I’m delighted to highlight some of the improvements that we made to our school facilities over the summer break.
As a school we regularly take feedback from our community and the developments featured here are specific projects identified by our students through surveys and our Devonport Voice representatives.
As we have shared previously, one of our main school improvement areas is to improve and extend our performing and creative arts provision, and as part of this plan we have relocated our two Art classrooms to better accommodation
Pictured is our brand new main art classroom in the former Burrows Studio and some artwork on display in our second room.
This work in turn provided us with an opportunity to improve our Science facilities. We have constructed two brand new state of the art Science laboratories, including an additional prep room, in the former art rooms.
Mr Widdecombe, Head of Science, said, “Science is a very popular subject at DHSB. Our new science labs give us fantastic work spaces enabling us to continue to provide high quality lessons as we expand. I’d like to thank Mr McConnell and his team for all their hard work in bringing this project to completion”.
One of the other areas that was commissioned by the school trustees is the renovation of the toilets in E block. This was unable to be completed in the summer break but we are planning to try to complete this over half term.
Student News
Well done to Eoin Hewitt 7W who starred for Cornwood Cricket Club U11s during the summer; the team won the cup and finished runners up in the league.
Eoin was named batsman of the year after amassing 336 runs.
He also topped the table for most run outs and catches and took ten wickets with his left arm seam bowling
Congratulations Eoin!
Excellent Work
Our examples of Excellent Work this week have been sent in by Mrs Phillips and students who attend the Creative Writing Club.
Mrs Phillips said, “Students were asked to use the senses to write a descriptive piece. Gabriel Juganaru 7C has used fantastic descriptions throughout which paint a vivid picture in the reader's head and Zack Smith 8P has done a great job at crafting his sentences for effect”.
You can read their work at these links.
Performing and Creative Arts
Starting this week, Mrs Luing-Holmes is going to give us a regular round-up of performing and creative arts news.
Look out for an exciting new logo designed by A level art students, due to be unveiled next week!
Beauty and the Beast
Over 40 students made an impressive cast to audition at the final call for Beauty and the Beast. Students ranging from Year 7 to Year 13 showed immediate and impressive work as a cast, singing and performing with incredible imagination and energy! Our thanks to the students that journeyed from Notre Dame and DHSG to make these auditions - you were so impressive!
Beauty and the Beast will be staged from 1 - 3 February 2023.
Extra curricular provision
If you are looking for some artistic inspiration, look no further than the Learning Commons, where the digital leaders have uploaded a revolving display of art in the school, thanks to Mr Head and his department for this.
The soul band and brass band have both got off to a great start this week with lots of new members.
Drama Club, held on Fridays in the Theatre, has also made a good start; well done to all involved.
Next week samba drumming starts on Monday and is open to all.
A reminder about the lunch clubs which are all freee to attend is on the tutor notices every day.
Rock Project for our students has got off to a brilliant start with over 30 students taking part each week to learn how to manage equipment, rehearse and learn rock band skills. Spaces are full this term and there is a waiting list, but if you are interested for the new year please do get in early on MCAS - emails as to when this opens will be sent toward the end of term.
Music GCSE
Twilight Music GCSE has also got off to a stunning start. Well done to all the students involved for a positive, and impressive start to your course.
Dates for your diary
GCSE Music Year 11 Solo Performance Exam Concert
Wednesday 19 October 2022
Open to the public from 7.00pm - 8.00pm. Theatre donation on the door
GCSE Music Year 10 Solo Performance Concert
Wednesday 7 December 2022
Open to the public from 7.00pm - 8.30pm. Theatre donation on the door.
Carol Concert at St Andrew’s Church
Monday 12 December 2022
Open to the public from 7.00pm - 8.00pm. Free of charge.
Christmas Concert
Wednesday 14 December 2022
Open to the public from 7:00pm - 8:00pm with doors open at 6:00pm for drinks and nibbles. Ticketed.
Beauty and the Beast School Musical
Wednesday 1 February - Friday 3 February 2022
Ticketed.
PSHEE Activities
This week our tutorial lessons were on Wednesday for a change, with assemblies today, together with a selection of activities from Ms Brooking to celebrate the European Day of Languages this week.
