Welcome back and Happy New Year.
Although it seems like a long time ago I want to reflect on the end of the autumn term.
Our festive achivities on the final day included a live whole school Kahoot quiz, a visit from Father Christmas and a special staff Christmas video which I could see were all really enjoyed by students and staff as I walked round the school.
Thank you to all the staff and students who supported these events and made such a positive end to the term.
Leadership Assembly
Our first whole school assembly of the year, led by Deputy Head Mr Adams on the theme of leadership, was watched by students in their form rooms on Wednesday.
Mr Adams said, “The theme of this week’s assembly was Leadership. The presentation included several questions and discussion points and staff and students could pause the slides to talk through their answers to the questions raised”.
The assembly is available here for you to watch at home.
Student News
Well done to Ayush Kunwar 11S who has completed all 925 skills on the Hegarty Maths website, each at 100%.
Hegarty Maths is a website which includes videos and quizzes which cover the majority of the secondary maths curriculum.
Colin Hegarty, founder of the site, said, “We are extremely impressed with the commitment and dedication of Ayush Kunwar who has shown incredible independence and resilience to complete all 925 skills.”
Congratulations Ayush.
Sixth Form News
Rob Dorrington 13SD has raised £2,441.41 for St Luke's Hospice by fundraising while setting himself a challenge to run everyday for a year. Over the year he has completed over 1,500km.
Rob said, "Having set myself the challenge to run everyday for a year, I am now very close to the finish line. To mark this occasion I am planning to run 50 km and to invite my running friends and supporters to run with me for a lap or two around the Deer Park at Mt Edgcumbe".
Well done Rob - this is a great achievement.
Rob is pictured with the supporters who joined him as he marked the end of his year of running and fundraising.
Alumni News
Congratulations to Owen Weymouth, a former student, who has been presented with the FINA World's Best Male High Diver Award for 2021.
Owen’s partner, Eleanor Smart, received the Best Female High Diver Award and they were recognised for their achievements at the recent International Swimming Federation World Aquatics Gala in Abu Dhabi.
Owen said, “"We were nominated for these awards in light of the work we put into creating the first high diving tower in the United States. A massive thank you to FINA for recognising our project and presenting us with such an award. It means the world to us! We will keep pushing to pioneer the sport around the world”.
Well done Owen and Eleanor!
Half Term Holiday Club
We are very pleased to announce that our half term holiday club is coming back.
Mr Campbell has confirmed that lots of fantastic activities are planned for the February half term including an early morning breakfast club.
Details about booking will be available soon - watch this space!
Exam Certificates
Mrs Edwards, our Exams Officer, has confirmed that the Summer 2021 GCSE and A level certificates are now ready to collect from the school visitor reception from 9:15am to 3:15pm each day during term time.
ID will be required at the time of collect and certificates will not be given to anyone other than the candidate without the candidate’s written authorisation to Mrs Edwards at karen.edwards@dhsb.org.
PSHEE Activities
After a hopefully enjoyable break, despite the mainly miserable weather, tutorial activities for the New Year began on Wednesday with Mr Adams' whole school assembly on Leadership.
Year 8 classes also had a visit from a couple of Year 9 students to answer questions about choosing GCSE options. Year 8 families and students this week should have received a letter from Mr Adams regarding options guidance. Choices are due back by Friday 4 February after the parents evening on 12 Jan and a further opportunity for students to ask questions on 21 Jan
Today Year 8 classes continued with options related guidance as they listened to a speaker talking about choosing to study languages, and took part in various other self-awareness and research activities.
Year 7 students had a lesson on stress survival and Year 10 students had a similar topic as they prepare for their school exams next week.
The Year 9 lesson was the first of two on the topic of Sex and Relationships Education, dealing mainly with so-called ‘sexting’ and the sharing of sexualised material via social media. This included discussion around different scenarios as well as information on the law in this area. The second lesson on Friday 21 January will focus on Pornography.
Finally Year 11 students heard two speakers. The National Citizen Service came into school to talk about their summer offer for this year which as usual combines fun outdoor activities and social projects to support the community, a great addition to a CV or UCAS application at a very reasonable cost. See their website https://wearencs.com/ for more details. This was followed by Mr Martin continuing with the second of his three talks which focussed on Priorities
So week one of seven under the belt for this half term; wishing you all a happy and successful New Year.
Ms Moreton
Walk In Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic for 12 - 15 year old Students
Alexander James, Pharmacist Clinical Lead at the Plymouth Albion Vaccination Site has asked me to share this information about a walk in vaccination clinic to be held on Sunday 9 January 2022.
12 - 15 year olds walk in Covid-19 vaccination clinic
Dose: 1st and 2nd doses
Vaccine: Pfizer
Date: Sunday 9 January 2022
Time: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Location: Plymouth Albion Rugby Club, Brickfields, Devonport, PL1 4NE
Disabled access: Yes
On site parking: Yes, 200 spaces
Alex adds, "We will also be offering walk-in vaccination on the same day and times for those aged 16+ ".