Mrs Payne's Reflections
Empathy At a time when there is unsettling news across the world, it is an appropriate moment to reflect on how we show empathy to others. ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12:15) calls us to practise deep empathy and compassion for others. You will have no doubt heard Mr Mossman and I in various speeches before now talk about how the academic and pastoral lives of our students sit side by side. We will both agree that for a school to be thriving, it has to be more than a place solely focused on achievement. Practising empathy can transform a school from a collection of individuals into a community that not only cares but also acts. It teaches that success is not only measured by achievement (of which there are many at KC whether that be academically, on the pitch, or on the stage etc) but by the strength of our connections to each other. In our KC community it is empathy that shapes the way people communicate daily. It is built into all that we are doing and into our ASPIRE values. True empathy begins with listening. We have a staff body who take time to hear their student’s worries or concerns, to stop, listen and help. We have a student body who want to do the same through our peer mentoring programme. Listening empathetically is part of our culture as we provide support for all. An empathetic school celebrates differences and appreciates different backgrounds and beliefs, our International Evening at the end of February hosted by our boarders, was a fantastic display of this where we celebrated the cultures of others and rejoiced in their individuality. There was also much ‘weeping’ from some as they said “goodbye” to their new friends – was it really only a week that they were with us?! The connections and memories made will last a lifetime. On Monday Celts, Danes and Saxons met as House families to consider what empathy means and how this can be lived out in their daily lives at KC. They thought about social action being an important part of empathy. When we take time to understand other people’s feelings and experiences, it encourages us to act. We put empathy into action. This means everyone coming together to improve each other’s lives and solve problems. This could be as small as actively listening to one another or as big as a whole-school activity. Each house watched a video about their chosen house charity and considered what more they could do to understand the feelings of those who are supported by the charities. They then made pledges about how they could be more empathetic towards others throughout the school day. I’m looking forward to reading the ‘pledge flags’ they made and seeing this lived out across our KC community.
60 Seconds with Mrs Edwards, Teacher in Charge of History
Tell us a bit about yourself...
I’ve seen a lot of changes since I first started teaching twenty-five years ago. From the chalk blackboards of my first History teaching role at St Thomas More School in Wood Green to the introduction of interactive whiteboards during my time as Head of Humanities at Hayes School in Bromley. Change is something you can always rely on in the teaching profession, but what has remained consistent is my love of teaching History.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
My favourite thing about teaching History is helping students make connections between the past and present and watching them have that lightbulb moment. Whether it be the realisation that recent events like the Bondi Beach attacks, have roots in the anti-Semitism that has existed since Roman times, or recognising similarities between the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s and the growth of populist movements today.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
My top tip for students would be to be curious and always ask questions. Whether that be to clarify your understanding, to query the validity of a source or to consider what was happening in a different part of the world. Communication skills are key and highly valued in the world of work. They also help you develop strong relations with your teachers and peers, whilst also progressing the understanding of the whole class. Discovering History beyond the four walls of the classroom is often a highlight of the academic year. Year 7 love their trip to the Tower of London where they follow in the footsteps of English monarchs, prisoners and even a jewel-thief as they explore the stories of the Tower in the places where history happened. The current Year 8 will be going to Ypres in October 2026 to experience the living conditions in the trenches and then learn more about the personal experiences of soldiers who lost their lives in World War One. They will of course also get to experience the delights of Belgium chocolate shops and waffles. Encouraging empathy with the situations that people faced in the past is one of the key aims of the department. We have previously invited Holocaust survivors into school to talk to students about their experiences. However, as the door gradually closes on this possibility, we are now taking the current Years 9 and 10 to Trinity Theatre in June to watch a performance called ‘Kindness’ by Voices from the Holocaust. Kindness is a play based on the testimony of Auschwitz survivor Susan Pollack who was sent to the camp aged only thirteen. After watching the play, students take part in a Q&A session to encourage them to empathise with the predicaments that people found themselves in in one of the darkest periods of History.
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
We have high aspirations for all our students in the History department. As part of the Global Citizenship Diploma, Year 9 are in the process of writing an essay on the significance of the Holocaust. This requires them to use the five Rs (resulted in change, resonates, reveals, remembered by all and remarked upon by many) to assess the significance of the Holocaust. One paragraph for example, will require students to explain how the Holocaust not only reveals the very worst of human behaviour through the actions of the perpetrators and bystanders, but also the very best through acts of rescue and resistance.
Our Whole School Production is Next Week
Our spectacular school production of Anything Goes is next week! Tickets are still available. All performances begin at 6:30pm and finish at approximately 9:00pm.
