Smart Watches

The School Carol Service

On Tuesday this week our choirs, readers and brass ensemble took part in our annual Carol Service at St Nicolas Church in Cranleigh. Always a wonderful event, this year the church was filled with glorious singing from the Junior Chamber Choir, the Years 7 and 8 choir, the Years 9 to 11 choir, the DoK Brass Group, the Senior Chamber Ensemble and several soloists: Layla B, Annabel O, Maggie B and Mercy M all sung beautiful solos. The readers were Isaac P and Daisy R in Year 11, Mercy M in Year 10, George S in Year 6 and Owen G in Year 2. Our Year 6 House Captains, Layla B, Seren G, Oliver T and Herb M, learnt their prayers off by heart and presented them clearly and our brass players George S, Henry S and Eddie C played some lovely carols as the congregation arrived. 

All the pupils are to be congratulated and praised for their professionalism and efforts in creating a gorgeous and meaningful service, and thank you to School parent, Claire Oxborough for giving The Address. 

Mr Rye

The Prep School Concert

Last Friday was our annual Prep School Concert. It is always a wonderfully festive, relaxed and joyful affair and this year was certainly up to standard! There were some wonderful performances featuring strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, piano, vocals and more. It was a delight to see such a full range of instruments on display, and all years from 3 to 6 represented. The pupils displayed resilience, courage and skill in their performances and the whole event was a charming and entertaining celebration of the wonderful music in the Prep School. Special mention must go also to the PADoK singers who sung a beautiful version of California Dreamin'. Thanks are due to Mr Forrester and his wonderful work with the Junior Chamber Choir and Mrs Hudson for her tech support. A video of the event will be available next week.

Mr Rye

Visiting Author Lisa Thompson

Last Friday, we were delighted to welcome best selling author, Lisa Thompson, to School for an inspiring day of creativity and storytelling. Best known for her novel The Goldfish Boy, Lisa began with a captivating assembly where she shared how her ideas evolve and explained the publishing process of her novels. She later led interactive workshops for some Prep and Senior School pupils, helping them craft vivid mystery stories.

Year 7 pupils, who studied The Goldfish Boy this term, enjoyed a personalised Q&A session with Lisa, asking thoughtful questions about the book’s themes and characters, as well as her journey as an author. Well done to Halle S, Freddie G, Ruby W and Charlotte C for performing their brilliant character monologues for Lisa!  At lunchtime, she met many pupils at a book signing, and took the time to chat to aspiring writers about their craft. Her visit left a lasting impression, sparking creativity and enthusiasm among pupils across the School.

Mrs Southee

This week, the Prep Draughts Competition concluded with two competitive finals. Well done to Max M, who beat Layla B in an all-Hawk final to win first place, and to Henry S (Kestrel), who beat Florence A (Buzzard) in the bronze final. 

The Autumn Term has been filled with a wide range of house events for the Prep and Senior School pupils to get stuck in! There has been everything from the ever-popular Bake Off ( with a record 86 cakes entered!) to the brand new Distance Competition and the Prep Schoool Swimming Gala. A big thank you to all of the teaching staff who have organised and supported the competitions, as well as the pupils who have taken the time to partake and created several memorable moments. 

All of the House points earned by all the pupils in the Autumn Term have been counted! Buzzard and Peregrine have both earned the most points in the sports competitions while Buzzard has earned the most points from rewards and participation which gives them a lead heading into the Spring Term. It is very tight between Hawk and Kestrel for the battle for third. The final totals are: 

1-Buzzard- 153.3

2-Peregrine- 147.1

3-Kestrel- 138.7

4- Hawk- 132.9

The next two terms will be filled with competitions and opportunities for the pupils to earn more points for their Houses so these positions are by no means set in stone! 

Mr Gritton

Donation Request

In our Early Years classes, we foster creativity and curiosity through continuous learning and open-ended play. Loose parts—such as buttons, ribbons, bobbins, pinecones, and wooden rings - play a vital role in encouraging children to explore, combine, and create freely.

