Well done to all that took part in the Plymouth Half Marathon and 10K run last Sunday.

Staff and students took part in the event which took place at the weekend. Lee Austin (Executive Chef), Dan Campbell (Proctor), Jo Weaver (SENDCo) and Gemma Pyle (Teacher of Business), along with students Lucas and Rocky, conquered the iconic 13.1 mile route through the streets of Plymouth, whilst students Edward and Imogen, completed the fast, flat and scenic 10K challenge.

Year 10 student, Edward, who was running to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research via his Just Giving Page, had an amazing run in the Plymouth 10K. This was his first official run and he achieved a time of 00:39:50 and was placed 22nd out of 1734 entrants! Well done, Edward!

Year 12 student, Imogen joined the NHS Blue Wave Team to run the 10K. Together the team raised and incredible £12500 to support patients and life-changing care across the Plymouth hospitals. Well done, Imogen!

This was Year 12 student, Lucas' first half-marathon and not only did he complete it, but he achieved the challenge he had set himself of running sub 1:30! Well done, Lucas!

Year 13 student, Rocky, raised £540 Trevi Women's Shelter. This was his first half-marathon. Rocky said that "The atmosphere was energising. It felt good to be part of a community event" and that "the run was fun but rough". Well done, Rocky!

In further running news, congratulations to Deputy Head of 6th, Dan Alsop, who has been selected to represent England in an 'England vs Wales' trail half marathon taking place in the Forest of Dean this September.  Dan qualified for this through an England Athletics Masters selection race last month, and has recently received confirmation of his selection and his vest.  Well done Dan!

Mrs Davidson

Assistant Head – Post 16

Oddballs Foundation visit

A huge thank you to OddBalls Foundation for visiting Devonport High School for Boys as part of our PSHE health programme.

Over 600 students across Year 7, 8 and 10 took part in engaging and thought-provoking assemblies focused on the importance of self-checking and raising awareness of testicular cancer. Their Ambassador, Olivia Jones, delivered an excellent presentation and even arrived in the famous promotional car, which certainly captured students’ attention!

The sessions encouraged important conversations around health, confidence, and looking after yourself, helping to break down stigma and promote awareness in a way that was informative, memorable, and age-appropriate.

To build on this further, with the use of testicular checking kits funded by the PTFA, our Year 9 students also explore self-checking during their PSHE lessons each year.

We are incredibly grateful to The OddBalls Foundation for supporting our students with such an important message and helping to promote positive health education across the school community.

Mr Scott

Leader of Careers & PSHE

We've planted a tree in Madagascar!

Curriculum Enrichment Week is approaching and this week we heard from The Bushcraft Company, that as part of their partnership with Evertreen, a tree has been planted in Madagascar in honour of our Year 7 Residential booking!

'Evertreen is on a mission to transform the world one tree at a time, connecting individuals and businesses with the power to make a tangible, lasting impact on the environment and The Bushcraft Company believe 'the best outdoor education inspires a love of nature that lasts a lifetime and now your students' adventure is helping protect it too'.

It's great to know that by giving our Year 7 students this opportunity to have a residential experience which we believe is an important part of children's education, is contributing to reforestation in one of the world's most biodiverse and ecologically important regions.

Mr Berryman

Assistant Head - Student Support

National Computer Science Competition 2026

Three Year 10 students recently achieved outstanding success by reaching the national finals of the Computer Science Competition held in Birmingham.

Andrew, Otto, and Charlie represented the school at Birmingham City University during their Innovation Fest, where they competed against teams from across the UK. Their achievement placed them in the top three groups nationally, a significant accomplishment in a highly competitive field.

The students delivered an excellent presentation showcasing their product, AEGIS, an innovative air-quality solution linked to the concept of the Internet of Everything. Their project demonstrated strong technical understanding, creativity, and an ability to apply Computer Science principles to real-world scenarios - and had excellent 3D prints of their prototype too!

Throughout the event, the boys demonstrated confidence and professionalism, effectively communicating their ideas to judges and peers in a university environment. The experience provided a valuable opportunity to engage with cutting-edge ideas in computing and innovation, while also experiencing a taste of higher education life at Birmingham City University’s Innovation Fest.

In recognition of their success, the team returned with well-earned goodie bags filled with software, stationery, and other resources to support their continued interest in Computer Science.

This achievement is a fantastic reflection of their hard work and enthusiasm, and a proud moment for Devonport High School for Boys.

Mr Scott

Head of Computer Science

Careers in Cyber

This week we were pleased to welcome Thomas Eaton from Syneric Ltd to Devonport High School for Boys to speak with our Year 12 Computer Science students about his career in cyber security and software development.

Tom shared his career journey, including his decision to join the Army rather than take a traditional IT role, and how he later transitioned into contracting, consulting, and software development.  He now works in cybersecurity training and is also a STEM Learning UK Ambassador and CyberFirst South West Ambassador.

