Mr Pavis' Video Newsletter: Friday 15th May

What a week to reflect on. Last weekend was the Ten Tors event and the Jubilee Challenge out on Dartmoor, and I had the most incredible experience joining our students — camping out on the Friday night, watching the sunrise over the moor, and then seeing all four teams set off at seven o'clock when the gun went. The 35, 45 and 55 mile teams faced a two-day challenge, and every single one of them came back absolutely buzzing. The culmination of months of hard training, and it showed. Congratulations to everyone who took part.

Also last weekend, our drama students were in school rehearsing for the upcoming school play, DNA — look out for that towards the end of term, with tickets on sale soon. On Monday evening, our drama, art and music scholars enjoyed a scholars barbecue, and it was wonderful to see everyone having such a great time — cold weather and all.

Our Year 7s had a fantastic day on Wednesday at Orchard Farm — Miss Turner's very own homestead close to school — taking in all the wonderful work happening there. A brilliant experience.

This week also marked a very special moment in the school year — our Year 13 Leavers Assembly. They are still very much in the thick of their A-level exams, and Speech Day is next Friday, so please do book your places on the parent portal if you haven't already. But this week we paused to celebrate a truly exceptional year group. Two years ago they set themselves high expectations, and they have role modelled those throughout Year 12 and Year 13 in a way that has trickled down through the whole school. My thanks go to every one of them, and I look forward to celebrating with them right through to the Leavers Dinner at the end of June.

In judo last weekend, Jack took gold and Dexter silver at the inter-club tournament. Our fledgling Under 15 cricket team — in their first proper season — faced a strong Shebbear side this week, with Will named Player of the Match. A great learning experience for a programme we're really excited to grow.

I've been at the ISA conference this week — the Independent Schools Association, representing over 800 schools — and I'm proud to say that Kingsley continues to feature at the top table. Sixteen of our students head to the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham for the ISA Athletics National Finals in a few weeks. We compete regularly at the Olympic Pool in London, at St George's Park for football, and our netball, rugby and golf programmes have all made their mark on the national stage this year. Our Under 14 rugby sevens remain national champions, and our golf team have qualified for the national finals in Ipswich.

This evening we host our very first Year 11 to 13 Sports Gala — a prize giving celebration at the Pier House in Westward Ho! A brilliant occasion to recognise all the incredible sporting achievements of the past year. And next week, we have a Year 7 to 10 celebration here in school — more details to follow from the sports department.

This weekend our boarders are coasteering and horse riding, and our surfers are out swell chasing as ever. Have a wonderful weekend — I look forward to speaking to you all again next week.