A Message from Mrs Knox

It has been just lovely welcoming the children back to School this week and to see learning begin again in earnest. We have also been delighted to welcome 6 new pupils and their families to Duke of Kent School. New teachers have been introduced to the children: Mrs Pippa Tuite, Year 4 teacher, Mrs Belinda Rigby, Year 2 teacher and Mrs Kelly Lawrence who is teaching Art and DT. We wish them all the very best in their roles. Good luck to all Year 11 pupils next week as they sit their Mock Exams. They have worked extremely hard in getting to this stage and we are proud of them. Matches resume next week so you are warmly invited to come and support the children. A warming cup of tea and piece of cake will be waiting for you in the Meetings Room. Also, Cross Country commences next week. Why not put on those trainers this weekend and get out in the fresh air on a run with your children? Enjoy!! 

Mrs Knox

Ski Trip Review

December’s Senior Ski Trip was an eventful one. Most notably, half our party were unable to travel because Gatwick had to temporarily close the runway because of a freak snowstorm and freezing weather. The stoicism, conduct and resilience of the 36 pupils and 5 staff who spent the best part of 12 hours stuck at the airport was remarkable given the extremely trying circumstances. For those who were unable to travel we will be offering a replacement package at Easter. 

The pupils who did make it on to the trip it was a case of mixed emotions, with the excitement of being in the beautiful Austrian Alps, but also missing friends. The snow conditions were extremely good and the progress of pupils, at all levels, with their skiing was incredible. 

Please click here to see photos from the Ski Trip Part 1

Mr Seeley

And just like that, a New Year is upon us! I must start by congratulating Mr and Mrs Gritton on the birth of baby Freya, who the children are bursting to meet very soon! We wish them all well. 

I'd also like to welcome you all back this term, and pay tribute to those who have joined us mid-year; three new children have started in Nursery and one in Year 6. I have been pleased to see them already finding their feet in unfamiliar surroundings, in no small part due to the care and kindness shown to them by existing pupils and, of course, our staff team. Speaking of staff, we have also begun the term with two new teachers in the Prep and Pre-prep Department; Mrs Rigby, in Year 2, and Mrs Tuite, in Year 4, who have both remarked that they already feel at home, as well as commenting on the helpfulness of the children, not to mention the quality of the food! 

Throughout the classrooms, new topics are being explored and discoveries unearthed. Of particular note, Reception and Year one pupils have already had a thrilling 'Fossil Day' this week, to kick-start their focus on dinosaurs this term, and the Year 2s eagerly await their trip to 'Brickies' next week.

Could I please make two requests, before signing off. Firstly, it would be most helpful for all pupils to have boots, waterproof trousers, coats, a hat and gloves in school every day. Whilst the temperatures remain unusually mild for now, conditions will no doubt be wet and changeable these next few months. Secondly, as the weekend approaches, please do take a moment to check with your child that they have a fully stocked pencil case (with spares), so they are properly equipped and can focus fully on their learning. 

Mr Wright

It has been great to see the pupils back in school this week, sharing stories of their Christmas breaks and quickly getting back into familiar routines. 

The Year 11 cohort begin their GCSE Mock Exams next Monday (9th January) and I wish them all the very best of luck. It is undoubtedly a hugely useful learning exercise, not only to assess where any potential gaps may be in their learning, but also for them to gain a level of familiarity with the process, particularly regarding where the exams take place and the expectations of behaviour and conduct regarding these. Hopefully this should make the final exams a slightly less daunting experience whilst allowing the pupils to make mistakes and learn from these.

As well as the Mock Exams, next week also sees the first School Council and Sustainability Committee meetings of the term as we continue to seek pupil ideas to help improve and review all aspects of the school and its running. The Year 9 and 10 House Cross-Country event also takes place on Tuesday (10th January), a hugely enjoyable afternoon where we celebrate all those that manage to challenge themselves and push to achieve their own personal best result.

