SOPHIE TURNER From King's High to Hollywood - SPRING 2018
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SPRING 2018
SOPHIE TURNER
From King’s High to Hollywood…
Head Master’s Introduction
It has been yet another busy and exciting term at King’s. A particularly strong and timely theme has been ‘empowerment’,
with the girls in numerous different ways seizing the initiative and being inspired to do so by our range of visiting speakers.
We were delighted to welcome Game of Thrones star, Sophie Turner, and her family, back to her King’s High family. Sophie
flew in from the US to deliver the inaugural Landor Association Lecture. The atmosphere in the packed school hall can only
be described as electric, as girls, parents, and friends from our wider school community, gathered to hear Sophie speak.
As Sophie spoke about her important work with the #TimesUp movement, I was struck by her powerful message: ‘The idea
of self-empowerment is part of King’s High’s DNA.’ A rallying call for our girls, and a reminder that King’s High has a long
and proud history of ‘speaking up’.
This is evident every day at King’s, from our girls celebrating the 100th anniversary of The Representation of the People
Act, which gave some women the Vote, to our Sixth@King’s students leading an inspirational Assembly for International
Women’s Day. Our girls’ voices are heard, from our new Junior Debating Society, girls competing in National public
speaking competitions, and the Citizenship Foundation’s Mock Trial – and even in Space, with our forthcoming live link-up
to the International Space Station!
We are very proud of each and every one of our girls, and I hope you enjoy reading about just some of their achievements
this term.
You can read Mr Nicholson’s Blogs by visiting the Home Page of our website at www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk. Go to Head Master’s
Welcome, and click ‘Read More’.
Key Dates – Summer/Autumn Term 2018 @KHSWarwick
Staff Inset Day Monday 16 April Staff Inset Day Monday 4 September
Term Begins Tuesday 17 April Inset Day Tuesday 5 September, with attendance
Bank Holiday Monday 7 May for new Year 7 & Year 12 girls
Half Term Monday 28 May – Friday 1 June Term Begins Wednesday 6 September
inclusive Half Term Monday 16 – Friday 27 October inclusive
Term Ends Friday 13 July (12.15pm) Term Ends Friday 15 December (12.15pm)
2
News and Events
Sophie Turner: Girl Power at Landor Association Lecture
Hollywood came to King’s High for the first Landor Association The chance to spend five days a week with people I love was,
Lecture. Sophie Turner, known to millions for her starring roles for me, the most important part of school. I left with conviction
in Game of Thrones and the X Men, came with her parents, in me and my friends’ values and potential. The idea of self-
and fiancé, Joe Jonas, to address her King’s and Warwick Prep empowerment is part of King’s High’s DNA.’
family in her old school hall. Sophie wowed everyone with her
‘I’m proud to be involved with the #TimesUp campaign, fighting
delightfully Puckish sense of humour, her energy, warmth – and
sexual harassment in the film industry and other workplaces.
killer boots. She spoke very fondly of her days at King’s, and
When we first discussed the project, sitting there with actresses
talked about growing up on a film set, her ambition to play Lady
I have idolised all my life, all I could think about was King’s
Macbeth one day, and her important work with Hollywood’s
High, and how everything we were discussing seemed a natural
#TimesUp movement, working alongside fellow actresses, Reese
progression from the ethos I imbibed at King’s.’
Witherspoon, Cate Blanchett, and Natalie Portman.
Sophie answered all the girls’ questions, and told them:
Sophie revealed: ‘My first real live audience came at Warwick
‘Perseverance is the key to everything. And persistence. Do
Prep. I fell head over heels in love with acting – the freedom, the
your research, and be passionate about what you do. Whether
opportunity for expression, boundaries torn down, and that sense
you’re talented or not, who cares – so long as you do the work
of being transported to another world. One of my biggest strokes
and commit. Being modest doesn’t get you anywhere, especially
of luck was getting into King’s High, where I hit the jackpot in my
in Hollywood. Don’t let yourself hold you back. You have the
Drama teacher, Sarah Barker-Doherty. She cast me in my first
right to pursue whatever you want to do, without prejudice or
big break, playing the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz – and I’m
exploitation. And you will be able to say you were a part of
pleased to say, I nailed it!’
change, and your daughters and granddaughters will live in a
She continued: ‘I wouldn’t be anywhere, or be able to put a foot better world because of that.’
before me, without the friends I made during my time at King’s.
3
King’s High and Beyond! Adventures in Space
Mr Nicholson says: ‘We strongly encourage our girls to develop
their interests both inside and outside the classroom. This culture of
empowerment led Eleanor Griffin (Year 12) to apply to ARISS Europe
(Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) for a highly
prestigious link-up to the International Space Station. This student-led initiative has resulted in a whole-school focus on Space Science,
both in the classroom – from Engineering to English Literature – as well as co-curricular activities, including our Mars Society.
To support this programme, we have appointed our own Space Scientist in Residence, John McGuire – a unique position, we believe,
for any school in the country. Excitement is building for our live link-up to the International Space Station at the start of next term, when
our pupils from King’s High and Warwick Prep will talk with the astronauts on board. We are also delighted that pupils from other local
schools will be able to share in the excitement, by joining us for a ‘Space Day’ on 17 April, and the link-up itself. All power to our pupils!’
Live Link-Up to International Space Station
When King’s High student, Eleanor Griffin
was selected to hold a space conversation
with an astronaut, she was inspired to
set up the Warwick Mars Project for
students across the Warwick Independent
Schools Foundation, to further interest in
Space Science. Eleanor says: ‘The moon
landings belong to the generation of our
grandparents, and the International Space
Station to our parents’. What will happen
in our generation? Will Mankind travel to another planet?’ She
will lead students in a live Q and A session with astronauts on
the International Space Station on 18 or 19 April – the actual date
depends on where the ISS is in orbit at the time.
