Good News from Duke’s – 28th November 2024

By Benjamin Curry3rd December 2024

Celebration of achievements – Jack Petchey 

We’ve been delighted to celebrate student success recently with our first round of Jack Petchey awards for the academic year 2024-25. Eray and Patricia in year 9 as well as Romina in year 11 were the well deserving recipients of the award this term.

Patirica was nominated for her fantastic work as a student librarian, Eray was nominated for the positive choices he has been making and Romina was nominated by the Food Technology department for her fantastic work in the subject.

We’re rightfully proud of all students for their outstanding contributions to our school community. These students (along with those students who are nominated in the Spring and Summer terms will get to attend the borough wide celebration in July 2025!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 10 Employability Programme 

Our fantastic first cohort or year 10 students who participated in the employability programme this term facilitated by Linklaters have finished their programme. Last week the students were able to visit the offices at Linklaters to celebrate the end of their work and present their ideas and learning. 

The students have been engaged in a 10 week programme around CV building and employability skills – a worthwhile endeavour for all involved.

Good News from Duke’s – 22nd November 2024

By Benjamin Curry26th November 2024

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Theatre Trip

This week a lucky group of year 9 and 10 students got to watch the new musical based on the Scott F Fitzgerald short story, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ which was famously turned into a movie. The new production was fantastic and performed by a very talented group of actor musicians who spent their time on stage changing between playing instruments, singing and acting. The students loved the performance and it was a real treat to be out in the West End watching quality theatrical work. 

 

Godwin Lawson – Staying Safe Assemblies

This week the Godwin Lawson foundation has also been in school delivering powerful assemblies and workshops. Speaking from personal experience Yvonne Lawson presented the story of her son who was the tragic victim of knife crime when he was just 17 years old. The assemblies, led by his mother, Yvonne helped our young people to understand the dangers of knife crime and truly reflect on negative stereotypes. We are looking forward to a mentoring programme being set up with Godwin Lawson for some of our students.

Good News from Duke’s – 15th November 2024

By Benjamin Curry19th November 2024

A busy week as ever at Duke’s.

Our year 7 challenge mentoring group continued their weekly mentoring sessions at Linklaters this week alongside the Eastside Employability programme through which a group of year 10 students build their CVs and skills that relate to job applications. Both programmes have been giving students some amazing new experiences and lifelong skills.

Our science and maths departments have also been busy this week with STEM activities. The maths department arranged for a number of year 8 students to go to LAET for a maths bonanza event in recognition of Maths Week. The science department also engaged with STEM activities at City Airport and through a virtual seminar relating to all things engineering. All brilliantly exciting activities.

In school this week we have also been marking the 2024 ‘Anti Bullying Week’ with the theme this year being ‘Choose respect’. Students have been engaged in assemblies and activities in their tutor time relating to this vitally important theme. 

Good News from Duke’s – 8th November 2024

By Benjamin Curry13th November 2024

Linklaters Art Trip – Celebrating Black History Month

On Friday 25th October a lucky group of year 8 art enthusiasts got to visit Linklaters for a special tour of their art collection. Our relationship with Linklaters Law firm is an important one and the curator there was passionate about exposing our young people to some of their artworks. 

The trip had a focus on art created by black artists to highlight Black History Month. The students were engaged in art workshops and had a tour of many of the artworks on display. They were also treated to a tasty lunch! Many thanks LInklaters!

Many thanks also to Mr McCarron, Mr Grant and Ms Sharklak who accompanied the students on what was a great day out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gospel Singing at Duke’s

On Thursday 7th November Duke’s hosted a gospel singing workshop for some of our students. Professional Gospel Singer Rachel Huggins led the group in a brilliant interactive workshop on gospel singing. The students, all from different year groups really bonded over their collective love of singing and music making.

Mrs Danso did an amazing job in organising the group and the workshop and we’re very much looking forward to more singing workshops and performances in the future.