Each Friday I share our theme of the week to give an opportunity for you to discuss this at home as a family with your child.
This week our theme is ‘tolerating and embracing differences’ and this was explored in House assemblies on Wednesday.
We have a full tutorial programme on Fridays and I asked Ms Davidson, Assistant Head Post 16) to let me know a bit more about Sixth Form enrichment.
Ms Davidson said, “The KS5 enrichment programme is hugely diverse in themes and presenters and we are so fortunate in being supported by so many creative, professional and interesting speakers. Today we were privileged once again to have political input from candidates standing in Plymouth and W Devon for the upcoming elections. Students were respectful of differing views but keen to engage in challenging campaign points presented by Rebecca Smith (Conservative candidate for Sutton and Devonport), Charlotte Holloway (Labour candidate for Moor View) and Sima Davarian (Liberal Democrat candidate for West Devon).
She added, “This was an extraordinary event as all three speakers are former Plymouth High School for Girls students who were taught by Mr Macleod who chaired the hustings.
Followoing the event, one student said he was inspired by how politics ‘could’ be so would now be using his vote.
You will be able to read more about the Year 7 – 11 PHSEE programme in Ms Moreton’s Blog on Monday.
This morning Nicki and Vikki from SHARP and the Harbour Project were in school for a workshop with 7S and WO Chris Saxby from the Royal Marines talked to Year 10 students about careers. He will be back in school on 6 December to give individual interviews to those interested.
Engineering Education Scheme
This year the school’s Engineering Education Scheme team has seen a lot of success. After a six-month long project to design and produce a self-navigating RC boat in partnership with Collins Aerospace, they presented their prototype at the regional EES finals at Plymouth University, winning the ‘Contribution to Business Award’ for their hard work along with Industrial Cadets Gold.
Due to their success and professionalism, they were then invited to present the project to a number of staff at Collins Aerospace before being nominated by their mentors for Industrial Cadets Gold Team of The Year.
This week they travelled up to London for the national awards ceremony after being shortlisted as one of the four best teams in the UK, missing out on top spot but having the amazing opportunity to showcase their boat the ‘Vector’ to industry leaders from companies like GSK and Leonardo along with universities like Kings College London.
One of the team members, Tom Payne, said, “Overall it was an invaluable experience for all team members who put in a lot of hard work to become national finalists”.
Many congratulations to the team.
Excellent Work
Our example of Excellent Work this week has been submitted by Mrs Sheridan.
The work is by Sixth Form student Lorenzo Stacey and is a piece of ‘exemplary exam preparation’ on comparative poetry (A level English Literature).
Senior Maths Challenge
Well done to our Senior Maths Challenge team who won the UK Maths Trust regional final yesterday scoring 177/180 point. The team will go forward to the next round.
And finally
Staff and students are looking forward to the annual DHSB Curriculum Challenge Week taking place from Monday to Friday next week. Please keep in touch with all our activities by using the Twitter hashtag #dhsbccw
Sports Update
Tuesday was a super day of sport for the school!
Mr Orkney said there were “Round four National Cup wins for U13s, U14s and U15s. Year 9 Rugby beat Plymouth College. Year 8 rugby win 1 lose 1 in tournament and there was an U16 badminton win”.
The Year 8 team beat Helston College 3 – 0 and the Year 9 team beat Richard Lander School 6 – 1
The Year 11 team beat Ivybridge College 4 – 2
Year 8 Rugby Festival
The Year 9 team beat Plymouth College
On Wednesday the DHSB A team went out of the Devon FA Midweek Cup after losing on penalties against Plymouth University.
Unfortunately another defeat for the school on Thursday as the Year 9 Basketball team lost their match but on a positive note they scored ten points and made lots of progress.
Future Events
25 – 29 November
Curriculum Challenge Week
Year 10 Ten Tors training
Year 11 mock exam week
29 November
Year 9 report
2 December
Year 11 Curriculum Evening (Sixth Form Open Evening)
External candidates should attend at 17.00.
3 December
Ten Tors night navigation exercise
5 December
Year 7 parents evening
8 December
PTFA disco for Years 7 – 9
11 December
Speech Day
13 December
Year 12 report
16 December
Carol Service
17 – 19 December
Refuel Christmas Dinner
20 December
Final day of autumn term two