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King’s Association Newsletter Autumn / Winter 2023

CONTENTS

WELCOME

2-11 News

12-13

Archive Highlights

14-16

Combined Cadet Force Highlights

Drama Highlights

18-19

Music Highlights

20-23

Sport Highlights

24-29

King’s College School Boat Club and Supporters’ Association Update

32-33

The Friends of King’s Highlights

34-37

Development Highlights

King’s LGBT+ Alumni Network Update

The Law Society Update

Old King’s Club Highlights

40-43

In the spotlight with...

44-49

Alumni Highlights 2 | KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023

elcome to the latest edition of the King’s Association newsletter. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very happy New Year. The start of a new year is a wonderful time to reflect, and looking back over a busy and exciting autumn term, I wanted to share some highlights with you. Our 2023-24 Sector Networking series began in November with our Arts and Media Sector Reception, despite Storm Ciarán’s best efforts! We were thrilled to welcome Christopher Luscombe (OK 1982) at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Christopher offered an inspiring talk and Q&A, in which he shared details of his career working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Old Vic, and in the West End, as well as his wide-ranging directorial achievements. A huge thank you to Christopher for so generously giving his time to engage and inspire pupils, alumni, and parents interested in the creative sector, and to Grace (U6) for expertly chairing the Q&A session. I look forward to our future networking receptions this year, where we will explore business, technology, architecture, and healthcare (please see pages 35-36 for more information). Cover photo: Billy Elliot The Musical 2023

NEWS

November also saw the Old King’s Club host its Annual Dinner. We were delighted to welcome so many of our alumni and staff back to school for a joyous occasion to reignite old connections and forge new ones. My thanks also to Seb Munden (OK 1985) for a fascinating talk on circular economy. In June this year, we are looking forward to the Old King’s Reunion which will be co-hosted with the Old King’s Club: a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate our school’s legacy (please see page 37 for more information). The Friends of King’s organised an actionpacked November and December for the school. Their tireless efforts made our annual Fireworks Display, Christmas Fair, and Community Tea a resounding success. It is truly heart-warming to see our community come together and support these events, creating lasting memories for our pupils, their families and our wider communities. While our pupils are with us, we strive to provide them with a well-rounded education that nurtures them in mind, heart, and spirit. We aim to equip them with the skills and qualities needed to thrive in a constantly changing world and prepare them to contribute in their own way to the communities of which they form a part when they leave us. To do this, we look to the world beyond school, to life at 25, and to the lives we are preparing our pupils to lead.To reflect this, we are delighted to be introducing a new event this year, our annual Life at 25 reunion, and further details can be found on page 37. Our pupils remain part of our community, no matter where life takes them, and we very much look forward to keeping in touch with you in 2024 and welcoming you here at school. In the meantime, my warmest wishes for a fulfilling year ahead.

KING’S JUNIOR SCHOOL

he academic year has started well, with a remodelling of the Junior Forum (our school council), the introduction of a suggestion box – which has allowed pupils the opportunity to pitch ideas directly to me (I have not been short of suggestions!) – and new personnel in key roles. Following Mrs Morren’s departure last summer, Miss Walshe has taken the lead on Pupil Voice, and we welcomed six new colleagues to the school. They have all made an excellent impression so far, including Mr Yates (OK 2023), our new Rushmere Assistant. We also welcomed Mrs Collman, who is ably standing in for Mrs Morley who had a baby girl last term. Mr Connolly and Mr Graham also welcomed new daughters last term, and Mr Thomas welcomed a son – congratulations to them all. We sadly said farewell to Mrs Hillier, who has been a mainstay of the Junior School office team for over 21 years, and Mr Anderson, who has worked at King’s in three separate stints from 2007, teaching Maths (latterly as Head of Department), coaching sport, and running Windsor House along the way. We wish them both the very best for the future. We introduced several new assemblies last term, to encourage pupils to recognise their teachers as lifelong learners. We held ‘interest assemblies’, where teachers detailed their passions and ongoing pursuits, and ‘interview assemblies’, where staff answered a series of questions about their schooling and subsequent career paths. We also hosted two parent workshops: ‘Developing Emotionally Intelligent Children’ with the Parent Practice and ‘Supporting Your Child’ with Pathways, and we began our selfcompassion programme with the Third Form. Anti-Bullying Week was marked with an ‘Odd Socks Day’, consisting of a special assembly and specific PSHE sessions. Black History Month was celebrated with a presentation from guest speaker Dame Oremi Evans, a prominent educationalist. Pupils also completed projects

Dr Anne Cotton Head of King’s College School

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Centenary Football Tournament during their PSHE lessons on the national theme of ‘Saluting our Sisters’, focussing on influential women of colour. Several pupils showcased their work at the Young Wimbledon Artists Winter Show and others were commended in a local writing competition. Mrs McGregor, Head of English, is working with Wimbledon High Juniors on Speak Up!, a public speaking initiative that will involve King’s pupils later this year. 10 ensembles ran for pupils last term (five choirs and five instrumental groups), alongside clubs for sight-reading and composition and theory. Soloists performed to much acclaim at our open day, and there were four informal soloists’ recitals (two each for Priory and Rushmere). Services featured performances from the Chamber Choir Trebles as well as Rushmere Chorale and Junior College Singers, who also performed for guests at the Friends of King’s Christmas Fair and the Friends’ Community Tea, respectively. In football, the U11As retained their title in the Hampton Prep tournament and different teams competed in seven tournaments in total. House Football was fiercely contested in both ‘A’ and ‘B’ leagues, and very successful Soccer Centenary events were held on consecutive days in October, welcoming over 30 different schools to Kingsway. Our swimmers competed in several galas, and we hosted the qualifying round of the London League, in which we won every freestyle relay against some strong swimming schools. The U11 water polo team also enjoyed a fixture against Parkside. 4 | KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023

In chess, two pupils represented the U13 team – which is competing in Division 1 of the U19 Surrey League – and qualified to defend their title at the U13 national final. Both pupils were also part of the U9 team that won the English Primary Schools Chess Association national competition last summer – it was the first time we entered a team in this age bracket.There was a particularly strong showing at the Rushmere Championship held in September, pointing to a wealth of good young players coming through. A wide array of clubs and activities continued to engage pupils across the term, and, for the first time, we introduced a Rushmere club run by Priory pupils. Driven entirely by their initiative, three Third Form pupils hosted a Rushmere Quiz Club every Wednesday lunchtime, which involved our younger pupils testing their general knowledge in house teams. The Junior School Art Club also proved popular, 35 pupils passed individual LAMDA drama exams, and rehearsals for the Priory production of Moana, taking place next month, began.

Under the Sea We ended the term with the magnificent Junior School Art Show in Collyer Hall. The theme of ‘Under the Sea’ did not disappoint; it was wonderful to see work on display by every pupil in the school. I am very grateful to my colleagues in the Art Department for putting together such an impressive installation. As ever, it has been wonderful to count on the support of our community, and we look forward to welcoming more of you to the Junior School this year and beyond.

ENLIGHTENING MINDS LECTURE SERIES

ing’s is delighted to announce the launch of Enlightening Minds, a new lecture series to nurture and spark intellectual curiosity amongst the whole of the King’s community – be that pupils, parents, governors, alumni, teachers, partnership schools, or otherwise. Lectures will be delivered by members of the wider King’s community presenting on their field

of research in, or expertise of, a topical subject. Launching the series is King’s parent, Mark Melford, who will be delivering a talk entitled: “How to solve the climate crisis, the amazing untold story of the path to Net Zero.” The lecture will also be streamed online for those unable to attend in person. Book your place via our booking form here.

KING’S AWARDED THE ECO-SCHOOLS GREEN FLAG

he school’s Eco-Committee has been successful in its application for the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award. The evidence-based award is an accreditation that acknowledges, rewards, and celebrates the ecological achievements of young people, reviewing the effort they have taken to consider the environmental changes they have made at their school and in their everyday lives. The award recognises that a school, college, or nursery is forward-thinking and promotes youth-led environmental education and action and allows the school to fly an Eco-Schools flag and to use the mark to indicate the work and concern for both local and global environmental issues that take place at the school.

In commending King’s, Eco-Schools said: “It is wonderful that you have appointed such a large and representative Eco-Committee, this shows your school’s excellent commitment to both the programme and the eco-cause. It is great to see that you had such a group of eager, enthusiastic volunteers. It was also wonderful to see that they were supported by no less than five members of staff and that key members of the SLT were kept informed…We are really impressed at how you have linked environmental issues to a variety of curriculum areas…Congratulations to everyone for the great work you have managed to do, earning your Green Flag with Distinction in style…”

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EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES

estivities around European Day of Languages have long been a feature of the autumn term at King’s, and last year was no different. An actionpacked programme comprised activities reflecting the broad diversity of both the European and non-European languages that our pupils speak. From linguistically themed quizzes to pupil-led

language taster sessions, from attention-grabbing French flash mobs in the quad (from a very enthusiastic Year 8!) to food stalls serving cuisines from Italy, France, Spain, and Germany, the colours, smells, and sounds of the celebrations created an upbeat, carnival atmosphere, which truly brought the school campus to life.

