Each week I share the theme which is being explored by staff and students in school to give an opportunity for you to discuss this at home as a family with your child.
This week our theme is ‘celebrating success’ and each House hosted an assembly which recognised students who have good levels of attendance, behaviour and commendations as well as those who have completed their community duties.
Here are some of the students with their rewards.
Campbell House
Priestley House
Smeaton House
Winstanley House
German Exchange
It’s also been a week when we have celebrated our international links. We were pleased to welcome our German Exchange students to Plymouth. Our visitors joined us for lessons as well as spending a day on the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe, and a day on Dartmoor.
This year saw the sixth year anniversary of exchange visits between DHSB and the Kopernikus-Gymnasium in NW Germany. The exchange was set up in 2013 by three teachers from Plymouth and Rheine – Mrs Saunders, Frau Weiß and Frau Nieland. The aims of the exchange are for the students to experience family life in another country, improve their language skills and to make friends abroad.
This was the second time that the two groups of students have met this year and many firm friendships have been established with promises to keep in touch.
Erasmus European Project
A group of Sixth Form students had the opportunity to spend a week in Brussels with our new Erasmus partnership and project.
Slezské gymnázium, Opava, Czech Republic is the lead school and coordinated meetings, presentations, research and collaborative learning for our students researching light pollution and the effect this has on different environments.
The students immersed themselves in the local culture and benefited greatly from working with our European partner schools.
Ms Froud who accompanied our students said this on their return, “A week crammed with geopolitics and the privilege of spending time with wonderful students. Their optimism, intelligence and fervour made it an honour to spend time with them. Thank you.”
Students of the Week
As we have been talking about ‘celebrating success’ it was appropriate that I had lunch today with a group of students who have been nominated as ‘student of the week’.
Their names and reasons for the nomination are listed here:-
Toby Leung 6AJD – for leading and co-ordinating the school captaincy team in the Charity Week raising significant funds for St Luke’ Hospice and Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Matthew Williams 11P – for supporting other students in school.
John Seaton 11P – for supporting other students in school.
Oliver Bennett 10E – for being a good citizen of the school and handing in money that he found on the floor in Refuel.
Reuben Coleman – for his kindness and generosity in supporting others.
Young Enterprise
Very well done to our Young Enterprise group, Venture, who attended the Plymouth final last evening. They received the award for endeavour.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Thanks to staff who supported 70 students who completed their DofE Bronze and Silver practice expeditions last weekend.
There will be further outdoor education training taking place this weekend.
PTFA News
DHSB PTFA is working with the school to raise money to redevelop the current media suite, due to be refurbished as the Createch Hub. The aim is to help prepare students for some of the Createch industries, for example advertising, film, television, publishing, games and music. To do this we need to replace the current aging ICT facilities with state of the art, industry standard ICT facilities and redesign the learning environment.
This will benefit all students particularly in Media and Music at KS3, 4 and 5 initially. However the aim is to develop a whole school approach to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths and the cross curricular creative links between all subjects.
Money raised through events organised by the PTFA will be going towards this exciting new project.
We would like to thank everyone for their support with our fundraising.
Mike Spencer, PTFA Chair
Stop press: Well done and a big thank you to everyone who supported the Easter raffle which raised £911.95. Pictured are Hugh and Mrs Cory picking the winning tickets.
DHSB STEAM
Please follow Ms Davarian’s new Twitter account @dhsbsteam where you will be able to find out about projects related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths.
With the help of members of staff Ms Davarian is compiling a new ’16 x 16’ for Music and Art.
Why not tweet your ideas to her?
Alumni News
Ms Moreton was pleased to welcome a great group of alumni to school this morning. They spoke to students about career paths and opportunities and were available in the Learning Commons for more informal discussions.
It was impressive to see three former School Captains returning to DHSB to support the event!
Henry, Joe and Josh
Staff News
Well done to a team of staff who joined the Men’s Day Out last Saturday and collected sponsorship for St Luke’s Hospice.
Sports Update
Rugby
Last Friday we had some great matches against Camp Hill School who were visiting from Birmingham. Thanks to Albion Rugby Football Club for hosting the U16 and U18 matches.
The U16 team lost 34 – 36 in a great game refereed by former student Harry Groves.
Football
Year 7 Devon Cup. The Year 7 team played well last evening but the Ivybridge side was very strong and took the victory with a wide margin.
Earlier in the week the 2nd XI played in the Devon Wednesday League Jack Finch Cup Final v Marjon. The team played well but unfortunately the home team was very strong and the final score was 7 – 0.
“Classic cup football” says Mr Bunney but sadly the U16 team bowed out of the cup in their semi-final against Eggbuckland 3 – 1 up at half time, 4 – 4 at full time then 4 – 5 after extra time with two minutes to go.
Good luck to the two finalists, Eggbuckland and Plympton Academy.
Mr Bunney added, “This game was also the last football fixture for the U16s. Having been with them since Year 8 I’d like to say thank you to all for an enjoyable four seasons. Boys have made good progress and developed well and more importantly, have always tried to play and conduct themselves in the right manner”.
Future Events
Friday 5 April
Year 8 student and parent/carer survey
Friday 5 April
Final day of spring term two
Monday 22 April
Easter Monday (bank holiday)
Tuesday 23 April
First day of summer term one (B week)
Wednesday 24 April
eSafety talk for parents and carers
Friday 26 April
Year 8 report
Saturday 27 April
PTFA trip to Alton Towers
Monday 29 April – Friday 3 May
Year 9 exam week