Kingshill Newsletter - 04 Jul 25
Five Days, Countless Memories: Adventure, Achievement & Aspiration at Kingshill!
Dear Parent/Carer
Some weeks we really do blink and then 5 days disappear – this has surely been one of them! Monday began with our Y7 residential to Whitemoor, 40 of our Y10 students attending New College in Swindon for a day of taster sessions and the ‘I Can, I Am’ bus arriving on site to raise awareness of mental health with our Y8 and Y9 students. Wednesday brought Activities Day in Key Stage 3 with our Y8s out at Drayton Manor, Y9s at Alton Towers, and Y7 students along with those Y8s and Y9s not wishing to attend the theme park, in school completing a suite of activities from sports, science and baking. A select group of students also attended Cirencester Leisure centre for an introduction to the gym! Meanwhile, our Y10 students enjoyed a fabulous Employability Day where they had the opportunity to reflect on who they are, their unique attributes and how these are sought after in the world of work – they even enjoyed insights from aspirational and inspirational guest speakers.
As the week drew to a close, on Thursday we enjoyed a beautiful evening at Blunsdon House celebrating with our Y11 students their much-awaited prom. Just when you think you couldn’t feel any more pride for a group of students, they raise the bar again! Our Y11s looked magnificent, behaved brilliantly and danced their socks off; memories to last a lifetime. Time for a rest? Oh no, not here at Kingshill... today we welcomed 170 new Y7 students to their Kingshill Ready Day. They enjoyed a variety of lessons and left us with huge smiles on their faces; ready and excited for September. This positivity would not have been generated without the immense support of our newly appointed Y9 buddies – they were incredible: proactive, supportive and full of energy right until the end of the day – we now all need to go home for a rest as it’s showtime next week and we also welcome 128 Y5 students for a taster day next Thursday!
Y11 Prom
Partying on a school night is never usually advisable in the jobs we do at school, but our Y11 cohort of 2025 were the perfect excuse to break this rule! From the glamour of the arrivals to the class of the outfits, and the moves on the dance floor, they showed their wonderful combination of style and energy, once again, reminding us of the magical legacy they have imprinted on our school! Mr Thomas’s solo dance moves felt well worth the 5-year wait and to paraphrase the poignant lyrics of our last dance, cohort 2025 will surely ‘never walk alone’! Keep an eye out for pictures in our next newsletter.
Y10 Employability Day
On Wednesday of this week, Mrs Hicks and I led our Employability Day for our Year 10 students. During these sessions, students were supported in reflecting on their personal qualities and characteristics, considering how these can be showcased as transferable skills in the wider world. They also began to learn about the process of researching and applying for colleges and sixth forms in readiness for a busy few months when they start Year 11!
One of the key highlights of this day is always welcoming back some of our alumni as Abi and Flo talked about their reflections on Year 11 and plans for the next stage of education, having only left us a few weeks ago before Sam talked about his experience of his first year at Hartpury and future careers plans. We then heard from Holly who has used personal challenges as the inspiration behind the running of a hugely successful catering business and then James closed this session with his own inspirational story which involves his passion for cricket as a way of living and working in New Zealand for 6 months each year! Later in the afternoon, we were proud to welcome back Charlie, who modestly described himself as a ‘Z-lister who mixes with A-listers’! Even whilst at school, Charlie was a well-known entrepreneur but he has taken this to new heights in setting up his own broadcasting and production channels using his brilliance in networking as a way of meeting and interviewing a huge range of celebrities. Even with such success and connections, it was a joy to hear Charlie’s fond memories of his time at Kingshill as he urged our Year 10 students to ‘enjoy school and remember that although they may seem to be on your back, your staff only want the best for you.’ Wise words indeed!
Year 10 Student Leadership Workshop
A real highlight of the school year for me came on Tuesday during a workshop session with our new Y10 Student Leadership team, where we begin to explore different aspects of leadership and start the process of identifying their key priorities for the year ahead. During this time, we learnt about our own leadership profiles, explored some leadership scenarios and considered how they can work most effectively as a team. There was a brilliant buzz of energy in the room and some inspirational thinking: I can reassure everyone that this group of students have huge ambitions and are keen to develop their own levels of responsibility, in their own vision for our school – we are in extremely capable hands!
Charity Skydive
You will remember from a previous newsletter that having been gifted a skydive for her 16th birthday, Lottie was keen to use this a way of fundraising for two charities that are very close to her heart – The Big Yellow Bus and Shine. To support such initiative, we held a non-uniform day on Friday 20th June, raising a total of £547 for which Lottie has asked me to pass on her thanks. Thankfully, in keeping with the spirit of our good weather this summer, Lottie was able to complete her jump last weekend and described it as being a ‘total thrill’! Well Done Lottie - I admire you for your kindness - and bravery!