INTER FAITH WEEK

n December, the school, led by the Inter Faith Council and Reverend Madeleine Miller, School Chaplain, explored customs and traditions from different religions to mark Inter Faith Week. The pupil-led Inter Faith Council meet on a regular basis to discuss faith matters and to build positive relations between people of different faiths and none. The principles of their work centre around 6 | KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023

celebrating difference and learning from one another in mutually respectful dialogue. Across the week, pupils from the Inter Faith Council designed age-appropriate activities for pupils, which included leading assemblies; designing a video and PowerPoint for tutor time; and a lunchtime discussion on ‘myth busting’ with a panel of teachers and pupils from a range of faiths.

CHARTER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

ctober saw King’s host the Charter Leadership Conference with our partners at Wimbledon High School (WHS). 90 pupilleaders representing 17 local schools participated in the event, which is run as part of The Charter (a collaborative, pupil-led partnership between King’s and WHS which delivers joint initiatives to build inclusive communities). This year’s event focused on young people’s mental health with delegates hearing from Dr Ama Collinson (specialist in social, emotional, and mental health), and Roman Kemp, (mental health activist, DJ, and TV presenter). Dr Collinson provided a keynote workshop and Q&A on the topic ‘Identity and mental health’ before Roman took part in a fascinating conversation-style discussion. Delegates also attended a session that focused on helping them to understand the different mental health issues that young people may encounter,

the ways they can help others, and how they can look after their mental health. Following on from this event, in December, King’s and Wimbledon High School hosted a Charter quiz night raising money for Joe’s Buddy Line, a charity that provides emotional and mental health support for school children across England and Wales. The Night was a huge success and raised a total of £642 for Joe’s Buddy Line.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH McDaniel (the first Black female Oscar winner), Diahann Carroll (Golden Globe winner, activist, and prominent figure in the golden age of Hollywood), Aretha Franklin, and Oprah Winfrey. Focussing on Oprah, Ab and Arlen made a compelling case for how she used her platform – the innovative new format of an emotionally engaging talk show – to combat negative stereotypes and bias. They outlined Oprah’s progression from representation to advocacy and activism for social justice. In this way, Ab and Arlen demonstrated the way Oprah’s journey transcends that of a simple television host. The presentation moved on to talk about the new generation of Storm Reid and Marsai Martin who are picking up the torch. Ab and Arlen created a fascinating journey into Black history, providing attendees with greater information and awareness about the struggles and successes of Black women within the media industry and the importance of media representation in a diverse and inclusive society.

ctober marked Black History Month and as part of the activities that took place at King’s, Ab (U6) and Arlen (U6) led a fascinating and inspiring Sixth Form assembly. Under this year’s theme of ‘Saluting Our Sisters,’ the pair compellingly relayed their original thoughts on Black women’s contributions to the media industry, the importance of representation and the impact key figures have had on women’s and civil rights, the anti-racism movement and societal change. The talk highlighted figures from the media through history such as Hattie

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ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

n Friday 10th November, the whole school gathered in front of the Great Hall for our annual Act of Remembrance. The service was led by Reverend Madeleine Miller, School Chaplain, and Commander Bob Mitchell, who has been Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Contingent Commander for 31 years. Following the service, the cadets were brought to attention by the parade commander, Cadet Sergeant Peter. The Last Post was sounded by our trumpeter before the whole school

observed two minutes of silence. Wreaths were placed at the base of the war memorial by Ms Melissa Clarke, Principal Deputy, Lieutenant Colonel Huw Raikes (OK 2002), and Cadet Sergeant Dan on behalf of the CCF at the school. Dr Anne Cotton, Head, was at King’s College School Bangkok paying tribute to the fallen as part of their Remembrance Service. She read an extract from OK Robert Graves’ Memoir Goodbye to All That, which details returning to normal life after the war.

LIFE AT KING’S DURING WORLD WAR II

r Lucy Inglis, School Archivist, recently prepared a special school exhibition on life at King’s during World War II. The exhibition provided a fascinating and educational insight into what the school community experienced during wartime through the aid of letters, videos, and photographs. You can read a concise history of this period, and World War I, in our dedicated Sways, available to read here and here – you will find recounts of building bomb shelters, notifications of OKs who had been killed or taken prisoner, bomb damage during air raids, the aftermath of the war, and much more. 8 | KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023

A SERIES OF TALKS

of global poverty; and Professor Jonathan Haskel CBE (OK 1980; now Professor of Economics at Imperial College London, and member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee) who gave a talk focusing on the topical subject of inflation in the UK and how the Monetary Policy Committee makes decisions regarding interest rates. The Girls’ Ambassadors were also busy last term, hosting an ‘At the table with...’ talk, where they heard from Pansy Doyle, Fay Davies, and Stephanie Macguire, who all work within the Law. Girl Ambassadors for the school, Naina (U6) and Sasha (U6) said: “All were in various stages of their careers, providing a wide-ranging insight into life as a lawyer. Our three visitors all studied different university courses, showing how studying law at university is not the only route into a career in the Law. Everyone who attended gained an understanding of the way in which artificial intelligence can help and hinder law firms, as well as the strong sense of community within these firms (helping to balance out the hard work)… Learning about the ways in which the law sector has progressed in terms of gender equality, with far more women occupying leading positions in firms, we left the event with a positive outlook about the future. It, however, was acknowledged that there are still changes to be made and that everyone would benefit from higher levels of equity in this sector – something that we, the future generation, will need to consciously work towards.” At the table with… is a series of informal talks from women within the King’s community.

Dr Tibenderana

r Tibenderana, Chief Executive of Malaria Consortium and an honorary Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, visited in October to speak about how knowledge is transforming progress towards a malaria-free world. His expansive lecture covered everything from the mosquito vector and malaria parasite to the geographic distribution of malaria (and the economic burdens it brings), transmission, prevention, and treatment. Dr Tibenderana’s vision of a malaria-free world was inspiring, highlighting the importance of the work undertaken by scientists and organisations in progressing towards universal health coverage. Sincere thanks to Dr Tibenderana for sharing his immense expertise in medicine, global health, leadership and management, strategy, and research. Meanwhile, pupils nurturing a blossoming interest in history, attended a King’s History Society talk by historical writer and translator, Alessandro Gallenzi, who gave a talk about his processes of exploring and writing historical texts. Whereas pupils enthralled by economics attended a host of Economics Society talks hearing from Ed Turner (OK 2007; now Head of Trading at Mandara), who gave great insight on commodities markets and trading; Sir Mark Lowcock (Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics (LSE) and former United Nations (UN) UnderSecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs) who gave a compelling talk about the changing pattern

At the table with...

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CELEBRATING SUCCESS

8 sixth form pupils took part in the Royal Society of Biology’s Intermediate Olympiad last year, which saw over 14,000 pupils from over 700 schools worldwide take part. 12 pupils earned medal placements – Menghan (U6), Jaime (U6), and Amanda (U6) were awarded a gold medal after placing in the top 5% of scores. Conor (7) took part in the ‘March For Men’ last year, raising a total of £4,204! Conor walked 10km in a record 1 hour and 45 minutes and was described by Prostate Cancer UK as a Superstar Fundraiser.

Arkwright Engineering Scholarships

Conor – March for Men Daniel (L6), Hari (L6), and Rowan (L6) have recently been awarded Arkwright Engineering Scholarships. The prestigious scholarships are offered to pupils interested in pursuing a career in engineering, computing, or technical design, with the winning scholars demonstrating practical ability through technical project work as well as theoretical excellence. Matthew (U6) recently received a commendation after he was short-listed in the 10 | KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023

John Locke Essay Competition 2023. Matthew entered under the Economics category and submitted a thoughtful and well-argued discourse on the question: “A government funds its own expenditure by taxing its population. Suppose, instead, it relied solely on money newly created by the central bank? What would be the advantages and/or disadvantages?” The John Locke Institute aims “to cultivate the characteristics that turn good students into great writers.” A vast number of entries are received from scholars around the world, and it is a great achievement to be shortlisted in such a competitive field. Yoyo’s (U6) work was recently selected as part of the Kew Young Botanical Artist exhibition. Created by The Shirley Sherwood Collection in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, entrants were asked to submit two-dimensional artworks on the theme of ‘Trees’. There were over 1,000 entrants from 77 countries, and Yoyo’s fantastic piece was selected as one of 50 entries to be included in the show. The exhibition is running until 7th April and there is a People’s Choice award voted for during the duration of the exhibition, so we encourage anyone in Kew to see Yoyo’s work and get voting!

KING’S PARTNERSHIPS

University Taster Day

Extended Partnership with Harris Academy Wimbledon (HAW)

ith the academic year back in full swing, so too were King’s partnerships and outreach activities: University Taster Day

s part of the Senior Aspirations Programme, 60 pupils from six partnership schools, who would be first-generation university scholars, attended a bespoke outreach day at Royal Holloway. Thanks to presentations by student ambassadors and lecturers from the college, the pupils heard about the wide variety of courses available, had the opportunity to tour the campus, and attended a Geography lecture to demonstrate the style of university teaching. One pupil said: “Getting to see how the university was like a community…made the whole concept seem less daunting.”

Our extensive partnerships and outreach programme reflects a strong belief in the benefit of educational partnerships and a permanent commitment to sharing our resources with the local community. A unique feature of King’s, it fosters an ethos of social awareness and respect for difference.

ommunity projects have taken flight with great energy. 51 projects are run every Friday afternoon, involving over 420 King’s pupils and 30 Harris pupils. There has been a fantastic connection between pupils at the two schools as they collaborate on projects such as football coaching and the community production, which has helped them to develop skills of leadership and empathy.

