This week our theme is ‘Embracing Challenge’ and this was explored in our whole school assembly with Mr Berryman on Wednesday.
Mr Berryman said, “My assembly on Wednsday was on challenge and I wanted all the students to think how they could adapt and challenge themselves in everyday life. Breaking down barriers and not putting things in the way.”
He added, “The key message was anything is possible if you put your mind to it”.
Please click on these links to see the assembly presentations.
Strategies for Success
Our Strategies for Success event for Year 11 families was held on Monday evening. Pictured is Mr Martin presenting about surviving the exam season. Remember ‘work, play, rest’.
Also this week we held our Sixth Form information evening for current parents which was well attended.
Plymouth InspirEd Conference
It is incredibly important that teachers and subject leaders have the opportunity to develop their subject specific pedagogy and to do this effectively it must be with other subject professionals and those experts in their subject field. Seven secondary providers within the city with valuable support from the Plymouth Teaching School Alliance have come together to form Secondary InpirED Subject Communities (SISC) for all our subject areas. Each subject community will plan their own professional development conferences (three a year), focusing purely on improving the quality of teaching and learning.
Tomorrow we are hosting our first ever Plymouth InspirED Conference, where the subject communities will have subject specific time wrapped around two internationally renowned keynote speakers Graham Brown-Martin @grahamBM and Ross Morrison Mcgill @Teachertoolkit.
I am positive that this will be a wonderful event and a fitting way to begin the commitment to our subject communities.
The Addams Family
They’re creepy and they’re kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They’re all together ooky
The Addams family
Our school production of The Addams Family will be staged in the Edgcumbe Theatre at 7.30pm on Wednesday 6 November, Thursday 7 November and Friday 8 November.
Tickets are now available by calling our box office on 01752 208787. Please ask to speak to Michaela Armstrong.
Greenpower National Finals
Very well done to our Greenpower Team who are competing at the national finals today. Check their Twitter account @DHSBAvanti for the lastest news.
Gold DofE
A large group of students enjoyed some DofE Gold Award taster activities last weekend.
Excellent Work
Our Excellent Work this week has been submitted by Mrs Burdon.
Mrs Burdon said, “Artists have always used drawing to explore ideas, observe the world around them and deepen their knowledge. Leonardo da Vinci used drawings to record his understanding of anatomy, Escher to explore ideas of infinite mathematical conundrums, Degas to draw a deeper understanding of the people around him. With this in mind Year 9 students have embarked upon a creative drawing project, experimenting with media and techniques . Working on natural forms and contrasting with man made objects the present Year 9 have displayed confidence and skill. Students used chiaroscuro, an effect of contrasted light and shadow with great results. What a great start to their GCSE studies”.
Work is by Year 9 students, Jack Reed, Ameer Shehzad., Ben Dale, Jacob Griffiths- Moreton, Adrian Bautista.
You can see further excellent artwork by searching for Mrs Burdon’s hashtag #dhsbartstars
Student Success
Congratulations to William Freer and his sister Charlotte (who attends DHSG) who reached the quarterfinals of the Senior Cyprus International. They were eventually beaten by the second seeds from Norway. William’s next senior tournament is the Welsh International Series in November.
Well done also to Leo White who is a multi-discipline rider and races predominantly in Cyclo-cross and Mountain Biking, but also Circuit (Road). Things have stepped up a level recently as he has been invited to join the British Cycling National School of Racing. In terms of progression, the next step is Team GB.
Leo is currently regional series winner in MTB and is top of the league standings in the current Cyclo-cross league.
Additionally, he is on the British Cycling Young Volunteers programme and has recently achieved his Bronze Award.
PTFA Events
There are two events planned by the PTFA coming up soon. Please read their posters for all the details.
Sports Update
Football
Mr Bunney said it was a “Disappointing 1-0 defeat for the Year 7 football team against Callington. We were on top for most of the game but it’s all about putting the ball in the back of the net and despite our best efforts we couldn’t do that. Best of luck to Callington in the next round”.
Well done to the Year 8 football team who are through to the third round of the national cup after beating Tavistock 4 – 1.
The Year 9 team beat Coombe Dean School 3 – 0 also to make it into round three of the national schools cup. Mr Strang said this was a “Workman like performance on a heavy pitch” so well done to the team.
Rugby
It was a successful final evening at the central venue rugby for the Year 8 team this week with wins against Plympton and St Boniface
Mr Burt said, “Well done to Andrew Walsh, Ollie Gozzard and Ed Epps in their win over Exeter College playing for Plymouth Albion Colleges”.
Future Events
Thursday 17 October
Year 10 Report
Final day of Autumn term one
Friday 18 October
Non-pupil day
Monday 28 October
First day of Autumn term two (B week)
Gold DofE parents mtg
Tuesday 29 October
Year 12 Maths parents information mtg
Friday 1 November
PTFA quiz night
Wednesday 6 November – Friday 8 November
The Addams Family school production
Friday 8 November
Year 8 report