Kingswood In Focus - December 2009

focus Kingswood in

December 2009

Contents

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Contents Regulars 1 4 6 8 14 22 34 38 41 42 43 44 50

Features 10 12

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'From the Headmasters' Staff News Chapel & Community Academic Results & Prize Giving Performing Arts Summer Sport Art Eco-Schools Poetry Competition Development News Friends of KS and KPS Kingswood Association Out & About

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Economics & Business Department Making sense of economic jargon

Frolicking Ahead with Phonics

A fast track to learning to read in The Prep School

Sports Tour 2009

Our sports teams travel to South Africa for a memorable trip

An Impressive Exhibition

Art and Design Technology showcase work from all year groups

A Well Deserved Honour

Kingswood School's Green Commitment is rewarded by Research Initiatives

focus Kingswood in

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Kingswood Senior School Lansdown Road, Bath BA1 5RG Tel. 01225 734210 Fax. 01225 734205 enquiries@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

Kingswood Preparatory School College Road, Bath BA1 5SD Tel. 01225 734460 Fax. 01225 734470 kpsreception@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

From the Headmaster

Reflections Dear Parents It has been a particularly enjoyable and indeed pleasantly reassuring task to read and reflect on the wide-ranging reports contained in this splendid edition of Kingswood in Focus. On a personal level it has considerable significance; this edition chronicles events in the second half of my first year at Kingswood and, as schools inevitably work in clear annual cycles, it brings to a natural end the initial induction phase in the sense that the shape of the school year is now familiar, the reasons for doing things in a certain way are better understood and areas requiring particular development are identified. This can, however, also be misleading, for one of the major lessons I am also learning is that the discovery phase continues – things which may not be immediately apparent can become highly significant and much of the charm of Kingswood is discovering new pockets of excellence in unexpected areas.

I understand that there is a natural concern amongst parents, who have after all invested so much in the school, about any change in leadership and how this might impact on the future direction of the school.

I have, rightly, been asked on numerous occasions over the past twelve months about this; inevitably there is both a fear of too much change and a concern that any change, even a minor one, is the right change.

"...much of the charm of Kingswood is discovering new pockets of excellence in unexpected areas."

The decision making regarding the school curriculum is clearly central to all this. I know it is a matter of considerable confusion to many people when the media creates the impression that one examination system may or may not be superior to another. The point, surely, is that no single examination system can cater perfectly for the needs of any individual (what system of any kind could do this?), but one which retains a high level of flexibility in responding to individual talent alongside an appropriate recognition of the need for certain core skills is surely preferable to one which is over prescriptive and limited in scope.

As school leaders we understand that, ultimately, each parent sees the school from a very personal perspective; one might choose a school for all manner of reasons, but fundamentally every parent presumably settles on a school by considering the needs of an individual child and seeking a school with an ethos which might best respond to those needs. To make such an important decision is, of course, a matter of immense trust; trust firstly that the school really does provide an appropriately challenging, encouraging and supportive environment and secondly that, within this framework, it is able to respond to the very specific needs of each individual. It is my belief that parents’ trust in Kingswood is very well placed in both these respects.

The emphasis on examinations is, in any case, hugely misleading; whilst the attainment of good grades in nationally recognised examinations is obviously vitally important, this is only one part of a quality education.

We are delighted, obviously, that our pupils achieve such impressive examination results, but we would be appalled if our academic achievements were limited to assessment by examination. Within our curriculum at all levels we seek to inspire, motivate and challenge by looking well beyond the inevitably limited horizons of a GCSE or an A Level examination; we want Kingswood pupils to become critical thinkers whose learning is never restricted by an examination requirement. My hope is that our students leave Kingswood armed with impressive examination results, certainly, and with a good quality university place secured, but what truly impresses me is that they leave as young people who have discovered the joy of learning and become rounded individuals with a sense of purpose and direction and a real desire to make a difference to other people’s lives.

Kingswood in Focus 1

One of the challenges for a new headmaster is setting the priorities for future development of the school and I have much enjoyed the process of discussion and evidence gathering which is enabling me to plan the longer term future of the school.

Proposed architect’s sketch of the new Upper Development from Batterham Matthews Design

As we look to fulfil our aim to provide the highest quality of all-round education to all our pupils, it is a fascinating exercise to compare the merits of building new academic facilities against those of providing improved facilities for sport and cultural activities. As I have been heard to say, I suspect, on a number of occasions; we will do them all eventually, but we have to think short-term needs alongside the medium and long-term desires.

The development of the Upper remains firmly within our shortterm plans and, though we have been very mindful of the economic climate over the last 18 months and have purposely refrained from any significant fund-raising in this time, I was delighted that, with the support of the Governors, we were able to use funds set aside for building works to make some major improvements to the Upper Car Park during the summer holidays. For those familiar with the old car park, the transformation was particularly significant, and this has now made us even more determined to complete the final phase of the development, namely the New Pavilion.

Work in Progress

The Official Opening

L to R: Jamie Moore (Groundsman), Tim Reeman (Director of Sport), Helen Ruddell (Facilities Manager), Simon Morris (Principal of Kingswood Foundation), George Batterham and Nick Matthews (Batterham Matthews Design Ltd) and Philip Sadler (Bursar)

I am delighted that we have recently been granted full planning permission for a revised scheme which, whilst continuing to show a particularly strong commitment to our sustainability agenda, is likely to come at a cost which means we should be in a position to contemplate building within the not too distant future. I am particularly grateful to our Development Director, Angela Dudley-Warde, and to our architect, George Batterham, of Batterham Matthews Design, for moving us close to making this project a reality. This really will enhance our provision and will, I hope, benefit both the school and, in time, the broader community. I recognise that the success of this project will now largely depend on our fundraising and I look forward to presenting our ideas to parents in due course.

Kingswood in Focus records impressively the personal development of our pupils throughout the Foundation and it is my hope that, alongside this focus on individual development, we will continue to develop the very best facilities both for the current generation and for Kingswood generations to come.

Mr Simon Morris (Headmaster & Principal of the Kingswood Foundation)

Senior School Farewells A fond farewell and many thanks for all that she has done both in the Department and in School House to Kate Brown (Deputy Head of Languages) who, as you can see, has her hands full at home with her lovely twin girls, Alice and Emma.

We also said goodbye in July to Claire Copperman and Nora Bowler, two further members of the Modern Languages Department, who were both with us for just one year. We are grateful for their contributions to Kingswood and wish them well as they pursue the next stages of their careers.

Kate Brown with Alice and Emma

Claire and Nora

From the KPS Headmaster

Continuity of Education Dear Parents One of the things I have always valued a great deal, particularly in recent years, during my long association with Kingswood, is the continuity of education that it provides for so many. When I was a child at Prior’s Court (for 59 years Kingswood’s Prep School near Newbury) in the 1960’s and then Kingswood, I spent two years at the former followed by five at the senior school - a total of seven years. Had I started at Prior’s Court when I was ten and spent an Upper Sixth year at Kingswood, it would have meant that my stay would have totalled nine years, which would have then been the maximum, as it was possible to spend three years in the Sixth form (Lower Sixth, Sixth, Upper Sixth) in those days.

It is rather different now and much longer stays have been possible for the last twenty years. This is of course because we educate children from three years old until they are 18, so up to 15 years at Kingswood is not unusual.

On first glance the prospect of spending your entire schooling at one establishment could be regarded as somewhat off putting! My old gag with which I sometimes regale prospective parents of infant children is that the average life sentence for murder in this country is around 14 years, while at Kingswood you can exceed that, but in addition you pay and there is no time off for good behaviour! Jesting aside it has long been apparent to me that this continuity of ethos is a very strong attraction to the majority of those who come to the school.

I have always been glad that Kingswood is the sort of school in which conversation and communication are encouraged from the youngest to the oldest pupils. I also appreciate that, in general, Senior School pupils do not hide away when I approach but are only too ready to talk about old times and keep me up to date with their current progress. In my experience this is especially pronounced in Year 7 and in the Upper Sixth.

"I have always been glad that Kingswood is the sort of school in which conversation and communication are encouraged..."

As a teacher who has spent over twenty years as a member of the senior management of Kingswood’s prep schools, firstly as Deputy Headmaster at Prior’s Court and KPS and now, since April 2004, as Headmaster of KPS, I also appreciate this wonderful opportunity to help set children on their educational journey for around half their years at school. I have always enjoyed teaching and being with the prep school age group, but it is also very rewarding to be able to have a quick chat with former pupils who are now at the Senior School, during a break or en route to their next lesson, whenever I am attending a meeting there.

Mr Cornah meeting former KPS pupil Euan Gordon, now Head Boy

At the start of the new academic year, the Year 7 pupils are always keen to tell me that the Senior School is as good as they thought and hoped it would be. Seven years down the line the Upper Sixth look back with maturity and often affection at their whole schooling including their preparatory school days. I am always very pleased to be included in any Abbey Courtyard photos after the Commemoration Day Service.

Last year I was in several, including one with about eight or nine Sixth form ‘lads’ standing on either side of me. When looking at the print later, I wondered who the little old man in the middle of the photo was, before realising that it was your correspondent!

Mr Cornah meets old KPS pupils

Mr Marcus Cornah (Headmaster, Kingswood Prep School) Kingswood in Focus 3

Prep School Farewells

Goodbye and Thanks to... ...Head of Nursery Jean Jones after four years at the helm of our Pre-Prep, and many more years at other schools. Jean has been a very valued member of SMT and I know that she and her husband Pete (who has also now retired after a lifetime's teaching) will enjoy being able to spend more time with their children. This will include visiting new grandchildren and several trips to Hollywood USA where one of their sons is making his mark on the silver screen!

L to R: Jean Jones, Marcus Cornah, Sarah Caskin, Lorna Stokes

Goodbye also to Lorna Stokes after 12 years at KPS as an assistant and latterly as a Year 2 teacher. Lorna has proved to all that you can re-train and change your professional track in life. She was a wonderful teaching assistant and an excellent teacher.

Our final goodbye this year is to Sarah Gaskin after two superb years teaching in Year 1. Sarah was married in the summer and has obtained a post in a prep school near Plymouth. Her husband is an officer in the armed forces. We believe that we have appointed good replacements, but all three ladies have been superb Pre-Prep people, and they will be much missed by all of us at KPS, not just those in the Pre-Prep. God bless you all.

Mr Marcus Cornah (Headmaster, Kingswood Prep School)

"...all three ladies have been superb Pre-Prep people..."

Elizabeth Redman At the end of the Summer Term Elizabeth Redman retired from the Governing Body after many years of dedicated service to the school.

As a former parent, whose children were at Kingswood when Laurie Campbell was Headmaster, Elizabeth frequently said how much her family owed to Kingswood. Let me assure her that any ‘debt’ has long since been cleared.

Elizabeth, alongside her close friend and fellow Governor Katie Pillinger, took a special interest in the Prep School, making regular visits throughout her time as Governor. I and my predecessors, Meg Newbery and Anita Gleave, have much to thank Elizabeth and Katie for.

"Our thanks go out to Elizabeth for her unstinting service to Kingswood..."

The Prep School were able to say goodbye to Elizabeth during one Friday assembly in the Summer Term. A small party of Y6 pupils and staff then moved outside in very wet conditions where Elizabeth revealed a plaque by a group of newly planted (and fittingly) young trees to mark her years of dedicated service to Kingswood.

Elizabeth Redman, together with husband Barney, receiving a special gift of thanks from Marcus Cornah and fellow Governor, Mrs Katie Pillinger, Chairman of Pastoral & Education Committee

4 Kingswood in Focus

Our thanks go out to Elizabeth for her unstinting service to Kingswood in her decade as a school Governor and in her support of all that we stand for.

Mr Marcus Cornah (Headmaster, Kingswood Prep School)

Senior Deputy Head to become a Headmaster Gareth Lloyd joined Kingswood as Senior Deputy Head in 2004 having already gathered a wealth of experience in some excellent schools.

From Assistant Director of Music at Reading Blue Coat School, to Director of Music (and subsequently Housemaster) at St Mary’s, Ascot and then Head of Upper School at Whitgift School, he clearly had a profile which would prepare him well for such an important role at Kingswood.

Energetic, sharp-minded and quick-thinking, Gareth made an immense contribution to a vast number of areas of the school community in his five years at Kingswood.

By nature an enthusiast and innovator, he very quickly identified areas in which he could make a real difference and his successful development of important aspects of school life such as the prefect system and the school councils, which have subsequently received much praise from colleagues and external inspectors, were very much part of his desire to implement effective change. Quick to identify key issues and propose appropriate solutions, one of Gareth’s many strengths was to involve others in taking matters forward whilst remaining firmly and effectively in control.

At the heart of Gareth’s many achievements lay a real interest in people and in developing individual talent. Supportive of pupils, colleagues and parents alike, Gareth always sought to work alongside people, encouraging whenever possible, cajoling when necessary, but always being keen to achieve a positive outcome for the individuals involved. Most importantly, Gareth believed that every individual mattered and he took time to get to know all the pupils and all the staff, whilst coping impressively with a most diverse workload.

"Gareth believed that every individual mattered..."

There was never any doubt that Gareth was a Headmaster-in-waiting, and the right position for Gareth duly came along. Gareth moved in September 2009 to take on the Headship of Ratcliffe College in Leicestershire, a Roman Catholic co-educational boarding and day school. It is no surprise that Gareth, with his considerable range of talents, should have been offered such a prestigious position, and it is also no surprise that he is already feeling at home in his new surroundings. At the very heart of all of Gareth’s many achievements at Kingswood lay his strong Christian faith – and, with his personal commitment to the Roman Catholic faith, Ratcliffe will feel very much like a spiritual home. He will be an excellent Headmaster and he, Katherine and their three children know that they have taken on this new challenge with every best wish from everyone in the Kingswood community.

Mr Simon Morris (Headmaster & Principal of the Kingswood Foundation)

Chairman of Governors Retires Kingswood old boy, experienced Methodist minister, teacher and chaplain (including a spell at Kingswood in 2002/2003), Ray Lansley was both a most appropriate and a very popular appointment to the post of Chairman of Governors in 2006.

He accepted the post for three years and, alongside the many and varied tasks expected of any Chairman of Governors, Ray also accepted the task of finding a new Headmaster to replace Gary Best on his retirement in 2008. For obvious reasons, I have much to thank Ray for as he guided the appointments panel through their decision-making, but I was also able to see in the way Ray managed the process early evidence of the many qualities which he has brought to the role of Chairman.

Ray has managed the Governing Body with a sense of calm authority, deferring happily to experts in their particular fields, but always being ready both to give a personal slant on any issue and, significantly, to remind governors (and headmasters!) of the core purpose of a school such

Head presents bronze to Ray

as Kingswood and the importance of our Christian responsibilities in decision-making. Ray took his responsibility for introducing new governors with a range of complementary skill sets very seriously and it is testament to his work in this area (and perhaps his powers of persuasion!) that the current Governing Body has members with such a broad and balanced range of professional experience.

The role of Chairman of Governors is certainly a challenging one, encouraging governors to be fully involved in the School whilst ensuring the actual leadership and management of the School is delegated to the managers! Ray has fulfilled this par excellence, ensuring the School remains ambitious and forward thinking whilst always being ready with helpful advice and support. We certainly have much for which to thank him as he hands over the reins from September 2009 to Wing Cdr Colin Burns.

Mr Simon Morris (Headmaster & Principal of the Kingswood Foundation) Kingswood in Focus 5

Chapel and Community

Wesley’s Worldwide Travellers The School was delighted to welcome alumni of the Hyupsung University of South Korea during the Summer Term.

Korean Ministers share prayers in the Chapel

The Bishop, Heesung Moon, Marcus Cornah

The Country has three Methodist Universities, all keen to make contact with John Wesley’s heritage at first hand. Consequently, Hyupsung has been twinned with the Bristol District of the Methodist Church, and its Chairman, the Reverend Ward Jones (Kingswood Governor), was hosting a return visit following a trip he made to Korea with Methodist Superintendent Ministers last Autumn.

The Headmaster receiving the Korean Ministers' gift

Headmasters of both the Senior School and the Prep School. Although speaking virtually no English, they let us know through the help of an interpreter, that their visit to the country, the ways of local Methodism and to Kingswood had been a most enjoyable experience.

They were also delighted to meet Korean pupil, Heesung Moon (U6) who spoke to them of his experiences as a Kingswood pupil since joining in Year 8.

The goal of our visitors was to experience Britain and British Methodism. In their time here they visited the Methodist Headquarters in London and took time out in Cheddar, Bath and Weston-Super-Mare.

Their day at Kingswood was a chance to see some teaching, discover the School Archives, share prayers and a meal prepared in their honour.

They came bringing generous gifts which were presented to the

Rev Mike Wilkinson (Deputy Head Pastoral & Chaplain)

Summerhill Ice Cream Week After Nicola Jones’ visit to Kingswood last year, Summerhill House decided to make ‘The Four Homes of Mercy’ in Jerusalem our chosen charity.

Ms Jones gave a particularly moving assembly on the work of the ‘Four Homes’, which cares for 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.

"...we raised £450."

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 favourites. 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. This is the second year this successful event has happened and we raised £450.

Annie West & Laura Stockley (U6) 6 Kingswood in Focus

Mr Burgon's dog Harry gets one too!

Let Me Entertain You? A few years ago I had invited Roly Bain to come to School in the Summer Term and lead our worship. It is that time of year when the older members of the student community are off on study leave or locked into examinations.

The remnant of staff and those up to the age of 15 have the Theatre to themselves and, in that context, there is greater scope for ‘binning’ the hymn sandwich and doing something in worship that is completely different. Roly is undoubtedly different and for 40 minutes the joys of the circus are mixed with the crux of the gospel. A good time was had by all and appreciation for the booking was expressed to the Chaplain. However, those in their latter teenage years, absent through study, were more than a bit miffed that they had missed out on the clown. Pressure was brought to bear for a repeat performance and, in due course, Roly returned for those still in the School who felt they had gone without.

them sending young chins downwards towards young chests, I know that the X-Factor has something that I don’t have.

The message of our friend the clown is no different in its essence to that of anyone else who chooses to speak of God in our worship. It is the surrounding package and the delivery that makes the contrast. It is an attractive difference and Roly is booked heavily by those who know that entertainment is becoming a serious growth factor in the delivery of teaching by both clowns and classroom operatives.

Yes, occasionally we struggle to convince our listeners that silence is golden as opposed to boring - a sign of our age. Yes, we need to retain our preaching and hymn-singing heritage if we are truly to reflect the ambitions of our founder. We do that at our best in those showcase events at the Abbey which, we cannot deny, have performance and entertainment in their agenda. But Roly will be back and the Chaplain will still have to work very hard on the package as well as the message. The days of ‘shut up and listen this is good for you’ might be over.

Thirteen year-olds talking about church are very astute. They can work out the maths of moving the elderly on 15 years and seeing what it might do to congregation sizes. Unless they are already part of a thriving, energetic, child-friendly Sunday gathering, they do not see themselves in the pews.

Voluntary ‘seeker’ activities at School have far more appeal. Even the Chaplain is better then a long Sunday slot, and especially so when backed up by the talents of the music department.

"The message of our friend the clown is no different in its essence to that of anyone else who chooses to speak of God in our worship."

I suspect that being a guitar-toting, (poor) joke-telling, YouTube searching Chaplain has done me no real harm in the eyes of most youngsters. However, when I sit in front of my computer screen, write what I think are good words about God and then see

Our children have found the things they allow to capture their imagination. Those of us who want to accompany their thinking will have to get our act together.

Rev Mike Wilkinson (Deputy Head Pastoral & Chaplain)

Kingswood in Focus 7

Results and Prize Giving

Another Outstanding Year Once again we were delighted with our outstanding results at A Level.

