Matches
Football: U15 v. St. Edmund's
Duke of Kent School U15 football team played against a determined St Edmund's side on Tuesday and it was a dominant performance from the well-organised hosts. From the get go, the Duke of Kent School side immediately took control of the game and played stupendous football, leaving the opposition chasing shadows. Taking control in the midfield early, thanks to hard work from Alex W and Benjamin E, Duke of Kent School began creating chance after chance until they scored in the 20th minute with a great finish from Alex L from less than 5 yards out (making up for his earlier misguided penalty). Shortly after, Duke of Kent School scored again after a superb counter-attack, some quality defending from Leo H and Calum McK setting up the opportunity.
The boys never stopped creating chances and came in at half-time 3-0 up, our hardworking captain Tom H scoring a brace after some previously questionable shooting. At the start of the second half, St Edmund's came out trying to play a more physical game but this was no match for Duke of Kent School, with the strong spine of the side doing well to keep their shape. The boys kept their cool and out manoeuvred the opposition, scoring twice more with Alex L (yet again) and Max K adding to the tally, the latter showing Alex how a penalty should be taken with a sublime finish, completely bamboozling the keeper and securing the win. A truly terrific performance from the boys and a well deserved victory over our notorious rivals.
Calum McK, Year 10
Football: U15 B XI v. St. Edmund's
On Tuesday, the U15B XI played against St Edmund's in a well contested match. The game started slow but Duke of Kent School started to increase the intensity with some good play from Luke I and Harry S, leading to a well taken goal by Harry S. St Edmund's then scored a couple, which gave them the momentum and the game ended 4 - 2 to St edmunds. The Man of the Match for this game was Luke I for his all round play, being solid in defence and helping the team to start the attack. Well played to all involved.
Mr Orme
U14 A v. Belmont
On Tuesday afternoon, the U14 A team played Belmont's U14/15 A team at Duke of Kent School. Belmont had a few boys a year older than ours and one particular player that was strong and fast. The Duke of Kent School team played extremely well to minimise this player's impact and used the ball well when in possession. After a few misses at both ends, Duke of Kent School took control of the game and scored some excellent goals. Rufus B scored three, Jack B scored two and Oscar D-K also scored a brace. The final score was 7-1 to Duke of Kent School. Well done to all who played!
Mr Herbert
Football: U14 B v. Belmont
On Tuesday the U14B football team travelled the short distance to play Belmont School. Duke of Kent School played some lovely passing football which resulted in Alex F scoring 2 quick goals. The goals kept coming with Johnny M, Daniel M, Freddie W x2, Sam S, Luke M and Charlie G all managing to find the back of the net. Duke of Kent School showed good control over the game with some accurate passing. Well done to all the boys involved as they kept going throughout the hot day.
Mr Green
Football: U12/13 B v. Handcross Park
This was the first match this season where Duke of Kent School played a mixture of Year 7 and Year 8 players. The U12/13 B team was predominantly made up of Year 7 boys and so looked quite small in comparison to some of the tall Handcross Park players. This did not affect the performance of the Duke of Kent School team who moved the ball well through midfield and were too fast for Handcross Park in attack. A fine first half performance from Monty L (4 goals) and Felix C (3 goals) saw Duke of Kent School go into the break 7-0 ahead. In an attempt to even the teams up a little, Monty and Felix were substituted at half time. The second half was a little more even with Handcross scoring two. Further goals from Chester B, Sam R, Harry L and Jude B helped Duke of Kent School to an 11-2 win. Well done to all who played!
Mr Herbert
Football: U10/11 A v. Ripley Court
This Wednesday, the U10/11 A team played against Ripley Court in a 6 a-side match. The game was a very tough match and the team struggled in the first half, with Ripley Court constantly looking to attack. The boys showed great work rate to continually put Ripley under pressure and in the second half Duke of Kent School started to create some more goal scoring opportunities. Well done to all of the players involved.
Mr Orme
Football: U10/11 B v. Ripley Court
On Wednesday, the U10/11 B team played against Ripley Court in a 6 a-side match that was very evenly contested. Throughout the match it was great to see some end to end football with both teams always looking to attack. During the game some great saves from Ben W kept Duke of Kent School in the game, but unfortunately a couple of good goals from Ripley lead to a loss in a close game. Well played to all involved for continuing to work hard throughout the match.
Mr Orme
Football: U8/9 A team v. Ripley Court
This was the Year 3 and 4 boys first match of the season and they were taking on Ripley Court who had already managed healthy wins against some local schools. Our boys were a little nervous but very excited and performed extremely well. Ripley Court played some very good football but Duke of Kent School defended well. We were 2-0 down at half time but this did not affect the boys enthusiasm and determination. Alfie H made some excellent saves in the second half and goals from Ben W and Alex J made the second half a more even contest. The final score was 4-2 to Ripley Court. This was a good start for the Duke of Kent School team and they should be proud of their performance. Well done to all who played!
Mr Herbert
Football: U8/9C v. Ripley Court.
On Thursday saw the Year 3 and 4 C team have their first football match of the season against Ripley Court. They got off to a bright start with George S scoring 2 goals in the first half after some lovely passing from Max M and Freddie G. In the second half Ripley Court were kicking downhill and used this to their advantage to equal the scoring. However, they were restricted due to tight and strong defending from Rowan B and Ivan K and some fantastic saves from Oscar F. Well done to all those boys involved.
