Weekly Newsletter

May 8, 2026

Headmaster’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you all enjoyed the bank holiday weekend, which has meant that this week has gone by particularly quickly.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Year 13 Leavers’ Ball last Friday night. A good time was had by all. If the rest of the schools in this country are turning out pupils like our Year 13, then the future of this great country will be in safe hands.

Next week is, of course, a busy one for Years 7 and 8 pupils as they have their assessments all week. In addition, there is a large number of GCSE and A level written exams taking place.

There is a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh training session tomorrow on campus, and there is a Silver Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition taking place next week departing on Thursday and returning on Saturday.

Weather permitting, I hope to have the annual boarders’ barbecue on Tuesday evening. I particularly enjoy this event, it is great to see the boarders relax with each other in tranquil surroundings in the garden at the rear of my house. In an increasingly “busy” world, it is especially nice to see children being themselves and relaxing in each other’s company with consummate ease.

I shall leave you with this quote from the American Army General, Colin Powell, who once said: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” This advice is particularly pertinent for pupils in this peak examination season.

Have a good weekend.

Yours sincerely,

Francie Healy

Headmaster

Latest Sports News

The latest sports news from Bethany School. A busy time for Bethany cricketers saw 4 regular fixtures and 2 tournaments across varying age groups this week.

Cricket | Bethany 1st XI v Cranbrook

The Bethany 1st XI cricket team delivered a dominant all-round performance against Cranbrook in a confident display on Thursday afternoon.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Bethany immediately took control of the match with a disciplined and energetic display in the field. Jago Veale struck in the very first over to set the tone, while Andrew Stubblefield followed up with an excellent spell, claiming two key wickets and helping reduce the hosts to 19/3.

The pressure never eased as Bethany’s bowlers worked superbly as a unit. Henry Greig picked up two wickets in quick succession during the middle overs, while Oliver Candeloro and Oscar Scott also added important breakthroughs. Tight bowling, sharp fielding and consistent pressure prevented Cranbrook from building any meaningful partnerships, restricting them to just 84/7 from their 20 overs.

Chasing 85 for victory, Bethany approached the target with confidence and composure. Openers Oscar Scott and Gus Tuson quickly settled into rhythm and took the game away from the opposition with an outstanding partnership.

Oscar played fluently throughout his unbeaten 31, striking six boundaries in an innings full of positive intent. Alongside him, Gus anchored the chase superbly with an impressive unbeaten 36, combining patience with crisp stroke play as Bethany steadily closed in on the target.

The pair dominated the chase and ensured there were few alarms, guiding Bethany to victory in just 11.5 overs. Although a late wicket fell with the scores level, the result was never in doubt as Bethany completed a comprehensive win.

It was a polished performance from the 1st XI, built on disciplined bowling, excellent fielding and confident batting, an impressive display that showcased the team’s quality in all areas of the game.

Final score: Bethany beat Cranbrook

Player of the Match: Gus Tuson

Cricket | Bethany U15 | Chance to Compete Tournament

The U15 cricket squad travelled to Mersham Sports Ground near Ashford to take part in the ‘Chance To Compete’ Outdoor 8’s event run by Kent Cricket Foundation. This is the second year that Bethany have competed and by winning all four of their matches, the U15’s are showing that they are a side to be reckoned with this summer!

Game One

A close match – Bethany (39/2) beat Invicta Grammar (36/1) by 3 runs.

Batting – A steady innings from Captain Isobel Andrews (11 not out) helped steer Bethany to a target that was defendable but also gave Invicta a chance.

Bowling – Stand out bowler was Darcey Stone, who picked up a good Caught and Bowled with her second ball of the day. There were excellent overs from both Bea Kay and Isobel Andrews.

Game Two

A strong performance – Bethany (57/0) beat Independent Rochester (31/2) by 26 runs.

Batting – Immy Morgan played an excellent innings (21*), hitting the ball to all areas of the ground. Immy was ably supported by Betsy Spruce and Isabelle Hindley who both played several good shots too. (*Retired)

Bowling – A good team performance in the field (including a Run Out from Isobel Andrews) backed up by excellent overs from both Bea Kay and Darcey Stone. Fifi Seymour also collected a well-deserved wicket.

