The inaugural Beacon Ceremony was held on 03 August 2025, marking the introduction of a meaningful new tradition within the life of the school and the Old Kingswoodian community. This ceremony was created as a way to honour and remember Old Kingswoodians who have recently passed away, while also offering their families a space for reflection, connection, and remembrance within the school that helped shape their loved ones’ lives.

The idea for the Beacon Ceremony emerged from discussions within the Executive Committee of the OK Club, who sought a compassionate and appropriate way to invite the families of deceased OK’s back to the school for a formal act of remembrance. Recognising the importance of creating a dignified and spiritually rooted event, the committee agreed that the Memorial Chapel, a place already steeped in memory and tradition, was the natural venue in which to host such a service.

Further discussions between the Heritage Committee and the College Chaplain refined the concept. It was decided that the new ceremony would be incorporated as an addition to the existing Chapel Anniversary Service, held annually at the end of term 2. This ensured that the Beacon Ceremony would be anchored in a long-standing tradition while offering a new and thoughtful extension to the service.

Selecting a name that captured the spirit and intent of the event was considered an important step. Several ideas were proposed, but the phrase that resonated most strongly came from the College Hymn: “we are watchers of a beacon whose light must never die.” This line, rich in symbolism and connection to Kingswood’s heritage, inspired the name The Beacon Ceremony, a title that captured both the act of remembrance and the enduring legacy of those who have passed.

For the inaugural ceremony, invitations were sent to the families of all Old Kingswoodians who had passed away during the previous two years. This broader timeframe was chosen to ensure that the launch of the ceremony was as inclusive as possible. Going forward, the OK Club has determined that invitations will be extended annually to families of OK’s who passed away during the year preceding the event.

It must be noted that the OK Club is dependent on families notifying the office of an alumnus’s passing. Unavoidably, some deaths may not be reported. The OK Office therefore continues to appeal to the Kingswood community to keep them informed so that no family is unintentionally overlooked in future ceremonies.

The Beacon Ceremony took place at the conclusion of the Chapel Anniversary Service, under the guidance of the College Chaplain. A quiet and reverent atmosphere filled the Memorial Chapel as the congregation gathered in collective remembrance.

A central moment in the ceremony was the reading of names. The President of the OK Club, Mr Chris Hobson (OK 1990) read aloud the names of all Old Kingswoodians who had passed away during the designated period. Families present, or their chosen representatives, were then invited to come forward to the front of the chapel.

Each family lit a candle in honour of their loved one, a symbolic act signifying that while their earthly lives have ended, their light continues to shine through memory, community, and legacy. The candles glowed gently at the front of the chapel, creating a powerful and moving tableau of remembrance.

The ceremony concluded with the congregation joining together in the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” a fitting and comforting closing to the morning’s commemorations.

The 2025 Beacon Ceremony established a deeply meaningful tradition that is set to continue annually. It honours the lives of Old Kingswoodians who have passed away, provides comfort and recognition to their families, and enriches the heritage of Kingswood College. Through the symbolism of the beacon, its unwavering light and enduring presence, the ceremony stands as a reminder of the lasting connections forged within the Kingswood community.