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Weekly Newsletter

September 18, 2026

This Week:

Headmaster’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

Our week started with House Sports Afternoon, and it was a pleasure to welcome so many parents to support the event. This was a terrific event with which to start the year and galvanise the Houses. As I mentioned in my Headmaster’s Assembly, it was great to see so many pupils taking part, and I was very proud of the way they encouraged one another and embraced the spirit of friendly competition. I am very keen to build on the success of this event, and in the future we may see some more events, including a parents’ race!

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We also received some excellent news this week with confirmation that Bethany has once again been awarded Microsoft Showcase School Status for 2026-27. Renewing this accreditation requires an enormous amount of work, and I am very grateful to the staff who led this process. Being part of this global community is a significant achievement and reflects Bethany’s commitment to embracing technology where it genuinely benefits our work and enhances pupils’ learning.

 

As you read this, the whole school will probably still be offsite completing the Charity Walks. This is yet another demonstration of the Bethany community coming together, in this case to raise money for our chosen charities, and to demonstrate our core value of compassion. I had the pleasure of joining Year 11 at Bewl Water and greatly enjoyed getting to know the pupils better and hearing about the reasons they chose Bethany. Conversations like these are always a powerful reminder of the difference that our school makes in the lives of our young people.

 

Finally, I would like to thank FOBS – the Friends of Bethany School. This group of parents volunteer to promote the school, to organise fundraising events and help to provide refreshments at the many school events. I was invited to the first meeting of the year and I was excited to hear about some of the events planned this year, and I am incredibly grateful to them for their fundraising efforts last year. Please watch out for details of events, and if you are interested in helping at all, please email fobs@bethanyschool.org.uk

 

A reminder that Open Morning is next Saturday 26 September and is a compulsory day at school. I look forward to our pupils showcasing all that is unique about Bethany School.

 

Kind regards,

 

Paul Jones

Headmaster

Latest Sports News

The latest sports news from Bethany School. A number of Bethany football teams kicked off their respective campaigns this week with promising and confident performances throughout.

Football | Bethany U15A v Sackville
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The Bethany U15A football team got their season off to an excellent start with a controlled and convincing performance over Sackville at home on Tuesday.

 

From the first whistle, Bethany dominated proceedings, moving the ball with confidence and creating pressure in the Sackville half. The opening goal arrived when a long throw from Arlo Emly caused confusion in the Sackville penalty area, allowing captain James Cheesbrough to react quickest and open the scoring.

 

Bethany continued to press, and Connor Matthews doubled the advantage just minutes later. The early goals settled the side and Bethany continued to control the game, with every player contributing to an impressive team performance.

 

There were several excellent individual performances. Cash Keulemans impressed on his Bethany debut at right back, showing confidence and composure throughout. In central defence, Thomas Rough provided a calm and assured presence. His composure on the ball and decision-making helped give the whole team confidence and allowed Bethany to control the game from the back.

 

The goals continued to flow as Bethany maintained their dominance, with the majority of the squad getting their names on the scoresheet. The final result, 8–1, reflected an excellent all-round performance and a very positive opening to the season. There will undoubtedly be much tougher tests ahead, but the squad could hardly have asked for a better beginning to their campaign.

 

Final score: Bethany 8-1 Sackville

Player of the Match: Arlo Emly

Coaches Player of the Match: James Cheesbrough

Football | Bethany U15A v King’s Rochester
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The U15A girls’ football team played their first fixture of the season away at King’s Rochester on Tuesday afternoon, marking an exciting start to their campaign.

 

The first half proved challenging, with Bethany going into the break 3–0 down. However, the team showed excellent character and determination to come out fighting in the second half. With captain Juniper Ambrose-Gordon leading by example and creating opportunities for her teammates, Bethany quickly found their rhythm and began to put King’s under real pressure.

 

Darcie Vidler was outstanding in front of goal, completing a fantastic hat-trick to bring Bethany right back into the contest. The team continued to work hard, showing great energy and belief as they transformed the game after the break.

 

Although King’s Rochester eventually held on to win 4–3, the second-half performance was a huge positive for Bethany and demonstrated the fighting spirit within this new U15A team. To come back from 3–0 down and finish the match just one goal away was an excellent achievement in their first game together.

 

A great start for the team, with plenty of positives to build on for the fixtures ahead!

