KENT COLLEGEDay & Boarding for Girls and Boys from 3 - 18 Years

No. 10 • December 2010

Magical Musical

Inspiring InspectionK

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Success Breeds SuccessDear Readers,

It seems a long time ago that we were enjoying the warmth and colour of the

Summer and the annual reports of exam success.

At A level, about half of all exams taken resulted in a grade A or A* with 76% at A* to B. The overall pass rate was 100%. The average point score per pupil was equivalent to 3 A grades. These results were better than other local schools including the best grammar schools. The vast majority of pupils seeking entry to university obtained their first choice placement including several candidates who went to Oxford or Cambridge, or to Medical School. Particular congratulations for high levels of academic achievement go to the following ‘straight A/A*students’: Jillian Lee, Piers Rudgard Redsell, Chris Lee-Evans, Justin Sit, Daniel Au, Barnabus Perenyei, Jacky Chan, Desmond Tam, Andy Yu, Rosey Hill, Tim Hung, Ben Sochacki, Yuan Lu, Mashiyi Wong, Miki Wu, Maple Feng.

The GCSE overall A*- C pass rate was 94% with 65% of all grades achieved at grades

A* - B grades - again results which compare well to other local schools including the best grammars. The following students received upwards of eight A/A*s:

Thomas Sayer, Lillie Harris, Lucy Bourne, Charles Olivier, David Cain, Laura Pieters, Lucinda Relf, Caitlin Shaughnessy, Robbie Sochacki, Connor Humphreys.

I am pleased to report that pupil numbers remain buoyant, the boarding houses are all but full and that we have had to start waiting lists in several years. The recent Open Days at both the Senior and Junior schools and the Sixth Form evening were busier than they have ever been as news of our continued success spreads. The IB programme in the Sixth Form has also attracted interest from British and European students new to the school and the first cohort has begun their IB studies in a positive way.

Our new Director of Music, Mr. Julian Ross, and his team are to be congratulated on the quality of concerts performed just before the half term break as part of the Canterbury Festival and here at school. Sedicum performed a wonderful recital in the magnificent thirteenth century hall at Dover College.

Other notable achievements this term include:

● Jess Smith, who left after successful A levels this year, has been selected to compete for both England & GB in international events for Double Mini Trampolining (in Portugal, Gloucester and France).

● Alice Bushell, in Year 10, recently researched juvenile crime as an English project. She found out about the Koestler Trust and decided to sponsor a prize for a juvenile in prison. She was also a guest at their annual exhibition as a result.

● Ellie Cane, in Year 10, created a short animated film which was selected to be shown at the Canterbury Anifest.

● Hannah Parry, from Year 8, won the prestigious Marlowe Young Musician of the Year competition, playing the recorder and beating a number of 18/19 year olds.

● The Senior School celebrated the Harvest Festival in style this year. Gifts included fruit, vegetables, packets, tins and bundles of food. The kitchens provided us with a wonderful harvest loaf and our own farm

supplied sheep’s wool. Not only were physical gifts donated which were gratefully received by residents of almshouses around Canterbury but also £335 was donated in financial gifts to the valuable work of MRDF (Methodist Relief and Development Fund).

● Last year’s Engineering in Education Scheme team: Alder Beano, Lamberd Beano, Richard Beaumont and Tom Vujakovic have been awarded the Platinum Award (Exscitec) and have been asked to provide a brief talk to this year’s EES teams about their experiences of taking part in the scheme at the UKC launch.

● Kent College U13 Girls’ Hockey team beat off competition from more than a dozen schools across Kent to win the county mini hockey tournament. The team beat King’s in the final 2-0 and only conceded one goal in their 6 games. They will take part in the regional finals in February. The KC U14 team will also take part in the regional finals after finishing runners-up in their county tournament.

● Mr Matthew Robinson from the Sports Department is to be congratulated for completing the gruelling marathon run up Snowdon during half term to raise money for Cancer Research. He was also called to take part in an Invitational Squad at the Dubai 7’s this year in aid of ‘Think Pink Qatar’ at the beginning of December.

There have of course been a number of other events and trips, the brilliant, if a little damp, Fireworks evening, the spectacular ‘Snow Ball’, the Spanish exchange to Vigo, the Duke of Edinburgh Gold expedition to Scafell Pike, the Geography Field Trip to Slapton Sands in Devon and the Year 9 history trip to Ypres in Remembrance week. In addition Mrs Glass and Mr Knapp have visited Iringa in Tanzania to set up a project sponsored by the British Council.

As I write I look forward to a wonderfully busy lead up to the end of term, full of Christmas concerts, shows and services in all parts of the College. No doubt we will all feel the warmth of the Christmas spirit by the end of term.

I trust you will enjoy reading all of the exciting articles in this edition of the Kent College Times and may I take this opportunity to wish you peace and joy at Christmas.

