Principal of King’s Ely installed alongside King’s and Queen’s Scholars

The Principal of King’s Ely, John Attwater, and twelve new King’s and Queen’s Scholars have been officially installed at a service in Ely Cathedral.

The Admission of Scholars’ ceremony saw all of King’s Ely Senior pupils and the Scholars’ proud families coming together in the glorious setting of the Cathedral. The Scholars received their distinctive scarlet gowns, the colour traditionally symbolising a Royal foundation.

John Attwater, who took over as Principal of King’s Ely in September this year, was also formally admitted to the Foundation by the Dean of Ely, Mark Bonney during the service, which combined hymns, readings, prayers and an anthem performed by King’s Ely’s 40-strong Chapel Choir, together with an uplifting sermon from the Bishop of Huntingdon.

King’s Scholars (boys) were inaugurated by Henry VIII in 1541 and Queen’s Scholars (girls) at the request of Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. The Scholarships are honorary positions, awarded annually on the basis of students’ GCSE results.

Scholars, who are all Year 12 students at King’s Ely, become members of the Cathedral Foundation, strengthening the special link between King’s Ely and the Cathedral, and they also qualify for other privileges and appointments throughout the year.

This year’s King’s and Queen’s Scholars are Elizabeth Carberry, Emma Garrett, David Harris, Oscar Hills, Eliza Iles, Minchan (Thomas Kim), Katherine Mann, Benjamin Marshall, Dylan Miles, Archie Newman, Miriam Reveley and Eleanor Wallace.

Two International Scholars have also been appointed this year – Wai Kin (Michael) Wu and Nicolas Salomaa.

The Admission of Scholars’ ceremony was followed by the ‘Visitors’ Feast’, where the school entertains the Bishop of Ely (‘The Visitor’) and the Cathedral Foundation in a tradition stretching back into the mists of time. King’s Ely staff, governors and families came together in the school’s Monastic Barn to celebrate the achievements of the newly appointed Scholars and the historic link between the school and the Cathedral.

The Principal of King’s Ely, John Attwater, said: “It has been a huge personal privilege to be admitted to the Foundation and installed, but more than that to see the energy and fellowship our new Scholars bring to an ancient tradition and relationship for the advancement of all.”