 

Final score: Bethany 3-4 King’s Rochester

Player of the Match: Darcie Vidler

Coaches Player of the Match: Juniper Ambrose-Gordon

Football | Bethany U15B v King’s Rochester
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The U15B girls’ football team got their season off to a fantastic start with an impressive performance away against King’s Rochester in their opening fixture.

 

It was an evenly matched contest from the start, with both teams creating chances and working hard. Bethany took a deserved goal into half-time, with Erin Pateman finding the back of the net after a well-worked assist from Daisy Young to make it 1–1 at the break.

 

The second half saw some excellent performances across the pitch. Lily Bowler-Kemsley was particularly impressive in goal, producing several brilliant saves to keep Bethany in the game when King’s threatened.

 

Bethany then regained the lead through Camille Balderston, who marked her debut for Bethany in the best possible way by scoring her first goal for the team. Daisy was once again involved in the build-up, providing another assist, before Erin Pateman calmly finished the move to complete the scoring.

 

The final whistle brought a well-earned 3–2 victory. A determined and disciplined performance from the whole squad, with everyone contributing to an exciting first win of the season.

 

Final score: Bethany 3-2 King’s Rochester

Player of the Match: Arabella Valentine-Brown

Coaches Player of the Match: Erin Pateman, Daisy Young and Lottie Treacy

Football | Bethany U13A v Sackville
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The Bethany U13A football team kicked off their season by hosting Sackville on Wednesday afternoon. With several Year 8 pupils making up the spine of the team, the U13A team was made up of largely of new pupils experiencing Bethany football for the first time, making the afternoon an exciting occasion for everyone involved.

 

The U13A’s made an excellent start. From the opening moments, Bethany had a lot of possession and worked hard to win the ball back whenever Sackville pinched it. The team were well led by Phoebe Cowell,  who set a strong example with her energy and determination throughout the match. Bethany produced several promising passages of play, showing encouraging teamwork and a willingness to pass the ball when they could.

 

Bethany’s positive approach was rewarded when Amalie Wales scored her first goal for the school, a memorable moment that gave the team a deserved lead. Soon after, Elodie O’Donnell added a second, also opening her Bethany account. Sackville continued to compete and the game moved back and forth for a spell, but Bethany remained focused with Phoebe Cowell scoring Bethany’s third goal, securing a 3–0 victory.

 

It was a wonderfully exciting start to the new season, with so many new players involved, the performance showed great promise, spirit and potential for the weeks ahead.

 

Final score: Bethany 3-0 Sackville

Player of the Match: Phoebe Cowell

Coaches Player of the Match: Mia Yussuf

Football | Bethany U13B v Sackville
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The Bethany U13B football team started their campaign against Sackville on Wedesnday afternoon. Except for a couple of Year 8 pupils, most of the squad were not only playing their first match for Bethany but also taking part in their first ever competitive fixture.

 

Both sides worked hard throughout, with much of the play centred around midfield. Possession was keenly contested, and although clear chances on goal were limited, there was plenty of determination, energy and promise from everyone involved. Bethany grew into the game well, showing increasing confidence with every passage of play and beginning to understand their positions more effectively as the match progressed.

 

The standout performance came from Alena Davenport-Thomas in midfield. She covered the pitch well, competed strongly for the ball and showed excellent leadership qualities by encouraging her teammates and helping them get into the right areas.

 

Having also played for the U13A’s in the earlier fixture, Tabitha Hindley gave another confident display in goal, making some important saves and looking assured whenever Sackville threatened. In the end, a draw was probably a fair reflection of the overall balance of play, with both teams contributing to a competitive and enjoyable match.

 

Most importantly, this was another exciting start for the Bethany girls’ football team, who can take great pride from their first outing and build on a very positive team performance.

 

Final score: Bethany 0-0 Sackville

Player of the Match: Alena Davenport-Thomas

Coaches Player of the Match:Tabitha Hindley

Bethany Footballers Star In West Kent District Victory

We’re delighted to share that five Bethany Year 9 footballers represented the West Kent District team in their opening fixture of the Under 14 President’s Shield last weekend, taking on Greenwich… and what a start it was!

 

West Kent secured a 2–1 victory, with both goals coming from Bethany boys. Connor opened the scoring in the first half, before Greenwich equalised. In the second half, Oliver found the back of the net to clinch the win for West Kent.

 

A fantastic result for all five pupils, who continue to demonstrate their talent and commitment both for Bethany and at district level.

 

Well done, boys – a brilliant start to the campaign!

