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A message from Mrs Knox
 This week, our Year 10 pupils enjoyed a fantastic Geography and English residential trip to Dorset, where the sun shone and meaningful, memorable learning took place. Pre-prep and Prep School pupils were brilliant during their Sports Days on Thursday. There were some superb performances and a wonderful sense of sportsmanship throughout the day – well done to everyone involved. It was particularly inspiring to see so many pupils pushing themselves, supporting their peers and celebrating each other’s successes. Huge congratulations to the talented Year 8 and 9 pupils who performed in this week’s production of Oliver. It was simply phenomenal! The energy, commitment, and sheer talent on display captivated the audience from start to finish. The ensemble work and individual performances were a true credit to everyone involved. Finally, good luck to all those performing – pupils and parents alike – in tomorrow night’s outdoor Summer Concert. I have no doubt it will be a magical and memorable evening.
Mrs Knox
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Year 11 trip to Barcelona
 On Saturday morning, 39 excited, if slightly bleary-eyed, Year 11 pupils gathered at Gatwick Airport, ready for their final celebration trip to mark the end of their school journey. A short flight later, we arrived in sunny Barcelona just in time for lunch. From the airport, we headed straight to the heart of the city to explore the vibrant La Rambla and the famous Boqueria Market. Students wandered the bustling streets, sampled delicious street food, and began their souvenir shopping. The colourful displays at the Boqueria were a feast for the senses, and the fresh fruit smoothies were a welcome treat in the warm, humid weather.
Our coach then took us to the seaside town of Calella, where we checked into our hotel. With bags quickly unpacked, pupils made a beeline for the beach, sprinting down the sand and diving into the sea to cool off. A few games of volleyball and beach football followed, with some local boys providing strong competition and testing our students’ skills to the limit!
 Sunday was packed with activity. After a hearty breakfast, we headed to Montjuïc Castle, a site steeped in history and offering panoramic views over Barcelona, the port, and the sea. Pupils made the most of the scenic location, snapping selfies and group photos, brushing up on their historical knowledge (thank you, Mr Lodge!), and enjoying some well-earned ice cream.
After a fun and rather literal slide down the hillside, we boarded the coach for our next stop: the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia. As always, the architectural wonder left everyone speechless. Pupils learned about the symbolism in Gaudí’s design and marvelled at the details, both inside and out.
But the day wasn’t over yet! We finished with a visit to the Maremagnum shopping centre, where students enjoyed some well-deserved retail therapy. Back at the hotel that evening, after dinner, it was straight to the beach once more before heading into town for more souvenir hunting and, of course, another round of ice cream (who's counting?).
 Monday was all about thrills, as we spent the day at PortAventura theme park. With its wide range of roller coasters and rides, there was something for everyone. From adrenaline-filled high-speed coasters to refreshing splash rides, the park delivered a full day of excitement.
Tuesday, our final day, began with packing up and leaving the hotel. Our first stop was the legendary Barcelona FC stadium for an immersive tour. A definite highlight for football fans, the 360-degree cinema left a lasting impression on everyone. We then made our way to the beautiful Parc Güell, where we soaked in Gaudí’s unique artistic vision and enjoyed one last stroll through stunning scenery and views over the city.
This trip was a truly memorable experience, made all the more enjoyable thanks to the brilliant staff team – Mr Southee, Mr Lodge, Mr Boden, and Mrs Punter – and, most importantly, our incredible Year 11 pupils. Their exemplary behaviour, enthusiasm, and good spirit made the trip a real pleasure for all involved.
We look forward to continuing the celebrations at your Year 11 concert and dinner on Tuesday. Well done everyone, what a way to end your time at school!
Mr Wyllie
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Community Week
 Community Week 2025 saw over 100 Duke of Kent School pupils volunteering across seven local organisations, making a meaningful difference while strengthening the bonds within our school.
Pupils supported environmental projects with the Knowle Park Trust, Sayers Croft, and the Friends of Hurtwood, carrying out vital conservation work and litter picking alongside a local ranger. One group impressively collected over 200 discarded cable ties after a challenge set by Mr Seeley. Other teams visited care homes including Felburry House, Knowle Park, and The Old Rectory, where they played games, chatted with residents, and offered musical performances. Highlights included Ethan Kelly on piano and a joyful Year 10 rendition of Shoot for the Stars, comedy hats and all!
 The impact was widely felt. We received glowing feedback from all our partner organisations about the pupils’ energy, kindness, and contributions. Pupils themselves shared positive reflections:
“It felt good to be doing something that mattered.” – Year 10
“I was nervous at first, but now I’d definitely volunteer again.” – Year 8
Cross-year collaboration was a key part of the week, with students working together in new ways and developing real-world skills in empathy, responsibility, and teamwork.
