Miss Handford's Reflections
This week’s theme is stability, but what do we really mean by this, and why does it matter in a school context? The dictionary defines stability simply as the ‘state of being stable’, which doesn’t tell us very much! Instead, it may be more helpful to think about stability through the analogy of a tree. A tree’s roots anchor it firmly in the ground; they provide nourishment, support growth, and help the tree withstand the challenges of changing seasons and weather. Without strong roots, the tree cannot thrive. In the same way, stability in a school community provides the foundation from which individuals can grow and flourish. It is about feeling grounded, secure, and confident in your surroundings. In a school context, this is closely linked to a sense of belonging and knowing that you are part of a community where you are valued, supported, and able to be yourself. At KC, this sense of stability is deeply rooted in our shared ASPIRE values. These values provide us with a clear framework for how we live and work together, creating a culture where everyone can succeed. We encourage high ‘ASPIRE’ations for ourselves and for those around us, both within our school and beyond. We celebrate achievement in all its forms, not just in the classroom, and we take pride in supporting one another and contributing positively as purposeful citizens. Our values of reliability, respect and resilience give us a strong moral compass, while our emphasis on creativity and enquiry encourages us to think deeply and explore new ideas. Together, these values bind us as a community, giving us a shared sense of purpose and, in turn, a strong sense of stability. This has been particularly evident this week as we have focused on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). As an inclusive community, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels they belong and can put down roots here. Our Senior Officer team led an inspiring assembly on EDI, and students have continued these important conversations during form time. Following on from welcoming new students to KC after Easter, we have also had new students joining our community this week, so this theme feels especially meaningful. We look forward to supporting them as they begin to establish their own roots at KC and quickly develop a sense of belonging and stability. With these strong foundations in place, I am confident that all of our students will continue to grow, thrive and succeed.
Ardèche Trip
During Half Term, Year 9 students had the opportunity to travel with students from Tonbridge School to explore the Ardèche region in Southern France. It was a week full of activities, including a high ropes course, abseiling into and exploring a local cave system, teambuilding exercises and a tree top obstacle course. The students also took part in geography workshops about the distinctive limestone landscape of the area. They also visited the l'Aven d'Orgnac, a 5km limestone cave system with massive stalactites that are 15,000 years old. A highlight of the trip was a two-day kayak down the Ardèche Gorge, where we passed through the iconic arch, swam in rapids and camped out under the stars. Students fully emersed themselves in camping life, even sharing their tents with local wildlife and coped well with unseasonably hot weather.
Sport News
Congratulations to Immy, Livvy, Sienna and Sylvia in Year 10 who played brilliantly against Weald of Kent School. After a very close match, the teams were tied on games, but Kent College secured the win on points, finishing 32–27. Well done to all four students for their determination, teamwork and excellent performance.
Drama News
This week, our Drama students had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Scotts Project Trust, where they delivered an engaging workshop for the young adults there. The Disney themed session was a fantastic success, bringing energy, creativity and enjoyment to all involved. Our students not only created a memorable experience for the residents, but also developed their own leadership, teamwork and confidence skills through this rewarding and meaningful experience.
Port Lympne Trip
On Friday 22nd May, Year 7 enjoyed a fantastic visit to Port Lympne in the beautiful spring sunshine. During the trip, students took part in two engaging educational talks, learning about the impact of the illegal wildlife trade and the challenges posed by climate change. After a picnic lunch they boarded the safari bus for a guided tour of the park observing the amazing wildlife including rhino, giraffes and lions. The trip was enjoyable and informative, providing valuable insights into conservation and the importance of protecting wildlife for future generations.
Dance Championships
This Saturday, Miss Johnson will be taking our Dance scholars and Dance students to participate in The Dance Championships 2026 at The Stag Theatre. Students will be competing against other local secondary schools from across Kent in a variety of categories, performing in front of professional industry judges. Our dancers have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes, attending lunchtime clubs and after school rehearsals to perfect and refine their routines in preparation for the competition. Their dedication, commitment and enthusiasm have been truly outstanding. We would like to wish all students taking part this weekend the very best of luck. We are immensely proud of everything they have achieved so far and look forward to seeing them showcase their talent, passion and hard work on stage.
