Mr Dorey starts as Principal
The school is pleased to welcome new Principal
Nick Dorey to the school this term.
Having completed 13 years as the Head of
a highly successful independent school Bethany, in Kent, he joins
Kings Monkton with enthusiasm for the future of the school as well
as his new family life in Wales.
With a successful athletics career behind him,
securing ‘Blues’ for both Athletics and Cross Country at Oxford and
Cambridge as well as running 1500 metres indoors for the UK, he is
now a very keen road cyclist and mountaineer who is looking forward
to exploring the beautiful Welsh countryside. His wife, Helen, is
an English and Drama teacher.
Nick was the recent Chairman of the Society of
Heads of Independent Schools (SHMIS), has been serving on the Board
of Directors of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and is a
Governor of The Mead School in Tunbridge Wells.
Mr Dorey replaces Pierre Cox who retires after
31 years at the school.
With a summer of preparations behind him,
culminating in a large scale school development programme, he
reaches the end of his first week of term commenting:
“The students at Kings Monkton have impressed
me. They are keen to learn, eager to participate at all levels,
friendly and courteous. The school community has proved extremely
welcoming and led by a dedicated staff, the transition has been
smooth.
Our aim is to give young people an education
that will equip them for life in a changing world, with the help of
the firm foundations of an inclusive and supportive community. We
have a very strong pastoral system at the school where every pupil
is treated as an individual and encouraged to achieve both
academically and in terms of extra-curricular activities.
Kings Monkton was formed from the amalgamation
of Monkton House and King’s College School - both of which were
established in the 1870’s - and celebrates its 140th
Anniversary this year as one of the oldest independent schools in
Cardiff.
Mr Dorey Added
“There is a particular focus on adding value
at the school and with a rolling programme of refurbishments and a
commitment to maintaining the highest levels of teaching, there is
a significant dedication to continuous improvement.
The school again recently reported improved
results with 65% of all candidates achieving grades A* to C at A
level, with 38% of these grades at A* or A. GCSE results were also
up 10% on last year’s figure, with an amazing 42% of this year’s
grades at A* or A.