Gymnast Joy at Kent College - Kent College Pembury

Gymnast Joy at Kent College
The Kent College Gymnast Academy, set up in the
summer of 2009 has started with great success and
excitement within the Kent College community.
The Academy, run by ex British Olympian Natalie
Davies, is open to both KC and non KC girls from
the Reception to Sixth Form.
Held in the sports hall with state of the art
facilities, including trampette, asymmetric bars,
beams, full size floor area, sprung air track and
vault, the Academy aims to offer an exciting
opportunity for girls interested in gymnastics. With
trained and qualified BGA coaches, girls can learn
and expand their skills and natural ability in a safe
and fun environment.
With such enthusiasm from both girls and staff, the
Gymnast Academy is another excellent opportunity
for girls to shine.
For further information contact Natalie Davies at
daviesn@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk
“
The new Gymnastics Academy at
Kent College is brilliant. I feel that
it gives all the Gymnasts a bigger
chance to train regularly. It also
enables the Gymnasts to practise
on the new range of equipment,
including the bars, the beam and
the air track. Personally, it is a
great way to train just that little
bit harder and also have a lot of
fun at the same time. I feel that
all the students at the gymnastics
academy have improved a lot.
“
Yr 13 Gymnast and Sports Captain, Stephanie Abbott

Comment
From
The Heads
Preparatory School
Head’s Introduction
“You can discover more about a
person in an hour of play than in
a year of conversation”. Plato
This term has seen new additions to the outdoor play
area in the Prep School. Early Years pupils now have a
covered outdoor area with artificial grass, seating and
new educational equipment. The girls also have a set of
outdoor chimes and an oversized storytelling chair. These
new developments have provided our youngest pupils
with the opportunity to continue to have fun and learn
from each other through their creative play. By making
up games and stories they are actually developing critical
cognitive skills.
Our older girls have a wooden boat where they can
use their imaginations to experience adventures on
the high seas and for Year 6 they have their own
designated gazebo.
During this term I have had the pleasure of spending
Friday mornings with our nursery girls. Witnessing their
creative play it is clear the impact this type of experience
has on the development of their critical thinking and
problem solving skills and also how they assimilate their
knowledge of the world around them.
Before half term parents were invited to attend a
Mathematics Information Evening. This provided staff
with the opportunity to share with parents the varying
strategies employed in the teaching of mathematics.
For many it brought back “mixed” memories of their
own schooling.
The autumn term is traditionally a busy one and
congratulations to the girls for their hard work and also
to those pupils who have represented the school in a
number of sports.
The ISI inspectors who visited recently were very much
struck by the “genuine warmth” of the school. We await
the final report which should be published early next term.
I hope you all have a peaceful and happy Christmas.
Ann Lawson
Preparatory School Headmistress
Senior School
Head’s Introduction
‘When Sandi Toksvig came to talk to the school this term,
she did so having just published a work entitled ‘Girls Are
Best’. She certainly found herself in the right place, as
the details of this edition of Pulse demonstrate. It seems
that KC girls are not just ‘best’ at both individual and
team sports, at creative and dramatic arts, horse-riding
and debating – we even produce some of the best honey
in Kent. Not many headmistresses can be including that
latter detail in their newsletters this term!
However, being ‘best’ or coming first is not so much at
the heart of the school’s ethos as supporting others,
fulfilling our potential and generally having a good
time. That is why this newsletter will also tell you of
extraordinary fund-raising activities, links with other
Christian schools and an exceptionally warm welcome
for a small rabbit. It is this thrilling combination which
makes KC the school it is and everyone who visits is quick
to pick up on that. Whilst we await the official publication
of the ISI report, everyone here enjoyed the company of
the team of inspectors, who had a lot to say about the
outstanding educational and pastoral experience on offer
here. However, it was the girls who made the greatest
impression of all. One inspector called them, ‘confident
but never arrogant’; I hope that this newsletter will give
you the same impression.
Sally-Anne Huang
Senior School Headmistress

Trips, Activities
And Events
KC girls shine at GSA Conference –
Senior School
On Tuesday 6th October, the Girls Schools’ Association held their 5th
annual conference at Kent College. Year 11 classes were in attendance
from eight GSA schools and enjoyed a programme of speakers and
debating topics about ‘Women in Leadership’.
