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A Message from Mrs Knox
 We have reached the end of a very busy and productive Spring term. I thoroughly enjoyed this morning’s Easter Bonnet Parade with our Pre-prep pupils and it was a pleasure to recognise the hard work and achievements of our Prep and Senior School pupils during our Final Assembly. My sincere thanks go to our wonderful staff for delivering such an excellent term, and to you, our parents, for your continued support and encouragement, it is greatly appreciated. You may have noticed a new face around the School. I am delighted to welcome our new Marketing Coordinator, Louisa Bartholomeou, to Duke of Kent School. She brings a wealth of industry experience and I am confident she will be a fantastic addition to the team. I wish you all a very happy and restful Easter holiday. Following staff INSET on Monday 20th April, we look forward to welcoming the children back on Tuesday 21st April for what promises to be a busy and exciting Summer Term. Finally, bon voyage to the pupils and staff heading to Cornwall for the Choir trip—have a truly wonderful time.
Mrs Knox
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100 Club Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the spring term 100 club:
1st - Ava L - Nursery
2nd - George R - Year 9
3rd - Alaska B - Year 6
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Girls U11 Football - Tournament Winners!
On Wednesday, Duke of Kent School took three U11 girls’ teams to a football tournament hosted at King Edwards Witley and run by Longacre School, where all players demonstrated fantastic teamwork, determination and resilience. Despite extremely challenging weather conditions with it being bitterly cold, strong winds and even sleet at one point, the girls remained positive and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. All three teams performed brilliantly, each securing wins in their respective groups. A special congratulations goes to the A team, who were outstanding throughout and went on to win the tournament overall.
Mr Stuart
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Milestones Museum Trip
Year 4 had a fantastic trip to Milestones Museum, a living museum that brought their Victorian topic to life. The children stepped back in time to the Industrial Revolution, taking part in an engaging workshop to learn how new inventions and industries changed people’s lives. They also experienced a Victorian classroom, where a very strict teacher led them through a lesson in reading, writing and arithmetic. It was a memorable experience that gave them a real insight into life during the Victorian era.
Mrs Rigby
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Painshill Park Trip
On Wednesday, 25th March the hardy Year 7 cohort went to Painshill Park in Cobham to practice their well-learned map reading skills, whilst experiencing the joys of one of the finest examples of the 18th Century English Landscape Movement. Under a rather ominous sky that brought us brief moments of hail, rain, sun and wind (with everything in between!), the Year 7s got about their business, learning to read routes and comparing aerial photos with OS maps, all amongst the dramatic follies, calming waters and stunning views. After a brief stop for lunch they worked together in small teams to undergo an orienteering challenge around the whole site, finding the various markers and completing questions about the site along the way. On a cold and blustery day, their resilience and enthusiasm were commendable throughout and they showed what a determined, positive and skilled team they really are. Well done Year 7!
Mr Wilson
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SATRO STEMFest
What is SATRO STEMFest? STEMFest is an all day event that took place this past Monday where a few students from Years 8 and 9 were given the opportunity to go and explore new careers and skills.
We arrived at our venue, ACS International School in Cobham, and started the day with a brief introduction to the event followed by our first activity, with a teacher from AMC - a Music and games school. He introduced us to the idea of using your imagination and how to draw a simple face. Furthermore, he also talked about the opportunities AMC provides and the pathways current students are pursuing. Our next challenge was to create a moving car out of limited and simple materials. We got into groups of two and we set to work as we had only thirty minutes. After many minutes of intense building, our vehicles were ready to race, which was successful but the results were disputed over.
We then had a brief break and quickly followed by our favourite activity of the day: the Tower Building. This challenge was pretty simple: build a tower out of paper. The catch: not only did we have to build a tower but we had to balance a full can of beans at the top. We had the first 15 mins to plan and design our structure then after that it was down to us to build and make the designs come to life. Our team came up with an Eiffel Tower inspired design, using tubes as the main support and tape as tension to keep it from toppling over. We later visited the companies that focus on different aspects of STEM. To finish the day, we had a practical demonstration of how liquid nitrogen is used and saw some other cool experiments like freezing CO2 as well as hammering a glue tack nail with a banana.
Overall, it was a great opportunity to find out more about different careers and we had a fun day out. Thank you to Mrs Wilkinson for taking us to the event.
