Weekly Newsletter

January 30, 2026

Headmaster’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the end of another wet week. It is in wet weather times that Bethany benefits from being on top of a hill!

This has been quite an eventful week for Year 11. They went on a Science trip to Brighton on Tuesday, received their trial examination results yesterday and had a parent teacher meeting last night. When they got their results, Year 11 experienced a range of emotions from delight and optimism for some to the realisation for others that there is also work to do between now and the examinations in the summer term. I enjoyed chatting to the Year 11 parents last night, and all of our Year 11 pupils will be given clear road maps to optimise their preparations for their examinations in the summer.

Next week is dominated by the whole School production, Shrek the Musical. The set arrived yesterday and was installed. The shows are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, and no doubt great entertainment awaits.

Tomorrow, of course, is Open Morning. This is a compulsory day of School. Buses arrive one hour later than normal and please note there is no return bus service. Pupils can be collected from School from 12.30pm onwards.

In my assembly this week, I spoke to pupils about stress and the management of it. This seemed particularly relevant for our Year 11 cohort. I gave them some advice on how to operate a three, four, five breathing technique. Breathe in for 3 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds and breathe out over 5 seconds. The logic being, if it takes you longer to breathe out than breathe in you can reduce your stress levels. If you get time you should try it.

The Bethany community is typically very patient and considerate during end-of-day collections, and the School truly appreciates this. I kindly ask everyone to continue showing the same level of calm and courtesy during pick-up times, as this helps ensure a positive experience for all. Our car park pick-up and exit system is designed to run smoothly and works very efficiently when we work together.

I shall leave you with this mainly unknown fact: Stressed spelt backwards is desserts!

Have a good weekend.

Francie Healy
Headmaster

Meet Bethany’s Future Head

As you are aware, Bethany Headmaster, Francie Healy, is retiring at the end of this academic year (August 2026) and his successor, Paul Jones, is visiting Bethany with increasing frequency as this year progresses to make sure that the handover is as smooth and effective as possible.

Meet Bethany’s Future Head

Bethany School would like to invite you to meet and chat to Paul and have set aside two evenings for this to happen.

The first evening was on Wednesday when Paul spoke to parents of pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9.

The next meeting is for parents of pupils in Years 10 to 13 and will take place on Wednesday 11^th March at 7 pm also in the Pengelly Performance Centre.

This meeting will also be accessible electronically and so if you cannot attend in person, it will be possible to attend remotely.

This will give you the opportunity to directly hear from Paul, about his background and his views on an all-round education. There will also be time for questions at the end.

Paul will join Mr Healy in a future whole School assembly when he will be introduced to the most important people in the school – the pupils.

For catering purposes, we would like to know how many of you will attend in person and therefore please complete the registration form accessed via the button below. A remote access link will be provided nearer the date of the meeting.

Paul is very much looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

Registration Form

Latest Sports News

The latest sports news from Bethany School. A busy week across three sports this week, with netball and hockey fixtures against Battle Abbey, Ashford School and Buckswood, whilst the U16 football team travelled to Surrey to take on Milton Abbey in their Society of Heads Cup quarter-final clash.

Football | Bethany U16 v Milton Abbey

Bethany’s U16 football team travelled to Surrey on Thursday afternoon for their Society of Heads Cup quarter-final clash against Milton Abbey.

The first half was a tight affair, with both sides cancelling each other out and chances at a premium. Bethany had a couple of promising opportunities of their own but were unable to make them count. At the other end, goalkeeper Xavier Thomas-Bassett produced an outstanding save to deny Milton Abbey and keep the scores level. His intervention ensured the teams went into the break locked at 0–0, a fair reflection of a closely fought opening period.

Milton Abbey started the second half with greater intensity and were quicker out of the blocks, putting Bethany under sustained pressure. Bethany struggled to fully find their rhythm after the restart, although they remained organised and resilient at the back. As the game progressed, it increasingly looked as though neither side would be able to find a breakthrough, with a goalless draw appearing the most likely outcome.

However, football’s unpredictability struck in dramatic fashion. With the match nearing its conclusion, the Milton Abbey striker produced a moment of brilliance, a spectacular scissor-kick volley from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner, a goal worthy of winning any match and one that ultimately decided the contest.

