Celebrate 40

Celebrate!
Our students -
their stories
ISSUE 40 | December 2017

The latest...
HEADLINES
Another term has flown by,
and we now have a chance
to rest and recharge during
the Christmas holiday. I am
constantly inspired by the
work of our students. This
term we have enjoyed
fabulous performances,
sporting successes, visits
from a wide range of
wonderful guests and
friends of the school, and superb communal events.
We have been reminded, time and again, of the
spiritual, creative and cultural ethos we enjoy at King
Edward VI School.
But it is the day-to-day life of the school that I
particularly wish to celebrate. The determination of
our students to succeed in exams, the way they
collaborate in lessons, the charity work undertaken
by each College, the chess games, the robotics club,
their speaking assessments, their scientific
experiments, the designing, the creating, the
language speaking, and all the thousands of other
aspects of life which make this school such a joyous
place to be.
Jo Churchill, MP:
Or very grateful thanks go to Jo Churchill, MP who
visited in September. She described her life as an MP
and led a question and answer session for our students,
thus fueling their already strong interest in politics.
Sharon Shelley, Head of Citizenship
Super Science Saturday
Success:
Approximately 1500 people, mainly primary school children and
their families, attended our second-ever 'Super Science
Saturday'. Fifteen student leaders aged 11 to 18 joined our
specialist science team to put on a day of exciting, interesting and
inspiring activities for young and budding scientists in and around
Bury St Edmunds. The primary school children threw
themselves, sometimes literally, into the following activities:
· the Tower of Hanoi
· a reaction time 'Sheep Dash'
· an air-powered paper rocket workshop
· speed calculations with 'Didicar' racing
· TREATT activities based on scents and taste
· tarantula and mini-beast discovery provided by Swallow
Aquatics
· paper chromatography butterflies
· a bouncy castle
· a giant catapult (with projectile water balloons)
· polymers/sensory activities using water gel beads, slime
and slush
We organised Super Science Saturday in order to inspire the next
generation of scientists: it was a huge success. We would like to
thank everybody who came along.
I am hugely grateful to our staff and governors for
their unfailing support, enthusiasm and hard work.
And to the parents and carers of our wonderful
students; thank you, too.
Luke Bingham, Deputy Head of Science
I trust you will enjoy the stunning array of
achievements and adventures of our students and
staff in this, the 40th issue of Celebrate!, and I wish
you all a very happy and relaxing holiday.
Lee Walker, Headteacher
Centre of Excellence:
We are delighted to have received our plaque in
honour of the fact that we are now a GL 'Centre of
Assessment Excellence'. Our skills in using
assessment to plan learning experiences have been
formally recognised and we look forward to working
closely with GL Assessment, and other schools, to
improve our practice even further.
Lee Walker, Headteacher
Visit from Julian
Sedgwick:
Acclaimed children's author, Julian Sedgwick, visited us
back in October. He gave a talk, and an interactive
performance involving swords, magic and circus skills,
based on his 'Mysterium' and 'Ghosts of Shanghai'
trilogies.
Bridget McMillan, Librarian
Angie Chandler:
A member of our Catering and Cleaning teams, Angie Chandler,
cycled 60 kilometres, visiting 20 churches in 15 villages. Her ride was
th
part of the 36 'Ride and Stride' event which supports the Suffolk
Historic Churches Trust. The Trust makes grants to all denominations
and goes towards repairs and restoration. Altogether Angie raised
£145. Congratulations Angie!
Pat Day, Catering Manager
DEAR:
This term we introduced 'DEAR', our Drop
Everything And Read campaign. One day
each week, every tutor group have a DEAR
tutor session: 'The more things you read,
the more things you know. The more that
you learn, the more places you'll go'. Dr
Seuss.
Penny Quintero-Hunt, DEAR Coordinator

The latest...
PiXL Award
Winners:
Four Year 12 students and their
families travelled to the annual PiXL
Student Celebration ceremony at
Westminster Central Hall to receive
PiXL awards. Maxine Dyer (Ick), Naomi
Reddin Villaverde (Elv), Declan
Howard (Mel) and Henry King (Ick)
were chosen for their effort, progress
and achievement at GCSE. We
recognise just how hard the students
worked over the course of Year 11, and
we feel exceptionally proud of all four.
They were delighted to have their
awards presented to them by actor
James Cosmo.
Sarah Whyand, Assistant Head
Awards Evening 2017:
Our inaugural Awards Evening, held at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on 9
November, was an unmitigated success. Guest of Honour Jo Churchill,
MP presented 268 awards over the course of the evening for the
earning of merits, endeavour and excellence in curriculum subjects,
commitment in a variety of guises and, finally, the extra-special
Foundation and Headteacher's Awards. Thank you to Ex Silentio and
the Symphony Orchestra for providing the beautiful music.
Sarah Whyand, Assistant Head
Looking in on
Learning:
We stopped by to say 'hello' to some of our Year 8
students taking part in our new cross-curricular
Computing and Engineering project. The students
learnt to solder electrical components, which they
went on to program to make flashing lights. Very
impressive!