Written by Thibaut J Yr 9
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Sustainability & Outdoor Learning
The Surrey Wildlife Trust has once again launched its ‘Actions for Nature’ competition to encourage schools and their communities to take practical actions beyond the school grounds to help nature not just survive, but thrive.
It isn't hard or expensive to help our wildlife, your action could be as simple as a litter pick! If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, you could feed the birds, plant pollinator-friendly plants or go chemical-free. You can follow this link to see lots of suggestions and guides for the actions you could take. Once you’ve completed your Action for Nature, record your actions, upload a photo and view our actions map at: www.surreywildlifetrust.org/nature-actions-map.
If you could complete one or more Actions for Nature at home or in your community, our school will be in with a chance of winning a £500 grant towards outdoor learning equipment or tools for school grounds improvement.
Good luck, and email (sgritton@dokschool.org) photos of your achievements so they can be shared and celebrated with the rest of the school community.
Mr Gritton
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Parent Portal Update
After Easter we will move from the current iSAMS Parent Portal and iParent app to the new Parent Cloud Portal, as the existing app is being discontinued by iSAMS.
The new system provides the same information about your child, including reports, attendance, timetables and school communications, but in a redesigned format. It works as a Progressive Web App, meaning there is no app to download. You simply access it through your browser and add it to your phone’s home screen.
Please see the email explaining how to set this up.
Mr Seeley
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What a superb term it has been, ending with a quite spectacular Easter Bonnet parade this morning! Your children never cease to amaze me with their bravery, curiosity, endeavour and energy. A real highlight for me has been the group of Year 5s who performed their puppetry show of Cinderella to the Pre-prep pupils. Hilarious, heart-warming and hosted with genuine care for their young audience (see photo of the booster seats thoughtfully provided at the door!). This was part of their Endeavour Award Community badge, embodying perfectly, in one 15-minute performance, so many of the qualities - including kindness, teamwork and good humour - that we wish to see.
 As ever, there have been great successes and moments of toil and disappointment over the past 11 weeks, but I do hope pupils head off for their well-earned rest recognising their own efforts and the progress they have achieved.
Reading Certificates: Bronze for Grisha D, Charlotte J and Barnes P; Silver for Oli T and Charlotte L; Platinum for Greg O and Sasha B
Values Certificates: Charlie Sa, Finn H, Elodie Y and Sienna dPL for Responsibility; Theodora J for Effort
French Certificates: OIivia H (4R), Rocket M (5G), Johnnie G (5T), Barnes P (6N)
Mr Wright
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As we reach the end of the Spring term, we now look ahead to a well-earned Easter break. It has been an incredibly busy and rewarding few months. Since January, there has been a great deal of excellent learning taking place across the school, with pupils approaching 2026 with enthusiasm, focus and determination.
It is also striking to consider just how much has taken place beyond the classroom. Pupils have been involved in House Cross Country, UKMT Maths Challenges, the LAMDA showcase, House Debating, the SATRO Problem Solving Challenge, National Careers Week, World Book Day and House Music. Alongside this, there have been performances at G Live and within our Ensembles Concerts, as well as a wide range of trips and an extensive programme of sports fixtures. It has certainly been a full and varied term.
Today, we gathered for both our Easter Assembly and End of Term Prizes Assembly. These occasions always provide a valuable opportunity to recognise pupils who have made excellent progress, demonstrated sustained effort and commitment, and consistently upheld our school values.
This morning, the Choir set off on their trip to Cornwall. We hope they have a fantastic time and create many lasting memories over the coming days.
Wishing you all a peaceful and enjoyable Easter break.
Mr Wyllie
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What Parents & Educators need to know about Effective Revision and Study Skills
As exams approach, many young people fall back on familiar revision habits like rereading and highlighting. While these can feel reassuring, they often do little to support long-term memory. This guide explains why passive techniques can lead to misplaced confidence, gaps in understanding and increased stress when pupils struggle to recall key information under pressure.
Focusing on simple, evidence-informed strategies, it supports parents and educators to guide more effective revision. From active recall and spaced practice to building manageable routines, the guide offers practical ways to improve retention and confidence. With expert insight, it encourages a balanced approach where challenge supports learning without overwhelming pupils.
