Weekly Newsletter

September 25, 2026

Headmaster’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Families,

As another busy week at Bethany draws to a close, there is a lot to celebrate and be grateful for.

From the creativity and teamwork seen during the Empathy Action project to the many unseen acts of support, encouragement and guidance that take place every day, I continue to be impressed by our school community. A particular highlight was the school community looking so smart as we gathered for our whole-school photograph. Every single top button was fastened – long may that continue!

The Empathy Action project itself was a valuable opportunity for our pupils to develop skills that will help them in the world beyond Bethany, skills such as critical thinking, team work and being adaptable and resilient. It was a pleasure to welcome the charity Empathy Action to Bethany, and through exploring global examples of the ‘poverty trap’, pupils then developed a social enterprise concept addressing an issue of their choice. As a judge for the final round of presentations, I witnessed pupils displaying our cores value of compassion, curiosity and courage. The winning presentation will be announced in next week’s Headmaster’s Assembly!

As we look ahead to tomorrow’s Open Morning, thank you in advance to everyone involved. Events such as these provide an opportunity for prospective families to experience the warmth, character and ambition that define Bethany, and they are only possible because of the collective efforts of every member of our community.

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, along with the opening fixture for the 1st XI hockey team.

Hockey | Bethany 1st XI v Dover College

The Bethany 1st XI hockey team welcomed Dover College on Thursday for a valuable 7-a-side training fixture, with the squad of 18 split into three teams to compete in a series of 20-minute matches.

The afternoon provided a fantastic opportunity for the team to put their training into practice, with the smaller-sided format encouraging quick passing, sharp decision-making and plenty of involvement from every player. Across all three games, the squad demonstrated excellent individual work rates, great determination and a positive attitude.

There was plenty of attacking quality on display, with Maisie Frankum in particularly impressive form in front of goal, finding the back of the net four times. Hattie Etherington also contributed to the scoresheet with a well-taken goal.

All three matches finished level, resulting in an overall score of 5–5. The closely contested games provided a useful test for the squad, allowing the players to gain valuable match experience, build confidence and continue developing their understanding of the game.

It was a thoroughly positive afternoon of hockey, with encouraging performances throughout the squad and plenty of positives to take forward into the season.

Final score: Bethany 5-5 Dover College

Player of the Match: Maisie Frankum

Coaches Player of Match: Isabelle Andrews

Football | Bethany 1st XI v Kent College Canterbury

The Bethany 1st XI football team travelled to Kent College Canterbury on Thursday for their opening fixture of the season, facing a challenging afternoon of football against a strong opposition.

Despite a difficult game, against a team with multiple players in school years above their Bethany counterparts, the team continued to work hard and showed determination throughout, battling to create opportunities and support one another across the pitch. The match provided a valuable test for the squad, highlighting areas to develop as they look to build on their performances this season.

Although the game finished 7–0 in favour of Kent College Canterbury, the Bethany team will look to take the lessons from this fixture into their upcoming matches, focusing on improving their organisation, teamwork and confidence as the season progresses.

Final score: Bethany 0-7 Kent College Canterbury

Football | Bethany 2nd XI v Kent College Canterbury

There was a sense of relief and excitement as the Bethany 2nd XI football team finally got the opportunity to begin their season with a challenging away fixture against Kent College. With the playing surface still affected by the hot summer weather, the uneven bounce of the ball made life difficult for both teams in the early stages. As a result, the opening exchanges lacked fluency as each side looked to settle into the game and build some cohesive football.

Kent College, adopting a more direct style of play, struck first with a well-taken goal before quickly doubling their advantage following a defensive mix-up from Bethany. Despite finding themselves 2-0 down, the 2nd XI responded admirably and remained committed to their game plan. Their persistence was rewarded when Santiago Bragado Martin-Escanciano produced some excellent footwork inside the penalty area before firing home a superb finish to halve the deficit.

The remainder of the first half was fiercely contested, with both teams battling hard in midfield and defence. Bethany continued to create opportunities and earned a penalty when Santiago once again danced his way through the Kent College defence, only to be brought down by a desperate challenge from the opposition right-back. Captain David de la Roz Flynn confidently stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick to bring Bethany back into the contest. However, Kent College managed to add another goal, leaving the hosts with a narrow 3-2 lead at the interval.

