Year 11 Leavers' Dinner and Concert

On Tuesday evening, we had the opportunity to say goodbye to our Year 11s and their families at our formal dinner. We started with a wonderful concert that showcased an eclectic mix of genres. After came canapes and drinks overlooking the school grounds then it was time for a lovely meal in the Dining Hall. We ended with a speech from Mr Southee and a sublimely crafted poem by Mr Wyllie that mentioned all of the outgoing Class of 2025. We wish them all the best and have a chance for a final farewell as a school community on Parents' Day.

Leavers' Dinner and Concert Gallery

Mr Southee

The Pre-prep Summer Dance Show

The Pre-Prep children transported us all to Neverland this week with their joyful and imaginative performance of Peter Pan. Across three fantastic shows — one for the school, one for a very special audience of grandparents, and one for Early Years parents — the children performed with energy, confidence, and true professionalism.

Oli, in Year 2, was a charming and confident Peter Pan, with Ali giving a brilliant turn as the dramatic and dastardly Captain Hook, and Sasha lighting up the stage as a graceful, spirited Tinkerbell. Each of them brought their characters to life with warmth and flair.

We were also treated to a cast full of colourful characters: lovely mermaids, inspiring shadows, scary pirates, a fierce crocodile, Lost Boys with wild hair, and even a forest animal or two! Every single child threw themselves into their role with enthusiasm and joy, and the result was something truly special.

A huge thank you to Mr Rye and Lisa Lee for their wonderful support, and especially to Lisa for her fabulous choreography, which helped bring Neverland to life so beautifully on stage.

The children’s spirit, focus, and delight in performing were a joy to watch — well done to everyone involved!

Pre-prep Summer Dance Show Gallery

Miss Walpole

Years 5 and 6 visit the Sustainability Centre

Pupils in Years 5 and 6 enjoyed an inspiring and thought-provoking visit to the Sustainability Centre on Monday, engaging with a range of hands-on activities designed to deepen their understanding of renewable energy and environmental responsibility. From measuring wind speed at Salt Hill and debating the logistics of wind turbine installation to generating their own power on Green Energy Bikes and experimenting with Snap Circuits, the children explored how energy can be harnessed sustainably. The afternoon brought collaborative outdoor challenges like Lava River and Drainpipes, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving, all while connecting learning to the natural environment of the South Downs. It was a fantastic day of discovery that reinforced the value of sustainability while enjoying the beautiful sunshine. 

Mr Gritton

Prep School Science Fair

Yesterday afternoon, the Prep School corridor was a hive of activity as we hosted our first Science fair. Over the past few weeks, the children have been working in mixed year groups, posing enquiry questions and carrying out investigations. Their curiosity led to a wide range of fascinating projects, including ‘Which brand of soap is the best at cleaning dirty hands?’, ‘What amount of water works best to grow a bean plant?’ and even ‘What is the best biscuit to dunk in a cup of tea?’ The children should feel incredibly proud - not only of the collaborative effort they put into their investigations, but also of the thoughtful and engaging way they presented their findings during the fair. The event was a big success, with parents and children alike enjoying hands on exhibits and interactive demonstrations. A true celebration of curiosity and creativity - well done, Prep School!

Mrs Gritton

Year 10 trip to Dorset

On Wednesday 25th June the Year 10 cohort embarked upon a trip to the deepest depths of the New Forest, visiting Lulworth Cove, Hurst Castle, Old Harry Rocks, Paultons Park and Swanage en route. Our first stop was Southampton City Centre, where the Geographers plucked up their courage and collected information regarding sustainability, in the form of a Traffic Count, Environmental Quality Assessment and the dreaded questionnaire! Having gathered enough data to form the basis of our Human Geography investigation, we headed on to Keyhaven and enjoyed a wonderful ferry journey through the salt marsh behind Hurst Spit, heading out to the tip of the Spit and the home of Hurst Castle. Whilst the Non-Geographers looked around one of Henry VIII's infamous forts, built to withstand invasion from the French, the rest of the cohort headed towards Milford on Sea by foot, ready to investigate how the coastal defences in the area were faring. After a brief rest (and a possible ice cream) we headed to the YHA in Burley and separated into our various lodgings for the night, some sleeping in fully furnished yurts, some in wooden camping pods and others in the main house itself. 

