U10/11Bs v. Handcross Park
For our first match of the season, I set the boys the challenge of aiming for three things in the game: effort, team spirit and disciplined positioning. Whilst the scoreline certainly reflected the opposition's dominance (we trailed 6-0 at half-time), I couldn't fault them for effort or spirit and, after going behind by two early goals, the boys' heads actually lifted with renewed determination. Their positional awareness markedly improved, George S and Simon F taking greater responsibility for tracking players, not the ball, with Mac Y remaining a threat by staying high up the pitch, despite not always getting the ball. Unsurprisingly, there was disappointment at conceding goals, but the boys stayed together and fought hard for each other all over the pitch, Fin C showing good control and trying to keep possession. After a chance to catch their breath at half-time, they were revitalised and committed to making their opponents work hard. Indeed, there seemed to be more than one Sam PR on the pitch, and Henry S and Freddie G were positive and aggressive in midfield. Anyone who missed a tackle tried hard to recover and tackle again, and eventually our efforts were rewarded with a solid team goal, finished well by Mac. To draw the second half 1-1 was a great result, and the boys could see how much they had learned and improved in only a single match. Well done, boys - let's keep that up next time!
Mr Wright
U12 A Football v. Box Hill
The U12 A had their first match of the season at home to Box Hill on Wednesday. Duke of Kent started well with George K scoring a wonder strike into the top left hand corner of the net. The match was quite even in the early stages but Box Hill started to take their chances and Duke of Kent School not finishing well when in good positions. Henry W scored a second but Box Hill went on to score more in the second half and won quite comfortably in the end. Although there is plenty to work on for this team, their determination and willingness to give their all will help them fantastically this term.
Mr Herbert
U12/13A Hockey v. Box Hill School
On Wednesday, the U12/13A Team played their first match of the term. The defence were immediately thrust in to the thick of it as Box Hill displayed some strong attacking play but Poppy F made some cracking saves and Erin C and Holly R showed true grit and determination at the back. Despite the pressure the team were under they did very well to only be down by one goal at half time.
Throughout the match, Lola C did an excellent job of keeping her left midfield position which helped keep the team's shape. Holly D played an important role in putting the opposition's defence under pressure which slowed down their attack. The team couldn't keep Box Hill out forever but it was great to see everyone fighting back after conceding a couple of goals. Well done to Willow D who was consistently threatening in attack and scored a super goal towards the end of the match. A special mention to Issy N who was awarded player of the match; she had a great game.
Mrs Dann
U12/13 B & C Hockey v. Box Hill
On Wednesday afternoon, the U12/13 B & C teams played their first hockey match of the season v. Box Hill. It was brilliant to see all the girls put the skills they had learnt into a game situation! The B team were on first and made a fantastic start with Norah H on fire scoring two goals in quick succession. The team worked hard to try and spread the play a little more in the second half and Esme W found herself in some great goal scoring positions, she managed to put the team 3-0 up! Box Hill fought back and our defence had to remain solid with Elfie G and Millie L making some epic tackles. The score finished 4-0 to Duke of Kent School U12/13 Bs!
Next up were the C team, Box Hill started well and scored within the first 5 minutes. However, the spirits of the team remained high and they fought back with a goal from Lois M to even up the score to 1-1. Duke of Kent School had multiple chances to take the lead but Box Hill's goalie made some epic saves to keep them out. It was great to see so many strong tackles being made, especially by Penny A and Milly B in defence. The score finished as a draw a 1-1, a fair result after a very close game. A huge well done to all the girls involved for a great first hockey match of the year!
Miss Vickers
U14/U15 A Hockey v. Box Hill
On Tuesday afternoon, the U14/U15 A Team enjoyed their first hockey game of the season. For some, it was their first taste of a 9-aside game including penalty corners which can feel very daunting when running out to defend a strong Box Hill side! The team displayed some great attacking play with Jess I and Bella S's linking well in the midfield and Phoebe P showing great tenacity up front. The team created numerous goal scoring opportunities and were so close to scoring on more than one occasion but Box Hill dominated play using their right channel which led to going three nil down at half time. However, the team didn't give up and adapted brilliantly to playing a slightly different formation in the second half; Tildy C brought strength to the midfield, Alice B distributed accurately from the back and Maggie B made some strong saves in goal. The highlight was a beautifully executed penalty corner seeing Isla B calmly slot the ball home at left slip meaning a 1-1 draw come the end of the second half. Overall the team worked tirelessly throughout the match and a special mention goes to Isla B for being voted player of the game.
