In 2020, Mr. Ansley was at a gathering in the Chaplains garden and found a piece of oak in the firepit. That piece of wood eventually became an end of year leaving gift, along with wooden fountain pens for our class of Upper Sixth Leavers. That was the year that a new tradition began.
With various types of wood from our massive estate, Mr Ansley set out to custom make fountain pens as a momento of KHS for pupils. All of the wood is sourced, cut and dried from trees on the estate, including Ash, Beech, Black Poplar, Oak, Teak, American Black Walnut and Walnut (although the American Black Walnut and Teak was sourced from old benches that were not repairable)
Each pen is customised and bears the initials of the recipient. This year we have 53 Leavers who will receive their gift at the Leavers Tea, an event held the day before Speech Day. On that day, we say goodbye to our Leavers, and welcome them as Hillians.
Making the pens is a massive task but a labour of love. We are grateful to Mr Ansley for this tradition and trust that our new Hillians will treasure this little piece of Kingham Hill as they go out into the world.
