Weekly Newsletter

Bethany is a leading independent co-educational day
and boarding school for pupils aged 11-18

November 8, 2024

Headmaster’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you all enjoyed the two week half term break. Although we have not yet been back a week, it already seems like half term has never been!

The weather has turned mild and thanks to “winter time” it is now dark at the end of the School day.

The children have settled back into the routines of School very well.

Although education is primarily tasked with giving pupils the necessary skills to cope with the future in an ever changing world, it is also good to look back and appreciate our heritage. This week, in Chapel, we have been recounting our founder, JJ Kendon’s life and times when establishing Bethany School way back in the 1860’s. Next week is, of course, Remembrance Week and we will also mark this by having Remembrance Services in Chapel during which the names of all former Bethany pupils who died in both World Wars are read out.

Our Year 9 pupils enjoyed the talk given by visiting Author, Chris Priestely, yesterday.

We have Year 7 assessments, for entry in September 2025, taking place on Tuesday and we have a very healthy number applicants. Most parents of the children attending, decided to have an initial look at Bethany due to positive feedback from existing parents and so thank you for spreading the good word about Bethany. Please keep this up!

There is a Sixth Form Open Evening this evening starting at 6 pm, and I hope that as many Year 11 pupils and their parents will be able to attend this most informative event.

I am looking forward to the FOBS sponsored Quiz on Saturday night and I hope that my Quiz table gets a respectable score. It is always a most convivial evening with plenty of bonhomie and alcohol!

Hope you have a great weekend.

Francie Healy

Headmaster

Latest Bethany Blog

This week’s blog has been written by Mr Duff, Head of Sixth Form at Bethany School. He writes about Bethany Sixth Form offering 26 A Level and BTEC subjects, small classes, strong academic support, and high performance.

Bethany School Sixth Form

On Friday 8^th November we will have our Sixth Form open evening and I would like to take my ‘blog opportunity’ to emphasise why Bethany Sixth Form is the place to be for Year 12 and 13’s.

Bethany Sixth Form has 26 different A Level and BTEC subjects to choose from, which is a fantastic number of subjects to have available. We hope that you will be able to choose the combination of subjects that you wish, indeed Mr Vickerman (our timetable co-ordinator) will be writing to parents/guardians towards Christmas in order to begin the data collection process of the “Year 11 wish list of A Level choices” to try to tailor our option blocks to enable as many pupils as possible to choose the subjects they wish to study. With 26 subjects on offer, this enables truly small and intimate class sizes which then enables professional relationships and progress.

Education is now a results based industry and statistically Bethany Sixth Form has been performing well. With our 2024 cohort 36% of results were A*/A grades when the national average was 27%. Those who entered UCAS applications, 100% got their firm/insurance choices when nationally it was 82%. For last year’s cohort to outperform previous cohorts, and with the context of grade boundaries returning to 2019 levels with a bump, it is a true testimony to the quality of teaching and learning at Bethany Sixth Form but also the progress that pupils make.

A core part of this success is the strong academic and pastoral support, which is a continuation from the GCSE provision. At Bethany, we truly know the individual and not only respect but indeed provide for their learning needs – this is a key ingredient to our success. We therefore hope as many Year 11’s as possible choose to stay with us at A Level.

A key aspect of the pastoral support is the excellent Sixth Form tutor team who have a wealth of experience. Also, pupils are fully supported through their UCAS/Apprenticeship applications with a weekly dedicated careers lesson entitled ‘Project Horizon’. Lastly, in regards to enrichment we have numerous provisions – for example the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, Young Enterprise, Football/Cricket/Rugby/Hockey/Netball/Rounders sports teams, Creative Cookery, ‘Sports Fit’ and ‘True Adventure’ expedition which is just back this summer from the amazing Tanzania! We also have a state-of-the-art ‘Sixth Form Centre’ which is designed to enable and encourage the independent nature of Sixth Form study. Lastly, The Orchard boarding house is traditionally the home of Sixth Form boarders and is a fully supportive environment to our Sixth Formers to succeed.