After a flurry of Merits and Commendations at the tail end of last term we are delighted to be celebrating the achievements of Molly F, Sam H, Ollie K, Isabella N, Ben O, Bob P, Max S, Tansy-Bela T, Esme W (Y7), Will B, Mattie C, George C, Charlie L, Oscar V, Rhys W (Y8), Maggie B, Henry C, Jack D, Moxon K, Lucy M, Florrie P, Mattie R (Y9) and Bobby F (Y10), all of whom have achieved enough Merit points to attend celebration snack this Friday morning and receive their lunch fastpass and stationary prize. Well done!

Mr Wilson

This term is as busy as ever for the Performing Arts Department. Our biggest event is probably House Music, which involves every pupil from Years 3 to 11 and this year will see the welcome return of House Song! Add to that GLive, the Prep Production, the Pre-prep Spring concert, the Ensembles concert and the examined GCSE Drama performances (date TBC) and it is all go - as usual! Please see all the dates below:

GCSE Drama Trip to Cranleigh Arts - Thursday 26th January 

House Music Finals - Friday 3rd March

GLive Concert - Wednesday 8th March - 7pm

Prep Production of  'Plastic Pirates' - Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th March - 6.45pm

Ensembles Concert - Thursday 16th March - 6.30pm

Pre-prep Spring Concert - Monday 20th March - 2.30pm

Mr Rye

Comic Strip Competition

The ISA Comic Strip Competition encourages pupils to create their own storyboard or cartoon as a means of exploring a topical subject. This competition is open to key stages 1-5, and there are different themes for each age group. Closing date for entries is 10th January 2023. For more information visit - https://www.isaschools.org.uk/arts/art/comic-strip-competition.html

Centre for Personalised Medicine Art competition (Ages 11-13)

The competition is to create art about measurements in health and disease. To give you some ideas, your art could look at: What sort of things might get measured at your GP practice and hospital? Height, weight, your temperature… what else can you think of? For more information visit - https://cpm.well.ox.ac.uk/art-competition. Deadline for entries 20th January 2023.

Mr Wyllie

Stay Safe on New Devices

Whether you’re an internet newbie or a pro at surfing the web, it’s always important to keep online safety in mind. We’ve pulled together a list of top tips to make it easier for you to protect yourself and your devices in the digital world - helping you steer clear of hazards like misleading information and vicious viruses. There’s never a bad time to refresh your internet safety knowledge, but it’s an especially smart thing to do before you start using any shiny new devices!

In the guide, you'll find tips such as double-checking your news sources, taking breaks from being online and not sharing personal information.

Click on the link to find out more information about "Staying Safe on New Devices ".

Mr Boden

Welcome back and a Happy New Year to all, particularly our new families. I hope everyone will have returned with a sense of possibilities for a new term and a new year. A time when we have the opportunity to ‘cast off’ what is not serving us and look to new beginnings for ourselves and our goals.

It can be a time of reflection and a chance to consider: how we would like to treat (and be treated by others); what behaviours we would like to change; what direction we would like our studies/ vocations to take; how we can care for ourselves and our needs and can really consider what makes us the most happy and fulfilled. 

These are things within our control and the things we should be focusing on. It is important to recognise what is not within our control and conserve her energies for what we can.

Journaling, mindfulness, talking with trusted adults and friends are all opportunities to reflect on self and what we have the power to change.

With this in mind, Open Door drop in sessions in the Wellbeing Room on Monday Break and lunchtimes (and Thursdays from February) will be running this term and are an opportunity to talk with me should you want to consider how things could change for you.

