Mrs Payne's Reflections
Wow! What a week of coming together and standing up for various causes. As you will be aware the umbrella theme of the whole term in both the Prep and Senior Schools is ‘Celebrating Differences’ where we make sure that the whole school is thinking about how we show respect, kindness and tolerance to every individual within our community. This week in the Senior School we have been diving deeper and exploring the weekly theme of ‘Upstanding’. There have been several times throughout this week that we have asked our students to be ‘Upstanders’: On Monday 10th, in our House Meetings, students continued to support each other and considered ways to raise awareness for their chosen House charity. Saxons did this practically by bringing in cakes to sell, which is always a big hit with students. It is amazing to see everyone come together as vertical families in these meetings, with the Sixth Form and Year 11 students leading and supporting the younger students. These times together help build a sense of belonging that each person in a community really needs. On Tuesday 11th we saw the whole community standing, united, in remembrance of those who have gone before us. This was a significant reminder for us all of those who have stood for their country, the bravery they displayed and the sacrifices they made. Wednesday 12th in form time saw students considering how they can stand up and be a power for good when they build kindness together as part of Anti-Bullying week. Thinking about how we can all be purposeful citizens by standing up for others is one of our ASPIRE values and we carried these thoughts on Thursday 13th as it was World Kindness Day. We have shared a number of resources from the Wellbeing Hub with students this week to help them think about how to stand up to bullying and what to do to support others. Please do take a look as there is a lot of information there for parents too. Throughout the week in PSHE lessons students have thought about belonging and inclusion which supports and promotes these fundamental values. It’s been an incredible week of both looking outside of our KC ‘bubble’ whilst also really stopping to consider what we are doing as individuals to promote tolerance, kindness and respect. And finally on Friday 14th the whole school stood up again in a different and fun way for Children in Need where we saw lots of polka dots and yellow.
Talk Education Review
We are proud to share that Talk Education has published a review of Kent College, highlighting our strong focus on helping every student reach their potential, our excellent creative and sporting programmes, and our grounded values rooted in Methodist tradition. Take a look at the full review and see why we’re so proud of this recognition.
Service of Remembrance
The KC community came together to pause and reflect during our Service of Remembrance. We stood in silence to honour the courage and sacrifice of all who had served, and to remember Sgt Pidd, a brave pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain and whose Hurricane aircraft tragically crashed on our school site. His story and the service of so many others reminded us all of the true meaning of courage, duty, and remembrance.
A Special Visit from Local Veteran Mervyn Weller
This week Chaplain Katie was visited by Mervyn Weller, a local veteran who attended our Memorial Service to Leslie Pidd in September. He was so thankful for our dedication to Sgt Pidd, that he had a special gift made for our school. Here is the email he sent to Chaplain Katie after he left:
I hope you can find a suitable place to mount this shield so all may view it. The badge recognises Leslie's Squadron and the brass inscribed plate personalises it to Leslie himself. The young lady I was speaking to in reception before you arrived was so sweet and she politely asked of me what all my medals were for, so I explained them all to her. Once again, another member of your school community that you can be rightly proud of.
BSA Boarding School Book of Remembrance
This month marks the BSA’s 60th anniversary and 80 years since the end of WW2. To commemorate both milestones, the BSA has launched the Boarding School Book of Remembrance (BOBOR), the world’s first global digital archive honouring the service and sacrifice of those connected to boarding schools worldwide. Free and open to all, BOBOR has been three years in the making with contributions from 40 schools across 6 countries, including entries from Kent College.
Year 11 Visit the Old Operating Theatre
History students were taken back in time to the Old Operating Theatre where pain, pus and poison were the order of the day. Adwoa bravely volunteered to be ‘operated’ on without anaesthetics or antiseptics and luckily lived to tell the tale.