Year 8 – Engineering in Space Stargazing Live
The girls’ favourite activity
so far in Year 8 Engineering
classes was designing a
craft that could safely land
astronauts on a planet
surface. Engineering is
focusing on the challenges
of colonising Mars, whilst
studying different aspects
of Engineering.
Exploring Space at King’s
John McGuire, Space Scientist in Residence, joined forces
with Stratford Astronomical Society to organise a Stargazing
Live event for students and parents of King’s High and
Warwick Prep. They enjoyed an Introduction to Astronomy,
Telescope Talks, and ‘Ask an Astronomer’ sessions, before
viewing the skies for themselves. This follows months of
Space activity, from the very youngest pupils of Warwick
A still from the EPQ documentary film Sophie Doyle made Prep creating Mars models, to King’s students developing
on the Northern Lights last year. In her EPQ this year, Eleanor their own Amateur Radio Licensing Club, to set up a link
King-Turner explored The Sounds of Space, turning astronomical between King’s and the International Space Station.
data into a soundtrack of Space.
4
Should the Voting Age be Lowered? – Junior Debating
The Junior Debating Society is on fire, debating topics as varied as:
Should the Voting Age be Lowered to 16?, If You Found £50 Lying
on the Street, Should You Have a Right to Keep It?, and Feminism
Is Not Working. As Maud Beidas, Year 9, President of the KS3
Debating Soc, says: ‘Debating is useful mind training. It helps to
think on your feet, enabling you to produce persuasive arguments.
It’s helpful as a transferable skill for essay writing and interview
preparation. It’s also great fun.’
Hannah Mason, Year 8, the Society’s Communications Officer,
says: ‘A crucial part of debating is the skill of being able to not only
rebut your opponent, but also use evidence to support your point.
Examples make arguments more persuasive and powerful, and
the more you can use in your line of reasoning, the better. This skill
helps in many situations, not only in debating, but in schoolwork,
as well as everyday life.’
Dr Seal helps organise Debate Soc. He adds: ‘We’ve had some
very high quality debating. The combination of passion, with the
clear articulation of ideas, and the use of on-the-spot rebuttal,
alongside astute examples, make for very engaging contests. We
are hugely proud of our KS3 debaters at King’s.’
Thinking Big – New Societies Year 7 Go Medieval
Launched By Students
From space exploration to our medieval antecedents, our
girls’ creativity is always to the fore. This term, the Year
7 historians have been studying Medieval England. Each
class put together their own museum of medieval life and
welcomed guests, including Mrs Watson, Mrs Steinhaus
Following the popularity of our student-led Societies, this and Mr McCorquodale. We saw a huge variety of exhibits
term saw a surge in new academic clubs being launched, including full size stocks, scythes, a model of the ridge and
in particular by our younger pupils. These include the furrow system, and even a cake in the shape of a medieval
International Current Affairs Society, for those interested cruck house. More recently, the girls have been out and
in History, Politics and Journalism; the Politics Society; about, having organised a guided tour of medieval Warwick.
Westminster Debating; STEMMillions, run in conjunction with They were able to explain to their fellow classmates what
Warwick Prep – open to anyone who is interested in STEM, they might have been able to see, hear and smell at various
and entering the STEMMillions competitions – and a new locations around the town including Smith Street, the Old
Junior Debating Society. Market Square, and St Mary’s Church.
5
Bank of England Short Film World Book Day
Winners
Jesmir Drake and Hannah Mason (Year 8) won Highly
Commended for their short film, Independence Cake in the Bank
of England’s Secondary School Film Competition, Bank, Camera,
Action. The competition theme was What Independence Means
to Me, and films were accepted in any medium – dance, music,
poetry, rap, animation, graphics, cartoons, interviews or news
articles.
Mock Trial Competition at
Birmingham Crown Court
Red Corridor was filled with fictional characters come to life
during our celebration of World Book Day. Our very creative
girls turned their talents to producing original costumes to
portray the best of children’s fiction.
School Ambassador for
Medical Careers
Charlotte Quinn (Year 11) writes: ‘I applied to be a School
Ambassador for Medic Mentor, which is a company that supports
aspiring medical students, all the way from Year 7, to when they
qualify in the fields of Medicine, Veterinary Science, Psychology
or Dentistry. I had to write a personal statement, explaining why I
want to pursue a medical career, and an essay on the challenges
that students face when considering applying to study medical
courses.
I was delighted to be selected as part of the Medic Mentor
group. I attended a School Ambassador training day,
representing King’s High, as one of the 60 schools represented
King’s High and Warwick School students were the youngest in the UK. We discussed various matters, from gaining work
teams competing at the Citizenship Foundation’s Independent experience in clinical settings, to the large variety of health-care
Schools Mock Trial at Birmingham Crown Court. King’s parent, careers available, and how to access them.
