Dear Parent/Carer,
It certainly does feel like we have packed 6 weeks into the last 4. To quote Mr Edwards, ‘It has been the longest shortest term ever!’. A huge thank you to the Duke of Edinburgh team who supported our first Bronze group last weekend. For me, it was a first - watching a group of students cook pancakes for breakfast; a brilliant way to fuel their day! All students demonstrated the STEPs over this adventure, most notable resilience and kindness towards one another. Y10s have been rather depleted in numbers this week as many of them have enjoyed their visits to both Iceland and Munich – we have some snapshots below to share with you. The rest of the school have been busy ‘not opting out’ of their learning; one of our Active Minds that Mr Lee reminded them of in assemblies this week and our last day of term was a musical feast made up of Break-aoke and our termly lunch time concert and term 6 is usually our most ambitious with excursions, Y10 mock exams, Y5 Taster day, Y6 Induction day and Open Mornings to name a few events. Thank goodness we can regroup over half term in preparation!
The Risk of Opting Out
We talked about taking risks this week in assembly and how the biggest risk in school is choosing to opt out! Having an Active Mind means being ready to learn with the right equipment, starting work quickly and always pushing yourself to do your best. All our STEPs are exemplified in our excellent learners and in this assembly, we shared how students who have Respect for themselves, and make just small increases in effort, will have greater success over time.
Non Uniform Day
On Friday 6th June, we will be having a charity day to support awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. This has been wonderfully initiated by Laura and Lacey-May from Year 8, who approached the Charity group of our School Council with a proposal to support awareness and raise some money to support the MS Society.
As well as producing some really informative slides to educate the school community in understanding the symptoms and effects of Multiple Sclerosis, which will be shared in tutor times, the work of Laura and Lacey-May has inspired us to declare this day to be a non-uniform day, with all members of the school community asked to make a donation of £1, and being encouraged to wear anything orange which is the colour of the charity – although anything equally bright would also be appreciated by the girls! In true Kingshill tradition, there will also be a cake sale, and a Y8 students vs staff rounders match taking place at lunchtime!
I congratulate the girls on their desire to lead such a positive contribution and urge the whole school community to show our support of their endeavour! It's so positive to see our students taking such initiative!
Mr J Morland - Assistant Headteacher, Character Development
Break-aoke
Our now traditional end-of-term Break-aoke struck all the right chords once again, providing another reminder of the brilliant musical talents of so many of our students along with the sense of support that they show for each other. Some acts are now becoming well-established in achieving Kingshill fame and it was no surprise to see Ollie B from 9D produce another performance full of his usual charisma to reinforce his status as a true crowd favourite. In response to his rousing rendition of ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, we promise we won’t stop believing in Ollie and we are sure that it won’t be long before he is crowned our winner.
Today though was all about the joy of hearing new voices as a particular bonus of the evolution of the break-aoke has been seeing the increasing range of students find the confidence to take to the stage and it was one of these new voices that most wowed us. Congratulations to Eliza from 9A who performed a truly beautiful version of Castles by Freya Riding. As ever, I am grateful to Mr Ashby for his willingness to coordinate the set-up for this event and for his skills as a compere! I am already looking forward to the next Break-aoke at the end of the summer term!
Mr J Morland - Assistant Headteacher, Character Development
Lunchtime Concert Showcases Student Talent
Today, our school community was treated to another wonderful Lunchtime Concert, offering a welcome mid-day moment of musical magic. Held in the Music Department, the informal performance provided a platform for students to share their talents and build confidence in front of a supportive audience of peers and staff.
The spotlight was on a group of talented students who wowed us with a mix of piano pieces and vocal performances. From classical melodies to contemporary songs, each performer brought their own unique style and passion to the stage. It was particularly heartening to see some first-time performers take the plunge, showing real courage and enthusiasm.
Our thanks go to Mr Ashby and the Music Department for organising the event and creating such a positive, welcoming atmosphere. These lunchtime concerts continue to be a highlight of our school calendar, celebrating creativity and encouraging students to share what they love.
We’re already looking forward to the next one – and to seeing even more young performers step into the spotlight!
Duke of Edinburgh
Last weekend, a group of determined Kingshill students took on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition—and absolutely rose to the challenge! Over two days, they hiked 25 kilometres through the Cotswolds, navigated their way (mostly in the right direction!), and camped overnight under glorious blue skies.
