ISSUE 03 KING’S NEWS
MENTORING
EVENTS
English and Arts in the classroom
Lawyer Belinda Eriksson and mentee Xenia Kalognomas
A flavour of past events at King’s
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SUPPORTING KING’S Making a difference with Bursaries
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KING’S ASSOCIATION NEWS English and Arts in the classroom Careers mentoring at King’s Alumni spotlight Alumni travel guide: Tokyo
WELCOME TO YEAR 7 King’s has taught students aged 7-18 for many years. However, until now, boys aged 11 and 12 have only been taught in the junior school. King’s now welcomes boys of this age to the senior school too, enabling the school to offer a significant number of places to boys who wish to join us at the age of 11 from local primary schools, prep schools, and schools abroad.
In September, King’s welcomed the first cohort of boys into year 7. Their form rooms, the pastoral hub of life in the lower school, are based in the striking and spacious new teaching building designed by leading UK architects Allies and Morrison. /continue over p.2
Dr Sarah Hendry teaching Biology to year 7
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Update your contact details by contacting 020 8255 5390 KA@kcs.org.uk
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KING’S NEWS
Newsletter Issue 03
This term’s English classes have seen Year 7 explore the hero’s journey and the structure of prose in Tolkien’s The Hobbit alongside discovering and responding to poetry of the British Isles. National Poetry Day in October was a great opportunity to put their learning into practice and show off their talents: below, Thunderstorm, a poem by Louis McEvoy and Alex Molnar-Evans’s origami response to reading The Hobbit.
In Art, year 7s have been working on projects involving natural forms (see an example below). They started by drawing shells from direct observations and have been learning about different methods of implying detail on the surface of the shells; this has involved experimenting with different paints and mark-making.
KING’S COMMUNITY
Newsletter Issue 03
OUT OF AFRICA
TEACHER SWAP
The recent sponsored spelling and tables tests in Rushmere raised the staggering total of £8,839 for the Obera Schools charity in Kenya. This will allow the five classrooms we have already built to be plastered and fitted with windows and doors. Huge thanks to every Rushmere boy and their sponsors for their commitment!
As part of our teacher exchange programme with the Sanskriti School in India, Mr Sayer spent two weeks visiting Delhi whilst Annie Sethi visited the junior school and taught Rushmere boys. Mr Sayer’s trip provided a valuable insight into the education system and teaching practices in Indian schools.
SILVER LINING
IN MEMORY OF RAKESH JOSHI
During October half term, 11 CCF cadets took part in their Duke of Edinburgh silver award qualifying expeditions. The cadets walked more than 50km across the South Downs with the average pack weighing approximately 20kg. Well done to upper fifth boys Nicholas Ashworth, Freddie Ballsdon, Oliver Bekheit, Dhruv Harish, Alex Harris, Fred Mather, Harry Palmer, Dillon Patel, Raj Patel, Lavan Suriyar and Owen Woolf.
In October 2016 Layton students have been carrying out random acts of kindness – an initiative inspired by Laytonian Rakesh Joshi, who sadly passed away in 2015. All members had to do something kind for another member of the house; leaving gifts in the lockers, helping with homework, making birthday cards, and Mr Banyard even took one student to lunch and gave him an impromptu Physics lesson.
Read about artist Simon Watkins (OK 2006) p.14
Thunderstorm Sharp waves crashing. Black water billowing. Wave-foam spurting. Lie amidst it. We pull up the sail. Rain falls harder. Palpitating black water courses round. Darkness. Cawing gulls battered by the onslaught rain Diving to meet the sea. Rope frays fall as cord the sail pulls. Black water cracks. A boat gleaming. Timber groans. The rain slashes. Rain-smoke draws in. Fear. Crows. Above they fly. Rain twists. Mixing with fury and hate.
Alex Molnar-Evans
The seething mass rises, Falls again. Covers what would be there.
Shell, by Emmanuel Adeyemi
JUNIOR SCHOOL WRITING WORKSHOP WITH AUTHOR MARK ROBSON Before talking to third form and lower remove boys in the New Hall, children’s author Mark Robson ran a creative writing workshop with one lucky lower remove form.