Game Three

Went to the last over! Bethany (40/1) beat Dane Court Grammar (38/1) by 2 runs!

Batting – After losing an early wicket, a great innings from Kitty Mackay (12 not out) in partnership with Isobel Andrews (10 not out) took Bethany to another defendable but also achievable target.

Bowling – The U15’s needed to be strong in the field and after a good first 3 overs (with Juniper Ambrose-Gordon picking up an early wicket), the pressure was on Dane Court. They managed to steady the innings and after a flurry of boundaries and needing just 3 runs from the final over, Dane Court looked on course for a win. But up stepped Isobel Andrews, who under pressure delivered the best over the day by conceding no runs and guiding Bethany to victory!

Game Four

Four out of Four! – Bethany (38/1) beat Sir Roger Manwood School (371) by 5wkts.

Batting – This time Darcey Stone (12 not out) delivered with the bat in an excellent quick-fire innings with technically correct and well timed shots to all parts of the ground. Both Eva Lambert and Immy Morgan batted well to help set a good target.

Bowling – Bea Kay again bowled with great impact and was well supported by Kitty Mackey and Eva Lambert. This time though it was another excellent team fielding performance that helped them secure their fourth victory of the day!

The whole squad should be extremely proud as they all played lots of fantastic cricket and represented both themselves and Bethany brilliantly both on and off the pitch.

Player of the Tournament: Darcey Stone

Coaches Player of the Tournament: Isobel Andrews

Cricket | Bethany U13 | Chance to Compete Tournament

Bethany’s U13 cricket squad travelled to Mersham Sports Ground near Ashford to compete in the Kent Cricket Foundation’s ‘Chance to Compete’ Outdoor 8’s tournament. Competing for the second year running, the team produced an outstanding unbeaten performance, winning all three matches and making an excellent start to the season.

Game One – Bethany v Dane Court Grammar

Bethany opened the tournament with a confident win, scoring 67 runs while restricting Dane Court to 28. Darcey Branston and Lily Bowler-Kemsley both hit boundaries, while captain Darcie Vidler led from the front with two excellent fours. Erin Pateman and Darcey Redmond-Howard bowled consistently, keeping runs to a minimum, while Isla Oldridge took a catch and Arabella Valentine-Brown claimed a wicket.

Game Two – Bethany vs Sir Roger Manwood’s

In a much closer contest, Bethany edged victory 58/4 to 51/0. Darcie Vidler again impressed with the bat, while Darcey Branston struck three superb fours in a brilliant innings. Bethany fielded brilliantly as a team, taking catches, producing a stumping and claiming wickets through Darcie, Darcey, Arabella and Isla.

Game Three – Bethany v Rochester Independent

Bethany finished the day in style with a polished performance, beating Rochester 63/6 to 20/1. Darcie and Isla both scored boundaries, supported by excellent running between the wickets from the rest of the team. Darcey, Darcie and Erin all took wickets, with Erin claiming two in quick succession, while Lily produced a sharp run out in the field.

The squad should be extremely proud of their teamwork, determination and positive attitude throughout the tournament. An excellent day of cricket and a fantastic achievement for Bethany!

Cricket | Bethany U15B v Battle Abbey

The boys U15B cricket team travelled to Horntye Sports Park on Tuesday afternoon for a match against Battle Abbey School.

In a pairs quick fire format on an astro pitch, Bethany opened and batted with intent, finding gaps and running quick singles between the wickets to score a total of 78 runs from the seven batting pairs. A number of pairs adjusted well to the surface and format, and batted well.

Bethany then bowled well against the Battle Abbey innings, limiting runs with good line, length and speed. This was supported in the field with positive accuracy resulting in minimal boundaries on a small pitch.

Battle struggled to accumulate runs with their pairs, and with very few extras, the home team scored a total of 28 runs, falling short of the total needed.

