Mr Pavis' Video Newsletter: Friday 22nd May

It's been quite a week of celebration — and it's not over yet, because today is Speech Day.

It all began at the end of last week with the Senior Sports Gala dinner and award ceremony, and carried on into Monday with our half term celebrations assembly here in the theatre. Students were presented with certificates for the Exmoor Challenge, Ten Tors and the Jubilee Challenge, and we celebrated achievements in STEM, music and drama — including LAMDA certificates. Last night we held the Junior Sports Awards, and this afternoon the whole school comes together for Speech Day itself, where so many of our students will be recognised not just for their academic achievements, but for their character, their growth and the people they are becoming. I'm really looking forward to it.

Looking ahead to the second half of term, the calendar is packed. Fifteen of our students travel to Birmingham's Alexander Stadium for the ISA National Athletics Finals — out of over 800 schools in the Independent Schools Association, making it through the regionals to the national finals is a tremendous achievement. Our swimmers compete at the Olympic Pool in London in the ISA National Swimming Finals, and two of our gymnastics teams head to the Schools National Gymnastics Finals. The depth of talent here at Kingsley, and the opportunities available to let that talent flourish on the very biggest stages, is something I'm enormously proud of.

And then there's surfing. Lily has qualified for the national finals in the longboard category, alongside Willow and Charlie Unsworth. And Kingsley itself has been nominated as one of the final five for best surf school in the UK — results to be announced in July. Fingers crossed.

Have a wonderful half term, everyone. I look forward to seeing you all back after the break.