 The week also included Shere School, thanks to Mr Gritton’s Outdoor Learning Programme, and a team of Year 6 pupils supported a project at Ewhurst School, giving them their first taste of senior-style service.
A huge thank you goes to Mr Lodge, Mr Seeley, Mr Allen, Mrs Ward, Mrs Douglas, Mrs Vermeulen, Mrs Tattan-Robb, and Mrs Wilkinson for leading groups so enthusiastically. And to our parents — thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. Your children represented the school brilliantly.
 We are already looking forward to Community Week 2026. If you work with any organisation and would like to be involved, or know of a local group who might benefit from pupil volunteers, please contact Mr Watson.
Mr Watson
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Year 6 Trip to Cobnor Activity Centre
 Year 6 recently returned from an unforgettable three-day residential trip to Cobnor Activity Centre in West Sussex. With the sun shining brightly throughout, the students enjoyed a packed schedule of exciting outdoor activities, including aeroball, climbing, canoeing, archery, and keel boating. The glorious weather provided the perfect backdrop for the children to throw themselves wholeheartedly into every challenge.
The first evening had a fun festival theme, where everyone gathered around the campfire to toast marshmallows, make balloon creations, share jokes, and enjoy music under the stars. The second night was just as lively, featuring classic team games such as the egg and spoon race, wheelbarrow race, and apple bobbing—complete with plenty of laughter and splashes!
A special highlight of the trip was celebrating Seren G's 11th birthday, marked by a delicious array of cakes shared among new friends.
It was a truly memorable experience, and although the journey home was filled with some very tired faces, it was clear that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed their time away. A huge well done to Year 6 for their enthusiasm, teamwork, and adventurous spirit!
Mrs Nicholson
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Sports Day
The first of our three Sports Days took place last Friday afternoon. The weather was kind to us with the heat being not as intense as was forecast. The Senior School athletes from Years 7-10 all gave their best and supported each other brilliantly throughout. There were some fantastic performances and particularly well done to Hugo S and Clara H-S who won the Athlete of the Games awards. Congratulations to Hawk who won the Senior Sports Day!
 The Pre-prep event took place yesterday morning, starting with the Year 2 throws and followed by long jump, sprints, obstacle races and the much anticipated parents' race. All of the pupils shone, showing great enthusiasm! The pupils showed great determination and excitement throughout and enjoyed receiving shiny stickers for their efforts! Huge well done to our winners in each age group for their stand-out athletic performances; Martha S and Angus T in Reception, Edie B and Humph G in Year One and Sienna H and Grisha D in Year Two.
 The Prep School Sports Day followed the Pre-prep event on Thursday afternoon. The level of sportsmanship and camaraderie was truly evident throughout. The standard of competition was incredible and many managed to beat their personal bests in front of a very supportive crowd. Congratulations to Peregrine for winning the Prep Sports Day and to George S, Layla B and Evelyn C for winning the Top Athlete awards.
We will be adding the points together and announcing the overall Sports Day winners in the Final assembly next Friday.
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Reception continued their focus on the seas, looking at boats and designing their own. They also tok photos on iPads in unusual places to practise positional language. Year 5 have been busily writing scripts, filming and editing in English, as their study of the book 'Goodnight, Mr Tom' draws to a conclusion. Also in English, Year 6 spent some time in Ewhurst's ancient woodland, reading 'The Lady of Shalott' by a picturesque riverside, for atmospheric transportation back to the time of King Arthur. Year 4 have been out orienteering using their map reading skills to locate control points and crack a secret code! Very sensibly, as part of their learning about light and shadows, Year 3 made posters about how to stay safe in the sun. I am hopeful this may prove handy for the Sports Day afternoon, although at time of writing it's looking decidedly gloomy!
Prep School pupils have been busily preparing for next week's inaugural Science Fair. Last week, in mixed age groups, pupils devised a question, made predictions, designed the methodology, and planned the resources they would need. This week was experimentation time, with groups exploring a range of scientific enquiries, from plant growth to insulation, from buoyancy to - most importantly of all - the structural integrity of various types of biscuit, when dunked! I do hope you can join us on Thursday 3rd, 3.30-4.40pm in the Prep School corridor to see pupils presenting their findings, and having a go at some of the experiments yourself.
Reading Certificates: Gold for Eva W, Elsa Ha and Ivy B
Values Certificates: Benat BS for Kindness
Stars of the Week
Nursery: Aurelie Efor her brilliant participation in all aspects of school ife and remarkable resilience.