Pengelly Society Guest Speaker

On Thursday 17th September we hosted our first meeting of the Pengelly Society this academic year. The Society has been in existence since 1971 when it was founded by Christian Lanzer and Skene Catling to pay tribute to the outstanding leadership of Kenneth Pengelly during his time as Head teacher. It offers all Bethany pupils in Year 12 and 13 the opportunity to broaden their horizons and hear from a range of guest speakers about topics beyond their field of immediate experience, giving an opportunity to discuss such speakers at interview be it for UCAS, apprenticeships or employment.

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The guest speaker, Nathan Eden, an Emerging Technology Consultant with the UK Government, spoke to the Sixth Form about how artificial intelligence is changing the workplace and what this could mean for future careers. His central message was that many of the jobs pupils will eventually do may not yet exist, so adaptability, curiosity and a willingness to keep learning will be increasingly important.

 

Looking at previous technological change, he explained that automation does not always simply remove jobs. The examples of textile weaving and bank tellers showed how technology can create new demand or change the work people do. However, when technology can perform almost an entire role, job numbers can decline, as happened with bank tellers following the development of mobile banking. Generative AI is different from many earlier technologies because it can undertake cognitive tasks such as writing, analysis and judgement, and can be used across many industries. This creates particular pressure on entry-level jobs, where employers may expect graduates to be productive with AI much sooner.

 

 

At the same time, AI can give individuals greater leverage, helping them learn faster, produce work more efficiently and contribute at a higher level from the beginning of their careers. The presentation highlighted that future opportunities will extend beyond traditional technology careers, with growth expected in areas such as AI and machine learning, robotics, big data, cybersecurity, environmental and renewable-energy engineering, healthcare and education.  Nathan emphasised the importance of ‘soft skills’ in human qualities including creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, curiosity, leadership and analytical thinking which are all likely to remain highly valuable.

 

Pupils were encouraged to prepare now by testing careers through work experience or projects, using AI as a learning tool rather than a replacement for their own thinking, learning the AI tools relevant to their subjects, and building a portfolio that demonstrates what they can actually do – the workforce of tomorrow will be AI literate so get ahead of that self-taught curve! The overall message was clear: rather than trying to predict one ‘safe’ career, pupils should develop strong subject knowledge, become confident and responsible users of AI, gain practical experience and remain ready to adapt as the world of work continues to change and indeed the careers our young people retire from haven’t even been developed yet!

 

Mr Duff

Head of Sixth Form

 

Year 7 Charity Walk

Pupils in Year 7 completed their walk in Bedgebury Forest today. The walk was about 5 miles and is dedicated to raising money for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, as nominated by Year 7.

 

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was founded by Doddie Weir, and have a clear vision: a world free of MND. They fund the smartest, most efficient MND research by backing bold ideas and bringing together the best minds from across the globe.

 

Full article in next week’s newsletter.

Year 8 & 9 Charity Walk

Pupils in Year 8 completed their walk around Bewl Reservoir today, whilst pupils in Year 9 also completed their walk around Goudhurst and Horsmonden. Year 8’s walked approximately 7 miles, whilst Year 9’s walk 9 miles. The walk is dedicated to raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, as nominated by the year groups.

 

The number of people diagnosed with cancer is growing, and every one of them needs the best support to meet their unique needs.

 

Full article in next week’s newsletter.

Year 10 and 11 Charity Walk

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Pupils in Year 10 completed their walk out from School to Cranbrook, using local footpaths, returning via Goudhurst, whilst pupils in Year 11 walked around Bewl Reservoir. The walk is dedicated to raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust as nominated by the year groups.

 

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 11,000 people in the UK. One in 25 carry the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.

 

Full article in next week’s newsletter.

Year 12 and 13 Charity Walk

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Sixth Form pupils completed their circular 12 mile walk departing from and returning to Bethany today. The walk is dedicated to raising money for The Donkey Sanctuary as nominated by the Sixth Form.

 

The Donkey Sanctuary was founded by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen in 1969. Since then, the charity has steadily grown into an international animal welfare organisation at the forefront of transforming the lives of millions of donkeys and supporting the people who care for them.

 

Full article in next week’s newsletter.

An Afternoon of Athletics and House Spirit

After enjoying the excitement of the “Ultimate Championships” on TV over last weekend, it was the turn of Bethany pupils to take to the track and field for our annual Sports Afternoon on Monday.

