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A Message from Mrs Knox
 It has been fabulous to see The Cookery Studio truly come alive this week, with crumbles, biscuits and bread being made by pupils across the school. The enthusiasm has been wonderful to see and it is clear that our pupils are already enjoying the opportunity to learn, create and, of course, taste!
We will be formally opening The Cookery Studio next week, when we will thank everyone involved in its design and delivery. Particular thanks will go to PADoK for their incredibly generous donation, which has enabled us to purchase all the pots, pans, utensils and equipment needed. A huge thank you also goes to you, our parents, for your continued support of PADoK events and fundraising activities.
Our whole-school photograph on Monday was another lovely experience, made all the more memorable by the fog lifting at the last minute to give us the perfect conditions. It was wonderful to have everyone together. Good luck to our Year 10 DofE pupils heading off on their expedition today. I wonder what they will be cooking on their Trangias! Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs Knox
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Peaslake Road
Following an incident during the week, please can I remind everyone to take extreme care when driving along Peaslake Road given the narrow nature of this road. Please do not speed and be prepared to meet another vehicle in the opposite direction. I realise this is common sense but not everyone using this road is demonstrating this level of awareness. Your help and cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
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Year 6 Social Event
Year 6 enjoyed a brilliant evening at their Autumn Social, starting by taking on Capture the Flag. Teamwork, tactics and plenty of running were on show and a few twists included by Mr Gritton!
After dinner, the evening finished with a game of Hide and Seek in the teaching block. Pupils found some impressively inventive hiding places, with several managing to remain undiscovered until the very end. A huge well done to Year 6 for making it such a fun and memorable evening!
Mr Gritton
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Reception Trip to Weald & Downland Museum
 On Wednesday 16th September Reception had a wonderful day out at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton.
We had been studying the book ‘The Little Red Hen’ and were able to retell the story using the artefacts from the museum and their historic buildings.
We looked at the lovely windmill set in the lake and tried to estimate how many ducks there were too! Our friendly education officer, Sheila, met us in the farmyard and gave us all some wheat to plant in the meadow as we pretended to be Little Red Hen. We then talked about how the wheat would grow and we pretended to harvest it with scythes.
Next, we went to the watermill and met the miller. When working, the enormous waterwheel powered a cog system in the mill and moved the gigantic stone querns. We each had a go at using a small hand powered quern to grind the wheat into flour which demanded a lot of effort. The children displayed amazing strength and determination to turn the grains into flour. Then, we visited the granary to see where the flour was stored and how it was elevated from the ground by special stone ‘mushrooms’ so that the troublesome rats couldn’t share in the flour feast.
To complete the story, we visited the bake house and used dough to make some rolls. The children made some interesting shapes including rolls for their initials and cottage loaves.
We had our sunny picnic lunch in the paddock and enjoyed a fabulous run around. Next we looked at how Victorian children lived in a tiny cottage that accommodated eight children with some having to top and tail in bed and use a bucket outside as a toilet! Then we looked at the austere Victorian school with no toys to play with and the sign ‘Children should be seen and not heard.’ The children decided their school was much better!
We finished the day by watching a wonderful show from the Chichester Festival Theatre entitled ‘That Pesky Rat’ in which a rather smelly rat really wanted to become someone’s pet. I’m not sure that the children were convinced that they wanted a pet rat but everyone had a fantastic and memorable day and went home exhilarated but exhausted.
Mrs Henry
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Stretch & Challenge Photography Trip
The Stretch and Challenge Photography Group enjoyed an intensive day of photography and tuition at the Witterings in West Sussex. With its spectacular coastline, sweeping beaches, colourful beach huts and picturesque marina, the area provided an inspiring variety of subjects and settings. Students explored how changing light, composition, perspective and viewpoint can transform an image, putting their skills into practice in a dynamic outdoor environment. The Witterings are particularly well suited to photography because the landscape offers striking contrasts between sea, sky, architecture and natural textures. The ever-changing weather and light also create endless opportunities for creative and atmospheric images.
Mr Watson
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Year 2 Trip to SeaLife Centre
 Yesterday, Year 2 headed off to Brighton SeaLife to bring our ‘Commotion in the Ocean’ learning to life! Our adventure certainly began with a little commotion of its own! The weather was not on our side as we walked, with winds and plenty of rain leaving us rather soggy by the time we arrived. Thankfully, the children’s excitement was unaffected!
