Category : Front Page News

Linklaters Art Fund

We had a fabulous end to the calendar year at Duke’s with our partners at Linklaters. Earlier in the year the team at Linklaters got in touch to say they would be selling off some of their artworks and would like the proceeds to go to the art department at Duke’s. We were stunned last week to be presented with a cheque for over £29,000!

This money will be used for new art initiatives in the new year and our wider Expressive Arts team are very excited to find ways in which this money can help and support our students with their artistic endeavours. Such a generous gift and a brilliant way to end the end!

The Linklaters team also laid on a festive celebration for our staff which was very warmly received. We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship at Linklaters in the new new year 

 

Christmas Hampers

Huge thank you and well done this week to Ms Gordan Smith and her team who helped coordinate our annual Christmas Hamper delivery to a local church. The students and staff who set this up really made a difference to the lives of some in the local community at this time – a very worthwhile cause. Thanks again to Ms Gordan Smith, Ms Harrison at the team.

Linklaters Careers Focus Day – Year 11 

On Friday 6th December we had the first of our ‘careers focus’ days for the year. Year 11 students got the opportunity to visit Linklaters Law (one of our biggest partnership organisations) and spend the day getting to know the legal profession whilst also completing a networking masterclass. The students also had the opportunity to find out more about a number of different professions. 

A whole year group trip is no mean feat and the students all engaged in the day brilliantly. Huge thanks to all the tutors who helped support the day. 

 

BookBuzz!

We’ve been delighted to have the ‘Bookbuzz’ scheme in our school again this year. THe library and reading team have been busy giving our free books to lots of our students in years 7 and 8 this week – seeing students reading in tutor time and around the building has been brilliant! 

 

Year 11 College Application Day

On Thursday 12th December our year 11s got to take part in their ‘college application day’ – a day for them to find out more about post 16 providers and start to make choices on their next steps. Students had presentations from a number of local sixth forms and colleges and had the opportunity to start writing their applications. Huge thanks to Ms Gardner who helped organise the day.

Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge 

Our Jack Petchey Speak Out challenge finalists presented their final speeches in assemblies this week to a packed house of peers. Mariam, Alexandra, Ezra and Roj were all excellent. It’s a very hard thing to do to stand up in front of a peer group to speak. They are all deserving of our praise. The Winner will be announced next week and will go on to the Regional Final at Mulberry Woodside in February. Good luck and well done to all!

 

Stubbers Activity Centre 

Our year 11 PE groups took an action packed trip to Stubbers outdoor activity centre this week. Canoeing, climbing and archery were the order of the day with the students having an amazing time in the great outdoors. Mr Green and the rest of the PE department worked incredibly hard to make the trip a success. After a very early start the students really enjoyed themselves and learnt an awful lot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ex-Year 11 Certificate Evening

We were delighted to welcome back our ex-year 11 pupils this week to collect their GCSE certificates. It was wonderful to see some familiar faces now thriving in their post 16 environments and fantastic to hear from them all about what new and exciting endeavours they have been up to!