Mrs Payne's Reflections
You might have noticed that it’s been a bit hot this week! And goodness, the heat can be draining when we are trying to get on with normal life rather than sitting by the sea or a pool. A welcome place to spend one of these hot evenings has been the theatre (with air conditioning!) which is where I spent Tuesday night watching The Railway Children, our lower school production – what a performance! For those of you who didn’t get to see it, you missed a treat. It never ceases to amaze me how our productions at KC really showcase so much of what happens here. We see first our theatre transformed back in time to the early 20th Century: a rural farmhouse, a station with a train track and even a purpose-built train! The set design, costumes, make up, props – every detail thought about. Then we watch over a period of approximately two hours, a large group of students who have all worked hard for weeks to learn lines, to know where they should be placed, when to come in, when to listen to each other, when to run/dance/walk/shout together – these students are transformed into a company of actors, dancers, back stage crew and supporters who all work as one to achieve their goal. Individually and collectively, I don’t think they realise how far they have come and just how much they have achieved under the supportive guidance of Miss Brown, Miss Johnson and Mr Hougham, with Chaplain Katie and Sister Liv supporting the crew. Miss Handford asked the audience to describe the performance; “Superb”, “Phenomenal”, “Outstanding”… it really was fantastic! We know that experiences like this can be transformational in the lives of our students (and our staff too). Having said “it never ceases to amaze me”, I realise I write from a privileged insider position. I get to see that KC is a place where transformation, both personal and educational, happens every day. Transformation means real, lasting change, from the inside out. It might be learning a new skill, changing a mindset, or becoming more confident over time. Personal transformation doesn’t happen overnight, it’s about small, steady steps that lead to something powerful. The Railway Children is a perfect example of transformation at KC but is also one of many transformative experiences in the lives of our students. For education to be transformative it needs to shape the lives and experiences of our students, and this often happens beyond achieving grades. The volunteering that takes place in Year 9 towards their Global Citizenship diploma, our House reps and House Captains joining forces to consider how we can not only give money towards our chosen charities but really connect and identify with them by offering acts of service. Then there is the volunteering in the Sixth form, the Student Officer team looking to serve others in their new roles and our Sixth formers training as mentors in order to support students in other years. These are all transformational experiences that teach our students about our social responsibility to others. It is the value of Purposeful Citizenship that builds daily into the mindsets of our students that, we hope, will see lasting change and impact. I’ve only been at KC three and half years but in my short time here I have seen great transformation and personal growth through the lives of many of our students. One of our Year 13 students, Grace, stood up at the end of The Railway Children and spoke about how being involved in productions such as this for the last seven years has truly shaped her life. I shall leave you with an extract from her speech. I stand here before you as my last time ever as a student at Kent college. Seven years ago, I joined the crew, and I had no idea just how much it would change my life. From Sweeney Todd to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, these productions have given me more than just shows to work on—they’ve given me friendships, memories, confidence, and a second home. Thank you…to those who started in crew and found the confidence to step into the spotlight, and to those whose talent lit up the stage from day one. Watching people grow, take risks, and become the very best versions of themselves has been one of the greatest privileges of my time here… What makes these productions special isn’t the lights, the costumes, or even the performances. It’s the people. The talented, dedicated, creative, and kind people who make this community what it is. You have all shown me what KC does best: bringing people together, supporting one another, and creating something extraordinary. So to everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you. Thank you for the laughter, the late nights, the standing ovations, the friendships, and the memories I’ll carry with me forever. Although I hope to return to my home at KC one day, for now, it’s goodbye.
Social media ban for under-16's: A necessary step, but not a complete solution.
Our Head of Senior School, Mr Showell, has recently written an insightful article in response to the Government’s proposed ban on social media for under-16s. While acknowledging the growing concerns surrounding the impact of social media on young people's wellbeing, mental health and development, Mr Showell explores both the benefits and the challenges of such a policy. His article considers not only the intention behind the proposal but also the practical and ethical questions it raises for schools, families and society as a whole. An interesting and thought-provoking read, the article encourages us to reflect on how best to support young people in an increasingly digital world.
The Railway Children
Congratulations to all of our students and staff who worked so hard to bring The Railway Children to life this week, with wonderful performances on Monday and Tuesday. Based on E. Nesbit’s beloved classic, the production followed the story of Roberta, Peter and Phyllis as they navigated a dramatic change in circumstances, discovering friendship, adventure and resilience along the way. Filled with warmth, humour and memorable characters, the show captivated audiences and beautifully conveyed the timeless themes of family, courage and hope. The performances were a testament to the talent, dedication and teamwork of everyone involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. Well done to everyone involved for delivering such an engaging and memorable production.
