The Michaelmas Term would not be the Michaelmas Term without King’s Ely’s annual Scholars’ Service!
Students, parents and carers, staff, governors and friends of the school came together inside Ely Cathedral on November 25th for our ‘Admission and Welcome of Scholars’ Choral Evensong, during which our new King’s, Queen’s and International Scholars were formally appointed.
This year’s Scholars are: Thomas Alderton, Robert Banwell, Lauren Booth, Mollie Chamberlain, Hugh Chippington, Isobel Holland, Lily McCallum, Harriet Nicholson, Aron O’Connor, Fares Obeid, Anders Ong, William Shaw, Sydney Smith, Eliza Spooner, Jack Tisi and Sophie Wood.
Principal of King’s Ely, John Attwater, conducted the sixteen Scholars to the Dean of Ely, the Very Reverend Mark Bonney, who received them at the Octagon Altar. The students were robed in their scarlet gowns and took their places in the Scholars’ seats.
King’s Scholars were inaugurated by Henry VIII in 1541, followed by Queen’s Scholars at the request of Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. The Scholarships are honorary positions, awarded annually on the basis of students’ GCSE results.
Scholars, who are all Year 12 students at King’s Ely Sixth Form, become members of the Cathedral Foundation, strengthening the special link between King’s and the Cathedral, and they also qualify for other privileges and appointments throughout the year.
Chapel Choir, led by Neil Porter-Thaw, were on fine form in the service, which also featured hymns, readings and prayers. The Revd Canon Tom Buchanan delivered the sermon.
After the service, Scholars and their families headed to the Monastic Barn for our traditional ‘Visitors’ Feast’. As you can see from these photos, our Kitchen and Catering Team went all out to make the occasion a memorable one!