Mrs Douglas

As pupils return to school following the Christmas break, the UKHSA is reminding parents that winter illnesses continue to circulate at high levels:  

Following simple steps can help protect children, minimise the spread of illness in education and childcare settings and protect wider communities.  Flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) are currently circulating at high levels and are likely to continue to increase in coming weeks. High numbers of scarlet fever, which is caused by group A streptococcus, also continue to be reported.  Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: "It’s important to minimise the spread of infection in schools and other education and childcare settings as much as possible. If your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved.  Helping children to learn about the importance of good hand hygiene is also key, so practice regular hand washing at home with soap and warm water. Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them is another simple way to help stop illness from spreading."  UKHSA January 2023

Here at school, many pupils in Years 7, 8, and 9 have today received the Nasal Flu Immunisation, which will help increase our levels of immunity at Duke of Kent School.  (A reminder to please email csarjant@dokschool.org if your child has received immunisations outside of school).

There's no doubt however that bugs will circulate at school this term (indeed some pupils have already been poorly at the start of this term).  Please email your form tutor and cc office@dokschool.org and nurse@dokschool.org if you are keeping your child at home due to ill health.  Also a reminder that any pupils who have antibiotics prescribed that need to be taken during the school day, should hand these in at the front office on the way into school, along with a completed parental consent form (this can be found in "The Medical Room" area of the parents section of the school website).  Medications will be administered by the School Nurses.

Wishing all pupils, staff and parents a Healthy and Happy New Year!

The School Nurses

PADoK News

Welcome back!  PADoK are hitting the ground running this term with our first Taste of Burns Night at the end of this month.  If you haven’t booked yet, there are still some tickets available.  Details are below.

We will be holding a Macmillan Afternoon Tea in March to raise funds for the important Macmillan charity and hoping to do another Eco Kids collection later in the term so don’t throw everything out just yet!

Burns Night

PADoK are so excited about our first 'Taste of Burns’ evening, at School on Friday 27th January from 7.30pm. The last few tickets are available now, with a cost of £25 per person. Get in quick if you’d like to join us! Email padok@dokschool.org ASAP stating the number of tickets you require along with your child's name and year group. The cost will be added to your termly bill. We’re so looking forward to a sell out night with you all!

Please note cancellations must be made before the end of Friday 6^th January.  This is due to the fixed costs of the event - thank you for your understanding.

PADoK Singers

PADoK Parents' Singing Group will be kicking off again next Thursday 12th January at 08:20. We will confirm the venue next week. We are really in need of some male voices and so a special mention today goes to any carers, dads, uncles, grandads, brothers, friends, neighbours who would like to come along for a weekly 40 min get together, of singing and laughing. You would be so warmly welcomed. For any further information please email Cathy Williams on rhodricathy@sky.com. So look forward to seeing everyone week! 

PADoK Walk

The first PADoK Walk will be on Friday 13^th January at 08.30 at Car Park 3 Hurtwood Control, Pitch Hill.  Hope to see some of you there.  Everyone is welcome.

PADoK Book Club

Our next PADoK book will be “Snow Country” the Sunday Times Best Seller, by Sebastian Faulks.  Sweeping across Europe as it recovers from one war and awaits the coming of another, SNOW COUNTRY is a landmark novel of exquisite yearnings, dreams of youth and the sanctity of hope. In elegant, shimmering prose, Sebastian Faulks has produced an epic love story of timeless resonance.  We are looking forward to reading it and hope you can join us when we meet up again when we meet later this term to discuss the book.

PADoK Running Technique – Friday morning 08.30 in Ness Hall

Start date: Friday 13^th January

Welcome back to a new year and if, like many, you have resolved to increase your fitness but you feel worried about causing injury then come to the Parents PADoK Running Technique group on Friday morning. We spend 45 minutes working on core muscle groups to help ensure you use any exercise time in a way that benefits you. Led by Physiotherapist, Julia Rowe, the exercises start as mat based exercises and move on to more standing and running work.

Mrs Phillips

Senior School Optional Hoodie

The Senior School hoodies have redesigned by members of the School Council and the finished product can be seen above.  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 to see me and have a look at the new hoodie.

Mrs Woolgar

School Social Media

At Duke of Kent School we have three social media platforms; Instagram (dukeofkentschool), Twitter (@DoKSchool) and Facebook (Duke of Kent School). 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.

        

Mrs Woolgar