We are delighted to announce that in this weekend’s Sunday Times, K.E.S. will be named State School of the Year for the West Midlands, and as our students topped the rankings for A Level and GCSEs, we can also celebrate being named regional winners of the School of the Year for Academic Excellence.

✨ Happy Diwali! ✨ Wishing all in the Old Edwardians community who celebrate a joyous Festival of Lights. May your homes be filled with happiness, peace, and prosperity. #HappyDiwali #OldEdwardians #FestivalOfLights

Congratulations and good luck to OE Sam Erskine (KES 2016-2023) on being appointed as Exeter University 1st XV Captain.

Celebrate European Day of Languages! Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of languages and cultures across Europe. Discover new words in our foreign languages collection, try out some tongue twisters, and learn how language connects us all. Visit the library this Friday for more.

The last of this year's benefactors' sporting fixtures takes place on Wednesday 10th September. The Rowing Regatta 🚣will take place at Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club starting at 6pm. Come &see if the School can win to make this year's overall score a draw against the Old Eds! @kes-sport.bsky.social

We're looking forward to the 3 Benefactors' Series sports fixtures this afternoon: 4pm - Netball, LFH 5.15pm - Rugby, MR 7pm - Hockey, MR @kesoea.bsky.social are leading 2.5-0.5, so we need good performances from the school. All welcome to spectate!

SportKES will be providing drinks during the rugby and hockey Benefactors' fixtures at Manor Road later today (Old Edwardians v current 1st teams) 5.15pm - Rugby 7pm - Hockey Come along for a drink and to watch some competive matches!

Benefactors’ fixtures return this week, with 2 matches at the newly developed Manor Road. Fri 5 Sep: 🏐4pm Netball (LFH) 🏉5.15pm Rugby (Manor Rd) 🏑7pm Hockey (Manor Rd) Wed 10 Sep: 🚣6pm Rowing Regatta (Stratford Boat Club) Come support the teams! @kes-sport.bsky.social @kes-stratford.bsky.social

Join us for a truly special evening with Martin Bayfield, former England rugby star and the body & stunt double for Hagrid in the Harry Potter films! 👉 Scan the QR code on the poster or follow this link to book your tickers: www.ticketsource.co.uk/kes/an-evening-with-martin-bayfield/e-pbepad

A group of Old Eds will be embarking on a 2nd trip to perform at Edinburgh Fringe Fest. Inspired by their trip when they were in the 6th Form, they’re taking a new play written & produced by Esme Cornish : Bluffstone is Starvin' from 2nd-13th Aug edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bluffstone-is-starvin

William ‘Bill’ Alfred Haywood started @kes-stratford.bsky.social in 1934. His son is on holiday in the Loire Valley and saw last night’s concert advertised. It was lovely to chat to him after the concert to hear about his father’s memories of being at school. @kesoea.bsky.social

Just a note to let you know that the School closes for the summer today at 1pm. The office will be closed during the holidays, but emails will be checked intermittently. Thank you for your patience if it takes a little longer to hear back from us. Wishing all our former students a wonderful summer!☀️

Yesterday, our A-Level Drama students were treated to an inspiring & energetic workshop led by Millennial Wizard Theatre, a dynamic company proudly founded & run by Old Eds! A huge thank you to the team for sharing their expertise & reminding us all of the power of the arts to connect and inspire. 🎭

With these three poppies our total is now 900. A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this brilliant number. Please do continue to bring any donations in to reception.

We're delighted to share that Old Edwardians Laura Coles & Sam Harrison-Ray (Class of 2016) tied the knot on 24th of May at Selly Manor surrounded by family and friends. Wishing them a lifetime of love & happiness! 💙✨ #KESOEA #KESStratford #WeddingBells @kes-stratford.bsky.social

We had some more Old Eds come into School recently - thank you for visiting Eddie and Maddie!

Thank you to everyone who came to the Town Hall to mark #armedforcesday. A special thank you to our standard bearers as well as Hugo from @kes-stratford.bsky.social for playing a joyful fanfare. @kes-music.bsky.social Thank you to the brave men and women serving in our Forces, yesterday & today.

Good to see some familiar Old Edwardians busking in Stratford to raise money for their Edinburgh Fringe Festival performances this summer. #StringCheeseTheatre

Please contact Mrs Knipe on [email protected] to collect you exam certificates.

Last week, two Old Edwardians returned @kes-stratford.bsky.social to speak with Year 8s for Communities Day. Jason Savidge, co-founder of Stratford Energy Solutions Ltd, and Owen Farmer, founder of Dynamic Apps Ltd, shared their career journeys. Brilliant to see alumni inspiring the next generation.

Today marks 80 years since VE Day, a time to remember courage, sacrifice, and the fight for peace. 🇬🇧 We're also saddened to share that Philip Sweet, Old Ed and D-Day veteran, passed away peacefully in his sleep last week at 100. Philip’s bravery and life of service will never be forgotten. #VEDay80

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of D-Day veteran OE Philip Sweet (KES 1936-41). His bravery and humility were an inspiration to us all, and we will remember him with great affection and pride. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this time.

Today we are flying the Union Jack above School to commemorate Victory in Europe Day, which marks the end of the WWII in Europe. We remember those who fought for our freedoms and we pay tribute to those who died doing so.

It’s been a full weekend of birthday celebrations for the bard from the Birthday Parade lead by the School & accompanied by some Old Eds yesterday & the Shakespeare Service at Holy Trinity today where the Captain of School presented the quill alongside his fellow prefects @kes-stratford.bsky.social

Thank you to the outgoing Senior Prefects (and Sennen and Gareth) for representing the School at this morning’s Shakespeare Service, the final act of their tenure. Superb ambassadors as always!

Happy Birthday Old Boy!