The pupils set about rewriting their openings with one clear objective in mind: to spell out how their characters respond to the circumstances in which they find themselves.
He began by eliciting key elements to communicate to a reader in the opening paragraph of a story. The boys were then invited to start writing. Whilst praising their efforts, Mark didn’t shy away from direct feedback.
This reaction to – and interaction with – the events described produced colourful, cinematic writing. As if by magic, the boys’ writing suddenly came alive.
GIRL POWER In September, Poppy Hawkes, Sally Clifford, Clem Pollard and Olivia Jones (all from the class of 2016) came back to play in the annual alumni hockey match. They were joined by Victoria Williams and Hannah Blackman-Mack (both OK 2015) as well as Anna Westcott, vice-captain of school (OK 2014). The girls played well and, with added support from some current 2nd team players, the 1st XI won 3-0.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Newsletter Issue 03
KING’S CONNECT
Newsletter Issue 03
KING’S CONNECT SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR THE KING’S COMMUNITY
OLLIE DODGE (OK 2013) DOES GOOD Ollie is currently volunteering for the charity “Comamos Juntos” in Nicaragua, South America, for six months as part of his university course. “Comamos Juntos” is a grassroots social project based in Managua, the capital, which aims to combat food poverty and food waste.This is achieved by salvaging food from the city’s main wholesale market twice a week and distributing it to local foodinsecure communities.
kcs.org.uk/kingsconnect
Ollie works in the office of the organisation and at the recolecta (food collection and distribution). He also set up a fundraising campaign and raised £680 to help feed food-insecure communities. “The team is made up entirely from volunteers, both local and international, and relies on this volunteer work and donations to survive,” says Ollie. His Spanish and Portuguese studies at the University of Bristol will also take him to Portugal to complete his year abroad. Ollie will graduate in 2018. To read more, visit our facebook page: kingscollegeschool
ROWING CHAMPION CHARLIE FISHER (OK 2013) Last term, rower Charlie Fisher gave an inspiring assembly to King's students.
He spoke about his recent achievements in rowing, including being part of the Cambridge University Boat Squad that won the boat race against all odds last Easter. “Competing in and winning the Boat Race was a truly humbling moment and it’s a great honour to be part of this tradition that stretches back to the first race in 1829.The final few weeks in the build up to the race were filled with both nervousness and anticipation, but we went in on the day with confidence in our ability, which was ultimately justified,” he says.
We are always searching for new ways to enable parents and OKs to stay in touch with one another and find out about the school’s news and events. To respond to the needs of our alumni, we are launching a new version of our King’s Connect alumni portal in 2017.
“In my first two years at King’s I was appalling at all sports. Highlights included the D team for football and rugby. Being six foot one at 13 meant rowing was the logical choice and I have rarely looked back, rowing for 15 consecutive terms in the senior school. We won national medals for four years running and I represented Great Britain in my lower sixth year.”
King’s is very fortunate to have a supportive community of alumni, parents and former parents who are willing to act as mentors in a wide variety of fields.
King’s Connect will continue to provide a social space for OKs to reconnect with each other through an online directory, and an events page listing all events open to members of the King’s Association. The King’s Connect portal will initially be open to OKs and parents with students joining the platform in the future. Look out for your email invitation to join!
The new King’s Connect will include a professional e-mentoring portal, providing a safe space for students, parents and alumni to interact and share careers and university expertise.
Charlie is currently studying History at St John’s College, Cambridge.
BEN BARNES (OK 1999) ON THE SMALL SCREEN Ben is currently playing the role of Logan in the new HBO TV series ‘Westworld’. The western futurist epic from JJ Abrams is a remake of the 1973 Michael Crichton film that is set in a technologically advanced, Western-themed amusement park gone awry. The series, which also stars Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, James Marsden, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris and Tessa Thompson has drawn comparisons to ‘Game of Thrones’ and has received critical favour so far. In September 2016, Ben was also cast as Billy Russo in the upcoming Netflix series ‘Marvel’s The Punisher’. Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the series is a spin-off of Marvel’s ‘Daredevil’. Ben, who studied Drama and English Literature at Kingston University, is also known for his roles in ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ films. He was nominated twice for best performance as Prince Caspian at the National Movie Awards.
