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A message from Mrs Knox
 What a wonderful final week of term! I know that Christmas is definitely on the way when I am sitting in the PA Hall watching the Pre-prep Nativity. This year was no exception with that delightful mix of joy and charm. The Carol Service was also a truly uplifting end to the year with the voices of the choirs filling the church. We have some wonderfully talented pupils here at Duke of Kent School. Today we acknowledged many pupils in our final assembly for their outstanding effort in a myriad of areas and we were also entertained by Year 11 with a festive quiz and brilliant Christmas video. A super way to end the year. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and much joy and happiness in 2026. We look forward to seeing the pupils on Tuesday 6th January. Merry Christmas to you all.
Mrs Knox
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The School Carol Service
 On Wednesday this week our choirs, readers and brass ensemble took part in our annual Carol Service at St Nicolas Church in Cranleigh. Always a wonderful event, this year the church was filled with glorious singing from the Junior Chamber Choir, the Senior Choir , the DoK Brass Group, the Senior Chamber Ensemble and the Year 2 Choir. Lucy P produced a beautiful first verse of Once in Royal David's City and our readers were Edie H, Ethan K and George C (huge shout out to Georrge who stepped in at the last minute and nailed it with no practice!) in Year 11, Charlotte L in Year 6 and William F in Year 2. Our Year 6 House captains Barnes P, Max L, Norah C and Mila S presented their prayers beautifully and our brass players George S, Henry S, William C, Florence A, Owen G and William C and Eddie C played some lovely carols as the congregation arrived.
All the pupils are to be congratulated and praised for their professionalism and efforts in creating a gorgeous and meaningful service, and thank you to School parent, Claire Oxborough for leading the service.
Mr Rye
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The Prep School Concert
 Last Friday was our annual Prep School Concert. It is always a wonderfully festive, relaxed and joyful affair and this year was certainly up to standard! There were some wonderful performances featuring strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, piano, vocals and more. It was a delight to see such a full range of instruments on display, and all Years from 3 to 6 represented. The pupils displayed resilience, courage and skill in their performances and the whole event was a charming and entertaining celebration of the wonderful music in the Prep School. Special mention must go also to the PADoK singers who sung a beautiful version of Winter Wonderland. Thanks are due to Miss Barnes and his wonderful work with the Junior Chamber Choir and Mrs Hudson for her tech support. A video of the event will be available next week.
Mr Rye
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The Pre-prep Nativity
 Our Pre-prep children delighted us with a truly heart-warming Christmas production, ‘Toby’s Christmas Drum’ - a joyful retelling of the Nativity filled with heart, humour and festive spirit.
The story followed Toby (Humphrey G), a young boy who longed for a drum. When an angel finally granted his wish, Toby’s enthusiastic playing caused quite a stir, waking the villagers and prompting plenty of lively reactions. At first, his drumming was far from appreciated, but as the story unfolded, its rhythm became something much more meaningful. Toby’s drum eventually led the villagers, travellers, shepherds and kings - and even the ever-entertaining camels - towards the stable where they gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus. What began as noise became a moment of shared joy, beautifully capturing the true message of Christmas.
Mary (Milly M) and Joseph (Hector E) made their long journey to Bethlehem with the help of an unforgettable donkey (Angus T), whose luggage-laden entrance added a wonderful comedic twist. The Nursery animals, sparkling stars and angels and our confident narrators all added charm and magic to the performance.
As with any live show, a few unexpected moments brought extra laughter and memories - from a briefly “injured” baby Jesus to an enthusiastic camel conversation and a villager’s dramatic tumble. These only added to the joy and character of the afternoon.
We are incredibly proud of every child for creating such a memorable and uplifting Nativity performance - well done Pre-prep!
Miss Munro
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Years 8 and 9 Enterprise Day
Year 8 and Year 9 pupils at Duke of Kent School took part in an exciting and dynamic Enterprise Day, working collaboratively in mixed groups to develop their own start-up businesses. Throughout the day, pupils demonstrated creativity, teamwork and leadership as they moved through a series of professional-style challenges. After a competitive quiz hosted by Mr Southee, the pupils developed a full business plan, outlining their concept, target audience and financial approach. Each group then produced an advert, a logo, a persuasive video to promote their product or service, and created a simple but effective website to establish their digital presence.
The day concluded with a formal pitch to the judges (a big thank you to Mrs Knox and Mr Wyllie!), where teams presented their ideas and answered challenging questions with confidence and clarity. The judges were highly impressed by the pupils’ innovation, professionalism and enthusiasm. It was a fantastic day filled with enterprise, imagination and teamwork—well done to everyone involved!
Mr Allen
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The Student Sustainability Committee has a question for you. How do you get to School?
