The Year 10s have shown exceptional dedication over the last two weeks during their mock exam series. Their attitude toward these assessments was exemplary, with students demonstrating the high levels of effort required for academic success. Throughout the fortnight, the year group truly embodied the KWS Character and our Three Rs. They showed great Responsibility by arriving fully prepared, incredible Resilience when facing challenging papers, and a deep Respect for the formal exam environment and their peers. This focus did not go unnoticed, as the invigilators specifically praised the students for their professional approach and impeccable conduct throughout the entire exam period. It was also fantastic to see the students dressed so smartly and in full compliance with uniform guidelines. We are incredibly proud of the maturity they have shown as they begin their journey toward next year’s final exams.
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, the atmosphere is electric. The leaderboard is still shifting, the points are piling up, and every student’s contribution is making a difference. Here is everything you need to know about where we stand in the race for the prestigious House Cup.
The current Leader is NightingaleÂ
How the Winner is Decided
Remember, winning the House Cup isn’t just about one big event; it’s about consistency and character across the board. We determine the winner by looking at:
Most Recognitions: those extra house points earned for hard work, kindness, and going above and beyond.
Least Consequences: demonstrating discipline and respect in our daily school life.
Inter-House Competitions: success in our scheduled seasonal events.
Recent Victories
It has been a busy few months, and several houses have already secured major wins to boost their totals:
Event
Winning House
School Talent Show
Ali
Wheel & Walk Initiative
AliÂ
House BadmintonÂ
NightingaleÂ
Shoutout: A huge well done to everyone who participated in the Wheel & Walk Initiative. This event tracked which students chose to walk or ride their bikes to school, proving that our houses care just as much about the environment as they do about the trophy!
Coming Up This Term
There are still plenty of points up for grabs! If your house is currently trailing, don’t lose heart these upcoming events could change everything:
House Rounders: get your bats ready for some teamwork on the field.
Armstrong House Writing Competition: a chance for our poets and storytellers to shine.
House Quiz of the Year: put your general knowledge to the ultimate test.
Sports Day: the grand finale where speed, strength, and spirit collide!
Keep pushing, keep earning those recognitions, and let’s see which house will be lifting the cup at the end of the term.
Good luck to all houses!
Mrs Stockwell – Head of HouseÂ
https://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/House-pic.webp7141036Keris McCormickhttps://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/smlogo.pngKeris McCormick2026-04-24 08:44:432026-04-24 12:23:16House Cup Update: The Race to the Finish Line!
Mr Inman has led inspiring assemblies to years 7, 8 and 9 this week motivating and guiding them towards their upcoming end of year exams (8th – 12th June). The key messages are: start revision early, take a long term approach, quiz yourself on key knowledge and practice with brain dumps and exam style questions. More revision tips and guidance can be found on the school website.
Our 2026 Easter China trip was an unforgettable journey that took a group of our dedicated Mandarin students across to three remarkable cities – Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou over 10 days. From the dazzling skyline and cutting-edge innovation of Shanghai to the timeless beauty of Suzhou’s classical gardens and the serene landscapes of Hangzhou’s West Lake, students experienced a country that is both deeply rooted in tradition and strikingly modern and forward-looking . Highlights included visiting a local Chinese school, engaging with students their own age, exploring tea fields and taking in panoramic views of the city from the 11th floor of the Shanghai Tower. Students also had the exciting opportunity to experience China’s high-speed rail for the first time, travelling from Hangzhou back to Shanghai. What would have been a seven-hour journey by coach was completed in just one hour, leaving many students amazed by the speed, efficiency, and advanced infrastructure.
A particularly powerful aspect of the trip was seeing Mandarin come to life beyond the classroom. Students were able to use their language skills in real, meaningful contexts, whether ordering food, interacting with local people, or navigating daily life, which gave them a strong sense of achievement and independence. Many commented on how rewarding it felt to be able to communicate and connect, and how much more immersive their experience was as a result. It was clear that learning Mandarin had opened doors for them, and several students expressed how fortunate they felt to have had the opportunity to study such a globally significant language, recognising the unique advantages it offers for future travel, study, and career pathways.
The impact of the trip has been truly profound, many students returned inspired, with some already expressing a desire to revisit China during a gap year or even consider living and working there in the future. It was, without doubt, a life-changing experience – one that broadened perspectives, built confidence, and brought language learning vividly to life. So powerful was the experience that students and staff members described it as ‘one of the best school trips’ they have ever been part of.
While many enjoyed a quiet break at home, our Sixth Form students swapped the classroom for the lively streets of New York City during the Easter holiday.
The city skyline was impressive, but our students truly stood out. They were attentive in the subway and showed real maturity at the 9/11 Memorial. Their excellent behaviour made us proud and helped make the trip a great success.
Our students brought their lessons to life by experiencing them first hand:
The Financial District: our walking tour of Wall Street offered a close look at how global finance operates.
The United Nations: students interested in politics and history visited the halls where international relations happen and gained a new perspective on global cooperation.
The 9/11 Memorial: this was likely the most moving part of the trip. Seeing our students quietly reflect by the memorial pools was very touching.
We rode the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty up close, then enjoyed a stunning night time view from the top of the Empire State Building. Watching the city lights come on was an unforgettable experience for everyone.