Tom Rochford, who sits as a Recorder (part-time Judge) in the
A large focus was on preparing young people for their
Midlands, helped mentor the group for the competition, and
future careers, and on working alongside medical societies
provided wigs and gowns. Our tyro barristers noted his practical
in school. Each month, I receive a pre-seminar booklet
tips, such as: ‘Don’t think barristers need to be theatrical. If
containing debates on current medical affairs, an example
you wave your hands about, the Jury watch your hands, not
of a clinical case and an ethical scenario centred on medical
you – and you want them to watch you.’ Our teams were given
issues, as well as access to a live seminar, which is shared
cases to present in Court before a panel of serving Judges, and
within the King’s community.
acted as Prosecuting and Defending Counsel, Jury members,
witnesses, and court staff. They finished an impressive third Girls will also be able to publish articles through the Medic
overall, competing against King Henry VIII, Repton, King Edward Mentor Journal, and attend conferences. I am delighted
VI High School for Girls, Edgbaston High, Solihull, Tettenhall to have been accepted to be a part of this process; it is a
College, and Oxford International College. fantastic opportunity to gain invaluable insight into Medicine.’
6
Inspire – And Dreaming Spires KHAPS Awards
Katie Rankin says: ‘I applied for a KHAPS PA award to help
fund a cookery course that will cover everything from student
living, to three course meals. I will be learning new skills that are
useful for daily living, therefore hopefully helping prepare me
for university, and living independently.’ Emily Boorman reports:
I’m going to be volunteering for two weeks with Syrian refugees
in Greece, handing out supplies and helping people who came
to the country with nothing. I’m so excited to be working towards
giving people a better chance at life.’
Eloise Bell 13H PADI Open Water Dive Course
Emily Boorman 13W Volunteering with Syrian Refugees
Katie Davies 13H Dressage Training Camp
Shubhangi Bhatt 12S International Science Engagement
Camp
Ria Dhillon 12S Cookery Course
Molly Donaldson 12W Work Experience in Spain
Eleanor Griffin 12S French Language Course
Daisy Jones 12S Headstart Engineering Course
Jennifer Jones 12S Leicester University Space School
Ally Keys 12W Spanish Work Experience
Emily Quinn 12H Smallpiece Trust Engineer Course
Katie Rankin 12W Cookery Course
Emma Jane Taylor-Watts 12H Engineering Headstart Course
Years 7 and 8’s Inspire trip to Oxford took the girls to Balliol
Milly Truman 12K Work Experience in Spain
College and the Ashmolean Museum. At Balliol, girls enjoyed
Annabel Wehby 12S Girlguiding Service Trip to Taiwan
a talk about life at Oxford – ‘And Why You Would Want to be
Eleanor Blinkhorn 11W Spanish Language Course
Here!’ – followed by lunch in Hall, and a tour of the college.
Charlotte Cunnane 11S Fashion Styling & Communication
At the Ashmolean, girls freely toured the exhibits, exploring
Course
paintings, sculptures, ceramics, tapestries, the music gallery,
Gemma Domingo 11S Spanish Language Course
and treasures of ancient Egypt. Some comments from the girls:
Daisy Nicolle 11W West Midlands Junior Triathlon
‘I found the university very interesting and enjoyed the Series 2018
experience.’ Jessica Anderson 10H National Schools Symphony
Orchestra
‘I loved seeing ‘Jerusalem’ by Edward Lear in the Ashmolean –
Elizabeth Murray 10H Physics in Engineering
a mountainous scene drawing you in through the valley’.
Florence Lloyd 10W Playbox Theatre Trip
‘We really enjoyed taking photos of each other by some of the Anna Turner 9S National Children’s Orchestra
incredible sculptures.’ Hannah Mason 8H Great British Music Camp
Mimi Parr 8K Art Classes
‘I found the lecture at Oxford very informative.’
Rotary ‘Youth Speaks’
King’s High fielded two Sixth Form and Year 10 teams in the
Senior Teams category at the national Rotary ‘Youth Speaks’
Competition in Warwick. They spoke before the Mayor of
Warwick, Cllr Stephen Cross, and Warwick, Southam, and
Warwick Avon Rotary. Fiona Boyle, Olivia Rochford and Ellie
Simpson debated Should the World Go Vegetarian? (Their
conclusion was not), and Alex Borras, Amelia Davies and
Ruth Hetherington and debated Does Capitalism Make Us
Happy? The judges were very impressed by the girls’ confident
performances, and use of humour.
7
Touch FM Radio Stars Host King’s High Poets On Verse
Our Young Quizzers
We have been celebrating thirty-two soon-to-be-published
King’s High poets. The girls’ poems were selected – from
over 13,000 entries – for the Young Writers Truth or Dare?
Simon Alexander and Oliver Gallant, Touch FM Radio’s Competition. Their poems will be published in an anthology,
Breakfast Presenters, brought their popular Kids’ Quiz fun Truth or Dare. Isabel Fear (Year 11) and Anusha Goodman
to King’s High, when they hosted our very own King’s High (Year 10) were finalists in the Warwickshire Young Poet
Trivia Quiz for girls who will be joining us in September. Ollie Laureate Competition. They took part in a workshop with Roy
and Si kept everyone entertained with their banter, as our McFarlane, former Birmingham Poet Laureate, and read their
young quizzers raced to answer questions like: ‘Which of own poems aloud. Issy describes their day: ‘It was an amazing
these were invented by a woman? a) The dishwasher b) The experience, and Roy McFarlane was inspirational. It was also
disposable nappy c) Windscreen wipers.’ (Warning – trick extremely surreal when I found myself talking to Matt Western,
question, the correct answer is all three). MP for Warwick and Leamington.’
Houses at King’s
Quiz Masterminds, Drama, Mayor’s Sponsored Walk
It has been another exciting term for the Houses at King’s.
The Junior Heads of House spoke eloquently about the
leadership opportunities on offer at King’s in a joint assembly
with the Prep School at Warwick Hall. There was an inaugural
Pancake Race which could not take place on Shrove Tuesday
due to inclement weather! Staff and students participated.