Thursday saw us venture down to Studland Bay via the famous Poole Harbour chain-link vehicle ferry, allowing all to look at the sand dune succession at Knoll Beach before walking to Swanage via Old Harry Rocks, accompanied by ever-improving weather. After a lunch stop in Swanage, consisting of fish and chips for most, we headed to Lulworth Cove and discussed the formation of the famous natural wonder - a recent landslide stopped us walking around the full cove but bore evidence of the ever-changing landscape (and gave a little insight into how it may evolve in the future!). After our second hearty cooked breakfast on Friday morning we headed home, via Paultons Park, where I had the joy of listening to one young man screaming 'no' at least a hundred times in quick succession on one of the more exhilarating rides.

A lovely trip, accompanied by fine behaviour and an engaging, good-natured and amicable bunch of pupils.

Mr Wilson

Oliver Twist

On Wednesday and Thursday last week the Performing Arts hall was transformed into Victorian London. From the moment the audience entered the space, they were immersed into the world of Neil Bartlett’s dark and unflinching stage adaptation of Oliver Twist.

The cast and crew were wonderful and performed Dickens characters with honesty and a real commitment to tell this well known story. Due to their enthusiasm they were able to produce impressive and captivating performances bringing  the diverse world of London's underside to life. Their response when dealing with a complex plot and staging showed real maturity and professionalism.

I was so impressed by the cast's unity and bravery as an ensemble, especially in how they communicated the struggle between good and evil of the characters they portrayed. They were all so professional, funny and utterly delightful to direct.

Thank you so much to Lisa Lee for her wonderful direction of the physical theatre pieces, Mrs Punter for her focused, brilliant insight and direction and Mr Rye for being such a wonderful one man orchestra!

Mrs Honey

What a final week of term! We have had: a spectacular 'Peter Pan' Dance Show from the Pre-prep pupils; an outing to the Sustainability Centre for Years 5 and 6; a brilliant assembly from 5T who proved there are no traitors in their midst; amusing and moving send-off assemblies from Years 2 and 6 as they take the step into new sections of the school; House Cricket; our very first Prep School Science Fair; and, of course, a well earned BBQ and ice cream lunch. All this, and a raft of certificates acknowledging and celebrating pupils' effort and achievements this term and across the whole year. When I asked Prep pupils for highlights of 2024/25 in assembly this morning, their treasured memories just kept on coming and it was genuinely exhausting hearing them all listed. A huge thank you to all our children, from Nursery to Year 6, for their contributions this year - and to their teachers, too, to whom we gave a richly deserved three cheers (and one for luck!). Many children have told me they have read their reports already, and I encourage them all to do so over the break, to reflect on their successes and take note of the advice they offer for further improvement. I wish you all a wonderful summer break.

Reading Certificates: Silver for Darcie S; Gold for Dagny N and Annabelle W; Platinum for George S, Coralie C, Elodie Y and Elsa Ha

Values Certificates: Barnes P, Ivy B and Freddie FA for Effort; Georgia Car and Mila S for Responsibility

Mr Wright

Last Saturday was our Summer Concert - this year held outside in the Top Car Park. It was a gorgeous event held under a balmy evening sky. Pupils from Years 3 to 11 showcased their talents through bands, choirs and group performances. The relaxed and friendly festival atmosphere made for a perfect summer celebration, with families enjoying music, laughter and that wonderful Duke of Kent School sense of community. From ukuleles to electric guitars this was truly a showcase of what makes music at Duke of Kent School so special - every child performing was full of confidence and wearing a smile - what more could you want?! Huge thanks to all performers, staff and supporters for making this such a unique event. 