Sunny Sponsored Walk –
Senior and Prep Schools
The whole school Sponsored Walk took place in
September with glorious weather holding out all day for
us. Parents, pupils, staff and dogs took part in the annual
10 mile walk around Pembury to raise money for the KC
Nepal School and the Impey Siwisa School in South Africa.
The amount raised so far is estimated at £6,000, but funds
are still coming in.
Apple picking at Pippins –
Prep school
While the rest of the school were walking around Pembury woods,
the Kent College Early Years had a fun time walking to Pippins Farm
before picking and tasting juicy apples.
Yr 7 pupils take a break
on the sponsored walk
Girls listened to various successful business women from entrepreneurs
to journalists to Dragons’ Den contestants about their roles,
opportunities, opinions, influences and disappointments.
Girls were then invited to debate the topic ‘Are women taking over
the world?’ making for fiery discussion with the winning Kent College
debating team putting many thought provoking statements and
questions to the opposition.
The day was very successful and gave girls an opportunity to gain advice
from women in leadership. Year 11 pupil, Katie Holden commented:
“Overall the conference was interesting and taught us all a lot about
young women and indeed women of all ages in the working world.
I think this will be a good thing to have next year and indeed every year,
it was fun and a new way of learning.”
Birthday wishes from Sandi Toksvig –
Senior School
Sandi Toksvig was the guest of honour when Kent College
celebrated its 123rd Anniversary on Tuesday 6th October.
After an informal interview from the school magazine
team Ms Toksvig presented her thought provoking and
humorous speech, before signing copies of her book
‘Girls are Best’. Member of the school magazine,
Camilla Simpson in Year 12 commented: “Sandi
Toksvig was an interesting and funny person to
meet; she was interested to hear about us; the
subjects we took and what inspires us. Her
unassuming nature made her the ideal celebrity
to interview and it was a thoroughly enjoyable
experience.”
Taster Treat at the Senior School –
Prep School
Year 6 had a very busy, fun filled day at the Senior school for the annual
Yr 6 Taster Day. Activities included Science, Art, Spanish, Classics,
Drama, Maths, RE, German, Geography and English. The girls all had lots
of fun and learnt a great deal about life at the Senior School.
WW2 Day – Prep School
Year 3 had an interesting day on Friday 13th November, learning all
about life during World War II. Girls dressed up in clothes from the
1940’s and learnt about food that was eaten and equipment that
would have been used during the War. The girls however, were not too
impressed at the thought of eating whale meat, spam and rabbits!
School Officers Jessica Reynolds,
Elizabeth White and Ashley Alexander-Birch
with Sandi Toksvig and Mrs Huang
Back in time
to the 1940’s
Lower Sixth lead the way to Parliament –
Senior School
By Oli Franks L6
There’s nothing like a bit of constitutional know-how to kick off the
term, so on Friday 11th September the Lower Sixth ventured forth to
Westminster for a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament while the
MPs were on holiday. After being security searched and issued with
fetching ID badges, we were admitted to Portcullis House, a light and
modern building opposite the Houses of Parliament which holds many
of the committee rooms in which government policies are hammered
out. We all had a session in these rooms, using the clever ‘computervoting-device-thingies’
to give our opinions on topical issues.
Following this we were taken on a tour of the Houses of Commons and
Lords. The stunning architecture in Westminster Hall and the intricacy
of the gold detail on the throne in the House of Lords were among the
marvels we saw as we were led through the building, but probably the
best part was hearing tales of MPs sprinting from all over Westminster
when there was a vote, especially Hazel Blears, who apparently can’t
half shift when she wants to!
It was a fascinating trip for all of us, especially as many of us had
previously only a vague idea of how the country was actually run, and
many thanks to the teachers who organised and accompanied us.
We now can’t wait till we get the vote ourselves and have our say!

