighted to announce that the top two designs have been selected to be featured as the Headmaster’s official Christmas cards this year. A huge congratulations to Meredith and Ayva.
Meredith (Year 7)
Ayva (Year 8)
Amy Angel Arisha Ben Lila
Amy Amelia Grace Sophia Sophia Marta
Superheroes to the Rescue
Swallows was in safe hands as Year 1 kicked off their Superhero topic with a themed day earlier this term.
From designing capes and masks, visits from real life Doctors and Police Officers, to making their own flying photographs. The children even sewed their own superhero puppets with Mrs Koria. All the children had a super time!
Jurassic Adventures
Year 1 were visited by some very extraordinary, very special and very exciting dinosaurs this term.
The children were transported into the middle of the jungle and were lucky enough to meet Jam, the friendly T-Rex as well as his baby dinosaur friends: Baby Jam, Dinky and Roger. Some of the brave children got to stroke the baby dinosaurs and put their hand in its mouth. The teachers were not so pleased when they got dinosaur slobber all over them!
Welcome to the Junior School section of The Coventrian.
I am excited to share with you our new school values that we introduced at the start of term. These values reflect the heart of our school community, guiding us on how we interact with each other and approach learning.
Be Kind, Be Curious, Be Courageous.
Be Kind reminds us that kindness is the foundation of a strong, caring community. Whether it’s through helping a friend or showing empathy, kindness strengthens our school’s sense of belonging.
Be Curious encourages our children to ask questions and seek understanding. We want our pupils to embrace learning with open minds, explore new ideas, and always be eager to know more.
These values are underpinned by our school motto, “Confide recte agens - Have the confidence to do what is right.” We want every child to feel empowered to make choices that reflect integrity, whether that’s standing up for a classmate, taking responsibility or striving to be their best selves.
Be Courageous speaks to the bravery it takes to face challenges, step out of comfort zones, and try new things. We celebrate mistakes as opportunities for growth and resilience.
Capturing all the activities of the term in just a few pages is not an easy task. Instead, I’ve selected one story in the following pages that highlights each of our values, offering a glimpse into life at Junior School.
A big thank you to all our pupils and staff for making this another wonderful term!
Ms Hayley Shortt, Headteacher
Be Courageous
Be Curious
Year 4 took an exciting journey back in time to Ancient Greece this term.
The chlidren had an unforgettable day exploring artefacts such as clothing, pots, armour and household tools, giving them a glimpse into what life was like 3,500 years ago. It was a wonderful hands-on experience that brought history to life, sparking curiosity and deepening their understanding of this ancient civilisation.
Year 6 had an unforgettable PGL trip this term to the Ultimate Centre in Bideford, Devon, where they took part in an exciting array of activities – so many that it’s hard to list them all!
From paddle boarding and archery to surfing and mountain boarding, building buggies and solving rocket riddles, the week was packed with adventure and fun.
“This was the best week of my entire life! I really enjoyed all of the water sports and the wet activities such as paddle boarding, body boarding and the assault course.”
SIENNA
“The trip was so amazing. The activities were great fun, welcoming people of all abilities!”
AARADHAYA
“Devon was an unforgettable experience. It tested bravery and courage but was fun all the same. The water activities including the Ultimate assault course and paddleboarding made the experience really memorable.”
AVNI
CHILDREN IN NEED
Be Kind
The children had a fantastic day supporting Children in Need in November.
Since Year 6 were away on their residential trip, the celebrations were a later than usual.
Pupils wore their best spotty outfitsspotty socks, tights, tshirts and even Pudsey costumes!
Our School Council handed out awards for:
Most Spotacular Costume
Most Creative Costume
Funniest Costume
Most Effort Made
Thank you to everyone who donated and helped support such a good cause.
Creative Inspiration
Our Lower Sixth artists had an inspiring time on their London residential, packed full of gallery visits.
Highlights included exploring the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery and seeing Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which blended popular culture, drama and set design.
The group also visited the Design Museum to see the incredible Tim Burton retrospective exhibition enjoyed with lots of creative ideas to bring into their course work.
Day two featured a tour of Tate Britain, including the Turner Prize 2024 and a River Clipper ride to Tate Modern for the Zanele Muholi exhibition on Black Culture and Identity. The day ended at the Natural History Museum (Wildlife Photographer of the Year) and the Victoria and Albert Museum to view the Fragile Beauty exhibition of the Naomi Campbell retrospective.
