|
|
A Message from Mr Southee
 This week we acknowledged Mental Health Awareness Week with some brilliant talks across the school from Mrs Douglas and some amazing messages from the pupils on the glass in The Link. With all the stresses of modern life and all the outside noise day to day, it is important for us to stop and take some time for ourselves, as many of the messages attested to. We are lucky enough to be in an amazing setting at Duke and we take advantage of this, encouraging the children to get outside at break, lunchtimes and PE; the perfect anecdote to revision and exam prep! As if it was planned...this week was also our Outdoor Learning Week this week with plenty of extra opportunities to get out in the grounds during lesson times. So, this weekend I encourage you all to get outside, ignore all distractions and simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings of The Surrey Hills!
Mr Southee
|
|
|
Pre-Prep 'When I Grow Up' Day
Our Pre-Prep ‘When I Grow Up Day’ was a wonderful success. It was fantastic to see the children arrive so enthusiastically dressed as what they would like to be when they grow up. From shepherds and sportsmen to botanists, palaeontologists, dog walkers, ballet dancers and much more, the children fully embraced the spirit of the day with imagination and excitement.
Throughout the day, the children took part in a carousel of hands-on activities designed to inspire curiosity about the world of work and the many different careers they could pursue in the future. Whether whipping up a cooking storm in the chef's room, exploring farming and the importance of plants, keeping active as physiotherapists and PE teachers, or creating beautiful sunflower canvases inspired by Vincent van Gogh, the children approached every activity with enthusiasm, creativity and confidence.
It was a joy to see the children learning through play, trying new experiences and sharing their aspirations with such excitement throughout the day.
Miss Munro
|
|
|
|
Year 4 Bury Hill Fisheries Trip
 This week, Year 4 enjoyed a wonderful morning visit to Bury Hill Fisheries, where they took part in a peaceful nature walk around the beautiful lake. The visit aligned perfectly with their current Science topic on organisms and food chains, giving the children the opportunity to observe wildlife in its ecosystem and discuss how it is adapted to suit its environment. During the walk, pupils enjoyed birdwatching, especially looking out for herons, and learning about other members of the ecosystem like crayfish. It was a fantastic chance to test their knowledge of food chains and to discuss the important role that living things play in maintaining balance within an ecosystem. It was fantastic to see the children so engaged, curious and enthusiastic throughout the morning, making the trip both educational and memorable.
Mr Gritton
|
|
|
Year 7 Hampton Court Trip
Our trip to Hampton Court Palace was packed with history, adventure and plenty of fun! Students stepped back into Tudor times during an exciting Politics and Power session, discovering how monarchs ruled and impressed their subjects. We explored the grand State Rooms, huge Tudor kitchens, stunning gardens, and even tackled the famous maze, with only a few wrong turns! Year 7 have promised to keep the royal secrets and palace gossip. The visit brought history to life and gave everyone a memorable day beyond the classroom.
Mr Seeley
|
|
|
|
Year 7 Senior House Chess Final
 Year 7 pupils Isabel N (Buzzard) and Henry S (Kestrel) produced a superb Senior House Chess final. Isabel edged a series of tight games after Henry’s ambitious queen exchange in the decider backfired. An impressive achievement for two Year 7 finalists and very promising for the future.
Senior Chess House Result:
- Buzzard
- Kestrel
- Peregrine
- Hawk
Mr Seeley
|
|
|
1st Equestrian Show - NSEA Jumping Event
The Duke of Kent School proudly hosted its first NSEA Jumping Event at Beech Farm and despite the wind and rain, spirits remained high throughout the day. Thanks to the fantastic support from staff, families, and students, the event was filled with fun, teamwork and well-earned prizes.
There were some excellent performances from our riders:
40cm - Edie B achieved 5th and 6th individually, while Emilia P helped the team secure 3rd place.
50cm - Roman N, Emilia P, and Charlotte P worked brilliantly together to achieve 4th place as a team.
60cm - Roman N, Lily C, Charlotte P, and Logan N rode superbly to claim 2nd place as a team.
All of these teams have now qualified for the NSEA Hickstead Championship - a fantastic achievement!
In the 70cm class, Logan N and Lily C both completed excellent rounds in their first competition at this height.