Year 7 Form Time
This morning, Eliz in Year 7 took the lead during form time by preparing and delivering a lesson based on our Theme of the Week: Stability. She confidently guided her classmates through the topic, encouraging them to think about what stability means in their own lives and how it can help them navigate challenges and change. It was wonderful to see her take ownership of the lesson and share her ideas with such enthusiasm and maturity. Well done, Eliz!
Sociology Subject Spotlight
Sociology: An analysis of the gender pay gap in the UK and globally. In Sociology we have been studying the history of women’s pay in the UK. The Married Women’s Property Act of 1870 allowed women to be the legal owners of the money they earned instead of it going to their husbands. This demonstrates that we have had to legislate for women to keep and own their pay long before the campaign for equal pay started. The example of the Ford factory workers in Dagenham in 1968 showed that the women went on strike because they were being paid 87% less than men doing the same job. This was due to the women supposedly being unskilled or doing less skilled work than men. Sometimes a piece of art or cinema can help us deepen our understanding and create an impactful impression of gender inequality. Watching Made in Dagenham was at times frustrating to see that women had to fight for the bare minimum that was already being offered to men. It was necessary for women to go on strike just to try and change their pay and to be heard by their employers and the wider society. Whilst these industrial strikes contributed to the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1970, equal pay is still a huge issue in the UK and globally. The gender pay gap exists across all ages, starting from the first employment and widens as women go through their lives. The Office for National Statistics today indicates that the gender pay gap for all employees is 12.8%. Having analysed the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2025 across 148 economies, it is clear that no economy has yet reached full gender parity. The top 10 ranking economies are led by Scandinavian countries. Since 2024 the UK has broken into the top 10 and is ranked 4th. The UK has closed 84% of the gender gap but that still means we have a long way to go to achieve gender parity. Written by Riley in the Lower Sixth
Boarding Celebrations
Our Boarding End of Year Celebration was a wonderful occasion, bringing together students and staff to mark the close of another successful year in our boarding community. The afternoon provided an opportunity to reflect on the many achievements, friendships and memorable moments shared throughout the year, while celebrating the spirit and camaraderie that make boarding life so special.
Chalk Art Display
On Monday evening, a few boarding students joined Chaplain Katie in decorating the road in front of her office with sidewalk chalk. Unfortunately, the rain washed it all away before anyone could see it the next day. Thankfully, photos were taken.
Stranger Sagas Success!
"You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." — Maya Angelou
In an earlier article, we informed you about a writing competition for students in Years 7, 8, and 9 which they took part in during World Book Week. Their objective was to write a 100-word short story about something strange, weird, or unexpected; a ‘Stranger Saga’ as the competition headline informed us! Students engaged enthusiastically with the challenging task of writing a story in exactly 100 words. This was a massive feat in itself, particularly when they have spent much of the year focusing on being as descriptive as possible in their creative writing—adding in a range of techniques such as similes, metaphors and personification. However, they absolutely rose to the challenge. Students chose their words with care, precision and purpose, focusing on the impact of dramatic single-word sentences and thoughtfully placed punctuation. Celebrating our Winners: Their effort was well worth it and students were incredibly proud to share their work with their peers and we submitted a number of entries. While the competition was tough, five outstanding winners were chosen. Huge congratulations go to:
- Felicity R (Year 9)
- Isla R (Year 9)
- Eleanor G (Year 8)
- Zoe W (Year 7)
- Sophia B (Year 7)
Their creative stories will be published by the organisers of the competition at ‘Young Writers’, and we are eagerly looking forward to receiving a copy of the anthology in due course. Looking ahead, students will have the opportunity to join a Writer’s Club next year to enter even more competitions and continue developing their talents. Encouraging this kind of creative expression isn't just about writing stories, it's about teaching children how to problem-solve, think outside the box and build confidence in their own unique voices. We love seeing their ideas come to life and we encourage you to keep that creative spark going at home.
