King's School Rochester Weekly News

Friday 30th January 2026

Meet Bobbie: Our New Wellbeing Dog 

We are delighted to introduce the newest (and furriest) member of our Wellbeing Team! Bobbie is a 2-year-old Cavapoochon who has joined us to provide comfort, calm and companionship to our pupils.

A Professional Partnership: Bobbie works alongside Jane Bolton, our School Counsellor. Together, they have completed rigorous training through Therapy Dog Training UK (TDT UK). This included a temperament assessment, two theory workshops, and practical assignments to ensure Bobbie is perfectly suited for a school environment.

Bobbie’s "Paws-itive" Facts:

• Hypoallergenic: As a Cavapoochon, (making him a bit smaller and fluffier than a Cockapoo) Bobbie is hypoallergenic - perfect for our pupils with allergies.
• Expertly Trained: He is trained to be calm and quiet, ensuring he doesn't bark, jump or startle those around him.
• On the Clock: You’ll find Bobbie in the Wellbeing Centre during therapy sessions.

We are pleased to have Bobbie as our designated school dog. He is fully vetted and has official permission to be on-site at King’s, providing a welcoming presence for our pupils and staff. Look out for Bobbie on the school gate on morning drop offs.

First Careers Lunch: Data, AI and Healthcare

We were delighted to welcome Sarah Seager to host our first Careers Lunch of the term, delivering a fascinating session for pupils interested in the healthcare sector, AI, and cutting-edge analytics. Sarah shared insights from her own dynamic career, explaining how data is transformed into business solutions and highlighting the breadth of roles available in the field. Beyond the technical aspects, she offered reassuring advice on the future impact of AI and provided practical tips on utilising LinkedIn to build a personal brand - a huge thank you to Sarah for such an engaging and valuable talk.  


Huge Thanks from the Hygiene Bank


The Junior School held a competition involving all the form groups in the Prep School for donations to the Hygiene Bank. Together they have collected 1,878 products!

The class that donated the most items won a day in the Year 8 Common Room with treats.The Hygiene Bank sent their thanks:'On behalf of the whole Hygiene Bank Medway team, we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible 45kg of donations you collected on our behalf. Your generosity and commitment to our cause is truly inspiring, and we cannot thank you enough for your support.

These donations will go directly towards helping local families and individuals in need in Medway, providing them with essential hygiene and cleaning items that they may otherwise struggle to afford. Your support means the world to us, and to the people we serve, as it enables us to continue our vital work of addressing hygiene poverty in Medway and beyond.We're thrilled to see the tangible impact of your donations making a difference in our community. From families experiencing an unexpected boost in confidence and self-worth, to individuals who have access to essential health and hygiene products, your support is having a lasting effect on the lives of those we serve.

Once again, thank you for choosing to support The Hygiene Bank. Your generosity is a shining example of the kind of community spirit that makes our charity possible. We're honoured to have partners like you who share our vision of building a more equitable and compassionate society.'

Scholars' Concert: Winter Warmers

With the darkest part of winter now behind us, fourteen music scholars provided a welcome remedy to the cold weather this Monday evening.Sophie (UC5) opened the concert with a sparkling marimba performance of Vivaldi’s ode to spring, La Primavera, and at the midway point of the concert Lily (L6S) provided a change of pace with her saxophone rendition of Sade’s Is it a Crime. On the piano, Emma (RC), Arthur (RS), Ava (U5C), and Alex (U5C) performed a series of lyrical pieces, each bringing a unique flair and personal expression to their work. Albert (8B) and Alex (L6W) both gave stellar performances of music by Mozart and Busoni.

We were treated to a wide breadth of vocal performances  presented by Chris (RS), Luke (RP), Romy (L5S), Reuben (L6) and Zara (U5). Repertoire spanned from French chanson, to musical theatre, to jazz, which showcased the versatility of our singers - and the seemingly boundless expertise of their teacher Mr Jamieson-Smith.Charlie (U5C) ended the programme on a high note with his performance of Franck’s Violin Sonata, a piece which brims with energy and joy.

Our sincere thanks to Anna Binney for her work organising the evening and to Matthew Price and Estelle Roux for their expert accompaniment.