Around 50% of our carbon emissions as a school come from our commutes and we want to find out how we can cut our impact. Could you please take a moment to fill in the survey, and we will report back our findings soon.
Travel Survey
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 The term draws to a close, and I take my elf-eared hat off to the children for their efforts and good cheer. Judging by the levels of energy and enthusiasm shown at yesterday's Christmas lunch, form parties and carol singing, I fear we have not tired Prep pupils out enough, but it was not for want of trying at the Prep Concert, Fayre and Carol Service! That said, our youngest pupils looked more than a little weary after their own stellar performances in the Nativity, not to mention the Year 2 Choir in St Nicolas' Church. A well earned rest, and no mistake. I do hope you and your families have made it to some of these festive events over the past week, at which your children have truly shone.
We had a super talk in assembly this morning from Olivia H, Darcey M and Sienna dPL, who shared their knowledge of Ancient Greece. Well done, girls - you spoke with clarity and composure. We also announced that the Fayre had raised £538 for our chosen School charity - Dementia UK. Several parents and staff commented on what a brilliant event the Fayre had been, showcasing the very best of the pupils' enterprise in creating crafts and stalls all by themselves, then hosting and selling their wares like professionals!
 Elsewhere, Year 5 and 6 pupils undertook a nature survey of the grounds to help determine what our targets will be on our Action Days in Spring. Year 3 worked in pairs to solve a variety of Maths challenges to help find Santa's sleigh and all Prep pupils had fun escape games in French to discover key information about French Christmas traditions. In Music, Year 3 competed to secure a Christmas record deal, using the same chords as a stimulus to write and perform a hit in 30 minutes and, in DT, Year 5 had their bridges 'stress tested'–one managing to hold a colossal 36kg! With the festive feasting I have planned, I shall be approaching the Year 5s for some advice on how to support extra heavy weights in the new year. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Reading Certificates: Bronze for Alfred A and Milly Wi
Mr Wright
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 If we were not already feeling festive at the start of the week, we certainly are now! The past few days have been filled with Christmas cheer and wonderful opportunities to celebrate the many talents of our pupils.
On Monday, Year 7 pupils visited the Prep School Christmas Fayre, where they enthusiastically took part in a range of creative games and enjoyed some friendly competition for prizes. On Tuesday, the Senior School Council met to review the progress made this year and to reflect on the ideas and feedback shared by pupils across the school. Wednesday’s Carol Service was truly enchanting, full of warmth, beautiful music, and festive spirit. Congratulations to everyone who performed, read, or supported the event; it was a memorable occasion.
Thursday brought even more colour and joy as pupils arrived in an array of vibrant Christmas jumpers. From reindeer antlers and Santa hats to plenty of sparkling tinsel, the creativity was a delight to see. Christmas lunch was, as always, a highlight, and we owe a huge thank you to the kitchen team for preparing such a delicious meal. The afternoon then transformed the school into a cosy cinema, with screenings of much loved holiday films to round off a wonderful week.
 To bring the term to a close, today we celebrated pupils’ achievements at the final prize assembly. Congratulations to Eva W, Archie B, Thibaut J, Poppy F and Mercy M for earning the top ATL scores in their year group, and to Casey J, Matthew C, Henry W, Bob P and Oscar V for achieving the greatest improvement in ATL.
A special highlight was the Year 11 Christmas video, featuring both staff and students from across the school. The assembly ended on a lively note with a Prefect led takeover, full of laughter, activities, and a brilliant way to finish the term.
Wishing you all a peaceful, joyful Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Mr Wyllie
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My most important message is to wish everybody a happy, healthy and restful Christmas break!
The School holidays at the end of our longest term mean that taking time to reset and recharge is vital for both physical and mental health. Being Christmas it is also a busy, chaotic joyful (and sometimes not) time. The opportunity to mingle with friends and see family can be fantastic but recognising our own limits and boundaries and being prepared to assert them means we are able to enjoy the festivities too. If you are not up to that one extra xmas party or last minute dinner invite, it is ok to say ‘no’ and consider what you need to do instead - meet your own needs rather than only anticipating what everyone else needs.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/looking-after-your-mental-health-at-christmas/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/family/
Whilst you hopefully create some special memories with your children it can also be a good time to help them consider those who might be suffering because of loneliness, illness, homelessness or who are generally less fortunate by discussing how Christmas can look different for everyone. Christmas can be a time of excess and considering those who may not have enough can be mutually beneficial by giving the opportunity to boost your own and others’ mood. You may as a family be able to support those people by supporting charities through card or gift giving, or even donating food, gifts or your time.
https://www.cranleighfoodbank.org/
https://www.cranleighlions.org/events/christmas/
https://www.royalsurreycharity.org.uk/appeal/pledge-a-present-this-christmas-patient-gift-appeal-2025
Mrs Douglas
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What Parents & Educators need to know about Toy Scalping, Fakes, and Scams
Scalping has long been a frustration for fans hoping to bag concert tickets or exclusive toys, but the online world has supercharged this dishonest tactic. Scalpers use bots to buy up stock in seconds, then resell items such as consoles or collectables at significant mark-ups. For young people, it can be disappointing and harmful to their wallets, wellbeing and worldview.
