Introducing the Friends of Kent College
The Friends were founded in 1964, and exist to support the School in a variety of ways, whilst 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.
In recent years the Friends have made contributions towards the refurbishment of the Tuck Shop and with the kind help of the Estates Team the Tuck Shop will soon be completed.
Recent years’ expenditure includes:
- New cricket scoring board
- Contribution towards a PA system.
- Television for the Medical Centre
- New Robot for the Lego Club
- Custom-made frame and tools for pond sampling for the Biology Department
- DVDs for the Physics Department
- 10 new sets of equipment for the Fencing Club
- 4 pairs of sculling blades for the Boat Club
- New folders for the Senior and Junior Choirs and Madrigal Group
- New staging, which has greatly improved the visibility of musical and dramatic performances in the Sports Halls at both KentCollege and its Infant and JuniorSchool at Vernon Holme
- Trophy Cabinet
- Banner and display panels for the Young Farmers' Club
- A Projector for the Chapel
The Infant and JuniorSchool are supported by a sister organisation with an enthusiastic team of Friends organising a variety of events throughout the year.
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:
- A ‘Headstart Broad based Engineering Course’ at Loughborough University
- Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award undertaken in South Africa
- Hockey Tour and trip to Beijing Olympics
- Advanced Summer Physics School
- A group of pupils undertook an educational trip to the Cameroon supported by the Methodist Relief Development Fund
- Conservation study at Jersey Zoo
- A language course to learn Arabic in Cairo
- A conservation study in Ecuador and the Galapagos
- A Design Technology course at Loughborough University
The Friends have organised numerous social events which have included two Pamper evenings: the last of which took place in February and was a tremendous success, despite the adverse weather conditions. Several quiz evenings with representation from the sixth form as well as teachers. Most recently a Drinks Reception to welcome the new Year 7 parents to the school. Also Year Group suppers continue to be popular, giving parents the chance to meet up whilst being entertained by talented same year musicians. In recent years our Council team - Sue Baker, Kim de Min, Karen Turner and Barbara Mansfield - organised ‘Party Party’ with Phillip Bulls Private Practice and a very successful Talent Show co-ordinated by Kim de Min. There have also been several Valentine's Dances.
If anyone should have any suggestions for future events or would like to join the Council please contact Jackie Sayer, Chair of the Friends’ Council via the School Office on 01227 763231 or email enquiries@kentcollege.co.uk.
HELP KENT COLLEGE TOWARDS GREEN SCHOOL STATUS!
ARE YOU AWARE OF THE KC THRIFT SHOP?
Mrs Sandra Earl has kindly run the Senior School Thrift Shop for 25 years selling second-hand items of uniform and sports clothing which can be bought and sold. She has also devised a system that makes a considerable contribution to the school funds.
The shop takes in your outgrown/unwanted items of current uniform for re-sale (good condition only, clearly named and washed or dry cleaned please). When someone buys one of your items, 75% of the purchase price is credited to your school bill and the remaining 25% is commission earned by the Thrift Shop. This system works to everyone’s advantage – the commission earned by the shop is given back to pupils, via the work of the Friends of Kent College, and the “seller” receives a large proportion of their original purchase price back, already having had the benefit of use/wear.
Currently the Friends of Kent College are involved in refurbishing the Tuck Shop and have contributed £4,000. Hopefully you will notice a vast difference to the interior when you visit the Tuck Shop after the Christmas holidays!
By using the Thrift Shop we can all contribute to eliminating unnecessary waste; albeit in a small way, by recycling our children’s uniform.
Shop location: In the courtyard, just to the left of the Tuck Shop.
Opening times: Every Monday and Friday between 3.30pm-5.00pm during term time.
All items are well displayed and Sandra and her assistant Shirley are always on hand to help you find just
what you are looking for. If you are unable to call in personally during opening times, you may leave your
“For Sale” items in the school office and they will be collected.
If you do not have time to pop in and wish to make a purchase, requests can be made by contacting
Mrs Earl on 01227 457291 or by emailing the school office who will arrange to pass your order on (do remember to leave a contact number) and debit your school bill.
Alternatively students can also shop themselves, with permission from home to sign for their purchases. There is a changing room for trying on, if needed.
Chair Retires after 15 Years
At the KC Friends Annual General Meeting in November 2009, a farewell presentation was given to Sue Baker, the retiring Chairman, after 15 years of supporting the parents associations at both the Junior and Senior Schools. As Sue said, this marks a major change in her life! She has made life-long friends along the way and achieved
notable social successes with Balls, Barn Dances and Quiz Evenings. Sue’s dedication, enthusiasm and energy are enviable. To everyone who knows her she is never without a smile and a kind word. By way of thanks, the
Friends presented Sue with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a framed print of the Senior School.
She will be sorely missed but we all hope that we shall soon see Sue and her family return for the opening of the Tuck Shop!
The Friends gave thanks to Tracey Parker who resigned as Vice Chair after many years of commitment, but
luckily she is still able to continue on the Friends Committee so her skills will not be lost. Kim de Min,
Angela Ludlow and Karen Turner also retired and were warmly thanked for all their tireless support and
friendship over the years.
Newly elected Council members are: Jackie Sayer as Chair, Jane Frappart and Val Harris as joint Vice Chair
and Margriet Sheaves as Secretary. We are also delighted to welcome Amanda Burns and Debbe Pickworth
who were elected onto the Council.
Event for next term.....The Friends are currently looking into hosting internet safety/face book management
talks which will take place in the Chapel in the early New Year.
Further details to be notified soon......
We are always happy to welcome new members on the Council and very pleased to receive ideas and
suggestions for future events. Anyone wishing to make contact with Jackie, please telephone the School
Office on 01227 763231 or email enquiries@kentcollege.co.uk.