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ARCHIVE HIGHLIGHTS THE WADSWORTH FAMILY LETTERS: FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF LIFE AT KING’S DURING WORLD WAR II

rothers Derek and Robert (Bob) Wadsworth were pupils at King’s in the 1930s and 1940s. Derek left the school in 1941 and, like other 18-year-olds at the time, went straight into the armed forces. After completing his officer training, he was sent to North Africa in November 1943 and later served in Italy. His younger brother Bob was a pupil at King’s for the remainder of the war. Bob, Dorothy, and Harry (Derek and Bob’s parents) sent several letters to Derek whilst he was abroad. These have remained in the family ever since. Derek’s son Chris, also a King’s alumnus, has kindly shared some of the correspondence with the school archive.

Bob Wadsworth aged 16 in 1944 “You’re a clumsy blighter really! Walking on a mine is a very careless thing to do, but I can understand it is quite easy to do. We all hope you are comfortable now and eating more. Do not let that thirst run away with you. Please excuse my writing but it always deteriorates in the middle of the holidays.” Letter from Bob to Derek, 4th January 1945

Derek Wadsworth aged 11 in 1934 “Do look after your sweet self. Dad has his own idea of whereabouts you are, but I read the papers and am afraid I always imagine you are in the thick of things. Thank goodness I have my two optimists to brighten things for me! They are doing their stuff these days full-time. However, a letter from you is a tonic to us all. Such heaps and heaps of love ever and ever – we are with you every minute wherever you are.” Letter from Dorothy Wadsworth to her son Derek, 20th February 1944

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The letters reveal a great deal about daily life at King’s during the war. As a school, as friends, and as colleagues, the King’s community worried about loved ones and mourned those they had lost – but also persevered. Lessons, lunches, and exams took place in air-raid shelters. School plays and concerts carried on. In the summer, pupils helped farmers to bring in the harvest. Those left homeless by bombs were taken in by others. Perhaps most spectacularly of all, when – in February 1944 – school buildings were left devastated by falling bombs, pupils, parents, and staff worked tirelessly on a clean-up operation that meant the school could open again less than a week later. Bob was one of those pupils who helped not just with sorting out the mess but with the re-glazing of buildings. Dorothy, meanwhile, was co-opted by the headmaster’s

wife, Mrs Dixon, as she explained in a letter to Derek: “I am meeting Mrs D at 10.00am equipped with soap, polish, dusters, etc. and we’re off for a ‘scrub-up’.” Despite stepping on an anti-personnel mine in Italy in December 1944, Derek arrived back in the UK in February 1945, minus his right leg and a finger from his left hand, but otherwise well. You can read more here.

TOURS AND TEA

his year’s series commenced on Friday 15th September. We were delighted to welcome a handful of alumni back to school – one of whom had not been back for over 35 years! – for a tour with Dr Lucy Inglis, School Archivist. Dr Inglis led the group around familiar and favourite school haunts, including the Great Hall and the Dining Hall, whilst sharing her expansive knowledge of the history of King’s. Refreshments and the chance to see a selection of documents from the school archive followed the tour. If you would like to register your interest in joining a future tour, then please contact the Development Office.

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COMBINED CADET FORCE HIGHLIGHTS W

elcome to the inaugural update of the CCF for our alumni here at King’s. First, and most importantly, we are still here and find ourselves in good form! The CCF was established at King’s in 1875, and whilst many things at King’s have changed over the years, the CCF, in the most, has not. It is a part of school life that you will have had contact with, even if only at Remembrance Parade. I enclose an update on the contingent as it stands, including a selection of notable moments that have taken place over the last year…I am certain they may bring back a memory or two! Staff remain central to the cadet experience. I, Bob Mitchell, remain at the helm as Contingent Commander. The SSI remains our cornerstone. Some of you will look back on formidable characters like Major John Grayson, Sergeant Major Ted Brett, and Corporal of Horse Dean

Goodall.The current holder of the post is Second Lieutenant Glen Painter. Glen is a retired WO2 from the Royal Artillery and gives us the benefit of 27 years of service, including in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

BIENNIAL INSPECTION

ollowing a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we held our biennial inspection last March. We were privileged to host Captain Conor O’Neil (OK 1999) as our Reviewing Officer, and we pulled out all the stops to show him the skills of the current generation. It is always special to

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welcome back a former King’s cadet and this year even more so, given Captain Conor was our senior Navy cadet at the end of the last century! All our cadets loved sharing their lessons from the CCF and I think the Captain enjoyed reliving some memories of his formative youth.

REMEMBRANCE PARADE

ver my years at school, the annual Remembrance Parade in November has grown in significance enormously. On appointment as Contingent Commander the event was a small service during Friday middle school assembly in the Great Hall, in working dress and minimal parade formality. Nowadays the whole school community gathers around

the War Memorial in front of the Great Hall, and a lucky few cadets get to show off months of drill practice as they lay wreaths. Each year we are fortunate to have an OK return and lay a wreath on behalf of the Old King’s Club. This year we welcomed back one of my old tutees Lieutenant Colonel Huw Raikes (OK 2002) who is now in the Army Air Corp.

ARMY CAMP

he annual Army camp remains memorable each year and is an opportunity for cadets to show off their skills. This year we held our own camp at Hankley Common thanks to the mammoth efforts of Glen Painter. All cadets had a wonderful time – we were especially lucky to be joined by two regular Royal Tank Regiment troopers to assist with fieldcraft exercises.

Safety is always our absolute priority but alongside this, cadets never fail to bring laughter to even the coldest and dampest days on any camp. This year the “Rifle Fairy” was on alert each evening and staff were kept well-fed with snacks offered in exchange for the safe return of the rifles to sheepish-looking cadets in the morning!

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DUKE OF EDINBURGH

he Duke of Edinburgh expeditions are always a highlight of a cadet’s CCF career. Over the years I have learnt that cadets don’t change much: their map reading rarely survives first contact with the enemy! A fond memory from this year was one group’s response to the routine question: “Where is your route card plan for the day?” They confidently replied: “We are going to have lunch by this river” whilst pointing enthusiastically to a pale blue line on the OS map. I could not decide whether to laugh or cry when I realised it was the M25! I wish I had a pound for every kit list I have sent in the last 40 years and still cadets arrive with equipment passed down from their fathers, forgetting it has degraded over three decades. On one expedition to the South Downs this year, I had to make a B&Q dash for duct tape and super glue to ‘battlefield repair’ a

pair of boots that had fallen apart on day one. Amazingly they held together for another 25 miles! Although we still visit the South Downs for silver expeditions, our gold groups now train in the Brecons and complete their qualifier in the Peak District.

TRAFALGAR NIGHT DINNER

ach autumn term our senior Royal Navy cadets put together a Trafalgar Night dinner including all the key ingredients of a formal mess dinner: speeches, the loyal toast, and a finale of singing to sea shanties. The sixth formers can bring a guest and we all enjoy sharing and celebrating the camaraderie that is so important to us all in the Corps.

ith so much of the year still to go, I look forward to updating you on adventure training, activities week and introducing the new incoming Contingent Commander in the summer.

Bob Mitchell, Contingent Commander

WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH THE CCF?

he CCF is so special to us, and we know it is to many of you too. We would like to reconnect with old cadets, to learn about where your cadet skills have taken you post-King’s and to occasionally share our news with you. We are establishing an OK CCF mailing list and we would like to hear from you if you would like to be added to this list. Please contact the Development Office.

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DRAMA HIGHLIGHTS DANTON’S DEATH

n October, audiences had the chance to see Danton’s Death, which was the first dramatic offering from Peter Hamilton Dyer, King’s Director in Residence. The play depicts the dark and troubling world of revolutionary France, and the production was delivered by a talented cast of 14 pupils with subtlety and feeling. The frightening period was brought to life with real intensity as the captivated audience was introduced to heroes and villains, to the streets and prisons of Paris, and to the courtrooms and even the guillotine squares themselves.

“What an incredible performance! I simply cannot believe this is a school play and not a professional performance – keep on flying high!”

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

nder the directorship of Ms Davina Barron, Director of Drama, and Ms Harriet Feeny, Head of Lower School Drama, the cast and crew of Billy Elliott The Musical delivered a breath-taking production, complete with specialist acrobatics and a 17-piece band on stage! In characteristic King’s style, the players – both on stage and off – worked together with heart and tenacity to produce a performance that brought the emotional and inspiring story of Billy, who goes on a journey to find light in the darkest of places, to life with subtly, joy and drama. If you would like to be amongst the first to hear about King’s drama productions, then please contact the Development Office.

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MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS

t was a busy autumn term for King’s musicians. Highlights included the annual Brass Prize Competition which took place at the beginning of November, with Blythe (U6) and Horatio (4) crowned as the winners. This was swiftly followed by the Chamber Choir singing at Evensong to an enthusiastic congregation in St John’s Church, and four talented sixth form bands and the big band taking to the stage at the Friends’ Fireworks Display – the rain did nothing to diminish the fervour of the crowd or the flair of the instrumentalists and singers! The Senior School Orchestral Concert also took place, featuring Ivan (U6) as an outstanding soloist in Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto and Tom (U6) conducting the symphony orchestra in

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Britten’s Soirées musicales. Meanwhile, Harry (4) was cast in the production of Verdi’s engrossing psychological drama, La Forza Del Destino, and performed at London’s Royal Opera House. Harry said: “I have been privileged to be part of the cast for the revival of La Forza Del Destino at the Royal Opera House. I have been lucky enough to play two roles in the opera, the younger version of one of the leads, Don Carlo, which contrasts with my second role as a beggar in a Spanish monastery. Notwithstanding the late nights through this experience, I have been able to perform in one of the world’s most celebrated theatres as well as meeting leading opera singers and a renowned conductor, Mark Elder.”