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MENTORING AT KING’S
Newsletter Issue 03
EMBRACING A CAREER IN LAW
MEET A MENTEE: XENIA KALOGNOMAS (OK 2014) Xenia will graduate from Durham University in 2017 and was recently offered a training contract at Baker & McKenzie.
“Building a relationship with a mentor is a unique opportunity.” “During my GCSEs I undertook work experience at a construction law firm in London, which sparked my interest in practising law in the future. For many of us who do not have relatives or family friends in the legal world, it can be difficult to obtain advice first-hand. Belinda gave me advice on how to complete the LNAT, and gave me guidance on courses at different universities. Her insight helped me decide to pursue a career in commercial Law and helped me to obtain work experience in London firms and chambers, at Freshfields,
Baker & McKenzie, and with a QC at Littleton Chambers. I also spent time at her firm, SW19Lawyers. It was interesting to learn that working as a commercial solicitor necessitates an interest in business and coming up with innovative ideas. We kept in touch long after I left King’s Belinda is a familiar face to turn to for advice and support. Building a relationship with your mentor is certainly a unique and unvaluable opportunity, which is worth pursuing.”
THE LAW SOCIETY In today’s highly competitive employment market, students and alumni can benefit from the advice, guidance and support that the King’s community can offer. One aspect of this is one-to-one mentoring where young people work with experienced figures who can help them begin their career.
The Law Society was established in early 2012 and has since held a number of very successful events including networking receptions, dinners and Q&A sessions. Their aim is to provide networking opportunities for those working in the legal profession and to offer support and mentoring for current students who are interested in a career in Law.
Xenia Kalognomas (OK 2014) has always been fascinated by Law. In the lower sixth, she was paired with her mentor, current parent Belinda Eriksson, for first-hand advice in embracing a career in Law.
To find out more, or to join the King’s College School Law Society, please email KA@kcs.org.uk
MEET A MENTOR: BELINDA ERIKSSON, CURRENT PARENT Belinda Eriksson is a founding partner of SW19Lawyers LLP and a member of the King’s College School Law Society committee. She qualified as a solicitor in 1990 at Freshfields and worked as a corporate tax lawyer before moving to Baker & McKenzie.
“Mentoring a student is very fulfilling it’s a chance to help them learn from your experiences.” “I started mentoring when King’s asked if we could help the lower sixth formers who wanted to study Law at university. Once Xenia went to Durham University, we would meet for coffee during her holidays to discuss how she was doing and possible next steps. We also spent a lunch discussing questions that may come up in interviews. At the end of her first year, I helped Xenia obtain a week’s shadowing with Michael Duggan QC at Littleton Chambers and Harini Iyengar at 11KBW. She also spent a week at Freshfields and a further week with Alex Chadwick at Baker & McKenzie.
SAVE THE DATE 23rd February 2017 LAW SOCIETY Q&A AND DRINKS RECEPTION - 6.00pm, Collyer Hall 9th November 2017 LAW SOCIETY DINNER - Gray’s Inn
LAW SOCIETY VISIT TO COOMBE SIXTH FORM
I’ve really enjoyed helping Xenia, and the chance to assist someone at the start of their career has been very rewarding. It’s a chance to help guide students when they make their decisions around university and work experience. Being supportive is key and giving time to share your own experiences is vital in building a good relationship with your mentee.”
To find out more, or if you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email KA@kcs.org.uk
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“Edoardo was absolutely charming and gave a fantastic talk which really brought a Law career to life” Karen Bentley, Progression Manager, Coombe Sixth Form
In December 2016, South Square barrister Edoardo Lupi (OK 2009) visited Coombe Sixth Form, one of our partner schools, for a discussion with students from year 12 and year 13 about careers in law. Edoardo graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class degree in Classics and, prior to joining chambers, he spent time working at McKinsey law firm in Milan.