Dr David Lamper

CONTENTSFrom the Head Masters desk 1Press Release 2Duke of Edinburgh - Ode to gold 2Volunteer for Moonwalk 3Remembrance & Ypres 4Global School Partnership 5Sponsored Walk 6Bake Sale 6Harvest Festival 6Toughest Marathon 7KC Engineers gain Platinum Award 7Mufti Show 8In Memoriam 9Old Canterburian Club 10Junior & Infant 11Down on the Farm 15Sport U13 - U14 Hockey 15

From theHead Master’s Desk

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Duke of EdinburghOde to GoldOne October morn at Kent CollegeTen friends readied for an epic pilgrimageCooped up in a busFun for nine hours plusAccompanied by our silvered mountain sage

Sadly saintly dear Mr FellIn the jollity failed to foretellThat without having taken a flightWe’d arrive in the middle of the nightLeading to full board in a comfy Hostel

After having nasty camping skivedMany valleys the next day we survivedHot chocolate fought the dampAs we set up campJust as our friends from Devon arrived

After the bacon had all been friedAnd into the river had Sean taken a slideThe paths we could takeWere restricted by a large lakeAs we trekked to the mountain’s other side

We found our campsite: National TrustTo the jibe of protesting northern gustFor despite nomadic thrillThe glacial chill Meant rapping up warm was a must

And that morning, t’was truly freezingThe icicles on my nose were less than pleasingVenturing forth from our igloosInto ice sculpted shoesWith no sensory perception or feeling

But journey’s absolute zenithCame on a lofty peak near PenrithOvercoming Scree ridden hellThe boys summited ScafellEngland’s greatest natural monolith

From the campsite we were still quite farWhen the sky had faded to noirThen Phoebe did’st slipSomewhat lengthening our tripAs we waited on the rescuing car

How was it that night? Well I’m tornYou see at least it was fairly warmIn fact well did I sleepUntroubled by sheepAt least ‘till the breaking of dawn

Still with native and resolute hueTraversing the equally scenic M2We’d like to tell Mr FellAnd Tina as wellWe really would like to Thank You!

Thomas Sayer 18.11.10

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In a groundbreaking move, two Methodist schools in the same city

have combined to provide a water supply for a school in Ghana. Kent College, Canterbury and St. Peter’s Junior and Infant School have joined together to raise money for Santasi School which currently has no water supply. St. Peter’s School has a global partnership arrangement with Santasi and after a recent visit of some teachers from Ghana to Canterbury the challenge was

set to raise enough money to pipe a water supply into the school. Revd. Dr. Paul Glass, Chaplain at Kent College said, ‘It was such an important thing to do and seemed like such a great way for our three schools to be united together in a common purpose that we jumped at the chance to join with St. Peter’s in helping to raise the funds.’

Revd. Dr. Paul GlassChaplain, Kent College, Canterbury

PRESS RELEASE

Students excel at GCSE

Water for Life

Thanks so much for sending me the latest copy of ‘Kent College Times’,

with the obituary of Sidney Haynes, Mr. Haynes, as I shall always think of him. He taught me History, and so much more during those senior years. They ended in 1953, when I, and it now appears he, left the school for the last time.

He was so much more than a teacher of History. He encouraged us to develop enquiring minds, never to accept blindly at face value what ‘authority’ tells us. We had many spirited debates about current events, always in the context of the particular historical period under

study. I remember with respect and affection all the teachers encountered during my seven years at the school, but Sidney Haynes stands out for his absolute integrity, and for the genuine interest he took in all his students as individuals, and future citizens.

I don’t suppose many of your ‘Times’ readers will remember ‘Mr Haynes’, but for those of us who do I’d like to offer a final word of great respect for a man who certainly had a major influence on my life. .

Best. Tony Reynolds.

Letters

Following on from the triumph at A-levels last week students at Kent

College celebrated excellent GCSE results on Tuesday. The overall pass rate was 94% with 65% of all grades achieved at grades A* - B grades. 35% of all exams taken resulted in grades A or A*. All but 1 student achieved 5 grades at A*-C.

The following students received upwards of eight A/*s: Thomas Sayer; Lillie Harris; Lucy Bourne; Charles Olivier; David Cain; Laura Pieters: Lucinda Relf; Caitlin Shaughnessy; Robbie Sochacki: Connor Humphreys. Head Master Dr David Lamper said, “The pupils have achieved an outstanding set of results and so have secured sound foundations for the next stage in their educational career. Congratulations to them and to all of my colleagues for the hard work which makes results like these possible” Photo: Lillie Harris, Lucy Bourne, Tom Sayer produced 26 A*s and 5 As between them. All three continue their studies at Kent College: Tom, the International Baccalaureate and Lillie and Lucy A levels.

When Mrs. McGibney and I went on the website last year to sign up to do the

Moonwalk, we were disappointed to find that they already had the maximum number of 15,000. However, it did say we could sign up to become volunteers to help on the evening. We could have chosen to help in the early evening with preparing food, or the next morning to help with clearing up, but we thought we would like to see the walk itself and so chose the night shift.

