Dear ^Preferred name or first name^

I hope this finds you and yours well during what continue to be challenging times. Since the lock-down, our staff and pupils have been kept busy with live-streamed lessons in the mornings, followed by an imaginative programme of extra curricular activities in the afternoon. The Prep re-opens on Monday 1 June for children in Nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 6 (as per government guidelines) so as you can see, in true Mount Kelly spirit, we are pushing on!

I am proud of our Upper Sixth volunteers who have become an integral part of our Caring Calls Campaign and been ringing some of our more vulnerable OMKs during lockdown for a friendly chat. Feedback from those OMKs that have been contacted has been overwhelmingly positive; read more below.

If guidelines allow, we aim to re-launch our programme of OMK events and hope to kick-start the new academic year with a drinks gathering at David Londsdale's (75-81) pub The Sekforde in London on 23 September.  We will keep you updated over the coming weeks; in the meantime, stay safe, and please keep sending us your news and stories.

Fran Reid
Development & Alumni Manager

'Walking on Sunshine'

The Mount Kelly Chamber Choir, who recently won the title of Barnardo's School Choir of the Year in March, have recorded this great version of the '80s classic, Walking on Sunshine, by Katrina and the Waves.

Pupils recreate Ten Tors @ Home

On the first weekend of May, 28 pupils decided not to let their Ten Tors training go to waste and recreated the event at home. They walked 34, 45 or 55 miles in their gardens and on local lanes, with full rucksacks and camping overnight. In the process, they raised an incredible £5k for the NHS Charities in sponsorship.

Caring Calls Campaign - Meet the Team

Meet Alisha, Indira, Dominic and Natasha - our Upper Sixth pupil volunteers who make up the Caring Calls Campaign team. To date, they have called over 130 OMKs and have enjoyed hearing stories about their time at School, exchanging Mount Kelly experiences and also learning what career paths they embarked upon after leaving school. With A levels cancelled, and very much with their own future in mind, making these calls is, in turn, is giving our pupils a sense of purpose, helping them grow in confidence and improving their inter-personal skills.

Such is the success of the Campaign that we have decided to continue with the calls in June. If you would like the opportunity to talk to one of our callers, do get in touch and we will arrange for you to receive a call.

SAS Selection Winner

 Paralympian and triathlete champion, Lauren Steadman (07-11), was pushed to her physical, emotional and mental limits on Channel 4's recent series of SAS Celebrity Who Dares Wins 2020.  It was a brutal experience, but she rose magnificently to the challenge, to be declared joint-winner, with fellow contestant DJ Locksmith Rudimental.

Explorers Club Fellowship

Congratulations to adventurer, photographer, lecturer and expedition leader Mark Hannaford (81-84) who in March was elected an International Fellow of The Explorers Club in New York. Other Fellows of the Club include Buzz Aldrin, James Cameron and
 Elon Musk.

World Press Photo Award

Battleground PolyU, a film covering a protest in Hong Kong made by journalist David Clark (78-83), has been announced Interactive of the Year at the World Press Photo Awards, and has received four international nominations, including the Webby Awards. Click on the photo above to watch David's excellent film.

Ben Nevis Marathon

Brothers Tom (99-04) and Ralph (01-08) completed the equivalent of a Ben Nevis Marathon without leaving home. They ran 26.2 miles on a 300m farm track and rope climbed 4413ft (an 18ft rope 260 times), raising over £5k for Age UK, the Royal Marines and NHS charities.

OMK Hero in Thailand

Over the last 38 days, Nick Fawcus-Robinson (70-76), has raised over 1M Thai Baht and, along with 12 volunteers, delivered some 40,000 meals to people in Phuket whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by Covid-19. He is now preparing to re-open his diving comany, Scuba Nicks, once restrictions are lifted.

Music Video for NHS

Former staff member Trevor Ryder (79-12) decided to learn a new  skill in lockdown and has had a go at producing his first-ever music video - and to raise money for the NHS Charities Together. Watch the video and visit his just giving page if you would like to support his fundraising efforts.

Sharron Davies speaks to pupils

Over 100 pupils in the MK Swim Squad enjoyed an inspiring Zoom Q&A session with Olympian Sharron Davies (78-80).  She gave excellent advice on dealing with adversity, and provided a fascinating insight into her career and her passion for swimming.

Masterchef 2020

Olivia Eadie (02-11) was a contestant in this year's BBC Masterchef series; although she was not chosen to go through to the next round, she very much enjoyed the experience and cooked some delicious-looking dishes for the judges.

Mount Kelly Food Bank

 Working closely with the council and local volunteer groups, Mount Kelly is helping run the local Food Bank. Donations are stored in the College kitchens, supplemented with Mount Kelly's own stocks of food, and staff volunteers are bagging up the items and delivering them to vulnerable families across west Devon using the school minibuses.

The Mount Kelly
Bursary Fund

We are very grateful to all OMKs, parents, staff and governors who are supporting the Mount Kelly Bursary Fund with regular or one-off gifts. Our aim is to enable a wider range of talented pupils to access a Mount Kelly education, and experience the life-changing opportunities that it provides.

Alumnet Online Platform
for OMKs

Over 400 OMKs have already signed up to Alumnet - our OMK networking platform. Alumnet allows OMKs to keep in touch with friends, and is especially useful in making new connections for business/career purposes, as well as helping with work experience and career advice for current pupils.

Head Master's Blogs and
other recordings

Our Head Master, Guy Ayling, records a weekly lock-down blog, which can be accessed via the School's website, as can the Monday chapel addresses, various talks, lectures and music recitals.

OMK Events 2020

Saturday 5 September  (tbc)
OMK Ladies' Hockey v Mount Kelly 1st XI

Wednesday 23 September 6pm
OMK Pub Gathering in London
(The Sekforde, Farrington)

Saturday 8 May 2021
OMK Day & Dinner
OMK Golf
OMK Cricket

   Mount Kelly
College: Parkwood Road - Tavistock - Devon - PL19 0HZ
Prep: Mount Tavy Road - Tavistock - Devon - PL19 9JL
www.mountkelly.com - mailto:alumni@mountkelly.com

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