Kingstonian 2019-2020 by Kingston Grammar School

2019/20

Kingston Grammar School magazine

KINGSTONIAN AC A D E M I C L I F E

S P O RT

HOUSE REVIEW

C LU B S & S O C I E T I E S

TRIPS

A LU M N I

S TA F F

Front cover: The winning goal is scored by Noa Armelin in the U14 Investec Tier 1 Hockey Championships

CONTENTS

Contents Kingstonian 2019/20

Introduction from the Head Master

ACADEMIC LIFE

SPORT

HOUSE REVIEW

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

Art ................................................................ 18 Biology ..................................................24 Chemistry......................................... 26 Classics ................................................ 28 Design & Technology ..... 30 Drama.....................................................32 Economics ...................................... 37

Mr SR Lehec

English................................................... 38 Geography ..................................... 42

TRIPS

104

ALUMNI

112

STAFF

116

Government & Politics............................................. 44

LOCKDOWN DIARY

History ................................................... 46 Library .................................................... 48 Mathematics ................................ 50

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS

Modern Foreign Languages........................................52

Music........................................................54 Physics.................................................. 58 PSHE ........................................................ 60

NOTICEBOARD

Psychology .................................... 62 Religion & Philosophy.... 64 STEAM ................................................... 66

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION From the Head Master

From the Head Master

Bene agere ac laetari, whatever the circumstances. F

or the first time in my career, I would love to be looking back on the past academic year and telling everyone that it was a year like any other, that not much had happened, and that ‘steady as she goes’ had been the order of the day. That, however, is simply not possible. Indeed, Dickens’ opening line in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” is possibly more apt. One obvious change is the fact that this year you won’t be rescuing your copy of this Kingstonian from your son or daughter’s bag, ready to be shared with family and friends over the Christmas period. In light of the November lockdown potentially affecting print runs, staffing levels and other logistics, we took the decision to produce a digital version this year. It is, by necessity, a slightly streamlined edition due to the majority of school events, trips, fixtures and house competitions being put on hold. However, we hope you will agree that it celebrates the School’s year in retrospect and is a record of many student achievements. One positive consequence is that the School has been able to donate what would have gone towards printing costs to the Hardship Fund. With 2020 having been a very difficult year, we want to do all that we can to support those who need it.

Kingstonian

2019/20

The 2019/20 academic year certainly started on a high, with some fantastic A Level and GCSE results, another successful production at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the new Sixth Form Centre, comprising a redesigned and refreshed courtyard, gallery and foyer area, looking bright and inviting. The Senior Play, Ionesco’s Rhinoceros, got audiences off to a good start and we sat immersed in café culture, enjoying some brilliant performances of the absurd depicting the rise of fascism. Slightly closer to home, later in the year the Middle School superbly performed James Graham’s The Vote, producing thought and laughter in equal measure. In both cases the cast and creative crew pulled off super runs of quite difficult plays, proving once again that the Drama team at KGS produce plays within a school, not simply school plays. The Autumn and Spring concert schedules and the beautiful Carol Service at All Saints Church in Kingston were equally enjoyable; with an increasing range of groups and ensembles on offer, the inimitable First Year Choir, who always delight us, once again demonstrated that everyone has a voice. Every other part of the School was flourishing too, with great debates, works of art, academic progress, intense discussion in societies and experimentation and execution of ideas in science, robotics and coding. Lots of this and more, including an intensely and closely-fought House Competition, eventually won by Queen’s, will be highlighted in the pages within.

A special mention must, however, be reserved for sport and, in particular, Miss Naismith’s girls’ hockey teams. The U14 girls reached the National Finals, held once again at the Olympic Lee Valley National Centre, and had obviously saved some of their best hockey for the finals as they swept through the opposition. They reached a stalemate in a nail-biting final which they won, with nerves of steel, in a penalty flick sudden death decider. Their triumph helped to inspire further national successes in both the U13 girls’ and the U15 girls’ sides and for the first time in quite some years KGS was able to boast a trio of national titles in the same academic year. We were just under two-thirds of the way through the year when news of a virus began to concern us all – as a school, as a community and as a country. At KGS we watched and waited, read every briefing note available and put potential plans to the test with a high degree of concern but perhaps just a little scepticism. Would the nation really go into full lockdown? Could all schools really close? And then, of course, it happened – and we did. What followed could be catastrophised and make for pretty bleak reading. It was for many, at least to begin with and for those directly affected, “the worst of times”. But other things shone through, lightened the mood and offered hope. Captain (now Sir, of course) Tom’s fundraising, a weekly round of applause to say ‘thank you’ to the NHS and the waves of volunteers wishing to support those in need were all indicators that we wanted to show our appreciation and do what we could to alleviate the difficulties faced by many. At KGS we had more than our fair share of students and staff who were delivering food to the elderly and vulnerable, raising funds for the NHS and other local charities. Online learning and meetings quickly became the ‘new normal’ and I for one couldn’t help but admire the speed and efficiency shown by the IT team, and all staff and students at KGS, in adapting to how lessons were going to be delivered.

Illustration by Grace Dormer, Second Year

Quickly, pastoral sessions, video briefings and competitions were added and overnight YouTube sensations (not!) were created. All of our students and parents were equally magnificent in adapting to the circumstances and immersed themselves in the learning despite the difficulties presented by all trying to work from home, sharing the same connection, the same space and often the same devices. There were, of course, pros and cons: meetings became more frequent but more focussed and, thankfully, briefer; concerns about food deliveries and the supply of toilet roll were solved by the supermarkets and their committed delivery drivers; and we all learned to enjoy being together: playing games, watching films and going for walks to observe and enjoy life’s simple pleasures became more important than it had ever been. Of course, the issues didn’t end there. Upper Sixth and Fifth Year students still had the Centre Assessed Grades (CAGS) to ‘look forward’ to. I commend all staff and students involved in that process, not least for their stoicism while we campaigned and awaited the ditching of the algorithm in favour of teachers’ professionally judged outcomes. We are not out of the woods yet; 2020–21 may prove to be just as difficult but for now I truly believe that we can look back on 2019–20 and be justifiably proud of what we achieved both before and during lockdown. We can hope that the positive lessons that came from the experience of the latter will stand us and others in good stead for the future. Perhaps LP Hartley’s “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there” is a more apt quotation for our times as the ‘new normal’ becomes just, well, ‘normal’. Finally, thank you all for your support for each other, for the KGS community and for all the kindnesses shown. I can tell you it meant a great deal. Bene agere ac laetari, whatever the circumstances. Mr SR Lehec, Head Master

INTRODUCTION From the Head Master

INTRODUCTION

LOCKDOWN DIARY

ith over £10,000 raised for NHS charities and local organisations, the KGS spirit truly shone through.

LOCKDOWN DIARY 2020

The English Department collected donations for the Trussell Trust food bank.

Volunteering, fundraising, donating and working collaboratively have long been the cornerstones of the School’s ethos.

A crack DT team manufactured PPE visors. Mr Farr, wife Kathleen, Upper Sixth son Callum and Senior Caretaker John Boyes made and delivered over 560 to hospitals, GPs, care homes, community nurses, key workers, the SPEAR homeless charity and Hook Covid Hot Hub. Old Kingstonian Jeroen Sibia launched Lockdown Haircut, a business that matches those in need of home-based haircut tuition with an expert barber, with profits going to the NHS. One of their first customers was an exceptionally trusting Head Master, whose wife was successfully guided through her first ‘short back and sides’. Featured on ITV and Sky News, Jeroen’s not-for-profit initiative was subsequently voted Best New Business by The Daily Telegraph. First Year student Cameron McArthur volunteered with the Dons’ Local Action Group delivering food to vulnerable people. His charitable work sparked the interest of ITV who interviewed him for their news bulletin. Running a total of 2000km, the distance from Kingston to Inverness and back, the U15 girls’ hockey team raised £6000 for NHS charities. Second Year Hannah Topen cycled 1635km – the distance to Dundee and back – raising over £1600 for NHS charities. The pandemic highlighted that many pupils have no access to laptops to use for online learning. KGS parents Nick Cahn and Jill Evans set up Keep Kids Connected Kingston to provide free laptops to disadvantaged children. As we went to print, over 1,000 had been donated to local schools. If you have an unused laptop or tablet that you could donate, please get in touch at kingston@keepkidsconnected.co.uk

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“After hearing of Captain Tom’s efforts, Hannah wanted to raise some money. It was all her own idea and is such a big achievement.”

LOCKDOWN DIARY

LOCKDOWN DIARY 2020

As part of the Champion Challenges, Alfie Whyte in First Year grew sunflower and tomato plants to give away to neighbours.

“I wanted to contribute something meaningful to the fight against COVID-19... and support those who need PPE equipment right now.”

KGS rowers took to the water to raise funds for local charities.

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS

Outreach OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS FUTURES

& partnerships

It is through our ongoing outreach and partnership activity that KGS has become more closely connected to the local community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and in these turbulent and uncertain times, working together and a renewed sense of community and engagement have never been so important.

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Professional development & training

Careers & Universities Department

TKA KGS futures

We have continued to offer professional development opportunities and specialist courses to local primary school teachers. Tim Benson, our Head of STEAM, provided support for the delivery of the computing curriculum at primary level, often a daunting prospect for non-specialist teachers. The sessions focused on the BBC Micro:bit and alongside the practical training course we provided lesson plans and resources, including a kit of 10 Micro:bits, for each school. These kits, sponsored by Old Kingstonian Mansoor Sheik, who has a passion for STEAM learning, can be used for teaching classes of up to 30 students. Utilising our in-house pastoral expertise, KGS offered a two-part training opportunity to primary school teachers supporting them with their preparations for the delivery of Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) that became statutory in September 2020. We welcomed local primary school teachers for a lecture and Q&A session delivered by Nick Forsyth (Head of Wellbeing) and Maria Robinson (Head of PSHE), followed by a practical workshop on the delivery of age-appropriate material led by Amy Forbes-Robertson from It happens…Let’s talk about it. This interactive session focused on the most effective delivery of RSE which provides young people with good information enabling them to make better choices regarding their own emotional safety and wellbeing. The workshop session looked at age-appropriate resources, how to answer tricky questions and how to approach the delivery of sensitive and sometimes controversial themes and issues.

Partnership activities with local state schools have focussed on supporting student aspirations for applying to top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Examples include a STEAM day run in collaboration with Imperial College London, mock interviews, a workshop run in collaboration with the Philosophy Foundation and interview sessions for aspiring medics with St George’s Medical School. In all this, our aim is to offer students – both our own and those from local schools – a chance to mix with their peers, gain vital skills, and forge links with the wider community. We have also developed a programme of careers education events aimed specifically at Year 12 students applying to read Medicine at university. The initial event launched in November 2019 and attracted 80 students from 18 local schools and colleges, 90% of whom were from the state sector. This involved a presentation from Medic Portal followed by presentations and Q&A sessions from three KGS alumni: Dr Sebastian Baxter (Consultant in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia with 17 years’ experience); Dr Beti Garside (Junior Doctor at Homerton Hospital) and Nicole George (Third Year medical student at Imperial College). The Spring term with a practical workshop that focused on student preparation for the entrance test. Sadly, the coronavirus lockdown played havoc with our plans for further workshops, but we are hopeful that we can develop and build on the success of the programme in 2021.

With that in mind, we have formalised a collaborative partnership with The Kingston Academy to develop a comprehensive careers education programme. Our aim, coronavirus permitting, is to provide inspirational and aspirational careers education through keynote events open to all students within the local community, which will be promoted through social media, sixth forms and colleges in and around Kingston. As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution we need to advance and integrate digital, physical and biological technologies. Future employment and the changing face of the workforce is becoming a significant priority. In the next five years, more than half of all workplace tasks will be performed by A.I. and many of the jobs as we know them will cease to exist. However, new jobs will emerge from this disruption and we need our workforce to be agile and responsive. Cognitive flexibility, creativity, critical thinking, negotiation, complex decision making, problem solving and emotional intelligence will be core to success. We believe that the scale of change is significant and that by working collaboratively we can create opportunities which are beneficial, relevant and accessible to all. Mrs D Sherwood, Assistant Head; Director of Partnerships

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS FUTURES

OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIPS

NOTICEBOARD

Leavers 2020

NOTICEBOARD Results 2020

Farewell The early closure of the School meant it was a particularly emotional day as we said a premature goodbye to our wonderful Upper Sixth leavers. Au revoir and good luck to: Lily Abbott, Emily Adam, Anand Aggarwal, Gaia Aherne, Lauren Araujo, Lucas Askeland, Tim Baker, Dylan Berressem, Holly Blake, Jude Boden, Maia Booth, Lily Borrows, Robert Bradley, Aleks Brown, Zil BurkhardtDawood, Natasha Burrell, Camila Carbajal, Eugene Chang, Sam Cluff, Toby Cole, Jessica Cropley, Kian Das, Ben Davies, Joost Den Hoedt, Thomas Driver, Giulia Duggan, Jack Durden, William Eckley, Theo Eisenstein-Levett, Thomas Ewart-Ellison, Callum Farr, Finn Farrer, Sebastian Fernando, Annabella Francis, Meg Francis, Alexander Furmston, Sophie Fussell, Ewan Galloway-Hale, Elizabeth Garbett, Suzi Garforth, Izzy Garside, Alex Gavrilescu, Bijan Ghamsari-Esfahani, Thomas Gibson, Edie Goodall, Sara Gotham-Pardo, Kitty Griffin, Emily Grills, Lia Gutzwiller, Sophia Habl, Thomas Hall, Daniel Harris, Dominic Hayes, James Hayes, Izzy Hepburn, Tom Hollands, Will Hunt, Muhyuck Im, Issy James, Edward Jones, Portia Katzauer, Ciara Kennedy, Ha Eun Kim, Michael Larkin, Grace Lloyd, Ellie Lord, Cameron Macpherson, Bee Malka, Ben Mallinson, Louis Marshall, Sam Mayhew, Hannah Medcalf, Anna Muent, Tom Nicholls, Manvir Nijjar, Lexi North, Ji Hun Oh, Gabriel Oxley, Ruairi Parker, Lucy Pearce, Melis Pekgoz, William Pengilly, Tillie Piolini-Castle, Philip Pisarro-Jensen, Izzy Pleasance, Harry Quantrill, Katie Rhoades, Matthew Richardson, Emelie Robinson, Millie Rossner, Thomas Sayer, Daniel Selimi, Matthew Shipley, Alexander Smolenski, Harry Stephenson, Elizabeth Stevenson, Rory Stroud, Charlie Stuart, Joe Studholme, Daniel Sullivan, Sam Tallis, Marcus Tapper, Chloe Taylor, Josh Thompson, Harry Torrance, Lucile Toulemonde, Sayem Uddin, Jamie Van Hesteren Jones, Jacob Walker, Maia White, Isabelle Whitehill, Millie Whittle, Phoebe Williams, Katherine Williamson, Ollie Williamson, Matt Wilson, Matthew Wood, Heidi Wort and Layla Yousif. 8

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NOTICEBOARD

Off to Oxbridge

Medics of the future

Going stateside

Chloe Taylor is off to read Biomedical Sciences at Balliol College, Oxford, alongside Alexia North who goes on to read History at Queen’s. Taking up places at Cambridge University are Toby Cole (Mathematics at Trinity Hall), Thomas Driver (Modern Languages at Emmanuel) and Anna Muent (History at Lucy Cavendish).

Taking up places to study Medicine are Katherine Williamson (Hull/ York), Lia Gutzwiller (Southampton), Charlie Stuart (Nottingham), Sayem Uddin (University College London), Matthew Wood (Imperial) and Camila Carbajal (King’s College London).

NOTICEBOARD Results 2020

As in previous years, we are also delighted at the high numbers of KGS students who have been accepted onto the most competitive Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry courses.

Gaining prestigious four-year rowing scholarships, Hannah Medcalf, Lily Abbott and Sophie Fussell are off to study at the University of Texas, Duke University in North Carolina and the University of California in Los Angeles respectively. Mr Ed Green, Director of Rowing at KGS, said, “I am very proud of what the students have achieved. They’ve worked relentlessly, week in, week out in all weathers, and these hard-won offers are proof of their commitment to the sport.”

Thank you! Huge thanks to our hardworking School Captains, Harry Torrance and Izzy Pleasance, and Vice-Captains Tom Hollands and Emily Adam.

Edie Goodall is off to study Dentistry at Newcastle and Daniel Selimi will read Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Not only have they excelled academically but they have also demonstrated a huge personal commitment in gaining crucial relevant work experience to become that next generation of professionals who deserve our unstinting praise and appreciation.

NOTICEBOARD

NOTICEBOARD Class of 2020

Class of 2020 Bath Chemical Engineering Chemistry Economics Psychology

Goldsmiths Fine Art Media

Oxford Biomedical Sciences History

Hull/York Medicine

Oxford Brookes Business & Management

Birmingham Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Criminology & Sociology English & History Liberal Arts & Sciences Management & Spanish Nursing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Child & Mental Health Social Policy & Criminology Spanish & History

Imperial College London Medicine

Portsmouth Criminology

Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College London Medicine

RADA Stage Management

Kingston Computer Science

Roehampton Criminology

Leeds Biology Civil Engineering English & Social Policy History Law Psychology

Royal Holloway Film Production Psychology

Bristol Biochemistry Engineering Mathematics Geography German Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Cambridge History Mathematics MML

Manchester Biotechnology Geography History History & Politics Mathematics

Cardiff Chemistry Duke (USA) Liberal Arts & Sciences Durham Archaeology English Geography History PPE UEA Economics Edinburgh Architecture Geography German Graphic Design Politics Exeter PPE Sociology & Anthropology Zoology

Kingstonian

Loughborough Civil Engineering

2019/20

Newcastle Dentistry English & History Nottingham Aerospace Engineering American Studies & History Architectural Engineering Architectural Environment Engineering Biochemistry Biology Chemistry Civil Engineering Economics History Industrial Economics Liberal Arts & Sciences Mechanical Engineering Medicine Philosophy Politics & American Studies Politics & International Relations Psychology & Philosophy

Royal Veterinary College Veterinary Science Sheffield Bioengineering Civil Engineering History & French Physics Southampton Medicine Sussex American Studies & Politics Philosophy Texas (USA) Medicine UCL Economics Medicinal Chemistry Medicine Psychology & Engineering Russian & History UCLA (USA) Liberal Arts & Sciences Warwick Chemistry History Mathematics Physics with Astrophysics Politics & International Relations

NOTICEBOARD

84% Edinburgh

91% 74% 86% 3 of grades were A*/A/B

Newcastle Durham

of grades were A*/A

Hull/York Leeds Manchester Sheffield UEA

Nottingham

Loughborough Birmingham

Cambridge

Warwick

Oxford Brookes Oxford

Bristol Cardiff

students have gained prestigious four-year rowing scholarships at US universities

Bath London (9)

Southampton Exeter

of students achieved places at Russell Group universities

Sussex

Portsmouth

NOTICEBOARD Class of 2020

of students achieved their first-choice university

NOTICEBOARD

Results 2020

NOTICEBOARD Results 2020

GCSEs C

ontext is all! And so it proves when trying to fully understand the public examination results from Summer 2020. For Old Kingstonians reading an archive copy of this in the distant future, I will spare you many of the details of the dystopia created by COVID-19. Nevertheless, it is important to note that, for the first time ever, the grades awarded to both GCSE and A Level students this year were ultimately based on teacher assessments rather than formal exams. Although the exams regulator Ofqual tried to use an algorithm in order to standardise results across schools, this ultimately proved to be flawed. After a significant government U-turn, the Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) were finally awarded to many relieved and justifiably delighted students. We were delighted that the GCSE class of 2020 at Kingston Grammar School upheld, and indeed just eclipsed, the outstanding results of their predecessors.

We were delighted that the GCSE class of 2020 at Kingston Grammar School upheld, and indeed just eclipsed, the outstanding results of their predecessors.

It really is in difficult times that we can truly appreciate the strength of a community when it pulls together.

With an exceptional 70.9% of all grades at 9/8, and 43.4% at the top grade 9 alone, we were particularly pleased that after enduring the myriad challenges and uncertainties of the last few months and, notably, the final days leading up to the publishing of results, their hard work and commitment has been justly recognised and rewarded. While we hope that all of our students were pleased with the final outcome of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly unusual process, particular recognition goes to those who have been awarded grade 9s across all their subjects.

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These include Sophie Farrell with 12 grade 9s, Paul Adams, Freddie Pflanz and Jessica West with 11, and Alice Cassidy, James Don-Wauchope, Anna Duggan, Jack Emerson, Juliet Gray, Arthur Prince and Sebastian Rugina with 10 at grade 9. A further seven students achieved nine grade 9s: Harry Wilkinson, Holly Farrer, Nick Long, Alex Middleton, Heertthana Peterarulthas, Annabel Roux and Marcus Merritt. Mr W Cooper, Deputy Head (Academic)

NOTICEBOARD

Results 2020

A Levels W

74% A*/A and 91% A*–B, the young men and women of Kingston Grammar School’s Upper Sixth 2020 have achieved some wonderful outcomes that acknowledge their abilities, hard work and determination over the last two years of study.

86% of students achieved places at Russell Group universities, with 84% of our Upper Sixth Leavers attaining their first choice of course and university.

and they will no doubt go on to make a significant contribution to our wider, global society in time.

From the Head Master

Our top-performing students were led by Izzy Hepburn who achieved 4 A*s, with Emily Adam, Anand Aggarwal, Tim Baker, Dylan Berressem, Toby Cole, Ben Davies, Thomas Driver, Callum Farr, Alex Furmston, Ewan Galloway-Hale, Bijan Ghamsari-Esfahani, Sophia Habl, Issy James, Ellie Lord, Bee Malka, Alexia North, Matthew Shipley, Chloe Taylor, Millie Whittle, Katherine Williamson and Matthew Wood all attaining three 3 A*s or Pre-U equivalents. This year, 86% of students achieved places at Russell Group universities, with 84% of our Upper Sixth Leavers attaining their first choice of course and university. These students have contributed so much to the School and community

NOTICEBOARD Results 2020

ith 36% of grades at A*,

“Each year I say – and mean – that we are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements; this year is different in that not only am I delighted for their academic successes but exceptionally proud that, at a time of such flux, they have remained focussed, balanced and calm throughout.

Last year I wrote that we were in an unsettling period of change in what we teach and how we grade young people’s academic efforts; little did any of us know the landscape this year would be quite so uncertain. As ever, I am incredibly grateful for the wholehearted support we receive from our parent body, and the hard work and dedication of our staff. It really is in difficult times that we can truly appreciate the strength of a community when it pulls together. To the students, who have experienced months of uncertainty about their futures, I repeat my congratulations. Not only have they achieved wonderful academic outcomes but they have coped admirably with the demands placed upon them. I know that the challenge of the last few months will put them in good stead for the future.” Mr W Cooper, Deputy Head (Academic) Mr S Morris, Deputy Director of Careers & Universities

NOTICEBOARD

NOTICEBOARD Colours & Honours

Colours & Honours Colours Hockey Full School Colours: Jude Boden, Natasha Burrell, Callum Farr, Ewan Galloway-Hale, Kitty Griffin, Jamie Hughes, Will Hunt, Issy James, Ellie Lord, Sam Mayhew, Tom Nicholls, Theo Piche Hainsworth, Katie Rhoades, Emma Sloan and Elizabeth Stevenson Half School Colours: Gaia Aherne, Rosie Callen, Juliette Den Hoedt, Meg Francis, Izzy Garside, Edie Goodall, Sara Gotham-Pardo, Clara Hinde, Clara John, Ciara Kennedy, Anna Le Huray, Ben Little, Max Mayhew, Lexi North, Theo Pawsey-Persaud, Harry Pink, Izzy Pleasance, Roddy Reid, Thomas Skeates, Chloe Taylor, Lucile Toulemonde, Maria Uria-Kabashima, Maia White, Millie Whittle and Sophie Wood

Football Full School Colours: Clara John Half School Colours: Lucas Askeland, Robert Bradley, Aleks Brown, Zil Burkhardt-Dawood, Charlotte Cahn, Thomas Driver, Tom Hollands, Ben Mallinson, Ruari Parker, William Pengilly, Oliver Sandry-Butler, Matthew Shipley, Daniel Sullivan, Andrei Vasilisin-Tack and Freya Worsley

Netball Full School Colours: Giullia Duggan, Meg Francis, Sara Gotham-Pardo, Maia White and Millie Whittle Half School Colours: Shayma Al Saraf, Anouk Delattre, Charlotte Higham and Jess West

Rowing

Tennis

Full School Colours: Lily Abbott, Gabi Bergmann-Chornik, Fran Chorley and Harry Fletcher

Full School Colours: Tim Baker, Sara Gotham-Pardo, Elizabeth Stevenson and Matthew Wood

Half School Colours: Sophie Fussell, Katie Hackworth, Sophie Merriman and Calla Spires

Cricket Full School Colours: Ben Mallinson Half School Colours: Emily Brice, Charlotte Higham, Maddie Prichard and Sophie Wood

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Half School Colours: Lucas Askeland, Rosie Callen, Juliette Den Hoedt, Bijan Ghamsari-Esfahani, Jack Housego-Woolgar, Sophie Morris and Sofie Procter

Honours CCF Thomas Ewart-Ellison, Portia Katzauer and Matthew Richardson

Community Service Annabella Francis, Edie Goodall and Izzy Hepburn

Drama Giulia Duggan and Thomas Sayer

Music Bijan Ghamsari-Esfahani

2020 AWARDS

NOTICEBOARD

This was particularly important as our younger children sometimes see their teachers not as normal, flawed individuals but, rather, as infallible beings with this enormous power over them. As one student put it, “I liked hearing about how the teachers failed because now I know that everyone fails and it’s not just me.”

ach year our First Year students spend the day reflecting on the power of failure in our annual KGS Failure Day.

The idea of the day is to encourage them to consider their attitude to setbacks. Our students can be considered ‘high achievers’: they have already done so well just to get here but in the sometimescompetitive school environment the idea of failure at anything can be devastating to them.

Being prepared to take risks and get things wrong is more likely to lead to ultimate success while allowing our students to fully realise their potential.

For some, however, this fear of failure can actually be detrimental to their learning in that they can be reluctant or unwilling to push themselves, take risks or take advantage of new experiences or opportunities. It can also mean that some of our students lack the resilience to bounce back when disappointment and setbacks do eventually occur. As Dr Crampin, Head of First Year, put it “we want our students to take a more positive view and to learn from their mistakes rather than to be diminished by them; to see failure as a necessary and inevitable part of their overall learning and development, a ‘staging post’ on the road to success. In short, being prepared to take risks and get things wrong is more likely to lead to ultimate success while allowing our students to fully realise their potential.” The day consisted of an engaging mix of presentations by staff, group discussions and practical activities including dragon boating, archery and learning to walk along a tightrope. Many teachers also contributed to the day with their own personal examples of setbacks and how they were eventually overcome.

