Mrs Payne's Reflections
Our new house captains ran their first house assemblies this week. It was a smaller cohort than usual due to Years 11 and 13 being in the midst of exams and Year 9 out on a school trip but nevertheless each house was full of enthusiasm for the start of a new period of leadership - I went to all three as although I’m obviously a true Saxon, I wanted to support them all! With the theme of the week being ‘Solidarity’, it was a brilliant opportunity for the new captains to bring each house together and ask them to stop and think about how we can demonstrate solidarity across the school. Each house then wrote letters of appreciation to people across the school who help/support them throughout the day. This included catering staff, office staff, the estates team, boarding staff and teachers. As I have moved around the school throughout the remainder of the week, I have seen these cards pinned to noticeboards or placed on desks having been gratefully received. A thoughtful activity that did exactly what it was intended to do – unite the students in a collective goal and bring together the whole school community in one small gesture. Acts of kindness such as this very much fit with our ethos as a Methodist school. Coming together in solidarity is a regular occurrence here at Kent College which is what makes this place so special. You can’t help but feel proud of the actions of our students and seeing them when they are all together united in a purpose and each week and I am fortunate enough to have a front row seat to all this. After watching the whole school come together and uniting for Kent College’s version of Eurovision last week (and the shock of the UK actually wining a Eurovision competition - do we think this could be repeated in reality on 16th May?! I doubt it sadly, but I will be watching! Next week our Student Voice committee will meet, again with new leaders who are full of promise and enthusiasm which will be another opportunity for our students to come together with a collective aim – to make a difference in the lives of the students at Kent College. These house and whole school assemblies are, however, just a small part of how at Kent College we are encouraging our whole community to stand together. Throughout each term in our chapel services Chaplain Katie leads the students collectively focusing on unity and compassion and emphasising the need to come together. Additionally, for our students to stand together authentically they first need to feel that they themselves belong. This means acting out in kindness on a day-to-day basis and we see this in our students standing up for someone to include them, supporting each other through different challenges or celebrating each other’s individuality. These moments of unity and compassion are a powerful reminder of why Kent College is so special and I am grateful and honoured to see our students living out these values so consistently.
Subject Spotlight
Sports News - Athletics Achievements
The junior and inter girl’s athletics squads competed in Dartford at the Track and Field cup. The weather was not on our side but the students all performed brilliantly. Our junior team came second overall and the inter team came third which is a brilliant achievement. Congratulations to Annabel, Isabella, Amelie, Fearne and Sophia in Year 7. Sophie, Rosie, Kayla, Sadhbh, Eleanor, Sage, Juliet and Imi in Year 8. Grace, Eve, Ava and April in Year 9. Lottie, Summer, Lily, Jenny, Eva, Erin, Honor, Jess, Bella, Chiara and Georgie in Year 10.
Individual Successes
Congratulations to Georgie in Year 10 who competed in a regional swimming gala. Georgie did incredibly well, achieving four PBs and swam the 50 fly! She is now 2nd in Kent for her 50 Back and 4th in Kent for her 100 Back! Well done Georgie. Congratulations to Lottie in Year 12 who captained the Tunbridge Wells Ladies 1st XI last weekend. Lottie was the standout performer in the game, leading from the front with the bat, scoring a sensational 89 runs for her team who went on to win the game convincingly. Well done Lottie on a fantastic start to the Cricket season. Good luck to Elodie, in Year 9, and Sadhbh, Year 8, who are representing Sevenoaks Hockey Club in the U14 Supra League Nationals Finals this weekend at the Nottingham Hockey Centre.
Scholar Focus
Sports Scholars in Years 7-12 recently participated in an intensive Speed and Agility Workshop designed to further develop their understanding of the physical demands required for high-level sporting performance. The workshop focused on the vital role that speed, agility, acceleration and reaction time play across a wide range of sports, while providing students with practical strategies to enhance these key areas of fitness. Throughout the session, scholars took part in a variety of specialised drills and performance based activities that challenged their movement efficiency, footwork, balance, body control, and ability to change direction under pressure. Alongside the practical components, students explored the underlying principles of effective speed and agility training, gaining insight into how technique, strength, movement mechanics, and consistent training contribute to improved athletic performance. Importantly, the workshop encouraged students to consider how these physical qualities translate directly to success within their individual sports. Scholars developed a greater appreciation of how improvements in speed and agility can enhance overall performance, increase competitiveness, support injury prevention, and build confidence in both training and competitive environments. The experience provided students with valuable knowledge and practical tools to support their ongoing development, reinforcing the importance of purposeful training and a professional approach to performance improvement.
Drama News
Years 10 and 12 GCSE Drama, A Level & Gold Arts Award students enjoyed a trip to the Old Vic this week to see a brilliant performance of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest thoughtfully directed by Clint Dyer. The production inspired students with its powerful ensemble acting; skilfully balancing humour with moments of striking intensity. A bold and memorable re-interpretation of a classic story, the performance left a lasting impression on all who attended.
Geography News
Year 9 visited Ashburnham to explore the importance of living sustainably. The students explored the importance of healthy soil, made flat bread and a stir fry using local ingredients and the highlight was foraging. Mile Irving, a world-renowned forager, encouraged the students to sample a range of edible plants. Great excitement was had by all! "We really enjoyed this trip, as it taught us so much about food and nutrition, but it also taught us about surviving in the wilderness with just plants. We found it really interesting how they used many different types of sustainable strategies as they made their own compost and recycled all of their food waste. We also found out that every year they rotated plants so the nutrition can be put back into the soil. It was a great trip, and we would definitely want to come back!" - Eve & Zarina "We really enjoyed Ashburnham, especially the cookies and flat bread making. It was also interesting to learn about nature and what is edible and what can be used for medicine. Linking with our Geography topic, it was useful to see how compost is made. Overll it was a day to remember!" - Marja & Ivy
Science News
We had enormous fun in Science Club experimenting with dry ice and exploring some exciting chemical effects. Using the dry ice, we created giant bubbles that seemed to magically fill with swirling fog, which was amazing to watch. We also “climbed the pH scale” with colourful reactions and even produced bubbling fountains that fizzed and overflowed dramatically. It was a fantastic hands-on session that combined science with creativity, leaving everyone amazed and eager to try more experiments.
