Principal's Blog
18 June 2010
The first week back at school following half term was notable for the silence – school was uncharacteristically subdued owing to the whole school sitting either their GCSE exams or our own internal exams. Of course, all that has changed this week and it now feels as if school has burst into life again as we start cantering through the final weeks of the academic year.
26 April 2010
What an extraordinary start to the term! If anyone had mentioned a month ago that an erupting volcano in Iceland would have such a direct impact on KWC, I shouldn’t have believed them!
17 March 2010
Tempus fugit!
Life at school is building up to a crescendo with very little time left before the end of term. Our U6 pupils are entering the final stages of their IB studies – all that is left now for most of them is revision, practice, revision and more practice! Next week the Visual Arts students will start mounting their exhibitions in readiness for examination in the first week of next term. Every year I look forward to their exhibitions and talking with the pupils about their displays and portfolios: their skill and imagination never fails to impress me – but more of that next term!
28 January 2010
On my way to assembly on Friday I was momentarily startled when a gorilla and a 5’ tall bright yellow banana crossed my path. The absurdness of this encounter amused me no end and set my mood well and truly for the remainder of the day: we were holding the first of our non uniform days this term, the proceeds of which are going to the Sadia Orphanage in Kenya. Two of our pupils, Poppy and Lily, visited the orphanage during the summer holiday and Poppy spoke in assembly to give her firsthand account of the heart wrenching situation in which the children in the orphanage find themselves.
12 January 2010
Happy New Year! I hope that pupils, parents and staff all had a relaxing holiday and that we’re launching ourselves into another highly successful year.
As you are all aware, the term got off to an unusual start owing to the weather conditions. I think we’ve probably all had enough of the snow and snow stories by now and certainly it was a relief for staff (and quite possibly some pupils too) when we were able to get term underway and settle into writing the internal exams.
November 10th
We held our Remembrance service on Friday, paying tribute to members of the College community who gave their lives in the service of their country and praying for peace in the future. The Rev Brian Partington gave a thoughtful and moving address, and pupils read prayers for peace in a number of the different languages represented here. Our Chaplain, Head of School and members of the CCF also participated in the Castletown and St John's services on Sunday.
November 5th
I have been rather busy since I wrote my last blog, attending various meetings. The International Baccalaureate Heads' conference in Seville was marvellous—not just because it is such a beautiful city that was enjoying an autumn heat wave, but also because of the stimulating discussions about international education and the chance to meet headteachers from around the world.
October 8th
Yesterday evening, I returned from the HMC annual conference in Liverpool, having spent two days with fellow heads discussing a range of current educational issues and hearing presentations on such topics as qualifications, assessment and leadership. It was an encouraging and at times inspirational meeting that demonstrated the vitality and optimism of the independent sector.
September 30th
After spending so much time recently thinking about the future of technology and space travel, it was delightful on Friday evening to step back into the past at the silent movies night in the College Chapel.
September 24th
This week, all College and Buchan pupils have had a chance to see the Excalibur Almaz spacecraft and learn more about the future of space travel. They have been putting their questions to the visiting cosmonauts—one of whom spent a whole year in space!—and getting their autographs.
