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Communications

Contacting staff

The most reliable means of contacting staff is by email. When contacting subject teachers, please copy in your child’s Form Tutor. The School’s email address convention for staff is first initial and surname, followed by '@kgs.org.uk' (for example – Ms S Butler is [email protected]). If you are unable to email, you can call Reception (020 8546 5875) and you will be put through to the appropriate person.

Contacting your child

If you need to contact your child in an emergency, call Reception on 020 8546 5875. Students are allowed to use their mobile phones at break times and lunch times, so it is possible to leave a text or voicemail message on their phone provided you are confident that they will have it switched off during lessons. After normal school hours there is a member of staff on duty until 7pm who always carries an emergency mobile phone. The number for the emergency phone is 07843 350687.

My School Portal

My School Portal is used to share a wealth of information relating to the activities of students at KGS and includes links to attendance records, academic reports, behavioural records as well as the day-to-day calendar for events and sporting fixtures at school.

Each Friday a weekly summary of notices is sent to parents which includes information about activities taking place in the coming week.

Sport website

At KGS we have a dedicated sports website http://sport.kgs.org.uk where you can see at a glance what’s on, where and when.

Locations for away matches usually include a map. Team selections are announced at least 48 hours before the match and results displayed for each team. You can also download the entire fixture list to your personal calendar on your PC or mobile device (such as an iPhone or iPad) which updates automatically, synchronising whenever you connect your PC or mobile device to the internet.

Text messages and email

The School has the facility to send mass text messages and emails to parents. Text messages are normally used for short-notice messages such as a delayed return from a trip. Emails are often used as a back-up.

Absence and illness

Absence from school disrupts your child’s education, and we ask that you do all that you can to keep it to a minimum. We strongly discourage requests for holidays during term time and any such requests must be made in writing to the Head Master.

To report an absence on the day, please choose one of the following options:

  • The preferred option is to complete the absence form on My School Portal.
  • Alternatively, email [email protected] stating your child’s full name, form and reason for absence.

You are welcome to also call the absence line via our main reception number, 020 8546 5875, but we will also require one of the above to be completed in addition to the call.

If, for unavoidable reasons, you know that you will have to take your child out of school (e.g. sickness, appointments, external music exams, passport or embassy appointments or any other reason such as a funeral) please follow the same procedure as for reporting absence given us as much notice as possible.

f your child is not present at Registration and we have not been given advance notice of absence, we will call or email you.

Please try to avoid medical/dental appointments in school time as far as possible.

Lateness

If you know that your child is likely to be late for school, please ask them to sign in at Reception upon arrival. As a courtesy, we will send you an automated email to alert you that your child is late to registration. There is no need to reply to this email.

Sickness during the school day

Students who become ill during the school day are cared for by the Nurse. If necessary, she will contact you in order to arrange for you to collect your child.

Off-Games procedure

If your child is well enough to come to school but not to take part in Games or PE, an email should go to their PE teacher and Form Tutor for curriculum PE lessons. Students who are off Games, please email the Head of Year by Friday 11am to inform them. Students can then go to the Library to complete any outstanding work, homework, or read quietly until 3.45pm. In most cases they will use the time to catch up with work in the Library.

    Quick Reference

    EventActions
    IllnessOne of below:
    Off Games
    • Email Head of Year by Friday 11am.
    • Child will be sent to the Library during Games afternoon.
    Off PE
    • Email their PE teacher & Form Tutor.
    • Child will still attend PE but will help with officiating, timing etc. and still be present for the theory side of the lesson.
    Planned Absence (e.g. medical appointment)One of below:
    LatenessPlease ask your child to sign in at Reception upon arrival.
    Grade CardsCan be accessed via My School Portal from the last day of each half term.

    Parents’ societies

    The following societies are open to parents, and support both the work of the School and the parents themselves:

    • The Parents’ and Staff Association (PSA) gives continuous and active support to the School by organising and running a number of different events throughout the year. These include fundraising activities such as a Christmas fair, a quiz night and a summer drinks evening. In recent years these have helped finance ‘extras’ as varied as an electric car kit for Technology Club, tables, boards and bidding boxes for Bridge Club, rowing ergometers, and digital spectrometers for use in the Chemistry Department. The PSA also provides financial help to groups and individual students undertaking worthwhile co-curricular activities. Details of forthcoming PSA events will be sent to you directly.
    • The Music Society supports the cause of music at KGS and its membership is open to everyone. Concert tickets are offered at reduced prices and fundraising social events are regularly held to aid the Music Department’s instrument fund.
    • The Sherriff Club (named after the playwright RC Sherriff, an Old Kingstonian) supports our rowing club.
    • The Drama Society supports the Drama Department by providing a bar at intervals during productions throughout the year. Proceeds raised from the bar are used to support students in group performances both in school and in festivals and events outside school.  Funds also subsidise workshops, masterclasses and backstage/technical trips for interested students.  The Society is a wonderful opportunity for parents to socialise and become involved in the creative life of the school.