From King’s to Canada and back again!

It was a great pleasure to welcome OV Harry Perry (K 07-14) back to King’s this month, having left King’s in the Lower Sixth to emigrate to Canada with his family.

Harry was back in the UK for a brief visit with his partner Maddison, seeing London, catching up with OV friends in Worcester, then onwards to meet up with university friends in Cardiff, before a flying visit to Dublin and then home for a well-deserved rest!

On his visit to King’s, Harry was keen to see the Keyes Building, which was close to finishing when he left school. The first stop, though, was the Art School that had opened in Harry’s second year at King’s (2008) and where Harry had many happy memories. Speaking with Jenny Hewitt (Hon OV), Harry noted how little it had changed! During Harry’s time at King’s, Head of Art had been Liz Hand (Hon OV), who was succeeded by then art teacher Chris Haywood (Hon OV) who Harry bumped into as well for a lovely catch up.

En route to the Keyes Building, they popped into DT, where Harry vividly remembered building speakers and lights, and had time to reminisce with DT Technician Julie Palmer (Hon OV) and Harry’s former DT teacher, Alan Deichan (Hon OV).

Both Harry and Maddison were very impressed by the scale of the Keyes Building, especially the climbing wall, although the sight of the sports hall did remind Harry of the days of exams in the ‘old’ sports hall.

The haunt of exams continued as Harry walked into College Hall; he even remembered doing his entrance tests and interview in there! He also recalled his House Song competitions, which was very timely as the current Kittermaster cohort prepares for this year’s competition.

While at King’s, one of Harry’s Housemasters had been Richard Davis (Hon OV), so he was delighted to learn that Richard was still a member of staff. Heading over to the English Block, or Choir House, Harry said a quick Hello to Richard who was in the midst of a lesson. Harry’s House Room is now a staff office, but was still worth a visit to see.

One of Harry’s A-level subjects had been Biology, and walking into the Biology Block he noted how it still smelled, and looked, the same! Harry remembered with fondness his biology teachers, Dr Matt Parkin (Hon OV) and Nicki Essenhigh (Co 84-86) and had the opportunity to see Nicki while she taught this year’s Sixth Form.

A wander through the newly refurbished School House similarly brought back some great memories, although Harry was pleased to see it evolving as the new Sixth Form centre, giving the sixth formers a focal point for both work and House time.

A keen rugby and football player at King’s, Harry was especially pleased to hear the School had just secured some flood-proof fields in Battenhall.

Before finishing his visit, both Head of Modern Foreign Languages, Richard Ball (Hon OV) and Harry’s former sports coach, Gilly (Hon OV) stopped by to speak with Harry to see how he is getting on now and sharing their memories of his time at King’s.

If you’d like to return to King’s for a visit, please do get in touch with the Alumni Office via alumni@ksw.org.uk to arrange – we’d love to see you!