While a 0–0 draw would arguably have been a fair result based on the balance of play, this was a reminder of football’s cruel and unforgiving nature, where a single moment can change everything. Bethany can take great pride in their performance and their run to the quarter-final stage, and they exit the competition with heads held high.

Best of luck to Milton Abbey as they progress to the semi-final.

Final score: Bethany 0-1 Milton Abbey

Player of the Match: Xavier Thomas-Bassett

Netball | Bethany 1st VII v Buckswood

The Bethany 1st VII netball team took to the court this week for a shortened fixture against Buckswood, after the visitors were only able to bring one team to the joint match. With reduced playing time, Bethany knew they would need to start sharply and make the most of every minute, and they did exactly that.

From the opening whistle, Bethany took control of the game, with the midcourt moving the ball confidently and efficiently across the court. Despite a few key players missing, the team adapted superbly. Taylor Botha began the match in goal defence and immediately made her presence felt, demonstrating excellent aerial ability to pull in several crucial interceptions inside the circle and shut down Buckswood’s attacking opportunities.

Safi Chettiar was relentless at wing defence, applying constant pressure to force errors, getting important tips, and then supporting the transition into attack all the way to the transverse line. In attack, Lara Pateman worked intelligently at wing attack, finding excellent space and delivering accurate feeds into the shooting circle. Bethany’s composure and discipline were reflected on the scoreboard as they built a solid 4–0 lead by half time.

The second half saw Taylor Botha move into the centre position, where she continued to impress with her tenacity and work rate both on and off the ball. Her ability to create turnovers and feed accurately into the goal circle kept Bethany firmly on the front foot. In the shooting circle, Summer Stewart-Welch (GS) and Olivia James (GA) combined effectively, using well-timed shooter-to-shooter passes to work the ball closer to the post and convert their chances with confidence.

A special mention must also go to Honor Casselton Elliott, who stepped up to support the team in the second half, taking on the goal keeper role. She performed admirably, collecting valuable pick-ups and delivering composed baseline passes to relieve pressure and maintain Bethany’s control of the game.

Final Score: Bethany 9-1 Buckswood

Coaches Player of the Match: Taylor Botha

Netball | Bethany 2nd VII v Buckswood

The Bethany 2nd VII netball team were involved in a tightly contested and absorbing match against Buckswood, with the game remaining close and low scoring from start to finish. Both teams showed great determination, resulting in end-to-end play and a real battle for possession across the court.

Bethany worked hard to move the ball patiently through the mid-court, while strong defensive pressure from both sides meant that every goal had to be earned. The match was finely balanced throughout, with neither team able to pull clear, keeping players fully engaged.

In the closing stages, Bethany showed excellent composure and teamwork, edging ahead to secure a narrow but well-deserved victory. Their resilience and focus under pressure proved crucial in seeing out the game.

A special mention goes to Verity Davidson and Gabriela Alfageme, who stood out for their outstanding contributions at both ends of the court.

Final score: Bethany 6-5 Buckswood

Player of the Match: Verity Davidson and Gabriela Alfageme

Netball | Intermediate Interhouse Netball

Bethany hosted a lively and well-spirited Intermediate Interhouse Netball competition, with all three houses fielding full teams supported by substitutes. The standard of play was excellent throughout, with players showing commitment, teamwork and enthusiasm in every match.

It was particularly pleasing to see such strong participation across the houses, with pupils proudly representing their colours and competing in a positive, sporting manner. The games were closely contested and featured some impressive passages of netball, reflecting the progress made in training.

After an enjoyable afternoon of competition, Speakers emerged as overall winners, finishing in 1st place. Roberts followed closely behind in 2nd place, with Kiplings completing the standings in 3rd place.

Netball | Bethany U13A v Ashford School

In their second match of the season, the Bethany U13A netball team took on a younger Ashford side, providing an excellent opportunity to put into practice the skills and structures developed during recent training sessions, with slightly less pressure than their opening fixture.

Bethany started the match confidently, producing some lovely passages of team play as they worked the ball smoothly down the court. Although the pace from both sides was a little quick at times, which occasionally disrupted flow, the attacking unit did an excellent job once the ball entered the shooting circle. Strong movement and composure under the post saw Bethany take control early, finishing the first quarter with a deserved 3–0 lead.