Richard Morgan, Head of Computing & ICT
Our thanks to the School Council Leaders, and
their committee members, who took part in the
2017 Freshers' Fair.
Media Committee – Amy Reid (Yr 13, Mel)
Quiz Committee – Joshua Watkins (Yr 12, Wyk)
Green Committee – Gabrielle Short (Yr 13, Elv)
Teaching and Learning Committee – Anna
Tattersall (Yr 13, Ken)
Links Committee – Bea Crossley (Yr 13, Elv)
Sixth Form Committee – Jess Cleverdon (Yr13,
Hen)
Lucy and William, Head Girl and Head Boy
Harvest:
Head Boy William Allsopp (Yr 13, Wyk), and
Head Girl Lucy Howard (Yr 13, Elv), very
much enjoyed attending the Harvest Festival
service at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
Lee Walker, Headteacher
Sixth Form Dress Up Day:
Our Sixth Form students don't need asking twice when it comes to
dressing up, as our Halloween dress up day proved. Although it would
appear that not everyone got the memo about the theme…
Stuart Small, Head of Sixth Form
'Brake':
We would like to thank 'Brake' who came to perform to
our Year 12 and 13 students. Their performance dealt
with safety issues for new drivers. It was fast-paced,
moving and very thought-provoking.
Sharon Shelley, Head of Citizenship
John Bercow, MP
for Buckingham
and Speaker of the
House of
Commons:
We were absolutely thrilled to have the
opportunity to Skype John Bercow MP on the
morning of 30 October. Our impressive
students asked insightful and probing
questions.
Sharon Shelley, Head of Citizenship

The latest...
Remembrance Day 2017:
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in
the morning
We will remember them.
L.Binyon, from 'For the Fallen'.
Ogden Trust Winners!
We were delighted both to host, and to participate in, the secondever
Ogden Trust Regional Physics competition. Our team,
comprising Year 11 students William Moody (Ken), James Gilbert
(Ick), Nicole Mulholland (Ick) and Martha Williams (Mel) competed
against County Upper, St Benedict's, Culford and Thurston. They
made it to the 'University Challenge' style final after finishing joint
first with St. Benedict's in the five preliminary carousel rounds. In
the head-to-head final, our four superstars beat St. Benedict's 21
points to 17 to win the event. The winners and runners-up were
presented with trophies, medals and certificates. We congratulate
all the students who represented their respective schools but, this
year, our particular praise goes to our very own team!
Year 11 Leavers' Day 2017
Bridget McMillan, Librarian
Stewart Hall, Head of Physics
Congratulations to
Penny Hunt:
Head of Wyken College, Penny Hunt, recently
gained the National Professional Qualification for
Senior Leadership. Penny attended four courses
based on Senior Leadership, Quality of Teaching
& Learning and Leading Change. She also led the
hugely successful, on-going, whole-school
project based on improving literacy. Penny would
like to thank Deputy Head Beverly Tucker, in
particular, and the staff team as whole for their
support and encouragement. We are delighted
you have achieved your NPQSL Penny - it is very
much deserved.
Lee Walker, Headteacher
Scholastic Book
Fair:
Our Library's Scholastic Book Fair was a
wonderful success! Thank you to our helpers, to
those who purchased items and to those who
came to support.
Debating News:
William Allsopp (Yr 13, Wyk) and Sam
Chapman (Yr 13, Ken) made it to the final of
the Warwick University Schools Debating
competition. All three of our teams made it
through to the second round. Superb work!
William and Sam made it further still, to the
final in fact! Unfortunately, after what I
described as a 'seriously good' final, the boys
were narrowly beaten. Congratulations to
them for their excellent performance and to
all of our teams who took part.
Matthew Elliott, Debating King
68th Wedding
Anniversary:
Friends of the school, Mr and Mrs Hawes,
recently celebrated 68 years of marriage.
They posed for this photo, standing very
close to the spot in St Edmundsbury
Cathedral where they said their vows all
those years ago. We offer you both our
warmest congratulations.
University of
Suffolk:
Some of our Year 11 students visited the
University of Suffolk on 13 November. They
took part in taster sessions in SENDs and
Radiography, and took part in a tour. The
students represented the school superbly.
Maria Pieretti, Information, Advice and
Guidance Co-ordinator
Tracking Transition:
Year 6 teachers from within the Bury Schools Partnership
visited King Edward VI School to learn more about the
transition their students make. We really enjoyed the day in
which we shared techniques and ideas and strengthened our
relationships. Thank you to the staff from All Saints, Guildhall
Feoffment, Hardwick, Ickworth Park, Risby, Sebert Wood and
Sexton's Manor primary schools.
David Gower, Assistant Head
Houses of Parliament trip:
We were delighted to discover that King Edward VI had been
offered the opportunity to attend an educational programme
being trialled by The Houses of Parliament. On our arrival we
experienced a tour of the House of Commons gaining access
to areas like the Select Committee rooms. An interesting room
we were able to see was 'The Peel Room' in which Sir Robert
Peel, Prime Minister in 1834, established the Metropolitan
Police Force. Our time there was brilliant, we looked at all parts
of the palace and found out lots of interesting facts, but it was
seeing the House of Commons and the green benches which
was really exciting. While we were in the House of Commons
we saw a number of MPs, including Jo Churchill (our local MP,)
debate.
I think one of our favourite parts of the day was the debate
which we all participated in, set up in the style of the House of
Lords. Amongst us we decided on a topic- 'Votes for 16 year
olds'. We debated whether the bill should be passed, and other
different issues surrounding the topic. We discovered the
wording of bills is really important, and that the decisions MPs
have to make can be very complicated. It was brilliant to share
our opinions during our debate. We were all very honoured to
have experienced this extraordinary opportunity, and now
understand the significance of parliament and government for
everyone.
