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As a result of the adverse weather conditions today (20 November) and students unable to attend school we have taken the decision to postpone tonight’s Sixth Form Open Evening. The event will be rescheduled to Thursday 27 November 4 – 7pm.
Thank you for your understanding, please contact [email protected] if you have any queries.
A report by Year 12 student, George.
It was an incredible opportunity to be a delegate for the first International Cultural and Sports Heritage Festival in Tunis. This was a festival organised by the Tunisian Olympic Committee, in order to demonstrate the traditional sports, particularly wrestling, of many European nations, including Spain, France and Italy.
I practice Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, a form of wrestling from the North of England that is over a thousand years old. In this type of wrestling, you put your left arm over your opponent’s right shoulder and right arm underneath their left, and then take an s-grip bind on their back. In order to win, you must put your opponent on the ground without breaking your bind. At its peak in the 1800s, it would draw in thousands of people in London, but now it is mainly practiced at local shows in Northumberland, Cumbria and parts of Lancashire. However, there is also an international competition every year held in Brittany, as they do their own variation of “backhold wrestling”. There is also a traditional costume, longjons, a vest and a velvet centrepiece, all embroidered with flowers.
Although I have competed in Brittany before, I never expected to be able to go to such a major event and demonstrate Cumberland Wrestling. Although the 14 hour journey to Tunis wasn’t very enjoyable, the honour of being able to represent England but, more importantly, Northumberland at an Olympic event was amazing. When we arrived in Tunis, we were greeted as sporting stars, although we didn’t really look like athletes. However, the Tunisian people treated us with masses of respect and kindness, and we made sure to reciprocate it.
The next day, we met the rest of the delegations from across Europe. There were wrestlers from Iceland, Spain, Italy, Brittany and North Macedonia, as well as a team of Oina players from Romania, a combination of dodgeball and cricket. We then learnt about all the traditional styles of wrestling from across Europe-Gouren from Brittany, Glíma from Iceland, Lucha Leonesa from Spain and Pelivansko borenje from North Macedonia. All of these sports are centuries old and have been practiced for generations, and prove that the true universal sport is wrestling. Then a legend of the Tunisian style of wrestling, Dr Ezzidine Bouzid taught the delegations about Gresh. The Italian delegation then presented their aims of restoring their traditional form of wrestling as it disappeared with the Second World War, which had major effects on all these forms of wrestling. Although, they did also teach us about the next step in wrestling- the world Nomad Games, where wrestling is an official event for an Olympic level competition for traditional sports.
The next day was the day of the competition. From 10am till 6 that night we demonstrated all the styles of wrestling we had learnt about previously, as well as competitions of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. However, the main event was Cumberland wrestling, with even some of Tunisia’s own Olympic wrestlers trying. Although there were difficulties teaching Cumberland wrestling due to the language barrier, after a few hours they eventually understood the concepts of how to wrestle.
We ended the day by meeting the Olympic President of Tunisia, a massively important figure in African sports.It was an incredible moment to meet someone as significant, and something I will never forget. Our delegation was then presented with a plaque, commemorating our attendance at the first event of this level dedicated to the different cultural sports from across Europe.
I truly loved my time in Tunisia, and being able to represent my sport, Northumberland, my country and my school at this event was an honour and something I hope to be able to do again, or at another level of importance at the World Nomad Games.
Congratulations on England Athletics Selection
We are incredibly proud to share that Alexandria, one of our talented Year 12 students, who has been selected for the prestigious England Athletics Youth Talent Programme. This fantastic achievement recognises her outstanding commitment, skill and dedication to the sport of Hammer Throw. Being chosen for this national development pathway places Alexandria among the most promising young athletes in the country, and we are excited to see her continue to excel both in training and in competition. Well done Alexandria.
Reverend Canon Simon White led our Remembrance Service on Tuesday 11 November. Year 9 form representatives and cadets were in attendance and our Senior Students laid wreaths on behalf of the school, and our Foundation Governors in remembrance and tribute to all who suffered or died in war.
In World War One, 58 Old Boys and one member of staff paid the supreme sacrifice. Most of them found their last place of rest far from home: in Belgium, in France, in Gallipoli, in Poland, at sea; many of them have no known graves.
