Jun 22, 2018

22 June 2018

On Monday a group of five Year 9 students visited Plymouth College to take part in a Carnegie Shadowing event which was attended by 13 schools from across Plymouth and South East Cornwall.

Each school presented on a book that was shortlisted for the Carnegie Book Award. We were presenting on Release by Patrick Ness.

The book features a contrasting dual narrative that is comprised of a coming-of-age story featuring extraordinary events, interweaved with supernatural themes. The entirety of the book also takes place over one day.

This year’s winner was a book called “Where the World Ends” that features nine boys who become stranded on an isolated Scottish island after the boat that was sent to collect them never arrives. It is based on a true story and this is the real place they were stranded on.

If you would like to take part in the Carnegie Shadowing event next year, please get in touch with Mrs Johnson in the English Department for more information. Throughout the year, Mrs Johnson also participates in the Children’s Book Awards, which is a fantastic opportunity to read a wide range of newly published books.

Lunch with the Head

Each week I invite a group of students to ‘Lunch with the Head’ and this week I met Christopher Hodgins, Antony Bartolini and Callum Lilley who all attended a recent Devon Aerocamp with their Scout groups.

Clive Deacon, the Aerocamp Leader (and a former student) let us know that these three students spent the weekend at Bodmin Airfield with Scouts from all over Devon.

Clive said, “During the weekend they attended lectures and session where they learnt about air navigation, meteorology, instruments and controls, marshalling, radio communication engines and GPS. The camp finished with an air experience flight where the Scouts acted as navigators in a two-seater aeroplane flying a course including Wadebridge and the Eden Project. On the return leg they also took control of the aeroplane. Whilst completing a whole host of Scout badges their behaviour was exemplary and they showed great personality skills meeting with adults and other young people”.

Ethan Carlisle was also on the guest list for lunch today in recognition of his cricketing skills (showcased in the Head’s Blog last week).

Anti-bullying Ambassadors

Our Anti-bullying ambassadors have received further training from Mrs Edwards this week and are pictured here.

There will be a full update from them in the next edition of DHSB Today, due to be published before the end of term.

GreenPower

Well done to Team Avanti who took part in a GreenPower competition at Predannack Airfield yesterday. They report that they had a very good day.

The team said, “Race tw started well with the car staying in second place for the majority of the race until an unfortunate crash set us back into fifth place. Other than the minor set-back we all enjoyed the racing”.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Update

It was good to see the photos and updates from Mr Huq and Dynamic Adventures last weekend when nine teams of students successfully completed their Bronze DofE assessed expedition.

Groups of students will be out of school again this weekend taking part in bronze and silver expeditions.

Thanks are due to all staff who support and enable large numbers of students to participate in the DofE Award Scheme at DHSB.

Oracy Project

Dr Stears is pictured here presenting to colleagues across the city today about the initial Oracy project work at DHSB.

You can read more about the project in the March edition of DHSB Today – available at this link.

PTFA News

Our PTFA held their final meeting of the year on Wednesday and I was pleased to have the opportunity to thank them for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

Mike Spencer, PTFA Chair, added his thanks and said, “Thank you all for your help over this past year. We have raised a considerable amount of money for the school over that time and been able to support some really worthwhile projects that wouldn’t have happened without our help. I know other schools are envious of a PTFA being able to raise well over £10,000 in a year”.

If you’d like to join the PTFA (and they are always looking to welcome new members) or help out at school events then please save the date for their first meeting of the year which will be held on Wednesday 19 September at 18.00 in the Conference Room.