Senior School Updates

The Senior School has completed the first week of remote learning in good spirits with many highlights along the way. Special mentions must go to the Year 7 pupils, entering their first period of remote learning, and doing so with apparent ease. It is never easy to set up the technology and we must also acknowledge the efforts of the IT department and the many parents who have been involved in assisting with this - the attendance over this week has been fantastically high and I have no doubt this is largely down to the hard work going on behind the scenes. Across the subjects a huge amount of exceptional work is being produced and I look forward to celebrating this over the coming weeks.

I have certainly felt a huge lift as we have restarted schooling and I hope the students have had a similar experience. It is so important they do not feel isolated and I hope that the contact they have had with their peers and their teachers, although only virtually, has provided a boost and given them a sense of camaraderie as we all look to come through this together. With this in mind it is vital all members of the school community consider their mental health and well being throughout this anxious period and I do encourage any pupils, and parents, to please contact the school with concerns they may have so that we can clarify any issues and allay any fears moving forwards.

Mr Wilson

ISA Poetry Competition News

The English department has every reason to celebrate this week. Not only has it been a great first week of remote learning but it was also announced that Laura S (Year 11) has been shortlisted for the ISA National Poetry Competition 2020! Last term, students from Year 5, Year 6 and the Senior School were asked to write a poem titled 'Everything All At Once'. Laura interpreted this title in a manner which was very personal to her, using her poem as an outlet to express some of the hardships and stresses of schoolwork. It therefore comes as no surprise that her heartfelt and emotive poem was selected by the judges to be shortlisted to the final. 

The judges said: 'This is a very clever poem. Laura deals with the trials and pressures of schoolwork in a hauntingly imagined way. The relief is only temporary, but her use of language and pace is captivating and lasting'. We are so proud of Laura and are so glad that she has earned a well-deserved place in the final. The results of the competition will be announced at the end of January - best of luck Laura!

Miss Anand

Everything All At Once

Everything all at once.

MathsrevisionArtprojectGeographyhomeworkSpanishtest.

A constant supply of work created a never ending feeling

which bound to her, a ghost 

Haunting every waking moment.

Feeling the weight of a ball and chain around her ankle,

She sat down to take a break from slaving.

And while looking at the world around her,

She tried to grasp a familiar feeling.

But it was all so out of reach - 

Separated from her own reality,

She began to walk with the ghost,

he was no longer following her, as they walked side-by side,

Hand in hand.

She had gotten used to his company,

And oftentimes felt lonely without him, when he would slip away as her mind cleared up again.

Sometimes she longed for the comfort of not having to think,

Just letting her body control itself mindlessly,

While her consciousness sat behind her eyes,

Observing, but not recognising a single object around her.

Because really,

He was trying to protect her. Trying to help.

Not haunt her,

Or stalk her, or taunt her.

And the never ending feeling always came to an end,

The work and the weight and the pressure would return.

And pile up and up and up,

Until again,

Everything all at once.

Laura S, Year 11

Weekly Wellbeing

I have been reflecting on the difficult timing but also the timeliness of my first week as Wellness Coordinator at Duke of Kent School. Though, like many of the staff, pupils and parents, I would rather be in school to see people face to face, I want to reassure you that nobody in our community is alone in this latest period of uncertainty.

Your child’s form teacher should be notified first should you have any concerns regarding your child’s wellbeing. Please then do contact me at mdouglas@dokschool.org.

I will be endeavouring to include activities and advice through the weekly bulletin to parents and directly to pupils via their teachers and classrooms.

In the meantime, the oft repeated advice remains true and appropriate at this time - ensure opportunities for exercise, talking to others and kindness to self, all of which boost mental wellbeing and allow opportunities for exploration and relief from anxieties.

I would also recommend limiting your children's (and your own) exposure to relentless news outlets as it can exacerbate concerns and lead to catastrophizing of events. There are some truly inspirational and positive stories of community support and kindness out there too, but they are often lost amongst the noise. 

Newsround is an outlet which presents stories in a more child-friendly way, but also provides some excellent advice on how to manage wellbeing in the current climate. Please click on the link below or encourage your children to take a look.

Coronavirus: How to support your wellbeing at the moment - CBBC Newsround

Mrs Douglas, Wellbeing Coordinator 

E-Safety Tips

Over the next six weeks I am going to try and help you achieve a better digital-life balance. 

Tip 1:

1 | Sensible screen time

Battles over screen time can be a tricky part of family life, but they don’t need to be. What children are doing on their devices is far more important than the amount of time they’re spending on them. So, make sure they’re watching, playing, and reading good-quality, educational and age-appropriate content rather than worrying about setting strict quotas. That said, if you notice your child’s schoolwork, sleep, mood, or health being affected, it’s time to talk and revisit the rules.

Mr Boden

PADoK News

PADoK and the school have received a letter of thanks from the Cranleigh Food Bank. They were very grateful for the donation we sent them at the end of term and said that during these Covid times, calls on the food bank have increased considerably. Over the Christmas period they were putting together Christmas hampers as well as food parcels for those in need.  If anyone should wish to see the letter then please contact your class rep and this can be arranged.

We will be having a PADoK meeting next week.  If anyone would be interested in attending, via Zoom, then please let your class rep know and we can send you the link. The PADoK team are here to help so please do get in touch if we can be of any assistance now we are home schooling again.  Once again we will be setting up year group Zoom meetings.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.  

The PADoK Team

School Social Media

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

Our Twitter account is public however, our Instagram account is private to keep it strictly for the Duke of Kent School community only. You will need to request to follow the account. 

Please do follow the accounts to receive the regular updates and to see highlights from each day at School.  There is a link to the Twitter account below.

Miss Vernon