As this unethical practice becomes more visible, and, worryingly, sometimes glamourised online, it’s important to talk to children about fairness, financial boundaries, and spotting scams. This guide breaks down the tricks of the trade and how to avoid them, helping young consumers stay safe, informed and scam-free.
Click the link to learn more about "Toy Scalping, Fakes, and Scams".
Mr Monk
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We have been notified of a case of Head Lice in the lower Senior School this week. Please remain vigilant.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/
Year 9 parents are reminded to please complete an E Consent for the immunisations (DTP and MenACWY) at school in January if you have not already done so.
Parents of pupils attending the Senior Choir trip to Cornwall in March 2026 should have received an email with a link to the digital medical form which needs to be completed by Friday 16th January please.
Please can girls who are menstruating bring their own sanitary supplies to school, and learn to be responsible for, and independent with their own menstrual cycles. We unfortunately have experienced repeated incidents of the "emergency supplies" in the school toilets being misused/vandalised, which is an unnecessary expense and disappointing. We may need to consider withdrawing this privilege if the girls continue to disrespect this system. Emergency supplies can always be found in the medical room if anyone is caught short.
Please keep Mrs Sarjant updated on any pupil health/injury developments during the holidays so we can plan for the term ahead; especially anything that will impact sports involvement and Year 11 pupils heading towards their mock exams. Email csarjant@dokschool.org.
Finally, for the new term ahead, please can we remind parents to use the absences@dokschool.org email by 08.20am every morning your child will not be at school. We are spending a great deal of time each day trying to locate pupils who are not present at morning registration, with no information from home. It is essential we are able to account for every child on the school roll as soon as possible each day for safeguarding purposes. This is particularly important in the event of a fire alarm. Please remind your Prep or Senior child that they should go to the front office to register as soon as possible if they have missed their usual registration for any reason. Thank you for your help.
Have a very Happy Christmas
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Following the amazing Christmas lunch, I met with Lou who is one of our Catering Department members, to get to know her a bit better...
What is your favourite meal to prepare?
"A roast chicken dinner"
How long have you worked at the school?
"I've been here for 4 years now"
What does a day in the life of your job include?
"It's always very busy - we prepare the morning snack for break, then move on to cooking and serving lunch for everyone, and then finish with another snack for afternoon break"
What is your favourite colour and why?
"My favourite colour is blue as it reminds me of the ocean (and I love the sea!)"
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Sunday Evening Yoga Class
It has been such a joy to guide Duke of Kent School parents through a grounding Sunday-evening yoga session these past few weeks. Our little community is growing beautifully, and we’d love to welcome a few more friendly faces!
We meet for a one-hour class every Sunday (during term time) at Albury Hall. Our next half-term block (five classes) begins on Sunday 11th January, with sessions priced at £14 each (when committing to the block). Drop-in options are also available.
If you’d like to join our warm and welcoming group, please do email me at bsalley@dokschool.org. It truly is a lovely way to close the week and ease into the one ahead!
Mrs Salley
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PADoK News
The 100 Club
1st Place - Orlando U, Year 8
2nd Place - Charlie L, Year 11
3rd Place - Francesca R, Year 11
PADoK Clubs:
PADoK Pilates Club - Thursdays 08:30 – 09:15
Our second session with Alicky was great. The core team really enjoyed it. We are delighted to introduce you to Alicky who is kindly taking over the Thursday exercise club to replace Core Control. A brief bio: I’m a Physiotherapist and Pilates teacher with 20+ years experience of teaching. Come & join the challenge to get that core fit for Christmas! There’ll be exercise, good tunes & laughs aplenty. Please message on alickypilates@gmail.com for further information or if you’d like to book in. With thanks, Alicky @alickypilates
Duke of Kent Flyers – Netball training
DoK Flyers training is on Monday late afternoons from 17.30 to 18.30, and we are looking for new players to join in this term while the weather allows. Come along for lots of laughter, exercise & fun. No experience necessary, everyone welcome! Please do come along if you would like to play netball.
PADoK Book Club – 9th December 8pm
We have chosen a new book to lead up to Christmas and hope to meet at the end of term to talk about the book, even if we haven’t finished it. The Christmas Book Shop by Jenny Colgan.
We will be meeting on 9th December to discuss the previous book and the current title. Please join us for a festive treat by the fire in Old Hall and a good chat. All welcome and do come along if you would like to join.
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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 TikTok (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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