(Teachers were rather too enthusiastic and Mr McCorquodale
was nearly disqualified for unfair practices! A frying pan was
among the casualties!) Girls have used House meetings this
term to develop dances and drama sketches. We look forward
to seeing their performances soon. We have also enjoyed
participating in a number of quizzes with Rowling being
awarded ‘Masterminds of the School!’ Girls are also preparing
for the Mayor’s Sponsored Walk when we will raise money for
our four House charities – Roy Castle Foundation – Women
Against Lung Cancer, UNICEF, Kindled Spirit and Lumos – by
walking 10 km around Warwick.
8
Speaking for Women At King’s
‘Deeds not Words’ was the
SIXTH
@KING’S
stirring slogan adopted by
Emmeline Pankhurst (inspiration
for our own Pankhurst House),
and King’s High celebrated
the 100th anniversary of The
Representation of the People
Act, which gave some women
“…don’t strive to be perfect, just take action. The
winners in life are those who are bold in seizing
the Vote, in many different
SIXTH “Do what you want to do; my
ways. Girls held a 100 second
opportunities, even when they’re not ready for
experience has taught me
@KING’S them, those who aren’t afraid to fail, and those
who step out of their comfort zone.” that something interesting
always turns up that you never
silence – one second for
expected, and sends your life in a
completely new direction!”
JESS JEETLY, MBE BARONESS JUDITH JOLLY every year since the 1918 Act
OLD GIRL OLD GIRL of Parliament, and conducted
AN ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER AND CEO OF JEETLY LIBERAL DEMOCRAT – SPOKESPERSON ON DEFENCE
– A FASHION BRAND FOR PETITE WOMEN
a vote for the most influential
On International Women’s Day we celebrated some of our King’s High Old Girls, pictured above.
woman in history. (The eventual
winner was Rosa Parks). Emily Boorman, Year 13, Olivia Hamblett, Year 12, Beth Hammond, Year
12, Ruth Hetherington, Year 12 and Lily Jones, Year 13, gave a fabulous Assembly for International
Women’s Day. Beth announced: ‘It’s great that our school has such a progressive stance on
women in STEM. However, we wanted to shine a light on women making a difference in our
current arts world, a field still sadly dominated by men.’ The girls gave a brilliant presentation on
some of their own role models. Beth spoke about film director, Greta Gerwig (Ladybird), pointing
out that of the top 100 grossing films of 2017, women represented 8% of directors. Ruth spoke
about Mary Quant, and Liv introduced Key Stage 2 to musician, Annie Clarke (‘Trust me, she can
shred like no one else’), who has subverted expectations of female rock guitarists.
9
Creative Arts
Joint Middle School Production: The Curse of Cranholme Abbey
King’s High and Warwick School were given the opportunity
to perform the first-ever school production of The Curse of
Cranholme Abbey by Tim Norton at the Bridge House Theatre.
After Mike Perry, Director of Drama at Warwick School, saw the
play performed in Edinburgh, Tim Norton kindly gave access to
the original set, text, and sound cues (over 100 of them!), and
the cast were delighted to have Tim in the audience on the
opening night.
Co-directed by Anna Smith and Ollie Ritchie, the cast
performed this dark, atmospheric play with huge relish, and
moved between the different time periods – Victorian, 1940s,
Modern Day – with great aplomb. Set in a decaying house,
the play tells the story of a family curse, through a succession
of troubled brides – and one very disturbed child. Cameron
Thomas was stunning as the chilling ghost-child, with his
deathly white face, and a ghastly smile, that never left his
face. Purdy Blane was a lovely, troubled Countess, driven
to heart-breaking madness by her cold husband – Charlie
Atkinson – and the ghostly child. Georgina Wilkinson played a
wonderfully glamorous 1940’s fiancée (complete with perfect
clipped accent), who saw her dashing Pilot boyfriend, Will
Callan, succumb to the family curse, while the modern day
bride-to-be, Emily Button, brought huge warmth, and a nail-
biting climax to the play. Abigail Hunt, playing a fierce, Mrs
Danvers-like housekeeper, marshalled the ensemble around
the oppressive set, draped with shroud-like cloths. The whole
ensemble created a wonderfully malevolent atmosphere,
with their carefully choreographed mumbling, chattering, and
creepy movement.
Talent in the Spotlight at LAMDA Evening
We enjoyed a taste of just some of our talented LAMDA
students’ work at the LAMDA Evening. Fenella Twohig-
Howell and Lily Jones led the entire company in a delightful
skit on a LAMDA lesson, before Claudia Bottrill opened
the evening. There was a wonderfully varied programme,
from Shakespeare to Sophie Kinsella, and light and shade,
as the girls took us from heartbreak – Olivia Rickett, Ruth
Hetherington – to humour, with performances from Ottilie
Lampitt, Olivia Hawker, Freya Ostlund, Amy Covell, Carla
Estrada, and Amelia Davies’s outrageous Abigail, from
Abigail’s Party. Mrs Mills and her dedicated LAMDA team were
delighted to welcome Sue Marshall, former Head of LAMDA,
back to enjoy the girls’ performances. In a busy week for our
LAMDA pupils, 168 took exams in Verse and Prose, Acting and
Speaking in Public, and we are delighted that – as with last
year – our talented pupils all received Merits and Distinctions.