Our Day of Charity, Thursday 17th July
This week saw the launch of what should be a brilliant penultimate day of term through the combination of The Longevity Games during the morning followed by our Charity Fair in the afternoon. The details of this have all been outlined in a separate, more detailed letter, and our assembly slides have been published on students’ Edulink accounts but please do support your young person in their fundraising endeavours, sharing their House QR code as widely as you can – and remembering to include their name in your supporting comments so we can track those who are gaining both the most support and raising the most money!
Mr J Morland, Assistant Headteacher, Character Development
Y9 Alton Towers
Freya: “A really fun and exciting place to go with friends.”
Jack: “It was fun and 13 was the favourite.”
Logan: “I would do it again - it was worth the queue wait."
Immy.: “The queues were long, but worth the wait. Smiler was so worth the wait.”
Skye: “Smiler was so worth the wait."
Charlie O: “It was fun when on the rides and Smiler was my favourite.”
Lillie: “It feels like an accomplishment going on Smiler with 14 loops. I’d visit again.”
Ruby: “It was really fun and the Smiler was my favourite. I would go again.”
Evelyn: “It’s really fun with friends."
Cam: “Oblivion was really good and adrenaline was definitely there!“
Josie: “We went on water rapids, which was really fun, but we got soaked."
As you can see, Alton Towers is a massive recommendation for everybody who loves to have fun. Even if the queues are long, they are totally worth the wait! Everyone had all sorts of favourite rides. All staff there were so kind. Everyone enjoyed every moment and it’s a massive recommendation. We all had a fantastic day and enjoyed being with friends on the rides. We are all so grateful for the chance to go.
Lillie 9B
Year 8's Thrilling Adventure at Drayton Manor
On Wednesday 2nd July, Year 8 students embarked on an exciting trip to Drayton Manor Theme Park – and what a day it turned out to be! From the moment the coaches set off, the energy was high and spirits were even higher. Once inside the park, students wasted no time in exploring the wide range of attractions, with rollercoasters proving to be a firm favourite, for everyone except me! From the twists and turns of Shockwave to the splash-filled fun of Stormforce 10, there was no shortage of thrills, laughter, and unforgettable memories. The day wasn’t just about adrenaline, though. Students had the opportunity to bond with the rest of their year group and challenge themselves to try new rides and experiences. Their enthusiasm, behaviour, and positive attitude throughout the day were a credit to the school, and staff were incredibly proud of how they represented themselves. A huge thank you my tutors who helped supervised the trip – and of course, to our fantastic Year 8s, who made the day such a joy. I am already looking forward to our next trip at Christmas in Year 9!
Mr S Thomas, Head of Year
Year 7 Take on Whitemoor Lakes!
After a luxurious air-conditioned journey, our excited Year 7 students arrived safely at Whitemoor Lakes for their much-anticipated residential trip. Stepping off the coach felt like stepping off a plane in some exotic warm destination—well, Lichfield! The students wasted no time tucking into lunch and settling into their “5-star” en-suite rooms before the action truly began. Under a blazing sun, they threw themselves into a whole host of activities: from stand-up paddleboard teamwork and problem solving, to archery, zip-lining, and conquering the challenging vertical gladiator. Evenings were just as memorable, with laughter and singing around the campfire and dancing into the night (well, until 9:30pm!) at the disco.
Throughout the week, our Year 7s exemplified the Kingshill STEPS values when showing AMBITION and RESILIENCE when faced with new challenges and above all, demonstrating KINDNESS by encouraging and supporting friends whenever nerves set in. We are immensely PROUD of every single student who joined the activity week, showing real grit, determination, and a fantastic attitude towards making the very most of every experience.
As the week went on, two groups had their own adventures. Group 2 arrived to slightly cooler weather (still bathed in glorious sunshine!) and wasted no time—jumping straight into activities and quickly smashing two before lunch. After some well-deserved Michelin-star-worthy camp cuisine, the fun continued with campfire stories and songs. From zipping through the skies to building rafts (yes, the water was warm!), discovering our inner Robin Hoods at archery, and working together to solve tricky team challenges, the students’ RESILIENCE, KINDNESS, and PRIDE shone through. The sun truly shone on the righteous, and it’s safe to say that for our Year 7s, it was all in a day’s work! What a fantastic week of adventure, laughter, and lifelong memories.
