Kingswood In Focus - December 2008

focus Kingswood in

December 2008

Contents

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Contents Regulars

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KPS News Staff News Chapel & Community Exam Results Prize Giving Fundraising Art Performing Arts Eco-Schools Sports Kingswood Association Out & About

Features 12

1 Colouring Outside the Lines An interview with Mr Simon Morris, Kingswood's new Headmaster

8 The Alexandria Link Connecting Mathematics to our everyday world

10 A Focus on Interactive Whiteboards 28

How this new technology is being used at KPS

12 Student Visit to Malawi

A return to the orphanage that has a special place in Kingswood hearts

28 Simply the Best A fond farewell to Gary Best

focus Kingswood in

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Interview with the Headmaster

Colouring Outside The Lines When asked what he would have done if he hadn’t gone into education, Mr Morris offers me a fork in the road.

Headmaster and Romily McNulty

“Perhaps something like the Foreign Office, though I would have liked to have been a professional cricketer,” he explains and in shading his reply in two dimensions so reveals to me a man who is at once a pragmatist and a dreamer. Welcoming, with smiles in his eyes and dignity in his smile he offered me a figure beyond the traditionally distant headmaster. A figure who, with innovative strategies such as an early morning open door policy and who sees his role as ‘the ultimate privilege,’ appears to truly understand the difference between teaching someone to work and teaching them to love it.

the year. Deploring arrogance but applauding self-confidence and profoundly admiring Nelson Mandela, the greatest life-line he offers comes in his advice to ‘have the courage’ to follow your heart and not your head. The culture we have doesn’t often allow us to feel this way and we must admire those who are strong enough to say: if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it. For too many to follow the latter lies much more closely to strength than the former, yet it is in this innovative light that we must take him: as a man who fervently believes in doing what one loves and who is doing just that in being our headmaster.

Love may be innate, but it is also often crafted.

Inspired by the opportunity to teach in Germany as part of his Cambridge Modern Languages degree and deeply affected by his own A level French teacher, Mr Morris reminds me that though force may make the pupil work, only enthusiasm will allow them to try. “I chose to come to Kingswood, not to Bath, though I am naturally delighted that Kingswood is in Bath” he assures me and in the subtlety of that comment, exudes a warmth into the interview reminding me that no relationship is a diode; it is obvious that he means a lot to Kingswood.

It is intriguing that Kingswood could already mean so much to him.

Perhaps I have been broken by reading The Demon Headmaster, perhaps it was my own apprehension that set them in a mirage, always so near and yet too far, but I have come to see the head teacher embodied in the eagle. Dignified, authoritarian, removed. Surprisingly and wonderfully, Mr Morris envelopes the first two and yet avoids the last. His choices for his greatest achievements encapsulate this idea: that is, convincing the Kingswood governors to give him the position, so showing his humility; and convincing his wife to marry him, so reflecting his belief in the importance of family. An idea reflected in his personal goal to learn the name of every Kingswood student by the end of

“Imagination is more important than knowledge,” he expounds as the quote he wishes he had said, then laughs seeing my shock at his evoking a thought so true and yet so rarely nursed, too rarely nursed. Mr Morris truly seems to see us as figures upon whose nature nurture may stick, an educator for whom it appears important to give children more than just homework to take home with them. “Education is about instilling a joy of learning, because life is about learning, not the exam system." Give children a teacher who instills lifelong learning and the examination results will follow, push them through hoops and all they can ever have are the hoops. There is much more to education than sheep-herding. Why give them vinegar where they deserve honey?

"...I believe we find a headmaster of whom we can be proud."

The interview with Mr Morris has revealed to me a man of academic rigour, open-mindedness who at once invites respect and is inviting.

He offered me many lessons, all wrapped in the need to put loving hand-in-hand with learning. He enforces that we shouldn’t waste it, for a second, a smile or a sigh. We shouldn’t waste our lives. When asked who he would be if he had to reincarnated as a Shakespearean character he replied, ‘Malvolio from Twelth Night, because he’s exactly the kind of person I don’t like and so I’d like to be him, to change him.’ And in that acceptance, that people are never finished products and always shapeable for the better, I believe we find a headmaster of whom we can be proud.

Romily McNulty

Headmaster getting to know the Sixth Form New Head welcomes new boarders

Kingswood in Focus 1

News From KPS

Our Valued Teaching Staff For the last decade I have spent a fair percentage of my time showing prospective parents around KPS during term time and also during parts of the various holidays.

In my experience the three most popular questions I am asked are: • What are your class sizes?

• What time does school start/finish?

• How many men do you have on your staff?

The most common question is the one about class sizes (and the answer is up to a maximum of 19/20.) It is an understandable question, of course, particularly when applied to children of Primary School age, and undoubtedly a significant factor in the minds of prospective parents when they are considering paying for an education that can be obtained for no cost in the maintained system. Smaller classes are advantageous, but they are not, in my opinion, the most significant factor in why people want their children to be educated at KPS. What people pay for more than anything else is good teaching.

Yet though I am invariably asked about the number of children in our classes, I am hardly ever asked about the number of teachers and other adults we employ at the School.

Class sizes are important, but having so many staff allows us the flexibility, particularly during the Foundation Stage, to teach children in very small groups, or even individually where desirable.

The photo that accompanies this piece shows your correspondent and two of our recent GAP year students. It was pointed out to me by a colleague at the recent IAPS Annual Conference for Prep School Heads, that I am currently in my 100th term of teaching at present. When I first started teaching in September 1975 at Gresham’s Prep School, in Norfolk, I was 22 years of age. I reckoned then that the people at that school were either half my age or twice my age. The years move on, as you can all see from the photo! The value of younger adult staff to prep school children remains the same however, and we are always grateful to our ‘youngsters’ on the staff for the special relevance that they bring to school by virtue of their age.

Both Sam Cook and Alex Carlton-Porter were students at KPS and I am sure that they enjoyed seeing the school from a higher position (I am speaking literally) to add to the enjoyment they gained when they were pupils here. We wish them well at their respective universities.

"...we are always grateful to our ‘youngsters’ on the staff for the special relevance that they bring to school by virtue of their age."

In recent years we have had between 340-350 pupils on the School roll during the summer term of each year when all the joining Nursery children have reached the age of 3. Currently we have 83 staff employed at KPS. This includes 27 full-time teaching staff and 5 part-time teachers.

In addition we have a further 18 Teaching assistants/Foundation Stage staff.

(This figure does not include any of the 4/5 students from the Norland College - Norland Nannies - who are with us at any given time.) There are, in addition, 18 peripatetic teachers involved in either the extra-curricular or musical tuition programmes. There are also a further 15 people involved with care taking, catering, boarding, ICT support and clerical duties.

All the above members of staff are listed in the inside covers of the current School Calendar.

It will come as no surprise to you when I tell you that, as with all Schools, a significant majority of our annual budget goes on staff salaries!

2 Kingswood in Focus

Our current GAP student is Sam Emery who has been with us since the start of the year having completed his A levels at Sheldon School in Chippenham. Sam is enjoying ‘shadowing’ Mr Shrubsole as he goes about his work. When you deal with young children it is good to have some younger staff alongside the more ‘senior’ teachers.

Mr Marcus Cornah (Headmaster of the Kingswood Prep School)

Staff Changes

Arrivals and Departures STAFF FAREWELLS The Languages Department were very sorry to say goodbye to three colleagues. Mr Valerian Bayo, our language assistant, helped many pupils, especially sixth formers, improve their language skills and you will be pleased to hear that he so enjoyed his time at Kingswood that he has decided teaching will become his eventual career, after he has completed further studies at university.

Ms Bronagh Slevin only joined us in January to teach Spanish and rapidly showed both her linguistic skill and her interest in the welfare of pupils, but, sadly for us, her husband was appointed to a new job in Brazil and this has meant her stay with us has been all too short.

In his two years with us as Head of Classics, Mr Paul Adams showed he had the talent to inspire pupils with a love of Latin, promoting visits to Greece and Italy. We wish him well as he moves to Red Maids' School in Bristol.

It was particularly sad to say our farewells to Miss Shelley Ball, one of our IT technicians. She has put up cheerfully with all our moans and all our conflicting demands and all our blaming of machines when often the problem has lain with us. Having rebooted many machines she is going to reboot herself, shutting down as a technician and starting up as a teacher. So we thank her and wish her success in her new career.

We also said goodbye at the end of the summer term to four teachers who have temporarily stood in for staff. Mrs Jackie Eliot, who for many years was a very popular teacher at our prep school, brought her expertise in special needs to the senior school.

Miss Janina Spangenberger stood in for Miss Beale while she was on sabbatical and her enthusiasm was matched only by her desire to ensure every pupil produced his or her best.

We wish her every happiness when next year she returns home to her native Germany.

and she proved a great Art teacher. She never needed to use her former expertise as the No 1 female wrestler in Britain to make pupils submit to the attractions of art because she was always positive, organised, innovative, and very dedicated. Miss Aniela Zylinski covered the gap between Miss Matthew’s departure and the arrival of her successor this September. She has shown in a very short time what a fine music teacher she will be – not least in writing some superb music for ‘Rapunzel’ and, of course, conducting the band for it. We wish both her and Miss Beedle all the best as they both take up their first permanent teaching posts in other schools.

That leaves me to say farewell to two longer-serving staff. The first is Mr James Brodie who has contributed hugely to the school since he joined us in 2002.

As Second in the English Department, he played a significant role in that subject’s development, especially at Key Stage 3 and GCSE level. He is, of course, a lively and effective teacher in the classroom with a reputation for being very encouraging and for developing an excellent rapport with his pupils. Some people may not do much but they loudly let you know what they are doing, whilst others do huge amounts without ever even talking about it. Mr Brodie is definitely in the latter category. His participation in the extra-curricular life of the school has been enormous, and particularly notable in sport, especially soccer, and in debating.

For all his time here he has been an Assistant Housemaster in Hall House and it is his enjoyment of that pastoral role which is leading him to take on running his own House in a brand new school in Dubai. Repton School’s gain is definitely our loss but we wish him every happiness and success.

The second is Ms Julia Houghton who joined us ten years ago in 1998 and who from 2001 was Head of Business Studies and Economics. She gave successive A level students considerable insight into economics, marketing, business policy and organisational behaviour. This did not prevent her running aerobic sessions and using her immense choreographic skills to enhance many school musicals over the years, ranging from ‘Oliver’ to ‘Guys and Dolls’ and from ‘In the Woods’ to ‘Cabaret’, working with some very diverse directors, including Mr Woodgate, Mr Sims, Mr DunsterSigtermans and Mr Harding. We wish her all the best in her retirement, which, knowing her, is bound to be a very active one.

Mr Gary Best Miss Shelley Ball

Miss Dawn Beedle covered maternity leave Kingswood in Focus 3

STAFF ARRIVALS

management background before entering teaching, having worked with Norwich Union, Royal Sun Alliance and Ernst Young.

We were delighted to welcome our new members of staff at the Senior School as they took up their posts for the new academic year.

Mrs Kirsty Barry is our new Assistant Director of Music. Mrs Barry was educated at Berkhamsted School for Girls and then obtained a BA (Hons) in Music at St Anne’s College, Oxford and a PGCE from the Institute of Education, London University. She has most recently been Deputy Co-ordinator of English and Performing Arts and Head of Music at the Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester where she was a Music teacher before her promotion to Head of Music.

Mrs Jackie Hallett joins us as a teacher of Learning Support.

Mrs Hallett was educated at Coleshill Grammar School, Warwickshire and undertook her Cert. Ed. at Bishop Longsdale College, Derby and more recently she has undertaken a Post Graduate Diploma in Dyslexia and Literacy. She joins us from her post as a teacher of PE and Special Needs at the Royal High School, having previously taught at St George School, Bristol and Stover School, Newton Abbot.

"...a very warm welcome to our new members of staff..."

Ms Claire Copperman joins us to teach Spanish. Ms Copperman was educated at Felixstowe College, Suffolk. She undertook a BA (Hons) in French and Spanish at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, an MA at the University of Essex and she has completed a PGCE in Modern Languages at the University of Bath.

Before undertaking her PGCE she was an EFL teacher in Japan and Venezuela, a Lecturer in English at the University of West Bohemia, Czech Republic and a Senior Teacher with special responsibility for teacher training at the Salisbury School of English, Salisbury.

Mrs Sarah Dakin is our new Head of Classics. Mrs Dakin was educated here at Kingswood and subsequently obtained an MA (Hons) in English and Latin at Edinburgh University and her PGCE at Jordanhill College, Strathclyde University. She has taught at Winchester College and Trinity School, Croydon where she was Head of Classics until her move to Winchester.

Mrs Claire Edwards joins us as a part-time teacher of Economics and Business. Mrs Edwards was educated at Bilborough College, Nottingham, obtained a BSc (Hons) in Social Administration (including Economics) at Loughborough University and a Masters Degree in Business with the Open University. Most recently she taught at the Plume High School in Essex. She had a wide ranging business and

4 Kingswood in Focus

Miss Mary Telford comes to Kingswood as Second in the English Department. Miss Telford was educated at King Edward VI High School for Girls, Edgbaston and undertook both a BA (Hons) in English Lit. and an MA in Medieval Literature at Cardiff University. She has a PGCE from Birmingham University. She joins us from her position as English and Drama teacher at Haileybury College, Hertford, having previously taught at Clayesmore School, Blandford Forum, and Wellington College.

I am also pleased to announce that the following current staff have additional responsibilities from September 2008: Mrs Appleyard Pallot joins School House as Resident Assistant Housemistress; Mr James Matthews joins Hall House as Resident Assistant Housemaster and Mr James Hills joins Upper as Deputy Housemaster.

The Prep School welcomes Mrs Philippa Wynne as a Reception teacher. Pip taught for the last three years at St Stephen’s School in Bath. She gained her BA and PGCE at Bath Spa University. Her own education was at Dover Grammar School for Girls.

Miss Amy Wright also joins the Prep School, as a Year One Teacher.

Amy was educated at St Gregory’s and Beechen Cliff and then went on to Bath Spa. For the last five years she has taught at The Grove Primary School in Trowbridge.

Mr Simon Morris (Headmaster)

Chapel and the Community

From the Chaplain…

‘God and Mammon’ These are the two words most frequently quoted back to me when people discover that I haven’t always worn the plastic neck tie. Most of my twenties were given over to commercial banking and economic research.

I have never been uncomfortable with these words because, for me personally, one has always been able to inform the other. In those early years, somewhere, a bit of God in me rebelled against my employer when it chose to be a bank that preferred to sell rather than serve. Suddenly, and influenced by what was going on in America, profits seemed to become more important than probity and the needs of the shareholder were ousting the needs of the customer. So I said I would not be a part of it; it wasn’t what I signed up for. Deliverance came in an ivory tower surrounded by economists of all hues and five years of reading and writing. Things learned there have since informed current work in development economics that is based in the church. As a trainee minister my tutor said ‘Never leave your economics behind’: it was good advice.

Some will have spotted the déjà vu in this theme. We are learning yet again that one mark of human frailty, our drift into greed when the going seems good, has come back to bite us in a painful way. Regrettably, those who should carry most of the blame also own most of the money and will escape relatively unhurt. Many a person whose name will be added to the list of unemployed will be entirely innocent in this current debacle. We were quick to blame America once again when the credit crunch was first named. We then discovered that the same irresponsibility was rife amongst the bonus chasers in our own (proud?) financial sector. What was hailed as the jewel of our economy during all those years of the mantra –‘stability and sustained economic growth’ - is now looking somewhat tarnished.

"I see myself as a lucky Chaplain."

Although potentially painful, there is a lesson for our children to see in this downturn. There is no way I would ever suggest that this is God’s lesson, except in the sense that through misplaced priorities, we can all learn that a focus on people should rate above the things that money can buy.

I see myself as a lucky Chaplain. I work in a place where it is normal to see the world through what I might call a certain kind of ‘spethicles’ – where God does have a bit of a shout in the Mammon dealings of institutions. Our youngsters are currently seeing and hearing about some of the miseries caused by the avarice of recent days. None of them can remember having lived through recession before. This is a fresh lesson for them - and it will probably stick.

Rev. Mike Wilkinson (Deputy Head Pastoral & Chaplain)

Kingswood in Focus 5

Results and Awards 2008

NEWS

vel Results Thursday 14th August 2008 - A Le

UR G EN T PR ES S RE LE AS E

2008 TOPS THE PREVIOUS ‘BEST EVER’ RESULTS FOR KINGSWOOD SCHOOL A LEVELS LTS A LEVEL - EXAMINATION RESU

have again Students at Kingswood School A level. at achieved outstanding results

llent results Sixth Formers celebrate their exce

A-B, 95% at A–C and With 52% of all grades at A, 78% at swood’s best ever year a 100% pass rate, this has been King Antonia Bevan with from e cam at A level. The top results s, Ken Inoue, Marc Evan Ross , Bell el Rach 5 Grade As and tten with 4 Grade As, Wra Morgan, Hannah Short, and Camille e As each.

Grad 3 ined obta whilst twenty nine others highly, with 73% A/B At AS level the school also achieved Eleanor Batterham, were s grades. Among the top performer

NEWS

Dabell, Piers Dawson, Rebecca Bottle, Theo Boyce, James kley, Marianne Teoh, Stoc a Robert House, Helen Olley, Laur Grade As each. five eved achi all and Amelia Tuckett, who said, ‘These are Incoming Headmaster Simon Morris work of both hard the ct tremendous results which refle g that the fittin rly cula parti is It students and teachers. ’s final year Best Gary in ing tand outs so be ld results shou as Headmaster’.

Thursday 21st August 2008 - GCSE Results

URGENT PRESS RE LEASE

KINGSWOOD PUPIL S HAVE DONE IT AGA IN!!

GCSE - EXAMINATIO N RESULTS

Once again, Kingswoo d has broken its prev ious record at GCSE with 62% of grades at A*/A. The pass rate was 100% with over 98% A* to C grades. Among the top performers were Ha nnah Bishay, Harriet Bro oker and Elliot Haines with 8 A* grades and Ale xander Bevan, Ralph Eli ot, Polly Gates, and Alexander Greig with 7 A* grades, whilst well ove r a quarter of the year group gained 4 or more A*s.

Exam students congra tulate each other

6 Kingswood in Focus

Incoming Headmaster, Sim on Morris, said, “These are excellent GCSE results. Right across our ability range, Kingswood students have shown real application in their GCSE studies; they should be delighted with what they have accomplis hed. It is a reflection of both their commitment to their studies and their teachers’ dedication.”

Prize Giving 2008 The last full day of the School year is always a very busy, exciting and emotional day, and 5th July was no exception.

The Westwood Prize Giving began at 8.45am and, because Prize Winners are not told of their specific awards, anticipation was high as they took their seats! As always, the ceremony was extremely enjoyable for all; it included snapshots of entertainment from the year, including Rapunzel, and entertaining details of the sporting year read by the Senior sports captains. It was particularly gratifying to see the genuine applause from those in the audience who were not Prize Winners but, nevertheless, felt pleasure in seeing their friends’ formal recognition.

The Senior Prize Giving was, by its nature, a lengthier but nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable ceremony. Many students were commended for their efforts and many more were recognised for the high academic standards that they have achieved.

We were entertained by some exceptional music; Hannah Short performed a bassoon solo and Jeff Carpenter played his highly-rated composition for piano. The Sports Reports paid tribute to talent, determination and dedication, and the captains’ jokes were thoroughly appreciated by the senior audience! Our Prize Giving morning is a true snapshot of all that is good about Kingswood. Whilst we pay tribute to the superb effort made by many, as well as to those who have reached exceptional standards, our students also have the opportunity to remind the community of its very best sporting and creative activities. Well done indeed!

Mrs Sarah Dawson (Deputy Head Academic)

Westwood Prize Winners 2008

Senior Prize Winners 2008

"Our Prize Giving morning is a true snapshot of all that is good about Kingswood."

Kingswood in Focus 7

KS Department Feature

The Alexandria Link… …to the Mathematics Department at Kingswood School Each term I try to think up an assembly which somehow connects mathematics to our everyday world. Previous examples include 'How Pythagoras helped build Bath', charting Bladud’s time with the Pythagoreans, which is quite pertinent given the number of Bladud’s pigs found dotted around the city! Picking up on another Bath link, I have taken issue with Jane Austen’s opening line from 'Pride and Prejudice' during a school service asking the question, 'When is a truth universally acknowledged?' Also the success of the “Showing you’re Working” project has empowered me to incorporate the mathematical experiences of our former pupils whenever possible in the teaching and learning of our current students. Coincidentally, it just so happened that 6th March was National Book Day, and 5th March was World Maths Day, and so I thought it would be great if I could find a book which students would find enjoyable to read but also celebrated mathematics in some way.