The students took the opportunity to ask lots of questions and gained practical information on routes into a career in Law. The Law Society hopes to support partner schools further in the future. If you would like to help, please contact KA@kcs.org.uk
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KING’S EVENTS 1
Newsletter Issue 03
“It was a pleasure to attend Fellowship day. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to observe an English lesson – it reminded me again that the teachers at King’s are a real inspiration.” Lord Deighton (Former parent and King’s Fellow)
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1 Prize Giving at Cadogan Hall with King’s Fellow and former parent Sir Trevor McDonald OBE 2 Fellowship day; Fellow Glen James (OK 1969) in a lesson 3 Literature quiz with presenter, writer & broadcaster, Clare Balding 4 ‘One Year On’ BBQ for 2015 leavers 5 George Saintsbury lunch at the Travellers Club 6 In summer 2016, work began on the new music school 7 Senior school production: West Side Story 8 Remembrance service 9 City & Business networking reception 2014 at Barclay’s Bank – 2017 reception will take place on 22nd March 10 Arts & Media networking reception 2012: students with Jussi Pylkkannen (OK 1980), curent parent and fine arts auctioneer – 2017 reception will take place on 17th January
EVENTS
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Here’s a flavour of some of our events, always well attended by everyone in the community.
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THE FRIENDS OF KING’S
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ARTHUR WELLESLEY SOCIETY
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SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS Once again Toby Alloway (OK 1999) and his team from Titanium Fireworks outdid themselves. An amazing show, accompanied by perfectly coordinated music, made more than 4,500 visitors very happy. Tickets sold out in just three and a half days! The evening offered something for everyone including an entertaining circus show for the younger ones.The fabulous live music was provided by The Kings Big Band, Five Shades and Electric Parade.
A TASTE OF KING’S CULTURE
Thanks again to our sponsors, Savills and World of Golf for their generous contributions. The event would have been impossible without more than 220 wonderful parent volunteers and school staff who worked tirelessly to make the evening such a success. A huge thank you is also owed to Justin Ward who took some fantastic photos of the evening.
GULWALI PASSARLAY
CHRISTY CAMPBELL
From Afghanistan to Britain: a child refugee’s journey
Peenemünde and the Park Ultra versus the Nazi revenge weapons
Gulwali Passarlay left war-torn Afghanistan in 2006 at the age of 12. He spent a year travelling, alone, through the Middle East and Europe, shunted from people trafficker to people trafficker, trying to get to the UK, where he hoped to be reunited with his brother.
Christy Campbell, author and former Sunday Telegraph defence correspondent, discussed the contrasting approaches the United Kingdom and Germany took to further their attempts to win and end World War II.
He was 13 when he arrived in the UK, but he had no passport or birth certificate. After being granted asylym, he carried the Olympic torch through his adopted hometown of Bolton in 2012 and enrolled as a Politics student at the University of Manchester. Gulwali would eventually like to return to Afghanistan to attempt to influence government policy and improve the status quo for Afghan people.
At Peenemünde, on the Baltic Coast, Germany mainly adopted a scientific approach; scientists designed and manufactured the V1 and V2 rockets – carrying explosives – and Buchenwald concentration camp provided the slave workforce.
His love for fellow men, verve for life and determination to make the world a fairer and better place for all were tangible. Read further: A Lightless Sky (Gulwali Passarlay and Nadene Ghouri.) An Afghan refugee boy’s journey of escape to a new life; an emotionally and ethically challenging read.
At Bletchley Park, the UK assembled a team of mathematicians, scientists, linguistics and humanities experts to break the ‘Enigma’ coding system used by the Germans to send messages. “A truly informative exposition; we were so fortunate to hear Christy speak - his passion for the subject was infectious.” Peter Hatch, Chairman of the Arthur Wellesley Society.
ARTHUR WELLESLEY SOCIETY
THE FRIENDS OF KING’S The Friends is a registered charity set up in 1978 to advance the education of pupils at King’s College School and pupils at other partner schools in the maintained sector and overseas. In 2015/16 The Friends supported the broader school community and raised an impressive total of £106,976 through eight fundraising events, including the fireworks, Christmas fair and the London ball. The Friends allocated £67,037 to advancing the education of pupils at King’s and our partnership schools, including near–space balloon launch equipment for science and arts materials for the Open Doors project.