Lois Driscoll (Yr 10, Mel)

H
The latest...
The Edge:
Our Year 8 students have been working away at The Edge, an innovative and exciting scheme which develops and
credits the life skills and attributes which employers are telling us they need from their employees. The Edge runs
alongside students' academic successes, and recognises what the students can 'do' as well as what they 'know'.
Congratulations to the following students who have been enormously proactive, and who have completed the
activities as described below:
· Emma Akhaei (Elv) - has built and programmed a robotic arm, performed in A Midsummer Night's
Dream at the Apex and sung in an assembly with Eddie's Voices
· Lux Ashley-Cowan (Hen) - has helped run a Year 7 netball club
Baroness
Scott:
Baroness Scott of Needham
Market, under the House of Lords
'Peers in Schools' outreach
programme, visited King Edward
VI School. What an honour!
Baroness Scott delivered a talk
and Q&A session with senior
students, staff and members of our
Debating club.
FOKES
(Friends of King Edward VI School):
F
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F
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G
DW
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A
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F.O.K.E.S
D
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· Arthur Ferrar (Ken) - has written some Maths jokes to be displayed in his Maths classroom
· Holly Godfrey (Mel) - has organised a hockey lesson and led the warm up
Sharon Shelley, Head of
Citizenship
· Ella Gray (Ken) - has produced an information poster about healthy eating and nutrition for children in
primary school
· Yasmin Harrold (Ick) - has helped with the Year 7 netball club each Wednesday, refereed a series of Year 5
football matches at Westley Middle and written a letter to Year 6 pupils at her former primary school telling
them about life at secondary school
· Elise Hollings (Mel) - has created a piece of artwork reflecting one of her hobbies
· Molly Jones (Hen) - made a cake for the Christmas Fair cake sale and has become a College Leader for
Hengrave
· Olivia Leggett (Ken) - has created a mural for display in the school with the theme of resilience and is
regularly attending basketball club
· Ophelia Mantell-Jacob (Ken) - has organised the 'wear a Christmas hat day' for charity and has entered a
national writing competition with a short story
· Becky Pawlowski (Ken) - has taught her older sister her own method for doing the 8 and 9 times tables
· Lily Spooner (Hen) - taught her dad how to do reverse operations and fractions and sang and played the
ukulele in A Midsummer Night's Dream
· Grace Valentine (Elv) - spent a day working with Early Years children at Riverwalk School
· And finally - a special mention to Jessica Marriott (Ken) who has completed seven activities – what an
achievement!
David Gower, Coordinator of The Edge
Pictured:
Lily, Emma and Kamilla
who were the first three
students to complete
an activity.
Westminster
Conference:
Forty-one students recently
a t t e n d e d t h e S i x t h F o r m
Conference at Westminster
Central Hall. It was an excellent
day during which our students
heard speeches from Nick Clegg,
Chuka Umunna and Ken Clark.
Thank you to all the students who
took part. It was a superb
experience.
Sharon Shelley, Head of
Citizenship
West End
vocal coach:
Our Phantom principals were
h o n o u r e d t o w o r k w i t h
professional ex-Phantom cast
member Ceris Deverill. Ceris
helped our students to prepare for
their performances in The
Phantom of the Opera.
Jonathan Lodge, Head of Drama
Friends of King Edward VI School, or FOKES (our wonderful new parentteacher
association), has already made a great impression. FOKES made
its debut at our Autumn Concert by selling programmes and running a
raffle. They were out in force again for 'The Phantom of the Opera', and
once more at our 'Celebration of Christmas' at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
In the cloisters before the service, they warmed the congregation's
cockles with delicious mulled wine, and kept hunger at bay with mince
pies. A huge thank you to the FOKES team. We are now not sure how we
used to manage without you supporting the students and the school!
Bev Tucker, Deputy Head
Rainbow photographed from A Block

Gardening Club:
We are absolutely delighted this term to have
launched our new Gardening Club. The students
have planted bulbs into pots in the courtyard outside
First Base.
Bernadette Pitt, Head Gardener
The latest...
My Wish:
Melford students were
delighted to hand over a
cheque for £750 to My
Wish Charity at West
Suffolk College. They
raised the money through
completing the Melford
Walk as well as the
Christmas Chocolate
Delivery Service they
organised. Great work!
College news
Rebecca Taylor, Head of
Melford College
Thank you to our in-school origamists, Lucian
Palmer (Yr 8, Elv) and Dylan Botterill (Yr 7, Elv)
for sharing your skills with other students in the
Library.
£1099 Raised:
Many thanks to the following students and their parents for making some wonderful cakes and sweet treats for the
Cathedral's Cake Stall: Mark Austin (Yr 9, Ken), Ruby Decent (Yr 8, Hen), Liam Bailey (Yr 7, Mel), Freya Stevenson (Yr
8, Mel), Evie Rushton (Yr 9, Ick), Joe Warner (Yr 8, Ick), Benjamin Downey (Yr 8, Elv), William Blackwell (Yr 7 Wyk), Eva
Da Re (Yr 8, Ick), Libby Maskell Mills (Yr 9, Elv), Zack Anderson (Yr 7, Elv), Lux Ashley-Cowan (Yr 8, Hen), Evie
Lambert (Yr 7, Mel) and Molly Jones (Yr 8, Hen). Altogether, the students raised £1099. An amazing result! We were
delighted to receive a letter of appreciation from the Acting Dean, the Rt. Rev. Graeme Knowles.