From carrying their gear and setting up tents to cooking their own meals, students showed fantastic teamwork, resilience, and spirit. They should be incredibly proud of their achievement and the way they represented Kingshill throughout the adventure.
Here what some of our students shared:
“During our Duke of Edinburgh expedition we had a great time. We learnt new skills such as navigation and setting up a tent. We also had a really enjoyable time camping (despite it being very cold at night!). The experience pushed us out of our comfort zone and gave us a real sense of achievement.” - Anya and Evie
Mr Rowe
Y7/Y8 Math Challenge
On Thursday 1st May, approximately 120 of our Y7 & Y8 students took part in the Junior Mathematics Challenge. The challenge is held across schools from the whole of the UK, with approximately the top 8% of students receiving a Gold certificate, the next 17% receiving a Silver & the next 25% receiving a Bronze.
The students completed this year’s challenge in the gym and did extremely well, achieving 1 Gold, 16 Silver and 28 Bronze certificates. A particular well done goes to Thomas in Y7, who achieved Best in Year & Matthew in Y8, who was not only top in Y8 but also did well enough to qualify for the Kangaroo round. Well done to everyone that took part.
Here are some sample questions from this year’s Junior Mathematics Challenge.
Ans: A & B
Y9 Languages - Primary School Visit
Every year the languages department takes Y9 students to teach a language lesson to primary school students. We took almost a hundred students. This is what one group had to say about the opportunity:
“Last Monday we got offered an incredible opportunity to go Watermoor primary school to teach a 25 minute French lesson we created to Year 5s. Our group covered the topic of animals, we taught a lovely group of engaged students willing to learn all about the variety of animals we had on offer.
We started the lesson by learning everyone’s names and introducing ourselves. Then we moved onto teaching them about all the animals in French. However, their favourite part of the lesson had to be the intense games of French related noughts and crosses.
Overall, it was an amazing experience and we would hope to do it again.”
Eco-Club Digs In for a Greener Future
This week, our dedicated Eco-Club members got their hands dirty for a fantastic cause—planting a variety of fruits and vegetables with the aim of harvesting them at the end of the summer term.
Students planted an exciting range of produce, including tomatoes, leeks, sweetcorn, carrots, green beans, strawberries, blackberries, figs, and even a giant pumpkin! Their enthusiasm for sustainability and community spirit was clear throughout the session. If all goes to plan, the group hopes to donate their harvest to a local food bank—combining environmental awareness with social responsibility.
We’re incredibly proud of their efforts and can’t wait to see what grows in the months ahead. Watch this space for updates from our green-fingered students!
Inspiring at Cricklade Manor Prep Sports Event
On Tuesday 20th May, twelve of our outstanding Kingshill Sports Leaders – six experienced Year 9s and six newly appointed Year 7s – supported a brilliant Quad Kids athletics and volleyball event for local Year 5 and 6 pupils at Cricklade Manor Prep.
Our student leaders were a credit to the school, demonstrating teamwork, encouragement, and confidence throughout the day. Their guidance and enthusiasm inspired younger pupils, and we were proud to receive glowing feedback from Cricklade staff, who described them as “simply outstanding ambassadors for Kingshill” and praised their “maturity, enthusiasm, and kindness.”
We’re also incredibly grateful to Mrs Barton, whose expert leadership made the volleyball session both inclusive and uplifting. Cricklade staff were especially impressed by her “clear, patient and inspiring” approach, particularly with children who find sport more challenging.
It was also a great opportunity to connect with future Kingshill students, many from St Sampson’s, and Mrs Barton was excited by the athletic talent on display.
A huge thank you to all involved – your energy, kindness and pride embody the very best of Kingshill.
Kingshill Students Lending a Hand
We’re proud to share that some of our students volunteered their time and energy this past weekend at the Community Kitchen in Cirencester—a monthly, free, restaurant-style evening that provides a warm meal and festive atmosphere for those in need.
Representing our school with kindness and enthusiasm were:
Ethan H (Y8)
Joe S (Y9)
Robbie S (Y9)
Bella S (Y11)
The students helped host an Italian-themed evening, which saw a record 65 meals served! From setting tables to serving food and chatting with guests, they all played a vital role in making the evening a success.
Although Bella had to leave before the photo was taken, all four students made an incredible contribution, and we are so proud of them for embodying the spirit of community and compassion.
Girls’ Rounders vs Sir William Romney’s School
Year 7 – Victorious for the Second Week Running!