Ashford responded positively in the second quarter, tightening up defensively and making several key interceptions that allowed them to build confidence and convert chances at goal. Despite this pressure, Bethany remained organised and disciplined, keeping things tight across the court and maintaining their advantage to head into half-time leading 7–2.

Following a team talk and a few positional changes at the break, Bethany came out firing in the third quarter. The centre pass set-ups were much sharper, with the mid-court doing an excellent job of controlling the tempo and creating space. This allowed Bethany to play some of their best netball of the match, supported by impressive defensive pressure across the court, resulting in numerous turnovers. Their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard as they extended their lead to 14–3 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter saw fatigue begin to creep in, leading to a few footwork errors and loose passes. However, the team showed great resilience and determination, staying committed to their roles and working hard for one another to see out the game and secure a well-earned victory.

All players should be extremely proud of their performance. The improvements in communication, spacing and decision-making were clear to see and highlighted how well the team has responded to coaching and training this week. A fantastic team effort and a very positive step forward as the season continues.

Final score: Bethany 16-5 Ashford School

Player of the Match: Lily Bowler-Kemsley and Ella Pantony

Coaches Player of the Match: Isla Oldridge

Netball | Bethany U13B v Ashford School

The Bethany U13B netball team produced a hugely encouraging performance against Ashford School in what was a closely fought and thoroughly enjoyable contest. From the opening whistle, both teams showed great enthusiasm and commitment, resulting in a fast-paced game with plenty of movement and progress up and down the court.

Bethany worked hard to build play through the mid-court, linking passes well and showing increasing confidence as the match developed. Defensively, the team stayed alert and disciplined, applying pressure and forcing Ashford into mistakes at key moments.

The match remained finely balanced throughout, with neither side able to gain a clear advantage. However, Bethany showed real composure and determination in the final quarter, edging ahead at a crucial moment to take control of the game. Their teamwork and resilience in the closing stages proved decisive, allowing them to see out a narrow but well-deserved victory.

It was a pleasure to watch and umpire a match played in such a positive spirit, with clear evidence of progress across the whole team.

Final score: Bethany 5-4 Ashford School

Players of the Match: Genevieve Wise and Grace Hetherington

Hockey | Bethany U15A v Battle Abbey

The U15A hockey team kicked off their season with a spirited performance against Battle Abbey, showing glimpses of the skill and cohesion they have been developing in training.

Bethany started brightly, quickly asserting themselves on the pitch. Their early pressure paid off when Nico de Widt produced a superb individual effort, displaying composure and technique to finish clinically and give Bethany the lead. It was an excellent demonstration of confidence and attacking flair.

As the first half progressed, Battle Abbey began to find their rhythm, and Bethany made a few uncharacteristic errors that the opposition tried to exploit. Despite some outstanding goalkeeping from Logan Heath, Battle Abbey managed to bundle the ball over the line before half-time, leaving the scores level at 1–1.

The second half began a little slowly for Bethany, and two quick goals from Battle Abbey put the team on the back foot. However, the team responded positively, regaining composure and controlling large periods of play. Their attacking intent was evident as they created numerous chances, forcing the opposition to defend resolutely. Bethany were unlucky not to score again, hitting the post twice and forcing some excellent saves from the Battle Abbey goalkeeper.

While the final score didn’t reflect the effort and dominance Bethany showed in parts of the game, there was plenty to take from this first outing. The team displayed determination, teamwork and flashes of attacking brilliance, promising an exciting season ahead.

Final score: Bethany 1-3 Battle Abbey

Player of the Match: Logan Heath

Coaches Player of the Match: Oliver Scott

Hockey | Bethany U13A v Battle Abbey

Thankfully, the rain had relented, and the sun broke through as the U13A hockey team took to the field to face Battle Abbey. The match quickly became an exciting end-to-end encounter, with both teams applying pressure in attack and standing firm in defence. Despite Bethany’s strong start, it was Battle Abbey who opened the scoring with a speculative strike from a long way outside the scoring D. The ball took a deflection off a Battle Abbey stick, wrong-footing the Bethany defence and sneaking its way into the goal.

Bethany responded brilliantly with one of the standout moves of the match. The play began deep on the left, where Connor Matthews played a good pass down the line to William Slade. William then drove confidently into the bottom-left pocket before sending a dangerous ball across the D. Arriving at exactly the right moment, Wilf Cottingham swept the ball home to level the score at 1–1 going into half-time.

