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A Message from Mrs Knox
It was a real pleasure welcoming Emma and Fred this week to introduce the School to Sarcoma UK, the charity we will be supporting this year. Every day, 15 people are diagnosed with sarcoma in the UK. That’s about 5,300 people a year. The money we raise will go towards important research and also enable Sarcoma UK to continue to fund its vital support line. Our charity committees are now busy planning fundraising events this year. If you too have any ideas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our charity coordinator Matt Green.
I was made to feel very, very special today as I celebrated a milestone birthday. It was lovely to celebrate it with Humphrey and Florence. Many renditions of happy birthday and well wishes from so many people. Thank you to PADoK for my absolutely beautiful flowers. I am sorry I won’t be able to join you tonight for the quiz, but I am sure it will be a terrific event. Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs Knox
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The School menu for next week
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Rwanda ‘23
 Our recent ten-day trip to Rwanda has proved to be a life-altering experience, one that has etched profound memories in the hearts and minds of pupils and teachers alike. This remarkable journey encompassed a variety of experiences that allowed us to forge deep connections with the country and its people, leaving an indelible mark on our lives.
Our journey began with a neighbourhood tour of Kigali, Rwanda's vibrant and bustling capital. As we strolled through colourful markets and engaged with the welcoming locals, we were immediately immersed in the rich tapestry of Rwandan culture. This initial encounter set the tone for our entire trip, evoking a sense of wonder and excitement.
One of the most memorable aspects of our expedition was the homestay with the Azizi Life community. During our time there, we had the privilege of learning traditional crafts and farming techniques. This experience not only provided us with an invaluable understanding of the daily lives of Rwandans but also facilitated the formation of deep and lasting bonds with our host families. We gained insight into their way of life, their customs, and their sense of community.
 Our journey took an unexpected turn on the third day as we set out to hike the awe-inspiring Congo Nile Trail. As we traversed this remarkable path, we found ourselves caught in a monsoon downpour. Seeking refuge, we took shelter in a local school. The rain may have been unexpected, but the warmth and hospitality of the local community were not. During our unexpected stop, we engaged in a spirited three-on-three basketball game with the local children, forging connections that transcended language and cultural barriers. The game ended in a close match, with a final score of 3-2 to the locals; a testament to the power of sport as a universal language.
Our 20km kayaking adventure on Lake Kivu unfolded on the following days. Although this began with warm, monsoon rains on the first day, the second day saw the lake's waters become serene as we paddled by the majestic backdrop of the Nyiragongo Volcano.
During our visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Foundation we learnt about Rwanda's iconic "Gorillas in the Mist". This encounter was nothing short of profound, allowing us to gain a deep appreciation for the conservation efforts in place to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitat.
Our interactions with the local community continued as we played volleyball with the Akagera Community Project on day seven. Laughter, camaraderie, and friendly competition filled the air, further strengthening the bonds between our group and the local community. We found ourselves not merely as visitors but as participants in the vibrant tapestry of Rwandan life.
Days eight and nine took us on a safari adventure through the stunning Akagera National Park. The park's remarkable landscapes and the mesmerising wildlife that called it home left us awestruck. We marvelled at the diverse array of animals, from charging elephants to sleeping crocodiles and flocks of brightly coloured weaver birds.
Before bidding farewell to Rwanda on day ten, we spent our final moments engaging in activities with the Kinamba Community Project in Kigali. We learnt traditional dance moves, played football, and explored various art forms. These activities allowed us to connect with the local culture on a deeper level, providing us with meaningful memories to carry home.
This trip was truly life-changing. The warmth, enthusiasm, and hospitality of the Rwandan people were infectious. They greeted us with open hearts and minds, as excited to meet us as we were to meet them. The memories we created during our journey will stay with us forever, a testament to the beauty of Rwanda and the profound richness of its culture. It was a journey that not only broadened our horizons but also enriched our lives in ways we could have never imagined. Rwanda will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and the connections we formed will serve as a testament to the power of human connection and shared experiences, regardless of our backgrounds and origins.