The children loved spotting familiar sea creatures and discovering lots of new ones. We had a chance to get up close to some fascinating animals, including touching skate rays and catshark eggs in the rock pool. We even spotted the baby catshark swimming around nearby (in a different tank, of course!) The rays were a particular favourite for Angus and Fliss. As they swam through the water, they showed us their undersides, complete with their adorable little ‘smiles’!
One of the highlights was visiting the huge ocean tank, where we saw turtles, sharks and schools of fish swimming together. We met Dotty, who Emilia found out was a zebra shark. We learnt that zebra sharks are born with stripes, which gradually change into spots as they grow, helping them to camouflage themselves in their ocean habitat.
And then, just as we were ready to leave, the sun came out. We made the most of it with a run around on the beach and, of course, a well deserved ice cream!
Year 2 certainly had a whale of a time!
Mrs Gritton
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Summer Postcard Project
 A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our MFL Postcard Project over the summer! From Disney World to Verona and the Château de Murol, it has been wonderful to see where our pupils and staff have been exploring.
We have loved receiving postcards, emails and holiday photos, and hearing about the different places, cultures and languages our school community has discovered along the way.
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us – it has been a lovely way to bring the world into our classrooms.
Mme Fellous
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Trips out are an invaluable experience for our pupils. They provide the chance for the children to see something first hand off site, try something new, meet unfamiliar educators, indulge their curiosity and consolidate their learning. This week, Year 2 extended their 'oceans' knowledge at the Sealife Centre, lapping up all they saw and heard; Reception were on top form at the Weald & Downland Museum on an unusually sunny day for a trip run by Mrs Henry; and some Prep pupils had the chance to join the Photography trip, working alongside Senior students to develop their skill and passion. We look forward to seeing the results on show around the corridors some time soon!
Values Certificates: Frida S and Jack T for Responsibility; Josephone C and William F for Effort
Aloud & Proud (for excellent paired reading): Ferb M-B and Darcie S
Swimmer of the Week
Emilia VdB For showing resilience and determination when learning backstroke.
Star of the Week
Nursery – Alfie S for settling into Nursery so happily and confidently. What a lovely addition to our class!
Reception – Freya C for enthusiastic engagement in the activities on our trip and answering challenging questions. Also, for such an infectious laugh during the show!
Year 1 – Isla C for excellent effort in her English writing and always trying her best
Year 2 – Emilia VDB for the curiosity and enthusiasm you’ve shown towards our Topic work and trip to Brighton SeaLife Centre.
Mr Wright
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The week began perfectly with a memorable moment as the entire School gathered together for our whole-school photograph. Thankfully, the rain held off and the fog lifted, allowing us to capture the photograph smoothly. A huge thank you to all our students for their cooperation, excellent behaviour and smart appearance, which helped everything run so efficiently.
Today, our Year 10 students also completed the first day of their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition, successfully navigating their way through the Surrey Hills. We wish them the very best for their overnight camp this evening and for the second day of navigation tomorrow. We look forward to hearing all about their experiences when they return.
11DL held their form assembly today, during which they reminded us of the importance of British Values, their significance, and why we uphold these values as a School and as a society. It was a thoughtful reminder of the principles that help to shape our community.
On Monday pupils from each year group have also put themselves forward as candidates to represent their peers on the Student Council. Candidates presented to their year groups, explaining why they should be nominated and sharing their ideas, pledges and ambitions for the year ahead. There has been a great deal of enthusiasm and passion behind the nomination speeches, and we look forward to the form ballots on Monday, which will determine who will stand as representatives for each year group.
A big congratulations to the following pupils who have reached the fantastic milestone of 25 Merit Points!
Florence A, Rowan B, Pascale E, Elfie G, Lockie B, Indie K, Jenson P, Henry W, Issey N, Holly R.
A special congratulations also goes to Archie B, Ben D and Ollie K for exceeding 300 Merit Points and receiving their recognition badges. What fantastic achievements!
Mr Wyllie
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Try an Instrument – Two Free Lessons!
 From next week, we’re offering pupils the chance to have two completely free trial lessons on an instrument of their choice.
Whether they’ve always wanted to play the drums, fancy giving the saxophone a go or simply want to discover an instrument they might enjoy, this is a great opportunity to try it out with no commitment.
The following options are available:
Drums • Guitar • Bass
Trumpet • Trombone • French Horn • Saxophone • Flute • Clarinet • Violin • Viola • Cello
No previous experience is needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to have a go. Open to pupils from Years 2-11.
Please email Mr Rye on nrye@dokschool.org if you are interested.