For choirs at King’s, Christmas is a particularly exciting season. Carols are enjoyed and descants soar high, with last year being no exception. There was a service in St Simon Zelotes in Chelsea at the beginning of December which saw 17 pupils singing Advent favourites, and then no fewer than five carol services involving seven different choirs and a concert in St James’s Piccadilly. The community carol service with its candlelit procession was a particular highlight and featured the Chamber Choir singing familiar

carols including In the bleak midwinter and Ding, dong, merrily on high in St John’s Church. The last Friday of term saw the Chamber Choir joined by the orchestra for a very special concert in the beautiful setting of St James’s Piccadilly.The orchestra played music by Warlock and were joined by clarinettist, Una (U6) in Piazzolla’s enchanting Oblivion. The audience sang with the orchestra and choir in two wellknown carols, whilst the choir presented music ranging from Handel’s For unto us a child is born to their party piece, Follow that star.

St James’s Piccadilly

Community Carol Service If you would like to be amongst the first to hear about King’s musical productions, then please contact the Development Office.

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SPORT HIGHLIGHTS BASKETBALL AND LACROSSE SUCCESS! Congratulations to Elliot (8), who was recently selected for the U12 European Baseball Championships, and to Ellie (U6), who was recently selected for the European Lacrosse Championships.

CROSS-COUNTRY

n September, two King’s teams entered the annual Junior Haskell Cup for cross-country, organised by RGS Guildford. More than 25 teams took part in the challenging race with our Fourth Form team placing fifth – with Sam (4) running the quickest lap in 3 minutes and 26 seconds – and our Year 8 team placing 20th. It was a wonderful day of running in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey Hills. Alumni with an interest in cross-country may be interested to know that the annual Kevin Hawney Cup Race will be taking place from 10.30 am on Saturday 27th January at the corner of West Place and North View, Wimbledon, London SW19 4UH. The race, run between alumni, staff, and pupils, is a wonderful

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opportunity for King’s running enthusiasts past and present to come together and catch up. Runners of all standards, as well as spectators, are welcome. Please contact the Development Office if you would like further information.

FOOTBALL

he U13 and U18 footballers enjoyed a coaching session with ex-professional footballers Ryan Watts, Darius Charles, and Craig Mackail-Smith, after making it to the third round of the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) Cup.

HOCKEY

n November, King’s welcomed Wimbledon High School, St Dunstan’s College, Emanuel School, Trinity School, and Gordon’s School to our friendly Girls Hockey 1st King’s Tournament. King’s performed exceptionally well in their group, with the team showing fantastic spirit as they continued to make improvements throughout the afternoon, led superbly, by captain Martha (U6). They were unlucky to lose out to Emanuel in the semi-final and finished fourth overall. Meanwhile, the U16 boys’ hockey indoor team competed at the London Schools Indoor finals, after progressing through the qualifying round.The day started well with a 3-1 win over Bancroft’s School, but the team then lost their next game to Kingston Grammar School. The team put in two exceptional performances against Trinity School and Alleyn’s School, which kept them in

touch with Whitgift School for the top spot, but Whitgift was too strong, and qualified for the national finals. King’s finished second, which was a fantastic result against some top hockey schools. And finally, Tom (L5) has completed an extended assessment process and we are delighted to announce he has been selected for the U16 England Hockey squad for the 2023/2024 season!

NETBALL

n November, the 1st VII netball team travelled to Churcher’s College for the first round of the Independent Schools Netball Competition. The team kept its composure and secured a win with a score of 35-29. They now progress to Round Two of the competition.

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ROWING

uring October half-term, King’s rowers took part in the Head of Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There was a top 20 finish for the coxed four - Massi (L6), James (L6), Ethan (L6), and Ben (L6), coxed by Bridget (L6) - who completed the course in 17 minutes and 44 seconds. They finished

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18th of 90 entries. Meanwhile, the boys’ eights crew finished seventh of 90 entries. Will (U6), James R (U6), Alastair (L6), Felix (L6), Will B (U6), Fraser (U6), Finlay M (U6), and Ivo (L6), coxed by Jonas (U5), finished just one-second outside medal position, in a time of 15 minutes and 40 seconds.

RUGBY

n September, we welcomed alumni back to the school for lunch and the chance to watch one of our first fixtures of the season – King’s College School 1st XV vs RGS Guildford. It was a very close game of Rugby, with King’s unfortunately losing 31-27 after initially taking the lead, and a fantastic opportunity for pupils to connect with the sportsman of the past, and to hear, directly from their experience, the history of rugby at King’s and what it means to wear the King’s rugby shirt. In October, lower school rugby players enjoyed the ‘Wimbledon Derby’ against local rivals Wimbledon College and St Paul’s, described by ‘Next Gen XV’ (the media outlet for schools’ rugby) as the closest school derby in terms of proximity in the entire country! You can read more here.

SWIMMING

ver the October half-term, King’s swimmers headed to Whitgift School for the English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA) qualifiers. Now in its 65th year, the ESSA championships are open to secondary schoolaged swimmers across England and across the education sector, with around 300 schools

participating. King’s qualified in the Junior Boys 4x50m Freestyle and the Junior Boys 4x50m Medley and in November, headed to The ESSA Championship Finals at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre Commonwealth Pool in Birmingham – the teams placed 12th and 14th in the heats, respectively.

TENNIS

rthur Fery (OK 2020) and Joe Salisbury (OK 2010) recently featured as Men’s singles and Men’s doubles Player of the Month by The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the national governing body of tennis in Great Britain, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. Arthur continues to go from strength to strength, most recently picking up his first win at Challenger level at the 2023 Rothesay Open Nottingham tournament. Joe meanwhile is a six-time Grand Slam doubles champion, most recently winning the 2023 US Open with his partner Rajeev Ram.You can read the full article from the LTA here.

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KING’S COLLEGE SCHOOL BOAT CLUB UPDATE A RICH HISTORY OF ROWING

owing has long been a treasured tradition at King’s, and at the heart of this proud legacy lies the King’s College School Boat Club (KCSBC) and its esteemed Supporters’ Association (KCSBCSA). The roots of rowing at King’s can be traced

1864

1939

A Boat Club is founded at King’s but lasts for little over a year. There are other shortlived attempts to establish a Club in the 1870s and 1890s.

back to the early 20th century when a group of pioneering pupils first took to the water. From humble beginnings, rowing quickly gained momentum and evolved into the thriving programme we see today:

1941

1942

The Club rows in the first recorded race in its history and achieves its first victory against U.C.S.’s 2nd VIII.

The Thames Rowing Club agree that 14 pupils from King’s can receive coaching at its club.

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1954

1966

A ‘New Boat Fund’ is launched to raise money to pay for a four; it will be the first boat bought by the Club.

Rowing is recognised as an official school sport by the Games Committee and the Governors.

1974

The King’s College School Boat Club Supporters’ Association is founded.

The Club aspires to boat a 1st VIII.; at first, they use a borrowed boat but in 1966 a new VIII ‘St Katherine,’ is purchased by the Governors.

The first Boat Club Annual Dinner is held at the London Rowing Club.

1985

The 1st VIII travel to Boston, USA, for the 39th Head of the Charles Regatta; this later becomes a regular feature of the Club’s calendar.

The Club acquires its own Boathouse in Putney.

1992

The first international rowing tour takes place; members of the Club compete in races in New Zealand. It is the start of many such trips.

1993

1997

The Club takes part in the school’s centenary celebrations; there is a row from the Strand to Putney and rowers again tour New Zealand, this time to take part in the Maadi Cup.

2003

The Club’s numbers are so strong that, for the first time, it is able to field a 3rd VIII team at the National Schools’ Regatta.

2012

A girls’ crew represents King’s at the National Schools’ Regatta for the first time.

2019

2022

The King’s VIII makes it to the semi-finals of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley for the first time.

If you are interested in delving deeper into the history of rowing at King’s, a more comprehensive account can be viewed here. It covers the earliest days of rowing at the school, to the present day, highlighting key moments, notable achievements, and important figures who have contributed to the legacy of rowing at King’s. KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023 | 25

THE HEROES BEHIND THE OAR B

ehind every turning point, success, and achievement, lie individuals whose unwavering commitment and passion have steered rowing at King’s to new heights. From coaches who have imparted their wisdom and expertise to captains who have led their crews to victory, their tireless efforts have contributed to the rich tapestry of rowing at King’s. Likewise, the contributions of dedicated parents and alumni, and their support of rowers past and present, cannot be overstated. In this update, we shine a spotlight on:

PATRICK DUGGAN, DIRECTOR OF ROWING, AND TONY BROOK, FORMER DIRECTOR OF ROWING

n November, Patrick and Tony had an engaging conversation about rowing at King’s, which took place at the Boat Club. During their discussion, they covered Tony’s rowing career prior to working at King’s, the two tours Tony led to New Zealand in the 1990s, and their coaching philosophies, providing a captivating insight into the world of rowing at King’s. You can watch a recording of their conversation here, which is a must-see for anyone interested in this sport.