Immy K for her good sportsmanship and for greater participation in collaborative play.
Reception: Rory O'K for the appropriate use of question words in literacy, your questions were apt, thoughtful and showed understanding.
for drawing a lovely house boat, you put detail and thought into your design.
Year 1: William F for consistently demonstrating our school values in all that he does.
Hector E for consistently applying himself across all areas of school life.
Year 2: Greg O for demonstrating competent coding skills and supporting your peers to debug algorithms.
Alex for your consistent kindness and all round positive attitude to all areas of school life.
Mr Wright
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As we approach the final week of term, there is still a wonderful buzz of energy around the school. Pupils continue to engage enthusiastically in interactive lessons, demonstrating a genuine love of learning.
One of the standout moments for me this term was last week’s Sports Day. The atmosphere was electric, and the values and attitudes displayed by pupils throughout the afternoon were truly heart-warming. Every student gave their all in each event, and there was a strong sense of camaraderie and team spirit. It was particularly special to see so many of our Year 11 pupils return to support the day in their roles as House Captains, Sports Captains, or PE Sports Leaders, their presence and enthusiasm added so much to the occasion.
The Senior School has been notably quieter towards the end of this week, with Year 11 now having officially finished and Year 10 pupils away on their residential trip to Dorset. It was lovely to welcome them back and hear their excitement as they shared stories of their adventures and experiences from the final few days of the trip.
Another unforgettable highlight was the Year 8 and 9 production of Oliver Twist on Wednesday evening. I was completely blown away by the passion and commitment each student brought to their performance. Holding challenging accents throughout, they captivated the audience with a gripping, emotional retelling of the classic story. The staging, costumes, lighting, sound, and overall drama were absolutely exceptional. A huge well done to all involved, both on stage and behind the scenes, and a heartfelt thank you to our phenomenal Performing Arts Department, whose dedication and creativity continue to inspire.
Finally, congratulations to the following pupils who reached the milestone of 25 merit points this week:
Charlotte C, Ben D, Alex M-C, Henry O'B, Poppy F.
A special mention goes to Ethan N who has surpassed 100 merit points and has been awarded his well-deserved badges.
An extra special mention to Ben D, Ethan G, Harry L and Esme W for surpassing 200 merit points and gaining their recognition badges. Well done!
Mr Wyllie
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Performing Arts Events
We have a hugely busy half term ahead in the Performing Arts Department, so please check the dates below for all the wonderful events that are taking place.
Saturday 28th June – 7pm: School Summer Concert – for Prep and Senior pupils involved in the many ensembles and groups in the School; this year held outside in the top car park
Tuesday 1st July – 6.30pm: Year 11 Leavers' Concert
Wednesday 2nd July – 2.30pm: Pre-prep Dance Show performance to Nursery and Reception parents
Thursday 3rd July – 2.30pm: Pre-prep Dance Show performance to Year 1 and 2 parents
Mr Rye
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JUNE COMPETITION: Big Bug Hunt
This month Mrs Wilkinson is challenging you to count the bugs in your garden to win sustainability house points.
Choose a day and count the number of bugs you can find in your garden.
How many different types can you find?
Take a photo of the most interesting one.
Email your photos and tally count to Mrs Wilkinson (jwilkinson@dokschool.org)
Good Luck!
New competition coming in July!
Mrs Wilkinson
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This week, the Year 9 mentors had their last session with the whole of Year 7. They organised a game of Manhunt in the school grounds with Year 7 pupils following clues to find each of the Year 9’s stationed around the site.
The idea, activity and clues were all organised by the Year 9 mentors and was a tribute to how invested they've been in their roles - I am very proud of them. They have learnt theory of communication and listening skills both verbal and non-verbal, confidentiality and safeguarding as well as displaying real empathy and flexibility, suggesting ideas to adapt to the needs of the Year 7 cohort.
The Year 7’s displayed their competitive nature and despite the heat, teams were covering the, not inconsiderable, large and hilly areas at great speed in the pursuit of victory. Victory in this case, involving a chocolate reward!
It has been lovely to see the year groups working together developing positive connections and bonds with one another whilst having great fun.
It will be fantastic to see some of these Year 7’s volunteering and training to be Peer Mentors in a couple of years’ time.
Mrs Douglas
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What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Generative AI Safety
The remarkable growth of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has opened up exciting new opportunities for young learners. Used wisely, AI can be a powerful ally in boosting creativity, learning and problem-solving skills. However, without proper guidance, young people may stumble into challenges including inaccurate information, data security risks, and a growing reliance on AI over their own critical thinking.