Sports
Achievements
Candace Filbrandt, Yr 9
Gym update
• In November, the U9 Gym team of Olivia Hossenboccus, Charlotte
Lester, Annabelle Cynk, Sophie West and Sophie Whitaker were
invited to take part in the U9 Gymnastic competition at Tormead
in preparation for their U9 International Competition. The girls
performed very well against strong competition and all held
their nerves in their second ever competition. Sophie
Whittaker scored an amazing 9.00 on set vault and Olivia
Hossenboccus executed a beautiful voluntary floor
routine with 8.25. Head Gymnast Coach Natalie
Davies commented: “All the girls looked wonderful in
their new sparkling silver and navy blue leotards.
The future for these up and coming gymnasts
looks extremely promising and they were great
ambassadors for the school.”
• The U9 and U13 teams qualified for the
National GISGA competition in March.
With the U9 team gaining 6th place and the
U13 team gaining 5th.
• Candace Filbrandt in year 9 represented
her gymnastic club and competed in the
Meapa 4 piece Recreational Gymnastic
Competition on Sunday 11th October
where she took the silver all round medal
and the gold on vault. Congratulations on
a super achievement.
Netball
• All the Prep school netball teams are off to a good start this year with
6 wins out of eight matches played this half term.
• The U13 and U14 teams have had a good start to the beginning of
the term winning a number of matches.
• The U12 team have been amazing so far this term and are yet to
be beaten!
• The 1st netball team played superbly in the Kent Schools Tournament
and got to the semi-finals out of 60 schools in the region.
Hockey
• The 1st hockey team have been very strong this term and have won
the majority of their matches. This month they reached the quarter
finals of the Kent Schools tournament. The 1st 7-a-side hockey team
won the ‘Mayfield Tournament’ in September.
• The U15 hockey team have had a successful start and are showing
great potential.
• The 1st XI hockey team reached the quarter finals in the county
championships with the 1st V11 reaching the semi-finals.
• In November the U15 hockey team won 2-1 and drew 2-2 in the 7 a
side Triangle Tournament V Ashford.
Kents Hill visit KC
In November the Kents Hill hockey team from America visited for a
week and took part in various matches, lessons and activities. The KC
1st and 2nd hockey teams beat Kents Hill 5-1.
KC Riding team success –
Senior School
The team of 4, including Lottie Carter yr 8 and Olivia Springham, Louise
Springham and Susannah Jeffery in yr 9 performed very well at the Inter
Schools Show Jumping at Duckhurst Farm in October. In the individual
class Susannah came 3rd out of 25 riders. In the team class KC were the
only team to finish on a score
of zero penalties, and won
the competition against
some stiff opposition.
Congratulations to
all girls!
KC Prep
playing netball.
Senior School netball match

The Arts
The Black
Spider –
Senior School
Generally most people, when
they hear the words black spider,
think of furry, black, often revolting little
squirmy creatures that scuttle along the ground attempting to wreak
havoc, or they run a mile and don’t come back. However many people
would not think of an opera being performed by a group of enthusiastic
KC girls in the middle of a church covered in fake cobwebs! However this
was exactly what happened as The Black Spider, an opera composed by
Judith Weir was performed between the 4th and 6th of November.
The Black Spider is staged in three acts which tell two corresponding
stories set in two different time periods, one is a modern day, apparently
‘true’ story taken from a report in the Times (London) newspaper in 1983.
The second story, set in the 15th century, is very freely adapted from ‘die
schwarze Spinne’ (‘the Black Spider’), a notable Swiss-German novella
by the 19th century writer Jeremias Gotthelf; about a spider who wreaks
havoc in a little village and after being locked up, appears hundreds of
years later in the modern setting of the 20th century.
All our efforts paid off as we were honoured with the presence of Judith
Weir at our final performance on Friday, and we all hope she
really enjoyed it, I think she did after she said that it was
‘the best adaptation that she had seen of the opera’.
It was also nice that we got a good chance to scare
Mr Chanter!
It was so fun and dramatic, an amazing
experience and as it was my very first
performance at the school, it was a great
experience to be treasured. I really
encourage other girls to take part in operas
like this in the (hopefully near) future.
Guinevere Poncia
Year 9
Natasha Reade and Jaillin Bates
acting in ‘The Sea’
Bianca Von Oppell as the evil count
in the Black Spider Opera.
Textiles trip to Hobarts
Lasers – Senior school
On Thursday 12th November the Lower
and Upper 6th groups took part in a
visit to Hobarts Lasers in West Malling.