A video of the highlights can be found here.
Mr Watson
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Sarcoma UK assembly
 On Monday morning we were delighted to welcome Fred and Emma from Sarcoma UK to the School for an assembly. Sarcoma UK is the chosen charity that the School will be supporting this year after pupils and staff voted at the end of the Summer Term. Emma was able to give us an insight into what sarcoma is and how the money we are going to raise this year will help with research. During the talk, Fred, who was diagnosed with sarcoma at 21 years old, spoke to the pupils about his experience and inspired the children to become the next scientist to discover the cure for sarcoma. If you would like to donate, the School's JustGiving page is here.
Mr Green
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Year 6 Battle of Hastings re-enactment
 The day after we broke for half term, Year 6 just didn't want the learning to stop, so off we headed to East Sussex to witness the infamous Battle of Hastings. With several hundred medieval and military enthusiasts and historians taking part every year to mark its anniversary, the English Heritage re-enactment is a sight to behold and the children were thrilled with their visit. We were fortunate to meet many of the warriors themselves who gave their time and knowledge most generously. They even allowed the children to handle weaponry, wear some armour (the weight of which was quite a shock!) and play some traditional games, such as "Three Man's Morris", a precursor to tic-tac-toe, but a much more exciting and strategically-challenging version the children all agreed. We also got to see embroidery, falconry and ironmongery in action. My thanks to Madame Toussaint for accompanying us, and for bringing Duke William of Normandy all the luck he needed to conquer these Isles yet again.
Mr Wright
 
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Year 8 trip to Tillingbourne River
The pupils were collecting data about the River Tillingbourne to analyse and report on in class. Data collection included river velocity, channel width and depth and bedload size. The Year 8s did themselves proud. Never before have we had a group of pupils so efficient at collecting data within their groups. Great cooperation could be seen throughout the afternoon, alongside responsible behaviour and lots of fun. Well done Year 8!
Mr Allen
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The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
We are supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal again this year. We have lots of poppies available in the Main Office, so swing by and donate what you can and choose one of the various styles we have on offer. Thank you for your donations and for supporting such an important organisation!
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Action for Nature – Log Out, Log In
As the days grow shorter, why not create a cosy log pile village for all things creepy and crawly? Log piles are perfect hiding places for insects, providing a convenient treat for frogs, birds, and hedgehogs too!
Your logs can be neatly piled in a pyramid in a cool, dark corner, or loosely scattered under a hedge. Like this, they are handy for mulching the soil, but you’ll get more wildlife if you do create a concentrated stack. You could even bury your timber vertically to create a “log pyramid”, perfect for the larvae of one of our most iconic insects, the Stag Beetle!
Branches and logs can be freely available from local tree surgeons or arboriculturists, just ask nicely! Native, locally sourced wood is best.
Emma Rothwell, Surrey Wildlife Trust
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There was much excitement early in the week as the children's return to School coincided with Halloween. On Wednesday, children swapped stories of the costumes they'd worn the night before for some local neighbourhood trick or treating, not to mention the hauls of sweets they'd amassed! We followed this up on Thursday with an Assembly on El Dia de Los Muertos. It was an important opportunity for us to discuss death with the children; something about which we rarely talk. We noted that the Day of the Dead festival is a celebratory event, remembering those who have died by creating a truly festive atmosphere – votive candles, offerings of food and, of course, spectacular skeleton costumes and parades, in honour of the spirits returning to visit loved ones.
 Nursery had an especially seasonal few days, decorating pumpkins as well as conducting some science experiments resulting in an exploding pumpkin! Pupils in STEAM club made Halloween pictures using baking powder and then revealing what they had made by adding turmeric – true sorcery at play! Year 3 also enjoyed walking around the School site identifying different materials and observing how they are used, Year 4 were predicting temperatures and then using thermometers to assess the accuracy of their estimates and Year 6 used household objects such as paper clips, tin foil and clothes pegs to make switches for their electrical circuits.