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PAT REED-BOSWELL, FORMER CHAIR OF KCSBCSA: ROWING IN THE 1990S

f the 1990s were a turning point in the fortunes of Britain’s Olympic rowers, the same can be said for the KCSBC and the KCSBCSA following the purchase of Barclays Bank boathouse in 1993. I took over the Chairmanship of KCSBCSA in 1994 at the most exciting time in the history of the Boat Club: our own ‘home’ on the embankment at Putney! We quickly launched a raft of activities, both social and fundraising, to promote the school’s presence at the heart of the Boat Race, while increasing the profile of rowing at King’s. It was fun, financially beneficial to the club, and with firm friendships formed that would last well beyond school. We stood in the smoke of a barbecue selling burgers at the main HORRs, ran a successful car boot sale, held a sponsored event at Wimbledon Stadium, a quiz at school, and many other fundraising events, all of which provided new boats and supported the school’s tour of New Zealand in 1997.

From 1996 onwards I welcomed the ‘Oarsome Foursome’ of Redgrave, Pinsent, Foster, and Cracknell, each of whom addressed the club at boat naming events or at our Annual Dinner. It was a privilege and an honour for a non-rower! I joined the Boat Club at their training camp on Vancouver Island in 1999 acting as a minibus driver to the regatta each day and later in Banyoles, Spain, sitting in the coaching launch during outings and overseeing the boys’ homework in the afternoons. Redgrave and Pinsent returned to the school to inspire the boys, as did Katherine Grainger and other Olympic gold medallists in the coming years. When I retired in 2009 after 15 years at the helm, I took with me wonderful memories of the people I had met and the places I had been in my support of rowing at King’s. My sincere thanks to all those supportive, generous, parents and the amazing, dedicated coaching staff who made those years so incredibly special. I will always be a Boat Club supporter!

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UPCOMING EVENTS In 2024, KCSBCSA will proudly mark its 50th anniversary. All members of the rowing community – whether a former coach, rower, or parent of a rower – are invited to join in their celebrations of this milestone, at their upcoming events:

MARCH

INFORMAL DRINKS This event is open to coaches, rowing parents, and alumni and is a chance to catch up and reconnect over drinks and nibbles. • Wednesday 13th March 2024 • 7.00 pm – 11.00 pm • Crooked Billet, Wimbledon, London SW19 4RQ RSVP Please contact Lydia Sitter

MARCH

SCHOOLS’ HEAD This is the UK’s largest school-age processional (head rowing) race for crews aged between 14 and 18 years old. Refreshments will be on offer. • Wednesday 20th March 2024 • 9.30 am – 4.30 pm (King’s racing times to be confirmed) • King’s College School Boat Club, Embankment, London SW15 1LB RSVP Please contact Lydia Sitter

MAY

NATIONAL SCHOOLS’ REGATTA The National Schools’ Regatta is the largest rowing regatta for junior rowers in Great Britain. The KCSBC has a marquee near the finish line with refreshments available for all. • Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, and Sunday 26th May 2024 • All day • King’s College School Pitch, Dorney Lake, Windsor SL4 6FJ RSVP Please contact Lydia Sitter

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UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE

SUMMER PRIZEGIVING The final KCSBC event of the year offers an enjoyable and light-hearted way to celebrate the rowers’ fantastic efforts! Refreshments will be on offer. • Sunday 23rd June 2024 • Time to be confirmed • King’s College School Boat Club, Embankment, London SW15 1LB RSVP Please contact Lydia Sitter

JULY

HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA LION MEADOW CAR PARK DRINKS This event is open to coaches, rowing parents, and alumni and is a chance to catch up, reconnect, and hear about current rowing successes. Boat Club Blazers are encouraged. • Saturday 6th July 2024 • 12 noon – 1.00 pm • Lion Meadow Car Park, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3DD RSVP Please contact Louise Monaghan

STAYING CONNECTED If you are a former rower, supporter, or admirer of KCSBC and KCSBCSA, and are interested in staying connected with rowing at King’s, then please register your interest with the Development Office. By doing so, you will be the first to hear about upcoming events, competitions, and other exciting developments within the rowing community. And if you have any memories or anecdotes of rowing at King’s, please do share them to help the school build an even richer picture of this sport.

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Christmas jumpers in support of Save the Children

Fourth Form Duologue Winners

Year 7 Horniman Museum Trip

X Christmas Gift Appeal for Wimbledon Guild

Girls Hockey 1st Team

House Chess Finals 2023

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House Music Competition

Community Projects – Harris Academy

US Universities Trip

Lake Garda Trip

Priory Young Musician Finals 2023

Major House Charity Cake Sale

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THE FRIENDS OF KING’S HIGHLIGHTS E

stablished in 1978, the Friends is the parents’ association which aims to enrich the education of our pupils and foster a strong sense of community. The Friends fundraise for the school, raising money for our bursary programme and our partnership and outreach programme. Below is a snapshot of their recent and upcoming events.

FRIENDS’ FIREWORKS DISPLAY

n Saturday 4th November, the night sky above King’s was illuminated with a spectacular explosion of colours in celebration of Bonfire Night. This highly anticipated annual event attracted a crowd of thousands who enjoyed live music, circus acts, delicious food, drinks, and much more. Sincere thanks to the Friends’, event sponsors Dyer Grimes Architecture, Savills Wimbledon, and Moor & Co, and to Titanium Fireworks and Toby Alloway (OK 1999) for the fantastic display!

FRIENDS’ CAREERS FAIR

very year the Friends’, in conjunction with the school, organise a Careers Fair. The Fair serves as an invaluable opportunity for upper fifth and lower sixth pupils to gain insights into various career pathways and gives them a chance to interact face to face with industry professionals. Many industries were represented this year, from management to medicine and from architecture to advertising.The Fair highlights the opportunities beyond academics and offers insights to the pupils beyond King’s. Saksham (U5) and Ben (U5) who attended the Fair said: “It was an enlightening evening, and we are very grateful to everyone who gave up their time to ensure its success.”

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FRIENDS’ CHRISTMAS FAIR

he Friends’ Christmas Fair, one of the most festive and popular events in the King’s calendar, took place on Saturday 25th November. Michelle Gilligan, Chair of the Friends of King’s said: “The event reminds us of the importance of community: bringing together not only the army of parent volunteers who decorate, donate or host stalls but also our partnership school and families, loved ones and locals who were able to enjoy delicious food treats from dumplings,

crepes and churros, try their luck with the raffle, enjoy the festive tunes of the King’s Junior School Choir and Harris Academy choir and be tempted by the vast offerings of over 80 stalls on site. It was a fabulous day for all from young ones defying gravity on the last man standing to one elderly lady who remarked that the event had featured in her prayers this week – she had prayed for dry weather so she could come along and enjoy the day and leave with her Christmas pudding.”

FRIENDS’ COMMUNITY TEA

n Saturday 3rd December, the Community Tea, an important and long-standing event at King’s, took place. 200 elderly individuals from the Wimbledon area were invited to enjoy an afternoon tea at the school, while carols and Christmas music played in the background, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. It is the only outing of the year for many attendees, making it a highly anticipated occasion. Extended thanks to the generosity of the numerous parent volunteers who selflessly gave their time to make the event possible.

FRIENDS’ QUIZ NIGHT SAVE THE DATE Save the date! The Friends’ Quiz Night will be taking place on Friday 23rd February. Further information will be announced on the Friends’ website in due course. KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023 | 33

DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS CLASS OF 2022: ONE YEAR ON BBQ

he sun shone on this year’s One Year On BBQ as 100 pupils from the Class of 2022 returned to King’s for their first reunion event. This annual tradition sees last year’s leavers come back to school to catch up with one another, and chat with former teachers about their adventures since leaving the school, over food and drink. This year’s event was filled with warmth and camaraderie as former pupils shared stories from their first year of university or the workplace. Mr Chris Sandels, Assistant Head (Head of Middle School and Acting Head of Sixth Form), gave a warm welcome at the beginning of the evening, sharing school news, details of upcoming events, and other ways our

leavers can stay in touch with the school. This was followed by a group photo which was no mean feat to coordinate! It was a joy to see the Class of 2022 doing so well and we hope to see them back at King’s again soon.

A SENSE OF DIRECTION – MY LIFE IN THE THEATRE, WITH CHRISTOPHER LUSCOMBE (OK 1982) Part of the 2023-24 Sector Networking Series: Arts and Media

n spite of Storm Ciarán, we had a wonderful gathering in Central London in November, welcoming sixth form pupils, alumni, parents, and staff to our Arts and Media networking event. The evening provided a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, share insights and expertise, and expand their professional networks. Our guest speaker, Christopher Luscombe (OK 1982), held an inspiring talk and Q&A sharing details of his career working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Old Vic, and in the West End, as well as his vast directorial achievements. The talk was engaging and invaluable for our pupils, alumni, and parents interested in the creative sector. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Christopher for so generously giving up his time to support this event, and to Grace (U6) for so expertly chairing the Q&A session.