“Failure Day was a lot of fun. After an intriguing talk in the theatre about failure we went to Ditton Field and enjoyed activities including the balloon burst, slack-line walking with your eyes closed, bop the button, balance the nails, timed geographical, dodge-ball but with archery to name a few. I learnt how failure does not tell you that you are bad at something but that you need to improve on certain aspects of what you’re trying to do. It is good to have a growth mindset and learn from failure and not to have a fixed mindset and be scared of failure.” Nathaniel Butcher

“The day gave us a chance to socialise with other form groups as well as learn about failing and how it can be really helpful in later life.” Audrey Shepherd Mr N Forsyth, Head of Wellbeing

NOTICEBOARD In other news...

In other news...

NOTICEBOARD In other news...

NOTICEBOARD

Past, present, future B

y now many of you will have seen our spectacular photographic alumni frieze stretching the 23-metre length of the QEII building. Created by Atelier Works, who produced the celebrated King’s College London alumni landmark on the Strand, it covers all eleven windows, and took almost two years to create, from the initial planning stage to final production. Featured in this first phase are Olympic gold medallists James Cracknell and Sophie Hosking, renowned author and playwright Michael Frayn, lawyer and humanitarian founder of Justice Defenders Alexander McLean, current GB international hockey players Sarah Evans and Zach Wallace, marine biologist Dr Nathan Robinson, RAF helicopter pilot and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross Flt Lt Ian Fortune, CEO of ImproveWell and the British Medical Journal’s first Entrepreneur in Residence Lara Mott, entrepreneur and co-founder of Hotel Chocolat Peter Harris, Chief Conductor of the Tiroler Symphonieorchester Innsbruck Kerem Hasan, fashion

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designer Sophie Dunster, multiaward-winning garden designer Andy Sturgeon, historian Edward Gibbon, entrepreneur and founder of Not On The High Street Sophie Cornish, playwright and screenwriter, most famous for Journey’s End, Goodbye Mr Chips and The Dam Busters, RC Sherriff, founder of SelflessUK and recipient of the BEM in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List Dr Na’eem Ahmed and world-leading emergency response practitioner Dr Amy Hughes MBE. “KGS continues to have a long and distinguished legacy since the awarding of its Royal Charter in 1561, nearly 500 years ago. We are proud to showcase our history and culture of success and public service as well as our position of being firmly embedded in the richly diverse Royal Borough of Kingston. This alumni wall is the perfect way to celebrate our continued achievements as a school as well as our contribution as a historical landmark. This is very much a live piece that will grow and develop over the years to come.” Mr SR Lehec, Head Master

This alumni wall is the perfect way to celebrate our continued achievements as a school as well as our contribution as a historical landmark. This is very much a live piece that will grow and develop over the years to come.

“The design aims to provide a discreet window to the students who use the study area, while at the same time allowing a great deal of light into the space. The project certainly required some stamina; every detail had to be checked and approved, copyright cleared, planning permission sought and production tests agreed – all within lockdown! Everyone has a special story. Atelier Works enjoy working with clients to develop and project their visual narratives and the KGS alumni frieze is a rich testament to the School’s ethos. It has been a wonderful project; finding out about the Old Kingstonians who make our world a better, more vibrant place. Hopefully, we have designed a frieze that will inspire future KGS students and become a feature of civic pride for the people of Kingston upon Thames.” Ian Chilvers, Founder of Atelier Works

NOTICEBOARD In other news...

NOTICEBOARD

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE Art

Credits: (Top row from left) Emily Grills, Upper Sixth; Isla Howell-Bayes, Fifth Year; Hal Purton, Fifth Year (Centre row from left) Third Year Global Canvas; Isabelle Walsh-Whitfield, Fifth Year; Charlotte Higham, Lower Sixth (Bottom row from left) Portia Katzauer, Upper Sixth; Emily Grills, Upper Sixth; Bee Malka, Upper Sixth; Emily Grills, Upper Sixth

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ACADEMIC LIFE

t was very much a year of two parts. The Autumn term saw the Art Department being its usual hive of activity, our talented students steeping the studios with creative energy. They experimented with drawing, painting, ceramics and printmaking. The classroom walls and gallery spaces quickly filled up with the evidence of this artistic surge and by the end of September the Department was looking its very best and ready for the hundreds of excited visitors we always receive during our annual Open Day.

At KGS, no two days, indeed, no two lessons are ever the same so when we were required to teach and learn remotely, students and teachers embraced the challenge, seeing it as an opportunity to adapt and express visual ideas in new and inventive ways. Drawing and painting activities continued. Collage, photography and even animation assignments were set, and the students responded with outstanding results. Perhaps the old saying that necessity being the mother of invention truly kicked in. The Art Society’s Friday evening gallery trips began with a visit to the BP Portrait Awards exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. Subsequent excursions took in Olafur Eliason at Tate Modern, Anthony Gormley and Lucian Freud at the Royal Academy, Gauguin at the National Gallery and William Blake at Tate Britain. The Leyshon Summer Art Competition, which has run since 1998, was won this year by Grace Dormer from the Second Year with a superb watercolour painting of a summer beach scene. Life-drawing is a major feature of our Sixth Form programme and, in addition to a series of in-house classes, we were lucky enough to have a visiting tutor from the Royal Academy Art School to run a day-long workshop. The experience of this intensive day of study was of great value to our students and particularly special as this outreach offering has now been discontinued. Our Art Scholars do a wonderful job of inspiring and encouraging all who pass through the Department and this year was no exception. They produced a series of wonderful designs for the School’s official Christmas card and produced drawings, paintings and prints of an outstanding standard. At a series of masterclasses run by Mr Garcia, they all created exceptional oil paintings inspired by the mysterious images of Peter Doig. The Junior School Art Clubs enable students to stretch themselves with challenging and fun projects. Miss Christie’s Third Years created a wonderful large-scale pop-up book which highlighted the precarious plight of wild tigers for the Global Canvas 2020 competition. With the theme of ‘Endangered’, it received entries from over 5000 students in 21 countries. Although our entry was not selected for exhibition at the Natural History Museum, I hope you agree that it is a wonderful piece of art. Sadly, we were unable to hold our annual summer exhibition of GCSE and A Level artwork and the cancellation of the exams themselves meant that fewer large paintings were produced. Nevertheless, Sixth Form students produced a series of spectacular portrait paintings that now hang in the Baxter Gallery and are on full view to the general public, helping to cement our reputation as a leading centre for the visual arts. Particular congratulations this year go to our Sixth Formers Emily Grills, who is off to study Architecture at Edinburgh, and Eugene Chang, who is doing an Art Foundation at Kingston. Mr J Dyson, Head of Art 19

ACADEMIC LIFE Art

Art

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE Art

Credits: (Top row from left) Alex Pelling, Fifth Year; Fran Bern, Lower Sixth; Finlay Worsley, Lower Sixth; Amelia Marinko, Second Year; Isla Howell-Bayes, Fifth Year (Centre row from left) Joe Dudgeon, Fifth Year; Hal Purton, Fifth Year; Olivia Casci, Lower Sixth; Madeleine Wynne, Lower Sixth; Nyah Lear, Lower Sixth (Bottom row from left) Esme Medley, Fifth Year; Harry Wilkinson, Fifth Year; Portia Katzauer, Upper Sixth; Matthew Richardson, Upper Sixth; Gabi Bergmann-Chornik, Lower Sixth

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ACADEMIC LIFE Art

ACADEMIC LIFE

Credits: (Top row from left) Lily Mercier, Lower Sixth; Portia Katzauer, Upper Sixth; Emily Hazel, Lower Sixth; Emily Grills, Upper Sixth; Shayma Al-Saraf, Lower Sixth; Katya Malygina, Lower Sixth

ACADEMIC LIFE Art

(Centre row from left) Wenqian Liu, Lower Sixth; Grace Dormer, Second Year; Ivan Yazikov, Fifth Year; Drew Souter, Tess Helbing & Dexter Porter, Second Year (Bottom row from left) Daniela Cuervo, Second Year; Hanna Garghouti, Second Year; Freddie Steel, Second Year; Lara Hood, Lower Sixth; Amelia Metcalf, Lower Sixth; Evie Yarde-Levett, Lower Sixth

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ACADEMIC LIFE Art

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ACADEMIC LIFE Biology

Biology 2019/20, as for all, was the strangest year for the Biology Department at KGS, with many of our headlining activities curtailed by a biological phenomenon – the COVID-19 global pandemic. The determination of A Level and GCSE grades via ‘centre-assessed grades’ was unfulfilling for both teachers and students alike, particularly as we had a strong Upper Sixth cohort this year. Having said that, we are delighted that a number of students are going to study Biology-related degrees at university: Chloe Taylor – Biomedical Sciences at Oxford; Katherine Williamson – Medicine at Hull/York; Matthew Wood – Medicine at Imperial; Camila Carbajal – Medicine at King’s College London; Charlie Stuart – Medicine at Nottingham; Lia Gutzwiller – Medicine at Southampton; Mohammed Uddin – Medicine at UCL; Holly Blake – Nursing at Birmingham; Daniel Selimi – Veterinary Medicine at Royal Veterinary College and Edie Goodall – Dentistry at Newcastle. Our co-curricular exploits were severely reduced by the school closure: our usual Second Year trip to Marwell Zoo and Lower Sixth field trip to Dorset, normally highlights of the school year in Biology, were cancelled. We did, however, have our first ever year taking part in the British Biology Olympiad, a nationwide competition organised by the Royal Society of Biology that challenges the students’ broader biological knowledge. 12 Lower Sixth biologists entered: silver awards were gained by Ricky Rim, Isla Flett and Rosie Callen; bronze awards were

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gained by Sophie Merriman, Olivia Timmermans and Mark Chilcote; highly commended awards were gained by Reubeen Ahmad, Elena De Mello Martin, Calla Spires and Flora Gilmour; and commended awards were gained by Jerry Wang and Emilia Hazel. 25 Fourth Year and six Third Year students also took part in the British Biology Challenge with multiple students achieving gold, silver and bronze awards.

It was great that KGS could again be part of this very important conservation project to help sustain the wild populations of this important species.

This year has seen another fantastic group of students involved in Junior Science Club. They got off to a flying start in the Autumn term making shaving foam clouds and sugar crystals, and had a very successful Halloween week making slime and carrying out coloured flame tests. From October onwards, students were put hard to work on their ‘Egg Drop Challenge’. All starting with a limited number of resources (all plastic free!), they needed to build something with which to protect their eggs as they were dropped from increasing heights, multiple times.

An amazing array of designs ensured over half the eggs survived all the drops! Rainbows became a theme after Christmas as pH rainbows were made while investigating different chemicals, walking water between beakers, and white light was split into its spectra of colours using prisms. This year there have also been three Second Year projects running. One group tested different fizzy drinks for their pH, sugar content and fizziness in order to provide information for students to design their own fizzy drink. The second group investigated pH again, but this time in relation to acid rain in the local area. Finally, students constructed a terrarium containing carnivorous plants, and investigated their response to different ‘food’ sources, such as insects, wood and paper. As the Easter holidays approached, students began planting seed gardens, outside and in the greenhouse, but this was curtailed when lockdown started. As part of British Science Week, every form group in the school was given a plant to cultivate, after decorating their plant pots. It’s a good job that we didn’t go with last year’s idea again – Operation Outbreak! For the second year in a row, KGS was (sort of) home to 10 grey partridge eggs. Mr Flavell kept a watchful eye over the eggs at home, and the six chicks that hatched, while live streaming the events on You Tube. Although the excitement of this conservation effort was muted because the chicks could not be viewed in person, it was great that KGS could again be part of this very important conservation project to help sustain the wild populations of this species. Mr M Rodgers, Head of Biology & Mr J Flavell, Biology

ACADEMIC LIFE Biology

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ACADEMIC LIFE Chemistry

Chemistry O

ne of the main things that the Chemistry Department missed during the lockdown was practical work. As with all the other sciences, experiments are a major tool in teaching Chemistry and all our schemes of work are geared towards developing students’ practical skills. It was also a particular shame that lockdown hit us in a year when we had invested substantial time in time thinking about how to embed these skills even more effectively into our teaching.

The driving force for this renewed focus has been the practical assessment component of the new A Level. During Sixth Form, students are required to display an array of practical competencies – and this ability must be observed routinely and consistently across 16 ‘core’ practicals. These experiments are selected to ensure students develop key skills in manipulating apparatus and analysing data. The assessment criteria are quite complex and fairly exacting and we want to ensure that all students are easily able to demonstrate the competencies required. During the Autumn term we received a ‘monitoring visit’ from Edexcel and were pleased that they commended our approach, noting “The students are confident, and their skills have been developed to a high level. They have responded to the wealth of advice given to them very positively.”

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Despite this positive feedback, we are always striving to improve and as new skills need to build on previous ones, we spent time early in the year mapping out a flowchart of skills that we were keen for a KGS student to develop in each year of their Chemistry studies. For example, we have undertaken a major overhaul of our Second Year scheme of work: each topic is now tied into specific practical techniques, and we were very pleased with the students’ progress during the year. Yet Burns was right and “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley”: it was impossible to continue with our plan under the constraints of remote learning. Sadly, there are very few kitchen cupboard experiments that can be done in any meaningful way, and specialist equipment is certainly not to hand. So, in our time away from school we have focused on theory, using a mixture of live-stream and video lessons to explain the difficult concepts. The virtual Summer term showed quite how essential practical work is for illustrating ideas, as well as enjoying the subject! One person who won’t be joining us next year is Dr Wadsworth-Reay. He has been a fantastic asset to the department and has contributed much to developing our new practical schemes of work. He will be greatly missed, but we wish him all the very best as he takes up a post at Epsom College. Dr L Winning, Head of Chemistry

Photos: (clockwise from top)

Tom Hunt, Third Year student, investigating thermal decomposition of carbonates. Upper Sixth chemists, Matthew Shipley, Sayem Uddin, Gabriel Oxley, Melis Pekgoz, Lizzie Stevenson, Chloe Taylor, Daniel Selimi, Matthew Wood, Ewan Galloway-Hale practise the formation of a silver mirror using Tollens’ Reagent by preparing silvered flasks for our “chemistree”. Sophie Proctor, Lower Sixth, carries out qualitative tests for halides. Lower Sixth students Tashy Baker and Rosie Callen students practise filling a volumetric flask. Camila Carbajal, Upper Sixth, investigating electrode potentials. First Year investigating investigate CSI techniques (blood splatter) during Science Week.

@KGS_Science

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Classics

nnus horribilis? I wouldn’t go that far. September brought a host of eager, happy faces into Classics classrooms. Their enthusiasm as always made the job of teaching them a pleasure and their adaptability to remote learning has been nothing short of exceptional.

ACADEMIC LIFE Classics

Junior Classics Club was again a popular choice for First Year students and the Saturnalia party was a real success. Unfortunately, Storm Dennis put paid to our Sorrento trip in February half term and I would again like to thank the students and their parents for their understanding and support with just one day’s notice. Higher up the school we were blessed with possibly the country’s most enthusiastic A Level Latin set. Isla Flett, Louisa Marshall and Sophie Merriman have approached their texts and language work with great humour and insight. A special mention must also go out to this year’s Fifth Year Latin and Greek students. They worked extraordinarily hard and put themselves into a brilliant position ahead of exams, only to have them taken away. Their reaction to this was one of disappointment, not relief. I feel very sorry that they have not had the chance to distinguish themselves through the traditional process as I believe they would have done. We are very proud of their achievements throughout their courses. On the bright side, those continuing with Classics next year were lucky enough to receive wonderful weekly Ancient History lectures from Miss McDonald. Latinists also received an introduction to Roman love poetry from Mrs Pytel. Latin and Greek students managed to successfully scan verse, putting themselves ahead of the game for A Level while the Ancient History and Civilisation students had an introduction to ‘epic’ as well as lessons on Sparta. So, lockdown. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, social media. What would Cicero have thought? I think he would have used it. Broadband payments would pale in comparison to the stationery fees incurred by his countless personal correspondences and philosophical opinions. 28

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Protests have flared into riots in both the classical and modern world (imagine Publius Clodius â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pulcherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stirring up the masses with an iPhone) and it always brings to mind just how relatable Classics is and should be to the challenges we face today. This year the GCSE Greek students studied particularly relevant sections from Herodotusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Histories. To Herodotus, his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; â&#x20AC;&#x2122; was an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;inquiryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. He wanted to pass on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;great and marvellous deedsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; achieved by both Greeks and foreigners and to understand why they battled against each other. Herodotusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest in and, largely, open mindedness to this plethora of tribes and races highlights the suspicions, assumptions and lack of understanding which have repeatedly brought people to war.

Cambyses, King of the Persians, is interested in adding Ethiopia to his empire. He has heard about the legendary â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Table of the Sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a field with an endless bounty of boiled meat. This is all it takes to induce a military campaign, it seems. He knows nothing else of the Ethiopians but he has a cunning plan: send some Fish Eaters, who speak the Ethiopiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tongue, to spy on them. The Ethiopians will never know and besides, Cambyses is sending gifts of such luxury and expense that his majesty will overwhelm the Ethiopian King. The presumption of superiority and the xenophobia that informs it prove Cambysesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; undoing. The Ethiopian King already knows the men are spies and makes an immediate, straightforward and confident statement to this effect. He also makes his own gift to Cambyses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a bow â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and tells him to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;come and have a goâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; when he is strong enough to string it. Meanwhile, the King decides that the gifts of expensive purple robes and perfumes are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;deceitfulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the dye and the scent mask the truth. He presumes the golden necklaces to be chains and mocks their flimsiness. In fact, the only gift he is partial to is the palm wine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he decides it is the only way in which the Persians are superior to the Ethiopians. He mocks the size of Persian men, their shorter life expectancy and their diet. Indeed, he would not want to live their life were it not for the wine! After he hears the report from the Fish Eaters, Cambyses flies into a rage and immediately sets out for war, with little planning and few provisions. He loses half his force to hunger or disease and never reaches Ethiopia. His ego and xenophobia inform his actions and, as a result, his men are forced to eat grass and, eventually, each other to survive: ah, cannibalism, how superior and civilised, we sarcastically think. Herodotus then contrasts the Greek custom of cremation with that of the Callitiae, who ate their dead fathers. Each side was disgusted by the otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customs. And so, Herodotus plays on our own ideas about right and wrong even as we try to sympathise with the Ethiopians and find fault with

a Persian despot. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Every nation thinks its customs are the bestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, as he puts it. We can learn from this. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all think the same way or have the same ideals. Sometimes this will seem to be an issue of right vs wrong but how often are egotistical, rash or uninformed reactions to blame for world problems? How often do world leaders harm their own citizens to save their own pride? ACADEMIC LIFE Classics

His freedman and secretary Tiro may have enjoyed the change in role from word processor to podcast producer. Would Seneca be above an Instagram post? Well, probably. Twitter seems more his platform and I am sure the Stoic would have relished the chance to tell us how to properly live our lives in 280 charactersâ&#x20AC;Ś and then reply repeatedly to his own post. Would Rome have been a different place if the supporters of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus had had a platform that could truly penetrate the Senate? Does the digital voice of the people influence the higher echelons of power today?

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all think the same way or have the same ideals. Sometimes this will seem to be an issue of right vs wrong but how often are egotistical, rash or uninformed reactions to blame for world problems?

The study of Classics is full of issues of race and custom. Sometimes race is used for invective. Augustusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; propaganda machine was based on the idea of West vs East, of him defeating the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Asian forcesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Antony and Cleopatra; we must acknowledge this and compare it to the modern world. Often though, we have poets, playwrights and historians who are trying to teach and inform the audience about the wider world and to shine a light on where society needs to be fixed. Redundant languages? I would argue not. Mr M Cooney, Head of Classics

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D&T H

ACADEMIC LIFE Design & Technology

uge congratulations to Team Descalator for showcasing their winning project at the Future of Energy Conference hosted by the Worshipful Company of Fuellers at The Royal Society, London on the 15th November. Team Descalator were the only school team to be given a special invitation to this inaugural event attended by His Royal Highness Prince Edward and executives from companies relating to the field of energy. Fiona Hopkinson from TeenTech, an independent organisation that promotes STEM in schools through mentoring and competitions, said that Ben Reilly, Saskia Thompson and Polina Turnbull were exceptional ambassadors for KGS. They presented effortlessly and answered questions from leading executives within the energy sector with professionalism. They have been awarded Gold Ambassador Status for representing the School and TeenTech at an industry event.

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ACADEMIC LIFE

The Starpack Schools’ Packaging Design Awards ACADEMIC LIFE Design & Technology

ack in September the Fourth Year Graphics students started working on their StarPack design brief, Eco Easter. Why Easter? Well, it generates a large amount of single-use plastic waste. In a more environmentally aware society, how can we ensure that this seasonal event continues without making a negative impact on our planet?

The Starpack Schools’ Packaging Design Awards are designed to encourage students to take up a career in the exciting world of consumer packaging design. Packaging is an industry that is around us every day but one that we take little notice of. Look around you – in the supermarket, in your home, in your school – every item has arrived in a package and outer packaging used for transportation. Packaging has three main functions: preserve, protect and promote. Fantastic design work by seven students – Vicky Brierley, Grace Slevin, Maddie Sibley, Melker Lannero, Imogen Marinko, Sophie Hunt and Sam Smith – were put forward for judging, which took place virtually in May 2020 and their work was scrutinised by industry professionals from Graphic Packaging International, the award sponsor. Imogen Marinko was awarded a gold prize for her Japanese animéinspired mask packaging; Sophie Hunt also won a gold prize for her beehive packaging and Melker Lannero was awarded a bronze prize for his sundial design. Sadly, due to COVID restrictions there was no award ceremony to attend this year, just a virtual one via YouTube. Congratulations to the winners and to all the Fourth Years who took part in the competition. Mrs R Hetherington, Design & Technology

ACADEMIC LIFE Drama

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RHINOCEROS *************

Rhinoceros opens in a square in, so the script tells us, a small provincial town. In Mr Crohill’s production (Senior Play, 27th–29th November) the town must have been big enough to support cafés on all four sides of the square. The patrons of these establishments were us, the audience, and it was an unseasonably sunny afternoon — thanks to excellent lighting! The play opens with Berenger being told off by Jean for being late for their appointment and for being dissolute and dishevelled. Berenger was played by Issy James and Jean by Jessica Larkin. For readers who know the play but missed this production, I should point out that the main male roles were played by women as women, and the main female roles by men as men. Soon the square is in turmoil. A rhinoceros is on the loose! “Well, of all things”, exclaims first one character, then another, and soon everyone. Fortunately, a logician (Thomas Sayer) arrives to set things to logical rights, apriorism for a time eclipsing the empirical question of whether anyone had indeed seen a rhinoceros. More rhinoceros arrive, which might have settled the matter, but the logician explains that that isn’t the question. What then is the question? What are we to make of it all? The logician is absurd and, thanks to Thomas’s well-judged performance, we laughed. But a serious point is being made. Ionesco had lived through

the rise of the fascist Iron Guard in Romania in the 1930s. In 1936, he wrote with disgust that the Iron Guard had created “a stupid and horrendously reactionary Romania”. In Rhinoceros, he expresses his horror of ideological conformism. When the logician’s cat is killed by a rhinoceros charge, it generates enormous outrage and people begin to band together to argue that the presence of these rhinoceros should not be allowed. We see the beginning of a mass movement.

Soon the square is in turmoil. A rhinoceros is on the loose!

The second act takes us to an office — again, amazing how good lighting can help! Papillon (Izzy Pleasance) is in charge. Berenger is late for work and Daisy (Rory Stroud) is covering for her by giving a detailed report of the previous events. Botard (Giulia Duggan) is having none of it. What is meant by a pachyderm? What is meant by a cat? Was it a male cat or a female? What colour was it? Dudard (Suzi Garforth) and Papillon protest that the colour of the cat is beside the point, but Botard insists that “the colour problem is one of the great stumbling blocks of our time” and one “should never miss an occasion

to denounce the colour bar.” Having excoriated the fascists, here Ionesco takes aim at the communists, and Giulia conveyed a steeliness which made her a very convincing ideologue. Mr Bœuf (Marcus Tapper) appears, saying that his wife, an employee at the office, is unwell and that he was chased all the way to the office by a rhinoceros. Botard raises further objections and is only cut short by the arrival of a rhinoceros, who destroys the staircase, trapping them all in the office. Mr. Bœuf realises that the rhinoceros is, in fact, his wife. Against advice, he jumps through a window and is carried off by her. The fire brigade rescues the others. Berenger goes to visit Jean, who has fallen ill. By degrees, Jean turns into a rhinoceros, and how scarily Jessica Larkin made the transition! In the third act, the remaining protagonists, except Berenger and Daisy, succumb one by one to rhinocerisation. Berenger and Daisy will make their stand against the rhinoceros. Daisy will help Berenger to resist them. But in the end even Daisy cannot resist them. The rhinoceros are stronger, and their strength is to be admired. Daisy slips away to join them. Berenger is alone. Mortal and fallible, Berenger stands alone against the mass movement. Rory Stroud and Issy James carried us through to this conclusion with strength and conviction. Rhinoceros is a challenging play. Mr Crohill’s conception of it, requiring the actors to perform in 360 degrees, demanded high levels of performing skill. The whole cast rose splendidly to these demands. This was, in all respects, a most impressive production. Mr P Ricketts, Economics

ACADEMIC LIFE Drama

Drama

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THE VOTE

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Throughout James Graham’s The Vote, it was difficult not to think of Churchill’s infamous quote that the best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. Here we were, in the hall of a local primary school, watching the fraught last hour of an unspecified election day, experiencing by proxy all the beauty and ugliness of The Great British Public. The first scene opens on a moment that sets the tone for the increasingly farcical series of events: Grace Botchway (played by Inaya Defise) is sprawled on the floor, having slipped over. However, she is less concerned by the possibility of injury than of the possibility of someone seeing her ballot paper. As Mrs Botchway is finally helped up – her vote safe from prying eyes – we are swiftly introduced to the three key players in the play: Stephen Crosswell, the seemingly unflappable presiding officer (played by Toby Anderson), Kirsty Henderson (Elsie Callen) and Laura Williams (Amelie Scott) the two exhausted poll clerks. It was hugely impressive to watch these three actors maintain the perfect levels of momentum, pace and focus throughout the whole play, as they barely left the stage throughout. We quickly discover that Kirsty has become something of a viral sensation, having filmed herself breaking into the locked primary school that morning to ensure voting could start on time. It becomes apparent that Fin James’ caretaker should have been on hand, but had more personal matters to attend to: his daughter is currently in labour with his grandchild. So the stuff of everyday life is pitted against nationwide matters of great pitch and moment. But Kirsty’s dramatic involvement in enacting democratic voting rights is not quite over… Elizabeth Sweeney’s forgetful, elderly, slipper-shod Freya Norris manages to sneak back into the booth and vote twice: once for her, and once for her sister.

