The sun shone on Year 13 students on the first day of their exams (and their last day gathered together at school) on Wednesday and we enjoyed their cheer and delight in scrolling through their Year 7 photos as well as their company for several last lessons and brunch together .
We wish them all success in their endeavours and look forward to 13 Sept when we hope they will join us for a celebration event before they head out independently to new adventures.
It's important to remember that where there may not be continuity for us in classes and form groups, there are strong relationships that carry significant weight in other contexts for our maturing young people. The huge cheer acknowledging thanks to Numa Rahman from the catering team in the leavers assembly is super evidence of the regard that our students hold for everyone in our community who contributes so positively to their wellbeing.
To the Year 13 form tutors we also say, 'Thanks a million for all your influence,and consistency, kindness, patience, tolerance, humour, and wisdom'.
Ms Davidson
Sixth Form Enrichment and Tutorial
Year 12 covered workshops and presentations on 'Decision-making' and the need to give time and effort to planning their next steps. We are grateful for the input from Judy Kay from Careers South West and also from Ms Wilkinson, Mr Burt and Unifrog.
DofE News
Last Friday saw the Silver DofE cycling and walking teams take part in their practice expeditions.
The cycling group set off, with panniers packed, from Dynamic Adventures in Dartington; returning both nights to Dynamic Adventures to stay before embarking on more expeditions during Saturday and Sunday.
Feedback from Dynamic Adventures was that they were a lovely bunch of students.
The walking groups started their expedition from Plym Valley Railway spending two nights wild camping at Nun’s Cross and then Riverside before finishing on Sunday at Widdecombe on the Moor.
The weather during the weekend was kind to them with more positive feedback from Dynamic Adventures.
Everyone is looking forward to the assessed expedition in June.
Pictured here are groups of students taking part in their bronze practice expedition the previous weekend.
Mrs Huq
Student News
Congratulations to Will Wooller 11N and Chris Wooller 10N who took part in the Sea Cadet South West area band competition last weekend, competing against bands from Birmingham to Bridgwater and into Cornwall.
This is a hugely skilled discipline that requires individual ability and musicianship as well as excellent teamwork and collaborative working.
Will and Chris had a massively successful day, where they were in the best band overall winning best band, best arena display and best dressed band.
Individually they also did well. Will won the best solo musician category, and Chris won best drum major and was placed fifth in the individual musician category.
Student News
Mrs Burdon has shared that The Box in Plymouth launched a young person’s drawing competition with the overall theme of ‘For the Joy of Drawing’.
We are delighted that two students from DHSB had winning entries - Reuben Keeling 7W and Victoria Meeson 13KES.
Many congratulations - their work will be displayed at The Box during 2023.
STEAM News
This week's STEAM blog post is by Jack Benzie 10E who has written about his time as a mechanic with DHSB Team Avanti and the competitions the team has participated in, including the international final of the F24 electric car competition held at Goodwood.
The Greenpower car competition is a national competition that allows secondary schools to build and race their very own electric cars. Our car was built from scratch and it has been handed down throughout the years to different drivers and mechanics. I was lucky enough to be one of those mechanics. To become 1 of the 4 mechanics we all were chosen by our D.T teachers and we also have 4 drivers that race the car. These are normally Year 7 students who are light and easy to get in and out of the car in a pit stop.
As mechanics we began meeting once a week at lunchtime to begin improving the car after the long break with COVID. The car hadn't been raced in over 2 years and some of the parts had become worn down and seized up; the first few weeks were spent going over the car and looking for any obvious faults that we could see. After that we began looking at improving the overall power output of the batteries to the car…
Junior Maths Challenge
Thank you to Mrs Wills who has given us these highlights from this year’s Junior Maths Challenge.
Samuel John 7S gained Gold, Andrew Banciu 7E gained a Gold certificate and Best in Year.
Oscar Mohammed 8C, Neel Shivane 8P, Stanley Kingdom 8S, Ayden Small 8W all gained Gold, whilst Arley Walker 8W gained Gold and Best in School.
Andrew Banciu, Neel Shivane, and Oscar Mohammed have been invited to take part in the Junior Kangaroo in June, whilst Arley achieved highly enough to be invited to the Junior Mathematical Olympiad.
Mrs Wills said, “We are really proud of all 38 students who took part”,
Creative Arts Update
Musical Theatre Workshop - Last few places available!
Our singing teacher, Cameron Mills, has organised the current director from the West End production of Les Mis and Phantom of the Opera to provide a workshop on Tuesday 23 May from 3.30pm - 5.00pm in the Sixth Form Centre. This is an incredible opportunity for our school, not offered to any other in the city,and particularly relevant for anyone moving in the direction of Musical Theatre in future career ideas. There are only a few places left, to sign up, find ‘Musical Theatre Masterclass’ on MCAS. Hurry!