During the Christmas vacation I began reading 'The Alexandria Link'

by Steve Berry, a Christmas present from my two children Isabella and Jake, although I suspect their mum had a hand in choosing it too!

I have long been a great fan of fictional adventure romps in search of some long forgotten treasure which has some grounding in reality, and I thought that when I opened the first page this book would be just like every other. However, by the end of Chapter 8 I had managed to “link” the book back to the Mathematics Department at Kingswood.

This article charts how I came about making this strange link, which subsequently became an assembly for the students at Kingswood.

The book charts a fictional search for books and parchments thought to be lost during the sacking of the Library of Alexandria. As an integral part of the plot, the main protagonists have to crack a series of codes and puzzles to eventually reach their goal. I won’t give too much away but suffice to say that, along the way, the focus of their attention turns to an enigmatic letter sequence found near the marble relief at Shugborough Hall, Staffordshire of a Poussin painting hanging in the Louvre entitled, 'Et in Arcadia ego'.

There are many references to Poussin’s work and his use of secret codes.

Indeed, in Chapter 3 of the fictional 'The Da Vinci Code', Dan Brown talks about the curator of the Louvre, Jacques Sauniere, whose death occurs at the beginning of the story: [Langdon] …could not but feel a deep sense of loss at the curator’s death. Despite Sauniere’s reputation for being reclusive, he was an easy man to revere. His books on the secret codes hidden in the paintings of Poussin were some of Langdon’s favourite classroom texts.

I do not intend to make a judgement on the subject matter contained in 'The Da Vinci Code' story line, but there is much evidence to suggest that many eminent individuals thought that Poussin placed certain images and messages inside his paintings. Indeed, according to Shugborough records, both Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens have tried to work out the curious message contained in this enigmatic marble inscription seen below.

In Chapter 8 of his book, Steve Berry described a scene at the fictional “Bainbridge Hall”: Two people flanked the administrator – a man and a woman, both elderly. He’d seen their pictures in ‘The Sunday Times’. Both were former Bletchley Park cryptanalysts, commissioned to weigh the possibilities and decipher whatever code the monument supposedly contained …….The elderly lady beside the curator stepped to the podium. She was silver-haired and wore a powder-blue suit. (pp44-45) Although the author used fictional “Bainbridge Hall”, it alludes to the same Shugborough inscription seen above and, indeed, in 2004 Shugborough had invited World War II codebreakers from Bletchley Park to have a look at the inscription. This was an event which enjoyed much press coverage, with articles in many of the national daily newspapers.

8 Kingswood in Focus

So Berry’s story was rooted in fact, but I wondered how much his story was actually based on the real life code breakers. The reason why this was important was that I had an inkling that I knew both “fictional” characters. Could they be who I thought they were? I did a little research and found this picture of the couple on the author’s website, complete with silver-haired lady in a powder-blue suit!

giving him a little background information on Oliver and Sheila.

Here is his response:

From: Steve Berry [mailto:writersteveberry2@yahoo.com] Sent: 02 March 2008 18:14 Subject: Re: Request Steve Berry Contact Good to hear from you. It’s pretty neat to hear the back-story on them.

During the research process, I read a few articles about them, and I was fortunate enough to find a picture. What you see in the book is my description of that picture with a few added details from the articles.

I was happy to give them an anonymous appearance, and I’m thrilled that they enjoyed the mention. Please give them my best, and thanks again for the email.

I thought this was an ideal way to link Mathematics and literature, especially as a (quasi-fictional) Kingswood Mathematician was integral to the storyline in the quest for the treasures of the lost Library of Alexandria. Also I hoped that it would encourage some of our current intrepid mathematicians to locate treasures within the fantastic new Library located in the Moulton Hall thanks to a generous legacy from J.O. Heap (1922-26)

Figure 7

"Their return to school was especially poignant for Oliver..." .

The couple in question are Oliver Lawn, (KS1930-37) former Middle House man, and his wife Sheila. Oliver was a Cambridge Mathematics scholar who was recruited to work alongside Alan Turing cracking the Enigma code at Bletchley Park. They had kindly agreed to return to Kingswood to officially open the new Mathematics Department, and I was fortunate enough to spend a wonderful evening in their company at the Lansdown Grove Hotel. During the meal, they regaled John Lewis and me with tales of their time at Bletchley as if it were only yesterday.

Their return to school was especially poignant for Oliver as the new Mathematics Department is now sited in the centre of the Main School building and contains the former Middle House dormitory. Indeed, in one of the “new” classrooms he kindly showed us where his bed would have been situated and, sharp as ever, he quipped that he hoped that none of the students slept at the desk which now resides there!

SHOWING YOU’RE WORKING

Once I realised their anonymous involvement in Berry’s book, I telephoned Oliver and Sheila, and chatted to them about 'The Alexandria Link'. They were both thrilled to learn of their fictional literary debut, and I thought it would be nice to contact the author,

With best wishes,

I have had a great response last year from former students of Kingswood regarding this project, but if there are other ex-Kingswood pupils, or indeed parents who have used or now use mathematics in your daily lives, I would love to hear from you.

I have a booklet of thirty responses from former students, but would love to hear from more of you. If you wouldn’t mind answering a few questions via email, please contact me.

Also if you would like a booklet of the former students to find out what old school friends have been doing, then please get in touch and I will send you a pdf file, or paper copy.

Mr Garrod Musto (Head of Mathematics) Email: gjm@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

Kingswood in Focus 9

KPS Department Feature

Year 1 Pupil

Miss S Caden with Reception Pupil

Year 2 Pupil

Interactive Whiteboards at Kingswood Prep Interactive Whiteboard technology has become increasingly widespread in education.

The technology comprises three main pieces of equipment: a computer connected to a projector and a touch-sensitive whiteboard.

The computer screen image is projected onto the whiteboard, from which an electronic ‘pen’ allows the computer to be controlled.

IWB technology has become such a popular resource in education as it ultimately enhances teaching and children’s learning.

The resources are multi-sensory and so help make children’s learning more effective. Whether the children prefer to learn by doing, seeing or listening, the teacher has the option of utilising the most appropriate technology and resource to achieve the learning objective.

There has been a rolling programme of installations over the last couple of years so that every classroom now has the latest technology. We were very fortunate that the programme was accelerated with the help of the Ernest Cook Trust. The IWB’s have been greeted with much enthusiasm by the staff and pupils in the Pre-Prep and Prep departments. Thanks to forward planning by the ‘ICT team’ in both the Prep and Senior Schools it hasn’t just been about projectors and whiteboards but also a whole multimedia set up including DVD/Video players and complete surround sound system in all classes. Staff have been trained on the basic tools of the IWB’s and we are constantly updating our interactive resources.

We have recently subscribed to ‘Espresso Primary’. Espresso Primary is a massive library of cross-curricular digital resources (originally created by the editor of Blue Peter) and it is for use in the classroom throughout KPS. Updated news items such as videos on earthquakes presented in a child-friendly way are available within days of the event.

This resource is being used extensively by all classes.

"...at KPS we have installed three different types of Interactive Whiteboards."

There are various kinds of Interactive Whiteboards available. At KPS we have installed three different types – the ‘Smartboard’, the ‘RM Classboard’ and a ‘new technology’, short-throw projector and e-beam system from NEC which allow ordinary classroom whiteboards to be used interactively. The ‘Smartboard’ and ‘RM Classboard’ systems are installed in Pre-Prep and Pegasus and use the standard electronic ‘pen’. Installing IWB’s in Summerhill was more of a challenge as it is a Grade 1 listed building with a number of ornamental ceilings which preclude the use of a standard ceiling mounted projector.

The solution was to mount a short-throw projector above the board and use the e-beam system. This system makes use of a special indicator pen which effectively turns the ordinary whiteboard in each classroom into an interactive one. This meant that the listed building status would not be compromised.

10 Kingswood in Focus

The real proof of the pudding is, of course, in the eating. Have the Interactive Whiteboards and the associated technology made a difference? Have our pupils benefited? Before we answer that question I believe it is important to put the new technology into perspective.

At KPS we do not believe that we should abandon successful traditional methods of teaching. We view the new technology as a way to enhance the excellent practice that already exists.

Having discussed with staff and pupils on a formal and informal basis the overwhelming opinion is that the IWB seems to make learning more enjoyable and interesting. It seems easier to interest pupils by using IWB – based lessons as they are multi-sensory and suited to varied learning styles. Many staff feel that the new technology helps them to give the children more effective explanations.

The teachers emphasise that the IWB enables them to provide more vivid illustrations and better explanations by using the electronic pen to annotate images or symbols. It seems that the IWBs could also help to improve learning outcomes and learners’ motivation – the interactivity helps students to grasp ideas and concepts more easily – and that this in turn may be assumed to have a positive impact on their motivation to learn. All children enjoy watching demonstrations on the IWB, most enjoy coming out to use the boards interactively and those who are a little unsure are gaining in confidence all the time.

From my own point of view, as a specialist ICT teacher, the IWB offers an easy and effective means of demonstrating whole-class software, with the additional benefit of being able to annotate the screens being displayed. In some lessons, students are seated at PCs and follow technical instructions as they are given; in other lessons the younger pupils may sit together in a group and follow demonstrations and then move to their PCs. In either case, this is a significant practical improvement on asking large groups of pupils to gather around a single PC, since it eliminates disruption associated with movement around the classroom, improves visibility for the students and reduces time spent in repeating explanations to individuals or writing out procedural instructions on a traditional board.

The Pre-Prep classes have also gained by the creation of their own ICT suite in the main building. This means that they no longer have to negotiate the stairs in Summerhill to the main suite. Instead I go to them. We begin teaching ICT to our Reception classes when the children are four years old.

Below are a small sample of comments made by staff and pupils at Kingswood Prep about our new resources.

“IWBs have enhanced the teaching of French at KPS. Many resources are available to help bring the language to life and make even grammar fun!

The pupils thoroughly enjoy watching the videos on Espresso where they can see the French children speaking the language in various environments and experience the French way of life and culture.” I.T. (Teacher)

Well Done...

Congratulations to the following children who took their first LAMDA acting examinations last term:

GRADE ONE SOLO ACTING Meg Alcott

Pass

Lottie Biggs

Pass

Natalie Carruthers

Distinction

Esmee Charley

Distinction

Nick Harris

Distinction

Abigail Jeffery

Pass

Rhiannon Osborne

Merit

Niamh O’Sullivan

Distinction

Agnes Sadler

Merit

Lorna Wheatley

Merit

Congratulations are also due to Florence, who took her first LAMDA mime examination:

GRADE ONE SOLO MIME Florence O’Connor

Distinction

Thank you all for your hard work. Bravo!

Mrs McGlynn

“It makes English easier because we can change mistakes by using the ‘magic pen’. It is also good for showing us pictures.” EA (Year 5 Pupil) “It is better for watching history DVDs than trying to watch them on a small TV.” AD (Year 5 Pupil) “We are absolutely delighted. It has helped make teaching fun and the children really love their phonics and handwriting work with it.” SC (Reception Teacher) “It has made things better because it makes learning more fun. I love the maths games!” NC (Year 5 Pupil) “What a fantastic resource! It makes lessons more visually stimulating.” MD (Teacher) “They’re cool because we can move things around on the board by using our fingers.” CB (Year 2 Pupil) “Having used the IWB on a daily basis I couldn’t be without it. It opens up a whole new world of interactive resources which the children really enjoy using.”

SH (Teacher)

We are all very pleased with the impact that the IWBs and associated technology has had at KPS. The progress that has already been made will be enhanced with further training and experience which will benefit the already excellent teaching and learning that is happening at the school. Our ever changing world is a technologically challenging place and at KPS we provide our pupils with the confidence, ability and attitude in order for them to thrive in such an environment.

MUSIC EXAM RESULTS SUMMER 2008 Grace Curtis

Violin Grade 2

Olivia Harris

Violin Grade 3

Sophie McDermott

Violin Grade 3

Rhiannon Osborne

Violin Grade 3

Nathan Gregg

Piano Prep Test

Anais Osborne

Piano Prep Test

Niamh O’Sullivan

Saxophone Grade 1

Ben Richardson

Piano Grade 5

Susanna Sealy

Singing Grade 2

Mr Mike Callahan (Head of ICT at KPS) Kingswood in Focus 11

Malawi Visit

Malawi: A Life-Changing Experience Writing this reminds me of every reason why Becky Bottle and I sat on the front porch at Nkhotakota, inconsolable, because we had to leave behind a country that for three weeks was a step sideways out of our world into one which inhabits our television screens and newspapers because of its poverty, corrupt governments and spread of HIV AIDS. Malawi cannot be done justice with any of the old clichés: ‘once-in-a-lifetime’, ‘life-changing experience’. It was so much more.

In the airport at Lilongwe with its single shop, five of our bags went missing, lost in the change-over at Nairobi. Still, it made more space in the bus as we bumped south over the potholes for six hours to reach, Blantyre, where we stayed in the boarding accommodation at St Andrew's International Primary School. Sustained by innumerable home-made pasties and bowls of guava fruit salad, we worked on the nearby local school which had been set up after five school-children were run over crossing the main road on their way to a school many miles away. The first day we escaped without having to lift a finger after a fantastic welcome ceremony with all the village elders, our shy rendition of “Down in the river” put to shame by their powerful singing voices and energetic dancing.

We attempted to “shake our booties” in a similar fashion which provoked great amusement and a lesson from some of the women who placed hands on our stubborn hips and tried to show us how it was done!

We divided our time between the school and Open Arms, visiting the children after we had cleaned ourselves up. While difficult to pick highlights, time spent with the children, who were constantly smiling and eternally well-behaved, was so enjoyable that everyone was subdued the day we had to leave for Liwonde National Park.

Having beaten the locals at netball (we won’t mention the football) we came, via Mount Mulanji where there had been some interesting booking arrangements, to Liwonde where, despite Mr Burgon’s disappointment at the lack of rhino, the game drives and boat safaris contributed yet another dimension to a trip of such contrasts. We’d reached the ‘peak’ of Mulanji in under five hours, the quickest yet, but this was still put to shame by the runners participating in the annual porters’ race who were running back down as we climbed up although we’d left at the same time, together with Alfred, whose pace was unhampered by the weight of Mr Burgon’s squeezebox on his head!

"Malawi was empowering... living proof of the difference one man can make..."

The second day was like showering in dust to the extent that everyone earned an instant tan, until you rubbed one finger through it and the dirt came away. Temperamental showers at St Andrew's did little to help, though perversely it was not a lack of hot water that was the problem.

Some perfected a way of pressing themselves against the wall of the cubicle and splashing the scalding water onto their bodies; others just washed less.

In recognition of our help, Mr Makokezi, the school’s head, christened the school Kingswood in our honour and by the time we left it had a sign complete with a crest and the school’s motto translated into English, while for ourselves we took away clothing spattered with the best quality Malawian lime!

12 Kingswood in Focus

Open Arms 2 on the lakeshore, where we travelled to next, entailed much of the same work as at the school, namely anything that involved bricks: moving them, breaking them, dumping them. However, struck down by illness that caused even Pew to lose his appetite (!), our team was depleted and only maintained by Sherry’s fantastic cooking, for those of us still managing to keep food down.

We were treated to traditional Malawian masked entertainment at the lakeshore as well as Sherry’s own personal account of her flight from Zimbabwe during apartheid. Experiences such as this and meeting the children at the feeding station set up by Danger, one of the rangers at Liwonde, were chance moments that added immensely to an already life-changing trip.

The ‘invalids’ coped with illness remarkably well, facing up to it without complaining in a manner that was more Malawian than English. In fact, the group was a fantastic mix, whose diversity allowed us to spark off one another. Bonded by the traumatic loss of baggage, clothes were shared amongst ourselves, with Mrs Opie ending up with a splendid pair of fluorescent trousers and Mr Opie in the hated paraphernalia of Manchester United! Everyone got stuck into work while still retaining energy for physical sports, remarkable considering that some of the girls

can’t even find energy for sport in this country! The group in fact was one of the chief reasons Malawi was so enjoyable with our rendition of The Quartermaster’s Store becoming a cult classic for anyone with the gusto to sing 45 stanzas, lasting eleven minutes. (No, I don’t know how we did it either!) The strong bonds forged on the trip will doubtless be lasting and it was heartening to see everyone commit so much when the newspapers tell us of the self-centredness of our generation and our lack of concern over two of the key issues stalking our world: poverty and global warming.

At the lakeshore, we supplemented our archive of songs with a Malawian song of greeting taught us by Ennifer to complement our accomplished rendition of Telephone to Jesus which was somehow not the same without the Open Arms infants to sing along with. Between afternoon games of beach volleyball and trading shoes for merchandise, we did actually manage to clear the front of Open Arms 2 despite being threatened by a ‘black mamba’ in the process. (If Mr Opie spotted snakes as well as birds, we might have known sooner there was no cause to panic!)

A visit to Malawi Children’s Village brought us into contact with Mr Suwali whose dedication and magnificent achievements were an inspiration to us all as we settled into reflective mood surrounded by the earthly paradise that is Mumbo Island. One day was certainly not enough, though we packed in swimming, snorkelling and kayaking as well as buying out the gift shop.

…which brought us finally to Nkhotakota where Mrs Jenner maintained her fantastic reputation as a painter of teapots and other ceramics while, during working hours, we supplemented our list of ‘things I can do with a brick’ by learning how to make them, that is, in addition to as laying them, turning them out, breaking them (less) etc. For those who managed to rouse themselves for sunrise, swimming while the sun came up was another personal highlight in a trip so full of them I can barely pick highlights. For the less awake (Immie, Naomi!) the sunsets were often equally fantastic, falling down to herald the end of another beach volleyball contest or a rugby game where the winning team was the one that had Mr Opie on it!

Just as with Sherry and Danger, in another of those moments which made the trip incredibly personal and memorable because of the little things we hadn’t planned, not just because of the big things we had, the six of us who watched the sunset from Georgina’s house and met the lady herself who has lost nine of her ten siblings to AIDS found her story truly sobering. What impressed us was her fortitude, her steady joy and her incredible proximity to that disease which belongs on our news screens where it cannot threaten us.

Whatever I write cannot do Malawi justice. Experiences we cannot describe remind us of our own insignificance in a world populated by 6.692 billion people. But Malawi was not about feeling smaller or more powerless. It was empowering because people like Neville and Mr Suwali were living proof of the difference one man can make if he wants to affect change enough.

Experiences like Malawi feed that desire.

Helen Olley

Kingswood in Focus 13

Fundraising

Race For Life On 2nd of June, members of Mrs Brett’s School House tutor group (plus a few stragglers who felt like joining in the fun!) lined up at the start line of this year’s Race for Life. It was weeks before when we decided that we were going to run/walk/crawl along the 5K route, and, thanks to Mrs Brett, it was all organised well in advance of the event.

In the weeks running up to the race, each of us kept our sponsorship forms close, pouncing on anyone we vaguely recognised, whether it was in the middle of Sainsbury’s or at a family party with relatives. I’m glad to say that our puppy eyed faces and guilt-tripping persuasion worked to our advantage as we managed to raise a whopping £1,000 between us.

However, as half term lured us away from school, our thoughts were turned to making the most of the rare English sunshine, and catching up on sleep, pushing all thoughts of the daunting 5K run to the back of our minds.

The day of the race loomed ever closer, and as I was awoken by my alarm on the last Sunday I felt a familiar feeling of dread creep into my stomach. As I ate my energy filled breakfast I wished that I had filled my days with at least one run, instead of the fourth packet of crisps in front of the television. Despite the fact that the event was all for charity, I knew that it wasn’t just me who wanted to do well, and my competitive streak constantly reminded me of this. However, my self-doubt vanished as I reached the meeting point and saw the rest of the group

"We raised a whopping £1,000 between us." smothering themselves in pink paint. Half an hour later, after numerous photos, countless trips to the porta-loos, a helium balloon each and an energetic warm-up (which some of us enjoyed more than others) we were told to line up at the start.

Thanks to some sneaky tactics from Paige Flook, we found ourselves all relatively close to the front and this helped us tremendously throughout the rest of the race. Cheered on by the crowds that had gathered to watch us suffer, we all completed the race, despite our lack of training. It wasn’t too difficult, and everyone in our group managed to finish in the top 100. Polly Gates did outstandingly well, coming in 8th place, with myself following in 15th. Paige Flook, Kate BennettBrown, Olivia Hoccom and Mrs Brett also did very well, all coming in the top 40 out of the thousands that were taking part. It was exhilarating to have finally finished it and everyone particularly liked the goody bags and medals that were handed to us as we crossed the finishing line.