Year 7 students had discussions and activities around British values, safeguarding and prevent.
Quick quiz - Can you name the five widely accepted British values? Answers at the foot of the Head’s Blog.
Year 8 students looked at an example of cyber-bullying and discussed how they would deal with this, and who may have some responsibility other than just the bully, e.g. onlookers or friends.
The Year 9 lesson addressed the problem of sexual harassment both in school and in wider society with lots of discussion and a chance to look at the first draft version of a short video made by our students during the summer term.
We are continuing to develop these resources working with a group from the two girls' grammar schools.
Year 10 students began a two week lesson on writing an application for a mock Saturday job. These applications will be sent to and critiqued by real employers later this term, and these volunteers will then come into school and carry out mock interviews in each class.
They also began their Unifrog journey by logging on to this new platform which will stay with them all through school to Year 13 and university and/or job applications.
Year 11 students who attended Launchpad Live last Friday had a chance to give feedback to the rest of their class on all they had found out about opportunities and apprenticeships in a wide variety of job sectors, and then the whole year group either began or continued their Unifrog activities.
Another busy week - more to come next time.
Ms Moreton
House Assembly
Mr Huq led a house assembly this week which focused on DofE with celebrating the awards completed during the summer and highlighting the opportunities available for the expeditions at bronze, silver and gold levels.
In particular, the silver expedition now has a walking and biking option whilst the gold level has a UK option of walking, mountain biking or canoeing as well as a Slovenia option of walking or mountain biking in the Socha valley, a truly beautiful part of Europe.
Letters to parents about all awards will go out in the next day or two.
The assembly also included a fantasy football update as the DHSB leagues start on Saturday 1 October (GW9). So far over 70 have joined the DHSB league with over 20 members of staff also included.
Finally the presentation included a section on student leadership at DHSB with 68 Year 12 students becoming prefects. The focus is now on recruiting the house captains for the next academic year as well as voting in the two form representatives required for sports, charity and Devonport Voice
Sixth Form Tutorial and Enrichment
KS5 enrichment this week included an introduction to more of what the Unifrog platform can offer our students in Year 12 as well as a presentation on 'How cultured are we' from Mr Macleod.
Pictured is School Captain Ellis in charge of the mic and defending his opinion of the value of the Harry Potter film, Goblet of Fire, in contrast to Mr Macleod's preference for The Order of the Phoenix .
How we make subjective judgements, the criteria by which we make these and the language we use to influence others, as key elements of a sociable society who value The Arts, is something being considered by Year 13 students today.
Year 12 were in their best bib and tucker for their final school photos.
Ms Davidson
PTFA News
Mrs Kinsella reports, “We have had a great two Saturdays providing refreshments for the 11+ mornings and raised a fantastic amount just shy of £400.00. A big thank you to our fantastic PTFA helpers”
If you are able to help any time please get in touch with the PTFA at this address - ptfa@dhsb.org
Sports Update
Football
The Year 7 football team beat Eggbuckland School in round one of the National Cup this week with special mention to Freddie Edwards 7C who scored five goals!
Well done to both teams for an entertaining game of football.
The Year 8 team got their year off to a good start this week with a win against St Boniface in the National Cup; well done!
Sadly, a hat trick from Toby Maclean was not enough on Monday night and our Year 9 team lost a hard fought game 5 - 4 to Marine Academy Plymouth in the first round of the National Cup.
Well done to the Year 11 team; through to the second round of the Plymouth Cup after winning their match against Stoke Damerel 5 - 1.
In the Sixth Form Mr Manley reported another win for the 1st XI who beat Lipson Academy 5 - 2 on Wednesday.
Rugby
Congratulations to the U14 team who beat St Boniface's College and Eggbuckland and to the U16 team who beat Hele's School and Eggbuckland this week.
House and extra-curricular sports and activities
Photos this week include one from the Year 10 and Year 11 house basketball fixtures and students at golf, table-tennis and surf clubs.
Students who want to get involved should see Mr Campbell for more information.
There’s something for everyone!
Please also follow Mr Campbell’s new enrichment Twitter account @DHSBenrichment
Q Can you name the five widely accepted British values?
A Democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.