UCAS Fair
On Tuesday, our Lower Sixth students attended the annual UCAS Fair in Maidstone. This popular event brings together hundreds of universities, employers and careers advisers, giving students the opportunity to explore a wide range of post-18 options and make informed decisions about their future. The fair attracts schools from across the South East and provides a valuable chance for students to ask questions, gather information and gain insight into higher education, apprenticeships and career pathways.
Student Voice
Hi, my name is Elaina and I am a Lower Sixth student who has recently taken on the role of Head of Celts. I have been at Kent College for quite a while now after joining in 2017 in Year 4. Currently, I am studying A-level Biology, Chemistry and Maths with the aim to study veterinary medicine at University. As Head of Celts, my role is to inspire people to be enthusiastic, support others and help maintain KCs positive environment where everyone feels heard and valued. Some important parts of my role are creating and presenting house assemblies, encouraging support for our house charity, the Little Princess Trust and helping to organise events such as bake sales. I am grateful to be a part of the school officer team, as the experience has already helped me develop my character. I hope to support students in feeling confident at school, creating a community in our house. I really look forward to meeting as many people as possible whilst in this role and to create an impact on this school.
Student Spotlight - Celebrating Success Beyond the Classroom
We are delighted to celebrate our students’ achievements beyond the classroom. When your child has enjoyed success in sport, music, drama, dance, art, academic competitions, volunteering, leadership, or any personal accomplishment, we would love to hear about it. Please use this form to share achievements with us.
Sgt Leslie Pidd's Memorial
A huge thank you to the KC Parents Association for the funding to restore our Sgt Leslie Pidd Memorial mosaic. Commissioned in 2010, it was designed and created by Oliver Budd with help from KC student Maisie Waters. Over the years, the mosaic had lost a few pieces and was weathered by time. It was scheduled to be restored before the 85th anniversary celebration at the beginning of the year but had to be postponed by the artist. Oliver and Maisie were able to finish the restoration during our half term break and it looks like new! We will have a rededication ceremony on 15th September, the anniversary of Sgt Pidd's crash on the school site.
What's On at Kent College
Art, Photography and Textiles Exhibition
You are warmly invited to join us on Wednesday 10th June from 4:30pm as we celebrate the outstanding creativity, talent and dedication of our students. This special exhibition will showcase an inspiring collection of artwork produced throughout the year, highlighting the diverse ideas, skills and artistic journeys of our creative students. From bold experiments and innovative concepts to carefully crafted final pieces, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience and appreciate the remarkable work that has been developed across the year. We hope you can join us in celebrating a fantastic year of creativity and artistic excellence.
Upcoming Productions
Opera Gala
Friday 26th June at 6.30pm, Old Pembury Church
Students from Years 6 to Lower Sixth are currently rehearsing for the upcoming Opera Gala and are doing brilliantly with some quite tricky music. They have learned choruses from Carmen, Dido and Aeneas, La Traviata and are getting into character for being cigarette girls, witches, demons and aristocracy.
The Railway Children
Monday 22nd to Tuesday 23rd June at 6.30pm, Countess of Wessex Theatre
“Set in and around a country railway station at the turn of the twentieth century, the plight of the railway children grappling with their new environment is imaginatively brought to life for a modern audience while losing nothing of the original spirit of humour, tension, adventure and the final triumph of good over evil.” Performances will take place on Monday 22nd June and Tuesday 23rd June at 6:30pm in our Countess of Wessex Theatre. The show will run for approximately two hours, with a 20-minute interval for refreshments. Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard to create, what promises to be, a fantastic performance and we are sure you will thoroughly enjoy it. Ticket prices are £15 for adults and £10 for students.
Save the Dates
Sports Day - Wednesday 8th July
The excitement is building for Senior School Sports Day as the Dane, Celt and Saxon houses go head-to-head in a day of competition, teamwork and house spirit, come along and cheer them on!