Mrs Dann
U14/15 B Hockey v. Box Hill
On Tuesday afternoon, the U14/15 B team travelled to Box Hill for their first hockey match of the term! The team were ready and raring to go and played some great hockey throughout the match. We played a 6 a side game on a small pitch with indoor hockey rules. This meant the team had to adapt their play as there were no side or back lines. It was an exciting and high paced game with some excellent defending from Mattie R and Emily N. Edie H was fantastic in goal and made some important saves in the first half to keep the team in the game. Issy F improved as the match went on and showed excellent skills and determination to score a goal in the final quarter to put the team 1-0 up! Iona H, Anna S and Lucy M worked tirelessly on the wings to create opportunities to go forwards and help in defence. Mercy M played as a centre forward and did brilliantly to position herself in and around the D and create lots of great chances! Box Hill kept fighting and eventually managed to get a goal past our solid defence in the last minute of the game meaning the score finished 1-1. A very well deserved draw and a brilliant first game played in great spirits by both teams. A particular well done to Mattie R for being award player of the game!!
Miss Vickers
U14 A Football v. Shoreham College
An exhilarating U14A football showdown!
The away team showcased their attacking prowess, triumphing with a pleasing win. Right from the kickoff, Duke of Kent School displayed unwavering determination, making for an action-packed contest. The visiting team pressured forward from the start and was rewarded for their efforts. There were great individual showcases of skill, and the team worked well together throughout the match. Shoreham College had spells of dominance but never feared the Duke of Kent School's defence. A good first win of the season for Duke of Kent School, with a very exciting season ahead!
Mr Boden
U16 A Football v. Belmont
Duke of Kent School U16 Football played Belmont at Holmbury St Mary FC on Tuesday. Duke of Kent School started strongly and showed good movement and communication. Unfortunately, we conceded a foul just outside the box as Belmont countered. Their midfielder struck a fabulous free kick into the top corner not giving Zac L a chance to save it. The pattern of sustained pressure from Duke of Kent School and Belmont breaking forward quickly if they gained possession continued. After some good passing Oscar D-K finished off a lovely passage of play to put Duke of Kent School level. An under hit back pass gave Zac L no chance of claiming the ball minutes later, with Belmont regaining the lead. The second half was very one sided, with Duke of Kent School creating chance after chance. Oscar D-K scored a second and Belmont hit into their own net after a Jasper B corner to help Duke of Kent School U16 to a deserved 3-2 victory.
Mr Herbert
I also spoke to the children in Thursday's Assembly about Roald Dahl, celebrating what would have been his 107th Birthday. I loved hearing some of their favourite Dahl books, and what made them special in their eyes - humour being a commonly popular theme! We also had the chance to hear Dahl's own 'revolting' rhyming version of Jack and the Beanstalk - one of my very favourites. 
The children particularly loved seeing the jellyfish and how they moved through the water. The day finished with a yummy ice-cream on the beach and watching the waves crash on the shore. We had a brilliant day at The Sea Life Centre and can't wait to continue learning about the mysteries and wonders of marine life! 
On Thursday, Years 3 and 4 travelled back three thousand years in time to meet Jocasta, an Ancient Greek noblewoman. She helped them on their mission to find answers about Ancient Greece so that they could become Trainee Time Travellers. Jocasta taught us the Greek alphabet, which helped solve a riddle about Homer’s epic poetry; George became a fierce minotaur, while Georgia acted the part of the clever princess, Ariadne, who helped Theseus through the labyrinth. Jocasta’s unhappy slave, Griselda, described the hardships of growing up in Sparta and the children even met Zeus and impressed him with their knowledge of the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses. Luckily they completed their quest and managed to find their way safely back to the 21st century just in time for sausages and mash!
The day started with Mr Wilson leading us on a climb up to Pitch hill and then meandering along footpaths down to Sayers Croft. There was lots of chatter and eating of blackberries on route. We were met at Sayers Croft by their great team who led us through a day of team building activities. The axe throwing demanded strength and precision and pupils surprised themselves with their abilities. The angel axes came out the firm favourite. The challenge course required teamwork of all the students who had been split into groups of 11. They lost points for falling off the course and gained them for kindness and teamwork. It will not be a surprise to Year 7 parents to hear that the Year 7s won a lot of points back and really impressed the Sayers Croft team. The high ropes were more of an individual challenge however good advice could be heard from the students who were taking a break on the various platforms to those who were in the middle of 
a challenge section. Some exceptionally kind students even went back across challenge sections to help their teammates with their tricky sloth harnesses at the junctions on the course. The final challenge was the climbing wall where it was all hands on deck as those who were not climbing were spotting for their teammates and helping advise them to the next notch on the wall. At the end of the day Mr Wilson led the pupils on the beautiful uphill climb back to school. You would have thought they were all exhausted at this point, but there was constant chatter all the way home and a few energetic souls sprinting up the last hill.