Mr Edwards
Activities Day: catches, cupcakes and catapults
Activities Day in school was a celebration of sport, cupcake baking and catapult making. Students moved around a carousel of activities which involved sports such as badminton, bench ball and tennis; making and decorating cupcakes - many of which will now be sold for charity; and building catapults from marshmallows and wooden skewers. The weather was beautiful and we made the most of the space we had around the school.
Another Fantastic Performance from Kingshill U13 Cricketers
Thursday afternoon saw a super performance from our U13 cricket team, who secured a confident 88-run victory against a competent Farmors School side. Batting first in the 100-ball format, Kingshill posted a very good total of 152 runs for the loss of only a few wickets. Ethan H, Captain Dan P, and Riley S all retired on 25 not out, showcasing excellent shot selection and strong hitting.
In response, Kingshill’s bowlers were relentless restricting Farmors to just 64 runs for 9 wickets. All nine bowlers played their part, with standout figures from Benjy R (2 wickets for 4 runs off 15 balls) and Year 7 talents Sid J and Guy S, who took 2 wickets for 6 runs between them. This result reflects not only the team’s growing skill but also their pride in wearing the Kingshill shirt. Their ambition to succeed, teamwork and joy in the game were clear throughout another fantastic afternoon of cricket.
Kingshill has still not lost a District Cricket match throughout this year in all formats and across all ages. It is an absolute pleasure to spend time with these players on the pitch. Well done all once again.
Mr Hamblin
We Will Rock You – Less than 2 Weeks!
We’re just under two weeks away from our big production performance — and excitement is through the roof! Tickets are selling fast, so don’t wait! Grab yours by clicking here — this is a show that’s guaranteed to rock the house!
Holiday Activities Programme (HAP) Summer 2025
Nutritious food and free activities are on offer to help keep children in Gloucestershire happy, healthy, and entertained. Children in reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals can take part. Gloucestershire County Council is also extending holiday activities to all children in the county through its Holiday Activities Programme (HAP) using grant funding.
Both the HAF and HAP programmes run during the school summer holidays which begin on Monday 21 July. Activity dates may vary slightly between schools.
Families are encouraged to visit the new Family Hubs booking system at:
https://familyhubs.gloucestershire.gov.uk/
To book activities, families must:
Create an account
Add a profile for each child taking part in activities
Make sure emergency contact details are up to date
This summer, there are lots of exciting options to choose from including drama and science workshops, sports and games, art and crafts, music and dance. More information about the programme is available at: https://familyhubs.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.
Cllr Ben Evans, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding and care at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “There’s a huge variety of activities on offer for children this summer. I encourage families to visit the website and create an account, so they are ready to book.
“School holidays should be a time of fun and discovery for every child. We’re supporting families by offering engaging activities, encouraging active lifestyles, and helping young people build confidence and friendships that last well beyond the break.”
Early Closure – Bus Schedule
A reminder that at the end of the Christmas and Summer term, we close the school at 1.20pm. The morning will be lessons as normal followed by a whole school celebration assembly in the Sports Hall before we say farewell for the summer holidays. For those students travelling by bus, we have provided details via ParentMail. Please find confirmation below.
The following bus companies have confirmed that they can collect early and so students who use the following school transport will be collected at 1.20pm:
Ellisons B2134 for Ashton Keynes & Latton
Barnes Coaches C339CD to Nettleton, Elkstone, Winstone, Duntisbourne & Daglingworth
Pulhams Coaches C339CC Preston, Ampney Crucis, Fosse Close and Chedworth
Pulhams Coaches C339W and C339BW to South Cerney will run, with one run leaving at 1:20pm and another running as soon as the first has completed its journey
Unfortunately, some of the bus companies are not able to do an early collection on that day. Where students come on school transport using the following services, please could we kindly ask that you arrange for your child to be collected at 1.20pm on Friday 18th July 2025:
Pulhams Coaches C339CB (565) via Deer Park to Coberley
Cotswold Green service C339CF (563) via Deer Park to Fairford
Bus Passes
We have noticed an increase in students asking us to request them temporary bus passes from GCC as they have forgotten them. Please can you ensure that your child has their bus pass on them at all times. If their current bus pass has been lost, you will need to purchase them a new one via this link - Replacement School Bus Pass | GDPR Information and Statement – Gloucestershire Forms
Closing Remarks
As we are anticipating cooler weather at the start of next week we will return on Monday in our normal summer uniform.
Amidst all of the activities, learning is still being prioritised for our students right up until the very end, so please, continue to send in your young person each and every day. Last week we hit a July daily record of 93.8% - no wonder we were praised by Ofsted for our attendance strategies!
Mrs Jo Lindley
Headteacher
Returning Week: Week B
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