King Edward VI School celebrates Old Edwardian's 350-year anniversary
Tuesday 25 June marks the 350th anniversary of one of King Edward VI School's most iconic Old Edwardians (former KES student); a celebration which will be marked across the City of Southampton by many.
"King Edward VI School is proud to have educated Isaac Watts and we are privileged to be forever associated with him as an Old Edwardian. We are therefore delighted to be taking part in the celebrations to mark his 350th anniversary. Isaac Watts was a courageous and creative hymnist, theologian, author and logician, who wrote hymns which remain popular and relevant today, including our very own School hymn ‘Our God, Our Help In Ages Past”. He is still remembered at our School, with one of our houses named after him, just as he is honoured in Southampton, the city of his birth", Mr Parker, Head.
"To mark this special anniversary, a group of KES students will be providing a Brass Quartet and the Year 7 Choir will accompany hymns which will be sung at his statue in Watts Park in a ceremony this morning", Mr Eadon, Director of Music. Church leaders will speak and a troupe of actors will dramatise stories from Watts’ life in addition to the corporate singing of five of his most famous hymns.
Watts House
One of our Houses at King Edward's is named after Isaac Watts, paying tribute to the remarkable work he achieved. It is important for our students to recognise his significant contributions in various fields including hymn writing and the popularisation of congregational hymn singing. "Recently, students from Watts House have showcased their own musical abilities by excelling in inter-house music and singing competitions, displaying remarkable enthusiasm, camaraderie, and talent", Mr Barley, Head of Watts House.
Image: Watts House practising their performance for a House Singing Competition