To further enrich our continuous provision, we would be most grateful for any donations of the following items that you may no longer need:

These items, along with loose parts, will help enhance our classroom areas and inspire children’s imaginations. Your support makes a significant difference in our ability to provide an engaging and stimulating learning environment.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and for helping us nurture the creativity of our young learners. Any queries please contact receptionstaff@dokschool.org

• Baskets (any size, including natural or seagrass hamper baskets)
• Children’s shoe boxes
• Gift boxes with lids or other small, sturdy boxes
  • Ribbons, buttons, bobbins, curtain rings
  • Small tools and items (such as a small spirit level, old measuring tapes, padlocks with keys, or matching nuts and bolts)
  • Pedometers
  • Costume jewellery (bangles, chunky necklaces)
  • Hats (bobble hats, caps, fascinators, ladies hats, flat caps)
  • Scarves 
  • Small handbags
  • Cakeboards
  • Baking tins (muffin and fairy cake trays)
  • Utensils

Mrs Henry and Miss Munro

Read for Good Readathon Challenge

I am delighted to announce the Read for Good Readathon Challenge, that we will be launching with pupils in their English lessons from Tuesday 7th January 2025.

This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to take advantage of the plethora of books and mediums; from comics to classics and audio books to blogs, and immerse themselves in the pleasure of reading.

During their first English lesson back after Christmas, they will be given a bookmark and a sponsor form, which they will bring home. The Readathon will finish at the beginning of the Summer Term, Wednesday 2rd April, 2025. At this point, we will collect the money that has been raised for Read for Good, where it will go to help children in hospitals have access to books and to carers who bring those stories to life.

I hope that you and your child will enjoy the challenge and I look forward to seeing what has been read.

If you would like further information, please just ask.

Mrs Punter

Our week began with the Christmas Fayre, raising over £650 for Sarcoma UK. Congratulations to the Prep pupils for hosting so well, and for the hard work that had gone into preparing games and crafts in recent weeks. Those who sang or read in church on Tuesday, at the Carol Service, also shone. Amongst the festivities, Year 5 tested their bridges in DT and passed with flying colours - every model carrying a whopping 14kg in weight without breaking! Year 3 were excited to try out the language apps Year 8 had made in their Computer Science lessons, learning a bit of Spanish, Japanese, German and Polish in the process.

For an update from Pre-prep, we need look no further than the enchanting 'Fireside Nativity'. "Work with children" they said..."it'll be fun," they said - and no truer word has ever been spoken. It may well be tiring (it is), and always full of surprises, but my goodness it gives you some of the most glorious highs imaginable, and none more so than watching the shows this week. The children were terrific throughout, demonstrating 'style, pizzazz and wow factor' in abundance. The pure joy and excitement of being on stage was palpable, leaving every audience member's heart well and truly warmed. Staff and children should be proud of their efforts, not to mention stamina. I am grateful to them all for giving us such a treat before we part ways to celebrate Christmas in many different places, but - as we learned from their story - all under the very same stars. Have a wonderful time. 

Reading Certificates: Bronze for Coralie C, Charlie Sw, Arthur M, Henry A, Obie M, Georgia Cal; Silver for Felix Bu; Evelyn C, Jenson Br, Jasper B; Gold for Henry G and Platinum for Herb M

Values Certificates: Effort for Alaska B, Jenson Br, Elodie Y, Logan N, Mila-Rose S, Beth F, Harry R, Layla B; Kindness for Andoni BS and Elsa Ho; Responsibility for Charlotte L

Mr Wright

Introduction to social media for parents

This practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media platforms was developed by Internet Matters, NSPCC, Parent Zone, and UK Safer Internet Centre.

Click here for a quick read (3 mins): "Introduction to social media for parents".

Please find the source of this content for further reading: https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/ukcis-social-media-guide-for-parents-and-carers/

Mr Boden

As we finish today, I hope all the pupils and families are able to enjoy a well-deserved break and some lie-ins. Particularly the Year 11s who are returning in the Spring term to sit their GCSE mock exams. 

