One of King Edward’s School’s most renowned old boys, Kenneth Tynan, might have struggled to find the right words to review the singular drama that has been 2020.
Nevertheless, that is precisely the challenge that the current cohort at the Birmingham school has taken on.
In partnership with King Edward VI High School for Girls, they have been searching for tales about how the institutions’ pupils, parents, staff and alumni have been helping the world respond to Covid-19.
The result is KE Spirit, published on 16 October, and conceived to act as a beacon of light in these unusually dark times.
The 64-page magazine collects hundreds of stories from across the globe: everything from sewing hospital scrubs to translating academic publications, recounting life as a doctor on the front line of intensive care to investigating patterns in airborne epidemics.
The past six months have undoubtedly been some of the strangest and most difficult in living memory, but they have been met with a renewed sense of community spirit – Dr Katy Ricks, King Edward’s School
“The past six months have undoubtedly been some of the strangest and most difficult in living memory, but they have been met with a renewed sense of community spirit,” said Dr Katy Ricks, chief master of King Edward’s School.
“This magazine illustrates the way in which our wider school communities have sought to make a difference and respond to the ever-evolving circumstances.
“I am incredibly proud to be the head of this great school and witnessing the multitude of ways in which our communities have responded makes me prouder still.”
Her words were echoed by the founder of Inspiring Females and new principal of King Edward VI High School for Girls, Kirsty von Malaisé: “Having joined this fabulous school in September, it is already abundantly clear to me how strong the community spirit is. It is very uplifting to see how our schools’ values translate into positive contributions at this difficult time.”
King Edward’s School is an independent day school with 880 boys aged 11-18. King Edward VI High School for Girls is an independent secondary school and occupies the same site as, and is twinned with, King Edward’s School.