10Dance Evening – The Natural World
Year 7’s Play in a Day
On Thursday 18 January, the whole of Year 7 went down to
Warwick Hall for the eagerly anticipated Play in a Day. The girls
had been told that they would be working with Coventry-based
physical theatre company Highly Sprung, but they didn’t know
much else about the events of the day. Working in three different
groups, the girls spent the day with their practitioner exploring
the story of The War of the Worlds and set about devising
their own unique version, using physicality and movement as
Our dancers brought the natural world to magical life for the the key storytelling medium. What soon became apparent is
Dance Evening at the Bridge House Theatre. There were just how much fun the day would be! The girls were brilliant,
wonderfully creative performances from Altiora, our joint King’s throwing themselves into the exercises and workshop with great
High and Warwick School contemporary dance group, our enthusiasm and listening to the creative direction of their Highly
22-strong Hip-Hop crew, our Ballerinas and Contemporary Sprung professional. After school, families, friends and staff were
performers. From Amber Bellamy, Laura Barnes and Emma treated to a performance of the day’s work and what a delight it
and Esther Obetoh’s shimmering ballet solos and duets, to the was! Seeing the girls collaborate to present such an inventive and
inventiveness of the Hip-Hop Group’s Animals and Altiora’s imaginative take on this classic, filled the audience with immense
Like Real People Do, it was an evening of performances David pride and showed how much can be accomplished in a short
Attenborough himself would have cheered. time when everyone works together with such motivation.
11Music: A Term of Discovery, Performing, and Enjoyment!
Musical Horizons Brass and Orchestral Percussion
This series of concerts gives opportunities for our musicians to The Year 7 girls have had the chance to hear live
perform to parents, friends and supporters in an informal setting. professional brass and orchestral percussion playing as
This term, we have heard concerts featuring woodwind, brass part of their curriculum learning about instruments of the
and singing and another where our music scholars and most orchestra. It is wonderful and very gratifying that as a result
outstanding musicians had the chance to showcase what they of these sessions some girls have decided to take up a new
have been working on. Highlights from the series included instrument.
beautiful flute playing by Hannah Mason and Isabella Jones;
spectacular operatic arias from sopranos Evelyn Day and
Isabella Abbot Parker and real virtuosity from Jessica Anderson
(trombone) and Grace Harvey (flute). It was terrific also to hear
the fantastic Middle School choir from the Prep School who stole
the show at our singing concert.
Careers
Careers Talk Programme
Our Careers department has brought a diverse range of Anna Grabowska, who heads up Buying and Design at Joules
speakers, two of whom are Old Girls, to King’s this term. Year spoke on Fashion/Retail. She did an inspiring talk about
10-12 girls interested in a career in Engineering or other STEM the diversity of her role and how an initially small company
related subjects were invited to hear our Old Girl, Alice Quinn became a high street icon. She also talked the girls through
in her second year at Loughborough University, talk about how a new line of clothes for each season is developed, and
her work with the Engineering Development Trust and their the different types of career opportunities that a company
‘Headstart’ and ‘Inspire’ courses which target young people like Joules has to offer. We have two pupils going to Joules’s
(mainly in Year 12) who are making important decisions design warehouse for work experience this summer.
about Higher Education, in particular Science, Technology,
King’s Old Girl Lt Cdr Kay Hallsworth returned to King’s to talk
Engineering and Maths (STEM)! It was an excellent chance to
about her Naval career. Kay joined the Royal Navy in 1992
find out more about the opportunities and courses offered by
as a Student Nurse, qualified in 1995, was commissioned as a
the EDT and also what it is like to study Engineering.
Medical Services Officer at Sub Lt rank in 2002 and is currently
Our second speaker was Mr Peter Duffy, who has been a Commander. Kay spoke of her various roles including her
Marketing Director of Barclays, Audi and Easyjet. Our girls work on the humanitarian side, and working with migrants, for
were invited with the question: Are you studying, or thinking of example. She described her career opportunities as: a job with
studying, A Levels in Economics, Business Studies, Psychology, challenge & adventure, travelling the world, developing skills
Art or DT? They embraced this opportunity to learn more about for life. She encouraged our girls to: Challenge Yourself • Do
the world of Marketing from an expert. Something That Matters.
12SIXTH@KING’S
Extended Project India 2018 Fundraising Dinner
Qualification Helps the NHS
The commitment, passion and hard work our Sixth@
King’s students pour into their Extended Project
Qualifications (EPQs) was rewarded with excellent
results, with 17 girls attaining A*/As. EPQs this year
included amongst others, Felicity Whelan’s Performance
project, showcasing Irish Traditional, Modern, and Show
Dances, and Agiya Tadros’s Poster Campaign, aimed at
hospital staff, to highlight the importance of maintaining
the dignity of people with Dementia. This was taken up
by the NHS, with Agiya’s posters displayed in hospitals.
As ever, there was a range of fascinating topics, from
The Sounds of Space, the USA Gun Debate and
Bilingualism, to Brain Chemistry and Obesity, and
The Hero Archetype in British Medieval Literature. The ‘India Trip’ is seen as the jewel in the crown by our Sixth@King’s
students, who combine visiting India’s most famous sites with a week
teaching classes of over fifty children at a school in Dundlod, a few
hours from Jaipur. This joint collaboration we enjoy with our partner
World-Ready at King’s High school in Rajasthan has been going for eleven years, and once again,
our Sixth Formers surpassed themselves, raising funds for the school.
Girls worked fantastically hard, organising the India Fundraising
Dinner, from co-operating with local businesses, to making the Hall
look sumptuous. Parents, girls and staff enjoyed a three-course meal,
entertainment and a raffle, that all helped raise funds.
