This morning we were delighted to welcome Luke Pollard MP to school to officially open our new Visitor Reception in the Guard Room.
Our site team, led by Mr McConnell, Estate Manager, has done a fantastic job converting and refurbishing the building which has been used as an electricity substation since DHSB was established on this site.
A waiting area and meeting room are included in the new reception area.
L - R Mr McConnell, Mr Brown, Mr Williamson, Mrs Bruce-Spencer, Mr Pollard, Mrs Johns
Mr Peck
You may have already heard the sad news that Mr Peck, Headteacher at DHSB from 1975 to 1993, passed away recently.
Thank you to Mrs Kinsella who has shared this extract from the 1997 school magazine.
“Mr Peck retired in 1993 after serving the school as Headmaster for over eighteen years, eighteen challenging years that saw the school expand and maintain its excellent reputation in the area. With just three Plymouth grammar schools surviving the wave of re-organisation in the eighties the school became more regional, drawing in boys from Plymouth, West Devon and SE Cornwall - some travelling more than thirty miles to school each day. Mr. Peck led the school through the change from 0 Levels to GCSEs, the introduction of the National Curriculum and the expansion of the school into all six blocks of the old military hospital. The '93 exam results set records.”
Mr Peck’s funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday 7 June at Emmanuel Church, Plymouth and members of staff who were appointed by him will attend to represent the school.
Excellent Work
Thank you to Miss Walker who has shared these examples of Excellent Work (link below).
Miss Walker said, “These examples are written by some of our Year 8 students who were asked to evaluate the statement 'can war be justified?' as part of our ethics unit of work”.
Well done to Sakib Hussain 8W, Joel Fishwick, Angus Borthwick 8S and Maruf Islam 8P.
DofE Update
Very well done to all the teams of students who have completed their bronze DofE expedition in recent weeks.
This is a fantastic achievement - congratulations to all involved.
Shekinah Art Exhibition
A couple of weeks ago we mentioned that a group of Year 8 students had their artwork exhibited as part of the Shekinah Art Exhibiton, with Owen O’Brien winning an award.
Mrs Burdon has since sent me an update as additional artwork submitted by these students was also on display.
Congratulations to Will Tawse, Jianya Wang. Khushaal Dev Mittapali and Toby Maclean, all in 8W. Pictured is some of the work which was on display.
Sixth Form Enrichment
Friday was a morning of contrast today writes Ms Davidson.
Period 1 was fun with the focus on wellbeing and British values in Ms Wilkinson's jubilee quiz.
Period 2 focused on many serious topics including county lines, cuckooing, vulnerable people in society, vigilance and awareness, and responsibilities, complicity and conflict.
PSHEE Activities
Year 7 students finished off this half term by considering a bunch of bananas - learning about the Fairtrade organisation. They ended with a brief competition to design a Fairtrade poster for which I will award the winner from each class a small Fairtrade prize (not a banana!).
Year 8 students looked ahead to their school exams (w/b 20/6) with a session looking at study skills. They have also been filling in their revision guides (in Google Classroom) with the requirements for revision in each of their subjects.
Year 9 had visitors from the Police, talking about drugs and the law including the issue of county lines and the very real dangers of getting drawn into these illegal activities. Inspector Kev Morley stayed on to reiterate a similar message for Year 12 students during lesson two.
Year10 students also looked at a serious topic - that of extremism infiltrating the gaming sector and also the issue of conspiracy theories. Important topics to discuss in a safe environment at school, and to be aware of possible dangers.
Year 11 had a Chemistry exam this morning and they will complete their GCSE programme of exams after half term.
We are also continuing to work with a group of students and staff from DHSG and PHSG on developing resources for future lessons around support and information dealing with sexual harassment. The group are called Students Against Sexual Harassment (SASH) and we are also consulting with the local Police and other organisations in this area. We aim to have made a short film and follow on activities for use in all three schools, and possibly others too, by September.
So, half term next week, and hopefully everyone will enjoy not just a fruitful week of revision but some rest and relaxation before preparing for the last exams and the final half term of this school year. And hopefully, of course, some nice sunny weather!
Ms Moreton
Sports Update
Cricket
Mr Bunney reports that the U15 team Cricket team (81/8) beat Churston (80 a/o) in the Devon Cup yesterday. It was a tight game that went down to the penultimate over.
Also in cricket news this week, the Year 7 team beat the St Boniface B team but lost to their A team.
Football
Well done to the DHSB students who play in the Plymouth football teams.
U15 team - Gene Price, Ethan Wright and Joel Sullivan
U4 team - Jack Flower, Sam Lord, Charlie Menear and Sam Pearson
Last week saw the U15 team crowned south west champions. The team has been undefeated for two seasons and took the cup final 4 - 0 against a strong Taunton side.
Goals came from Ethan Wright (2) and Will Sullivan (2).
Sadly the U14 team lost their final match 3 - 1 despite being undefeated as well all season.
Athletics
Congratulations to these students who have been selected to represent Plymouth Schools at the Devon Schools Athletics Championships in June at the Exeter Arena. We look forward to following their progress after half term.
Year 7
Dan Salmon, 800m and Long Jump
Junior Boys
Joe Dennis, 80m hurdles
Intermediate Boys
Mackenzie Pike, 100m, 200m, 4x100
Andreas Isaias, 200m, 400m, 4x100
Gregor Norster, 800m
Morgan Jones, 800m
Zeb Fellows, 1500m
Declan Jones, Long Jump
Jacob Clark, Javelin, Discus
Senior Girls
Harriet Beardsmore, 200m, 400m
Kristyna Cade, 1500m