Girls' Hockey: U15/16 A v. Farlington
On Tuesday, the U15/16 A Hockey Team travelled away to play a 7-aside match against Farlington. The team got off to a very strong start; with in minutes of the game starting Jess I played a great ball through to Phoebe P on the left post who timed her shot perfectly into the goal! Another lovely pass from Isla B to Phoebe P led to a second goal followed by Francesca R who broke into the circle and scored using a strong strike from the top off the 'D'. The opposition woke up in the second quarter and scored early on despite some brilliant saves from Maggie B in goal. Duke of Kent School responded with a clinical goal from Daisy R to take the score to 4-1 at half time. Farlington put up a fight and looked very tidy at times, they were quick to win the ball back if the team didn't play in the right areas and scored a well worked goal off a short corner. However, the team worked hard to keep the pressure on and Saoirse W, Clara H-S. Alice B and Tildy C all tackled well in defence and distributed wisely from the back. The fifth goal came from a strong piece of attacking play from Jess I who finished with a composed shot off her reverse taking the final score to 5-3, well done to everyone involved in what was a wonderuf team victory!
Mrs Dann
Girls' Hockey: U15/16 B v. Farlington
On Tuesday afternoon, the U15/16 B hockey team made the short trip to Farlington School. The team played 8 a side on half of a full sized pitch and it was clear from the first few minutes that it was going to be an exciting game! Duke of Kent School struggled initially and went 3-1 down in the first quarter despite having more opportunities on goal than their opposition. After a quick team talk, they regrouped and began to think more carefully about their passing, trying to use the width of the pitch to stretch Farlington's defence. This worked brilliant and they managed to get the score back to 3-3 at half time with a hattrick of goals coming from Belles H! As the game progressed, the team began to show much improved determination and Sydney R made some great runs on the right hand side of the pitch with Issy F and Anna S delivering some great balls into the D from midfield. Both teams showed great energy in the final quarter, when the score was 4-4. Incredibly, after coming back from 3-1 down the team managed to score in the final 5 minutes to make it 5-4! With some cracking defence from Mattie R and Em F at the back, the U15/16 B team managed to keep Farlington from scoring, despite some close chances, to give Duke of Kent School the win! A brilliant match showing great resilience to come back from 2 goals down to win the match. Well done to all the team for their excellent play and particularly to Sydney R and Em F for being selected as players of the match.
Mrs Monk
Girls' Hockey: U14/15 B v. Farlington
On Tuesday, the U14/15 B Team had an exciting game against Farlington School. The girls got off to a very strong start. The link ups through the middle were excellent showing great teamwork and the communication within the team! Penny N scored a beautiful deflection which came from everyone looking up, passing and doing a great job. Sascha H and Holly R were solid in defense, making it difficult for Farlington to even come near the D. Tansy T and Edith S were crucial through the middle, displaying some great skills and runs to get it to Molly F who scored a great goal more than once. The girls worked very hard and it was a very close game and like I told them at the end, it was the best game of hockey I have seen them play so far. Well done girls!
Miss Walters
Years 7 and 8 House Hockey
On Wednesday, the Year 7 and 8 girls enjoyed a mild and dry afternoon for their House Hockey Competition. Houses combined to make up 7-aside teams and it was great to see so much energy and competitive spirit as the matches got under way. The first game was Peregrine and Hawk against Kestrel and Buzzard, this was a close end to end affair resulting in a 2-1 victory to Peregrine and Hawk. The second match was marked by strong passing and endless tackling but Kestrel and Hawk finished two goals ahead of Peregrine and Buzzard. There was everything to play for as the houses entered their final game and what a battle it was. Buzzard and Hawk took an early lead but Peregrine and Kestrel gave it their all and converted their pressure with a goal. However, the final score was a convincing 4-1 victory to Buzzard and Hawk. Hawk were the outright winners on 15 points. Buzzard and Kestrel were tied on 7 points but Buzzard were awarded second place after scoring one more goal than Kestrel overall; Peregrine finished close behind on 6 points. A great afternoon of masses of hockey for all, close, competitive matches and a fantatsic display of effort and determantion to win. Well done!
Mrs Dann
ISA London South Regional Swimming
Last Friday 22 pupils from Prep and Senior School travelled to K2 swimming pool in Crawley to compete in the ISA London South Regional competition. Pupils from Year 4 to 9 competed in the different strokes in 50 metre races and those pupils in Year 10 and 11 competed in 100 metre races. It was fantastic to see everyone putting in amazing effort within their individual races as it was against some tough competition competing against ISA member schools across the south of London. We will wait to see who has qualified when the results are announced, whether this be in an individual competition or a relay. But a very well done to those swimmers who did win a medal as we achieved 11 throughout the day with particular mention to Isaac P and Saoirse W who won their 50 metre Butterfly races.