It was an event that I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in, despite my nerves, as it had a great atmosphere and represented a cause that everyone supported. Hopefully we will take part in it again next year. Well done to everyone else who took part in the event, including the non-teaching staff.

Emily Clarke

Summerhill Ice Cream Week

During one of the isolated sunny spots this summer the crowds flocked to the Dixon Lawn to reach the Summerhill Ice Cream stand. After Nichola Jones visited Kingswood earlier this year Summerhill decided to make ‘The Four Homes of Mercy’ in Bethlehem our chosen charity as she gave a particularly moving assembly on the work of the ‘Four Homes’, which cares for 88 adults and children with varying degrees of disability. Apart from the desperate need the Home has for financial aid, it is also caught up in the political situation which exacerbates their plight.

Every lunchtime for a week we sold pots of Marshfield ice cream in a variety of flavours, with the most popular being Clotted Cream; however Blackberry Beauty and Toffee Fudge Fiasco were other sell-out flavours. We are indebted to Dawn and Will Hawking from Marshfield Farm for allowing us to sell the ice cream at the very reasonable price of £1 whilst still making money and in total we raised over £1,000 for our charity. This was a fantastic effort so a big thank you to everyone who ate so generously and keep your eyes out for our Hot Chocolate stand coming to Kingswood Quad later this term!

Annie West & Laura Stockley 14 Kingswood in Focus

Art

April Kwok Y11

Charlotte Kraus Y11

Naomi Stella Y11

Harriet Ghaui Y11

Kingswood in Focus 15

Fay Li Y13

Max Mulvany Y13

Zoe Richards Y13

Nina Fini Y11

Chantal Raper Y13

Charlotte Hecquet Y11

16 Kingswood in Focus

Max Mulvany Y13

Kingswood in Focus 17

Performing Arts

Rapunzel...

Collaboration – Kingswood Style!

The Golden Gate Bridge

Rap Rehearsal

Those lucky enough to have experienced a KATS (Kingswood Artistically Talented) ceremony will appreciate the wealth of artistic talent that Kingswood nurtures.

Although KATS are awarded only to students in Years 11 – 13, the seeds of artistic success are sown much lower down the school – and this is where tomorrow’s KATS nominees and winners can be found.

‘Study leave’ for students in Years 11 – 13 is most eagerly anticipated, not by the older pupils, but by their younger counterparts – because they know that when study leave begins, rehearsals for the junior production can start!

to produce a fully functioning ‘eye bush’ while the Art Department gamely tackled a ‘wild pig’ – also fully functioning!

Over 150 pupils were involved in some way in ‘Rapunzel’, the majority on stage (either acting, singing or playing) but, as always, a number were behind the scenes – unsung heroes of the Art and Design Departments; not forgetting our technical team – this year given a new lease of life by our outstanding new Theatre Technician, Mr Neil Francis. Under his guidance pupils can develop an interest in lighting, sound or even stage management – at Kingswood we are keen to involve pupils in every stage of the creative and performance process.

"‘Rapunzel’ was always going to be a challenging project..."

The worst thing about writing these articles is deciding who to mention – they all deserve credit. Of course, it is impossible to name everyone without taking up far too much space on these pages.

If you want a true feel of the scale of involvement then, when you come to a performance, pick up a programme – now being professionally designed and printed, which should include all those who have been involved.

Throughout the year, lessons are only the tip of the iceberg for the practical creative departments (Art, Drama, Design and Technology and Music). Lunchtimes and activities times, as well as evening prep times, are all used to run various clubs and rehearsals involving a large number of children from across the school. The results of these extra-curricular efforts can always be seen in productions, concerts, exhibitions and displays.

‘Rapunzel’ was always going to be a challenging project with an array of unusual props and technical problems to be solved. To their credit the DT Department did not bat an eye (excuse the pun!) when asked 18 Kingswood in Focus

Those who saw Rapunzel will have enjoyed the superb performances and will have their own favourite characters or musical moments, so forgive me because, this time, I am choosing not to talk about them. Instead I am going to mention the unseen – including Michael Kenny and Sam Bean who were stalwarts from the DT Department, helping the staff there to design, create and mend, where necessary, that wonderful eye bush; Max Mulvany who, despite taking his A Levels at the same time, produced some spectacular drawings of Sam Harman and that wild pig; the junior members of Miss Cooper’s Textile Club who spent weeks making butterflies on sticks; Georgina Burgess who, in her début as stage manager, ran the show; and Joe Davey,

Rapunzel (Pippa Wilson) with Pig

Ambrosi (Oscar Batterham) jumps Shark Fantini (Sam Elliott)

Sam Harman & Emily Clarke decide what to do next

Chris Robinson and Alex Killpartrick who helped with the technical side. Please believe me when I say that, even if I don’t mention someone, they have all contributed to the enjoyment and success of this wonderful production.

To the cast – actors, musicians and singers – let me just say a big ‘Thank you’. I might not have mentioned you here but we all know who you were. You were all fabulous and worked, as we had hoped you would, truly collaboratively.

Rehearsals

This year will be the 6th Annual KATS awards and some of the pupils involved in Rapunzel will, for the first time, be eligible for nomination. Although it will be some time yet until all those involved will be old enough to take part, from what we saw in June 2008, the future of KATS is very safe.

Ms Kate Keen (Drama Department)

"To the cast... you were all fabulous and worked truly collaboratively."

Kingswood in Focus 19

Rapunzel...

When the performance just isn’t enough!

To date we have raised about £400 for the charity Hope and Homes for Children from sales of the CDs. CDs are still available from the Music Department priced £5.

It’s difficult enough putting on a musical production. It’s even more difficult to find musicals and musical plays with scores that are challenging yet manageable for pupils to play. It’s even even more difficult to find time to write one’s own music. But, at Kingswood, frankly, even this challenge is not enough. Miss Zylinski, Mr Knights and I set ourselves the challenge of writing seven songs and incidental music for Rapunzel over the last two weeks before the Easter holidays.

When we returned and started the first rehearsal, it was obvious that our Year 8 − 10 musicians were going to be fantastic! They learned the music within the first couple of weeks of the Summer Term. What to do next? Obvious, record the songs in advance of the production.

I have never had the pleasure of working with music pupils who have managed not only to perform music at the gig, but record it in advance.

Just to put this into perspective, each 3 minute song had about 13 instruments and voices on it. Therefore, each track contained about 40 minutes of music, so seven tracks of music meant the daunting task of 280 minutes of recording time……that’s if everyone got it right first time! I love working in the studio, capturing memorable moments that will mean a lot to so many people. Every pupil who recorded was

20 Kingswood in Focus

utterly professional, always striving to make a good “take”, listening back intently to what they had recorded, then quickly analysing problems and finding practical solutions to overcome these.

We started with the drums. Harry Rouse and Matthew James had the unenviable task of recording their parts with no other instruments playing, just a click in the headphones and the tune in their heads. From there, the other instruments were layered on top, and the experience of hearing music growing in front of one’s ears is something I will never tire of. We then spent about 8 hours editing and mixing all of the “takes”, and finally Rapunzel – the Original Cast Soundtrack was born.

As I said at the start, it’s a great achievement to put on a show. But to be selling the CD recording of the original cast and band on the first night is an achievement that all of the Music Staff will count amongst their proudest moments at Kingswood – I know I will. Thank you to all of the pupils for their professionalism and patience. Thank you to Miss Zylinski and Mr Knights for their great tunes and humour, and thank you to all of you who bought a CD.

Mr Richard Mainwaring (Director of Music)

Oldfield Friendly Club Trip On Thursday 22nd May, the Year 9 Core Musicians (together with Miss Zylinski and Mr Knights) travelled to Oldfield Friendly Club in Oldfield Park, Bath, to perform there in a concert.

Peri Profile – Voice Lucy Sealy We currently have 21 instrumental and vocal teachers who gives around 300 lessons every week.

The wealth of musical talent and experience between them is quite staggering and we are indebted to them for making the Music Department such a wonderfully exciting, stimulating and fun place to work in. In every KIF, we profile one of our staff.

Lucy has always enjoyed singing but it was not until early adulthood and working at The English National Opera that she realized just how much. She began taking lessons in singing and drama, joined several London choirs, participated in workshops, soaked up every opera in the season and sang for weddings and took solos at local concerts.

Her desire to improve her musicianship and make up for lost time encouraged her towards taking a BA (Hons) in Music and English.

She then met her mentor and vocal coach, Mollie Petrie, with whom she continues to study.

"Lucy has found teaching incredibly rewarding..."

The pupils performed solo and ensemble pieces in a wide range of musical styles, including pop, jazz rock and classical.

The concert opened with Lauren Kelly, Olivia Dellow, Amy Greene and Jess Bishay singing an uplifting close harmony version of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ from Les Misérables.

Later, Charles Price, Charles Caddick and Katy Yates played in an elegant brass trio arrangement of Beethoven’s Ode To Joy (theme) with Mr Knights on piano, which was followed

by Charles Price performing the lively Mexican Hat Dance on trumpet, accompanied by Miss Zylinski on piano. We were also treated to a sophisticated original composition for clarinet

by Theo Bertrand-Price, as well as a polished performance of a Guns ‘n’ Roses number by Max Thulin, Miles Taylor and Charles Caddick, which had the audience clapping and tapping their feet.

"This was a very successful and rewarding concert."

Myfanwy Hollywell continued the concert in a popular vein with Stranger on the Shore accompanied by Mr Knights, and the afternoon was polished off with a whole class performance of Amazing Grace, during which the audience were able to join in. After the concert, pupils enjoyed spending time chatting with the audience over refreshments, and the Club is looking forward to having us again in the future. This was a very successful and rewarding concert. I would like to thank Mr Knights and in particular Miss Zylinski for preparing this excellent concert.

Lucy has sung a wide repertoire featuring Italian aria antiche, German Lieder, French chanson, English and American song as well as the lighter repertoire of composers such as Porter, Novello, Sondheim and Weill. Her operatic roles have included The Queen of the Night and she continues to be a frequent soloist at weddings (and memorials) in venues such as Christ Church, Oxford, St Paul’s Cathedral, Bath Abbey and Sherborne Abbey. She performs regularly with her sister’s string quartet – Ensemble Champagne – and since marrying her husband, Bath Abbey organist and Kingswood stalwart, Marcus Sealy, has enjoyed numerous concerts, recitals and private functions with Marcus accompanying on the piano or organ, including charity evenings of poetry and song with Jean Crowther. Lucy and Marcus’ recent lunchtime recital in Bath Abbey received a standing ovation.

She began teaching while pregnant with her now 9 year old daughter, Susanna, taking over some pupils to help out a friend and soon caught the bug. She is a member of the Association of Teachers of Singing, teaches locally at The Royal High School, Kingswood Prep and Senior School and has a private practice in which she teaches adults.

Lucy has found teaching incredibly rewarding and firmly believes that it is possible for anyone to improve their vocal output! And as if this were not enough, Lucy has a Certificate of Residential Estate Agency through the College of Estate Management, Reading University and also a PA Diploma!

Kingswood in Focus 21

KATS Awards '08 An unusually warm Saturday evening saw the fifth annual KATS Awards held at Kingswood Theatre.

Kingswood School is proud to celebrate its pupils’ creative achievements, and the event, hosted by Art, Design Technology, Drama and Music was a roaring success. Bedecked in their finest black tie outfits, 130 GCSE and A Level students from the four disciplines started the evening with al fresco drinks followed by a walk down the red carpet into the Theatre where dinner was served as an overture to the main awards ceremony.

This year’s KATS was hosted by Miss Alex Buller and Mr Peter MacDonald.

Their charm and humour won over the students, staff and honoured guests, including this year’s guest speaker, professional actor Chris Harris.

His speech was inspirational with a great mix of idealism and practical advice, and he finished with a most entertaining song which included animal noises and raspberries provided by the audience!

The awards then followed with a range of winners picked from an amazing array of incredibly talented nominees. The gold envelopes were opened, names were called, and the music and lights burst into action as each winner came up to receive their award to the genuine appreciative applause of the whole audience.

Sandwiched between each of the 'Kategories' was a small showcase for some of Kingswood’s best: Jeff Carpenter’s Feed the Birds rendition was truly memorable; Max Mulvany’s film Not Now Bernard showed how students are working imaginatively at the cutting edge of technology; Charlie O’Connor, Alex Clarke, Elliot Haines and Charlie Harman performed a hilarious mime entitled Catch That Fly; and Megan Adams more than proved her position as Head Chorister with an outstanding sultry version of Fever.

Though there were winners, paradoxically, the evening is not a competition.

After the euphoria of the nominees and the pride of the winners as they received their specially commissioned KAT sculptures (many thanks to Artist in Residence Kimberley Appleyard), perhaps the one thought that everyone departed with is just how exciting and vibrant creativity can be at Kingswood.

Here’s to KATS ’09!!!!

22 Kingswood in Focus

This year’s winners were: Best Painter: Manic Mechanic: Best Performance in a Production: Best Sixth form Composition: Best Mixed Media/Sculpture: Perfect Product: Best Performance in an Assessed Piece: Best Sixth Form Performance: GCSE Artist: Top CAD: Most Valuable Contribution to Drama: GCSE Composition:

Max Mulvany April Kwok John Rawlins Jeff Carpenter Zoe Richards Alix Floyd Abigail Stogdale Becky Reed Nina Fini Uchenna Ojukwu Alastair Begley Ralph Eliot

Artists’ Artist: Designers’ Designer: Actors’ Actor: Musos’ Muso:

April Kwok Harry Mitchell Charlie O’Connor Jeff Carpenter

"...how exciting & vibrant creativity can be at Kingswood."

Maxim Vengerov’s Masterclass A chance to see Maxim Vengerov… reputedly the greatest living violinist?

I think so! We discovered that the giant of the violin world (who apparently earned about £20,000 per recital!) was giving a masterclass at Cardiff’s Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. So, Kingswood’s best string players boarded a minibus and headed to the Land of Song to hear Vengerov give away all of his secrets. He entered the stage to rapturous applause from the large collection of violinists who had come from all over Wales and the South West to hear his pearls of wisdom. What was perhaps unexpected, though, was the standard of the young performers who played for him. They were amazing!

He talked through some of his techniques, whistled and sang at them, told some stories, and whistled and sang a bit more. Owing to a shoulder injury Maxim had already retired, but just to be in the room with someone who was playing professional concerts within a few years of starting the violin (at the age of 5), was more than enough. I’m not sure whether we all left inspired or thought it pointless to carry on due to the amazing performances we witnessed…….

I think we’ll all keep going, though!

Yuki Inoue Kingswood in Focus 23

Music from the Four Corners EuroDisney, Paris July 2008 On Monday 7th July, Kingswood musicians of all ages, from Years 7 to… (well, how old is Mr Mainwaring?), departed on a 12-hour coach journey to the European home of Mickey Mouse. Even with an early start the younger ones were determined to show their high levels of excitement. The journey was definitely one not to remember with waves crashing over the bow of the ferry and many of us feeling worse for wear. Indeed, the bus driver was very proud to admit it was the worst ferry crossing he had been on!

Upon arrival the group was met by our tour guide, who helped us to our rooms and gave us a briefing for the next day. After hearing about the park and magic kingdom of a million rides, many thought the next day couldn’t come soon enough.

"...the back-stage crew at EuroDisney were extremely complimentary about our ability and professionalism."

After a hearty French breakfast of croissants, tea, coffee, cereal, fruit, croissants, tea, coffee, cereal …..(I can’t resist French breakfasts!), we arrived at the park in the morning and unpacked the coach in preparation for the evening performance. Luckily Disney Events Managers were providing a lot of the heavy gear, so we only had three full boxes of equipment (!). With instruments in hand we entered the park via the back entrance – a very interesting experience as it seemed as if we going to a small industrial unit! We arrived at our meeting point and the heavens opened; it seemed like a load of drowned rats were charging around the park getting on as many rides as possible. Mr Knights and Miss Cooper claimed to have gone on the most rides that day, but secretly most of these were on ‘It’s a Small World’! With a fast pass for the rollercoasters in one hand and a Goofy hat in the other, everybody had a great time and the clouds cleared to reveal blue sky (remember that?). However, had we enough energy to go on to perform?

Although there were a few panics about the uniform, I am pleased to say we did. Even with only 6 hours of rehearsal, Kingswood students once again pulled it off and this can only prove that the school has great depth and talent within the Music Department.

Our programme of British and Irish folk music entitled 'Music From the Four Corners' featured instrumental performances from the whole band as well as solo singers. These were Phil Wang, Megan Adams, Hannah Short and Hannah Bishay, and the set was finished off in real style with Theo Boyce singing a Euro-Disco inspired Sospan Fach. All the back-stage crew at EuroDisney were extremely complimentary about the ability and professionalism of Kingswood students.

All in all the trip was a resounding success, although tinted with a hint of sadness at the thought of some of our best Kingswood musicians leaving. However, rest assured, the lower school showed their growing potential and don’t worry, there’s still plenty more to come.

Tom Ireland (Year 13)

Club Ha! Ha! It was the last time that Henry Heffer and Jeff Carpenter would grace a stage in the Kingswood Theatre.

These two stalwarts of numerous public performances came together with Jesse Banovic, Katy Phillips, Charlie O’Connor, Oscar Batterham and Sam Elliott to perform in ‘Exit Stage Right’ on the final Wednesday in May. For the first time ever Club Ha! Ha! moved into the Theatre so that we could accommodate the ever increasing audience.

Nearly 200 people sat in the Theatre to laugh at the comic talent and they were not disappointed, for laugh they did! Making people laugh (for the right reasons!) is a skill and these performers have the ability to do it.

"...the audience were not disappointed, for laugh they did!"

We heard foreign translations and folk songs, saw parents chastising their wayward children and witnessed umpteen bizarre physical positions all in the name of comedy. We were also treated to some excellent stand-up comedy from Hattie Richardson, Jeff and Charlie and sadly, also for the last time, Philip Wang who performed some of his greatest hits!

Whilst we bid a fond farewell to some of the talented comedians, the good news is that there are plenty more chomping at the bit, and the future of Exit Stage Right and comedy at Kingswood are in very safe hands with the likes of O’Connor, Elliott, Batterham and Phillips. So here’s to the next one – keep your eyes on the calendar.

Mr Darrell Harding (Head of Theatre Studies) Kingswood in Focus 25

Eco-Schools

During the last few years it has been widely acknowledged at Kingswood that the Catering Staff have changed the food for the better.

Our Dedicated Catering Staff We went to interview Ms Sharon Traylor, the Catering Manager during April, 2008, to ask her a few questions about the improvements that have taken place and were very interested to learn about all they are doing in terms of sustainability.

First we discussed food miles and learnt how the catering staff try their hardest to buy locally whenever possible. Two years ago the school was with Sodexo, a large external catering company which sourced their food irrespective of its geographical location. Today, things have changed with over 50% of our food being locally sourced. For example, they now buy cheese and yoghurts from the Bath District Farmers, and fruit and vegetables from a company in Melksham. They also get the bread from Bath Bakery on Chelsea Road.

We asked the Catering Department about recycling and the disposal of food waste. They recycle all glass, paper, tins and cardboard boxes and they use the cardboard compacter which is also used by the Maintenance Department staff. At the moment all food is churned up.

This is going to stay the same unless they can find any alternatives.

However the catering staff are trying to come up with a better system. “We really want to minimise the impact of our food waste,� says Ms Traylor. The Catering Department have looked into buying a special composter that turns leftovers into compost which we could then use on our school grounds. Unfortunately, at the moment this is not financially possible. Our Eco-Schools committee is planning our next campaign which will be to work with the Catering Department to help further reduce food waste and get it to a minimum.

"Not only does our food taste better and is fresher, but it is obtained with concern for the cost to the environment."

As many students at Kingswood School already know, there is a map outside the Servery in the Dining Hall, that shows us where most of the food comes from. (See photo above.) From this we can see that the majority is bought within a 21 km radius.

The next step for our food at Kingswood is to buy milk directly from the Bath District Farmers which is a new organisation of local farmers. At present these foods have to be bought from a national company. Unfortunately, because of the great variety concerned, it is difficult to buy from one national company and that does mean that we have to have more than one journey made to bring the food to school. The Catering Department are looking into changing this so as to minimise our food miles and thus our carbon emissions.

We asked Ms Traylor about the amount of organic food we eat. She told us that they try and serve organic, local meat such as lamb and salmon when it is financially feasible and that we do have organic yoghurts on a regular basis.