Wishing a very happy birthday to our most famous Old Edwardian! #kesoea #WilliamShakespeare @kes-stratford.bsky.social

👥Old Edwardians London Drinks Update Thursday 8th May 2025 Still time to RSVP! About 50 people confirmed so far. Join us for a fun night reconnecting with fellow Old Edwardians at The George on Borough High St. 6-9pm RSVP by 15th April: forms.office.com/r/cCrBcERWj3 #OldEds #KESAlumni #KESOEA

OldEd Max is hiking 500km across Spain to raise funds for Hero Paws, a charity that rehabilitates and rehomes retired military & police dogs! It's happening now until 16th of April. Support Max and Hero Paws! 🐶🙌 📲 Donate: heropawsuk.enthuse.com/pf/max-herlihy #KESOEA @kes-stratford.bsky.social

👥Old Edwardians London Drinks🍻 We are delighted to announce the relaunch of our successful #OldEds London drinks event 🌇: The George, 75 Borough High St, London SE1 1NH 🗓️ Thursday 8th May; 6-9pm RSVP: forms.office.com/r/cCrBcERWj3 Best wishes, The Old Edwardians Committee

🍀Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all Old Edwardians!🍀 Wishing you a day filled with luck, laughter, and a touch of Irish spirit. Sláinte! ☘️ @kes-stratford.bsky.social #OldEds #KESOEA #StPatricksDay #KES

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! This year, we celebrate 12 years of girls in the 6th Form at @kes-stratford.bsky.social. In just over a decade, our alumnae have gone on to achieve incredible things, inspiring future generations. Here’s to positivity—and many more years to come! #KESOEA

Congrats #OldEd George Hendy on an impressive performance while gaining his first intl cap for England As and beating Ireland As 28-12. Thanks to James Hunter for making his way through the crowd (as captured on TV!) to ensure we got the best picture of the day! #KESOEA @kes-sport.bsky.social

Congratulations to #OldEd George Hendy for being picked for the England A rugby team who are playing Ireland A at 1pm this afternoon in Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium. 🏉🌹 #KESOEA #KESStratford @kes-sport.bsky.social @kes-stratford.bsky.social @englandrugby.bsky.social @northamptonsaints.bsky.social

🌍📖 Happy International Mother Language Day! 📖🌍 Today, we celebrate the beauty of linguistic diversity and the importance of preserving our mother tongues. From classroom language lessons to heartfelt conversations in our native languages, our words shape our identities and connections.

💙 Happy #RandomActsOfKindness Day! A small act of kindness can make a big difference! Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or a thoughtful gesture, let’s spread positivity today. 🌍✨What’s the best act of kindness you remember from your #KESStratford days? Share your stories and let’s inspire!💫

📚Happy International Book Giving Day📚 Remember the books that shaped your school days? Today is all about sharing the joy of reading! Whether it’s donating a favourite book,passing one to a friend, or inspiring a young reader, let’s keep the love of stories alive. #InternationalBookGivingDay #KESOEA

📢 Happy Darwin Day! 🌿🔬 Today, we celebrate Charles Darwin’s legacy and the spirit of curiosity, discovery, and scientific progress! Whether you were captivated by biology lessons or just enjoyed the occasional nature walk, Darwin’s work continues to shape our understanding of life.

It was incredible to have #OldEd Xander van der Poll back at @KES_Stratford yesterday. He came in to deliver a talk at MedSoc which was very well received. Come back again soon, Xander! #KESOEA #KESStratford #OldEdwardian

🥳Happy Chinese New Year 2025🥳 May this Year of the Snake bring you prosperity, joy, and success in all your endeavours. Let's celebrate the new beginnings and cherish the wonderful memories we've created together. 🐍 Wishing you and your loved ones a year filled with happiness and good fortune. 🇨🇳🎊

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honour the memory of the six million Jewish lives lost, along with millions of others. As the Old Edwardians of K.E.S., we pledge to remember, reflect, and stand against hatred and intolerance, ensuring the lessons of the past guide a better future.

Happy Burns Night to all our Old Eds with Scottish connections! 🎶 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Whether you're reciting poetry, enjoying haggis, or raising a glass in honor of Robert Burns, we hope this special evening brings back warm memories of Scotland. Slàinte Mhath! #burnsnight #kesoea #kesstratford

Nick Jones (OE 2019) and his mum came back to K.E.S. today to deliver a lecture to our Year 12 students on Building Resilience. Thank you both for coming back and inspiring the next generation. #KESOEA #KESStratford #BuildingResilience

🌟 BricKES 2 LEGO Event! 🌟 🎉 Join us for a fun-filled day with lots and lots of LEGO sets on display! ✨ All proceeds support the Battle Back Centre, Lilleshall charity 🧱 Don’t miss out on this exciting LEGO adventure! Share the fun and bring your family and friends. #BricKES2 #KESStratford #KESOEA

Look who Mr. Hunter bumped into this weekend! 🎉 While at the Northampton Saints game against Stade Français in Paris, Old Ed and Northampton Saints player George Hendy came to say hello to his former teacher and rugby coach in the crowd. What a reunion! 🏉 #RugbyFamily #OldEd #KESOEA #KESStratford

It is that time of year when you might want to get your brain matter working again. We have our annual SportKES General Knowledge Quiz this Friday 17th January. If you would like to pit yourselves against the Pedagogues then please book here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/kes

How fabulous to see one of the many Old Eds get togethers over the festive period. Here, some of the class of 2013 look like they had a fun night out! If you have any photos of your reunions and catch ups with Old Eds, please do send them to Dani at [email protected] #KESOEA #KESStratford

Please note the change in KES OEA newsletter publication date. As there are a few days left before publication, it is the perfect time to send some photos of your Old Eds get togethers over the festive period! Send them to Dani at [email protected]