King's Ely

School is out for summer ! There's plenty on offer here in Ely. Why not come and meet the Professor A. Bismal at Oliver Cromwell's House as he delves into his bag of festering facts for just £2 per child. Check out drop-in craft sessions at both Ely Museum and The Stained Glass Museum, and summer garden fun with Ely Cathedral. There's no excuse for 'I'm Bored' with things to see and do, inside and out! Have fun.
https://mailchi.mp/visitely.org.uk/summer-holiday-activities-in-ely

Congratulations to Mr Alan Parkinson on his new role as Vice President: Education of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)! 🙌🏽

Mr Parkinson, who is our Head of Geography at King's Ely Prep, started the four-year vice presidency this summer. The society's new President is Professor Dame Jane Francis, who is Director of the British Antarctic Survey.

The society was founded in 1830 and it has a long association with exploration. It supported the expeditions of many famous explorers and scientists, including Charles Darwin, David Livingstone, Robert Falcon Scott, Alfred Russel Wallace, and Sir Ernest Shackleton, as well as Hillary and Tenzing’s successful ascent of Everest in 1953. The society’s education work includes an annual conference, numerous resources on its website, teacher and student events, exhibitions and archives, and other support for Geography educators.

Mr Parkinson will serve on Council - the society’s governing body - guiding educational policy and getting involved in a range of projects at the society’s Kensington headquarters, which are known as “The home of Geography”. Through this work, students at King’s Ely will be connected with people and projects which will enhance the Geography curriculum at all levels.

Mr Parkinson, who was previously President of the Geographical Association in 2021-22, said: “The work of the RGS-IBG is founded on many of the greats in global exploration, but there has always been a desire to connect young people to the lessons learned from these great exploits and support their Geographical education and imagination. Although we might think that there are no undiscovered places left, the uncertain future our planet faces will produce challenges which will need as many Geographers as possible to solve. I am excited and honoured to be taking on this role, and the responsibility that comes with it.”

Mr Parkinson has taught Geography for over thirty years, and has written and edited numerous textbooks and children's books. He is a Chartered Geographer, a Fellow of the RGS-IBG, and has won numerous awards for his writing, innovative teaching, and support of other colleagues. These include the RSGS’s Joy Tivy Education Medal in 2013, which has only been awarded nine times: one fellow awardee is the late education guru, Sir Ken Robinson.

Along with Daniel Raven Ellison, Mr Parkinson was the co-founder of Mission:Explore. He writes many blogs including LivingGeography, which has had over seven million page views. Recent work includes being an author and reviewer for the Oak National curriculum project, and textbooks for GCSE and international qualifications.

Remember that our Nearly New Uniform Shop is open during the summer holidays! 🙌🏽

Up until Wednesday August 28th, the shop will be open every Wednesday evening from 6pm-7.30pm and every Friday morning from 9am-10.30am.

The shop is located close to our Main Reception and Car Park, off Barton Square.

If you have nearly new uniform to donate, you can place it in the drop-off bin at Main Reception any time from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Items must be in bags with your contact information inside. Uniform must be clean and undamaged.

80% of sale proceeds are returned to parents, 20% goes to our school charities. You
can also choose to donate 100% of the proceeds of sale to charity.

For more information, please email: [email protected]

We are so excited to be staging 'Radium Girls' at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next week! 🎭

Following our talented Sixth Form cast and crew's fantastic production of the D. W. Gregory play here at King's in February, they are now applying a few finishing touches ahead of its launch at The Fringe on Monday, August 5th.

'Radium Girls' will be staged at Greenside Venues, in George Street, from August 5th through to August 10th, at 1.50pm every day.

About the play - In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage - until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, 'Radium Girls' traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumours could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees. As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire.

Written with warmth and humour, 'Radium Girls' is a fast-moving, highly-theatrical ensemble piece for nine to ten actors, who play more than thirty parts - friends, co-workers, lovers, relatives, attorneys, scientists, consumer advocates, and myriad interested bystanders. Called a "powerful" and "engrossing" drama by critics, 'Radium Girls' offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialisation of science.

Directed by Old Elean and Director in Residence, Mr Isaac Beeton, our cast is made up of Finlay Beeton, Rufus Froy, Libby Hills, Isobel Holland, Alexander New, Annabelle Penn, Bethan Prichard, Elizabeth Raynes, Charlotte Senior, and Edith Thomson. Year 13 leaver, Jack Tisi, is overseeing lighting and sound operation.