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So follows an ongoing saga of rigged ballot papers to try and ‘balance out’ the erroneous ‘extra’ vote. Elsie’s portrayal of Kirsty as naively committing electoral fraud with the help of all her family, followed by her increasing panic, was superb. She was matched perfectly by the increasing exasperation of Amelie’s second poll clerk, who gets roped into the conspiracy, all hidden under a very unsubtle boiled sweet analogy. Amelie managed to convey depths of helpless panic all via the medium of hand gestures: a total joy to watch.

Through the last minutes of voting time, we meet a real cross-section of the voting public: hen parties (Juliette Den Hoedt, Issy Rosser and Livvy Rosser, decked out in a range of feather boas), drunken football fans rolling in from the pub across the road (an absolutely star turn by Jake Francis), an incongruously glamorous Swedish reporter (Teva Hogarth), a wife whose husband had neglected to register her (Maddy Clark), an identically named mother and daughter arguing over who should get the one vote they had been given (Florence Chevalier and Bea Page), along with a whole host of would-be voters who had to be told they couldn’t actually use their mobile in the polling station. Freddie Haynes’ local schoolboy’s comment that it was to do with “all that Brexit shit” was the only – and mercifully humorous – reference to the most divisive vote in recent memory. There was an unspoken understanding that in today’s climate, every single voter is aware of just how important his or her vote could be. And then we had the electoral candidates themselves. Maddie Pritchard’s calm and collected Conservative Adriana Adams was

aided throughout by the beautifully oily and officious polling agent Alan Walker, played masterfully by James Don-Wauchope. However, Zain Ahmad’s Independent one-issue candidate Howard Roberts, optimistically still fighting the new one-way system, was the real treat in store. The moment when Howard realises that the punctuation of his ballot paper slogan is catastrophically wrong, leading to a meltdown of epic proportions, was glorious. Special mention really must go to Toby Anderson as the presiding officer, whose total naturalism and quiet authority was the calm eye of the storm. We began to see moments of hidden depths to this official’s consummate professionalism: as events start to spin away from his control, he becomes more and more exasperated and hopeless, and there is even a hint at a would-be love affair as Isabella Walsh-Whitfield’s Claire makes a rather heart-wrenching bid for Stephen’s attention, destined to go unnoticed. But it was Toby’s understated performance throughout that really captivated, and drew together the disparate cast of characters. One really has to wonder whether Mr Gee has an arsenal of magical powers behind him, in his ability to predict the future (rehearsals started long before the December general election was a possibility), as well as the coup of persuading Jeremy Vine to join the cast to record the short televised punctuations to the action, inviting the audience to grab a drink in Hawkes during the interval. The real magic, of course, was in drawing together a huge cast, thereby allowing so many students’ acting talents to really shine. Similarly, the production crew must be congratulated on the perfection of the set. So finally, as the presiding officer just about manages to hold it together, ten o’clock finally arrives, and Jeremy Vine returns to announce the final results. Of course, the curtain metaphorically falls before we find out which way the Great British Public has voted. Mercifully, this was one vote from which we would be spared the fallout. Ms P Stones, Second in English

ACADEMIC LIFE Drama

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE Drama

House Drama The first half of the Autumn term ended with an outstanding evening of House Drama. The theme this year was ‘Time’ and every house performed innovative and polished pieces. Interpretations of the theme ranged from a young girl who realised she had the ability to ‘stop time’ resulting in unforeseen consequences to time slowing down in a hospital environment with characters reflecting on their actions. The overall first place went to Taverner for Eggs. Taverner executed this play about a grandad with dementia whose grandchildren faded from view over time with incredible delicacy and sophistication; it was a deserving winner. We were thrilled to have guest judges Louiza Patikas from The Archers and Siobhan McSweeney of Derry Girls fame. Both gave fantastic feedback and were bowled over by the talent at KGS. Mr R Gee, Director of Drama

Isabelle Whitehill

We are delighted that Isabelle was offered a place at both RADA and LAMDA and has chosen to do the BA Technical Theatre & Stage Management course at RADA. This is an incredible achievement. Isabelle has stage-managed numerous productions at KGS. Many do not appreciate what a stressful job the Deputy Stage Manager has: if it wasn’t for Isabelle, the shows wouldn’t have run as smoothly as they have! 36

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WINNERS *************

Overall winner: Taverner Best actor male: Tomas Caldon Best actor female: Florence Chevallier Best direction: Walworth and Stanley Best original script: Stanley Best ensemble: Queen’s

House Dance Congratulations to all students involved in House Dance this year, which took place in January. There were many outstanding numbers, notably Queen’s medley from Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Stanley’s dark and mysterious contemporary dance, beautifully choreographed by Hannah Farrell and Walworth’s graceful Hollywood-style routine to La La Land. The audience were also treated to a number of show dances performed by our talented dancers, including Bhavithra Gananathan, Emily Shepherd, Kitty Hutchings and Izzy Reilly. Walworth were justly crowned overall winners with Queen’s in second place. Thank you also to our fantastic judges Ruth Kestenbaum and Christopher Augilar who gave detailed, informative feedback to each house. Sixth Form choreographers should be commended for their hard work and dedication, which went into the hours of rehearsals in the run-up to the event.

Online and on form Doing Drama lessons remotely was always, as with all subjects, going to be challenging; fortunately, the students at KGS approached the final term with all the characteristic enthusiasm with which they approach everyday learning, and as such, were able to achieve a remarkable amount, despite the constrictions of challenging WiFi! The First and Second Years enjoyed watching and interacting with online theatre – they watched the National Theatre production of Treasure Island, and produced a variety of excellent work, from reviews, to posters, to costume designs. The First Years also read the play version of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, resulting in some superb radio-style performances. The Third Years learnt about how to write live reviews, and watched various productions online which they analysed and reviewed. They worked hard to ensure that they were thinking critically about acting performances, and used these ideas to help perform and record monologues – there’s been no shortage of drama in these classes! They then studied the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and were analysing characters, creating stage designs, and even coming up with plans for how they would direct certain scenes! While the Fourth Years and Lower Sixth were continuing diligently with their GCSE and A Level work, there were also opportunities for watching and reviewing live theatre online, as well as dusting off their acting skills through rehearsed and recorded monologues. We bid a fond farewell to the Fifth Year and Upper Sixth students, but not before introducing the Fifth Years who will be continuing with Drama to a variety of practitioners, as well as the wonderful play Things I Know to be True. We wish them all the best of luck in the future, and know they’ll do us proud! Miss M Christmas, Drama

ACADEMIC LIFE

n 19th November Sixth Form economists attended the annual Economics in Action at the Emanuel Centre in Westminster.

His arguments on migration and a proposal for open boarders challenged the audience and inspired a broad range of questions.

Finally, she outlined the Institute for Public Policy Research’s proposals for some other economic indicators that should sit alongside GDP in the ‘dashboard’ from which policy is made:

After lunch Nye Cominetti discussed the UK labour market from the financial crisis, showing how median real wages were still below the 2008 levels but how they were expected to overtake them shortly. Next, Anna Bird from the Behavioural Insight team spoke about the use of Behavioural Economics in policy making, outlining how our decisions are influenced by the way in which a question is framed and how our thoughts could be categorised into two different systems. These behavioural biases have been used to increase charity donations, increase pension enrolments and even encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to top universities.

– The distribution of the gains from growth – Poverty among children and adults The first lecture, ‘Is the UK economy really growing?’, given by Ayeisha Thomas-Smith, started by giving a brief history of GDP and the way in which it has been used by economists and policy makers. She went on to explain the dangers of an overreliance on GDP and its flaws then used as a measure of a standard of living.

– The level of wellbeing, disaggregated by income – The gap between the median income of the poorest region of the UK and the richest – The gap between projected carbon emissions and the cost-effective path to decarbonisation Next on stage was Dr Stephen Davies form the Institute of Economic Affairs. Davies spoke on a wide range of economic misperceptions. Particular highlights were his explanations of why ticket touts were good for the economy, how global poverty has fallen dramatically and how trade deficits were not something that policy makers should be concerned with. His arguments on migration and proposal of open boarders challenged the audience and inspired a broad range of questions.

Finally, Bobby Seagull regaled us with stories from his time at Lehman Brothers during 2008. Between explaining his new haircut, Seagull had time to talk through three asset bubbles and how each of them came about. He gave insights into the problems he saw at his time at Lehman Brothers and the disconnect between his job and the ‘real’ markets. Mr S Symington, Head of Economics

ACADEMIC LIFE Economics

Economics

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE English

English W

ith the country in lockdown, our focus on live lessons across year groups enabled an almost seamless transition to remote classrooms and learning continued uninterrupted. I was impressed with how this novel experience was embraced. From videos to social media and even the creation of songs and cakes, the enthusiasm and imagination of KGS English Department staff and students has been limitless.

Students continued to prove their worth in more traditional forms too. I am delighted to announce Sophie Bailey and Joseph Oxborrow as joint winners of the Second Year Short Story Competition and the success of Silvia Greco, Pragna Sree Ganesh and Ella Keating in the Wimbledon Bookfest Poetry Competition. Silvia was runner-up while Pragna and Ella’s entries gained commendations. Huge congratulations to all! Mrs PS Garside, Head of English

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The School Trip by Sophie Bailey “Hurry up, keep going!” Imogen’s group leader’s shouts bounced back and forth between students like a ping pong ball. Although her legs were burning, and although her throat was parched, Imogen kept moving. They had been climbing the glacier for hours and her body felt as wobbly as jelly. Every reluctant step she took was one closer to her collapsing. But she couldn’t stop. She knew what would happen if she stopped. Everybody knew. It was what had happened to the other girl. The one who had been left behind. Nobody dared to speak her name, as if merely muttering it would drown them in an ocean of guilt. Amanda, Imogen thought. That was her name. Amanda. It felt strange saying that name, as if Imogen were the one speaking the name of a recently discovered specimen for the first time. Imogen cast back her mind to when she and Amanda had been friends. Best friends, even. Even now Imogen thought she could hear Amanda’s contagious laugh and see her twinkling eyes. When Imogen hadn’t heard anything from Amanda after her trip to the glacier yesterday, Imogen had assumed it was because she was in bed, exhausted from the long climb. But then the truth came out. Imogen felt a tear trickle down her face. It was only yesterday, but it already felt like years since Imogen had seen her best friend. She and Amanda had always done everything together. But maybe Amanda wasn’t dead. You could survive in the snow for a day, couldn’t you? Maybe she was alive. But probably not. The cold air hit Imogen in the face, bringing her back to reality. Gritting her teeth, Imogen continued onwards.

The snow whirled around Imogen like a washing machine, spinning her round and round until she felt completely disorientated. The wind was playing with her, picking her up and tossing her about with its little finger. Her feet stumbled up the slippery slopes of the glacier, struggling to find a foothold in the thick carpet of snow. The brightly coloured jackets of her teammates began to dance before her eyes. It would be so easy, thought Imogen. It would be so easy to give up and lie down to sleep.

Her feet stumbled up the slippery slopes of the glacier, struggling to find a foothold in the thick carpet of snow. The brightly coloured jackets of her teammates began to dance before her eyes.

Overcome with fatigue, Imogen collapsed into the snow and began to close her eyes. But, through the impenetrable white wall, Imogen could see the outline of someone familiar coming towards her. Imogen knew instantly who it was. Amanda. There was no mistaking that neon pink coat they had bought together. Could it really be her? The only thing which Imogen remembered doing was trying to reach Amanda, even as she disappeared into the hazy mist ahead. And just like that, the hope was gone.

Filled with despair, Imogen stumbled after her friends, who were moving further away by the minute. Stumbling and tripping, stumbling and tripping, stumbling and tripping. A blanket of relief wrapped itself around Imogen as she finally caught up with her team-mates. She felt more exhausted than she had previously thought possible, and she wanted desperately to stop. So, so desperately. “Come on, we’ve only got five hours left,” called out her group leader enthusiastically. A collective groan swept through the children, and a boy to Imogen’s right collapsed in the snow. Imogen could see his urge to stay there, but he, like Imogen, understood the consequences. Nobody wanted to be left behind. Not anywhere. But especially not here. Reluctantly, the boy climbed to his feet. Two hours later, and Imogen was not feeling any better. By the looks of it, nobody else was either. Apart from the group leader. He was admiring the bleak snow and humming contently to himself. “Look at the beautiful scenery,” he shouted, although his voice seemed only a distant whisper in the moaning wind. “That ice valley is incredible.” Imogen looked around. There was no ice-valley in sight. Imogen didn’t doubt for a second that the scenery was beautiful, but she was struggling to see just a metre in front of her, let alone a whole landscape. Eventually, the group leader suggested that they stop for a “short break.” Exhausted but relieved, Imogen sank down to her knees, eyes stinging from the bitter cold. She had never felt so tired. Her eyelids felt heavy, and they soon began to close. She wondered if this was how Amanda had felt before she disappeared. Imogen didn’t want to end up like Amanda. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t force her eyes back open. And when

she fell asleep, there was no one to wake her. Wearily, Imogen sat up, rubbing her aching eyes. Why was she so cold? And why could she only see white? Suddenly, she was brought back to her senses. How could she have been so careless as to get left behind.

Just when Imogen thought that things couldn’t get any worse, she heard the ground rumbling like a tiger, hungry for lunch.

The hope of somebody coming back to find her lifted her spirits for a second but they dropped again as she realised that would never happen. Frantically, she scrambled to her feet, looking for any signs of which way her group may have gone. Nothing. A wave of fear swept through Imogen, and she let out a moan of despair. She was alone. And lost. Really, really lost. Just when Imogen thought that things couldn’t get any worse, she heard the ground rumbling like a tiger, hungry for lunch. Imogen knew instantly what that meant. An avalanche. Imogen’s face went as pale as the snow around her, and she looked around desperately for somewhere to shelter. There was nowhere in sight. The rumblings got louder. She tried to run, but she had no idea where to run to. Then, suddenly, the tiger pounced. And all went black.

“Are you ok? What happened? How are you feeling?” The shouts of concern echoed in the girl’s head. The bright lights blinded her, making spots dance before her eyes. She was in a hospital bed, and there was a young couple on her left. Where am I, she wondered. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now,” the man replied, as if he were reading her thoughts. “We were on a nearby glacier when we saw you,” he explained. “You were sheltering in a crevasse, which was keeping you out of the wind. We wouldn’t have been able to see you through the avalanche if it hadn’t been for your bright pink jacket.” “When we reached you, you were unconscious,” added the woman. “We used all our energy to drag you to this shelter. We’ve called a rescue party to come and pick us up.” “Thank you,” the girl replied. She couldn’t think of anything better to say. “Thank you so much.” “We were so worried about you,” answered the woman. “We thought you were dead. What is your name?” “My name?” the girl asked. “My name is Amanda.”

ACADEMIC LIFE English

ACADEMIC LIFE

English ACADEMIC LIFE English

The School Trip by Joseph Oxborrow As we ascended the mountain, the wind billowing on our faces growing stronger and stronger, the sky seemed to turn darker and darker shades of grey, and the feeling of tension in the air (and my stomach) grew greater. It was as if the earth itself were giving us a warning to turn back, to stop before it was too late. No, don’t be daft, I told myself. Just some abseiling, you’ll be safe and sound in about twenty minutes!

It was as if the earth itself were giving us a warning to turn back, to stop before it was too late.

This was my inner logic talking to me. Yet there was a louder voice, the shout of my gut, screaming at me not to take another step. Still, I pressed on. No one wants the embarrassment of asking the teacher if they can give the activity a miss. What a wimp I’d look in front of my friends! “You alright there, mate?” It was my instructor, Kevin. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, son.” “Iss – issalright I’m fine,” I muttered under my breath, looking down at my boots, which were coated in mud and other brown Scottish things. 40

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Stupid school trips. So much sweat, so much exhaustion and so, so much blinking mud! “It’s fine, Charlie, I’m terrified too,” whispered Stephen, my best friend at school, who was walking next to me as usual. He was probably just trying to make me feel better; he never seemed to me like the kind of person who gets petrified by a bit of abseiling the way I do. “Alright, lads and lasses, this is it!” said Kevin in an overenthusiastic manner. A surge of adrenaline shot through my body like I had been hit by a bullet from a sniper. I had been momentarily distracted from my feeling of impending doom and all of a sudden here we were, standing in front a ravine that seemingly touched the earth’s inner core. It was a colossal crack in the fabric of nature, a huge, gaping mouth ready to swallow us all up, and we were the helpless, bite-sized morsels of food it was craving. The only question was… “Who wants to go first?” After Kevin spoke, there was a moment of silence. Everyone was turning their heads to look at one another, waiting for someone else to volunteer. Even Jake, the so-called ‘tough guy’ in my class, was staring expectantly at his friends. “I’ll do it.” I clasped my hands over my mouth. The words didn’t seem to have come from me, they had just slipped out of me as if my vocal cords had a mind of their own. Now I had to go first, without watching to see how it was done! “Charlie! You’re a brave lad, aren’t you? Come over ‘ere then.” I enjoyed the compliment, though it felt undeserved. I walked slowly and sheepishly past the watchful eyes of my class. “Put this harness on and do up the straps.”

I stepped into the harness and tightened my straps until they were nearly cutting off my blood circulation. ‘Safety first.’ “I’ll just tighten your bungee for you so it’s nice and taut when you go down,” Kevin said, “and there we go! Ready when you are.”

I leapt into the void. It was like time had frozen. Everything fell still as I plunged down and down.

My heart was in my throat as I stared into the abyss waiting below. Everything had been building up to this moment. The collective gaze of my classmates behind felt strong enough to push me off the edge, although I was pretty sure no one was actually telekinetic. I turned around so that I would face the wall of the ravine when I descended. There they all were, watching, waiting. Suddenly I noticed that I was uncontrollably shaking, and my carabiners were jangling like sleigh bells. Focus. Just jump. JUST – I leapt into the void. It was like time had frozen. Everything fell still as I plunged down and down. Then – WHOOSH! It became taut, and I was yanked upwards before my feet hit the rock wall. A laugh escaped my mouth. This was brilliant!

“See, it’s fun once you’re in the air!” Kevin called, leaning over the edge above me. “I’ll gradually lower you down now. Push with your feet!” I propelled myself off the wall of the ravine, and I felt a tingly rush in my stomach as I was weightless again. I was grinning now! But – SCREEEECH. All my joy was snatched away in an instant as it immediately became apparent that something was horribly wrong. My descent came to a sudden, juddering halt and I let out a yelp that echoed several times across the rock faces, as if there were hundreds of copies of me who had just experienced the same thing. The other pupils gasped, and Kevin quietly swore. “It’s jammed,” he said, confirming all of my fears in just two words. It had always seemed that these instructors were experts in their practice, almost like great guardians who would prevent anything bad happening to you. But here I was, dangling helplessly about 50 metres above the ground in a ravine, with none of us, pupil or adult, seeming to have any idea what to do about it. It was horrific. “Please, just – just stay calm,” he told me, a slightly stressed wobble in his voice. But I was anything but calm, and how could I have been? As macabre as it sounds, I was seemingly hanging from some form of massive noose that also just so happened to be above what looked like certain death! “I’ll try and get you moving, Charlie, I promise!” Kevin shouted again, but even he sounded uncertain. He fiddled with the pulley system for what felt like an eternity, while I remained in the air, suspended, overwhelmed by adrenaline and fear. Sixteen breaths were held indefinitely as my instructor wrestled with the

mechanism, seeing if anything, anything could save the situation, until… The bungee kicked back into action and I shot downwards as my descent abruptly resumed. I was free! My breath returned, my muscles relaxed and I smiled and sighed with utter relief. So, I wasn’t going to meet my maker in muddy Scotland! The kids above cheered while I continued on my way down towards what once looked like possible fate, but now was comfort, safety.

My breath returned, my muscles relaxed and I smiled and sighed with utter relief. So, I wasn’t going to meet my maker in muddy Scotland!

It was probably just my imagination but afterwards the Scottish mountains, with the golden sunlight beaming through their gaps, all seemed so much greener, brighter, and so much more beautiful. Just a silly bit of abseiling…

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ACADEMIC LIFE

Geography ACADEMIC LIFE Geography

Geography W

hen I reflect on the academic year just passed, I think of the seismic changes we have experienced since September 2019: the geopolitical landscape has been transformed by a viral pandemic, showing how intrinsically linked we are with our natural world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how the ‘shrinking’ of our planet has assisted this virus in spreading to all six inhabited continents, having far-reaching impacts on the future for globalisation.

In September our Lower Sixth Geographers were studying globalisation, looking at the everincreasing linkages and connections between the peoples of our planet. They investigated the increasing social connections between people of different nations, often driven by readily available and affordable travel and the freedom afforded by loosening of visa restrictions. When discussing shared governance on a global scale, we talked about it in relation to the conservation of global commons like the high seas and Antarctica, as well as the challenge of confronting anthropogenic climate change.

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Such discussions, when we have them in our Geography lessons in the future will be very different. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how the ‘shrinking’ of our planet has assisted this virus in spreading to all six inhabited continents, having far-reaching impacts on the future for globalisation. When we consider global governance, this will have a new focus: the shared effort of all countries and peoples to find a vaccine or cure but also, hopefully, a shared desire from all nations to rebuild global systems that are fairer for all and safeguard the future of our natural environment.

The pandemic has further highlighted the increasing relevance and importance of the study of Geography. How we must build in our students the ability to consider the connections between the physical and human world, the skills to think critically, and evaluate impacts on different scales, both spatially and temporally. Each year, when the time comes to prepare material for the Kingstonian it is always a pleasure to share photos and write-ups of the fieldwork our students have enjoyed.

We must build in our students the ability to consider the connections between the physical and human world, the skills to think critically, and evaluate impacts on different scales.

We were fortunate that our Fourth Years carried out fieldwork in Seaford and Bristol earlier in the year but sad that the A Level trip to the Isle of Arran was unable to go ahead. I would like to end by wishing a fond farewell to our A Level Geographers of 2020 and wish them all the best. Off to read Geography at Durham are: Joe Studholme, Maia White, Marcus Tapper and Thomas Sayer; Bee Malka is starting at Manchester, Lucile Toulemonde at Bristol and Suzi Garforth at Edinburgh. Mr A House, Head of Geography

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE Geography

The geopolitical landscape has been transformed by a viral pandemic, showing how intrinsically linked we are with our natural world.

ACADEMIC LIFE

Government &

ACADEMIC LIFE Government & Politics

Politics School Election, 2019 After the unexpected election called by Theresa May in 2017, we were better prepared for December 2019 having spent the weeks beforehand scouring the media for a possible date. Finally, the date was revealed by Boris Johnson and it was School Election 2019 game on. The manifesto launch The campaign was officially launched at lunchtime on Thursday 12th November in the QE2 Quad, where the party leaders, their deputies and teams ‘launched their party manifestos in an extravaganza of glitz, balloons and loud music’. Well, not exactly. As this important day dawned wet and drizzly, the whole event was in real danger of being called off after protestations by various parties; however, Mr Sorley of the KGS Electoral Commission was made of sterner stuff and decreed that the show must go on. Once the crowd of onlookers had swelled to maybe one hundred or so, the rosettewearing parties enthusiastically courted the assembled voters with a mixture of shouts, calls to arms and downright chutzpah. Notable speeches were heard from the Conservatives’ Tom Hollands and the Liberal Democrats’ Ethan Spencer. The debates A series of debates in the BBC’s Question Time format were held in the Hall at which a panel of party leaders and their deputies fielded questions on policy with reportage by Sam Menzies as The Political Analyst. In his own words, the debate ‘proved to be a divisive event dominated by the issues of education and Brexit, with clear winners and losers.’

After the Greens had briefly clashed with the audience and panel over the economic effects of a four-day week, the debate ‘spiralled into a clash of conservative vs. liberal ideologies, with the Tories’ Hollands explaining how the public and private education sectors should thrive in unison, whereas Labour’s Harry Torrance argued staunchly that private boarding institutions should be banned. The day of reckoning Polling stations were swamped as the School Election recorded an impressive turnout across all year groups. In many ways, bar a last-minute Lib Dem surge, this election was the Communist Party’s to lose as they had polled in first or second place since mid-November. The results 1st

Communist Party of Great Britain 155 votes

2nd

Liberal Democrat Party 132 votes

3rd

Green Party 98 votes

4th

Liberty and Justice Party 55 votes

5th

The Conservative and Unionist Party 45 votes

6th

Labour Party 32 votes

68% turnout (575 voted) Best turnout Upper Sixth – 86%

Model United Nations conferences Wimbledon High School, November 2019 KGS sent two delegations representing Indonesia and Belgium, who spent the first part of the morning lobbying other countries and arguing for their resolutions in the dedicated committees. A singular success was achieved by Belgium’s Madhav Narasimhan, who achieved the accolade of ‘Highly commended delegate’ for his persuasive skills in committee, which adopted his resolution protecting minority religious groups in China. Other delegates achieved amendments and success in co-sponsoring other countries’ resolutions. The day ended with a robust emergency debate on the threat of eco-terrorism in the General Assembly. DELEGATES: Harry Torrance, Toby Cole, Anand Aggarwal, Alex Pelling, Freddie Pflanz, Madhav Narasimhan and Paul Adams. Epsom College MUN, March 2020 The delegation of five students representing France travelled to Epsom College on 7th March to participate in a series of debates ranging from seaborne plastic pollution, gender rights and global terrorism. Notable successes were achieved by Nevra Bahceci in promoting gender equality and Paul Adams, who won support in the Environment Committee to reduce oceanic pollution. DELEGATES: Nevra Bahceci, Paul Adams, Freddie Pflanz, Alex Pelling and Madhav Narasimhan Mr D Sorley, Head of Politics

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Polling stations were swamped as the School Election recorded an impressive turnout across all year groups.

ACADEMIC LIFE Government & Politics

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE History

History I

t has been another busy and exciting year in the History Department with a variety of trips, our annual lecture evening and an essay writing competition.

Trips The Autumn term was a packed term for trips. The academic year began with the joint History and English Third Year trip to Ypres. Students enjoyed a busy day visiting various sites including the German trench system at Bayernwald and Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. During the October half term, it was time for our Fifth Year and Lower Sixth students to visit Moscow and St Petersburg. The Autumn term ended with our Upper Sixth historians visiting the National Archives in Kew. The staff there hosted fascinating workshops during which students learnt about medicine during World War I and Tudor rebellions. Students were given the opportunity to work with a range of primary documents and they even attempted to decipher what was written in an original letter from Princess Elizabeth to Queen Mary during Wyatt’s rebellion! In the afternoon they undertook independent archival research into their coursework topics which ranged from the witch hunts to Britain’s empire.

VE Day Online lessons and activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Students undertook a range of different tasks which included researching family history, recreating Churchill’s famous speech, planning a virtual street party and baking delicious cakes! You can see more on Twitter @KGS_History.