26 Kingswood in Focus

Finally, we asked about fair trade food. At school they provide fair trade tea, coffee, sugar sticks and healthy snacks.

Our Catering Department have hardly any involvement with other schools at present.

However, Ms Traylor told us she would be happy for us to pass her email address on to them which is st@kingswood.bath.sch.uk and we invite any schools to email her with any questions they might have.

We left the interview really encouraged by this example which shows the many benefits that can be gained by taking sustainability into consideration. Not only does our food taste better and is fresher, but it is obtained with concern for the cost to the environment. Also, it is clear that our Catering Department is looking to see where we can improve all the time. We would like to thank them for all their hard work.

Laura Clarke, Emma Gordon, Emma Davey, Hannah Robinson and Emily Souter (Year 10)

Kingswood’s Sustainable Development Committee On 16th May 2008 Kingswood School took its next big step towards sustainability.

Representatives from every area of the school community came together to form the Sustainable Development Committee to discuss the future of our school.

In its first four years Eco-Schools has made impressive progress in influencing attitudes and showing what the student community can do.

However, to really make a difference through long term change we must be led from the top with support from every area of the school community.

Hence the need for this Committee in which all the stakeholders are represented: the Headmaster, governors, parents, students, teaching and non-teaching staff including the Bursar, Facilities and Catering Managers. Our first meeting explored the following issues:

After discussing various alternative energy sources, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic systems and biomass boilers, it was felt that ground source heating would be the best option for Kingswood. Grants are available for such projects, so serious investigations are underway.

Mr Batterham, a parent representative on the committee who is an architect with an interest in sustainable development, is working with Mrs Ruddell on energy management throughout the school. They will be working with Freesource Energy, an independent renewable energy company who will provide a thorough site survey to clarify the best way forward.

One of the greatest difficulties facing the school is transport.

We need to minimise car travel – by encouraging car pooling, alternative transport (public transport, walking, etc.) and the use of smaller cars. Starting up a joint bus service with the Royal High School six years ago failed and cost the school greatly, and it was generally felt that car-pooling was the best option to focus upon first. One idea is to have a section on the school’s website where parents can submit their details and availability to car share.

"Sustainable development is much more than just ‘being green’."

Walking to school could be addressed along the same lines.

Inspired by a ‘walking bus’ service in London, we hope to raise families’ awareness of fellow pupils living close by and encourage people to walk to school together. This might be particularly successful for the younger pupils, making walking safer and a lot more enjoyable. The Eco-Schools’ Travel Team will be looking into using the school’s website as a means to communicate this travel information and also bus schedules for Lansdown.

Heating is another key issue. Our first Green Day in 2008 showed that significant savings could be made by adjusting the heating to a lower but still comfortable level. With the school buildings being old and heating systems varied, communication between staff and students is important. One idea is to designate certain people to inform Mrs Ruddell, the Facilities Manager, when the heating is off target in each area of the School so remedial action can be taken. In addition to looking into this option, we are eager to establish a comprehensive system for recording monthly energy use throughout the school and hope to get the Houses and Dixon involved in this, starting in September. This will provide a baseline for assessing the results of future energy conservation projects.

The main target for Eco-Schools this year is to reduce food waste.

Students will be working closely with the catering staff in ensuring people become more aware of how much we are putting on our plates.

The Committee will meet every school term, identifying action points such as those given above and providing feedback. The whole school community will be kept up to date via KIF, assemblies, the Eco-Schools’ notice board, parents’ newsletters, etc. If you have any questions or suggestions or would like further information or a copy of the minutes, please contact Theresa Faux, School Secretary or email ecoschools@kingswood.bath.sch.uk. We are keen that anyone who would like to get involved should be able to do so.

Sustainable development is much more than just ‘being green’. Social and economic aspects play key roles, so the whole school needs to be involved – the Sustainable Development Committee is the launching pad for these changes.

Marianne Teoh (U6) Kingswood in Focus 27

A Fond Farewell

Simply the Best A heightened sense of emotion always runs through the summer term. Exertions and exhortations by staff to encourage frenetic revision by students, eventually yields to a sense of relief after the completion of internal and external examinations.

We relax a little more (weather permitting!) in the beautiful grounds of the school. And we brace ourselves for the inevitable farewells to students and Staff as they move on to pastures new. Yet this summer was different, for one unique reason: we said farewell to our extraordinary Headmaster, Mr Gary Best, after twenty-one years of truly outstanding service to Kingswood School.

The main celebrations all took place over the last weekend of the summer term. Governors past and present gathered for a sumptuous dinner on the Friday evening in honour of Gary’s stewardship. Chairman of Governors, Rev. Ray Lansley, presented him with the first of two beautiful paintings of Kingswood School by former Director of Music and noted artist, Nick Thorne, together with a most generous gift of theatre vouchers, so that he may pursue his love of drama (as if there were never enough here at Kingswood!). At the same event, it was very fitting that a stunning bouquet of flowers was presented by Vice-Chairman of Governors, Mrs Katie Pillinger, to Mrs Frances Best, for her unerring support of Gary throughout his Headship.

position as writer and spokesperson for the value of such communities.

Gary’s ability to fill that nurturing process with a holistic mix of activity for mind, body and spirit has been a joy to watch.”

Final Assembly saw the pupils, led by Head Boy and Head Girl, Michael Riley and Camille Wratten, make a very special presentation indeed: a monumental scrap book that included photographs, memories, poetry, art work and letters from all the pupils of the school. Gary then announced, for the very last time, “Please stand”, at which point Gary departed from the Theatre, along with all the Upper Sixth, to the rapturous applause of pupils and staff in a standing ovation, accompanied by the pounding music of Tina Turner’s iconic You’re Simply the Best.

"Gary’s ability to fill that nurturing process with a holistic mix of activity for mind, body and spirit has been a joy to watch."

The following evening, amid a wonderfully enjoyable barn dance and hog roast, Kingswood parents from both the Senior and Prep Schools, Chairman of Friends of Kingswood, Mrs Jan Douglas-Bate, and Chairman of Friends of Kingswood Preparatory School, Mr Bill Harris, presented Gary with the second painting by Nick Thorne.

Staff past and present then gathered on the Sunday for a wonderful lunch to celebrate with Gary, Frances and their daughter, Claire, at the end of which our School Chaplain and Deputy Head Pastoral, Rev. Mike Wilkinson, paid the following tribute: “I have been a Chaplain within the family of Methodist Schools for sixteen years. There has been something about Gary Best’s leadership at Kingswood School that has stood out for me and many others. Heads and Chaplains within the group of schools openly acknowledge his primary

28 Kingswood in Focus

Thus it was that we celebrated and honoured Gary’s exceptional service over twenty-one years to the Kingswood community. Reflecting upon such service, it is fitting to recall Sir Christopher Wren’s epitaph in St Paul’s Cathedral: “Si monumentum requiris, circumspice” – “If you seek a monument, gaze around.” One need only gaze around the school, note its developments over the last twenty-one years, look at the faces of staff and pupils, or dip into Gary’s many writings to know that in our midst has been an outstanding educational architect in both the material and the philosophical senses.

When Gary became Head in 1987, although having a vision of his own for Kingswood, he was determined to maintain three inherent strengths of the School: • firstly, its emphasis on the importance of education rather than schooling or, as John Wesley said in 1768, “an ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge;” • secondly, to recognise the school’s strong pastoral system, developed by a previous Headmaster, Mr Sackett and his successors, and to build on this.

• and thirdly, above all, he recognised the overriding importance of Kingswood’s Christian ethos.

However, he realised from the outset that as well as continuity, for the school to have a long-term future there had to be changes to its organisation and facilities.

The House structure (core to the pastoral system) was re-organised, so that by 1997 girls’ house staff were 100% female. The large dormitories had gone, and the Senior House Staff had increased support from Assistant House Staff and tutors. Houses were paired male and female and there were also more inter-house competitions, including music and sport.

A new Junior House (Westwood) was introduced in 1999 so that the younger children had a smooth transition to Senior School education when they joined from smaller primary and preparatory schools.

As Principal of the Kingswood Foundation, with authority over the Prep School as well as the Senior School, Gary was instrumental in the merging of Kingswood Day Prep School (formerly Hermitage School) with the Prep School at Prior’s Court near Newbury (since 1939). Consequently, in 1998 Prior’s Court closed its doors; and the school, together with some staff and pupils, came to Bath and enhanced the Kingswood family here.

The younger pupils now have the benefit of an award-winning building within the Summerhill estate, including a lovely ‘family run’ boarding facility for children aged seven to eleven – something that remains unique in Bath.

Fundamental to Gary’s strategic vision at Kingswood was to ensure that the school attracted the best possible staff. This, he has said, may be his greatest legacy. His work on staff recruitment, accommodation and the modernisation of working practices, has all been part of the way in which he has led the school forward and seen it through recent inspections with flying colours.

The Senior Management Team

Gary’s special interest and involvement in all that the children do at Kingswood has always been very evident and commented upon by many parents. For example, he has been known to undertake impromptu visits to Westwood during a lunch hour to join in with their activities; to support pupil initiatives (the Eco Schools projects, for example); to give Sixth Form leavers a chance to celebrate and have fun when their examinations are over and even allowing the whole community to take part in some rather extreme and unusual fund-raising events (throwing water sponges at the Headmaster for charity!) when the laughter was at his own expense.

"One of the things about being a long-serving head is that some of your innovations become traditions and people think they date back to John Wesley!"

The academic profile has continually been raised by improvements in the areas of facilities and communication, such as the creation of departmental areas, introducing and extending IT, with better academic monitoring and reports, and more fruitful parents’ meetings.

Year on year, since 2005, the school has achieved its best ever results for both GCSE and A level.

In his time Gary has successfully sought to encourage a greater diversification of activities promoting, amongst many other things, music and drama through the creation of the Theatre in 1994 and the Music School in 2000. Sporting facilities have been greatly improved and are still very much on the agenda with the recent opening of the wonderful Astro on the Upper Playing Fields, along with on-going plans to enhance yet further Kingswood’s provision for sport.

The Model United Nations has been a huge and ever-growing success story, with debates on contemporary issues attracting young delegates from schools around the world as well as internationally-known speakers. This is surely a prime example of Gary’s drive “to provide education rather than schooling”.

In this very busy final year of preparing to hand over the school, in the best possible order, he has still been juggling all his time and management skills, whilst looking to the future and new schemes and projects which we shall take forward as part of his vision. And speaking of ‘juggling’, perhaps those visits to Westwood activities paid off after all – otherwise how else could such a busy man manage to write a world première musical and bring it to the stage in a format never seen before?! His writing of the Gilbert and Sullivan inspired musical ‘Marley’s Ghosts’, put on by the school last year, was nothing short of amazing.

The core of this exceptional man is his great love of Kingswood and the spirit within – perhaps the most important and most meaningful part of our reflections.

John Wesley vowed that he would have a Christian school or none at all.

One of Gary’s great successes has been the building up of a corporate sense of cohesion and Christian family unity. This has been achieved through the continuation of Whole School Monday Assemblies and the creation of the ‘Whole School Service’.

Former Staff

Gary has been unstinting in his support of the Kingswood Association (alumni). In return, the Association has been able to help the school tangibly, the most recent example being the J O Heap Library, opened in 2006, following a generous bequest from an old boy of the 1920s.

Gary has always been a true ambassador for John Wesley’s preaching, particularly in his words, “I look upon all the world as my parish”. It is not unusual for us to have pupils from around 20 different countries within the school at any one time and all pupils benefit from this global outlook.

In his characteristic way, he has asked that there should be no gifts for him upon his departure from Kingswood, but rather that donations should be given to create the ‘Gary Best Travel Scholarship’ to support Sixth Form students or young graduates under the age of 25, with a structured gap year plan in the future.

Kingswood in Focus 29

There has been a succession of visiting local and national speakers, including Methodist Presidents and future Archbishops of Canterbury, not to mention our own Chaplain, our Chair of Governors and many members of staff. Christian action in its widest sense has sprung from many of these services. Recently, Gary started The Wesley Society to engender thought and discussion amongst senior pupils. In all of this, Gary has been just the right person to ensure that the School has been made more aware of its heritage, and the world aware of Kingswood.

Gary with daughter Claire

In 2002 he was Chairman of HMC South West, and of ISCis South West in 2004. In 1998 he made sure that the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities held its annual conference at Kingswood in the 250th anniversary year. In 2003, as the school celebrated John Wesley’s tercentenary, Gary wrote extensively about Kingswood’s 250 years of Methodist education and its continuing influence throughout the world in his book Continuity and Change, as well as publishing a book about John Wesley. He has also written an account of Methodist Schools in Britain, Shared Aims. Then to complete these celebrations of Methodist heritage, Gary produced his epic tour de force on Charles Wesley, fondly and justifiably clutched in his hand and portrayed in his portrait now hanging on the grand staircase.

Gary’s writing skills have continued; his latest book Transforming Lives, was published only weeks before his retirement. In it, he sets out his whole philosophy of Christian education. He dedicated this most recent book “To the pupils, staff and Governors of Kingswood School with whom it has been my privilege and pleasure to work for over twenty years,” and includes the following words of inspiration:

the ability to think for themselves and to acquire an underlying philosophy on which to base their decisions as they go through life…

Enabling young people to grow remains as central to the vision of the school in 1998 as it was to Wesley in 1748…True education should be challenging, exciting, vibrant and interesting.

It should extend our horizons.

It is life-enhancing, not life-restricting. Education is not ultimately about what you know or do. It is about what kind of a person you have become and how you shape the world around you.”

“I may be physically leaving Kingswood, but believe me, Kingswood will remain in my heart and in my prayers as long as I have a heart that beats and a brain that functions.”

“The school will only have done its job if, among other things, it has helped equip its boys and girls with

Gary also acknowledged the support of those around him. In his words: Gary enjoying the farewell barn dance

“I thank all parents for their continuing support, all pupils for making the school such an exciting and rewarding place in which to work, and all staff for their unstinting dedication and commitment to an all-round education, and all former pupils.”

In his farewell speech to the staff, Gary inspired all of us present as he reminded each and every one of us of our own vocation to teaching: “I will miss the pupils. There is a magical quality still for me in seeing the buzz when pupils enthuse about what they have achieved, whether that is in the classroom or outside it. One of the things about being a long-serving Head is that some of your innovations become traditions and people think they date back to John Wesley! One of the innovations in which I take most delight was my desire to have pupils talk about what they have achieved in sport, music, drama, etc at the end of each term. I shall miss those occasions because there is nothing as good as hearing pupils enthuse in their own way about what has happened and who has helped them. Even the most unlikely public speaker has risen to this occasion and I know that their fellow pupils have always responded to these addresses far more positively than ever would be achieved by adults doing it.”

His final words to the staff were deeply moving, and were heard by many with tears in their eyes: “I may be physically leaving Kingswood, but believe me, Kingswood will remain in my heart and in my prayers as long as I have a heart that beats and a brain that functions.”

Gary – on behalf of all staff, pupils, parents and Governors, past and present, it has been a privilege to work with you. We all wish you every happiness and continuing success as you look to your new horizons.

May God bless you and your family; you will be greatly missed.

Mr Gareth Lloyd (Senior Deputy Head)

30 Kingswood in Focus

Summer Sport

Athletics The end of term athletics speech gave us an interesting report about some convincing team performances and excellent individual results.

The Westwood girls have been exceptionally strong this season, with both Years 7 and 8 coming first in their competition against Downside where five other schools were competing.

Amber James deserves a mention having qualified for the Regional Championships in the high jump and Emily Rowlands and Catherine Bolland both qualified for the County Championships in the 200m sprint and 75m hurdles respectively. Georgia McKibbin was the most successful sports day competitor, winning a total of 3 events.

Although the boys did not experience the same level of success as the girls’ teams, certain individual performances show that Westwood have a number of promising young athletes.

Top performers this year include: Sam Mumford, Zach Hart, Carson Lam and Harry Merrill who set a new triple jump record.

Sports Day saw Beckford and Posnett come out on top and thanks must go to all those who competed or helped out on the day.

Arguably the most successful team this year has to be the Inter Boys, whose relay team broke the 4x100 relay school record. This is not surprising when you look at the individual talents that make up the quartet. Andrew Paines has also excelled in the high jump and javelin, reaching the Avon Championships. Ed Hutchison, Ralph Eliot and Matt Houldsworth have collectively been the backbone of the 100, 200 and 400m sprints and have rarely been beaten. Matt also represented BaNES at the Avon County Championships and just missed out on qualifying for English Schools.

The fourth member, Adam McBraida, has won every single race this season with one exception, and has recently been selected for English Schools in the 100m hurdles. After winning a bronze medal last year I would like to wish him luck for his summer competitions and hope that he can do even better.

Unfortunately Adam has not been able to break any school records this year as these are all held by our esteemed captain, but I wish him the best of luck in his attempts next year.

Yes you can try Adam! In all seriousness though, Adam was awarded the Victor Ludorum on Sports Day this year after an outstanding day.

32 Kingswood in Focus

He broke the 100m sports day record that had stood since 1936 and he also equalled the school record for the 400m which was set in 1989.

One of the most successful female athletes to compete at Inter level this year is Phoebe Watson. Blessed with long legs which have carried her to several wins in the long jump, triple jump and 100 metre sprint, she is only centimetres away from breaking the senior girls’ triple jump record. After recovering from a broken leg last year, Georgia Stone has done well to compete this season, working hard to develop in the hurdles.

"Kingswood will provide you with so many opportunities and what I have learnt from athletics this year is that what you get out of your sport really depends on how much you give to it."

This year the senior boys’ team has experienced mixed results, though there have been some excellent individual performances. The season began with a rocky start when coming fourth at King’s Bruton. However, we went on to come second when competing at home against Bryanston and Marlborough. At this point I would like to extend my thanks to my vice-captain Jason Hanson, who has shot putted well throughout the season and has provided valuable help with organizing the inter boys’ team.

The senior girls’ team might not have enjoyed the success of the boys’ teams this season but at least I can say we were consistent! This is not to say that Kingswood is without its fair share of talented female athletes. First and foremost, there is my vice-captain Pahrnia Parsons. Willing to compete in any event and usually followed by success, Pahrnia is an all-round athlete. I would also like to thank her for all the help she has given me with organising and motivating the girls’ teams and for not getting too angry with me when I dropped the baton in the relay!

The senior boys’ team has suffered two major losses this year, namely Nick Salisbury and Sam Bridgewater. Sam was unfortunate to damage his knee ligament early on in the rugby season, which has put him out of Kingswood sport for most of his final year.

Of this year's leavers', Alice Jones has enjoyed so much success at the shot put and discus this season. Wilfred Scolding was a part of the club last year but he failed to make the team. However, this year has seen immense improvement and he has established himself as a regular member of the team in the 400m and relay team.

He has also qualified for the BaNES championships, coming second in the 400m with a time of 55 seconds and he then went on to come second at the Avon Championships. Wilf is also a successful hurdler, coming first in all bar one of the B string races.

Kingswood in Focus 33

Another invaluable member of the senior girls’ squad this season is my friend, Abigail Stogdale who has been a successful 1500m runner this year and I would also like to congratulate her on her efforts in the high jump.

A key athlete in the field events this year has been Tom Suddaby. Much like his personality, Tom’s throwing and jumping technique is unusual; however, he still somehow manages to achieve great results on the day!

I can safely say that Isabella Watson and Sarah Ryder are two of the most determined members of the senior girls’ squad. Every week they will arrive at the competition and do their utmost to avoid having to compete. This includes extreme measures such as attempting to injure each other before their respective events. Jokes aside, they have both competed every week and showed up to every training event. And let’s face it, Sarah, despite all the complaining, you do not always come last in your races or at least not the ones that Isabella has competed in with you. Without you both, athletics at Kingswood would not have been half the fun it has been over the past two years and your attitude towards competing, whatever the result, has made you both excellent role models to the younger athletes.

Another gain for the club this year came in the manly form of George Jolliffe. He quickly became our main middle distance man, racking up many points in every competition. Another very talented athlete came in the form of Peter Hynes who has also shone through this season and has knocked up several first and second places for the club and has represented BaNES in the Avon championships in the 200m, where he came second.

Last, but certainly not least, is this year’s Victrix Ludorum winner Georgia Sharp. Georgia has had much success in her hurdling throughout her athletics career and currently holds the inter girls’ sports day hurdles record. This year she has come first in this event at the Marlborough Competition and has been an integral part of the relay and sprint team.

