Welcome back! It is such a joy to see the children back at school. A very special welcome to our new families – we are delighted that you have joined the KC community. Please don’t hesitate to pop into the office if you need any help or information. We are looking forward to a happy and successful term ahead together.
Prep School Forest Fun Day - Saturday 20th September, 9.00am-12.00pm
Don’t miss our Forest Fun Day! A family-friendly day of den building, marshmallow toasting, and woodland crafts — all set in our beautiful forest. Come and join the fun, and take the chance to chat with other parents too!
What happened in School this week?
Forest Explorers - Caterpillars
We've had such a lovely start to the term - our teachers are SO proud of us! This week we have been enjoying exploring our new surroundings and making lots of new friends.
Forest Explorers - Butterflies
We were so excited on our first day in the Butterfly Class. We met lots of new friends and new teachers and love our new classroom. We are learning all about our emotions and making class promises such as being kind, being honest and keeping safe. We have made a friendship flower and friendship bracelets.
Reception
The children in Reception have had a wonderful first week at school. They have been so busy with PE, swimming, music, drama as well as listening for sounds in phonics and playing counting games in maths. During child-initiated times it has been a real pleasure to see the children using their imaginations in role play, building with the construction materials, sharing and turn taking whilst playing games with their friends, making pictures for friends and family and exploring the different areas in our classrooms and Early Years Garden.
Year 1
Year 1 have hit the ground running! We have enjoyed exploring our new classroom and the big playground, we have also had our first swimming lesson, as well as going up to the astro with Year 2 for PE and finding the library. Phew! Forest School was lots of fun; there was tree climbing and rope swinging, as well as hunting for dragon eggs. Next week brings our first spelling test, and starting our class book, Cave Baby.
Year 2
Year 2 have had a very busy first week back at school! Alongside getting settled into their new classroom, swimming and sport, they became book detectives in English. The were able to solve the case of the missing library book Wolves by Emily Gravett but also found a variety of other fiction and non-fiction books about wolves, which they were able to sort. Then on Wednesday, they started off their Science topic of Living Things and their Habitats with Mrs Crotty. What splendid responses to asking the pupils if they could name something DEAD, ALIVE, or NEVER BEEN ALIVE! Mrs Crotty was particularly impressed to hear that the logs were once living but are now dead, as the tree has been chopped down. Sorting activities followed and a short piece of written work. What a super beginning to science – keep up that enthusiasm!
Year 3
This week, as part of our science topic, Year 3 went on an investigation around the school looking for rocks! With our clipboards at the ready, we recorded which rocks we could see, what they were being used for and whether they were natural or man-made. The children concluded that tarmac was man-made, gravel natural and a stone wall is both man-made and natural. They are looking forward to learning more about different types of rock over the coming weeks
Year 4
Welcome back to a brand new school year! It’s been wonderful to see familiar faces again and to welcome some new ones into our Year 4 family. 4S have kicked things off with a bang—quite literally—as mysterious ‘space junk’ appeared in the school garden, sparking wild theories from alien landings to iron monsters (and even suspicions about Mr Sullivan’s involvement!). Whatever the origin, it’s certainly fired up some imaginative writing. We’ve also launched into our Tudor topic, preparing for the drama of the War of the Roses, explored the states of matter in science, tackled new spellings, and got stuck into place value in maths. From hockey to music, singing to dancing, and plenty of playtime with friends, it’s been a great start to the year!
Year 5
Tremendous is the best word to describe Year 5's first days back in the classroom. The children have listened attentively, thought carefully and already enjoyed many lessons. Counting in and recording Roman numerals was a challenge and one that sparked many fascinating questions about history, travel and code cracking. The class have debated the use of AI in the classroom and launched their study of the Earth, Sun and Moon. Outdoor learning gave the children the opportunity to make a 'God's Eye'. Traditionally, a God’s Eye was a spiritual symbol, and the weaving process was reflective and meditative. The points of a God’s Eye represent the four elements of nature: earth, fire, air and water. The centre of the ornament represents the eye of God and is believed to have the power to see and understand things that the human eye cannot. In some cultures, when a baby is born, the father of the household weaves the eye of the God’s eye, and each year, until the child’s 5th birthday, another ring of colour is added.
Year 6
Year 6 have had a very busy start to their new year! In English they begun to study 'Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species', retold and illustrated by Sabina Radeva. They had to consider certain misconceptions around evolution as well as beginning to look through the text. Maths, swimming, French, drama and computing have kept everyone busy, not to mention training for the upcoming hockey match next week. However, the children found time to think about all the things that make Year 6 at Kent College special. Here they are enjoying one of the privileges: the Year 6 hut.
A Musical Year Ahead!
We are delighted to reintroduce the Musical Journey Scheme for 2025–2026, open to Years 2–6. Each week pupils will explore a different instrument — from clarinet and flute to violin, cello, drumkit, piano, guitar, oboe, saxophone and brass — taught by our expert music staff.
“I am sure everyone was inspired by the variety of instruments in last year’s concerts, and we’re excited to give pupils the chance to try them first-hand.” Ms Bruce, Head of Music
Alongside this, pupils may also take Instrumental or Singing Tuition. Regular daily practice is key to progress, and timetables will be provided. Please note lessons are charged in advance, require a term’s written notice to discontinue, and missed lessons are still chargeable. Teachers give 27 lessons per year and will rearrange if they themselves are absent.
We look forward to another year of musical discovery and inspiration!
Sport News
We’re looking forward to an exciting year of sport and plenty of fun ahead, and for the Autumn Term we will kick off with Hockey. Please ensure your child has shin pads, a mouth guard and brings a hockey stick if they have one; we provide hockey sticks for anyone that does not. This year in hockey we will have a huge focus on technical skills and overall control of the ball whilst incorporating these skills into match situations and prepping the children for fixtures. Everything we do in each session will have a huge fun factor to get our KC pupils engaged and excited for the upcoming season.
Speech and Drama lessons 2025
Congratulations to all our LAMDA participants, I am absolutely delighted with the results. Our Prep School students achieved straight distinctions across the board — a fantastic reflection of their hard work, enthusiasm, and growing confidence. I couldn’t be more proud of their achievements!" – Mrs Lawson-Wood
Alongside class Drama, we are delighted to offer private Speech and Drama lessons for pupils from Year 3 upwards. These fun and engaging sessions, usually taken in pairs, are a wonderful way for children to grow in confidence, develop clear communication skills, and discover the joy of performance. Pupils will explore Acting, Mime, and Verse & Prose, while working towards Vanguard and LAMDA examinations — an exciting opportunity to gain recognised qualifications either individually or in pairs. With two exams each academic year and 9–10 lessons per term, Speech and Drama provides an excellent foundation for building skills that will benefit pupils both on stage and in everyday life.
You may also like to look at the following websites for further information:
Please contact Mrs Lawson-Wood for more details on SLWspeechanddrama@outlook.com
Welcoming Boys From September 2026 to the Senior School
You will have seen the very exciting news that from September 2026, Kent College will begin welcoming boys to the Senior School, marking a new chapter in our very proud history. For more information please follow the link and book for the open day on 4 October for entry to the Senior Open Morning in 2026 and 2027. Book HERE
Have a wonderful weekend!
This newsletter is exclusively intended for the Kent College Community. All photographs featured herein are the property of the school and are used in accordance with our photographic permission policy.