This week, our whole school assembly focussed on the important topic of bullying and today, the whole school is wearing odd socks to show their support for anti-bullying at DHSB.
Mrs Edwards led our assembly and she highlighted how powerful words and actions are and that 'one kind word' is a tool that when used can dramatically change a person's day for the better.
We will be focussing as a school on our verbal interactions over the coming weeks and ensuring that everyone clearly understands the difference between 'banter' and bullying.
The three signs that Mrs Edwards asked our students to consider to determine the difference are:
1. Is the comment reciprocal
2. Is it targeted
3. Is it personal
Please have a look at our assembly and perhaps you can encourage the use of 'one kind word' at home too.
Odd Socks Day
As Mrs Edwards has said, we are wearing odd socks today to support anti-bullying week and to celebrate what makes us unique. Pictured is just a selection of the odd socks seen around the school today.
Well done to all students and staff who took part.
7C
7W
8E
8S
8W
9N
10N
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Wellbeing Advent Calendar
In the run-up to the end of term and the Christmas break, each tutor group has a copy of the Young Minds wellbeing advent calendar which has quick daily activities to complete throughout December.
Young Minds said, "We’ve created advent calendars as a countdown to the festive holidays by taking five minutes a day to do an activity that will boost wellbeing. Our calendars also provide an opportunity to learn different activities and exercises that will help students to look after their mental health".
I've included a copy here; see if there is anything you could do at home too.
Christmas Dinner
We're looking forward to this year's Christmas on the following dates in Refuel.
Tuesday 7 December 2021 - Years 9 & 10
Wednesday 8 December 2021 - Years 7 & 8
Thursday 9 December 2021 - Year 11
As detailed in the letter sent to parents tickets are available to purchase on MyChildAtSchool, they must be bought in advance and the deadline for purchases is 6 December 2021. Any student who currently receives free school meals will be entitled to a Christmas dinner on the correct day for their year group.
There's a festive menu on offer for Sixth Form students too.
Christmas Jumper Day
Our Christmas Jumper Day this year will be held on Thursday 9 December. Students and staff will be supporting the house charities - more on this next week.
Excellent Work
Ms Cunningham has shared an example of excellent work this week.
She said, “As part of National Maths Week we promoted an external competition from MEI (Mathematics, Education, Innovation). It was a Maths Art competition using Desmos. Arley Walker 7W entered and here is his entry. It's fab”.
Link to Arley's excellent work
Sixth Form News
It is always a pleasure to hear from and meet former DHSB students writes Ms Davidson and this term Scott Horner, a Barrister from Devon Chambers, kindly came in to speak with potential lawyers, sharing useful insights into pathways to Law and careers relating to this field.
Recently we were also fortunate enough to host Richard Bullard from the south west charity, It’s in the Bag and as a consequence of his inspiring talk, a large number of students are now sporting the iconic ‘orange pants’ pin badges which prompt discussion about checking regularly for signs of testicular cancer.
I am thrilled to hear that the Campbell House Captains are pledging to support this charity prominently as they embark on fund raising efforts for the year and become superheroes themselves!
Mr McConnell has recently installed clip frames to display the IITB posters in changing rooms and around the school site so we hope the messages serve our community preventatively and well.
We are very grateful to the teachers and friends of the school (Dr Ian Hodgins pictured here) who give so freely of their time to support students in their Interview preparations.
We are also grateful to Dr Carmel Boyhan-Irvine and her colleague Dr Andy Potter at North Road West Medical Centre who have offered marvellous and extensive support to a number of hopeful medical students prior to and through the pandemic in terms of work placement and also guidance on Inclusion medicine from the perspective of an inner city Practice.