Mr Monk
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At the end of this Spring term and clocks going forward over the weekend, we are able to enjoy the promise of longer brighter days. The sunshine last week and particularly for the spring equinox, was a very welcome respite after a very rainy start to the year. As we know, living on this island, the weather is unpredictable and very changeable. Clouds and rain can give way to short bursts of sunshine in (hopefully) ever increasing duration. Sometimes, we even get a rainbow!
It is this hope that allows us to feel excited for brighter, sunnier and warmer days, even when they might seem hard to picture.
In life, it is holding on to hope that allows us the resilience and strength to endure difficulty, discomfort and tragedy. As human beings, we are tested the most when times are hard; our ability to retain hope and look to the point beyond when things will seem easier, more comfortable and happy again, that keep us going. We must never lose hope but in fact keep it sacred as our comfort and motivation when we are struggling.
For the Year 11’s, who are approaching their exams, looking to where their exams might take them - college, jobs, new friendships, opportunities, a long summer - is a good place to look when revision and study become overwhelming. Remaining hopeful for the positive outcomes helps us endure the difficulties we face in the present. It is also crucial that they look after their health in the present, both physical and mental, through adequate rest, nutrition, hydration and planning fun opportunities within their revision timetables - balance is key.
parent guide for supporting your children during exams.
As the year 11’s consider the changes for them as they prepare to start in new schools and colleges, the hope in shedding the old and embracing the new should be celebrated. Easter is a time of rebirth and new beginnings; a celebration of hope.
I wish everybody a restful, joyous and hopeful Easter break.
Mrs Douglas
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Please can parents notify Mrs Sarjant if their child has had an immunisation outside of school; for example if they have recently been vaccinated for Men B; so medical records at school can be updated.
Please be aware that we have had a suspected case of Impetigo in Prep School this week. This is an infectious skin condition. Pupils will need to stay at home for the first 48 hours of antibiotic treatment before returning to school if they are diagnosed with this infection. Please use the link below for more information.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/impetigo/
Please can we ask parents to ask staff in the front office if you would like a face to face meeting with the School Nurse. Morning drop off time is a very busy time in the medical room, so please be aware you may need to wait, or book an appointment for a later date/time. In most instances an email to nurse@dokschool.org is a very helpful way of getting information to both Chloe and Maya without the need for a meeting.
Have a very Happy Easter holiday. Best of luck to Year 11s for revision; remember to keep a good balance between work and play. It's important to rest and refuel as well as plan for the GCSE exams ahead!
Finally, please email nurse@dokschool.org with any health (illness or injury) news over the Easter holidays.
The School Nurses
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PADoK News
Wishing you all a happy Easter holiday. Don’t forget to book tickets for our Summer Ball, details below.
Summer Ball – Friday 12th June – Bookings Open
Why: We’re marking 50 years of Duke of Kent School with a spectacular Summer Ball!
Where: Join us at Hurtwood Polo Club for a night filled with great food, live music, and plenty of celebration.
Tickets: £35. Your ticket includes:
· Welcome drink
· Entertainment
· Wonderful food
· Live music from Mr Rye’s band
Book your tickets at padok@dokschool.org with your child’s name and year group.
PADoK Second Hand Uniform Shop
Wednesday 22nd April March from 3 – 4pm
The uniform shop will be open on Wednesday for the first time this term. Please note that we do sell school shoes, trainers, football boots and astroturf trainers, which are boxed in sizes.
PADoK Clubs:
Duke of Kent School Flyers – Netball training
DOK Flyers will start training after the Easter holidays. On Monday late afternoons from 17.30 to 18.30 and we are looking for new players to join in next term. Come along for lots of laughter, exercise & fun. Everyone welcome! Contact Tara at padok@dokschool.org.
Duke of Kent School Singers – Tuesday 08.20 – 09.00.
Singing will return in the summer term. Mr Rye has been busy with G Live, concerts and a choir tour to prepare for, therefore we have decided to relaunch next term.
We will begin working on our chosen song when we next meet.  *Come sing with us and discover how much fun singing can be! It would be lovely to have more singers, men voices very welcome, so please do come along, it is a very relaxed and welcoming choir.
 When: Every Tuesday from 08:20 to 09.00
 Where: Meetings Room off Old Hall.
Contact Cathy Williams -padok@dokschool.org
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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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