Two other senior competitors that deserve a mention are Uchenna Ojukwu and Alex Beishon, who have both excelled in the field events and middle distance running respectively. Alex also had a good set of results in the 200m and was also one of the squad’s main point scorers this year. He is a fantastic endurance runner and I wish him every success next year.

As surprised as I was to be appointed as Athletics Captain this season, I have to say it has been an absolute privilege. After being quietly dropped from 1st XI hockey and inexplicably overlooked for 1st team netball, I was finally able to come into my element and demonstrate my true sporting prowess.

It’s true, Hannah has not come last in many of her races, with the highlight of her season being her glorious achievement of a second place in the B string 100m sprint at Marlborough and possibly the most exciting 14.1 seconds I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing.

Now come on Simon, I cannot stand up here and take all of the glory; you have experienced a fair amount of success in the world of athletics yourself. Simon has been a national medallist five times, holds the Kingswood record for 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles and both the inter and senior school records for the 100m sprint. He is also a BaNES, Avon, Midlands and South-West champion and has run the quickest time for the 110 m hurdles this year for his age and is ranked within the top 20 competitors for his age group in the world.

Hannah, have you forgotten that I also qualified for the World Junior Championships with a new school record of 13.79 seconds and I may be off to Poland in July as a reserve for the GB team?

You are only a reserve? Tough break! For the senior girls, this might not have been our best season, but at the end of the day, there are always going to be some teams that enjoy more success than others. I would also like to stress the fact that you don’t have to be an English medallist like Simon to enjoy your sport. Kingswood will provide you with so many opportunities and what I have learnt from athletics this year is that what you get out of your sport really depends on how much you give to it.

It would not be completely true to say that winning is not everything; no one likes to lose, but I can honestly say that I have had a lot of fun this season, whether it has been winning a race or doing so poorly in the triple jump that I was mistaken for an inter. It really does not matter and if there is one thing that I would like to get across to all the younger athletes in the school, it is to make the most of your sport here at Kingswood because it has been a major part of my time here and is probably what I will miss most about the school.

Athletics is obviously a very large part of our lives, and we know that we would not be the athletes we are today without the support we have received here at Kingswood and this is mainly due to the efforts of the staff who put so much into the Athletics Club. So on behalf of the entire club we would like to thank Mrs Mainwaring, Mrs Newman and Messrs Burgon, Harding, Lloyd, Matthews, and Sheffrin for all their help with training, competitions and sports day.

Finally, we would like to extend a very special thanks to Miss Paver who does so much to make athletics such a successful part of the Kingswood sports programme. She has supported both of us throughout our time here and for that we are very grateful.

Simon Merrill & Hannah James (Athletics Captains 2008) 34 Kingswood in Focus

Cricket This is the cricket speech for 2008 and yes, I am proud to be a cricketer which, contrary to popular belief, does not mean that I am boring!

You will all be able to confirm that for yourselves in about five minutes’ time. I am conscious that too many of you listening - come to think of it, even to those of us who play regularly - cricket at one level can appear slow with long periods of low activity. However, as it is a game that consumes you and takes up to eight hours of your time on a Saturday afternoon, it is better to be doing well than not contributing at all. Add into the mix the traditions, the quirkiness, the teas, the constant ‘banter’ between opponents and team mates alike and you may begin to understand why we love our game! Imagine listening to Will Samler tell King’s Gloucester’s opening bat, who had just been bowled by a beauty from Nicholas Gerrish, that at least he could stick that on his UCAS application. I think Mr Woodgate’s accent was wasted on him though, Will!

Year 7 who have been coached by Mr Matthews. With his help these boys have had a wonderful sporting year and they are bursting with talent. They should be very proud of their sport across the three terms and cricket was no different to their success on the rugby and hockey pitches. The under 12s reached the Somerset Cup final where they finally suffered their first defeat of the season. Special mention must go to Timothy Rouse who has so much talent and continues to make big runs and take wickets whenever he plays. He even managed to take four wickets on his first team debut at Wells Cathedral. Charlie Pope has been hailed as the next Matt Horsley with the gloves! WOW, those are some pretty big and smelly gloves to fill!

"Cricket is ultimately an individual sport played within a team framework."

Cricket is ultimately an individual sport played within a team framework. A batsman or bowler can single-handedly determine the outcome of a game unlike any other sport I know. In the weekly newsletters and assemblies we hear of heroic deeds by star performers such as Tim Rouse, Matthew Horsley, Charles Morris to name but a few. However, it is the unsung heroes I would like to highlight.

The guys, who field for 3 hours, do not get a bowl, go in and get out quickly and trust me I know how they feel! These players are in every team throughout the school and in the firsts this season they have been Will Samler and Sam McMeekin. Every team needs them and I know their time will come soon. Their patience and enthusiasm have not failed even on the longest days and in that way they have both contributed much to our season. Jack Ticehurst was one of these players right up until this season and through patience and hard work he has now found himself opening the batting. Let me run you through the highlights of the Kingswood cricket season starting with…

Year 8 were coached by the uncompromising Mr Hollywell who instilled in them the value of not giving runs away cheaply. This was evident in the field where they improved beyond belief.

Even so next season, Year 8 must learn to apply themselves when batting to get bigger scores in order to have a fighting chance with the ball. Elliot Canning has captained well from wicket keeper whilst making runs.

Year 9, coached by Director of Sport Mr Reeman, struggled to find consistency with both bat and ball and found it hard to cope with the loss of Harry Rouse to the 1st X1. This season must be seen as a learning curve.

It is vital that other cricketers start to take on more responsibility and emerge as match winners. I would hope to see this age group have a much better season next summer. It is not through lack of talent but more a lack of application as I am in no doubt they have plenty of potential.

Cricket Results 2008 1st XI

2nd XI

U15 XI

Dauntsey’s

Lost by 7 wickets

Won by 73 runs

Won by 39 runs

King Edward’s

Match abandoned Match abandoned Match abandoned Match abandoned Match abandoned

Monkton Combe

Won by 119 runs

Won by 13 runs

U14 XI

Lost by 6 wickets Lost by 4 wickets

Won by 1 wicket Lost by 8 wickets

Hengrove

Wells Cathedral

U12A

U12B

Lost by 22 runs

Won by 51 runs

Lost by 6 runs

Match abandoned Won by 9 runs

Won by 5 wickets Won 130 runs Won by 135 runs

Lost by 11 runs

Won by 7 wickets Lost by 5 wickets Lost by 5 wickets

Lost by 74 runs

Won by 6 runs

Lost by 57 runs

Lost by 72 runs

Prior Park

Lost by 19 runs

Match tied

Won by 14 runs

Lost by 78 runs

Colstons

Won on scoring rate

Mangotsfield Bristol Grammar

U13B

Won by 86 runs

Ashton Park Beechen Cliff

U13A

Won by 3 wickets Won by 64 runs

Castle School

Lost by 9 wickets

Won by 1 wicket

Won by 4 wickets

King’s Gloucester Won by 6 wickets Won by 7 wickets XL Club

Won by 142 runs

Marist College Australia

Won by 168 runs

MCC

Lost by 28 runs

Lost by 9 wickets

Won by 7 wickets Won by 8 runs

Won by 19 runs

Won by 2 wickets

Lost by 72 runs

Kingswood in Focus 35

CRICKET COLOURS Colts Colours: Charles Morris and Nick Prettejohn Half Colours: Nick Gerrish, Alex Ockwell and Jack Ticehurst Full Colours: Alex Field and Matthew Horsley These two players who have made a huge contribution to cricket at Kingswood over the past 9 years. In Year 6 they helped the Prep School team reach the National Finals at Old Trafford and both have played in the 1st team for four seasons. Both have played County cricket very successfully and their skill, ability and leadership will be hugely missed by the School now they finally move on. Matt has played for the West of England, Bath Cricket Club 1st team and scored more runs in the Peak Sport League than any other player in the history of the league. Alex has Captained the Kingswood side very skilfully for the past two seasons as well as playing his own representative cricket.

Although unable to cut his own hair Mr Redman was still allowed to mould the Under 15s into a shape of his own! He managed this through sheer enthusiasm, dedication and passion which are apparent in everything he does. This rubbed off on his team and the 15s were impressive. Oliver Canning led his team well and his batting has been good this year. William Mackenzie continues to improve and this led to both Oliver and William achieving a first team call up during our cricket week. Oscar Nowlan impressed with both bat and ball and Alex Young proved himself to be a very useful bowler.

Now onto the senior sides… The 2nd team employed a strong hierarchy of leadership, being coached by Mr Brodie and captained by Henry Heffer.

The 2nds were blessed with strength in depth with notable performers including Matt Woudberg, Tom Ireland, Euan Gordon and Matt Ticehurst, with both Tom and Matt immediately excelling when given the chance in the first team. The 2nds’ results show an extremely successful season, winning all but one of their games. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the comprehensive victory over a good King’s Gloucester side.

Now on to the 1st XI… What a strange season it has been! For all the talent we possessed it looked as though it would amount to nothing! However, the end of the season saw resurgence where we won five games in a row. This meant the season not only gained respectability but saw us playing some top class cricket. King’s Gloucester, who have no less than seven county players, were brushed aside as we chased down their total of 255 for the loss of six wickets, an incredible result.

The side contains some outstanding individuals. My vice captain, Matt Horsley, has been in the 1st XI since Year 9. He is tidy with the gloves and he has amassed an incredible number of runs throughout his time in the side. This year was no different as he scored 623 at an average of 56, including two centuries and three fifties. I managed to chip in at the end of the season when I had reached the depths of depression with my personal form. With ball in hand, Charles Morris and Nick Gerrish are a formidable opening partnership and it is a shame Charles is leaving us because in him we lose a very good cricketer, a very keen son and an even keener father! Obviously the Rouse brothers deserve a special mention for being just so good.

36 Kingswood in Focus

Now to finish I would like to briefly talk about the coaches. Firstly Mr Blackshaw (our gap student) has been a true star. He has helped out with the mundane activities of bowling machine practice, scoring, etc.

He has done this without complaint and always with his cheeky southern hemisphere grin. He even managed to play a game for us on two occasions and, though I hate to admit it, you are not bad, Mike!

It must be noted Kingswood has invested in a specialist cricket coach by the name of Rob Maggs this year, known affectionately as ‘Maggsy’.

This has allowed professional one-on-one coaching and is a welcome addition to our cricketing staff. So a big thanks to Kingswood for allowing that to take place.

Unfortunately the cornerstone of the 2nds, Mr Brodie, is leaving. It is fair to say that he will be greatly missed as a coach and as a person as he has given his utmost not just for Kingswood sport but school life in general.

And now last but by no means least... You always remember a good teacher. All of us will remember our teachers from Kingswood and for me I have a special affection for my housemaster, cricket and hockey coach, Mr Opie. He was initially an absolutely terrifying individual with whom I shared a love hate relationship in my early days at Kingswood. I think I was unsettled to meet someone as competitive as myself! I know I have said this before, but cricket on Saturday sets the tone for the rest of Mr Opie’s week. I do not think you understand what a burden that is for us in the 1st XI! An exemplary role model in so many ways I can safely say that Mr Opie has instilled in me, and most of his cricketers, a confidence and steely edge which will prove invaluable in sport and in life. I am incredibly grateful for that and the same can be said to Mr Best. Thank you, Headmaster, for allowing us to reflect on our sport during these speeches as it means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to you.

I wish Kingswood cricket continuing success and look forward to playing against you, someday, as an old boy.

Alexander Field (Captain of Cricket 2008)

Boys’ Tennis Results 2008 Opposition

1st

2nd

3rd (U16)

Prior Park College

6-3 (W)

7-2 (W)

N/A

Dean Close

6-3 (W)

7-2 (W)

N/A

Monkton Combe

9-0 (W)

8-1 (W)

8 ½ – ½ (W)

Wells Cathedral School

6-3 (W)

N/A

8-1 (W)

Wycliffe

6-3 (W)

7-2 (W)

N/A

Dauntsey’s

5 ½ – 3 ½ (W)

3-6 (L)

Cheltenham

4 ½ - 4 ½ (D) 6 ½ – 2 ½ (W)

King Edward's School

3-6 (L)

5-1 (W)

N/A 6-3 (W) N/A

Boys' Tennis Kingswood Boys’ Tennis is like an Oak Tree: a trunk of specialist performance coaching leading to branches of success.

As a result of our oak tree growing so well the school has an abundance of talent.

The lower years have excelled themselves with the Year 7 pairing of Tim Rouse and Alex Hardman acquitting themselves well in matches against KES and Prior Park.

Year 8 has also been a breeding ground for fresh talent with Jack Stuckes, James Humphrey and Alex Dewell playing well in all their encounters.

Year 9 led by Alasdair Stone, Max Thulin and Angus Plumbly showed great promise for the future with a convincing win against arch rivals KES. It has been most refreshing to see some enthusiastic and increasingly skilful Year 10 players joining senior practices. Special mention must go to Gareth England who played most of the season for the third team and to Ed Hutchison and Alfred Ireland who forged a strong partnership which should blossom. Many thanks go to Mr Westcott and Mr Forrester for running the Lower and Middle School tennis activities. Our thanks also go to Mr Opie who took this year group for games and for the ever-present early tennis sessions on a Friday.

The 3rds remained unbeaten throughout the season, with convincing wins over Monkton Combe and Wells Cathedral School. Credit must go to the linchpin of the team Joshua Dixon for his great displays of athleticism and equally hilarious “stories.” His partner Nick Gregory also deserves a mention for his work ethic despite often being pre-occupied by the wonders of his broadband internet.

The 2nds also had a very impressive season, recording five wins and only one narrow defeat away to Dauntsey’s. James Dabell was massively impressive and has grown into his role of father to Charles Hampton. The improvement of the Dabell/ Hampton partnership has been evident for all to see and, on a serious note, they should be an integral part of next season’s first team. Ruslan and Marat, aka the ‘Kalashnikov’ brothers, have perhaps been the surprise package of the season.

Both have stepped up to the challenge of senior tennis and look to be a strong addition to the tennis club.

The 1st team came within a whisker of an unbeaten season for the first time in recent memory. The team recorded strong wins across the board including a 9-0 whitewash against Monkton Combe and a creditable draw away at Cheltenham who included a nationally ranked pair.

Sadly a 6-3 loss to King Edward’s was the low point and this caused Herr Duke much frustration! The team combined well throughout the season and the results achieved must largely be put down to the strong pairing of newcomer and Bristol Rovers fan Tom Searle with Year 10 prodigy Sam Williams. Mentions must also go to first team veteran Sam Pew Latter and Dan Feeny whose

gangly composition has made him a hugely effective weapon in the first team armoury. We must also thank Nick Burns for all his hard work.

This year it was decided that the school had a sufficiently good enough side to take on the best at the annual National Schools’ Championships hosted at Eton College. The tournament format was two pairs from each school with sixty four schools competing from across the nation.

Accompanied by Sam Williams, Tom Searle and Mr Duke, we left for our travel lodge in Slough. We were surprised to be informed on arrival that we should steer clear of the High Street owing to “regular shootings…no joke”.

You take us to the nicest places Mr Duke!

"It has been most refreshing to see some enthusiastic and increasingly skilful Year 10 players joining senior practices."

Our first match was against Dulwich School where all four of us put in solid performances to win both matches in straight sets. The next day we played Nottingham High School, who have a dedicated tennis academy attached to their school and employ a full time coach. Again the four of us played solidly and we snuck through in straight sets, despite the team nearly getting disqualified owing to raucous courtside bellowing from Herr Duke.

Later on Sunday we played Rugby School. It was clear that the pedigree and level of our opponents had increased and it took both our pairs to play top tennis in order to narrowly win in over two hours. The win against Rugby set us up with defending champions and top seeds Reeds in the quarter finals. High in confidence on Monday we took on world ranked national U18 champion Tim Hewitt and his partner, a fifteen year old GB player!

For forty grand a year, warm weather training and over three hours’ tennis and conditioning a day, you would expect these guys to be pretty good, and they were However, we gave a good account of ourselves despite a straight sets loss, 6/3 6/3. Sam Williams and Tom also did well against equally strong opposition going down 6/0 6/4.

The trip was deemed a great success and a nice farewell to our time as Kingswood tennis players. A top eight finish surpassed our expectations and it was noted by a tournament official that for a first attempt the team had done very well. Good work, lads!

Kingswood in Focus 37

All in all Kingswood tennis is in very safe hands. It is great to see the development of Boys’ Tennis as a sport in the school and I am sure that with the maintained guidance it is receiving it will continue to confirm itself as the most successful boys’ sport in the school.

On a personal level we would like to thank two people who make a massive contribution to tennis.

Firstly, Mr Duke whose appointment as Head of Tennis has clearly proven to be extremely successful. However, it is certain that his influence has been integral to all the teams’ success and to me personally by reviving my love for the game. His enthusiasm, dedication and drive make him an incredible asset to the School tennis programme.

We would also like to thank former Head of Tennis, Mr Davies, for all his hands on work with the club. He has put up with so much and is a true trooper! Without his mentoring neither Laurie nor I would be the mature and responsible adults we are today!

Laurie Canter and Tom King (Captains 2008)

Boys' Tennis Results MATCHES VERSUS PRIOR PARK COLLEGE U12 lost 5-10 U14 lost 5-10

U13 lost 6-9 U15 won 10-5

MATCHES VERSUS KING EDWARD'S SCHOOL U12 won 6-3 U14 won 6-3

U13 lost 2-7 U15 lost 2-7

ISTA ETON, JULY 2008 11-24 V Dulwich V Nottingham HS V Rugby V Reeds

6-0/6-0 & 6-0/6-0 (win) 6-0/6-2 & 6-1/6-0 win 6-0/6-2 & 6-0 / 6-0 win 4-6/2-6 & 0-6/4-6 (lost)

Girls' Tennis I am not much of an entertainer so I probably won’t amuse you as much as Tom and Lawrie, but hopefully I can give you a good insight to the girls tennis season. as first pair, and Leila Amrabadi for the B team and Nika Latynina for the Cs. It should be noted here that the U15s have been playing without Olivia Hoccom for most of the season, who for the second successive year has represented the 1st VI.

Throughout the school this term there have been some encouraging individual performances but what has been most impressive is some of the outstanding team performances.

The U14s have been coached by Miss Bleathman and led by the usual strong pairing of Anna Nicholson and Amy Greene, Amy captaining the team to 5 wins. We heard in Westwood assembly this morning how Alice Havers in Yr 8 has been playing up a year and she has made a considerable contribution to this team’s success. The most improved players are Hannah Stockley and Jo Hailey and player of the season is Anna Nicholson.

The 15s have really enjoyed their play this season and worked hard in training with Mrs Matthews and Miss Wright. Such has been their enthusiasm that 18 girls have represented the school in A, B, and C team matches.

Most notable improvers are Chloe Roberts who has partnered Jess Gregory

38 Kingswood in Focus

Our Year 11s are probably the strongest year group and have benefited from tours, winter training and club coaching over the year.

They boast Naomi Stella and Meryn Churchouse who play for the 1st VI, and special mention goes to the most consistent 2nd team pairing in the whole school for the second successive season Robyn Churchouse and Viv Dean. Their play is both intelligent and sneaky and what they lack in power they certainly make up for in tactical awareness. In 8 matches they have dropped only one set and that gives them a 95% win rate – that is some feat. Consequently the 2nds are our most successful team losing only one of 9 matches and that one was by the closest of margins to Dauntsey’s 5-4.

There is little difference between many of the players in the 2nds and 3rds and competition for places next near will be tough. Marianne Teoh, Ellie Batterham, Emily Bird and Annie West all have over 75% win rates this season and have boosted the 3rd squad’s results.

And so to the 1st team. We have had a season of mixed results winning 6 of our 10 matches – perhaps suffering from changing pairings due to exams at various times this term.

I think, at times, we’ve been guilty of not having the killer instinct in matches, but I can assure you the level of play has been of a high standard.

Oliva Hoccom and Meryn Churchouse have a great power game and should have gained much from playing at this level.

This year we say goodbye to 5 leavers – Sophie Thomson and Jenny Tsang have had an incredible playing partnership for the past 4 years and as we’ve heard in numerous assemblies they’ve had many 3 set wins. – Heaven knows how, as neither are blessed with many fast twitch fibres. Seriously though – they are both excellent technicians and are 2 of the most consistent players in the school and although both are predominantly second team players they have both on more than one occasion stepped up to play for the 1sts.

"...this term there have been some encouraging individual performances and some outstanding team performances."

So a big thank you to all my various partners (on the tennis court I mean)! from whom I have learned a lot. I have had to adapt to different styles and that’s made me a much more rounded player. This season has been filled with fun but best of all it has been great getting to know and play with some of the younger years.