Hobarts is a company which sells laser
machines to schools and industry for a
wide variety of uses. Students were given
a lecture about the application of lasers
in Product Design and the use of CAD/
CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer
Aided Manufacture) and its implications and
advantages of repeatability for industry and mass
manufacture.
Students prepared images prior to the visit and were
taught to adjust the design so it would be acceptable to the
machine. Everyone produced a small sample to add to their
A level coursework.
‘The Sea’ Drama Production –
Senior School
A ‘comedy’ by Edward Bond set on the East coast of England in the
winter of 1907.
This delicate Chekhovian mixture of farce and tragedy with the threat
of imminent world war clearly captures the monotony, lost hopes and
petty jealousies of a small Edwardian community. Bond calls the play
a comedy, but its rich and melancholy weave speaks as much of death
and loss as it does of the eccentricities of the English middle classes.
Year 11 Drama students produced 2 stunning versions of the play
which gave audiences the opportunity to see the great breadth of
talent in the current GCSE group. The play was enormously enhanced
by Mr Hougham’s superb atmospheric lighting, sound
effects, music and video which demonstrated
how extraordinarily versatile our recently
refurbished studio can be. Well done to all
the girls involved, a huge achievement
particularly during ‘mocks’ week!
By Mr Ashton
KC Photography Competition –
Senior School
A flurry of superb photographic images were
submitted to Mrs Jeal for the KC Wildlife
Photographic Competition and choosing the winners
proved to be a hard task. Congratulations to all girls
for their stunning images and to the
following winners:
Year 7 First prizes:
Elouise Dubrow
Anastasia Pillar
Lucy Chalk
Duck:
Leonora Marshall
Yr 13
Upper 6
First prizes:
Leonora Marshall
Mosaic workshop – Prep School
by Daisy Macnutt and Lily Abery 6C
Year 6 enjoyed a mosaic workshop with Oliver Budd, It was very creative
and Mr Budd was extremely helpful. The colours we used were amazing
and it contributed a lot to the fantastic mosaic outside. The end result
is amazing and I feel really proud when I see our mosaic. I know that
everyone put loads of effort into their section and that they thoroughly
enjoyed making it. Mr Budd was very inspiring
and I hope that others will have the
chance to get a go.
“The mosaic livens up our
playground and I feel that we’ve
done a great job. It was an
experience I’m never going to
forget and it makes me feel
very proud when I look at it!”
Emily Cynk 6C
Mosaic making
at KC Prep
Year 9 First prizes:
Lauren Kennedy
Guinevere Poncia
Ladybird:
Guinevere Poncia
Yr 9

Prep
Pulse Extra
A taste of autumn
for KC Prep
Prep school pumpkins
Before the summer holidays the green
fingered nursery class planted pumpkin
seeds and in October the fully grown
pumpkins were picked and turned into
pumpkin soup by the school catering staff.
Everyone in the prep school enjoyed a taste
of their home grown soup.
Experiencing Roman life
Reading a story on
the new story chair
Learning about Lifeboats
On the 15th October, Year 2 went to Newhaven to visit the
Royal National Lifeboat Institution to learn all about this
important charity. The girls thoroughly enjoyed their day
pretending to be lifeboat crew, dressing up in uniforms,
visiting the engine room and learning what to do in an
emergency.
On board HMS Pembury
Playtime Fun
In September and October, a new covered outdoor play area was
built for the Early Years, to ensure that playtime never gets rained off!
Further play equipment was also added for other year groups including
HMS Pembury, a story telling chair, outside chimes and a special seating
area for year 6.
World War II Visits
Squadron leader Cyster visited on Wednesday 14th October to tell
girls about the RAF’s role in World War II. He arrived in his uniform
and spoke about the planes and bombs used in the war.
Mr Dray (one of the girls’ grandparents) visited on Friday 9th October
to tell girls about his experience of World War II. He explained how he
was only 11 when the war started, what rationing was like and how he
was chased down the street by an aeroplane. Girls listened to CDs with
the sounds of bombs, aeroplanes and speeches to understand what life
would have been like.
All girls enjoyed listening to both visitors and learnt a great deal.
