Mr Nicholds' Reflections
This week’s theme is “wellness” – which is the integration of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, focused on how we fuel the body, engage our minds and nurture the spirit. Although the concept of wellness stretches back into ancient history, we have as a society, and as consumers, become much more interested in the concept of wellness over recent years. Indeed the global wellness industry is now simply enormous – reaching a value of $6.8 trillion in 2024 - doubling in size since 2013 according to the Global Wellness Institute and projected to reach $9.8 trillion by 2029. If wellness is now a ‘big deal’ for the world, it’s clearly very important for us at Kent College as we seek to unlock the potential of all our students – in fact I think that it is central to everything that we do as a School – so let’s unpack things a bit and consider how we develop wellness. As you would expect there are many different models and theories on wellness, including one notable model from Hettler in 1984 entitled Six Dimensions of Wellness which I find quite useful - the six dimensions being : • Intellectual – the range of activities that stimulate our learning and personal development; • Physical – the prioritisation of physical self-care and behaviours that improve our general health; • Emotional – about understanding and respecting our/others feelings, managing our emotions and generally feeling positive about life; • Social – about maintaining healthy relationships, developing friendships and contributing to our communities; • Spiritual – finding purpose, value and meaning in our lives; • Occupational – contributing our unique gifts, skills and talents to work/projects that are personally meaningful and rewarding. Reviewing this list, I can see a close fit with our ‘A S P I R E’ value set which shapes everything that we do at the School, and that one can see play out on a weekly basis in lessons and activities – my most recent example being the brilliant KC production of the Cole Porter musical, ‘Anything Goes’ – some fabulous performances from the cast of players, real dedication and with great teamwork and organisation to ensure that the audience enjoyed the production and had a good time. So, if concern for personal “wellness” is well embodied in the School’s approach and activities, how well is KC as an organisation? Just as there are models related to personal wellness, there are also models related to organisational health and wellbeing – assessing an organisation’s direction, its leadership, its culture, and how well it delivers its plan and generally does things – with accountability, coordination and control all key. As Governors we have a keen interest in this, as well as a responsibility to assess how well the School is doing in delivering its charter, and I am pleased to say that under Miss Handford’s leadership, we think that the School is doing an outstanding job. We are not the only ones to assess the School of course as there is a formal assessment periodically carried out by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Our last inspection was in 2023 where KC was rated as “excellent” in terms of both academic achievement and personal development – which is the highest grading a school can get. We are expecting a new ISI inspection in the coming Summer term and I have every confidence that we will again impress the inspectors.
60 Seconds with Mrs Elizabeth Hayes, Head of Classics
Tell us a bit about yourself...
I had never had a Classics lesson before attending the University of Manchester to study Ancient History. In Sixth Form, I completed the IB, studying Higher Maths, French and German, and Standard Chemistry, English and History. The original plan had been to do a Law and Maths degree and then go on to become a lawyer. During Sixth Form, I decided this did not sound appealing, so I was looking into what sounded more interesting. I studied Modern History but didn’t want to pursue it full time. It was only flicking through university prospectuses that I discovered I could skip the modern era and focus on the Romans and the Greeks at university. Being a linguist as well, the appeal of being able to study Latin alongside the History modules drew me in. What began as a degree, with the aim for doing a law conversion course, became a lifelong love. I stayed at Manchester to complete a Masters, focusing my MA dissertation on Roman temples. Ancient religion and mythology are my favourite areas of the classical world. I went from Manchester to London, where I completed teacher training in Classics at KCL. I then came to KC as bright-eyed young newly qualified teacher in 2009, and have never quite got around to leaving. In my time at KC I have run the school newspaper, been House Tutor in J&O, been Head of Saxons, and I took on the role of Head of Classics in 2017. I also spent two years combining my role at KC with running a PGCE in Classics at the University of Sussex, from 2022-24. Outside of the classroom, Classics is still very much a part of my life, where I enjoy travelling to ancient sites and visiting museums. Beyond that, I enjoy seeing other countries and experiencing other cultures. It will surprise none of my students to know that I am a sci-fi and fantasy nerd am always willing to chat books, tv series, and films. When I get the chance, I also enjoy horse riding – there is nothing more freeing than galloping over a field somewhere. I have even ridden up Mount Vesuvius.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