Cara Prettejohn and Lydia Cameron have also had a steady playing partnership for the past 5 years. Although there are the occasional rough patches in their game where either Lydia forgets how to serve or Cara has her occasional uncontrollable wild shots, there is no doubt they are both excellent players.

Cara’s passion, enthusiasm and general love for tennis is evident to see when she plays and she has been a most valuable member of the 1sts for these past two years.

Lydia I don’t think realises how good she really is and was convinced she was going to lose her place this season to the up and coming Year 11 talent.

Far from it – she was made vice captain, she has trained hard and has played some incredible matches this year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lydia for all her help and support this season as my vice captain.

She has done a lot behind the scenes quietly without being asked plus helping to pick our kit – which thankfully isn’t like the boys’!

Then there’s me – the last leaver. Unlike the other four, I have had a different partner each year for the last 5 years. Naomi has mostly been my partner this year, although I have no idea what Miss Wright was thinking putting two air heads together as her 1st pair for the 1st team, but Naomi and I have definitely had a lot of fun even if she can’t keep the score!

I also owe a big thank you to Meryn Churchhouse and Sophie Thomson who stood in to play with me for a couple of matches. But finally, Jess Gregory to whom I owe an apology as well as a thank you. Jess, after playing our first set together, quietly says under her breath, “damn it, this is the first set I have EVER lost at Kingswood”. So a big sorry to Jess for having to lose your first ever set with me.

I have personally really enjoyed all my sport in Kingswood so as my time at school comes to an end, what more could I ask for than captaining the girls' tennis team, which has personally been a real honour. On behalf of all the upper sixth leavers and all the players from Year 7 to L6, I feel I can quite honestly say that much of the fun in tennis at KS is due, in no small measure to the staff, Mrs Sargeant, Mrs Matthews, Miss Bleathman and Miss Wright, who have all committed a lot of time during the week and on weekends to coaching and matches for our benefit.

Our successes have been not only due to the players but also to the staff for all their help and hard work. Thank you and good luck to all players for next season – as I said, competition for places will be tough!

Sacha Craig

Girls' Tennis Results 2008 4ths

15B

14A

14B

13A

13B

12A

12B

L 7-2

W 4-0

W 5-4

W 9-0

W 5-4

W 6-3

L 5-4

W 4-2

L 7-2

L 9-0 D 3-3

L 3-1

L 3-1

W 9-0

W 6-3

2nds

W 7-2

W 9-0

DC

L 7-2

W 7-2

W 7-2

L 6-3

L 6-3

Daunstey's

L 5-4

L 5-4

L 5-4

L 9-0

L 6-3

W 8-1

W 7-2

KES

3rds

15A

1sts

MC

BGS Wells

W 8-1

RHS

L 4-0

D 2-2

D 2-2

Wycliffe

W 5-4

W 8-1

L 6-3 W 7-2

Prior Park

W 5-4

W 9-0

Warminster

W 8-1

W 9-0

Monkton

W 5-4

W 7-2

Downside Bryanston

W 6-3

W 7-2 L 6-3

W 6-3

W 8-1 W 9-0

L 6-3 W 5-4

W 8-1

W 3-1

D 2-2

W 7-2

L 7-2 W 6-3

L 5-4

W 5-4 W 7-2

W 6-3 W 5-4

W 6-3

L 5-4

L 4-2

W 6-3

Kingswood in Focus 39

SWIMMING AWARDS 2008 Most Improved Swimmer Cup: The cup for the most improved swimmer goes to someone in Westwood.

He has been a regular member of the U16 team this season, even though he is only in Year 8. He was the outstanding swimmer for the Boys in the Westwood gala, winning the breaststroke and the individual medley.

This year the cup is awarded to Patrick Seed.

The Tench Cup is awarded to the most successful school swimmer and as usual there are a number of contenders. Last year’s winner, Stephie Clutterbuck, has once again been unbeaten and she holds 3 School Records.

When Charlie Barnes has been able to compete for the school she has been fantastic but unfortunately for us her national and international competitions have taken up most of her time.

Georgie Barnes, Alice Havers and Becky Saunders have also had impressive seasons, swimming up several years for the U16 Girls.

For the boys, Shaun Mousley has had another good season with his backstroke and Evan Sawyer has been impressive in both freestyle and butterfly. Tom Pang has been exceptional, swimming for the Open Boys' and he broke the 60 yard freestyle record this term.

However, this year the Tench Cup is awarded to someone who has been unbeaten in the individual medley and backstroke. She improved on her own School record for the backstroke and she also holds a butterfly record. The cup goes to Emma Oliver.

GIRLS' TENNIS AWARDS 2008 Colts Colours:

Half Colours:

Full Colours:

Naomi Stella, Meryn Churchouse, Viv Dean and Robyn Churchouse Lydia Cameron, Cara Prettejohn, Jenny Tsang and Sophie Thomson Sacha Craig

The Most Improved Player Salver: Sophie Thomson THE PLAYER OF THE SEASON This award goes to the outstanding school player who has contributed much to the team’s results. This girl has dropped only one set playing in her own age group – a 95% win rate and she has also made the step up to the 1sts on occasion. She is a talented and stylish player and quite deservedly wins the Cup for the school’s player of the season – JESS GREGORY.

The Beresford Shield is for the person who has made the greatest contribution to Kingswood swimming. This year it is shared between two swimmers.

Both have represented Kingswood throughout their school careers.

They have been dedicated, training hard throughout the year including early morning sessions. They have both taken part in the Sponsored swim in memory of Dilys Brake. They have contributed to the success of both of their teams and they have been outstanding captains. This year the Beresford Shield is awarded to Michael Riley and Sophia Briffa.

COLOURS Half Colours:

Sophia Briffa, Claire Carruthers, Shaun Mousley, Michael Riley, Evan Sawyer

Full Colours:

Charlotte Barnes, Emma Oliver

WESTWOOD AWARDS 2008

Swimming Results 2008

The U12s – have had a good season and learned much from playing on different surfaces. The following girls deserve special mention: Most Committed Trainer: Most Consistent Server: Most Attacking Net Player: The Most Improved Player: Player of the Season:

Angharad Hopkinson Becky Nicholson Orla O’Sullivan Jen Robson Sydney Lautze

The U13s gained much by having Nicole and Zia from South Africa with us. All players are to be congratulated on their enthusiastic approach to team play. Awards this year, for the Year 8s go to the following: Most Consistent Player: Best Technique: Most Improved Player: Player of the Season:

Tash Chapman Jess Portman Tamsin Ireland Tash Dabell

Special congratulations to ALICE HAVERS who is named as WESTWOOD’S TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR. 40 Kingswood in Focus

Open Boys

Open Girls

U16 Boys

U16 Girls

Sherborne

W

Canford

W

Taunton Clayesmore

W

L

W

-

-

W

W

W

-

-

W

W

W

W

-

-

W

W

L

W

-

-

W x2

W x2

L

W

-

-

Dauntsey’s

W

W

L

W

L

W

Cheltenham College

L

W

L

W

-

-

King Edward’s

-

-

-

-

W

-

Royal High

-

-

-

-

L

-

King’s Bruton

Junior Junior Girls Boys

Swimming This season the swimmers have taken to training like ducks to water except for Shaun Mousley who has been more like a reluctant chicken!

The U13 Boys' have only had one fixture this season, against Dauntsey’s, and they won this gala by 1 point. Patrick Seed was on outstanding form and Josh Jackson, Alex Johnson and Alex Shute also did well.

The U16 Boys' have had to manage without their torpedo, Tom Pang, as he has swum for the Open team. They have had a reasonable season beating Canford and Taunton School. There have been wins for Patrick Seed, Harry Oliver, Harry Cheetham, Ed Baggett and Nick Prettejohn, who was persuaded to swim in one gala when his cricket match was cancelled.

The Open Boys' have beaten 8 out of the 9 schools they have competed against, losing only to a strong Cheltenham College team. Shaun Mousley and Evan Sawyer have been the most successful members of the team, winning many of their races. Nick Gerrish, who swam when he did not have cricket matches, looked impressive in breaststroke. Our freestyle relay team, consisting of Shaun Mousley, Evan Sawyer, Tom Pang and myself is unbeaten. Tom Pang deserves a special mention for his wins in breaststroke and freestyle, especially since he is three years younger than most of his opponents. He has also broken a 60 yards freestyle record which was held by Matthew Cook who is now an elite triathlete. His commitment to training is exemplary; he often requests to do extra lengths while the others are enjoying a rest!

The girls’ season started back in November with the divisional rounds of the National Relays championships. Both the junior and senior teams qualified for the finals in Sheffield – an impressive achievement! On the day of our journey North the forecast was for heavy snow around Birmingham.

Mrs Opie, for reasons best known to herself, was insistent we took a shovel in case we hit snow drifts. I think she thought she would clear the whole of the M5/M6 if the snow ploughs got stuck! We did have some snow on the journey but fortunately it did not settle. The most traumatic part for me was the Captains’ parade! The junior girls (Stephanie Clutterbuck, Georgie Barnes, Alice Havers and Rebecca Saunders) finished 14th and 15th in the freestyle and medley events respectively. The seniors (Charlie Barnes, Claire Carruthers, Emma Oliver and myself) ended 14th and 9th in our events. All in all we were pleased with our efforts against the top swimmers in the country!

The Junior girls’ teams, U15 and below, have had galas against the Royal High School, Dauntsey’s, and King Edward’s. The U13s have been the most successful, beating all three schools. The rest all beat King Edward’s but lost to Dauntsey’s. Special mention must go to the following for winning races: Sophie Roberts, Sydney Lautze and Emily Bristow in Year 7; Alice Havers, Becky Saunders, Catherine Bolland in Year 8; Georgie Barnes in Year 9; Jess Thompson and Sienna Dennis in Year 10. The U16 girls have had an unbeaten season swimming against eight schools: Sherborne, Canford, Taunton, Clayesmore, King’s Bruton, Dauntsey’s, Cheltenham College and Dean Close. Stephanie Clutterbuck, Georgie Barnes, Becky Saunders and Alice Havers have all had outstanding seasons. The four of them have taken the freestyle relay record off the seniors (we are not bitter!)

Stephanie also holds three other school records – butterfly, freestyle and individual medley. She has qualified for the Nationals in several events and we wish her all the best in this over the summer. Other swimmers who have contributed to the team’s success include Myfanwy Hollywell, Sienna Dennis and Emma Hamilton.

Emma Oliver is unbeaten in both backstroke and the individual medley.

She also broke her own backstroke record. Claire Carruthers has won a number of her backstroke and freestyle races and played a big part in the success of the relay team.

Izzy Seagrove also made her début for the team this year showing enthusiasm and good team spirit and contributing to the team’s overall achievement. Georgia Clark and I are the grannies of the team and we win the award for the most training done in the Kingswood pool. We know that most of our team mates train in Olympic pools but our focus has been on starts and turns with not much in between!

The club organised the sponsored swim in memory of Dilys Brake again this year and would like to thank all those people who supported this event by swimming, counting lengths or sponsoring someone. We raised over £850 for the British Heart Foundation.

HOUSE GALA The House Gala was fiercely contested this year with the trophy being eventually shared between Fonthill / Hall and Summerhill / Middle. Hall’s triumph was largely due to an inspirational swim from Richard Newman who was so keen to take the lead that he started his breaststroke whilst in mid-air! I felt sorry for Georgia Clark and Abigail Stogdale having to swim against Charlie Barnes – but on reflection it is quite something to say you’ve competed against the 4th fastest British 200m breaststroker that there has ever been.

To finish we would like to thank a number of people. Firstly our thanks go to Mr and Mrs Hollywell for their help with galas and training. I am not sure that we always enjoyed the infamous early morning swimming training sessions with Mr Opie but we did benefit from them! Miss Bird has proven to be an excellent addition to the coaching team and she also attended early morning training sessions. On one Friday morning she showed us just how good a swimmer she really is when she proved that Tom Pang could be beaten! Finally we all owe a great deal to Mrs Opie for her organisation and coaching. She really is the force behind Kingswood swimming.

Michael Riley and Sophia Briffa (Captains of Swimming 2008)

The Open Girls' have had a second unbeaten season. Charlie Barnes looked the class act she is in the gala against Dauntsey’s, winning both her events and breaking two school records in the process.

Kingswood in Focus 41

Orienteering For the final four Avon Schools’ events of the season... the weather produced some snow on the Mendips, a very, very hot day in the Forest of Dean and kept runners waiting around in torrential rain during the Relays on Stock Hill, again on the Mendips. Maps come ‘bagged’ these days, fortunately.

The 7th League event held in the Easter holidays (not at all a popular date for any of the schools) attracted just 8 KS runners, 7 from the Prep School and 5 from BGS. KS won that battle but not well enough to mount a final challenge in the league.

In the 2008 Avon Schools’ Championships, Kingswood Seniors emerged with 2 champions: Ralph Eliot (Year 11) who won by just 4 seconds after running for 51 minutes and Tamsin Ireland (Year 8), whose determination took her to victory after 57 minutes in the Brierley forest.

KPS provided winners in all 4 junior classes: George Logut and Angharad Lloyd (Year 6); Peter Aaron and Harriet Parker (Year 5).

The final Avon League event was a dead rubber for the senior team, but all to play for individually on Purdown Ridge. Tim Woodhead (Year 9) won to confirm top place in the league as did Tamsin Ireland. Matt Jeffery’s victory saw him finish 2nd and we had 3 other trophy winners.

KPS collected every 1st and 2nd League place in the four classes with Leonard Budd taking Year 6 and Abi Jeffery coming through to win Year 5.

Avon Schools’ Relays – Inter Start

Team results: GS 2848 KPS 2962

KS 2791 RHSB 832

CSOK 1493

Kingswood’s contribution to Avon Schools this year was to organise the Adams Avery and Avon Schools’ Relays. So, thank you to Mr Neil Russell-Bates for an excellent debut performance and also reminding us that an Organiser may also have a competitive run. [Only the Planner and Controller are involved in designing and checking the courses at any event and thank you also to Mr Terry Haines and Elliot for the planning.]

In 2007 KS won all 3 relay cups. This year it proved tougher, rain or no rain. The KS holders (same team as 2007 of 2xYr 11 plus 1xYr 9) only came 3rd, not quite measuring up to the Sixth Form opposition from Cotham and BGS. The Intermediate team mispunched but KPS came 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Leonard, Sophie & Agnès made up the winning trio).

Perhaps the most significant result came in the Adams Avery race where Jackie Hallett, returning overnight from the World Masters in Portugal, where she was 6th in W50, was able to sub for an injured 3rd leg runner in a BOK team, sweeping them to victory on the last leg past a team containing husband Clive. Mrs Hallett joined the KS staff this September and we look forward to having them both turning out for Kingswood Navigators in future.

Mr John Lewis (Orienteering Coach)

"KPS collected every 1st and 2nd League place in the four classes..."

Wet, speedy Matt Jeffery

Open Relay Teams (2nd, Winners, 3rd - Alex, Ralph & Tim)

42 Kingswood in Focus

KPS Cricket The beautiful British weather affected our cricket programme – but unfortunately not enough to stop us enduring a disappointing set of results across each of the age-groups.

If results alone were the benchmark of a successful season it could be considered fairly disastrous but, of course, these are youngsters just learning the skills, tactics and nuances of the sports they are playing and there is so much more at stake than winning and losing. Our policy of ensuring that all players have the chance to bat and/or bowl, for example, often places KPS at a disadvantage when other teams simply bat and bowl only their most able players – but we believe that this is still the best way to proceed.

The Under 11 team boasted some talented players but were unable to really get it together until a fantastic last-ball victory over KEJS in their final game. George Hankins, Felix Barnard-Weston and Hywel Jones were the most consistent performers in this side, whilst there is enough ability within the group to improve in the future. The Under 10 team also found life a struggle, their team containing no regular club cricketers which is extremely helpful at this level. They did make some massive strides in learning the game, although a general inability to occupy the crease for any real length of time did not help them much.

"They made some massive strides in learning the game..."

The younger age groups play soft-ball “Kwik” cricket, where the emphasis really is placed on involvement and learning. As a group KPS players tended to be more accurate bowlers than our opponents but were less aggressive with the bat on the whole. Nick Harris, Xavier Nicastro and Freddie Wells were stand-out players for the U9s; Harry Hankins proved himself a cut above his teammates on many occasions, although the format of cricket does not always necessarily show this.

Olly Parry, Jacob Berger and Josh Brace look promising Year 3s.

A further source of pleasure to me (and I declare a particular interest here) was the increased participation of girls in cricket games – both in boys' fixtures and in the Bath Schools’ Cricket Tournament. The girls consistently proved themselves at least the match of their male peers at this age with notable progress made by several who have taken up the game more seriously out of school as well.

Thanks – as ever – are due to all the staff who helped in the provision of cricket and we hope to take this on a level in 2009.

Mr Ian Shrubsole (Head of Sport)

KPS Rounders Rounders is an extremely popular sport in the Prep School and is enjoyed by the girls from Year 1 up to Year 6.

The concept of the game is relatively simple, however, the intricacies of the rules can be baffling to the most fair minded of sports coaches!

The girls are gradually introduced to the rules as they progress through the school and by the time they reach Year 6 the ability to understand the nuances of each individual rule is crucial to winning any match. With this in mind the selection of the teams is based not only on the individual skill level but also on their sporting awareness and knowledge.

"The excellent results can be attributed to the enthusiasm and commitment of all the girls involved."

Luckily at Kingswood Prep we are not short of the little grey cells and this is highlighted by the excellent results the girls have recorded this term. In total the teams, from U8 to U11, have played 32 matches.

We only lost 4 and won the remaining 28 matches. This set of results can be attributed to the enthusiasm and commitment of all the girls involved. Well done!

Mrs Michelle Newman (Head of Girls' Games) Kingswood in Focus 43

Kingswood Association

Learning from Developing Countries John Barrett, who was Chaplain of Kingswood from 1973 – 1983 and who left in order to take up headship first at Kent College, Pembury, then at The Leys School in Cambridge and, most recently the founding Principal of a new Methodist international school in Singapore, has become the new leader of world Methodism. The school, now in its fourth year, has 700 students from 12 – 18 from 29 countries. Singaporeans see John Barrett’s role in it as events coming full circle. The first Methodist school in Singapore was set up by the Rev. William Oldham, a British minister, who went from India as the first missionary to Singapore.

In his role as Chairman of the World Methodist Council he now has the task of providing support to 78 autonomous member Churches in 132 countries. He acknowledges that Methodism, like other Christian denominations, is struggling to attract young people because too often the Church is seen as being hypocritical and irrelevant, but hopes that the young will begin to look at what is happening elsewhere in the world, where Christianity is on the increase.

In an article in ‘The Times’ he wrote: ‘Our secular society is a materialistic one….[and] for many people materialism is soulless and they find themselves in a spiritual wilderness…Maybe the churches in the developing world can help us recover confidence in the Gospel…

Certainly it is appropriate that we are now seeing mission partners coming from the new churches to the older ones. They can help us see what is important and central in our faith and what is peripheral to it.

The Church in the developing world is spirit-led, charismatic and straining within the structures….There is a sense of joy and of expectancy about worship which I fear I have not always found in the UK.’ Our former Chaplain is determined to show that Methodism provides a wonderful example of how religion can be passionate and life-changing whilst avoiding the dangers posed by fundamentalism and fanaticism.

After all, was not Kingswood’s founder, John Wesley, known as ‘the reasonable enthusiast’?!

Please visit the website www.acsinternational.com.sg/en/section/24

J O Heap Cup When the Association received the Heap Legacy and spoke to his family, it was evident that whilst the overriding wish was that capital be employed towards a large project for the benefit of all the school, J O’s love of sport was also of importance.

Indeed, the only photo the Association hold in its archives of J O Heap is one of him in cricket whites in the late 1920s.

On speaking to his family, it was agreed that because of this passion for sport and his fond memories of his sporting life at Kingswood, a tribute would also be made in his name.

The Association was, therefore, able to create in 2008 the ‘J O Heap Memorial Cup’ to be awarded to the outstanding boy and girl on the sports field during the past academic year.

Matthew Horsley was the 1st XV captain in the rugby season and was awarded ‘Player of the Season’ for his consistent performances. He was also a very reliable sweeper for the 1st XI hockey although his main strength is cricket. He has already played for Bath CC 1st team as a wicket keeper/batsman and represented the West of England Schools in a similar role.

He has scored more runs than any other player in the history of the Peak Sports League, winning the batting award for two years running and he played for the 1st team for 5 seasons.

All in all, a very worthy recipient of the inaugural award.

