Girls' Hockey: U15/16 A and B v. St. Edmund's
The U15/16 A and B teams joined forces to take on St Edmund's in an exciting match. Despite an overall loss, there were many great moments of play and determination. Isla B scored a fantastic goal, with an excellent assist from Bella S. Clara HS was strong in defense, making strong tackles to keep St Edmund’s away from the D. In goal, Maggie B made some great saves, while Florrie P also had an outstanding debut as goalkeeper. Francesca R worked hard in midfield and Mattie R was solid in defense. Although the B team faced tough competition from a team that the A's were also playing, the players showed great enthusiasm and teamwork.
Miss Walters
Girls' Hockey: U14/15 A v. St. Edmund's
On Tuesday afternoon the Under 14/15As travelled to The Edge leisure centre to play hockey against St Edmund’s School. Following a great training session on Friday afternoon, the team had shown excellent initiative and independence, discussing tactics and planning a formation for themselves. This team cohesion and communication continued in earnest throughout the match. Some excellent movement and passing alongside sheer grit and determination meant that Duke of Kent School were 3-0 up at half time, with two goals scored by Mercy M and one by Willow D.
At half time, Edie H removed her goal keeper’s kit and joined the team out on pitch. Despite their tireless effort and heading into challenges with confidence and tenacity, we were unable to maintain our clean sheet and the match finished as a 3-2 win to Duke of Kent School.
Congratulations go to Myrtle who was voted Player of the Game for her outstanding defending skills. This match was a showcase of effort, enthusiasm and teamwork all round, and all the players (Iona H, Edie H, Josie M, Mercy M, Emily N, Erin C, Willow D, Issy N and Myrtille M) are to be commended for their performances.
Mrs Green
Girls' Hockey: U12/13 A v. St. Edmund's
On Wednesday, the U12/13 A Team enjoyed a beautifully sunny afternoon for their hockey match against St. Edmund's. The team got off to a strong start with some lovely passing, particularly from Halle S at CM. After lots of pressure on their defence Holly B scored the first well deserved goal. The team kept their structure nicely in the first half and it was great to watch everyone connect so well as a team. Further pressure led to Norah H scoring the second goal to take Duke of Kent School to a 2-0 lead at half time.
St. Edmund's came back a lot stronger in the second half and as the team began to tire they lost their width in attack which the opposition began to exploit. Despite some determined tackling and a number of great saves from Lois M at GK they scored two quick goals. However, Duke of Kent School fought tirelessly to create new goal scoring opportunities and Ruby W snuck a goal in during the last few seconds of the match to take the final score to 3-2. There are so many positives to take away from this game, well done to all involved!
Mrs Dann
Netball: U11 v. Longacre
On Wednesday afternoon, the U11 girls made the short journey to Longacre for their first netball match of the term. The sun was shining and the team were super excited to begin! We played two matches against 2 different Longacre teams and it was great to see the U11s show great determination and effort throughout both matches. First up, the U11s played Longacre's A team and it was a very close game with chances for both teams. Excitingly, Duke of Kent School coming out on top with a 2-1 win. Layla B was calm under pressure when shooting and Elsa H had a cracking game in defence making countless interceptions for the team. Next up, the U11s played Longacre's B team and it was another extremely close game, finishing 2-2! Eva W demonstrated great communication and Evie B had a brilliant game in GK! A huge well done to the whole team for a fantastic afternoon of netball.
Mrs Monk
Netball: U10 v. Longacre
The U10s played their first match of the season on Wednesday against two teams at Longacre. Excitement was high as the sun shone and the girls showed they really are developing their netball skills, working together as a team. The attacking side showed great energy, passing the ball quickly up the court and scoring confidently. Violet W and Norah C displayed a confident partnership, backing each other up and always looking for a way to score. In defence there were some super interceptions. Charlotte L showed some quick moves to regain possession of the ball and Georgia C must be commended for her speed and skill, always finding space on the court. The girls all played brilliantly, winning the first match 5-4 and only just losing the second 3-4. Well done to all, a really super afternoon of netball.
Mrs Tuite
Netball: U8/9 v. St Edmund's
On Thursday, the U8/9 yellow team welcomed St Edmund's on an extremely sunny September afternoon for a netball match! Team yellow started brilliantly, remembering to stick with their player when defending and even managing to remember which areas of the court each position was allowed in! After some excellent passing in the mid court from Tildy T, Georgia C and Willow B, the team got the ball down to Darcie S and she smoothly scored to give the team a 1 goal advantage. St Edmund's grew into the game and so Darcey M and Dagney N showed excellent determination when defending to keep the score at 1-0 until the final quarter when St Edmund's managed to score to equal the score at 1-1. A great game, full of action! A huge well done to the whole team for a great performance and to Darcey M for being voted a very well deserved player of the game!
