During the Easter holidays a new stained glass window was installed in Top School Hall. On our return to School this week, there was an unveiling of the new window during special assemblies for Junior and Senior pupils where our Headmaster, Mr Last, explained about the project and the meaning behind the design.
Designed by Hillian and stained glass artist, Peter Berry, the new window is based on a biblical passage from 1 Corinthians 9: 24-25:
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.
As described by Peter: The ‘race’ is suggested through the use of colour - relating to the school’s colours. The bright blue draws the eye upwards in three ‘lanes’, the centre one winning the race and topped with the crown (modelled on the KHS Crest). The many straight lines that criss-cross the design represent the endless thought and activity that goes on at school and the 34 lenses (the round pieces) portray the number of weeks that pupils spend at Kingham in a year. Lines also come from the central cross, signifying the school's Christian ethos. At the base of the three panels is the unofficial school motto of ‘Work Hard, Play Hard, Serve Well’ written in Latin to echo the traditional motto of ‘In Virum Perfectum’ which features in the window at the other end of the Hall.
The window installation marks the completion of a fundraising restoration project which began in 2019, when it became apparent that the windows in each of the gable ends of the Hall were in need of replacing. At the time, our Art Department, and specifically Mrs Waters, worked with Peter to design a window which captured the essence of life on the Hill. The window was subsequently installed in the end of the room that gets the most light during the day. Fast forward a few years and the design and installation of the second window at the other end of the Hall has now brought the project to its conclusion. We are very grateful to everyone who supported the initiative. A total of 64 donors contributed, made up of Hillians, parents, staff and governors.
Read more about the original project by clicking here.