Please find below some alumni testimonials to provide further evidence of the quality of Sixth Form provision here at Bethany. I hope to meet as many Year 11 parents/guardians on the night, but if you don’t have the opportunity to speak to me in person please do contact me via email: sduff@bethanyschool.org.uk

Mr Duff

Head of Sixth Form

All Change For Year 8 and 9

As we venture into a new model and arrangement of Bethany year groups, it is an exciting adventure to have Year 8 and 9 pupils teaming up for the first time.

Miss King, the new Head of Year 8 and 9, explains all…

I would like to start this article by thanking all pupils, parents and staff for their support so far this year.

It has been a busy period with a vast array of events and accomplishments. Early September saw numerous Year 8 and 9 pupils participating in our annual Sports Afternoon. This was closely fought with pupils competing for their houses, Roberts, Speakers and Kiplings.

Mid-September brought about our annual Charity Walk event where Year 8 walked 6.5 miles around Bewl reservoir and Year 9 walked 10 miles across Rye. Both walks were very successful with their own merits and both groups received comments from the public about how wonderfully behaved and polite they were which made Mr Evans (Assistant Head of Year 8 & 9) and I very proud. One member of the public even rang the school to donate to the pupils chosen charity as they were so impressed!

Pupils had full autonomy over which charity we raised money for, by researching, presenting and voting for their charity. The winner was Cancer Research, and we raised a healthy £1,220.00 for this very worthy cause.

At the end of September, Year 9 took part in an excellent and well attended English and Religious Studies trip to the Imperial War Museum. I would like to thank Mrs Shapland and Mr Allsopp for organising and taking the trip which enabled our pupils to learn outside the classroom, sparking historical inquiry and helped to develop an understanding of causes and consequences, chronology and areas of historical significance.

I was privileged and honoured to be at the opening of the Pengelly Performance Centre and was very proud to see so many of our talented Year 8 & 9 pupils performing. Jack S and Rollo J performed brilliantly in Blood Brothers, and Keelan S in his dance portrayal of Edward Scissorhands was outstanding. He was then joined by other Year 8 and 9 dancers Bea K, Nelly A, Florrie D, Isabella G, Holly S and Dasha H in Edwards Scissorhands and Jamie, and they were ‘fabulous’! Both the interval and end of the evening concluded with scenes from the whole school production where all of the above, plus many other talented Year 8 & 9’s, performed fantastically well: Prudence S, Holly E, Mia C, Isobel A, Lauren B, Jessica M-C, Alfie B, Fletcher C, Ines C, Axelle D, Millicent F, Oliver M, Immy M, Izzy R, Joshua R, Fifi S and Betsy S: well done to you all!

It is incredibly rewarding to see our pupils develop and mature into caring, diligent and successful young people; this is why I think it is so important to celebrate their success. One way we do this is through our Pupil of the Week trophy. This is awarded for pupils who are not only achieving and progressing but also for those pupils who are our unsung heroes and can sometimes fly under the radar. Recipients of this so far in Year 8 are Freddy C, Oliver M, Izzy R, Immy M, Isabelle H, Stephen K, Will S, Raff M.; and in Year 9 Rory O, Alfie M, Jamie S, Keelan S, Karson L, Holly S, Florrie D and Didi P.

As we move into the second half of term, Year 9 have started on preparations for choosing their GCSE options, with talks in assemblies delivered by Heads of Department explaining the content of their course at GCSE level and what this entails. These talks will support them in making an informed decision after Christmas when initial options will be selected. Year 8 assemblies will continue to run in the usual format, addressing current and relevant topics delivered by staff and pupils alike.

It certainly promises to be another busy half term!

Miss King

Head of Year 8 and 9

Latest Sports News

The latest sports news from Bethany School. A busy first week back after the half term break for our hockey and football teams with no less than 8 fixtures across the two sports.