Final Score: Bethany WIN by 50 runs

Player of the Match: Oliver Candeloro

Coaches Player of the Match: Harry Morgan and Arthur Seale

Cricket | Bethany U13A v Battle Abbey

Bethany School U13A battled hard in an entertaining contest against Battle Abbey this week.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Bethany made the perfect start with a run out from the very first ball of the match, immediately putting the visitors under pressure. Edward McCarmick then struck with the ball soon after, while further wickets from William Stevens and sharp fielding from Jake McNair and Max Burns kept Bethany firmly in the game.

Despite some aggressive batting from the opposition, Bethany showed excellent determination in the field. William Stevens delivered an economical spell and claimed an important wicket, while Rhys Williams bowled a superb over that conceded no runs at all. However, a large number of extras allowed Battle Abbey to build momentum and post 104/4 from their 14 overs.

Chasing 105 to win, Bethany endured a difficult start as early wickets left them struggling at 10/4. Even so, the team responded with resilience and character. William Slade helped steady the innings with some positive stroke play, while Rhys Williams produced Bethany’s best batting display of the afternoon, finishing unbeaten on 14 with a composed knock that included several well-timed boundaries.

As the innings progressed, partnerships began to form, with Oliver Chestnutt and Wilf Cottingham also contributing valuable runs. Bethany continued to fight until the final over, showing excellent spirit and determination despite the challenging chase.

Although the result did not go their way, there were plenty of encouraging moments for the U13A side, including sharp fielding, disciplined spells with the ball and impressive resilience under pressure. It was a performance full of effort and promise as the team continues to develop through the season.

Final score: Battle Abbey beat Bethany

Player of the Match: Rhys Williams

Cricket | Bethany U13B v Battle Abbey

The Bethany U13B cricket team welcomed Battle Abbey School on Wednesday afternoon for an entertaining pairs match.

Battle Abbey batted first and posted a strong total of 157 runs. Their innings combined confident stroke play with valuable extras, keeping the scoreboard moving throughout. Bethany’s bowlers worked hard to contain the scoring, with several wickets helping to disrupt Battle’s momentum. While some bowlers were still developing their consistency, every player showed great commitment and a willingness to contribute for the team.

One of the standout features of the afternoon was Bethany’s energetic fielding display. The team chased every ball with determination, cutting off runs and showing excellent teamwork in the field.

Facing a challenging target, Bethany responded positively with the bat. The team approached the chase with energy and intent from the very first pair, continuing to battle right through to the final overs. Despite some determined batting and good running between the wickets, Bethany finished on 109 runs, falling short against a strong Battle Abbey side.

Although the result ended in a 48-run defeat, there were many encouraging signs for the team. With several weeks of training ahead before the next run of fixtures after half term, the squad will look to build on this experience, continue developing their cricket skills, and return even stronger in future matches.

Final score: Battle Abbey beat Bethany

Year 13 Dazzle at Leavers’ Ball

The Bethany School Year 13 Leavers’ Ball was a wonderful success last Friday evening, providing a memorable opportunity for pupils and staff to come together to celebrate the end of an important chapter in the pupils school journey.

With fantastic food, lively music and excellent company throughout the evening, it was a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved. The Class of 2026 celebrated in style at The Spa Hotel, a beautiful and fitting setting for such a special event. Dressed elegantly for the occasion, pupils enjoyed a wonderful evening of dining, dancing and celebrating together after many years of hard work, friendships and shared experiences at Bethany School.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and fun as pupils made the most of the evening, creating memories that will undoubtedly stay with them long after they leave school. Even last-minute train cancellations could not prevent pupils from attending the celebration, although a few did arrive fashionably late and unfortunately just missed the official group photograph. Thankfully, this did little to dampen spirits, and the evening continued with plenty of energy, smiles and celebrations well into the night.

Latest Bethany Blog

This week’s Bethany blog has been written by Director of Sport, Mr Payne, who reflects on an exciting and energetic start to the summer term, celebrating the many sporting successes, opportunities and activities currently taking place across the school community.

A Summer of Sport at Bethany

As the days grow longer and the sunshine finally begins to make a more regular appearance, it’s the perfect time to shake off the winter blues and embrace the great outdoors. Whether it’s a leisurely evening walk, an early morning jog, a family bike ride, or even trying your hand at tennis, golf, or cricket, getting active in the fresh air is one of the best ways to boost both physical and mental wellbeing. There’s something about the summer months that naturally encourages us all to get moving a little more, and the Bethany sporting community has certainly done exactly that!

