Following the school closure caused by Storm Eunice we were very pleased to welcome students and staff back to school on Monday.
We hope everyone enjoyed the half term break.
Ukraine Crisis Appeal
Yesterday we held an extra mufti day to support the British Red Cross and their work with refugees and the Ukraine crisis.
The British Red Cross said, “Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers are reaching as many people as possible, distributing 30,000 food and hygiene parcels so far, and helping evacuate people with disabilities. Teams have also provided first aid training to 1,000 people in metro stations and bomb shelters, and are supporting fire fighters, medical and civil protection units".
We also shared resources to be used with students in tutorial time to help them understand the situation and to provide them with any support that they need.
In response to requests from parents, we are offering a top up option through the MCAS app for families who wish to increase their contribution to the mufti cash collection through a debit or credit card option. We will transfer the funds collected to the British Red Cross along with the cash collected in school.
Please note that to make a tax efficient donation please visit the British Red Cross website where a donation can be given directly to the charity.

Photo credit: Mr Scott and 9N
World Book Day
To mark World Book Day this year Mrs Downes and our English Department organised special lessons and competitons to emphasise the importance of reading.
Plans for staff to dress as characters from books were postponed until the DHSB Book Week (to be held during the summer term) due to the extra mufti day held yesterday in support of the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
Can you correctly identify these staff shelfies?

DHSB Community Challenge

On Wednesday this week, our School Captain Ellis Foale, introduced his new DHSB Community Challenge.
Ellis said, “One of my ambitions this year, during my time as School Captain, is to make a real, lasting difference to our DHSB community and beyond. I want to improve students’ understanding of the importance of internal and external communities and I want to encourage students to think more about others, to be kind and to use their knowledge and skills for positive change”.
The community challenge aims to Improve people skills, give experience with external environments and charities, confidence building and improved employability and as a by-product, show our school and students in a positive light throughout Plymouth and further afield.
The aim is to help others and Ellis is asking all students to undertake a project in one, two or three of these areas.
Friends and Family
Local neighbourhood
Charity
Examples of projects include undertaking a decorating project for grandparents, helping a friend who is struggling with a subject topic, a local litter pick, supporting an elderly neighbour with shopping, and planning a cake and coffee morning.
Link to Google Form (Students should complete and submit this when they have finished the challenge)
Student News

Congratrulations to Oscar Westbury 7W who competed in the Armada Cup at the Plymouth Life Centre during half term.
Oscar dived incredibly well!
On the 1m board prelims he came fourth and qualified for the finals where he finished in second place.
He also took third place in prelims on the 5m platform and went on to win third place in the final.
Oscar also won a gold medal in the syncro with his partner Will, and won gold and bronze medals for Swim England's South West regional. His points have qualified him for the Nationals.
Very well done Oscar.

Holiday Club
Well done and thank you to Mr Campbell and all staff who helped to provide many varied activities during last week's half term holiday club. Look out for details and the booking form for next time!



PSHEE Activities

Another busy week in tutorials as we return after half term, and of course getting ready for one of the biggest dates on our calendar with National Careers Week next week.
Year 7 students have been looking at the topic of work related learning. What it is, how it can support us in developing skills for the future, and the types of activities we might do, and Year 8 students have been looking at adversity and resilience. What do you think gives you 'bouncebackability' and can this be developed?
Year 9 students had a debate lesson on fighting prejudice, looking at the subject of refugees in particular, so sadly very apposite at the moment with the Ukrainian situation. We held a whole school mufti day on Thursday to raise funds for this cause.
Year 10 studetns were considering resolving conflicts on a more personal level, looking at how different viewpoints need to be viewed empathetically in order to achieve an outcome that is satisfactory to all parties involved, and Year 11 studetns had a lesson on relationships and sex education, with a film showing the development of a controlling relationship, what makes a 'safe' relationship, and how to respond to warning flags about coercive behaviour.
Both Year 10 and Year 11 also had an opportunity to select the speakers they would like to listen to next week for National Careers Week 2022 and I will try and give as many as possible their first or second choice.
Speakers are as wide ranging as always - do you know what is covered by the role of Hydrographic Surveyor, for instance?
So I'm looking forward to welcoming all our guests next Friday - more in next week's Head's Blog!
Ms Moreton
Sports Update

Badminton
Well done to the U16 badminton team who finished runners up in the Plymouth School's competition this week. Pictured are some of the team - well done!

Indoor Cricket
Congratulations to the U15 Indoor Cricket team who finished in fifth place at the county finals.
Mr Bunney said, “A fair result for the team who couldn’t quite reach the levels of the top teams but improved as the day went on finishing with a brilliant batting and bowling display vs Holsworthy”.

Rugby
A good match for the U16 rugby 7s team who drew five tries each with Plymouth College this week.

Football
Mr Carpenter says it was a really good performance and result from the Year 7 football last night and the team go through to the next round of the county cup after beating Newton Abbot 2 - 0. Well done!
However, unfortunately on Wednesday the 1st XI lost 4 - 2 to City College in the cup.
