Welcome by Matthew Leeming, Headteacher.

Dear all

I think I should introduce myself – having only started at Kings’ three years ago, I am conscious

that for the overwhelming majority of our intended readers mine is an unfamiliar name. I came to

Kings’ as Headteacher after a teaching career that started at Southampton University and

Arnewood School in New Milton, took in spells in Liverpool, Lincolnshire and Peterborough. I then

returned to Hampshire as Deputy Headteacher at Brookfield School in Locks Heath before taking

over as Headteacher of Crofton School in Stubbington. My subject is Geography.

Kings’ is very unusual in lots of ways, one of which is the longevity of its senior staff. Many of you

will remember Mr Bradbury, the first head; he was succeeded by his Deputy, Mrs Lawrence; she

was succeeded by me. My senior colleagues will be familiar to many of you – Mrs Marsh (Science)

and Mr Jeckells (English) are both Deputy Heads, while Mrs Allison (Science), Mr James

(Geography) and Mr Rossiter (PE and then Business Studies) are the Assistant Headteachers.

Other long-serving colleagues include Mr Williamson (Head of English), Mr Duckering (Head of

Maths), Mrs Panszczyk (formerly Waugh) (Head of Science) and Miss Banwell (Head of RS). Miss

Radnedge (Media) and Mrs Johnston (formerly Smith) (Art) are still with us, as is Mr Russell (Site

Manager).

I hope that you have very fond memories of your time at the school. In the short time I have been

here I have been struck by the exceptional commitment of the adults who work here and also by

the positive ethos that exists amongst the children. “Una Laborantes” really does mean something,

with people of all ages working together to very great effect.

At the risk of sounding preachy, I’d like to include a paragraph from the front of the pupils’ planner

to give you an idea of how we want the school to feel:

“As a school, we are motivated by a sense of the moral seriousness of what schools do; by a conviction that education, while important, should also be fun; by a belief that schools should be inclusive families in which everyone is equally valued; and by a determination that each one of us will become the very best person that we can be.” It is a tremendous privilege to be the headteacher of any school and I am delighted and proud in

equal measure to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading Kings’. I hope that you will

enjoy reading about the school and that we will see you again soon!

Yours faithfully

Matthew Leeming

Headteacher

It gives us great pleasure to produce the first edition of our new newsletter for Kings’ School

alumni!

We would like to develop links with former pupils for all sorts of reasons. For me, the most

important thing is that our current pupils know about and are inspired by the people who have gone

before them. Pupils regularly ask me whether famous people have gone to the school – it would be

great for them to hear more about you, your career and your wider life-journey. This might take all

sorts of forms, in practice – please don’t be alarmed!

We also think that it is just good fun to keep in touch. We have welcomed back 2 generations of

former pupils for reunions in the last couple of years and it seemed that they thoroughly enjoyed

themselves. You, too, might enjoy making contact with old friends, with your teachers and with the

school itself. We intend to run more reunions – in the future, we also hope to have other social and

sports events, too, both at Kings’ and off-site. We would also like to keep you up-to-date about the

most important news about the old place.

Please be reassured that this is not an attempt to raise money. Funding is tight, for us as for all

schools, but I promise that we will keep any fundraising we have to do firmly separate from alumni

affairs.

We want to offer our newsletter and all other alumni events to as many people as possible. Please

do forward this newsletter to any other ex-Kings’ folk that you know and encourage them to let us

have their contact details.

We are keen to evolve this newsletter into something that meets the needs of our alumni young

and old. Therefore if you have suggestions or ideas then we would love to hear from you.

We are particularly keen to include articles written by alumni reflecting on their Time at Kings’. If

you think this is something which would appeal to you please feel encouraged to contribute.

A team of ex-pupils who left Kings’ School 20 years ago in 1996, featuring ex-Saints and England

international Wayne Bridge, rolled back the years on Saturday 21 May when they beat a team

consisting of current school staff 3-2 on the Kings’ all weather surface. Two goals from ex-AFC Totton

striker Chris Marwood for the staff, including one from within his own half, were not enough to match

those scored by Mark Vowles (2) and James Challis. The staff team featured the Wessex League

partnership of Romsey Towns Dan Fox and Hythe and Dibdens Nick Dwyer alongside Cassie Thorp

who recently guided the schools Under 16 Girls Team to the final of the National Cup, and Head of PE

and Winchester Hockey keeper, Ally Birch. The staff certainly pushed the team of 96 hard in front of a

large watching crowd of staff, parents and pupils.

The game was the centre piece of a reunion event that was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the

sides victory in the Under 16 Hampshire Cup at Farnborough Town in 96 and was the brain child of

Kings’ Deputy Headteacher, Rob Jeckells, who was the sides coach, and ex-Otterbourne and Colden

Common striker, James Dajlid. The two had a conversation at Bridges wedding in 2014 and decided

at that point to make the reunion happen.

The event was held on the same day as the Kings’ School Fayre and the Team of 96 enjoyed a tour of the school with their family and friends following the game. The ex-pupils had travelled from as far as

the United States to attend and all de-clared that they had had a fantastic day and had been made to feel incredibly welcome by everyone at Kings’ School.

Next Summer will be a

reunion specifically for

the class of 2007,

although all alumni

members are extremely

welcome to join us for

the day on Saturday

20th May 2017.

Did you forget to collect your GCSE certificates? Nicky Harris, exams co-ordinator at Kings’, is looking to reunite over 400 exam certificates with their owners.

Anyone who was at Danemark school between 1967 and 1984 who thinks they may not have not collected their certificates can contact Nicky on 01962 861161 or email n.harris@kings-winchester.hants.sch.uk.

Please state the year that you left and your name at the time of being at Danemark, one of the schools that, with Montgomery of El Alamein, was combined to create Kings’.

We also have old certificates left here by Kings’ pupils between 1991 and 2015.

Working at Kings’

Some time ago, we were a little worried about the recruitment of new teachers. While there is a continuing national shortage, the “School Direct” training scheme that we offer is now providing us with a steady supply of excellent new colleagues, with all parties benefiting from their learning their craft “at the chalkface”. We are always keen to talk to people of all ages interested in a career in teaching – Rob Jeckells, Teaching School Director, is the person to contact, via enquiries@wtsa.info.

A running opportunity

The Southampton 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon events will take place on 23 April 2017. Further details are available at www.abpsouthamptonhalf.co.uk/

One of the main organisers is ex- Kings' pupil, Chris Rees, who has agreed that friends of Kings' School, who wish to take part, can receive a 15% discount on the entrance fee. To take advantage of this offer, the discount code 'KINGS' should be entered when completing the online entry form.

You have received this newsletter because you have previously joined our alumni scheme. Please tell all your ex-Kings’ friends and relations about us and encourage them to join, either via this link or via the Alumni link on our website. If you would like to unsubscribe please contact us using the email below

Kings’ School Association

Please visit our school website for details of this professional event