The summer sports season is now well and truly underway, and it has already been packed with energy, enthusiasm and some excellent performances across the board.

Our boys’ cricket teams have made a very competitive start to the season, showing great determination in their opening fixtures. There have already been some standout performances with both bat and ball, and the encouraging start promises an exciting few months ahead. With more fixtures to come and plenty of opportunities for players to continue developing, there is a real sense of momentum building around cricket at Bethany.

The girls have also enjoyed an impressive start to their cricket season. A recent tournament hosted by Ashford School saw our players perform brilliantly, displaying fantastic team spirit and growing confidence throughout the day. It has been wonderful to see so many pupils embracing the game with such positivity and enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing them continue their progress as the match calendar begins to fill up over the coming weeks.

One sport continuing its meteoric rise in popularity at Bethany is pickleball. What started as curiosity for many pupils has quickly become one of the busiest and most talked-about activities in the sports hall. Combining quick reactions and tactical play, pickleball has proven to be a huge hit with pupils of all ages and abilities. The courts have been buzzing with competitive rallies, dramatic points and some surprisingly impressive skill development! It’s fantastic to see pupils so eager to get involved and embrace something new.

Meanwhile, our Year 7 and 8 pupils have thrown themselves into their athletics programme in PE lessons with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. From sprinting on the track to tackling field events such as shot put and long jump, pupils have had the opportunity to experience a wide variety of athletic disciplines. It has been particularly pleasing to see pupils encouraging one another, celebrating personal bests and stepping outside of their comfort zones to try events they may never have attempted before. Athletics season always brings a wonderful sense of positivity and resilience, and this year has been no exception.

Of course, this is also a particularly busy time for our sports examination pupils. Alongside training sessions, fixtures and co-curricular commitments, many pupils have been working incredibly hard in preparation for their upcoming exams. Their dedication, perseverance and commitment throughout the year has been admirable, and we are extremely proud of the effort they have put in. We wish them every success and the very best of luck as exam season approaches.

Summer is such a special time in the sporting calendar. There is something uniquely enjoyable about spending longer evenings outside, supporting teammates, celebrating successes and simply making the most of the better weather. And after a busy day of sport, few things beat relaxing with friends and family around a BBQ, surely one of the finest rewards for any sporting endeavour!

There is also plenty to look forward to as spectators over the coming months. The summer promises another feast of world-class sport, from the drama and tradition of Wimbledon, to the speed and excitement of the Silverstone Grand Prix, and the small matter of a football World Cup. Although some matches may require setting an alarm in the middle of the night for UK viewers, there is little doubt that there will be plenty of unforgettable moments, and almost certainly some inevitable penalty shoot-out drama along the way!

We hope everyone enjoys a healthy, active and memorable summer term filled with sunshine, sport and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and try something new.

Mr Payne

Director of Sport

Jake’s Hockey Success!

Congratulations to Jake, Year 8 at Bethany, who has been representing Kent hockey this season. Jake is one of five boys from Tunbridge Wells Hockey Club selected for the Kent squad, alongside players from other clubs across the county.

Kent have been playing some excellent hockey, recently securing a fantastic 4-0 win over Sussex and a hard-fought 1-0 victory against previously unbeaten Surrey. With final matches against London South and Bucks on 10th May, it’s all still to play for.

Jake will also attend the Regional Saxons trials later this month, with the chance to qualify for a major regional tournament at Nottingham Hockey Centre in June.

Well done, Jake, and good luck in the upcoming matches and trials!

Enrichment Spotlight: Equestrian Club

There is always great excitement on Friday afternoons at Bethany School, as a group of pupils head off to enjoy one of the school’s most popular enrichment activities — horse riding at Hemsted Riding School.

Every Friday afternoon, a group of eight enthusiastic pupils from Years 7–10 swap classrooms for riding boots as they head to Hemsted Riding School for one of Bethany School’s most exciting enrichment activities.