In Maths, Years 5 and 6 have been getting in some practice to participate in the UK-wide Primary Maths Challenge on Monday, Reception have been measuring whatever they could get their hands on (packages, ingredients, each other!) and Year 2 have been working with ordinal numbers.
Elsewhere, Year 6 enjoyed a visit to The Nook for some class reading of their novel, Year 3 have been experimenting with alliterative language and Year 4 have begun their topic to discover the treasures of The Nile. All this, and there was still time for Reception to get to Brazil and back to add to their round-the-world studies. Have we really only been back one week?!
Mr Wright
Stars of the week
Nursery - Angus T for making progress in phonics and mark making. He has a lovely pencil grip now!
Theo McA for settling happily into Nursery life, demonstrating increasing independence and joining in with enthusiasm.
Reception - Edie B for taking greater care and attention with her fine motor skill activities.
Jack T for making an extra effort with letter formation when using a white board.
Year 1 - Ottilie H for super rhyming work in English. Having a wonderful attitude and always being so kind.
Gracie B for her super attitude to her learning. She works so hard in everything she does.
Year 2 - Sienna de P for her wonderful reading, which she does with great confidence, expression and fluency.
Mrs Henry
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It has been a wet and blustery start to the second half of this term, but this has not dampened spirits as pupils returned after the break, (hopefully) refreshed and raring to go. The week began with a hugely informative and emotive assembly presented by Sarcoma UK, the School's chosen charity this year, explaining the effects of this rare but dangerous cancer type. The presenter, who had first-hand experience of the disease, explained the importance of research in the fight to help people overcome sarcoma and the huge benefits that could come from the School's charity funding.
Tuesday saw the Senior School Council meet to discuss, amongst other things, the School's uniform policy, as we look to ensure this is fair, understood and adhered to by all. We also saw a number of sports matches take place across Tuesday and Wednesday, with some marvellously close games, including football matches finishing 7-6, 4-3 and 2-2 and some excellent examples of effort, commitment and resilience across a number of girls hockey matches also. Wednesday also saw a highly successful Year 11 parents' evening where pupils, staff and parents gathered to discuss the upcoming GCSE exams and how we can best support the cohort to achieve their potential. As I currently sit watching the rain come down next summer feels a long way away, but in Year 11 the time flies by and you can never start preparing too early! This morning (Friday), the GCSE DT pupils embarked on a trip to the Design Museum, the world's leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form, from architecture and fashion to graphics, and we hope they have a hugely rewarding and inspiring experience.
Many congratulations this week go to our first Year 7 pupils to reach 25 merit points and therefore attend Celebration Snack Break this morning; Holly B, Lois M and Ben W. Representatives from other years who have also reached a multiple of 25 merit points and attended Celebration Snack Break today were Poppy F, Ben J, Harvey R, Esme W (Year 8), William B, Kit B, Robert S (Year 9), Chester B, Charlie H, Quentin J, Lucy M, Vir O'R, Isaac P, Bella S (Year 10) and Ella S and Kai G (Year 11). We also had four members of the Senior School gaining a badge for reaching a multiple of 100 merit points; Humph G (Year 9), Annabel O (Year 10), Daisy R (Year 10) and Annabelle R (Year 11). Huge congratulations to all of you!
We wish all those attending the PADoK Quiz night the best of luck this evening; I have no doubt it will be a hugely fun and entertaining event. Have a lovely weekend.
Mr Wilson
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 ISA Ballet competition
Huge congratulations are due to Willow B in Year 3, who on Thursday came second in the ISA Dance Competition Finals. There were 140 entrants. 12 were invited to finals and our amazing ballerina, Willow, came 2nd! What a wonderful achievement, we are all so proud of her. Especially Miss Francis!
PA Events
As we head into the second half of term, the Performing Arts calendar is starting to get busy!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Tickets are available now to the wider school community for the Senior Production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Please email bookings@dokschool.org. Saturday night is sold out, but there are tickets left for the Friday evening and the Saturday matinée. (24th and 25th November)
Prep Christmas Concert
Friday 1st December will be our annual Prep School Christmas concert. Always a lovely, seasonal event with plenty of performances from pupils in Year 3-11. Keep your eyes peeled for more info.
