News Round Up Friday 20th June 2025

The Young Enterprise Tenner Challenge

This week saw the launch of the Young Enterprise Tenner Challenge, a two week entrepreneurial event running from Wednesday 18th to Thursday 26th June. Year 10 GCSE Business students have risen to the challenge by submitting detailed business plans outlining their product ideas, sales strategies, promotional methods, and full marketing mixes. Once approved, each team received a £10 loan to kick start their ventures.

From selling soft drinks, doughnuts, and homemade cookies to creating lucky dips and even sponging or pieing brave teachers, including members of the Exec, students have showcased impressive creativity and drive.

We’re excited to see how these budding entrepreneurs grow their businesses over the coming week. Watch this space for their final profits and success stories!

Matilda the Musical

Wishing the very best of luck to the incredible cast and crew of Matilda for next week's performances! We’re so excited to see all your hard work come to life on stage – we just know you’re going to amaze us. There are still a few tickets left and they can be booked through the link below.

Athletics Success at IPS Kent Championships

We are incredibly proud of all the athletes who represented Kent College at the IPS Athletics Kent Championships on Friday at the Julie Rose Stadium in Ashford. Our students performed brilliantly across all events—running, jumping, and throwing with determination and achieving numerous personal bests. Special congratulations go to those who secured podium finishes. Students who won Gold or Silver medals will go on to represent Kent College at the National Finals in July—a fantastic achievement!

Notable results include Seren (Year 8), who won Gold in both Javelin and Shot Putt, and April (Year 8), who took Gold in High Jump and Bronze in the 200m. Rosie (Year 7) also claimed Gold in the High Jump, while Imi (Year 7) and Sadhbh (Year 7) earned Silvers in the 800m and Javelin respectively. Ava (Year 8) achieved Silver in the Hurdles, and Emilia (Year 6) won Silver in High Jump and Bronze in Hurdles. Bronze medals were also awarded to Emily (Year 8) and Sophie (Year 7) in High Jump, as well as Grace (Year 8) in the 300m.

Well done to all involved!

Creative Textiles in Action

It’s been a busy and exciting time in the Textiles studio! Year 10 students have been developing work for their GCSE Component 1 theme, ‘Mushrooms’, experimenting with natural dyeing techniques using tea bags and manipulating fabric through twisting, tying, and pleating to create unique, textured patterns.

Meanwhile, Year 8 students have been introduced to heat transfer inks, creating colour swatches before using the heat press to reveal the vibrant results. Inspired by the artist Keith Haring, they will be designing bold prints in his style, transferring them onto fabric, and turning them into their very own cushions.

Art

Year 7 - Inspired by Nature and Imagination

Year 7 students have now begun an exciting new project on coral, linking their Art lessons with Geography. Drawing inspiration from marine biology and the detailed work of artist-scientist Ernst Haeckel, they’ve been learning to sketch coral, shells, and other underwater forms as they explore the beauty and complexity of coral reefs.

Year 8 - Surrealism

Meanwhile, Year 8 have been diving into the world of Surrealism this term, creating dream-like rooms and imaginative sculptures which stretch the boundaries of creativity and visual storytelling.

Soroptimist Club

This week, members of the Soroptimist School Club enjoyed a mindful and creative session, decorating cobblestones for the Eco Garden. Using acrylic paints and nail varnish, students brought colour and personality to the space, making it even more vibrant and inviting.

As the school year nears its end, we’re proud of all the club has achieved—and excited for what’s ahead. We’re thrilled to share that the club has received a personal invitation from Mims Davies, Shadow Minister for Women, to visit the House of Commons in September. It promises to be a truly inspiring experience.

The Soroptimist Club meets every Monday at 4.30pm in the Hub. All are welcome.

Year 8 take on the Zip-Wire Challenge

Year 8 students recently returned to the Confidence Course zip-wire as part of their Sport and Wellbeing lessons—and showed just how far their confidence has come. Now familiar with the platform, they tackled the challenge with no hesitation, with some even taking it a step further by bravely jumping onto the suspended ball. A great display of courage and enthusiasm all round!

Success in National Translation Competition

Last term, some of our Year 9 language students submitted poetry translations to the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators, a prestigious competition run by Queen’s College, Oxford. We are delighted to share that Molly (Year 9) received a commendation for her English translation of The Pirates by Rubén Darío.

This is a fantastic achievement—over 22,000 students took part in the 2025 competition, with nearly 5,000 entries judged. The standard was exceptionally high this year, and judges remarked on the difficulty of selecting winners and commendations.

A huge well done and congratulations to Molly!

Maths Success for Year 7 Student

Following her Gold award in the Junior Maths Challenge, Ella (Year 7) has gone on to achieve a Bronze Kangaroo certificate in the follow-on round—fantastic recognition of her mathematical talent and problem-solving skills. Well done, Ella!

Save the Date

Lower School Production - Matilda the Musical 23rd - 25th June 2025

Get ready for a little bit of magic and a whole lot of mischief!

Tunbridge Wells will come alive with the smell of rebellion as Kent College Pembury proudly presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR. This captivating production, performed by talented students from Years 5–10, brings to life the story of a brave and brilliant girl who discovers the power of her voice—and uses it to change her world. Packed with catchy songs, high-energy performances, and unforgettable characters, this enchanting adaptation of the beloved book and award-winning musical promises an evening of inspiration, laughter, and theatrical wonder. Tickets are on sale now, click on the link or scan the QR code below to book.

Senior Sports Day and Sports Awards - Thursday 10th July 2025

We’re excited to celebrate a highlight of the school calendar on Thursday 10th July with our Senior Sports Day in the morning. Students from Years 7–10 and the Lower Sixth will compete in a festival-style day of friendly House competition, with music, food, and a picnic atmosphere. Parents are warmly invited to join us for the morning and stay for a bring-your-own picnic lunch after the final events.

In the evening, we’ll come together for the Sports Awards Evening — a special celebration of this year’s sporting achievements, featuring drinks, dinner, and the presentation of awards. Full details can be found on the poster below — we hope to see you there!

Speech Day Friday 11th July 2025

We are pleased to announce that the Senior School Annual Speech Day will take place on Friday 11th July 2025. This much-anticipated event is a celebration of our students’ achievements and a joyful close to the academic year. Families will be invited to join us in the Old Sports Hall for the ceremony, followed by canapés and drinks on the lawn. Click on the link below to reserve your seats.

Join the KCPA!

Please find attached a flyer from the Kent College Parents’ Association (KCPA), which works closely with parents, teachers, and staff in the Senior School to support events and initiatives that benefit our students.

As the current leadership team will be stepping down at the end of May, they are seeking a new team, including a Chair, Co-Chairs, and Treasurer, to continue this important connection between parents and the school. They also welcome general volunteers to assist with events and activities.

Please note: this doesn't have to be a big commitment; any help or time you can give, would be much appreciated.

The Wellbeing Hub

Have a wonderful weekend!

All photographs featured herein are the property of the school and are used in accordance with our photographic permission policy.