We hope all the children from the many different schools involved enjoyed the event, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again next year.
Camilla Marshall
|
|
|
|
Fiddler on the Roof Production
 You are invited to come and enjoy the musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' in Ewhurst Village Hall during half term week. It is funny, sad and dramatic all at the same time!
You will also see our own Florence A, Oliver A and Mr Lodge on show. There are 3 matinees and 5 evening shows to choose from so there is plenty of choice. Mazeltov!
Mr Lodge
|
|
|
|
Our teachers are always trying to make learning fun, with an array of games up their sleeves to enliven lessons and ensure pupils are as engaged as possible. Revision Week sees this ramp up a few notches, as these activities are a great way to revisit prior learning. We've had: games of 'castles' not only in Year 5 History (aptly) but also Year 6 Maths; Year 3 played the 'hat game' in Topic and a variation of 'beetle drive' to review features of different writing genres; Year 4 loved 'nibblers and nobblers' (more on that elsewhere in the Bulletin!) and Year 6 created gimkits in History to test each others' knowledge.
It's not all been about revision, though. Year 2 used the VR headsets to travel back in time and walk around London in 1666 to see for themselves how the great fire might have spread. It seems it began in a bakery, so they baked oaty biscuits to practice their measuring and weights skills in Maths. Year 5 got to play teachers, evaluating their peers' diary entries in English and, as World Bee Day approaches next Wednesday, Nursery were learning all about these wondrous insects (and the letter 'b') in anticipation. Pre-prep pupils - as ever - loved showing off their skills in the pool at the Open Swim event and Prep pupils also shone in the water at the fabulously exciting Gala - well done, everyone! A thank you, to end, to all out pupils for their warm and friendly hosting of families who visited on Open Morning - ambassadors, every one! Enjoy the weekend.
Values Certificates: Sasha B and Gracie B for Effort; Henry P for Kindness
Rising Readers: Barnes P (6GN), Izzy W (5T), Tildy T (5G), Josh B (4R) Sasha B (3N)
Aloud & Proud: Georgia Car and Josh B
Stars of the Week
Nursery:
Felix B for making a fabulous effort during phonic activities!
Sebby C for settling happily into Nursery and for joining in with activities with greater independence.
Reception:
Oscar C for engaging fully in everything we do and super improvement in your handwriting.
Jessica G for always trying your best and showing great independence and focus in our assessments.
Year 1:
Emilia VDB for your fantastic engagement in our Science lessons about plants. You have written some lovely descriptive sentences this week in preparation to write our plant book.
Year 2:
Edie B for using your plan to write an interesting diary entry from the perspective of Samuel Pepys.
Humphrey G for your great use of similes to compare the experiences of civilians during the Great Fire of London.
Swimmer of the week
Jakey G for making a big improvement in backstroke. You swam a full length confidently without hesitation and used your arms very effectively.
Mr Wright
|
|
|
Year 11 are now fully immersed in their GCSE examination period and have approached their first major week with real maturity and focus. As expected, there have been a few nerves along the way, but they should be extremely proud of how they have handled themselves. It is evident that a great deal of preparation has taken place, with pupils supporting one another and revising right up until the start of each exam.
For the wider Senior School, the week opened with an assembly delivered by Mrs Douglass in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week. This provided a valuable reminder of the importance of looking after our wellbeing, particularly as we move further into the exam season.
Year 7 also enjoyed their much-anticipated visit to Hampton Court Palace, bringing their history learning to life in a vivid and engaging way. As always, it was an inspiring and memorable experience.
Year 10 commenced their summer examinations today and have made a strong and positive start, successfully completing three papers already. We wish all Senior School pupils continued success as exams progress into next week. Please ensure the weekend is used sensibly to consolidate revision, but also to rest and recharge ahead of another busy period.
Finally, I would like to recognise those pupils who continue to work consistently towards their merit totals, with particular congratulations to those acknowledged this week for their achievements, including several who have now reached the impressive milestone of 25 merit points: Charlotte C, Knysna G, Freddie G, Halle S and Mytrille M.
