From the Head of Secondary 25.06.2022
Class of 2029: Transition into Year 7!
Another very busy week, with Year 6 having their Secondary Transition Days from Wednesday to Friday. Wednesday started off with a Year 6 assembly where Ms Colley and I went through some important information about how Secondary operates, and what they need to be aware of coming into Year 7 in August, such as using their locker (no need to carry heavy bags around school as they go from lesson to lesson). There was a certain amount of trepidation and excitement in the MPR as students asked very interesting questions which we were able to answer. At 9am we held a well-attended meeting with Year 6 parents, going through a lot of the same kind of information but also touching on how we can work together, school and home, to make the transition as painless as possible. As I write this on Friday morning Year 6 are getting ready to go to their tutor rooms to have the registers taken before they head off to their first lessons of the day. For Year 6K that is Science with Mr Williams, and 6S have ICT with Ms Abdullah.
We will be equally busy next week, with Science Day on Monday. The whole school is taking part in and this year’s theme is Rockets, Robots and Renewables. Students in Key Stage 3 have been busy making a wide variety of weird and wonderful machines that they will be displaying in the Science Fair in the morning. They will then put their machines into competition with other groups, to see which is the fastest, has the most endurance or will fly the highest. This is followed by house competition where students will meet a series of challenges set in the afternoon. It promises to be a day packed with fun and Science.
We have Arts Day on Wednesday and on Thursday morning we will be having House/Form activities followed by our assembly, starting at 11.15, where we well be giving out lots of certificates and awards to celebrate the academic year. Students will leave at 12pm. Before we know it, the school year 2022 – 2023 will be beginning, and I will be sending a letter out next week which gives some details about that.
Please read on in this newsletter to find out how the Year 13 Graduation went last Friday [it was amazing!] and also what Year 10 experiences during their ‘Days of the Future’ [equally amazing!]. Also, have a look in the EcoWarriors section for Green Flag news from Mrs Davis and an article written by the EcoWarriors telling us why they were inspired to join the group. Well done to them, and especially to Mrs Davis who, in leading the group, has inspired the KIS community to do better in this crucial area.
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary
Class of 2022: Graduation
Friday the 17th June saw our first in-person Graduation at KIS for 2 years, and our first Graduation in the school hall. It was decorated and made beautiful with the help of a large team of staff and students, and looked lovely- even if I do say so myself! Wilber had been the first to suggest having our Graduation Ceremony at school, and I think the idea of starting KIS and having their first ‘Welcome’ Assembly in the hall, to their final farewell there too has a pleasing symmetry and sense of completion to it.
It was a well attended event, so the hall was filled with guests waiting to see their friends and family get their certificates and celebrate their achievements – and finally flip their tassels to the left, indicating their new status as Graduates. Year 13 looked magnificent in their finery, topped with gowns, caps, and stoles, and I had a real pang of pride as they processed through the hall and onto the stage! We were sadly missing Alex. They have worked so hard, particularly over the last two years, and overcome very challenging obstacles, and yet they have still had the time to become such kind, compassionate, and wonderful future world leaders.
Many thanks go to our keynote speaker, Dr Milena Salgado Lynn, for her excellent speech of encouragement and motivation for our Graduates, and for introducing many of us to the Japanese concept of ‘Ikagai’ for life happiness. Thanks go also to Dr Gross for his speech, and of course to Mrs Renshaw and her fantastic collection, collation, and presentation of our Graduates’ photos. It was a wonderful evening and celebration, and a welcome reminder that all the hard work does pay off! Many thanks to all who helped prepare and create this Graduation evening, and good luck to all our Graduates for the future!
Mrs Colbeck
Head of Key Stage 5