As part of Pink Pilgrims we travelled to London in the minibus, unrecognisably decorated with big pink bows, and from the moment we set out, it was great fun. After we had checked into the hotel room, eaten our pizza, helped the others to sort their costumes out, we set off for Hyde Park. It was amazing how many people stopped to relate to us their experiences of breast cancer with family and friends and to give us money to sponsor our efforts. As we neared our destination, we began to see Playtex City, a huge pink marquee that had been set up in the corner of Hyde Park, rows and rows of portaloos, and a beautiful illuminated large white sphere, that became more and more obvious as the night deepened, representing the moon. At this point we had to leave the others to find our own entrance and a much smaller white marquee where we would find our kit and instructions. Not for us the fancy pink costumes and wearing our bras on top, rather we had to wear as many clothes as possible, as we would be standing still. We were each given a huge luminous yellow tee shirt with a bra printed on, and told to wear that over all our waterproofs together with a luminous yellow baseball hat. We were given a mustering point a couple of hours hence, and so we decided to go and find the

walking contingent of the Pink Pilgrims. A phone call later we realised they had still not got into Playtex City, but were still in the very long queue of walkers trying to get into Hyde Park. Reunited with them, we all went into the pink marquee and then we were hit with the enormity of the occasion. Everywhere we looked were women, and men, grabbing the opportunity to sit down and eat the food that had been provided. By this time it was at least 9.00 pm; many already looked tired, and yet they still faced a walk of 13 or 26 miles.

At 10.00 pm we two wished our walkers the very best of luck, and joined the hundreds of others who would be going to help marshal the course. Many of the volunteers were people who had brought the walkers to the event; others had useful skills, such as the off-duty policewoman who was in charge of our group. We walked to our location on the large traffic island dominated by the Wellington Arch, to stand by the traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing which leads across to Constitution Hill. On the application form I had put as my special skill that as a teacher I had a loud voice and was not afraid of telling people what to do, so our job was to form a human chain on the edge of the pavement, and stop the crowd of walkers just charging into the road, and so to funnel them round to the traffic lights.

We stood and waited, and began to be glad of all the clothes we were wearing. Just before 11.00 pm, the first walker appeared, almost running. She hated being stopped by the traffic lights and walked round and round in small circles until she could cross the road. More waiting, and the elite walkers began to appear, obviously interested in their times as well as the

cause. Then a much longer wait, time to marvel at how much traffic there was at that time of night and that there were still people having to stand in the buses. I began to see some twinkling lights on the far side of the Wellington Arch, and an odd sort of noise became apparent in the night air; It was the first group of ‘ordinary’ walkers. Not that there was much that was ordinary about them. All had their decorated pink bras on, some over T shirts to keep a bit warmer. Some were already wearing the thin clear plastic cape everyone had been given to help protect against hyperthermia. Many had managed to incorporate fairy lights into their costumes, and some teams had dressed up in matching costumes. Everyone was chattering and laughing with their friends and as they all came to halt in front of the traffic lights, we clapped and cheered them on their way. Then they were gone and we just had the traffic to keep us company. A few minutes later and a group of about 200 came into view and it all happened again. Wave after wave of brightly coloured walkers, all prepared to push themselves to the limit, swept towards us. It was sometimes difficult to keep the tears away. Amongst the walkers were the women whose T shirts pronounced they had beaten cancer or were trying to do so. One brave girl was on crutches and other sufferers, obviously too weak to walk, but determined to take part, were being pushed round in wheel chairs. The highlights for us were when we spotted members of Pink Pilgrims. They were not all together at that stage, a pair would rush over to us and give us a quick hug before they were borne away by the crowd across the road and down Constitution Hill.

Volunteering for the Moonwalk

After a couple of hours we realised that the last wave of walkers had passed our post and we were free to go back to Playtex City. There was a great sense of anticlimax for us, but we realized that for the walkers the night had only just begun.

We reckoned that we had walked about a quarter

of a marathon by the time we got back to the hotel, and then there was a long wait till our walkers began to arrive, exhausted but exhilarated, with tales of blisters, pitch-black portaloos and the sun rising over the sights of London.

What a night! I will never forget enjoying being part of a team working together with such a sense of purpose. Pink

Pilgrims was Kent College at its

best with its members representing every facet of the school community. They were supported by the rest of the school and the wider community who generously donated £4,604.37 to help fight breast cancer. Thank you to everyone!

Mrs Jean Gray

The History Department’s trip to the Western Front this year gave staff

and students an authentic taste of the Passchendaele mud, wind and rain. We visited Spanbroekmolen, a peaceful woodland lake formed in the crater of

an Allied mine,

one of nineteen exploded in March 1915 which devastated the area and was heard as far away as Dublin. At the excavations of the German trenches at Bayernwald, on the Messines Ridge, we were able to see first-hand evidence of the counter-mining strategies used to pre-empt Allied tunnellers. We paid our respects at the graveside of Second Corporal Sydney Norman Pocock of the Royal Engineers, one of several old Canterburians to be buried around Ypres and enjoyed a new excursion to the Passchendaele Museum at Zonnebeke, containing an interesting mock-up of a trench dugout. Next, we visited the Allied cemetery of Tyne Cot and the forbidding and subdued German

cemetery of Langemarck.

We ended our day in Ypres or Leper, as the locals call it. After a sustaining meal, we were again privileged to be able to take part in the Menin Gate ceremony, where a wreath was laid by Eva Harris and Daniel O’Shea on behalf of the school.