Mr Rye

Pupils will have enjoyed the wealth of assemblies, trips, fairs, sports and not to mention BBQ’s and ice cream that have been available to them in this last week of the school year. It is always a time of great excitement as pupils’ minds turn to their summer holiday breaks and how they will fill the time without school - sleep, is the answer from many in the Senior school! I am sure there will be much fun and adventure with friends and family too.

They are right though, that sleep is important - they will need to take time to reflect, rest, reset and get ready for the next stage before returning in September (or their new settings). I hope everybody is able to make the most of time with friends and family, indulging in hobbies, pursuits and adventures that they have been waiting for. Restoration time is so important for our wellbeing, as is change - the holidays are an opportunity for both.

It is important to also recognise that whilst the holidays are much anticipated, the period of change signifies endings too. Perhaps that is a favourite teacher or classmate leaving, moving from one school section, or year group to the next, or their last lesson with a particular teacher and group. It is important to recognise and make peace with that end before it comes by talking about it if needed and considering what will be missed before acknowledging the feeling and letting it go.

I look forward to seeing pupils in the new academic year and will continue to offer Open Door support to those in need.

For parents who are concerned about their child's wellbeing during the holidays, these links offer helpful tips and support as well as activities to engage children on less busy days.

Advice and links to activities:

Tips and support for the holidays - Place2Be

Take the stress out of summer - 6 tips for frazzled parents - BBC Bitesize

Tips for parents to support pupil wellbeing over school holidays

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/self-care-support-over-the-summer-holidays/

Mrs Douglas

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids promises a safe, child-centric experience with colourful visuals, age-filtered content, and robust parental controls. Designed to appeal to younger viewers, the app has grown rapidly, being used by tens of millions of children worldwide. But is it as safe as it seems?

Despite YouTube Kids’ safeguards, reports have highlighted worrying issues, such as inappropriate content slipping through filters, subtle advertising, and the use of manipulative design to keep children engaged. Our guide explores how to navigate these pitfalls, offering practical advice for making sure children get the most from the platform – without the risks.

Click on the link to find out more information about "What Parents & Educators Need to Know about YouTube Kids".

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 different devices.

Mr Boden

We've made it to the end of another busy year!  Time for everyone to enjoy a well earned rest and hopefully lots of fun time with family and friends.

Inevitably there will be health developments for some pupils during the long summer break.  Please keep us updated with any significant changes.  Mrs Sarjant will be checking emails periodically throughout the holidays: csarjant@dokschool.org

Finally, a quick reminder to please complete the consent form for the flu immunisations at school (pupils from Reception to Year 11) on Friday 17th October.  The letter with full instructions can be found in "The Medical Room" section of the Parents area of the School website.

Have a very happy summer holiday and one final adieu to Year 11 - wishing you all the very best for the future,

The School Nurses

PADoK News

The 100 Club

Congratulations to this term's winners:

1st Place - Oscar V, Year 10

2nd Place - Charlotte L, Year 5

3rd Place - Dixie J, Reception

PARENTS DAY – Saturday 5^th 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.

Thank You

Thank you to all the members of the PADoK Committee for all you have contributed this year.  Thanks to PADoK Secretary and Treasurer for all the work you do for PADoK. 

Special thanks go to the team who run the Second Hand Uniform Shop which is such a valuable resource for the parents.

To those who run the PADoK clubs, thank you. 

Thanks also to the teams who have run the termly events.  These take time and effort to bring together to ensure a fun evening for parents to enjoy.

We are delighted to say, with your support at the PADoK events, we have been able to donate over £6,000 to the school this year.  This money has been used to purchase some lovely “nice to have’s” for the pupils and school community.  Details will be shared shortly.

Charitable contributions include £846 to Macmillan, £200 to both Ewhurst and Peaslake Schools and £800 to Cranleigh Food Bank.

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 Autumn 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

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.

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.