Miss Handford's Reflection
It has been a pleasure to welcome all our students back to school this week for the start of 2026. We also extended a warm welcome (despite the very cold weather) to some new members of staff joining us, including Mr Showell, our new Head of Senior School. A new year naturally brings an opportunity for new beginnings, fresh starts and new year's resolutions. This links perfectly with our theme of the week, ‘ambition’. In assembly on Wednesday, we explored what ambition means for us as a school community – our shared ambition to unlock the potential of all, be it in the classroom, on the sports pitch or on the stage. Our staff INSET echoed this message, focusing on how we, as educators, strive to be the best we can be so that we can help every student achieve their best. But ambition is not just a staff responsibility. I challenged students to consider how they will use their own ambition to set meaningful goals and take steps toward realising their potential. We reflected on how our ASPIRE values can guide this:
- Achievement – What will you do in class to reach your potential? Will you hand in homework on time or attempt extension tasks?
- Support for All – How will you help those around you and contribute to our community? Could you welcome new students or help new staff settle in?
- Purposeful Citizenship – How will you make a positive impact beyond school? Perhaps through sport, volunteering, or fundraising?
- Individuality – How will you pursue your own hopes and dreams? Will you choose your own path rather than follow the crowd?
- Respect, Reliability and Resilience – How will you show these qualities in your daily actions?
- Enquiring and Creative Minds – Will you ask more questions, explore new ideas, or choose new books to broaden your thinking?
We ended assembly by reflecting on a poem by Catherine Pulsifer, which encourages us all to think about our ambitions, embrace the fresh start a new year offers, set purposeful goals, and move forward with courage and determination. It was a fitting reminder that the year ahead is full of possibility and that with ambition, each of us can make 2026 a year of real achievement. A New Year’s Start A New Year’s Start The clock strikes twelve, the year is new, A chance to dream, a goal to pursue. Let courage guide each step you take, For every effort, a future you make. Set your sights on what can be, A life of purpose, a path set free. Though challenges rise, don't lose your way, Keep moving forward, day by day. With faith and hope, the journey unfolds, Embrace each moment, cherish your goals. The New Year shines, your dreams in view, The best is waiting - go make it true!
60 Seconds with Ms Bruce, Director of Performing Arts and Chamber Choir
Tell us a bit about yourself...
I joined the KC family in 2005 and have absolutely loved my time here. Before becoming a teacher, I read Music at the University of Edinburgh (in the same year as Mrs Daniels), graduating with honours. I then attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on the Mmus postgraduate vocal studies course. I took a two-year sabbatical from KC to study opera at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, receiving a scholarship to attend the MA Opera course, for which I achieved a distinction. During this time I successfully auditioned for Welsh National Opera and English National Opera and performed in Moses und Aron at the Royal Opera House and The Force of Destiny, The Marriage of Figaro and Suor Angelica at the Coliseum. I'm now in my first year of being the Director of Performing Arts at KC and am very excited about what we can achieve.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
There are many things I enjoy about teaching; I like introducing new music to students and seeing them grow to love it like I do. I like it when a student starts to believe they CAN actually sing or play. More than anything, I love seeing young people having fun and excelling on stage, growing in confidence and achieving things they never thought they could.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
- There is no such thing as "can't" in Music. Just practice. Musicians aren't born, they have to put the time and effort in, just like any other profession!
- Don't let one misplaced comment from a friend, teacher or relative stop you from singing or playing if it brings you joy. You'd be surprised by the number of professional musicians who were once told they were no good.
- Be patient with the process - it might be a difficult journey but it is absolutely worth it in the end.
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
One of my absolute favourite concerts was the Carnival of the Animals, the first whole school concert at KC, featuring musicians from Nursery up to Sixth Form with professional musicians. It included many other departments within the school from Art to Physics and fostered the real sense of community on which KC runs. The Carol Service was particularly beautiful this year and we are now preparing for Anything Goes in March and the Ocean concerts in April! I'm also looking forward to the black tie opera gala in July.
French Star Linguist Badges
Another successful term for our French students. We are proud to award the FRENCH STAR LINGUIST badge to the following students for their excellent participation, growing confidence, and dedication to learning French: Year 7 Martha L - Bronze Charlotte P - Bronze Lucy S - Bronze Sophia B - Bronze Isabella B - Bronze Annabelle C - Bronze Hebe T - Bronze Juliet M - Bronze
Year 8 Isla E - Gold Anabelle D - Silver Sage M - Silver Josie P - Silver Hattie S - Silver
Year 9 Rosie B - Silver Ruby G - Gold Cherise L - Gold Eve G - Pearl Elowen T - Pearl Tuana Y - Pearl
Year 10 Louise W - Gold
Year 11 Emma D - Bronze Miley R - Bronze Florence C - Pearl Poppy H - Pearl Donna P - Pearl Lucy C - Silver
Year 12 Elsa P - Pearl Claudia V - Pearl
French Christmas Advent Quiz
Thank you to everyone who took part in the quiz. Everyday the first 10 answers received a House Point. The following students also got 5 or more correct answers and received a sweet treat as well. Sophie W Annabelle D Jendayi M Layla W Rosie T Cherise L Ella A Hebe T
Art News
Paintings and prints have now been prepared to be delivered for hanging in County Hall Maidstone at the annual “John Downton Awards”. Congratulations to former students Piper L, Esme M and Verity B for having these pieces shortlisted.
Film Studies Trip to BFI
The Year 13 Film Studies class went to the British Film Institute on Thursday 8 January for a showcase day of the documentary 'Amy', which is one of the set texts for their A-Level course. The students had an excellent day - the highlight of which was being able to meet with the director Asif Kapadia, and take part in the Q&A session with him. One student commented on how "useful it was to hear from the Director himself" and that the insights into the 5 year process of making the feature-length documentary were really interesting. We're looking forward to continuing to enhance and support the Film Studies curriculum with upcoming revision days and further showcases of the set texts and theories.
Parent Toolbox
Week commencing 12th January - Podcast: Pornography, consent and online relationships with Dr Calli Tzani, Co-Director of the Cyberpsychology Research Network and Senior Lecturer in Investigative and Forensic Psychology and Professor Maria Ioannou, Professor of Investigative and Forensic Psychology
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 - Spring 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 Spring Term dates will be Friday 9th January, Friday 6th February and Friday 6th March. For those who cannot make these dates, you can contact the Second-Hand Uniform Shop at kcseniorshop@gmail.com.
Lunch Menu - Week Commencing 12th January
Chaplin Katie's Reflections of the Week
Ambition sometimes gets a bad wrap. As if to have ambition means that you're only looking out for yourself or all you want in life is to become rich and famous. Or at least that's what I've always attributed it with: success at all costs! But ambition is just the desire to achieve at a top level, not necessarily focusing on wealth or fame. You could even say that to be ambitious is to have a deep hope for something and then take the action to make it happen. Hope is the Chapel theme for the Spring Term and I'd like to think that we can be ambitious about God's call for us to love one another, care for the poor, and feed the hungry. How are we ambitious about making our world a better place for others to live? May God grant you the deep ambition to live in peace, be kind to others, and live in a way that make this world a better place to be. Amen.
Have a wonderful weekend
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