Alexandria ‘Sacha’ Craig played 1st XI Hockey since joining Kingswood in Year 9 five years ago; she also played 1st VII Netball for three years, and 1st VI Tennis for three years.

She represented the school in swimming and was a County representative in Cross country. She was awarded full colours in Hockey, Netball and Tennis and a very worthy winner of the Heap Cup as well as the title Sportswoman of the Year.

We look forward to making this annual presentation in J O Heap’s name to future aspiring boys and girls at Kingswood who can be recognised through their own talents as great sporting ambassadors for the school.

John Barrett

44 Kingswood in Focus

Mr Barney Coleman (Chairman)

One Man in his Time A Commemoration of John W. Gardner, edited by Neil Cheshire JOHN Gardner left an indelible mark on all who knew him. When Kingswood boys look back on their time at school, (and there were only boys in those days), he stands out as one of the outstanding personalities there. Especially those to whom he taught the classics, or for whom he cared as School House Housemaster, held him, in high regard. Yet even those who saw most of him sensed an air of mystery. Casual remarks in a lesson would hint at a world beyond the classroom, a world of international diplomacy, of archaeological enquiry in distant lands, of friends and acquaintances among the great and the good.

Neil Cheshire has put those of us who saw John Gardner like this greatly in his debt by inviting and editing contributions from a variety of people whose memories and experiences fill in some of the gaps in our own. The picture they paint of life at school will be recognised by many; the account they give of Gardner’s life away from school will be read with delight by those who suspected there was much more to the story but did not know where to look.

One of John Gardner’s gifts was his ability to produce witty and memorable sayings at moments of crisis.

Neil Cheshire includes, “Stop murmuring like a mob in the French revolution”. My favourite is his reaction on arriving in a School House dormitory in the middle of a game of dormy hockey. “I will not have this place looking like Piccadilly Circus on boat race night.” Perhaps some future editor with time to spare might care to publish a collection of these obiter dicta. It would make an important contribution to the story of Kingswood School.

In addition to the memories of those who knew Gardner in various capacities, Neil Cheshire has allowed him to speak to us in his own words. The second part of the book contains material from a variety of sources. There is a brief account of the time spent in exile in Uppingham and extracts from papers reflecting on his time in Ethiopia. There are diary jottings which illustrate how important to Gardner were his friends; letters from England are noted with appreciation. There are also some consciously autobiographical sketches which do not form a continuous narrative but which all add to our understanding of the man.

Those who do not already know the details will be glad to have a fuller account of his relationship with the Ethiopian royal family. The extracts from the chapter on the classics that he contributed to Rupert Davies’

JWG Housemaster of School House 1955

book on Christian education are the clearest account of his deeply held Christian beliefs, though these are acknowledged elsewhere in the book.

His cousin, Godfrey Barker noted that he had been brought up as a Congregationalist, was an evangelical Anglican at Oxford, taught Latin to a Roman Catholic cardinal and spent most of his professional life at a Methodist school. All these influences left their mark, though at heart he became and remained a high church Anglican who relished ritual, colour and ceremony.

If there is anything missing from the book it is John Gardner’s ability, in the right circumstances, to laugh at himself. I recall his compèring of the School House end of term concert and remarking on the tendency of the small boys to gad about, “or should I say Gidgad about!”

The appeal of the book is enhanced by an interesting range of photographs, potted biographies of contributors, and a useful index compiled by John Lewis. If you have friends or relations who knew John Gardner, I cannot imagine a Christmas present they would appreciate more than this. It is a worthy tribute to a remarkable man.

J.D. Bridge (School 1947-55)

"This book is a worthy tribute to a remarkable man."

OMIHT author - Neil Cheshire

90th Birthday - JWG with God daughter – Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell

Kingswood in Focus 45

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness (A history of Thomas Ferens) One of Ferens’ greatest benefactions was the creation of an Art Gallery. He believed that artistic works could have both a moral and spiritual effect on the viewer. After spending £5,000 on works of art, he led a campaign to create a gallery for their display. In 1917 he offered £35,000 and the site of St John's Church, Queen Victoria Square for its construction. The gallery was designed to contain nine display galleries with seven of these on the ground floor all arranged around an octagonal central court intended for L-R: Philip (who went to Wycliffe), my father Clifford (KS c 1901-1905), sculpture. It was opened in 1927 the Reverend Caleb Streat, (standing) John (KS), Amelia Streat (nee and the following year Ferens Middlebrook), (standing) Donald (KS c1901-1950), (seated) Stanley (KS) Thomas Ferens provided a £20,000 covenant for the purchase of new works of art.

In addition he purchased about forty paintings and he subsequently In the nineteenth century a group of Nonconformist business people bequeathed these to the Gallery. The Ferens Art Gallery still attracts sought to supply cleanliness to all classes by the manufacture and countless visitors, especially following a subsequent extension that marketing of soap, starch, washing blue and polish. The two most included doubling the exhibition floor space and creating a 200-seat successful companies in this respect were a company founded in auditorium in 1989-91.

Stoke by a Baptist called Colman and a company founded in Hull by a Quaker called Isaac Reckitt. The latter created his business in Education was a particular interest of Ferens. In Hull he gave £250,000 the 1840s with funding from fellow Quaker businessmen but it only towards the founding of its new University College and supplied the became truly profitable when his son Frederick Reckitt developed a original 18 acre site on Cottingham Road. Once the College was built new recipe for soluble starch. In 1868 Reckitt & Sons acquired a new in the 1920s, Ferens endowed a further £240,000. In 1954 this college clerk called Thomas Robinson Ferens. Born in Shielden in County became the University of Hull and one of the university’s halls of Durham on 4th May, 1847, Ferens was the son of a Methodist miller residence is still named Ferens Hall. The Rev. who had initially worked on the railways.

Ferrier Hulme, who had been the last of the His energy, thoroughness and eager interest in old-style resident Governors at Kingswood, new developments led to his rapid progress, talked to Ferens about building much needed taking on the roles of Secretary, then General science laboratories at the school. The name Manager and eventually Chairman.

Kingswood was well-known to Ferens because Ferens became very wealthy as the company of his Methodist background and because he proved increasingly successful and established was friends with a number of old boys of the branches in Sydney, Australia in 1888 and New York in 1889. There school, including Rev Caleb Streat (see article by Ian Streat), Arnold was an old Hull saying that ‘Reckitt's Blue made Ferens’ Gold’.

Cleminson and W. H. Slack. The latter two were also directors of However, his Methodist up-bringing meant that he had no desire for Reckitts. Ferens was told the laboratories were likely to cost £16,000 luxurious living. Instead he regarded wealth as something to be used and he agreed to pay for them. The then Headmaster, Henry Wootton, to benefit others. From the time he first earned a salary he put aside appointed as architect W. A. Forsyth. He soon persuaded both Wootton one tenth of his income to charity, and in later years gave much more and the governors that a grander and larger building was ideally required than that. In total it is estimated he gave the city of Hull over a million though it would be twice as expensive. Ferens told the school ‘the thing pounds (which would be the equivalent of many millions in today’s needs to be done properly’ and increased his donation to £30,000. money) and it is not surprising that one of the main roads through the He also agreed to provide a further £5,000 to make improvements to city is named 'Ferensway' in his honour. the old main building. The Ferens building and the newly redeveloped Moulton Hall were both opened on 10 November 1926 by the Prince of Concerned about the conditions in which people worked and lived, Wales. Interestingly it was the Prince who laid the foundation stone for Ferens became actively involved in a variety of schemes to improve the new University College in Hull in 1928. the quality of life for ordinary people. For example, he gave land to create a recreation ground for the Young People's Institute and the East Ferens also used his position and wealth to serve people in other ways.

Park with its Ferens Boating Lake. He also provided funding for twelve He became the Liberal Member of Parliament for East Hull in 1906 almshouses, known as the ‘Ferens Rest Homes’. They became part of and served in that capacity till 1918. In 1912 he was appointed High a trust which today runs over a thousand properties. Ferens was also Steward of Hull and King George V made him a member of the Privy a strong supporter of the Garden Village created for the work-force at Council. He was more than once offered a title, but refused it, preferring Reckitts between 1907 and 1923. This consisted of an estate of 130 acres to be known as plain 'Mr Ferens'. Typically when he died in 1930 he left on which was erected 600 good houses each with its own garden – a good his home, Holderness House, to a charity for 'gentle-women'. example of industrialists caring for the conditions of their employees.

Ferens annually awarded prizes to the owners of the best kept gardens.

Mr Gary Best

"...he regarded wealth as something to be used to benefit others.

46 Kingswood in Focus

A la Recherche du Temps Perdu The delightful summer evening reception at Middle Temple organised and hosted by Judge Peter Wright led me to feel that my four visits to Kingswood since I left in 1955 were too few.

In the Ferens I had just time to see that Fourth Bishop and Upper Fifth Gardner still looked the same when I was ushered into a class room of very youthful students and invited to take part in the test. (I had just worked out the rules when time was up). Having greatly enjoyed being taught French and German it was very encouraging to see today's generation also enjoying the challenge and also to know that they now have greater choice of languages to learn. On leaving the Ferens I doffed my cap (metaphorically) to the foundation stone laid by the great man, for my father worked for Ferens and knew him well.

"So many memories, so much to be encouraged by and such great plans for the future."

I have been asked to record my impressions of the resulting visit at the end of the summer term when I was most hospitably welcomed and looked after by the Head of Modern Languages, various other members of staff and, most particularly, Angela Carlton-Porter.

I was anxious to hear more about the Development Appeal and to see how the school had changed and grown over the last 50 years. I also looked back at my own time and also reflected on an earlier generation when my father and his three brothers had been there in the early 1900s.

The school is now predominantly a day school and it has been co-educational for a long time. In my father’s day it took only the sons of Methodist ministers. The dining hall looks much as it did in the past and John and Charles Wesley kept their accustomed places. The food was not bad in my day but the menu now offers many choices.

Much, indeed, remained familiar and would have done to my father’s generation.

Then we looked in at the Moulton Hall, where many of us were taught to act by Michael Bishop, Douglas Milne and John Gardner and where we sat exams. This was originally the school room where boys of the pre-Ferens generations were taught en masse.

It is now the very impressive J O Heap library where computers sit alongside the books: a testament to what can be done when funds are left to the school. By contrast the library where we all spent many hours working is now devoid of books and shelves and houses the archives and John Lewis (once my patrol leader in the scouts) who continues his devoted work in a post retirement role.

The theatre/assembly hall is a great asset but it failed to dislodge in my recollected affection the tiny (in retrospect) temporary stage of the 1950s: but there, you are bound to get some nostalgic ramblings from an ancien eleve like me. Art, music and drama are now closely integrated in the old gym/ art room: a good development indeed.

And finally to the old Upper House dormitory where my father, three uncles my brother and I all slept in our various periods and which still looked the same even in its new guise as an exam hall.

So many memories, so much to be encouraged by and such great plans for the future. Above all the school retains its aims as a place of Christian education and upbringing: a fact that underpins all that is changed and all that remains as in my day. To survive, the school needs finance which cannot be generated from fees paid by current parents: all schools are in the same boat but Kingswood, having no endowment, has greater needs than some.

Since my visit in the summer, I have attended the Association Day on 8th November and was delighted to meet a few of my contemporaries.

I hope to visit the school rather more frequently than I did in the past.

Anyone who does so is assured of a great welcome.

Mr Ian Streat (KS 1950-1955)

Kingswood in Focus 47

A Lovely Lockhart Wedding at Kingswood “It’s perfect!” was Jane’s verdict when she visited Kingswood for the first time on her hunt for a wedding venue.

The choice couldn’t have delighted us more as Kingswood has played such a big role in our family’s life. It all seemed so right, so fitting.

How better to celebrate the Lockhart’s Kingswood connection than with a wedding that brought together former pupils, a newly extended family, former colleagues and family friends in a place associated with the family for more than a century. And so it was that on 30th August Chaplain Mike Wilkinson married our son Malcolm to Jane Chambers here in the School Chapel.

The photo shows the groom’s best man, his great school friend, Alasdair Dawson, who was Senior Prefect in 1994-1995 when Malcolm was Head of Upper House. Other guests from those Kingswood days included former pupils Vicky Dunlop, Nikki Haine (nee Cope), Louise Forbes, James Owen and Malcolm Wood. Also featured in the photo are family members on the Lockhart side who were pupils and/or teachers here at the school, namely Malcolm’s uncle (Frank), cousin (Nick), brother (Andrew) and, of course, Mum (Stephanie) and Dad (Lawrence).

Lawrence’s uncle Harry was the first Lockhart to come to Kingswood in 1897, followed by Harry’s three brothers, Reginald Frank, Ernest William and Noel Hare (Lawrence’s father). Reginald fell in the First World War and is commemorated on the stone plaque in the Memorial Chapel. Frank was at Kingswood from 1943-1951 and Lawrence from 1948-1954. Both sent their eldest sons here - Nick (1971-1977) and Malcolm (1990-1994 after three years at Prior’s Court). His younger

brother, Andrew, joined Kingswood in 1997, exactly one hundred years after his great-uncle. Family members on Lawrence’s mother’s side who were pupils here included her brother, Ronald Wootton, (who was killed in the Second World War and who is also commemorated in the Chapel) and her sister’s sons David and Colin Manley in the 1950s. Finally, three of the family joined the staff at Kingswood too - Lawrence from 19821996, Nick from 1985-1988 and Stephanie from 1985-2007.

Of the wedding day itself, best man Alasdair writes: “It was fantastic to be back at the school - it is such an amazing location and we were made very welcome again by Vanessa and Sharon. I was like a little kid exploring the place and looking at all the things that had changed at the school since we left in 1995. The place has really moved on since then. It was also great to see so many people with Kingswood history there, and lovely that Garrod Musto, Sandy Burgon and Mark Westcott dropped in during the evening to say hello to some old faces”.

The sun shone from the moment Alasdair and Malcolm set off down Lansdown Road on a tandem from the Hare and Hounds until it set in a glory of pink and orange over Weston. The dining hall, transformed with red carpet and tables decorated with candles and flowers, echoed with music and laughter well into the night. Thank you, Kingswood, for giving us another experience to treasure and remember in the years ahead now that we have all left.

Proud Mum .. Stephanie Lockhart (former Head of ESL)

Back row (L-R) Vicky Dunlop (95 leaver), Alasdair Dawson (95 leaver) Nick Lockhart (77 leaver and staff 85-88), Malcolm Wood (95 leaver) James Owen (93 leaver) Front row (L-R) Stephanie Lockhart (staff 85-07) Andrew Lockhart (04 leaver) Malcolm Lockhart (PC 87-90, KS 95 leaver), Jane Lockhart (nee Chambers), Lawrence Lockhart (54 leaver, staff 82-96), Frank Lockhart (51 leaver)

48 Kingswood in Focus

MJSD When the term MJSD was first mooted, few Kingswood Association members realised that this was not a rare form of hitherto unknown medical condition.

Some recognised the letters to represent the quarter months of the year – March, June, September and December while others took the plunge and joined what is a growing movement among the Association to be part of what has rapidly become a Kingswood institution.

The event of June 2008 proved to be a remarkable example of what MJSD has become. A relaxed dining event with around 30 members drawn from all years meet and enjoy good food – as can be seen in abundance from the photos! And good conversation. As always, at events, we endeavour to add a frisson of interest to make each evening special. June’s event was no exception with the launch of “One Man In His Time” – the book put together by Neil Cheshire and John Lewis to record the remarkable life and times of John W Gardner – see article written by Neil on page 45.

There is always room for Association members, their partners and guests to come and share what is a very special occasion. More information available from John Allison jca@kingswood.bath.sch.uk or on 01225 734260.

Mr John Allison (KSA Events co-ordinator)

A Surprise Visitor It is not often we can catch Mr Opie unawares... but today, when one of his old classmates ‘T.J.’ Gan (Tong) came back to visit, was the time we really did!

The look of surprise and amazement on his face was literally ‘a picture’ – just lucky I had my camera to the ready! ‘T.J.’ and his family were visiting the UK and made a fleeting stop in Bath to see his old school.

He was delighted to find one of his old school friends from back in the 1980s was actually here and now Senior Housemaster!

‘T.J’ is a Consultant Anaesthetist, living and working in Carolina, USA. Look out for a feature of his life and works in the next edition of KIF.

Ms Angela Carlton-Porter (Director of Development and Alumni Relations)

Dates for your Diary Sun February 8th - 10am

Orienteering: School v Association Christmas Common, High Wycombe (01225 859776)

Sat March 7th - 12 noon

Midlands Lunch - McKee's Brasserie Balsall Common, Near Coventry CV7 7EL (0121 4581322)

Fri March 13th - 7 for 7.30pm MJSD Dining Club Kingswood School Dining Hall (01225 734260) Sat May 9th - 12 for 1pm

South West Lunch - Mullions Restaurant Street, Somerset BA16 0EF (01225 866395)

Fri June 12th - 7 for 7.30pm

MJSD Dining Club Kingswood School Dining Hall (01225 734260)

Sat 4th July - 10.30am

Commemoration Day Service Bath Abbey (01225 734200) Kingswood in Focus 49

Gary Best Travel Scholarship It was fitting that, when The Kingswood Association wished to buy Gary a retirement present, he made it very clear that he did not require a gift for himself but something as a lasting legacy for the School.

Many Old Boys and Girls who have come into contact with Gary over the last twenty one years, and many more who have returned to the school and met him, or those who have simply read some of his writings, will be aware of his very real belief in social justice and fairness. This is not some modern, trendy notion of social justice that is all too easily espoused by politicians and others seeking headlines, but a truly Christian belief that in John Wesley’s words we should express our faith by doing “all the good that we can”.

Photos taken by Gary Best during his sabbatical to Ecuador and Peru in 2004

Fitting I said, and fitting it was, that the gift that The Kingswood Association gave to the school, on behalf of Gary Best, was a travel scholarship for leaving pupils and those Alumni aged twenty five and below. Recipients of the scholarship must be planning to engage in a period of travel that will involve some altruistic and socially just work, probably, but not exclusively, in the developing world.

The Association raised a considerable sum over the Spring of 2008 and this will now form an endowment with an annual sum of £400 awarded to one alumnus. The gift was presented to the school and Gary Best during the final assembly of the summer term by the President, Mr Robert Sandry.

Invitations are therefore extended to any Old Boy or Girl aged twenty five or under who is contemplating a gap year from Summer 2009 onwards and whose travel incorporates some work that fulfils the Scholarship’s criteria.

The closing date for applications is 31st March 2009 and all entries will be judged by the Headmaster, together with the Chairman and the President of the Association.

Mr Barney Coleman (Chairman)

Kingswood Leavers 2008 (The Kingswood Association's Newest Members) 50 Kingswood in Focus

Out and About

French Exchange In the last week of the Easter holidays 30 pupils and staff travelled to Toulouse in the South-West of France to take part in the annual French exchange, having already hosted partners from the Lycée Saint-Sernin in March.

Leaving Bath covered in snow, it was in fact the British weather which led to a four hour delay at Gatwick airport; still there was the advantage of having a £5 food voucher to spend and the high point of Jeff Carpenter serenading all passengers (whether they wanted to hear or not!). Once in Toulouse all partners were re-united with their exchange families only to meet up with Kingswood staff and pupils the next day at school.

Going to a French school is an experience.

Firstly, lots of pupils had to travel by Metro to get to school and many were surprised at how early they had to start (8.00am) and how late lessons went on until (18.00).

But not all pupils have lessons at the same time which provided lots of number practice for the Kingswood pupils! After negotiating the school’s dining hall and the huge numbers of pupils outside the Lycée (pupils are either locked in or locked out of school whichever way you choose to view it, which is the French way of dealing with less than punctual pupils!) the party met up for a walking tour of Toulouse which took in the major sights: the Basilique Saint-Sernin, la Place du Capitole, les Berges de la Garonne, etc. Much was learnt as was proven by the very high-scoring marks in Tuesday’s quiz following an outing to the medieval town of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi. Wednesday saw both French and English pupils visit the Millau Viaduct put together by French people but built by a Brit! Our lasting memory of this viaduct being not the amazing structure itself but why we were not allowed to eat our lunch there! Our afternoon was spent in the caves which are home to Roquefort cheese tasting it and buying it and of course smelling it! Kingswood pupils enjoyed another early start on Thursday and attended lessons in the Lycée again before visiting the local newspaper: la Dépêche du Midi – we won’t mention the erratic driving skills of our delightful ‘conductrice’ or the ‘souris!’ (Emily Patterson.)