Lower Sixth Volunteering Day
Yesterday, Year 12 spent the afternoon volunteering in different places in the local community. Some students opted for local primary schools and spent their time with Years 1 and 3 helping organise resources and meeting the children. A number of students went to Hospice in the Weald where they wrapped presents for the upcoming Christmas Fair. Six students accompanied Mrs Gillings to the Scotts Project, a local charity in Tonbridge for adults with moderate to severe learning difficulties. During this afternoon, we participated in their drama workshop, singing and dancing and watching their nativity play rehearsals. They are looking forward to us returning in two weeks' time to see the progress they have made.
Year 9 Time Travel
Virtual Reality headsets helped Year 9 go back in time and discover what life and death was like in the trenches of World War One. Richard Parsons from Time Travel education brought a whole host of artifacts from the Great War to develop student’s understanding. Students got to handle shrapnel, smell replica gas, examine gas masks and see important weapons such as the Lee Enfield Rifle. Thankfully all students lived to see another day, but with a better understanding of the dangers of trench warfare.
French Quiz – Félicitations aux Gagnants
Last term, the French Quiz challenged students to identify famous people who speak French and other foreign languages. We’re delighted to announce that two students achieved a perfect score of 100%, Jessica (Year 10 ) and Louise (Year 10). Félicitations to both of you for your impressive knowledge and enthusiasm for languages.
Year 7 Flexi-Boarding
Year 7 students enjoyed their boarding taster night, where they got a feel for life in the boarding house. After settling into their rooms, they made homemade pot noodles together before taking part in a lively game of Twister. Later, everyone headed to the common room to make hot chocolates and watch a film, before staying over the night.
Hockey Triumph and Netball Success
The U14 Hockey Team returned from Sussex after an incredible performance, winning the UKSA Trophy. The team showed fantastic skill and determination, securing victories against Bede’s, Downsend, Mayfield, St Teresa’s, Burgess Hill, and Mayfield, with Caterham, Tormead, and Roedean also competing in the tournament. Our U14 and U16 Netball squads have both made it through to the Kent Finals, an incredible achievement and the first time two of our teams have reached this stage. They did so against fierce competition from over 50 schools across Kent, including Benenden, Sevenoaks, Wally Hall, Bromley High, Newstead Wood, Eltham College, Sutton Valence, TWGS, TGS, and many more. It has been a brilliant week for sport, well done everyone.
Unlocking Potential, Inspiring Performance
Join us on Thursday 20th November for an exciting evening of sport featuring guest speaker Grace Balsdon, GB hockey player. Don’t forget to sign up using the link below.
Student Spotlight
Huge congratulations to Leah (Year 10), who has been accepted into the prestigious Performers Elite Dance Company! Leah is a star at KC—studying GCSE Dance and leading the Junior Dance Company every Thursday lunchtime. She’s a true inspiration to students in Years 7, 8, and 9, showing passion, dedication, and leadership both on and off the dance floor. We’re all incredibly proud of her achievement!
Parent Toolbox
The Wellbeing Hub
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 new sign up links for 2025-26 are below:
Prep B sessions (1h) are for students staying past 5:30pm, 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.
Second-Hand Uniform Shop - Autumn Term Opening Dates
The Second-Hand Uniform Shop will be open on the first Friday of each month from 3:00pm to 4:15pm. The next date is Friday 5th December. For those who cannot make this date, you can contact the Second-Hand Uniform Shop at kcseniorshop@gmail.com.
Flu Vaccinations
This is a reminder to parents to submit a consent or decline for the FLU vaccination via the Immunisation Service’s website, linked below. Please submit your preference by the cut-off date 17/11/2025. Your school’s unique code is: KT118946
Lunch Menu - Week Commencing 16th November
Chaplin Katie's Reflections of the Week
What does it mean to be an Upstander? This week our theme is all about upstanding, but it's not a word you hear every day. There is a lot of upstanding in the story of Jesus and it's mostly about how we should not stand aside when we see people in need. This week, the whole school participated in a Home Clothes Day for Children in Need. Everyone was encouraged to wear something yellow, bright, or with polka dots, in order to raise money for children who could use a little extra help. While our £2 might not be a lot to us, when we bring them all together, it can mean so much for others. May you feel the blessing of God and be inspired to stand up for others. Amen.
Have a wonderful weekend
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