French Exchange Recently I took part in the Kings’ School in uencing the country’s identity in such a way. French exchange which is partnered with For me it was also a really enjoyable experience; Marmoutier School in Tours, France. I visited the time which I was not sightseeing with my partnered student and stayed within her school, was spent having fun, playing games home for a week. During this time. I got to and trying out new French foods. Before I know her whole family very well despite some went, I didn’t realise how much I would miss nerves prior to the trip and felt fully cared for. the family and culture in France and I was sad rough immersion in the language and the to leave a er an amazing week. chance to practise having general conversations in another language, I felt my French speaking In October, my exchange came to England and was greatly improved as well as picking up I think the excitement was reciprocated. We random phrases and colloquialisms that made went away to London on the weekend and it me almost feel like I was  uent! was interesting to be showing someone around the country you have been so used to. We also Within the week, we also travelled to many o ered her a wide range of typically English di erent historical sites, in and around Tours such as Chateau Chenonceau, the Montsoreau food; we both enjoyed baking and tasting the wine caves and the Chinon market, it was cream tea. Overall I had an incredible time and very interesting to experience such a di erent I hope to see my exchange again one day. culture and see the history that has been Lucy Payne

The 7 Habits The Dawn of Conference Mrs Gittins meeting Sean Covey CEO of and tutor periods to students of all ages. a new EARA Franklincovey, author of ‘ e 7 Habits of Helping children develop their resilience Highly E ective Teenagers’ and eldest son and leadership skills in order to deal with of the late Stephen Covey author of the any problems they might face as teenagers international bestselling book ‘ e 7 Habits and on into their adult lives. of Highly e ective People.’ Over 40 countries were represented at the Back in July this year, Mrs Gittins, (I/C conference, including China, India, Brazil, in the 7 Habits at Kings’), was given the Cambodia, Australia and Africa. Mrs Gittins exciting opportunity to travel to Orlando, said “It was so inspiring to hear about how Florida for the global ‘7 Habits’ conference. the 7 Habits are positively impacting on She was invited by Franklincovey (the the lives of millions of children all over the company who owns the 7 Habits) to world. e atmosphere was buzzing, full of deliver a speech on the impact of the ‘7 energy and hope.” Habits’ in the UK and a workshop on ‘ e Mrs Gittins went on to share with me development of the teenage brain.’ the story of one particular inspirational For the past 6 years at Kings’, we have been Head teacher from a 1st Nation Canadian teaching the ‘7 Habits of highly e ective . She explained that ‘1st teenagers’ in PSHEE lessons, assemblies Nation’ means the original native Canadian people and that they live in quite isolated poor communities, facing daily problems such as unemployment, high crime and gang violence. By introducing the ‘7 Habits’, this head teacher had breathed new hope and aspiration into her sta and the young On the 14th November Kings’ School played host to characteristics of the Equality Act and the United people of these communities. a number of other secondary schools in a challenging Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is was just one of many such stories meeting of minds. e young delegates were all (UNCRC) representing their various schools as Equality and shared at the conference and Mrs Gittins We were pleased to welcome Councillor Roz Chadd says “I felt truly blessed to be given the Rights Advocates. At Kings’ our EARA group runs from County Council who joined us for opportunity to meet so many passionate and alongside our Amnesty International Youth Group, the whole morning, as well as pupil advocates from inspirational people involved in education with both working towards raising awareness about across the world. I have returned with lots Equality across the school. ornden, St George Catholic College, Horndean, Wildern, Park School, e Key Education of new ideas and a renewed determination As a “rights respecting school” Kings’ is keen to foster centre. to have a positive impact on the lives of an ethos of tolerance and understanding of all, and in pupils at Kings’ and in schools throughout conjunction with pupils from other schools, to work e pupils came away from the morning full of the UK. collaboratively to promote equality and the rights of wonderful ideas to take their message to the rest of Lucy Payton (Year 11 Journalist) the child in our schools, based on the nine protected the school.