Hockey | Bethany 1st XI v Radnor House

The 1st XI hockey team travelled away to Radnor House this week for what turned out to be an impressive performance. From the first whistle, the team played with energy, skill, and cohesion, dominating the game and ultimately securing a decisive 7-1 victory. This result was particularly impressive given the strength of some key players on the opposing team.

A special mention goes to Safi Chettiar for her phenomenal hat-trick, showcasing exceptional finishing skills and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Equally, Ellie Turner deserves recognition for her outstanding performance at right back; her calm and skillful play set the tone for a strong defensive line and a balanced attack from the wings. Ellie’s efforts exemplified her high level of play and had a significant impact on the game’s flow, earning her well-deserved praise.

Additionally, Maisie Frankum delivered an unforgettable moment by scoring what is undoubtedly the goal of the season so far—a fantastic strike.

This victory also reflects the 1st XI’s ongoing momentum this season. The team’s chemistry, discipline, and hard work are becoming more evident with each match, as they continue to build upon their excellent form and grow stronger as a unit.

Congratulations to the team for another outstanding performance.

Final score: Bethany 7-1 Radnor House

Player of the Match: Maisie Frankum

Coaches Player of the Match: Ellie Turner

Hockey | Bethany U13A v Dover College

The Bethany U13A hockey team returned to the pitch with renewed energy and determination after the half-term break, taking on Dover College in a challenging home game. Both teams were eager to make a strong impression, and it was Dover who struck first, capitalising on an early break to score the opening goal within the first few minutes. This early setback was a wake-up call for Bethany, who quickly refocused and began pushing forward with greater intensity.

Bethany’s attack rallied with multiple attempts on Dover’s goal and their efforts soon paid off when Darcey Stone broke through the defence, seizing an opportunity to equalise and bring Bethany level.

As the game progressed, Dover College continued to press hard, earning a series of short corners that tested Bethany’s defence. Despite their best efforts, Dover managed to slip another goal past, reclaiming a narrow lead. This only fueled Bethany’s determination, with the defence working hard to regain possession and set up opportunities to counter-attack.

Isabelle Hindley was instrumental in organising Bethany’s defensive play, creating valuable outlets that allowed the team to transition quickly from defence to attack. Ciara Carnegie put in a standout performance with decisive tackles that disrupted Dover’s attempts to push forward. These contributions gave Darcie Vidler and Darcey Stone more chances to challenge Dover’s goalkeeper, keeping the pressure high.

Darcie Vidler found her rhythm and netted two more goals, pushing Bethany into the lead. The team held onto this advantage through the final moments of the game, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory. It was a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and skill, setting a positive tone for the matches to come.

Final score: Bethany 3-2 Dover College

Player of the Match: Isabelle Hindley

Coaches Player of the Match: Ciara Carnegie

Hockey | Bethany U13B v Dover College

This week, the U13B hockey team faced off against Dover College in what turned out to be a thrilling and hard-fought match. Both teams were evenly matched from the start, with the scoreline remaining locked at 0-0 through three quarters. Tension was high as both sides battled to gain the upper hand, each defending with resilience and skill. Dover College finally broke the deadlock in the final quarter, scoring to make it 1-0, but the Bethany team then responded to the challenge magnificently.

The team didn’t let the setback dampen their spirits. Instead, they came back stronger. With great energy and focus, Bethany quickly turned the game around, scoring two rapid goals to secure a well-deserved 2-1 victory.

Special recognition goes to Olivia Garrett in goal, who made several vital saves under pressure, keeping the team’s hopes alive and playing a crucial role in sealing the win. Olivia’s composure and skill in goal were key factors in our success.

It’s fantastic to see the progress being made by so many of these players, who consistently put in the hard work at our lunchtime training sessions. Their commitment to improving their skills is evident, and it’s clearly paying off on the field.

