Mr Showell's Reflections
Our recent Open Morning was a great occasion and one that captured the very best of Kent College. It was super to see our school alive with conversation, curiosity and pride as prospective families experienced our vibrant learning community first-hand. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our students, staff and parents whose warmth, professionalism and enthusiasm shone through in every classroom, corridor and conversation. Your collective dedication and care for Kent College made the morning such a resounding success and a powerful reflection of who we are. This sense of pride and purpose has continued throughout the week as we have welcomed the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) into school to carry out our routine inspection. I would like to thank all families and students for completing the requested surveys so thoughtfully and promptly, and to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff team. Their professionalism, openness and unwavering commitment to our students shone through at every stage and exemplified everything that makes Kent College such a special and successful place. At the heart of that success lies a quality that defines us as individuals and as a school: commitment. Commitment is more than perseverance; it is an active choice we make every day to give our best, to serve others and to strive for excellence. For our students, this means committing to their learning, their co-curricular pursuits and to one another—embracing challenge, showing kindness and aspiring to grow. For our staff, commitment is reflected in the care, creativity and consistency with which they teach, guide and inspire, always seeking to unlock the potential for all. As an independent school with a long and proud history, our collective commitment has fuelled our success. It underpins our academic achievements, our rich programme of arts and sport, and the strong moral compass we cultivate. As a Wesleyan foundation, we are guided by John Wesley’s enduring call to “do all the good you can.” This value challenges us to live purposefully and generously, ensuring that our talents and opportunities are used for the benefit of others. Within the Christian tradition that shapes our ethos, we see a profound example of commitment in the life of Jesus. Throughout the Gospels and the New Testament writings, Jesus’ unwavering commitment to love, service and sacrifice is evident. His commitment to people from all walks of life—teaching, healing and offering hope and forgiveness—was transformative then and remains today. It is a reminder that true commitment has the power to change lives, to build community and to draw out the very best in humanity. This spirit inspires us at Kent College as we seek to educate the whole person. Our recent successes across the school demonstrate commitment in action. I am delighted to highlight the excellent performance of our Years 7 and 8 students in the Junior Maths Challenge, expertly led by our brilliant Maths team. The enthusiasm and resilience shown by our younger students as they tackled complex problems was impressive, and the results are a testament both to their hard work and to the inspiring teaching that supports them. Equally memorable were the outstanding Whole School Concerts Under the Sea and Voices of the Deep. Led by our talented Music team, the concert was another fantastic expression of collaboration, musical excellence, creativity and confidence. Thank you to everyone who performed. Commitment aligns directly with our strategic goals and direction—it is the mindset that transforms vision into lived reality. Our aim to unlock the potential for all depends on individuals—students, staff and leaders—consistently choosing effort, resilience and excellence over time. Through committed teaching and learning, we sustain academic ambition while nurturing curiosity and challenge; through committed care, we deliver a genuinely holistic education that values wellbeing, creativity and character alongside achievement. As we move forward, we do so with commitment at the centre of all we do: committed to growth, to goodness and to one another. Together, as a community united by shared values and high aspirations, we will continue unlocking the potential for all and ensuring that Kent College remains a place where young people flourish and lives are shaped for the better. Mr Showell Head of Senior School
Subject Spotlight
Sports News
Last week, Year 9 Sports Scholars played an important role in supporting the IAPS netball tournaments, helping to deliver what was a huge logistical undertaking. Their efforts contributed to the smooth running of the events, which welcomed visiting teams and guests from across the region. Parents and spectators commented on how well organised everything was, as well as how impressive and welcoming the school looked throughout the tournament.
Drama News
Year 9 students are currently working towards their Trinity College Silver Arts Award (Level 2 qualification). As part of this, we have arranged for them to visit the Scotts Project Trust, where they are leading creative workshops with the Trust's young adults. The first group visited this week, and we are incredibly proud of them - they represented the school brilliantly. They ran a vocal warm-up, taught the young adults a song from Frozen the musical along with actions, reflected on their work, and Liberty performed a song she had written. The young adults thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and thanked us for our visit. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build confidence, leadership, creativity, and collaboration skills, while engaging meaningfully with the wider community. We look forward to taking the next group in a few weeks' time. Congratulations to all.
Art News
This week, our Year 7 students have been diving into the world of watercolour painting with great enthusiasm. As part of their “Flowers” theme, each student explored a range of beautiful floral artworks before creating their own vibrant responses. We’re excited to see their creativity continue to bloom!
Music News
The theatre was transformed into an immersive underwater world as students and musicians came together for two spectacular events: Under the Sea and Voices of the Deep. Audiences were taken on an exhilarating journey beneath the waves, where orchestral music, choral performances, poetry, art, and dance combined in a vibrant celebration of creativity. The programme brought together Prep and Senior School students, KS2 music groups, skilled instrumentalists, and professional musicians, creating a rich and dynamic showcase of talent. The repertoire spanned an exciting mix of styles and genres, from iconic film themes such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Titanic to contemporary favourites by Taylor Swift, ensuring a musical feast for everyone. Together, the performances formed both an inspiring afternoon and an unforgettable evening, highlighting the depth, diversity, and excellence of Performing and Creative Arts at Kent College.
Student Voice
We are your new Deputy Head Girls, Isabelle and Riley and we’re really pleased to be able to introduce ourselves!
I’m Isabelle and I’m so excited to be one of your new Deputy Head Girls. I’m looking forward to helping you all in every way that I can in the coming year. Let me tell you a little about myself. I’ve been at KC since the age of 3 and as a result, being a part of KC means a lot to me. I study Drama and Film Studies A Level, a Music BTEC, as well as the Gold Arts Award. As a part of my new role, I will oversee all aspects of Purposeful Citizenship. This means I will be helping out with house assemblies and next week’s Eurovision assembly, as well as overseeing our charity work, which is something I’m really passionate about. Drama is my other passion and I am already planning and writing the staff panto for Christmas, which is so exciting. The new Heads of House and I have already begun to brainstorm new and fun ways to raise money for each charity, as well as making it enjoyable for the whole school. Please feel free to come and see me with any of your suggestions too. I promise as your new Deputy Head Girl to strive to do my best to make everyone’s experience at KC as best as it possibly can be.
I’m Riley and I am also one of your new Deputy Head Girls. I’m so excited to get to know you guys through many school events or just around school. I would describe myself as a very positive and energetic person! I’ve been at KC for 10 years now and it’s been such a good and rewarding experience. For my A Levels I take Sociology, Textiles and Business. KC is so special to me for so many reasons and has been such a big part of my life. I love the strength of the community here and I’m going to make it my mission for everyone at this school to experience that exact feeling. With this in mind, I applied for the role of Deputy Head Girl, with a focus on overseeing the pastoral side of the school officer team. This means I am involved in schemes such as the Peer Mentoring scheme, Student Voice and EDI initiatives too. I can’t wait to help you all individually to have the best journey at our school, just as I have. If you see me around school please don’t be afraid to come and have a chat or if there is anything I can do, just give me and shout and I will do my best to make it happen.
Inaugural Confidence Course Club
On Monday, our first ever Confidence Course Club braved unbelievable challenges set out by Chaplain Katie. They faced adversity, frustration, and splinters but came through with that classic KC spirit! Students, some of whom had never met before, brilliantly worked together to cross the crocodile infested waters of the Amazon and balance their life raft while singing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'. They are now bonded for life and would walk through fire for each other. Well, they are at least excited for the next meeting.
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.
Upcoming Productions
Finding Nemo
Join us as we follow the journey of Marlin, an anxious but devoted clownfish, who sets off across the ocean to find his son, Nemo, after he is unexpectedly captured by a diver. Along the way, Marlin encounters a host of unforgettable characters such as Dory, Sharks, SeaTurtles and Jellyfish. Together, these characters take us on a journey filled with humour, heart, and the reminder that even the smallest fish can make a big splash.
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.
Chaplain Katie's Reflections of the Week
The Year 9 Global Citizenship Projects have been one of my favourite activities this year. Students have shown the utmost commitment to making a difference in their communities, and it has been inspiring. Just this week, a group of three students visited Oakley School and taught them about food banks. They even used photos from another Year 9 group that collected food and volunteered at a food bank! They have shown us all what it means to be committed to making the world a better place and we can all learn from their examples. May God bless you with the commitment to make your world better for others, Amen.
Lunch Menu W/C 4th May
Have a wonderful weekend!
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