As the second half progressed, Bethany asserted themselves and created several good chances, though they were unlucky not to convert them. Their determination eventually paid off when a well-executed penalty corner routine allowed Connor Matthews to fire the ball pass the Battle Abbey Keeper, giving Bethany a deserved 2–1 lead.

In the closing stages, Bethany continued to push for a decisive goal but were unable to capitalise. Battle Abbey, however, demonstrated impressive individual stick skills, scoring twice late on to secure a 3–2 victory.

Despite the narrow defeat, Bethany can be extremely proud of their performance and can look forward positively to next week’s match.

Final score: Bethany 2-3 Battle Abbey

Player of the Match: Connor Matthews

Hockey | Bethany U13B v Battle Abbey

The Bethany U13B hockey team put in a strong and disciplined performance at home against a formidable Battle side this week.

Bethany started brightly, moving the ball with confidence and pressing high from the outset. That early intent paid dividends when Ben Cossins found the net to give Bethany a deserved lead, capping off a period of sustained pressure.

Battle responded with intensity, throwing numbers forward and testing the Bethany defence with wave after wave of attacks. However, resolute defensive performances from Gui Amado Branco and Orrin Carne proved crucial, as both players made a series of important interventions to keep Battle at bay and protect the advantage.

As the match wore on, Battle’s persistence began to tell. In the final two minutes, they finally broke through to equalise, making it 1–1 and denying Bethany what would’ve been a well-earned victory.

Despite the late setback, Bethany can take plenty of positives from the performance, showing composure and teamwork against strong opposition in an entertaining and competitive encounter.

Final score: Bethany 1-1 Battle Abbey

Player of the Match: Ben Cossins

Coaches Player of the Match: Orrin Carne

Latest Bethany Blog

The latest Bethany blog has been written by Mr Davies, Head of History and Politics at Bethany School. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of writing historical fiction, the lessons learned along the way and why storytelling remains such a powerful tool for understanding the past.

A Blank Page, Elvis and an Anglo-Saxon Warrior

As I start to write a blog, another blank page stretches ahead of me…

Then I thought I could write the blog about some of the big events that occurred on this day in history, but I got no further than Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert of 1973 which caused me to lose concentration for some considerable time.

So here I am again, much later, still at a loss as to what to write.

And then I thought, what better than some shameless self-promotion? In a blog back in 2021 I wrote about historical fiction, promoting its usefulness as a learning tool and giving various examples of the genre that were not just brilliant stories but also mightily useful for our GCSE and A Level historians. At the time, this was a subject close to my heart because I was about a year into (slowly) writing my first novel, a fact which I kept from practically everyone apart from my wife and two kids plus one trusted guinea pig, largely because I had no idea whether the thing would a) ever get finished or b) ever get published.

Well, it was both finished and published, I’m delighted to say. According to the blurb on Amazon, it’s pretty good!

England, 1042

A kingdom divided. A young warrior with a secret that could change its fate forever.

When Osbeorn swears an oath to serve Harold Godwinson, he steps into a world of treachery, shifting loyalties and blood-soaked battlefields. As England’s fragile peace begins to crumble, old enemies stir … both beyond the borders and within the royal court of Edward the Confessor itself.

Caught between duty and destiny, Osbeorn must decide what truly matters: his honour, his oath… or revenge.

Set in the turbulent years leading up to the cataclysmic events of 1066, Oathsworn is a gripping tale of loyalty, betrayal and survival in Anglo-Saxon England, where every promise has a price, and every secret could mean death.

Fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and Giles Kristian will love this richly told historical adventure, filled with immersive detail, unforgettable characters and the relentless march of destiny.

I learnt quite a lot during the process. Firstly, I have discovered that I write at a rate of about 500 words an hour, which is less than a third of the speed we need our A Level History and Politics pupils to write in the exams. Secondly, a good editor is worth their weight in gold as they will cut through some of the rubbish you thought was indispensable and make the whole thing considerably more readable. Thirdly, spending four years creating a novel with gaps of several months in between writing sessions is a stupid idea which means that you need to go back and re-read everything you’ve done over and over in order to make sure that you don’t have a character taking part in chapter 12 when you killed them half way through chapter 11! Fourth, a guinea pig to read your story as you go is a very good idea because they can point out any inconsistencies and issues, as well as offering encouragement and support when you’ve stopped because you can’t be bothered because the thing’s never going to get published anyway. And lastly, write the thing to entertain yourself. When it comes to it, no-one else actually matters. I managed to shoehorn a reference to Goudhurst in, just to make myself laugh.

