A range of exciting opportunities to report this week including experiences at home, in our capital city, via a live link with a school in Massachusetts and even in outer space!

At home

Last weekend saw the final Ten Tors training opportunity. This year’s challenge takes place from 6 – 8 May and we will update you on how to track our teams when we know which routes they will follow.

In London

Congratulations to Robert Waddy who travelled to London yesterday to collect a Gold Award in the AS Physics Olympiad.

Robert finished in the top three candidates nationally and was the top state school award winner.

Rob said, “I was very pleased to find out that I achieved a Gold in the AS Challenge (British Physics Olympiad) of which 4000 candidates sit the paper each year, and even more so when I found out that I was top five in the country, meaning that I was invited to the award ceremony at The Royal Society. The day was fantastic; we had a lovely reception where I got to talk to other physics enthusiasts and those who contribute towards writing the papers. The presentation was brilliant, and there were multiple prestigious guests from organisations including Rolls-Royce, the Swiss Embassy, and the National Physics Laboratory. We had a fantastic talk about the science behind glass, and the future of glass in science, especially medicine. I would really encourage anyone who enjoys the sciences and problem solving to have a go at the Olympiad”.

Connecting with Plymouth Massachusetts

It was fascinating to see our Sixth Form Politics classes talking with students from the Plymouth Public School in Massachusetts via a Google hangout at lunchtime today. This connection is in preparation for the Mayflower 400 celebrations and subjects discussed today ranged from the British monarchy, the EU referendum and the American presidential elections through to school culture and uniform.

Rocket Science

We were delighted to make a successful application to join a special ‘out of this world’ project devised by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening in partnership with the UK Space Agency.

Called Rocket Science, we were one of several schools who received two packets of seeds to plant and nurture. Half of the seeds took off from Florida and spent several months on board the International Space Station (with British ESA astronaut Tim Peake).

DHSB students will be discovering how science in space contributes to our knowledge of life on earth and whether we can sustain human life in space through the production of our own food.

Sports Update

Cricket

Back at home the Year 7 and 8 cricket team made a fantastic start to the season by winning two out of two matches this week.

Football

It wasn’t such good news for the 1st XI who after pulling it back to 1 – 1 after 30 minutes were knocked out of the George Lang Cup after losing 5 – 3 after extra time.

Future Events

Monday 2 May

School is closed for the early May Bank Holiday.

Tuesday 3 May

School re-opens (B week)

Friday 6 May – Sunday 8 May

Ten Tors Challenge

Saturday 14 May 2016

Why not join our PTFA on their day out to Bath. Visit the Roman Baths, take a trip down the River Avon, browse around the fabulous independent shops, visit the Art Gallery, simply sit and enjoy a tasty meal at one of the lovely eateries… Tickets from Michaela Armstrong (01752 208787).