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JANURAY

UPCOMING EVENTS MONEY, MACHINES, AND MORALITY: EXPLORING ETHICAL AI IN FINANCE Part of the 2023-24 Sector Networking Series: Business and Technology • Wednesday 24th January 2024 • 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start – 9.15 pm • One Moorgate Place, Chartered Accountants’ Hall, 1 Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA • This event is open to all members of the King’s community Book your place via our online booking form

e are continuing our series this month by bringing together the business and technology sectors to explore the impact of AI on the future of finance. The evening will feature a panel discussion centred around our AI-generated title: “Money, Machines, and Morality: Exploring Ethical AI In Finance.” We are delighted to share that the esteemed panellists participating in the discussion will be: John Bentinck van Schoonheten | Founder at Primary Portal John is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Primary Portal, a Fintech company digitising the equities issuance market and offering a technological solution to banks and institutional investors. Jon O’Donnell | Chief Executive Officer at Mopsus.AI Jon has 30+ years of experience leading AI and broader Consulting businesses. Most of Jon’s career has been spent in IBM Consulting. He is now Chief Executive Officer of Mopsus.AI, an AI consulting firm which focuses on helping its clients leverage AI to step-change organisation performance. Radhika Vij (OK 2020) | MSci Natural Sciences Student at University College London Radhika is in her final year at University College London where she is studying Natural Sciences. After graduating, Radhika hopes to work within the tech industry to create meaningful impact by applying AI to the world around us. Read our ‘In the Spotlight…’ feature with Radhika on page 40. Alex Shandro (OK 2003) | Senior Lawyer at Allen & Overy Alex is an expert in the legal issues arising from AI and a core member of the firm’s market-leading AI practice. Alex focuses particularly on the intellectual property and data risks arising from the development and use of AI. Hossein Ghodse (OK 1993) | Chief Technology Officer at Montagu Private Equity   Hossein’s career spans 25 years, working with prestigious companies such SBC Warburg, Citigroup, Intermediate Capital Group, Ardevora, and Montagu Private Equity. Hossein’s career has been at the nexus of technology, change, and people: how people use technology, interact with it, and respond to changes brought about by technology. KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023 | 35

FEBRUARY

PEOPLE, PLACES, SPACES – HELP BUILD MORE SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS WITH NEAL SHASORE (OK 2007) Part of the 2023-24 Sector Networking Series: Architecture and the Built Environment • Thursday 22nd February 2024 • 7.00 pm – 9.15 pm • The London School of Architecture, 4 Beechwood Road, London E8 3DY • This event is open to all members of the King’s community Book your place via our online booking form

MARCH

osted by the London School of Architecture (LSA) at their new premises, this event is an excellent opportunity for pupils, professionals, and enthusiasts of the built environment sector (spanning development, planning, design, and construction) to connect and network. The evening will include a talk from Neal Shasore (OK 2007), Chief Executive and Head of School of the LSA, focusing on the school’s work in access and diversity. Industry experts and KCS master planners, Allies and Morrison, will also reflect on some of their educational projects. Additionally, there will be an exclusive walk-through of the new premises with James Pockson (OK 2007), Founder and Director of IDK, the architectural practice that led its renovation. Read our ‘In the Spotlight…’ feature with Neal on page 41.

LIFE AND DEATH IN A COVID INTENSIVE CARE UNIT: AN INSIGHT INTO CRITICAL CARE IN A CRISIS WITH DR ALEXANDER SCOTT (OK 1998) Part of the 2023-24 Sector Networking Series: Healthcare • Wednesday 13th March 2024 • 7.00 pm – 9.15 pm • New Hall, King’s College School Wimbledon • This event is open to all members of the King’s community Book your place via our online booking form

oin us, for a unique opportunity to hear from renowned expert Dr Alexander Scott (OK 1998), who will share his incredible experiences of working in an Intensive Care Unit during the pandemic, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of the medical professionals who were on the front lines. Dr Scott MBChB BSc FRCA FFICM is a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine in the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough. Dr Scott is also Training Programme Director in the Northern School of Anaesthesia and ICM. As part of Dr Scott’s role as a programme director, he provides coaching and mentoring on a variety of issues with key themes of self-confidence, the impostor syndrome, and neurodiversity recurring widely in postgraduate medical training.   36 | KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023

MAY

LIFE AT 25 REUNION We are hosting our very first Life at 25 Reunion this year, for the Class of 2017. This yearly event will offer our alumni a rare opportunity to revisit the school at a pivotal moment in their lives, to not only reconnect with former classmates and teachers but to learn how the school can support them during their early career stage and beyond. • Thursday 23rd May 2024 • 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm • Sixth Form Centre, King’s College School Wimbledon • This event is open to the Class of 2017 Book your place via our online booking form

JUNE

OLD KING’S REUNION We are throwing open our doors this summer to welcome alumni back to school. The afternoon will comprise live music, refreshments, and tours of the campus. It is a unique opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and teachers to reminisce about time spent at King’s and to see the school as it is today. • Saturday 15th June 2024 • 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm • Great Hall, King’s College School Wimbledon • This event is open to all alumni celebrating milestone anniversaries this year (classes of 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004, and 2014), and those who left King’s from 1970-1979. Tickets £18. Book your place via our online booking form

JUNE

BENEFACTORS’ GARDEN PARTY We will be hosting a garden party here at the school to celebrate the generosity of the King’s community. The afternoon will comprise a warm welcome and thank you from Dr Anne Cotton, Head, a delicious afternoon tea, refreshing summer cocktails, and live music. Invitations will be sent out in due course. • Sunday 30th June 2024 • 2.30 pm – 4.30 pm • King’s Marquee, King’s College School Wimbledon • Supporters of King’s College School

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KING’S LGBT+ ALUMNI NETWORK UPDATE E

stablished in 2021, the network is run by volunteers who work with the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity mentor for LGBT+ in the school. The main aim is to provide a social and support network for LGBT+ alumni and their allies, and to support the school in the coming

years, helping it to maintain an inclusive culture at King’s so that current pupils feel they belong. Membership is open to all alumni who wish to support the network’s aims – if you are interested in joining or would like further information, please contact the King’s LGBT+ Alumni Network.

LAW SOCIETY UPDATE Session and Networking Reception – which we featured in the spring edition of the King’s Association newsletter – and a dinner tentatively scheduled for 2024. The society is also looking for new committee members – if this is of interest, please contact the Development Office.

stablished in 2012, the Law Society aims to provide support and mentoring for King’s pupils interested in pursuing a career in the law, and to facilitate links between members of the King’s community working in the law.The Society has returned to a more regular cycle of events, most recently hosting the Law Q&A Panel

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THE OLD KING’S CLUB HIGHLIGHTS F

ounded in 1884, the club is the school’s alumni association. It seeks to promote united action amongst former pupils of King’s for the good of the school. Below is a snapshot of their recent and upcoming events.

ANNUAL DINNER

n Friday 10th November, the Old King’s Club Annual Dinner was held at the school. It was a joyous occasion with a multitude of cohorts, from 1960 to 2023, in attendance. Guests spent the evening celebrating shared history, renewing old connections, and forming new ones, over a sumptuous feast (including an impressive array of cheeses to go with the

port, from Navroze Bilimoria OK 2012), before Seb Munden (OK 1985) delivered a captivating talk on the circular economy. A toast to the school was proposed by Alexander Malmaeus, Chairman of the Old King’s Club, and a toast to the Club was proposed by Mr Richard Amlot, Deputy Head: “May it flourish, root and branch, forever!”

CAREERS EVENING

he Old King’s Club, in conjunction with the school, will be hosting the 2024 Careers Evening on Thursday 20th June 2024. The evening seeks to provide lower sixth pupils with an invaluable opportunity to hear from alumni and parents who work within the sectors they aspire to enter. The advice and insights shared during the evening makes a real difference to pupils as they prepare for university and the workplace. If you would like to participate, please contact the Old King’s Club.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH... RADHIKA VIJ (OK 2020) the freedom to explore both subjects at a higher level. I am very grateful I chose this course as it is extremely interdisciplinary, and this is an important skill to have when approaching any type of work. Your research is focused on using computer vision for endoscopy quality assurance to improve early cancer detection. Why did you choose this particular research area?

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

joined King’s in sixth form in 2018 and opted to do the International Baccalaureate (IB). I unfortunately graduated during the pandemic in 2020, so I was not able to say a proper goodbye but fortunately, I did not have to complete my IB exams! I was always inclined towards science and went on to study Natural Sciences at University College London. I chose a molecular biology and organic chemistry route and became particularly interested in fields such as cancer and drug design. I also have a strong interest in technology – particularly in the applications of AI and have completed several internships in various technology roles. I am now in my fourth year and completing my master’s research. You are currently undertaking an Msci in Natural Sciences at University College London. Why did you choose this field of study? I enjoyed chemistry and biology at school and at the time did not feel ready to choose between the two. I felt that Natural Sciences allowed me

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Throughout my degree there was a growing emphasis on how technology is an enabler for a lot of recent scientific breakthroughs. I wanted to learn more about its applications therefore I learned how to code. I then interned at an AI company where I implemented machine learning models on datasets. This hands-on work was something I enjoyed thoroughly and since I had learned how to apply machine learning, I wanted to use this knowledge for something meaningful. I felt that by choosing to research computer vision for endoscopy quality assurance to improve early cancer detection, I was able to combine two fields, cancer, and technology, which I am passionate about. Has there been a particular person during your studies who inspired you? Or perhaps a moment? My Dad has inspired me a lot as he works in technology and always encourages me to learn and keep up with the current advances in the field. He is extremely knowledgeable and is able to answer any questions – I aspire to be as well versed on the subject as he is. Alongside your degree, you have interned with companies focusing on technology and AI. Could you tell us more about your career aspirations? I hope to secure a role as a data scientist or machine learning engineer once I graduate as I

would like a few years of hands-on professional coding experience. In the future, I would like to work in the intersect between AI and biotech as I feel there is a lot of potential for meaningful impact in this field.

short, I think that AI is very powerful and will integrate into all realms of our lives over the next few decades. There is a lot of potential for good, such as applications in healthcare and energy, however, there can be a lot of harm if not regulated. Currently algorithms are very biased and if not monitored, this could have very severe social consequences. Therefore, there needs to be much more responsibility and care when these tools are deployed for general use.