Mr Graham Noble

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Volunteering for the Moonwalk Remembrance and Ypres

Kent College has formed a school partnership with Klerruu Secondary

School, Iringa, Tanzania as part of the British Council funded Global School Partnership initiative.

Over October half term, Mrs Glass, Mr Knapp and Mrs Hilary Brian (school governor) travelled to Tanzania to spend a week at Klerruu, meeting with Mr Mafwiri and Mrs Mtola to share in classroom lessons and to hear what school is like for school students in Tanzania.

We had an exciting 10 hour journey by bus from Dar es Salaam to reach Iringa, seeing elephants, giraffes and zebras from the bus and fantastic views down the precipice!

We were very warmly welcomed at Klerruu at their assembly around the Tanzanian flag at 7.30am, and then we spent 5 school days in lessons, talking to students and learning what it is like to be in secondary school in Tanzania and how things are very similar and so very different at the same time.

Whilst we were there, Mr Knapp worked with Mr Mafwiri to prepare weather measuring instruments that can be used in both KC and Klerruu to compare weather and climate. A bigger programme to share learning about climate change will roll out during the next 12 months when we hope that Mr Mafwiri and Mrs Mtola will be able to visit KC and share in lessons. Mrs Brian (a trained nurse) was also able to share in teaching PSE lessons especially about contraception and HIV/AIDS. Mrs Glass was able to meet again the people she worked with when on VSO three years ago and they

helped install internet access for the school and we donated laptops for use in the classroom so that students and teachers can use the KC Moodle and access the internet for the first time.

The students at Klerruu all want to learn how to use ICT but currently have no facilities. 40 of the 800 students were chosen to have their first lesson ever using a computer at the neighbouring Teacher Training College, and Mr Knapp and Mrs Glass taught them some basic ICT skills (including having to teach ICT for half an hour during a power cut!). They were so excited and many of them want to be able to email KC students. If you would like an email penpal at Klerruu, please see

Mrs Glass or Mr Knapp.

Global School Partnership

I am pleased to report that over £1,500 was raised for the Teenage

Cancer Trust by the School’s Sponsored Walk during Activities Week last July.

The sun shone brightly and the pictures show the school thoroughly enjoyed the day with varying degrees of enthusiasm for the actual walking but always with a good heart.

Many thanks to all who took part, students and staff, and to those who manned the checkpoints along the route.

Mr Julian Waltho

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The Senior School celebrated the Harvest Festival in style

this year. Gifts included fruit, vegetables, packets, tins and bundles of food. The kitchens provided us with a wonderful harvest loaf and our own farm supplied sheep’s wool. Not only were physical gifts donated which were gratefully received by residents of almshouses around Canterbury but also £335 was donated in financial gifts to the valuable work of MRDF (Methodist Relief and Development Fund).

Revd. Dr Paul Glass

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Harvest Festival

The Charities Committee recently ran the most successful Bake Sale that the senior

school has ever seen. Lots of people baked the most wonderful range of imaginative and tasty cakes (including cookie monster cookies and the Chaplain’s own Eccles cakes!). Baking was sold at morning break and at the delightful evening concert that day. The timing to coincide with the concert was deliberate because we had chosen to support Classic FM’s Music Makers charity which specialises is providing quality music events to deprived children. The magnificent sum of £224 was raised. Thanks go to all who baked, bought and sold.

Revd. Dr Paul Glass

Bake Sale

Sponsored Walk

Toughest Marathon - Snowdonia

Heralded as the toughest marathon in Europe and one of the top five in the

world; my very good friend Mike O’Brien thought it would be a good challenge for me, to take up and complete as my first (and last) marathon.

Mike lost his father to cancer on the same day as I lost my mother and suggested we run in aid of Cancer Research, UK. I decided that since Kent College has close connections with MRDF I would run to raise some money for them too.

Dismal weather and the prospect of steep climbs including an initial four mile ascent was my introduction to the Snowdonia Marathon.

Nevertheless, with respect for the course (or was it fear of failure) we set off at a steady pace with the idea of running 1 mile every 10 minutes (completion in 4hrs 20min - very respectable).

We finished in 4hrs 40mins, a little outside what we had wanted but on a personal level I had achieved something I had often thought about (running a marathon) and raised money for some very worthwhile causes.

I would like to thank everyone who made a donation; you were all in my thoughts as I climbed the hills and to those pupils who wanted to know if I would run all the way - yes I did!

Mr Matthew Robinson

Monies Raised thus far:

MRDF - £8883.97Cancer Research UK - £2354.87Total: £13,238.84

Thank you all so much for your support

KC Engineers gain Platinum AwardLast year’s Engineering Education Scheme

team members performed really well at the Celebration and Assessment Day last April at the University of Kent, when they presented their project report about Rainwater Harvesting at Monkshill Farm, that was sponsored by Cummins based near Manston airport. The qualities of both the research undertaken and the final written report were judged to be excellent, scoring maximum marks in 7 of the 13 criteria assessed (the other 6 criteria were only 1 mark under the maximum in each case). As a result, the work was put forward for

the Exscitec Platinum Award, deamed to be of equivalent standard to a good 1st/2nd year university degree report. This outcome was most encouraging. In the National Assessor’s report for the award, the team all passed with ‘Flying Colours’, and were duly given the award for the outstanding standard achieved throughout. The photograph (right) shows the Headmaster presenting the award certificates during a recent chapel. Our thanks go to Cummins for their generous sponsorship, and also to Mr Peter King (the Cummins KC Mentor) for his invaluable advice and time given. Team members are:

Richard Beaumont, Alder Beano, Lamberd Beano, Nikki Liang, Tomas Vujakovic

I am confident that this year’s team (Chris Fell, Connor Humphreys, Charles Olivier, Thomas Sayer) will rise to the challenge of the scheme, and do really well too. Sadly, we have not been able to obtain sponsorship from an external company, but the Bursar and KC Friends have very generously provided the necessary funding so that we can take part. The project concerns water management at the KC Farm, so that rainwater can be collected efficiently, and prevented from

When Year 13 student Fliss Boobyer asked whether the Charities Committee could

run an event to raise money for the British Heart Foundation little could she have envisaged something as grand and involving as the grand Charity Mufti Show that raised a wonderful £1,000 recently. Pupils and staff got together to present a range of fantastic clothes over a variety of collections - sport, evening wear, winter wear and others. Special guests stars abounded from a clergy round featuring a range of trendy vicars to a 60s collection presented by a group of staff so fantastically disguised that it was hard to recognise our very own Deputy Head Master Mr Waltho and Director of Studies, Mr Letley strutting their stuff! There was music as well from a number of our talented musicians. All in all an evening of fantastic fun, much laughter and the raising of a large sum of money for a tremendous cause.

Mufti Show

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causing flooding problems into the existing tank system. This will cut farm budget costs down significantly allowing money to be spent more profitably, as well as providing water for the animals and cleaning purposes. Such self-funding is a new venture, but I am sure that it will prove to be very helpful in the running of KC finances, so that the investment will be fully justified.

More news about how the project is developing in future editions of KC Times. Mr D Montague

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In Memoriam

Everyone who knew my Dad would agree that he was simply a lovely man. He would

always think of others first and was unfailingly courteous and kind. We were blessed to have such a wonderful father and doubly-blessed that he lived to be 100.

How to give a flavour of a life lived so long? Well, Bill was proud to have been born in Cleckheaton in Yorkshire, although as his father died before he was born, he spent his early life in Wales. He and his sister, Mavis, used to recount tales of chapel five times a week and walking three miles to and from school. His strict Methodist grandmother even told him off for kicking a stone on the Sabbath. Then, when he was only

nine years old, he was sent away to boarding school, Kent College, Canterbury – clutching his Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, an uplifting gift from his mother.

At 17, his Uncle John arranged an interview for him with Barclays Bank in the City where he joined the bank’s Male Voice Choir and also played for their hockey team. In fact, in his early 20s, he was offered a trial for the national hockey team.

Dad was modest and self-deprecating about his achievements during the war, but he served in an anti-aircraft regiment and was mentioned in dispatches. As a Captain, he was posted

to Antwerp and to India, where he met Mr. Gandhi and enjoyed the experience of a completely different culture.

Two years ago, Bill moved to Fourways where he received such kindness

and care from everyone there. In March, he had his card from

the Queen and Fourways staff gave him a

splendid 100th birthday party.

He remained his gracious and charming self to the end of his life. Even in the short three weeks that he was at Sidmouth Nursing Home, he endeared himself to all with his smile and appreciation. As for us, we were touched by the staff’s compassion and patience and by the loyalty and support of his good friends.

Old Canterburians will be sad to learn of the recent death of Don Sutherland.

Don joined the mathematics department at KC in 1951, teaching at all levels. It was soon evident that he was no traditional dour Scot but a man with a sense of humour and a fatherly concern for the welfare of colleagues and pupils alike.

Born in Inverary in Argyllshire, Don was educated at Hamilton Academy in South Lanarkshire and Queen Mary College, London where he read Mathematics before going on to gain his teaching diploma at Westminster College. During the Second World War he saw service in the RAF in Egypt and East Africa, and served in the desert as the 8th Army approached.

A strict disciplinarian, Don set himself and his pupils the highest standards and gained excellent results. In addition to teaching

mathematics, Don took a full part in the life of the School. As a keen sportsman, he excelled on the squash and badminton courts, in addition to being Master in Charge of Tennis and coaching the Under 15 and Under 16 XVs for some twenty years.

Quite apart from being Senior Master during his last six years in the School, he was examinations secretary, a task demanding endless patience, and extreme care and accuracy. Don retired in 1987, devoting his time to his family and his hobbies, which included oil painting and DIY.

Generations of former pupils will recall with gratitude and affection Don and his many gifts as a teacher. Dr Gerald Colson

William Henry (Bill) Fearnley (1910-2010)

Don Sutherland (1922-2010)

Pupil Kent College: 1921 – 1926. Prefect and member of the hockey, football and cricket teams.Also at Kent College: First cousins: Ronald Morris Leach: 1921 – 1927 and John Raymond Geoffrey (Geoff)) Leach: 1924 - 1929.