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Anniversary lectures – history of Europe

David Grossel history competition

In November 2019 we hosted our annual anniversary lecture evening which this year reflected both on the history of, and the current political situation facing, Europe. 2019 was an extremely significant year, with November marking the 30th anniversary of the dismantling of the Berlin Wall which had prompted the reshaping of Europe as the Cold War ended.

Discussion and debate continued into the Spring and Summer terms with the David Grossel history competition which took a more global perspective on the past. The aim of this annual competition is to honour the memory of David Grossel and his role in inspiring young historians throughout his long career at leading schools in the London area. David was an Old Kingstonian and former Head of History at KGS, so it was particularly special to be the hosting school this year. For the competition, GCSE History students from various London schools are invited to submit a 2,000-word essay which demonstrates independence of thought. We were delighted to receive 42 entries from students of David’s former schools. Freddie Pflanz of KGS was this year’s overall winner with his outstanding essay on Britain’s imperial past. The essays which won in the ‘honourable mentions’ category were also of an excellent quality, offering impressive and in-depth analysis of periods including the Elizabethan era, the American Revolution, America in the 1920s and the Cold War. In lieu of our celebratory afternoon tea which had to be cancelled due to lockdown, the winners were awarded their book token prizes by email in the Summer term so that they could embark on their reading for their A Level studies.

Students enjoyed a busy day visiting various sites including the German trench system at Bayernwald and Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.

In politics, Brexit negotiations and a December general election in Britain took centre stage. With Europe’s future looking uncertain, our audience was offered an insight into the integration and disintegration of Europe from a historical and current day political viewpoint. Speakers included Dr Stuart Sweeney (visiting academic at the Centre for European History, University of Oxford) who talked about the key findings of his recent publication, The Europe Illusion. He was joined by Dr Sebastian Gehrig (University of Roehampton) who discussed a divided but interconnected Europe during the Cold War. Our final speaker for the evening was Dr Nevena Nancheva (Kingston University) who talked about the nature of the current European integration project and our assumptions about Europe being the cradle of liberalism.

Dr K Kennedy, Head of History

@KGS_History

ACADEMIC LIFE History

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE Library

Library W

hat a strange, yet eventful, year it’s been in the Library. There has been disappointment, excitement – and lots of changes!

Every year, the Library runs a competition for the First Years to create the Library’s official bookmark for the year. There were lots of fantastic entries and it wasn’t easy to pick a winner, but Ellie Fox-Robinson claimed the top prize with her beautiful space-inspired design. Adam Hendawy took the runner-up prize for his colourful and striking entry. As current cup holders, it was with much disappointment that this year’s Lit Quiz had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 but hopes for victory next year remain strong and the team will come back ready and raring to go. The fight to retain the cup is on! The Library was lucky enough to receive a visit from poet Sara Hirsch. Sara is an internationally renowned writer, performer and spoken word educator. She has published two full-length poetry collections and is a former UK Poetry Slam champion. It was a real treat to hear Sara talk to students about the spoken word and poetry.

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We had some amazing, inventive and unusual entries this year. Congratulations to Chingiz Najafov for his winning entry of him reading the book...in his washing machine! Congratulations also to Andrew Stein, who won the runner-up prize with his entry that sees him playing ping pong with a penguin – whilst reading! Well done to everyone for all their entries.

Shared reading KGS once again participated in the Read Up! Kingston project for incoming First Years. The initiative was started by Kingston University in 2015 and adapted by Coombe Boys’ School, who used it to ease the transition of Year 6 pupils into Year 7. All KGS First Years receive a copy of the same book and, having read it over the holidays, will then have something in common once school starts in September. The staff also read the book and some themes may be incorporated into lessons throughout the Autumn term. Who Let the Gods Out? by Maz Evans is a gripping tale of adventure and self-discovery in the aftermath of a shooting star crashing to Earth. Greek gods meet a human boy and an unlikely friendship and alliance begins!

Read Up! Kingston – Lockdown Competition In previous years, students were invited to participate in the Read Up! Extreme Reading Competition. They would submit photographs of themselves reading the book in the most extreme or unusual place that they could think of – and we often had many very extreme and unusual entries! This year, however, things were a little bit different for all of us due to the impact of COVID-19 and we all had to spend a lot more time at home than usual. So, this year’s competition was renamed the Lockdown Reading Competition. We invited students to submit photographs of themselves reading Who Let the Gods Out? in or around their homes, in the most unusual places they could think of.

Wimbledon BookFest Young Writers’ Competition 2020 The Wimbledon BookFest launched their Young Writers’ Competition earlier in the year. Some of our budding writers were keen to submit entries and not even a national lockdown could stop them. The theme this year was The Secret and congratulations go to Silvia Greco, who was a runner-up in the 11–18 category. Her poem, Nothing, was published in the official competition book The Secret available in the Library now! Congratulations also go to Ella Keating who received two commendations – one for her short story and one for her poetry submission, and to Pragna Sree Ganesh, who received a commendation for her short story entry. Finally, we were sad to say goodbye to Helen Cleaves, who left us after seven years. We wish her every success in her future endeavours. Ms F McBride, Librarian

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE Library

All KGS First Years receive a copy of the same book and, having read it over the holidays, will then have something in common once school starts in September.

ACADEMIC LIFE

ACADEMIC LIFE Mathematics

Mathematics W

ell, what a year that was... It started off smoothly enough, with a record number of Lower Sixth students taking maths – a total of 79 including 14 doing Further Maths.

We welcomed Mr Chiew into the Department at the beginning of the year and Mrs Jones returned from her maternity leave in January. It was all going so well … and then came lockdown. A frantic scramble before the Easter holidays to get up to speed with Microsoft Teams, Class Notebook and a host of online resources including Dr Frost, Integral and even Kahoot (which to my surprise has some very serious maths content – although I am not sure that ‘Volumes of Revolution by Integration’ is a topic best suited to Kahoot’s quick fire format!). The Easter holidays gave us a welcome pause and an opportunity to sort out what worked and what didn’t; the Summer term started in a much more orderly manner than Easter term finished! The students were fantastic, quickly adapting to new ways of working, and remaining enthusiastic, engaged and forgiving when things didn’t go to plan! Trial Exams, end-of-term assessments and even the online UKMT Junior Maths Challenge were all adapted to the new online format and went surprisingly smoothly. Toby Cole in the Upper Sixth had the dubious privilege of being the only student in the school to take Public Exams this summer, sitting his Maths STEP papers for Cambridge at home with several cameras trained on him, being monitored by remote invigilators. Come the end of the year as the Maths Department met in a socially distanced group on the Fairfield to celebrate the end of term and say

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goodbye to colleagues, there was a huge sigh of relief, but also a sense of satisfaction as to how well it had gone. Congratulations to Toby – he ended up with excellent results in both his STEP papers, and is now going up to read Mathematics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. The Hans Woyda competition continues to be one of the highlights of our year and this year was one of our most successful for a while. After a blistering series of wins against Harrodian, Wellington College, Tiffin Boys’ School and Dulwich College, the KGS mathematicians were finally knocked out by the Whitgift team in a closely fought match. It has been a standout year and we thank all students involved including Samuel Sturge, Anas Boulahmi, Samuel Arwas, Ricky Rim, Sean Graham, Jiajun Fang and Toby Cole, with special thanks to Miss Collison for the organisation and training which has seen co-curricular maths go from strength to strength. In other national competitions, five of our Sixth Form mathematicians took part in the Maths Olympiad for Girls, with Sophie Proctor and Izzy Hepburn getting distinctions. The UKMT Maths Challenges are another important fixture in our calendar. First up was the Senior Maths Challenge sat by a mix of Sixth Form students and some of the stronger Lower School mathematicians, including Boadicea Cannon in the First Year who was awarded a silver medal. Toby Cole and Third Year Samuel Sturge went through to the Olympiad round; Samuel was awarded a Merit and Toby a Distinction. Eight students, including Samuel Arwas (Fifth Year) and Anas Boulahmi (Third Year) went through to the Kangaroo stage. The total haul of medals was 10 golds, 37 silvers and 14 bronze medals.

116 Third to Fifth Year students took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge winning a total of 13 gold, 35 silver and 34 bronze medals, with 14 going through to the Kangaroo stage. Samuel Sturge scored 100% and he, Katie Monaghan and Anas Boulahmi went through to the Olympiad stage. The Junior Maths Challenge was disrupted by the School’s closure, and so this year took place in a new online format. The 105 First and Second Year students who participated are currently awaiting their results. In November we took two groups of Fourth Year and A Level Maths students to the ‘Maths in Action’ series of lectures at the Emmanuel Centre in London; topics included the use of maths to model crowd behaviour at music festivals, how matrix operations can be used to modify pictures and the misuse of statistics in the media – very topical! At the end of this year we said a fond farewell to Mrs Dixon. Miss Collison, as most of you will know her, was married earlier this year, and after 19 years at KGS, including several as Head of Department, she is moving up to Norfolk with her new husband. We thank her for her enormous contribution to Maths at KGS and wish her the very best. We also welcome back Mrs Rhys after her maternity leave. Next year we are looking forward to another bumper number of students doing Maths A Level; two-thirds of the cohort will be studying Maths including a record 25 doing Further Maths. Mr J Skeates, Head of Mathematics

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ACADEMIC LIFE Mathematics

The students were fantastic, quickly adapting to new ways of working, and remaining enthusiastic, engaged and forgiving when things didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go to plan!

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Modern Foreign

ACADEMIC LIFE Modern Foreign Languages

Languages European Day of Languages

Language Leaders take to the stage

The MFL Department celebrated European Day of Languages through a full week of cross-curricular activities. Students had the opportunity to become architects and tried to recreate the Eiffel Tower with spaghetti and marshmallows which resulted in many sweet designs! Another activity included challenging themselves to read in more than 15 European languages trying to put the texts in categories such as recipes, film reviews, songs, poems etc.

In March, students put weeks of practice and preparation to fine use by staging an entertaining evening of language performances in the Frayn Theatre. We had songs, role plays, video trailers, quizzes and even some language teaching from our very own KGS Language Leaders. Students performed in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin and showed off their skills, whether they have only been learning the language for a few months or for a few years. The evening highlighted the creativity, fun and hard work that takes place in all language lessons. It takes courage and confidence to perform in front of an audience, even more so when done in a foreign language. However, the enjoyment by students was evident in every single act and performance. It was a pleasure to watch our students out of the classroom and lovely to see so many parents supporting the event. The Summer term was a busy one. The remote teaching brought new challenges but also plenty of opportunities to include a variety of activities and project work in the lessons. We are so proud of our students. Many of them took the opportunity to let their imagination and creativity run wild and produce their own art work based on French artists Matisse, Gauguin and CĂŠzanne, build houses after Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and use Picasso and Frida Kahlo as inspiration for their Spanish paintings. Others cooked and baked Italian dishes, Spanish sweets and German cakes.

The tastiest activity was our KGS Bake Off Challenge. Students entered this competition by baking languagethemed cakes.

They enjoyed discovering that they were able to read in languages they had not previously learned, all thanks to their reading strategies. The tastiest activity was our KGS Bake Off Challenge. Students entered this competition by baking language-themed cakes. We had a selection of cakes from Sweden, Russia, Italy and even an EU cake, all of which helped raise ÂŁ90 in aid of the MacMillan Coffee Morning event. A high standard has been set for next year!

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We are incredibly proud not only how our students have coped in the last few months, but in the way many have gone above and beyond the curriculum and created work that inspires, teaches and impresses.

The creative use of foreign languages can also be seen in the beautiful Spanish poems, and the powerful messages in French, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. As a department we are incredibly proud not only how our students have coped in the last few months, but of the way in which many have gone above and beyond the curriculum and created work that inspires, teaches and impresses. Mrs T Russell, Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Students had the opportunity to become architects and tried to recreate the Eiffel Tower with spaghetti and marshmallows which resulted in many sweet designs!

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ACADEMIC LIFE Music

Music Boys’ Participation Workshop

Roderick Williams Masterclass and Concert

We were delighted that the KGS Music Society had facilitated a workshop to help promote boys’ involvement in all things musical and the day proved to be a great success. Lincoln Abbotts, Executive Director at the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and his team of accomplished musicians led an inspiring workshop that featured musical styles from all around the globe. Despite the fact it was such a large group of musicians who had never previously played together, as the day went on it became clear that Lincoln’s charisma and energy was wearing off on the students and they honed and refined their performance skills, experimenting with texture and timbre along the way. Several students put themselves forward for improvisation slots and, as performance time drew closer, the overall structure of how the piece would develop in its final form became clear.

We were once again delighted to welcome Roderick Williams (baritone) and Iain Burnside (piano) back to KGS for A Voyage around Hardy, with works by Franz Schubert and Gerald Finzi. As with their survey of Schubert’s monumental song cycles the previous year, this was a magical evening enjoyed by a large audience. The way that Roddy and Iain communicate with the audience and make the music accessible is second to none and it was a thrill to have a ‘touch of the Wigmore Hall’ brought to us at KGS. The previous day our GCSE and A Level students had been lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a workshop run by Roddy on composition.

It has been hugely encouraging to see an uptake in the number of boys taking part in co-curricular musical activities.

The final result? A piece that lasted for about 13 minutes and featured all of the skills and musical techniques learnt throughout the workshop. It has been hugely encouraging to see an uptake in the number of boys taking part in co-curricular musical activities as a result of this hugely enjoyable afternoon. 54

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“All of your watery music, Your rush and gush and boom, Has shuddered into silence, As silent as the tomb.” These were the word set by the students as part of the workshop. Roddy demonstrated a range of approaches to melody writing, from choosing notes randomly and playing around with them, to having a singer or friend in mind and thinking about melodic shapes could work for them. It was great to think about how poems could be used as inspiration for both songs and instrumental pieces and as a way of overcoming the challenging ‘writer’s block’. These were accessible techniques, as all students got stuck in to composing their melodies, and it was a real privilege for them to have their ideas performed back to them. We are extremely grateful to Roderick for offering students this invaluable opportunity and look forward to hearing their own compositions develop.

Autumn Concert The Autumn Concert is always one of the year’s biggest events and this year proved no exception. Not only were we treated to performances from all of the large ensembles and choirs, but the annual tradition of a performance from the entire First Year certainly didn’t disappoint. This year the concert was even more of a highlight as it marked the first time that our new staging system, kindly jointly funded by the KGS Music Society and PSA, was used in a concert setting giving the audience far clearer sight-lines to the performers.

The Jazz Band and Jazz Orchestra made their usual polished contributions alongside the Guitar Ensembles, Brass Groups and Choirs.

We had large orchestral performances from the Symphony Orchestra who performed Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No 3 and the Junior Symphony Orchestra who thrilled with a performance of Pirates of the Caribbean. The Jazz Band and Jazz Orchestra made their usual polished contributions alongside the Guitar Ensembles, Brass Groups and Choirs. The First Year closed the first half with a bang as they performed four songs they had been learning during lessons. These were all songs from the shows, ably accompanied by a band comprising Mr Tierney, Juliet Gray, Lila Skeet and Sophia Snow. After performing Sondheim’s Comedy Tonight, When I Grow Up from Matilda and Pure Imagination, they brought the house down with a lively rendition of You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray. Mr M Laflin, Director of Music

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The Autumn Concert is always one of the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest events and this year proved no exception.

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A capacity audience were delighted by the sounds of our KGS Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band and four jazz soloists. It was terrific evening and the second half featured a celebrity guest appearance from bassist Michael Janisch and his band.

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One of the highlights of the evening was the solo from Sam Kelly (saxophone) who has a natural flare and talent for jazz. This, combined with the solo performances of Francesca Bern, Pragna Sree Ganesh and Isla Flett, made it a night to remember.

The KGS Jazz Band had been working hard at preparing some complex arrangements for the evening and delighted the audience with their high level of playing and improvisation.

ACADEMIC LIFE Music

e had our annual Jazz Night on Thursday 6th February and a capacity audience were delighted by the sounds of our KGS Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band and four jazz soloists. It was a terrific evening and the second half featured a celebrity guest appearance from bassist Michael Janisch and his band. Michael’s musical style fuses contemporary jazz with free improvisations and soaring melodies over multi-metered groves, paying homage to artists as diverse as Ornette Coleman, Fela Kuli and Afro-Beat. He is also the owner of Whirlwind Recordings and has been MOBO-Award nominated as a solo artist. Michael and his band were able to work with some of our jazz musicians during an afternoon workshop and the results of this really shone through in the evening performances. The KGS Jazz Band had been working hard at preparing some complex arrangements for the evening and delighted the audience with their high level of playing and improvisation. Directed and coached by Andre Canniere, they performed a range of jazz compositions such as Moanin’ and Cold Duck Time.

The backing track was built from the ground up and then all the vocal tracks individually spliced, processed and synced as well as possible. Lastly, several harmony parts were created using the raw vocal tracks. The end result is fantastic and Erasure themselves have even replied to our tweet. Mr M Laflin, Director of Music

Sadly, the Jazz Night turned out to be our last major performance event of the year and we didn’t quite make it to our Choral Society performance of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle or our Spring Concert. A lot of work had already gone into these and the Choral Society had been rehearsing hard since January only to see the concert postponed at the last minute. Despite not being physically in school, the Summer term still saw some fabulous music making, with Mr Tierney’s musical challenge. Students were challenged to record a cover version of 80s hit A Little Respect by Erasure. This was a very different kind of project – instead of using £500 microphones we used mobile phones.

Listen to the finished result at: https://soundcloud.com/kgs1561/ a-little-respect-master-24-441

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Physics

In Chemistry, some lessons had to be relocated as Chemistry 3 was sealed off as a crime scene, though all that could be seen from the corridor was the outline of where Dr Winning’s body had been found, along with an ominous pool of red liquid. Fortunately, a crack team of KGS forensic scientists were able to sift through the evidence at lunchtime and use both physical and chemical tests to narrow down the field of suspects. Flame tests, fingerprints and experiments to investigate blood splatter patterns gave some good clues, but in the end, it came down to the murder weapon, which could have been either a knife or a screwdriver. Both looked clean, but with the lights turned down a little spray of luminol revealed a ghostly blue glow from the knife, indicative of tiny traces of blood, too small to see. Unfortunately, the murderer absconded before he could be apprehended, but it was an excellent piece of work by our KGS scientists! Happily, reports of Dr Winning’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Biology and PSHE have been on a mission to improve the air quality and wellbeing of our tutor groups. Students from every tutor group decorated glass jars for their ‘pet plants’. Students have then come to collect a spider plant for each tutor group to nurture and care for. Spider plants are well known for their ability to grow runners (which are, in fact, clones of themselves!) but have also been shown to improve air quality by filtering pollutants from the air. Hopefully this project will encourage further green fingers in our students and highlight how amazing plants are. In class, students completed the Tunnel Challenge (to get a Jelly Baby through, using only paper and string), made copious amounts of slime and set fire to methane bubbles. At the end of the year we said a fond farewell to Mrs Dieu, who after two successful years at KGS decided to return to Australia to be with her husband and family. We wish her all the best for her new adventures down under.

5 M 1 A RC – 6 H A crack team of KGS forensic scientists were able to sift through the evidence at lunchtime and use both physical and chemical tests to narrow down the field of suspects.

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Hot on the heels of International Women’s Day, KGS students celebrated British Science Week by immersing themselves in a wide range of activities. Freya Kille (OK studying Civil Engineering at Bath) returned to challenge Lower Sixth Physics students to pursue an engineering career. She also spoke to the Fifth Year girls about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths), an area in which girls are underrepresented. Teams were given the task of building a tall structure using a very limited selection of straws, toothpicks, barbecue skewers, marshmallows and not forgetting the ever-popular Jelly Babies. In their small groups they analysed the various types of structures and considered means of strengthening their design so that it could be both tall and sturdy using only the selected materials within a short time period. All teams successfully completed the challenge and the following photos show their designs.

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britishscienceweek.org #BSW20

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Despite nationwide school closures, at KGS students were still able to partake in some of the practical aspects that Physics can offer. Whilst demonstrating the penetrating power of radiation at home was only possible via YouTube, the students were able to make use of a series of weekly challenges laid on by the NPL (National Physical Laboratory based in Twickenham). These aimed to use items easily available at home to make measurements and share their results more widely. The Fourth Year enjoyed trying to measure the speed of sound using toilet rolls, which dovetailed nicely with the work on waves they covered this year.

British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) success

Spider plants are well known for their ability to grow runners (which are, in fact, clones of themselves!) but have also been shown to improve air quality.

This year four students sat Round 1 of the Physics Olympiad. Congratulations go to Matthew Shipley for his commendation score and Jacob Walker for his Bronze II Award. Sitting at the top of the tree are Alex Furmston and Toby Cole who achieved Bronze I Awards, placing them in the top 40% of students nationally. Well done!

Looking ahead KGS was delighted to be working on a pilot with UCAS on delivering virtual exhibitions to help support higher education decision making. On 20th May many budding engineers were able to explore multiple courses at up to 20 universities and colleges around the UK at the first ever virtual exhibition. They spoke directly to subject and admissions specialists via one-to-one or group chat, listened in on seminars, and were able to pick up a digital prospectus and other information. 59

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In other news...

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PSHE

TALKING POINTS

1. Tell me one thing that you have learnt

ACADEMIC LIFE PSHE

That just sharing photos and videos isn’t enough and I need to do more PSHE education is a fast-moving and dynamic subject and it is rare for any topic we cover to stay the same for more than a couple of years. Constant changes in technology and accessibility to the internet has implications not only for what we teach around safety and acceptable use but also how we use that technology to teach tour students. We may think we are up to date with our lessons regarding social media and then something new like TikTok arrives, so changes need to be made to keep those lessons relevant. Any mention of Facebook is now met with the obligatory teenage eyeroll as it is just for parents and ‘old’ people… Our emphasis on certain topics also changes as we learn more. The old Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) curriculum has been changed to Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) to highlight the importance of relationships. The long overdue statutory guidance for the teaching of RSE starts from September 2020 (though allowances are being made due to COVID-19 and the lockdown) and is a prime example of a change in focus leading to a change in teaching. Here at KGS we are proud to say that we are ready for the changes. We have added a few topics to our teaching programme, but this has been achieved using a whole school approach with help from departments such as Biology and English to ensure we are delivering a consistent message. Lockdown has provided many new challenges in teaching and education. We discuss the need to spend time away from screens in PSHE education, but lockdown meant that students were spending more time than ever in front of their screens. While some lessons remained the same, other lessons were changed to provide opportunities to take a break.

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The First Year topic for the Spring and Summer terms was ‘Be Happy’, so practical lessons continued with encouragement to spend time cooking, gardening, playing with Lego, practising yoga, and some mindfulness techniques. The students have willingly engaged with this and sent photos as evidence. As the final term continued, we encouraged other year groups to do the same in their PSHE lessons.

I’ve learned about how much white privilege there is in society Racism is an issue in the UK as well as the US I have learnt that oppression and racism is still a huge problem in modern times

2. Tell me one thing you already knew That protests were happening all over the world That people aren’t in these positions because of any fault of their own, which is why this is all so unfair

For the final few weeks of term, we were able to engage with all our students about the Black Lives Matter campaign, the anti-racism protests, and privilege.

I already knew about Ahmaud Arbery being shot. I saw this in the news and felt horrified by this. Someone the same age as me simply out jogging, something I do, and he was shot. made me think about the fear that black Americans have to feel, because I don’t have to feel scared about going jogging, but now they do

3. Write down one question you would like answered Why do people discriminate because it makes no sense?

One of the advantages of PSHE is that, despite being a compulsory subject in schools and having topics that must be covered, we are still able to adapt to what is happening in the world around us. For the final few weeks of term, we were able to engage with all our students about the Black Lives Matter campaign, the anti-racism protests, and privilege. For First to Fifth years this was discussed this during their PSHE lessons with their teachers but in cases where this was not possible, they were shown a video presentation and asked questions. Our students fully engaged and the questions were answered in as much detail as possible!

What can I do to help create change? I would like to know why this happens. There needs to be big change I would like to learn more about black history, and also the history of figures who are having their statues taken down in the protests We are so proud of a group of our Lower Sixth students who prepared their own presentation for their peers and have been working alongside teachers to provide suitable resources so we can all continue with our education on this matter. Mrs M Robinson, Head of PSHE

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AACADEMIC LIFE Psychology

Psychology How can psychology help us to understand why people riot? Millions of people have been captivated by the progression of the Black Lives Matter movement after George Flyod was killed by a white US police officer. This sent the globe into grieving for a black man who died at the hands of the failing US police system, and this grievance turned into demonstrations and in some cases, riots. So how can we apply psychology to this current event? We must first notice that riots start because there is a deeply rooted problem in society already. Then there is a ‘trigger event’ which shocks the population into action. The reactions of authority fuel this anger and, if they reacted wrongly, can lead to protests. A crowd is a group of people united by common beliefs, yet as a group they behave differently to the individuals within it. Why?

A crowd is a group of people united by common beliefs, yet as a group they behave differently to the individuals within it. Why?

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There are two main causes for why people obtain a shared identity in crowds, as suggested by Gustave Le Bon, who researched crowd psychology. Firstly, a crowd provides anonymity, enabling people to lose the fear of consequences, as well as losing moral responsibility for their actions. This can also be known as deindividuation – rioters follow the crowd instead of their morals. The second factor in crowd psychology is suggestibility. When part of a group, a person can enter a hypnotic-like state, in which they are influenced by their leader or peers and do things they wouldn’t normally do, like rioting. We can use Robert Park and Gustave Le Bon’s interpretation of contagion theory to explain why people become violent in riots. This theory says that actions in a riot become ‘infectious’ and LeBon suggested that the crowd exerts a ‘hypnotic influence’ on members, which is what leads to mass violence. Robert Park’s theory is based on interaction processes where the crowd become heightened with awareness of one another’s actions. This helps us understand why demonstrations become violent where there are situations of shared identity and mass contagion. The way police react to protests can create what’s referred to as an ‘us versus them’ mentality. This strengthens the shared identity of the crowd, deepening the division that already exists. Successful management of a riot depends on whether the public accept the police as a legitimate authority. Stanley Milgram suggested

that we are more likely to obey a person who is in a higher position of authority. US policemen have been known to use rubber bullets, throw tear gas and use pepper spray on the crowd. Even though the police may think these measures are necessary, they can lead to a cycle of escalating aggression.

A tactic used by police is called ‘crowd manipulation’. This is the intentional use of crowd psychology techniques to control protestors.

A tactic used by police is called ‘crowd manipulation’. This is the intentional use of crowd psychology techniques to control protestors. For example, policemen have started to kneel during protests. This expression of solidarity with the crowd decreases tension, and although this seems to undermine authority, it achieves the aim of preventing an escalation in riots. Unlike Milgram’s original findings, legitimacy of authority may only be effective when authoritative figures use the correct psychological and emotional techniques. Mrs A Edwards, Head of Psychology

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ACADEMIC LIFE Religion & Philosophy

Religion & Philosophy I

t has been a memorable year for the RP Department for many reasons, and not just due to our experiences of lockdown!

