Earlier this week, we were honoured to welcome Victoria Collins MP, who represents Harpenden and Berkhamsted, and is the recently elected Vice President of her party. To mark Parliament Week 2025, her talk offered a clear and candid overview into the demanding role of an MP and the wider workings of Parliament. We enjoyed learning about the functions and limits of an MP, day-to-day life in Westminster, Victoria Collins’ own perspectives and priorities, alongside current issues shaping both local and national life.

Many members of the student council felt politically inspired by the motivating nature of her talk (myself included). There is no better chance for my peers to get involved than this week’s Head Student vote. This is the perfect opportunity for students to let their voices be heard, so they can choose their school representatives.

It has never been more important for students to express their views, especially with the Labour Party’s current plans to lower the voting age to 16 by the upcoming general election, expected in 2028/29. The views of young people are becoming more important than ever in the dynamic world of British politics; it is our responsibility to help shape a better-prepared electorate for the future.

Syan B

Politics Subject Ambassador

Student of Politics, History and Mathematics

KWSixth

Interact club members would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated items for the friendship boxes. The boxes have left KWS and are on their way to Ukraine (hopefully in time for Christmas).

As many people start to look forward to the festive season, here in the library we have one main focus for the approaching month of December, and it isn’t decorations, presents or mince pies – although all of those will definitely still feature at some point this month. But for the library staff, December is all about The Book Fair!

The book fair will run from 2nd – 5th December, in the library, at both break and lunchtime, and also after school. It’s a great opportunity to stock up on reading materials for the coming year, or pick up some great gifts for friends and family.

Parents will be able to buy gift vouchers in advance, for students to use at the fair, or they can pay online once students have selected the books that they want. Alternatively, students can simply use their own debit card at the fair on the day, once they’ve browsed all the available titles and picked out their favourites. We hope the students will enjoy the book fair.

Also in the library this week we have a Stranger Things theme, with all of our Stranger Things books out on display for anyone who needs to catch up with the storyline ahead of the new season. We’re also embracing the “6 – 7” culture, and we’re displaying all our books with either a 6 or a 7 in the title, whilst also reminding our students that they should be reading 6 or 7 times a week. 

On Tuesday, the Art department and our Year 12 and 13 students enjoyed a highly successful and inspiring visit to the National Gallery in London.

The day began with the students immersing themselves in the gallery’s expansive collection. The National Gallery has over 2,300 significant pieces of European painting, spanning from the mid-13th century through to 1900. Our students were given a valuable opportunity to appreciate the sheer scope and historical importance of these world-class masterpieces first-hand.

Later in the day, the focus shifted to an engaging workshop that explored the masterful use of colour in Renaissance and Baroque art. This hands-on session allowed the students to deeply analyse the techniques of celebrated artists like Johannes Vermeer and Titian, studying how their innovative use of pigment, light and colour created enduring visual drama. It was a successful day that brought their classroom learning to life.