Miss Handford's Reflections
Welcome back to the summer term! It has been wonderful to see staff and students return this week, ready for an exciting and busy term ahead. Our theme of the week has been ‘connection’, a fitting focus as we reconnect after the Easter break and welcome new members to our community, including Mrs Fryer, our new Physics teacher, and several new students. But what is connection and why is it important? Connection plays a vital role in our wellbeing. Research from Harvard University shows that strong, healthy relationships support every aspect of wellbeing from mental and physical to emotional health. Positive social connections offer emotional support, reduce loneliness, and help us build resilience during challenging times. They are also linked to physical benefits such as increased longevity, stronger immune function, and quicker recovery from illness. In contrast, social isolation is associated with higher risks of conditions such as heart disease, anxiety, and depression. The organisation ‘Action for Happiness’ highlights connection as the first of its 10 Keys to Happier Living, reminding us that the people around us provide a valuable support network and that investing time in those relationships is invaluable. Here at KC, we strive to ensure that every member of our community feels supported and connected. In Tuesday’s assembly, Mrs Payne reminded students of the many people they can turn to: form tutors, student managers, Mrs Johnson (Pastoral Lead), Sister Liv, Chaplain Katie, and of course all subject teachers. We encourage students to reach out whenever they need support. Our House system, peer mentoring programme, and Student Officer events also offer plenty of opportunities to build friendships and connections across the school. As we begin this new term, I’d like to leave everyone with the challenge of doing one thing this term to strengthen their connections. Join a new club, start a conversation with someone you don’t know well, reconnect with someone you haven’t seen in a while, or put aside distractions and spend quality time with friends or family. Let’s make this a term where our connections and community grow stronger than ever.
A Message From Mr Showell
Welcome to the Summer Term! It has been a real joy to see the Senior School return to life this week. The sense of purpose, energy and positivity around the school has been wonderful, and it has been a genuinely uplifting start to the term. I have spent time visiting a number of lessons over the past few days and have been hugely impressed by the focus, commitment and drive shown by everyone. This has been especially evident in Year 11 and Year 13 as they prepare to begin their public examinations very shortly. Their mature attitude and determination are a real credit to them, and I am confident they are approaching this important period with the right mindset. I would like to wish them every success. I would also like to acknowledge our excellent Year 10 students, who are currently sitting their exams. They have made a strong start, and I wish them the very best for the remainder of their assessments. Looking ahead, I am very much looking forward to the forthcoming Oceans Concert for both Prep and Senior students, and I hope that many families will be able to join us and share in what promises to be a very special occasion. The standard of musicianship at Kent College continues to be exceptional, and it is always a pleasure to celebrate the talent, hard work and confidence of our young musicians. At Kent College, we believe it is vitally important to celebrate our young people and the many ways they contribute to our school community and beyond. Recognising achievement not only boosts self-confidence and belief, but also reinforces our ASPIRE values (Achievement, Support for all, Purposeful Citizenship, Individuality, Reliability, Respect, Resilience, Enquiring and Creative Minds) that underpin ongoing success. This is why we are delighted to be showcasing more of our amazing students through our weekly News Round Up series, shining a light on academic successes, co-curricular achievements and the everyday acts of kindness, leadership and determination that so often go unseen. By celebrating our students in this way, we aim to recognise the hard work behind the achievements, inspire others to aim high, and ensure that every young person feels valued, noticed and proud to be part of Kent College. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support. It has been a fantastic start to the term, and I look forward to all that lies ahead. Enjoy the weekend and the sunshine!
Football Pitch
We’re excited to announce the opening of our new grass 5-a-side football pitch! The Prep children have already been enjoying it today, making full use of this fantastic new space. Set just outside the main Senior School building and alongside the Prep area, it’s a great addition to our outdoor facilities and a brilliant space for play, sport, and teamwork.
Congratulations to Poppy
Congratulations to Poppy in Year 11, who recently received a prestigious award from Charlton FC. She was presented with the honour on the main pitch at half-time during the women’s game on Sunday at The Valley, an incredible experience and a proud moment.
Ski Trip
Students and staff enjoyed a fantastic ski trip to Gressoney over the Easter holidays. Their time in the mountains was filled with fresh alpine air, exciting runs, and plenty of laughter both on and off the slopes. From early morning lifts to relaxed evenings together, they made the most of every moment. The trip proved to be an unforgettable experience, with everyone returning home with wonderful memories to share.