Rebecca Taylor, Coordinator of Cake
Canoe Club
Ickworth fundraisers:
Ickworth student leaders have been busy raising money for
the East Anglian Children's Hospice (EACH). EACH needs
to raise £16,000 a day to meet their objectives in providing
support for families across the region. Joshua Wallace (Yr
12), Soprana Kapela (Yr 8), Alex Bull (Yr 8), Joe Warner (Yr
8), Katie Pettit (Yr 8) and Eliza Haindl (Yr 8) have all been
working hard to raise money. They have sold Christmas
cards and calendars and will provide students, staff and
parents with an opportunity to buy tickets for a raffle which
will be launched in the new year. Added to this they
organised a Christmas cake sale. I would like personally to
thank all six students for their time and efforts in supporting
EACH. As well as being excellent role models, it's also
worth remembering that they are hardworking,
conscientious, thoughtful and diligent members of the
school community.
Andy McLellan, Head of Ickworth College
Wyken College Coffee
Morning:
To coincide with We are MacMillan's national Coffee
Morning, Sixth Form Wyken College Leader, Bianca
Monteiro (Yr 13), organised a cake sale. Many Wyken
students brought in cakes to donate to the sale, and
college leaders and friends ran the stall at break and
lunchtime. The students gave up their own time to raise an
impressive £250. Congratulations to everybody involved.
Penny Quintero-Hunt, Head of Wyken College
Kentwell Tutor
Challenge:
One particularly creepy Kentwell tutor challenge was
to decorate a pumpkin. Tutor groups were judged on
flair, style and originality. It was very difficult to pick a
winner but Head Judge, Tara Pawling, declared the
winner to be 'Donald Trumpkin', created by tutor group
LS. She particularly liked his hair style.
Hannah Scarlett, Head of Kentwell College

Musical Musings
Berlin International
Masterclass:
We would like to offer our Musician in
Residence, Thomas Hawkes, our most sincere
congratulations for gaining a place on the
Berlin International Masterclass series.
From 12-17 February, Thomas will be in Berlin
working with the Berlin Sinfonietta in
Conducting Masterclasses run by worldrenowned
conductor Johannes Wildner.
Thomas will be preparing by working on
Beethoven's first three symphonies and he will
learn about technique and expression, as well
as being given general conducting advice.
You've done brilliantly Thomas; how lucky we
are to have you onboard.
Zoë MacLachlan, Teacher of Music
Autumn Concert:
We are very proud that no fewer than 204 students performed
in our Autumn Concert, and – what is more – the boy/girl split
was very nearly 50/50. The musical ensembles were: Wind
Band, Eddie's Instruments, The Kingettes, Inertia, Woodwind
Chamber Group, Eddie's Voices, Ex Silentio, Symphony
Orchestra, No Girls Allowed, Little Band, Otto Voce, Chamber
Orchestra and Big Band.
Hayley Robinson, Autumn Concert Coordinator
Congratulations to the
following students for
their exam results:
Will Lowden (Yr 10, Ken), Grade 8 Voice - Merit
Poppy Quin (Yr 9, Elv), Grade 6 Piano - Distinction
Anton Avis (Yr 10, Hen), Grade 5 Double Bass - Merit
Aru Sinha (Yr 10, Hen), Grade 5 Flute - Merit
Caitlin Brinkley (Yr 12, Elv), Grade 4 Flute - Merit
Chloe Cavill (Yr 10, Hen), Grade 4 French Horn - Merit
Amelia Revans (Yr 9, Wyk), Grade 4 French Horn - Merit
Aaron McIntyre (Yr 9, Elv), Grade 4 French Horn - Merit
Sanjay Gudi (Yr 9, Mel), Grade 3 Clarinet - Merit
Michael Moore (Yr 8, Ken), Grade 2 Cornet - Merit
Jamie Sparkes (Yr 8, Ick), Grade 2 Baritone Horn - Merit
Caitlin Brame (Yr 9, Ken), Grade 2 Trumpet - Pass
Daisy Hopwood (Yr 7, Elv), Grade 1 'Cello - Distinction
Thomas Hill (Yr 7, Ken), Grade 1 Oboe - Merit
Isabel Howell (Yr 7, Hen), Grade 1 'Cello - Merit
Imogen Stanbury (Yr 7, Wyk), Grade 1 'Cello - Merit
Rex Michael (Yr 8, Mel), Grade 1 Alto Saxophone - Pass
Celebration of Christmas:
Thank you to our wonderful students for providing us with an
evening of such beautiful, festive entertainment. You were
brilliant. We feel very proud.
The Music Team
Samuel Vernon Sings:
In early October, Samuel Vernon (Yr 10, Wyk) travelled to Blythburgh to
sing at the funeral of Lady Victoria Foster of Bath. James Thomas,
Director of Music at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, had been asked to
recommend a soloist and he chose his Head Chorister, Sam.
A week later, Lee Walker received a letter of praise for Samuel. It said
that he had performed for more than 200 mourners, and that he
'performed his duties in an outstanding way. He sang the 'Pie Jesu' from
the Requiem by Fauré and the first verse of the hymn 'O Lord my God'.
His voice never faltered, his diction was clear and precise and his
intonation was perfect. He was an absolute star!... He was an excellent
ambassador for your school. You can be enormously proud of your
young scholar.’
