Talking About Communication

5th June 2025Leanne Johnston

Many of our Year 10 students are out of school completing face to face work placements during our Enrichment Week. For those that are in school, the programme is focussing on employer enagement with Northumberland County Council and developing effective transferrable skills that would be useful in the workplace. As part of this we have partnered with Talk the Talk.

Expert trainers from Talk The Talk are in school on 5 June 2025 to work with students. This is to help them prepar for thier presentations at NCC County Hall on Friday.

The Talk About Communication workshop is an exciting and engaging master class developing speaking and listening skills within a creative learning environment. The workshop provides numerous speaking opportunities and students are coached and supported throughout the day to deliver a structured two minute presentation, on a topic for which they have a genuine passion, to their peers.

‘We demonstrate that speaking out should be an experience that we CAN do – and one that is nowhere near as daunting as we might think. One of the keys to the success of the Talk The Talk programme is creating an environment of mutual respect with a supportive ethos so that when students stand up and voice their opinions, share their thoughts and present their ideas – their skills and confidence grow.’

Mike, Talk The Talk

Talk The Talk’s mission is to develop students’ oracy skills and their communication confidence to support positive interaction in all life situations and improved social outcomes. This will be the third occassion KEVI have worked with Talk the Talk and student feedback has always been really positive.

Year 11 Class of 2025

29th May 2025Leanne Johnston

A fantastic time was had by both students and staff at the Year 11 Prom. The party from KEVI headed to St James’ Park on Friday 23 May to celebrate in style. It was great to see so many well wishes waving us off from the Bus Station. Mrs Gesinde and Mrs Devine pulled together a lavish celebration for their year group to enjoy with plenty of surprises.

Prom Icon Credit: Oraya Abhiromsawat via iconscout.com

 

Career Insights: Animation

23rd May 2025Leanne Johnston
The King Edward VI School Animation Club was delighted to welcome animator Callum Boyd to its meeting this week to share his industry experience with our students.
Callum of Atomhawk, an award winning studio that provides creative support to the games industry, delivered an informative talk where he outlined his route into animation as a career and shared some of the expertise he gained along the way.

Jeff Bridgewood who created the club to kindle creativity in our students commented.  “Our hardworking students were delighted to hear first hand from an industry expert and I am excited to see how they will be using his insights to inform their future projects.”

The King Edward VI School Celebrates Teaching Staff Honoured at Royal Garden Party

21st May 2025Leanne Johnston

The King Edward VI School is proud to share that two members of its teaching staff, Mr Chris Tedder and Dr Geoff Fox, were honoured guests at His Majesty The King’s Royal Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 14 May.

The invitation was extended in recognition of their exceptional service and dedication to education over a combined total of 61 years. Both Mr Tedder and Dr Fox are due to retire at the end of this academic year, making this prestigious event a truly fitting and memorable way to mark their remarkable careers and to thank them for their enduring impact on the school community.

This year marks the first time His Majesty The King has hosted a Royal Garden Party specifically to celebrate and recognise individuals working in the field of Education and Skills. The event brought together educators from across the country who have made a meaningful difference in their communities.

The invitation followed a nomination by the school’s Headteacher at the request of the Lord-Lieutenant, the monarch’s official representative in the county. Mr Tedder and Dr Fox were nominated for their long-standing commitment, inspirational teaching, and positive contributions to generations of students.

“It was a huge honour to be nominated and to attend such a special event,” said Mr Tedder.

Dr Fox added, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a wonderful way to mark the closing chapter of my career.”

The whole school community joins in celebrating this special recognition and in thanking Mr Tedder and Dr Fox for their outstanding service.

KEVI U15 Falcons Player Development Group

19th May 2025Jump Marketing

Nine of the Morpeth U15 team represented North Northumberland in the Falcons DPP ( Now PDG) this weekend playing against four other teams from across the north.
They all played exceptionally well and we look forward to hearing if they will progress to the next stage.

Picture 1 Ben Bowen, James Dick, Cam Ord, Sam Jarvis, Oscar Harvey, and Angus Archibald all represented the Northumberland Player Development Group in matches against tough opposition from Durham South, Durham North, and Cumbria at Kingston Park, Newcastle.

Picture 2 (L-R): Angus Archibald and Sam Jarvis were invited to attend the Scottish Qualified Rugby Camp at Rugby — a fantastic opportunity to further their development and to be seen in front of the Scottish rugby coaches.

 

 

Northumberland School’s County Golf Champions

12th May 2025Leanne Johnston
Two of KEVI’s golfers became Northumberland school’s county champions yesterday at Longhirst Hall Golf Club. Max Paterson (left) and Alan Young (right) both play competitively at Morpeth Golf Club for the junior team. Yesterday they challenged themselves against the finest young golfers the county has to offer and both came out on-top. Max won the Under 16 title scoring the lowest score of the day across all male golfers and Alan won the Under 18 title.
In the Under 16 category, Max progresses onto national level where he competes next weekend in the 33rd English Schools National Final at Wilmslow Golf Club, Cheshire and later in May down at Stoke Rochford Golf Club in the Northen Schools Regional Final. Both players have also been selected today to represent Northumberland Under 18 against Yorkshire County at Dunstanburgh Golf Club on Tuesday 27th May. Another KEVI sixth form student, Charlie Thompson has also been selected for this fixture. Well done and congratulations to all players involved.

King’s Trust Litter Pick

11th May 2025Leanne Johnston

Once each term our Year 10 King’s Trust students link up with Dai Richards, Morpeth’s Keep Britain Tidy Ambassador, to complete a litter pick. Back in April, the group were back in action in much nicer weather helping to keep the school site looking good; they are excellent role models. The group were participating in the Great Big School Clean and pledged to fill at least eight bags of litter.

The activity is important as it works with local community groups and is part of the Cheviot Learning Trust’s wider objectives relating to the environment and climate action. It is important for students to develop community spirit and a social consciousness.

Cutting the Sod

17th March 2025Leanne Johnston
Subject Leader for PE Rachel Shaw and students joined local councillors and representatives from Robertsons construction for the “cutting the sod” ceremony on Friday.  We are delighted that work has finally started on the new Sports Hall and 3G facility.
Rachel Shaw commented
“The PE department would like to thank everyone for supporting the new sports hall development and making this vision a reality. This will greatly enhance all of our students’ experience of PE and promote overall well-being in the community. We are excited for the opportunities it will bring our students, who truly deserve a modern and inspiring environment. Our students strive for excellence and need improved facilities if they are going to continue to excel. This is a very exciting time for us all and we can’t wait to see the impact it will have on our students and local community in the future.“

Ski Trip

6th March 2025Leanne Johnston

60 Students had an awesome week skiing in the French resort of Serre Chevalier. With over half the group having never skied on snow before, some excellent progress was made.

Groups experienced ski school and demonstrated a great deal of resilience, learning a new skill and overcoming challenges, especially when tired! The group of students represented KEVI well and were supportive and encourgaing of one another with ski instructors praising their attitude.

Night time activities included visiting the local town and a torchlight descent with aerial show and fireworks. There was some friendly rivalry at quiz night, followed up with games and movie night. A week early, the group celebrated pancake day with a feast of crepes!

Parental comments:

Thank you for organising such an amazing ski trip this year.  He had an absolutely fantastic time.  Sadly, he’s not impressed by any of our holiday suggestions now and only wants to go skiing again!

We just wanted to say thank you so much to you and all the staff for organising the ski trip. He had a fantastic time. We really appreciate all the time and commitment it takes to provide these opportunities. He’s had an incredible week so many thanks from us both