Mr Pavis' Video Newsletter: Friday 19th June

There is so much to talk about this week!

We started with an incredible assembly on positive male role models, perfectly timed as we head into Father's Day this Sunday. We then hosted the Carnegie Shadowing event, welcoming schools from across North Devon for a brilliant stretch and challenge day in literacy, with visiting author Luke Palmer and the Carnegie Festival team leading students through critiquing and presenting on a range of books. A fantastic opportunity.

Then came some extraordinary news from Birmingham. Fifteen of our students competed at the ISA National Athletics Finals at the Commonwealth Stadium, representing not just Kingsley but the entire South West of England. Zach came away with gold, Perin with silver, and Perin, Leon and Ruby all picked up bronze medals. That followed a superb performance at the Devon Schools Finals in Exeter last weekend, where Molly and Harrison took gold, Evangeline and Harrison silver, and Molly, Sophie and Elvis bronze. And at the Mount Kelly Trophy for our Under 14 students — Years 6, 7 and 8 — Jack won gold, Rosie and Jude took silver, and Frankie, George and Lucy claimed bronze. An exceptional week for athletics at every level.

On Tuesday evening we held our annual Scholars Event in the theatre, where students from across all disciplines performed, presented and showcased their work. It was a wonderful reminder that when talent meets opportunity, the outcomes can be truly extraordinary — and we continue to unlock potential that nobody knew was there.

Tuesday was also a landmark day for our Year 11 and Year 13 students, marking the end of GCSE, A-level and vocational exams. The Year 11s celebrated in style at their Prom on Wednesday evening — students arrived in the most incredible array of vehicles, from tractors to Ferraris, classics to modern, and the evening that followed was one to remember. Tonight it's the turn of our Year 13s, who head to the Pier House in Westward Ho! for their Leavers Dinner. We're so looking forward to celebrating with them.

Yesterday we hosted the North Devon Primary Schools Choir Festival, put on by the North Devon Music Hub — a brilliant day seeing so many young people from across the region come together here at Kingsley. And today our students are sitting their LAMDA exams in the theatre — good luck to everyone performing today.

It's been a busy week for our specialist centres too. Year 7 Earth Centre students visited the Fullabrook Wind Farm, while Connect Centre students headed to Orchard Farm. Speaking of the Connect Centre — the former Grenville and Edgehill Centres are combining in a beautifully refurbished new home in the old carriage boarding house. It looks phenomenal, and students are moving in as we speak. In STEM, Year 7s have been tackling cyber escape rooms and Year 8s have been taking on the spaghetti challenge.

This weekend the Kingsley Open Judo Tournament takes place in the sports hall, our Swell Chasers are out on the water as ever, and our boarders have a sunset paddleboard session this evening — the weather is going to be perfect for it — followed by the Wake Park on Sunday.

The term is racing to a close, but there is absolutely no sign of slowing down. Action, action, action right until the end. I look forward to speaking to you all again next week.