Bethany tightened their midfield and defensive structure after the break, with strong performances from Henry Greig, Thomas Gerrish, Santiago Bragado Martin-Escanciano and Antonio Ferrero Vicente helping to keep the team competitive. Oliver Wright was particularly impressive at the heart of the defence, producing a standout display. Very little got past him and, when it did, he worked tirelessly to recover possession and halt dangerous attacks.

Unfortunately, the game swung decisively in Kent College’s favour when they scored from two fortunate long-range free-kicks in quick succession.

To their credit, Bethany never stopped battling and were rewarded when Santiago completed an excellent individual performance by scoring his second goal of the match, delicately lobbing the advancing Kent College goalkeeper.

Despite a tough defeat, there were plenty of positives for the 2nd XI to take away from their first outing of the season, providing encouragement ahead of their next match at home.

Final score: Bethany 3-7 Kent College Canterbury

Player of the Match: Santiago Bragado Martin-Escanciano

Coaches Player of the Match: Oliver Wright

Latest Bethany Blog

The latest Bethany blog comes from Mr Norman, Head of Design & Technology at Bethany School. He has used this opportunity to introduce you to Archie, a Year 10 pupil and DT scholar at Bethany, who writes about his passion for all things Design and Technology.

Meet Archie | DT Scholar

For this week’s blog I wanted to highlight one of my Design and Technology Scholars who has put so much into his work inside and outside of school.

Archie, in Year 10, of course puts 100% into everything that comes his way in his DT lessons and he pushes himself very hard indeed, but he goes above and beyond outside of school to learn as much as he can about practical skills, especially jewellery manufacture.

Archie takes his role as a DT Scholar very seriously and also wants to be a role model to others in this respect. All of the below has be written by Archie and he should not only be commended for all the hard work he puts into Design and Technology but also for putting the time into this blog. I am sure you will all agree, Archie has a fantastic talent which I feel should be shared.

Mr Norman

Head of Design and Technology

Hello! I’m Archie, I’m 15 and a Design and Technology Scholar at Bethany School.

I’ve always enjoyed practical projects and especially like working with metal because I can take an idea and turn it into something real.

Outside school, I’ve also been learning jewellery making with my Dad. I’ve made several pieces, including a silver flower pendant, a bangle, a ring and a few more items. I really enjoy the amount of precision and patience involved. Something that looks quite simple when it’s finished can actually involve lots of different stages to make.

DT has taught me that things don’t always work perfectly the first time. I enjoy working out what went wrong, changing the design and trying again. I’d like to keep developing my metalworking and jewellery-making skills and eventually create more complicated pieces based on my own designs.

Archie’s Q&A

What do you enjoy most about Design & Technology?

I like DT because I enjoy actually making things rather than just designing them on paper. I like starting with an idea and then working out how I can physically make it. I particularly enjoy metalwork because you have to be accurate and patient, and I like seeing a piece of metal gradually turn into something completely different.

What have you enjoyed about being a DT Scholar at Bethany?

Being a DT Scholar has encouraged me to try more challenging projects and develop my practical skills. I like having the opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques and not always knowing exactly how something is going to turn out. It has also made me think more carefully about the quality and finish of what I make.

What sort of things have you made?

I’ve done quite a lot of woodwork and now metalwork, starting to make jewellery with my dad. I’ve made different pieces of jewellery, including a silver flower pendant, as well as other metalwork projects. I really enjoy jewellery making because even though the pieces are quite small, they can take a lot of work and accuracy to get right.

Tell us about the flower necklace you made.

The flower pendant is one of the pieces I’m most proud of, I made it for my Mum. I made the individual parts of the flower and then brought them together to create the finished design. Getting the petals to work together and making the overall shape look balanced took quite a lot of care. I also had to think about the finish because with jewellery, small imperfections are much more noticeable. I was really pleased when it was finished because it looked like a proper piece of jewellery rather than just a school project.

What have you learnt from making jewellery with your Dad?

Making jewellery with my dad has taught me that you can’t rush things. He makes me take my time. There are lots of different stages and if you’re inaccurate early on it affects the finished piece. I’ve learnt more about working with metal, shaping it, joining pieces and finishing them properly. I also like that we’re making something together and that I’m learning skills from him that I can then use in my own projects.