Mr Wylie, Mrs Instone, Mrs Trevelyan and myself spoke to the Year 11s this week about expectations, revision tips and the importance of self care during exam periods. I hope they are able to strike the right balance over the next three weeks.

Pupils, staff and parents have been kept busy this week, right until the end of term. We have had fayres, assemblies, concerts, Christmas lunches, Christmas jumpers, film afternoons, parties, oh and lots of learning in continued lessons too!

Christmas is traditionally a very busy time of year. One of hopeful joy and celebration, but also sometimes of huge expectation. It can be easy to be caught up in the romanticised view of what a ‘perfect’ family Christmas should look like and sometimes this pressure can destroy the very thing it is trying to create.

Children and guests will enjoy themselves just as much if not all the decorations are up, not everything is homemade, not every card is sent, not every gift on the wishlist is received and the turkey is possibly a little dry. Remember that time spent with loved ones is precious and it is the memories, not the stuff, that will be remembered.

Make time for your own self care rather than only prioritising others’ enjoyment and remember to include the things you enjoy too. Sometimes that looks more like carving out some quiet and reflective time, and that’s ok. Self care is not selfish, it is ensuring we are not trying to serve from an empty vessel.

For those that are struggling over the festive period, which can be difficult when life circumstances are trying, this may be useful Christmas and mental health - Mind 

With this in mind, I truly hope you are all able to have a very Happy Christmas!

Mrs Douglas

We've reached the end of a busy term, and everyone deserves a well earned break.  We hope that all our community enjoys a healthy, happy and fun festive season.  However, if any pupils are unfortunate enough to sustain injury or new health concerns during the break, please do not hesitate to contact us at School - emails should be sent to nurse@dokschool.org and will be checked periodically.  Mrs Sarjant will update teaching staff on new health developments on the inset day on Monday 6th January.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The School Nurses

PADoK News

Thank you to all the PADoK team for the work they do for the School community, whether that be in the Second Hand Uniform shop, Rep duties, our Treasurer & Secretary or running events, we are incredibly grateful.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.

The 100 Club Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Autumn Term 100 Club!

1st - Darcey McC

2nd - Max H

3rd - Eleanor H

Mrs Lodge

Christmas Hamper Raffle

Thank you to all those who supported the Christmas Hamper Raffle and we hope the lucky winners are enjoying their hampers.

PADOK Christmas Hamper Team

PADoK Clubs:

PADoK Walk

We enjoyed a brisk walk around Pitch Hill to celebrate the end of term.  Do join us next term for a relaxed and easy way to meet other parents at the school.

Duke of Kent Flyers – Netball training 

Monday at 5:30 – 6:30pm

The DoK Flyers have had a busy and successful term.  Next term we are always happy to meet new players or beginners, all welcome. 

Duke of Kent School Singers

Thursday at 08:20 – 09:00am

Calling all Singers Great & Small!

On Friday the Duke of Kent School Singers performed in the Prep School Concert and sang California Dreamin.  Due to availability we were low in number so some of us were a little scared, but with Mr Rye’s support we found our voices!

On Thursday we met for our last session and of course went for a Christmas theme.  We sang two classic Christmas songs, finishing off with Fairytale in New York.  Thank you to Mrs Williams for organising us and for Mr Rye for his endless patience and giving his time to teach us to sing.

Any queries or to express an interest please don’t hesitate to drop me a note. Hope to see some new faces next term!

Important Note: please always park at the bottom of the site and walk up to Old Hall.

PADoK Core Control

Strengthen your body, improve your health with our Physio-Led Stability Group. Friday morning at 08.30 in Ness Hall

Another busy term.  Information about next term will come out in the first week back. 

Do you have new fitness goals or want to build on what you are already doing?  Julia is a physio who will help build your core strength and help your fitness training.  

Please contact Julia direct to complete a medical form.

Julia Rowe (julia@therunningspecialists.com 

 

Mrs Phillips and Mrs Horsburgh

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.

School social media

At Duke of Kent School we have three social media platforms; Instagram (dukeofkentschool), X (@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.