Students explored the development of a cyber training platform, from an initial rapid “proof of concept” through multiple iterations of improvement.  This led to discussions around real-world software development practices, including:

• Collaborative development and the challenges of team vs solo coding

• Using development tools effectively to improve productivity

• Responding to user feedback and evolving system requirements

• The impact of AI-assisted coding in modern development workflows

The session also included a high-level look at the code behind the platform, helping students connect classroom learning to real-world applications in the cyber security industry ahead of them starting their own projects as part of their A-level Computer Science course.

A valuable opportunity for students to see how diverse and non-linear careers in technology can be. #Gatsby4

Mr Scott

Leader of Careers & PSHE

Head of Computer Science

Engineer Leaders Award Competition

Students from Devonport High School for Boys are celebrating success in the national Primary Engineer Leaders Award Competition after an impressive set of results in this year’s competition.

The competition, which asks pupils the question “If you were an engineer, what would you do?”, encourages young people to identify real-world problems and design innovative engineering solutions through creative thinking, research and problem solving.  Entries are judged by engineering professionals from across the UK.

This year, two DHSB students achieved the highly regarded Distinction award (Victor Y11 and Samuel Y10), while Vikhat (Y11) has been Shortlisted for the next stage of the competition - an outstanding achievement considering the national scale of the event.

The Primary Engineer competition is open to students aged 3-19 and aims to inspire the next generation of engineers by combining creativity, engineering and communication skills. Students are encouraged to interview engineers, identify problems in the world around them and develop innovative solutions through annotated designs and written explanations.

The success of the DHSB students highlights the creativity, curiosity and problem-solving skills that are being developed through STEM education across the school.  Competitions such as this give students the opportunity to think beyond the classroom and explore how engineering can positively impact everyday life.

Everyone at DHSB congratulates the students on their fantastic achievements and wishes the shortlisted student the very best of luck in the next round of judging.

To learn more about the competition and the work of Primary Engineer, visit www.primaryengineer.com

Mr Scott

Head of Computer Science

CanSat Team - Silver Industrial Cadets

Six Year 12 students have been recognised for their outstanding teamwork, innovation and engineering skills after being awarded the prestigious Silver Industrial Cadet Award following their participation in the CanSat competition.

The students took part in the exciting STEM challenge, which involves designing, building and testing a miniature satellite - small enough to fit inside a soft drinks can. Organised in partnership with industry and engineering organisations, the competition gives students hands-on experience of real-world engineering, project management and scientific investigation.

Throughout the project, the DHSB team worked collaboratively to develop their CanSat, overcoming technical challenges and applying their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a practical setting. Their hard work, resilience and professionalism impressed assessors and led to the group achieving the nationally recognised Silver Industrial Cadet Award.

The Industrial Cadets programme celebrates students who demonstrate employability skills, teamwork and commitment through industry-linked STEM projects. Achieving the Silver Award is a significant accomplishment and highlights the students’ dedication and enthusiasm for engineering and innovation.

Everyone at DHSB congratulates the six students on their fantastic achievement and for representing the school so positively throughout the competition. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish next in their STEM journeys.

Mr Scott

Head of Computer Science

DofE News

In another busy week for the Duke of Edinburgh (D of E) Award, 52 students from Year 9 undertook their first practice expedition, walking in teams from Coypool to Jennycliff via the coast path. This gave students the opportunity to test their navigational skills, teamwork and campcraft before their qualifying expedition on Dartmoor later in the year. Well done to the students who completed this step towards achieving their Bronze Award.

The expeditions are organised by Dynamic Adventures CIC on behalf of the school and I would like to thank their instructor team for the continued guidance and opportunities they offer to our students.

On Sunday, fifteen Gold D of E participants from Year 12, plus two members of DHSB staff, will be flying out to Geneva for a four day expedition in the Alps near Chamonix. I look forward to sharing more information about this exciting trip after half term and wish the expedition teams well.

Finally, as part of the D of E Award’s 70th anniversary celebrations this year, students from across the country who have completed their Gold Award this year, were invited to a formal garden party at Buckingham Palace. Former DHSB students Finlay Marsh and Archie Forgan were in attendance on Wednesday, along with former school captain Will Henwood. The guests were fortunate to hear from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, as well as celebrity speakers. Television choirmaster Gareth Malone’s words resonated with Mr Guy-Fierens, who was also lucky enough to be invited to the palace: “Operating outside of our comfort zone is the key to a happy life. It is wonderful to see these young people here who have done this incredible thing and done some things that will have scared them. Doing D of E leads to a way of thinking that can challenge you throughout your life.”

Congratulations to the following current DHSB students who have achieved their Gold Award but were unable to attend due to an unfortunate clash with A Level examinations: Jack Ivey, Joe Panton, Seb Brook, Mackenzie Hyett, Neve Addy, Todd Boumphrey. Evie Faith and Megan Woock are both awaiting final verification but have also completed all five sections. Josiah Anderson has also completed his Gold D of E Award and attended a celebration event at Buckingham Palace on Friday. Additional congratulations are due to former students: Harry Cane, Toby Acharya, Maximilian Chapman, Joseph McDermott, Diggaj Dhakal and Jules Dean, who have all completed their Gold Award in the past year.