We began the year buoyant after another positive set of public examination results; 55% of students achieved grade 9 in their Religious Studies GCSE and 86% of students achieved grade 8 or 9. We welcomed 26 students to the Pre-U course, the largest Lower Sixth cohort on record for the department. In 2020, 38% of students achieved an A* equivalent in their exams and 100% achieved A*–B equivalent. Current affairs have given our department much to debate and discuss over the past few months making some for very interesting lessons indeed. For instance, our Second Years have explored the ways in which COVID-19 has affected how Muslims are able to practise the 5 Pillars of Islam, such as in Pakistan where many Muslims are offering zakat, the traditional Muslim charity tax for those who have no wage, health insurance or financial support. Our Sixth Form groups have discussed what role the state should play throughout the pandemic and the extent to which it is justified in limiting freedoms. Such debates have also involved us exploring the Hobbesian view that, left to our own devices, we would be ‘nasty and brutish’, possibly demonstrated in our frantic grabs for loo roll?! And the recent Black Lives Matter protests have resulted in some passionate debates across year groups about the delicate balance between rights and responsibilities which exists in society.

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We look forward to embedding further content regarding rights, diversity and representation in our lessons next year. We feel very fortunate that our subject gives us a platform to engage our students with these important issues and are proud of the informed and articulate contributions our students have made, particularly throughout online learning.

53% of students achieved grade 9 in their Religious Studies GCSE and 81% of students achieved grade 8 or 9.

In what now seems a very long time ago, in November, the department enjoyed some successful trips for our senior students. Both our Fifth Year and Sixth Form students attended Philosophy conferences where prominent philosophers addressed our students on a whole range of topics; from the evidential case of atheism (A.C. Grayling), to the unconvincing nature of the Ontological argument (Richard Swinburne) to why the Verification Principle renders religious language meaningless (Peter Vardy).

Such conferences offer a unique opportunity for our students to experience undergraduate-style lectures from some hugely influential speakers within the world of Philosophy. As ever, a real highlight of the year was our visit from Bob and Ann Kirk on 27th January, which marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Bob and Ann travelled to England on the Kindertransport (which brought nearly 10,000 Jewish children from Nazi occupied areas of Europe) shortly after Kristallnacht in 1939. The students listened attentively as Ann shared the memory of her parents bringing her to the station and waving at her ‘until their arms were going to drop off’. Bob recalled his arrival in England, his worries of being forgotten and not being ‘on the list’, and his relief at being met with warm smiles, something he had not seen for years during his time in Nazi-occupied Germany. Neither Bob nor Ann saw their parents again after leaving their stations. Our Third Year students asked intelligent and mature questions and were clearly very moved by their afternoon spent with these two incredible people, as one of our students writes below: By meeting Bob and Ann, we were able to catch a glimpse into the lives of some of the last survivors of the holocaust, an experience which is much more personal than a book or movie. By learning about the stories of the survivors, we took on board Bob and Ann Kirk’s words of wisdom. Most importantly, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” A memorable afternoon indeed; thank you to Mr Lawrence for organising this important event.

The department’s clubs continue to thrive. The Touchstone helm was expertly steered by Mr Tunley this year and under his navigation our Sixth Formers enjoyed some lively debates about Debord’s society of spectacle and explored the complex ethical world of genetic modification and CRISPR. In another debate, it was decided that the penal system required radical reformation. We continue to welcome both RP students and those from other departments to this group and look forward to welcoming Mr Sheehy in September, who will take responsibility for this club next year. HIGENFY continued to grapple with many current affairs news stories; the weekly ethical discussions ranged from Prince Andrew and Harvey Weinstein to Greta Thunberg and Gareth Thomas. Banksy’s latest works were a regular theme, as was heated analysis of the vices and virtues of Donald Trump. As usual, the Metropolitan Police came under scrutiny as did those responsible for the mistreatment of the Windrush generation. Our ‘Hero of the Year’ was unanimously voted as Captain Tom Moore and we were all touched by the way a 100-year-old World War II veteran galvanised the nation and boosted our morale at a time of great need with his kind heart and Yorkshire grit! HIGENGY carried on with its weekly meetings throughout lockdown. Discussions focused around the ethics of COVID-19 and Black Lives Matters; the group was particularly struck by the Good Samaritan, Patrick Hutchinson, who was photographed rescuing a white counter-protester and saving his life. So, to another year of academic fun and challenge! The department looks ahead to an exciting year of change ahead where, undoubtedly, our teaching will evolve due to our shift to online platforms last year. We also look forward to embracing the many pressing debates which both the fallout of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matters protests have brought to the fore. Much work to be done!

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We took on board Bob and Ann Kirk’s words of wisdom. Most importantly, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Mrs C Williams, Head of Religion & Philosophy

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STEAM ACADEMIC LIFE STEAM

he COVID crisis has changed our perspective on many aspects of our lives including, for most of us, redefining our relationship with technology.

Never has the success of our day been more closely aligned with that of our WiFi connection! We have seen extraordinary efforts by scientists and engineers from around the world to design and build medical equipment in record time, as well as international efforts to learn more about the virus and develop vaccines. For our students, we can see that it is more important than ever for them to develop their own technical skills to be able to help shape our digital future. We have continued this year to develop our physical computing curriculum across all year groups, with some bedding in of our established projects as well as a few exciting new elements. First Year students got to grips with the basics of Python, using it to produce some nifty Micro:bit projects and fantastic traffic systems using LEDs and Raspberry Pis.

In the Second Year we were excited to develop our LEGO Mindstorms project further, with students now building and programming their robots to take on a number of space-themed challenges.

Bletchley Park trip

LEGO Mindstorms space challenge project In the Third Year we sadly had to curtail our Raspberry Pi puzzle box project, but not before our students had started to explore the potential of the LED matrix, learning more about RGB colour mixing in the process. We have been so proud of the way the students have responded to remote learning with many taking the opportunity to really get to grips with Python, pursuing online courses independently.

PiTop LED Traffic Lights

Raspberry Pi Sense HAT project 66

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This year was due to see the first cohort sitting GCSE Computer Science exams at KGS and, although they never actually got to sit them, our wonderful group of pioneering Fifth Year students have done us proud. They have all worked extremely hard and produced some truly exceptional programming projects in very challenging circumstances. We have been very happy to see that this year demand has increased considerably for the subject and it is particularly pleasing to note the hugely increased number of girls opting for the subject.

In March, our Fourth Year GCSE students went on a fantastic trip to Bletchley Park to learn more about the history of cryptography and how it relates to modern cyber security. The new D-Day exhibit was particularly well received and highlighted Tommy Flowersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; role in creating the Colossus computer to crack the Lorenz cipher. We were given a fascinating tour by our volunteer Martin who had us all gripped by the extraordinary story not only of the famous code breakers of the likes of Alan Turing and Dilly Knox, but also the thousands of gifted women, such as Mavis Batey, whose own exceptional contribution often goes unrecognised. As well as seeing a working Bombe machine, students were lucky enough to get to use a real Enigma machine from the war! Learning how human errors were the key to cracking the German codes, students then applied these ideas to modern issues such as phishing.

Co-curricular clubs

Although several events and competitions were affected by COVID this year, there are still plenty of successes to report. This year saw the launch of our Junior Makers’ Club for First and Second Years, to go alongside the existing Digital Makers’ Club for Third Year and above. For our inaugural project we had great fun building and exploring some cardboard box robot buggies before 3D printing a chassis!

CYBER DISCOVERY On the theme of cyber security, this year saw the return of the fantastic Government programme Cyber Discovery, an ambitious set of online challenges designed to simulate real-world problems and develop a broad range of technical skills. It is a serious challenge, but several of our students made fantastic progress with one, Alex Furmston in the Upper Sixth, once again making it to the final 200, known as the Cyberstart Elite stage. This really is an exceptional achievement and, having completed the Elite course last summer as well, Alex has already achieved industry-level qualifications in digital forensics!

CYBER FIRST We had another fantastic response for the Cyber First girls’ competition this year with three teams and ten girls signing up. The competition is part of a wider programme by the National Centre for Cyber Security to encourage girls to consider a career in the sector. Some of the veterans from last year’s contest went on to attend residential courses around the country which by all accounts were brilliant fun and a great chance to find out more. In this year’s contest the teams worked really hard to solve a range of cyber security challenges, aided by mentors from higher up the school. One team in particular, Team Data Pirates, were unlucky to miss out on qualification for the semi-finals, solving a huge number of challenges despite coming into the competition with little prior knowledge of cyber security. Well done to Pirates Gina Saltycova, Shalini Thayaparan, Holly Seabrook and Hannah Wood, as well as Tess Helbing, India Catford, Hannah Tonge, Izzy Reilly, Sophie Bailey and Freya Ludlow.

Special mention should also go to Paul Adams, James Keywood, James Sweeney and Henry Hill who all made considerable headway through the challenges and can hopefully aim for the Elite stage next year.

The implementation of tank tracks proved extremely challenging, so the team had done well even to get to the stage of a functional moving robot. Hopefully, with more time to work on the robot in the Autumn they will be well placed to undertake some of the much more difficult autonomous elements next year. This year saw the annual Mansoor Sheikh STEAM project prize take place remotely, with the brief to build a clock. There were no restrictions on method; if it could measure the passing of time it counted. We had some brilliantly creative entries to the contest this year, taking on the problem in a range of different ways. The winning entry was Fraser de Rivas’ fantastic Python (as in the programming language!) turtle clock which he carefully calibrated to tell time based on how far a digital turtle could move in a second. The turtle would then draw the analogue clock! This was a novel approach and very well executed. In second place was Charlotte Comard’s pendulum clock, a classic idea but hard to put into practice, so the judges were really impressed to see how well her pendulum worked. In joint third there was nice water clock design by Sophie Bailey and an ingenious adaptation of a mechanical clock by Kerry Wang to tell him whether it was day or night in different time zones around the world. Well done to all those who entered and thank you again to OK Mansoor Sheikh for sponsoring the competition.

PIWARS Very sadly for this year’s group, Team Cyber Tank (James Keywood, Henry Hill, Rohan Korpal and James Sweeney), the annual PiWars robotics competition made the inevitable decision to postpone the event until 2021. The theme of the event, ‘Disaster Zone’, seems spookily prescient in hindsight! The team had given themselves a real challenge, building a new robot from scratch with a tank track design ready to take on a series of disasterthemed challenges, such as the Temple of Doom obstacle course and Zombie Apocalypse target test.

Team Cyber Tank Mansoor Sheikh Junior STEAM Project Prize Mr T Benson, Head of STEAM

ACADEMIC LIFE STEAM

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ORT After 13 years as a member of the KGS staff, and the last five spent as Director of Sport, I can safely say the School has never seen a sporting season like 2019–20. It was one of pure highs – from huge success on the girls’ hockey field with three national titles at U13, U14 and U15, to a South East Regional tennis win, indoor cricket Surrey titles as well as a very high number of students representing the School – through to the deep lows of the lack of water time for rowing due to adverse weather, finished off with the ‘summer term that never was’ in the face of a global pandemic.

Mrs N Maclean, Director of Sport

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What stands out for me is the amazing character and resolve of KGS students in coping with the challenges facing them both in the pursuit of excellence and in overcoming adversity. This is what makes a true ‘Sporting Kingstonian’ in my eyes and which, in my final year at KGS, makes me hugely proud. Well done to all those who played their part in making the 2019–20 season truly memorable for all the right reasons!

@KGS_Sport

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Girls It was always going to be difficult topping the 2018/19 season, which was one for the history books, but 2019/20 did just that. After months of fiercely competitive matches, three of our girls’ teams took hard-earned victories in the national championships. A record-breaking nine girls were selected to participate in the England Hockey regional programme. The aim of the Performance Centre sessions is to provide frequent high-quality training, develop exceptional players and utilise best vs best competition to support player development. Well done to Emma Sloan, Millie Good, Madi Good, Noa Armelin, Rachel Barnicoat, Grace Slevin, Kea Murray, Tula Knowles and Ellie Hauck.

U13 SQUAD: Grace Dormer, Tula Knowles (Capt), Noa Armelin, Emily Barker, Boadicea Cannon, Josie Roux, Hanna Garghouti, Natalie Ivory, Maddie Sloan, and Hannah Wood

U13 ISHC National Hockey Champions 2020 Redbridge Sports Centre, Ilford

Our first game was against local rivals Reigate Grammar School. KGS began well, applying early pressure and had some well-placed shots saved by the very capable Reigate goalkeeper. Patience paid off, however, with a Boadicea Cannon strike which put KGS 1–0 up. Reigate were not down and out, though, and intercepted a few KGS attacks, forcing our keeper, Grace Dormer, to make a few good saves in quick succession. KGS continued their build-up play and found the back board again through a corner strike by Josie Roux and associated defender deflection. KGS went into half time 2–0 up, but they knew that Reigate would come out fighting. Sure enough, a few minutes in, Reigate took advantage of a turnover and applied the pressure to slot it in the corner. KGS responded and wave upon wave of attack paid off with a Natalie Ivory slot-in putting the game to bed and sending KGS into the final against Ipswich School. Ipswich had come from a 3–0 deficit in the semi-final against Danes Hill to win 4–3 so we knew the final would be against a tough and resilient team! KGS started off really well, playing at a higher intensity than in the semi-final, which put Ipswich on the back foot. We were unlucky not to go up within the first few minutes but just couldn’t find the target until Josie Roux finally broke the deadlock.

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Hockey The whistle came at the right time, crowning KGS winners of the Independent Schools’ Cup, with Tula winning player of the final.

A few minutes later, a lack of concentration at a KGS defensive short corner made it 1–1 going into half-time: Ipswich were back in it! A positive team talk propelled KGS out of the blocks with a Tula Knowles strike in the bottom corner. The game then went end to end and with 90 seconds to go, Ipswich equalised again making it 2–2 at full time. The next stage was five minutes of extra time each way. Once again, KGS came out quickly, with Josie Roux finding the net to make it 3–2 at the five-minute changeover. Ipswich were not defeated, though, and again applied the pressure. They equalised soon into the second five minutes and it took a Tula Knowles strike to make it 4–3 with 20 seconds to go. The whistle came at the right time, crowning KGS winners of the Independent Schools’ Cup, with Tula winning player of the final. Mrs N Maclean, Director of Sport

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U14 Investec Tier 1 National Hockey Champions 2020 Lee Valley Stadium

A plucky U14 team battled their way to victory during a thrilling day of matches, starting with the first three group games to determine who would progress to the final.

In a thrillingly tight final match, KGS found themselves up against local opponent Epsom College who had topped their respective group.

A 2–0 victory over St. Peter’s, York with goals from Jemma Dreyer and Ella Robinson was followed by a 1–0 win over Loughborough College, with Amy Marshall grabbing the all-important goal in the dying seconds of the match; the girls went on to enjoy a 2–1 win against Framlingham School. In a thrillingly tight final match, KGS found themselves up against local opponent Epsom College who had topped their respective group. A 0–0 score at full time meant it would be down to penalty strokes.

Whilst the supporters found this an agonising experience, the composed KGS girls took it in their stride as both teams scored their first five strokes to take it to sudden death. A save from England Lions and KGS goalkeeper Katherine Don-Wauchope meant that Noa Armelin had a chance to win the trophy – and take it she did, hitting the back of the net with assurance and ensuring that KGS were crowned as National Champions. Miss H Naismith, Head of Girls’ Hockey

U14 SQUAD: Miri Scott, Katherine Don-Wauchope, Audrey Coursey, Jasmine Procter-Tarabanov, Jemma Dreyer, Ella Robinson, Ashley Walker, Amy Marshall, Francesca Delbe-Waldron, Emily Barker, Hanna Garghouti, Noa Armelin, Tula Knowles, Josie Roux, Boadicea Cannon

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Madi Good then used her skill to eliminate the opposition goalkeeper to make it 2–1. Surbiton scored, followed by Millie Good scoring another well-executed shuffle. Surbiton scored their last of five, which meant if we scored now the KGS girls would be crowned champions. Jess Walker approached the goalkeeper, sent her the wrong way and slotted the ball in to make KGS the U15 ISHC National Champions. A truly remarkable feat.

U15 ISHC National Hockey Champions 2020 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Having battled through torrential rain and blustering winds against Sedbergh School, the U15 girls found themselves travelling to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where they were playing Surbiton High School in the final of the Independent Schools’ Hockey Cup. The girls had already exceeded expectations and were in good spirits as the crowds arrived. Surbiton applied a lot of early pressure on but, after a nervous start, KGS found their feet and started to string some passes together. Most of the first half resulted in end-to-end action with no real chances created by either side. We came out flying in the second half and within ten minutes the girls produced some of the best hockey they have played all year. Transfers round the back, posting up in midfield, individual skill and awareness of the opposition all led to a through ball which Ellie Hauck calmly converted to make the score 1–0.

We came out flying in the second half and within ten minutes the girls produced some of the best hockey they have played all year.

The crowd went wild, but it was important that the girls remained focused and calm as they knew Surbiton High were about to throw everything at them (which of course they did). With six minutes to go they did indeed score through a well-rehearsed short corner. Everything was now to play for. Sophie Tomison made some exceptional saves whilst the defence remained solid under the Surbiton pressure. The final whistle went, meaning extra time. Both teams attacked and defended well to ensure the game went to penalty shuffles. Surbiton won the toss and opted to go first. Sophie Tomison did exactly what she needed to which was to slow down the attacking player. Due to an umpiring decision a goal was awarded which gave Surbiton the lead. For KGS, Kea Murray stepped up first but her attempt was saved. Surbiton’s second shuffle was hit wide. For KGS, Grace Slevin calmly took the ball around the goalkeeper to level the score. Sophie Tomison slowed the opposition attacker enough for time to run out which gave us the advantage.

The final whistle went, meaning extra time. Both teams attacked and defended well to ensure the game went to penalty shuffles.

Thank you so much for everyone who has been part of the team this season. Mr D Bartram, Hockey

U15 SQUAD: Sophie Tomison, Rachel Barnicoat, Elsie Callen, Madi Good, Millie Good, Ellie Hauck, Teva Hogarth, Evie Hurn, Sophie Jones, Fia Mahdi, Katie Mullally, Kea Murray, Livvy Rosser, Grace Slevin, Amy Smith, Jess Walker

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Boys There is no doubt that the premature end to 2019–20 season was frustrating for the boys’ hockey teams throughout the School. Our junior sides were progressing well in competitions and were due to have some fantastic experiences playing tournament hockey against schools from all over the south of England, whilst our seniors missed out on the opportunity to play in the traditional close to the season, the St George’s Sixes. Nevertheless, progress, on an individual and team level, was made in every team, and all the boys should reflect on the season with pride.

We were delighted to welcome OKs Zach Wallace and Jack Waller back to Ditton Field.

There have been several notable individual successes. Eight boys have taken part in the England Hockey Performance Centre programme. Well done to Joseph Hughes, Jamie Hughes and Theo Piche-Hainsworth (Lower Sixth), Theo Pawsey-Persaud (Fifth Year), Dan Roberts and Adam Sloan (Fourth Year) and Third Years Ed Wheeler and Tim Bryce. One of the highlights of the year for the First Year boys was the opportunity to take part in a masterclass coaching session with Old Kingstonians and current Great Britain hockey players Zach Wallace and Jack Waller. Both Zach and Jack are preparing for the Tokyo Olympics but took time out of their busy schedules in December to come and visit us. Mr T Beaumont, Head of Boys’ Hockey

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Natalie joined KGS in 2007 from Prior’s Field School, initially as a teacher of PE, Head of Sport Studies and as a form tutor. She knew the School well, having attended as a student. A prolific hockey player in her own right (she was KGS’s first schoolgirl England international), Natalie was a fantastic role model for students and an important asset to the coaching team, leading the girls’ First XI to the national title in 2008. A further outdoor title was delivered in 2011 when Natalie was Head of Girls’ Hockey. In September 2011 she was promoted to Assistant Director of Sport and was instrumental in putting together a comprehensive programme of sport which expanded opportunities and broadened horizons. Within this programme was a touring strategy which has seen students travel all over the world to play hockey in South Africa, cricket and netball tours in the United Arab Emirates, football in Spain and skiing in the USA as well as annual rowing camps in France.

I know from students first hand that these have proved to be some of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences of their time spent at KGS. In 2012, Natalie married Alistair and in 2014 their son Archie was born. With Lorcan O’Brien’s departure in 2015, Natalie was a natural successor as Director of Sport and, for the past five years, KGS Sport has flourished under her leadership. Indeed, it was pleasing to see this recognised and externally validated in the 2017 ISI report which recorded that, “success in sport is particularly notable”.

The role of Director of Sport is a challenging one, requiring as it does an ability to objectively balance the competing demands of multiple sports and a range of top level coaches.

KGS has been fortunate to have, in Natalie, a Director of Sport who has had the capacity to manage these challenges so proficiently. Natalie’s legacy at KGS is to leave us with a sporting programme which provides genuine opportunities both for the enthusiastic participant and for performance athletes to engage with sport and, at a time when there is a national trend of struggling to maintain the interest of girls within sport, the opposite can be said of KGS. Indeed, I know that Natalie is particularly proud of the progress made in this area, with the extension into cricket and football for girls (and the first competitive fixtures in each being played during her tenure). 2019–20 would also seem to be a fitting year in this regard, with three girls’ hockey teams having attained national titles. Natalie leaves KGS to become the Director of Sport at Latymer Upper. We all wish her the very best for the future and look forward to welcoming her back to Ditton Field as the opposition! Mr AJ Beard, Assistant Head (Co-Curricular)

The role of Director of Sport is a challenging one, requiring as it does an ability to objectively balance the competing demands of multiple sports and a range of top level coaches, all of whom naturally wish to press the case of their own sport. It is further complicated too by the split site nature of our school and the daily logistical challenge of getting students to various venues for practices and fixtures.

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Natalie Maclean Director of Sport

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2019/20 Sports report Athletics

Both Angelina Campbell and Ella Robinson competed for Surrey in the South East Schools Inter Counties Cross Country Championships this year and ran brilliantly, with Angie finishing 12th and Ella 29th in the whole of the South East Region.

Although we were unable to complete the athletics season this year, our cross-country results have been fantastic, with incredible individual and team performances. The amazing individual results meant that the following students qualified to compete in the Surrey Schools Cross Country Championship in January: Freddie Lett, Mattia Galvani, Sebastian Cockerell, Ella Robinson, Josie Roux, Angelina Campbell and Douggie Bradley. Ella Robinson (Juniors) and Angelina Campbell (Intermediates) placed 12th and 16th respectively, which meant they had once again qualified to run in the East Schools Inter Counties Cross Country Championships in February. Freddie Lett had continued his excellent season by finishing sixth in his race, which meant that he had placed high enough to complete at the English Schools Championship.

In addition to her excellent season, Angelina also competed in the National Schools’ Cross Country Championships. She came 73rd out of 335 runners and as she was part of the Surrey Intermediate Girls’ Team, they became national champions. The organisers counted the scores of the top six girls from each team and the lowest score won – Angie came fifth in the Surrey team meaning her score counted. I have been extremely proud of the students’ accomplishments this year and I am sure they will continue the excellent performances next year. Miss A Fletcher, Physical Education

In October, KGS competed in the Borough Cross Country Championships.

Results: U12 Boys 4th U12 Girls 4th overall, with special mention to Poppy Dragten who came 10th

U14 Boys 1st overall, with Freddie Lett coming 1st, Seb Cockerell coming 5th and Mattia Galvani coming 10th

U14 Girls 2nd overall. Ella Robinson came 4th, Josie Roux came 9th, Louisa Parker came 14th and Ffion Rowe came 15th U16 Boys 3rd overall with Douggie Bradley coming 9th and Alex Currie 11th

U16 Girls Angelina Campbell came 1st, Caitlin O’Donovan came 4th and Ife Dombrowsky came 5th

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Cricket Unsurprisingly, the 2019/20 season was a frustrating one for cricketers everywhere. At KGS, with an increasingly comprehensive off-season programme that offers opportunities to train, with additional chances for our most committed cricketers, the cancellation of the season meant that students will have to wait another year to show off their developing skills. While the usual season did not materialise, the Autumn and Spring terms did offer plenty of competitive opportunities, with our indoor cricketers entering both the boys’ and girls’ competitions at U13 and U15 level. The ongoing hard work through the winter certainly paid off. The U13 boys won the borough title, defeating a succession of local schools on their way to a comprehensive victory of Tiffin Boys’ in the final. Strong performances from Pryam Patel, Roshaan Sornalingham, Sebastian Cockerell and Ollie Stone were too much for the competition. The U13 girls narrowly missed out on borough glory, losing out to Surbiton High School in the final. Natalie Ivory showed her increasing dominance with the bat, scoring heavily throughout the tournament, while Emily Barker’s all-round skill and game awareness did the team proud. There were also encouraging performances from Holly Seabrook and Maya Buchanan that suggest the girls’ game will continue to flourish at KGS. In the U15 competition, our boys, led by Dan Roberts, played some intelligent cricket to gain a place in the final.

Despite a strong start, an experienced side from Tiffin Boys’ overpowered KGS, who put in a strong showing none the less. Oli Dawson showed his increasing awareness and skill as a leg spinner and all-rounders Harry Venning and Mikey Eldridge made their fair share of match-winning contributions. It was also pleasing to see the continuing rise of Alex Watkins. His ability to play pace bowling has given the side stability at the top of the order. The highlight of the indoor season was undoubtedly the strong performances from the U15 girls. The borough competition came and went in the blink of an eye as KGS moved past the other schools in the local area in record time.

The strong batting from Jess Walker and dynamic hitting from Jemma Dreyer and Kea Murray was simply too much for the opposition. Having won the borough title, the girls advanced to the county finals, where they would face seven other schools. The new ball pairing of Ellie Hauck and Eve Abbott showed significant pace and skill, and it was clear that the athleticism of the group in the field meant there were few weaknesses. Having beaten Sutton Grammar, George Abbott and Riddlesdown College, they met a Reigate Grammar School side full of county cricketers. The final performance was one of the most comprehensive wins of all; after posting a competitive total of 60, KGS dismissed RGS for just 25, led in the field by Millie and Madi Good who seemed to be on the end of every RGS shot.

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As county champions, KGS approached the regional play-offs as strong favourites. However, the arrival of the pandemic meant that the penultimate phase of the national cup was postponed and subsequently cancelled. Some of our cricketers did manage to get outside to play, on our highly anticipated first tour to the UAE. 35 cricketers spent eight days in Abu Dhabi and then Dubai, training hard, playing against local opponents and enjoying the sights and experiences the UAE has to offer. There were a number of encouraging performances. Kea Murray showed increasing match awareness and discipline to go alongside her striking ability and scored valuable runs. Dan Roberts led the way with the bat throughout the tour, consistently churning out runs whatever the situation, only to be matched by Noa Armelin, who was both patient and destructive with the bat. We also saw more glimpses of brilliance from Oli Dawson and his leg spin, showing the value of putting time and effort into the winter programme. The theme of the tour was very much focussed on learning and the group took positive strides forwards on an almost daily basis. While the pre-season tour was in fact the finale to our season, the learning opportunities it presented, and the progress made by our cricketers, will leave them in a good place come 2021, with memories that will last a lifetime. Mr S Lavery, Assistant Director of Sport; Head of Cricket

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National recognition

It was fantastic to see Clara John and Charlotte Cahn representing the ISFA U18 and U16 national teams respectively. We are very proud of the girls, who have also been instrumental in the development of the KGS girls’ football programme. Hopefully we will see more girls following in their footsteps.