Final score: Bethany 2-1 Dover College

Player of the Match: Holly Sole

Coaches Player of the Match: Olivia Garrett

Football | Bethany 1st XI v Bede’s

The Bethany 1st XI football team faced a challenging away fixture against Bede’s this week, where the home team played fluid, well-coordinated football and one of the Bede’s midfielders presented difficulties for Bethany’s forwards in particular. Bede’s opened the scoring 15 minutes in, but Bethany pressed hard and found a well-deserved equaliser through Ben Krovina, who struck a tremendous low shot from 20 yards to level the score.

A bit of misfortune saw Bethany fall behind again shortly before halftime, when a defensive clearance from the Bethany goalkeeper ricocheted off a Bede’s striker, leading to a 2-1 scoreline going into the halftime break.

The second half saw Bethany take more control of the match, effectively disrupting Bede’s build-up play and forcing their influential midfield player into long balls that were mostly contained by Bethany’s goalkeeper, George Vincent. Despite challenging conditions on a wet and heavy pitch, Bethany showed fantastic energy and resilience, though some players struggled with cramp as the game wore on.

In the closing stages of the second half, Bede’s managed to score a third goal, sealing their victory. Both teams competed intensely, with Bethany delivering a commendable performance.

Final Score: Bethany 3-1 Bede’s

Player of the Match: Ben Krovina – a superb performance, marked by tireless running and an excellent goal.

Coaches Player of the Match: Ben Henry – worked tirelessly to defend from the front, held up play effectively to relieve pressure on his teammates, and posed an attacking threat to Bede’s defence.

Football | Bethany 2nd XI v Bede’s

The Bethany 2nd XI football team took on a well-organised and determined Bede’s team this week. Right from the start, Bede’s came out strong, and their relentless attacks in the first half resulted in four quick goals, putting Bethany under intense pressure. However, Bethany didn’t back down and as the first half wore on, the team began to find their rhythm, improving their defensive organisation and creating a few promising opportunities up front. Their perseverance paid off just before halftime, as they scored a morale-boosting goal that brought renewed energy and focus to the team.

Going into the second half, Bethany returned to the field with a fresh determination to close the gap. They increased their intensity and challenged Bede’s with a spirited comeback, pushing forward and maintaining a tighter defence. Central to Bethany’s renewed strength was Hux Maunder-Allen, who led the defensive line with a commanding performance at center back, skilfully intercepting plays and breaking up Bedes’ attacks. With each passing minute, Bethany’s confidence grew, and they added two more goals to their tally, keeping the game within reach.

Despite their best efforts, Bethany was unable to fully overcome Bedes’ early lead, finishing just short with a final score of 5-3. The team’s tenacity and fighting spirit were evident throughout the match, making it a commendable performance against a tough opponent. Leo Lyndon-Stanford was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contributions, while Hux Maunder-Allen earned the Coaches Player award for his solid and resilient defensive play.

Final score: Bethany 3-5 Bede’s

Player of the Match: Leo Lyndon-Stanford

Coaches Player of the Match: Hux Maunder-Allen

Football | Bethany U15A v Ashford School

the Bethany U15A football team faced off against Ashford in a well-contested match, with Ashford seizing an early lead against the run of play. Bethany quickly responded with a goal from Oliver Candeloro, levelling the score. Both teams battled hard for the advantage, but Ashford managed to net two more before the halftime break, setting the score at 3-1.

Bethany began the second half with renewed energy, nearly scoring from the kick off. Oliver Candeloro continued to cause problems for the Ashford defence with his speed and precise runs, and it wasn’t long before he scored again, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Bethany’s momentum led to a corner, which Christopher Hanslip-Ward converted with a powerful header, bringing the score to 3-3.

Bethany didn’t have to wait long for the lead, as Oliver Candeloro completed his hat-trick, putting Bethany ahead 4-3. However, Ashford quickly responded, equalising within five minutes to make it 4-4.

