Issue 02 King’s crowned
The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year
School musical
How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying a complete triumph
Walls and Bridges
Medics Q&A
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Our ten-year Masterplan to renew and reach out: shaping the future of King’s
We talk to three OKs to discover how they started their careers…
King’s Association News King’s awarded coveted title Drama: How to succeed in business without really trying Sports update Development news The Arthur Wellesley Society The Friends of King’s Renewal programme update OKC News
OK News
Simon Watkins OK 2006 Artist
Ross Hutchins OK 2001 Tennis player
After finishing the IB, Simon Watkins (OK 2006) spent a year in Florence, studying drawing under the American artist, Charles C Cecil. He then went on to study History of Art at the University of York, writing his dissertation on portraiture in 18th century Britain. On the completion of his degree, he returned to Florence, eventually becoming an instructor himself, teaching on two intensive month-long drawing courses. Simon works from life, always with his subject in the studio and is now a painter in Wimbledon Art Studios, taking portrait commissions. He has exhibited in various competitions and shows, including the National Open Art Exhibition in which he was a prize winner, with judge Brian Sewell admiring his work. Recently he painted the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, a portrait commissioned by the Diocese of Durham.
Having enjoyed great success as a professional tennis player, Ross Hutchins (OK 2001), announced his decision to end his professional career this year. Ross had a busy summer as Tournament Director of the 2014 Aegon Championships at the Queen’s Club. During this competition he participated in the fundraising event “Rally for Bally” which raises money in memory of former British tennis player, Elena Baltacha. Team Ross – consisting of Hitchins, Victoria Azarenka and Heather Watson – beat Team Andy – consisting of Andy Murray, Jamie Murray and Martina Hingis – in a first-to-nine-game set. Then in September, Ross reached the mixed doubles semi-finals in the US Open with his partner, Yung-Jan Chan, and chose to announce his retirement a week later. Known best as a doubles player, Ross’s career spanned more than 10 years and includes five titles in Tour doubles, plus a silver medal from the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi to boot! Shortly after his retirement, Ross was appointed as Vice President, ATP Player Relations, so there is no doubt that he will continue to play a significant role in the world of tennis.
Professor James Binney OK 1968 Celebrated Astrophysicist Honorary Fellow and OK, Professor James Binney, has enjoyed a brilliant career as an astrophysicist. Having taught at Oxford for over 30 years, Professor Binney is a Professor of Physics at the university, as well as a Fellow of Merton College and over the years has been the recipient of a host of awards recognising his achievements in the field. In 2013, the illustrious OK was awarded both the Eddington Medal, celebrating investigations of outstanding merit in astrophysics, by the Royal Astronomical Society, and also the Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris Medal “for his inspiring contribution to theoretical Galactic and extragalactic astrophysics”. It is fantastic to be able to count such a celebrated scientist amongst our number.
Dan Smith OK 2004 Musician It’s been another great year for Bastille front man and OK Dan Smith. The group scored two nominations at the American Music Awards in November for New Artist of the Year and Favourite Artist – Alternative Rock. Bastille were also involved in Band Aid 30’s rendition of Do They Know It’s Christmas? to raise funds for the fight against Ebola in west Africa.
Marcus Mumford OK 2004 Musician In May this year, Mumford & Sons won a prestigious Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement. Marcus Mumford collaborated with Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops), Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and Jim James (My Morning Jacket) to create Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes. Released in November, the album consists of a series of tracks that the artists wrote and recorded based on the discovery of never-seen Bob Dylan lyrics written while he was recovering from a motorcycle accident in 1966.
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