Pre-prep Nativity
The Pre-prep Christmas production of "Bethlehem Bake Off" is hotting up and our younger pupils have been busy learning their lines and practising songs and dances. This will be on Tuesday 5th December at 14.30 in the PA Hall, followed by mince pies and mulled wine!
School Carol Service
Finally, our School Carol Service is on Wednesday 6th December at 17.30. This will feature our Prep, Years 7-8 and Years 9-11 choirs, the brass ensemble and various readers. Always a wonderful end to the term.
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Girls' hockey: U16 A Hockey Team v Belmont School
On Tuesday afternoon, the U16 A Team welcomed Belmont School to our Wilson's Pitch for a 9-a-side hockey match. It was clear it was going to be a close game from the very start, with end to end play from both teams! Esme P, Helena K and Abi W worked well as the back three. They made countless brilliant tackles and managed to protect the route to goal, whilst Fleur S made some crucial saves early on in the match to keep the team in the game. Belmont continued to put pressure on our midfield too, but they also held strong. As the game progressed, Duke of Kent School began to find their feet and move the ball with more pace and accuracy. Frankie M played brilliantly in the centre of midfield and used her skill to make runs and create goal-scoring opportunities. Emily B, Ava W and Rose S worked with great purpose and energy in the midfield and used the width of the pitch well. The score was 0-0 at half-time with all to play for! In the second half, Alex K and Ella S linked up beautifully on the break, with Ella slipping the ball to Alex, who calmly slotted the ball past Belmont's goal keeper. The game continued to be very close, and Belmont worked tirelessly to get an equaliser, but couldn't get through the solid Duke of Kent School defence! Well done to all the U16 A Team for a fantastic win, and in particular to Esme P, who was awarded player of the game!
Miss Vickers
Girls' hockey: U14-U15 A Hockey v St. Edmund's School
On Tuesday, the U14-U15 A Hockey Team played St. Edmund's away. The team got off to a great start. Jess I controlled the play confidently at centre midfield and Bella S and Daisy R held the width well and looked strong on the ball. Half-way through the second half Phoebe P carried the ball into the 'D' and made a skilful turn away from the defender, passed back to Jess I, who struck the ball beautifully into the goal from the top of the 'D'! St. Edmund's got themselves back in the game to score a couple of minutes before half-time. However, the team fought hard to create more goal-scoring opportunities and Jess I scored another goal to put Duke of Kent 2-1 up at half-time. During the second half, Isla B found good space out on the right wing and connected well with Phoebe P, who looked threatening in front of goal and was unlucky not to score. Alice B and Tildy C had plenty to do at the back, they made some fantastic tackles and interceptions and their distribution from 16 yard hits was also excellent. It was frustrating to concede a goal 30 seconds before the final whistle, but a 2-2 draw was still a great result. Finally, a big shout-out to Maggie B who was brilliant in goal throughout and voted Player of the Match!
Mrs Dann
Boys' football: U15 Football v Downsend
Tuesday saw the Duke of Kent School U15 football team travel to Downsend to play on the 4G surface. It was a great opportunity for the boys to show off their skills against a strong opposition. Downsend started the game well, keeping possession of the ball with some slick passing. They converted this into three quick goals before half-time. However, Duke of Kent School started to grow into the game and put some passes together and pressure on the defence before Jamie P linked up with Isaac P, who lobbed the goalkeeper to get a goal back before half-time. Duke of Kent School started the second half really pressing Downsend players and not giving them any time on the ball. This led to Duke of Kent School having more possession of the ball, resulting in Jamie P winning the ball and sending it through to Moxon K in the box, for him to head it over the goalkeeper for our second goal. This rewarded Duke of Kent School with their positive play but fitness began to tell as Downsend got back into the game and scored three more goals to finish the game off. Well done to all the boys involved as they came up against tough opponents and didn’t back down.
