Mr Mossman's Reflections
For many years our boarding house has been home to a number of students from Mainland China and Hong Kong. These students bring so much to our community through their hard work and unique cultural perspective. This is a relationship that we are keen to maintain and develop, and so, two weeks ago I found myself boarding a flight to Shanghai, slightly nervous but also armed with some basic and probably awful Duolingo taught Chinese. Over ten days I visited 7 different cities ranging from Guangzhou in the South, to Beijing in the North and Chengdu in the foothills of the Himalayas. In every city I was able to promote our school’s broad curriculum and values to many wonderful parents, potential agents and language schools. Everywhere we went, hospitality and food were incredibly generous and often dangerously spicy. I was also lucky to be invited to visit the Forbidden City and a school project working with pandas; they are as cute as you might hope. It is hard not to be impressed by how developed China has become: massive skyscrapers, electric cars everywhere, robots in hotels and many, many technological toilets! A bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing took under four hours; it took me as long to get home from Heathrow! I was particularly struck by how much people in China are living online even compared with the UK, and I had to become quite proficient with vital apps such as WeChat, Alipay and Didi (a better Uber). Everything seemed to be photographed or videoed and then posted online. I think at least one video of me in a panda hat even went a bit viral! I will not be sharing that... Such ventures are exhausting, and it can be scary to go out of our comfort zone, but the experience is always worth it, to make connections and see the world more broadly: to become a global citizen.
60 Seconds with Miss Brown, Teacher in Charge of Drama
Tell us a bit about yourself...
From a young age, I found joy in dancing, singing, and acting - creative outlets that not only brought me happiness but also helped me grow in confidence. My mum always encouraged me to follow what makes me truly happy, and that guidance shaped my path. With her words in mind, I pursued performing arts at university and later chose to go into teaching. Today, I find immense fulfilment in inspiring others to discover and embrace what they love, just as I did.
Aside from teaching, my family, faith, and friends are my priority. I also enjoy going to the theatre and try to keep fit by swimming, running, Strictly workouts and eating homemade cakes!
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
With nearly twenty years of teaching experience, I am delighted to be leading the Drama department at KC. Teaching has always been my passion, and I especially enjoy creating opportunities for students to flourish - whether through school productions, theatre visits, practitioner workshops, masterclasses, or inspiring talks. For me, there is far more to drama than just performance; it is a powerful tool for growth. Seeing students gain confidence, develop leadership skills, strengthen problem solving abilities, learn to be emotionally intelligent, and value teamwork makes every moment of teaching worthwhile.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
My best advice is to stay positive, even when life doesn't unfold exactly as you expect. Keep smiling, and trust that everything will fall into place, because it will.
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
This term we have welcomed a range of inspirational industry professionals into our theatre to deliver talks to drama scholars, exhibition, aims and Gold Arts Award students. These include BAFTA award winning director Adam Wimpenny; former KC student and professional costume designer for television and theatre Nicole Garbett; television Costume Designer Louise Bright and physical theatre company Frantic Assembly. We have also enjoyed a trip to the theatre with Year 11 students to see the Mousetrap.
We were delighted to welcome Paper Birds, a theatre company who empower women, into school this week to work with Years 9 and 12. Anything Goes production rehearsals continue, and after Christmas we look forward to welcoming Damon Beesley to talk to Drama, Music, Film and Gold Arts Award students about his inspirational career as an award winning director, producer and screen writer. We also look forward to welcoming back former student Flavia White to lead a screen acting workshop with our Silver Arts Award students. We are taking Year 8 to see Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre and Year 9 to see Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre and have many exciting events planned for the department throughout the year.