Tickets are £12 or £9 for concessions. To book your tickets or for more information, visit: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/radium-girls

If you know someone who is visiting The Fringe this year, please encourage them to support our students! 👏🏽

South Angle Farm Park is well worth a visit or two this summer! 🙌🏽

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Testimonial by King’s Ely Acremont Nursery parents, Mr and Mrs Tyler:

“We could not be more delighted with Ivy’s first year at King’s Ely Acremont Nursery! The dedicated teachers have truly made a significant impact on her early education.

“The communication from staff has been exceptional, keeping us well-informed of Ivy’s progress and daily activities, both face-to-face at pick-up and through the app during the day. What sets this Nursery apart, in our view, is its innovative approach to the children’s development; they have seamlessly blended play and learning, creating an environment where our daughter has thrived. Ivy adores being outside and the outdoor set up at the Nursery is full of places to explore, play, and learn.

“We wholeheartedly commend the teachers and staff, and look forward to more enriching years ahead.”

Soak up the magic of King's Ely Acremont Nursery by coming to our Open Day on Saturday, September 21st.

To book your family's place, please call our Admissions Team on (01353) 660707, email [email protected] or visit: https://www.kingsely.org/news-events/open-days/

We look forward to meeting you! 🙌🏽

We have a very exciting opportunity for a Graduate Drama Assistant to join our team! 🎭

We seek to appoint a creative and energetic individual, who is confident leading clubs and workshops with young people, who demonstrates initiative, and who is eager to learn and develop their skills within our bustling Drama Department. Strong communication skills, a positive can-do attitude, and an eye for detail are essential qualities.

The successful candidate will be utilised across King's Ely Prep, Senior, and Sixth Form to support existing members of the department with teaching, administration, clubs, productions, and events. They may also work closely with our Theatre Technician to ensure the smooth operation of our multipurpose theatre space.

The position is initially for one year, starting from late August 2024. The role is full time and will involve regular after school and weekend rehearsals, performances, and trips throughout the year. This is an outstanding opportunity for an individual who is looking to gain experience in an independent school setting, before following a career in teaching or drama in education.

The closing date for applications is Friday, August 16th. To apply or for more information, please visit: https://www.kingsely.org/job-vacancies/

Please help us to spread the word by sharing this post and tagging anyone who you think might be interested in the role! 👏🏽

Every year, there is a group of Year 13 students, for whom leaving King's is especially emotional - those who have journeyed right the way through the school from Nursery or Pre-Prep! 🥰

These photos were taken during the last week of term, when Year 13 leavers who joined King's Ely Acremont Nursery and Pre-Prep many moons ago, were invited back during morning playtime to reminisce about their Acremont adventures.

Some members of staff have been at Acremont long enough to remember teaching the Year 13s when they were there, and of course the children were beyond excited to have some new "grown-ups" to play and explore with them.

One thing is for sure, friendships made at King's usually last a lifetime! 👏🏽

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Congratulations to intrepid King's Ely Senior student, Will Bradshaw, for completing the gruelling 'Dunwich Dynamo 2024' cycle ride! 🙌🏽

Will, who will be in Year 11 in September, decided to take on the 120-mile cycling challenge from Hackney, London, to Dunwich, Suffolk, not only to put his stamina to the test, but to also raise money and awareness for the Hope4Malawi charity.

The 'Dunwich Dynamo' first took place in 1992, and each year around 2,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities get involved. The event is always held on the Saturday in July which is nearest to the full moon. It starts in the evening, with participants finishing on the beach in Dunwich early on the Sunday morning. The overnight challenge has no official organiser, no entry fee, no marshals or anything else that you would normally find at a cycling event.

Will, who joined King's in Year 9 from St Faith's School in Cambridge, has raised more than £1,000, including gift aid, for Hope4Malawi. This will be added to the £25,000 that we have raised this academic year as a Senior School and Sixth Form community to help the charity build a new double classroom at Hope Secondary School in Malawi.

Construction work is due to start this September, and the charity says that the new facilities will enable 50 more students to attend Secondary School next year, who otherwise would not be able to.

