Today, students from Years 10 and 11 took over 16 various teachers’ roles within the school, helping to teach students, organise meetings, and even prepare food at Refuel!
In accordance with Mr Robert’s weekly traditions, and as part of me taking him over, I have written today’s Head’s Blog.
This unique experience has allowed students to demonstrate their leadership and academic capabilities throughout the day. I would like to thank all those who have helped to make today such a success, whether it be the teachers being ‘taken over’ or the amazing people behind the scenes organizing it all.
Takeover Day - My Perspective
From judging house boards to writing the Head’s Blog, today has been a day of distinctive experiences, each helping to develop leadership, team-work and communication skills. Students have been able to view the school through the lens of a teacher, rather than through the lens of a student, allowing them to appreciate the hard work and dedication that teachers put in from day to day.
Tom Hyndman
Speech Day
This week, on Wednesday, we went to the Plymouth Guildhall for the annual Speech Day. As always the prize-giving ran very smoothly and we all also enjoyed amazing speeches and artistic contributions from the students. The evening received praise from parents and governors, such as how Reverend Sharp, the guest speaker, moved someone to “tears” due to his inspiring speech.
We must especially give thanks to the Lord Mayor and Reverend Sharp. The Lord Mayor must be thanked due to his continued support of our community and his kind words, saying that “Plymouth is mightily proud of your fine school, its history and achievements”.
Our Guest of Honour was Reverend Sharp, who helped to hand out awards and prizes, as well as giving an astounding speech to the audience. He is a former student and School Captain of DHSB, and spoke about the way in which the school stretched him and prepared him for later life, and also his belief that school is about much more than academic education and is really about building character; he believes that stability, dignity, friendship, integrity, honesty and purpose matter the most in life.
Finally, we must express our utmost thanks to those who helped to organise Speech Day, chiefly Mrs Nicholson and Mr Davis, whose adamance for the success of the evening goes above and beyond what was needed.
Mock Election
Yesterday, DHSB headed to the polls to participate in a mock election. We saw great turnout from the school, and in the end Labour won with 35% of the vote. Despite their overall disagreement with the nationwide result, students showed great involvement with the political process and helped to make their voice heard in a busy political climate.
Christmas Jumper Mufti Day
On Thursday, students helped to contribute to two charities through their participation in wearing christmas jumpers. The two chosen charities were Bristol Children’s Hospital and St Luke’s Hospice. Thank you to everyone who donated and wore a jumper! We've raised approximately £775.
Christmas Card Competition
Continuing with the christmas theme, Oscar Bultmann from Year 8 and Aaron Hole from Year 13 won the DHSB Christmas Card competition. They were chosen for their amazing design and overall excellence, with Aaron producing a depiction of a robin and Oscar showing baubles each intricately and colourfully decorated.
Engineering Education Scheme Residential
Recently, certain engineering students were given the exciting opportunity to go to the University of Plymouth to see what university life is like and also to aid with their projects.
This is what they said:
“We spent two days at the University of Plymouth and were given the opportunity to work with our engineers on the task we have been set. We have had the means to use the university facilities to work on our engineering project, such as the CNC water jet machinery that allowed us to cut our materials, which required us designing detailed, professional CAD drawings using the university software SolidWorks. We were given a tour of the campus to give us an insight into university life and what an engineering degree would look like. It has been an invaluable experience that has allowed us to make great progress with our project so that we are prepared and ahead of the game for the assessment day in June.”
Sports Update
The previous week has been an amazing time for DHSB sport, with three of our teams reaching the last 32 in England in the National Cup in football for the second successive year.
Football
Well done to the DHSB U13s on Wednesday for an away win against Torquay Academy, which means that they have reached the last 32 in the national cup.
Also, the Year 7 squad secured a great win against Plymstock on the same day in the Plymouth School Sports Partnership cup.
Furthermore, the Year 11 team also made it through to the last 32 in England after beating Torquay Boys’ Grammar School last Friday 5 - 2.
This success was also found by the Year 9 team yesterday after having won a convincing victory against St Peter’s School Exeter, which meant that they too were in the last 32 of the ESFA National Cup.
Finally, on Wednesday, the Devonport XI team drew 1 - 1 with the Plymouth University 4ths.
Cricket
Last Friday, the U15 cricket team came fifth in the Plymouth Schools tournament. Despite being a man down, they managed to grab a convincing win against Plymouth Academy 87 runs to 31.
Future Events
16 December
Carol Service at 19.00 at St Andrew's Church, Royal Parade - all welcome!
17 – 19 December
Refuel Christmas Dinner
20 December
Final day of autumn term two