Congratulations, Samuel. We are indeed proud!
Mark Hird, Assistant Head
#ReviewEd 'What a
fantastic evening! Our
ensembles are larger
than ever, the quality of
the music-making is
stunning - right across
the age range, and the
diversity of styles and
genres is incredible. A
huge thank you to
everyone involved.’

# R e v i e w E d
'Absolutely blown
a w a y w i t h l a s t
night's performance
. . . i n c r e d i b l y
t a l e n t e d y o u n g
actors! 10/10 the
v o i c e s w e r e
faultless!’
#ReviewEd 'What
a n a m a z i n g
performance of the
Phantom tonight.
S u c h t a l e n t e d
y o u n g p e o p l e .
T h e y a r e a l l
fantastic but oh my
goodness Ollie!
What can I say?!
The hard work and
hours put in by all
paid off. I would go
every evening if I
could.’
#ReviewEd 'Sensational
performance of Phantom Of
The Opera at King Edward VI
School this evening! A huge
round of applause to all the
students and staff involved but
especially to the three main
principals (The Phantom,
Christine Daae & Raoul de
Chagny)...your performances
were phenomenal!’
#ReviewEd 'Seeing
the show last night
was a reminder that
my daughter is very
lucky to attend such
a superb school.’
#ReviewEd 'You
should all be very
proud of what you
h a v e a c h i e v e d
tonight, the best
school performance
I have seen, totally
blown away.’

Artistic Appearances
Dancing Dispatches
Evie Rushton.
Artist of the Month,
December 2017:
Evie Rushton (Yr 9, Ick) has produced a beautiful
collection of work whilst studying the artist Elisabeth
Rutt. She started with initial sketches of the art,
added in a pattern journey, and moved on to a
detailed and strongly composed design idea. She
finished with a considered and dynamic wall
hanging through which she demonstrated a high
level of skill in her mark-making techniques and print
pattern repeats.
Congratulations Evie!
Kate Brown, Head of Visual Arts
Gold Arts Award:
We are delighted to offer our students the opportunity
to gain the Gold Arts Award. Gold Arts Award is a Level
3 qualification and is split into two units: the Personal
Portfolio Unit and the Arts Project Leadership.
Students have the opportunity to extend and develop
their knowledge of Arts, through taking part in activities
and events, researching the world of the Arts, and
taking responsibility for leading an Arts project. We
offer our congratulations to Year 12 students Ruth
Burgess (Ick), Lottie Ellis (Ick), Gabrielle Murphy
(Wyk), Hannah Game (Ken) and Meredith Halls (Mel).
Kate Brown, Head of Visual Arts
Hofesh Shechter
Dance Partnership:
Dance students travelled to Sadler's Wells to spend a
day with the Hofesh Shechter Dance Company. The
day involved watching the company rehearse,
learning repertoire with the Associate Director, a
backstage tour and Q and A with various members of
the company. Students then watched the
performance in the evening. Now in the fifth year of
this partnership, we are thrilled to have these unique
experiences with the company.
Helen Frost, Head of Dance
Old Burians
Thank you to Fraser and Gemma Watts for inviting
some of our musicians to perform at the Old Burians'
Reunion Dinner - celebrating our roots as 'Scholar
Buriensis' - the school of Bury, since 1550. It was a
pleasure and a privilege.
Year 8 Artsbox:
Year 8 Artsbox students were treated to a talk and
lighting demonstration by Mark Smith. Mark is a
lighting technician at the London Palladium, but
found time to design the lights for our performance of
'The Phantom of the Opera'. The Year 8 students
explored the different types of lighting and discussed
the physics behind how the lighting worked. Mark
also gave an insight into the daily life of a lighting
technician and revealed some of the celebrities he
has worked with. The Year 8 students were
particularly excited on hearing that Nick had worked
with Beyoncé and Justin Bieber!
Helen Frost, Head of Dance
Zoë MacLachlan, Teacher of Music
Year 9 Art students' clay sculptures from
their 3D food project.
Year 8 Art students' colour theory work,
alongside drawn mono-prints based on
architecture.
Joe Le Maire:
Having just returned from a year's intense training in
Thailand, former student Joe Le Maire made the local
news demonstrating his Thai Boxing skill and power.
Well done Joe - and best of luck in the future!

Shanghai - Ten Years on:
International
Our Shanghai Advanced Leadership Exchange has completed another year . . . the tenth year and eleventh
exchange we have produced, and this one proved to be the biggest yet! More than 150 of our students engaged with
the programme outside of the school day throughout the Chinese students' visit to the UK. The activities they took
part in ranged from cultural trips, hosting, and accompanying our guests for evening meals.
The theme of this year's exchange for the 24 students travelling to Shanghai was associated with our students
becoming ambassadors. With a wide-range of tasks, events and problems to solve in an unfamiliar environment on
the other side of the world, they learned a great deal. The exchange programme aims to stretch and challenge the
leadership skills of some of our most-able students, and each experience is always unique.
I asked some of our students for their personal highlights, and this is what they had to say:
Shannon Bailey (Yr 11, Hen) 'Walking around Shanghai at night was stunning… going to the Jazz bar in the Jinmao
Tower… meeting new people.’
Luke Wearn (Yr 13, Ken) 'Forging bonds across the school, working with new people and seeing Shanghai change
and become more diverse.’