We were also delighted to welcome Year 5 pupils from Capel Primary School, who joined us to watch the performance and experience the magic of live theatre. Mrs Farr, Headteacher of Capel Primary School, was full of praise for the production, commenting on the students' talent, confidence and the high standard of the performance: "Thank you so much for yesterday and the wonderful performance of The Railway Children. It was amazing! We can't get over how well your students all did, it was such a professional performance - please do pass on our congratulations to them and our best wishes for their other performances. For one of our children, it was their first time in a theatre and the impact has been phenomenal. Her Mum told me that when she got home she was researching careers in theatres and how to become a part of it. So it really was inspirational. Please also pass on our heartfelt thanks to all the staff, and your Head, who all made us feel so welcome."
Year 9 Taster Day
On Thursday, Year 7 students enjoyed an exciting enrichment morning taking part in a dynamic programme of activities designed to challenge, inspire and build confidence as they looked ahead to Year 9. Activities included our outdoor Confidence Course and an engaging code-breaking challenge. Students also participated in Canyon Crossing, a hands-on engineering challenge that required them to work collaboratively to design and build solutions to real-world-style problems. The activity provided an excellent introduction to engineering (starting at Kent College in September!) in action and showcased the creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills of our students. Alongside this, students took part in an interactive Global Citizenship session, exploring what it means to be a global citizen. Through discussion and debate, they considered key themes from our Global Citizenship Diploma, including Identity and Diversity, Human Rights and Social Justice, Peace and Conflict, and Globalisation and Sustainable Development. We were also delighted to welcome a number of Year 7 students from other schools who will be joining Kent College in Year 9. The morning provided a wonderful opportunity for new friendships to be formed, with our current students helping visitors feel welcome and enjoy their first taste of life at Kent College.
Our Catering Winners
We are delighted to announce that our school chefs, Graham and Kitty, were crowned winners of the Lexington Casual Dining Competition last night! Their winning concept, The Issan Project, was inspired by the home cooking of north-east Thailand, where Kitty is from. Making their achievement even more special, the dishes were based on treasured family recipes that Kitty has grown up with, bringing authentic flavours and personal stories to the competition. Their creativity, passion and dedication impressed the judges, and as winners, their concept will now be rolled out across Lexington sites and businesses. We are incredibly proud of Graham and Kitty for this outstanding achievement and look forward to celebrating their success with them, and, of course, tasting more of their delicious food.
Sports News
Athletics
Good Luck to Olivia in Year 6, Isobel in Year 7, Imi, Kayla and Rosie in Year 8 who are competing in the IPS National Finals in Birmingham at the Alexander Stadium.
Cricket
Good luck to the U15 Cricket team, who on Tuesday 30th June have the County Hardball Eights Finals Day at the Mote CC.
Scholars focus
This week, the Sports Scholar in Years 7–12 took part in a structured yoga and breathwork session lead as part of the ongoing scholarship programme. The session focused on controlled breathing, mindful movement, and targeted flexibility work, all of which play a significant role in supporting athletic performance across a range of sporting disciplines. Students were introduced to techniques that promote composure under pressure, enhance concentration during competition, and aid recovery following intensive training. By developing greater body awareness, improving mobility, and learning strategies to regulate stress responses, scholars gained practical tools that can be applied directly within their individual sports. These methods are widely recognised for their contribution to injury prevention, improved movement efficiency, and sustained mental resilience. The session also reinforced the importance of maintaining balance between physical training and psychological wellbeing, ensuring that each student continues to progress as a confident, reflective, and well rounded athlete.
Year 11 Prom
Our Year 11 Prom was a fantastic celebration and a fitting way to mark the end of an important chapter in our students’ school journey. Dressed to impress and arriving in style, students enjoyed an evening filled with laughter, friendship and memorable moments as they reflected on their time together. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements, recognise the hard work and resilience they have shown throughout their GCSE studies, and look ahead with excitement to the next stage of their education.
We wish all of our Year 11 students every success for the future and thank them for the many contributions they have made to school life.
Student Voice
Hi, I am Tash and I am so excited to be your new Head of Lower School as well as the subject Prefect for Classics. I joined Kent College in year 5, my current A- levels are Classics, Physics, and Mathematics. My role as Head of Lower School is to help students in Years 7-9 feel welcomed, valued and comfortable. As well as helping in your education in any way I can, I am particularly excited to help with study sessions or mentoring programs. This term I have had the opportunity to help plan the Year 7 Induction Day which has been a fun challenge. I have also been helping present revision sessions to the lower school to help them prepare for their end of year exams. I am organising a lunchtime club starting in September for students in KS3 to come to a Lower School Drop-in! Students can come and talk about any issues they may have or any concerns they would like to discuss. I am always happy to help. I look forward to working alongside students in Years 7-9.