What would you like to do next with Design & Technology?

I’d like to keep improving my metalworking and jewellery-making skills, but I’d also like to experiment with combining different materials and techniques. I want to become better at taking my own idea all the way from the first sketches through to a finished product. In the future I’d like to make pieces that are more complicated and develop more of my own style rather than just learning the techniques.

Bringing Curiosity, Courage and Compassion to Life

This week, pupils have participated in an inspiring Project Based Learning experience that brought our Bethany values of Curiosity, Courage and Compassion to life. We were delighted to welcome Empathy Action, whose immersive learning experience, The Poverty Trap, challenged pupils to explore the realities of poverty and consider the difficult choices and obstacles faced by millions of people around the world.

The experience encouraged pupils to approach complex social issues with genuine curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and seeking to understand perspectives very different from their own. It also required considerable courage, as pupils were challenged to confront uncomfortable truths about inequality and reflect on how they might contribute to positive change. Most importantly, the programme promoted compassion, encouraging pupils to think deeply about the experiences of others and the responsibilities we all share as members of a wider community.

The level of engagement throughout the project was exceptional. Pupils embraced the activities with maturity, empathy and enthusiasm, contributing to meaningful discussions and demonstrating a genuine commitment to understanding the challenges experienced by those living in poverty.

Building on these insights, pupils worked collaboratively in their House teams to design a social enterprise aimed at improving the lived experiences of people affected by poverty. Drawing on their research and experiences from The Poverty Trap, teams developed innovative and practical solutions before presenting their ideas to a judging panel.

The quality of the presentations was outstanding and showcased impressive creativity, teamwork, communication skills and entrepreneurial thinking. Each team focused on a different social issue:

Roberts focused on tackling domestic violence.

Kiplings created an organisation called HOPE, which sought to alleviate period poverty in Kenya.

Speakers designed an app to bring education to those experiencing homelessness.

Mrs Sturrock’s group, with pupils from all three houses, developed Learn for Free, an organisation tackling the barriers to access to education.

Headmaster, Mr Jones, was one of the judging panel, and selecting a winner proved extremely difficult given the calibre of the entries. All ideas combined compassion with innovation, demonstrating a clear understanding of the issues involved while offering a realistic and impactful solution.

The winning group will be revealed by Mr Jones during Headmaster’s Assembly next Wednesday morning.

The project was a powerful reminder that education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the character, values and sense of social responsibility needed to make a positive difference in the world.

We are incredibly proud of the curiosity, courage and compassion demonstrated by all pupils throughout the experience.

Year 7 Charity Walk

Friday 18^thSeptember saw Year 7 courageously heading off to Bedgebury Forest as part of the whole school charity walk. We were very fortunate with some great weather this year, perfect for walking and Year 7 set out excited for their first outing as Bethany pupils.

Read more and donate

Mr Manktelow led his group, alongside Mr Beckham’s, to The Halfway House near Brenchley, where they enjoyed a delicious pub lunch. Mr Norman and Mrs Smart’s groups headed to The Milk House in Sissinghurst for pizza, while Mr Khan and Mr Willis led their groups on a walk to Cranbrook, stopping at The Goudhurst Inn on the return journey for some well-earned stone-baked pizzas.

With beautiful Kent countryside, good company and the promise of lunch at the end, the walks provided a brilliant opportunity for pupils to spend time together, make new connections and enjoy being outdoors. The pupils were a real credit to the Sixth Form, although we suspect the promise of pizza may have helped keep everyone’s feet moving!

Most importantly, the walks were all in support of The Donkey Sanctuary, helping the charity in its mission to improve the lives of donkeys, mules and people around the world.

Founded by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen in 1969, The Donkey Sanctuary has 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.

And the Sixth Form’s efforts have certainly made an impact: £1,000 has been raised for The Donkey Sanctuary so far!

A wonderful day of walking, friendship, food and fundraising – all for a very worthy cause. Well done to everyone who took part!

Mr Duff

Head of Sixth Form

Donate here

The Great Wind Energy Debate

Would a wind farm be a breath of fresh air or just a lot of hot air? Year 10 Physics pupils recently swapped equations and exercise books for the world of planning applications, environmental campaigning and school politics as they took part in a lively Wind Energy Debate.

