Gallery: Upper Sixth Prizegiving 2024

To mark the end of the 2023-24 academic year, Upper Sixth students, parents and staff gathered in the on-site marquee for a celebratory prizegiving ceremony.

Prizes were awarded for individual subjects, as well as for excellence in sport, drama and music, and for contributions to school life. The Robert Jones Kendrick Memorial Prize and Westminster Medal, the school’s top academic award, was awarded to Abi Webster. 

Guests were entertained by the wonderful Leavers’ Band, who played a rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Valerie. 

Our guest speaker was James Timpson OBE DL, who presented this year’s prizes. 

The businessman spoke about the importance of second chances, drawing on his own experience of working with former prisoners, and left the Upper Sixth leavers with one key piece of advice; be kind. 

Headmaster, George Hartley, addressed the students and thanked them for their good humour, hard work and for their significant contributions to life at King’s. 

Head of School Charlie Marshall reflected on his time at school, thanking staff, parents and his peers for their support of the whole year group, and the ceremony was concluded by Chair of Governors, Dr Sandra Verity, who wished the year group well and congratulated them on everything they have achieved.

Full citations are listed below this gallery of images from a wonderful day of celebration. 

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Subject Prizes

Upper Sixth – Sports Awards 

Sportswoman of the Year – Ellie Hartley

Since joining King’s, Ellie has been deeply involved in the sports programme. Whether that was netball, athletics, tennis, rounders or hockey she committed fully to all sports. In recent years
she has dedicated her time to the 1st XI hockey squad; she consistently commits time to training and fixtures, regardless of how late they end. Her dedication has led to significant improvement,
transforming her into a fantastic player. Ellie maintains a positive outlook in everything she undertakes and always manages to bring joy and laughter to her teammates and coaches.

Sportsman of the Year – Duncan Boyd

Duncan has been a great servant to school sports throughout his time at King’s. He has participated in a wide range of sports before focussing on football, ending his school career as 1st XI captain. Duncan has exhibited all the qualities one expects of a sportsman; he always gives 100%, shows great respect to opposition and staff, plus he leads by example, showing resilience, perseverance and a great attitude at all times.

The Wright Prize – Margot Melville

Throughout her time at King’s Margot has thrown herself into school sport. No matter the activity Margot has always wanted to participate and compete. She has done so with enthusiasm, determination and with an outstanding attitude that makes her a well deserving recipient of this award.

The Richardson Prize – Will Jones

Will is an outstanding footballer who has made a huge impact on King’s football. His influence on matches, particular over his time as a 1st XI player has been incredible, with his goals and all-round play being instrumental in 3 very successful years for the team.

The Mumme-Young Hockey Cup – Barnaby Wallis
Barnaby has shown an exemplary attitude throughout his time at King’s, with him never giving less than 100% in all hockey events, be it training or matches. Barnaby is also a fine role model to younger players and an extremely reliable and valued teammate.

Upper Sixth – Special Awards and Prizes

The Canon Maurice H Ridgeway Library Prize – Millen Batra

Millen has been a true academic over the past year, using the library facilities to further his education. He epitomises how a student should interact with learning and with libraries. Well done!

The Boswell Medal – William Saul

After achieving a brilliant result on his Cadet Leadership Course at RAF Cranwell, William returned to the CCF with energy and enthusiasm to improve the experience of all the cadets in the King’s CCF. Throughout the Sixth Form, he has been an impeccable role model for those in the younger years and has set the highest standards for himself and those under him. As a consequence of William’s fine leadership, he leaves the CCF a better-organised, more dynamic organisation.

The Arts Committee Prize for Drama – Catriona Searl

We are delighted to award Catriona with this prize in recognition of her unwavering commitment to co-curricular drama during her time at King’s. Catriona has wholeheartedly participated in numerous productions, serving as a true ambassador for drama and a role model for our younger students, who hold her in the highest regard. This year, Catriona has generously given her free time to run a lunchtime musical theatre club, further demonstrating her dedication. Her exemplary singing talent shone through in her portrayal of Cosette in a recent production of Les Misérables, and she displayed her acting prowess as Miss Godfrey in this year’s production of A Monster Calls. We thank Catriona for all she has contributed to the drama department and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours.

The Joan Saint Memorial Prize for Singing – Matthew Baghomian

Matthew is an amazing musician who joined us here at King’s in the Sixth Form. He has an exceptional tenor voice and has committed himself fully to Schola Cantorum throughout his time here, often leading sectional rehearsals and mentoring younger students. In December 2023 he passed his ABRSM Singing Exam with Distinction. He performed the Tenor solo alongside Schola Cantorum in Stainer’s Crucifixion in March 2023. Matthew is also a talented pianist and gained his Piano ARSM in March.

The Fergal O’Mahony Prize for Keyboard Playing – Sam Gregory

Sam in an exceptionally talented pianist with a natural aptitude for conveying emotion through his playing. His technical ability is far beyond that which is expected for a pianist of his age. Sam has performed on multiple occasions throughout his Kings years, each time impressing audiences with his musical prowess. Sam also passed his Oboe ARSM with distinction in March
2023.

The Sarl-Williams instrumental Prize for Woodwind – Abi Webster

Abi has been a committed member of the music department over this academic year, attending rehearsals and performing in music department concerts. She has been a key member of a number of ensembles including King’s Symphony, Concert Band, Big Band, Choir and Wind Trio. Abi displays admirable musical flexibility combined with a high level of attainment shown within her multiple instrumental disciplines of Flute, Voice and Saxophone. She has contributed to the musical life of the school in a consistent manner and has always displayed a focussed and
positive attitude, providing our younger musicians with a musical role model.

The Tom Clamp Memorial Prize – Matthew Baghomian

Matthew joined the school in the Sixth Form and has embraced school life. He achieves academically but is especially committed to the Music department. He is also an exceptional prefect and has given of his time, over and over in support of the school. He is held in the highest regard by his peers and teachers.

The Owen Jones Award for Service to the Community – Melisha Gunasekera

Melisha is another student, new to the Sixth Form, who has really embraced the life of the school in terms of academia and music but also charity. She is a charity prefect and has played a leading role in organising and running the school’s charitable activities. She does so with a relentless sense of joy and enthusiasm.

The Rohan Ingley Memorial Prize – Abi Webster

Abi is a quite extraordinary young lady. Serious minded and highly motivated, she joined the school in the Sixth Form and quickly emerged as a top academic, hugely committed to the musical life of the school and other areas. She did so whilst dealing, with great humility, with a complex situation at home involving parental and grandparental health.

The Kearton Prize – Lloyd Bennett

Lloyd is a national hockey player, fully committed to the school team. He is also one of the year’s top academics, scoring superb Lower Sixth exam results and Upper Sixth mock results and gaining a series of excellent offers from universities.

The Brotherhood Trophy – Charlie Marshall 

Charlie was voted the winner of the Brotherhood Trophy for his full and engaged commitment to the life of the school and his leadership qualities, displayed through school activities such as football, refereeing, MUN, debating and in his role as Head of School.

The Edwards Memorial Prize – Millen Batra 

Millen’s reports throughout the Sixth Form have been superb and his performance in class and in exams of the highest order. He is not someone to seek the limelight and humbly works very hard indeed, always seeking to improve. He is a very impressive young man.

The Cook Forster Prize for the Deputy Head of School – Rohith Muthuvelu KS

Rohith is quite a character who has leant a serious and academic perspective on the life of the school. He is unashamedly a conservative and this is carefully supported and explained in terms of maintaining standards. He has been a wonderful asset and a support as Deputy Head of School.

The Kapur Prize for the Deputy Head of School – Gwen Olson

Gwen is someone who thinks outside the box and lends a very fresh perspective on the life of the school and the Sixth Form. Questioning, intelligent and extrovert, her support in her role as Deputy Head of school has been invaluable.

The Head of School’s Prize – Charlie Marshall

Charlie is highly charismatic and intelligent and has proved to be an excellent Head of School. Hard working and engaging, he combines his enthusiasm for the school with a real sense of pride in all that he does. His work has been hugely appreciated by the staff and students and his advice appreciated by both the Head of Sixth Form and Headmaster.

The Robert Jones Kendrick Memorial Prize & the Westminster Medal – Abi Webster 

Abi is a fully deserving winner of the Westminster Medal. She settled quickly into the life of the Sixth Form and has a remarkable capacity for hard work and humility. She gained the highest Lower Sixth exam results and also the highest Upper Sixth mock results, all whilst managing a medical application in which she achieved four offers – a rarity these days.