If you would like to sponsor Will, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/william-bradshaw-1704711951505

A superb achievement, Will - well done! 👏🏽

Photos of our King's Ely Prep 'towels on tour' have started to trickle in, and we are here for it! 🙌🏽

At the end of the academic year, our Year 8 pupils always receive a gift to celebrate the completion of their Prep School journey. This year's present was a branded navy blue, duck egg blue and white school towel, which was very well received by the children and their families.

We encouraged all of our Year 8 leavers to take their school towel with them on any holidays or adventures that they would be enjoying during the summer break, and to send us photos.

Pictured are Vincent with his towel in New York, and Richard in Slovenia with his! 😎

Please keep your 'towels on tour' photos coming - post them in the comments box of this post and/or email them to [email protected]

At King's Ely Acremont Nursery and Pre-Prep, our skilled and attentive staff go the extra mile to make every single day exciting and inventive! 😊

We like our youngest Eleans to ask questions, to share, to demonstrate independence, resilience, and a sense of ‘have a go’. We also like mistakes and grow from them, we like good manners and develop respect from them, and we absolutely demand fun! We aim to make the most wonderful memories, and we learn best when the load feels light, and the giggles are plenty.

Soak up the magic of King's Ely Acremont Nursery and Pre-Prep by coming to our Open Day on Saturday, September 21st.

To book your family's place, please call our Admissions Team on (01353) 660707, email [email protected] or visit: https://www.kingsely.org/news-events/open-days/

We look forward to meeting you! 🙌🏽

Congratulations to Ms Sue-Ellen Godde and her England Touch Rugby Women's 35 teammates for winning Silver in the 2024 Touch World Cup! 🏉

A total of 187 touch rugby teams from 39 different nations battled it out in this year's tournament, which took place at the University of Nottingham from July 16th-21st.

Ms Godde is a Teacher of Physics at King's Ely Senior, Housemistress of Withburga House (one of our Senior girls' day houses), and our Head of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education.

Ms Godde started playing touch rugby at university when she was 21-years-old. She has played in both mixed and women's teams for the past 11 years, has won two World Cup Bronze medals, and achieved 50 caps when in Malaysia for the 2019 World Cup.

In the Final Series of this year's World Cup, Ms Godde and her teammates beat South Africa 7-3, but lost 2-10 against Australia.

England Touch enjoyed its most successful ever Touch World Cup campaign this year, winning medals in 10 out of the 13 categories contested. England’s women led the way, with all four teams medalling. The Women’s 27 and 35 both took home Silver, with the Women’s Open and 40 teams winning Bronze. The two mixed gender teams, the Mixed Open and Mixed 30, also earned Bronze medals, as did the Men’s 30, 40, 50 and 55! 👏🏽

Remember that the King's Ely Swimming Pool is open to all members of our school community throughout the summer holidays! 🥽

King's families, staff members, and Old Eleans are able to use the heated outdoor pool daily between 1pm and 5pm.

Five-day swimming lesson programmes are also taking place in the pool from July 29th to August 2nd, August 5th to August 9th, and August 12th to August 16th. The lessons are for swimmers of all ages and abilities, fun is the focus, and each daily lesson will last for 30 minutes between 9am and 11.30am.

Lane swimming is available on a daily basis too.

All of the above is organised by our friends at Seahorse Swim School. For more information, including ticket prices and bookings, please visit: https://www.seahorseswimely.co.uk/

Congratulations to ten of our Sixth Form students for passing their The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Gold Assessed Expedition! 🙌🏼

Ethan Cole, Charlie Hall, Libby Hills, Rory Jones, Keira Mavin, Alexander New, John Standley, Ella Townley, Patrick Townley, and Kerry Robson spent the first four days and three nights of their summer holidays trekking and camping in Snowdonia, North Wales.

Walking and climbing as two groups, the students faced heavy rain for the majority of the expedition. However, there were some sunny moments, including when the explorers navigated Mount Snowdon on day two.

Tim Wyndham-Smith, who is our DofE Manager and Assistant Director of Outdoor Education, said: "I have been involved in these kind of expeditions for more than 15 years now, and this expedition is one of the most positive ones that I have experienced. The students were so upbeat and determined, despite the challenges that they faced from the weather, the terrain, and the nature of the expedition. They should all be very proud of their achievements."

Are you or is someone who you know looking for part-time work? 👀

We have a vacancy for a minibus driver to join our transport team.

The role is 20 hours per week and term time only, however flexible/ad hoc extra hours may also be available.

