This week we celebrated our Founder’s Day and Charles Kingsley’s birthday.

170 years ago, Charles Kingsley's vision of education for all in Eversely and Bramshill became a reality as our school opened. Initially, it comprised of just one classroom (our library now), with the room for the teachers to live in today's main office and upstairs windows. I wonder if Charles himself would recognise CKS now?

Born in 1819, Charles Kingsley had a multi-faceted life, including becoming vicar for Queen Victoria and tutoring her son who became King Edward VI. He wrote many plays and books, with the most famous probably being The Water Babies - our mural in the library illustrates this story.

Opening Charles Kingsley's school was the fruition of Kingsley's concern about the lack of education for the labouring poor, with a particular focus on working children primarily. As with many key historical figures, the legacy of Charles Kingsley is subject to revision by social historians. Regardless, when we come into school each day, we are surrounded by the practical legacy of one man's vision to improve the lives of others. 

This morning, Reverend Rachel led us in our Founder’s Day worship where we continued to reflect on our school value of ENVIRONMENT.

We considered the giant sequoia tree planted in the grounds of St Mary’s Church; how it grew from a tiny seed.  Our school is much like this tree; grown from Charles Kingsley’s vision.

Charles Kingsley wanted a balance in people's lives. No one should be too rich or too poor. People should go to church on Sundays, but they should also be able to relax on Sundays. Children should have an education but not too much. Children still needed to be children. He wanted them to have an education that was broad and rich….so he built our amazing school!

Reverend Rachel was kind enough to then take our tributes of flowers to the churchyard to lay on Charles Kingsley’s grave.

Dear God,
Thank you for the founder of this school, Rev’d Charles Kingsley, who had a vision of teaching children things that would help them

grow in to the best people they can be.
Thank you, Jesus, that you help us to grow and to set a good example of learning about and looking after the environment around us.
God, through your Holy Spirit, help us to be resilient, and know that faith in you can help us to be grow and be strong, whatever happens in our lives.

   Amen