Jan 17, 2020
Mr Adams also talked about the origin and development of language saying that language is very powerful. He said, “The different uses of language can create wars or be supportive and positive”.
Please click on this link to see the whole school assembly slides.
During the assembly Mr Adams showed the first three parts of this Open University video and promised to share a link to all ten episodes for students and their families to watch.
Recently all students have been sent a request to let me know if they would like to set up a new club or activity. Small grants are available for start-up costs and I’ll be considering all requests before half term.
Examples of work from the DHSB Creative Writing Club were read in our whole school assembly this week.
Please click on this link to read the examples.
New student members are always welcome at the club which meets during the second break on Thursdays in B27 with Mrs Waterfield.
Mr Ames has asked me to let you know that the Year 7 DT Club takes place in A05 on Fridays, also during the second break. Last term students learned practical woodworking skills and made a small wooden box.
If there are any Year 7 students who would like to join then they will be very welcome to attend.
Our example of Excellent Work this week is also by Otto Malm 7S – well done Otto for featuring twice in this Head’s Blog!
The example is a thank you letter which has been submitted by Mrs Sheridan.
The letter was written by Otto following a performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’ during Curriculum Challenge Week. Mrs Sheridan says it’s well written and that anyone would be pleased to receive a letter like this.
Each week staff can nominate a student to be our ‘student of the week’. Today I was pleased to invite the students who achieved this award during the last half term to join me for fish and chips in Refuel.
Well done to all of them.
Jacob Clark 8N for being supportive of another student who had sustained a leg injury.
Noah Evans 9C for his outstanding charity fundraising efforts.
Rocky Travers 7W for giving his free time to make many poppies from plastic bottles for the Remembrance display.
Joshua Jones 9E for supporting other students.
Jack Piller 7W for his outstanding contribution to Year 7 Oracy during Curriculum Challenge Week.
Malachy de Wan 10W for his thoughtfulness in the community when he helped to reunite a lost dog with its owner.
Jack Cox 7W for demonstrating a mature response to a difficult situation.
Students and staff experienced extremely wet and windy weather on the Ten Tors night navigation training near Gutter Tor on Tuesday.
Ms Wills was unable to take any photos due to the conditions but said, “Both teams coped really well with the extreme conditions, showing great teamwork and a positive attitude despite the rain and gale force winds. It was a surprisingly enjoyable evening”.
Edward Vital
We received news this week that Dr Edward Vital who is Associate Professor in Leeds at the Institute for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine featured in a weekend newspaper. Dr Vital specialises in the disease Lupus and lectures all over the world.
Hugh McCann
As you will be aware over the last few years we have been very proactive in enhancing our approach to mental health and wellbeing within the school for both students and staff.
We also are making a stronger commitment to engage with our alumni to help provide inspiration for our current students.
Alright Mate? is a new South West based non-profit organisation using the arts to destigmatise male mental health, founded by DHSB former student and artist Hugh McCann and mental health nurse and playwright Cally Hayes. They have worked with construction workers, veterans, barbers, and the Exeter Chiefs.
Now they are touring ‘Cracking’, a play about love, loss and parenthood, written by Cally Hayes.
‘Cracking’ takes an intimate look from a father’s perspective about what happens when you survive the worst, but now risk losing everything. ‘Cracking’ will be performed at the Edgcumbe theatre on 28 February 2020 at 19.00.
Age guidance 14+.
Please click here more information and tickets.
The Native
We are following the progress of former students who make up The Native, an alternative indie band, with interest and pride and today they release their new single called ‘Otherside’.
They said, “We’re so excited for this and can’t wait to share with you all what we’ve been working on”.
You can receive updates of their new tracks by following them on Spotify and on Twitter @wearethenative_
Photo Tom Mackenzie
Sports Update
Football
Mr Bunney said it was “A great night of football for the Year 7 team in the tournament against Plymouth College last night. It was nice to give 21 boys a chance to play for the school. Well done to both teams and thanks to Lee, Ollie and Alex for reffing”.
We are extremely proud of the Year 8 and Year 9 football teams who both made it into the last 32 in the National Cup.
Unfortunately both teams came up against strong sides with the Year 8s losing to Sheldon School (Chippenham) and the Year 9 side facing defeat against St Peter’s School (Gloucester). Both teams played in tough conditions yesterday.
The Year 9 team saw success earlier in the week when they progressed to round two of the Devon Cup following a convincing victory against Holsworthy Community College, also played in wet and windy conditions.
Basketball
The Year 8 basketball team completed at the central venue competition this week with a victory over Plympton Academy but a loss to Stoke Damerel Community College.
Well done to all involved.
Future Events
Friday 17 January Year 11 report
Sunday 19 January Ten Tors training
Tuesday 21 January Year 8 parents evening
Wednesday 22 January PTFA meeting
Saturday 25 January Bronze DofE Training
27 – 31 January Year 12 & Year 13 exams
Monday 27 January Online safety briefing for parents and carers
Sunday 2 February Ten Tors Training
Thursday 6 February Mufti day
Thursday 6 February Year 10 report
10 – 12 February Year 11 additional mocks
Wednesday 12 February Emotional logic Year 7 parents event
Thursday 13 February Year 10 parents evening
Friday 14 February Final day of spring term one