We strive to celebrate our students' myriad of achievements and contributions to school life on a daily basis, however our annual King's Ely Senior Prizegiving Service is always a wonderful opportunity to formally acknowledge pupils' accomplishments in the splendours of Ely Cathedral! 

Around 1,000 students, families, staff, governors, Old Eleans, local dignitaries, and friends of King's came together for this year's service, which is undoubtedly a highlight of the school's events calendar.

With a student body made up of more than forty different nationalities, some families were able to walk or drive a short distance to the Cathedral, whereas some travelled from the other side of the world to witness their children receive prizes. 

Academic Prizes and Major Academic Prizes are awarded to students in Years 9, 10, and 11. There are also awards for 'Most Improved Students' and those who have provided an 'Outstanding Contribution to School Life'.

Students in Years 12 and 13 are recognised for academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular areas in which they excel, including Computing, Design Engineering, Photography, Mathematics, Fine Art, Rowing, Chemistry, Spanish, Ely Scheme, and Model United Nations, to name just some!

There are also King’s Scholar and Queen’s Scholar Prizes, Prefect Awards, International Scholar Prizes, and Potticary Medals for the Heads of School, which went to Eve Williams and Matthew Chippington this year.

Prizes and medals which celebrate historical achievements at King’s, such as the Bennett Prize, Merrifield Science Prize, Huntington Trophy, Shepherd Cup, Robinson STEM Prize, and Winkfield Cup are also awarded. 

Chapel Choir, accompanied by King's Ely Brass, performed Gerald Finzi's 'God is gone up' impeccably, and equally impressive musical interludes were given by Jazz Ensemble - 'It had to be You' by Isham Jones arr. Rick Stitzel, and 'Crazy little thing called love' by Freddie Mercury arr. Roger Holmes.

There were also prayers, readings, hymns, and speeches from our Principal; Mr John Attwater, Head of Senior School; Mrs Jane Thomas, and Chair of Governors; Mr David Day, who presented students with their prizes.

Heads of School, Eve and Matthew, spoke about their experiences at King's with huge fondness and affection. They thanked our Deputy Heads of School, Oynisa Safaeva and Ted Hall, for their support throughout the year, as well as our superb Prefect Team - Benjamin Alderton, James Barber, Sienna Burley, Lok Man Chiu, Harriet Flynn, Tia Glenister, Jack Hammond, Eden Hewitt, Louis Mace, Keiya Prijadi, Nikola Plazonic, Alfie Robson, Keane Savage, Qinyi (Natalie) Song, Lucy Tooley, Danielle Viljoen, and Holly Weil.

Matthew and Eve also announced that next year's Heads of School will be Odette Dudley and Oliver Loveday. Their Deputies will be Matthew Allen and Masha Olifan. 

Congratulations to this year's prize winners, and thank you to every single pupil for putting their heart and soul into all aspects of school life! 

Image by Keith Heppell Photography - enjoy the full gallery on our Facebook page: Facebook