RESULTS

20 Boys 1st XI Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The 2019–20 season will, of course, go down in memory and for all the wrong reasons. Not only was it cut short by the global pandemic but appalling weather had forced the cancellation of many matches beforehand. And as if the season couldn’t have got any worse, prior to lockdown the 1st XI managed to draw both the defending London Cup and County Cup champions. A shortage of goalkeepers also hampered our progression. It was a slow start to the season but we had good wins against Box Hill, Freeman’s, Wetherby Senior and in our 1890 match against St George’s College. Well done to those who played 1st XI football this year. 82

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U15s

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The 2nd XI had a good first half of the season, winning against Sutton Grammar, Kew House, Eton College, Ibstock Place and Box Hill in December. Unfortunately, a slow start after the Christmas period saw the team losing four games out of five. The team managed to regroup and get back to their winning ways against Reigate Grammar and Wetherby Seniors and we take plenty of positives into next season.

3rd XI Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The 3rd XI were on fire at the start of the season, scoring six goals in three of their first four matches against Sutton Grammar, Ewell Castle and Kew House. The good run came to an end against Eton College away which was followed by five straight defeats. The boys managed to turn their season round with good back-to-back victories against Ibstock Place, Box Hill and Reigate Grammar. The high-scoring matches continued, with 4–4 and 3–3 draws against Wetherby and Sutton respectively. An excellent and exciting season came to an early close, but the team can be very proud of their 49 goals in 17 matches.

U16s Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The U16s had only seven matches this season as many of them became 2nd and 3rd XI regulars on a Wednesday. The team managed to get the second round in the ESFA and County Cup competitions and were able to bounce back from the two cup defeats to draw with Harrodian and Sutton Grammar.

Good victories against KES Witley and Wellington College were followed by a 6–4 ESFA Cup classic against Broadwater School. The next games proved more difficult as they went on a run of eight matches without a win but they managed to stop the run of bad luck with a good win against Mill Hill School before the season ended prematurely.

U14s Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The U14s had an excellent start to the season winning four of the first six matches including good wins against KES Witley and Kew House. Victories against Addey and Stanhope (5–1) and Holyport College (9–0) saw the boys reach the last 32 of the ESFA Cup. Their cup run was over as a strong Oratory School proved too much for the boys. Overall, it was a good season with an exciting cup run!

U13s Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The U13s started the cup competitions really well with good wins against Bournemouth Collegiate (ISFA), Burlington Danes (ESFA), Oaklands (Surrey) and a runners-up position in the Twickenham Prep Tournament. Unfortunately, they were unable to get past the second round but there is plenty of potential for next season.

U12s Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The First Years had a tough introduction to football at KGS with early defeats in the ESFA competitions but showed plenty of courage, pride and attitude that will help them develop as a team ready for next season.

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U13s

1st XI Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

We were delighted that KGS fielded a 1st XI (U18) girls’ team for the first time in the School’s history. They had the same luck in the cup draw as the boys and ended up playing one of the strongest football colleges in the first round but then played and won in the Surrey Schools Cup in a fantastic performance. A great first season.

U16s Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The girls only had one match this year and were very unlucky to lose 2–1 after extra time against a very competitive Alexandra Park School. In difficult circumstances they represented the School with pride and showed plenty of potential for next season.

U15s

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The girls built on their success from last season and will have been disappointed that the season finished early as they had a place in the Town Cup Final. They can be proud of their progress in the ESFA Cup where they made the last 64 (Round 4). This was an even greater achievement as many of the girls were unavailable due to hockey matches, hockey-related concussion and injury. Good wins against Grey Court, Tiffin, Surbiton, Raynes Park and St Clement Danes followed.

U12s Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

An excellent first season saw the girls reach the Borough Final, Area Cup Semi-Final and the County Quarter Finals. They had good wins against Chessington, Grey Court and Wimbledon High and showed lots of potential for the future. Mr M Hall, Head of Football

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The U15s had a truncated season with a walkover, postponement and cancellation of fixtures. In the two matches they played in the ESFA Cup (Round 3) and the Town Cup they showed a great improvement and will come back stronger next season.

House Football Junior House Football

U14s Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The girls will be disappointed that the season finished early as they had booked their place into the County Cup semi-final with an excellent 3–1 win against The Ashcombe School. The early shutdown also meant that many of the borough and national competitions were cancelled. Hopefully the girls will get a full season next year and show us what they can do!

The recently reinstated fixture against St. George’s College, which dates back to 1890, is always a highlight of the football calendar and this year the 1st XI won the cup with a comfortable 2–0 win.

Queen’s were the winners of both the First, Second and Third Year competitions.

Senior House Football Senior House Football, Staff v Students and Classics v Moderns were all cancelled. We look forward to their return in the 2020/21 season.

Old Kingstonians (Old Boys) 2018 saw the first official ‘Old Boys’ team formed and ready for the season ahead. Comprising old KGS students, managed by OK Oli Clement, the team play in the renowned Arthurian League. This is a great opportunity for students to continue to play football at a high level after they have left the School and is a nice way of keeping part of the KGS sporting culture. As the OKs look forward to their third season in existence, they’re seeking talented footballing alumni to lead their promotion charge. Games are played against other Old Boys’ sides on Saturday afternoons, with home matches at Ditton Field. To get involved, contact Ali Mannering at alimannering@hotmail.co.uk or Jack Moran at jack@qs.com. A big thank you to all the staff that have supported the Football Programme this year including Mr Mettioui, Mr Westphal, Mr Beggs, Mr Lavery and Luis Melville from Go4Goal. A special thank you and farewell to Dr Wray, Mr Tunley, Mr Deakin and Miss Wooldridge who are leaving KGS. The School very much appreciates the work done by Mr Parry and all the KGS Groundsmen who have provided us with the some of the best football pitches in school football at Ditton Field. Mr M Hall, Head of Football 83

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Girls

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Futsal

Golf

U13

KGS is one of the leaders in school futsal, a game that is the FIFA and UEFA-approved format of smallsided football. An exciting sport, the game encourages the technical and tactical skills which can be transferred to the 11-a-side game.

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

After a tough start against Hampton in the South East ISFA regional competition, the boys started to improve and finished with excellent wins against Westminster and Farringtons School.

What should have been a season full of promise and excitement, with potential for silverware from our junior golfers, ended with only four matches in the Autumn term. The KGS golf team was strengthened significantly by the arrival of two First Years, Charles Beeson and Tei Kim.

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U15

Many ISFA competitions and finals were due to take place after Easter but the Surrey School Championships and AFC Wimbledon competitions did go ahead earlier in the season. The futsal programme was supported by specialist and FA coach Luis Melville from Go4Goal.

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

A team made up of many girls who hadn’t played football or futsal before entered the Surrey Schools competition. They improved as the competition went on and left their best performance to the last match where a last-minute goal from eventual winners Royal Russell proved too much. A spirited effort from the girls.

U14

RESULTS

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The girls had a fantastic season on the futsal court and if it wasn’t for COVID-19 would have played in the AFC Wimbledon Final. Excellent wins against Ursuline and ARK Putney in their double headers meant the girls qualified for the finals day. They showed excellent commitment throughout the season, attending extra lunchtime futsal sessions which was evident on the pitch.

Boys

U13

U15 Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

The U15s were unlucky to finish second in the Surrey Schools’ Championship with good wins against Stanley Park High and Christ’s College. Their competition ended with a narrow defeat to eventual winners Royal Russell. Unfortunately, the ISFA Championship was postponed.

Played

Won

Drawn

Lost

With many of the regular footballers unavailable due to hockey and cricket tournaments, there was an opportunity for others to get valuable game time. The girls did well and were unlucky to lose both their games by only one goal. The U13s were due to play in the AFC Wimbledon and ISFA tournaments which were subsequently cancelled. Mr M Hall, Head of Football

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Our season kicked off, as it often does, with the ISGA matchplay event; this year we were drawn to play Gordon’s School. The match took place over the Longcross course at Foxhills Golf and Country Club. It was always going to be a tough assignment in this scratch match, with all three players on the Gordon’s side playing off single figure handicaps. Charles made his debut and faced a girl from Gordon’s Sixth Form who regularly gained a 60 to 70-yard advantage from the tee boxes even though she consistently hit the ball further than Charles. He did well to take the match to the 15th hole, finally losing out 4 &3. Both Jonathan Moeller-Schwartz, the team captain, and Oscar Evans lost their matches although Jonathan did manage to take his match down the last hole. As luck would have it, KGS were also drawn against Gordon’s in the HMC Foursomes event, again played at Foxhills the following week. Our strength in depth always makes this event a challenge and that was again the case with all three pairs (Moeller-Schwarz and Evans, Oli Dawson and Joe Raven, Beeson and Kim) losing heavily. We managed to squeeze in two friendly fixtures before October half term, both of which were played predominantly in fourballs using handicaps. The first match was against Hampton at our home course, Malden GC.

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The final fixture was a triangular match against Reed’s and King’s Canterbury. In a slightly unusual format, Raven and Beeson won their fourball against a King’s team 2 & 1 while Moeller-Schwatrz and Sam Mayhew, who was making his first and unfortunately last appearance for the KGS golf team, lost their match against a Reed’s team 6 & 4. With Reed’s winning both their matches and King’s losing both of theirs, KGS finished the truncated season with a second place. Mr M Rodgers, Head of Golf

Netball Netball has continued to thrive this season, with the number of girls training and playing matches growing every year. We now have at least three teams per year group and it has been extremely rewarding to see such enthusiasm. We were thrilled to take 20 girls to Dubai on a netball tour this year, which was hugely successful and beneficial to their game. We look forward to this continuing next year and building on their achievements. Each age group have had a mixture of results with their performance highlights being their achievements at County Finals and at recent borough tournaments. The standard of these tournaments has risen considerably over the years and the competition is of an extremely high standard, particularly at county level. That said, KGS girls played well and can be proud of their results.

Surrey Finals Both the U14 and U15 squads qualified for the Surrey Finals this year, which is an outstanding achievement given their limitations with training. They were competing against high level netball schools who train three to four times week throughout the season. That said, the girls played some fantastic netball,

with the U15s winning one game and coming sixth in their section and the U14s winning three games and coming third in their section. They were up against some extremely tough opposition and should be very proud of their results.

Surrey County Players We would also like to highlight and congratulate those girls who have been playing and training for Surrey – a huge commitment but one that has really accelerated their game play. Well done to Fia Mahdi, Eve Abbott, Amy Marshall and Amelie Glynn and good luck for their upcoming trials. We would also like to wish Daisy Mack, Emily Barker and Audrey Coursey luck in their trials this coming season.

Borough Tournaments All teams took part in the annual borough netball tournaments hosted by Tiffin Girls. They played really well, winning the majority of their matches. Some games proved more challenging with mixed results against Surbiton High, Tiffin and Holy Cross but with some outstanding play, the girls managed to improve their rankings from last year.

We are looking forward to next season and to setting our goals to reach the Surrey Finals in at least three age groups and to win all ages of the Boroughs! It will be a different start to the season following the pandemic but we are hopeful that girls will pick up where they left off. As coaches, we are always very proud of everything the girls do and achieve, and the girls are a credit to themselves and to KGS. I would like to thank Miss Fletcher, Miss Butler, Mrs Maclean, Miss Hicks and Miss Parkes for all their help and support throughout the year. Sadly, we will be losing Miss Fletcher and Mrs Maclean. They will be sorely missed by both staff and the girls. Mrs J Stapleton, Head of Netball

Rowing RESULTS

20 U12 3rd U13 Winners U14 Runners-up U15 Winners U18 Runners-up

The 2019/20 season will be remembered as the season that never was. Autumn brought rain, the late Winter brought storms Brendan, Ciara and Dennis, and then along came the virus. History will remember these facts and, of course, COVID-19 will be remembered most of all. For KGSBC this has meant no racing and no evidence of the huge progress our athletes have made. 2019/20 was promising to be a season of marked progress. This has had to be set aside for now. However, we are not just about race results, and the season has created some wonderful memories and a few remarkable achievements. At the start of the Autumn term it was delightful to have so many rowing club families present for the boat-naming ceremony, including the two boats generously donated by the Sherriff Club. 85

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Charles and Tei were most impressive in beating two Sixth Form boys from Hampton 7 & 5. The other two matches were extremely tight: Jonathan lost the lead single match on the last hole as did Joe and Oli in their fourball match.

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SPORT 2019/20

With three J16s onboard this is a very promising result for the future and boded well for the 2020 season.

The quad ‘Quartet’ and the double ‘Two Hearts Doubled’ named after RC Sherriff plays joined the KGSBC fleet along with a new Gerry Boret which replaces the original single purchased by the club over 30 years ago, and two coaching launches. Our first competition was the Pairs Head and we had our first winners of the season with Ife Dombrowsky and Alice Cassidy winning the club’s first tideway pennant in quite some time in the WJ16 club 2x. This was followed up with wins at Reading Small Boats Head for Harry Fletcher in the J17 single, Lily Abbott in the J18 single and Lily again this time doubling with Gabi Bergmann-Chornik in the senior double. The Autumn half term saw 18 senior rowers fly to the 1992 Olympic rowing venue in Banyoles, Spain for a week-long training camp. The aim of holding a camp early in the year was to establish a strong technical framework for the squad and a strong ethos within the squad. It was an outstanding week, with the quality of the water work and the progression of all throughout the week a joy to watch. The week ended with a squad time trial which saw Lily Abbott record an impressive time to be rated ‘Athlete of Camp’ and win a piece of Catalonian memorabilia in the process. The most improved athlete of camp was awarded to Alice Cassidy who stood out for her determination to take on the single scull. Within a week of returning from camp the weather started to play its part in the season with the river running too fast for any of the local races to be held in November. We did manage to race at the Fours Head on the famous Boat Race course between Chiswick and Putney. The boys’ quad of Harry Fletcher, Alex Middleton, Alex Currie and Douggie Bradley recorded an impressive second place in the J18 Club quad and were the eighth fastest boys’ quad overall. 86

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The only other racing being done in November was the first GB trial. KGSBC had three athletes, Lily Abbott, Sophie Fussell and Harry Fletcher, attending. The boys’ singles saw some extremely close times with Harry coming out below where he would have liked but having learned a great deal. Lily put down a solid mark by coming fourth and this earned her a place on the GB training camp in Cerla, Spain and marked her out as a Junior World Championship prospect. In November we were able to celebrate the club’s first successful US college scholarship applicants. Lily Abbott signed for Duke University in North Carolina and Sophie Fussell after only six months of rowing won a place at UCLA, with Hannah Medcalf of Kingston Rowing Club winning a place at Texas. These girls are a fantastic example to the younger years and radiate what it means to be a studentathlete at KGSBC.

put ‘Operation Flywheel’ into action: 35 rowing machines were delivered in a period of 24 hours to ensure those who wished to had a means to keep up their rowing fitness. Like all of us, KGSBC athletes have struggled with many things during the lockdown and some have found exercising a real help while others have chosen other interests to entertain. Glimmers of light in the consuming darkness have been a fundraising effort for all charities affected by the lockdown which raised nearly £3,000, athletes who previously declared an inability to run taking on a half marathon (Lily Abbott), Boys’ Captain Harry Fletcher acquiring a road bike and taking to the Surrey roads like a young Chris Froome, and a surge of parents taking to the rowing machines that have arrived in their houses. We do not know yet what the long-term impact of the pandemic will be on KGSBC; after all, a whole year group has not been able to take to the water and restrictions to our usual operating procedures may be in place for months to come. It is a challenging time for all, but with the dedication of the members within, we will rebuild. As this report is being written we are, after 110 days, being allowed to return to the water. We can do nothing about the past now, so we look forward to getting back out on the river and enjoying every stroke. Mr E Green, Director of Rowing

The new year saw KGSBC move to a new venue for the Club Dinner, and parents, students and staff were excellently hosted by the Hampton Court Palace Golf Club. Guest of honour James Foad, Olympian and World Championship medal winner, gave a superb speech on his time in rowing and Mr Gough once again demonstrated his bookie skills running a successful racing racket throughout the evening. February saw a continuation of high river levels and then by March the writing was on the wall with the cancellation of the Schools’ Head of the River being followed by full school closure on March 20th, but not before Mr Gough and Mr Green

Tennis As with all our Summer term sports, the tennis season was, with great regret, cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. This was a particular shame, as preparations for the upcoming season were well underway and, following on from our many successes in recent years (including County and Regional titles), we had great hopes of another successful year in the Surrey Schools and LTA Team Tennis competitions. In addition, we were looking forward to seeing our top U13 boys’ and girls’ pairs compete in the Independent Schools Championships (held at Eton) for the first time, and once again taking

10 of our students to the Wimbledon Championships at the start of July. At least we can say we were undefeated, retaining both our titles from last year – U13 Girls South East Region LTA Team Tennis champions and Kingston Challenge Cup holders!

The lack of competitive play this season does provide an opportunity, though, to reflect on the fantastic progress tennis at KGS has made in the last few years and the superb achievements of our students both from a team and individual perspective. The redevelopment of Ditton Field in 2014 doubled the number of purpose-built tennis courts from four to eight, making a huge difference as we were able to increase: firstly, the number of students playing tennis at school; secondly, the number of training and coaching sessions each week; and, lastly, the number of fixtures and competitions we could host. Seeing so many more KGS students (from beginner through to advanced) on court and enjoying the sport has undoubtedly been one of the most satisfying aspects of our success over the last few years. Equally, from a competitive perspective, it has been so pleasing to watch our teams improve their results year on year. Our first breakthrough came four years ago in 2016, when our U12 girls (Sophie Morris, Sophie Wood, Juliette Den Hoedt, Holly Harrison) did incredibly well to reach the U13 LTA Team Tennis County Final, before going one step further as U13s in 2017 to beat Putney High to become the first KGS tennis team ever to be crowned Surrey Champions. Then, in 2018, our U13 girls (Kea Murray, Grace Slevin, Elsie Callen, Teva Hogarth, Rebecca Jones, Erin Verwoerd) reached the

Final of the Surrey Schools League, with wins over Guildford High and St Catherine’s Bramley along the way, to win a historic silver medal for KGS. The same year, our U13 boys (Oliver Davis, Dhilan Chopra, Finlay Dickinson, Lucas Dwyer) reached the LTA Team Tennis County Final, again a first for a KGS boys’ tennis team. This brings us to last year (well actually September/October!) when, firstly, our U15 boys (Luca Fielden, Rhys Davies, Seb Latimer, James Don-Wauchope) reached the LTA Team Tennis County Final. Most impressively of all, our U12 girls (Natalie Ivory, Josie Roux, Hannah Wood, Gina Saltykova) broke all previous KGS tennis records when they not only beat local rivals Wimbledon High in the U13 LTA Team Tennis County Final to become KGS’s second County Championship-winning team, but then went on to become the LTA Team Tennis South East Region champions – an especially impressive feat given it is a U13 competition! 2019 also saw the inaugural running of the Kingston Challenge Cup, an annual competition between KGS and Tiffin Boys held across one week with three pairs from each of the U12, U13, U14 and U15 age groups competing. An incredibly close contest, the competition went down to the very last rubber, with KGS clinching the cup!

Natalie won the U14 Road to Wimbledon Surrey County Final last summer and then went on to play in the National Finals held on the world-renowned grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club – a superb achievement given Natalie was still U12 at the time. In addition, she has reached numerous finals and semi-finals of tournaments across several age groups (U14, U16 and even U18 events) since September and is a member of the Surrey County Junior squad. Meanwhile, Maxim Dythtchenko, our top-rated boy, is also making fantastic progress and currently has a 7.1 LTA rating. Maxim also trains three times a week (as part of a squad at David Lloyd Raynes Park) and competes regularly in LTA tournaments in which he has reached several U14 Singles quarter-finals. In addition, over the last two seasons Maxim has attended two-week training camps at tennis academies in Spain and France, where he has also played tournaments and gained international matchplay experience. Looking forward to next year, it was great to see so many of our current First Year students at the trials in February and while they have not been able to compete for KGS yet, it looks like we have a number of very good players. I very much look forward to seeing them in action competing for KGS as soon as possible. Indeed, by all accounts, it sounds like next year’s First Year also has a number of keen tennis players, including another member of the Surrey County Junior squad. On a final note, it was lovely to see lots of students take advantage of the re-opening of the courts at Ditton Field during Games in the last three weeks of the Summer term. And, of course, we very much hope that next season will see ‘normal’ service resumed.

Tennis is both a team and an individual sport, and an increasing number of our students play and train at clubs outside of school, representing their clubs as well as competing individually in LTA competitions. For example, Natalie Ivory, our top-rated girl with a hugely impressive 6.1 LTA rating, trains three times a week as well as competing in tournaments at weekends. In terms of competition results,

Mr S Morris, Head of Tennis

SPORT 2019/20

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HOUSE REVIEW

HOUSE REVIEW House Championship

What’s in a name?

Edward Lovekyn (1239–1310) founded the Lovekyn Chapel after King Edward II granted a licence to found and endow a chantry chapel. He was Bailiff of Kingston in 1277 and again in 1284.

Queen Elizabeth I set her seal on a Charter on 1st March 1561 which established “to endure for ever in the said town of Kyngeston-upon-Thames” the “free grammar school of Queen Elizabeth, for the education training and instruction of boys and youths in grammar”.

Richard Taverner worked for Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell and in 1539 he published a translation of the Bible, the first complete version to be printed in England. It is thought likely that he used his influence at the court of Queen Elizabeth I to support the petition for the establishment of what became KGS.

Sir William Walworth, business partner of Edward Lovekyn, was influential in London politics and was elected mayor of the Westminster staple in 1369 and was both an MP and Lord Mayor of London twice. As his wealth grew, he acquired extensive property in London, going on to make substantial grants to the Lovekyn Chapel.

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Hockey player and Old Kingstonian Stanley Shoveller won gold medals in two Olympic Games. He served in the Great War and was awarded the Military Cross.

HOUSE REVIEW

I am aware that the result of the competition this year is likely to be controversial and no doubt some Heads of House are still consulting their legal teams in preparation to launch a challenge to it. I would, however, reiterate the fundamental principles which are (i) to encourage student engagement across a range of activities and (ii) to have fun. I hope that in the period after 20th March students will feel that they were still able to fulfil both of these aims. I hope too that the 2020–21 championship will be more straightforward, though I suspect we shall once again be called upon to demonstrate flexibility and good humour. So, to the results... In fifth place, with 291 points were Stanley who were led by Mr Gee. In 2019–20, the ‘Stanley Stags’ won the House CCF, the Art and the Senior Boys’ Hockey. In fourth place, with 315 points, were the house which has won the Championship in each of the past three years, Lovekyn. The ‘Lovekyn Eagles’ won the House Chess, Senior Table Tennis, Senior Basketball and the Essay competition in 2019–20. Unfortunately, this was not quite enough and without the opportunity to compete for the big points at the annual Sports Day, Lovekyn were rather spectacularly knocked off their perch.

Collecting a bronze medal were Taverner who, like Stanley, were under new management, with Mr Casasanto bringing vigour, enthusiasm and determination. The ‘Taverner Bears’ managed to amass 323 points in 2019_20 winning House Drama, the Middle School Ergo, House Baking, House Lego and the Atlantic Race. Indeed, they showed themselves to be the strongest of all the Houses during the ‘Lockdown Competition’ (something which was surprising to those who had thought that ‘the Bears’ would go into hibernation). This brings us to the final two houses. I can tell you that only five points separated them and that they had been vying with each other all year to be ‘top dog’. However, the 2019–20 House Champions were Queen’s, with 343 points. Queen’s won the Football, the Junior Boys’ Hockey, the Junior General Knowledge, Senior Table Tennis, Senior Ergo and the House Photography competition. This win was the first for Queen’s since 2015 and a proud moment for their joint House Masters, Messrs Bartram and Simmons. That meant that in the silver medal position were Walworth. The Tigers collected 338 points across the season, winning the MFL Quiz, the Technology Challenge, House Dance, Junior House Table Tennis and the Senior General Knowledge. They were early leaders and appeared to be strong contenders for the title. Walworth put up a fantastic fight and were unfortunate to be just pipped at the post by Queen’s. Well done to all the houses and a huge thank you to all of the House Staff and to everyone for taking part, particularly to everyone who continued to support their houses after the lockdown commenced. Mr AJ Beard, Assistant Head (Co-Curricular)

2019–20 results * 1st place *

Queen’s

HOUSE REVIEW House Championship

he 2019–20 House Championship must surely be the most disrupted since the Second World War. We were fortunate to be able to hold multiple events before lockdown was imposed toward the end of the Spring term and I am very grateful to the students (and to the staff) for their continued enthusiasm and engagement. The post-lockdown period saw a host of new events rapidly launched to fill the void and allow for continued participation from home.

343 points

2nd place

Walworth

338 points

3rd place

Taverner

323 points

4th place Lovekyn

315 points

5th place

Stanley

291 points

HOUSE REVIEW

HOUSE REVIEW House reports

Lovekyn

House reports Our Heads of House report on the year’s hard-won victories, disappointing defeats but, above all, the unifying bond experienced by all.

Queen’s

With a varied bunch of results, house positions changed on an almost weekly basis throughout the Autumn term. Leading up to the Christmas break, Lovekyn were focussed on not giving up the trophy without a fight. It felt as though the purple revival was very much on as we motored towards the end of the Spring term…then COVID struck. Despite a final rally from all the house members and wins in House Chess (led by Toby Cole), Senior Table Tennis (with Callum Farr and Thomas Hall leading the Lovekyn assault), Senior Basketball and the Essay competition, this was still not enough to claim back that coveted first place position and the four in a row target disappeared from everyone’s sights. However, I hope that the house members desire to see Lovekyn return to its preferred high perch and they come back with a renewed ambition to claim yet another championship and add their names to the KGS history books. A special thank you goes not only to our House Captains for all their efforts in motivating and encouraging students to take part but to all those who stepped up to represent Lovekyn throughout what was undoubtedly one of the strangest house championships on record. May the Purple Eagle rise again!