Tom Upton (Yr 11, Hen) 'Performing on a massive stage in front of 2000 people and celebrating the school's 20th
Anniversary.’
Jasmin Raja (Yr 11, Elv) 'Making friends despite the language barrier and feeling like royalty everywhere we went.’
Kirsten O'Brien (Yr 11, Wyk) 'Meeting so many people from different backgrounds and cultures and finding out how
little it mattered that we couldn't speak their Language!’
I think, however, the most comprehensive response was the one below, from Year 8
student Eva De Ra (Ick) - our youngest student ever to travel to Shanghai as part of
this programme.
'I was delighted to be a part of it. Learning new leadership skills made me engage
with older students and I learnt from their advice. Experiencing the different cultures
and foods really inspired me and I would like to go to Shanghai again. The food was
crazy but delicious and there was a massive number of cultural traditions I learnt.
Overall, Shanghai was the best school trip ever, both in terms of leadership and fun!’
Part of this year's exchange included being given 'VIP' status at their 20th
Anniversary celebration event, attended by over 2000 people. As mentioned, some
of the group were able to perform as part of the event. Within a very short period of
time our students learnt their pieces and performed with flair and confidence - it was
an event none of us will ever forget.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff team who accompanied the
students to China this year, including Matthew Elliott's mascot, Gustavo Mustachio.
The next phase of our Advanced Leadership Exchange will be launched early next
term.
Danny Burton, Director of Student Leadership
European Day of
Languages:
We loved celebrating the European Day of Languages. All Year 7
students learnt about Europe in special lessons run by our
Language Leaders. They all received 'Passports to the EU'. At
lunchtime, a celebration was held in the Library. Our students for
whom English is an additional language taught some greetings in
their respective languages. It was a lively, inclusive and friendly
celebration.
EU Council
Debate:
Our fantastic Head Girl and Head Boy,
Lucy Howard (Yr 13, Elv) and William
Allsopp (Yr 13, Wyk), took part in an EU
Mock Council debate. They responded
brilliantly to a mystery motion and were so
successful that they progressed to the
second round which was held at the Law
Society in London. There, they had to
represent Hungary in negotiations over
citizens' rights post-Brexit. Lucy and
William – you represented the school
superbly, once again. Thank you for your
outstanding commitment, and for working
so hard.
Matthew Elliott, Debating King
World Hello Day:
L o w e r S c h o o l s t u d e n t s w e r e
encouraged to say 'hello' in as many
different languages to as many
members of the school community as
possible. This event has been
celebrated since 1973 as a way of
p r o m o t i n g p e a c e t h r o u g h
communication and openness. A
massive thanks to the Language
Leaders who led highly popular activities
in the Library. Congratulations to Kuba
Majos (Yr 7, Mel) and Rebecca Simpkins
(Yr 8, Ken) for saying 'Hello' in the
highest number of different languages.
Rachel Pickering, Head of Modern
Foreign Languages

Extra-Time
Phoebe Price (Yr 11, Wyk):
Over the Summer Holiday, Phoebe attended three county level shows
with her ponies and achieved the following results:
Royal Cheshire Show - 1st HOYS 143cm Show Hunter Pony, Great
Yorkshire Show - 1st HOYS 148cm Show Pony and Champion, and
Royal International Horse Show Hickstead - 1st 148cm Show Pony
Champion, Show Pony Supreme and Reserve Supreme of Show.
Since then, at the RIHS at Hickstead, Phoebe, and her pony Litton
Enterprise, have now been 'Supreme Show Pony' for the last two years.
The Horse of the Year Show is the biggest and most prestigious horse
show in the showing calendar, and every competitor dreams of winning
there.
Phoebe and Litton Enterprise also won the Equissage Part Bred Pony of
the Year Championship, which is an amazing achievement as the pair
won Supreme Pony of the Year in 2016.
Phoebe also had the opportunity to ride in the International Arena in
front of a sell-out crowd.
So overall, Phoebe and Litton Enterprise have had two amazing years
winning many major championships including becoming Champion at
both the Royal International Horse Show and Horse of the Year Show in
2016 & 2017. We offer you our most generous congratulations Phoebe.
May your dedication and talent continue to reward you so magnificently.
Year 9 Girls'
Netball:
The Year 9 Netball team have had
another outstanding season. They are
unbeaten in their Western Area league
and therefore qualify for the Western
Area Semi-Finals which will be played in
the Spring term. They also reached the
County Netball Finals in Ipswich in
November where they played some
outstanding netball and narrowly
missed out on a place in the Semi-
Finals.
Congratulations to Annie Hill (Yr 9,
Mel), Emily White (Yr 9, Ken), Olivia
Hisscott (Yr 9, Ick), Maisy Freeman (Yr
9, Ken), Amy Maskell Mills (Yr 9, Elv),
Rhian O'Brien (Yr 9, Wyk), Harriett
Chapman (Yr 9, Elv), Ciara Leeson (Yr
9, Mel) and Danielle Mulholland (Yr 9,
Ick).
The team's results: v Ixworth: 28-0, v
Mildenhall: 31-3, v Sam Ward: 14-16, v
County A: 11-8 v County B: 14-1, v St
Benedict's: 21-8.
Suffolk County Hockey:
Henry Skillern (Yr 11, Mel) has been selected to
play for the U16/17 Suffolk County Hockey
squad. Congratulations Henry.