In the Second World War, by a strange coincidence, yet another 58 Old Boys perished in War – this time together with two members of staff. Only a few of them are buried in the UK. The remainder lie in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, in Iceland and Italy, in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, in Burma and in Singapore. Again, many have no known grave but the sea.
In the Korean War of 1953, one Old Boy was killed while fighting for the United Nations in the cause of world peace.
In gratitude for the service and sacrifice of all these young men – their average age was only 24 – Nathan Mercel took the reading and Mr Clark – Deputy Headteacher read The Pride of the Poppy.
The service ended with the Last Post played on trumpet by Will Straughan, Arthur Graham and Luke Miller supported by Ms Waterhouse.
This is a fantastic opportunity to explore the wide range of academic courses that are offered at our school. You will get the chance to meet our passionate teachers and hear more about the subjects that are available in our Sixth Form. You can do this via the presentations that will be taking place throughout the night, or, by dropping into one of the subject stalls to hear more from our teachers and current students. There will also be the chance to hear from the Head of Sixth Form regarding enrichment opportunities, entry requirements, pastoral support and pathways onto post-18 study. Presentation Schedule
The main presentation for the evening will take place at 4.45pm and repeated at 6pm in the Lower School Hall. Subject presentations by Sixth Form specialist staff will be scheduled throughout the evening. These are optional/drop in presentations. Each presentation will run for 10 minutes. Space within the venues is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis; for Healt
h and Safety reasons if the venue is too full you may be asked to attend at a different time.
Thursday, 23 October saw the return of the annual King Edward’s Inspires careers event, with many returning organisations who have been long-time supporters of the event, to first time delegates, it was an excellent evening.
We are absolutely delighted to host major local Further Education providers to showcase impartial Post 16 progression, as well as a range of Higher Education institutions for Post 18 progression and many employers.
One thing that is amazing about the event is the number of ex-KEVI students who return year on year to inspire the next generation of KEVI leavers. The alumni community is a valued asset and helps to elevate the evening further. As a school, we have a huge amount of gratitude to all organisations that volunteer their time for the evening to inspire KEVI families.
The feedback on the evening was overwhelmingly positive; our school was a hive of enthusiasm and inspiration. One thing that attending delegates really do value is the attendance and support of parents; being able to share information with families is hugely beneficial.
It was great to see some of our Year 9 and 10 families attend KEVI Inspires to begin networking; creating those contacts for future work experience and equipping themselves with knowledge about next steps early. This undoubtedly will inspire their progression beyond King Edward’s.
Our Yesr 10 King’s Trust classes had a great day at the Full circle Food Project as part of their Community Impact module.
The students had a great day and really challenged themselves to try new things and learn new skills.
Our annual careers event will take place on 23 October. Students and familes are invited to meet employers, advisers, Post 16 and Post 18 providers to gain important advice and guidance about next steps beyond KEVI.
Due to ongoing national issues with Bromcom we are only able to access limited services. We are aware that this is affecting MCAS and text alerts, these wil be addressed as soon as possible.
The King Edward VI School in Morpeth is delighted to announce another year of excellent GCSE results, with students achieving highly across all subjects and 80% of students achieving a Grade 4 or better in both English and Maths.
Headteacher Clare Savage praised the dedication and commitment shown by Year 11 students:
“I would like to congratulate all Year 11 students and staff on an excellent set of GCSE results which is testament to our students’ positive attitudes, determination and hard work. I am proud of every one of them for the way they approached their studies and exams with such confidence and resilience. These results also reflect the tireless dedication of our staff, who have supported, encouraged and inspired our students throughout their journey.”
Year 11 Lead Kelly Gesinde added:
“Our students have worked incredibly hard over the last two years and thoroughly deserve their excellent results. We are excited to welcome the majority of them back to King Edward’s Sixth Form in September, alongside so many new students joining us this year from across the County.
Our students are progressing onto apprenticeships and college courses, and we wish every single one of them the very best for the next step in their journey. We could not be prouder of what they have achieved.”
With such strong results, The King Edward VI School looks forward to seeing its students continue to thrive and succeed in the next stage of their education and beyond.