Mr Green
Boys' Football: U12/13 D v. Handcross Park
Duke of Kent School U12/13 D team travelled to Handcross Park on Wednesday to play their final game of the half term with a triangular match against Handcross Park D and E team. First match was against the D's which was a tough match due to the larger squad and the availability of substitutes. Amazing saves from Harry MC and defending from Sam L ensured that it was a close match. When playing their second game Duke of Kent School took the lead with a goal from Oliver D after some good link up play from Archie B. Tireless running from Alessandro S and tough tackling from Lockie B and Freddie P kept the opposition attackers at bay but at the end of the game Handcross Park did score 1 back to finish the game 1-1.
Mr Green
Years 3 and 4 House Football
The weather of late didn't give hope for a late summer bloom, but the visiting parents and excited children were in for a treat. The first House Football tournament for Year 3 and 4 was underway, with the Duke and Kent School competitions going on simultaneously. It was great to see everyone in games all afternoon long. With some fierce battles between the Houses there was some edge of your seat action. A very well done to all involved and a big thank you to all parents who came to watch. Results finished 1st Kestrel, 2nd Buzzard and joint 3rd to Hawk and Peregrine.
Mr Hewitt
What a fabulous start to the year we have had! New pupils are to be congratulated most sincerely on the way they have settled seamlessly into Duke of Kent School and all pupils from Nursery to Year 11 are making excellent progress in their learning. It has been such a pleasure spending time in the classrooms watching the depth and variety of learning that has taken place. In our final assembly this morning, we were joined by Emily from Sarcoma UK who talked to the School about how the funds we raised will be used by the charity. We also heard from Amelie in Year 7 who spoke so beautifully about her own journey. Amelie has been recognised as Sarcoma's young voice of the year and will receive her award at Sarcoma UK's Shining Stars Award next month. We are so proud of her. The weeks after half term are jam-packed with performances, plays, celebrations of learning, matches, parent teacher meetings and, of course, the very exciting build up to Christmas! In the meantime, a rest is well deserved for everyone. Do enjoy and thank you for your support so far this year.
We began our Monday morning with a wonderfully inspirational talk from Garry Herbert. Garry is an Olympic gold medallist and luckily for us he is also a parent at our school! All senior pupils were given the opportunity to attend Garry's assembly and it was brilliant to see so many of them attend the talk, particularly in Years 8, 9 & 10. Garry gave our pupils a fantastic insight into his journey to the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona, including his own experiences at school and the importance of his teachers in suggesting new opportunities for him at 14 years old. Garry took us through that epic rowing race in Barcelona in 1992 with some great footage and it was incredible to see the British rowing boat come from behind to win gold! Garry gave our pupils a detailed and honest insight into the hard work and dedication that went into achieving his dream and the pupils also loved seeing his gold medal, GB tracksuit and Olympic memorabilia. Garry, thank you so much for sharing your story with us, it was hugely uplifting and helped to remind our pupils to always work hard and follow your dreams! 
Year 6 had an unforgettable trip to the Battle of Hastings re-enactment on Saturday! The excitement was palpable as the children watched eagerly as history came to life on the battlefield. They were in awe as the Norman knights charged, the archers loosed their bows and the fierce clash developed between Harold and William’s armies on top of Senlac Hill. High spirits carried us through the day, as singing echoed through the bus both there and back! It was a perfect blend of learning and laughter, with everyone fully immersed in the experience. 
The half term party started early this week in Reception, as they learnt about Brazil with some fabulous samba dancing, and Year 2 managed to fill up their marble jar as a result of their class efforts this half term - although they will have to wait until after the break for their teddy bear and home clothes day treat! 
Nursery too were getting in on the theme as they read 'Room on the Broom' and roasted pumpkin seeds after exploring a real-life exploding pumpkin! In Year 6, the instruction writing they have recently been practising was brought alive as they made their imaginative potions, and Gardening Club harvested the pumpkins they had grown. We even had pumpkins being carved in Art Club! 
It has been a busy, exciting, and incredibly successful start to the academic year, and I couldn’t be prouder of how our Senior School pupils have embraced all the opportunities that have come their way. The first half of the Autumn term has flown by, and it has been a true pleasure to witness the fantastic teaching, learning, and personal growth taking place throughout the School.
This week, we are delighted to recognise a large number of pupils for their continued efforts and dedication throughout the term. Many have reached another significant milestone by earning 25 Merit points and were invited to join today’s Celebration Snack Break in recognition of their hard work.
We are thrilled to invite you to the first PADoK event of the academic year. It is a new one for us. Bookings now open!