Old Canterburians in Hong Kong

On 26th October The Head Master and his family enjoyed the company of OCs

and current parents at a reception at The Jockey Club in Hong Kong.

Students from the 1980s through to the last decade were represented and reminisced about memorable teachers and escapades.

There was general agreement that although some things hadn’t changed, such as

the ever present Bourbon biscuits in the boarding houses, although other rules had changed for the better, such as not having to ask permission to go into town without wearing school uniform at the weekends.

During the evening Giles Surnam (Head Boy 1984-5) was elected Chair and Chris Ko (who left in 2007) was elected Secretary of the newly formed Hong Kong branch of The Old Canterburians Society.

Old Canterburian ClubIn MemoriamJeremy Jeffrey writes from DublinI want to thank you for all the hospitality

that you showed to me on my recent visit back to Kent College. It was so good to see the place again after 44 years. So much has changed and yet so much brought back memories of my time there. Naturally the biggest change was seeing girls around the school - unheard of in my day, apart from the very occasional, highly supervised dance lesson!

I have read the literature which you kindly gave me and watched the dvd and found them very interesting and informative. The school seems to be doing so much for its pupils in terms of offering a wide range of stimulating activity and courses. A far cry from the fairly rigid timetables of my day !

Having said that, I am very proud to have been a pupil and boarder of Kent College and the education that I received has stood me in great stead over my lifetime.

I left school at 16 and I profess never to have been brilliant academically; however, after serving in the Merchant Navy for two years on board the P&O liner, Canberra, and seeing the world, I took up nursing and trained in Leybourne Grange Hospital

near West Malling, caring for people with learning disabilities. I have remained in that field for 42 years and I am proud to serve those people who are less fortunate than ourselves. I am currently a Behaviour Nurse Therapist working in Dublin, Ireland with people who demonstrate challenging behaviours. You could say that it is a bit like being a teacher !

So much has changed, but the heart of the school still beats with so many traditional values and with respect for the individual. I can honestly say that I am proud to be an “old boy”! Much of who I am today has been shaped by the education and the value-system installed into me in those formative years spent in Kent College. If anyone remembers me from the OC community, I should enjoy hearing from them.

I wish everyone in Kent College my best and, as I said, I am proud to have been a pupil in the school.

Jeremy JeffreyVernon Holme: 1958 - 1961Kent College: 1961 - 1966jeremy.jeffrey@gmail.com

Kent College, Canterbury is currently celebrating 125 years since its

foundation in 1885. As one of the longest serving members of staff Mr. Gerald Colson was appointed in 1960 as a House Master and French Teacher. Now retired and living locally, Dr. Gerald Colson remains on the College staff as Liaison Officer for the Old Students Association and continues to teach a few periods of French and Latin each week and can be relied upon to give further support when requested. Mr. Dudley Shipton, Chairman of the Governors said, “We are extremely grateful for Gerald’s unique, splendid and dedicated contribution to the College over fifty years.” This was marked recently by the presentation of a gold fountainpen by the Headmaster Dr. David Lamper.

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The Junior & Infant SchoolThose sunny September days seem a long way

away now but November finds me looking forward to Christmas as much as August saw me looking forward to the start of the new academic year. I often feel that I spend my whole life looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and never take enough time to enjoy the day. This term has certainly seen so much for our children to enjoy and so much for them to achieve.

It is wonderful for me to see children so positive about attending school; I know that their teachers

are working very hard to achieve this very special atmosphere. This edition of the Kent College Times gives a glimpse of all our achievements this term, for further information, please look at the school web site and press the latest news tab.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and thank everyone for the tremendous support that you have given to the school this term.

Mr A Carter - Head Master

Head Teacher’s Rambles Christmas 2010

Home From Home... News from Mrs Claire Pearce and the boarding team at Vernon Holme.

Our new year has begun at the Junior School boarding house and it has

certainly been a busy start. Due to expansion, lots of improvements have been made to the boarding house over the Summer: new staff, new routines many new children, everyone has been extra busy getting settled in.

Tuesday saw the arrival of some very excited returning and new boarders. Each boarder was shown to their newly refurbished room and excitedly they each choose a bed for themselves to settle into for the year. The wonderfully decorated themed rooms including our ski lodge room, the circus, the beach huts, jungle room and the magic room made for plenty of exciting options. Our returning boarders showed great confidence in returning and got back into their routines quickly and without fuss. They were a great help in showing the new boarders the ropes.

With extra staff on duty this year we are able to offer an even wider range of activities throughout the evenings and weekends:

Thursday was the first day at school and the children all looked so smart as I took them one by one to their new classes. I had anticipated lots of very tired children in the evening, but fortunately they all had enough energy and enthusiasm to enjoy an evening of games in the Sports Hall.

Friday night was movie and tuck night, everyone made themselves very comfortable in our new common room, the new gigantic bean bags were especially popular! Sharing sweets and treats, we all enjoyed a relaxing movie.

Our first weekend was lots of fun, with the majority of boarders staying ‘home’ the whole weekend, we had a wide range of activities planned. After Saturday morning activity clubs, we had football and hockey tournaments, later a tour of Canterbury and some shopping opportunities with Mrs Sargeant were enjoyed!