CHRISTMAS FAIR The 2016 Christmas fair was a hugely successful day with over 90 stalls selling everything from beautiful cashmere scarves to festive stocking fillers; great food and drink stalls run by local businesses; entertainment from our first ever ice skating rink and the chance to meet Santa Claus. Visitors from the school and the local community enjoyed a wonderful range of products and games. Our amazing Fiwila students also fetched, carried and refreshed tea and coffee throughout the day. Thank you to our event sponsor Robert Holmes for their support, all the other local businesses who contributed and all of the parents who volunteered to make the day a wonderful way to celebrate the start of the festive season.
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The Arthur Wellesley society is a cultural society which organises a series of events each year, to which the parent body of both the junior and senior schools are invited. This includes occasional speeches at the school, theatre or exhibition trips. SAVE THE DATE 27th April 2017 LORD PATTEN OF BARNES – 7.30pm, Great Hall Booking opens for members on Monday 20th February with general booking available from Monday 27th February. Online booking can be made at kcs.org.uk/boxoffice Adults £14, children £3, including a glass of wine or soft drink Refreshments served from 6.45pm.
DINNER AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS 80 members of the King’s community were welcomed by King’s Fellow Lord Grade of Yarmouth to the Palace of Westminster. The evening included guided tours of both houses and dinner in the Peers’ Dining Room. King’s Fellow Michael Grade gave a riveting speech about his family’s history, the House of Lords and the BBC.The event was a wonderful beginning to the festive season. Lord Grade of Yarmouth with Mrs Veronique Halls and Mr Andrew Halls
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH BURSARIES
Newsletter Issue 03
CHANGING LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION
WIDENING ACCESS TO OUTSTANDING EDUCATION King’s is committed to widening access and enabling children from a range of backgrounds to benefit from the transformational opportunities the school can provide. In 2016/17 we provided 62 students with full or partial bursaries.
Photo by Qiuying Giulia Lai (OK 2013)
Solomon Elliott (OK 2011) Solomon is a former bursary holder who joined King’s in 2003. His hard work earned him a place at Homerton College, Cambridge reading History. Solomon then trained as a journalist at Goldsmiths College; as an English teacher with Teach First and is now the founder of The Student View. “Raising five children while working three jobs, my mum wasn’t sure how she could ever dream to send her son to a school like King’s. She decided to take a leap of faith and enrol me for the 10+, and I’ll never forget the day
I was accepted. It was a steep learning curve, and I owe a debt of gratitude to my teachers. I’ve now created my own charitable organisation, The Student View, which trains students from low income backgrounds as journalists and gives them a chance to share their world through words. I would not have the skills to grasp these exciting opportunities if I had not attended King’s. King’s is grateful for your generosity. Please keep giving in whatever way you can.”
“Through my experience as a teacher in the maintained sector, I have seen how intelligent and hard-working children often don’t get the opportunities they deserve.”
Lieve is a chemical engineer by training and has worked in her native Belgium, as well as France and the UK. She later taught mathematics in the state and private sector. Lieve and her husband Karl have generously supported King’s with contributions to the renewal programme and to bursaries.
Bernard Everett (OK 1962)
Laura Trosser (OK 2012)
Surrey Scholars were historically funded by the county council to attend King’s based solely on ability. Surrey Scholar Bernard Everett CVO left King’s to read Modern History at the University of Oxford. He served as ambassador to Guatemala (1987-91), Consul-General in Houston, USA (1991-95), High Commissioner to Mozambique (1996-2000) and Consul-General in Sao Paulo, Brazil (2000-03).
Bursary recipient Laura is a London based actress specialising in classical and contemporary drama. She graduated with an A.B. from Harvard University in 2016 with honours in Comparative Literature.
“The King’s bursary scheme opens doors to able students who would otherwise not have access to such an outstanding education.”
Lieve Robijns-Vanrusselt (current parent and donor) “Through the generosity of so many, we have been able to share the life-changing experience that is King’s with boys and girls who cannot afford it.We are also creating a splendid campus to be enjoyed by generations to come. Together, we can aspire to share everything this school delivers – the buildings, the teaching, the sports, the pastoral care – through outreach with partner schools and beyond.”