Squadron Leader Cyster
and pupils from Yr 3
Roman Ruins
On Monday 16th November year 4 visited Roman Fishbourne Palace
in Chichester, as part of their studies on Roman Britain. The girls had
an amazing day and managed to see the largest collection of Roman
mosaics in the country.
They also walked through formal gardens and took part in Roman
workshops where amongst other things, they looked at Roman artefacts
and experienced exciting activities such as spinning wool, mixing herbs
in a Roman style kitchen and writing on wax tablets.
Helpful visitors
As part of their topic on ‘People Who Help us’ year 1 visited the Fire
station and had a lovely morning as well as seeing an emergency call
out. Other visitors included the school cleaners, the school nurse and
Mr Beard the Prep School Site Manager. Girls were able to ask questions
and write an account about
their friendly visitors.
Year 1 and their
friendly firemen
Keep up to date with news, achievements and notices by visiting www.kent-college.co.uk

Senior
Pulse Extra
Year 7
Activity weekend
New Year 7’s join the KC community
New Year 7 students enjoyed various induction days to help
familiarise themselves with their new school. The ICT
induction, before the autumn term began, was a fun few
days and helped the girls to get to know staff and
each other and to learn some more IT skills before
term began. During the first few weeks of the
autumn term, the Sixth Form School Officers
held an Activity Day, full of outside team
building activities and an overnight camp in
the schools’ orchard.
Fluffy friends at KC
In the summer holidays the boarders’ guinea
pigs moved to their new home in Hawkwell and
Hargreaves and were joined by Orlando the rabbit
whose arrival has gone down a storm!
National
Poetry Day
Our ‘Poetree’ grew
multi-coloured leaves
as classes came to the
LRC to choose a poem in
October. Poetry has been
much enjoyed this term, starting
with Year 7 girls writing their
own revolting rhyme or vile verse to
celebrate Roald Dahl Day. Rachel Sweet
in Y9 matched all the poets to their first lines
in the competition, and some interesting rhyming
couplets were added to the first lines of a communal poem.
Year 7 Roald Dahl
competition winners
A celebration of poetry will continue with the start of a yearly creative
writing publication to include girls’ work from all year groups.
Charity Update
by Charity Prefects Lisa Okawa & Charlotte Ashton
This year KC jumped into charity fundraising with the sponsored walk,
so far this has raised £100 for PDSA and £6282 for Impey Siwisa
a school in Africa and Action for Children, this was a
huge success as it was the first year in which we
weren’t rained on! We continued on our charity
journey with the Jeans for Genes day which
raised £396 and was great fun for everyone.
With many other charity events planned we
hope to continue to raise as much money
as we can for the many great causes that
have approached us.
Orlando the rabbit
Bonding on the yr 7
Activity weekend
AIMS Weekend
Kent College representatives joined pupils from other Methodist
Schools across the country to share in a weekend exploring global
issues. In the process they got to try some Cuban drumming and
dancing and met lots of new friends. Talks were carried out on topical
issues such as the arms trade, climate change, development in Africa
and Fairtrade giving pupils the opportunity to work in a variety of ways
together. Not everyone agreed on everything but this led to some lively
and interesting discussions.
KC’s honey is a winner
Kent College Bee Club’s
honey was exhibited at
the National Honey Show
this term and received a
Commendation.
Well done to the
following girls: Year 8
Hannah Flemington
Anna Heis
Rowena Maitland
Year 7
Daisy Pettitt
Gabby Davies
Hannah Dawson
Lauren Newman
Keep up to date with news, achievements and notices by visiting www.kent-college.co.uk

Extra
Updates
Fun at the Glam and Glitter Ball
Boarding Update
This term in boarding has been very eventful! It started with the
Glitter and Glamour ball raising money for Make a Wish Foundation,
supporting terminally ill children and granting them a special wish. We
have raised over £500 from the evening and it was enjoyed by all, with a
special guest appearance from Mrs Huang and even a wishing well! The
term has seen a bonfire night party with toffee apples, a competitive
bench ball evening and the 1st birthday of Mr Brown’s son Bertie.
Recent activities include ice skating, a trip to Wing Yip – a Chinese
supermarket, and we are awaiting the performance of this year’s
boarders pantomime – Peter Pan! The boarding community has never
felt so strong and we have lots planned for the next two terms.