The year could not have started better, with first place finishes in First Year House Football and Junior House Football. With some fine performances in the Senior Boys House Hockey (3rd), MFL Quiz (2nd) and another victory in Junior House Hockey, Queen’s were, by October half-term, were sitting comfortably in the lead with 108 points. Of course, this put other houses on the alert and the second half of term only brought victory in Junior General Knowledge. House Art boosted the points as we narrowly finished in second place. By Christmas we had dropped to second place, with Walworth leading the competition by just four points! The Spring term started with House Dance; huge thanks go to Upper Sixth girls (some of whom have represented Queen’s seven years running) for providing quality choreography and a fantastic choice of music to entertain the crowds. Although Queen’s finished in second place, the Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat dance was so enjoyable that they were invited to perform at the Rose Theatre on Commemoration Day. With first place in Senior House Table Tennis, and second in the Junior competition, we continued to amass points. Special mention must go the Senior House Ergo team where Queen’s set a new school record. Credit must go to all in Queen’s for making a tremendous effort to keep the House Competition alive during lockdown. Thank you so much to the House Captains who have helped to organise the events as well as raise money for Momentum, our house charity. The new era has begun... let’s hold on to that title!

e began the 2019/20 academic year with the target of a fourth consecutive victory and with the introduction of enthusiastic new heads of houses for Queen’s, Taverner and Stanley, the pressure was most certainly on from the start for the Lovekynites.

Mr A Beggs, Head of Lovekyn

ith the departure of Mr Scott, it was time for a new era for Queen’s – and after five years without the Queen’s name on the house championship board it was clear from the start of the year that students and staff alike were keen to dominate.

Mr D Bartram, Head of Queen’s

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HOUSE REVIEW

ike a closely-fought game of Tug of War, Stanley ‘held on’ all year, never letting go whilst finding our inner strength, determination and steel! The incoming First Years have been outstanding and feature many exceptionally talented students on and off the sports fields. The boys certainly proved this finishing in second place in House Football and Basketball. Stanley has often been regarded as the most ‘artistic’ house and once again we wowed the judges in House Drama with a highly polished piece about time. Huge thanks to Joshua Stainer and Daisy Bainbridge for a wonderful script and direction. In House Art, we were the victors with a beautiful, intricate design of our stag’s head emblem. In the Easter term, our star dancers did a superb job choreographing many routines. Special thanks to Hannah Farrell and Emily Shepherd. As we approached the Easter break, with further wins in Senior Boys’ Hockey, CCF and a close second in House Ergo, our grip on the rope was getting tighter and we were making Queen’s and Walworth sweat! Then lockdown happened. In previous years, we had always performed well in House Music, Swimming and Girls’ Netball so it was a bitter blow that they didn’t take place. Sadly, it just wasn’t meant to be our year and we ended in fifth place. This goes to show that Stanley is all about camaraderie, supporting one another and team spirit. A special thanks to Captains Marcus Tapper and Sara Gotham-Pardo and Vice-Captains Ciara Kennedy, Suzi Garforth and Kian Das for their unfaltering leadership. Huge thanks to everyone who contributed to event, helped fundraise for Guide Dogs, and competed with the wonderful Stanley spirit. Mr R Gee, Head of Stanley

Taverner

averner’s goal this year was not to come last again.

We began slowly, with middling finishes in Junior Football and Junior and Senior Boys’ Hockey, despite ardent efforts from all. Things weren’t looking great – but House Drama was waiting in the wings. Under the direction of Finlay Worsley, Emilia Hazel and Marina Kornilova, Eggs told the story of a grandfather with dementia with delicacy and sophistication. Compelling performances from Anna Duggan, Joe Dudgeon, Victoria Purnell and Milo Newson, along with Tomas Caldon’s Grandad, won us first place. The honour was even more meaningful, being bestowed by guest judges Louiza Patikas from The Archers and Siobhan McSweeney of Derry Girls fame. We struggled through to Christmas although second place in House Technology, thanks to Michaela Henderson, Leela Siebert-Patel, Polina Turnbull and Ingrid Verwoerd, was a notable exception. Starting January with renewed hope, we poured huge effort into House Dance. Overseen by Holly Blake and Giulia Duggan, Taverner gave impassioned performances, including a High School Musical medley, original choreography to Lizzo’s Juice and a moving duet from Ava Dent and Yasmin King to The Lion King’s They Live in You. Despite incredible choreography from Holly, Giulia, Millie Whittle and Chloe Taylor, Taverner came fourth. Erin Verwoerd, Sachin Patel, Alice Connell, Liam Conlon, Adam Comley and Luca Booth rowed brilliantly in Middle School House Ergo but hopes were fading… Then came lockdown. Revitalised after their hibernation, the Taverner Bears emerged ready to fight. Coming second in House Photography and first in House Baking, Board Games, Lego and Atlantic Race (a stunning performance from Hannah Topen), we rocketed to third place. Taverner was most successful in its charitable endeavours on behalf of Richmond Mencap. Sincere thanks to House Captains Holly Blake and Giulia Duggan and Deputies Tom Driver and Matt Shipley for their dedication and enthusiasm leading us to our exciting victories and hard-earned third place finish.

Mr N Casasanto, Head of Taverner

Walworth

t was to be our year. Walworth and Queen’s were locked in a tussle for first place. We had the strongest Junior Girls’ Hockey squad poised for victory, which would surely have given us the lead, and then the pandemic hit! Walworth put up a fight but lost the top spot by only a few points. There have, however, been some outstanding performances along the way. A stunning series of House Dance performances earned us victory, and praise must go to Emily Parnis who, although only being in Fourth Year, largely choreographed and masterminded the whole thing. There was also another beautiful submission in House Art and quizzing continued to be an area The Tigers excel in, with victory in the MFL Quiz and Senior General Knowledge and a narrow miss in the tie-break of the Junior General Knowledge (how many words are there in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?!). We also had wins in House Technology and Junior Table Tennis. Thank you to all those who took part or supported Walworth along the way. The Tigers will return to continue the fight, and who knows, maybe, just maybe, next year victory in the House Championship will finally be ours! Mrs R Wakely, Head of Walworth

HOUSE REVIEW House reports

Stanley

HOUSE REVIEW

HOUSE REVIEW House Championship

LOVEKYN

TAVERNER

Kingstonian 2019/20

HOUSE REVIEW

HOUSE REVIEW House Championship

STANLEY

WALWORTH

QUEENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Equalities

Equalities W

ithout doubt, the highlight of the year was the first whole school LGBT+ week in February 2020, when KGS came together to celebrate diversity and show support for the LGBT+ community both in and outside the School.

It was a jam-packed week of events and activities which helped reflect how the wide range of LGBT+ lives and individuals have contributed to the world around us. The week kicked off with a stunning assembly created and led by Lower School students Hannah Tonge, Izzy Reilly, Georgia Newall, Alex Hepburn, Mishka Grewal, Bhavithra Gananathan and Ella Keating. It touched on, amongst other areas, the current state of LGBT+ rights around the world, showing us that there is still a long way to go to achieve true equality. Each year group had the privilege of hearing the assembly throughout the week, and the speakers’ confidence and creativity was a model to us all!

Kingstonian 2019/20

The Equalities Society got out the coloured chalk to create a rainbowinspired mural (way ahead of the COVID-19 curve!) on the wall of the Theatre, celebrating Pride, LGBT+ identities and individual spirit at KGS with the hashtag #KGSthisisme.

The chance to celebrate LGBT+ individuals in various fields was taken across departments. Activities involved discussions of gender identity in the art of Grayson Perry, the legacy of Alan Turing in the world of science, and the history of LGBT+ rights in the 1980s as part of the study of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys in English. This was developed by discussion of the nature/nurture debate in Psychology, along with the history of conflict, rights and equality in Drama. As part of their lecture programme, the Sixth Form were given a truly informative and fascinating talk by Dr Sophie Cook, former Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate, RAF veteran and the first transgender woman to work in football’s Premier League as club photographer for AFC Bournemouth. She spoke about her experience of transitioning from male to female, and the mental health challenges she continues to face and overcome as part of her transgender journey.

This was an invaluable opportunity for our senior students to engage with, and learn about, the transgender experience. There were lots of chances to celebrate and have fun throughout the week, too. Students loved the opportunity to wear rainbow laces in their trainers and school shoes as part of a joint national initiative by Stonewall and the Premier League to show support for Pride. A rainbow cake sale raised money for charity, and on Thursday the Equalities Society got out the coloured chalk to create a rainbow-inspired mural (way ahead of the COVID-19 curve!) on the wall of the Theatre, celebrating Pride, LGBT+ identities and individual spirit at KGS with the hashtag #KGSthisisme.

The whole week was a fantastic opportunity to show our support for all our LGBT+ students, whether as part of that community or as committed allies, and we look forward to doing it again! Ms P Stones, Second in English

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Equalities

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Christian Union

Christian Union S

ummer 2020 was going to be a big one for the Christian Union: had our annual camping trip gone ahead, it would have been the 70th consecutive CU Camp. We had also planned a reunion in September for all those who had attended camp over the years. However, the pandemic then struck and the rest, sadly, is history!

Whilst COVID-19 has shown us we are not in control, Christians believe there is a God who is in control, even though we may not understand His plans.

But the work of the CU still continued this year, with the Junior and Senior CUs meeting every Tuesday and Friday lunchtime respectively. JCU was particularly well attended each week, with 15–20 First, Second and Third Year students gathering week by week for some games, doughnuts or cookies, and a short discussion about the Bible. This year we focused on the gospel of John, and in the Spring term we looked at the story of Ruth. We have been very thankful for the contributions of Tom, a minister of a local church, in speaking regularly at these meetings. Whilst the SCU was more sporadically attended, we also had a good time looking at the book of John. 96

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Special thanks go to Darryl, a volunteer from ‘Insight’ for being a regular speaker at these sessions. A particular highlight was our series watching the film The Case for Christ, a story of an atheist lawyer who set out to disprove the claims of Christianity after his wife became a Christian. We watched a chunk of the film each week and discussed the issues raised. We all seemed to enjoy the different format and the chance to watch a bit of a film on a Friday lunchtime! Our only trip this year was the SCU Houseparty during the Christmas holidays, once again returning to the luxurious surroundings of the Oast Houses in East Sussex. It was the perfect balance of rest and activities at the end of a busy term: there was the fourth annual SCUHP beetle drive – it’s almost a tradition now – along with the definitely traditional winter walk. New for this year we took a trip to a curling rink where, after some quick tuition, we were let loose on the ice. It was good fun, although I don’t think any of us will be appearing in the Winter Olympics any time soon! Back at the Oasts, we enjoyed evenings playing games by the open fire, and use of their fantastic indoor swimming pool. The theme of this year’s talks was Christmas and our speaker, Rory, gave a series of excellent talks on the names of Jesus in the Old Testament book of Isaiah: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. It gave us some food for thought at the start of the holiday, and rounded off a superb weekend overall. Looking ahead to next year, we hope that things can start to return to normal, both for us as well as the world at large! We plan to try and run the delayed 70th anniversary celebrations and look back at how

far the trips have come since a group of KGS lads took a cycling trip to the New Forest in 1951. An Old Kingstonian, David Hawker, has written A Week in August, a series of reminiscences of camps gone by, to mark this anniversary. Whilst reading his book, I saw that whilst some things have changed, many have stayed the same, not least the Christian emphasis. It has been a highlight for KGS students for many years and, we hope, many years to come – it is certainly the highlight of my year and 2020 has not been the same without it.

Looking ahead to next year, we hope that things can start to return to normal, both for us as well as the world at large!

Whilst COVID-19 has shown us we are not in control, Christians believe there is a God who is in control, even though we may not understand His plans. Cancelling camp was certainly not a part of my plans but we look forward to next year, and hope that a new generation of students will benefit from their experience with the KGS Christian Union. Mr C Wenham, Head of Christian Union

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Christian Union

Farewell to the class of 2020: this year group was full of camp stalwarts who came back year after year. We were sorry not to be able to send them off in style this summer, but we wish them all the best at university and hope that they stay in touch!

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CLUBS & SOCIETIES Young Enterprise

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agnetech, the KGS Young Enterprise team for 2019–20, had a really successful year despite its selling opportunities being curtailed by lockdown. Led by Managing Director Gabriella Linney and Deputy Managing Director Oliver Sandry-Butler, Magnetech demonstrated a lot of resilience and determination. The team had a really strong start to trading at the PSA Christmas Fair which was an excellent fundraising opportunity for the new company, as well as offering a first taste of trading.

“Young Enterprise has taught me the benefits of co-curricular activities. I have learnt so many skills such as teamwork and the power of organisation. Young Enterprise is great exposure to the world of work and pushes you to explore your entrepreneurial side outside the classroom. Whether you are interested in finance, marketing or being bossy, Young Enterprise has a variety of roles that accommodate everyone’s interests and skills!” Gabriella Linney, Managing Director

Young Enterprise is great exposure to the world of work and pushes you to explore your entrepreneurial side outside the classroom.

Whether you are interested in finance, marketing or being bossy, Young Enterprise has a variety of roles that accommodate everyone’s interests and skills!

The team’s success in December continued in February when thirteen students attended the Young Enterprise trade fair at Spitalfields Market, a top trading location in London. Having identified that the global battery charger market had undergone significant growth in recent years, Magnetech decided to capitalise on this with their product, a portable mobile phone charger which they customised with a handy card holder.

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“We were only able to sell 25% of our stock. Nonetheless we made a profit of around £100, demonstrating the excellent sales skills of our team. The process gave us an insight into managing a company, especially how to handle finances whether they were incoming or outgoing.” Tarun Ramphul, Finance Director

The Young Enterprise judging panel and London commuters responded positively, and the judges were particularly impressed by the quality of the team’s customer service. They had a good day of sales led by Sales Director Nevra Bahceci and Marketing Director Matilda Halliwell. Leaving on a high from the success at Spitalfields, Magnetech was looking forward to future selling opportunities ...and then lockdown struck, meaning the end of trade fairs. Nevertheless, the team showed great determination in powering on to produce the company report and film a five-minute presentation to enter the Young Enterprise competition which was held online this year.

The judges commended the team on finding an interesting solution to a problem that had never occurred to them and were impressed by the team’s sensitivity to sustainability. They thought that the team showed great initiative in their carbon offsetting ideas. The judges were pleased to see that due to careful sourcing of the product a profit was made. The team held its AGM via MS Teams in June and the decision was made for each team member to donate their portion of the profit to their own choice of charity. All in all, it was a successful year for Magnetech and one in which the students really did experience the ups and downs of the business world. Dr K Kennedy, Head of Young Enterprise

CLUBS & SOCIETIES Young Enterprise

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CLUBS & SOCIETIES CCF

CCF D

espite everything, KGS CCF had an exciting and successful year, competing in several competitions and events.

of the younger cadets experiencing live firing on a range for the first time. Results across the board were very impressive with many of the younger cadets doing particularly well and some of the older cadets obtaining the coveted marksman-level shooting badge. As always, cadets from all year groups got stuck into House CCF, taking pride in doing their best. In a fiercely competitive atmosphere, Stanley came out top for the second year in a row.

October camp was one of the first highlights the calendar. New recruits spent three days being taught skills such as weapons handling, pairs firing manoeuvres and living in the field. They also went on their first overnight exercise and learnt how to operate in both a section and a platoon; as well as working on their covert skills during an exciting ambush. Fourth Year cadets got their first taste of leadership with Third Year recruits on important subjects such as navigation, patrolling and observations.

October camp was a hands-on and engaging experience that taught everyone some very important new skills.

This camp was also an amazing opportunity for several Junior Non-Commissioned Officers to take formal leadership roles, many for the first time. Overall, October camp was a hands-on and engaging experience that taught everyone some very important new skills. The traditional range camp, where we spent two days refining our weapon handling skills and marksmanship, followed, with many

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There were specific competitions for the Army and RAF sections. The RAF came a very respectable ninth in the Air Squadron Trophy (a competition that witnesses KGS CCF RAF section coming up against the best CCFs in the Greater London area), doing particularly well in aircraft recognition. Then it was the turn of the Army section, who competed in the Greater London military skills competition, the Guthrie Cup, obtaining their highest placing of fourth overall and winning the military knowledge stand for the first time in KGS CCF history. This qualified our contingent to compete next year. The contingent, as always, took part in both school events and wider community engagement. We were involved in the logistics of the School’s Commemoration Day, escorting students, teachers and guests to their correct seating and ensuring they remained safe when

transiting in and out of the Rose Theatre and making sure the day ran as smoothly as possible. The contingent also provided poignant assemblies during the annual Act of Remembrance. This was followed by a remembrance service in Kingston town centre, with 60 cadets in attendance, making KGS CCF one of the largest contingents in the parade. We also had two RAF Lance Corporals representing the contingent at the Remembrance Day service at Westminster Cathedral, with figures such as Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, in attendance.

The final term of the year was completed online due to lockdown but that didn’t stop us continuing our parades every Friday night, albeit online ones.

The final term of the year was completed online due to lockdown but that didn’t stop us continuing our parades every Friday night, albeit online ones. Although it wasn’t quite the same as a regular parade, everyone got involved and cadets of varying ranks, from Fourth Year to Upper Sixth, produced and sent in original and interesting lessons for the whole contingent. The year finished on a high, with many members of the contingent receiving well-deserved promotions! CCF this year was exciting and although it finished in a slightly unorthodox manner, the contingent is looking forward to an even more exciting year next year! Sgt Issy Rosser, Lower Sixth

CLUBS & SOCIETIES CCF

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CCF this year was exciting and although it finished in a slightly unorthodox manner, the contingent is looking forward to an even more exciting year next year!

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CLUBS & SOCIETIES Community Service

rom my own experience, volunteering is a habit which can last a lifetime. It is also now, for many, a new habit.

I had the opportunity to volunteer at Inspire, helping children with autism or Downâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s syndrome to take part in sport and socialise with their friends. The hardest bit was trying to get to grips with how to help each individual child to make the most of the chance to enjoy sport. Even making small changes could be quite stressful for some of the children so we had to be sure that when we did this, it was gradual and carefully considered. Volunteering at Inspire definitely changed me: I have a more profound understanding of the challenges faced by people with learning disabilities and I appreciated the opportunity to develop alongside the children. Tom Romberg

According to research conducted by Legal & General and the Centre for Economics and Business Research, 19% of adults have volunteered in a community-based capacity since lockdown began in March. Almost 500,000 signed up to the NHS Volunteer Responder App just within the first 24 hours. Taking the first step as a volunteer does not always feel easy, but there is usually an organisation or a person out there who needs some of the skills that you can offer.

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Of course, volunteering is nothing new to KGS. It is firmly embedded in the Lower School, where our younger students host tea parties and help out at local primary schools, whilst many Middle School students volunteer under their own steam as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. We then ask our Sixth Formers to make a more regular commitment and we are always so impressed at their willingness to take up this challenge in a variety of settings. Placements in schools are by far the most popular, and the indomitable Mr Irwin had the unenviable task this year of juggling the timetables of the 26 students who wanted to volunteer at St Joseph’s and St John’s where each of them spent a free period each week or fortnight reading with pupils and supporting their literacy. Miss Andrews worked with Bedelsford, a school for children with complex needs, and enabled other Sixth Formers to volunteer under the direction of teachers or teaching assistants, helping pupils on a one-to-one basis to access the curriculum, perhaps by using an iPad. Other students chose to volunteer at local charities, such as Richmond Mencap or Elmbridge Community Link. Daisy Bainbridge was an enthusiastic participant at Something to Say, Mencap’s weekly drama workshop, supporting the members as they scripted, acted in and directed their own short films, intended to raise awareness about disability. Katie Hackworth chose to volunteer at ECL’s monthly music workshop, where she encouraged the members to participate in the activities and supported their performances. Others volunteered at SOS Inspire, a charity providing disabled adults and children with access to sports activities, helping the members to make the most of the activities, a placement coordinated by Mr Chiew. And finally, many students chose to volunteer at organisations supporting people who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness.

At St Stephen’s Church in Twickenham three groups of students cooked meals for 50 people every fortnight, honing their skills under the supervision of Miss Hicks, Miss Jackson or Miss Hill. Miss Sharp coordinated the link with the Joel Community, the night shelter based at St Peter’s Church which supported people moving from homelessness. A group of our Sixth Formers chatted, socialised and played games with members, sometimes even cooking for and eating a meal with them.

I volunteered at a nearby primary school and I loved being able to see the progress of the children during my time there. I saw the same pupils each week so was able to build up a relationship with them. In terms of skills I developed, you need to be sensitive to the fact that every child is different, so you need to adapt and change the way you word things. Volunteering is a great use of time, a really rewarding thing to do and something I would definitely recommend – do it. Anouk Delattre

We all know that volunteering is good for our communities – indeed, without volunteers, some small charities simply could not function – but our students are unequivocally positive about the impact that volunteering has on their own lives. A disorganised student would not last long as a volunteer, so time management is crucial, as is good timekeeping and an ability to work collaboratively with people of different ages and backgrounds. Spending time as a volunteer and meeting new people helps our students to develop empathy and compassion, opening their eyes to different life experiences and fostering a sense of social justice.

We were therefore disappointed for our students when their placement at the Joel Community ended in January. After Christmas, the charity announced that it was facing significant challenges and would therefore be unable to accept guests back at the shelter after the usual seasonal closure. The trustees were determined to keep a permanent night shelter presence in Kingston and so we were delighted to learn in June that KCAH would take over the running of the Joel Centre. This would widen the support offered to those experiencing homelessness in the borough. We were very sad to hear of the untimely death in April of Revd. Peter Holmes of St Peter’s Church. He was the founder of Joel Community, passionately committed to social justice and working with people experiencing homelessness. Our students have always loved volunteering at Joel, a place of hope, laughter and inclusion, and we hope that the new night shelter will be able to accept our volunteers again in the future. At the start of March, we suspended volunteering to protect both our students and the vulnerable people with whom they work. We were all sad to say goodbye so early in the year, as bonds had already formed and students had become confident in their roles, but it was a sensible and inevitable decision which our partner organisations understood and supported. The connections we have with these organisations are long-standing and it is important to find a way to continue our relationships with them. We are sure that some creative thinking will enable us to find safe and valuable ways for our students to volunteer. However, having seen them in action year after year, I know that despite the changed climate, our students’ desire to make a difference in their community will remain undimmed. And I hope that for them, too, volunteering will become a habit that lasts a lifetime. Mrs K Pinnock, Head of Community Service

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TRIPS Russia

TRIPS

Russia

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fter a long first half of the Autumn term, an early start was not exactly what we had in mind! After a five-hour flight we landed in Domodedovo Moscow Airport and the adventure began. Our first stop was the Gorki Leninskiye Musuem in Moscow, where we got a detailed tour of the house Lenin lived in and enjoyed a stroll through a classic Russian garden.

We were very sad to leave and this trip will definitely go on record as being one of the most fun and memorable moments of our time at KGS!

Our first proper day was spent taking in the metro stations in Moscow and sightseeing with stops to Lenin’s Mausoleum, Red Square, the Museum of the Armed Forces and the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. Our evening activity was a traditional Russian circus with colourful acrobatics and bright lights and projections, with a Eurovision-esque atmosphere. The next day we saw some astounding architecture in St Basil’s Cathedral followed by a trip to the Kremlin and surrounding churches.

Those of us who were less enamoured by the war remnants in the museums the previous day enjoyed taking in the carriages, jewels and rich history in the Kremlin museum. From Moscow, we took the overnight train to St Petersburg which was an exciting experience. The change in temperature as we arrived – going from around 15 degrees in Moscow to a chilly 3 degrees in St Petersburg – took a lot of us by surprise. On the way to the Peter and Paul Fortress we admired the architecture of St Petersburg, including the Church of the Saviour in the Griboyedov region followed by a visit to Yusopov Palace, the site of Rasputin’s murder. After all the dark intrigue, our evening activity was a lively ice hockey game. The Winter Palace and Summer Palace were our destinations the following day. The morning was spent at the Hermitage Museum where we were astounded by the opulence and the artwork and in the afternoon we headed to the Summer Palace which was also covered in ornate gold beams and intricately designed ceilings. We ended the trip the next day with the Monument of Heroic Defenders of Leningrad, which was a moving moment for everyone. We were very sad to leave and this trip will definitely go on record as being one of the most fun and memorable moments of our time at KGS! Thank you to Miss Parkes for logistics, Dr Kennedy for all the thought she put into it, and Mr Lehec, Mr Deakin and Mr Bequignon for providing us with many happy memories. Elizabeth Sweeney & Alicia Rodrigues, Fifth Year

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China

TRIPS China

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Day 2: Kierth Grewal (Fourth Year) Today’s highlight was the Great Wall of China, which meanders across hills like they were simply a bump in the way and was deceptively high up. Other activities on this day were the jade factory, and the Ming Emperor Tombs. Here, we were encouraged to engage in conversation with Chinese tourists from the provinces, and a few people from our group even got ambushed and had their pictures taken.

Day 3: Arun Peiris (Fourth Year) The day began in the Old Town where we had a 20-minute rickshaw ride before stopping to look at the old home of an army general that consisted of four small buildings. It was said that sons would sleep in the east buildings, daughters in the west, parents to the north and guests to the south. We then headed straight to the station to catch the train to Shanghai. We covered 1200km at 339km/h!

ine students in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Year spent a week in China over the October half term break practising their Mandarin and soaking up the culture and history.

Day 1: Alex Pelling (Fifth Year) The majority of Tiananmen Square is taken up by winding queues of people trying to get a glimpse of Chairman Mao’s body lying in the mausoleum. After this, we moved into the Forbidden City, originally thought to have 9999 rooms but later counted to be only 8704. The rest of the day was spent at the Temple of Heaven and a local market where we had to employ our haggling skills!

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time at a Chinese market which sold a wide variety of small gifts and interesting foods. The early evening was spent at the Yu Yuan garden which is famous for its traditional Chinese architecture and ninecornered bridge. Lastly, we saw the day out on an hour-long boat journey along the river Huang Pu.

Day 4: Miland Gajree (Fifth Year) The Jade Buddha Temple was built in 1882, and we began our day here. There were beautiful orchids to be seen all around of the kind that one simply doesn’t see in England! Next, we visited the Shanghai Architectural Museum where we saw an accurate scale map of Shanghai. We were then able to spend some free

Days 5 & 6: Sophie Fuller (Fourth Year) After a brief Q&A session (almost wholly in Mandarin!) with Bella, our tour guide, we set off to the Shanghai Tower, all 127 floors and 632 metres of it! The rest of the day was spent at the French Concession, containing original buildings from the colonial era before shopping time on the Nanjing Road and a stroll along The Bund, a waterside promenade. Our final activity was spent watching the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe who were simply outstanding. We returned the next day to the airport on the maglev, a train that runs on magnets.

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TRIPS Outward bound

TRIPS

Outward bound

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‘D

ream big and dig deep’ was the ethos of the week-long Second Year trip to Aberdovey, Wales in October. Each student certainly embraced the numerous challenges with an open mind and a growth mindset. Hiking, gorge walking, camping, fire building, orienteering and raft building kept the year group busy and challenged and all came back having learnt to work with as a team and, importantly, having had a lot of fun.