Speech Day - Thursday 9th July
We are delighted to invite you to Speech Day, where we will celebrate the achievements of our students and welcome Olympic gold medallist Lizzy Yarnold as our guest speaker.
Parent Toolbox
The Wellbeing Hub - Podcast
Prep Sign-up Links
Free Prep A homework sessions take place in the library everyday after school (1 hour 15 minutes), providing a focused and supportive environment for students to complete their work. To help maintain concentration, phones are not permitted, and students are encouraged to bring a book to enjoy once their homework is finished. A late bus is available, with sign-out at 5:25pm. Parents collecting their children should come to the main school office. You can find the sign-up links for 2025–26 below:
Prep B sessions (1 hour) are designed for students staying beyond 5:30pm and take place in Boarding and the Dining Hall. Students also have the option of enjoying supper (additional charge applies). The sign-up links are below:
All sessions must be booked in advance for safeguarding purposes.
Second Hand Uniform Shop Opening Dates
Our Second Hand Uniform Shop is a wonderful opportunity for families to purchase good-quality pre-loved uniform items at affordable prices while also supporting sustainability within our school community. Whether you are preparing for a new term, replacing outgrown items, or simply looking for spare uniform pieces, we encourage you to come along and browse the available stock. We look forward to welcoming you at the upcoming opening dates listed below.
Friday 26th June: 3:00pm to 4:15pm. Tuesday 30th June: 8:30am - Induction Day Please email kcseniorshop@gmail.com if you cannot make these dates and would like to arrange a visit.
60 Seconds with Miss Panconi, Head of French
Tell us a bit about yourself...
Bonjour! I was born on the sunny and lively town of Marseille but decided the sun, sea, wine and cheese was too much so I moved to the UK to become a teacher in 1997. I have been teaching languages ever since in a variety of schools in London and around Kent before starting at Kent College in 2023. Outside of my school duties I travel a lot. My favourites destinations are South Korea, Japan, Egypt and Italy. As most of the students will know, I am a K pop fan and watch a lot of K dramas too. Every week I also do improv comedy classes which I truly enjoy.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
My favourite thing about teaching is definitely the students. I am really lucky to have had fantastic students throughout my career who I have developed a real connection with, a lot of whom I am still in touch with to this day. I love seeing them grow and mature into wonderful and unique individuals and knowing I have been a small part of that evolution feels me with joy and pride.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
My top tip for students learning French is to try to be curious about the country and the language: listen to some music, watch films and series on Netflix and spend some time there if you are able. On a day-to-day level my top tip is to do a little everyday to keep it alive and to not worry too much about making mistakes as long as you take part. The most important is to enjoy the sense of personal pride in being able to communicate in a different language by yourself without using modern technology. In the last few years I have truly enjoyed the effort students have put in some of their mini projects, quizzes and special days. Cheese tasting a few years back was interesting (one particular young lady ate her weight in cheese that day, even as a French person I had never seen anyone loving cheese so much!!) I loved our day trip to Nausicaa and our few days to Paris where Chaplain Katie and I took the students to some of the highlights of the town and ate a lot of crêpes!
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
Throughout the year the department has done different quizzes (Le quiz de Noel, le quiz de la Saint Valentin) and there will be one to celebrate the French Revolution in July. We are also very excited about the upcoming trip to the North of France in October.
Chaplain Katie's Reflections of the Week
If you look at my CV, you would think I've been placed in the witness protection programme. Even from a young age, I've moved around quite a bit. We think of the human need for stability to be essential for healthy development and growth but that isn't always the case in reality. There are many things in our lives that create unstable environments. As a young person, for me it was moving around, parental divorce, changing schools, etc. One of the only things that I found to be stable was my faith in God. Knowing that God's love was for all and I was part of that family, gave me a rock to stand on. When the turbulent winds of change blew, I could hold fast to God's immovable love. We all have that thing that keeps us stable; that person we cling to when we need comfort. Where do you find that in your life? May God bless you with comfort when you need to hang on to something stable, Amen.
Lunch Menu For Next Week
Summer Holiday Clubs
Half a wonderful weekend
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