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5 May 2023

DHSB Ten Tors 2023 success - 4 x 6 by 5.


Ten Tors is a challenge not a race and Dr Colvile has reminded me that our aim was to get four teams of six members across the finish line by the 5.00pm deadline on day two of the 2023 challenge.


However, it's a measure of the strength, quality of teamwork, navigation skill, planning and preparation that our 35 mile team was the first out of 400 teams to finish, one of our 45 mile teams was the first to cross the line at that distance, and our 55 mile team was the first to finish on their route.


In foggy conditions our 45 mile teams gave us a nail-biting Saturday evening as a diversion around a river crossing gave DHSB A only ten minutes to spare before Longaford Tor closed for the night, while DHSB B ran part of the way from Princetown to get through Middle Staple Tor with four minutes to spare.


This image shows the conditions at Longaford Tor on Saturday evening.

A huge well done and congratulations to all students who took part in our school teams and also to those who participated with organisations outside school.

Many thanks to all staff who have supported the teams both in training and over the weekend, and we are grateful to parents too for supporting team members throughout training and helping with the setup and dismantling of our base camp.


Everyone’s contributions are much appreciated.

35 mile team


Seb Brook 10P, Otto Malm 10S, Noah Reid 10S, Iwan Sanders 10P, James Taljaard 10S, Seb White 10C (Team Leader), Reserve Tom Jane 10E

45 mile team A


Jack Hooper 12C, Will Jones, 12P, Jacob Prigg, 12C, Tom Robbins, 11P (Team Leader), Charlie Shuttleworth 12C, Sergejs Zimnikovs 12C

45 mile team B


Joe Fox 12E, Issy Hall 12N, Mohammed Maarfi 12E, Finbar Macdonald 12P (Team Leader), Marcel Marchewski 11E, James Saxby 12S, Reserve Theo Wilson 12P

55 mile team


Tom Brown 12N (Team Leader), Archie Chalk 12S, Rick de Wilde 12S, Schaefer Mann 12S, Solly Hunter 12S, Ben Richardson 12S

Very well done to these students who took part in the Ten Tors Challenge with organisations outside school.


Amelie White 12TGF, Tavistock Youth Forum, 55 mile team

Austin Mair 10P, 2377 Qqdn ATC AA, 35 mile team

Ben Bailey 13RNC, Mount Kelly, 55 mile team

Bruno Blake 11W , Menheniot Explorers, 45 mile team

Charles Hambly 10C, RAFAC, 35 mile team

Elliot Mair 10C, RAF Air Cadets, 35 mile team

Jack Benzie 10E, Plymouth and Cornwall Air Cadets, 45 mile team

Joe Goldstone 9P Devonport ATC 197 Sqn, 35 mile team

Matthew Chapman 13RWO, ATC Air Cadets, 55 mile team

Tom de Wilde 10S, Dartmoor Plodders, 35 mile team

William Marshall Roberts 10S, Dartmoor Plodders, 35 mile team


Dr Colvile has confirmed that DHSB's training for Ten Tors 2024 will commence with the Abbot's Way Walk on 1 October 2023 for prospective 45 and 55 mile team members, and the 35 mile selection during Curriculum Challenge Week.


House News

This week saw the House Captains deliver virtual assemblies to their Houses. The theme was Social Responsibility and there were a number of interpretations described to the students, ranging from corporate social responsibility through to individual social responsibility, including suggestions for a number of really practical and achievable ways to adjust daily routines to be more socially responsible.

In addition the captains announced which song had been voted the new House Song and celebrated some of the achievements from individuals in their house.

These are the chosen House Songs:-

Campbell - Don't stop believin'

Edison - Never gonna give you up

Newton - Don't stop me now

Priestley - Happy

Smeaton - Mr Blue Sky

Winstanley - Heatwaves

Each house was given an update on the house competitions which currently sees Smeaton in the lead overall.

Ms Cunningham


Excellent Work

Thank you to Ms Hunns for sharing these examples of Excellent Work from Food and Nutrition.


Pictured are Year 8 students proudly showing off their bread rolls, made in an hour.


This was the group’s first practical since Year 7 and they showed new confidence building on their skills. All the students in the photos took time to divide their dough into six equal rolls and then shaped them into a range of different shapes including plaits, cottage loaves, cob and many many more.

Year 9 students have been looking at the nutritional needs of teenagers.


Ms Hunns has shared these photos ot Sushi made by Joe Dennis 9W and Halloumi Souvlaki Pitta made by Jack Lynch 9C.

Both Joe and Jack worked independently to create imaginative dishes, presented to a high standard which met the needs of teenagers, they justified the nutritional benefits of each of the dishes in their theory work.


This week Year 9 students produced well filled quiches, which were golden brown with no soggy bottom to the pastry. Excellent outcomes which I am sure would be welcomed at any Coronation Party.


Here are the royal quiches made by Khusal Ghimire 9W, Kieren McLaughlin 9S and Nathan Harvey 9C.

Student News

Congratulations to Oscar Westbuty who competed at The Swim England South East age group competition in Southampton over the weekend.


Oscar was very happy to come fourth on the one and three metre boards. He dived very well on Platform (five metres) and gained third place.

PSHEE Activities

The first of two short weeks due to bank holidays but the tutorial programme continues as usual.

Year 7 students received a presentation from Mr Coombes regarding their summer activities at Bushcraft in Curriculum Enrichment Week. They returned to class for a short study skills session in preparation for their school summer exams which this year take place during the week beginning Monday 19 June. They will have another full lesson of revision/study skills just before half term.

Year 8 students continued their financial theme from last week, this time looking at budgets, and Year 9 were also learning about money matters with a session about how our financial needs change as life progresses, and how they could potentially prepare for some of these circumstances.

Year 10 students heard a presentation from Judy Kay, our CSW Group Adviser (formerly Careers South West) all about decision making, which she linked in to using Unifrog, our new learning platform. This will hopefully prepare the students as they will soon be moving up to Year 11 and having to make important decisions around their future routes into study and careers.

Finally Year 11 students had their class photos, organised by Mr Martin. A hopefully pleasant reminder of what could be their final year at DHSB, and certainly a souvenir of the peers with whom they have spent the last years in school.

Enjoy all the Coronation celebrations at the weekend.

Ms Moreton

PTFA News

Due to cancellations we have a few limited tickets available for our popular Alton Towers trip on Saturday 20 May. It's first come first served so hurry.

Also, we have our penultimate PTFA meeting of the year on Tuesday 9 May and we'd love to see you!


We meet in the Conference Room (to the right as you drive into DHSB, behind the visitor reception) at 6.00pm.

Refreshments will be provided.

Mrs Kinsella

Sports Update

Pictured is the U14 team ready for the England Schools Touch Rugby Tournament yesterday.


Mr Campbell reported, “The team has qualified for finals day! An unbelievable effort. This will be played at the Worcester Warriors ground on Friday 22 June and we can’t wait".


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