With 57% of all grades at A, 86% at A-B, 96% at A–C and a 100% pass rate, this has been Kingswood’s best ever year at A level. The top results came from Yuki Inoue with 5 Grade As and James Dabell, Shaun Howell and Amelia Tuckett with 4 Grade As, whilst thirty-four others obtained 3 Grade As each.

Highest grades apart, we were very pleased to be able to congratulate many, many students on some superb personal triumphs. It is every individual’s personal best that we are most interested in and we were delighted to see so many happy faces on campus on Results Day this year, as well as listen to some ecstatic shouts on the telephone! The Headmaster paid tribute to the Upper Sixth in acknowledging them as an “outstanding year group” and he went on to applaud the fact that they achieved these record results whilst also making such a strong contribution to the school’s extra-curricular life which is a vital part of a Kingswood education.

AS level results were also excellent with 77% of entries being A-B grades. Among the top performers were Christopher Robinson with 6 Grade As, and Ralph Eliot, Richard Evans, Polly Gates, Nicholas Grant, Elliot Haines and Benhao Hu, who all achieved 5 Grade As.

One week later, more happy faces appeared at Kingswood as our GCSE students received their results.

Once again our students celebrated record GCSE results with 37% of all grades at A* and 66% at A*/A. With a 100% pass rate and 99% of all grades at A*-C, students across the ability range achieved outstanding results. Among the top performers were Alfred Ireland and Katherine Olley with 11 A* grades each, Oscar Batterham, Hannah Burnell, Edward Hutchison, Imogen Sadler and Christina Seed with 10 A* and Katherine Begley, Elizabeth Burke, Gareth England, Henry Marshall and Alex Young with 9 A* grades, whilst many more collected a very impressive number of A*s.

This very talented year group has settled well into the Dixon, alongside some exceptional new students who have joined Kingswood from other schools. They are all enjoying the academic challenges of sixth form life whilst also contributing hugely to music, drama, sports, life in Westwood, charity events and many other activities.

Mrs Sarah Dawson (Deputy Head Academic) 8 Kingswood in Focus

Prize Giving 2009 We approached Prize Giving this year in a state of palpable excitement, and with not a little trepidation!

Earlier in the year the decision had been made to organise a whole School event to be held in the Sports Hall, complete with a sophisticated sound system, a large stage piled high with trophies and prizes, big screens (complete with whirling stars!) on which to project the names of our highly commended students, and over seven hundred chairs on which to seat the School and its teaching staff. Oh, and there was also the small matter of accommodating the absolutely fabulous Cheese Orchestra!

The day arrived and the whole School streamed into the venue.

Prize Winners sat at the front and, from the moment that the Headmaster welcomed us all, there was an amazing celebratory atmosphere in the hall. Mr Harding and Mr Francis were our resident DJs, playing music to complement each academic subject as the Winners filed up to receive their prizes and the traditional congratulatory handshake from the Headmaster.

We were also entertained by some energetic, beautiful singing from several of our choirs, including the very aptly titled Joyful, Joyful, Nishka Banja and the hugely popular Shut de Door. Informative, heartfelt Sports reports formed part of the programme as the Sports Captains recollected moments of triumph and reflected on what it had meant to be part of Kingswood’s sporting tradition.

Another new undertaking - the Athletics PowerPoint - was particularly effective in giving a real flavour of the Summer season. Sam Harman and Leo Fini provided an amusing double act in their (very!) short rendition of the Drama report and we were also treated to some moving poetry readings.

Junior Prize Winners

Notwithstanding a power cut to the whole of Lansdown for a good part of the proceedings, resulting in the Headmaster, myself and the Captains of Sport having to project our voices as never before, happily the ‘grand finale’ was as magnificent as anticipated. We all stood to sing Jerusalem moments after the Cheese Orchestra and Ellie Hobbs had regaled us with Nobody Does It Better. On this particular occasion, we like to think that was true!

Mrs Sarah Dawson (Deputy Head Academic)

Kingswood Prep School Prize Winners

Sixth Form Prize Winners

Lucas Reeman (Head Boy) and Rhiannon Osborne (Head Girl) hold the shield that they were awarded at the Prep School end of year assembly.

(Details of all prize winners are included in the supplementary leaflet enclosed with KIF)

Kingswood in Focus 9

Departmental Features

Economics and Business ‘Sub-prime’, ‘recession’, ‘quantitative easing’, ‘nationalisation’ and ‘regulation’ are many of the economic and business terms that we’ve seen in the news headlines over the last eighteenth months.

Lower Sixth visit to London

What do they all mean? Chaos? Collapse of Capitalism? Or just another inevitable stage in the economic cycle? To help answer all of these questions, Kingswood’s Economic and Business Department has embarked on a new fresh and engaging A Level economics and business course, drawing upon the current affairs and topics discussed by renowned economists and business leaders.

During Year 12, the course is delivered in two distinguishable parts.

One module focuses on developing a new business idea. Many of you will be aware of and some of you may well religiously follow television series such as The Apprentice and the infamous Dragon’s Den. These programmes demonstrate much of the same business matter that is examined in Unit 1 of the AS level. However, the unit also explores the characteristics of entrepreneurs in some depth and encourages students to debate why Sir Alan Sugar may not be the right boss for you and looks at why not all of the Dragons are as angelic in the business world!

Furthermore, students learn about the activities that need to be undertaken to ensure that a business set-up will survive and how current businesses continue to exist in a dynamic and sensitive economy. The second unit explores economics: the principles of free markets, identifying the key motives for why people buy and sell goods and services. Moreover, students begin to appreciate how the conditions of various markets change; is competition good for us as consumers? How will changes in interest rates or unemployment affect us? Will oil prices continue to rise? These are just a few of the questions that are explored in this unit and, as part of this process, students will begin to understand that we all have a link with the business world.

Our Lower Sixth recently enjoyed an inspirational day in London at the Stock Exchange and the Bank of England. The purpose of the 10 Kingswood in Focus

trip was to provide an insight into the workings of the Bank of England and its role in formulating monetary policy to ensure economic stability.

In addition, we had a customised tour of the London Stock Exchange and gained an understanding of how it was formed, the changes it has undergone over its history and how it operates today. Year 12 student Nika Latynina believes that, “The presentations we attended made me more aware of, and helped my understanding of, the general terms of business and banking, such as why inflation needs to be controlled for business stability and the role of the interest rate in this process. I now understand more how and why the UK economy has entered the recession and what the credit crunch means for businesses and individuals.” Tom Sansford also found the day’s visit enlightening, and he even came away with a prize! “During the day out, I learned how triple A ratings are devised and used to rate businesses to enable investors to make considered decisions about the success and future performance of organisations.

We also considered how shares came into existence and how new shares are created in order to raise finance.

“We looked around the London Stock Exchange head office and learned much more about the stock market on our trip, including the fact that the trading floor actually closed in 1986 so that now everything is done on computers. We also got to see how stocks are traded. I particularly enjoyed a competition in which we had to guess that days FTSE 100 closing price. At the beginning of the day we were given the task of guessing what the closing price of the FTSE 100 would be. This ended up being incredibly competitive and the result was very close.

The FTSE 100 closing price was just 0.03 away from the nearest guess

by Agnes Chui!

“I even won a book about the history of the stock exchange, “Coffee Shop to Cyber Market” by E Hennessy, for asking (apparently) the most interesting and thoughtful question of the day: “How does the issuing of new shares not dilute the value of existing shares in a company?””

of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to assess economic conditions and the outlook for inflation and deliver their verdict to the panel of judges who are representatives (agents) of The Bank of England.

Moreover, the challenge will not only strengthen pupils’ understanding of macroeconomic policy but will also develop their communication skills and their ability to problem solve and work with others.

"The department prides itself on enhancing learning opportunities right across the ability range..."

In the Upper Sixth, the course evolves to focus on global business and economics. Once again the course is delivered in two separate units. The first examines international business. Changes in technology, communication and travel have created a global economy, a network that allows businesses to locate, sell and trade in almost every country around the world. China is a sleeping dragon that will soon be one of the superpowers in the ever-changing global economy. Many students will be able to take up the opportunity to visit China during the Autumn half term 2010. This will provide a first-hand experience into understanding why businesses consider trade and setup in the ‘BRIC’ countries (Goldman Sachs). Students also explore topical issues such as ‘free’ trade, foreign direct investment and international development. The second unit at A2 remains closer to home. This examines the concepts of market failure and government intervention, such as banking, an area that is currently being scrutinised, or ways in which climate change can be tackled using various policies from taxation to regulation.

Besides market failure, the unit explores a range of linked issues from Britons who live on the ‘breadline’ to wider impacts of government macroeconomic policy on unemployment and output in general.

Outside the class room Kingswood students also have the opportunity to compete for membership of the Kingswood Target Two Point Zero team in a competition organised by The Bank of England and The Times. In ‘The Interest Rate Challenge’ four Kingswood pupils will take on the role

Some of our students are keen to pursue an economics related course at university and we encourage them to attend the Royal Economic Society Annual Public lecture. Professor Timothy Besley (member of the Monetary Policy Committee from September 2006 to August 2009), Lord Stern (Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment) and Paul Collier (Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford and author of ‘The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries are Failing and What Can Be Done About It’) are just some of the speakers in recent years who have highlighted the importance of top-quality research to questions that matter to us all.

To further develop our students’ skills enthusiasms the Department encourages entries in the RES Young Economist Essay Competition.

The essay title allows the individual to show creativity and innovative thinking as well as applying their wider reading to their exposition.

The department prides itself on enhancing learning opportunities right across the ability range, providing many different learning opportunities for individuals to excel in a subject that intrigues them and that they enjoy studying. This has resulted in increasingly strong examination results; recent A Level students all obtained either an A, B or C grade and 23 of the 33 AS Level students (our current Year 13) obtained an ‘A’ grade at the end of the Lower Sixth. An individual’s success comes from the opportunities made available, the strong rapport between teachers and students and, of course, a growing interest in economics and business. Never complacent, we aim to seek out opportunities to build on our students’ interests to create an even stronger department as we look to the future.

Mr James Hills (Head of Economics & Business Studies)

Biology Challenge Results In March, forty-four Year 9 and 10 students took part in the Biology Challenge Competition which involved two online tests.

Nationally over 25,000 students entered, and the top 2,000 were awarded either a bronze, silver or gold award and the next 2,000 were highly commended. The following Kingswood pupils were highly commended: Sam Bean, Laura Clarke, James Cowell, Meuryn Daymond, Olivia Dellow, Kristina Grant, Rosie Hurling, Navin Jacob, Charlotte Pickering and Angus Plumbly. Four students were awarded bronze certificates: Peter Evans, Finley Gilchrist, Alex Hardman and Tamsin Ireland, and two pupils were awarded silver certificates: Harry Penrhyn Jones and Rowland Sadler. Particular congratulations to the two Kingswood students who were awarded Gold certificates: Gabriel Penn (Year 9 - left) and Tim Woodhead (Year 10 - right).

Mrs Jenny Opie (Head of Biology) Kingswood in Focus 11

Preparatory School

Frolicking Ahead with Phonics at Kingswood Prep School (A fast track to reading in the Pre-Prep) H-h-h-a-ve you h-ear-d of F-r-e-d, the F-r-o-g? This inarticulate amphibian has become quite a celebrity in the Pre-Prep at Kingswood Prep School.

He is a character who features centrally in Ruth Miskin’s ‘Read/ Write/Inc’ Phonic Programme, which we have adopted in the Pre-Prep Department as we have revitalized our teaching of early reading.

F-r-e-d can only say single sounds and needs the children to help him blend them together to say or read words. Building words from single phonemes/sounds and breaking words down into the sounds from which they are made (‘encoding’ and ‘decoding’) together constitute one of the essential processes involved in developing early reading skills, the other being comprehension and understanding what is read. Both decoding and comprehension are meticulously and dynamically fostered within

the ‘Read/Write/inc’ Programme, as the children are encouraged to become enthusiastic early readers.

Embedded within a wide ranging, creative curriculum reading is undoubtedly one of the most important skills that children need to master in preparation for life in our society, enabling them to access the world of words and to appreciate the richness of our language expressed in poetry and prose. Ideas and concepts are expressed differently in books than in speech. A lyrical Shakespearean or Dickensian phrase would sound oddly out of place in general conversation and yet the nuances of meaning encapsulated in the penned pictures permeating our literary heritage have the potential to enlarge our thought and enhance our understanding. Even children’s literature embraces turns of phrase and a deployment of vocabulary not found in spoken exchanges. Introducing children to these written forms of expression through stories, books and poetry can help them both to extend and fine tune their conceptual understanding and, in their turn, begin to see and use the possibilities of language in their own creative expression. The ability to read gives the children entry through books to ever widening spheres of knowledge. They ’learn to read’ so that they can ‘read to learn’. The aim through the Programme is to facilitate this process; to make learning to read as easy and as enjoyable as possible.

The Rose Report, 2006 states: “Synthetic phonics offers the vast majority of young children the best and most direct route to becoming skilled readers and writers.”

We have always incorporated synthetic phonics in our Literacy Programme at KPS, but this year we committed ourselves to a fresh look at our phonics teaching in the light of the latest educational research, up-grading our resources and exploring new possibilities with time-tabling and grouping. In adapting the Read/ Write/Inc Programme, we feel that we have the ‘best of the best’. Based on a synthetic phonic approach, this Programme has proved extremely successful in the schools in which it has been tried and tested and, with the extra benefit of the small group teaching we have been able to implement at KPS, is already reaping rich rewards amongst our young readers.

12 Kingswood in Focus

The English language has a complex alphabetic code with 26 letters in the alphabet, but 44 different sounds or phonemes; 5 vowels, but 20 different vowel sounds. The children learn these in three sets of ‘Speed Sounds’ covered over a short period of time. They are taught through imaginative, amusing picture prompts with a mnemonic which helps the children to remember the correct letter formation, as they say the memory phrase and trace the letter shape, e.g: ‘Round the apple and down the leaf’ – a .

‘Speed Sounds Set 1’ includes all alphabet sounds and the consonant digraphs (two consonants that together make one sound – th, sh, ch, etc).

The ‘Speed Sounds’ are taught in a particular order to ensure that the children will be able to blend a wide range of words quickly.

The children are taught each phoneme as a minimal or pure sound (m not muh) to make blending easy and natural. They learn that some sounds are ‘bouncy’ (b-b-b-b-b-b) and some are ‘stretchy’ (ssssss).

As soon as they know a few sounds they learn to blend them to make words, using ‘Fred Talk’, Fred being the afore-mentioned frog who can only ‘talk’ in phonemes. (The children have to do the blending.)

Each session in the Programme is delivered with a great deal of fun and dynamism. Features of the scheme include: • ‘The 5 Ps’ – its five ‘principles of teaching’: Participation; Positive Teaching; Pace; Purpose; Passion.

• Homogeneous Groups: The children are grouped with others who are at the same stage of the Programme. This enables focused teaching and faster progress – the closer the homogeneity of the grouping, the faster the progress of the children. At KPS all members of the Pre-Prep staff, teaching staff, support teachers, Nursery Nurses and Teaching Assistants, have been trained to present the Programme, so very small groups can be arranged.

• Partner Work: The children usually work in partners during phonic sessions. The benefits of this method are that each child: answers every question; practises every activity with their partner; takes turns in talking; teaches another child. Teaching has proved to be a very effective means of learning. Research by William Glasser suggests that, in most cases, we learn:

"The ability to read gives the children entry through books to ever widening spheres of knowledge."

10% of what we read 20% of what we see 30% of what we hear 50% of what we see and hear 85% of what we experience personally 95% of what we teach.

One of the features of the Programme is that children are never expected to read anything for which they have not learnt the sounds, so that success and confidence is built in at every stage. Once the children know all ‘Speed Sounds Set 1’ they are ready to read ‘Ditties’ – rhymes and phrases using words that are easy to blend made up of the sounds they know. They soon progress to the first set of graded Story Books. There are seven sets of these books, skilfully written by Gill Munton with amusing illustrations by Tim Archbold, designed to match the children’s growing phonic knowledge and understanding.

From the earliest ‘Ditties’ and ‘Story Books’, comprehension skills are fostered through ‘Find it’ and ‘Prove it’ questions. ‘Get Writing Books’ accompany the ‘Story Books’, enabling the children to understand the links between reading, writing, spelling and grammar. ‘Speed Sounds Set 2 and 3’, introducing more complex patterns (ai, ea, oi, are, ure etc) are taught as the children progress through the Story Books.

Partner work gives plenty of practice in teaching. When the children have learnt and can blend and apply all 44 sounds and have tackled the ‘Story Books’ and ‘Get Writing Books’, they will have gained an easy fluency and competence in their reading.

Several of the children inYears 1 and 2 have already completed the ‘Read/Write/Inc’ Programme and, now proficient readers, have embarked on an extension Programme, ‘Read/Write/ Inc Comprehension’. This is designed to promote skills to develop a deeper understanding of the texts and give opportunities to respond to a wide variety of books, enabling them to engage with the writing, increase vocabulary and improve spelling, grammar and comprehension.

At this stage the children are truly progressing from ’learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’.

Mrs Glynis Hull (Head of Pre-Prep, Kingswood Prep School)

Kingswood in Focus 13

Performing Arts

A Muse & A Muso An Evening of Poetry and Music

Even though the poor weather prevented us from taking the evening air, the sparkling quality of the performances in the Kingswood Theatre more than compensated for the absence of sunshine outside! Members of the Kingswood Debating Society read a variety of poetry by the likes of Wordsworth, Kipling, Heaney, Larkin, the inimitable Dylan Thomas and not forgetting the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. We should like to thank our readers Hannah Bottle, Laura Clarke, Emma Davey, Peter Evans, Emma Gordon, Myfanwy Hollywell, Michael Kenny and Anna Wang for their clear, confident and sensitive readings. Harriet Richardson was invited to read her poem, The Gates, which won the Kingswood Poetry Prize last year, and she also read two other winning poems - Soliloquy of a Survivor, by Ellie Hobbs, and In My Dreams by Hannah Robinson.

"...the sparkling quality of the performances in the Kingswood Theatre more than compensated for the absence of sunshine outside!"

The poetry was accompanied by some delightful musical pieces.

The Training Choir (a new choir this term for invited singers in Years 7 -10) sang The Holy Vine by Andrew Moore, Pie Jesu by Faure and Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart. The Turtle Dove, an arrangement of a traditional English folksong, was performed by Peonie Ho, Anna Bools, Martha Chilver Vaughan and Sophie McDermott, accompanied

by Tamsin Ireland and the Music staff. Myles Taylor and Oliver Meyer entertained us with their rendition of Down by the Sally Gardens, maintaining the pastoral theme. Soloists also impressed: Charles Price played Last Rose of Summer; Katja Cross performed the appropriately entitled Summertime, a Gershwin piece arranged for cello and piano; and Jessica Bishay concluded the first half of the evening with Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man from the musical Showboat. Later the String Ensemble played Basse Danse and Pavane from Warlock’s Capriol Suite.

The final readings of the evening were complemented by Shepherd’s Hey, a traditional folksong arrangement played by Tamsin Ireland and the Music staff; and two duets: Greensleeves - an arrangement of that well-loved English folksong, sung by Charlotte Heynen and Mrs Barry; and The Flower Duet, performed by Myfanwy Hollywell (clarinet) and Mrs Hollywell (flute).

We take this opportunity to thank all parents, staff, pupils and friends who came and supported us in this, our first joint English and Music venture!

Glorious weather has been booked for A Muse and a Muso in 2010!

Mrs Kirsty Barry (Assistant Director of Music) Mr David Hughes (Head of English)

14 Kingswood in Focus

An ‘Evening of Cheese’ Fit for any Mouse?

After weeks of practice, cheese, excitement and a bit more cheese we were ready!

Having done such a successful gig, the excitement was further heightened for a repeat performance, this time for the Opening Night of the Bath Festival at Green Park Station. No sooner had we managed to get all that hairspray out of our hair, the big gig had arrived!