Mr Green
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Next week is Green Careers Week from 6th to 11th November.
 Green Careers Week's aim is to provide young people with an insight into careers that specifically protect the environment and will help the UK achieve its pledge of reaching Net Zero by 2050.
Led by National Careers Week in partnership with a wide range of organisations including STEM.org.uk and the UK Space Agency, Green Careers Week promises to be an inspiring week, with plenty of information on how young people can get actively involved in careers that focus on positive environmental impact and change.
In the simplest terms, green careers include roles within businesses that benefit the environment and conserve natural resources. These roles have been growing over recent years and are bound to increase further as the necessity for greater energy efficiency and sustainability becomes more urgent.
Listed below are a few ideas of some green career roles:
- Building performance analyst – identifying performance issues with energy, maintenance and comfort in buildings
- Recruitment consultant – specialising in permanent or temporary assignments within environment, planning, energy or civils
- Waste operations manager – implementing best practices and ensuring compliance
- Energy project officer – supporting project managers in managing project budgets, monitoring expenditure and costs, realising project outputs and looking after technical equipment
- Offshore consent manager – supporting the development of offshore renewable energy projects
- Greenhouse gas analyst – assisting in analysing and tracking greenhouse gas emissions to help organisations reduce their carbon footprint
- Recycling coordinator – managing recycling programs for cities and businesses
- Water resource manager – overseeing the sustainable management of water resources, including water conservation and quality
- Forestry creation officer – increase tree cover to 30% in the country’s largest environmental regeneration initiative
- Gardening assistant – traineeship to develop sustainable gardens in public access country estates
- Environmental lawyer – specialising in environmental regulations and advocate for clients in cases related to environmental issues
- Head of food transformation – supporting the food retail sector to deliver sustainable, healthy and affordable food for all
- Sustainable fashion designer – creating clothing and accessories using environmentally friendly materials and production methods
- Urban grower – farming to produce pesticide-free food using less water and fertiliser than traditional methods
Remember you can always find out more about these roles on UNIFROG by going to the Careers Library and doing a keyword search for any of these roles.
What Career Live
On 11th November at Olympia London will be "What Career Live". This free event is perfect whether you’re interested in higher education, an apprenticeship or something else. There are a range of helpful features facilitated by experts to answer any questions you might have and help you take your next steps with confidence.
Location: National Hall, Olympia London, Hammersmith Way, W14 8UX.
Opening times: Saturday 11 November, 10:00 – 16:00.
More details can be found here.
Mr Wyllie
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Supporting children to deal with upsetting content
They might not be able to pinpoint its location on a map, and they might not fully grasp the historical and political drivers behind the conflict – but in this age where news, images and video can cross continents in seconds, many children are now aware of the terrible recent events in Israel. It’s a situation, of course, that could cause youngsters extreme distress and worry.
Our guide contains some valuable pointers for supporting children to deal with upsetting content they’ve encountered online – whether that’s the attacks in Israel, ongoing worries over the environment, or something else entirely. Our tips will assist trusted adults in helping young people to process any negative emotions that they may be feeling.
Click on the link to find out more information about "Supporting Children to Deal with Upsetting Content".
Also, Internet Matters is a great website that can help you deal with online issues, give you advice for different age groups, and give you step-by-step guides for setting controls for different devices.
Mr Boden
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ISA Christmas Banner Competition (Ages up to KS2)
In this festive competition, pupils are invited to design the official ISA email signature banner for Christmas. Open to EYFS-KS2.
For more information please click here.
Deadline for entries is 22 November 2023.
Poetry Together Competition
Poetry Together 2023 launches this autumn with the challenge for young and old, far and wide to connect and share in the joy of poetry.
By taking part in Poetry Together 2023 you could receive:
- an invitation to present your poem on ITV's “This Morning”.
- Publication of written poems in the Poetry Together Anthology, a copy of which will be held in the Royal Library and the British Library.
- £250 worth of books for your school library.
For more information click here.
Deadline for entries is 24th November 2023.