On Sunday we made the most of the wonderful weather and after church Mrs Humphreys took the children to the beach for a paddle, ice cream and lots of exciting rides.

Here are a few photos of some of the activities. It is going to be a busy but very exciting first term. We are delighted the boarding house is already starting to feel like ‘home from home’.

Please check our website regularly, as each week we will update you with all the opportunities, activities and fun from our Junior Kent College Boarders.

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On Monday the 6th September the whole school environment was open to

our Early Years children and their parents. Staff, parents and children all met in Mr and Mrs Carter’s garden for drinks and a brief introduction. The weather just about held out for us and allowed the children time to fully explore their classrooms and play in the grounds. Mrs Carter very kindly opened the swimming pool but the breezy climate only encouraged a few small toes to be dipped! The sports field was a hive of activity with the children enjoying the obstacle course, the space hoppers, hoopla, and even a simple game of football. Look out Mr Sweet there is quite some

talent amongst our Early Years children. The Bar-B-Que concluded the event as we all once again gathered in Mr and Mrs Carter’s garden to enjoy the home-cooked lunch. A fabulous start to the term!

Early Years First Day

The U11 Girls’ A&B Hockey teams enjoyed a successful weekend away. As a grey

sheet of rain passed through Canterbury the girls headed off to Bishop’s Stortford for their Friday fixtures. Both matches were tight affairs and were great preparation for Saturday’s tournament. Their behaviour was impeccable and they represented the

school and themselves extremely well. Early breakfast was followed by a short trip to the tournament venue at Bishop’s Stortford College, with separate tournaments for the two teams. Having at least four games each it was an excellent way to begin the season and prepare for the long list of fixtures ahead. Mrs Carter was at the helm for the B team tournament, along with Mrs Jennings. The girls showed particular determination and, after struggling in the first game, went on to do very well, excelling in their match against the hosts. Mr Pearce’s Zimbabwe squad had some tough challenges ahead of them, and acquitted themselves well scoring four goals and conceding four during the tournament, opening with a very impressive win. Had a fraction of our shots

gone in, the goal tally would have trebled! The girls worked extremely hard and were rewarded with success. Their style of play was extremely pleasing, showing a growing awareness of the systems of play.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend - the girls doing themselves, their families and their school proud. Well done!

Girls’ Hockey Tour - Bishops Stortford

Friday lunchtime saw all the boys in years five and six boarding a coach to take part

in their annual soccer tour to Brighton. Our first stop was Patcham Junior School where we played four games which brought us a win, two draws and a defeat. A short coach journey delivered us to our hotel, followed by an evening meal and then a trip to the local ten pin bowling centre. Mr Carter promised to share five pounds between all the players who beat him and then proceeded to get the

worst score of everyone! Saturday morning saw us travel to Brighton College where we faced five teams provided by the college and this time we again split the honours, with us achieving two victories, one draw and two defeats. After lunch we went to watch Brighton go top of the league by defeating Oldham with a last minute goal before travelling home, tired but very happy.

Football Tour to Brighton

On 5th October, Year 4 went to Bedgebury Pinetum, a forest of nearly 10,000 trees

and shrubs and rightly named ‘the premier outdoor site in the Southeast of England’!

We went to Bedgebury to use the forest as a resource, enjoying challenging outdoor activities that developed our problem solving, design, geographical and team skills. When we arrived we discussed how to be an effective team member and then we put this into practice during four games: the Adder Pit, where we used crates and planks to get the team across an (imaginary!) infested swamp; the Lumberjack Relay, where we worked together, dressed as lumberjacks, to get as many goals as possible using a wheelbarrow and bucket (don’t ask!); the Hanoi Tower, where we used problem solving skills and logic to get five tyres from one pole to another in a particular order; and the

Pollution Game where we worked out how to get a bottle of ‘herbicide’ out of a no-go zone with a stick, a pair of scissors and lots of string!

Following a hearty lunch, we then ventured bravely into the drizzle, armed with maps and clues (and wellies!) and did a treasure hunt in the beautiful grounds of the pinetum. The children learned orienteering skills, enjoyed the scenery, running freely, safe within the bounds of the Pinetum.

Invitational Cross Country Relays

Year 4 Trip to Bedgebury

Two bright, sunny Saturday mornings in October and November again attracted

hundreds of children to take part in our Invitation Cross Country Relay events. Without doubt the standard of athletics continues to improve as children enjoy the challenge of competition. Andy Carter, Head of Kent College Junior School, commented, ‘To hold these events means a great deal of hard work for our staff to ensure that they are properly organised, but to see so many children and their families enjoying the competition and our excellent facilities makes it all worthwhile.’ Full results can be read in the sports results section of the school website.

Our musicians treated us to two wonderful musical events during the Suzuki Play Together, when our youngest Infant

string players had the chance to play alongside the more experienced Junior players up to Year 6. A Recital Evening followed. This included three beautiful solo songs from boys in Years 5 & 6, a spirited March from the Clarinet Club, a rousing piece on the cornet, a snappy rendition of Scotland the Brave, complete with bagpipe effects, from the string group, a string quintet with a waltz especially arranged for them, and finally a performance of the first movement of Vivaldi’s Double Concerto for Mandolin by the very talented members of our string quartet.