“Wow! Where do I start? Who knew we could do so much, learn so much and have so much fun in less than one week! By far the most challenging – and most fun – was the one-night expedition. Despite the heavy rain we marched on while singing songs to keep our spirits high! Although at points it was tough, it was the most satisfying feeling when my team finally reached the cabin. I learnt to persevere even when I was finding things hard, to get on well and have a great time with people I didn’t know particularly well. Most importantly, I learnt how much fun a week away in rainy Wales could really be!” Nell Gudgin

TRIPS Outward bound

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“Back in July, when I was asked if I would go on an Outward Bound week, I thought how lovely it would be to stroll along a four-mile sandy beach and pop into the boutique stores in picturesque Aberdovey. My bucolic image could not have been further from the truth! Instead, my group of 12 students endured muddy terrain, endless rain, sleeping on benches and scrambling in waterfalls. The verdict? Absolutely brilliant! The students rose to every challenge with gusto, resilience and bravery as befitting a KGS student. Who needs a beach when there’s a mile-long gorge?” Mr R Gee, Director of Drama

“When we were at the top of Gregeman Ridge we all felt as if we had conquered the world!” Natalie Ivory

“Five days of thrilling adventures, with memories that will stick with me forever. This would not have been possible without the endless support and kindness of our instructors, Gemma and Alex. Like my friends, they were always there to help us and guide us through the tough challenges, and made an outstanding week even more fun.”

“The week was a great reminder of how amazing our students are. There have been so many moments when I had to remind myself that they are only Second Years! They were so lucky to have shared this week together; it was challenging, awesome and guaranteed to be referenced in their Leavers’ Book in years to come.” Mrs S Corcoran, Head of Learning Support

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TRIPS

The highlight of the trip for us was going to the BMW motorbike factory.

#berlin

TRIPS Highlights

#berlin

Boats, baguettes and berets in beautiful #Paris

#verona

#russia

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TRIPS Highlights

#paris

Hitting the slopes #canada

#canada

Piazzas and pizza in #verona

#UAE

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ALUMNI

ALUMNI KGS Friends

KGS Friends O

ur regular programme of alumni events was sadly cut short by the pandemic, limiting most activity to the Autumn term. The KGS Hockey Festival in September saw the School 1st XI take on an alumni team, containing international and premier league hockey players, in the annual Dan Kenn Memorial Match. Given the quality at the old boys’ disposal, it is unsurprising that the alumni team won 5–2, although the KGS side demonstrated some impressive deep defending to keep the score line respectable! It was great to see such a range of alumni still enjoying their hockey and playing to a high standard. The Dan Kenn Trophy – named after a 2007 KGS first team player who would have enjoyed the gritty and determined nature of the School team’s defending – was appropriately awarded by Dan’s father to fellow 2007 alumnus, Paul Angel.

he boathouse welcomed Richard Allen (OK 1967) and his wife Jane, parents of the late Rob Allen (OK 2001) who sadly passed away in 2018 from an undiagnosed heart condition at the age of just 35.

Rob will be remembered by many alumni as a keen rower at KGS, who went on with his crew to win gold at the 2000 National Schools’ Regatta and to race for the Great Britain Junior team.

He later returned to the School as a volunteer rowing coach, passing on his knowledge to many students. Richard and Jane, together with some of Rob’s friends, have founded the Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts Trust (RALPHH). The charity aims to extend national access to defibrillation equipment at sporting locations (particularly rowing), promote financial support for electro-cardiac testing among young people, and provide advice for rowers planning to withdraw from the sport. www.ra-lphh.org

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n the same day, several alumni also attended the launch of the KGS rowing season at a family day at the Sherriff Boathouse, including the naming of new boats and alumni vs student races.

Two coaching launches and nine racing boats were named, including one for double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell OBE (OK 1990). We were pleased to welcome several alumni back, including Sean Boret (OK 1989) who named the new Gerry Boret after his father, with his children trying out the boat named after their grandfather. Paul Stuart-Bennett returned to the boathouse for the first time since leaving KGS in 1970!

DIARY Circumstances permitting, we hope to hold a range of events next year. Visit our website for details: www.kgs.org.uk/community/ alumni/kgs-friends

ALUMNI

After a decade of planning, Clive Rockell (OK 1970), Chris Dowdeswell and Paul Sorensen (both OKs 1969) met at the London Eye on 15th September for their three-man relay. By the time they reached Essex, Clive had sustained the first puncture although, amazingly, this was to be the only bike malfunction of the trip.

Our route took us through a staggering 11 countries. We crossed the Netherlands and picked up the Rhine, followed by the Main, then on again to the Danube. With our daily mileage ranging from 100 to 150, it was all going so well and was delightfully flat…until the Balkan Mountains. Highlights along the way included encounters with wild dogs in Croatia, Chris’s collision with a cycling maniac in Austria (the latter being carted off to hospital), a Serbian couple, Mila and son Dragan, taking pity on us in remote Serbia when the campsite

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was closed, a late night illegal hooch party with swarthy Bulgarians in army fatigues, Clive, without his passport, encountering a Romanian border patrol checking for illegal immigrants, the great sweep of the vast Danube and the warmth of welcome wherever we went. Midway through our journey our WAGS joined us for a break in Vienna and cycled with us through Slovakia to Bratislava and on to Budapest. On 12th October cycled into Istanbul, then across the Bosphorus the following day. Our epic ride covered almost 3000 miles but who’s counting?

Huge thanks go to all who supported our chosen charity, Beat SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) beatscad.org.uk. This included our alma mater, KGS! We raised nearly £7,000, a marvellous total. If you’re interested in finding out more about our trip, visit our Facebook page: Eye2i. As for more adventures from the three golden oldies…watch this space.

he KGS Bursary Fund received a significant boost in 2019, thanks to a generous donation from Ray and Sue Mayes.

Ray attended KGS from 1957 to 1964 on a full scholarship, without which his parents would not have been able to afford the first-class education he subsequently received. Ray had an enjoyable time, but remembers it was very different in those days. The current ‘cage’ was merely a red cinder surface, the tuck shop sold Wagon Wheels, and the highlight of Latin was the weekly ‘hairy mammoth’ test of knowledge! The highlight of Ray’s sporting achievements was scoring 101 against Rutlish School for the U16s in 1960 and subsequently receiving his bat from the Head Master, Percy Rundle, which he is now kindly donating to the School archive. Ray went on to become 2nd XI Captain. Ray graduated from Exeter University with a BA Honours Degree in Economics. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1970 he joined the City firm of Buzzacott, becoming a partner at the age of 28. He specialised in corporate and charity accounting until his retirement in 2000. Having had a happy and fulfilling life, Ray and Sue felt it was the time to give something back. We are enormously grateful to Ray and Sue for their generous support in giving gifted children the life-changing opportunities that an education at KGS can offer. Miss L Beatty, Head of Development

If you are interested in supporting the Bursary Fund, please contact the KGS Development Office: 020 8939 8803 foundation@kgs.org.uk

Paul Sorensen (OK 1969)

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f proof were ever needed that school friendships are some of the strongest you will ever make, three ‘senior’ OKs set out to cycle across Europe to Asia last year, thirty years after leaving KGS.

ach year, the KGS Friends Committee offers travel awards to students leaving the Upper Sixth and to alumni who have left in the previous ten years. To qualify for support, applicants have to show how they will benefit from the intended travel and include an element of voluntary community work. Fergus Ainsworth (OK 2016) received an award to supplement his own fundraising to take part in the International Citizenship Service (ICS) which provides overseas volunteer placements for 18–25-year olds. Fergus reports on his experience working in Iringa, Tanzania in September 2019 supporting the development of business skills in the local community.

My ICS experience first started in my university room, chatting to my housemate on what we were to do following our graduation. I knew I wanted to get away and try something totally new before I committed to a job, so when my friend suggested the ICS programme it seemed like the perfect fit. After I applied, I was invited to attend an assessment day at the VSO headquarters in Kingston, a stone’s throw from KGS! I soon found out that I would be jetting off to Iringa, Tanzania. Nine months after I first applied, I finally arrived in East Africa. The three months that followed were a whirlwind of new experiences. To try and sum everything up within one short article would not do the whole experience justice. Every day is full of potential and constantly keeps you active and excited. Iringa proved to be a fantastic location. A small city nestled in the southern highlands, it perfectly combined a sense of excitement with a naturally laid-back atmosphere that is apparent all over this great country.

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The bustling city centre was surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Days off or afternoons could be spent hiking around the surrounding countryside or climbing the iconic ‘Speaking Rock’ that towers over the city. I was lucky enough to live just a ten-minute walk from the city centre from where I would catch a Bajaj (similar to a Tuk Tuk) to the office just outside of town. Our group, which consisted of 12 UK volunteers and 12 Tanzanians, were working for the Tanzanian Local Enterprise Development (T-LED). Our task was to help small businesses around the city with their record keeping and marketing; making labels, logos and business cards.

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Travel awards

ALUMNI Travel Awards

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TRAVEL AWARD

2019/20

Not only was it hugely rewarding helping these inspiring business owners improve their products, it also gave me a great introduction into the world of business. As well as our work with T-LED, different groups were required to run one Community Action Day (CAD). The CAD was an event designed to include the whole community in a knowledge-sharing exercise. My group’s date coincided with World Disability Day, so we decided to combine the two to host an event aimed at raising awareness on and celebrating the disabled community in Iringa. I managed to get my host mother, who was a reporter for the national TV channel, to get it broadcasted! While it might sound a bit clichéd, of all the incredible memories I made over the three months, what I’ll remember most fondly are the people. We had a close-knit group, with all 24 of us getting along incredibly well. Within my host home, there were nine of us, spanning three generations. This gave the house a constantly lively feeling, with chatting and laughter every night of the week. I owe them so much for their hospitality and generosity; to feel so incredibly welcome in a new family was a real blessing. For anyone considering time away after school or university I couldn’t recommend this scheme more. Iringa, and everyone I shared my time there with, have made a lasting impression on me and changed my outlook on the world for the better.

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ALUMNI Travel Awards

For anyone considering time away after school or university I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recommend this scheme more. Iringa, and everyone I shared my time there with, have made a lasting impression on me and changed my outlook on the world for the better.

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his has to be one of the strangest academic years of all time. The year started as usual with new staff and students coming through the door, and finished with almost the entire school working from home, learning online and anticipating a summer break devoid of much travel or excitement.

During the year we welcomed many new staff. We had two new starters in the MFL Department: Adele Evans joined us from Wimbledon High and Pablo Parra Lopez came to teach Spanish until the end of the year. In addition, Melissa Cope joined us to teach History. Meg Christmas joined the Drama Department at Easter to replace Sophie Boulton. We welcomed three new sports coaches – James Gawn, Ben Lewis and Mikey Hoare, whilst Brian Day became our boatman. In the Library we welcomed Fiona McBride who took over as the Librarian. Alex Butler started as our HR officer and Lauren Boyes started as a Science technician. We had some joyous events throughout the year with lots of births and marriages. Adam House and his wife Alice had their first baby, Freyja. Oliver Garner and his wife Charlotte also welcomed their first child, Ella. Annie Plumridge and her husband James welcomed their second child, Lillie; Annie is leaving us this year for a well-deserved pastoral promotion to Marymount School. At the beginning of the Summer term we welcomed back Louise Rhys, Harriet Hunt and Amy Angell who all returned from maternity cover. Louise Collison married Martin and became Mrs Dixon and they will be relocating to Norfolk; we 116

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are sorry to see Louise go and wish her well on this exciting venture. We would like to thank her for all her hard work in Mathematics over many years. Mair Dew in Music married Aza and became Mrs Ngobi before completing her teacher training with us. We wish her well in her new endeavours. The year always ends on a sad note with the leaving of staff. At Easter we said goodbye to Sophie Boulton, our Director of Drama. Ellie Varley from English and Chris Edwards our Theatre Technician are leaving us to move to Derby to be near family. We are losing a number of staff from the Sports Department; Natalie Maclean leaves us after 13 years to take up a senior post at Latymer School; Kate Wooldridge leaves us to start at St. George’s in Ascot and Alex Fletcher leaves us to become Head of Netball at Harrodian. In the MFL Department we said goodbye to Imani McEwan whilst Rebekah Kerr is starting a new role at The Abbey School in Reading. In addition, Karl Turner left us at Christmas to start a new role at Bradfield. Two further members of the English Department are leaving this term; Kate Brackley to start a new role at St. Joseph’s School and Anna Deters. In Science, Alan Wadsworth-Reay is joining the staff at Epsom College and Sarah Dieu is moving back to New Zealand. We also say goodbye to Rachel Hill in Biology who covered for Annie Plumridge. We will also be saying farewell to Todd Tunley who has completed a period of maternity cover in the Religious Studies Department and Charlie Deakin

@KGS 1561

STAFF From the Common Room

From the Common Room who covered a maternity position in History. In Mathematics, Jim McClenaghan left after completing a maternity cover. Librarian Helen Cleaves has moved to Ibstock and we said goodbye to her temporary replacement, Karen Cresswell. Within the Sports Department we would like to give thanks to James Gawn, Mikey Hoare, Tom McCarthy and Sigrid Davis for all their coaching skills. Anne Collins left the HR Department to start at St. Mary’s College in Twickenham. We also have three longstanding leavers this year. Julian Smith leaves us after 30 years at KGS. As a major force in the English Department, Julian has been a loyal and outstanding member of staff. We wish him a restful and fulfilling retirement. Denis Buttanshaw also retires from hockey coaching after a long and illustrious career at KGS. Finally, we said goodbye to Susi Blunstone who has worked as part of the administrative team, more latterly on Reception, since 2001. Angela Hodgson, who was covering Reception, joined as a permanent member of staff in January. Mrs VS Humphrey, Deputy Head (Pastoral)

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STAFF 2019/20 Farewell to...

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Farewell to... Annie Plumridge

s a classroom teacher, Annie was a highly effective practitioner and breezed through her NQT year. She quickly developed into a conscientious and fastidious teacher, always very prepared, providing engaging and stimulating lessons for students of all ages. As testament to her quality of teaching, vast proportions of our current schemes of work bear the hallmarks of Annie’s lesson planning and resources. Annie was a wonderfully supportive member of department, always willing to take on delegated tasks and happy to provide support to me as her Head of Department whenever it was needed.

Outside the classroom, Annie contributed significantly to the School’s co-curricular programme. She supervised Duke of Edinburgh groups and regularly took part in the Bronze Award weekend expeditions. As a keen tennis player, she was able to add her expertise to the burgeoning KGS tennis programme, regularly supervising teams for matches during the Summer term. Annie was a key member of the KGS ski trip for a number of years. Annie was an inspired choice to be a First Year tutor. Her warm, approachable and patient demeanour made her an ideal member of staff to manage this important transition into secondary school life for our new joiners. Annie’s pastoral skills were quickly recognised and she became deputy Head of Taverner in January 2013 before ascending to the Head of House role for two years in September of the same year. During this time, she also took on the role of Assistant Head of Year at the start of the 2014–15 school year before becoming Head of Year from September 2015, a role she maintained until her departure from KGS. The same highly organised, highly professional and highly efficient skills she demonstrated as a teacher of Biology were in full view as she led her year group team. It is fair to say that all tutors looked forward to working with Annie as their Head of Year.

Annie was an inspired choice to be a First Year tutor. Her warm, approachable and patient demeanour made her an ideal member of staff to manage this important transition into secondary school life for our new joiners.

Annie leaves us to take up an Assistant Head of Boarding role at Marymount International School, just up the road in Coombe. Annie will be sorely missed and we wish her, James, Sebby and Lillie all the best on their new adventure. Mr M Rodgers, Head of Biology

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STAFF 2019/20 Farewell to...

Sophie Boulton

Ellie Varley Tasked with raising standards of KGS Drama, she transformed the department into what it is today: outstanding academic results, professional level co-curricular productions and some of the best value-added teaching in the school.

ophie Boulton arrived from Latymer Upper School in January 2012. Tasked with raising standards of KGS Drama, she transformed the department into what it is today: outstanding academic results, professional level co-curricular productions and some of the best value-added teaching at KGS. This is Sophieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legacy and I know we will continue to go from strength to strength. Her philosophy was always to push for academic rigour within Drama. She allowed her teaching staff to follow their own specialisms within a skills and knowledge-based curriculum that was constantly monitored and improved from First Year right through to Upper Sixth. Her first production was Market Boy by David Eldridge where we created Romford market in the Michael Frayn Theatre. Frames and tarpaulins created the stalls in and around the audience who sat on mismatched chairs, pallets and decking. Who could forget the main characters bursting out of the back of a van along to Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood? Surely an iconic opening of a show and one that summed up Sophieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drama Department entirely: bold, brash, impeccable detail and allowing the talents of the students to shine through.

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Sophie also directed Blue Stockings, Anna Karenina and Nell Gwynn in her time here. These challenging, superbly acted and directed plays shone the spotlight on what KGS was capable of. Sophie will be hugely missed, but she can rest assured that the team that she led for eight years has learned so much from her, especially the appropriate level of sarcasm required to keep sane under the pressure of such a busy department. We all wish Sophie the very best and hope she cherishes every moment with her daughter, Isobel. Mr S Crohill, Assistant Director of Drama

llie Varley joined KGS in 2008 from Nottingham High School for Girls and we were all immediately struck by her endless energy and enthusiasm. She quickly became a much-loved and respected teacher and colleague. During her time here, and aside from her excellent classroom teaching, she took on many roles. These included: acting as a Fifth Year form tutor; directing a number of Lower School plays (who can forget her impressively atmospheric Jane Eyre or the joyous and light-hearted Alice in Wonderland?); participating in the Sixth Form pantomime; guiding and advising the Lower Sixth as Head of Year and, for seven years, Second in Charge in English. However, for me, it is her running of the Gibbon Society (GibSoc) that really stands out. Taking this over as soon as she joined KGS, she transformed a relatively unattended Sixth Form debating society into one of the most popular activities in the school, with students vying for the position of President as her team swept to success in the Frankly Speaking debating competition, winning both best team and best speaker. A resultant KGS visit by the American Ambassador led to such demand that Ellie soon had to create both Junior and Middle School clubs.

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Susi Blunstone

We were all delighted when Ellie met and, in February 2017, married Chris Edwards, the School’s General Theatre Technician. Baby Rory followed in August 2018. We are all so sorry to be losing such a wonderful friend and colleague but wish her every success in her new post as teacher of English with responsibility for overseeing Lower School Reading at Red Hill Academy, Derby. Mrs PS Garside, Head of English

For many people, Susi was the warm and welcoming face and voice of KGS. She was tremendously helpful to members of staff and to parents and visitors and she was always kindly and reassuring to pupils in a pickle.

“Susi’s role on Reception also extended into the Admissions Department and for many years she was the friendly voice at the end of the phone answering questions about dates, deadlines and examinations. She also scheduled all our group tours for a number of years and called all attendees to remind them of our event, a service above and beyond! She kept meticulous notes for these tours and had a great memory for names and faces. She was also great at keeping prospective students who were waiting for interviews happy and relaxed with her sunny disposition.” “Even though she is married to one of rock and roll’s most highly lauded musicians, Susi wasn’t a name dropper…but she could be coaxed into telling a few stories. She and Colin [Blunstone, of The Zombies] got the red-carpet treatment in the US in 2019 when Colin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That’s a really big deal – the biggest deal in rock music – and they had a great time.” “Susi had worked as cabin crew for British Airways and had dealt first hand with A-list politicians, musicians, movie stars and so forth.

STAFF 2019/20 Farewell to...

She transformed a relatively unattended Sixth Form debating society into one of the most popular activities in the school, with students vying for the position of President.

Again, there were a few stories about who was naughty and who was nice but the skills she developed there helped with the occasional awkward customer at KGS and she always dealt charmingly, efficiently and effectively with them. And they knew they’d been dealt with!” “At times Reception would become a Mecca for lost property but she had a real knack of reuniting the items with their owner. One of Susi’s superpowers was her ability to get rid of unwanted sales calls with a polite and cheerful nature. She was a fantastic ‘gatekeeper’ for all staff in this regard.” “On those occasions when I was involved in interviewing candidates – both staff and students – for places or jobs at the School, I always made it my business to have a quiet word with Susi once they had left. In the short time they were in Reception, Susi would have summed them up – kindly, but with unerring accuracy. I’m sure that some of them had no idea about the impression they had made.” With thanks to Susan Clifford, Carol Pink, Peter Ricketts and Natalie Man

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STAFF 2019/20 Farewell to...

Julian Smith T

rying to encapsulate the contribution and influence of Julian Smith in the few hundred words of a Kingstonian valedictory is a nigh on impossible task, but after 40 years of teaching, 30 of them spent at the chalk face of Kingston Grammar School, it is the least I can do to try. From my very first meeting with Julian, when he approached me to write something for the Kingstonian as the new Head, I knew that he was someone I liked and in time, as I suspected I would, came to admire. His quiet, self-effacing charm permeated all that he said and did in and out of the classroom, but it could only go so far in masking the passion he had for literature, for learning and for imbuing that same sense of understated awe and wonder in others.

His quiet, self-effacing charm permeated all that he said and did in and out of the classroom, but it could only go so far in masking the passion he had for literature, for learning and for imbuing that same sense of understated awe and wonder in others.

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Many of my happiest lunchtimes, prior to the pandemic and Julian’s retirement, were spent teasing out of Julian what else I could – and should – read. His recommendations always came with the caveat that it was only his opinion and that others may not agree but without these recommendations, carefully and cautiously made, I would not have delved into the works of the mighty Philip Roth and the master of the short form, William Trevor. There are also some hidden gems that he revealed such as The Peculiar Life of the Lonely Postman, which brought home to me the beauty of the poetic form, Haiku. Then there’s Stoner by John Williams, which I am sure Julian described to me as potentially the best novel I’d never read. I know that my copy doesn’t have that tag line on it, but if you were to go out and purchase a copy now it absolutely would have. Maybe someone overheard him or, quite possibly, I am allowing my memory to play elegant tricks on me. That is unmistakeable is the influence Julian has based on his vast knowledge and a knowing sense of his audience. If any of you were to now pick up a copy of the Lonely Postman, or thumb through just one William Trevor short story, then that influence would have extended to you too. This is nothing, however, compared to the positive impact Julian had as a teacher over that incredible span of time. More recently, many alumni, students and staff would simply know Mr Smith the English teacher with his ubiquitous Sainsbury’s carrier bag, once again completely understated and eschewing the unnecessary bulk and status of the briefcase. Generations of students, however, many now with their own

children, would appreciate the effort that may have gone into dragging some of them kicking and screaming to success in their English GCSEs but instilling in many more of that absolute love of literature that will still now be a part of their lives, maybe even a part of their profession. At whatever end of the spectrum they sit, they will undoubtedly know how to punctuate correctly, how to sensibly critique and be able to enjoy the profound beauty of good writing in all of its forms.

Many alumni, students and staff would simply know Mr Smith the English teacher with his ubiquitous Sainsbury’s carrier bag, once again completely understated and eschewing the unnecessary bulk and status of the briefcase.

Like so many teachers of his generation, and of the characters who commit themselves to schools such as KGS, Julian was, of course, more than ‘just’ an English teacher. As a tutor he supported vast numbers of students as they navigated their way through school and adolescence, helping tutees with thorny issues and decision making, particularly around university choices. For 21 years, no less, until 2015 Julian was the Editor of this very magazine, Kingstonian, which is how, of course, our first meeting came about. The strength of the publication is therefore in large part due to his efforts exerted over that period, along with his small team, to

create a meaningful record of each year that was as entertaining as it was informative and has proved to be a valuable tool in researching the School’s recent past on more than one occasion. Julian was also the Co-ordinator of Special Needs at KGS for a number of years and led debating in the form of the Gibbon Society from 1991 to 1999. Both incredible examples, should we need anymore, of his commitment to encouraging and supporting a wide range of students with their study and their passion (not always overlapping), not least because of all of these co-curricular commitments were undertaken in his own time alongside a full teaching commitment. You probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Julian also ran a Sixth Form book club where attendees signed in with a golden pen, or that he was a part of the staff reading society, but you may not have known that he also delivered sessions on the sports field for a dozen years or more, mainly coaching football and cricket, which were equally hugely appreciated by all. What is perhaps even less well known, except by those who were a part of such occasions, is that for many years Julian ran the ‘Lunchtime of Love’ on Valentine’s Day, rewarding all those who would share their appropriate recitations and original creations, accompanied by romantic music from an appropriately vintage cassette player, with chocolate hearts. The room would be packed with staff who wanted to communicate their love of poetry and, of course, their love of chocolate. One can only imagine the dismay and consternation when, in the run up to one such event, most of the heart-shaped treats that attracted and rewarded the participants went missing before the day. Needless to say, Julian channelled his inner sleuth (one hopes it was more Poirot than Marlowe in terms of interviewing technique) and solved the ‘chocolate gate’, adding another talent to his repertoire.

In 2015, after a number of years as Second in the English Department with a range of responsibilities within and beyond the immediate confines of the Department, Julian decided that it was time to teach part-time in order to allow him to take life in a gradually different direction, and possibly at a slightly gentler pace. Having now fully retired he has more time to enjoy the entertainment of shows such as Strictly and University Challenge, as well as completing his walks which are currently focussed on the enormous 150-mile London Loop, tending to his carp and spending ever more time on his latest pursuit of lawn bowls, where he has already become an indispensable player and organiser for his club. Long may it continue.

There is very definitely a hollow to be filled by those who inherit the mantle. Generations of students will be forever grateful for Julian’s dedication to their education in all kinds of ways. KGS will be forever grateful and fortunate to have a teacher such as he. We very much look forward to staying in touch with Julian and welcoming him back to join us for lunch, when post-COVID circumstances allow, and I particularly look forward to his recommendation for what I should read next. A bientôt, Julian and please take with you more thanks than can be adequately expressed. Mr SR Lehec, Head Master

Generations of students will be forever grateful for Julian’s dedication to their education in all kinds of ways. KGS will be forever grateful and fortunate to have a teacher such as he.

Julian’s dedication to the School, to his colleagues, his students and to his subject is something to be admired. Whether it was the bravery and panache with which he acted out Larkin’s Church Going to an audience of staff and students who were expecting a common-orgarden assembly when in fact what they received was a masterclass in the beauty and comprehension of poetry, or the day-to-day commitment to teaching in and beyond the classroom, everyone has benefited from his presence.

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Julian Smith, Editor

Kingstonian 1994â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2015

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Kingston Grammar School An independent co-educational day school for boys and girls aged 11â&#x20AC;&#x201C;18. London Road Kingston upon Thames KT2 6PY 020 8546 5875 enquiries@kgs.org.uk www.kgs.org.uk KGS1561 KGS1561 kingstongrammar

Acknowledgements: Thank you to the many staff, students and alumni who have supplied both articles and photographs. We welcome feedback via marketing@kgs.org.uk on what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see in future issues of Kingstonian. Front cover: Adam Scott. Other credits: Andy Caterall, Chris Edwards and Sam Peate.

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Kingstonian 2019-2020

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