The trip was not just about studying. We enjoyed a Broadway production of The Great Gatsby, which brought the Roaring Twenties to life with its lively choreography and dazzling costumes.
No trip to New York is complete without experiencing the local lifestyle. Between sightseeing, students enjoyed classic dining spots and some well-deserved free time:
Iconic Eats: we soaked up the classic New York atmosphere at Bond 45, the famous TickTock Diner, and the lively Hard Rock Cafe.
Retail Therapy: students explored everything from the big stores on 5th Avenue to unique shops in Midtown, moving around the city with confidence.
And finally, a big thank you to the staff who gave up their Easter break to help make the trip smooth, and to the students for making our first New York trip so enjoyable. A truly memorable journey, with fantastic individuals.
https://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/46695845-6ede-4850-979c-e84beaa95b48-e1777022349106.webp16001200Chrissy Dickshttps://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/smlogo.pngChrissy Dicks2026-04-23 15:44:512026-04-24 10:19:17New York Trip with Sixth Form
Year 12 students: GSK Summer Holidays STEM Work Experience – applications now open!
GSK are pleased to share the details about a fantastic opportunity to apply for their Stevenage STEM Work Experience event which year 12 students may have an interest in.
They are running an on-site work experience this year from 27th July to the 30th July 2026.  The application process for year 12 students is now open.
Year 12 & 13 students Uptree:Â UK’s Intelligence Agencies, Virtual Insight Session – Wednesday 13th May
The UK Intelligence Agencies, MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, work together to keep the country safe. Their highly trained staff use cutting edge techniques to uncover and stop plans to harm our people, buildings and computer systems, both in the UK and around the world. National: UK’s Intelligence Agencies, Virtual Insight Session | Event at Uptree
Introduction to the UK’s Intelligence Agencies
Overview of the Intelligent Services
Insight into the wide range of roles within the Intelligence Agencies
Understanding the security clearance process
Top tips for the application and interview stages
This event is for Year 12 and 13, college and gap year students with an interest in STEM, looking for Early Careers opportunities e.g. apprenticeships, junior development programmes etc.
 Next Steps:
Register for this online event using your Uptree account. If you do not have an Uptree account, register here.
There are only 200 spaces available for this event so apply as soon as possible.
Whilst we’re sure everyone has heard of World Book Day, World Book Night is probably a less well known event. Following hot on the heels of World Book Day, World Book Night was held on Thursday 23rd April, and shifted the focus to adult reading. It encouraged everyone to join in with a special reading hour between 7 and 8pm, and was particularly well supported this year as part of the National Year of Reading. There were many suggestions as to how adults could incorporate some reading into their evenings, including participating in a book group, listening to an audiobook whilst completing one of the many evening tasks we all have to get through, reading to the children at bedtime, or just carving out an hour to indulge in reading for pleasure. Dressing up as a favourite book character wasn’t required, although there’s no doubt that some will have taken a World Book Night as the perfect excuse to don their Harry Potter robes or their shiny red Dorothy shoes! Here in the KWS library we celebrated by inviting all the staff to come and visit us to peruse our CPD (continuing professional development) texts, our adult fiction section, and to look over our print stock related to their subject. And we also reminded them about the staff book swap spinner we have in the staff room. If you missed taking part on Thursday 23rd, then any night is a good night to find some escapism with a good book.
https://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/100_0866.webp12001600Chrissy Dickshttps://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/smlogo.pngChrissy Dicks2026-04-23 15:44:212026-04-23 15:44:21World Book Night in the Library
KWS Gymnastics and Trampolining Squad, along with the KWS Dance Company, attended the District Gym and Dance Display hosted by St Albans High School on Monday this week. It was a fantastic evening that brought together students from across the district to perform and showcase the work they have been developing throughout the year.
We were delighted to see both our Junior and Senior dance teams perform their competition routines, alongside performances from our gymnastics and trampolining squad, who presented both a trampoline routine and a floor routine. All students represented the school brilliantly, demonstrating great skill, commitment, and enthusiasm. Staff were incredibly proud of their performances and the way they conducted themselves throughout the event.
Miss Patterson
https://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/STAHS-Gym-Dance-26-1309-of-453.webp12001600Chrissy Dickshttps://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/smlogo.pngChrissy Dicks2026-03-20 12:23:072026-03-20 12:23:07District Gym and Dance Display
KWSixth year 12 students enjoyed a really beneficial afternoon attending the careers fair at Sir John Lawes school. They had the opportunity to engage with a range of employers from Microsoft to Hertfordshire Police. This is a key stepping stone in their research towards their future after KWSixth. A big thank you to Sir John Lawes for organising the event.
https://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_4263.webp12001600Chrissy Dickshttps://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/smlogo.pngChrissy Dicks2026-03-20 08:23:192026-03-20 09:29:11Careers fair at Sir John Lawes
A huge well done to our year 12 students who have successfully completed the IDEA course as part of their enrichment programme. IDEA (Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award) is an international award winning programme which helps demonstrate and enhance digital and employability skills. Eight students successfully completed the course.
Here is Aaron proudly showcasing his certificate.
https://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_4214.webp12001600Chrissy Dickshttps://kwschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/smlogo.pngChrissy Dicks2026-03-20 08:23:072026-03-20 08:23:07Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award