Sparx Maths and Sparx Reader

Each week we celebrate our highest performers in both Sparx Maths and Sparx Reader, two of our core homework platforms. We are proud of all of our students who complete their homework each week to such a high standard but these students deserve a special mention.

Congratulations!

YouTube Information and Advice

You may have seen the recent headlines in the news highlighting renewed concerns over child safety on major video platforms, specifically regarding how automated algorithms and video feeds can expose young people to inappropriate content.

When reports like this surface, it is entirely natural to feel anxious about what your children might encounter online. I would like to reassure you about the strict safeguards we have in place here at school, and to offer some practical guidance on how you can mirror these protections on personal devices at home.

How We Use YouTube Safely at School

Please be assured that our school network does not provide students with open, unrestricted access to YouTube. Instead, we use a managed educational environment across school-managed devices and accounts.

Here is how we help keep students safe during the school day:

The “Teacher-Approved” Model

Students primarily access educational videos that have been selected or approved by staff for learning purposes. Standard YouTube features such as public comments, personalised recommendations, and unrelated browsing are heavily restricted on school accounts and devices.

Explicit Vetting

Teachers review and select videos and channels that are appropriate for educational use before sharing them with students.

Reduced Risk of “Rabbit-Holing”

Our filtering and account settings are designed to minimise algorithm-driven recommendations and reduce the likelihood of students accessing unrelated or unsuitable content during lessons.

Our digital environment is designed to ensure that technology remains a powerful tool for learning, while reducing many of the risks associated with the open web.

Managing YouTube Safely at Home

We know that managing screen time and online content at home is one of the toughest parts of modern parenting. If your child uses YouTube on a personal account or home device, here are some effective ways to help establish safe boundaries:

1. For Younger Children: Use YouTube Kids

For younger children, the standard YouTube app is not recommended. Instead, consider using the standalone YouTube Kids app.

Top Tip: Within the parental settings, you can select “Approved Content Only.” This disables searching and allows children to watch only videos, channels, and playlists that a parent has specifically approved.

2. For Tweens and Teens: Use a Supervised Account

If your child is moving to the main YouTube platform, consider setting up a supervised account linked through Google Family Link. Parents can choose age-appropriate content settings and manage features such as viewing controls and screen time.

3. Turn On Restricted Mode

If children watch YouTube on shared devices such as tablets, smart TVs, or computers, consider enabling Restricted Mode within the app or browser settings. This helps filter out some mature content, although no filter is perfect.

4. Talk About the “Scroll Trap”

Many apps and platforms are designed to encourage continuous scrolling and extended screen time. Talking openly with children about how recommendation algorithms work can help them become more aware and intentional in their online habits. This is something that we cover at school, but these are great conversations to continue at home.

Encourage them to search for specific creators or topics they trust, rather than endlessly scrolling through recommended feeds.

Working Together

Keeping children safe online is a shared partnership between school and home. By using the tools available and maintaining open conversations, we can help young people enjoy the benefits of technology more safely and responsibly.

If you have any questions about the school’s digital safeguarding policies, please do not hesitate to contact me, or visit our e-safety hub.

Mrs Parkes

Director of Learning Commons & Initial Teacher Training

Annual Fundraising Trip to Alton Towers

450 students, 35 volunteers, 18 drivers, 9 coaches, 9 coach stands, 9 registers, 9 buckets of useful items and ONE destination! It can only be one thing - our annual fundraising trip to ALTON TOWERS! The Milehouse Park & Ride came alive at 4.30am last Saturday as nearly 500 people started arriving for their 5.00am departure! The excitement was palpable! 

A very big thank you to PTFA members Joanna and Melanie for organising the trip, Jenny and Isa for helping on the trip, for Sally and Rosie our Car Park Queens, DHSB staff members who came along to help and last, but not least, our fantastic parent volunteers! We really couldn’t run the trip without you! 

Mrs Kinsella

PTFA Liaison

Cricket

Last week, the Year 7 Cricket Team lost a very tight game to Tor Bridge on the penultimate ball of the game in the U13 Central Venue Cricket competition.

Football

Huge congratulations to the Year 8 football team who beat Torquay Academy on penalties in the U13 Devon Schools County Cup final on Wednesday this week.

It was a brilliant game of football from both teams with neither side giving much away to the other in the first half but the boys found themselves 1-0 at halftime after an excellent goal from distance from Torquay. The team stuck to the first half orders again in the second half but with a new aim to get more shots away - and it paid off! Charlie equalised with a spectacular free kick from distance to take it to 1-1 and after failing to clear the ball on a couple of set pieces we found ourselves taking a 2-1 and then a 3-1 lead with not long to go. Credit to Torquay who kept battling and got the scoreline back to 3-3 at full-time and in Carabao Cup style the game went straight to penalties. The team had already lost two penalty shootouts this season, the most recent on Monday against Plympton Academy in the Plymouth Schools Cup final, so tensions were high! But credit must go to those who confidently stepped up to take a penalty, and to Michael in goal who saved two penalties from Torquay to see us over the line with a 4-2 win on penalties.

Well done to the whole squad for a brilliant season full of great performances!