In the final moments, both teams pressed hard for the winning goal, but it was Ashford who clinched the advantage with a late penalty, ending the match at 5-4 in their favour.

Final Score: Bethany 4-5 Ashford School

Player of the Match: Oliver Candeloro

Coaches Player of the Match: Noah Mund

Football | Bethany U15B v Ashford School

The Bethany U15B football team launched the second half of their season on Tuesday with an outstanding performance against Ashford School, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting series of matches ahead. Right from the kick off, Bethany dominated the game, demonstrating control of the ball and a clear sense of purpose. The team’s passing was sharp, and they moved as a cohesive unit, linking together multiple seamless phases of play that put Ashford on the defensive from the start.

The standout player of the match was undoubtedly Jaime Aventin, who put on a dazzling display of skill. Jaime was relentless in attack, reading the game well, positioning himself perfectly, and creating scoring opportunities with ease. His efforts resulted in an incredible four goals, each one reflecting his control and composure under pressure. His performance inspired the team and set a high bar for their overall play.

In defence, Freddie Cavill played a pivotal role, anchoring the back line with confidence and tenacity. Freddie’s focus and defensive instincts were instrumental in keeping Ashford’s attacks at bay, allowing Bethany to maintain their solid lead. Every time Ashford pushed forward, Freddie was there, timing his tackles well and intercepting passes to deny Ashford any serious scoring chances. His commanding presence in defence provided Bethany with the stability they needed to sustain their attacking momentum.

By the final whistle, Bethany had secured a well-deserved 6-0 victory, a testament to their teamwork, skill and determination. It was a complete team effort, with each player contributing to an impressive and commanding win.

Final score: Bethany 6-0 Ashford School

Player of the Match: Jaime Aventin

Coaches Player of the Match: Freddie Cavill

Football | Bethany U13A v Claremont

Bethany U13A football team travelled to Claremont for their first match after the half-term break. The game started tough, with Claremont dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities. Despite a gallant effort from Bethany’s goalkeeper, Claremont’s sharp shooting led to a challenging first half, leaving Bethany trailing 4-0 at the break.

After a constructive half-time debrief, Bethany came out stronger, delivering a tighter and more composed performance in the second half. Their resilience paid off when Leo Reed, relentless in his energy and persistence, broke through the Claremont defence to score Bethany’s first goal. A second goal followed soon after, thanks to some strong attacking play down the right side, culminating in a powerful finish by Oliver Scott.

Ultimately though this wasn’t quite enough to overcome the lead built by Claremont in the first half as the game finished 6-2.

Final score: Bethany 2-6 Claremont

Player of the Match: Zac Cantania

Coaches Player of the Match: Thomas Rough

Football | Bethany U13B v Claremont

The Bethany School U13B football team travelled to Claremont for an exciting fixture. Claremont took an early lead, catching Bethany off-guard and putting pressure on the visitors from the start. Despite going behind, Bethany displayed resilience and determination, gradually taking control of the game with confident, possession-based football.

Jake Krovina played a crucial role in dictating the pace of play and ensuring Bethany maintained control. His presence in the middle of the pitch allowed Bethany to push forward and create scoring opportunities. Despite dominating possession, Bethany initially struggled to break down the Claremont defence, with several promising attacks falling short of a goal. However, persistence paid off as left-back and captain Rafferty Mahoney stepped up to equalise with a stunning strike from distance. Raff’s goal, a powerful left-footed shot, set the score at 1-1 just before halftime.

The second half saw both teams battling hard but unable to convert any chances into goals. Bethany continued to pressure, but Claremont’s defence held firm, resulting in a goalless second half. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, a fair result given both teams’ efforts.