The challenge was based around a deliberately controversial question:

Should part of the playing fields near the Science Department be used to build a wind farm?

The imaginary proposal involved installing a number of wind turbines on school land to generate renewable electricity. On paper, it sounded like an excellent opportunity to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions and perhaps even reduce the school’s electricity bill. There was, however, one small complication: some of the proposed land belonged to the PE Department!

Before the debate, pupils researched wind power and then adopted different roles, each with their own priorities and arguments. These included Science teachers, PE Department staff, the Headmaster, the Bursar, the Student Council, local Marden residents and environmental campaigners, together with a representative taking on the role of Sir David Attenborough.

What followed was far more than a simple discussion about whether wind turbines were “good” or “bad”. Pupils had to consider the issue from several different perspectives. The Science Department enthusiastically highlighted the advantages of renewable energy and the opportunity for pupils to have a working renewable-energy installation almost on the laboratory doorstep. The environmental representatives considered climate change, carbon emissions and the need to move towards sustainable energy sources.

The PE Department, unsurprisingly, had a few questions of its own. Renewable energy might be wonderful, but would the football teams be quite so enthusiastic if the centre circle suddenly contained a wind turbine?

Local residents considered the impact on the surrounding countryside, including possible concerns about noise, appearance and wildlife. The Student Council examined how the proposal might benefit pupils, while also asking whether students should have a say in major changes to their school environment. Meanwhile, the Bursar faced perhaps the most dangerous question of all: “How much is this going to cost?”

The Headmaster’s representatives had the unenviable task of listening to everybody before considering what might be best for the school as a whole.

What made the activity particularly valuable was that pupils could not simply give their own opinions. They had to research evidence and argue convincingly from the viewpoint of the person or group they represented. In several cases this meant defending a position they might not personally have agreed with.

The debate brought together many of the ideas pupils encounter in GCSE Physics: renewable energy resources, electricity generation, environmental impact, efficiency, reliability and energy security. Just as importantly, it developed skills that extend well beyond Physics – researching evidence, questioning claims, listening to opposing viewpoints and presenting an argument persuasively.

By the end, it was clear that decisions about energy are rarely straightforward. Building a wind farm is not simply a question of whether wind energy works. Economic, environmental and social factors all have to be considered.

Whether the PE Department is now keeping a particularly close eye on the Science Department’s planning applications remains to be seen!

Mr Thomas

Head of Science

Christmas Wreath Making: Save the Date

Individual Photographs Update

Throughout next week, all pupils will bring home cards with information on how families can purchase a copy of their child’s individual school photograph, taken last week.

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

Pupils of the Week

Each week, in Assembly, a Pupil of the Week award is given to a pupil who been nominated by their tutor. This goes to an individual who has perhaps shone that week academically and shown real curiosity in the classroom; demonstrated the values of kindness, tolerance and respect with compassion; or who has been courageous in representing the school or in a positive way.

Pupils of the Week

Year 7 Pupil of the Week is Ethan

Congratulations to Ethan who is Year 7 Pupil of the Week this week. He has shown great courage during the recent PBL work and contributed excellently to his group. Well done, Ethan!

Year 8 Pupil of the Week is Max

Congratulations to Max who is Year 8 Pupil of the Week this week. He has shown great engagement and learning during the recent PBL workshops and contributed excellently to his group. Well done, Max!

Year 9 Pupil of the Week is Zach

Congratulations to Zach who is Year 9 Pupil of the Week this week. Zach contributed excellently to his group during the PBL workshops this week and helped prepare a brilliant presentation. Well done, Zach!

Key Stage 4 Pupil of the Week is Max

Max is Pupil of the Week for demonstrating tremendous leadership skills during our PBL challenge. Max supported the organisation of the group and encouraged meaningful discussion working alongside pupils in other year groups. Well done, Max

A Parent’s Guide to Messenger

Written by online safety expert: Abi Dargan, Online Safety Educator

Messenger, owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), is a popular messaging app offering a variety of ways to connect with friends and family. Users can send text messages, make video and voice calls, share photos and videos, exchange GIFs, send money through Meta Pay, share their location, and even play games together. While Messenger offers a fun and convenient way to stay in touch, it presents plenty of potential risks, especially for younger users.

Read more here

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

Click here for Bethany calendar

Bethany School.

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