What is your view on the future of technology and AI, and its potential benefit of being used for doing good? I could write a whole essay about this but in

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH... NEAL SHASORE (OK 2007) How did you find your time at King’s? Do you have a favourite memory you would like to share?

History of Art at Standard Level International Baccalaureate (IB) and captivated us with lectures on Baroque Art, especially Caravaggio and the Carravagisti. I was already interested in art and design, but Dr McKeown’s passion was infectious. At that time, the BA programme in art history at Oxford was very new – so it didn’t feel like going to Oxford to study something like PPE or Classics; it was still slightly untested at that time.

I joined the senior school in Fourth Form. I have many fond memories, some less so, but overall, I feel immensely privileged to have studied at King’s. Highlights include the King’s Comedy Nights which I think I hosted in Sixth Form, and joining Global Issues, initially to get out of Combined Cadet Force (CCF) on Friday afternoons, but which pioneered a school-wide recycling programme (highly unfashionable then) and through which we organised two concerts, Tilt to raise money for LiveAid.The other highlight was going up for the Edinburgh Fringe and performing Hamp directed by Philip Swan. It was quite an intense story about desertion in World War I, but quite a moving piece. Otherwise, my memories revolve around the many friendships which I built up there and which continue to this day.

How did you begin your career in the field of Architecture? What inspired you to enter this field? I was interested in design and architecture as much as I was in visual art. Many close friends from King’s were embarking on architecture degrees – I did not have their competence or technical skill. But as I progressed from undergraduate through to postgraduate study, I focused more and more on architecture, and not so much on its technical aspects, but on architecture as part of urbanism, and on architecture’s social and cultural histories. I ended up working on a period and group of architects not particularly to my taste – active in the interwar years in Britain – and wrote a DPhil on the subject, remaining at Oxford. As I ran out of funding, I had to get a job and ended up at the Royal Institute of British Architects

You left King’s in 2007 and went on to read History of Art at the University of Oxford. Why did you choose this field of study? I had a brilliant and inspiring personal tutor in the form of Dr Simon McKeown who was – I have no doubt still is – an internationally recognised authority on emblem books. He instigated

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Philip Swan, the doyen of King’s drama; Simon Mitchell, then Head of English – there were lots.

(the UK’s preeminent body of professionals in architecture) and realised that a lot of what I was thinking in relation to the 1920s and 1930s, remained startlingly current and relevant to the contemporary profession. That reframed a lot of my research and writing and led me back into academia primarily in architecture schools. So, despite not being an architect, I probably know too much about procurement, professional indemnity, and fire safety than most architectural historians… Was there a particular person during your studies or your early career who inspired you? Or perhaps a moment? King’s was definitely in a ‘golden era’ of teaching, looking back, and there were many who inspired a love of knowledge and for culture more widely: I have mentioned Simon McKeown who was a great inspiration; Neil Tetley who taught history; 42 | KA NEWSLETTER | AUTUMN / WINTER 2023

You have a passion for diversifying architectural education, heritage, and practice, could you tell us more about this and why it is important to you? Architecture and the built environment affect us all: on the most superficial level, we all interact with buildings and space constantly – it is important for us to have agency in how they are made. Construction is also a major net contributor to carbon omissions – both in terms of embodied carbon and indeed operational carbon. Thinking about the construction industry, and architecture’s place within it, is not a luxury, it is absolutely fundamental to addressing the climate emergency. Architecture as a profession is also historically undiverse and has many complex entanglements both with extraction and coloniality – thinking about how we can make more equitable built environments, shaped by diverse communities is not a luxury, it is a necessity and that has been a major motivation for me in recent years. Heritage – historic built environments but also the intangible social and cultural heritages we have – is also a great passion of mine and I have done a lot of voluntary work through trusteeships at the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) and the Twentieth Century Society (C20). The AHF has been a social investor in community heritage projects for nearly half a century – I would encourage OKs to explore its work more deeply. C20 is a national amenity society campaigning for protection our built heritage from 1914 to the present day. You joined the London School of Architecture (LSA) in 2021. Could you tell us a little more about the school and its vision? How have you found your time at the school so far? The school’s vision is that people living in cities can and should live more fulfilling and more sustainable lives. Our mission is to support the next generation of innovators in the design to

contribute to solving the global challenges we all face. It is a unique institution – only 10 years old, and a small educational charity (emphatically not a university) that seeks to be agile, experimental, and innovative. I was definitely the outside candidate for the job, and it has been a steep learning curve, but the LSA’s vision and mission is a compelling one, and in just two years we have made a lot happen – we have built and supported four new outreach and access programmes working with largely local underserved and underrepresented young people; we have developed a digital learning offer for professional practice; we have built extraordinary and rich partnerships with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation and the LB of Hackney, as well as over 200 practices in London. And we have just moved to a new building – well, an old new building which had fallen into disrepair – refitted by another OK, James Pockson (IDK Architects).

It has been an adventure! The industry increasingly recognises that we will need to demolish fewer buildings, adapting what we have and indeed making it more resilient to the challenges of climate and ecological breakdown. Architects – and students in particular – are also keen to fulfil the social role of the architect, empowering and collaborating with communities. These are major challenges which we have been good at talking about in the abstract – the move has meant we have had to put our money where our mouth is and figure out how to make projects viable without losing their ethical potential. We are settling down well, but we have only just started – we will be doing more and more to the building over the coming years, and I hope it will become a real hub of architectural life in East London. What is next for the school? We hope to continue to ‘bed in’ to Dalston, grow our outreach programmes and professional courses, and then make some major interventions in undergraduate education in the built environment. It is going to be a very busy few years, but there are opportunities all around despite our testing circumstances.

The LSA is dedicated to enabling and empowering independent minds not independent means. How do you think this can be achieved, and why is it important? The LSA developed a model whereby students earn while they learn. In the first year of our two-year MA course, students study with us for two days a week and then work in architectural practice for the remainder of the week. This allows students to minimise the debt they have to repay and secures them a regular income whilst studying. But things are still tight – we know that – especially with the intersecting crises of housing, energy, and cost of living. We are increasingly interested in the apprenticeship model and other forms of technical education. It is a time of big change not just in architectural education but in technical and higher education more generally. All our outreach and access programmes are free to access through support from trusts and foundations and we are immensely proud of that.

Is there a particular professional project or achievement that you are most proud of that you would like to share? I have published two books in the past year and managed to move the school – I do not think I ever thought I would do either of those things in my lifetime, so it has been gratifying as well as exhausting to get those projects complete. But critically, they have all been collaborative projects and intellectually challenging. I have learnt lots along the way and made plenty of mistakes whilst doing so. What is next for you? I am working on another book at the moment but otherwise I am very focussed on pushing the school’s mission further and faster.

The LSA recently moved premises, how has this benefitted the school and how are you all settling into your new venue?

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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS BEN BARNES (OK 1999)

DAN SMITH (OK 2004)

en is a well-known actor, recognised for his roles as Logan Delos in Westworld, Billy Russo in The Punisher, and Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia. In October 2021, he achieved his 20-year dream of releasing music by putting out Songs for You, a five-song EP which he toured last autumn. The EP is a soulful and introspective journey inspired by Ben’s own life experiences. The title of the EP is taken from a classic 1970 track, A Song for You, by American singer-songwriter Leon Russell. You can listen to Ben’s EP here.

n October, Dan of Bastille featured on an episode of Newscast with Planet Earth III director Kiri Cashell, for a conversation about how they made the music and television for the latest iteration of Sir David Attenborough’s iconic documentary series. You can listen to the episode here, with the conversation taking place at the 21-minute mark. Bastille also sang at the Earthshot Prize 2023 show, a “starstudded celebration of the very best ideas and initiatives to help save our planet.” You can view the episode here.

MARK LOWEN (OK 2001)

ark started working at the BBC in 2005, first in the Paris bureau and later as the correspondent in Istanbul, Athens, and Belgrade. He is currently the Rome Correspondent, covering Southern Europe, and most recently reported on the Israel-Gaza war.

Israel, November

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HARRY RICHARDS (OK 2016) turn of events forces Santi to travel home to Colombia, Santi must decide whether to adhere to his family’s traditional values or be true to himself. Harry recently spent seven months living and working in Colombia, where half of the film is set. He was there to re-immerse himself in the country’s culture, visit locations, and meet people whose experiences will inform the fictional story. Harry also brought on board two Colombian producers to join the growing team of UK producers already helping develop the film. Harry and the producers are now re-drafting the script, treatment, and other development documents. Over the next year, they will be pitching to UK public funding bodies and private financiers to raise the film’s budget. For updates, follow @santithefilm on Instagram. Harry is also currently fundraising for a short film that he is directing and producing. Contact Hours focuses on male student suicide through the eyes of a university caretaker struggling to care for his son. If you would like to support either project or find out more, please contact harry@santithefilm.com.

arry is the writer/director of SANTI, a BFI-selected short film that the King’s Association Newsletter featured last year when it screened at film festivals and universities around the country. Harry is now adapting this short into a 90-minute feature film, which follows a young Colombian man grappling with his identity and sexuality while studying in London. When a

KONRAD KAY (OK 2006)

long with his writing partner Mickey Down, Konrad created the original series Industry for BBC/ HBO.The drama, described as a “stylish take on a world you think you know” is about five graduates who want a job at a top investment bank. You can view series one and two here.

