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