My favourite thing about teaching, particularly having been in the same place for so long, is the privilege of watching students grow into adults. Watching students develop their interests and helping them to become good people is an honour and a pleasure. The other great thing about my job is that I get to talk about mythology all day, which as many of my classes will tell you, is very much my happy place. Although the paperwork is stressful, I also get to take students to some amazing places. Pompeii is always a highlight, but my favourite is a tie between Delphi in Greece and the Borghese Gallery in Rome – two places that should be on your travel lists. If anyone is ever going to Greece, Rome, or the Bay of Naples, I am always happy to recommend things to see.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
The best tip for Classics is to be curious; always ask why, and in an essay always explain why. Classics is really the study of the ancient world, so look at objects and ask what they tell us. For Latin and Greek, as for Classics more broadly, the key is consistent hard work. Vocabulary cannot be learnt in one night, and needs to be revisited frequently to stay in the memory. Persevere until you reach set texts; what’s the point of learning Latin if you don’t read things written by the Romans.
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
The annual Classics dinner is always a highlight of the year. We welcome back previous A Level students in classical subjects and have dinner with them and the current Upper Sixth. It is always wonderful to hear how everyone is getting on and what they are up to now. There will be another foreign trip, and whether you study a classical subject, or just want a cultural experience, they are always a fun way to see the world. Finally, Classics Club runs on Wednesday lunch times in H1 and is a fun way to learn Classics outside the curriculum. Come and enjoy some classical fun!
Our Whole School Production - Anything Goes
Our whole school production of 'Anything Goes' dazzled audiences this week, showcasing an incredible array of talent, energy, and dedication from students across all year groups. From the lively musical numbers to the polished choreography and confident performances, every moment reflected the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes. The cast and crew brought a real sense of joy and professionalism to the stage, supported by stunning costumes and a vibrant set. It was a true celebration of creativity and teamwork, and a memorable experience for everyone involved.
We were also delighted to welcome three local schools to watch our dress rehearsal on Monday, here is what they had to say. "Thank you so much for treating our Year 4s to a wonderful afternoon and spectacular performance yesterday. My daughter was one of the children who attended and she came home telling me she had been treated like a VIP and she just thought the whole afternoon was wonderful!" "Thank you so much for inviting Lamberhurst Primary School to watch your performance this afternoon, we have some very happy children who for some experienced their first theatre trip with a live orchestra! You certainly have some talented actors, dancers, singers and musicians at school who shone brightly this afternoon. Please can you pass on our thanks to all those who made the outing happen."
EPQ Research: Nature Documentaries
Hi Everyone, I am in the Lower Sixth. I am currently working on my Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as part of my A-Level studies, and I’d really appreciate it if you could help by taking my survey. It’s quite short although it does include two nature documentary clips that you will be asked to watch (though you don’t need to be interested in nature documentaries to participate). The videos are around 3 minutes in total. Please make sure you’re somewhere where you are able to hear them clearly. I’d also be very grateful if you could share this with any friends or family members who might be willing to take part as I need as many responses as possible. Thank you so much, Timi
Science Club
This week the Science Club got into the Easter spirit by dyeing eggs using both acid‑based and oil‑based dyes, exploring how chemistry creates contrasting colours. Students enjoyed experimenting with reactions and solubility to produce beautifully patterned, colourful eggs.