King’s/Warwick Young Enterprise
King’s High held a new-look Higher Education Evening,
where Years 11 and 12 girls and parents explored
Oxbridge, Work Experience, Gap Years, Medical
Applications, Overseas Universities and Apprenticeships,
and heard speakers from the universities of Exeter,
Nottingham, Cardiff and Oxford. Our King’s Links trips
continue to be very popular, as girls find them really
helpful, as a useful addition to busy university Open
Days. King’s Links joins girls with undergraduate Old King’s and Warwick’s three Young Enterprise companies, Kinetic, Forte
Girls, who show them around where they are currently and Captivate have been trading at The National Young Enterprise
studying, and give them the inside track. This term, we Trade Fair in Stratford, and at the Royal Priors in Leamington. Teams
have had very successful trips to Cambridge University, are currently working towards the IBM Central Warwickshire Young
and a Performance-themed trip to the University of Enterprise Presentation Evening on 2 May, the awards event for
London, where our recent Old Girls, Esther Miles, Laura local schools, where each team will give a four-minute presentation.
Woodhouse and Lucy Doyle gave our girls bespoke tours Teams are judged on four criteria: Trade Stand, Company Report,
of King’s College, LAMDA, and RADA. Company Presentation and Interview with the Judges.
13WPS & KHS & WS
King’s High and Warwick School Combined Cadet Force
King’s High girls and Warwick School boys attended an overnight our cadets a taste of leadership, as they were given full command
exercise at Nescliffe Training Camp in Shropshire with the roles in each of the scenarios they were tasked with. They coped
Combined Cadet Force (CCF). It was a useful exercise that gave well with some tough conditions, and enjoyed it too.
Full Steam Ahead – Our New Five for Five Workshops
STEAM Co-Ordinator
We have been delighted to welcome Year 5 girls from the
Prep and local schools to the first two sessions within our Five
for Five programme. The first, The Eye Does Not See What the
Mind Does Not Know was an afternoon of exploration of vision
and illusions. This session included a practical workshop on
dissection and the girls said it was ‘awesome’!
Orchestra Day
We hosted a splendid day of music at Warwick Hall.
80 children in Years 4 and 5 from local schools came
together to form an impromptu orchestra. In a single
day, they rehearsed well and performed music from Star
Sara Wilby is our new Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) and Key
Wars and The Lion King to an appreciative audience. The
Stage 2 (Years 3-6) STEAM Co-ordinator, bringing Science,
sound of Warwick Hall rocked as a room full of children
Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths to life together.
and parents were taught body percussion. An amazing
Miss Wilby, who teaches Science to our younger girls at
and uplifting occasion.
Warwick Prep, says: ‘I have enjoyed taking on this new role
and working across both schools. I believe that exposing and
empowering girls in STEAM subjects is so important.’ Miss Three further Five for Five sessions will be offered during
Wilby has led trips to the Big Bang and Science Lectures at the summer term: ‘Exploring Space’, the English Speaking
Warwick University and set up the after school STEMillions Union Debating Workshop and the already fully-subscribed
club, and girls have been working together on the Warwick STEM Day. For information and to register, please contact
Mars project. marketing@kingshighwarwick.co.uk
14Heads together: Working Bake Off at King’s High
Lunch for Head Girl Teams
Girls from Upper One at the
Prep much enjoyed visiting the
Food Technology department,
where a happy time was had by
all baking scones.
Sharing Music Together
Our Head Girl team – Alexandra Solt, Head Girl, Saffron Rai,
Deputy Head Girl and Penelope Islef, Senior Prefect – joined
forces with Poppy Landreth, Head Girl, and Isabella Forsythe,
Deputy Head Girl at Warwick Prep, for a working lunch at the
Prep. Lexi says: ‘It was really fun getting to know the girls better,
and we enjoyed our tour around the building.’
Joint Assembly: Sharing
Leadership Ideas This term, girls from King’s High have taken their musical
expertise to the Prep School. Our senior string quartet
demonstrated string instruments to the children in the nursery,
and our recorder consort did a concert during a Prep School
assembly. A traditional Renaissance Galliard was followed by
a joyous rendition of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic. We are hugely
enjoying the musical collaboration we have with the Prep
School. The younger pupils’ interest and excitement stokes the
enthusiasm of the more senior ones and renews their sense of
both fun and achievement.
King’s Girls Attend Prep
Computer Science Festival
In our first Joint Assembly, King’s and Prep girls focussed on
the subject of Leadership. Senior and Junior House Charity Head of Computer Information Technology, Simon Reid
representatives from King’s, and House and Vice House and CIT teacher, Lucy Thomas accompanied a group of five
Captains from Warwick Prep talked about the opportunities Year 7 girls down to the Prep where they were holding a
for responsibility they have, and the work they carry out, Computer Science Festival, provided by the Tablet Academy.
from being school councillors, to organising charity events, Our King’s contingent were there for a couple of hours and
including for our joint charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind. had a great time. The girls are writing brief reports about
Pupils, parents and staff enjoyed some beautiful Harp music the event which we will share on our website after the
from ‘The Harpeeters’ from the Prep. Easter holidays.
15Sport
Sports Round-Up
Sarah Parkinson-Mills, Director of Sport at King’s High and Warwick Prep reports:
The spring term has been one of great success once again for the girls on the sports front, with outstanding performances across
many different disciplines, and by a huge number of our girls.
The Hockey and Netball teams continue to be some of the best in the region and, despite training and matches being hit by
the ‘Beast from the East’, the girls have continued to impress. 16 girls were fortunate enough to take part in a Wasps Netball
workshop at the Ricoh arena early in the term which proved to be a very useful experience for them. There have been strong
performances and victories against a number of teams, including Princethorpe, Malvern St James, Bablake and King Henry VIII.
