We have enjoyed a purposeful and productive start to the year and this week I’m pleased to share with you my start of year messages from our first whole school assembly last week.
These include updates on the new school day, arrangements for Get Ahead, this year’s school strategic priorities, safeguarding and a section on new beginnings.
Also in the Head’s Blog today is an update from Mrs Edwards about the DHSB community awards.
KS5 Tea Party
Ms Davidson, Assistant Head Post-16, said, “It was a pleasure as always to meet new members of the Sixth Form community as we welcomed parents to our KS5 Tea party on Wednesday. A summary of the electronic presentation shared can be found in the the documents area of the school website. So too is the tea party handbook for parents called Parents Supporting Success.”
Ms Davidson added, “Further to the additional National Citizen Service (NCS) presentation to parents on the evening, the NCS visited Year 12 today and shared again the opportunity to complete a three day residential followed by a three day project at the University of Plymouth (Cost £35). Students have details of how to sign up. The Sixth Form Centre and subject areas are certainly full of bright, vibrant, smart and interested students and we are thrilled that so many have stepped up to take on the first of the leadership positions on offer as Prefects. The next two years will be full of promise and potential”.
Images of Sixth Form students in subject areas.
Excellent Work
Towards the end of last term Mrs Johnson asked her Year 8 English class to write poems to be entered in the Foyle’s Young Poet competition.
She has sent me a copy of two poems written by Tom Ayres, now in 9C and said, “These poems are beautifully crafted and effectively metaphorical. Tom had never written poetry before and didn’t realise he had a natural ability”.
You can read Tom’s poems at these links.
Clubs and Activities
This week I have invited all students to submit their ideas for setting up new clubs and activities. The deadline for completing the form is Wednesday 26 September and I will read and consider all proposals. There are small grants available to support any start-up costs. Following this process we’ll be able to share the complete list of available activities with all families.
This week saw the start of the after school golf and surf clubs with Mr Carpenter and PE staff.
Alumni news
Congratulations to Robert Waddy who has been made a scholar of St John’s College, University of Cambridge, and been awarded a college prize following his first year of study (Natural Sciences).
We’d also like to share this feature on our former student Chris Gummow from the University of Plymouth website.
Chris is one of the first students to complete their entire BMBS Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery with the university’s Peninsula Medical School and we wish him every success in his future career.
DHSB Community Awards Update
Following the introduction of the DHSB Community Awards in 2016, more and more students in Years 7, 8 and 9 achieved their awards last year.
Students are encouraged to participate in new activities that focus on them gaining new skills, commitment towards a physical activity and giving something back to the communities that they belong to through volunteering. These three aspects are the same as those that are tested in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and so are a perfect stepping stone towards starting this in Year 9.
In addition to gaining each individual award at bronze, silver or gold level, students that gain a community award for any aspect are also gaining points for their House which are added to the tally for the St Levan Shield. This is awarded each year on Speech Day to the House with the most points.
For new Year 7 students the DHSB Community Award scheme builds on the DHSB Year 6 Challenge and helps to prepare not only for the Duke of Edinburgh Award but also the Plymouth Employability Passport.
By undertaking this award students will be developing important skills such as team working, communication, customer service, organisation, problem solving and self-awareness. These are vital skills for every young person to gain so that they are able to grow in confidence and gain independence.
There will be a dedicated PSHE lesson at the start of the new term to explain the awards in more detail to students who are not yet familiar with them.
Mrs Edwards – Assistant Headteacher
And finally
Good luck to the Greenpower student team who take part in a competition at Castle Coombe this weekend. I’ll share a report of the competition next week.
This image is from a previous Greenpower competition.
Future Events
Saturday 15 September – 11+ tests
Tuesday 18 September – Year 13 Parents Evening
Wednesday 19 September – PTFA Meeting at 18.00
Saturday 22 September – 11+ tests
Thursday 27 September – Year 11 Parents Evening
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