The successful applicant will be capable and confident in driving minibuses with up to 17 seats, and they will hold a D1 category licence. If applicants do not have a D1 licence, they will be willing to undergo full D1 training.

The closing date for applications is Friday, August 2nd. To apply or to find out more about the role, visit: https://www.kingsely.org/job-vacancies/

Please help us to spread the word by sharing this post and tagging anyone who you think might be interested in the opportunity! 👏🏽

We were thrilled to welcome West End and television actor, writer, and director, Craig Gallivan, to King's to judge the finals of our inaugural Senior Drama Festival! 🎭

Students in Years 9 to 13 presented a stunning selection of monologues and duologues from a variety of different plays and playwrights to Craig and an appreciative audience in the Hayward Theatre during the last week of term.

After much deliberation, the following winners were announced:

Best Year 9-11 Monologue – Odette Dudley

Best Year 9-11 Duologue – Zach Hatton and Lottie Thomas

Best Year 12-13 Monologue – Libby Hills

Best Year 12-13 Duologue – Olivia Williams and Rufus Froy

Best Original Script – Amelia Green

Best Comedy Performance – Finlay Beeton

Overall Year 9-11 Drama Festival Winner – Rose Tisi

Overall Year 12-13 Drama Festival Winner – Isobel Holland

Mr Oliver Pengelly, King's Ely Senior's Director of Drama and Theatre, said: "It was such a fantastic evening! Craig was full of admiration for the courage of all the performers, and he was blown away by the quality of our young actors. He certainly found the adjudication of the awards very difficult, and I am glad that it was his job rather than mine!

"Congratulations to every single student who participated. I often talk about taking risks and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, and it was brilliant to see so many students grasping this opportunity. I was particularly delighted to see so many of our younger Senior students taking part, and I know that they will have learnt a lot from watching the older students. It was an inspiring evening full of quality, and I very much hope the festival will become a mainstay of the school calendar."

Bravo to our dance troupe, King's Ely-te, who gave a spectacular performance on the evening too! 👏🏽

Craig has starred in a number of high profile West End and television productions, including the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's international hit musical, School of Rock. Over a two-year period, Craig performed to more than 300,000 people, and he is the longest running 'Dewey' in the show's West End history.

He is also known to millions around the country for his roles in ITV's Footballer's Wives and as Ruth Jones' son, Luke, in the SKY1 comedy, Stella. Craig currently stars as Olaf in Disney's Frozen The Musical, a role which he originated at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

📷 Images by Keith Heppell Photography

Mr Daniel Everest, who is Head of Computing and Digital Innovation at King’s Ely Prep, visited Stretham Community Primary School before their summer holidays started! 😊

Mr Everest ran a LEGO coding workshop with Year 6 pupils, which was organised through our outreach programme.

Mr Everest, who is also our Head of Key Stage 2, said: "The workshop saw Year 6s learning how to code fans using motion sensors and accelerometers. Pupils then had to design, build, and code their own LEGO vehicles to take part in a tug-of-war competition!

"Students in Years 4 to 6 at King's Ely Prep have been using the LEGO kits this year, and they love them! It is fantastic to be able to share our resources with local primary schools. Well done to the Year 6s at Stretham for being such superstars!"

The application closing date for our 'Teaching and Learning Support Assistant and Breaktime Supervisor' vacancy at King's Ely Prep is fast approaching! 👏🏽

The role is 8.30am-1.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only, and starting in September 2024.

The main responsibilities of the role involve supporting pupils in class, leading small groups, working with individuals, and supervising play at breaktimes.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday, July 24th.

To apply or to read the full job description, visit: https://www.kingsely.org/job-vacancies/

Please help us to spread the word by sharing this post and tagging anyone who you think might be interested in the opportunity! 👏🏽

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Congratulations to four of our Sixth Form students, who have raised more than £1,300 for the Hope4Malawi charity by completing a gruelling 60-mile walk! 🙌🏽

Twin brothers, Matt and Jack Jeremy, and their friends, Rory Brech and Archie Warriner, decided to start their summer break by taking on the challenge of walking from Happisburgh to Hunstanton, via the Norfolk Coast Path.

