‘Respect for all’ was one of the key messages in my introduction to the year (Head’s Blog of 15 September).
Respect for all
Treat everyone equally with dignity and respect
Have empathy and humility
Look after each other
Continuing this theme and following the letter to all parents from Mrs Edwards this week, Salam Katbi (South West Prevent Regional Co-ordinator) spoke at our whole school assembly on Wednesday.
Salam explained her role working in counter-terrorism for the Government and also how she achieved her position following her move to the UK in 2004 from Syria, initially attending Exeter University.
Salam’s presentation described how the process of radicalisation takes place over a period of time and she shared the reasons why some people are more susceptible to being radicalised. She proceeded to explain some of the misconceptions around key terms used to describe terrorists and finished by delivering these key messages:
Avoid putting people in boxes. Stereotypes and prejudices can be harmful
Challenge ‘us’ and ‘them’ narrative
Be alert but not alarmed
Protect yourself and your friends
Safety online
See it, Report it Don’t speak to strangers online Question the validity of the information you receive
Students should speak to one of our safeguarding teachers if they have any concerns. Mr Roberts, Mrs Edwards or Mrs Weaver.
Challenges and Opportunities
I’m very proud that this school offers many challenges, activities and opportunities to students. Just a few are highlighted in my Head’s Blog this week.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Congratulations to 120 Year 10 students who have completed their bronze expedition assessment and thanks to all the members of staff who have supported them.
Here are just two messages we received from parents following the weekend expeditions.
“Thanks for looking after my son and the rest of the boys this weekend; he’s achieved something he thought he couldn’t”.
“Thanks for the photos and for bringing Adam back safely. It was much appreciated”.
Equestrian Success
Very well done also to Sixth Form student India John who represented DHSB at the Blundell’s one day equestrian event last weekend.
The competition attracted riders from across the South West, either as teams or as individual riders and is known to be highly competitive.
Riders compete at all three disciplines; dressage, show jumping and cross-country.
Mrs Corboy reports, “India was in the 90cm class and finished an excellent third place individual”. She added, “This was an excellent result”.
During the summer India also competed for the England team at the Home International (dressage) when her team finished sixth and India took the individual fifth place.
India was the U18 winner at the Bicton International and took individual gold, bronze and team silver at the British 5 star national championships at Swalcliffe.
Dressage
Show jumping
School of Rock
Our school production, School of Rock, will be staged in the Edgcumbe Theatre from 1 – 3 November 2017.
Tickets will be on sale from Monday 9 October. Please watch this space for more details on how to order tickets and for the first photos of the cast in their costumes.
PHSEE programme
Last Friday Year 8 students had some very special visitors.
Ms Moreton said “Although Cindy was a great speaker the star of the show was her companion, Phyllis”.
Cindy told us her personal story and also details of the procedures for training guide dogs; including puppy walking (also visiting was a young canine companion for Phyllis).
Both dogs behaved in exemplary fashion as you would expect, even coping with an exuberant hello from almost all the 180 Year 8 students at the end of the lesson.
Students are going to spend some time fundraising over the rest of this term and Cindy and Phyllis will hopefully return towards Christmas to acknowledge their efforts.
Excellent Work
Our regular feature on excellent work returns this week with examples created on National Poetry Day.
Ms Nally explains, ” We made newspaper poems by selecting wonderful words from the papers before combining them to create an original poem. I’ve included a couple of my favourite poems – one from Ewan 10E and a group effort by Max, Callum and Joe 8W”.
Ewan 10E
Max, Callum and Joe 8W
Sports Update
Rugby
Well done to the Sixth Form 1st XV who secured a good victory over South Dartmoor Community College.
The U13 team did exceptionally well this week with three wins:-
30 – 5 v Stoke Damerel
20 – 10 v St Boniface
25 – 0 v Eggbuckland.
Football
On Wednesday afternoon Mr Manley said the 1st XI had a “fantastic 3 – 2 win against Dartmouth”.
On Thursday evening Mr Huq reported, “George makes it 11 – 3 for the U16 team v All Saints in the Plymouth Cup”.
Cycling
Congratulations to our Year 8 grass track cycling team seen with their gold medals and a qualification for the county finals wrapped up.
Hockey
Over 40 boys attended the Hockey Club this week, held indoors due to the weather.
Future Events
2 October at 16.30 – Year 7 Tea Party CEN
3 October at 16.30 – Year 7 Tea Party PSW
12 October at 18.00 – Choices Evening for Parents (Ms Moreton)
17 October at 17.45 – Strategies for Success Evening (Mr Martin)
19 October – Final day of autumn term one
20 October – Non pupil day
30 October – First day of autumn term two
1 November at 18.00 – Drinks Reception and PTFA AGM
1 – 3 November School Production – School of Rock