The weekly sessions have quickly become a highlight of the term. From the moment the pupils arrive, they take full responsibility for preparing their horses, learning how to groom and tack up before riding. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build confidence, independence, and teamwork, while also developing a strong understanding of horse care and stable management. At least 2 of the pupils are using the sessions to gain their Physical element of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh qualification!

Once mounted, the riders make the most of Hemsted’s excellent indoor school facilities, allowing lessons to continue whatever the weather. Fortunately, recent weeks have brought glorious sunshine and warm spring temperatures, making the whole experience even more enjoyable.

The group has made impressive progress this term. Having confidently mastered cantering, the riders have recently advanced to pole work and small jumps — a thrilling next step that has brought plenty of smiles and a real sense of achievement. Under the guidance of the experienced instructors, pupils are developing balance, control, and riding technique at an impressive pace.

A particular highlight for many pupils is the wonderful horses themselves. Patient, gentle, and full of character, they have helped every rider feel safe and supported while trying new skills.

The enrichment programme continues to grow in popularity, offering pupils not only the chance to learn to ride, but also to enjoy the outdoors, challenge themselves, and create lasting memories each Friday afternoon.

Pupils of the Week

Each week in Assembly, ‘Pupil of the Week’ awards are given to pupils across the various year groups who have been nominated by their tutor.

This could go to an individual who has perhaps shone that week academically; demonstrated the values of kindness, tolerance, and respect particularly well; or represented the school or county in a positive way.

Year 7 Pupil of the Week is Rafe

Rafe has really stood out this week by demonstrating selfless kindness in supporting his friends. A worth recipient of Pupil of the Week. Well done, Rafe!

Year 8 Pupil of the Week is Erin

Being new at any school can be quite daunting. However, Erin has taken this in her stride and settled amazing well at Bethany. Erin has shown all round excellent effort since starting at Bethany this term and capped off this week by taking several wickets at the U13 cricket tournament, including two back to back! Well done, Erin!

Year 9 Pupil of the Week is Lucas

Lucas has shown amazing progress at school recently, with a significant improvement on his focus within lessons. A very worthy recipient of Pupil of the Week. Well done, Lucas!

KS4 Pupil of the Week is Aleksandr

Alex has shown improved engagement in class, he has focused so well on his subjects and it is great to see his English become more confident. A worthy recipient of Pupil of the Week. Well done, Alex!

Money Management Apps for Children

Written by Online Safety Expert: Taryn Wren, Product Safety

Responsible money management may seem like an obvious notion to you as a parent, but for your child growing up in an online world, there often isn’t a tangible physical money exchange when it comes to making purchases, and this concept can be confusing.

It’s important for young people to understand what money is, where it comes from, and how to spend and save responsibly. Money management apps designed specifically for children can be useful tools to help you support your child and instill good financial principles by making it easier for them to manage their pocket money and saving goals, and track their chores. Here are a few you might like to consider.

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

Barsleys Uniform Update

We are aware that Barsley’s Department Store in Paddock Wood, which currently supplies the Bethany School uniform, is closing. Before the end of the Summer Term, we will share further details with parents about our new uniform supplier, including information about the transition and next steps.

With regard to purchases between now and September, Barsleys would like to share this message with the Bethany community:

“It is with sadness we share the news that we are planning to pass the Bethany uniform supply to a new provider. After 14 years of having the privilege to supply Bethany pupils with their uniform we are winding down our business. However we are determined to make the change as smooth as possible for all concerned. We will continue to sell Bethany uniform up until (and including) back to school this September 2026. Next week from Friday 15^th we are offering price reductions on all uniform items. Do visit our store or look at our web site for some great savings. We thank you and all the team at Bethany for your support over the years.”

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Barsleys for their many years of dedicated service to the school community. We are very sorry to hear that, after such a long-standing presence, the business has had to close, and we wish them all the very best for the future.

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

Upcoming Events

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Be at Bethany

Bethany Speech Day 2026

Bethany ISI Inspection 2026

Bethany Secures Continued CReSTeD Recognition

Bethany Ranked in Top 10% Nationally

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

Success for Grace in Open Water Swim