BURSARIES APPEAL 2016 In June, we appealed to the King’s Community to help us provide more bursaries for deserving students. The response has been wonderful, with contributions from current and former parents, alumni and staff. The total for the 2016 appeal has now reached more than £97,000
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“At my previous school, I wasn’t able to do the subjects I wanted. I was lucky that King’s was just about to accept girls into the sixth form for the first time. Its success made it a no-brainer as my top choice. Being offered a place was a huge honour, but there was no way that I could have accepted without funding. Being told that I could come to King’s was an incredible moment.
“I went to a state school and the top boy in the class a couple of years previously had gone to King’s, and that appeared to me to be a desirable thing to do. I did well enough at the 11 plus to be invited in for an interview.
Until I came here, I didn’t realise you could have a school that combines academic excellence with pastoral care that really works. As a keen thespian, the memories that stand out come from the amazing opportunities I had through the drama department. I remember spending hours after school rehearsing for Sweeney Todd. It is one of my most treasured memories.
I was never particularly conscious of being a Surrey Scholar. One great thing was that nobody actually made you aware that there were students whose parents were paying fees, and students on Surrey Scholarships. At King’s, academic attainment is praised; being a good student is seen by your peers as possible as well as desirable, and this made a real difference.
Having a bursary allowed me access to an incredible school environment. Without that, I would never have considered applying to a US university; I would not have gone on to spend four amazing years at Harvard.
Something that was unique about King’s was the Sixth Form Society. Frank Shaw (Head Master 1960-75) founded the society, and invited distinguished speakers to give inspiring talks to the students. Guests included the General Secretary of the TUC, and Sir John Wolfenden, who wrote the Wolfenden report, which paved the way for the decriminalisation of homosexuality. This doesn’t seem revolutionary now, but these speakers were trailblazers of their time. The chance to interact with people of that sort of eminence was something I wasn’t used to. I think we all would like to give capable young people the chance to develop their talents.”
For more information, please visit kcs.org.uk/support or contact development@kcs.org.uk for a discussion about getting involved.
“I’ve never forgotten that through your generosity boys and girls like me are given a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend this one of a kind school. Thank you.”
Every penny donated to King’s makes a difference, but I think that donating to bursaries makes the biggest difference. I never felt out of place as a bursary student and I am immensely grateful that support was available to give me the chance to experience this incredible institution.”
“You cannot overestimate the difference that bursary funding can make to a child’s whole life.” To find out more about Laura and Bernard’s stories, please visit:kcs.org.uk
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Newsletter Issue 03
OLD KING’S CLUB
ARTIST SIMON WATKINS (OK 2006)
What is the most important lesson from your time at King’s? “During my nine years at King’s I developed a deep curiosity about all things; my interests are not narrowly focused simply around art. I remember being particularly inspired by Dr Simon McKeown who taught English, and later taught History of Art. He had a curious mind and a light-hearted approach. Really diverse subjects were interwoven in his lessons which were ostensibly about literature but actually ranged from history to politics, religion to art, and philosophy to pop culture.When I went on to study History of Art at university, that interdisciplinary approach was so important.” What was the art department like? “When I was doing the IB, Robbie Carswell was heading up the department. He pushed us to develop our ideas, and to try out lots of different materials. I also really valued the way the teachers and technical assistants would support any mad creative idea and develop it with you, and, crucially, find a way to resource it and
ANNUAL DINNER 2016
bring it to fruition. So many of my memories from school days are from the Reeve School studios where I used to spend a lot of my time.”
The 2016 Annual Dinner was held in the Great Hall on Saturday 19th November. It was great to see so many OKs attending, ranging from 1946 to 2016 leavers. Principal Deputy Margaret Hunnaball was the guest speaker and there was music by the John Burnett-Hall jazz ensemble.Thank you to everyone who came and helped make it a success.
What do you do on a day–to–day basis? “I paint for a living now, and one of the joys of being an artist is that you can explore and investigate everything; painting portraits leads me to meet all sorts of people and learn about their world. I have also been very lucky to travel to beautiful places while I paint.
All pictures by Antonis Marinis
Simon Watkins is a British artist. On leaving King’s, he went to Florence for a year to study drawing under the American painter Charles H. Cecil. On his return, he studied History of Art at the University of York. He then returned to Florence to continue studying painting for a further two years. Since then he has been working from his studio in London. In 2013, he won the Towry Award for the best work from London at the National Open Art Exhibition.