British Tumbling
Championships:
Milly Richards (Yr 9, Hen), competed in the
British Tumbling Championships at the Echo
Arena Liverpool. She finished the event
th
ranking 10 in the country. Milly - this is an
incredible achievement. We are so proud of
you! Congratulations!
Junior Squash
Championships:
Emma Bartley (Yr 9, Elv) competed in the
Regional Junior Squash Championships in
Ipswich recently.
There were competitors from Suffolk, Essex,
Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and
Bedfordshire. Emma won all of her matches
and became Regional U15 girls Champion
2017 which will go with Emma's regional titles
at U11 and U13.
Super-star Skaters:
Charlotte Sutton (Yr 9, Ick), and Molly Jones (Yr 8, Hen),
competed with former student Caitlyn Holgate in the Tiptree
Artistic Roller Skating Competition, representing Ipswich.
Caitlyn and Molly both came third in their free events. These
were wonderful results, particularly given that there were 15
competitors in each of their categories. The girls demonstrate
superb support for each other during both training and
competitions. Well done Charlotte, Molly and Caitlyn - we hear
you skated brilliantly.
This is yet another fantastic achievement. Well
done for all your hard work, Emma.
Badminton:
Martha Lebentz
(Yr 10, Ken):
In September the brilliant Martha Lebentz
took part in the Youth Mountain Bike
Championships. Martha is a member of the
th
Eastern Region team. Her team came 9 out
of 14. We hear that it was on an Olympic
course no less, so very tough indeed.
Congratulations, Martha, you're a star!
No Limits Academy:
Our 'No Limits' Academy caters for some of the
'most able and committed' sporting talent within
our school, and across the Bury Schools
Partnership.
A group of our Year 9 students travelled to UEA,
Norwich, to undertake some training to become
our new 'No Limits' Mentors. The workshops
were led by UEA students and aimed to develop
cognitive, physical and social skills related to
sport.
Our mentors have since been working with a
group of Year 3 and 4 students from within the
Bury Schools Partnership.
Western Area Badminton tournament:
· Year 8 boys' team: Zach Kydd (Mel), Arthur Ferrar
(Ken), Joshua Bullingham (Wyk), and Joe Warner
(Ick) - won all of their games and progressed to the
County Final
· Year 9 boys' team: Jacob Hill (Ken), Ethan Mayhew
(Ken), James Norburn (Elv) and John Whelehan (Ick)
- unfortunately lost their games, but performed well
against some strong teams.
Girls' team: Emma Bartley (Yr 9, Elv), Lily Fisher (Yr 8, Wyk),
Annie Hill (Yr 9, Mel) and Grace Valentine (Yr 8, Elv) - won
both of their games, particularly impressive against tough
opposition from County Upper School. Also progressed to the
next round.
Bowls England Academy:
Another sports star in our midst! Harry Cater (Yr 13, Elv), has
been selected for the Bowls England Academy. Only the top 16
U18 players (8 male and 8 female) were selected. Harry - this is
superb news! Congratulations from all of us.

Extra-Time
Tom Henson:
Tom (Yr 10, Ken) started running in 2014 aged 11. To start
with, it was loops of the village with his Dad. He progressed
to his first 5k parkrunUK at Nowton Park in August 2014.
He joined St Edmunds Pacers in Easter 2015 and has
gradually progressed so that he now trains with the Pacers
three times a week and runs once or twice in addition to this
in his own time.
Tom's first competition was an Eastern Athletics
Championships cross country race in the Winter of 2015,
and he has since taken part in the Suffolk Winter League
cross country events each year, the Southern Counties
cross country competition and the English National Cross
Country Championships.
Tom's highlights include being selected to run for Suffolk
three times in the Inter-counties Championships and
making it to the English National Final of the Schools' cross
country championships in 2017, being one of eight selected
from the four qualifying rounds.
Tom – your sporting resumé is already very impressive.
Your commitment and talent are highly commendable.
Well done indeed.
Boys' Basketball:
School Basketball season is upon us and our
teams have been in action against strong
opposition. Our U14 and U16 teams travelled to
County Upper for their opening games, with both
teams leaving with defeats against some very
talented players. A highlight of both fixtures,
however, was the commitment on display from our
students - reinforcing the values and ethos we
have at King Edward VI School.
Their second league games were against Samuel
Ward. The U14 team secured a 36-16 victory. They
were helped by player/coach, Logan Frost (Yr 9,
Elv), who made some excellent tactical decisions.
The U16 team faced a much stronger opponent,
and found themselves 11 points behind after the
first two-periods. Following an inspiring team-talk
from their coach, Peter Newson, the team
managed to reduce Samuel Ward's lead to just 1
point with only 30 seconds of the game remaining.
Patrick Ambrose (Yr 10, Hen) was then awarded
two free-throws, converting one to tie the game.
Both teams have one league fixture remaining,
with a play-off place still attainable, to reach this
year's County Finals.
Lila Battell:
U14 Girls' Football:
· vs Debenham High School in ESFA
schools' trophy. Won 7-0
· Player of the match: Katie Walker
· Coaches: Olivia Gunn (Yr 12, Ick) and
Ellie Allen (Yr 11, Elv)
· Made it through to the final 32 schools in
England with a 3-0 win against Colne
Community College.