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With Kiplings, Roberts and Speakers Houses ready to compete, the afternoon got off to a lively start. The 50-metre dash was a particular favourite, with some very close finishes and plenty of cheering from the sidelines.

 

The 100 metres brought more exciting races, with pupils giving their all as their House supporters cheered them on. Over on the field, the long jump, shot put and javelin were big hits too, drawing plenty of impressive performances.

 

It was great to see so many pupils challenging themselves throughout the afternoon, particularly in the longer-distance races. Whether they were competing for the first time or aiming to improve on a previous performance, there was plenty of determination on show. The support from teammates and friends also helped create a fantastic House atmosphere.

 

The scores remained very close throughout the afternoon, so it all came down to the relay races. With only a few points separating the Houses, the 4x100m relays were always going to be an exciting finish.

 

After some excellent relay performances across all age groups, Speakers were crowned champions, with Roberts finishing as runners-up and Kiplings taking third place.

 

A special thank you goes to the Bethany Sport Department for organising such a fantastic afternoon, and to Mr Bolton, our Master of Ceremonies, for keeping everything moving along throughout the day. Thank you also to Mr Manktelow, our official score master, for keeping track of the all-important House points.

 

We are also very grateful to all the staff who helped make the afternoon run smoothly, from the timekeepers and field marshals to those officiating the shot put and measuring the long jump.

 

Of course, the biggest thank you goes to the pupils who took part and gave their best throughout the afternoon. We would also like to thank all the parents who came along to watch, support and cheer on the pupils. Their encouragement from the sidelines helped make it a memorable afternoon for everyone involved.

 

Well done to all three Houses and to every pupil who competed. There was some great athletics on show, but perhaps most importantly, plenty of enthusiasm, encouragement and House spirit.

 

A True Adventure Across Vietnam and Cambodia

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In July, 15 intrepid Bethany pupil travellers, accompanied by Miss King and Dr Evans, set off from Bethany for an unforgettable True Adventure trip. Two months on, Miss King reflects on the experience.

Vietnam and Cambodia Reflections from Miss King
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When we set off from Bethany for our True Adventure expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia at the beginning of July, we knew we were embarking on a journey that would challenge, inspire and create memories to last a lifetime. Alongside Dr Evans, I had the privilege of accompanying 15 incredible Bethany pupils as they explored new cultures, embraced unfamiliar experiences and worked together to make a positive impact through our partnership with Better Lives.

 

Our journey began with an overnight flight via Dubai. An unexpected extended layover meant our original plans had to change, but the pupils showed incredible resilience from the very beginning. Rather than seeing the delay as a setback, they embraced the opportunity to explore Dubai, visiting some of its famous landmarks and even enjoying a surprise reunion with Bethany alumni Miles and Prudence, who now live there. It was a fantastic reminder that adventure is often found in the unexpected moments.

 

 

Discovering Vietnam

 

After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the group began to settle into life in Southeast Asia, experiencing the sights, sounds and energy of Vietnam’s largest city. The extended delay in Dubai meant that some elements of our original itinerary had to be adjusted, including our planned visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, but the pupils adapted brilliantly and continued to approach every experience with enthusiasm.

 

We then travelled into the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s famous “rice basket”, where the pace of life changed dramatically. Staying in traditional homestays allowed pupils to experience a very different way of living, connecting with local families and learning about the communities that depend on the waterways and agriculture of the region.

 

The group explored floating markets, visited fruit markets and helped prepare dinner with their homestay hosts. These simple moments became some of the most memorable, as pupils stepped outside their comfort zones and built genuine connections with the people they met.

 

After saying goodbye to our brilliant Vietnam guide, John, we crossed the border into Cambodia by boat, a journey that offered stunning views and marked the next chapter of our adventure.

 

 

Understanding Cambodia’s History

 

Our first stop in Cambodia was Phnom Penh, where pupils had the opportunity to learn about the country’s complex and powerful history.

 

Visits to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum provided moments of reflection and encouraged thoughtful discussions about Cambodia’s past. Meeting a 90-year-old survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime was a particularly moving experience and gave pupils a deeply personal insight into the impact of these events.

 

We also visited the Royal Palace and explored local markets, giving pupils the opportunity to experience Cambodia’s culture alongside learning about its history.

 

 

Into the Cardamom Mountains

 

From Phnom Penh, we travelled to the remote village of Chi Phat, beginning one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the expedition.