Whilst writing, I kept two key observations from the sainted Bernard uppermost in my mind (that’s Bernard Cornwell just in case you weren’t aware). I heard him speak at Kent University and these two things stuck in my mind: firstly, he treats writing as a job. A very pleasurable one, but a job nevertheless. Just sit down and write. That’s what he does. Writer’s block isn’t a thing for him, he’s not writing ‘great literature’ where every single word needs to be analysed, he’s a storyteller. Doesn’t mean that the words don’t matter, but you can fiddle around with them later – that’s what your editing processes are about. As he said, ‘Put it this way: do nurses say I can’t come because I have nurse’s block?’ And secondly, it really doesn’t matter if you start a chapter not really knowing how it ends. Some people plan a thing to within an inch of its life, but he doesn’t. When his novel The Empty Throne was published he did publicity for it stating that he didn’t know how the whole book was going to end even as he started writing the final chapter. I very much took this method to heart and actually found, ludicrous though it sounds, that on three or four occasions I surprised myself with where my story went. And for the better, I think!

So, the result of six months’ research and four years’ writing is now available via Amazon in both paperback and e-reader versions (I’m very proud of it, but I’ve had to promise my mum that The Osbeorn Chronicles II will not be another half decade in the making…). My sales figures don’t yet match JK Rowling’s, but that was never the purpose of writing it. Mind you, if you decided after reading this that you’d like to follow the link below and buy a copy, I certainly wouldn’t object!

Mr Davies
Head of History and Politics

The Osbeorn Chronicles on Amazon

Boarders’ Get a Taste of Chinese New Year in London’s Chinatown

Last Saturday, 16 Bethany boarders set off on an exciting trip to London’s Chinatown as an early celebration of Chinese New Year. The day began with a journey into the capital, followed by a scenic walk through Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, where pupils enjoyed taking in some of London’s most iconic sights before reaching their destination.

Boarders’ visited The National Gallery before arriving in Chinatown.

On arrival, the group was greeted by the buzzing atmosphere of Chinatown, beautifully decorated with lanterns and full of energy. Exploring in small groups, pupils sampled a variety of delicious food, browsed colourful shops and soaked up the sights, sounds and aromas that make this area so special at this time of year. The trip provided a fantastic opportunity to experience a different culture first-hand and learn more about the traditions surrounding Chinese New Year.

Although the official celebrations take place in February, the visit was a wonderful way to mark the festival together and create lasting memories. After a full day of exploring, everyone returned to school happily tired, smiling and full of stories from a fun and enriching day out.

Mr Cooper enjoying a traditional Chinese staple beverage…. a McDonald’s milkshake(!).

Further Success in Year 11 IGCSE Mathematics

After last week’s outstanding IGCSE mathematics results announcement, the Bethany Maths Department is delighted to continue the celebration of the exceptional achievements of our Year 11 pupils in their early entry IGCSE Mathematics examination. An impressive 88% of the year group have already secured a pass, with the remaining pupils working with determination and focus to ensure success this summer.

This year’s cohort has demonstrated excellence across the board. At the top end, we once again congratulate the six pupils who achieved a Grade 9, as highlighted in last week’s article. Their remarkable performances reflect consistent hard work, high aspirations and superb resilience.

Success, however, was not limited to the highest grades. The Foundation Tier also saw significant accomplishment, with a large proportion of pupils now preparing to move onto the Higher Tier in the summer in pursuit of further improvement. This is a testament to the confidence and strong mathematical foundations they have developed throughout the year.

These results were hard‑earned. Year 11 pupils engaged diligently with their revision throughout the October holiday, made excellent use of the feedback provided by their teachers, and benefitted from the trial examinations that helped prepare them for success. Their collective effort and commitment to progress have been evident every step of the way.

While every pupil has their own story of accomplishment, several individuals deserve special recognition for particularly high levels of performance.