After a morning of technical magic the performers arrived at three o’clock to see a huge stage and stacks of speakers. With Sainsbury’s not that far away ice creams were purchased in between the individual instrument sound checks, and then it was time for the band to strike up together. Even in this rehearsal the volume was immense and we gained quite a crowd. Then, thankfully, we retired to the Green Room so that the hour and a half we had left could be used to get ready! Several outfit changes later and after the cloud of glitter had wafted away it was show time!

It all started with an idea to put on a show that involved classic songs, the kind that you might sing in the shower and get up to dance to at a family wedding disco!

With sixty students eager to don some cheesy wigs and platform boots, it looked like we were going to need extra lycra and sequins for the Friends of Kingswood “Evening of Cheese”. As our guests dined on what I was assured was a classic menu of Prawn Cocktail, Chicken Kiev and Black Forest Gateaux, they were entertained by Kingswood’s Cheese Orchestra and Singers. The outfits were incredible and I have to say the adults put us to shame; decked out in catsuits, platform boots, feather boas and some hideously embarrassing wigs they looked amazing! With a programme ranging from Dancing Queen and Ghostbusters to Do the Hustle and I Will Survive, the evening will be remembered for its conga lines and some terrific knee slides!

The Show started with The Carpenters, Close To You, sung by Jess Bishay and the huge crowd soon began dancing! With hits like YMCA there was no stopping the dreadful “dad” dancing and the quartet of Amy, Anna, Lauren and Olivia singing When Will I See You Again had all 700 of the audience grinning like cheesy Cheshire cats! The crowd was amazing; indeed they enjoyed themselves so much we even had the chance for an encore; a fantastic rendition of Nobody Does It Better sung by Ellie Hobbs.

Needless to say it was a night to remember for the excellent playing and singing and I have to say I learned a lot, mostly how to do the Night Fever line hustle and a few killer Abba moves! The 25 strong Cheese Strings, the Kingswood Jazz Orchestra and singers and all of our technical crew helped to make the gig one of the most memorable, I suspect, I will ever do at Kingswood. It was truly sensational and a pleasure to perform!

Hannah Bishay (L6)

Kingswood in Focus 15

Stars in the Making

Music begins early at Kingswood Prep School with all children singing and playing a range of percussion instruments from Nursery onwards.

A few children begin formal instrumental lessons in Reception, at age 4, but most start to learn their first instrument in Years 1 or 2.

Every Summer the Pre-Prep children put on a Concert for their parents, teachers and friends. This Summer’s concert was the busiest yet with 24 soloists, a recorder ensemble and the Choir as well as the traditional final sing-along item for everyone to join in with. Piano remains the most popular instrument at this level, but we were treated to 8 violinists, 3 guitarists, a cellist and several solo singers too. Everyone played and sang really well and there are clearly some future stars in the making.

Music is certainly thriving at Kingswood Prep School.

Mrs Jacqueline Cross (Head of Music, Kingswood Prep School)

DRAMA NOMINEES & WINNER

DT NOMINEES & WINNER

• Best Performance in an Assessed Piece of Drama Alex Young, Nick Sheppard, Theo Boyce, Oscar Batterham Winner: Oscar Batterham

• Light Fantastic Sarah Blackburn, Alistair Dolman, Chi Ming Leung, Matthew O’Bryan Winner: Alistair Dolman

• Best Performance in a Production Hester Welch, Charlie O’Connor, Daisy Head, William Hobby Winner: William Hobby

• Innovation Challenge Henry Adams, April Kwok, Jayden Peck Winner: Henry Adams

• Most Essential Contribution to Drama Georgina Burgess, Joe Davey, Hester Welch, Parveen Jones Winner: Parveen Jones

• Top CAD Gary Foster, Toby Russell, Adam McBraida Winner: Toby Russell

• Actors’ Actor William Hobby, Hester Welch, Charlie O’Connor, Daisy Head Winner: Hester Welch

• Designers’ Designer Gary Foster, Gareth Hobbs, Alice Robinson Winner: Gary Foster

ART NOMINEES & WINNER

MUSIC NOMINEES & WINNER

• Best Painter/Drawer Sam Pew Latter, Isabella Seagrove, Sophie Daniel, Pippa Smart Winner: Pippa Smart

• Best Sixth Form Composition Elliot Haines, Vivienne Dean, Alex Killpartrick, Ralph Eliot Winner: Ralph Eliot

• Best Mixed Media/Sculpture Harriet Brooker, Georgia Beaven, Kate Harding, Annie West Winner: Annie West

• Best Sixth Form Performance Rebecca Reed, Sam Parsons, Patrick Morgan, Josh Mumford Winner: Sam Parsons

• GCSE Artist of the Year Jessica Thompson, Hannah Burnell, Oscar Batterham, Izzy Mulvany Winner: Izzy Mulvany

• Best GCSE Composition Louisa Harris, Oscar Batterham, Ellie Hobbs, Oscar Nowlan Winner: Oscar Batterham

• Artists’ Artist Nina Fini, Naomi Stella, April Kwok, Sam Pew Latter Winner: Sam Pew Latter

• Musos’ Muso Patrick Morgan, Charlie O’Connor, Sam Parsons, Josh Mumford Winner: Sam Parsons

16 Kingswood in Focus

KATS 2009 KATS stands for Kingswood’s Artistically Talented Students…..and there are plenty of them at KATS! The KATS Awards are an annual chance for Kingswood to celebrate all of the fantastic work that students put into their GCSE and A Level work in Art, Design Technology, Drama and Music.

This year saw the sixth annual KATS in Kingswood Theatre. The staff and almost 150 pupils dress in their finest outfits, and are treated to a meal before the awards commence. This year’s guest-of-honour and speaker was the actor Mr Simon Shepherd.

There are four sets of awards interspersed with music and comedy.

Just like an Oscars evening, each of the Kategories has four announced nominees, followed by the nervous silence whilst the winner’s name is taken from a gold envelope. Spotlights search amongst the crowds for those beaming smiles, hands are shaken, and photos are taken.

Perhaps the final four 'Kategories' mean the most to the pupils as they are voted for by their peers: the Artists’ Artist, Designers’ Designer, Actors’ Actor and Musos’ Muso. These winners are treated to specially-commissioned KATS statues.

However, the evening is not ultimately about winners at all. It is about celebrating the amazing achievements of all of our creative and imaginative students. Here’s to KATS 2010!

Mr Darrell Harding (Head of Theatre Studies)

"...the evening is about celebrating the amazing achievements of all of our creative and imaginative students."

Kingswood in Focus 17

Dominic Miller Workshop & Concert What links Kingswood with, to name but a few, Sting, Phil Collins, The Pretenders, Bryan Adams, Tina Turner, Pavarotti, The Chieftains, Backstreet Boys and Ronan Keating?

Dominic Miller does.

The guitar aficionado, who has played on over 200 albums since he began his career, made an eagerly awaited appearance at Kingswood at the end of the last Academic Year.

I arrived at the Workshop in the afternoon to find Mr Miller warming up in front of an audience of guitarists and staff. The warm-up consisted of some impossibly intricate Spanish tunes and some Bach ‘for good measure’. Sam Parsons played after Mr Miller and I followed, with Oscar Nolan and Josh Mumford playing next. Shining organisational skills were shown from Josh Mumford as he played his version of Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing. This is one of Dominic Miller’s favourite songs and culminated in Josh performing a duet with Mr Miller during the evening concert.

Finally it was time for Dominic Miller to play for us and, using his acoustic guitar throughout, he played Spanish and Southern American music. He also treated the audience to Bach and a piece inspired by metal and rock showing us not only his great skill, but also his wide range of influences.

The second half was opened by Sam McGlynn with Enter Sandman, and finished with the enormously loud guitar ensemble consisting of some stupendously large amount of guitars playing Run to You

by Bryan Adams. Between these two heavy acts, we were treated to the definitively calmer Capricho Arabe and upbeat funk-rock piece Wonderful Slippery Thing which was presented by Music Scholar, Sam Parsons. As well as playing another stylistically varied set, Mr Miller ended the evening by signing his CDs for us all.

"Not many people can truthfully claim that they have received guidance from an artist who is so gifted..."

Dominic gave great advice to all.

He told us to play around with the tempo in order to squeeze the emotion out of a piece and make it more enjoyable to listen to as well as to practice our pieces more slowly as it would give us far more control.

During the evening there was an excited atmosphere emanating from all in the Theatre. However, I felt very nervous because I had been asked to open the Concert. I began by playing my own dark acoustic composition Here Comes The Beast followed by a Grade 8 piece ‘Fusion’, which aptly enough is a piece of fusion music. The Classical Guitar Ensemble followed, which contrasted nicely with Josh Mumford’s version of Manhattan, a soulful blues piece.

18 Kingswood in Focus

I was lucky enough to interview Mr Miller for The Wyvern (the Sixth Form Newspaper). During this interview I discovered he was very profound and greatly admired by those who understood the music they were writing and playing. This certainly came across from the advice he gave to all those present in the Workshop. Not many people can truthfully claim that they have received guidance from an artist who is so gifted and held in such high esteem by those in the music industry. However, some of Kingswood’s very fortunate guitarists can.

Alex Greig (L6)

I said to the audience after the show on the last night that I seemed to remember my mother saying to me that one needs to be careful when making comparisons.

There is some sense in this advice, particularly when you are applying it to young pupils at a school.

Colleagues tell me from time to time that a particular year in school is a ‘good one’. I agree, but privately reflect that I tend to regard all years as good ones. Having said this, our production of ‘Joseph’ this year was such a harmonious and trouble-free production, that I found myself musing on the particular merits of our play this year in relation to the other plays we have done in recent times. Seven or eight years ago we produced ‘Honk!’ which I remember as a delight with a stunning performance from Theo Boyce (now Kingwood School U6) in the main role. I also thought that our production of ‘Alice’ two years ago was well above our average. Lola Young (now Kingswood School Year 9), took the acting honours on that occasion in the title role. I have now added our Show this year into my subjective list of the best plays we have done at Kingswood Prep School. All who saw it were kind and the enjoyment of the audience, actors and back stage staff was obvious.

Everyone on stage deserved credit; the mass singing at the beginning and end of the play were quite splendid.

(I also particularly enjoyed the unmistakable mass whistling, which comes from many small people whistling in unison!)

Of the main characters Charlie Clague performed with skill and brio as Joseph and was the rock around which the action took place.

The Narrators, Peter Aaron and Jenny McGlynn, sang a lot of words very well, often achieving a superb sense of harmony. They were the ‘glue’ which held the whole piece together. The Pharaoh, Roman Banwell, sang beautifully and borrowed successfully from Elvis Presley to great comic effect. Isabel Calvert made the most of her big scene as Mrs Potiphar and chased Joseph around the stage with considerable enthusiasm. Well done, as well to Tom Higgins as Jacob who rose from his bed of pain on the last evening to take part.

"This was a super production, up there with the best that we have done at the School."

This was a super production, up there with the best that we have done at the School. Like all the best plays it had proved to be a team effort, uniting staff, pupils and parental audience together.

Thanks were given to all after the final performance, but in particular to Assistant Producer, Tom Shrubsole who has been of great assistance to the Producers; to Mrs Helen Stanfield for the wonderful Joseph costume; to Lighting and Soundman Mr Neil Francis, it was such a pleasure to hear all the main characters properly ‘miked-up’!

Lastly, grateful thanks were given to Mrs Marie McGlynn and Mrs Jackie Cross for their superb work in bringing the whole production to wonderful fruition.

Over a thousand people saw our show and I believe that all who had anything to do with it had a great time.

Mr Marcus Cornah (Headmaster, Kingswood Prep School) Kingswood in Focus 19

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Following the success of the Sixth Form’s devised production ‘Princess Caraboo’, the Drama department decided to extend a similar challenge to our junior pupils.

This time the story would be well known but there would be no script to follow. Each scene would be ‘workshopped’ to find the best way of communicating the story and the pupils would be encouraged to experiment with their characters in order to develop their own, personal interpretation. The weather has been so terrible in recent years that we abandoned the idea of the traditional biannual outdoor Shakespeare in favour of something a little different inside.

And so it was that just after Easter a group of over 100 pupils from Years 7 to 10 met for their first whole cast rehearsal of Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. If they were daunted they certainly didn’t show it, although as the weeks passed and the Production crept ever closer, calm exteriors cracked slightly and it was a tense time in the Theatre as scenes were finalised days, even hours, before opening night. The weather, of course, was hot!

Despite the trials and tribulations Mr Harding and I were truly impressed by the final product. The cast were superb.

The Bucket Family consisting of Sam Harman (Grandpa Joe) and Leo Fini (Charlie) were ably supported by Ryan Wallis and Pippa Wilson (Mr and Mrs Bucket), with Hannah Bottle, Olivia Dellow and Jonathan Pert as the bedridden Grandparents. The infamous Willy Wonka, magnificently brought to life by Joss Langley, conducted a tour of his ‘factory’ as each child in turn met their terrible fate. There were notable performances from all pupils, not least the children themselves played by Charles Price as Augustus Gloop, Lucy Russell-Bates as Violet Beauregard, Kristina Grant as Verruca Salt and Charles Beaven as Mike Teavee.

No Production of ‘Charlie’ would be complete without a team of ‘Oompa Loompas’. These were played by pupils in Years 7 and 8, with a lone Year 9, Natasha Dabell, who played her part with gusto and panache.

As the rehearsal process went on, the demands on these young performers grew ever more complicated but all in all they coped brilliantly.

20 Kingswood in Focus

We always live by the mantra ‘there are no such things as small parts, only small actors’ and recent productions have seen a dedicated but essential group of ‘Ensemble’ performers who played anything and everything else we needed. Their commitment and dedication never goes unnoticed so don’t be surprised if you see a ‘small ensemble player’ in a lead role soon!

Our vision for this Production was brought to life with the creative and technical help of Mr Neil Francis our Theatre Technician and his technical crew on a stage designed by a newly qualified designer from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – Miri Birch. Set in the 1980’s this ‘Charlie’ was a vision of legwarmers, shoulder pads, big hair and ‘Adam Ant’ style make up. Retro style sweets were sold in the foyer and the staff were invited to submit pictures of themselves ‘as they were then’. Several members of staff also played small cameo roles and audiences were delighted to see the likes of Mr Duke, Dr Fletcher, Mrs Mainwaring, Mr Dixon and our Headmaster, Mr Morris, playing himself in the ‘School Room’ scene!

Thanks, as always, must go to Mrs Celia Batterham, Mrs Tanya Hardman and Mrs Rosie Penrhyn Jones for their hard work in the Costume Department, and to the fantastic group of Sixth Form girls who were kept busy with hair and make up.

It was, arguably, the most complex venture undertaken by the Drama department for a junior play. You never know how these things are going to turn out so it was with a big sigh of relief that, when the final curtain came down (metaphorically speaking), Mr Harding and I looked at each other in amazement and said ‘we got away with that one!’ We are often asked ‘how do you do it?’. The truth is we couldn’t, not without a fantastic team of dedicated and creative individuals, both on stage and off, to support us. So thank you to everyone involved and to you all for coming to see it.

What’s next for the Drama Department?

The answer will be on a stage near you in a mere matter of months, we hope to see you all there!

Ms Kate Keen (Drama Teacher)

Becoming Billy Elliot

Proud family

On Tuesday 12th May 2009 I had my Opening Night as ‘Billy Elliot’ in the West End! Becoming ‘Billy’ has been a long, exciting journey and has taken a lot of hard work.

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Photo by Alistair Muir

I started dancing when I was 5 years old and, although I had watched many dancing classes, sitting next to my Mum who played piano accompaniment, it wasn’t until I saw my sister at her dancing school show that I decided I wanted to be a dancer.

lunch, a chaperone takes me to my training sessions and then I am either performing at the theatre until 10.30pm or training until 8.00pm.

When I joined Dorothy Coleborn Dancing School, I studied tap, ballet and modern jazz. My first performance experience was at the Theatre Royal, Bath when I was 5 years old playing ‘Trouble’ in Madame Butterfly with the Northern Ballet Theatre. Over the years, I also performed in professional productions of Dracula, Beauty and the Beast as ‘Chip’, A Doll’s House, Hello Dolly as well as the Dancing School productions at Euro Disney, Paris.

Occasionally I am able to return to Kingswood and it’s wonderful meeting up with all my friends and even going to lessons. I really appreciate just being a Kingswood pupil again, and not ‘Billy’.

My only disappointment is that I am not able to play any sport at the moment, since I cannot injure myself. All my teachers and friends have been so supportive - even organising a trip to come and see the show. The rest of the cast were amazed to see so many people from one school in the audience, and the atmosphere was electric!

I have been at Kingswood School since Nursery and I have also been lucky enough to perform in many School productions in the wonderful Kingswood Theatre. Certainly, one highlight was our Year 6 production of ‘Just So’ where I performed in a large pair of elephant ears!

I have always loved dancing and, after passing several auditions, I became a Junior Associate of the Royal Ballet School at age 9. I took ballet classes with Royal Ballet School teachers every week as well as continuing all my classes at my dancing school.

From an early age people have always compared me to ‘Billy Elliot’ because all I ever do is dance. My dream was to play ‘Billy’ in the West End and so I auditioned for the show in April last year. At the audition I had to demonstrate my skills in tap, ballet, modern, acting and singing.

I was absolutely thrilled when I received a phone call following the audition during which the Casting Director told me that, instead of further callbacks, the Company wanted me to start training immediately, attending weekend classes in London!

After these weekly classes, in July I went to ‘Billy Elliot Summer School’ for 6 weeks. I lived in London and had training in dance, acting and singing every day from 10.00am until 6.00pm.

In September I returned from London and started at Westwood in Year 7.

However, after only a few weeks of term, I was asked to move up to London permanently to start my training and rehearsals to become the next ‘Billy Elliot’!!

My daily schedule is very different to my friends at Kingswood. I have a tutor every morning so that I can keep up to date with all my school work.

My Kingswood teachers send me everything I need to cover all my subjects, and I have to sit the exams at the end of the year like everybody else. After

My family have been brilliant, supporting and believing in me for all these years.

Although we haven’t been able to have a holiday for over a year and I have to live away from home, I get to see them regularly, and they are so proud of how hard I have worked to achieve my dream.

After all the training and rehearsing, I am so relieved and happy to be finally in the show.

Before my debut show I felt a bit nervous but very excited. The atmosphere was magical and everything I imagined it would be.

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On stag e as 'Billy '

Now I am ‘Billy’ I just want to get better and better.

I have a great relationship with the other children in the show as well as the adult cast members and the creative team. The training is hard work as I am always trying to improve my show, but performing on stage to 1500 people every night is incredible.

I love it when friends and family come and enjoy the show - it’s amazing to be part of such an incredible experience.

Ollie Gardner (Year 8) Kingswood in Focus 21

Summer Sports

KPS Cricket Summer 2009

Even though my KIF articles have been increasingly becoming a summary of the term’s weather, I will start with the news that remarkably few games were lost to the weather in 2009. Our boys (and girls) at Kingswood Prep School had adequate chances to use newly acquired skills in match situations and, every so often, a piece of real cricket broke out whilst the variations of the types of games played by the Prep School ensured that players and staff alike were kept on their toes at all times. I am proud to admit that we have remained steadfastly focused on ensuring that all players take a full and active part in games in order to develop an enjoyment and first-hand knowledge of cricket, rather than allowing a small group of players dominate the game with both bat and ball.

However, the result of this is that games are often lost, even when they could and should be won in different circumstances.

"...we have remained steadfastly focused on ensuring that all players take a full and active part in games..."

