Next week, on Tuesday 27th January, DHSB is playing a key part in the delivery of the Holocaust Memorial Day Commemorations at the Civic Centre with several students involved.

This year's theme is 'Bridging Generations' which is a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance does not end with the survivors - it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and all of us.

On the day, Year 9 student Hugh Taylor, will be sharing how a game of Uno between himself and his grandmother led to a remarkable discovery: a collection of World War II diary entries written in a secret code by his great-grandfather. Through a collaborative effort with school staff and the use of cutting-edge AI technology, the student successfully deciphered these hidden messages, bringing lost history to light.

Hugh will be accompanied in part of the diary entry delivery by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.

In addition, some students, with the massive support of Mrs Luing-Holmes, Director of Creative and Performing Arts, have written a rap called 'Can You Imagine' which will be performed at the ceremony. The original lyrics were composed by Year 11 students Henry Gilmore and Errol Cawaing, the piano accompaniment was composed by Year 11 student Alex Boghian and the cello part is to be played by Year 8 student Ralph Haydn-Davies. This moving rap explores the theme of bridging generations, paying a powerful tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of carrying the torch of remembrance into the future. The performance bridges the gap between past and present, offering a profound reflection on our shared responsibility to never forget; an emotive reminder of the enduring connection between the voices of the past and the youth of today.

Thank you Mrs Wardle, Joint Head of Religious Studies, for sharing this news with us. The event is certain to be very powerful and moving and we are very proud of our students and staff who have been involved and are taking part.

DHSB Awarded CyberFirst Gold

Devonport High School for Boys has reached a major milestone by gaining CyberFirst Gold recognition - an accomplishment that places the school among a select group of UK schools delivering excellence in cyber security education.

Our school’s commitment to digital excellence in education, computing and cyber-related skills development strongly aligns with the rigorous requirements of the CyberFirst Schools Programme, run by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - part of GCHQ in the UK.

The CyberFirst Schools and Colleges programme recognises educational institutions that demonstrate high-quality cyber education provision and opportunities for students. Awards are given at three levels:

• Bronze - aspiring to cyber excellence

• Silver - strong provision with plans to grow

• Gold - outstanding commitment to developing cyber skills and digital resilience

Being awarded Gold means our school has shown leadership in areas such as:

• A broad, engaging computing curriculum

• Activities that extend learning beyond the classroom

• Initiatives that build real-world digital and cyber skills

• Support and opportunities that inspire students toward cyber careers

Gold status is awarded for a three-year period, after which schools can renew their recognition through continued excellence.

DHSB has a long-standing commitment to technology that supports both teaching and learning. For many years, DHSB has been:

• A Google Reference School, using technology to enhance learning and collaboration across all subjects

• An early adopter of 1:1 Chromebooks and Google Workspace for Education, fostering independence, digital literacy and real-world technology skills

DHSB’s digital strategy has also been recognised nationally and internationally:

• We were a Silver Winner in the Pearson National Teaching Awards for Transformational Use of Digital Technology in 2025

• We won the Global EdTech Best School Digital Transformation Award in 2024 - a testament to how deeply technology is woven into the fabric of school life

• This strong foundation lays the groundwork for excellence in cyber education, making the school well aligned with the expectations of the CyberFirst Gold criteria.

Achieving CyberFirst Gold signals a vibrant future for students, families and the local community.

Students benefit from cutting-edge computing lessons that go beyond basic computer skills, covering cyber security, digital problem-solving and safe online practices. These are essential in a world where cyber threats and digital career opportunities are rapidly growing.

CyberFirst programmes encourage schools to develop clubs, workshops and hands-on activities - such as coding clubs, cyber challenges and real-world problem solving - which enrich learning and spark student curiosity.

Gold recognition also connects DHSB students with national networks, industry partners and opportunities that can open doors to apprenticeships, university courses and careers in technology and cyber security.

Cyber security is now a core part of life - from personal safety and business operations to government and national infrastructure. The UK government and industry partners are investing heavily in developing the next generation of cyber talent, with demand far outstripping the supply of skilled professionals. The CyberFirst programme enables schools like DHSB to play a vital role in closing the cyber skills gap by inspiring young people early in their education.

The importance of Computer Science education will only continue to grow in the years ahead. As the use of artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven technologies expands across every sector, the opportunities available to students with strong computing and digital skills are increasing rapidly. At the same time, this growing reliance on technology brings heightened risks, with cyber attacks becoming more frequent, sophisticated and disruptive to individuals, organisations and national infrastructure. A high-quality Computer Science education equips students not only to access exciting future careers, but also to understand how systems work, how data can be protected, and how technology can be used responsibly and securely. CyberFirst Gold recognition reflects DHSB’s commitment to preparing students for both the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital world.

Whether it is Computer Science lessons in the classroom or cyber challenges beyond it, Devonport High School for Boys is helping ensure its students are not just consumers of technology, but thoughtful creators and safe, savvy digital citizens ready for tomorrow’s world.

Mr Scott

Head of Computer Science

Next Steps

On Thursday evening, DHSB were delighted to welcome parents and students to our Next Steps Evening, held in the Edgcumbe Theatre.  The event was extremely well attended and provided an invaluable opportunity for families to explore the wide range of pathways available to students as they plan for life beyond school.

The evening opened with an introduction from Mr Scott, Leader for Careers & PSHE, who set the context for the importance of informed decision-making at key transition points. He highlighted a striking reality for today’s young people: many of our students will not retire until the 2080s and are likely to have 30-40 different jobs across their working lives.  In such a rapidly changing world of work, developing transferable ‘soft’ skills - such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, resilience and problem-solving - is just as important as gaining qualifications. These skills are not something to worry about later; they start being built today, both in and beyond the classroom.

This was followed by engaging presentations from our local partners, including Dominic White (City College Plymouth) on apprenticeships and T-levels, alongside contributions from Gareth Geen (Building Plymouth), Chiara Buckland-Davis (Cornwall College Group), and Callum Earl and Beke Blakeman (Babcock International).  Parents and students also had the opportunity to speak directly with presenters at the end of the evening.

We are extremely grateful to all our speakers and to the families who attended and engaged so positively.

Presentation slides from the evening can be accessed here.

Mr Manley

Assistant Head - Behaviour and Student Support

Year 8 student Teddy Garry, who plays for St Blazey's U14 team, has been selected by Kernow Youth Select to represent Cornish Youth Football and participate in an international ten day tour to Germany and Holland in May.

Well done, Teddy. We look forward to hearing about your experience.

Sports News and Updates

Basketball

Our 6th Form basketball team lost narrowly in a highly  competitive game to Churston on Wednesday afternoon. The school was supported by a noisy 6th form crowd but couldn’t quite get the better of a very competent Churston side.

Rugby

The schools U16 rugby players are training each week for the Rosslyn Park 7s which are taking place in March. Here the boys are being well coached by teacher and ex student Mr Hill who also plays rugby for Plymouth Albion. 

Netball

Our U18 Netball team bowed out of the National Cup in the 1/4 finals to an exceptionally strong team from Brighton.