Year 8 and 9 Pompeii VR Experience
On Tuesday, 10th March, the Classics department took Year 8 and Year 9 students to The Last Days of Pompeii: The Immersive Experience at the ExCeL in London. The students saw a recreation of Pompeii through the medium of virtual reality. The visit included a seated VR session with headsets, where they watched a gladiator fight in the amphitheatre; an immersive room where they saw some of the destruction caused by the eruption; and a walk-around VR experience where they could explore a Roman house and witness what happened during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all. "It was really fun and I'd do it again."– Zarina, Year 9 "I liked the immersive room and the VR and I'd do it again." - Phoebe, Year 9 "It was cool to be a part of it. We loved it." - Annie and Sadhbh, Year 8 "It was really fun, but I was scared when I was immersed in the VR." - Olivia, Year 8 "Definitely recommend the trip. So fun to learn and nice to see what the people would have done." – Josie, Year 8 "I loved it so much, though when the volcano erupted I was scared." - Maddie, Year 8
Welcoming PC Brooker
PC Amelia Brooker, a former KC student, visited on Wednesday 11th March to spend time with students in Years 9–11. She delivered a session on how to stay safe when out and about and also spoke about the important issue of Violence Against Women and Girls.
British Science Week
To celebrate British Science Week (6th - 15th March), our Scholars, Exhibition and AIM students took part in a STEM workshop on Monday. The theme of this years Science week was Curiosity and we were fortunate to have three speakers with us for the morning, two of whom are ex-KC students. The morning started with an introduction from Mrs Connolly, Head of STEM at KC asking students to consider why curiosity is so important in STEM and how students can develop this skill. Students then had a presentation from Ms Holroyd about her experiences studying Medicine and serving as a GP. She gave students some insight into how curiosity forms a large part of the role of a GP and students even got to have some input into the case of Mr X and his presentation at a GP clinic. Next, Annabelle Cyster (2018 cohort), spoke to students about her role as a PhD student in Nuclear Astrophysics at the University of York and working in correlation with TRIUMF in Vancouver (Canada's particle accelerator centre). She spoke about her experiences working on the TACTIC detector project (the "TRIUMF Annular Chamber for Tracking and Identification of Charged-particles" detector developed by TRIUMF and the University of York). She showed students a GEM (Gas Electron Multiplier) and spoke about how this allows her and others on her team to measure nuclear astrophysics reactions and explained this with some models she had created. Students also got to see some radioactive materials in action in the Science Labs. Finally, Emily Todd (2014 cohort) described her unusual pathway to study at the University of Cambridge, where she is currently undertaking a PhD in neuroscience, studying the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological correlates of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) with the leading professor in FTD in the UK (Prof James Rowe) at the University of Cambridge. Emily was awarded the prestigious Dominey scholarship through Lucy Cavendish college for her PhD at Cambridge and also spoke to students about this. During her talk, students were able to take part in some cognitive tests which were a real highlight of the morning. All three speakers were keen to highlight the opportunities for women in STEM and both Emily and Annabelle were enthusiastic about the role KC had played in helping them on their pathways, developing skills and helping them to become the people they are today. We are hugely grateful to our guests for giving up their time to come and speak to us, peak our curiosity and provide us with such a brilliant insight into different areas of STEM.
"We found it really interesting to see real life examples and it showed us different branches that you could go into with Science. All the speakers were amazing and it was really fascinating to see their journey." - Ella, Annabelle and Josie, Year 8 "It was very interesting and we are grateful for all the opportunities we have." - Salome and Caitlin, Year 9 "I thought the talks were amazing and it expanded my knowledge on different areas of science and empowered me." - Eve, Year 9
Year 7 Kindness
Focusing on this week's topic of empathy, Year 7 students recently shared positive messages with one another. Each student wrote something they liked about every member of the class, including their form teachers, creating a moment of reflection and appreciation that strengthened the supportive spirit within the form.
Voices of the Deep
Join us on an exhilarating journey under the sea with orchestral music, choral pieces, poetry, art and dance all performed by our wonderful Senior School students, KS2 Music groups and professional musicians. Music ranges from The Pirates of the Caribbean to Titanic to Taylor Swift! Please come along for an unforgettable evening celebrating the Creative Arts at Kent College.
Under the Sea
Join us on an exhilarating journey under the sea with orchestral music, choral pieces, poetry, art and dance all performed by our wonderful Prep School students, Senior School instrumentalists and professional musicians. Music ranges from The Pirates of the Caribbean to Titanic to Taylor Swift! Please come along for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating the Creative Arts at Kent College.
Parent Toolbox
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 sign up links for 2025-26 are below:
Prep B sessions (1h) are for students staying past 5:30pm and are 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.
Chaplain Katie's Reflections of the Week
During our House Assemblies this Monday, Mrs Payne put together a great activity on empathy where we all made bunting with ideas of how we can show empathy. There were so many, I couldn't put them all up on the House bulletin boards! Each House learned more about their charity partners and how they show empathy to people in need. With a little empathy, we can make our world a better place to live for all people. May God fill you with empathy for the people around you, just as you would want to receive empathy from others, Amen.
Lunch Menu W/C 16th March
Have a wonderful weekend.
All photographs featured herein are the property of the school and are used in accordance with our photographic permission policy.