By Head of Boarders, Nicole Mateer (Yr 13)
Kent College OGA
This year the Kent College Old Girls’ Association held two reunions both
occasions filled with laughter and lots of catching up.
The first was on a brilliantly sunny day. Basking with us in the heat was
a group of girls who had just finished their university degrees and a
group who were all celebrating their 50th birthdays: we enjoyed joining
in with all of these Old Girls. Unfortunately, the sun didn’t turn up for
our second reunion in London; however, despite the wind and rain, one
brave soul made the jour ney all the way from Newcastle to join us! We
had a delicious lunch and had fun reliving our Kent College lives. We are
already eagerly anticipating next year’s reunions, and are also beginning
to plan for the school’s 125th anniversary. Old Girls also regularly visit
the school when they are visiting the area and are always grateful for
the warm welcome they receive.
Thanks must go to those committee members who have worked so hard
to re-site our Heritage Collection into the Staff Dining Room. The display
brings back many memories of our school days – I doubt many of the
present girls would enjoy wearing the itchy tweed skirts that were part
of our uniform for many years!
Alison Smith (Hebditch KC 1977-1984)
Hon Secretary KC Old Girls’ Association
Kent College Parents’ Association Update
– Senior School
Dates for your diary
Christmas Flower Workshop - 5th December 2009
Alcohol/Drugs Awareness Talk – 1st February 2010
Being Beautiful Evening - 23rd April 2010
Summer Ball - 3rd July 2010
I really can’t believe how quickly time is marching on as we fast
approach Christmas. As a committee we have been very busy with a
variety of events both with parents and pupils. It was great to see that
the Open Mornings were extremely well attended proving that Kent
Colleges’ reputation and popularity are thriving even in these difficult
economic times.
When I last wrote for Pulse, we were getting ready for the Quiz Night
in June, this was a great success and proved to be the busiest yet! This
term we hosted the much awaited DISCO with Tonbridge Boys School.
All the girls were very excited and really made an effort with their
outfits, make-up and hair, something I remember well from my long
distant past!
At the time of writing this we are busy getting ready for the Christmas
Flower workshop, which is always a real hit with the more creative
amongst us.
In 2010 the KCPPA are looking at possibly funding the following
projects:
Outdoor Play equipment
Up To Date P.A. System
Speech Day Prizes
Once again I would like to ask you if you have any ideas for future KCPPA
events please do not hesitate to contact the Senior School Reception.
Thank you for your continued support, it is very much appreciated.
On behalf of the committee may I wish you all a warm and peaceful
Christmas and New Year.
Debra Bradbury-Ward
Chair
Aultmore Parents’ Association Update –
Prep School
Wow! What a busy term. The Aultmore Parents’ Association have
been working non-stop throughout the term organising events. We all
enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display, with a wonderful BBQ , mulled
wine, hot chocolate and best of all....it didn’t rain! So a big thank you to
the committee, parents and families for supporting this event. Next year
is already booked for 13th November, so please make a note of the date
in your diaries.
We are delighted to welcome so many new parents this term. I know
from speaking to some of you that you already feel a part of the very
friendly community that is so special to KC Prep. If you have any great
ideas or suggestions or even something you would like to organise
yourself, please let us know.
As I write this the APA are busy finalising the Christmas Fair and Grotto
preparations for Saturday 5th December with the girls eagerly awaiting
the arrival of Father Christmas. After this I think the committee will fall in
a heap under a Christmas tree for a well deserved rest - until next term!
Spring Term will see the APA Quiz Night, which is a great evening out,
if not a little competitive! We will also be holding The Mothers’ Day
Fair and Easter Egg Hunt. Preparations are already underway for the KC
Summer Ball which promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Watch this space.
On a final note, the reason why the APA work so hard is to raise funds
for not only KC Prep which this year funded, to highlight a few - the trim
trail, vegetable patch, gymnastic equipment and KS2 Disco, but also
KC Nepal of which we should all be very proud. I hope you all managed
to see the Nepal display in the foyer recently. As part of our ongoing
commitments we provide the funding for two teachers at KC Nepal
through the work of the Shiva charity.
Thank you all for your continued support and I wish you all a very happy
and healthy 2010!
Lucie Pettit
Chair