A special mention goes to Jonah, Mia, Jonathan, Lucien, Bella and Lily, all of whom achieved average marks above 90% across both examination papers. The standout performance came from Lily, who scored an exceptional 95% and 99%, a remarkable achievement.

There were further stories of perseverance and success. Five pupils, Winston, Jacob, Eleni, Sam and Ethan, achieved a Grade 5, with three more falling just 1% short. Particular praise goes to Lydia, Jacob and Eleni, each of whom improved their scores by over 17% between the September trial exam and the October paper, an outstanding demonstration of progress and perfect timing.

There were also further impressive results, with Mim, Louie, Honor, Cecily, Ruby and Izzy all passing and achieving grades significantly above their predicted levels. Their successes underline the impact of hard work, confidence building, and effective classroom support.

These results showcase not only our pupils’ academic abilities but also their resilience, ambition and willingness to embrace challenge. We are immensely proud of every member of Year 11, and we look forward to seeing their continued progress as they prepare for the summer examinations.

Congratulations, Year 11!

Mr Manktelow

Head of Maths

Bethany Artists Shortlisted for National Art Competition

We are delighted to celebrate the fantastic achievement of two of our Art Scholars, Amelie (Year 12) and Eva (Year 9), who have both been shortlisted for the John Downton Awards for Young Artists.

The John Downton Awards are a nationally recognised competition that celebrates exceptional skill and creativity in drawing and painting by young people. Each year, only a small number of works are shortlisted, making this a significant achievement and a real testament to pupils’ dedication, technical ability and artistic ambition.

Amelie has been shortlisted for her drawing ‘Face’, a highly detailed and realistic study focusing on half of a human face. Her work demonstrates impressive control of tone and shading, creating lifelike textures in the skin and hair. Amelie has used the grid method with great precision to achieve accurate proportions, resulting in a refined and confident piece. Amelie joined Bethany in Year 12 and she is studying both Art and Photography and has impressed us with her dedication, talent and curiosity for learning.

Eva’s shortlisted work, ‘Olivia Dean’, is inspired by one of her favourite musicians. Using carbon paper to establish the initial outlines, Eva then developed the piece with inks to create a striking effect. Working on wood has added a natural quality to the portrait, enhancing both the texture and overall impact of the artwork. Eva is currently in Year 9 and has shown real maturity in her artwork and is an exciting young artist to watch out for!

The shortlisted works will be exhibited as part of the John Downton Awards exhibition, where the winners will be announced at a special awards evening in February. Having work displayed in this exhibition is a huge honour and an exciting opportunity for both pupils.

The public exhibition of the shortlisted artwork is open and available for everyone to enjoy from 26 January to 20 February 2026.

You can visit the public gallery in County Hall to view the wonderful artwork. The works from the 11-16 age group can also be viewed online here.

Public Gallery: County Hall Maidstone ME14 1XQ

Congratulations to Amelie and Eva on this outstanding success, we are incredibly proud of them and look forward to following their artistic journeys.

Mrs Smart

Head of Art

Year 11 Pupils Visit Brighton for GCSE Science Live

This week, 40 Year 11 pupils travelled to Brighton to see “GCSE Science Live”. Pupils were treated to a series of 6 talks from professional scientists who are all at the forefront of research in their field. These scientists discussed how their GCSE science content is relevant in our ever-changing understanding of the world.

Highlights included a talk from Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock who discussed the possibilities of life on other planets and how we might observe evidence of life.

Professor Robert Winston, who pioneered the development of IVF and finding genetic defects in embryos and has been a presence in science broadcasting for many years, also provided an inspiring and engaging speech.

Pupils also had two sessions from a lead examiner to give top tips on how to get the best possible results this summer.

The day was highly successful and the pupils were a credit to themselves and the school. Hopefully this will give them an extra nudge of encouragement as they head into the final stretch before exam season begins.

Mr Reilly

Science Department

Bethany’s Rowing Challenge

Each half term the Bethany School Sixth Form Prefect Team are challenged to show some altruism and raise money for a charity of their choosing.

This Spring Term, the Prefect Team are raising money for MS UK with a KRS (competitive house) Rowing Competition on Friday 13th February.

The event will run throughout Periods 1–6 outside in the centre of the Bethany campus.

Bethany Pupils of the Week

Year 7 Pupil Of The Week is Edward

Edward has really excelled this week, particularly in Mathematics and DLS. A worthy recipient of Pupil of the Week. Well done, Edward!