In Science Club, we used nutrient agar plates to explore the microorganisms that exist all around us. We swabbed our hands both before and after washing them, which clearly demonstrated how effective handwashing can be in reducing bacterial growth. We also sampled surfaces such as the bottoms of our shoes and door handles, growing a range of harmless bacteria. It was fascinating to observe the different colony shapes, colours, and patterns that developed, helping us understand the diversity of microorganisms in our everyday environment. It was interesting to see how clean the bins and benches were!
English News
Creative collaboration in English: Designing Board Games. This week in English, Year 9 students have been collaborating to create a dynamic new board or card game for the market based on our study of ‘Macbeth’. Their objective was to create an educational, original, and fun game which demonstrates knowledge of the plot, setting, and character motivations in the play, as well as creating a ‘pitch’ to sell their product. Students have worked with great enthusiasm, creating their concepts, designing their boards, cards, and rulebooks, and ensuring each game is ‘fit’ for sale. They certainly know a lot of quotations now! Today, we had fun playing the games and testing out the rules, but only one team can claim victory. Who will take the crown? Well, in the words of Macbeth: “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me.” Let’s wait and see!
Student Voice
Hi! I'm Elsa, and I’m so excited to be the new Head of Global Citizenship at Kent College. I joined KC in Year 7, and I am currently doing A-Level Economics, French and Geography and an EPQ. My role as the Head of Global Citizenship is to encourage students to understand and participate more actively in helping the global community as much as possible. My aim in this role is to show the importance of being a good global citizen in both our national and international communities. Last week, I had the pleasure of organising and presenting the annual KC Eurovision contest for Years 7 to 9. This was a really fun event with impressive performances and presentations from each form but most importantly, it allowed form groups to understand and learn about the culture, history and music of different countries taking part in the Eurovision contest. I am looking forward to creating and running more activities to promote global citizenship at KC.
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.
Upcoming Productions
Finding Nemo - After School Performance
We are delighted to invite Senior School students to attend an after-school performance of our Key Stage 2 production of Finding Nemo on Wednesday 20th May 2026. Pupils from Years 3–6 are coming together to bring this vibrant show to life, celebrating collaboration, creativity, and performance. Our Year 6 pupils will take on the principal roles as they mark their final term in Prep, supported by younger pupils who will add energy and enthusiasm to the production. We would be thrilled for Senior School students to join us as audience members for this exciting evening. It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live theatre within the school community, support younger pupils, and experience a high-quality performance in the Countess of Wessex Theatre. After school, students will change on site between 4:15pm and 4:30pm before enjoying a snack. They will then take part in supervised activities, including time in the Hub or quiet games, until the performance begins at 5:30pm. The performance will finish at approximately 6:30pm, with collection afterwards. If would like to flexi-board that evening, please email Jane Silve on Jando@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk to arrange this. The cost for this event is £10 per student. As places are limited and demand is expected to be high, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Opera Gala
Save the Date - Friday 26th June at 6.30pm An evening of glorious opera in a beautiful setting. Tickets available soon.
The Railway Children
Save the Date - Monday 22nd to Tuesday 23rd June at 6.30pm. Tickets available soon.
Parent Toolbox
The Wellbeing Hub - Podcast
The Wellbeing Hub - Resources to share with students during exam season
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.
60 Seconds with Ms Mackie - Teacher of History
Tell us a bit about yourself...
I've been part of the History team here at KC since January 2025, teaching both KS3 and KS4 GCSE students. My previous role was in the state sector where I enjoyed teaching students from a wide range of backgrounds. Coming here to KC has taught me that no matter what the background, all children need a warm welcome in the morning and a positive learning environment where they feel safe to contribute and be themselves. I was also a student here (many years ago) so, in a way, it feels like coming home.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
The best thing about my job is the students. They are funny, kind, thoughtful and courageous. Every day is different and there's no other job quite like it. Having been through the teenage years with my own daughter, I understand some of the challenges facing young people today and it's a real privilege to be here for them.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
My top tip for learning history is to search beyond the classroom - go to historical sites, listen to podcasts, and search up documentaries. This helps to bring topics alive and to foster a sense of intrinsic motivation, curiosity and, dare I say it...passion for history.
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
We have some exciting things planned, especially our upcoming trip to the Tower of London with Year 7. The students will have a chance to explore the collections and learn some of the 'Secrets of the Tower'.
Chaplain Katie's Reflections of the Week
When reflecting on this week's theme of solidarity, I think about when Jesus told his disciples to reach out to those who are suffering. He calls us to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, visit the prisoners because when we do these things for others, we are doing them for himself. Jesus calls us to be in solidarity for those who are suffering just as we would if it were Jesus suffering. We are to lift people up when they are down but many times, that is not what we hear from society. The world of bottom lines, money markets, and fast fashion are all about how to succeed in life by not caring about the needs of others, only yourself. Being in solidarity with the least of these, as Jesus calls them, is standing up for workers rights, fair pay, and free from discrimination. May God bless us with the courage to be in solidarity with those who are suffering, Amen.
Half Term Holiday Clubs
Lunch Menu W/C 18th May
Have a Wonderful Weekend!
All photographs featured herein are the property of the school and are used in accordance with our photographic permission policy.