WITH the backcloth of Ely Cathedral providing a suitably outstanding setting, the highest achieving King’s Ely students became King’s and Queen’s Scholars during a special installation service on Friday (22).
Every year, students are selected to become King’s and Queen’s Scholars on the basis of excellence in their GCSE examinations. They are chosen and installed in the Michaelmas term upon entry into Year 12 and continue until Year 13. As academic leaders of the school, the Scholars receive their distinctive red gowns – the colour traditionally associated with royalty. They are also admitted as members of the Cathedral Foundation and often process at Cathedral services, strengthening the special link between King’s Ely and the Cathedral. The King’s and Queen’s Scholars provide a continuing connection to the foundation of the school by Henry VIII in 1541 and the introduction of co-education in 1970, soon after which our current Queen instigated Queen’s Scholars.
After the Admission of Scholars Service, each new Scholar signed their name in the Scholars’ Book and joined staff and guests for a candlelit Evensong with the school’s Chapel Choir. Celebrations then continued in the Monastic Barn.
Two International Scholars are also appointed each year and join the King’s and Queen’s Scholars in leading the school academically and during many important formal occasions. King’s Ely International students Luofei Dong and Daria Shevtsova received their gowns during this morning’s (25) cathedral service.
Principal of King’s Ely, Sue Freestone, remarked that the Admission of Scholars Service and the Gowning of International Scholars are principle highlights in the life of King’s Ely, adding: “Becoming a Scholar means so much to the students involved and I can do no better than to quote one of them, who said: ‘I am so happy that I am now a King’s Scholar and that I have fulfilled one of my dreams. Ever since I first saw the Scholars (which was when I was four years old), I have really admired them and to be one of them is truly amazing!’.”
NEW KING’S AND QUEEN’S SCHOLARS, 2013 – 2015:
Eleanor Banahan
Valerie Beeston
James Bridgman
Lucie Clift
Annabel Green
Adam Hatoum
Sam Hirons
Yuki Kimura
Christopher Le
Harriet Moore
Alexander Piggot
Madeleine Pinto
Euan Richards
Matilda Scott
NEW QUEEN’S SCHOLARS, 2013 – 2014:
(post AS results)
Beatrice White
Constance Wynn
NEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS, 2013 – 2015:
Luofei Dong
Daria Shevtsova