Sony Photo Awards Youth Competition (Up to 19 years)
The brief for this year’s Youth Competition is “Through Your Eyes”. What is your (and your generation's) perception of the world? From your family to the local environment to your day-to-day life, show us what – through your eyes – are the subjects and themes you want to photograph and share. Whatever the genre, technique or subject matter, we want to see your photographs. You can enter up to three images for free.
For more information please click here.
Deadline for entries is 5th January 2024.
Mr Wyllie
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It has been lovely hearing about all the different “best bits” of pupils’ half-term break this week and their anticipation of the various trips and events this half term. I know that for many the return to School can be difficult following an extended break, and the anticipation of this can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. For most, the resilience to challenge themselves to face what is difficult has proven that what we fear is often not as bad as imagined and the stress and anxiety is dispersed. For some, the stress of preparing to come into School can persist.
Yesterday was National Stress Awareness Day and it is important to acknowledge that for your child who may be struggling to come into School, either on the odd occasion or regularly, this can be an incredibly stressful time for them but also yourselves.
Mornings particularly may see stress building for parents and children as responsibilities to work, timetables and other siblings may seem on the verge of tipping into unattainable. It is very common for children to have days when they don’t want to come into School, but when it is habitual the stress can build before the situation even presents itself.
There are many reasons why children and young people may find it difficult to come into School and it is really important to spend time exploring with them what these reasons may be at a low-stress time, i.e. not the morning as you’re trying to get out of the door.
Find a time when things are calm to explore their worries with them (this video link offers a good explanation of how to work through an anxiety iceberg with your child) and reassure them when possible or message form tutors so they are aware of their concerns. Sometimes actions can be taken to help quell these worries, such as arriving a little earlier in order to help out in the classroom, being met by a friend or other familiar face, or a meeting with a subject tutor or Learning Support to discuss worries about School work. Addressing these concerns together may help to reduce some of the stress on both sides.
Parents with younger pupils might like to look at the book, “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst which addresses the issue of separation anxiety.
Mrs Douglas
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Autumn has most definitely arrived, and as such, many pupils will be planning to attend bonfire and fireworks events this weekend. We hope everyone enjoys the festivities safely. Here's a quick reminder of the firework code (London Fire Brigade) for anyone who is planning to hold an event:
THE FIREWORK CODE
- Only buy fireworks that have a CE mark, from licenced retailers.
- Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework, using a torch if necessary.
- Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
- Always supervise children around fireworks.
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. Keep a bucket of water close by.
- Never give sparklers to a child under five years old.
- Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
- Don’t let off fireworks after 11pm.
- Always keep pets indoors.
IF YOU ARE HAVING A BONFIRE:
- Build the bonfire away from sheds, fences and trees.
- Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
- Make sure that the bonfire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Here at School, there has been some ill-health circulating – largely colds and sick bugs. Please remember that if your child needs paracetamol or ibuprofen during the school day for their comfort, they should attend the medical room to see Mrs Sarjant or Ms Garside, and not carry medicine on their person at School.
Finally, well done to the Rwanda pupils for getting through the trip in one piece – seems like it was a great adventure as hoped! A reminder that Rwanda trip pupils with parental consent for Nasal Flu Immunisations will be seen by the Immunisations Team at School on Friday 17th November (late morning). The consent portal has also been re-opened for any parents who would like their child (Years R to 11) to be immunised but missed the deadline for 13th October – please email Mrs Sarjant csarjant@dokschool.org if this applies to you.
Have a lovely weekend – enjoy the fireworks safely.
The School Nurses
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PADoK
Please do get in touch if you would like to get involved, this can be in any capacity, you don’t need to be a class rep to be on the PADoK team. Email me at camillahja@yahoo.com for more information.
Christmas Hamper raffle donations – 7th, 8th & 9th November at drop off
Our PADoK elves will be collecting by the changing rooms and in the top car park on Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th November. We would be grateful if you can bring some good quality gifts to donate to our annual Christmas Hamper collection. We are looking to put together some wonderful hampers which will include chocolates, edible gifts, alcohol, pamper items, candles, toys, games or anything that you think you might like to win in a hamper.