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I spend two thirds of my time painting portraits on commission. There’s a balance to be struck with commissioned work between satisfying my own creative impulses and producing work that satisfies my clients. My aim is always to capture something that goes beyond a simple reproduction of facial features on canvas; it has to show their character. When I’m not painting portraits, I sometimes hire models and work on my own figurative paintings.” Where do you hope your career will take you? “I’ve been working full time as an artist for about four and a half years now, working directly with clients and selling pictures straight from my studio. Being a painter is also a lifelong learning process, and that is wonderful, so trips to galleries give new energy every time I get back in the studio. There’s always a new direction to explore. The next step is probably to work with a gallery or agent to represent me, to take my work to a new audience.” More information: www.simonwatkinsart.com
THE OLD KING’S CLUB 2016 has been a busy year for the Old King’s Club and its many constituent parts. Major social events like the Duel Dinner at the Savile Club, drinks at the Oriental Club and of course the annual dinner at the school have drawn together the keen supporters of the club’s various sporting activities and – even more pleasingly – members of all ages who have not connected with the King’s community since leaving school. We are looking forward to 2017! Alexander Malmaeus (OK 1984), Chairman. Please visit the Club’s website for more information: oldkingsclub.org.uk
SAVE THE DATE
23rd March 2017 20th June 2017 25th June 2017
DUEL DAY DINNER CAREERS EVENING SPORTS DAY
Lambeth Palace King’s College School King’s College School
SPORTS DAY 2017 – Sunday 25th June The day will include cricket, 5-a-side football, touch rugby, tennis, fencing, family swimming, squash, table tennis, netball and basketball. Refreshments will be available on site, as well as picnic areas. Recent portrait comission of a musician (2016)
To register your interest or for more information, please email info@oldkingsclub.org.uk
Recent painting of a man (2016)
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ALUMNI TRAVEL GUIDE
Newsletter Issue 03
TOKYO In October 2016, a number of King’s physicists and engineering students went to Japan to explore the country’s science, technology and culture. They attended a tea ceremony and Kendo sessions, learnt calligraphy and drew anime characters. They were also invited to Keio, Chiba and Yokohama national universities for a series of lectures and demonstrations about cutting edge research. Miss Langenberg, Co-ordinator of International Links at King’s said, “One of the great pleasures of the trip was meeting up with Kei Izawa (OK 2003) again.This is the fourth time we have been to Japan and every time Kei is the perfect host.”
KEI IZAWA (OK 2003) is exports manager at Tecnifibre,
a French rackets sports company in Tokyo. Kei, who studied International Management with French at the University of Bath, tells us about the capital of Japan, Tokyo, where he now lives and works.
WHERE TO EAT
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• Gonpachi (1), an “izakaya” – Japanese bar – in the Roppongi area.This was one of the locations for the “Kill Bill” movie (around 3000 JPY / head). • Ninja restaurant in the Akasaka. A ninja will greet you and guide you through the dark corridors to your seat. The food they serve is extremely aesthetically pleasing! (upwards of 6000JPY/head). • Ouca Japanese ice cream café next to Ebisu station, serving dozens of flavours including green tea, cherry blossom, pumpkin, watermelon and sweet chestnut (depending on the season). • Tsukiji fish market for a sushi breakfast.
WHERE TO CHILL OUT
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If you are visiting during the week-long “sakura” – cherry blossom – season, a walk along the Meguro river or a walk around the Zojo-ji temple (2) next to Tokyo Tower is a must.
SIGHTS NOT TO MISS • Walking through Asakusa area towards the Senso-ji temple for a taste of “old” Tokyo. • Having a coffee on the 1st floor of Starbucks above the famous Shibuya Hachiko crossing.
MEETING WITH KING’S STUDENTS Kei said: “I joined the teachers and pupils for a ‘shabu-shabu’ (hotpot) dinner. This has somewhat become a “tradition” as I have participated in this dinner for the past four trips. I also joined them on a visit to the Keio High School (the school which King’s currently conducts its Japanese exchange with).” Kei would love to meet up with other OKs in Tokyo or Japan. Get in touch by emailing: development@kcs.org.uk
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