Mrs J Spencer

Suzuki Play together

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The Junior School Choir has been busy rehearsing for the first big event of the

year ‘ Harvest Thanksgiving Service ‘ which took place in the Vernon Holme Sports Hall. They sang John Rutter’s ‘Look at the World’ and ‘Sing Praise and Thanksgiving’ by Malcolm Archer.

Meanwhile the Year 5 & 6 Choristers have been rising early for their 8.15 practices. They have been preparing the hymn ‘Father, hear the prayer we offer’ and an arrangement of ‘Joshua fought the battle of Jericho’ for a recording which will be sent to the BBC Songs of Praise School Choir

Competition. The Choristers also had their first rehearsal with the KC Choristers last week and hearing the sound of this year’s full choir for the first time was very exciting indeed.

Mrs J Spencer

Choir at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service

Children from the nursery and infant school at Kent College enjoy their harvest service

Children from our nursery and infant departments gathered together on

Monday to share a wonderful harvest service of thanksgiving. It was lovely to see so many school and family members in the congregation. The children performed harvest songs and a dance based on the ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King, accompanied the singing with musical instruments, and read to us all beautifully between each musical item. Dr Paul Glass, our school chaplain, gave his own special message with the help of one of his friendly puppets - something which we all love! Gifts donated by the children were then taken to St. Michael’s Almshouses in Harbledown. [see pictures below]

Thank you to the children, our marvellous audience who supported us, and all the hard work from the staff, which together made for a very uplifting harvest celebration!

Nursery and Infant Harvest Service

Sport U13 / U14 HockeyU.13Fifteen school teams took part in the U.13 County Tournament.

Kent College U.13 mini hockey team won the County tournament in style, conceding only 1 goal all day.

They beat Highworth, Colfe’s and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar in their group matches and played Sutton Valence in the quarter finals. They went on to beat Tonbridge Grammar School in the semi finals and won 2-0 against local rivals King’s Canterbury in the final.

The team now go on to represent Kent in the regional finals in February. The Squad: Marina Barwick (C), Georgina Townsend, Simone Moxam, Emily Hamlyn, Pippa Griffiths, Hannah Cobb (GK), Lizzie Neal, Rosie White, Anna Weston. U.14Kent College hosted the U.14 County Tournament on the 11th October. Seventeen schools from around the county took part. Kent College enjoyed convincing wins in

their group matches over Bromley High, Newstead Wood and Tonbridge Grammar and finished top of their group. They went on to play Ashford School in the quarter final and Sutton Valence in the semis.

The young side made up of many U.13 players met King’s Canterbury in the final, drawing 0-0 at full time and 0-0 at extra time. Inevitably the well matched teams battled it out with penalty strokes and eventually King’s took the title 3-2 on penalties. Kent College and King’s will both go on to the Regional playoffs in November.

Once again it has been a very busy and productive year at the farm. With the end

of the summer term came the highlight of the Young Farmers’ year - The Kent County Show. This year we took a large number of animals including five Limousin x Sussex cattle bred from our own cows on the Kent College Farm, three Friesian dairy calves, ten Texel lambs, ten weaner piglets, two ponies and small animals. It was Natalie’s and my first ever show but it was a great experience and we had plenty of help from the older Young Farmers.

At the end of the weekend everyone who participated came home with a rosette. Notably we congratulate Toby Groves, Marina Barwick and Sam Barrett for getting second place in

conformation and second place in turn out with their weaner piglets. Georgina Townsend also did very well with our ‘Cayuga’ duck, Swab. She came in second overall in small pets turn out.

As part of the beef showing, the young farmers are required to find a pair for the animal within the Young Farmers’ tent, this involves them having to judge other beef cattle to see if they match their own. This requires quite a lot of skill on their part and they are not allowed to ask the leaders for help. Once they have chosen a pair they must then show them in the ring. Lizzie Baker and Jack Pluckrose did very well in this group, finding a perfect pair for their cattle. Although they did not win this group the judge singled them out and said if there was a beef four then they would have won as the four matched perfectly, so congratulations to them.

Another great highlight was the fancy dress sheep competition. All of those taking sheep took part and had great fun. Well done to Lillie Harris and Georgina Townsend who entered as a beach volley ball team and came away with third prize. It was great to see everyone having a little fun at what can be an otherwise serious competition.

During the Summer we had some great new arrivals, six healthy Hereford x Sussex calves which will be going to the county show next

year. The ewes have also recently gone to the rams and we are hoping for a February half-term lambing if we have our dates correct!

The start of the new school term has once again seen some changes at the farm. Beatrice is now back after having a baby boy and has taken over the main running of the farm.

This November, an event which I would like everyone to be aware of, is the first of the Ashford Cattle shows held at Ashford cattle market where we will be taking cattle and sheep. The second is ‘Carols on the Farm’ where you can meet all the animals, sing Christmas carols and drink mulled wine. Carols on the farm takes place on Friday 3rd December at 5.30pm and Beatrice, Natalie and I hope to see lots of people there.

Rob GrovesFarm Assistant

Down on the farm!