Final score: Bethany 1-1 Claremont

Player of the Match: Rafferty Mahoney

Coaches Player of the Match: Andrew Stubblefield

Football | Bethany U13C v Claremont

On a misty but mild afternoon, the U13C football team took on Claremont in their first fixture back after the half-term break. The traditional format for the U13 matches is normally 9-a-side, but because there were more than enough players available on both teams there was a consensus by everyone that the match would be played in the standard 11 a side format. This was a first for the U13C team and it could be said that the greater numbers suited them better because they played their best football of the season.

For the majority of the match, Bethany kept a good shape, passed the ball around well and kept possession. However, in what felt like a run against the play, it was Claremont who took the lead with a scrappy goal after some confusion at the back of the Bethany defence.

The game then went back and forth with both teams putting together good passages of play. Then just before half-time, Bethany began a move out of defence with some inter play in midfield followed by an excellent through ball from Harry Morgan to Leo Etherington on the right-hand side of the Claremont penalty area. Leo strode forward with the ball and took an excellent low shot into the goal beating the Claremont goalkeeper at the near post.

At half-time, the game was evenly poised at 1-1. However, when Claremont added a second goal, Bethany began to panic a little and slipped into their old ways of giving the ball away and forgetting to look after the ball. Unfortunately, Bethany’s positive and attacking high line in defence combined with a lucky bounce or two of the ball and good finishing, Claremont managed to add a third and fourth goal.

Alistair Goodman was excellent, as well as brave, in goal and kept out the Claremont strikers on numerous occasions to help keep the U13C’s in the game. Nevertheless, Bethany kept going until the end and following on from good pressure from Bethany’s front line and midfield on the Claremont defence, Arthur Seale managed to pull a goal back just before end. There was still time for one more chance from Bethany which went agonisingly close but in the end, they just ran out of time.

The U13C’s should be enormously proud with how they all played, and it is good to see that the 11-a-side format suits them well. Onto next week!

Final score: Bethany 2-4 Claremont

Player of the Match: Leo Etherington

Coaches Player of the match – Alistair Goodman

Opposition’s Player of the Match: Alex Munthali

Football | Bethany U13D v Claremont

On Wednesday afternoon, the Bethany U13D football team took to the field in a thrilling and closely contested match against Claremont. From the opening whistle, each side moved the ball with purpose and precision, working as cohesive units to create numerous scoring opportunities. The match was an evenly matched battle, with players on both teams giving their all.

As the game progressed, both teams displayed remarkable resilience, responding quickly to each other’s goals and showcasing their commitment to playing as a team. Bethany’s defensive line worked tirelessly to hold off Claremont’s swift attacks, while their attackers pushed hard to break through Claremont’s organised defence. The score line reflected this balance of play, with each goal being hard-earned and well-contested, leading to a fittingly even 3-3 draw.

Barnaby Coupe stood out with an exceptional performance, earning him the Player of the Match award. His composure, sharp instincts, and commitment on the field were pivotal in keeping Bethany competitive throughout. Barnaby’s efforts in both attack and defence made him a constant presence on the pitch, inspiring his teammates and raising the team’s overall level of play.

Orrin Crane also delivered an invaluable performance, winning the Coaches Player award for his contributions to the game. Orrin’s reliability and versatility were on full display, as he provided crucial support in both midfield and defence, reading the game intelligently and making several key tackle that helped maintain Bethany’s defensive structure. His presence added a layer of stability to the team, ensuring they stayed organised in the face of Claremont’s challenging attacks.

The final score of 3-3 felt well-earned on both sides, a fair result that reflected the hard work and skill of both teams.

Final score: Bethany 3-3 Claremont

Player of the Match: Barnaby Coupe

Coaches Player of the Match: Orrin Carne

Pupils Achieve RLSS Lifeguard Certification

After a demanding week of intensive training both in and out of the pool, all seven pupils successfully passed their assessments and are now officially qualified as RLSS lifeguards.

This accomplishment reflects their hard work, dedication, and commitment to mastering both the physical and theoretical aspects of lifeguarding. The rigorous training covered essential skills, from rescue techniques to emergency response, ensuring they are well-prepared for real-life situations.