We have had 13 Hockey teams and 15 Netball teams in action over the course of the term.
The U13 and U15 Netball squads deserve a special mention. As the term has progressed they have taken on teams from all over
the country and London, playing in the Independent Schools National Plate competition. We are extremely proud both squads
played at a consistently high standard to make the semi-finals of this National competition. They have developed as individuals
and as teams throughout and it certainly bodes well for the future of Netball at King’s to have two teams competing in the later
stages of this competition.
We are extremely proud of the girls, their achievements and their competitive spirit when taking part in fixtures. There have been
a huge number of girls who have represented the school in a number of different sporting disciplines. Well done to you all. We
look forward now to the summer term, where the girls will have the opportunity to compete in Tennis, Athletics, Rounders, Tag
Rugby and Cricket.
Netball
U13s County Champions, U12Bs Second in Emerging Schools Tournament
The U13 Netball squad most definitely used their experiences in
the Plate Competition to see them take the County title at the end
of the Spring term. Competing against other local schools they
comfortably topped their group with victories against Kingsley,
Alcester Grammar and Bilton Grange. Coming up against Higham
Lane in the semi-final was going to be tough but the girls rose
to the occasion and comfortably ran out winners to book their
place in the final. Once again the team faced Bilton Grange. The
experiences the U13’s have had through this season came to the
forefront. After a cagey opening few minutes excellent composure
all over the court meant a gap began to open. Super shooting
under pressure from Hannah Walker and Sophie Gloster meant
King’s took the title by an impressive 5 goal margin.
In the same week the U12B team competed against a number
of other local school A teams in the Emerging Schools Tournament. We are delighted to say they finished runners up, which is a
superb achievement. Congratulations to all who took part!
Cross Country
Warwickshire Schools and Nationals
Our cross country runners have enjoyed the mud perhaps more than others. Special mentions should go to Daisy Nicolle,
who finished 9th in the U16 Warwickshire School Cross Country. In the U14 age group Gigi Thomas finished 8th out of a field
of 48 in the U14 version of the same competition. In the younger years Emma Dobson finished 12th in the U13 age group
and our youngest runner, Molly Bullock, ran extremely well to finish 4th place and qualified for the National Cross Country
Championships. Congratulations to all our runners!
16Hockey
County Championship Successes
In the County Hockey Championships the U12 team performed
superbly, in what is a fiercely competitive age group in the area.
A disappointing 1-0 loss to begin with spurred the team on to
victories against Bablake, Shottery and King Henry VIII. At the end
of the tournament there were three teams tied on points for the
Gold Medal. It was to be decided by goal difference, which placed
us in the Bronze Medal position. Whilst the girls were extremely
disappointed to have lost the title in this way it shows what great
potential they have for future years at King’s.
In the U13 XI County tournament there was a nail biting finish.
Building on their tour to Holland during the October half term
the U13 hockey team have continued to develop and impress. A
convincing win against Bablake set the tone, followed by a strong
performance against Princethorpe and another convincing win
against King Henry VIII. Going into the last game against Shottery
the team knew a win would give them a chance of a medal. In the
final moments of the game, a breakaway attack by Shottery forced a superb save from Jecca Tetley who had stepped up to play
in goal. Sophie Gloster carried the ball out of defence and played it to Gabriella Wait. With 30 seconds on the clock she passed
the half way line and linked up with Sara Constantin down the right wing. Sara broke in to the attacking 25 with 10 seconds
on the clock. Looking up she hit a cross to Olivia Smith who calmly collected on her reverse stick, and slotted into the goal
as the final whistle sounded. Scenes reminiscent of the Rio Olympics final followed as the girls celebrated their hard earned
Silver Medals.
Claypigeon Teams
Going For A Fourth National Championship?
Our Clay Pigeon Shooting team (National Champions 2015, 2016, 2017 – and practising hard for 2018!) were the Team winners
at the Oxford Gun Club’s Schools Challenge, beating the team from the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, a true
accomplishment. Chloe Goulbourne, Year 12, was third in the senior Ladies and Freya, Year 9 was third Prep Lady. Our girls also
won First and Second at the Warwick Schools Challenge, with Chloe Goulbourne the Top Scorer. Competition included Bloxham,
Cheltenham College and a large cohort from Millfield. Our brother teams from Warwick School also won their competition.
Badminton Teams
Central Warwickshire Bronze Medallists
Following on from their success in the Level 2 competition the U16 Badminton team went on to represent Central Warwickshire
in the Level 3 school games finals. They played superbly well, losing only to the eventual winners. Congratulations to Emily
Skillett, Faith Christopherson, Grace Harvey and Olivia Pigden, who finished in the Bronze Medal position.
17Waterpolo
U15s Third at National Finals
Continuing our dominance in the pool, but this time with a ball as well,
the U15 Waterpolo team have been in blistering form. They qualified for
the National Finals in emphatic style as Regional Champions, knocking
out the defending National Champions on the way. The team, made up
of girls from Year 7 to Year 10, and captained by Issy Hirst, travelled to
Northampton to compete in the finals.
In their first group game they play Manchester High School. It was a
cagey affair in the first half but Issy Hirst held her nerve when taking a
penalty to give us a 2-1 lead at half time. A storming second half meant
we ran out 6-2 winners. A great start to the competition. In the other
group game against Highgate confidence was high, and we won through
to the semifinal, 5-2.