Mr Wyllie
|
|
|
What Parents & Educators need to know about Digital Devices and Wellbeing
Digital devices are woven into everyday life for children and young people, but balancing the benefits with potential risks can feel challenging. This guide explores how screen use can influence sleep, emotional regulation, physical health and online experiences, offering clear context around why concerns about wellbeing are growing.
Written with schools and families in mind, the guide shares practical, realistic advice for setting boundaries, encouraging open conversations and building digital literacy. With insights from an experienced mental health professional, it supports adults to help children develop healthier, more mindful relationships with technology.
|
|
|
This week we have been celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week - the theme this year is ‘taking action’ whether this is for your own mental health or someone else’s.
We began with an assembly looking at various celebrities who have chosen their platform to discuss their own mental health issues and/or raise awareness, set up charities or platforms to encourage others to take action and seek support.
We also looked at ways pupils can manage their own stress as we approach exam week, looking at calming techniques they can utilise in moments of overwhelm.
We have also had a number of activities available to pupils during lunch breaks that acknowledge the top tips in taking action to support your mental health:
- Plan something to look forward to.
- Eat well.
- Get closer to nature.
- Get good sleep.
- Get creative.
- Move regularly.
- Try mindfulness.
- Make time for friends.
- Be kind.
- Talk things over with someone you trust
On Monday, pupils had the opportunity to create a window mural reminding us of these tips, on Tuesday they were able to spin the wheel for a suggestion of a positive action tip from which they created reminder cards, and on Thursday they were able to take part in a scavenger hunt making the most of movement and getting closer to nature.
I have also visited classes to discuss the importance of self care accompanied by Dixie, our therapy dog.
Senior pupils have the wonderful opportunity to visit a working art studio and take part in a workshop exploring the theme of ‘being seen’, run by one of our parents, artist Caroline de Peyrecave. This will take place on the morning of the 4th of June and we will return to school in time for lunch. Places are limited but in order to give everyone the opportunity, pupils are invited to complete a Google form, that has been posted in their virtual classroom, to express their interest in attending and why. The workshop focusses on getting to know people rather than focusing solely on artistic ability.
Please do encourage your senior pupils to complete the form if you think it would be of interest to them.
Mrs Douglas
|
|
|
The colder weather has brought some cold bugs to school this week. A reminder that pupils with a temperature of 37.8 or higher should stay at home for infection control purposes. (If your Year 11 child wakes with a fever on exam day, please contact Mr Wyllie awyllie@dokschool.org and Mrs Sarjant csarjant@dokschool.org ASAP to discuss).
Pupils with sore throats/coughs are encouraged to bring their own supply of tissues and throat lozenges to school if they find them therapeutic. As always, we would encourage good hydration, so a full, named water bottle is key.
A reminder that we need residential trip medications for pupils in Years 3, 7 and 8 delivered to school before the half term break. We are also happy to now start to receive any medications for the residential trips for Years 5, 6 and 10. Please leave medications at the front office for the attention of Mrs Sarjant.
Finally, best of luck to all our pupils from Years 3 upwards for exam week next week! Eat, sleep, hydrate well, try your best, but ultimately keep perspective. It's very normal to feel worried or stressed during this exam period, but just remember that life carries on regardless of exam outcomes, and you are worth very much more than a list of numbers on a sheet of paper. Good luck everyone!
The School Nurses
|
|
|
PADoK News
Summer Ball – Friday 12th June – Tickets selling fast
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 - Magician to the celebrities!
- 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
Due to Stevenson’s currently undergoing a refurbishment, we have decided to open the shop a few times over the coming weeks.
Wednesday 20th May from 3 – 4pm
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
A link to the WhatsApp group should have been sent out by your Class Rep. Please join if you are interested in starting to play netball, we are looking for new players so please do come along. The WhatsApp group will publish when and where they are training as it varies. Come along for lots of laughter, exercise & fun. Everyone welcome! Contact Tara at padok@dokschool.org.
Duke of Kent School Singers
Tuesday 19th May 08.20 – 09.00.
 Come sing with us! The Duke of Kent Singers are looking for new voices, male & female. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just curious, you’ll fit right in.  Friendly group No pressure Tuesday mornings with Mr Rye & Cathy Come along, have fun, and make music with us.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