Their newly acquired certification not only represents a personal achievement but also equips them with valuable skills to contribute to the safety and well-being of others in aquatic environments.

Congratulations to all!

Art Scholars Visit Goose Studios

Bethany Art Scholars travelled down to Faversham and Goose Studios to take part in a workshop run by the artist Sarah Simmonds. She is a print maker by trade and specialises in a variety of printing skills, one being risograph printing.

Risograph printing is the process of printing similar to screen printing Risograph printing is a technique best described as a ‘digital screen printing’. The process is similar to screen printing, but with the convenience of an office copier. It’s known for its vivid colours (that other printers can’t produce) and its specific textures.

Pupils were shown Sarah’s studio and she walked and talked them through the process of printing. They jumped at the chance to tackle a new techniques and explored the theme of ‘performance’ within their final outcomes. They started by creating a layered drawing using tracing paper as each layer represented a different colour so the art scholars had to really think about composition and colour for their final outcome. Their work really show cased their individual skills and style of work. Sarah was so enthusiastic and informative when it came to the risograph process and our pupils were so inquisitive when it came to her incredible studio.

As always our Art scholars did us proud and really showcased their skills not only as creative artists but also showed how respectful and engaged they were with Sarah workshop.

Bethany Alumni, Beth, Competes In Portrait Artist of the Year

Palettes prepped and canvases primed, the 11th series of Portrait Artist of the Year is ready to make a splash on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW. The nation’s favourite art competition returns to the iconic Battersea Arts Centre with much-loved host Stephen Mangan and taking part is our very own Bethany Alumni, Beth!

This year’s Portrait Artist of the Year promises a thrilling showcase of talent as aspiring artists from across the UK vie for the coveted 2024 title. With celebrity sitters spanning the worlds of stage, screen, sport, literature, and politics, the competition is set to be as dynamic as ever. Over eight intense heats, these artists will put their skills to the test, aiming to dazzle our expert judges—Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano, and Kate Bryan—and prove they have what it takes to capture the essence of their famous subjects.

This year’s winner will receive a £10,000 commission to create a portrait of renowned broadcaster Lorraine Kelly, which will be exhibited at the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.

We wish Beth the best of luck!

Bethany 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 goes to Kip D

Kip was nominated for his mature approach to his studies and for being supportive of his friends. Well done to him.

Year 8 Pupil of the Week goes to Raff M

An around brilliant start to Year 8. Always wears his uniform correctly, hard working, polite and makes the most of the opportunities presented to him.

Year 9 Pupil of the week goes to Didi P

Hardworking, diligent, caring and another unsung hero.

KS4 Pupil of the Week goes to Ben K

Ben made an excellent start to term, taking the initiative to catch up on a missed lesson to ensure he is up to date with his work. As well as being proactive with his English prep and impressing the English department with his engagement with the subject.

EAL Pupil of the Week goes to Alvin

Alvin arrived at Bethany in 2021, as a very quiet, shy pupil from Hong Kong. Since then, he has found his voice and has certainly found his English ability as he is now taking A Levels. Any Sixth Former finds A Levels a challenge, but doing them in a language other than your own makes it doubly challenging.

Alvin has also found time to be a mentor to a new Year 9 pupil from Hong Kong and this pupil has certainly benefitted from Alvin’s knowledge of Bethany life.

Finally, as Alvin is studying for his International English Language Test (IELTS ) he has kindly agreed to help me at the Sixth Form Open Evening, thus putting his English and Cantonese skills to the fore.

Orchard Boarding Pupil of the Week goes to Ten S M

Always difficult joining a new school partway through a year, but Ten has done it with aplomb and has made a huge impression on everyone in the boarding house.

Mount Boarding Pupil of the Week goes to Cayden W

Cayden has settled back well after the half term break and has been excelling with his house duties. A thoroughly deserving Mountie of the Week!