After a short break King’s played Bedford in the semi-final for a chance
to compete to be crowned National Champions. Having played then in
the regional round we knew it would be a tough match. Bedford took
the lead in the game to be leading 2-1 at the half way stage. In the
second half we scored early to draw level then almost without answer
bombarded the Bedford goal. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and the score
remained 2-2 until the end. A penalty shoot out was to decide who would
progress. Disappointingly it wasn’t our day and we went out 3-4.
Keen to ensure we came away with a bronze medal, the least the girls deserved, the team showed great resilience and
togetherness to put on a solid performance once again against Manchester High. We dominated play to finish 3rd.
Congratulations to all the girls involved! To finish third in the country is a remarkable achievement and we are very proud of you.
Swimming
Victorious Teams
It seems a long time ago that on the first day of term the U13 and U12 swimming squads competed in a gala against Bromsgrove.
This set the tone for swimming this term with both age groups winning nearly every race.
The U18 and U15 A and B squads competed in the Bromsgrove invitational relays. It was a very successful day of racing with all
squads, including the B teams, making the A team finals. The U15A team of Connie Hodge, Maddi Nuttall, Evie Thompson and
Ella Vickers won two silver medals in the medley relay and freestyle relay.
The Warwick 100s later in the term proved to be a tense affair and one where the importance of every member of the squad
really came to the forefront. The U18, U16 and U14 squad all competed on the day with a number of individual wins for our girls.
The U14 squad, Sophie Gloster, Amalia Macheng Midtsaeter, Maddi Nuttall and Rebecca Morrison, took their age group title but
it came down to the last three races to decide who would win the overall title. We were level on points with Bedford, and came
out victorious by just 1 point. An outstanding effort from all involved.
The swimming squad finished their season at the Otter relays. This is one of the oldest and most prestigious swimming meets in
the school calendar. It is an open age group event and we took a number of young swimmers. To finish 14th out of 62 schools is
an excellent achievement.
Early in the term our Talented Athlete Programme swimmers were fortunate enough to take part in a breaststroke Masterclass
with Mark Branch, the Junior 200m Breaststroke Record Holder.
Athletics
Third at School Games Indoor Athletics
It seems bizarre to say we had our first Athletics fixture of the year considering the recent weather conditions. The Year 8 team
competed at the School Games Indoor Athletics competition. They finished 3rd overall with a particularly strong performance
from Georgia Cassel. We look forward to the outdoor season to come.
18Trips
Ski Trip World War One
Battlefields Trip
Girls had an all-encompassing view of World War
One, in the Centenary year of the war ending.
The trip took in Ypres, where Elisabeth, Gigi and
Sally laid wreaths on behalf of King’s at the Menin
Gate; Thiepval, where Tilly Morris found her great-
In February Half Term, 35 girls and staff headed to Lincoln, New grandfather; the Newfoundland Memorial Park, still
Hampshire, USA for this year’s Ski Trip. We were greeted by sub-zero manned by Canadians, and The Ring of Remembrance,
conditions with temperatures dipping as low as -16C which created the Lochnagar Craters, Vimy Ridge, the Sunken Road,
some extremely icy conditions. However, everyone wrapped up Passchendaele, and the small German cemetery of
warmly and had a thoroughly enjoyable time: the beginners turning Langemark, where thousands of German soldiers
snow ploughs into parallel turns by the end of the week and the were buried in mass graves. As part of their Medicine
advanced girls carving their way down some tricky black runs. The Through Time study, girls explored Medicine in
evening activities also did not disappoint, with a thrilling ice hockey the Trenches. They tried on gas marks, visited old
game, tubing, quiz night and a trip to the cinema. A great week was casualty clearing stations, and followed the real-life
had by all! case of a soldier who was wounded.
Trip to CERN: Home of the World Wide Web
Over the February Half Term 11 A Level Physics students
travelled to Geneva in a bid to further their understanding
of fundamental research into particle physics. Sandwiched
between trips to the International Red Cross Museum and the
UN, the girls travelled out of the city centre towards the snow-
capped mountains of France, eventually arriving at the home
of the World Wide Web: CERN. The girls were given a tour of
the buildings that house the ATLAS Experiment, famous for its
role in the discovery of the Higgs Boson, and impressed their
guide with their deep understanding of the Standard Model.
The girls returned to the UK inspired by their experience and
eager to throw themselves further into the world of bosons,
leptons and quarks!
19Project One Campus
Sixth Form Centre
In building a new, state-of-the-art school for the girls at King’s High,
we are very proud that Warwickshire is home to one of the most Students Learning On Site
exciting and largest school building projects of recent times. The There is nothing like learning at first-hand, and the
visionary Project ‘One Campus’ brings together all the pupils in the Project ‘One Campus’ build is giving students valuable
Warwick Independent Schools Foundation for the first time in our practical experiences. The team behind ‘One Campus’
history. The campus will include the new main school building for the – Surveyors, Architects, and Constructors, Speller
girls at King’s, plus new Technology and Sports facilities, a new world- Metcalfe, who built Stratford Hospital – gave a Careers
class Music School, shared with Warwick Preparatory School, and Workshop, taking King’s and Warwick students through
a stunning Sixth Form Centre, which King’s High girls and Warwick the entire process of a major build, from client brief,
School boys will share for social activities and curriculum enrichment. to project completion. The students were able to step
Project ‘One Campus’ also sees improvements to the sports pitches outside and see the process made real, as they viewed
for all Foundation pupils, including a new 3G rugby pitch and their future campus taking shape in front of their eyes.
additional netball and tennis courts.
20You can also read