The U11 side continued to prove themselves quick learners as well as increasingly becoming able to put skills and ideas into practice during matches. Lucas Reeman led the side with intelligence and he is becoming an increasingly reliable player, whilst staunch support was received from Cameron Walker, Jake Feargus-Pearce and Jez Hardman. The U10s showed real promise and a more mature attitude to their play with particularly strong inputs from Nick Harris, Charlie Patterson and Jack Kenny.

The younger age-groups, playing various derivations of Kwik Cricket, have shown considerable improvements in skill levels and understanding. The Year 4s have a group of strong cricketers who should find the transfer to hard-ball cricket next year relatively comfortable, whilst the Year 3s have a clear understanding of what the game is about to take them forward next year.

Once again female cricketers have had their opportunities to get involved at the Prep School, with all the girls having access to learning opportunities. Esmée Charley, Niamh O’Sullivan, Sarah Rawle and Ella Reeman have led the way for the girls in both boys and girls cricket.

Many thanks to all the staff who have contributed to the provision of cricket at the Prep School.

Mr Ian Shrubsole (Head of Sport, Kingswood Prep School)

22 Kingswood in Focus

KPS Girls’ Summer Sports

In the Summer Term the girls have played rounders and participated in a full range of athletic events in their games lessons.

The U8 and U9 teams have competed in many matches against local schools and have enjoyed success in several rounders festivals. The U10 and U11 girls teams have also played matches but not quite as many as the younger girls, due to clashes on Wednesday afternoons with other school events and the predictable inclement weather.

The most successful Sports Team this Summer was the girls Athletics Squad. A combined team of U10 and U11 girls competed against six other independent schools to finish in joint first place with the Royal High School.

"The most successful Sports Team this Summer was the girls Athletics Squad."

As they were hosting the event we thought it only polite to share the honours! Kingswood Prep School also hosted an athletics event later in the term which was open to both boys' and girls' teams from seven independent schools. Several hundred children competed in a full athletics programme on the Kingswood athletics track which is situated on the Upper Playing Fields. The girls once again enjoyed success winning both the U10 and U11 events. Outstanding performances came from Ella Reeman and Olivia Hart on the track and Freya Courtaux, Sarah Rawle and Agnès Sadler in the field events.

The Summer Term also allows the girls to enjoy playing other sports such as tennis and cricket. Several of the girls have played in cricket matches for girls teams and when required to strengthen the boys' teams.

Miss Michelle Newman (Head of Girls’ Games, Kingswood Prep School)

Orienteering

Summer 2009

Summer orienteering is a pleasure in the sunshine, but there can be a challenge from brambles and later on the bracken around and above the younger runners’ heads.

The Forest of Dean offered just this on the longer courses in the Avon Schools’ Championships in May when Peter Aaron (Year 6), Sarah Rawle (Year 5) and Charlie Aaron (Year 5) became County Champions.

The orienteering year finished with the traditional Avon Schools’ Relays event which was held conveniently nearby at the University of Bath, using a new map of the Bushey Northwood area. It was a splendid family day out and culminated in the 2008/9 Avon Schools’ League presentations. Before that Kingswood received the Open Relay and the Intermediate Relay Trophies, both with excellent performances.

L to R: Elliot Haines, Alex Russell-Bates and Ralph Eliot

The Kingswood School Senior team, running in the 10.5km Open Class, were never headed and won by over half an hour. Elliot Haines, Ralph Eliot and Alex Russell-Bates beat Bristol Grammar School and Gordano School, Portishead decisively.

"...Kingswood received the Open Relay and the Intermediate Relay Trophies, both with excellent performances."

The Year 9 Kingswood team, consisting of Matthew Jeffery, William Roper and Jack Stuckes, also led all the way on the 7.1km Inter course, claiming victory by 15 minutes over Bristol Grammar School. Just 2 minutes behind them came the Kingswood Year 7 team of James Padkin, Cameron Owens and James Turek, who collected the Bronze medals.

Kingswood Prep School had more of a tussle in the Primary Class where Abi Jeffery, running first, handed over to Sarah Rawle a couple of minutes down. Peter Edwards then put in a good anchor leg to see the team into 3rd place so receiving the Bronze medals.

St Mary’s and Frenchay Primary Schools were too good for us on the day.

L to R: Will Roper, Matt Jeffery and Jack Stuckes

Harriet Parker finishing at top speed

In addition to the 7 teams of Kingswood and Kingswood Prep School pupils, there were 5 adult teams of Kingswood parents, past parents and staff also out orienteering on Claverton Down, including 3 entries to the Adam Avery South West inter-club competition.

They were very pleased to finish 13th, 14th and 16th. With another dozen supportive parents, some of whom helped shadow the five Year 3 beginners round their first courses, Kingswood was extremely well represented at this local event, successfully planned for the Bristol Klub by a former Kingswood parent, Alan Honey.

There were ASO 2008/9 League trophies presented to Tim Woodhead (2nd Year 10), Matthew Jeffery (2nd Year 9), Jack Stuckes (3rd Year 9) and James Padkin (3rd Year 7).

Then in the Kingswood Prep School classes to Abigail Jeffery (1st Year 6), Peter Aaron (1st Year 6), Sarah Rawle (1st Year 5), Charles Aaron (2nd Year 5), Niamh O’Sullivan (3rd Year 6) and Freddie Barnes (3rd Year 6), with certificates awarded to another 10 orienteers.

After the final League event, staged by Kingswood, at Greyfield Wood Bristol Grammar School were confirmed as the Senior Avon Shield winners again (Bristol Grammar School 2817, Kingswood 2435). Kingswood Prep School carried off the Primary Trophy by 700 points.

Mr John Lewis (Orienteering Coach)

Kingswood in Focus 23

Boys' Tennis 2009 WESTWOOD

ETON

The U12 team have had a very promising season, winning their first match and drawing the second. The team was captained by George Broom. The most successful players were George Roberts, Morgan Chalmers, Rhys Williams, Owen Waters and Charles Mason. I have also been impressed by the enthusiasm shown at Mr Musto's Westwood Tennis Academy on Mondays after School where future talent is being nurtured and everyone looks to be having a good time.

When we returned to Eton this year Sam Williams and I finally met our match as we lost our first sets of the year. Ruslan Khazarchiev showed how ruthless and clinical he can be at the net. We returned as champions of the Clark Trophy, which I leave to next year’s team to defend.

A big thank you goes to Mr Duke, for his help and support throughout the season.

Thomas Searle (Captain U6)

JUNIORS The U14 team had a tough couple of matches this season with Connor O’Sullivan, Matthew Jeffery, Sam Morris and Angus Batterham being notable players for the future. The U16 had a tough game against a more experienced Prior Park team. However, they played much better against King Edward’s, beating our rivals 7-1, with the whole team contributing. Alasdair Stone and his partner Jacob Lautze played well.

SENIORS The Senior team seems to grow every year and we could have easily fielded 4 teams every week. I think this shows a lot of commitment from the staff and players, especially as a lot of the players had the opportunity to play in the seconds.

The 3rd team had some close games with appearances from leavers Mark Widdowson, Craig Martin and Yuki Inoue.

All the boys played well and enjoyed some good matches.

The 2nd Team were unbeaten this season with many clear victories. Most successful pairs were Cameron Stone and Gareth England and Marat Khazarchiev and James Dabell who also played for the 1st team.

The 1st team recorded some good wins. Sam Williams and I were unbeaten all season on the local circuit, with Sam Pew Latter, Ruslan Khazarchiev, CJ Hampton and Nick Sheppard playing some good doubles. Sam Pew Latter and CJ Hampton have played consistently at a high standard throughout their School careers and they will be sorely missed on the courts next year.

Boys' Tennis Results 2009 1st

2nd

3rd (U16)

4 - 5 (L)

5 - 4 (W)

N/A

7 ½ – 1 ½ (W)

7 - 2 (W)

N/A

Monkton Combe

3 - 6 (L)

8 - 1 (W)

8 - 1 (W)

Wells Cathedral School

9 - 0 (W)

N/A

4 - 5 L (U16)

Cancelled

Cancelled

Dauntsey’s

4 – 5 (L)

5 – 4 (W)

2 – 7 (L)

Cheltenham

2 ½ – 6 ½ (L)

Prior Park College Dean Close

Wycliffe

3 ½ – 5 ½ (L)

6 - 3 (W)

King Edward’s

7 – 2 (W)

7 ½ - 1 ½ (W)

Uplands College, SA

7 - 4 (W)

> Eton results 1st pair / 2nd pair Royal Grammar School, Newcastle 2-6 2-6/1-6 2-6 Hampton 6-1 6-3/ 2-6 1-6 Williams 6-4 Oakham 6-1 6-2/5-7 6-1 Williams 6-0 Bradfield 6-4 6-4/1-6 5-7 Williams 6-4 Yarm 1-6 7-5 10-4/1-6 4-6 Williams 6-0

> Matches versus Prior Park College U12 won 8-4 (5-3 singles; 3-1 doubles) U13 cancelled U14 13-3 (L) U15 12-4 (L)

> Matches versus King Edward’s U12 4-4 (D) U13 3-5 (L) U14 4-4 (D) U15 7-1 (W)

Most successful team: 2nd VI Most successful players: Sam Williams, Marat Khazarchiev, Tom Searle, Gareth England, Cameron Stone

24 Kingswood in Focus

Girls' Tennis 2009 Captain's End of Term Report

There has been a high standard of girls’ tennis played within the School, but particularly in the Senior teams, with the 3rd, 4th, U13Bs, U12As and Bs having unbeaten seasons, and the 1st team and U14s only dropping one of their seven matches. This can be attributed to the great depth in the squads this year, allowing us to field so many teams. The successful season must also be attributed to our coaches enthusiasm and thanks must go to Miss Wright, Miss Bleathman, Mrs Sergeant, Mrs Matthews and Mrs Bradbury who have given up their time to help out in activity time and matches, and also to Mrs Reeman, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Fountain, and our Gap student, Gen McCulloch, who also made a valued contribution to tennis this season by either helping with coaching team squads, social tennis groups or travelling with teams to matches. Maybe some of that success was due to the early morning pre-season initiative started this year. Twelve senior players teamed up with Lansdown Club coaches and attended early morning training in the Sports Hall and, although the surface wasn’t ideal, it was nonetheless a good use of a prime facility and enabled us to get racket on ball once again. Pre-season or winter training is clearly the way to go if we are to keep up the high standards currently on show.

In Westwood special mention should go to Isabella Plumbly, Eleanor Lyne, and Olivia Lines, along with Ella Reeman from Kingswood Prep School, who formed an outstanding quartet virtually guaranteeing wins each weekend. I would also like to give a special mention to Sydney Lautze, who leaves us to return to the States who, as the U13s Player of the Season, will be much missed in tennis at Kingswood.

At Kingswood Senior School notable mentions must go to Verity Lowe and Gemma Rai from the 4th team for their consistent performances throughout the season, along with Alice Yates from the 3rd team, who should be commended for achieving the highest percentage win rate at Kingswood, winning 19 of her 21 sets played. Vivienne Dean and Robyn Churchouse have been the most successful pairing for 3 years running, and both clearly deserved their call up to the 1st VI this season. Finally Eleanor Batterham and Marianne Teoh have had a successful season, but it was sad to see Marianne’s last game for the School halted by an injury.

Having come back this season from a shoulder operation, I was so grateful and honoured to be given the opportunity to Captain our 1st team. Tennis has been my main sport since Year 7 and I have many fond memories of playing for the School; particularly the Portugal Tennis Tour when I was in Year 9, memories which I think are shared by the others in the current Sixth Form who also came on Tour. After losing a considerable number of 1st team players last season, we were conscious of the holes left to fill, but with Emily Joliffe joining the Sixth Form this year and pairing up with Naomi Stella, a formidable partnership was formed filling the losses from last season. Olivia Hoccom deserves a special mention here as this is her last tennis season at Kingswood. Olivia first represented the 1st team in Year 9 and she is clearly a very talented tennis player with her powerful strokes and intelligent all court game, and I wish her all the best in the future.

A very special thank you must go to Miss Wright, without whose dedication to sport and, in particular, girls’ tennis, the season would not have been so successful.

Emily Sumner Melton (U6)

Awards & Trophies HOUSE MATCHES The Year 7, 8 and 9 matches were contested by all players in the year. All the sets were added up to contribute to the overall score, with the A team’s games counting as a heavier weighting of double points.

In Year 7, in spite of resistance from Katy Humphrey & Olivia Lines, Beckford were the winners.

In Year 8 the matches were keenly contested, but Hamilton made a clean sweep of the competition, winning at all levels.

Year 9 all the Houses battled well in the B, C & D competitions, with Fonthill just edging out School House. In the A team competition in some very close matches. Alice Havers and Hannah Lemoine won the competition for Summerhill.

COLOURS Colts Colours: Olivia Hoccom, Jessica Gregory, Louisa Harris, Chloe Roberts.

Half Colours: Emily Melton, Marianne Teoh, Eleanor Batterham Full Colours: Emily Joliffe

PLAYER OF THE SEASON: Emily Jolliffe.

Vice-Captain of the 1st VI, Emily has consistently been the outstanding player on court. Her competitive and attacking style of play is eye-catching and inspirational and she has done much to lift the standards of those around her.

Most Improved Player Salver was awarded to Robyn Churchouse.

"There has been a high standard of girls’ tennis played within the School, particularly in the Senior teams..."

Kingswood in Focus 25

Westwood Sports Day A great day was had by all at the annual Westwood Sports Day, this year held at the first time of asking on a warm June afternoon on the Upper.

The Year 7 Girls’ competition was won by Hamilton with 130 points.

This included wins by Regan Winton in the 100m, Olivia Lines in the 1500m and Merryn Jones in the Javelin. Special mention must go to Katherine Humphrey for breaking the Sports Day record with a time of 31.57 seconds in the 200m.

The Year 8 girls’ contest was dominated by Beckford with them winning 8 of the 12 events. Anna Bools broke the Shot record with a throw of 8.23m and Georgia McKibbin was the fastest girl on the afternoon with a very impressive run of 13.79 seconds in the 100m.

OVERALL GIRLS’ RESULT • Beckford 262

• Hamilton 237

The Year 7 boys’ competition proved to be very even with both Houses winning 7 events. A high class 100m race which saw the clash of the rugby wingers was won by Cian O’Mahony in a time of 14.23seconds followed closely by Parimal Shrestha and Oliver Richards. The best event of the day was the Shot Putt which saw the School record broken by the top three competitors. The best throw was from Gareth Hollywell with a putt of 7.91m.

The Year 8 boys’ competition was another very close affair and the final result was in some doubt right up to the final event of the afternoon, the 4 x 100m relay. This was won by Posnett in an excellent time of 56.99 seconds. The afternoon saw a number of excellent performances particularly from Carson Lam in the Javelin who was able to project the missile 31.96m, and from Jack Crowther who achieved 21.38m in the Discus.

OVERALL BOYS' RESULT • Cusworth 304

• Posnett 290

Mr Phil Hollywell (Senior Housemaster, Westwood)

26 Kingswood in Focus

Athletics

Captain's End of Term Report

Athletics this season at Kingswood has been very successful, competing against strong athletics schools such as Canford, Lord Wandsworth, Marlborough College and Bryanston, so our results were notable to say the least.

The Inter Girls were impressive, with Amber James reaching County and Regionals in the High Jump and 800m, Catherine Bolland in the Triple Jump and Beatrice Shepherd in both the Triple Jump and 300m.

Mentions go to Elise Gauntlet, Amy Worsfold, Imogen Morris, Natasha Brand and Niamh Courtaux who show great promise for the future.

The Inter Boys were the clear superstars of the season, particularly with Adam McBraida and Matthew Holdsworth running well along with Edward Hutchison and Andrew Paines completing their unbeaten relay team. Tom Drew excelled in the discus and shot while the Year 10 boys also showed great potential with Sam Spence, Sam Harman and Praful Limbu all performing exceptionally well.

The Senior Girls always ensured that they left their mark at any meet, even if we didn’t perform too well. Vice-Captain Rebecca Bottle has consistently improved with her sprinting, whilst Elena Barnard and Katy Proctor exceeded expectations with their field events.

Senior Boys Will Hobby, Alex Beishon, David Silvester and Ralph Eliot won us some much needed points. Tom Cammann also guaranteed us points with some exceptional performances in the discus and shot, while Theo Boyce also featured prominently.

Athletics this year saw a number of records broken, most impressively Matthew Houldsworth in the 100m, and Adam McBraida in both the 100 and 400m. To put this into perspective, at the Avon Athletics County Championships, both their times were quicker than the U18s Avon qualifiers, making them the two fastest sprinters in the southwest.

Other record breakers include Catherine Bolland, who comfortably beat Pahrnia Parsons and Phoebe Watson’s triple jump personal bests, and Amber James, who equalled the inter girls’ high jump record.

We would also like to thank both Becky Bottle and Alex Beishon for their support as Vice Captains, making our jobs a whole lot easier.

And finally, a big thank you to Miss Paver for her organisation and support of athletics. Without you we would not be achieving the notable results we are.

Jason Hanson & Pahrnia Parsons (Girls’ & Boys’ Athletics Captains)

"Athletics this year saw a number of records broken..."

Kingswood in Focus 27

Sports Tour

After a long, twelve hour, flight we finally arrived in Cape Town and headed straight to our first hotel, The Breakwater Lodge at the Waterfront.

Many of us had doubts about what we were in for after finding out that it was a converted prison, but all fears were pushed aside on arrival where it was clear we had four luxurious days ahead of us.

Everyone was exhausted after the long flight and we were looking forward to a good rest, but Gulliver’s, the Tour organisers, had other ideas…what better way than a hike up Table Mountain to get rid of the jet lag? Despite the fact that we couldn’t walk for days afterwards, Table Mountain was one of the highlights of our Tour. After an hour and a half of climbing we reached the top. We were lucky with the weather because it was a clear day with hardly any wind. This is a rare occurrence for Cape Town in the winter.

Our first evening in South Africa was spent at the infamous Waterfront and it was here that many of the touring party discovered Spur which is a chain of steak houses in South Africa that seemed to follow us across the Eastern and Western Cape, something we were delighted about.

easy for us to visit only the rich areas and ignore the poverty while we were in South Africa. This, however, would not have been a true taste of Africa and we would not have gained the cultural experience that we did.

The next day the boys had the opportunity to play a township team, while the girls played Bergvliet High School. All sports were a success which was a great way to begin our Tour. After the matches we visited Stellenbosch and the Cheetah Sanctuary. Although unusual to see them in captivity, it was a really enjoyable trip and for a little bit extra some of our Tour members even got to stroke them.

The training continued over the next few days, along with the sightseeing.

A guided Peninsula tour took us to the Cape of Good Hope and to Boulder’s Beach where we got to see the penguins. There was also a boat trip to see the seals, however the promise of a ‘calm’ boat trip was not fulfilled and an unlucky few were left feeling slightly worse for wear.

"For those who went on tour to South Africa, it was two weeks never to be forgotten."

Wasting no time at all we started training the following day. There are not many places in the world where you can play sport and see the view that we did at Wynberg, and words could not do it justice. After an intense training session, with Table Mountain as a backdrop, we headed to Langa Township for a guided tour.

Langa is one of the many areas in South Africa that was designated for Black Africans before the Apartheid Era. It is the oldest township in Cape Town and has a population of over 90,000 people.

As you so often find in the world, the kindest people are those who have the least and the tour of the township demonstrated just how much we take for granted in the First World.

One of the most important things we experienced during this Tour was to see other cultures.

It would have been very 28 Kingswood in Focus

Time flew by and soon we were off to our first billets. The boys were billeted with Rondebosch Boys’ High School while the girls were billeted with Rustenburg Girls’ High School. Rondebosch and Rustenburg are two of the oldest Government Schools in Cape Town, founded in 1897 and 1894 respectively.

Billeting is the one thing on Tour that you will never be able to predict.

South Africa is such a diverse country and because of that you have people from all walks of life at a school.