Outstanding Results for Our Gymnasts at the BSGA Milano Regionals
Congratulations to our talented gymnasts who competed at the weekend in the BSGA Milano Regional Championships, held at Tormead, Guildford in Surrey. Our U16 team, Zarina, Chloe and Ava, secured an impressive 2nd place, earning a silver medal and qualification for the national finals in March. The U11 team, Margot, Harriet and Hanna, finished 3rd, taking home the bronze medal. This very young team competed exceptionally well against older Year 6 gymnasts, and we are incredibly proud of both their performances and their fantastic podium finish, with final scores extremely close. Throughout the competition, each team performed an individual floor routine, a trio routine featuring acrobatic balances, gymnastics skills and dance, and two vaults, with all scores counting toward the final result. A huge well done to all the gymnasts for their hard work and dedication, and special thanks to Mrs Cox for supporting them throughout a long and rewarding day.
Year 9 Drama - Paper Birds Workshop
This week, the Drama department were delighted to welcome the Paper Bird's theatre company into school for an inspiring devising workshop. Years 9 and 12 students explored how to combine text and movement to create original pieces of theatre. It was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to collaborate creatively, and all students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We look forward to welcoming Paper Birds back to our theatre in the near future.
Music Department Update
The Music Department have had a busy start to the year. We had a superb African Drumming Session with Richard Latham with students from Reception up to Year 13, followed by our wonderful KS3 Concert which starred students from Years 7 to 9 featuring music from Mozart to Keane. We were also able to include our Pathways students from Years 5 and 6 who performed so well. Anything Goes rehearsals are going brilliantly and the production is already looking and sounding fantastic. The Chamber Choir really wanted to record a piece we learned last year - have a listen to Stopford's gorgeous Lully, Lulla.
Textiles x Hildenborough School
A big shout out to our amazing Textiles Department for taking on the exciting task of refreshing the nativity costumes for Hildenborough School. Special thanks to the hardworking Year 10 students who have been giving up their lunch breaks to contribute to this valuable community project. Purposeful Citizenship, one of our ASPIRE values in action!
Physics in Action
Lower Sixth Physics students went up to London to see five sessions of phenomenal physics lectures given by experts in their field. It was a day full of inspiration, challenge, and experimentation across the breadth of physics. One of the highlights was seeing a 'Hoff Crab' named after the film star David Hasselhoff.
Our Christmas Tree Is Up
The Christmas season has officially begun at Kent College, as our beautiful Christmas tree is now proudly standing in the heart of the school. Sparkling with lights and festive decorations, it has already brought plenty of excitement and smiles from students, staff, and families alike.
Carol Service - Thursday 11th December
We look forward to welcoming families to our annual Carol Service, a compulsory event for all students. The service will begin at 7:00pm in the Old Sports Hall, with doors opening to parents and guests at 6:30pm. Students must report to their form rooms at 6:30pm. Students wishing to remain in school beforehand may attend a Prep session with supper (£7.00). Please complete the online form by Sunday 30th November to reserve seats and/or book Prep and supper. Seating is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; any changes should be emailed to senioroffice@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk. We warmly invite you to join us afterwards in the Theatre for mulled wine and mince pies.
Christmas Bake Sale - Monday 8th December
Mayor's Toy Appeal
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.
Lunch Menu - Week Commencing 1st December
Chaplin Katie's Reflections of the Week
The halls of KC have been quiet this week, or so I assume, since I'm away on my annual conference with other American Lutherans in Europe. If you didn't know this already, perhaps this is a good time to let you know, that while Kent College is a Methodist school, I am a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. That's right, I'm not even Methodist! Through time, many Protestant denominations have recognised that, while we have different ways of expressing our faith and fundamentals, we are all equal in the eyes of God and can share our clergy. That's how I get the privilege to serve the students and staff at KC! At my conference this week, we learned about how the Lutherans in Lyon, France, work with not only other Protestant denominations but, the Roman Catholic Church. We put aside our differences but celebrate our diversity to recognise that all humans are equal in God's family. May God bless you with the ability to see the equality in our humanity.
What's On This Christmas Holidays
Have a wonderful weekend
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