Introducing the Friends of Kent College

The Friends were founded in 1964, and exist to support the School in a variety of ways, while also organising social events that encourage parents to get to know one another.

When a new pupil arrives at the School, the parents are invited to join the Friends for a small subscription. Funds raised by the Friends are used to enhance the School's facilities, and expenditure is decided on by the Friends' Council, often in response to specific requests from Staff members.

Recent expenditure includes new staging, which has greatly improved the visibility of musical and dramatic performances in the Sports Halls at both Kent College and its Infant and Junior School at Vernon Holme, a Trophy Cabinet, a television for the Medical Centre and new folders for the Senior and Junior Choirs and Madrigal Group, a banner and display panels for the Young Farmers' Club and a projector for the Chapel. A sister organisation supports the Infant and Junior School.

Each year significant sums are awarded to individual pupils engaged in projects that are educational in the broadest sense. Pupils have to prepare their funding request and formally present it to a committee of Friends and teachers. After the event they are asked to report back on their project at the Friends' AGM. Recent grants include funding for conservation study at Jersey Zoo; a language course to learn Arabic in Cairo; a conservation study in Ecuador and the Galapagos and a Design Technology course at Loughborough University. Recent social events have included a Valentine's Dance and Year Group suppers.

For further information contact Sue Baker, Chair of the Friends' Council, on 01304 812054.