At the end of a busy term I’d like to thank parents and friends of the school for all your support and wish you a happy and safe Christmas break.

Monday saw our Carol Service at St Andrew’s Church, led by Year 7 students and our brass ensemble.

The church was packed with parents, governors, staff and friends of the school and Year 7 gave us an opportunity at this busy time to reflect on the Christmas message.

photo: Mr Huq

Reflections

In the midst of Christmas festivities it’s good to spend some time reflecting and thinking of others. A collection taken at the Year 7 Carol Service has enabled us to send over £400 to Save the Children. This will be directed at helping children who are affected by the war in Yemen.

Last week we took 135kg of provisions to the Plymouth Foodbank and also collected stocking filler items for the Plymouth Refuge.

Money raised at our Christmas Jumper mufti-day last week will be given to St Luke’s Hospice and Bristol Children’s Hospital.

The mufti-day was followed with a Christmas Charity Week organised by House Captains with lots of activities raising further funds to support these two organisations.

The total for this week isn’t yet known but overall this year staff and students have raised over £8,500 for a wide range of charities both in the UK and overseas.

We can provide support in other ways too. Mr Macleod and students from all year groups have worked together during break times to produce origami messages to send to prisoners in Cameroon (via Amnesty).

Peer Mentors

On Wednesday I was pleased to meet the new Peer Mentor team.

This scheme goes from strength to strength each year and provides support for students. Thank you to Mr Martin and Ms Moreton for their guidance and help with this initiative.

Peer Mentor Leadership Team

Year 10 Peer Mentors

Sports Update

Rugby

Well done to the Year 9 Rugby team. Unfortunately they lost 36 – 12 in the West Devon final but this was to a very strong Ivybridge side.

Football

Some good results for our football teams this week.

The Year 7 team is through to the sixth round of the National Cup after beating Torquay Academy 5 – 4. This was a ‘thrilling game with two excellent teams’ and we were pleased to welcome Mr Margetts back to school. He was on site to support his school team. Round six represents the last 32 teams in England.

The Year 8 team is through to round two of the Devon Cup after a convincing victory away to Okehampton Community College.

The U14 team beat Penryn College 5 – 1 (1 – 1 at HT) to reach round six of the National Cup (also the last 32 in England).

DHSB A finish the year with a hard fought 2- 2 draw against City Police in the Devon Wednesday League.

Sports Newsletter

Future Events

Friday 21 December

Final day of the school term (normal finish at 15.20)

Monday 7 January

First day of the spring term (B week)

Monday 7 January – Friday 11 January

Year 10 exam week

Thursday 10 January

Year 8 Curriculum Evening