Newsletter

Assembly on Monday saw ‘Good Egg’ awards being handed out to one in each tutor group for making our school a better place in the first half of term.  Such a positive way to kick things off after the break and a reminder of how much we value kindness, consideration and collaboration.

We ended the last half of term with lots of music via the Taunton Music Festival and our own brilliant Lent Concert.  Also, in assembly on Monday, we unveiled, by drawing out at random, the song selections for the fun House Music competition that will take place on the last morning of term.  Mr DJ has gone for a theme of ‘Dance’ this year, so at home you may well find yourself subconsciously humming one of the following tunes more and more as the weeks go by: Shut Up and Dance With Me; Better When I’m Dancing; Can’t Stop The Feeling; Never Gonna, Not Dance Again.  As well as these songs, there will be Junior and Senior group performances from each House.

Many Year 8 children have been challenging themselves in the 13+ Scholarship arena this week. For those who wish to, it is a success to have put yourself forward, to expose yourself to the risks but give your best come what may.  It is always worth repeating that whilst there may well be varying degrees of momentary happiness and disappointment on hearing the outcomes down the line, we don’t want anyone to celebrate too heartily or to carry any temporary sadness too weightily. We wish for all children at all ages to be stretched and challenged as they develop and for some the scholarship framework provides this.  The Scholarship process is not a destination but just one of a variety of experiences along the route to explore your full potential and foster resilience.

There have also been Parents Evenings, Pancake Races, a full set of matches, play rehearsals for Year 6, Saturday Activities, Ash crosses on foreheads from Fr Mark in Chapel - so, no sense of easing back in: get your ‘Dance’ song playing, put the pedal to the metal and away we go.

We have started this half of term with plenty to be excited about as we staged the annual Great Pre-Prep Pancake Race on Shrove Tuesday and held this term’s Very Big Important Meeting in which the children democratically reached a mutual agreement as to how they would like to celebrate World Book Day next Thursday (2 March).  On top of this, there is already plenty of excitement for STEM Week buzzing around the place as children have informed me they have sorted their costumes and are looking forward to what the week has in store.  After that, we will be heading into all things Easter, so it looks like we have plenty to keep us busy for the rest of the Lent term! 

If you require day prep provision for your child next week please book them in using the link below. The booking form will close at 9.15 am on Monday; if you need to make a late booking or make any changes after this time please let us know by emailing SchoolOffice@kingshalltaunton.co.uk.   

If your child uses School transport and you need to make any changes next week please email Transport@kingshalltaunton.co.uk to let us know.

Hello all family and friends of King's Hall.

We finished the first half of term with much to show for, not least of which was a Gold medal for national shooting U13s, worn by an immensely proud young man of 7F. The children returned from half term with more intriguing exploits from their short break but needed little reminding of the excitement that beckons this Lent term. There's a buzz around the school with children humming a few songs in particular. Of course we are talking about the infamous house music competition. The children are excited and are having regular meetings in tutor time to which the words have been uttered: "it will be glorious, win or lose".

Over 80 parents - and a healthy dose of KH teachers too - gathered in the Arts Centre the week before half term, for the much-anticipated Quiz Night, which had been much-cancelled in the last few Covid-compromised years. It was a delight to have this event back in the calendar, and 14 teams answered a close-fought 9 rounds of questions, which ranged from the last English King killed in battle (Richard III) to  the only country with a tree on its flag (Lebanon) to the worst-rated service station in the country (Bridgwater). In the end, the STEM the Flow team, comprised entirely of KH teachers, triumphed, having edged ahead with a full 10/10 on the quotations round. (It may be that, afterwards, one of those quotations seemed apposite*, but parents consoled themselves that their offspring are in the hands of such a clever and knowledgable bunch.)

Many thanks to Minky Luard, Becks Joslin for helping to organise everything, Justin for his scoring skills, Liz and the catering team for their fine spread, and Brenda for overseeing such a successful return of the event.

* “every time a friend succeeds, a little part of me dies” - Gore Vidal

The Pupil Council invite you to get involved on Thursday 23rd March for a suggested donation of £2 or more if you wish the children will be able to wear home clothes to school for the day in support of the amazing work the RSPCA provide. Make a difference to animals housed locally at West Hatch Animal Centre. Here are a few photos of some of the animals currently at the centre.

Please click below to see this week's sporting updates via our King's Hall Sport Twitter feed.

It is at this time in the year when I start planning the sailing program for the Summer Term.  If you have a child in Year 5 –8 that you think would like to sail each Wednesday, please could you contact me as soon as possible. The cost of each session is usually £15 to £20 ahead depending on numbers.  There is no previous experience necessary as the children are taught by RYA qualified instructors during the term your children will receive qualifications as they reach the appropriate standards. Places are limited so if you would like to find out more information and sign up please do email me.

Also if you would like your child to get some extra sailing practice in,  Wimbleball will be offering sessions during the summer holiday - Ospreys Sailing Weeks, RYA courses for children aged 8 to 18 on various dates. Please contact them direct  by emailing - learn2sailwsc@gmail.com

For Children aged 8 - 15. This exciting new residential camp at King's College is designed to help players develop their skills and techniques in a broad range of sporting activities, whilst having fun and making new friends in a safe and supportive environment. Over three days, children will gain access to a team of experienced coaches and have the chance to explore some of our wonderful facilities, including the state-of-the-art Sports Performance & Cricket Centre, netball and tennis dome, as well as sprawling sports pitches. 

To register or find out more visit the website www.kings-taunton.co.uk/events or email or phone Admissions - 01823 328204

A leaflet containing more information is available by clicking the link below

For school years Reception to Year 6

Join workshops from the world famous Matilda film and stage show. The programme will include learning songs, dances, staging and acting for castings from Matilda, delivered by Walker Performing Arts Academy. Train with working industry professionals from TV, film and theatre, and take part in a fun Acting for Camera and Casting workshop with a professional cameraman from Clockwise Films. Learn new skills in dance, drama and singing whilst growing in confidence, having fun and being creative. No experience necessary, just the passion and focus to embrace Performing Arts.

The workshops will run for three days at £195 per child, or there is the option to book two days or less for £75 per day.

Payments need to be made online via BACS