Mrs Monk
Netball: U9 v. St Edmund's
The U9 Green Team played a very strong St. Edmund's Team on Thursday. There was some lovely fluent passing in the first quarter from Daisy W, Elsa H and Siena N and the game was very even at the end of the first quarter. As the game progressed the opposition became increasingly good at reading the game and stepping in front to intercept the team's passes. Despite conceding 3 goals in the second quarter, the team fought bravely against a physical St. Edmund's side and were rewarded with a great goal. from Annabelle T. Pia S worked tirelessly in defence and made some super interceptions. Every time the opposition scored, Duke of Kent School never gave up but were rewarded with a second goal from Annabelle T and another from Daisy W. Despite the loss it was encouraging to witness the team's improvement from the last match and all that was learnt from facing a strong team. Well done to Coralie C for not giving up in a challenging match and being voted player of the match.
Mrs Dann
Boys' Football: U12/13 B v Box Hill School
This was the first game for all of the U12/13 players and they started a little tentatively. Box Hill School had some strong players and showed some good team work and finished 3-0 up at half time. A much improved performance with stronger tackling and a little more determination when not in possession of the ball was very apparent in the 2nd half. A goal from the penalty spot was converted by Indie K who was also very unlucky not to add to his tally; he struck the frame of the goal on three other occasions! The final score was 4-1 to Box Hill School. Well done to all who played.
Mr Herbert
Boys' Football: U16 A v Moon Hall School
After last week's comprehensive victory over Farlington School, the U16 a team took on Moon Hall School on Tuesday afternoon. It was great to witness the team work and skill on show by the Duke of Kent School team. They displayed good passing and a particular improvement in their movement and calmness when in possession of the ball. Duke of Kent School ended the game with a 7-0 victory against a spirited Moon Hall School team. Well done to all who played!
Mr Herbert
There has been lovely buzz around the Pre-prep this week with Year 2 sharing some wonderful stories of their visit to the Sealife Centre in Brighton and the children in Reception recounting their experiences at the Weald and Downland museum. It is these authentic entry points to learning which hook interest and allow for a deep exploration and interest into a topic. I sat with a Year 2 pupil one break this week as we pondered her question: "do penguins have feathers or fur?". The weather was perfect this week and it was lovely welcoming so many of you to matches. The progress the children are making on the sports field is super to see. I wish all the very best to our parent netball team the DoK flyers this evening at the PADoK Netball tournament. I shall be there to watch and cheer you on!
On Thursday 19th September Reception had a splendid day out at the Weald and Downland Living Museum at Singleton. We have been looking at both traditional tales and considering our community and how children lived in the past, so this was ideal. We started by looking at the Victorian School and decided that the Duke of Kent School was much more appealing. I don’t think any of the children thought the classroom was much fun as there were no toys and the words ‘Children should be seen and not heard’ were on the blackboard!
On Wednesday, Year 2 embarked on an exciting adventure to Brighton’s Sea Life Centre. After we arrived in Brighton, we strolled in the sunshine along the promenade, soaking in the fresh ocean breeze, the sound of the waves, and the salty air—it was the perfect start to our day by the sea.
Last Friday evening 6G and 6N gathered together for our annual autumn social event. As always, the pupils were in good spirits, excited for an evening of fun and frollicking with their friends. To kick off the proceedings pupils participated in a game of Chubby Bunnies. The aim is to fit as many marshmallows in to one’s mouth as possible whilst still coherently saying the words ‘chubby bunny’. Congratulations to Eva and Rowan who achieved nine marshmallows each! This was promptly followed by more edible fun, as pupils endeavoured to eat a ring doughnut from a piece of string without using their hands. Many of the cohort achieved this impressive feat, and some of whom in a particularly impressive time!
In assembly this week, I asked how many pupils have been in a match, attended an after school activity, been to a lunchtime club or had a music lesson this term, and it was heartening to see so many hands in the air for so many of the questions. The level of enthusiasm and participation we see amongst our pupils is fantastic, and we strongly encourage everyone to be grasping opportunities left right and centre. That said, it's also still early in the term, and - especially for our youngest pupils or new joiners - the new routines are enough to contend with for now; there is absolutely no expectation that children take on all that is on offer. Lunchtime clubs that began this week include origami, gardening, Chamber Choir, Ukes of Kent, German and sign language, with a weekly Art club to follow shortly. What fun!
In Topic lessons this week, Year 3 have been learning about the Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses, writing clues for their own version of 'Guess Who'. The Year 5s have been inspired by 'The Witches' in English, heading into the woods to explore their senses and choose effective vocabulary to create imagery. Nursery pupils also got out and about on an autumnal treasure hunt on which they did a spot of hill rolling, number work, cutting and sticking and also made some acorn handprints. Year 4 have been learning about Joseph and his dreams, discussing the way his brothers treated him and the message of forgiveness, whilst in Maths, Year 6 have been studying index notation and square roots. Some School Council positions have already been filled, with the remaining hustings taking place next week - good luck to everyone standing for election! 
This week began perfectly with a memorable moment when the entire School gathered together, squinting in the beautiful sunlight for our whole School photograph. Thanks to the students' cooperation, excellent behaviour, and smart appearance, the photo was taken quickly and smoothly.