Everyone was filled to the brim with creative inspiration and we are excited to see what our talented students are going to do with the artists that they have discovered to support their course work for their Art A Level.
Go Ape
Induction Week for Lower Sixth included a visit to Go Ape. High ropes and ziplines tested their nerve but all successfully completed the course. Despite some screams, the students certainly enjoyed themselves, bonding with old and new friends.
Boys’ Rugby
The 2024 rugby season has been one filled with growth, grit and standout achievements across all age levels.
After a slow pre-season, the teams quickly found their stride in competitive fixtures, taking on strong opposition from KES Birmingham, Lawrence Sheriff and Bablake.
The U14 team shone particularly brightly, delivering impressive performances against KES Birmingham and Bablake. Their well-coordinated team play, and creativity saw them score some thrilling tries, showcasing both skill and flair on the field. Meanwhile, the U12 team put on notable performances against Camp Hill and Lawrence Sheriff, proving that the future of our rugby is in capable hands.
At the senior level, individual achievements have set a high standard.
1st XV player Kamsi’s representation of Leicester Tigers in the Academy League has been a source of pride, demonstrating his hard work and dedication. Additionally, James, Toby and Finley’s selections for the Coventry Academy squads highlight the depth of talent within our senior ranks. Their progression into academy rugby reflects the strength of our rugby programme and the opportunities it provides for players to excel.
We are enjoying our return to the Highway, where the pitches are in pristine condition thanks to the dedication of Jason and Jordan. Their hard work has truly brought the grounds to life, creating an exceptional environment for rugby at King Henry’s.
Peter Whittingham (PW7) Sports Scholar
We are thrilled to welcome Finley, a talented sportsman and our first PW7 Foundation Sports Scholar, to King Henry’s this academic year. Finley joins us from Blue Coat School, where he demonstrated excellence both in the classroom and on the field, achieving an impressive set of GCSE results alongside his commitment to sport. His academic success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and ability to balance the demands of an intensive sporting schedule with his studies.
Finley’s athletic achievements are equally commendable. As a highly skilled rugby player, he previously trained with the Wasps U16 Elite Player Development Group, honing his skills in a challenging and competitive environment. This experience was invaluable in shaping his approach to the game, developing not only his physical capabilities but also his resilience, teamwork and tactical understanding of rugby.
Finley has more recently earned selection to the prestigious Coventry Academy Rugby Squad. This new opportunity positions him among the region’s most promising young players, all of whom are committed to reaching the highest levels of the sport. Finley is eager to bring his energy, skill and passion for rugby to our school’s teams.
Butts Park vs Bablake
Bablake School claimed victory with a 29-14 win over King Henry’s in a competitive match, marking the first time King Henry’s has lost this fixture since 2016. Bablake dominated the early exchanges, executing wellconstructed tries and setting a high tempo that proved challenging for King Henry’s defense.
Coach Mr. Fitt acknowledged Bablake’s strong performance, saying, “We just didn’t stick to our plans, and Bablake won that battle. Well done to them for a well-deserved win.”
In the second half, King Henry’s showed more discipline and intensity, led by Kamsi and Toby, whose efforts rallied the team for two well-earned tries. Their resilience highlighted the team’s determination to improve.
James and the team are committed to finishing the season strong, embracing each game as an opportunity to grow.
Girls’ Sport
1st VII Netballers make National Plate finals!
Following a successful Sisters n Sport National Plate run last season, including significant wins vs Trent College, Nottingham (32-29) and Bablake (35-23), our girls made it through to the ‘Final 4’ finals day, held at Loughborough University. The day was a fantastic experience and tough matches against St Catherine’s, Bramley, Bury Grammar and Marking Abbey saw us take 4th place overall Nationally, a feat the girls should be very proud of! Mention must also go to Sana, who was voted by the tournament organisers as U19 Player of the Day.
Success on Court
For the third successive year, our U14, U16 and U19 squads have qualified for the Greater Warwickshire tournament, held across three evenings in November. Pitched against the other qualifying teams from Warwickshire and Solihull, the evening is a fantastic spectacle of netball across the area and the round robin tournament means that everyone has the opportunity to do well. The top two teams from this tournament continue in the English Schools Netball Tournament into the West Midlands Regional round, vying to qualify for the National Schools Finals.
U14 & U16: Coventry Schools runners up. U19: Coventry Schools winners.
First Netball Performance Night
An evening to rival the boys’ Butts Park Rugby clashes is the ‘Kerry Owens Shield’ 1st VII Netball vs Bablake.
