People do like to compare. Seeing a tweet last week about the viewing figures for the Oscars over recent years, a pundit was opining about their decreasing impact and interest to the public. Then, of course, that thing happened, and suddenly the ceremony becomes one of the most talked about events in the world, even with a war afoot. At this point in the year, contemplating the last half term, I cannot measure whether more has happened or has been achieved this year than in previous years, but it certainly feels like it. But, also, the mood around the school, at what is traditionally rather a tiring moment, is so much more energetic than I can remember, and everything in this edition of our Half Term Highlights showcases why we are feeling this way.
Only in the past two weeks, we have enjoyed our inaugural Evening of Inquiry, with students showcasing in-depth scholarship covering a whole range of inspiring questions and topics, triumphs on the sports field both for AKS teams and for our students on the national and international stage, exceptional musical performances, sizzling PTA events, thriving open evenings, and a range of adventurous trips. Easter marks the start of spring, but the sun has already been shining in our school.
David Harrow, Headmaster
Nursery and Prep School News
Congratulations to Kathryn from Year 6 who won the National StorySlam 2022 competition with her story Syrian War. Click here to watch her deliver her story.
We welcomedWest End in Schoolsto run a series of workshops based on Maurice Sendak's class tale, 'Where the Wild Things Are' to celebrateWorld Book Day.
Prep Concerts
We enjoyed two concerts, the first in the Senior School Hall, was a celebration of the Music from Stage and Screen in partnership with the Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band, featuring our choir, giant orchestra and Year 5 band, The Attic Monkeys. The event raised an amazing £350 for our Ukraine appeal; the second was our Spring Concert which showcased thirty-three individual performers in our Prep School Hall.
Prep Sport
Prep Sport has continued to go from strength to strength, with our U11 Girls' Hockey Team winning the AJIS competition and the U11 Girls' Netball Team winning the LSA tournament.
We have enjoyed success in both local and regional competitions, either by becoming champions, or simply through the sheer enjoyment of playing. You can read a full summary here.
Our term ended on a high with our fabulous PTA Spring Fair, where children ran stalls and competed in the decorated bonnet and egg competitions.
Senior School
We were delighted to host our first Evening of Inquiry for Year 7 students and Year 12 scholars, who presented their projects to their parents with confidence and enthusiasm.
Our Academic Lecture Series continued with ‘The Structure of the Mind and Freud’s Theory’, and the Headmaster’s Scholars’ Society session ‘I am Correct’, which explored how we know what we know, and whether we can trust any of it.
Congratulations to those who gained CCF promotions and to those who completed their Bronzeand Gold Duke of Edinburgh practice expeditions.
The term ended on a high with the outstanding performances at our AKS Cabaret concert, which raised funds for our Rhine Valley Music Tour. Thank you to all those who contributed.
Sport
Congratulations to our sports teams who have enjoyed stellar success over recent weeks.
We are also delighted to celebrate the individual successes of so many of our students across sports, ranging from Tristan being awarded Man of the Match in his first England Rugby game, to Evie continuing her record-breaking performance in archery.
Beyond their studies, our Sixth Formers have been busy at their Teatime Concert, London Residential and Headmaster's Dinner.
Whole School News
Many thanks to our wonderful PTA for hosting a wine tasting event in our Sixth Form common room and to our talented catering team who paired canapes to the selected wines.
Our AKS Amnesty Group raised £580 and sent three minibuses of donations to a collection centre for our Ukraine Appeal.
We are delighted to welcome back the Ladies Luncheon Club events, who are hosting their next event on the 27th April and refreshments in our Pavilion on the 18th May. Further details are on our events page.