The intrepid quartet, who will all be in Year 13 in September, started their walk on July 8th and completed it four days later on July 11th! 👏🏽

Thanks to generous donations from family and friends, the lads have raised more than £1,300 for Hope4Malawi, which will be added to the £25,000 that we have raised this academic year as a Senior School and Sixth Form community to help the charity build a new double classroom at Hope Secondary School in Malawi. Construction work is due to start this September and the charity says that the new facilities will enable 50 more students to attend Secondary School next year, who otherwise would not be able to.

Matt and Jack's mum, Lisa Jeremy, said: "Matt travelled to Africa last year with the school to see a similar project in action, and so with a passion to give a little more, he suggested the walk to his fellow Geography students, thinking that they could see the erosion of the coast first hand, whilst kicking off the summer break with a bit of fun and sun along the way. They unfortunately had torrential rain on day two, but they walked around 130,000 steps each from Happisburgh to Hunstanton, stopping at Cromer, Cley, and Burnham Deepdale to camp each night. Reaching Hunstanton just after midday on day four, the blisters were evident but so were the smiles! Raising over £1,300 for Hope4Malawi, the boys would like to thank everyone for their kind donations."

Donations can still be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/norfolkwalk-malawi-1719247560751

North Norfolk is calling for wonderful Mr and Mrs Richard and Joanna Whymark, who have taken early "almost-retirement" after 16 dedicated years at King’s! 🥰

Richard, our Head of Prep, and Joanna, one of our Year 5 Teachers at Prep, have both given so much to our school community since they joined King’s in September 2008.

Richard and Joanna first met at University in Exeter, and they have been teaching by each other’s side for more than three decades. The positive impact that they have had on the thousands of young people who have been nurtured by them over the years at King’s Ely Prep, in Bath, Salisbury, and in Surrey, is quite remarkable. It is not just the children who are grateful for their time at King’s either, judging by comments written in their leaving cards by colleagues, parents/carers, and friends of our school.

Richard and Joanna’s two children, Bertie and Molly, also journeyed all the way through King’s, having joined Acremont Pre-Prep when the family moved to Ely. Having now both flown the nest to embark on their university careers, Richard and Joanna felt that the time had come for them to focus on completing some of their shared aspirations beyond their careers in education.

The whirlwind of special events and farewells that the end of the academic year always brings were extra poignant and emotional at Prep this year, knowing that they would be Richard and Joanna’s last.

Highlights included a group of staff bursting into song and surprising the couple with a fun rendition of ABBA’s ‘Waterloo’, skilfully re-written to be all about the Whymarks, at the end of Prep’s annual Summer Celebration, and reprised during Prep’s End of Year Assembly. As everyone clapped our leaving Year 8 pupils out from the Sports Hall on their final day, the children then turned to form a tunnel for Richard and Joanna to follow them through as they left the school too! 👏🏽

Richard, who is renowned for his compassion, resilience, witty humour, and love of art, said: “What an honour it has been to be at King’s since September 2008. We have felt privileged to enjoy the responsibility for, and the embrace of, the Prep community and we will miss the school enormously. What is clear from all that has been said and celebrated with the children in the lead up to the end of term, is that they love their school and the richness of opportunity available. Long may that be the case and thank you again most sincerely for your kindness, understanding, and encouragement over the last 16 years. Joanna and I were overwhelmed to receive a very generous gift on behalf of parents, and we would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed. With every good wish for the future – to the children, your families, the school, and the wonderful team we have worked alongside at King’s.”

Joanna, whose patient approach, infectious smile, commitment to her pupils, and deep love of Maths, will be missed by the many children who will never forget her “groovy dates”, her favourite number (56), and the banishing of any reference to “easy Maths”, along with her constant kindness and a good knit and natter!

The Whymarks, including their black Labrador, Swanton, are looking forward to living within walking distance of the sea in Norfolk, and spending time together as a family during their next chapter of life.

As most of you will know, Mr Simon Kibler has been appointed to be Richard’s successor as Head of Prep from September 2024. Simon is currently Headmaster of Terrington Hall Prep School, which is located just outside York. Married to Kate, they have four children, two of whom are still at school.

We look forward to sharing more information about the Kiblers with you all soon once they have moved and settled into their Ely home! 🙌🏽

Richard said: “The future is set to be an exciting time for King’s. Joanna and I look forward to learning how Simon Kibler and the team will shape the next chapter of development at King’s Ely Prep. The school is in good heart and will no doubt offer Simon, Kate, and their family a warm welcome over the coming months.”