At Rustenburg there were those who lived in mansions and those who lived in the township just so they could afford to go to school. Therefore I am sure you can imagine our billeting was even more of a surprise than we had expected. Chloe Roberts, Phoebe Watson, Sophie Wheeler and Alice Yates were billeted with girls who lived in the township and an experience like this really does open your eyes. All four of them stayed in houses with no security and in rooms that they had given up for the two nights we were billeted in Cape Town. Although at the time the girls had probably wanted to be somewhere else, they can now say that they have experienced the ‘real’ side of South Africa and I know it has made them appreciate what we have so much more. On the results side, our netball teams both had good wins against strong opposition, whilst the hockey side lost to a well organised Rustenburg team.

For the boys it turned out to be their only billet, and they made the most of it! Rondebosch is famous for being one the best rugby schools in the country and on average their first team will get around five thousand spectators to a game. In fact, whilst we were in South Africa, one of the local games between Paarl Gymnasium High School and Paarl Boys’ High School drew in a crowd of 25,000. To put this in perspective the Rec has a capacity of approximately 10,600. The boys lost to Rondebosch 2nd team 24-0, but played well and came away with their pride very much in tact.

The following day saw us head up the Garden Route towards George.

The drive provided some amazing views, especially when we passed the highest bungee jumping point in the world. Unfortunately a combination of time restrictions and the fact that we had a match to play meant we were unable to stop.

Walk up Table Mountain

The girls played two netball matches against York High School, again winning impressively, before jumping on the coach and heading on to Knysna. Here we stayed in a fantastic hotel (the Knysna River Lodge), where we were in chalets of three and four people for three nights.

While we were in Knysna we had of variety of trips, the first being a lagoon cruise which was an amazing experience.

The afternoon consisted of competitive rugby and hockey matches against York High again. As for the boys, it was an eventful match with concussions and stitches all round. The support that teams get from their schools in South Africa makes the English attempt look a little weak if we’re honest. In South Africa the entire School turned up to cheer, which wasn’t intimidating at all! The boys played exceptionally well to achieve a very respectable 19-19 draw against a big U19 team, but the girls were beaten 4-0 to a well-drilled and skilful York High School team.

Our second day in Kynsna was spent at Plettenburg Bay where the winter conditions didn’t deter anyone from piling into the sea. After our dip in the sea we lunched on a ‘floating’ restaurant which was very enjoyable. During the evening we were treated to a fantastic meal from our driver, and tour legend, Ishmail, aka Ishy! Ishy, who was our coach driver for the duration of tour and he brightened up many a moment.

Our last day in Knysna saw the girls play a game of hockey against Plettenburg High School on grass, winning easily 8-0, before leaving for Port Elizabeth. We stopped off at Jeffrey’s Bay for lunch, another trip to Spur where we watched England win the Ashes!

We spent the night in a fantastic four star hotel in Port Elizabeth with an equally fantastic view from our rooms on the twelfth floor.

The following day consisted of a training day on the beach which for the girls consisted of a run and for the boys, touch rugby.

"Table mountain was one of the highlights of our Tour."

Table Mountain Summit

From here we went on to what we thought was our second lot of billets in Grahamstown. However, the boys found themselves spending 2 interesting nights in one dorm at PJ Olivier. The girls were slightly more comfortable than the boys, being billeted with girls from Victoria Girls’ High School. Meryn Churchouse and Charlie got a true South African boarding experience while the rest of us were with families from the school. During the evening after our matches, which we all won, we were treated to a meal at the School’s restaurant, which was called Vicky’s, and where our opposition tried to teach us some of their cheers. This proved quite difficult for those of us who have no rhythm.

The following day we set off for Kariega Game Reserve for our last few days in South Africa. This consisted of three 3 hour game drives - the last of these was in the pouring rain. We were surprised to see a huge variety of animals including four of the ‘big five’ – lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino. Our accommodation at Kariega was unbelievable. The view from the restaurant looked out over the entire game reserve and our chalets were amazing, some even having their own pools. We really were spoilt.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and our final night in South Africa was to be remembered as another fantastic evening. The two weeks had flown by and it was back to Port Elizabeth the following day to catch our flight home.

For those of you who, in the near future, get the opportunity to go on a Sports Tour, we urge you to take it. For those who went on tour to South Africa, it was two weeks never to be forgotten. Each Tour gives you the opportunity to experience a different way of life and get to know people you may not have known before. It’s an opportunity that only comes round once and we couldn’t recommend it more highly.

Harriet Ghaui (L6) Kingswood in Focus 29

Swimming 2009

Captain's End of Term Report

Unlike other sports, swimming happens throughout the year. We started training in earnest in September for the National Relays, and we continued right through until the final gala.

The U16 Boys have had their best season for some years winning over half their galas including those against Taunton, Canford, Clifton and Cheltenham College. Harry Oliver, Patrick Seed and Oscar Dennis have all been instrumental in the team’s success. Jonathan Brend in Year 7 is one to watch out for in the future.

The U16 Girls have had an unbeaten season. The highlight was a clean sweep at the gala against Marlborough and Clifton. Sienna Dennis, Georgina Barnes, Stephanie and Emily Clutterbuck have been the key performers in this team. Stephanie Clutterbuck is on the School record sheet 6 times.

The Open Boys have won 8 from 11 galas. David Short, Harry Cheetham and Tom Pang have all looked comfortable in this team even though they have been swimming up an age group.

The Open Girls have had their third unbeaten season winning 51 out of a possible 54 races and I am sure you’ll agree that is impressive by anyone’s standards.

Claire Carruthers has had 2 unbeaten seasons in freestyle, and has swum for Kingswood for 7 years. She has demonstrated her commitment to swimming by turning up to every training session and would be an asset to any team as she adds such enthusiasm and willingness to perform.

I have swum alongside Evan Sawyer for the past five years and we have always been very competitive when swimming against each other.

Although Laura Stockley unfortunately missed most of last season due to injury, she has come back stronger this season to put in many good performances.

30 Kingswood in Focus

Shaun Howell has looked impressive in the butterfly and we’re sure his haircut made a big difference .

Isabella Seagrove has been a great addition to the team since she joined Kingswood in the Lower Sixth. When our training schedule was raised to swimming every day, Isabella showed her enthusiasm and had a positive attitude even at early morning training.

Charlotte Barnes is ranked second in Great Britain and yet she is the most modest person you will meet. I don’t think anyone realises that she has spent nearly a full day in water every week for the past 6 years.

She is definitely one to watch for in London 2012.

Emma Oliver is one of the most talented swimmers, although too modest to admit it. She is unbeaten in backstroke throughout her time at Kingswood and is ranked in the top 10 for 50 metre backstroke, which is impressive as she no longer swims for a club.

Shaun Mousley shows a lot of natural ability which, combined with his dedication to training this season, has led to him swimming West of England qualifying times. He is unbeaten in backstroke but has also developed into a fully rounded swimmer, excelling in all of the other events. Shaun has broken 2 school records this year. I hope that he continues with his swimming in the future and perhaps we will see him at 2012 representing Kenya.

It has been an absolute privilege to be part of such a successful team, and I will truly miss each and every one of you as you have all made my swimming here so special. Thank you Mrs Opie, for your guidance and support, without which we would not be the successful team we are.

Emma Oliver (U6 Swimming Captain)

Swimming Awards 2009

Swimming Results 2008-09

The cup for the most improved swimmer goes to someone who has been in the U16 team for the past 4 years. Since last season his 50m backstroke time has improved by over 4 seconds. He has worked hard on his starts and turns. This year the cup is awarded to Harry Oliver.

The Tench Cup is awarded to the most successful School swimmer and as usual there are a number of contenders. Last year’s winner, Emma Oliver, has been unbeaten and has her name on the record sheet 4 times. Charlie Barnes, Georgina Barnes, Rebecca Saunders, Stephanie Clutterbuck and Emily Clutterbuck have also had impressive seasons swimming or the U16 Girls. For the boys, Patrick Seed has had another good season with his breaststroke. Tom Pang has been exceptional, swimming for the Open Boys' breaking his own 200 yard freestyle record. However, this year the Tench Cup is awarded to someone who has been unbeaten in backstroke and holds the School records for backstroke and freestyle – Shaun Mousley.

The Beresford Shield is for the person who has made the greatest contribution to Kingswood swimming. This year it is awarded to someone who has been part of the Club for 7 years. She has been dedicated, training hard throughout the year including early morning sessions. She took part in the sponsored swim in memory of Dilys Brake. She organised all the kit for the club. She has been an outstanding Captain, always doing things properly. This year the Beresford Shield is awarded to Emma Oliver.

Cricket 2009

U16 Girls

U16 Boys

Open Girls

Open Boys

Dauntsey’s King’s Bruton Canford Taunton St Mary’s Sherborne

W W W W W W

L W W W L

W W W W W W

W W W L W

Cheltenham College

W

W

W

L

W W W

L W L

W W W

W L W

Dean Close Marlborough Clifton

FULL COLOURS: Emma Oliver (re-awarded) Charlotte Barnes (re-awarded), Shaun Mousley, Claire Carruthers

HALF COLOURS: Evan Sawyer (re-awarded) Laura Stockley, Isabella Seagrove COLTS COLOURS: Sienna Dennis, Tom Pang

Captain's End of Term Report

This year Cricket at Kingswood has been incredibly successful, following on from the very high standards set by Rugby, and maintained by Hockey.

The results from our Junior sides were very good and many individuals showed great promise for the future. The U12s reached the final of the county cup with Felix Barnard-Weston proving a very dependable opening batsman and bowler. He was well supported by Owen Waters, Max Pugsley, Oisin Cook, Matt Holmes, George Roberts, Hywel Jones and Dominic Mackenzie.

The U13s were also successful though an early loss to Writhlington in the Cup was a disappointment. Robert Blackburn proved a very useful recruit, bowling with pace and accuracy, whilst Matthew Scott and Oscar Ryan look like promising players for the future. The U14s also reached the final of the County Cup, with Sam Morris having an exceptional season.

His 104 not out against QEH in the Cup to beat a strong opposition was a fantastic innings and Sam deservedly went on to play for the 1st XI later in the season. In addition, Elliot Canning and Toby Briggs also showed lots of potential with bat and ball. The U15s improved as the season progressed. Oliver Meyer, Tim Woodhead, Max Gauntlett, Alex Hardman, Finn Weston and Chris Rovery all produced good performances during the season. The 2nd team were excellently led by James Bird, with good support from Tom Ireland and developed several players who will compete for 1st XI places next season. Harry Dawson is a resolute opening batsman, whilst Alex Young, Oscar Nowlan, Sam Elliott and Alex Scott all produced good performances at various stages in the season.

"Seven members have made half centuries, showing the depth of ability and contribution within the team."

There are obviously good quality players coming up through the School, and we have celebrated the achievements of the Junior teams during the year. I therefore feel confident that the success of this season will be replicated, if not bettered for years to come.

The 1st team this year led the way with impressive results, which culminated in Kingswood winning the League for the first time in 8 years, and completing some highly impressive performances. There have been moments of individual brilliance, including some of the best catches Kingswood has seen, but the highlight has undoubtedly been the contributions that every single member has made for the collective success of the team.

Seven members have made half centuries, showing the depth of ability and contribution within the team.

It has been a subtle blend of experience and youth. The younger members have contributed hugely in all three of the disciplines. Harry and Tim Rouse have excelled in both batting and bowling and they will go on to be excellent cricketers.

Kingswood in Focus 31

Sam McMeekin has led the way this year in setting very high standards, both in training and on the field. It is a real bonus to have a fielder as athletic as Sam in the team. Although Sam may not be the most technically gifted cricketer, his raw talent as a sportsman has more than compensated for this.

Nick Prettejohn has been inspirational in the field and taken two five wicket hauls, and made two important fifties. Ollie Canning has been an influential character within the team. His spin bowling has been very effective, highlighted by his hat trick against King Edward's, and his twenty-three over stint against the XL club. Alex Young and Will Mackenzie have been brilliant team players, and will be important members next year.

Paddy Shipp has been an integral part of the team, combing energy, competitiveness and humour to all that he has done. He has also made crucial contributions with the bat late on in the innings, helping us to achieve competitive totals.

Euan Gordon deserves a special mention for his excellent batting.

Euan only came into the team this year and has played some fantastic innings, averaging an incredible 94 in the league.

Finally, Nick Gerrish. Throughout my time at Kingswood I have played the vast majority of my sport with Nick. I am pleased to say that this year Nick has matured as a sportsman immeasurably and he has risen to the challenge of being a senior member of the team setting an example both with quick opening spells, and defiant batting.

Six leavers have supported the youthful talent. This experienced core has been extremely important, and a large factor behind the success achieved. Piers Dawson may not be the most classical scorer but has completed his duties admirably and deserves thanks for his patience, especially when he scored for four hundred and twelve overs in nine days.

Though tough at times, captaining has been something I have loved and will never forget. It has been an important learning experience, and I relinquish the role with great difficulty. On one occasion when we lost control of our game, and ended up losing, I truly believe a huge amount was learnt. It has been the tightest team I have been a part of during my time in first team sport and I could not be more fond, or proud of each and every member.

Will Samler and Matt Ticehurst are two extremely reliable bowlers.

Though relatively low profile, their contributions have been incredibly important as they combine the ability to take wickets, whilst conceding very few runs. Playing cricket with them is always a pleasure.

Cricket Results 2009 1st XI

2nd XI

Wycliffe

Won by 82 runs

Lost by 49 runs

Dauntsey's

Won by 45 runs

Lost by 4 wkts

U15 XI

U14 XI

U13 XI

U12A XI

Lost by 2 wkts

Lost by 180

Won by 9 wkts

Won by 42 runs

Won by 22 runs

Lost by 42 runs

Lost by 1 wkt

King Edward's

Lost by 6 wkts

Won by 2 runs

Monkton Combe

Lost by 5 wkts

Won by 29 runs

Lost by 93 runs

Lost by 4 runs

Beechen Cliff

Won by 8 wkts

Won by 5 wkts

Won by 9 runs

Won by 28 runs

Won by 5 wkts

Won by 30 runs

Cancelled

Lost by 20 runs

Wells Cathedral School

Won

Bristol Grammar School

Cancelled

Lost by 4 wkts

Cancelled

Won by 74 runs

Prior Park College

Won by 45 runs

Won by 56 runs

Won by 27 runs

Won by 2 wkts

Lost by 7 runs

Won by 49 runs

King's Gloucester

Won by 117 runs Won by 161 runs

Lost by 91 runs

Won by 5 wkts

Won by 5 wkts

Lost by 3 wkts

Lost v Wellington by 30 runs

Won v Beechen Cliff by 7 wkts Won v Backwell by 16 runs Won v Wellington by 54 runs

XL Club Westminster College (Australia)

U12B

Tied

Drew Lost by 10 runs

MCC

Lost by 38 runs

Round 1

Won v Prior Park by 6 wkts

CUP MATCHES Lost by 5 wkts

Quarter-final Semi-final Final

Won v KES by 6 runs Won v QEH by 6 wkts Won v Wellsway by 3 runs Lost

Lost

RUNNERS-UP WIN RATE

64%

63%

** 32 Kingswood in Focus

33%

73%

OVERALL WIN RATE - 57%

**

RUNNERS-UP 50%

60%

-

They maintained the highest standards, often when others lowered their own. They are a credit to Kingswood, and all should be proud of them.

They are a pleasure to be with and I wish them the best in the future.

Cricket could not flourish as it does without the dedicated support from some members of staff. They willingly give up their Saturday, and we are very grateful for this. Each Master I have played under had has added something to my game, be it Mr MacDonald, Mr Redman, Mr Reeman or Mr Hollywell. It is also appreciated when other members of staff show an interest, this makes a real difference and shows they appreciate the magnitude of what we are achieving for the School.

I must personally thank Mr Simon Morris, as a result of his support the pitches have improved beyond recognition, and his presence at matches is very much appreciated. I know cricket will flourish under Mr Morris’ watchful eye, and I feel envious of the younger cricketers down the School who will reap the rewards of his support.

Finally, thank you Mr Opie, without your tireless dedication and support for cricket at Kingswood our teams would not achieve the success that they do.

Alexander Ockwell (Captain of Cricket 2009)

Playing Cricket for England Lauren Shrubsole from Year 11 achieved the distinction of playing cricket for the England Girls team at U19 level in an indoor tournament in Australia last month.

After four days of training on the Gold Coast, Lauren played in five of the ten pool matches against New Zealand, South Africa and the host country Australia. England beat Australia and South Africa but they then lost in the semi-finals to a strong New Zealand side and ended up coming a very respectable third overall in the competition. Lauren had a fantastic time and now can compare notes with her older sister Anya, who has also represented England, though at senior level, about International cricket.

Many congratulations to Lauren and we look forward to hearing about more honours in the future.

Kingswood in Focus 33

Art Naomi Stella (Y12)

Charlotte Hecquet (Y12)

April Kwok (Y12)

Sam Pew Latter (Y13)

Butterflies by Pippa Smart (Y13)

Annie West (Y13)

34 Kingswood in Focus

Joshua Jackson (Y9)

Isabelle Mulvany (Y11)

Thomas Penrhyn Jones (Y9)

Lucy Morris (Y7)

Some fine examples of Senior School artwork across the ages

Rhys Williams (Y7)

Esther Chilver Vaughan (Y7)

Hannah Burnell (Y11)

Kingswood in Focus 35

An Impressive Exhibition Any showcase of student endeavour at Kingswood finds acclaim among those who understand the discipline or who have a direct involvement in the work... ...so it is no surprise that the combined Art and Design Technology Summer Exhibition towards the end of the summer was so well received. That so many who have little or no background in either subject also immensely enjoyed the exhibition is fitting tribute to the artists and designers of Kingswood.

Featuring work from all year groups, the joint exhibition was held on the same evening as the last night of the School Play ‘Charley And The Chocolate Factory’ so in addition to many invited guests, the audience from the Theatre were also able to see work from three of the subjects that make up the Faculty of Arts and Technology in one trip to Kingswood.

It was not necessary to be an artist to appreciate the absolutely stunning exhibition in the Art Centre; one did not need to be a designer to appreciate the depth and range of the work produced in Design Technology. In both areas, the innovation and true virtuosity of the students was all too evident and there were just so many pieces of work that had that indescribable ‘wow’ factor to list separately.

However, with the Art department also featuring work from parents of the School, both exhibitions represented a very fitting tribute to the work that Art and DT students had put in over many months in readiness for examinations as well as the exhibition.

"It was not necessary to be an artist to appreciate the absolutely stunning exhibition in the Art Centre..."

In both areas, students mixed easily with visitors who had come to view the exhibits and by the end of the evening were leading them through the exhibitions with panache and confidence, sharing their creative thinking and technical expertise as visitor and students pored over sketchbook and design folio.

Less publicly, following the exhibitions, the two departments sat down together so that the Sixth Form Artists and the Sixth Form Designers could share a meal to celebrate the end of that most demanding of stages of their time at Kingswood. Many, of course, were leaving to embark on the courses that will ultimately lead them to employment in fields allied to Art and Design. For all, however, the evening was a wonderful opportunity to experience what it is like to have public applause for the pictures, sculptures and designs they had created and the congratulations of all who took time out to be part of a unique experience.

Mr John Allison (Head of Design Technology) Mr Cameron Main (Head of Art) 36 Kingswood in Focus

Prep School Artwork Sea Creature (Y2)

Freya Jones - Art Club Portrait (Y5)

Ceramics Club

Anna Street Eco Day Music (Y6)

Outdoor Sculpture (Reception)

Charlotte Cutter - Fantasy Bugs (Y3)

Claudia Barnard-Weston Portrait (Y5) Abigail Jeffries Relief Painting (Y6)

Kingswood in Focus 37

Eco Schools

Eco Day at the Prep School Why have an Eco Day at School?

