FRIDAY 24TH OCTOBER 2025

What a lovely way to end the first term of this academic year by attending the Upper School and Sixth Form Chamber Concert last night. Those of us who were able to be there with our students were treated to a delightful evening of eclectic musical items organised, hosted, arranged and performed by GCSE Music students. It was a joy to be there and was such a tonic to anyone who is tired and ready for a break from school and work. The programme ranged from classical items -Mozart - to a beautiful Harp solo performed by a student in Year 12, Olivia, who is performing at a professional standard and has recently been appointed Principal Harpist with the National Youth Orchestra, an incredible achievement and accolade. We heard some much-loved pop song renditions of Whitney Houston’s signature song, sung by Ameya, an Adele song, sung by Mudra and a few rock songs sung by our emerging and very popular rock bands singing classic songs by Radiohead and Arctic Monkeys. This was certainly a programme to meet all tastes and interests. Well done to the students and thank you to the staff who support and encourage the students to do these things – Mrs Cooper, Mrs Rowheder, Miss Rodrigues, Mr Dilley.

In term 1 of the academic year, I spend some time getting to know new teachers and how they are settling into school life at Kendrick. One way I do this is by popping into their lessons, getting to see how they teach and interact with students. Almost always, I am inspired by what I see and therefore what our students are receiving in their lessons. We are still very fortunate at Kendrick that we can attract the best teachers, who are passionate about their subject and love teaching young people. I would therefore like us all to consider and appreciate the amount of work it takes to make lessons interesting, engaging, and purposeful for students where they are challenged as well as supported in their learning. This is not easy and takes hours of careful thought, discussion and planning. So, as we come to the end of this first term of the academic year, I would like parents and students to reflect on what they receive from everyone at Kendrick and appreciate the quality of education there is in this school. As staff we certainly appreciate the students that we have to teach.

I would like to thank KPS again for their endless efforts to encourage us all to support activities that raise money for the school as well provide social interaction. The Diwali event on Saturday afternoon was superb. A selection of stands offering food, clothing, jewellery etc., were available complemented by the stage performances of students who sang, danced, and gave us information and insight about the purpose and importance of the Diwali Festival, making it another joyful and inspiring event. The presentation the students gave which you can find here emphasised the common themes present in most religions - the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and hope over despair. Colleagues in school also treated us to samosas yesterday at lunch time and reminded us that the values of Diwali – kindness, unity and renewal align so well with our own Kendrick Pledge. At the KPS committee meeting on Wednesday evening, KPS agreed to give the school a donation of £10k to buy and update more PCs for the IT rooms. Supporting KPS efforts really matters and makes a difference.

There is so much else that has gone on at Kendrick in this first term and so much more to come next term. At all levels and across all years something important has happened for students. From Year 7 students settling into Kendrick to Year 13 students busily completing UCAS applications plus a lot in between. We return after half term to our Sixth Form Open event, the preparation for which started this week when the A Level Options process was introduced to Year 11 by Dr Perry, Assistant Headteacher. This event is also open to students from other schools and one thing everyone is interested in who considers our sixth form is our results and the destinations of our students after they leave Kendrick. Our Results and Destinations for 2025 can be found here.

To finish this week, I would like to end with a couple of inspirational pieces. Firstly, I am a fan of a radio programme called Desert Island Discs where a person is featured who talks about their life, education, career path alongside musical choices that have meant a lot to them at different points in their journey. Often the show features some extraordinary women and recently one such person was Professor Dame Carol Robinson, whose path to where she is now did not follow a traditional route. Through the encouragement of teachers and mentors, as well as her own determination and resilience, Professor Robinson has become an extraordinary person in the world of spectrometry and was the first female to be the President of the Royal Society. If you have some time, parents and students, do listen to her story, it is an inspiration to us all. The link is here.

Finally, to finish the term, I include again a poem I read in the English Department’s Weekly Digest this week. The poems chosen are always appropriately selected for the moment or occasion. Please read and note the beautiful last four lines which sum up the season and so much more.

One Good Wind 
by James A. Pearson 

It’s October so, yes, the world 
is dying but I always think 
I have another month 
at least, maybe two, 
to marvel in the middle 
of fall’s kaleidoscope, 
walking this fractal trance 
of kindergarten yellows and 
(somehow!) iridescent pinks. 
But then one good wind 
comes in off the distant Pacific  
and trees that just yesterday  
dripped with dazzle 
stand skeletized, stripped 
of their abundance 
for the promiseless months to come. 
I guess what I’m trying to say is: 
Don’t save up your praise.  
Luxuriate fully in what you love 
because the winds come quickly 

Wishing everyone a relaxing and refreshing half term. Please read the rest of the Weekly Update.

Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher 

For the Weekly Update in full please click here

On behalf of the trustee body, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 academic year. I particularly welcome students joining us for the first time who will get the support they need to settle in quickly and make a positive contribution to the school.

As trustees, we are responsible for working with Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team to agree on the strategic direction of Kendrick. We assist with setting the school's vision, aims and objectives. To do this, we are organised into three committees – Learning & Teaching, Performance and Review, and Resources. Each of these committees meets regularly, and we meet as a full board three times a year. All the trustees are committed to supporting the ethos of the school, and many have direct experience of the school – as a student, the parent of a student or as a staff member.

We want to ensure that every student at Kendrick has the opportunity to thrive – academically, as a member of the school community, and in their personal development. Kendrick has something for everyone: a huge range of extracurricular activities including music, sports, and drama; opportunities to show leadership, as part of the School Council or the Student Leadership Team; and, of course, the chance to help others.

I do hope that you will take advantage of the opportunities to engage with the school. We are always keen to get your feedback, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am always happy to hear from any of you. Please feel free to contact Lisa Hillan, Governance Officer to the Trustee Board lhillan@kendrick.reading.sch.uk if you would like to get in touch.

On behalf of the trustees, I wish everyone a successful year ahead.

With best wishes

Charles Ramsden
Chairman of the Board of Trustees

September 2025