 |
 |
|
Trinity Term: Special Message April 2025
|
|
|
A Remarkable Encounter, a Worthy Cause
Dear Hillian,
I hope you had a lovely Easter and are looking forward to the May Bank Holiday ahead.
Although we’ve only just begun the Trinity Term, I felt compelled to write sooner than planned to bring your attention to a very special story—and a chance to support a cause close to the heart of the Kingham Hill community.
A few weeks ago, I received a message from David Nock (Plymouth and Norwich, 1970–1977), our recently appointed Alumni Ambassador for London and the South East. David wrote:
“This is what being a Hillian is all about—bumping into a delightful Kingham pupil in beautiful St Mawes this weekend and seeing her handmade cards in the Bridie & Bertie shop.”
The pupil David met was Meriel, a Fifth Form student at Kingham Hill. Meriel lives with Nemaline Myopathy, a rare neuromuscular condition that causes severe muscle weakness.
To show their support for Meriel and raise vital funds for research, a team from Kingham Hill School of teachers, support staff and pupils are running the Bidwells Oxford 10K on Sunday, 11th May, in aid of the MAP Nemaline Fund (Meriel's fund) at Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Mr Tim Martin, Houseparent and Head of Wellbeing, shared:
“Meriel is the most remarkable young lady. We are privileged to have her as part of our school community. We all use our muscles to walk, to run, to breathe — but for some, like Meriel, the muscles are weak, and with the growth of the skeletal frame, everyday tasks become even more challenging.”
If you'd like to support the team—and Meriel—you can do so via the official fundraising page: Donate to Kingham's 10K Challenge
You can also:
Read more about Meriel's story on our website
Learn about Muscular Dystrophy UK
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all who completed our recent Alumni Survey. Your feedback will be invaluable as we plan future events and initiatives, and I look forward to sharing the results with you in an upcoming newsletter.
It has been a real pleasure meeting many of you over the past few months, both in person and online. Whether at reunions, regional gatherings, or through informal conversations, I always enjoy hearing your stories and ideas as we work together to grow and strengthen our Hillian community.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Andrew Mitchell, Alumni Engagement and Development Lead
|
|
|
 |
Connect with Andrew
|
|
|
|
Hillian News in Brief
|
Kingham Alumni Meet Up in the French Alps Five former Kingham Hill students from the Class of 2020 reunited on the Easter slopes. Sam Chipper – Felix Reynolds – Thomas Barber – Oliver Bulmer – Henry Cowls |
|
|
Recent Visitors to the Hill |
 Sam Lees-Smith (Sheffield) and Katie Doulton (Greenwich and Severn). Both left 2000. | 
Amar Chandaria (Norwich) on a visit from Kenya. Left 1998. |
|
|
|
Get Involved
|
|
|
|
Alumni Ambassador Programme
|
The Alumni Ambassador Programme is a global initiative to bring alumni together from across the world.
We are looking for individuals to lead regional, school year and interest-specific groups related to sports or other shared passions.
As an Ambassador, you’ll be responsible for hosting at least one event per year; this could be a casual meet-up at a local pub, a virtual gathering, or any other creative event that fosters connection within your alumni group.
If you’re interested in becoming an Alumni Ambassador to help build these connections, please reach out to Alumni Engagement & Development Lead, Andrew Mitchell, who will be happy to schedule an online meeting to discuss the programme in more detail, including guidance on setting up a group and event ideas.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope you’ll consider getting involved.
|
|
|
|
Events
|
|
|
We have an exciting series of events lined up this year and are actively exploring new ways to engage with the Hillian community. This includes streaming key events such as Armistice Day and our Christmas Carol Service. Additionally, some of our newly appointed Alumni Ambassadors are in the process of planning their own events, which will be added to the calendar once details are received.
Here's a taste of what’s to come this year:
-
Inaugural Alumni Ambassador Conference: Wednesday 11th June (online)
-
Hillian AGM: Saturday 13th September, 10am (in person and online)
-
Armistice Day Service Live-Stream: Tuesday 11th November, time TBC
-
London Drinks Party: The RAC, Thursday 13th November, time TBC
-
1886 Society Lunch: Saturday 7th March 2026, 12:30pm. See Legacies Further information about these events will follow nearer to the event dates.
|
|
|
|
In Memoriam and Celebrations
|
As part of our ongoing efforts to honour and remember the members of the Kingham Hill community, we request your assistance in notifying us of Hillians who have recently passed away, as well as information regarding memorial services or commemorations.
If you are aware of such events, please kindly reach out to Alumni Engagement and Development Lead, Andrew Mitchell, so that we can ensure the wider alumni community is able to pay their respects.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
School News
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