Well, it is a good way of focusing everyone’s attention on the issue of sustainability, which should inform every part of School life. It is also a chance for the whole School to break away from normal routines and work together with a common cause. Lastly, it is a chance to get outside and have fun using our wonderful School grounds.

Don Foster, MP, with KPS pupils

SO WHAT DID WE ACHIEVE? Transport to School on Eco Day Walk Bike Public Transport Shared Car Full Car Smaller Car No Greener Way

The graph shows that only 13% of the children were not brought to School in a more eco-conscious way on Eco Day. A quarter of the children walked, and almost a quarter shared lifts.

Kingswood Prep School Eco Charter

Saving the Orangutans We wanted to show the children that they can do something to influence world problems. So, after an inspiring talk about orangutans by Charlie Hamilton James, illustrated with slides which he took in Borneo, Year 3 and 4 went on to write campaigning letters about the problem of palm oil and orangutan extinction. These were received in person by Don Foster, MP, in a special assembly. He informed the children that because of their letters he had already begun to research the issue and had now become one of 74 MPs who have signed an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for action to save the rainforests which are the natural habitat of orangutans. He said afterwards, “This is not an issue I knew anything about until the children wrote to me. It is something I have taken up as a result of their lobbying. It is entirely down to them.”

In assembly, we watched a WWF film, voiced and animated by children, about habitat destruction and global warming. It was a powerful message to the children about why we need an Eco Day. The Eco Club then reminded the School about our own KPS Eco Charter and celebrated some of our successes in becoming a more sustainable school.

WaterAid One of the nine Eco-Schools topics is global awareness. Year 5 study the problem of water supply in developing countries as part of their geography topic and then raise money for WaterAid. This year we combined WaterAid day with Eco Day. Year 5 learnt about water treatment in a talk by Mrs Kenny and, through a huge variety of different fund raising activities, raised an amazing £1,550 for WaterAid. Gardening

Eco Art

Eco Creativity Time is always an issue in schools when working on creative projects, so we decided that the children in Year 6 would spend the whole day working on one of a choice of six different activities, each with an eco-theme. This resulted in some superb sculpture, ceramics and photography, creative drama, whacky engineering and a truly inspirational eco-song performed in Assembly the following day.

Waste and Recycling The children in Pre-Prep all took part in a waste and recycling workshop run by Sarah George from B&NES and, through a great deal of sifting through magazines, cutting out and sticking, they learnt about all the things they can put into their green boxes.

In addition, all the children took part in a wide variety of creative activities and got to spend some time outside whether it was gardening, restoring garden furniture, running water relays or rushing around on a tree scavenger hunt. All in all it was a fantastic day.

Mrs Sue Butcher (Year 4 Teacher, Kingswood Prep School) 38 Kingswood in Focus

Facilities Department

Tackling Waste We recently interviewed the Facilities Department at Kingswood who explained to us that one of their main targets is to reduce waste within the School.

They reuse and recycle as much as possible and dispose of the remainder in a responsible way. Mr Hayward-Boyle, the School’s Caretaker, has been the driving force behind setting up an efficient and sustainable recycling centre. As he describes, a cardboard compactor has dramatically reduced our landfill: "Two years ago, with the help of the Eco-School students, we researched and bought a cardboard compactor. Since then, we have reduced our waste within the main School by 30%, making savings of over £2,000 a year by reducing the number of Euro-bins we fill."

The Facilities Department’s main target now is to reduce energy loss throughout the School. However, because we have many old and listed buildings, it is not an easy task! For example, it is not always possible to install double glazing in listed buildings. However, they are looking into fitting it in non-listed buildings, such as Westwood.

We also learnt that the Department conducted a survey of all the heating earlier this year to help them with planning and, consequently, they have been extremely busy enhancing insulation and lagging pipes. These are relatively simple and inexpensive solutions which effectively reduce our carbon emissions. Mrs Ruddell, the Facilities Manager, explained that ultimately it is the larger items such as boilers which are difficult to deal with because of the cost implications. At present, Facilities are using information from the thermometers that Eco-Schools students asked to have put in the classrooms. This seems to be working well because teachers can report straight to them when the temperature is too hot or cold.

Lighting is another major energy user. All the bulbs the Facilities staff now install are energy saving bulbs; Mrs Ruddell said that it must be everyone’s shared responsibility in School to turn off lights when they are not in use. We need to think whether it is really necessary to have them on, for example, on sunny days. It seems that with a bit of thought and minimal inconvenience we could save a great deal of energy.

We asked for the Department’s opinion of the ‘Green Day’ that was held last year and they thought it was brilliant.

Mrs Ruddell said it really brought everyone together and the reduction of energy was impressive. If we could

just get everybody to do this everyday, we would be onto a winner! Mr Hayward-Boyle said that people just need reminding; everyone has good intentions, but forget as time passes.

We were very encouraged to hear of all the sustainable things the Facilities Department have done and are continuing to do.

In addition to those already mentioned, they have made an effort to minimise the use of toxic chemicals in cleaning materials and to buy products from sustainable sources whenever it is economically viable, for example, the new oak flooring in the Main School.

We can help them a great deal by Cardboard compactor just reminding each other to turn off lights when not in use, putting waste paper in the recycle box and litter in the bins. These are simple tasks which would really make a big difference if everybody gets involved.

The Facilities Department is working hard for the benefit of our future but they can achieve a lot more with our full support and cooperation.

Hester Welch, Alice Liu (U6), Peter Evans, Hannah Bottle & Emma Gordon (Year 11)

"...we have reduced our waste within the main School by 30%, making savings of over £2,000 a year..."

Recycling centre

Kingswood in Focus 39

Eco Award

Headmaster receiving Green Award from Research Machines

Kingswood is Proud to Pick up an Award for our Green Commitment Everyone at Kingswood is beginning to catch on to the idea of sustainability in the School, and the ICT Department is certainly playing its part.

With well over 300 computers in total, the amount of energy being used could be huge but, thanks to some great new technology and a change of attitude, energy consumption in this department is rapidly decreasing.

“When choosing new ICT equipment we have to take lots of different things into account,” explains Mr Snowden, Director of ICT. Sometimes, the most environmentally friendly computers are not the cheapest to buy, but will soon pay for themselves and more by saving electricity.

Research Machines (RM) have introduced a new range of computers called ‘Eco-quiet’; they use as little power as possible. The School has bought a great number of them and most of the computers are now ‘Eco-quiet’.

Every one of them uses only fifty watts when on, which is less than an average light bulb. Every ‘Eco-quiet’ computer will save the School around £230 over four or five years; a huge amount of money and a great saving of electricity and carbon emissions.

the time. Another thing that is helping us to be more sustainable and save a lot of paper is the new technology that has allowed teachers to print sheets straight to the photocopiers or, better still, scan documents straight to email so avoiding the use of paper altogether. Also, all of the mouse mats in the School have been recycled. As they say on the mats, they “…used to be a car tyre”, and according to Mr Snowdon, have lasted a lot longer than the old ones did.

Recently, RM has given Kingswood their first Green Technology Award for buying so many of their ‘Eco-quiet’ computers, for consciously trying to reduce the carbon footprint of our ICT Department, and for raising awareness of saving energy used up by computers and other equipment.

We especially appreciate that the award given was a cedar tree, because we recently lost a very old cedar tree in the front of the School. The new tree was ceremoniously presented and planted in the presence of the ICT Department, Eco-Schools students and the Headmaster. We would like to add our thanks to all the ICT staff: Mr Parsons, Mr Adams, Mrs Warren, Mrs Sergeant and Mr Snowden for all their work behind the scenes to help make our School more sustainable.

"Every ‘Eco-quiet’ computer will save the school around £230 over four or five years..."

In addition, all of the computers available for pupils’ use are programmed to turn themselves off at the end of the day, and teachers’ computers are monitored to make sure that they turn their own computers off when they leave. This was not the case five years ago when Eco-Schools first started at Kingswood and when most monitors were left on all of 40 Kingswood in Focus

Charlotte Frude & Tamsin Ireland (Year 10)

Poetry

Award Winning Climate Poem Last June, Tamsin Ireland, Charlotte Frude, Kristina Grant and Natasha Chapman presented the following poem at the B&NES Young Peoples’ Climate Change Conference competition...

...and won.

The Conference was attended by secondary schools in the Bath area.

We have since heard that Resurgence magazine will be publishing the poem together with a brief report of what we are doing at Kingswood in terms of sustainable development.

Please take the time to read this from TOP to BOTTOM and then line by line from BOTTOM to TOP. It’s well worth the effort!

Mrs Mary Patterson (ESD Co-ordinator)

Left to right: Charlotte Frude, Natasha Chapman, Tamsin Ireland, Rosie Hurley & Kristina Grant

Kingswood in Focus 41

KS Development News

A Shot-Gun Start to a Great Day Out! A wet and windy golfing experience at the Lansdown Golf Club certainly did not dampen any of the spirit or enthusiasm from all those who took part in the Development Department’s first golf fund raiser.

A very special thank you to the 52 golfers who made up 13 teams and who helped raise £5,000 towards the Upper Development project.

The morning commenced with a presentation in the Pavilion by architect, Mr George Batterham of Batterham Matthews Design, and a chance to look at the proposals for a new phased scheme, including the refurbishment of the Car Park. The teams then moved over to the Lansdown Club where Mr Gareth Chilcott gave his encouragement and motivation to stir up the competition as the tournament.

Scott Redman, resident PGA professional gives some instruction

boost the auction proceeds by over £1,000 and this, together with a generous donation from one of our Association members, brought the total raised to almost £5,000.

Headmaster Mr Simon Morris, led a team of ‘old Kingswoodians’ – Mr Gordon Opie, Mr Chris Tongue and his brother Mr Alan Tongue, to take a respectable 5th place amongst the winning teams. They were beaten by the Kingswood pupils’ team, of C-J Hampton, Matt Ticehurst and Euan Gordon, ably led by Chris Lloyd, now playing for the England U18 squad.

We are most grateful to Mr Terry Mercer, Golf Manager at Lansdown for co-ordinating all the arrangements at the Club during the day and for the excellent dinner.

Mr Scott Redman, the Club’s golf ‘home pro’, gave a very informative and helpful demonstration which was enjoyed by many of the players and ensured they all knew how to deal with any ‘fried eggs’ on the course!

(Those golfers who often find themselves stuck in the bunker will know more about this!)

The winning team!

Last, and by no means least, the loyal support of our Kingswood musicians who entertained our guests prior to dinner, helped to make this a very memorable occasion and, as a result, a new fixture on the Development activities calendar.

Our 2010 event will be taking place on Friday 14th May, and the booking forms are now available from the Development Office. Please phone (01225) 734283 or email development@kingswood.bath.sch.uk for full details. Teams and individual entries will be most welcome and we very much look forward another great golfing day out.

Mrs Angela Dudley-Warde (Director of Development - Alumni Relations)

Many local businesses provided their support by entering teams, sponsoring putting competitions and donating prizes.

We would especially like to thank the following companies for their help: Ralph Allen Press, Lansdown Mazda, The Rajpoot Restaurant, The Upton Inn, The Olive Tree Restaurant, mlsMedia, Media Clash, Novum Advertising and Bath FM Radio. A surprise donation of tickets to watch Chelsea Football Club players at Stamford Bridge, helped to 42 Kingswood in Focus

A corporate sponsored team from Media Clash – Toby Herlinger (KS 1994-2001), Chris Davies and James Dando

Recording the entries Club Members, John Evans (former Mens’ Captain) with Judy Mercer

Friends of KS & KPS

Friends of KPS

It is my pleasure as the newly elected Chair and recently retired Secretary to report to you on our Summer Terms' events.

'Old' Friends of KS

There was just one more thing left to do...

Now, of course, as a parent with a child at Kingswood School you are automatically a member of the Friends. However, we are still asked ‘What do the Friends do? Where does the money go? How can I be more involved with School Events?’. Well, hopefully, this item will answer some, if not all, of those questions.

The FoKPS Summer Party took place at Summerhill on a sun blessed evening in June and, as you will see from the photographs, this allowed the ladies to arrive in their most beautiful and colourful dresses. On arrival guests were greeted with a glass of champagne and canapés which were casually enjoyed on the terrace. This was followed by a delicious three course dinner, professionally catered for by Ms Sharon Traylor and her team from the Senior School. During the meal guests were left to marvel at the magician, Ben, who made various items disappear before your very eyes which was quite amazing!

The 'original' Friends of Kingswood had only to close their accounts, honouring their final commitment to the Upper Development fund and they could wend their way to pastures new. For 29 years the Friends had provided a social point for parents and staff; had donated many thousands of pounds to the school from 'surplus' funds and had enjoyed at least six events every year ranging from humble Beetle Drives to lavish costume Balls; from car boot sales to car treasure hunts; from guided walks in Bath to evenings spent gliding. The list is endless but time had come for a new direction and in closing this chapter of Kingswood history a representative group of the last committee of the 'original' Friends of Kingswood met to present Mr Morris, Headmaster, and Mrs Dudley-Warde, Director of Development, with the cheque for £9500. The cheque represented many years of hard work not just by the organizing committee but also by Carol Carruthers and her team in the Friends of Kingswood 'Nearly New Uniform Shop'.

It was a short but happy occasion and one that reminded them of the many cheerful and laughter filled committee meetings that had been enjoyed over so many years. The 'original' Friends now wish the 'new' Friends every success with their ventures and activities and hope that those who organise the events will have as much fun as so many did over so many years.

The DJ kept everyone on their feet on the dance floor and provided ample soundtrack for a select few to show anybody willing to watch that ‘Kingswood ‘indeed’ has Got Talent’.

This would not have been possible without the help of the many guests, the very generous companies and individuals who donated prizes for the auction and raffle and, of course, the wonderful team of parents who brought it all together beautifully.

My sincere thanks to all of you. The evening was a great success and raised £3,521 for the Upper Development, bringing our total contributed so far to £20,786.38.

Listed below are just a few of the many items that we have recently purchased. Careful consideration is given to a wish list that is compiled by our teachers and, sometimes, the children through the School Council or Eco Club. It is our aim as a committee to consider which items on the list will help to improve the School’s environment, support the curriculum and enhance the education for all of our children.

• • • • • • • •

Numbered Sports Shirts All Year Round Rugs for story time, etc Soft ‘star helper’ pouf seats (cow/sheep) Novelty Playground Bins (squirrel proof) Water Table and Lid Waterproof Suits for exploring the grounds Projector System to enhance assembly/presentations Digital SLR TOTAL

£ 378.00 £ 253.01 £ 253.01 £ 376.34 £ 272.49 £1,230.00 £2,000.00 £ 499.99 £5,262.84

We look forward to your continued support for what promises to be a busy year ahead.

Mrs Lisa Hawtin (Chair, Friends of Kingswood Prep School)

Mr John Allison (Organising Secretary - 1979-2008)

Nearly New Shop Carol Carruthers, seen here in characteristic pose running the Friends of Kingswood Nearly New shop, is standing down after 10 years.

Carol, who set up the shop for parents under the auspices of the ‘original’ Friends of Kingswood, has raised, through her work, well over £11,000 for the School and has been responsible for helping to kit out many hundreds of students over the years.

For Carol, nothing was too much trouble and she regularly took vast amounts of school clothing home to wash when it had been handed in unlaundered. She has sorted, packed and sold countless thousands of jackets, trousers and a small mountain of sports kit. She has organised the regular sales of the Nearly New shop over many years and has developed a most reliable source of school uniform. Never wishing to disappoint a customer she has often opened up the shop at extra times when her customers have been unable to make the specified opening hours.

Carol has made an enormous contribution to the life of the School, not just for the service that she has provided for so long, but also by raising so much money from which the School has benefited in so many ways. Carol can be assured that, although she sees herself as a ‘back room’ helper, she has made a quite magnificent contribution to the School by her efforts and she leaves a vibrant and vital organisation for Sheila Stockley to take over. Thank you, Carol.

Mr John Allison (Head of Design Technology) Kingswood in Focus 43

Kingswood Association

Farewell to our Chairman

Association Day on 7 November 2009 saw the departure of Barney Coleman as Chairman of the Association Executive Committee following his relocation to Belgium earlier in the year.

Kingswood Association meeting in action

of his role both for The Association and for the School.

We quickly struck up a strong partnership, together with the School’s newly appointed Development Director Angela Dudley-Warde, working together to progress a range of initiatives.

Despite his ‘day job’ of running his own business, Barney has always found time for the Kingswood role. He is always brimming with ideas but he also has the evangelism, discipline, skill and determination to deliver on those ideas.

His Chairmanship of The Executive has been sensitive but firm, and he has always shown excellent judgement in considering the most appropriate course of action.

A sense of humour can often make a big difference, especially when progress seems rather slow and frustrating.

Barney’s natural reaction is not to take himself too seriously and this has helped to provide balance on the various occasions when difficulties have arisen.

Above all, Barney has been available and responsive whenever required – and this cannot have been easy as he has prepared for his family to move to Belgium. I am also delighted that he has agreed to continue to share his communication skills by retaining his role as editor of the Association E-newsletter which has gone down so well in recent months.

So, I am sure that Association members will join me in thanking Barney for his huge contribution to The Association and in wishing him, Sara and daughter Cecily well in their new life in Belgium. And those who know Barney will not be surprised to hear that he has already made contact with a number of alumni living in and around Brussels!

Mr Robert Sandry (President, Kingswood Association) Barney was initially elected as a member of The Association Executive in 2004. The following year the Executive was reorganised into a series of Action Groups and Barney took on the role as leader of the group responsible for Website Development – an area for which he and his technology skills were ideally suited! Since then he has tried in vain to pass it on to other members of The Executive but the general feeling has always been that Barney was the right man for the job!

"...Barney has been available and responsive whenever required..."

2006 saw Barney elected as Chairman of The Executive, a role that demands significant commitment to the Kingswood cause as programmes are progressed and new initiatives are developed. In today’s world, more of the same is just not enough if The Association is going to keep up with the changing environment for Kingswood alumni.

I first came across Barney late in 2007 when I was approached to consider taking on the role as President Elect of The Association.

It immediately became obvious to me that Barney had Kingswood blood in his veins and was keen to do whatever he could to make a success 44 Kingswood in Focus

Thanks to retiring Chairman

Anything is Possible if You Have the Right ‘Connections’!

When Matt Horsley left Kingswood Sixth Form in the Summer of 2008 to go travelling on his gap year, little did he know that a complete stranger… but someone who had a ‘common bond’ on the other side of the globe, would be the person that would be able to help him!

When Matt arrived in Japan, together with his bike, he remembered seeing an article in Kingswood in Focus about an ‘Old Boy’ who was now living there. Chris Dixon had travelled to Japan many years ago, intending to stay for only a month, but he ran out of cash, found a job and then married a local girl, Mari and made Japan his home. Chris came to a Kingswood reunion in Tokyo and subsequently agreed to be the Association Country Rep in Japan. When he arrived in Japan, Matt gave Chris a call and introduced himself as a fellow ‘Kingswoodian’ and the two agreed to meet. Chris very kindly took Matt out to dinner and offered his help, should Matt need him during his visit. I don’t think Chris realised then that it was going to involve flying back Matt’s racing bike, but that is exactly what he did and whilst Chris and Mari were visiting the UK in the summer, he was able to personally hand it over to Matt, back at their old school.

Just one good example of how the use of the Kingswood ‘Connections’ database can be used if you are on your travels now or in the future.

It really is important to keep your details up to date and before our Sixth Formers left in the Summer Term, the Chairman Designate, Jeremy Wimpress and President, Robert Sandry came along to a special ‘introductory’ session, where students were shown how to log-on to ‘Connections’ from the School website home page.