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NEIL PRICE (OK 1969)

eil has a strong family connection with King’s – he, his brother, and his father attended the school, and his grandfather not only taught at the school but was also secretary of the Old King’s Club during World War I. Neil has recently written a book that delves into his family history, Charles Day, and Charles Dickens, as summarised below: “Question: What do Arnold Schwarzenegger and Neil Price have in common? Answer: They both published a book in October 2023 – and nothing else! I have just written my first book Dickens’s Favourite Blacking Factory, the story of Regency entrepreneur Charles Day, his clandestine affair, and why Charles Dickens became interested in him. The dispute over the Will of Charles Day, a self-made nineteenth-century businessman who

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made a vast fortune from boot-blacking (the forerunner of shoe polish), led Dickens to create the apparently endless case of ‘Jarndyce and Jarndyce’ in his novel Bleak House. Following decades of research into family history, I made a fluke discovery, revealing a sweeping narrative of Regency and early Victorian London. An actual 170,000-word document, which I discovered in the National Archives, exposes the tragic last two months of the life of Charles Day. This includes his deteriorating mental faculties resulting from tertiary syphilis, his remarkable philanthropy, blackmail by a dodgy solicitor, the inertia of the contemporary legal system, and the shame of illegitimacy, particularly in the wealthy classes. The culture of counterfeiting and the birth of the concept of intellectual property is also explored as well as the kindness that can lie behind seemingly ruthless businessmen. Perhaps the plot of Dickens’s Bleak House even reflects aspects of Charles Day’s own life? Using the central device of the diary of Day’s doctor, neighbour, and friend, William Foote of Edgware, and also narrative to set the story of Day’s life, death, and its aftermath in its historical context, an extraordinary family history is uncovered, having been a well-kept secret for nearly 200 years, Day being Neil’s great-greatgrandfather. My book was published last October by The Conrad Press (ISBN 978-1-915494-68-9). It is already available on various outlets, including Waterstones and Amazon and I am delighted to have received the following review: “History and mystery: a highly engaging combination. This is a hugely admirable book; at once a valuable study of family, social, commercial, legal, urban, and medical history, and a love-letter to the serendipity and vagary of genealogical research. As a writer, Price combines reliable history with a flair for fiction, making his book as enjoyable for what it teaches us about 19th-century London and some of its most colourful characters, as for the mystery-story he wraps up within its pages. Highly recommended.”

MARTIN WHITEHORN (OK 2012)

artin was named a Legal Hero by the Law Society of England and Wales at a ceremony last September. 26 solicitors were shortlisted out of the 200 nominated, with seven named as Legal Heroes. In October, Martin was one of two Legal Heroes to be invited by The Law Society to attend the Opening of the Legal Year. The Opening of the Legal Year (known as the Lord Chancellor’s Breakfast) is commemorated by a service in Westminster Abbey attended by judges and other members of the legal profession including legal leaders from around the world, followed by a reception hosted by the Lord Chancellor at the Houses of Parliament. This year saw the first Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales being sworn into her role. Legal Heroes is an opportunity to recognise solicitors who have shown personal commitment and leadership to make the biggest difference in other people’s lives in recent years.Through their endeavours, they have made a demonstrative, lasting, and tangible difference to others, and brought distinction to the legal profession. The Law Society’s then president Lubna Shuja said: “Our Legal Heroes have been chosen for their outstanding qualities as leaders in society, driving forward change, and at times supporting the most vulnerable.These are people who use their skills, expertise, and drive to put the interests of others first, demonstrating the core values that are at the heart of our profession: helping others in need. Congratulations to each of them.” Martin was particularly noted for his efforts

advocating for neurodivergent access in and through the legal profession. Moreover, he has contributed to The Law Society’s reasonable adjustments guidance and its action points for disability inclusion for small firms. Furthermore, he has been supporting Ukrainian lawyers in England and Wales with obtaining employment in law. He uses his membership of the Ukrainian Bar Association to increase awareness and encourage others to join and support this vulnerable community. Additionally, Martin supports aspiring and junior lawyers, including assisting lawyers whose firms were pushing them to make ethical breaches and helping mentees with obtaining training contracts to become solicitors. He kept the junior lawyer support group Surrey Junior Lawyers Division active during the lockdowns where other local junior lawyer groups have since fallen inactive. Martin also speaks at schools to help educate and inspire the next generation to enter the legal profession.

SAM SCOWEN (OK 2023)

am was part of the Great Britain crew that won first place in the U19 Men’s Eight at the 2023 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in August, making him a world champion! It is a phenomenal achievement.

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GEORGE HARDY (OK 1979) CLASS OF 1979 AND 1980, A SUMMER REUNION

ast August, a group of alumni gathered in Richmond Upon Thames for a King’s reunion. George Hardy, one of the attendees, recounts the afternoon: “On a beautiful Saturday in August, 23 sixty-somethings gathered for a very leisurely pub crawl in Richmond Upon Thames. 22 of us were from King’s in the 1970s, but one of us (thank goodness) was from the High School, so a measure of decorum was maintained throughout the 12 hours or so we spent together, first at the Sun Inn, then the Cricketers, and finally at the White Cross where we all sat down for dinner. Almost as though it was stage-managed, to complete the idyllic scene was a cricket match taking place on the village green. The Thames looked as though it was en fete, and the pubs were full of attractive and self-confident young people who, perhaps,

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might have resembled the way we were over 40 years ago, but in truth were probably much happier, if not quite so well read. As people arrived there were sometimes a few moments of hesitation as attempts were made at unaided recognition – it should be noted that a year or two ago at a similar event in a pub opposite the school, a complete imposter was invited by mistake (he still seemed happy enough to be there and fitted in remarkably well) – but on this happy occasion there was little embarrassment, indeed there were warm embraces as the good times came flooding back, there was so much to catch on, so much to remember. Indeed, there was much to be proud of upon hearing everyone’s news. I suspect everyone who was there had reason to be content with a life

well lived. One or two people have become very distinguished, several have contributed enormously to the well-being of our society, but we all realised that the hard work and challenges of King’s in the 1970s had prepared us well for subsequent life, even if we have occasionally had a sense of being, perhaps, a little odd in some of our ways. We also spoke of the people who were not there – apologies from those who would have like to have made it but couldn’t, the people we haven’t quite been able to track down yet, and, sadly, those that have already passed away. No gathering of this kind can be without a shared recognition that fate can be very cruel to some people. I would strongly recommend to anyone who has left King’s more recently that they should try to keep in touch with at least a core group of their school friends, as the years go by you come to realise how you have more in common with them regarding your core values than you will ever have with the work colleagues with whom you will probably end up spending much of your time. A school is made of numerous sub-communities – in my own case I particularly remember the sports teams I was so lucky to play in (with variable success!), and the academic challenges of the final years when so much was focussed on getting to a good university – but also the shared experiences of the earliest awkward beginnings of an adult social life. Conversation through the long summer’s day reflected the varied experiences and differing memories we all had of those times. Everyone had their own King’s. I’m still jealous of those who were in that legendary production of Durrenmatt’s The Visit and were there at the even more legendary cast party! I also failed to be offered membership of the tennis club on the basis (as one of us told the story) “of having attained a senior rank in the

school, not through any ability at tennis”! I did however score a remarkable try against Cranleigh for the under 14s in 1975, which Chel claims he has no memory of, perhaps understandably as he scored so many more himself! A special mention should be given to the tireless organisational skills of Steve Bradshaw, without whom it would not have happened. Steve formulated a perfect plan for the day and made sure that enough of us turned up to make it so very worthwhile! It would be wrong also not to acknowledge the devoted loyalty and gift for lifelong friendship of Chel Cavallon, the proud owner of an unrivalled collection of school photographs and lists, who despite being an American, I regard as the spiritual heart of our year group. The photo shows the following who were there for most of the day. The back row (all standing) left to right: Martin Jones, myself, Jonny Rogers, Jon “Fuzz” Price, Pete “Donny” Dakin, Simon Slatford, Steve “Pinky” White, Micky Andrew, Mark Benson, Chel Cavallon, Jon “Monty” Montgomery, and Nick Garsten. The middle row (all crouching or sitting): Steve “Bum” Bradshaw, Rich “Rodders” Brown, Janet Humber (ex-Wimbledon High School), Rick Bache, and Phil Cook. The front row (all sitting): Jonathan “Ziggy” Ziegel, Ash “Sam” Mackrell, and Mart “Mont” Glazier. Jon “Percy” Pines and Hugh Woolhouse joined a bit later so aren’t in the photo. Apologies for absence were received from: Paul Johnson, Bill Britten, Chris Hudson, Andy Stewart, Dave Bennett, Nick Lyon, Trev Wingate, Graham Wylie, Andy Turner, Ian Smith, and Simon Godfrey. Finally, I can only apologise for the nicknames, but Steve Bradshaw very much wanted them to be included. Should Mr Ralph Cake happen to read this, please can he reach a more charitable assessment than the report he wrote for me in the Summer of 1979.

Our thanks to Alexander Malmaeus, Chairman of the Old King’s Club, and to Jen Russell, Development Manager at King’s College School, for their valuable time and help in passing on and retrieving contact information. If you would like to share your news with the King’s community, please contact the Development Office.

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King’s College School Southside Wimbledon Common London SW19 4TT The Development Office +44 (20) 8255 5390 development@kcs.org.uk