This year all our staff and students will aim towards our goal of ensuring ‘Everyone Succeeds’.
As a community nurturing a culture of excellence is once again our main focus.
‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit’ Aristotle
I shared five key messages with students at our first whole school assembly and these are copied here for easy reference. Please also refer to my assembly slides copied here.
1 New beginnings
It can be a fresh start Leave any negativity behind you Be open to new ideas and new relationships
2 Respect for all
Treat everyone equally with dignity and respect Have empathy and humility Look after each other
3 Avoid the DRIP (Data Rich Information Poor)
Get organised and be ready Books, correct equipment Look smart Classcharts, Homeworky and Pulse
4 Healthy Habits of Excellence
Study hard –Make every piece of work count! Get active Read often (16/16 or 18/18) Balance multi screens and multi-tasking (switch off notifications), connect with the present and your own Mental Health and Wellbeing
5 Contribute to the community
Don’t be a passenger Attend extra-curricular activities Take on positions of responsibility Community Awards – make a positive difference
Key messages for the year ahead are also included in Ms Moreton’s recent blog post – available here.
School Development Plan
Please have a look at the summary of this year’s School Development Plan at this link.
As last year I will be providing updates on our progress towards these priorities each term.
Student leadership
We pride ourselves on the diverse range of leadership opportunities for our students and the role of the Peer Mentor is just one example.
This position is extremely rewarding and provides crucial support for the student population.
James and Alan are pictured explaining the work of the Peer Mentors to Year 10.
Sports News
Well done to staff and students who completed the first 1K of the Plymouth Schools Sports 10K Challenge this week.
Mr Carpenter reports that the Hockey Club got underway this week with 40 students attending.
Where Are They Now
We’re always pleased to hear about former students and would like to share this message from Ann James, Chief Executive with Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust.
‘DHSB – you should feel very proud. Jack Henniker spoke very highly and fondly of his time with you”.
Jack has just commenced a graduate management trainee programme with the NHS.
If you are a former student with a story to share then please contact my PA, Sarah Nicholson. In the meantime please browse through our Where Are They Now webpages.
Future Events
16 September – 11+ Tests
16 – 17 September – Greenpower Competition
19 September – Year 13 Parents Evening
20 September – PTFA Meeting
23 September – 11+ Tests
1 October – Abbots Way Walk