Year 8 Pupil of the Week is Tesse

Tesse has shown excellent progress and improvement across a number of areas, and has really stood out this week (in a good way!!). Well done, Tesse!

Year 9 Pupil of the Week is Isabella

Isabella has had an excellent week, impressing with her great maths score and her determined work ethic. Well done, Isabella!

KS4 Pupil of the Week is Max

Max is deserving Pupil of the Week for demonstrating resilience and working extremely hard, self identifying areas that need to be improved and then acting upon it. Well done, Max!

The Orchard Boarding Pupils of the Week are David and Honor

A joint award this week, both relating to the GCSE Maths results. First of all we’re delighted for Honor, who now has an IGCSE Maths qualification to her name after taking the exam eight months early. And we’re equally delighted with David who had already passed the subject in Year 11 but wanted to improve his grade and showed the resilience and perseverance to do it again in Year 12. They’re both equally deserving GOATs!

Location-Tracking Apps: Spying or Good Parenting?

Written by online safety expert: Yasmin London, a former Police Officer.

“Parenting is a delicate balancing act, especially in today’s digital age. When it comes to deciding whether to use a location-tracking app on your child’s device, it’s not just a matter of convenience; it’s a debate that often stirs mixed emotions. Some parents may worry about invading their child’s privacy, while others find peace of mind knowing where their children are, especially as they start to become more independent.”

Click the button below for some things to consider to help you navigate the decision.

Read more here

Lost Property

We have added a new Lost Items application, available via the button below or on MySchoolPortal. This application allows parents, and pupils, to check if we have found your lost item(s).

If you spot something that is yours, please send your child to the Lost Property Office (top of the Food Tech/Textiles building) between 1.30pm and 2pm.

Access the items list by either logging into the parent portal and then heading to School Information where the list can be accessed or by clicking the button below.

Items that cannot be reunited with their owner will be donated to charity.

Bethany School Lost Property

Prayer Requests

If you would like the chaplain to pray for you or for someone you know, you can send your prayer requests to him using the link below and he will include them in his prayers for the school. All submissions are anonymous and won’t be seen by anyone other than the chaplain.

Submit a Prayer Request Form

Prayer Group

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Be at Bethany

A Level Results: Record-Breaking Success for Bethany’s Class of 2026

Bethany ISI Inspection 2026

Bethany Enrichment Week

Junior Production Is A Technicolour Triumph

Georgie Shortlisted for UCA Competition

Hattie Stars at Young Fashion Designer UK Competition

Darcey’s Open Water Swimming Success

Weekly Newsletter

Headmaster’s Welcome

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Miss Kaycey Offen

Cleaner

Miss Maria Cotterill

Cleaner

Miss Paula Whitehead

Cleaner

Miss Stacey Kirby

Cleaner

Mr Andrew Austen

Maintenance

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Mr Barry Gregory

Minibus Driver

Mr Christian Hindley

Minibus Driver

Mr Danny Sears

Maintenance Co-ordinator

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Mr Ian Butler

Minibus Driver

Mr Jakub Sleczka

Maintenance

Mr James Harris

Minibus Driver, Caretaker and Compliance Officer

Mr Jonathon Bourne

Head Groundsman

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Mr Mark Stubblefield

Minibus Driver

Mr Martin Sunderland

Minibus Driver

Mr Matt Tatnell

Minibus Driver

Mr Nigel Edwards

Minibus Driver

Mr Richard Smith

Minibus Driver

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Mr Vinny Boxall

Minibus Driver

Mrs Jane Marrable

Cleaner

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Mrs Karina Austen

Lead Housekeeper, The Orchard

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Mrs Lucia Jaramba

Cleaner

Mrs Sarah Butler

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Mrs Sarah J Butler

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Mrs Shirley Goldsmith

Cleaner

Mrs Sue Wilson

Cleaner

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Mrs Tracey Masterman

Cleaning Manager

Dr Clare Notley

Lead Teacher of Biology

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Miss Leaf Ye Zhao

Teacher of Maths

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Miss Mathilda Fuller

Teacher of Mathematics, Second Assistant Housemistress The Orchard

Bio

Miss Sam King

Head of Girls’ Sport, Head of Year 8 & 9