Dear KES Community
As we draw to the end of a long, and undeniably difficult, term, we would like to get a sense from staff, pupils and parents on how we are dealing with some specific elements of change due to the COVID restrictions. For this reason we have devised a short questionnaire which is being sent to everybody. In particular, we are interested in your feelings on how we have communicated to you (whether in general or in the event of specific positive test results); whether or not you agree with our decision to move to non-uniform from November to February; and how you found the experience of on-line parents’ evenings (this final question only being applicable to some year groups and parents who have used the system). We have made the questions quite direct and limited in scope, as we have had regular feedback throughout the term, and do not wish to burden you or our colleagues with a lengthy survey to complete. Instead we are seeking a more general ‘sense check’ on how the term has gone in these areas.
I would encourage you to participate and provide your responses whether negative or positive. We would love to get a high response rate, so that we can be more sure that the outcomes represent a cross-section of our community. After all, it is likely that restrictions will continue at least for the Spring term, and we always want to try to improve how we are dealing with the pandemic.
The survey will close on Monday 14th December at 4pm. You can access the survey here.
With thanks in advance for your help and consideration.
Neal Parker
Head
Neal Parker
@HeadKESSoton
Whole School Notices
Message From The Senior School Nurse
A reminder to parents of all third year pupils to complete and return a hard copy of the consent form for the School Leaver Booster by Wednesday 16 December. If you do not wish your child to receive these vaccinations, you should still return the consent form indicating this. Please do not send photographs of consent forms.
KES Carol Service
Our annual KES Christmas Carol service is being streamed on Monday 14 December at 7.30pm. We hope you will try to make time to gather as a family and watch the service along with us, from your own homes.
To access the streaming of our pre-recorded Carol Service, use this link.
In case you are unable to watch the service ‘as live’, it will remain available online throughout the Christmas season. So you can choose your perfect family moment to ‘kick off’ the festivities (as we always have done, and always will do) with the KES Christmas Carol Service.
No Late Buses December 18
There will be no late buses running on Friday 18 December. Therefore all pupils should leave the School by 4.10pm.
Music Competition
The Music Competition (Grade V-VII and Grade VIII+) will take place on Monday 18th January, adjudicated by Ruth Rogers; principal violinist of the London Mozart Players. If you would like to take part, please collect your application forms from Miss Barnett. For more information, please see this poster.
Deadline is 9th January, but please submit your entry before Christmas if possible!
Lost Property
Over the holidays please can all parents check whether your
child has any items of clothing or equipment that doesn’t belong to them. We
have had several lost property items that are yet to turn up, and these are
probably lurking in school bags somewhere. Please can this be a general
reminder to also label all items with your child’s name and group.
Library Books
Reminder for students to return their overdue books by Thursday 18 December. To see which books you have overdue, check with your tutor or pop into the Library to see Miss Speck or Miss Phillips. They're open every day from 8am to 5:15pm!
First Year Notices
No notices this week.
Second Year Notices
No notices this week.
Third Year Notices
No notices this week.
Fourth Year Notices
Important Exam Information
The Governments confirmation that GCSE examinations will be going ahead this summer is likely to have raised several questions. This document hopefully gives you all the information you need (as is currently known). Yesterday an assembly was given to the pupils to try to explain the measures put in place for this year’s exams, if you would like to view this assembly a recording of it is available here.
If you do have any further questions, concerns, or require any further clarifications, please contact Dr Waymark, Dr Thomas, or Mrs Owen (exams officer).
Fifth Year Notices
Important Exam Information
The Governments confirmation that GCSE examinations will be going ahead this summer is likely to have raised several questions. In addition there are mock examinations taking place immediately after Christmas. This document hopefully gives you all the information you need (as is currently known). Yesterday an assembly was given to the pupils to try to explain the measures put in place for this year’s exams, if you would like to view this assembly a recording of it is available here. In addition the exam schedule here may be of interest (please note that individual pupil timetables will be produced at a later date).