Mr Green
Netball: U15 v. Shoreham College
The U15 girls faced a very strong team down at Shoreham College on Tuesday. It was clear from the start that we had a tough match ahead, but the girls stepped onto the court with everything they had from the start all the way until the final whistle. Emily B was superb as GS, a position she doesn't normally play, but she got stuck in and even scored a goal to her amazement! Molly G, Macy B, Emma B and Maddie I worked so well together working the ball through from the defensive end to the shooters and this hard work resulted in some great goals from Maddie I.
The team did lose however I was thrilled with their performance and determination to give the game everything. After almost 2 years of not playing netball, this was a match for every player to be proud of. Well done girls.
Miss Vernon
Netball: U14 v. Shoreham College
On Tuesday afternoon, the U14s girls travelled to Shoreham College for their second netball match of the term. They enjoyed singing and chatting all the way on the minibus and so were positive and excited once they arrived! After a quick warm up, the team were ready to go. Both teams got off to a good start, with some accurate passing and shooting on display. Frankie M worked tirelessly in centre to create opportunities for Alex K and Esme P to score. During the second and third quarters, the U14s stepped up their game and Abi W and Violetta P playing amazingly in defence managing to keep their GA out of the circle and making it much harder for Shoreham to add to their score. After the first two quarters, Duke of Kent School had a comfortable lead but knew they had to remain focused to secure the win. The mid-court continued to flow nicely with Ella S, Helena K, Fleur S and Ava W all playing an important role in maintaining possession of the ball. Duke of Kent School managed to keep their lead in the final few quarters and come away with a fantastic win! Well done to all the girls involved for an excellent team performance!
Miss Vickers
Netball: U12/13 v. St. Edmund's
On a very sunny Tuesday afternoon, the U12/13 girls welcomed St Edmund’s for two netball matches. They were both tough contests with all the girls showing great effort and enthusiasm. The U12A team started slow but had a much better second half to bring the scores much closer. The U12/13B team showed great teamwork from the start and although it was a tough game everyone very much enjoyed it! Special mention to Phoebe A for a great goal and Iona H for being star player!
Mis Martin
Once we arrived, we were met by our guide Lynne, who showed us to our classroom and took us on an interesting tour. We discussed what a ruin is where Annabelle T explained that it was a fallen down building and Finn H told us that it meant the building was destroyed. We looked at what the material was used to build the castle and Angus was able to tell us all it was flint. Next, we used our detective skills to see if we could work out what used to be on the Barbican to help protect the castle from the enemy. Angus found where the Portcullis used to be and Annabelle spotted where the drawbridge was. We then made our way up lots of steps to the keep where we saw some amazing 360 degree views of Lewes, this was Obie M’s favourite part of our trip. When looking at the remains of the Keep, Daniel L could tell us where the fireplace used to be by looking at the shape of the wall, we then climbed some very narrow stairs to the top of the tower and we got to go inside the arrow loops, we were amazed how much space is inside there compared to the slit you see on the outside of the castle, lastly we went to the very top and saw the battlements and imagined what it was like to defend the castle, Willow B really enjoyed this part. 
When we finished our tour we went back to the classroom and Lynne told us a story called Three brave knights. It was a story about three knights who had to build castles to protect themselves from a dragon, the first knight built a sandcastle which the dragon trampled, the second built a stick castle, which the dragon burnt down and the third knight built a stone castle, with a moat and a barbican and all the other defences that Lewes castle has. The dragon couldn’t destroy it, so he ran off, never to be seen again. The children were so engaged with this story and really enjoyed the sound effects Lynne used to tell it. 
Last Friday, Year 4 enjoyed their long-awaited camping event. The evening began with a scavenger hunt around the woods. After tea we told stories and sang songs around the campfire while enjoying toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate. In fact, the singing was so good that a visiting frog decided to come and join us! Then, armed with torches, we head off up Pitch Hill for a moonlit walk under a beautiful, clear and starry sky. When we got back it was pitch dark but nobody seemed in the slightest bit ready for sleep so Mr Orme entertained everyone with some games in Ness Hall. After a story, we brushed teeth, removed visiting slugs from the tents and snuggled down in our sleeping bags for the night. 
The Prep School Production group have also been hard at it, flexing their dramatic muscles with some lively small group mini-plays, and in Science Club, Pre-prep pupils enjoyed a visit to the Senior labs, where Head of Science, Mrs Tattan-Robb, demonstrated the explosive 'elephant's toothpaste' experiment. Conversely, Miss Able's young yoga enthusiasts have been seeking calm at the end of a busy Monday, with exercises to control their breathing and movement to music, and the Wasgij Club are enjoying rounding off the week with some challenging puzzling in the library. 
Further to last weeks' announcement that the government recommends the Covid-19 vaccine to be offered to all 12-15 year olds at school this term, we are still waiting for full instructions from our very busy immunisations team about the plan for us at Duke of Kent School. Whilst we wait for news of a date, do please start to consider your position on parental consent for this vaccine - it's likely that we will need a rapid decision from you as soon as we have a date to go for (keep an eye on your emails - including your junk mail just in case!). We have posted the NHS leaflet on Covid 19 vaccines for children aged 12-15 on the School website (go to "The Medical Room" within the Parents area and open "Covid Guide") which we recommend you read with your child to aid your informed decision-making on parental consent for the vaccine. 