Author Chris Priestley Visits Bethany School

Thursday of this week we had a visit from author Chris Priestley for our Year 9 pupils who are currently learning about gothic horror in their English classes.

Chris has been writing and illustrating books for many years and a selection of his books can be classed as ‘gothic horror’. Chris is well placed to engage the pupil and did so by asking them to think about how they would start, and what would they include in their gothic story.

Using the season of autumn, pupils were able to understand that this time of year lends itself very nicely to be used in gothic stories. When we think of autumn, we can conjure up images of mist, darkness, cold, fallen leaves, frost, storms, flooding, and leafless trees. All of these are not scary on their own but threaded through a story, the author can turn them into an eery tale luring the reading to wonder about what is coming next. Gothic horror is not about blood and death, but leading the reading to use their imagination as this can often be scarier.

We hope that our Year 9 pupils are ready for more horrors…..

Year 7 Take To The Stage

This term Year 7 have been learning about theatre practitioners, from Stanislavski to Berkoff, so it was fitting and welcomed by all the classes that their final lesson before the October half term could take place in the new Pengelly Performance Centre.

Our newly opened PAC building offered an excellent venue for the Year 7 pupils to showcase their talents. They were thrilled to have access to the stage, where they could freely express their ideas and creativity. This new space allowed them not only to perform confidently but also to connect with their peers in a shared experience.

The performance opportunity encouraged the students to present their thoughts and skills in an engaging way, increasing both their confidence and collaboration. This facility has already begun to inspire our pupils, enhancing their learning and bringing the community together through shared expression.

Year 7 Explore the Traditions and Joy of Diwali

Year 7 started their look into Festivals, Food and Cultures this week in RS. Pupils explored the origins and practices within the Hindu festival and were able to get creative and artsy by creating their own Diwali cards!

Pupils also were able to listen to Diwali inspired ambient music to put them in a calm and relaxing environment whilst they worked away!

This is one of first festivals Year 7 will look at this term, and this topic is often one of the most popular (on account of the promise of tasting a variety of foods at the end of the term!)

Mr Allsopp

Head of Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

Friends of Bethany School Christmas Wreath Making

Why not kick off the Christmas festivities by joining us on Friday 6th December to create a luxury Christmas wreath whilst enjoying a glass or two of bubbly with mince pies, accompanied by some festive music!

Enrichment Spotlight: Tag Archery

Annual Boarders’ BBQ

Sam’s Garden Biz is Mowing Ahead!

Teacher Development at Bethany

Enrichment Spotlight: Team Building

Healthy Friendships at Bethany

Weekly Newsletter

Headmaster’s Welcome

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Mr Andrew Austen

Maintenance

Bio

Mr Barry Gregory

Minibus Driver

Mr Christian Hindley

Minibus Driver

Mr Danny Sears

Maintenance Co-ordinator

Bio

Mr David Davis

Head Gardener

Mr Ian Butler

Minibus Driver

Mr Jakub Sleczka

Maintenance

Mr James Harris

Minibus Driver, Caretaker and Compliance Officer

Mr Jonathon Bourne

Head Groundsman

Bio

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

Bio

Mr Robert Wright

Minibus Driver

Bio

Mr Rupert Dodd

Deputy Head Groundsman

Mr Steven Sault

Maintenance

Bio

Mr Vinny Boxall

Minibus Driver

Mrs Jane Marrable

Cleaner

Bio

Mrs Karen Lane

Housekeeper, Mount

Bio

Mrs Karina Austen

Lead Housekeeper, The Orchard

Bio

Mrs Lucia Jaramba

Cleaner

Mrs Mandy Hallett

Cleaner

Bio

Mrs Sarah Butler

Minibus Driver

Mrs Sarah J Butler

Cleaner

Mrs Shirley Goldsmith

Cleaner

Mrs Sue Wilson