From setting clear usage boundaries to teaching digital hygiene and promoting independent thought, this guide offers parents and educators practical advice on the safe, positive use of AI. With the right understanding and guidance, you can ensure that generative AI becomes a positive influence, rather than a potential pitfall in young people’s digital lives.
Click the link to learn more about "Generative AI Safety".
***Also, Internet Matters is a great website that can help you deal with online issues, give you advice for different age groups, and give you step-by-step guides for setting controls for various devices.***
Mr Boden
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One week to go! Fatigue is beginning to set in for a number of pupils, but we have lots of fun end of year celebrations to look forward to next week, and no doubt many wonderful holiday plans ahead.
A reminder that Year 11 pupils are encouraged to collect medications from the front office next week, or during the school holidays. We wish you all the best for your results in August and your future plans wherever you are heading. For all pupils returning to school in September, please keep Mrs Sarjant updated on any health/injury/surgery developments throughout the summer holidays (csarjant@dokschool.org) so that we can plan ahead for the new school year.
Enjoy the last week of school!
The School Nurses
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PADoK News
PARENTS DAY – Saturday 5th July
Your class rep should have contacted you about setting up a gazebo & potentially organising a shared picnic for your year group.
There will be inflatables for the children including a bouncy castle for Pre-Prep & the earlier years Prep School pupils. Please note that parents are responsible for their children when on the bouncy castle. Older children will have use of the other inflatables. It should be a fun afternoon.
PADoK Second Hand Uniform Shop
We will be opening over the summer, dates to follow.
Please note it will be appointment only and therefore a booking system will be in place, again details to follow.
We are always looking for donations of good quality second hand uniform and PE kit. This can be put in the box outside the shop at any time. Thank you in advance.
PADoK Clubs:
PADoK Book Club – New Book Title
Something tells me our next book (2nd Irish writer in a row), Intermezzo by Sally Rooney will not garner the same views.
Take your time and enjoy it over the summer break and we will meet to discuss early-ish in the autumn term.
And for those interested in the Timetravelling, Historical, Spy/Thriller, Romance book I mentioned, it was called "The Ministry of Time" by Kaliane Bradley
Have a lovely summer and feel free to post some book recommendations or absolutely no-nos on here
Please do join in with book club if you enjoy reading, everyone is welcome.
PADoK Flyers Netball Team
Monday at 5:45 – 6:30pm & Wednesday morning 08.20 – 09.30 – weather dependent/Ness Hall availability.
DoK Flyers are looking for new players to join in the summer term, lots of laughter, exercise & fun. No experience necessary, everyone welcome! Please do come along if you would like to play netball. All welcome.
Duke of Kent School Singers
Thursday at 08:20 – 09:00am - Calling all Singers Great & Small!
A rather warm choir session this week!. We had a warm up before working on ironing out a few areas of the song. By the final run through it was sounding great. Thank you to Mr Rye and Cathy Williams for all you do for this group.
Do please feel free to come along any time next term and join in… you’re so warmly welcome as a one off drop in or if you’re interested in coming more regularly. Every Thursday morning from 8:30-9am in the Meeting Room off Old Hall.
Important Note: please always park at the bottom of the site and walk up to Old Hall.
PADoK Core Control
Strengthen your body, improve your health with our Physio-Led Stability Group. Friday morning at 08.30 in Ness Hall From this term there will be a £5 fee for each week.
Do you have new fitness goals for the summer or want to build on what you are already doing? Julia is a physio who will help build your core strength and help your fitness training.
Please contact Julia direct to complete a medical form.
Julia Rowe (julia@therunningspecialists.com)
Mrs Phillips and Mrs Horsburgh
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Senior School optional hoodie
The Senior School hoodies have been redesigned by members of the School Council and the finished product can be seen below. They have done a fantastic job at putting this design together and now finally getting to see the finished product.
This new hoodie is available from Stevenson's on their website: https://www.stevensons.co.uk/. There is also the option to have your child's initials printed onto the front of the hoodie for a slight additional cost, something we would advise, to avoid mixing up tops with other pupils. This hoodie is not an essential item of School uniform, so there is no expectation for pupils to have it.
If you wish to see the sample, please pop into the Main Office and have a look.
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School social media
At Duke of Kent School we have three social media platforms; Instagram (dukeofkentschool), Facebook (Duke of Kent School) and X (@DoKSchool). All of our social media accounts are public.
We recommend following all three accounts to receive push notifications with news, updates, educational articles, interactions with other schools, communities and public figures.
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Duke of Kent School – Summer Sports Camp 
Camp Times: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Location: Duke of Kent School
Week 1: Monday 18th – Friday 22nd August
Activities include:
Costs:
To book a place, email Graham Herbert at:
