Inside King's-Edgehill School

Grade 9 student Tyra Alleyne was selected to compete as a member of the Barbados CARIFTA Water Polo team 2018. She played on the Under 19 female team and the Under 16 male/mixed team. On the Under 19 female team, she trained to play primarily in the position known as the “hole” or “hole set”. This is a central position approximately two meters away from the opponents goal bar and key for powerful close range shots. She was able to score a number of key goals during the game and was considered to be one of the more powerful shooters on her team. This year, the Under 19 females came away with the SILVER medal and the under 16 male/mixed team secured the BRONZE medal. Tyra also represented Barbados in the CARIFTA Water Polo Championships in 2017 and that event was held in The Bahamas. 

Dear KES Family:

I love being surprised by the students. Whether it is the spontaneous offer by Amy Cornick (2019) of one her delicious homemade Easter cupcakes or seeing lifers Duncan Ferguson and Eric Dufour (both 2018) try rugby in their last term before graduation. It is wonderful when teenagers do the unexpected.

Returning from a holiday, the traditional greeting on campus includes the enquiry: “How was your break?” Time and time again I am amazed by the enthusiasm of the response but also the genuine enquiry back: “And, how was your break, Mr. Seagram?” It should not surprise me anymore, but I still find it remarkable how comfortable and curious our students are with adults. Quite frankly, it is wonderful to converse with young adults who look one in the eye and grip a handshake firmly.

This week my answer sings the praises of the Mexican people Belinda and I met over the break. Taking our first trip without children (or students) since our honeymoon, Belinda and I travelled to the Yucatan Peninsula and took in the sunshine and delights of Tulum, the Mayan Riviera, and the Caribbean. The local people may be diminutive but their hearts are hugely warm, their smiles even bigger and sunnier, and their sense of humour quick and generous. The temples and pyramids are astounding, as are the cultural and scientific elements of ancient Mayan society. Having the ability to make rubber thousands of years ago, they developed games which are similar to modern day basketball and field hockey.

Being away from home always brings an appreciation for the joys of one’s own country. And so, despite returning to a snow storm (even the customs officers greeted us with laughter once we landed in Halifax!) we were glad to be back home on campus. However, a part of me wished that Canada had its own versions of traditional dancing, or songs that everyone knew and could belt out with pride, or that in Canada we were a little more comfortable greeting people with hugs.

Adorned with painted whiskers and bunny ears, our Grade 9 leadership students: Victoria Dubois, Lily Gale, Grace Gallant, Kaylee Hickey, Sarah Hilborn, Ethan Hiscott, Jem Logan, Aria MacDonald, Emma MacDonald, Rhyan Rusaw, Matvey Semenenko, Mathangi Somasekaram, Claudia Villaorduna and Megan Woodworth put some smiles on the faces of our younger Junior School students as they staged the 2018 campus Easter Egg Hunt and Bunny Chase on the day before our Easter Break began. Grade 7 and 8 students responded with enthusiasm as they burst forth into the Quad when the word was given to begin the annual hunt and chase. The squeals of laughter and the energy release were terrific as students navigated snow banks and pathways to spot the Easter treats! Chocolate eggs were found in record time and our Grade 9 bunnies did an amazing job outrunning the highly energized Juniors who were eager to tag them to capture the prized chocolate bunnies. What great fun! Special thanks are extended to Grace Gallant who planned and ran the day’s events, and the rest of the Bunny Brigade. It will be remembered for years to come.

At King’s-Edgehill School, we believe a student’s academic year should be fulfilling on many levels. This is particularly true for our boarding students who may wish to pursue other age-related activities such as driver education and lifeguard courses throughout the academic year. We have countless opportunities for students to get involved, develop leadership skills, learn new things, grow, and be more!

On Friday April 6^th, King’s-Edgehill School (KES) teachers, staff and students look forward to opening their doors to parents, prospective students and their siblings for a day designed to highlight why so many families choose KES.

An assortment of student musicians got together the evening of Thursday, February 15th to perform for their School peers and some local family members.

We are very excited to announce the introduction of our King’s-Edgehill Girls’ Prep Basketball Programme that will begin play in the 2018-19 school year.

The programme will be led by our new Director of Basketball Operations and Girls’ Prep Basketball Team Head Coach Marc Ffrench.

King’s-Edgehill Athletic Director Kim Walsh has been instrumental in the planning and development of the addition to the King’s-Edgehill athletic programme. "We are pleased to welcome Marc to our coaching staff. He believes fervently in our School mission and is an extremely well organized and passionate coach who will inspire student-athletes to “Be More” in all aspects of the KES experience. He is a great choice to instill our School ethos to a new Prep School athletic programme that will enhance our overall student experience at KES."

Mr. Ffrench, who is a Kentville, Nova Scotia native, is a successful high school coach who has been living and coaching in Ottawa, Ontario. His programme at AY Jackson Secondary School has had a strong run including appearing in 2 consecutive NCSSAA Championship games in 2015-16 and 2016-17.