Friday morning welcomed the most difficult logistic task of the whole trip which was to get all of the party onto the metro, off again and onto a bus to visit Cité de l’Espace – that’s the space centre you can see from the motorway when you drive past on your way further south. Going to the IMAX cinema was certainly a high point of the day but alas, we had to return to school to meet the chocolatier. We tasted chocolate from all over the globe and learnt how to appreciate its ‘chocolateyness’, although nobody could quite see the red specks in the Venezuelan chocolate despite our best attempts. The weekend was then again spent ‘en famille’ and we all met up at the airport on Sunday to say our farewells (some longer than others – Kleenex crew!) And that’s not all; some of us nearly didn’t make it back and some Roquefort definitely didn’t!

But, this trip is not just about the many scintillating activities on offer and I am sure you will agree we did pack in lots.

It is about the willingness to stay with someone you barely know and who barely speaks your language and to have a stab at speaking their language as well as listen to and understand them. For all participants it makes for a huge adventure whether you are trying food which is hugely different to that which you would normally eat, trying to explain what you did during the day or just getting the name of the family pet correct! (Nina.) An exchange is about temporarily swapping homes, families and schools, but also about realising that the French don’t drive on the wrong side of the road and they don’t support the wrong rugby team, just a different one.

Many thanks to all pupils who took part in the trip and to Mr Forrester and Miss Vigliucci for their help throughout. The exchange will run at the same time next year, further details will follow in September.

Outdoor Survival Club...

Year 8 campout in Westwood Woods – Saturday 14th June building shelters, cooking on an open fire and wide games.

JWD

Kingswood in Focus 51

A Trip to the Land of Ice and Fire On the 9th of April 2008, 13 boys and 4 girls from Years 10 and 11 along with Mr and Mrs Haines were extremely excited to be going on the first ever residential geography trip to Iceland.

We arrived in a flurry of snow and were amazed to see so much already lying on the ground! We got on our coach to meet our driver, who I have to say was great, always funny and caring throughout the trip and he took us to the Perlan Viewing Platform, a viewing point in Reykjavík (Iceland’s capital city) from where we had a great view of Table Top Mountains, Reykjavík itself and the western coastline. We arrived at Reykjavík Youth Hostel in time for a supper of chicken and chips before a brief overview of Iceland which included many interesting geographical facts (Mr Haines had a pen and notebook ready!) such as the population of Iceland being only 316,000, which compared to UK's of 59,000,000 is a staggeringly small amount.

Well equipped with thermals, cameras, hot chocolate and my bright green walking boots we were ready for Thursday, our first Icelandic day. We met our guide, who was continuously a wealth of knowledge and cheeriness, and our first port of call was a large frozen lake where the boys enjoyed a good snowball fight and the girls eventually took cover in the coach to avoid being pelted with snow. Next we went to Iceland’s National Park: Thingvellir, where the North American and Eurasian plates meet.

These plates move very slowly (only about three centimetres apart every year) but it was strange to know that you were actually standing in-between the two and the scenery was remarkable. This was also where the first ever parliament was held in AD930. We then went to see a hydro electric power station. Iceland is abundant in power supply due to it being geothermally active and because of all its renewable energy resources such as the melt water from its many glaciers. Next stop was Keri, a very large crater where we took some dramatic photos followed by a trip to an amazing waterfall called “Gullfoss” or “golden falls” in English.

It was very loud, dramatic and exciting seeing such a large amount of water travelling so fast and so steeply as well as the sheer beauty of it when surrounded by icicles and snow. The last but by no means least sight for today was the infamous Strokkur Geyser. This was a spectacular sight and the thing that I was most excited about seeing. The geyser would form a massive blue bubble then burst up about 20 metres towards the sky followed by many “wows” from our small crowd. We returned to the youth hostel for the evening and that night Sam and Quentin even stayed up to see a brief sight of the Northern lights!

52 Kingswood in Focus

"Strokkur Geyser was a spectacular sight..."

Friday was another busy day consisting of viewing Seljalandsfoss, one of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. It drops a full 60 metres over the cliffs and the erosion of the former coastline allowed us to follow the path behind it allowing a 360 degree view. Another waterfall we went to see was Skógafoss which was especially stunning due to the rainbow that had formed across it. During the afternoon we took a trip up onto a glacier.

We trundled up the mountain side to find the snow becoming deeper and deeper and by the time we were standing on the glacier it was about 40cm deep. To our great joy, the driver of the orange super jeep emerged from the cab with plastic sleds! We set off to the top of the slope to find an outstanding view before sledding back down again, Paige’s scream echoing across the valley. They went so fast! We also found other interesting uses for the snow such as something to build an igloo with and something to bury Wookey in who once emerged stated: “Gillette, the best a man can get”.

Saturday was the day that we travelled to Heimaey, a volcanic Island just off the southern coast of Iceland. The flight there was all of six minutes by a light aircraft which I have to say I was petrified of but, once up, was really fun, especially for some of the boys who got the chance to be co-pilot. We were taken on a tour around the Island by a current inhabitant whose family and he had lived on the Island for many years. We saw a recreation of some Viking houses, visited the windiest place in Europe, drove around the small town where 4,500 inhabitants currently live and walked up the Island’s highlight, the Volcano Eldfell. Eldfell last erupted on the 23 of January 1973 and didn’t stop till the 3rd of July the same year. 5000 inhabitants were evacuated including our guide who was only very little when it happened and thought the world was coming to an end when large rocks started falling from the sky. He showed us where he used to live, where he lives now and a house that had been crushed by the lava flow but could still be seen. It was very touching hearing his personal story and sad to see just how much destruction the volcano had caused. We walked up the volcano which is one of the youngest in the world to find rocks that ranged in colour from black to yellow due to the sulphur.

It was incredible to actually know that you were standing on top of hot lava and feel the extreme heat only a few centimetres down through the rock. We all picked up a few as souvenirs and admired the view prior to getting back on the plane to the mainland. In the evening we went to see the volcano show. This was a film made by one man and his father who had filmed the volcanic activity in Iceland for many years. The show included many astonishing clips of volcanoes erupting and shots of the film making in action.

It was really inspiring to see how they had strived to film it all and had filmed for such a long time.

"Gullfoss waterfall was very loud, dramatic and exciting..."

Sunday was sadly our final day in Iceland. We took a short look around Reykjavík before travelling to the Blue Lagoon. Us girls especially were looking forward to this as guests enjoy relaxing in the 37°C geothermal seawater, known for its positive effects on the skin. The whole complex was luxurious and we spent ages bathing in the water covered with mist, sitting in the steam room, putting white silica mud on our faces to help us get beautiful looking skin, having a hotdog and ice-cream at the restaurant and finally a brief look around the gift shop before heading for the airport.

I would highly recommend this trip to pupils in the future because I can honestly say that Iceland was the best trip I have ever been on. It was a place I thought I might never go to but I would really love to go back again one day simply because I would love to revisit the places I saw and re-experience the many things that I feel privileged to have done. I will never forget this trip and on behalf of the whole group I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Haines who made the trip possible and so very memorable.

Katherine Lane (Year 10)

Kingswood in Focus 53

Rome Trip 2008 Over 40 pupils and 3 members of staff arrived on a very wet evening at Ciampino Airport in Rome on Monday 24th March 2008.

Sicilian dialect, leaving Mr Lloyd to communicate with him in French, setting our minds at ease. Within an hour, we had arrived at the beautiful country town of Tivoli to visit Hadrian’s Villa, the holiday site of the Emperor Hadrian (when he wasn’t building walls along the Solway Firth). If we had thought the Roman Forum was majestic enough, it was a building site compared to this.

The villa was so enormous, that few among our number managed to complete exploring the entire area. The beauty and intricacy of the statues and domes were breathtaking, and the bath the size of a football pitch!

We hopped back onto our bus, had a wonderful lunch in a nearby restaurant, and were dropped at the Vatican City. We were surprised at the number of security checks and strict regulations, but it was all worth it – it was wonderful to see the painted ceilings and halls of statues. It was quite hard for me to believe I was actually seeing it all, and I believe that for many the Vatican was the highlight of the trip. On returning to the hotel, we all participated in a quiz designed by Mr Lloyd (did you know that the grapefruit was the only citrus fruit to be discovered outside of the Old World?); it certainly helped us to get an early night in preparation for Volcano Day (even though there is no Latin word for ‘volcano’!)

We thought we had left the wet weather behind us, but unfortunately, it seemed British luck had followed British weather, and so, as we were blown ruthlessly from the plane’s steps and tossed into a carrier bus, our hopes for the weather were already as low as the clouds overhead.

TUESDAY 25TH: Mr Lloyd had resolved that the majority of travel during the trip would be by use of public transport. Unfortunately, he hadn’t bargained on the fact that none of the Italians spoke English, and no one, with the exception of Mr Lloyd, had any knowledge of Italian, so the pressure was on him from the word go, but we eventually managed to catch a bus and then the metro into central Rome. The first Roman monument to be explored by our almighty school brigade was the Colosseum. Many of those who had not visited Rome before were impressed by the monumental size of the building, and even more impressed when our tour guide gave us an idea of the quantity of stone and men needed to build it. We then visited the Roman Forum. Again, the size and space were hugely impressive. It was hard to explore the entire area in the short space of time given, although a highlight for everyone was to sit by the trees where Julius Caesar collapsed after having been stabbed. After a visit to the Spanish Steps, a delicious ice cream in hand, and a short walk around the shops, we took the metro home and got a good night’s sleep in preparation for the next day.

WEDNESDAY 26TH: With some relief, we jumped into our coach, but then there was a small crisis: we discovered our driver couldn’t actually speak English, and his Italian was a

54 Kingswood in Focus

THURSDAY 27TH: In books, Pompeii is, despite being in ruins, extremely beautiful, with its orange walls complementing the poetic blue sky…

We should be so lucky. British weather had decided it would be funny to sneak up on us on the most anticipated day of the trip and drench us in a non-stop torrential downpour. Never mind Vesuvius, the streets of Pompeii were flooded. By the end of the trip, there was more water in my shoes than in the Bay of Naples. Pompeii was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of the trip. It is almost as if time has stopped: you feel as if you should be seeing Roman merchants walking down its quiet streets. Highlights included the Pompeiian amphitheatre and the “stone men” left behind from the catastrophe; their faces will haunt me forever.

FRIDAY 28TH: Friday was a day of last-minute sightseeing (and ice-creams) in really glorious weather. To be honest, I felt rather miffed about the audacity of the weather to be beautiful on the day we decided to leave.

We visited the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column, the Fountain of Trevi and many shopping centres. And ice-cream shops.

I would like to thank Mr Adams, Mr and Mrs Lloyd and Mr and Mrs Fountain for making the trip such a joy. They were delightful company and fun in all activities they partook with us, be they wading through a wet amphitheatre or escorting us around the Colosseum. Those who had never been to Rome previously now knew the splendour and beauty of this wonderful city. I know I am not the only one who threw a penny into the Fountain of Trevi on the last day, in the hope that I shall return there once again…

Hattie Richardson (Year 11)

Ten Tors 2008 It all started with ten Lower Sixth formers, twenty-five Year Tens, a couple of teachers and a grumpy Scotsman with his old dog.

We trekked off on practice weekend after practice weekend, through all types of weather from snow and hail to roasting sunshine. And finally the two, six-man teams were selected. We arrived early Thursday evening and set up camp. Friday morning we were awoken and set off for bag checking. Here every member was close to being stopped owing to their equipment, but we made it. The next stage would be the walk. Saturday morning we weren’t woken up by the alarms we had set which was disheartening because that was what we had to rely on for the Sunday morning. Still, blearing music from loudspeakers around the field filled the teams with enthusiasm for the challenge (well, most of them). We got to the start, and listened to the Ten Tors Prayer, and then we were let loose for the big challenge.

Thanks must go to all the staff involved: Mr Hollywell, Mr Vaughan, Mr Wilkinson, Mr Haines, Mr Burton, Mr Hills, Mr Forrester, Harry – Mr Burgon’s dog, Mr Burgon and finally Mr Davies, without whose help and devotion to the teams, the whole event for Kingswood pupils would not have happened.

Richard Newman

The Lower Sixth team didn’t quite make it to the eighth Tor as they had planned, after a sad moment en route had lost some time: one of the best candidates for the walk, John Rawlins, made it to the fifth Tor and couldn’t go on. This was due to the extreme heat, and everyone was suffering. In midday it peaked into the 90’s. Still we kept going, and finally came to rest at 10.15 pm to set up camp. Luckily all alarms went off, and the teams were awoken for the next day of walking.

The second day was not as good. All teams were tired and had very sore feet. Still, Tor after Tor we plodded on, and finally came to the last Tor. Here a moment of euphoria struck us, and we all felt triumphant until we saw the direction we had to go, which was up the tallest Tor in South England, which believe me was HUGE. Nevertheless, we made it to the top, and down the other side, and picked up a road that would lead us inevitably home.

At the finish all our efforts were made worthwhile. Along the road were hundreds of people welcoming us home cheering and clapping, which made all the team members very proud. The Year Ten team finished around midday and the Lower Sixth team around three.

We then collected our medals, and were given a thoroughly deserved pasty. All in all the entire trip was a great success, although the feet of all the team members were extremely sore, with the biggest blisters Mr Burgon had ever seen. Special mention must go to David Short whose feet were atrocious, and he could barely walk.

LOWER SIXTH TEAM Completed M route at 3.30pm on Sunday Richard Newman (Team Leader), Sam Pew Latter, Mark Widdowson Tom Cammann, John Rawlins, Shaun Howell

YEAR 10 TEAM Completed H route at 12.30pm on Sunday Oscar Batterham (Team Leader), David Short, Greg Harris Matt O’Bryan, Alex Scott, Zach Mayne

"...hundreds of people welcomed us home cheering and clapping...'

Kingswood in Focus 55

Biology Trip to Watchet Monday 9th June saw the entire Year 10 pile onto two coaches and set off for the coast. Our destination was Watchet, a small town where we would be analysing life forms on the shoreline. Two hours and a short walk later we arrived, already rather hot and sticky on the cliffs above the bay where we ate a leisurely lunch whilst discussing the factors which affect plant and animal distribution. Most important were desiccation (drying out) and light intensity for plants as well as predation by birds and marine invertebrates for the animal species.

Assault Course

Residential Beam House On Monday 23rd June Year 6 set out for North Devon for their end of year trip.

Our destination was Beam House, set near the picturesque Tarka Trail, where the film, Tarka the Otter was filmed. The first thing we did when we arrived was to walk along the Tarka Trail stopping at a disused railway station for ice cream, before turning round.

The activities ranged from body boarding in the sea to archery and a Christmas version of Dungeons and Dragons! My favourite activity, though, was the zip wire. It was really high up and there was a garden gnome at the end of the wire. To sum up, I had an amazing trip and would gladly go again.

Feeling well fed we descended to the beach and had a go at identifying some creatures and plants for ourselves. Amongst our discoveries were several shore crabs, numerous periwinkles and even a sea anemone which as a few people found out will attempt to suck in anything with which it comes into contact, including your finger! As the tide receded we began to take some real measurements, such as the height and width of limpets using some extremely accurate callipers. In the process we learnt that all the larger female limpets are at the top of the beach where they release their eggs, whilst the smaller males are lower down ready to fertilise them as the tide carries them out to sea, and in addition we were taught to recognise home scars, the hollows which limpets return to everyday after feeding. It was lovely to see the creatures as we learnt about them and it was a really beneficial day which ended all too quickly. I am sure that each one of us had something unique which we had discovered to take away with us; all in all, a wonderful day at the beach. With weather so beautiful, how could it not be?

Katie Olley (Year 10)

"It was lovely to see the creatures as we learnt about them..."

Leonard Budd (Y6D)

Trapeze

Sensory Trail Jess Gregory

South African Exchange

When we were all sitting in the boarders’ lounge watching TV, and all the boarders returned, I personally was excited and nervous. After the first day of school I was happy that I learnt most of their names and was surprised how easy it was to fit in because everyone was so nice to us. I got into a routine and was happy with everyday I spent in Bath. Weekends were very good because you could go to town and shop with your friends, and you could relax or play sport.

When it came to the last day I couldn't believe that my stay had gone so fast.

I was very sad to say goodbye to all my good friends that I had made, but in a way I was excited for my half-term with the Jefferys. My half-term was great. Over the weekend we went to Callum's house and went go-karting.

From Tuesday to Thursday we went to London and had a ball!

My best parts of being in Westwood are meeting and making all my good friends, the boarders’ camp, the food, and after school hanging around and playing.

Thank you for the wonderful experience and it couldn't have been any better.

Matthew Purdon (Kingswood College, Grahamstown) 56 Kingswood in Focus

A Moving Visit At the beginning of the Summer holidays, we were part of a group of 44 students from Year 9 who took part in what is becoming an annual event: the History Department visit to the First World War Battlefields.

At the beginning of the Summer holidays, we were part of a group of 44 students from Year 9 who took part in the History Department trip to the First World War Battlefields. This year we stayed in the aptly named “Poppies” Hotel in the centre of Ypres, a Belgian city which was on the front line throughout the First World War. On our first full day, Tuesday, we explored some of the main sites of Ypres and the surrounding area. One of the most impressive features of the city was the Menin Gate, on which are inscribed the names of over 55,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who died in the area, and have no known grave. Some of us managed to trace our relatives listed among the thousands on each panel. The fact that so many people had died was brought home to us for the first time on the trip by our visit to a cemetery on the ramparts of the city, in which were buried the remains of some of the earliest victims of the war.

After a very loud and surprising wake up call from Charles’ bugle on Wednesday morning we drove over the French border to visit various sites in the Somme area. First we visited the Historial de la Grande Guerre (which when translated means the Museum of the Great War).

The museum had uniforms from all across the globe laid out on the floor, indicating which countries really relied on safety and which safety precautions they thought were the most important. A comprehensive display of war artwork was particularly interesting; although all the pictures were very different they showed the same emotions, such as fear, bravery and injustice. We also saw a film about the Battle of the Somme.

It combined video clips and photos with voice-overs from soldiers.

This really made us empathise with the soldiers and helped us to understand what it would have been like to be there.

Before our next venture we sat outside the museum to have our lunch; then we set off for Lochnager Crater, a huge crater which was created by a mine.

The latter would have been set off ten minutes before the start of the Battle of the Somme. It was supposed to leave the enemy in confusion and panic while British soldiers were attacking them, and prevent them from putting up a strong defence. We then walked through the fields where part of the battle would have taken place, to Hawthorn Ridge No.1 Cemetery, the final resting place of men who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, including Kingswood old boy Eric R. Heaton. We all stood around his grave while Mr Woodgate told us Eric Heaton’s story. Sam Bean read the last letter he wrote to his family, Olivia Dellow read the poem “Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep” and Charles Price played the Last Post.

Thiepval is a huge monument which contains all the missing men of the Somme. The first thing that we realised was how big it was. It is massive and contains over 72,090 British and South African soldiers. It is in the shape of a big arch with one little arch joined to either side. In the middle of the big arch is a stone rectangle with “Their Name Liveth For Everyone”

carved into it. Around the stone rectangle are wreaths of poppies. This was very sad and moving as it shows how many people still care and are thankful to the soldiers.

After Thiepval we travelled back to Ypres to have our dinner.

Later that evening, we returned to the Menin Gate, where we witnessed the playing of the Last Post (as it is played every night at 8.00 pm). Firstly, part of Laurence Binyon’s “For the Fallen” was read, followed by the playing of the Last Post.

It was very moving as it shows that the people of Belgium are still very grateful to all the soldiers of the First World War as they still pay their respects every night.

Thursday morning dawned and with it, an opportunity to visit another part of the Western Front, Vimy Ridge, on which Canadian soldiers won a remarkable victory in April 1917.

"The highlight was a guided tour of part of the tunnel network..."

The highlight of this visit was an excellent guided tour of part of the tunnel network which was to play a large part in the battle. Our very well-informed Canadian guides explained how the tunnels, excavated by the British, enabled large numbers of troops to be moved up to the front line without being seen, which was one of the reasons for the Allies’ success.

After Vimy Ridge we went on to an amazing theme park near Ypres called Bellewaerde, with many fantastic many rides. One of the best rides in the park was a rollercoaster called Boomerang and as the name suggests, you are flung backwards and forwards to heights of up to 32 metres and swung around in loops at speeds of 80 km/h!

We would all like to thank the staff who accompanied us (Mr MacDonald, Mr Woodgate, Mrs Dawson, Mr Redman and Mr Forrester) for helping us to have such an interesting and enjoyable time – it was a great trip!

Hannah Bottle and Alex Fielden

Kingswood in Focus 57

www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk