The Petriburgian

Once again our Y11 students had a fantastic time at their Prom, organised and supported once again by the brilliant King’s Friends - formerly PSA.

Another fantastic event!

A huge thank you to former Head Students Dhiran and Andriana, now studying Medicine at the University of Cambridge and the University of Liverpool, for returning to King’s to support our Year 12 students.

They spent the morning working with students hoping to apply for Medicine and related courses in the next academic year, sharing valuable insights into the application process and offering practical advice drawn from their own experiences.

Their guidance on preparing for the UCAT, which has become increasingly central to medical applications, was particularly valuable and gave students a clearer understanding of how to approach this important stage of the process.

The support offered by our Petriburgians is invaluable in helping to determine the future success of our current students. We are extremely grateful to Dhiran and Andriana for giving their time, expertise and encouragement so generously.

Celebrating 50 Years of Co-education at King’s

In September 2026, The King’s (The Cathedral) School, Peterborough will celebrate 50 years of co-education.

To mark this important anniversary, the Old Petriburgians Association, working in collaboration with the School, has invited the pioneering first group of girls who joined King’s in September 1976 to attend Speech Day on 11 September 2026.

We are, however, still trying to trace around ten members of that original group and would greatly value the support of the King’s community in helping us to find them.

Among the first girls to join King’s was Mandy Hibbard, now known to our students as Mrs Warner-Bradshaw. Mandy has taught English at King’s for more than twenty years and continues to work at the School today, with a number of significant roles. The photograph accompanying this post shows Mandy with some of our current Year 12 students.

Our OPA Secretary, Heather Biccarino, was also a member of that first group and was then known as Heather Nellist.

Were you one of the girls who joined King’s in September 1976? Perhaps you are still in contact with someone who did, or can help us reconnect with one of the missing members of the group.

Please contact Heather Biccarino at:

[email protected]

Please share this appeal and help us bring this remarkable group back together to celebrate 50 years of co-education.

The King’s Hockey Festival 2026 returned to the school sports field on Garton End Road on Saturday 13 June 2026, bringing together former pupils, former members of staff, parents, relatives and friends of The King’s School community for a memorable day of sport and reunion.

Six teams took part, with each squad containing at least seven players. The competitors represented several generations of Old Petriburgians and demonstrated the continuing strength of the friendships and connections formed through the school. Former staff, pupils and parents were joined by family members and others with close links to King’s, all of whom were welcomed as part of the wider Petriburgian family.

Sons of Pitches produced an outstanding series of performances and completed the tournament with a perfect record. They defeated the Rising Stars 6–1 and Ali’s All Stars 1–0, before also overcoming Family Connection, Wiggy’s Team and the Student Hotshots. Having won every one of their matches, Sons of Pitches were deservedly crowned the 2026 tournament champions.
Wiggy’s Team finished in second place after an impressive competition. Among their results was an entertaining 7–2 victory over Ali’s All Stars, as well as wins against Family Connection and the Student Hotshots.

The Rising Stars secured third place. The team was largely composed of current members of staff, several of whom had little or no previous experience of playing hockey. Despite losing to Sons of Pitches, they recorded victories over Ali’s All Stars and the Student Hotshots, drew 2–2 with Family Connection and produced a competitive performance against Wiggy’s Team.

During the match against the Student Hotshots, the staff players were rotated to ensure that the students were not required to compete directly against their teachers throughout the game. This added to the friendly and inclusive spirit in which the entire tournament was played.

One of the most significant moments of the day was the presentation of a special award to Alison Amps, recognising her exceptional contribution to hockey and to the wider life of The King’s School. Alison was appointed Honorary President of the King’s Hockey Festival, acknowledging her many years of service, enthusiasm and support.

A number of special awards were presented at the conclusion of the tournament. The Fair Play Team Award was presented to the Student Hotshots in recognition of the sporting and positive manner in which the students approached the competition.
The Most Improved Player Award was presented to Charlie Goodwin, a mathematics teacher at King’s. Charlie’s progress, enthusiasm and performances during the competition impressed players and organisers alike, making him a worthy recipient of the award. The Moment of the Weekend Award was presented to Natalie Henry-Oliver, who formerly taught Chemistry at King’s. Natalie has supported the Hockey Festival over many years and once again demonstrated her commitment by playing for several teams during the competition.

The festival was supported throughout the day by The King’s Friends, who provided catering and refreshments for players and spectators. Their practical assistance and warm hospitality made an important contribution to the success of the occasion. Particular thanks must go to Heather Biccarino and Alison Amps, who were the principal organisers of the festival. Their hard work before and during the event ensured that the tournament ran smoothly and that everyone involved was able to enjoy an excellent day of hockey.

Thanks must also be extended to Jonathan Bigham for organising the umpires. Jonathan has taken responsibility for this important aspect of the festival every year and has continued to demonstrate an exceptional commitment to King’s and its wider community.
The Hockey Festival was followed by an evening event back at King’s, attended by a large number of former members of staff, former pupils and friends of the school. The gathering provided another opportunity for members of the King’s community to renew friendships, share memories and celebrate their continuing connection with the school.

Music was provided by The Catch, a band composed mostly of members of staff from King’s. The drummer was also permitted to take part on the entirely reasonable grounds that his wife had previously served as Head of English at the school. Once again, The King’s Friends offered their invaluable support. Special thanks must go to David and Sammy Riley for their help in running the refreshments and contributing to the welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere of the evening.

Teams at The King's Hockey Festival 2026

Personal Statement Week 2026

From Monday 6th to Friday 10th July 2026, we will be running our Personal Statement Week for current Year 12 students at The King’s School, Peterborough.

Each day will focus on particular subject areas, and we would love to welcome back former students who are now at university, on apprenticeships, in employment, or following other post-18 pathways to support our students as they begin shaping their applications and future plans.

If you are home from university, not at your apprenticeship or workplace during that time, or simply able to spare a little time, this would be a brilliant opportunity to come back to King’s and offer the kind of guidance, reassurance and insight that many of you received yourselves.

Our students benefit enormously from hearing from people who were once in their position — people who understand the school, the application process, and the decisions that come next.

Each day has a specific subject focus, which is shown on the form attached. If you are able to help, please complete the form using the link below:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/QK1HA9XDia

Thank you, as always, to our former students for continuing to support the King’s community.

Experience the power and beauty of choral music on Friday 26 June at 7pm, as our wonderful Cathedral Choir joins with The Bach Choir to perform a selection of timeless choral classics. Conducted by David Hill. Book here: https://www.ticketsource.com/peterborough-cathedral-music/choral-classics-at-peterborough-cathedral/p-jnjzq

The Old Petriburgians’ Association annual reunion on July 17th, 1948.

We are always looking for committee members to help organise events, maintain our network and develop our outreach. If you would like to be part of this project, please dont hesitate to get in touch.