Welcome to Kilvington

Editorial

By Lucie Dickens, Global Connections Program Director, and Alan Clarke, International Student Coordinator

This first publication of the Kilvington International newsletter for 2021 aims to present Kilvington as a diverse and inclusive community at the local and global level. The content is therefore mostly written from the point of view of our students, current and past, some who have joined our community more recently and/or some from afar. A common theme throughout this issue is around the importance of CONNECTIONS.

All educators acknowledge the importance of a supportive home environment for a successful study experience and this is especially true for students living away from their family. 

Kilvington is a school with such strong community connections and families who are keen to get involved with caring for our international students. 

In this edition, you will read about the high-quality Homestay program we offer international students from the perspective of a Homestay Host, and a student. This program, defined by trust and individual pastoral care, is provided by our International Student Coordinator, Alan Clarke, who supports students to feel connected to their peers and their new school environment. 

Kilvington is partnered with schools in China, France, Japan and Indonesia, and offers school tours, exchanges and curriculum projects 

in conjunction with our partner schools. 

Maintaining these connections, in the midst of a pandemic, has been more difficult and also more critical as travel has been heavily restricted. In the absence of the ability to actually visit  and host our partner schools, we have developed different ways to share our experiences and connect with each other. 

An example of students connecting with students overseas is our Year 7 students’ article about their concerns regarding the environment, their reflection about their school impact and their interest in our partner schools’ perspectives on this global issue. 

Our Year 10 students also reflect on Kilvington's extensive co-curricular program with the view of opening a conversation with our partner schools to understand if these experiences are also valued as central to making connections across year levels, and discovering or pursuing interests in specific areas. Reaching out to other communities helps our students feel connected and feel they have a voice as global citizens.

You will also hear from a past International student who will give you a good insight into how Kilvington can prepare, support, transform students to become young adults, who remain connected to their school community and can reflect on their Kilvington education with gratitude and fondness.

We trust you will enjoy reading the 2nd edition of our international newsletter.