Another brilliant performance from our Year 7 team, who secured a confident win by 4½ rounders. The girls continue to develop their understanding of the game and showed great teamwork and communication in the field. Their decision-making and fielding discipline were key in limiting SWR’s scoring chances. Special mentions go to Grace for her superb work in the field and to Ruby for her strong and consistent batting.
Year 8 – First Win of the Season!
We are incredibly proud of our Year 8 team, who celebrated their first win of the season with a well-earned 2-rounder victory. The team fielded with excellent cohesion and communication, and their batting was much improved – the deciding factor in a closely contested match. Special mentions to Freya for her outstanding fielding at second base and to Lexi for consistent performances across both batting innings.
Year 9 – Narrow Defeat by Just Half a Rounder
The Year 9s played with their usual determination and team spirit, only narrowly losing by half a rounder. Their fielding was composed and accurate, effectively shutting down many of SWR’s scoring attempts. Despite some big hits, our final batting innings were met with excellent catches from the opposition in the last seven balls, which cost us dearly. Special mentions go to Poppy for her fielding efforts and to Meg for her impressive batting. A tough result, but a brilliant team performance nonetheless.
Fantastic team efforts across all year groups – the PE team is incredibly proud of you all!
We go again after half term.
Girls PE
Exciting Rugby 7s Adventure in Lisbon for Y11 Jimmy T
Jimmy has been selected to represent a National Rugby 7s Team named the Egg Chasers. As part of this team, Jimmy was invited to play an international competition in Portugal. This team included representatives from all over the UK including Newcastle, Northampton and Leicestershire rugby teams. This selection is a fantastic achievement as Jim was the only Southwest England rugby player asked to play.
The team’s first morning in Lisbon began with an intensive training session at Lisbon University, preparing them for the day’s upcoming matches. In the afternoon, they participated in a competitive tournament. Jimmy was chosen as captain for the first round. The team performed well, culminating in a decisive 47-0 victory.
Jimmy sustained a hamstring injury during the final minutes of an earlier game, requiring a visit to the physiotherapist for treatment. Despite this, he showed great resilience to get ready for the last match. The team then faced GDs Cascais, a French team, in the final act of the 1st day. Following a hard-fought effort, the team narrowly lost with 12-7.
On the second day, the knockout stage commenced. Jimmy, as captain, led them once again in their crucial first match, against Portugal — who had been undefeated on the first day. Jimmy and his team mates won the game 26 - 0, building confidence and momentum ready for their next game. The team continued their winning streak with a 55-12 win in the semifinal, earning their spot in the tournament final.
In the final, Jimmy faced CR Euora. The match was intense as the team faced another very strong opponent. Despite being behind 19-0 at halftime the team managed to win the 2nd half 7-0, but it wasn't enough to win the tournament and Jimmy, along with his team, finished as runners-up. Still a fantastic achievement.
The following day, on their way home, the team witnessed an unexpected mini earthquake, providing a memorable and unusual end to their tour. Overall, the trip was described as one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of the team members’ lives, with many looking forward to participating in future international rugby sevens competitions. Well done Jimmy for representing your community and country with such success, we are all very proud of your achievements.
We Will Rock You – Tickets On Sale Now!
We’re excited to share that tickets are now on sale for this year’s school production of We Will Rock You! Just before we break up for half term, here’s your chance to grab seats for what promises to be an unforgettable show, filled with legendary Queen hits, a vibrant cast, and high-energy performances.
Our students have been rehearsing with passion and creativity to bring this spectacular musical to life. From show-stopping vocals to dazzling choreography, it’s set to be a production full of energy, talent, and unforgettable moments.
Click here to get your tickets today – don’t miss your chance to experience the magic live on stage!
Heads Up - Early Close Friday 18th July 2025
Please be mindful that on Friday 18th July 2025 school will finish at 1.20pm for our students. We are currently coordinating the early closure with the coach companies. Further details will follow next term on which coaches can accommodate an early pick up or confirm if students need to be collected at 1.20pm.
A reminder that Monday 22nd July is an INSET day.
Closing Remarks
We are always aware at this time of the year that whilst the rest of the school are set to enjoy a week of half term, our Y11s are still in the throes of exam preparation - we wish them well but as parents and carers, do give them a nudge to make sure they are being kind to themselves; a healthy balance of work and play is essential. For the rest of our Kingshill community, I wish you all a wonderful half term break and we go again on Monday 2nd June at 8.30am.
Mrs Jo Lindley
Headteacher
Returning Week: Week A
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