Host a Board and Raise Funds for KCPPA
We are inviting parents to support the promotion of our upcoming Open Morning by hosting a Knight Frank estate agents board outside their home which will advertise the date of the event. Knight Frank have kindly agreed to donate £10 to the KCPPA for every board displayed. It’s an effective way to help raise awareness of the school while also raising funds for the parent association. Please note that your property does not need to be for sale to take part. If you are happy to have a board placed outside your home for a short period in the lead up to our Open Morning, we would be very grateful. Your support helps raise awareness of the school in the local community while also contributing directly to KCPPA fundraising. Thank you in advance for supporting Kent College and our parent community. Click here to sign up
Voices of the Deep
Join us on an exhilarating journey under the sea with orchestral music, choral pieces, poetry, art and dance all performed by our wonderful Senior School students, KS2 Music groups and professional musicians. Music ranges from The Pirates of the Caribbean to Titanic to Taylor Swift! Please come along for an unforgettable evening celebrating the Creative Arts at Kent College.
Under the Sea
Join us on an exhilarating journey under the sea with orchestral music, choral pieces, poetry, art and dance all performed by our wonderful Prep School students, Senior School instrumentalists and professional musicians. Music ranges from The Pirates of the Caribbean to Titanic to Taylor Swift! Please come along for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the Creative Arts at Kent College.
Easter Holiday Clubs
Unsure of your plans? Add Flex to your booking for £4/day to change your booking anytime, right up until the last minute! You can also spread your payment over 3 instalments or delay the payment for 28 days when you select Klarna as a payment option. This is a limited-time offer so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity and secure your place now! Use the discount code KC26 for 10% off!
Parent Toolbox
Prep Sign-up Links
Free Prep A homework sessions run in the library (1h 15m). Phones aren’t allowed, and students should bring a book to read once they finish their homework. Late bus sign-out is by 5:25pm; parents collecting children should come to the main office. The sign up links for 2025-26 are below:
Prep B sessions (1h) are for students staying past 5:30pm and are held in Boarding and the Dining Hall, with optional supper (extra charge). The sign up links are below:
All sessions must be booked in advance for safeguarding purposes.
Applying for USA universities: a free webinar for parents
BSA is pleased to introduce a free webinar for member school parents on navigating the USA undergraduate application process. The 1-hour session on Monday 30th March, 18:00 – 19:00 will be delivered by Anthony Nemecek, Chief Educational Consultant and Robert Patterson, Chief Executive Officer, Banyan Educational Consultancy. The webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of USA undergraduate study and its application process. Different to UCAS, all aspects of the process will be discussed, including insights into how applications are evaluated. BSA member schools can register here and a separate joining link will be circulated in advance of the event for sharing with your parents. BOOK NOW
Lost Property Open Day
All lost property items will be laid out in the Organ Room on Friday 27th March. Parents are invited to come and view the items at any time throughout the day. Students will also be given an opportunity during school hours to check for any belongings they may have misplaced. We encourage everyone to take a moment to look through the items before they are cleared.
Chaplain Katie's Reflections of the Week
Wellness is the act of taking care of your heath. I'll admit, I had to look that up because it seemed to me that wellness is the same as wellbeing! But making choices that benefit your physical, mental, and social health are all part of wellness. Unfortunately, I haven't been taking care of my wellness recently and it is starting to show. Just the other day, I started to fall asleep in a meeting and I kept doing that thing where you try so hard to listen and keep your eye open but your head starts to fall and you jolt yourself awake. I'm staying up too late at night, working like crazy on the weekends, and avoiding exercise like the plague. These are not good wellness choices, I know. However, it's never too late to turn around and start thinking about how to create positive wellness decisions! Taking care of ourselves helps us to be refreshed and renewed so that we can have the energy and strength to care for others. We need to take care of our wellbeing so that we can face the challenges of the day. When Jesus said the greatest commandment is to Love God and the second is love your neighbour as yourself, loving yourself is a command. (Matthew 22:36-40) How can you love your neighbour, if you can't love yourself? Wellness is the act of loving yourself and I'm taking that into the choices I make in the future to ensure I'm not falling asleep in meetings next term. May God bless you with the ability to see when you need to work on your wellness, Amen.
Lunch Menu W/C 20th March
Have a wonderful weekend.
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