Chris delivers Matt's bike

Training the Sixth Form on Connections

If it has been a while since you looked up some of your old friends, but you might like to know just where they are and what they are doing now, this is the perfect way to keep in touch. It’s rather like a Kingswood special edition of ‘Facebook’, but much more bespoke, as it is only for Kingswood former pupils. There are lots of new stories about life at Kingswood today, but also about our reunions around the country and even overseas.

We really would like to hear from you with all your latest news too, so please do log-on and get back in touch with us. The Development Office will be able to provide you with a password and you can then upload your own details and pictures – you never know when you might need to make a really important ‘connection’ that could help you too!

Mrs Angela Dudley-Warde (Director of Development - Alumni Relations)

Connections Connections @Kingswood @Kingswood

Dates for the Diary SATURDAY 6TH MARCH FRIDAY

12TH

MARCH

FRIDAY 14TH MAY SATURDAY

15TH

MAY

FRIDAY 11TH JUNE FRIDAY

11TH

JUNE

Midlands Lunch (McKees Brasserie, Balsall Common, Near Coventry) MJSD (Kingswood Dining Hall) Development Golf Day and Dinner (Lansdown Golf Club) South West Lunch (Mullions Restaurant, Street) MJSD (Kingswood Dining Hall) London Reception (The East India Club, 16 St James' Square, London)

FRIDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

MJSD (Kingswood Dining Hall)

FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER

Exeter Lunch (Exeter Golf and Country Club)

SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER Association Day and Association AGM FRIDAY 3RD DECEMBER

MJSD (Kingswood Dining Hall) Kingswood in Focus 45

The 'Best' Travels

To mark the occasion of Headmaster Gary Best’s retirement in 2008, after 21 years distinguished service to Kingswood School, the Kingswood Association of Old Boys and Girls decided to create and gift a travel scholarship to the School in Mr Best’s honour.

The Old Boys and Girls as well as ex-parents raised a sum of money throughout 2007/08 and this has created an endowment that will be drawn upon annually. The aim is to provide a financial award to any old boy or girl aged 25 or younger who is embarking upon a gap year in the following academic year.

The 2009 Scholarship was awarded to Miss Emma Oliver by the President of the Association, Mr Robert Sandry, in recognition of her forthcoming trip to Kenya to undertake a range of projects including helping to build a primary school on Wasini Island, working with the charity African Promise to help local communities around Mount Kasigau develop their infrastructure and schools, and working in Soysambu on a range of sustainability projects.

The selection panel for the Scholarship were particularly impressed by the planning of Emma’s

Robert Sandry presents Emma Oliver with the first Award in 2009

visit to Kenya, the variety of areas in which she will be working and the range of benefits that her work will deliver.

The focus on education, infrastructure development and local sustainability are strongly consistent with the aims of the Scholarship and Mr Gary Best’s own beliefs and values. We shall look forward to seeing a feature on Emma’s report on her return in a future edition of KIF and congratulate her on winning this award.

If you are an Old Boy or Girl of Kingswood School who will not have attained the age of 26 by the last day of the School’s Summer Term in 2010, we would be delighted to consider an application from you. The recipient is likely to be travelling to deprived parts of the world, such as the developing world, although applications from those carrying out work in deprived parts of the U.K. are not excluded. It is also envisaged that the work will benefit the widest community but applications from those whose work will be aiding an individual are also welcome.

It is anticipated that applicants will be working for a Charity/Aid Organisation or other N.G.O. although the judges are happy to consider applications in other sectors: however, the recipient must be carrying out work, whether paid or unpaid, that has an altruistic and socially beneficial aim within a 12 month period from the date of the award. If the work is paid it is likely to be a small salary to cover sustenance.

The recipient is unlikely to be carrying out their travel and work during university holidays and the judges anticipate that the successful applicant will be travelling for a period of several months either before or after their further education.

You will find full details and an application form through ‘Connections@Kingswood’ on the School main website (Alumni Section) or contact the Development Office on 01225 734283.

Mrs Angela Dudley-Warde (Director of Development - Alumni Relations)

Heap Cup 2009 Winners As part of the legacy of John Oswald Heap (the benefactor who made possible the creation the J O Heap Library), the family requested that special recognition be made of current pupils’ contributions to sport.

J O Heap himself being a very active sportsman in his time at Kingswood. Recommendations for the awards came from the Director of Sports, Tim Reeman and presentations were made by Barney Coleman, Association Chairman.

These were the reports received on these two outstanding sports achievers: 46 Kingswood in Focus

Nick Gerrish has been an outstanding sportsman in an outstanding year group. He has represented the 1st XV for two years as well as playing county level rugby. Nick has played hockey for the school 1st XI for three years and he has represented the cricket 1st XI for four years. Nick is also an excellent swimmer. It is Nick’s pace and level of skill that make him stand out.

He has often been a match winner in all three terms of sport and he has been an excellent ambassador for Kingswood sport in his time at the school.

The 1748 Society We were delighted to welcome back, 20 members of the John Wesley Society – now known as the 1748 Society – for their annual lunch and reunion at Kingswood.

It was a very enjoyable occasion, when members were able to see the way in which the J O Heap Library is now being extensively used and enjoyed by so many pupils and staff. This was created through the most recent legacy donated to the School from generous benefactor, John Oswald Heap. After their reception in the Library Foyer, members and guests were treated to a splendid lunch, expertly prepared and presented by our professional catering team, whilst being entertained by Kingswood musicians.

The Headmaster expressed his special thanks to the members for their pledges to Kingswood and spoke about the ways in which he looks forward to developing the School for future generations over the coming years. He said that when John Wesley founded Kingwood in 1748 he had a vision for a very special educational environment.

The support and generosity of his friends and followers enabled Wesley to make that vision a reality that persists to this day. Through the years since the foundation of the School there has been a tradition of donation that has helped to secure and enhance Wesley’s dream.

As you walk around Kingswood today the evidence is all around you of the ways in which a number of other benefactors have helped to enhance the School’s facilities. For example, Thomas Ferens enabled the creation of the main teaching centre; Thomas Farnworth helped fund the building which now provides the wonderful Arts Centre; the Posnett family have given funding for scholarships and for the foundation of the original Library (now the centre of archives for the Wesley Centre) in the heart of the School campus; in the 1970s Sir Arthur Dixon helped create the sixth form building which bears his name, and ‘The Dixon’ has been a hub of fun, friendship, and study since that time.

In more recent times, Naomi Price, the wife of an old boy, bequeathed ‘High Vinnalls’ – a large family house on the Kingswood Estate – and this now provides boarding accommodation for the Preparatory School.

The new refurbishment of the Moulton Hall to create a multi-media library was secured by the family of John Oswald Heap who made sure his wish to endow the School with a new centre of learning became a reality.

These acts of generosity and many like them, large and small, benefit not only today’s pupils, but also those generations that will follow. Additionally, as Wesley would have wished, the wider Bath community has access to enjoy many of the facilities Kingswood offers including one of the finest theatrical spaces in the South West and the very well equipped Sports Hall.

The continued support and generosity of Old Kingswoodians and Friends of the School is essential to the maintenance of this ethos for future generations. If you would like to know more about ways in which you could help us, please contact us in the Development Office and we will be pleased to send you the details or discuss this with you.

In the meantime, we shall look forward to inviting all members of the 1748 Society to join us once again on Thursday 26th March for the next annual lunch.

Mrs Angela Dudley-Warde (Director of Development - Alumni Relations)

"...when John Wesley founded Kingwood in 1748 he had a vision for a very special educational environment."

Pahrnia Parsons has long been the outstanding sportswomen in her year group. She has played in the hockey 1st XI for four years. She has been in the netball 1st VII for two years and has been an outstanding athlete, winning the Victrix Ludorum and representing the county.

Pahrnia has also qualified for the nationals at cross-country. She has been the first girl in over ten years to be a captain in all three terms which reflects her natural leadership qualities. Pahrnia has always shown exceptional drive and commitment when representing the school. She is also a most deserving winner of this award.

"Our congratulations to Nick & Pahrnia."

Our congratulations to Nick and Pahrnia. We look forward to receiving further recommendations for the awards in Summer 2010.

Mr Robert Sandry (President, Kingswood Association)

L to R: Pahrnia Parsons, Barney Coleman, Nick Gerrish

Kingswood in Focus 47

Visit from Karin Wijnand On the 15 June I was delighted to return to Kingswood after 34 years and I was pleased to see Kingswood has continued to be the School I remember; however, I must say lunch has improved tremendously.

Visiting the Art Department was quite an experience. I haven't seen such great talent at such a young age for quite some time and the peace and quiet of working in the Art Department during prep time came flooding back to me.

It all started from there and as a result of the recommendation of Nick Thorne (then Director of Music), I went to Bournemouth and Poole College of Art to do a Foundation course. The combination of the sea and art was indeed quite inspiring; enough to continue and follow a ceramic course at the North Staffordshire Polytechnic in Stoke on Trent.

After I finished my B.A. I went back to the Netherlands and I was offered a Scholarship at the International Ceramic Centre and I had a great time working with ceramicists from all over the World. A dear friend of mine, working as a designer for Wedgewood at the time, invited me to New York to teach ceramics there; however, I soon returned to Amsterdam where I met my husband and moved to Utrecht, opening a ceramic studio, designing and making ceramics.

Karin with the Head of Art

We were both then offered jobs in Curacao, a small Island near Venezuela and we worked there for 4 years where I taught at the Art college in Otrabanda. It was a great challenge to create art out of almost nothing.

Eventually we settled down with our sons, Maarten and Ruben in Lonneker in the East of the Netherlands. I then opened an Art gallery and now work fulltime as an artist, making mostly glass and ceramic sculptures.

I hope to stay healthy for a long long time, so that many of my dreams can still be transformed into sculptures.

Karin Wijnand (KS 1976-1978)

Examples of Karin's artwork

48 Kingswood in Focus

Living the Dream in Perth I left KS in 1962, two thirds of the way through the lower sixth. It was too early - but we compensate.

I have fond memories of Mr Gardner, Mr Bishop, Bill Sykes' Bach organ exit recitals where members of School sat riveted to their pews, listening to Under Milk Wood at Mr Wilkinson’s, and listening to prefect Alan Watson playing an Edith Piaf LP on the hour every hour.

I became an Army captain and then a chartered accountant.

I then went to Western Australia as an economic refugee in 1978. England was pulling itself to pieces in the coal miners strikes and I was working in the City by gaz lamp.

Australia seemed to mean space and freedom from employment convention. I set up an accounting practice, a gas exploration company which gravitated from Perth to Brisbane, to Calgary, and to Houston.

I retired from both in recent years.

as a larger small vineyard. 100kms of wire. 8,000 trellis posts.

For me it is a large scale version of my father’s post war Bristol allotment site. I view it as a sexy form of science, involving business principles, agricultural risk, physical activity and a most enjoyable end product.

We prune before budburst, spray against disease and mildews, keep the roos out, fertigate from the dams, net 12 acres before harvest to keep out bird peck.

At the appropriate baume, we turn the vineyard into an industrial complex overnight when the harvester groans up and down the chardonnay rows all night, followed by rotating pursuit tractors with large bins.

The road trains leave at dawn for the processing plants. The shiraz is handpicked a few weeks later.

We sell most of the grapes and keep enough to produce wine for family and friends and a non onerous level of sales.

The wine is made 60kms L to R: Kip (Richard) Faulkner 1963-1968, Holly Birch (nee Gifford) 1982-1989 away in Margaret River.

Louisa Chapman (nee Gifford) Gifford) 1980 - 1987, Nicola Valentine Valentine (nee Cook) 1975 - 1977 1977 We have named the brand Jo O’Farrell O’Farrell (nee Gifford) Gifford) 1985 – 1990, Tony Tony Sheppard Sheppard 1956-1962 1956-1962 Jack Sheppard after our The mainstay comprises 3 sisters. Nicola’s Nicola’s father was deputy head. head. boxer dog.

"We have a small talented band of KS people in Perth"

Having a father and sister in the clergy, and maybe with some KS culture too, it was natural to do community service in Apex, as National deputy president of the YMCA; in Rotary, as a deputy mayor and local citizen of the year.

Recently I was made a KSJ.

However, my real love in addition to family is a vineyard. I walked the 1,000km Bibbulmun Track and discovered an area of rolling hills and oak trees near Nannup in WA’s south west. We bought a property there and planted 15kms of vines as a retirement project. It is viewed

One of my pleasures is communicating with Steven Fisk and I note that we have swapped about 700 emails. We also have a small talented band of KS people in Perth, ably marshalled

by Jo O’Farrell.

Tony Sheppard (1956-1962)

Kingswood in Focus 49

Out and About

Down on the Farm Tuesday 30 June 2009

There was great excitement on a Tuesday morning as the whole of the Pre-Prep boarded three coaches for our annual trip which, this year, was to Court Farm, near Weston Super Mare. Although the weather was not ideal, being rather hot and sticky with overcast skies, the children didn’t seem to notice as they staunchly carried their rucksacks to the coach.

After much chatting and singing on the way, and many, many questions (mostly ‘Are we there yet?’), we arrived, to be greeted by Ed, the farmer. Each year group was then given a guide, all of us covering the same sights but in a different order. Inevitably, the priority for the children on arrival was their snack which was enjoyed in the barn and, as an added bonus, Reception children shared Caspar’s birthday cake…..delicious!

Farmer Ed prompted us to move into the milking parlour as the cows, waiting to be milked, were getting somewhat desperate and all the children were delighted to observe the demonstration, especially when a bucket of warm creamy milk was then fed to a couple of very greedy calves whose tails spun around in pleasure. The children learnt about what cows eat and were amazed to see how fast a huge container filled with milk. Ed then invited us to go back into the barn in order to feed the lambs. The children lined up at one side and then the lambs (which were quite a long way from new born) were released. It was less of a gambol, and more of a stampede, but the children stood their ground and, seconds later, the milk was gone from the bottles.

We then began our tour of the animals, with the first stop being the biggest pig we had ever seen wallowing lazily in a pen. We were told there may even have been piglets on the way…. something to look out for if and when we return. Rounding the corner we were met by a

field of adorable Shetland ponies and there was much excitement when George discovered that one was his namesake. George (the boy) stood dutifully under a sign which advised us not to put our fingers too close to George (the pony) as he often nipped.

We then moved on to a covered area with some wonderful (but very camera shy) barn owls and, further on, a delightful goat, which grinned at everyone and formed an immediate attachment to Mrs Wynne.

The weather then improved, the sun came out and we all had our picnic lunch together (closely assisted by a number of hens who found that the children were remarkably generous).

After lunch, all the children were treated to a tractor ride with Farmer Ed, who took us to the maize field which would shortly be a maze, complete with an amazing hidden dinosaur – so well hidden, in fact, that it wasn’t there yet. As we told the boys, it’s something else to look forward to if we return.

All the children then played on the Wild West themed play area, which they loved. We then all went back to the picnic area where Mrs Hull gave out tubs of ice cream and we all had a drink, before going into the farm shop which provided many very affordable farm related gifts for the children to buy.

Many thanks to all the children for being so very well behaved and polite, and to the staff who came on the trip. We all had a lovely time and the coach on the way back was filled with laughter.

Mrs Kate Simpson (Teaching Assistant, Reception Class, Kingswood Prep School)

Folly Farm Visit Tree listening

Weaving

Karate chopping wool to make felt

50 Kingswood in Focus

Reflections of Hooke Court In April, as part of their science and geography fieldwork investigations, Year 4 went on a residential trip for three days to Dorset.

My happiest memory... ...Was finding out that I was with my best friends in my dormitory.

I also loved drinking hot chocolate with them. Ella ...Was finding a prawn and a shrimp in a rock pool and a red devil crab. Alfie ...Was finding a crystal and putting it in my pocket. Oli H ...Was the Time Team dig because it was fascinating. Katie R ...Was sharing a room with very funny people and laughing a lot with them and doing fun games and having lots of fun. Anna P ...Was sitting in the shelter that we had built of logs. Max

My funniest moment... ...Was getting really wet in the rock pools and nearly falling into one backwards. Emily R

...Was the low ropes because it was really fun and the best bit was the rope swing. Barnabas ...Was the Time Team dig because I found a smashed bottle in five pieces. Ewan ...Was the low ropes because I liked the rope swing at the end where you had to pretend to be Tarzan! Maddie ...Was the Time Team dig because it was really exciting when we found a Victorian house and I also found four coins. William

My proudest achievement... ...Was finding an Arabic coin when we were doing the Time Team dig. Zoe ...Was finding four ammonites because they are rare. Nick

...Was in the shelter building when we found out our angry tribal chant actually meant, ‘My heart is happy!’ Tom D

...Was shelter building because it was hard finding the right sticks to build it and finding sticks to start it off. Oliver P

...Was when Harry fell off the low ropes, jumped back on again and fell off the other side. Oliver J

...Was that I kept all my stuff together! Will D

...Was when Charlotte was scaring me by leaning over the bar and staring at me in the dark. Anna S

...Was staying at Hooke Court without getting a nightmare. Josh

...Was when Zoe banged her head on the ceiling! Katie B

...Was making tents out of wood because it was harder than it looked. Seb

My favourite activity... ...Was low ropes because I got to go round twice because I didn’t have a partner. Charlie A ...Was fossil hunting because it was fun digging into the ground for fossils. I found a whole ammonite. They were hard to find, that’s why it was so fun when we found them.

Charlotte ...Was team building because you got to work together to get to the other side.

Gracie ...Was the midnight search and rescue because we had to run around looking for clues. James P ...Was finding a baby flat fish in a stream. Will T ...Was the low ropes because it was doing something I had never done and I did it quite well. Kiana

...Was picking up a crab. Tom M ...Was to find a real full ammonite and to catch a really massive crab. Isobel ...Was doing the low ropes because it was fun and I completed it in 1 minute 23 seconds. Charlie R ...Was finding a rock that was dull outside with a shiny crystal inside. Sarah ...Was rock-pooling when we caught a crab and lots more. Jacob

My favourite meal... ...Was the roast dinner because I love roast and the potatoes were really yummy and the meat was really tender and yum.

Anaïs ...Was the pasta with sauce because I love pasta so much and that pasta was even better than the pasta at home. Kelly ...Was the chicken because we got to eat it with our fingers. Phoebe ...Was breakfast with egg, toast and cereal. I also loved the apple crumble and chocolate cake with chocolate sauce. Harry Kingswood in Focus 51

Water Resources Day During the Summer Term Year 8 traditionally study a stream running off the Quantock Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty in Somerset, to assess its water quality. We also visit a water treatment plant that cleans the waste water used by 90,000 people in Bridgwater. The latter experience gives the trip its alternative name and reputation, that is ‘The Sewage Trip’.

Dr Nick Sheffrin (Head of Science)

Adventurous Year 3 On Thursday 7th May Year 3 packed their bags, cuddled their favourite toys and bid adieu to the familiar sights of the Kingswood Prep School playground to set off for an exciting two-day adventure in the Forest of Dean.

"The highlight of the day was the unveiling of a rather large box of multi-coloured ‘Diablos’..."

Westwood Camping Trip

Our first stop was at the ‘Amazing Hedge Puzzle’ where we spent the day taking part in a variety of maze games and logic puzzles.

The highlight of the day was the unveiling of a rather large box of multicoloured ‘Diablos’ that managed to entertain children (and staff) for the majority of the afternoon. There were sticks, strings and staff flying as we all attempted throws and catches with our new toys. After some ice cream we all climbed aboard the coach and set off for St. Briavels’ Castle. As the castle appeared there were ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ at the sight of a medieval castle on the horizon. The evening was spent dining on fine medieval cuisine at a banquet fit for a king. Finally after a rather long and tiring day it was off to bed for a good night’s sleep. Despite the rumour of ghostly goings on, everyone settled in for the night.

The next morning a tour completed our stay at the castle and we all set off for our final adventure at Clearwell Caves. After splitting up into smaller groups, the children spent the morning exploring the caves and potholing in some rather tight spaces. Then it was back on to the coach for a quick nap before arriving back at High Vinnalls to an awaiting crowd. A great time was had by all.