**If your child comes on the bus and you can help collect at your bus stop then we would be most grateful. Please contact your class rep if you can help us with this.
**There will be collection boxes in reception and the lobby area of Pre-prep for donations outside the collection times. Please do not put alcohol in these, that must be handed in to the front office for health and safety reasons.
Thanking you in advance for all your help and support!
BAG2SCHOOL collection
Your children will be bringing a bag home that can be filled and returned to School for recycling. PADoK have organised this to raise funds and also offer our Duke of Kent School community an opportunity to recycle! Bags should be returned to School at drop off on 20th November. If you are unable to drop bags on 20th November, they can be left outside the uniform shop on 19th November before 14.00. More info on the scheme and what can/can’t be donated is on the Bag2School website.
Duke of Kent School Flyers – Wednesday 08.30-09.30, Ness Hall (Tara Coles and Lois Williams)
This week we saw the second session of the Duke of Kent School netball team.
It was lovely to see some new faces this week! Our lovely Donna and Tara reminded us of a few more rules before we got stuck into an action-packed game. So much fun had and so good for the soul.
Join us every Wednesday. No experience necessary!
Duke of Kent School Singers – Thursday 08.20-09.00 (Cathy Williams)
A great session to start of this half term took place in the PA Hall with Nick. Once we had all stopped chatting, we enjoyed warming up again with the Swahili banana harvest song, "Si, Si, Si", breaking into a three-part round.
We then carried on working on an arrangement of Coldplay’s “Yellow” consolidating what we worked on in the last session. A simple three-part harmony that sounds so rich and lovely is coming together. Great to be back and as always plenty of laughs. Singing is not just good for the soul, it exercises the body and mind! Please do come along at any time to have a listen or give it a go. All are welcome.
Please do join us every Thursday 08:20 – 09:00 in the PA Hall. All are welcome at any time and we are keen to encourage more Dads to the group. Stick your head in for a listen to see what we’re all about. Super relaxed and no pressure to perform.
Any questions please do contact Cathy Williams rhodricathy@sky.com/07813 282910 or please just come along!
A relaxed singing group run by our Director of Music, Mr Rye, who kindly gives up his time to teach us how to sing. It is always fun and uplifting rather than a pressured environment. Our focus is always on enjoying singing and getting the most out of our time together.
PADOK Core Control: strengthen your body, improve your health with our physio-led stability group. Friday morning 08.30, Ness Hall
Hey Mums and Dads! Here's the latest update from our ongoing core control class with Julia Rowe-May, our experienced Ironman and local physio!
What we achieved this week:
This week, we took our core control skills to the next level. We focused on neck muscles, the upper trunk, and added foot intrinsic muscle activation to the mix. The challenge: can you balance confidently on one leg, even on a thick padded surface, with your eyes shut? Give it a try! Our group members were able to do this confidently, even with their eyes shut.
Julia's expertise + injury prevention focus = a winning combo. Join us for the ultimate fitness journey.
Have questions or want to join PADOK Core Control WhatsApp group community? Contact us today! julia@therunningspecialists.com
Click here for the WhatsApp group link.
PADoK Book Club
This term, PADoK will meet on Thursday 23rd November in Old Hall at 20.00 to talk about the book, Kayla’s Girls by Kerry Gibb. We would love you to join us for a relaxed chat by the fire, sipping a glass of wine and choosing a new title to read over Christmas.
Newcomers always welcome.
Mrs Newman claire@bluetreerecruits.co.uk
PADoK Walk – Friday 10th November 08.30
Please join us for a walk every other Friday, everyone welcome. Meet at Hurtwood Control Car Park 3, Pitch Hill. Hope to see you there.
PADoK Second Hand Uniform Shop
We will be open again on Wednesday 29th November from 15.00 to 16.00.
If you wish to hand in items that you no longer need, please leave in the box outside the shop. ONLY CURRENT UNIFORM bought from Stevensons please.
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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), 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.
  
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