Each Friday I share our theme of the week to give an opportunity for you to discuss this at home as a family with your child.
This week our theme is ‘Acceptance’ and this was explored in our whole school assembly led by Ms Wilkinson on Wednesday.
Ms Wilkinson talked about difference, diversity and acceptance. Her slides can be seen here.
Please use these links to access other video clips used in the assembly.
Safer Internet Day
Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, Safer Internet Day sees thousands of organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. The focus this year was to celebrate difference and help us work towards creating a truly inclusive internet.
The campaign focused on what makes up your online identity – such as the facts or characteristics about you, how others perceive and interact with you, as well as how online services identify you. It also looked at how offline stereotypes and discrimination are challenged or reinforced online.
At DHSB we asked our students whether the internet allows young people to express themselves, or if they feel limited in who they can be online.
By opening up these types of conversations around online identity, we aim to inspire young people to support each other in being who they want to be.
If you would like resources that will allow you to talk to your child about online safety, please use this link to find out more.
Ms Buckler, Director of the Learning Commons/Teacher of Computer Science
Emotional Logic
Emotional Logic lessons have started for all students in Year 7, during Friday PSHE time.
Understanding emotions is one of the key factors in building emotional resilience and can help to prevent the development of mental health issues in later life.
On Wednesday this week we also introduced Emotional Logic to the parents of Year 7 students and Christiaan Stirling from the EL Centre showed parents how they can use the stepping stone emotion cards at home to help communication and the exploration of feelings.
If you would like to know more about Emotional Logic please have a look at their website at this link.
You can view a video of some of our students explaining how useful the lessons have been for them at this link.
Mrs Edwards, Deputy Head
RSPB Big Schools’ Bird Watch
As part of our Eco-School action plan, staff and students took part in the RSPB Big Schools’ Bird Watch this week.
You can see the results below.
Coronavirus – for information
We have been asked by the government to share the following information in the interests of public health.
The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking action at home and abroad. The overall risk of Coronavirus to the UK remains moderate. Public Health England and the Foreign Office have issued advice for anyone travelling to the area which can be found at these links.
Public Health England has changed the advice for individuals who have travelled recently as follows:
Travellers from Wuhan and Hubei Province
If you have travelled from Wuhan or Hubei Province to the UK in the last 14 days you should immediately:
· stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
· call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the area
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.
Travellers from other parts of China and other specified areas
This advice applies to travellers who have returned to the UK from the following areas: elsewhere in China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Macau.
If you have returned to the UK from any of these areas in the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:
· stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
· call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country
Advice for parents/guardians
You should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching the Coronavirus.
If you may be planning to travel to China or other areas above during the forthcoming half term period. If so, please refer to the FCO’s latest travel advice via the links above.
What action can we all take?
Please encourage basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.
Our school as always receives a deeper clean over the holiday period and we will continue to encourage basic hygiene practices.
As you may be aware we had a visit to China planned later in this academic year; this has been postponed till further notice following the advice from the Department for Education and the British Council.
Sports Update
Football
Great win for the 1st XI who beat HMS Raleigh 4 - 3 in the Devon Wednesday League this week.
Pictured are the 2nd XI about to face the City Police, also on Wednesday.
Well done to the Year 11 team - through to the next round of the Devon Cup after beating Tiverton School on penalties. The team is also through to the next round of the Plymouth Cup after taking a win against St Boniface School 5 – 1.
Basketball
Mr Manley reports there was one win and one draw for the Year 10 Basketball Team this week. Well done to the students involved.
Future Events
Friday 14 February Final day of spring term one
Sunday 16 February The Ten Tors training walk has been cancelled due to the amber weather warning in place on Sunday
Monday 24 February First day of spring term two (B week)
Monday 24 February Bronze DofE training at 15.20
Wednesday 26 February Mousetrap performance at the Theatre Royal
Friday 28 February Year 12 report and Year 13 report