The preparation and anticipation of the event was fantastic. With King Henry’s winning the U19 Coventry Schools Tournament and the SNS U19 Plate Match earlier in the season, the stage was set for a fantastic rematch, with the use of both schools’ U16 players added to the mix.
The ‘warm up’ game for the evening saw the U13 teams go to battle. An end to end game that could have swung either way, it seemed fair to finish with a 29-29 draw and a fantastic experience for the girls playing in front of a large crowd of friends, family and peers for the first time. For the 1st VII game, the strength of Bablake’s U16 team filtered into their squad just tipped the scales of an epic battle finishing 38-32. What an event and platform for the girls to be on the big stage!
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Next year’s match is Friday 28 March 2025
Our Girls’ U12, U14 and U16 Rugby teams at the Sibford 7s tournament
Hockey
U18 Tier 3 Midlands Finals
Following on from our successful qualification to the U16 Tier 3 Midlands Finals last year, we continued our success to qualify for the U18 Tier 3 Midlands Finals. The girls really stepped up with Miss Powell and Mr Crowfoot being really proud of their development throughout the term. Results were: 0-2 vs Shrewsbury (eventual tournament winners), 1-0 win vs Leicester Grammar, 0-0 draw with Nottingham and a 0-2 loss vs Wellingborough. The girls did really well, being in the mix for semi-finals, and were proud of themselves on the day. Numbers to training have been fantastic, with the hopeful rebirth of a 2nd XI this season.
1st Team
Captains
Netball: Ameze and Xanthe
Rugby: James and Kamsi
Girls’ Hockey:
Captain: Megan and Vice Captain: Nanaki
Boys’ Hockey: Dougie
Celebrating Inclusion
At the end of the Summer, we celebrated the King Henry’s Inclusion Week, formally known as Respect and Diversity Week
This year we had a variety of events to involve as many of our school community as possible: pupils, staff and even parents joined in.
Following on from the success of the Positivitree for last year’s Anti Bullying Week, the Anti Bullying Ambassador Team wanted to create a lasting symbol of our pledge to be an inclusive school. They had the idea to create a piece of artwork with as many different hands as possible. It was named ‘Henrys’ Inclusive Hands’ and will provide the backdrop for more events in the future.
Anti Bullying Week
In November we celebrated Odd Socks Day as part of Anti Bullying Week. Staff and pupils rocked their mismatched socks to show that it’s okay to be different. By standing together, we’re sending a strong message against bullying and celebrating our own individuality.
In the Junior School, our Year 5 pupils joined the Senior School for some anti bullying workshops. Pupils took part in role plays, scenarios and discussions on topics such as Inclusion and Diversity, Playground Scenarios and Online and Mobile Phone Safety. The Year 5 pupils were hugely enthusiastic and really threw themselves into the activities, with the most outstanding contributors receiving postcards and lollipops from the ABA team.
Sweet History
During half term, the Classics Department hosted its annual Classics Cake Competition, where pupils were challenged to decorate cakes inspired by Greek or Roman themes.
We were delighted by the creativity and skill on display, with entries from Year 3 all the way up to Sixth Form. Here are just a few of the fantastic cakes that made this year’s competition a sweet success!
Geography in Action
Long warm summer days are a Geography student’s delight! The Summer and Autumn weather allows pupils to leave the classroom and venture into the world to see that what they have learnt in class.
Year 8
Pupils visited Finham Brook at the foot of Kenilworth Castle, to learn about measuring rivers and took a stroll into Coventry CBD to look at urban planning and count a few cars and pedestrians on the way.
Year 10
It was an early start to travel down to Christchurch in Dorset in June to have an adventure on the Mudeford Ferry around the spit and harbour. Who knew that King Henry VIII had visited the exact spot a few years earlier! Pupils learnt how to measure longshore drift and beach profiles, finishing the day off with a pizza and a game of beach football.
Winter is now well and truly upon us, so we will hibernate back to our classrooms until next Spring, when new adventures to Wales and Italy await…
Year 9
September normally sees warm gentle sunshine for the Year 9 coast trip to Skegness. This year’s weather forecast was not good, so everyone dressed in full winter woollies with thick waterproof overcoats, travelled through driving rain, to only arrive to gorgeous sunshine. The pupils completed all their field measurements and sketches without a drop of rain!
Year 12
It was a trip to Yorkshire for our Year 12 students to learn about rivers, urban planning, coastal sea defences and energy with a guided tour around Drax, the largest power station in UK.