Lower Sixth Team Building Event
Our Lower Sixth students recently took part in an exciting team challenge, and what a fantastic event it was! Divided into three teams, students threw themselves into a series of fun and fast-paced games: Temple Quest, Mega Bite and Saint Nicked. All teams showed outstanding teamwork and determination, successfully completing the challenges in under an hour, an impressive achievement. While Mega Bite claimed the overall win, every team should be proud of their collaboration and energy throughout. It was a brilliant afternoon, full of fun and team spirit!
Lexington Celebrates Semi-Final Success in Catering Competition
We are delighted to share that our catering partner, Lexington, has reached the semi-finals of a highly competitive industry awards programme. A particular highlight of their entry is the inspiring work of Kitty, a member of the Lexington team, originally from Thailand. Drawing on her heritage, Kitty developed a vibrant street food-inspired theme that brought authenticity, creativity, and cultural integrity to the competition menu. Her concept celebrated the richness of Thai street food, focusing on dishes that reflect everyday culinary life in Thailand. Careful attention was given to cultural accuracy, ensuring flavours, presentation, and inspiration stayed true to their origins while still appealing to a broad audience. We look forward to seeing how they progress in the next stage of the competition and congratulate Kitty and the wider team on this well-deserved success.
60 Seconds with Miss Johnson, Teacher in Charge of Dance
Tell us a bit about yourself...
I am the Teacher in Charge of Dance at Kent College where I teach across KS3, GCSE and BTEC Dance. Before moving into education, I worked as a professional dancer, performing as a choreographer and backup dancer for professional singers, alongside experience on West End tours and working in hotels and cruise ship lines. I particularly enjoyed collaborating with other artists as a choreographer and seeing creative visions come to life on stage and in music videos. When we were affected by the pandemic, I adapted my career by training to become a dance teacher within education. Prior to this, I worked as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant in primary education, which further developed my passion for supporting young people’s confidence, creativity and personal growth. I am passionate about developing students’ technical skills, creativity and resilience, while encouraging a safe community and love of learning through dance.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
My favourite thing about teaching is seeing students grow in confidence and believe in themselves. Dance allows students to achieve highly while developing enquiring and creative minds. I love supporting students through challenges, helping them build resilience, and encouraging respect and collaboration within a supportive learning environment.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
My top tips I would give to students are to be curious and committed. Ask yourself questions, take creative risks and trust the process. Progress in dance comes from enquiring and creative minds, resilience through challenges and respect for yourself and others when working together.
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
Since joining the department in January, my highlight has to be our annual dance showcase. To witness the talent, dedication and teamwork both on stage and behind the scenes, the level of support, professionalism and creativity shown by students has been inspiring and I was very proud of each and every student who was involved. It truly reflects the strong sense of achievement and resilience we have built for dance here at Kent College. Our upcoming events are an exciting programme ahead as we reach the summer term, such as a trip in June to see Nikita from Strictly Come Dancing on tour, giving students valuable insight into professional performance work. Some of our students will also be taking part in 'The Dance Championship' competition within the local area. Alongside this, we will be running a range of inspiring professional dance workshops with professional working dancers who are currently active within the performing arts industry in the next academic year. Further details about these opportunities will be shared soon.
Productions at Kent College
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.
Finding Nemo
Join us as we follow the journey of Marlin, an anxious but devoted clownfish, who sets off across the ocean to find his son, Nemo, after he is unexpectedly captured by a diver. Along the way, Marlin encounters a host of unforgettable characters such as Dory, Sharks, SeaTurtles and Jellyfish. Together, these characters take us on a journey filled with humour, heart, and the reminder that even the smallest fish can make a big splash.
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
One of the best ways to connect with someone is to share the same thing you love. Get two people in a room who have never met and they might not have much to say at first. However, if they both love the same football team, they will never stop talking. Bonding over our common connections is what we do as humans. Once we make that bond, it's hard to break. As a Christian, I believe God calls us to be connected when Jesus said, 'Love your neighbour as yourself'. We should seek out the connections we have with each other, rather than argue and fight over our differences. When you focus on what you have in common with another person, it helps to see them as a potential friend. May God bless you with the curiosity to seek connection with others, Amen.
Upcoming Open Days
Lunch Menu W/C 27th April
Lexington Pop Up - Monday 27th April
Have a wonderful weekend
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