Mr Rye
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 We have had another busy week of fixtures against other schools and house matches. The U15 Boys' Football Team played St Edmund's home and away in some very competitive games. The U14 girls had a great training session in preparation for next week's house matches. The Year 7 & 8 Girls' House Hockey was played in a great spirit on Wednesday afternoon and The U16 Girls had a convincing win over Farlington School on Thursday. The U8/9 girls and boys played their first fixtures of the season. The girls had a tough start away to Ripley but showed great determination and an improvement in their skills as the games progressed. The boys played very well against Farlington with both the A & B team winning their matches.
Mr Herbert
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What Parents & Educators need to know about AI Chatbots
AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and My AI are becoming a familiar part of children’s digital lives. This guide helps parents, carers and educators understand how these tools work, why young people find them so appealing, and where their use can create safeguarding, learning and wellbeing concerns.
From misinformation and privacy issues to emotional dependency, academic dishonesty and over-reliance, this guide explores the key risks in a clear, accessible way. It also offers practical advice on starting conversations, checking settings and helping children think critically, so adults can support safe, balanced and informed use of AI.
Click the link to learn more about "AI Chatbots".
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It was lovely to see some of our parents at the first Connections Cafe yesterday morning and a chance for some parents to meet and chat to those they don’t know. Parents whose children have been at the school for some years were able to pass on their experience to those that are just beginning. The opportunity to share information, knowledge or friendship is something we are all able to do whether we’re aware or not - tips or pointers in our experience in negotiating screen time, reluctant attendees or teenage moods - are valuable insights we may be able to share.
This reminded me of our school value this term - responsibility. We have a responsibility to do our best to help and support others if we are able. Connecting with someone via a shared problem or difficulty is as important as sharing in the positive achievement or experience.
Words can do good or ill and this is a responsibility we should all consider as well as teaching our children their power.
Our words can be of great benefit to others enduring a difficult time or struggling to find positivity. Just as unkind words can be damaging to others’ self esteem, the power of a compliment can turn negative situations into something more collaborative or allow someone to feel seen.. The reminder that we can influence others’ self esteem as well as giving positive encouragement to ourselves, is an important lesson for everyone. A well chosen compliment focusing on a person’s human qualities has the power to lift their mood and brighten their day. I urge you all to consider practising this whenever you can;
‘A compliment is verbal sunshine.’ Robert Orben
Sometimes we feel awkward or find it difficult to receive compliments but we need to learn to accept them with grace, as the gift that they are. Remember, it is just as important to compliment ourselves as it is others.
An interesting TED talk on an experiment proving the power of compliments: The Power of a Compliment | Lexi Goff | TEDxYouth@UrsulineAcademy
Mrs Douglas
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Please be aware that next Tuesday 22nd September, Chloe Sarjant will not be on duty (and is unlikely to respond to emails from 3.30pm Monday until Wednesday morning); Maya Garside will be on duty at school 08.30-15.30 on Tuesday. Please email queries to nurse@dokschool.org during this time. Chloe will be back at school on Wednesday morning.
Next Thursday morning 24th September, the Immunisations Nurses will visit us to administer Flu Immunisations to those children with parental consent: please can all parents ensure your child/ren knows whether or not you want them to have the immunisation. Those pupils not participating are kindly asked to stay in class while their peers come down to Old Hall. Pupils for injection to come to Old Hall at 09.20am (short sleeves please). All other pupils please wait in class until called. Please do not worry if your child ends up being home poorly next week - you will receive an invitation to a community clinic appointment instead. Any queries about immunisations, please email Chloe Sarjant (csarjant@dokschool.org). Thank you.
Have a lovely weekend - and best of luck to Year 10 for your overnight camp tonight and the last leg of your Bronze Expedition tomorrow!
The School Nurses
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Hello from PADoK – the Parents' Association at Duke of Kent School!
We’re a team of parent volunteers here to support you with everyday school questions and help build a warm, social parent community.
We run the Second-Hand Uniform Shop and fundraising events, and the majority of money raised goes towards fun extras for the children – things like VR headsets, a drone, Pre‑Prep toys and a telescope for the Science Department. PADoK is proud to donate to local charities and run an annual Macmillan tea party.
We also run parent clubs and help the school with productions and open mornings.
PADoK Fair: next Friday, 8–9am at the Second Hand Uniform Shop (which will be open). Pop by for a coffee at the Coffee Pod and see what’s on offer.
We’d love to hear any ideas you might have or if you have any questions - email us at padok@dokschool.org.
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