Miss Jessica Rexe (Year 3 Teacher, Kingswood Prep School)

"Oh we do like to be beside the Seaside!"

Year 1 studied ‘seaside holidays in the past’ as part of their history topic.

They were visited by Children’s Entertainer, Carl Durbin and enjoyed an old fashioned Punch and Judy Show to experience the kind of seaside entertainment that families enjoyed back in the 1950s.

After the show the children were lucky enough to be allowed to hold the puppets and to see how the set was made. Later they made their own step-inside Punch and Judy puppet set in the role play area outside their classrooms to stage their own shows.

Mrs Yvonne Robinson (Teaching Assistant, Year 1, Kingswood Prep School) 52 Kingswood in Focus

South Africa Exchange In the Summer Holidays four Year 8 pupils, Mollie Dent, Angus Hawking, Stanya Gardner and Charles Pope were lucky enough to be selected to travel to South Africa on the annual School exchange with Kingswood College, Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. All four of them bunked in the boarding houses for five weeks in which they attended lessons, played sport and generally participated in all aspects of school life on offer at Kingswood College.

“The cold was one of the biggest surprises for us all, especially at night and in the mornings, and playing rugby barefoot on the frozen pitch!”

Charles Pope “My favourite part of the exchange was taking part in the School’s annual sports tour to Knysna and Oudtshoorn. Kingswood College were unbeaten for the first time in 30 years. It was fantastic to share their success!” Angus Hawking “I loved playing hockey for Kingswood on tour. We had lots of fun off the pitch too, riding ostriches, surfing through the trees on a zip-line and lazing on the beautiful and unspoilt beaches!” Mollie Dent Apart from being at school during their holidays, Mollie, Angus, Stanya and Charlie had the opportunity to experience the local culture, particularly the world renowned Grahamstown National Arts Festival, wildlife found in many of the local private game reserves and the South African way of life, courtesy of spending a week with their host’s family.

“We were warmly welcomed and made many good friends who we hope to meet again.” Stanya Gardner “Fred, my exchange student, with whom I built a strong friendship, lived on a private game reserve and also owned a fishing lodge! We spent our week exploring in the bush, seeing an amazing range of animals and birds, and deep sea fishing on Fred’s boat - a truly fantastic adventure and much better than I had dared to hope.” Charles Pope “I saw an amazing variety of wild game and predators during our camp out at a local game reserve and even learnt how to track different types of antelope!” Mollie Dent “The experiences of living in a different country and culture are ones I would never have been able to get otherwise.” Charles Pope As anticipated, the four proved to be great ambassadors for our school and were widely praised for their good manners and contributions made.

Mr James Hills (Head of Economics and Business)

French Trip to Toulouse At the beginning of March a group of Kingswood pupils hosted their French exchange students for ten days in School.

The French students attended lessons and experienced life at Kingswood first hand; they also had the chance to visit Bath and the surrounding villages. Whilst we were surprised at the fluency of our French guests, they were surprised at how well equipped and beautiful Kingswood is.

The week passed quickly and before we knew it, it was our turn to head out to France. After an uneventful flight we arrived in Toulouse-Blagnac airport. We had to queue to get the shuttle into the centre of Toulouse. This was our first lesson in French culture; the French do not like to queue and it didn’t take us long to pick this up, however, and we soon managed to find our way onto the navette and very quickly we arrived at the meeting point to be reunited with our French partners. We then all set off in different directions to begin our weekend ‘en famille’ and to really put all our French lessons to good use! The group were all very well looked after in their respective families over the weekend; however, the luckiest person in the group must have been Jack Rowlands who spent Saturday skiing in the Pyrénées before returning to Toulouse to watch a rugby match in the famous Stade-Toulousain.

On Monday we made our way into the French school via various means. Some on the métro (which is very efficient in Toulouse) and some on foot. We were

all overwhelmed by the size of the School which has over 1500 students. The atmosphere is very different to Kingswood and it felt more like a university than a school. We had some lessons which were quite difficult to understand and then we ate lunch in the School canteen, which unfortunately was not a good experience and we all quickly appreciated how good the food is at Kingswood!

The week passed quickly and we all got on well with our partners. We were lucky enough to undertake many excursions.

We visited Albi, which is the birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec and also a theme park dedicated to space called ‘Cité de l’espace’.

We visited a ‘biscuiterie’ and saw how macaroons from the region are made and on one day a local ‘chocalatier’ visited the School and gave us a presentation on the history and production of chocolate.

We enjoyed lots of samples and now have a greater appreciation of what makes a good bar of chocolate!

We had a good time in Toulouse and were sorry to say goodbye to our partners.

The whole experience definitely helped our French and our end of year examination results were much better as a result!

Laura Clarke / Emma Gordon (Year 11) Kingswood in Focus 53

U6 Reach 3,000m Summit!

North Wales July 2009

Terrible weather, driving rain and high winds, throughout the trip made life difficult for the 10 pupils and staff involved in the 14 Peaks trip but all coped with remarkable good humour and completed three good days in the mountains.

Particular congratulations to Mark Widdowson and Tom Cammann who climbed all 14 peaks in Wales over 3,000 metres despite the very difficult conditions.

Mr John Davies (Head of Outdoor Pursuits, Senior Housemaster, Upper)

Ten Tors 2009 During the weekend commencing 9th May 2009 both Kingswood teams successfully completed the Ten Tors Expedition on Dartmoor. The L6 (45 mile) team, led by Joe Hoare, finished at 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon. The Year 10 (35 mile) team, led by Sam Bean, completed their route at 11.15am on Sunday morning. Conditions were good but both teams had difficult routes and performed outstandingly to complete them well before the 5.00pm deadline.

YEAR 10 TEAM – BRONZE MEDALS Sam Bean, Naysan Foroudi, William Young Angus Plumbly, Tim Woodhead, Finley Gilchrist

L6 TEAM – SILVER MEDALS Joe Hoare, Magnus Mulvany, Alex Russell-Bates Ben Holden, Ralph Eliot, Elliot Haines

Mr John Davies (Head of Outdoor Pursuits, Senior Housemaster, Upper)

Perfect Prefect Training Our thanks to Mr Lloyd for organising a trip to the outdoor pursuit centre at Brenscombe and for accompanying the new Senior Prefects on their 'training' day - during the day they faced many challenges, including a high ropes course, and learnt many valuable lessons about 'team building'.

Mr Gordon Opie (Deputy Head)

54 Kingswood in Focus

Classics Trip to Greece Day 1: Athens The group was not feeling particularly lively after over twelve hours of travelling the previous day, getting up at around 3.00am. However, the anticipation of the day’s sites soon changed this. Our first stop was the Panathinaiko Stadium, used in the 1896 and 2004 Olympic Games; we marvelled at its beautiful marble-like finish and black track. We were then taken to the Acropolis and enjoyed the beautiful climb up to the top of the hill looking out for our guide’s red coat amongst the crowds and avoiding the sellers who quickly scuttled away at the sight of the Tourist Police.

Although it was overcast and the site was very crowded, we were still bowled over by the beauty of the Acropolis and the sense of grandness we experienced admiring the spectacular Parthenon. After lunch we moved on to the National Archaeological Museum. This was a personal highlight as some of the statues that we saw were simply stunning.

With highlights including The Artemision Bronze and the Jockey of Artemision, we all marvelled at how well preserved and beautiful these were. That evening we all enjoyed a trip to the Plaka with its winding streets, a nice break from the hustle of the city.

Day 2: Delphi We headed to Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in Athens. Some of us walked up while others chose to run to the top. Although the views of Athens were obscured by the large amount of smog and cloud, the Greek Orthodox Church was stunning. Then to Delphi. Although the coach ride was long there was no chance of anybody being bored as Mr Lloyd had thought ahead and brought along Sing Along Mamma Mia. We all enjoyed the well known tunes of “The Winner Takes it All” and “Take a Chance on Me”, with Mr Lloyd entertaining us all, singing bass one moment then in falsetto higher than many of the girls at points! When we arrived at Delphi we welcomed the peace and quiet as well as the stunning views through the hills of thousands of olive and cypress trees, small Greek towns, snow-capped mountains and the Aegean Sea in the distance with eagles soaring up ahead.

by the reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror. We also had the great privilege of running on the original Olympian track, the oldest athletic track in the world, which measures just under 200m. We set off on our journey to the coast to stay at our final destination with another of Mr Lloyd’s sing along collection - this time the Sound of Music!

Day 5: Citadel of Mycenae, Tomb of Agamemnon & Corinth We went to see Tiryns and the Citadel of Mycenae. Mycenae was a fascinating place and home to Homer’s Agamemnon and Menelaus.

We enjoyed the walk up the hill with beautiful flowers growing all around. We looked from the top at the amazing views of the surrounding area and marvelled at the gate at the entrance to the citadel. It was a magnificent site covering a huge area and we all enjoyed climbing down the steep, slippery steps into a pitch black tunnel. Having explored the site and eaten lunch on the side of the hill with fabulous views over the surrounding countryside, we made our way to Agamemnon’s tomb.

It was a masterpiece of architecture with its height measuring 62cm less than the diameter of its base.

The acoustics were fascinating and we all enjoyed clapping at the point which gave the greatest echo. Our guide also showed us that if we put our ears to the wall and he whispered at one end, we could all hear what he was saying and in this way he announced the end of our tour and we returned to our hotel where we had time to perfect our plays, acting out sections from Odysseus. After supper we all gathered to witness the end products; highlights included Joe, Nick and Josh’s musical with songs such as “Eye of the Cyclops” and “Greece Lighting” echoing throughout the hotel. However, the winners had to be Charles Price, Max Thulin and Angus Plumbly with their hilarious scene of Odysseus and Calypso.

Day 6: Epidavros and Nafplion

On arrival at the Delphi Museum we were blessed with no crowds (as we had arrived early) and the most outstanding guide, Penny. Penny was the Socrates of the guiding world, drawing the answers from us, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable tour. There was a memorable occasion when Charles Price learnt his lesson after the flash of his camera accidentally went off whilst taking a picture of a statue of Antinous and he faced the wrath a very fierce Greek woman! The site of Delphi really took our breath away and was a clear highlight of the trip. The ruins were so well preserved and it was such a beautiful day to be in such stunning surroundings.

Our first stop of the day was the theatre at Epidavros. As well as being an extremely impressive and well-preserved theatre, holding 15,000 spectators, the acoustics were what impressed us all the most.

Our guide explained to us that during a performance Maria Callas stopped to address two men who had been whispering to each other in the crowd. By standing on one spot in the theatre you could hear people in the audience whispering and if you whispered you would be heard at the back row. We all climbed to the top of the theatre and were treated by a wonderful duet sung by Mr and Mrs Lloyd. After taking in the rest of the site and the museum we were driven to the lovely city of Nafplion. From there the views were breathtaking and we had great fun exploring the tunnels, hidden chambers and massive drops from the top. We also explored the old fort overlooking Nafplion - it was well worth the 1,000 odd steps to the top!

Day 4: Olympia

Day 7: Departure

Day 3: Delphi

Again an early start to avoid the crowds. On the way we were able to see the misty valley below which was fantastic. We again enjoyed some stunning statues including the Hermes of Praxiteles; an amazing statue as from the left Hermes’ face is sorrowful, from the right it is smiling and from the front it is calm. After a trip to the museum we made our way to the original site of the Olympic Games. We were shown the place where the torch of the modern Olympic Games is lit

Another early start to Athens this time to fly home. We were disappointed that the trip was over as it had been so enjoyable and most of us were not looking forward to starting revision! It had been a fascinating trip and the group that went was such a pleasure to spend time with and lots of new friendships were formed

Rebecca Bottle (U6) Kingswood in Focus 55

Senior Ski Trip Sixty-six students, seven staff and a week in Bormio, Italy - the Senior Ski-trip was inevitably going to be a success.

‘The Wings’ – a beautiful pair of fairy wings to be worn all day, something that looks ridiculous on an Upper Sixth boy, but even more so, on a member of staff. Winners of The Wings were Henry Darch, Zach Mayne, Andrew Paines, John Rawlings, Alice Basson and finally, Mr Forrester.

Our après-ski was very relaxed; this was largely down to everyone being exhausted after intense days of skiing. There were trips to the Thermal Spa and a memorable evening of karaoke where the staff clubbed together for a rendition of UB 40’s ‘Kingswood Town!!

The final ski day gave everyone a chance to show off in the slalom (Mr Forrester was so eager to please he fell over at the start-line) – an event that showed just how much Beginners and Intermediates had improved, whilst 'boasting' the high standard of the Advanced. Little Chloe Westcott showed everyone up with her gutless approach to the slope – straight down at speed!

Students from Year Nine to Upper Sixth headed to Italy in the first week of the Easter holidays to enjoy the last few weeks of great skiing weather on offer. All kicked off at Bristol Airport on March 27th, where the party met and flew to Milan, Italy, to be bussed to the resort.

After a lengthy trip we arrived in darkness and rain with a dubious feeling about the week ahead of us. We could not have been more wrong; we awoke to a day of blue skies, sun and fantastic snow, to find that our hotel was situated at the edge of a piste, meaning we could ski back for lunch everyday. The Gondola was also next door!

Our first day consisted of sorting out equipment and meeting our fantastic instructors from Scula Sci Contea di Bormio. After assessing the large group, we were split up into smaller ones – Beginners, Lower Intermediate, Higher Intermediate, Lower Advanced, Higher Advanced – and then headed off up into the mountains for what was, for some of us, our first day ever on the snow!

The days that followed saw some spectacular wipe-outs, embarrassing moments with the button lifts and some awful singing on the ski-lifts (Emily Jolliffe, Lizzie Suddaby and Will Mackenzie being the major culprits!).

Any ‘special’ moment was surreptitiously noted by Mr Westcott for

It was a memorable week and I know everyone eagerly anticipates the next one… A huge thank you to all the staff that made the week so enjoyable – Miss Newman, Miss Conway, Miss Cooper, Mrs Westcott, Mr Forrester, Mr Redman and finally to Mr Westcott who managed to coordinate the entire trip without looking stressed at any point, a task that could not have been easy – Thank you.

Hattie Ghaui (L6)

Junior Ski Trip to Tignes On Sunday 29th March, 74 staff, parents and pupils from Kingswood Prep School and Senior School headed off to Tignes for a fun-filled week of skiing. A brilliant time was had by all. The weather was certainly cooperative, with all but one day filled with sunshine and relatively warm weather. The ski conditions were excellent, at least to my novice eye! The entire week was a success with fantastic instructors on the slopes and many exciting activities off the slopes including bum boarding, swimming, the annual Hollywell Pub Quiz and a disco!

Sadly, due to a navigation error, the coach didn’t quite make it to Geneva airport on time, which made for a slightly more adventurous trek home than first imagined. Four flights and three airports later all were safely back in the UK with many travel tales to tell.

Miss Jessica Rexe (Year 3 Teacher, Kingswood Prep School) 56 Kingswood in Focus

Year 6 Explore London Excerpts from the daily blog to parents Y ear 6 in London: Day 1 A tearful farewell was bid at the Upper at around 9.30am this morning and around 1 hour 40 minutes later - following several discussions, left baggage and loo trips later - we were on our way! Tony the bus-driver set a cracking pace along the M4 and before we knew it we had arrived at our first stop-off of the beautiful and scenic Chieveley Services, outside Newbury….

Kensington Park was the destination for a quick lunch before we set off for the British Museum. Rosetta Stones, Elgin Marbles and various Egyptian artefacts were viewed at a variety of speeds as anticipation about getting to the Youth Hostel grew amongst the party….

The much-anticipated arrival at the Youth Hostel finally came and the excitement mounted as rooms were allocated, keys distributed and bags unpacked. There followed an hour of sport just across the way from the Hostel.

Football, rounders and general throwing of balls and chasing around ensued before a walk back for tea.... and what a tea it was! Messrs. Dixon, Callahan and Shrubsole were not in the least disappointed by the portion size and the children seemed to quite enjoy it as well. Sleep well - I know I'm going to!

Grace, Ian Botham and ...well, me graced its hallowed turf (Have I told you that I've played at Lords before?). Changing rooms, media centre, museum etc, were all visited and even those who weren't particularly interested gave a decent impression of listening hard. (We also saw Richie Benaud, Sachin Tendukar and Angus Fraser at the ground today.)

Gift shop - of course - then down to the London Eye - quick lunch and "lift off". The view today was pretty good; some of us waved to you from there but I'm not entirely sure that we saw you waving back!

Off the Eye and onto a boat which took us up the Thames to Tower Bridge. The commentator on the boat was quite good but could not match the "Tony and Dixon" combination. An ice cream and a bit of relaxation preceded our return to the hostel and off for sports at the college up the road….

Y ear 6 in London: Day 2 The Tower of London was great! The Henry VIII Exhibition seemed to be enjoyed by everyone and the Crown Jewels were also very popular (although several children claimed to have similar things in a cupboard at home) and our couple of hours seemed to pass really quickly.

The afternoon was spent at the Science Museum with great fun had by all in the hands-on section before we watched a show about explosions.

Getting out of the museum proved a little difficult for two groups as an inability to operate the lift properly meant that we hit all the floors several times except the one we wanted to get to.

This meant less time in the gift shop however, so every cloud.....

Supper was more of the same - huge portions and good stuff as well!

We're just off for a bit of a walk and then we are singing along to Mamma Mia - I can hardly control my excitement.

Rest assured that the children will sleep well tonight and the teachers even better. It’s been a really busy day in the sunshine but we've had a good time. Your children have been brilliant (so far) and a real pleasure to have. Thank you!

Y ear 6 in London: Day 3 It would be safe to say that, as we are just settling down to a quiz at the Youth Hostel, there are some particularly tired people about - and the children are pretty much the same as well! There's been a bit of bickering and general falling out, but thankfully Mr Callahan and I have managed to patch things up between ourselves, without Miss Towers having to intervene….

Same (big) breakfast and loading the bus (getting quicker by the day) and same tour guide with more tall stories about the various sights of London. Mr Dixon really is a mine of information, supplemented by the occasional bit of help from the ever-cheerful Tony - the driver and, when they don't know something between them they just make it up!

Lords was the destination this morning with a range of anticipation from genuine excitement to "What is cricket?" Two groups set off on our tours of this famous old stadium which has seen players of the like of W.G.

Y ear 6 in London: Day 4 You're getting this earlier than normal on account of the fact that we are off to the theatre this evening and it’s quite difficult to email from the fifth row of the stalls.

A sunny morning at the zoo was enjoyed by all with no-one wandering into the lion enclosure or any such mishaps and a variety of highlights, which included the baby warthogs, the red pandas and the aquarium.

Lunch on the lawn and then we were back with Tony and off to our "Wicked" drama workshop. By a strange quirk of fate, the leader of the afternoon was the man who had chosen Ollie Gardner for the role of ‘Billy Elliot’ and perhaps a few of the children saw their big moments with the bright lights of the West End beckoning them as well!

The workshop was certainly fun and, together with a Q and A with one of the stars of "Wicked" (who plays the goat-professor....of course!) made for a top afternoon.

We then had a first for the whole trip - we arrived at our destination for Pizza ahead of schedule! This severely tested the combined brains of the trip leaders - what to do for a while as the restaurant was not able to accommodate us. We opted for the very short walk down to see Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson for a few minutes and, not only did we see one of Britain's finest Naval heroes, we also saw Boris Johnson walking past.

The children are now in Pizza Express tucking into their tea and I can hear my pizza calling me from down the street. We're off to see Wicked following that… The children have been fantastic - great fun, well behaved and a pleasure to look after... and, what's more, they'll be home with you tomorrow. See you then!

Mrs Marie McGlynn (Head of English, Kingswood Prep School) Kingswood in Focus 57

www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk