Chaplain Welcome Service
'All are welcome in this place' was the refrain of the first hymn sung at Chaplain Katie's Welcome Service Thursday evening and there could not have been more perfect words to describe the mood in inside St Peter's Church.
The Rev. David Hinchliffe represented the Methodist Church as the officiant of the service while Rev. Aubin de Gruchy, Pastoral Visitor, gave a very moving sermon. Students, staff, parents and guests enjoyed musical performances from our school choirs and trumpet soloist. Then everyone was treated to a lovely post service buffet in the Organ room. Chaplain Katie said she feels very much part of the KC community now!
Boarders' Tapas Evening
Our boarders from Spain were treated to a delicious tapas meal this week to give them a taste of home! Our new Assistant Housemistress for our Senior Boarding House, Miss Johnson, is also a qualified chef and so was able to help them make tortillas, croquettes and other Spanish delicacies!
GCSE Drama Mentor Programme
Our A Level Drama & Theatre Studies students have all agreed to take on the role of a GCSE Drama Mentor and have each been paired up with a Year 11 GCSE Drama student to help minimise the stress during GCSE year and to also raise attainment.
They are meeting once a week to offer support based on their own experience of completing the course; they will share knowledge and understanding and provide different views to consider and offer creative suggestions.
GCSE Drama Mentors are also being supported by the department and each have fortnightly meetings with a member of staff to also guide and support them in their role.
We are hoping this will make a positive difference to all throughout the year.
ISSP Kick Off Meeting
This week saw the kick off meeting for the West Kent ISSP activities with planning taking place at The Skinners' Kent Academy. Mrs Osew is our new Head of Partnerships and will be the Kent College Steering Group representative.
The theme for this academic year is the Olympics and all of the partnership schools have been tasked to find speakers who have participated in an Olympics Games, in any discipline or at any time, to speak at our first lecture on Wednesday 15th November. If you know anyone who may be able to give up some of their time to inspire our students, please contact osewm@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons have now started across the Prep and Senior Schools! Here are Year 9 enjoying their first lesson this week. Feedback has been extremely positive; we are so glad our students are loving using the pool!
Geography Field Trip
Year 10’s visited the beautiful Badgells Wood near Meopham to explore a local small-scale woodland ecosystem. They enjoyed learning about the biodiversity of the area and the positive impacts of ecotourism. There were many highlights including forest bathing, tree hugging and using special microscopes to understand the complexities of an ecosystem. Hot chocolate and marshmallows around the campfire rounded off an amazing and inspiring day of Geography.
Year 11 Dance Workshop
The Year 11 GCSE Dance students took part in an all-day workshop with professional dancer Mel Simpson on Wednesday this week. The girls worked meticulously with Mel throughout the day focusing on the detailed movement within each solo dance. All of the girls showed such fantastic determination and resilience and have all developed their performance abilities. Well done Year 11.
Food Committee
Every 6 to 8 weeks, our Catering Manager, Mr Hall, runs a feedback session for the Food Reps from each year group, to feed back on the catering provision and make suggestions. This meeting, students suggested they would like to see more sushi on the menu, but they are generally very happy with the food, in particular the variation of cuisines and the street food bar.
Student Voice Meeting
Student Voice also met this week in Tilley, run by the Head Girl Team. The group discussed how to make the most of free times, clubs and activities, workloads and also heard about the improvements that have been made and are in place since their last meeting.
Education Champion Prize Winners
In Activities Week in July, Year 10 took part in Education Champion workshops on the topic of finance. The workshops looked at understanding the value of every day items and recognising financial scams, as well as making decisions and risks with money. As a result of KC pupils providing feedback on the sessions, 32 pupils were entered into a prize draw administered by the Personal Finance Society and were successfully drawn as winners! Congratulations! Your prizes will be with you soon.
Sixth Form Information Evening
Tuesday 10th October 6.00pm-8.30pm
Year 11 pupils and their families are invited to this event to find out more about life in the the Sixth Form and the many and varied opportunities open to them as they move onto this exciting stage of their education. The event will start with a presentation in the Theatre followed by a subject fair where you can talk to Heads of Department and current Sixth Formers to find out more about the A Level and BTEC choices as well as the KC Honours Programme. To confirm your attendance please book on the link below.