KAS community pays tribute to much-loved members
4th March 25
At this term’s King Alfred School Society AGM, tribute was paid to two very special and valued members of the KAS community: Sarah Phillips and Kara Conti.
Sarah stepped down from the Council after 28 years of involvement in the school’s Governance. Initially a parent, she joined Council in the mid-90s and was one of our longest-serving Treasurers. Sarah has devoted countless hours to the school, crafting policies, supporting the finance team and navigating difficult decisions.
Head Robert Lobatto said: “Her experience has been invaluable over the last ten years, helping me to stay connected to the ethos and history of the school, and always able to put in context any of our idiosyncratic institutional features. Whilst I am delighted that she will stay connected, she will be much missed in her role.”
“It is hard to find a person with a more generous spirit than Kara”
Meanwhile, Kara stepped down as KASS President after 25 years – bringing her total KAS service to some 40 years. During that time, Kara has chaired Council, taught Year 3, ran KASparents, led our brilliant TEDxKAS initiative, and been both a KAS parent and a grandparent.
Of Kara, Robert said: “It is hard to find a person with a more generous spirit, and one of the highlights of each year is when she invites all the new staff to her house for tea and a welcome into the KAS family.
“Like Sarah, she has always been an important conduit to our past, whilst also remaining open and ready to embrace change. I have valued her camaraderie and energy, her guidance and support, and she will be a difficult act to follow.”
At the AGM, both were presented with flowers and a very special gift: a pewter brooch cast by current Year 12 students from one in the King Alfred archives dating back to around 1912. You can see the brooch in more detail below, along with some images of Kara from the KAS Archive.
Thank you, Sarah and Kara, for all you have contributed to KAS over the years!
