National Champions!
A huge congratulations to our U13 hockey team who won the Independent Schools' Hockey Championship Plate Competition on Tuesday.
The team, consisting of Year 8's Erin T (Capt.), Chiara, Summer, Jessica, Erin M, Jenny, Mia, Lily, Elodie and Bella, was drawn to play against five other schools: Godolphin and Latymer School, Brentwood School, Reigate Grammar School, Sedburgh School, and Seaford School. The team scored 17 goals in their five games, and beat each school in order to win the competition with 15 points and then be presented with the plate at the end of a long hockey day.
Thanks to Mr George and Miss Webb who took them all the way there, coached them to the win and looked after them for the two days.
The team will also travel to Sevenoaks Hockey Club on Monday 26th February where they will represent Kent in the Regional tournament for the South East. Good luck in the next round of the competition.
HALO Lecture
As it is an Olympic year, Mrs Hayes gave a HALO talk on the Ancient Olympics and how they compare to the modern games. She looked at the different events, how the victors were commemorated, how the games were founded, and what the original purpose was.
I thought the history of the Olympics was very interesting! There are so many things that haven't been discovered yet and that is what really intrigues me. Violet, Year 7
I found the Ancient Rome Olympic talk really interesting. I had never thought about its origins. I loved looking at the monument with all the names of the winners. Claudia, Year 9
Safer Internet Day
To recognise Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 6th February, we have been taking part in a number of activities this week:
Digital Leaders' Assembly
Our newly appointed Digital Leaders gave two assemblies this week based around the theme, Inspiring Change. The first one was to the Senior School on Monday and the second was to the Prep School on Tuesday.
The Digital Leadership team has been formed to help share knowledge about keeping safe online. They will plan activities to support younger pupils but also provide information to help older students and parents too.
Digital Resilience Talk
On Monday, Mrs Payne, Mrs Argyle from Prep and one of our KC Prep parents and Corporate Investigator, Katie Frodsham, gave an insightful talk on Digital Resilience this week. Parents were given lots of useful tips and advice about supporting their children to stay safe online.
If you missed the talk and are interested in receiving the resource material that was circulated after the talk, please contact the office.
Boarders' News
Trip to Wing Yip
Boarders had a great trip to Wing Yip supermarket this weekend where they bought some tasty food which they then cooked and enjoyed together.
Games Night
Heads of House in J&O, Ping Ping and Jazmine organised an end of term tower building challenge for all the boarders. They had much fun trying to build a stable tower out of spaghetti and marshmallows, followed by a game of Bench Ball to burn off the sugar from the marshmallows that were sneakily consumed during the build!
The winning team was lead by Vicky, a budding architect and the runners up were Mazvita’s team.
Futures Programme
The Lower Sixth students had a talk yesterday as part of their Futures Programme with Holly from The University Guys - an organisation that specialises in supporting students who want to apply for universities abroad.
Holly gave the students some great insights into the different systems and approaches to a degree education which they can find in other countries and her talk was packed full of useful information. It gave our students a lot of food for thought!
Other Sports News
Rugby
Year 9's Lyra was part of the Tonbridge Juddians U14 girls' rugby team who won the Kent championship this weekend after an unbeaten run across the tournament and victories against Sevenoaks and Medway. England Women's rugby team captain, Marlie Packer, awarded the trophy. Well done Lyra!
Athletics
This weekend Matilda in the Lower Sixth was crowned U20 high jump champion (despite only being 16) at the South of England indoor championships, with a jump of 1.74m, equalling her PB. This means she ranks second in the country now! Huge congratulations to Matilda!
Gymnastics
Our gymnasts had a very successful competition in the U14 and U19 BSGA Acro & Tumbling regionals last weekend:
- In the U14 pairs Amelia and Ava came first, qualifying for nationals with Emily and Zarina in second - they will be the reserves for nationals.
- In the U19 pairs, Darcey and Georgie finished second.
- In the U14 National tumbling competition, Zarina came first, with Amelia and Jessica joint second, Sofia fourth and Emily in fifth place.
- In the U14 Regional Tumbling, Chloe placed first.
- In the U19 tumbling, Darcey finished second qualifying for nationals
What a super competition for all our teams!
More Hockey!
Our U12's travelled to Burgess Hill this week, the A’s won 4-0 and then the U12 B's won 2-1. A great effort from our youngest players!
Finally, we all wish Laiose in Year 11 the very best of luck this weekend as she is competing for the U16 Ireland Hockey Squad in a four nations competition against England, Scotland and Wales.
Sport and Wellbeing
This week Years 9, 10 & 11 got their hands dirty with Chaplain Katie in Sport & Wellbeing! They were learning about being mindful of the smallest details in life by taking part in mindfulness exercises. But as we know life can get messy and this week they made kinetic sand which can help people in a tactile way, when they are feeling anxious or overwhelmed.
Children's Mental Health Week
As part of Children's Mental Health Week, Mrs Johnson's Year 9 ambassadors, arranged and ran a Year 8 team building session. They arranged a "just dance" session, where every form took part and we had a winning team - Celts! Students were judged in many different categories and everyone had a great time. At the end, Year 7 came and joined in, so one big dance party.
Soroptimist Litter Pick
Year 10's India, Lola, Jessica and Emily helped out at the Soroptimist litter pick on Tuesday lunchtime and managed to collect a huge black plastic bag full of rubbish in about 15 minutes before they went to lunch. Mrs Shortz was very glad you helped.
Year 7 Tug of War Final
The Year 7's were led by Mr George this morning for the tug of war final. Everyone put in a huge amount of effort. It was a lot of fun and two groups were celebrated for their amazing team work. Well done Year 7, you all did brilliantly.
Valentine's Day Activities
This week as it is Valentine day next week, 9 James have been looking at ways to say I LOVE YOU in different languages!
Staff News
This week we say goodbye to a much loved member of staff, Sister Tors Barwick, as she leaves for a new role at Hospice in the Weald. We are sure she will be an invaluable asset to their team, as she was here, and we will miss her very much.
I have had a wonderful time working at KC it has been a real privilege to care for and support the KC community. I will miss the relationships I have built with the wonderful students and amazing colleagues and will miss both immensely.
It’s with a heavy heart but with excitement that I leave to join the new palliative care children’s service at Hospice in the Weald. There is no place like KC and I will carry all the happy memories with me on to my next chapter.
Replacing Sister Barwick, we welcome Sister Olivia Cottrell.
Sister Cottrell is a Registered Mental Health Nurse who comes to Kent College from Caterham School to take over from Tors Barwick in the Medical Centre. Before becoming a School Nurse at Caterham, Sister Cotterell has worked in CAMHS Inpatient Services looking after children and adolescents suffering from various mental health disorders. Sister Coterell has a love for animals with three dogs, three cats, a hamster and a tortoise at home! She also has a passion for sports and is very much looking forward to being a part of the team here at Kent College.
Year 7 Pamper Night
Flexi Boarding
The evenings in H&H, our junior boarding house, are full of fun activities that day pupils can get involved in with as part of our flexi-boarding offer. Join your friends in boarding for a movie night, sport and fitness evening or even a spot of pampering! If you are interested in giving flexi-boarding a try, please email handh@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk.
For our senior boarders in J&O, weekdays are often spent studying (their fun happens at the weekends) so if a night in boarding might help to get work done or focus on exams, then please get in touch with jando@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk.
Pupils can flexi-board from one to three nights a week on a regular or ad hoc basis, subject to availability. The cost for a full night of flexi-boarding is £60 (including supper and breakfast). Our new 'late arrival' flexi-boarding, after 9.00pm, is £40 (breakfast only).