The South West Academic Trust is a partnership of leading grammar schools in the South West and the University of Exeter.
Our vision is to work together to raise achievement and aspiration within our schools and across the region.
Yesterday staff and students attended the annual SWAT Teaching and Learning Conference in Exeter.
I was delighted to see several DHSB staff and students leading workshops for other schools across the South West sharing the best practice from DHSB.
Alfie Carlisle presenting at the SWAT Conference
Students of the Week
Each week we recognise a member of the school community as our ‘Student of the Week’.
Students are nominated for a wide variety of reasons and actions as the list of students who have received this award during the last half term confirms.
Alex Hoole 11P for being particularly helpful to all staff on the school ski trip
Lloyd Barron-Robinson 6W1 for his excellent performance in the Plymouth Half-Marathon
Toby Leung 9E following his selection to represent England in the Badminton U15 Home Countries Quandrangular international event
John Seaton 8P for outstanding effort
Caleb Trend 10P, Luke Goldstone 10P, Harrison Bryan 10E and Michael Collingwood 6E2 for leading a session on road safety for a Year 7 tutor group
Emilio Moreno-Chamorro 8N for his achievement as U13 WKU British Karate Champion
Owen Templeton 8E for winning a bronze medal in the ASA SW regional skills diving competition
Emilio, Toby, John, Owen and Caleb
Students on the National Stage
I’m pleased to let you know about two groups of students taking part on the national stage this week.
Well done to Seb Ingham, Fred Williams, Thomas Doyle and Oscar Burnard who travelled to Nottingham last weekend for the national hockey championships.
The tournament brought together regional teams from UK and Ireland.
Thomas represented West England in the cup team (A team) which came fifth in their league of ten and Seb, Fred and Oscar were in the plate team (B team) which came first in their league of four, making them the U13 UK Hockey Champions.
In addition, Thomas was chosen by the coaches as their player of the tournament.
Fred added, “Having been picked for the West of England, Tom, Oscar, Seb and I all traveled up to Nottingham University for the U13 UK festival of Hockey. We played three games winning two and drawing one, meaning we went through to the semi-finals in first place. Our first semi we won and were through to the final when we won on penalty shuffles, like a shootout in football, and therefore becoming UK U13 boys champions”.
Thomas, Fred, Oscar and Seb
Also playing at the national finals, this time on the badminton court, were George Teague, Fardeen Gafoor, Izzy Hatton and Natasha Romanov who took part in the national junior U12 badminton league national finals.
The team did exceptionally well, finishing fifth with all of them being ranked within the top 20 of the 38 players present.
It was very tough competition and they all did themselves proud.
George and Fardeen
Sports Update
Year 8 Cricket
More locally our Year 8 team did well at the Softball Cricket county finals day finishing in sixth place.
Mr Manley added, “Thomas Brown was the outstanding performer on the day, scoring more than 80 runs”.
Year 9 Cricket
Also in action this week were Year 9 students who lost to Torquay Boys Grammar School in the Devon Cup semi-final. Mr Bunney said, “Good luck to Torquay in the final”.
Future Events
Monday 20 June from 18.15 to 20.00
Understanding your Teenager Staying connected, identity, communication and conflict
Wednesday 22 June at 18.00
PTFA Meeting
Monday 27 June – Friday 1 July
Curriculum Enrichment Week
Wednesday 6 July from 17.00
Open Evening (for Year 4 & 5 families)
Saturday 9 July from 14.30
DHSB@120 Celebrations
Click on this image to book your place.
Wednesday 13 July
Sports Day
Friday 15 July
Summer Festival
Wednesday 20 July
Final day of the Summer Term