Thank you to Year 12 student Olivia Gunn who
has been helping coach the girls' football team.
th
Tom 4 from left back row
U14 team: Max Baker (Yr 9, Mel), Ellis Dobie (Yr 9,
Ick), Logan Frost (Yr 9, Elv), Jack Furnell (Yr 9,
Elv), Jacob Hill (Yr 9, Ken), Ethan Mayhew (Yr 9,
Ken), Zane Robinson (Yr 9, Elv), Ainaras
Tomkevicius (Yr 9, Ick), Alex Wheeler (Yr 9, Ken),
James Hickey (Yr 9, Elv) and Warren Wagner (Yr
9, Hen).
U16 team: Patrick Ambrose (Yr 10, Hen), Jordan
Barber (Yr 10, Ick), Robin de Freitas (Yr 10, Hen),
Haaris Khan (Yr 11, Ken), Patrick Laycock (Yr 11,
Elv), Isaac Lee (Yr 10, Elv), Liam Marison (Yr 11,
Ick), Jack Parr (Yr 11, Ken) and Joe Turner (Yr 11,
Hen).
Well done, and good luck for your remaining
league games this season.
I love to run, especially cross country, because I love the feel
and energy with the wind and rain in your face. It gives me a
buzz! I first ran a cross country race when I was 9, but I hated
it! It felt like I was being operated on while I was awake! Then I
tried it again and loved it. I joined West Suffolk Athletics Club
when I was 10 to do sprinting, but then when I tried out the
long distance group I thought this is ace!
I am currently Suffolk's U13 1500m champion and I do
competitions every Saturday all around the country. I am
aiming to qualify for English Schools', which is a long way
away, in Leeds.
My goal is to win a scholarship in America and I hope to have a
career in running.
When I run, the competition is very fierce - especially in cross
country. On the start line people aren't afraid to nudge you (or
spike you). We have to use tape to stop our spikes falling off in
the deep mud, which I unfortunately encountered in a Suffolk
race when both my spikes fell off and had to run half my race in
socks!
Sometimes, I have to get up at 5.30am to catch the bus, which
we're on for around 3 hours there and another 3 hours back.
Most races only last about 10mins, but it's always worth it - my
mum doesn't think so though!
Lila Battell (Yr 8, Wyk)
Tennis:
U15 boys won the B league tournament in the
regional championships.
Team: Asa Sumner-Keens (Yr 11, Ken), Louis
Clarke (Y 11, Wyk), Thomas Peacock (Yr 11,
Elv) and Thomas Malpass (Yr 11, Hen).

Extra-Time
Girls' Basketball:
U14 won their Western Area Schools Basketball
League making it to the Semi-Finals.
Girls' Netball:
· Year 7 vs Thurston Community College.
As: won 5-1. Bs won 8-3
· Year 8 teams vs Thurston Community
College. Won 1, lost 1
· U12 vs Sudbury (won 9-0)
· U13 vs Sudbury (won 7-3)
· U14 vs St. Benedict's (won 21-8)
· U15 vs St. Benedict's (won 18-17)
· U16 vs St. Benedict's (won 21-4)
· Year 9 Played 6 games, beating schools
including Finborough, Thurston, Samuel
Ward and St Benedict's. Country Finals:
Played 4 games, won 2. Lost to Culford
by only 1 goal
· Year 10 qualified for County Finals. Made
it to the Semi-Finals, narrowly lost to
Culford
· Year 11 represented West Suffolk at
County Finals. Played 4 games. Drew v
Culford, beat Ipswich. Earned place in
Semi-Finals v Royal Hospital School
Boys' Rugby:
U19:
· U14 & U16 teams: both unbeaten in the
Western Area League and have made it to
the County Finals.
· area competition in Ipswich. Group:
Colchester Academy, Thomas Mills and
Suffolk One. Finished with one win, and three
losses
· team displayed some excellent performances
and represented the school brilliantly
· competed in county tournament. Two closelyfought
games against Finsborough and
Hartismere. Won both matches.
Year 11 West Suffolk Competition:
· very strong Thurston team, losing at half-time
· turned things around in second half, scoring
15 unanswered points
· end result: 33-22 victory.
Tries scored by Adam Walker (Elv) [2], Sam Roper-
Docherty (Ick), Harvey Hempstead (Hen), Toby
Johnson (Mel) and Archie Sleightholme (Wyk).
Cross Country:
Ten students competed in the County Schools'
Championships cross county at Culford School. The
runners did superbly well.
th
· Junior Girls: Lila Battell (Yr 8, Wyk) 5 , Jess
th
Head (Yr 9, Hen) 7 , Annabel Henson (Yr 8,
th
rd
Ken) 60 , Rhian O'Brien (Yr 9, Wyk) 43
th
· Junior Boys: Max Berry (Yr 8, Wyk) 8
th
· Inter Girls: Chloe Cavill (Yr 10, Hen) 8
th
Kirsten O'Brien (Yr 11, Wyk) 20
th
· Inter Boys: Tom Henson (Yr 10, Ken) 7 ,
th
Anton Avis (Yr 10, Hen) 12
th
Senior Girls: Ellie Temple (Yr 13, Elv) 16 .

King Edward VI School
Grove Road
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3BH
Tel: 01284 761393
www.king-ed.suffolk.sch.uk
Facebook:
King Edward VI School - Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Twitter: @KingEdVISchool
If you have any news which you would
like to ‘Celebrate!’, then please email
the Editor, Zoë MacLachlan
celebrate@king-ed.suffolk.sch.uk
Skyscrapers photograph: Eva Da Re (Yr 8, Ick)