If you do have any further questions, concerns, or require any further clarifications, please contact Dr Waymark, Dr Thomas, or Mrs Owen (exams officer).
Lower Sixth Notices
Options
Students currently studying four A levels in the Lower Sixth have been asked to express their preferences for next term.
A letter from Dr Waymark outlining this choice
and process can be found here.
Upper Sixth Notices
Important Exam Information
The Governments confirmation that A level and GCSE examinations will be going ahead this summer is likely to have raised several questions. In addition there are mock examinations taking place immediately after Christmas. This document hopefully gives you all the information you need (as is currently known). Yesterday an assembly was given to the pupils to try to explain the measures put in place for this year’s exams, if you would like to view this assembly a recording of it is available here. In addition this exam schedule may be of interest (please note that individual pupil timetables will be produced at a later date).
If you do have any further questions, concerns, or require any further clarifications, please contact Dr Waymark, Dr Thomas, or Mrs Owen (exams officer).
Lunch Menu
Parents and Students can see the lunch menu here, which is updated by the catering team daily.
This week at KES...
First Year House Hockey
First Years were out in the cold for House Hockey! Each team played amazingly well and extremely energetically (probably trying to keep warm)!1st - Sylvester
2nd - Capon
3rd - Reynolds
4th - Lawrence
5th - Lake
6th - Watts
Please click on the image to enlarge
First Year House Rugby
They showed no fear when it came to getting a little muddy and playing in the cold. Well done to all – brilliantly played!
1st - Reynolds
2nd - Sylvester
3rd - Watts
4th - Lawrence
5th - Lake
6th - Capon
Please click on the image to enlarge
Library Recommendations!
There's only a few days left to pick up some books from the Library for Christmas reading!
And our ever helpful Librarians; Miss Speck & Miss Phillips, have some more recommendations.
Please click on the image to enlarge
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Smile!
This week our digital assembly was delivered by Deputy Head, Dr Waymark. He spoke about the benefits that smiling, laughing and grinning can have on students' health and mind.
Our favourite bit, where Mr Collinson, Dr Waymark, Mr Kent and Mr Rokison brought a huge smile to everyone's faces this week, can be watched here.
Alternatively you can access the assembly here.
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KES Advent
Each day from December 1st, a member of staff has been joining us on Facebook, to share their favourite Christmas song, poem, hymn, writing and much more.
The KES Advent will take us right up to Christmas, introducing different members of staff and inviting you to listen or read their favourite Christmas memory, song or poem. You can find these on our Facebook here.
Make sure to like our page and check in every day to see what a new staff member has to share!
Red and Gold Christmas Greeting Social Media Graphic (10)
Red and Gold Christmas Greeting Social Media Graphic (11)
Red and Gold Christmas Greeting Social Media Graphic (12)
Red and Gold Christmas Greeting Social Media Graphic (2)
Red and Gold Christmas Greeting Social Media Graphic (3)
Red and Gold Christmas Greeting Social Media Graphic (9)
Red and Gold Christmas Greeting Social Media Graphic
Please click on the image to enlarge
SUPER LEAGUE
We want to say a massive thank you to everyone that got involved in the KES Super League over the last few weeks! It has been fantastic to keep Sport going throughout the second lockdown, and we hope everyone enjoyed it!
The final scores are:
4th Sharks 119 ½ Points
3rd Eagles 121 Points
2nd Cobras 124 ½ Points
1st Tigers 144 Points
Click here to see a full breakdown of results.
KEY DATES
Monday 14 December - KES Carol Service
See whole school notices section for access link
Friday 18 December - End of Term
Monday 4 January - Inset Day
KES HOODIES
Last chance to buy a KES hoodie! Only limited supply left!
Please click here to place your order.
Students need to have their proof of purchase email to collect the hoodie from Miss McGinn in the Art Department. Thank you to all who have already purchased a KES hoodie.
Click the image to enlarge