HALO Lecture
On Monday Miss Mackie brought our scholars and AIM pupils on a musical journey through Great Britain's history. One of our talented Year 5 pupils played to students on her harp as they arrived. Miss Mackie spoke about the significance of the harp and how important this has been throughout history. She then went on to speak about the war and post war eras and how music reflects the political events and moods. She then went on to explore the cultural impact of the Windrush generation through Calypso, Reggae and Ska music. She finally spoke about the Punk era and David Bowie. She played several examples of music to enhance the lecture and it gave pupils much to think about this week. We thank Miss Mackie for her insightful lecture. I found it very interesting how music influenced social and political protests.- Sophie in Lower Sixth Miss Mackie's lecture was unique and taught us a lot about the journey of music across multiple decades. - Honor and Lily in Year 10 We absolutely loved it! A great way to start a Monday morning! - Sarah, Elsa and Elaina in Lower Sixth It was very interesting to learn about the different styles of music for different times. - Isla and Caitlin in Year 9
Immersion Group Visit
We are delighted to welcome our immersion group from Hong Kong, who arrived on Thursday evening and will be staying with us for the week. During their visit, they will have the opportunity to experience life and learning in the UK, spending time in lessons and taking part in a range of school activities. They will also be enjoying visits to Cambridge, London, and Leeds Castle, giving them the chance to explore some of England’s most famous and historic destinations. We are very much looking forward to having them with us this week and are excited to share our school community with them. We hope they have a memorable and enjoyable stay, make many new friends, and gain valuable experiences both inside and outside the classroom. We wish them a warm welcome and a fantastic week ahead.
Young Fashion Designer Competition
This past weekend, Kent College was proud to host the National Young Fashion Designer UK Competition, celebrating the creativity, innovation, and talent of the next generation of fashion designers. Young designers from across the country showcased original collections inspired by culture, sustainability, and bold new ideas. Each collection told a unique story, reflecting the exciting future of the fashion industry. The South Centre alone received more than 230 applications, and together with the Midlands Centre, the competition attracted over 550 applicants. We were also delighted to welcome back former Kent College student Josie Sidhu as one of the competition judges. Josie is now a footwear designer at Jimmy Choo and credits her time at Kent College with helping to launch her successful career in the fashion industry. Reflecting on her time at the College, she said: "My time at Kent College was invaluable to my career. Without the support of Mrs Smith and Mrs Bright, and the introduction to such a creative and inspiring Textiles A-level course, I wouldn’t have been able to put together a portfolio to apply for art school, let alone be accepted somewhere as competitive as Central Saint Martins. Having creative freedom and access to the resources and facilities available at Kent College is such a privilege, especially for anyone hoping to pursue a career in a creative industry." Congratulations to all participants for their hard work, passion and outstanding designs. Special recognition goes to our own Rosie Bishop (Year 9), who was awarded Highly Commended in the Year 9 category. This is a remarkable achievement, with Rosie's work selected from more than 230 entries to reach the final 12. Creating and presenting a collection of this calibre is an incredible accomplishment, and we are immensely proud of her. Congratulations, Rosie! The National Young Fashion Designer Competition continues to provide a fantastic platform for young creatives to showcase their talent while championing innovation and sustainable design. We are delighted that Kent College continues to host this prestigious event, inspiring future designers and celebrating excellence in sustainable fashion.
Year 8 Art
Our wonderful Year 8's have been busy trying to finish off their paintings before the end of the school year. Those who have finished have moved onto sketching soft pastel ice creams, which are very fitting given this hot hot weather! All of their paintings and drawing will go up in the dining hall at the end of term - exciting!
Dance Trip
Last night, Miss Johnson took the dance scholars and exhibition students to Strictly Come Dancing's star Nikita Zukim tour of 'Supernova'. Despite the heat, this didn't stop our students from dancing the night away and getting to experience how professional industry dancers showcase their talent, skills, and professionalism. What a special way to celebrate the arts as we come towards the end of the academic year.
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.
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
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 on Wednesday 1st July: 8:30am - Induction Day Please email kcseniorshop@gmail.com if you cannot make these dates and would like to arrange a visit.
Lunch Menu For Next Week
Summer Holiday Clubs
Kent College Gym Academy
Our Summer Camps are a fantastic way to experience gymnastics in a fun, supportive environment. Whether your child is new to the sport or already loves gymnastics, everyone is welcome.
Camp Beaumont
Raw Skills
Come and join Raw Skills Hockey Academy this summer, with international players and coaches on both camps. This is the perfect opportunity for bespoke hockey coaching and to have fun in the sun.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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