 

After arriving by boat and meeting our homestay hosts, pupils quickly settled into village life. They made new friends, explored nearby waterfalls and experienced the warmth of the local community before setting off into the Cardamom rainforest.

 

The jungle trek tested the group in many ways. Over several days, pupils trekked through challenging terrain, crossed rivers, cooled off in waterfalls and slept in hammocks surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. Watching the pupils support one another, encourage each other and embrace the challenge was incredibly rewarding.

 

As expected during Cambodia’s monsoon season, heavy rain meant the final planned trekking day could not go ahead. However, the pupils once again demonstrated fantastic adaptability, turning the change of plans into an opportunity for sport, card games and quizzes. Congratulations to AJ, Olivia, Hattie and Ellie on winning the quiz!

 

Completing the trek was a huge achievement, and the final celebration with our guides and the local community was a special moment to recognise everything the pupils had accomplished.

 

 

The Better Lives Project

 

The next stage of our expedition took us to Siem Reap, where we visited the incredible Angkor Wat, the ancient “City of Temples”. This vast and beautifully preserved site, covering more than 400 acres, is the world’s largest religious monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

From there, we travelled to Peaksneng to begin our three-day community project with Better Lives, a charity that has made a lasting impact in the area.

 

The pupils quickly got stuck into meaningful work alongside the local community. They helped create FAITH (Food Always In The Home) gardens, preparing land, planting crops, building trellis structures and creating fencing to protect the plants. These gardens will help families grow food to eat and sell, creating a sustainable resource for the future.

 

The group also worked on a pig enclosure, completing the walls, floor and roof structure. Seeing the pupils take pride in their work and understanding the lasting impact of what they were contributing was one of the highlights of the trip.

 

Away from the practical tasks, pupils spent time playing with local children, sharing experiences and building friendships. Our final evening celebration was a wonderful way to bring everyone together and celebrate the achievements of the project.

 

 

Final Days and Reflections

 

After saying goodbye to the Better Lives team and our new friends, we returned to Siem Reap for our final experiences in Cambodia. The pupils explored the city by rickshaw, visited Artisans Angkor to learn about traditional Cambodian crafts and toured the Angkor Silk Farm, following the silk-making process from silkworm to finished garment.

 

 

As we travelled back to Phnom Penh for our final night before returning to the UK, I had time to reflect on what an extraordinary experience this had been.

 

The pupils approached every challenge with maturity, curiosity and positivity. They adapted when plans changed, supported each other through difficult moments and embraced every opportunity to learn from the people and places around them.

 

A True Adventure is about far more than the places you visit. It is about the people you meet, the challenges you overcome and the memories you create together. Watching this group grow in confidence, independence and understanding has been a privilege, and I know they will carry these experiences with them for many years to come.

 

Miss King

Trip Leader

 

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.

FOBS Update

A huge welcome to the new families joining Bethany from the Friends of Bethany School (FOBS) and an equally huge welcome back to our existing families. FOBS exists to support the school and the community through social events, charity work and to fundraise to provide those extra special items for the pupils.

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Firstly, we would like to let current parents know that Friends of Bethany School will be opening the Second Hand Uniform Shop during Open Morning, on Saturday 26th September from 10am – 12.30pm.

 

FOBS also met earlier this week and I am delighted to let you all know that your support has meant that we have been able to approve funding for many new projects.

 

In total around £8000 of money raised by FOBS will be spent this term, all to improve the children’s (and hopefully teachers) experiences and outcomes at Bethany.

 

FOBS are absolutely thrilled to be able to help and it is all thanks to your generosity over the years in attending events, purchasing refreshments at productions and the like and donating and buying second hand uniform.

 

If you would like to get involved to raise more funds or simply help cement the social relationships within our community please do join us. New faces are always welcome. In fact we have an AGM coming up on 6th October so please do join us. You will also soon be hearing about some fabulous events you can attend including Christmas wreath making, Christmas pudding making and a Quiz night. Please do come to as many events as you can to allow us to continue supporting the children and the school this way.

 

Kate Foster

Chair of FOBS

A Parent’s Guide to WhatsApp

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Written by online safety expert: Teodora Pavkovic, Child Wellbeing Specialist

 

WhatsApp is a widely used messaging app owned by Meta. The platform allows users to send text, image, video, and voice messages, participate in group or community conversations, and make voice and video calls. They can also share text, photo, GIF, and video status updates that disappear after 24 hours.

Prayer Requests

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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.

Prayer Group

Prayer Group 2

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