It’s been great to see so many extracurricular opportunities on offer since our return to school this term.
One afternoon after school I watched a cup football match, house sport, rugby and ultimate frisbee training. All with high numbers of participation and many supporters on site.
There is lots going on during curriculum time too so please read and enjoy today's Head's Blog which has all this week's updates.
European Day of Languages
The European Day of Languages is celebrated every September and on Wednesday all tutor groups took part in a PSHEE lesson to learn some interesting facts about European languages. For example, did you know that Kinshasa, the capital of the DR of the Congo, is the world’s second largest French-speaking city, after Paris?
We also looked at idioms, and completed a Kahoot quiz to try and guess the meaning of some idioms taken from various European languages. My favourite is a Hungarian idiom, 'why are you giving drinks to the mice?' which means 'why are you crying?'.
Pictured are the winners of the idioms quiz from 7C Felix Davison, Victor Topor and Isaac Harnett.
Some students have entered the nationwide competition to design the official t-shirt for next year's European Day of Languages (closing date 31st December).
There is another quiz running for all Year 7 and 8 students and the challenge sheets for this are available from all MFL teachers. Students need to find all ten QR codes pinned up in the MFL corridor in B block to find the European country, then research and note down a famous food from that country, plus one important historical figure from that country with a brief summary of what he/she did.
Completed sheets should be handed in by Friday 8 October and there will be prizes awarded for the best entries!
Suerte!
Mrs Brooking
Whole school assembly
This was the first House Assembly since our new system of Heads of Year and a Head of Houses and Communities was introduced.
There were several sections in the assembly with the first being a reminder about the people who inspired the name of each house and which house has won the St Levan Shield each year since the school moved from four houses to six houses.
This was followed by the DHSB fantasy football competition which has seen a record number of entrants (110 so far) with 16 members of staff taking part.
There was a short house sports update from Mr Campbell including what is coming up for the rest of this half term and an update on the house championship. This showed how each house is doing in the various sections that make up the St Levan Shield.
Finally I introduced a competition for all to take part in designing their house notice board. Winners will receive prizes and the best design for each house will be used by the new house team which will be appointed before half term.
Mr Huq
Excellent Work
Our example of Excellent Work this week is from Miss Hunns who said, “We are delighted that Year 8 students are back cooking at school. These bread rolls, made by Joseph Dennis 8W, demonstrate excellent shaping and glazing in an imaginative knot shape”.
Student News
Thank you to everyone who has told us about student news, challenges and activities over the summer. If you still have something to share then please complete this Google Form.
Today we’re highlighting what some Year 7 students have been doing.
Well done to Victor Topor 7C who passed his karate grading and received a black belt in June 2021.
Well done also to Jack Jane 7E who completed the Bear Trail with his family.
George Shaw 7E recently narrated the Pied Piper for his theatre group Starlines. After the success of this he has been rewarded with the role of Prince\Beast for the forthcoming production of Beauty and the Beast.
The video of him narrating is on the Starlines Facebook page. Congratulations George.
Also in 7E, Jago Midwinter started sailing at Torpoint Mosquito Sailing Club in the summer and obtained the RYA Stage 1, a fantastic achievement.
Congratulations to Oliver Davies 7W who over the summer was working hard on his Grade 3 piano. Oliver achieved a distinction in this practical exam.
Pictured is Jago Midwinter
Holiday Club
Did you know we’re running a holiday club during the October half term for all children aged 9 - 12 (not just DHSB students).
Activities are set to include sports and extra-curricular sessions such as Exim Dance Company, Plymouth Parkour, Battlefield live, Plymouth Argyle Football School and many more. There will be 2 x 2 hour sessions each day.
If you’d like to find out more or make a booking please use these links or contact Mr Campbell at dan.campbell@dhsb.org.
PSHEE Activities
You will have already read that on Wednesday all students marked the European Day of Languages by following a presentation from Mrs Brooking, Head of MFL, and watched a house assembly from Mr Huq, Head of Houses, which included a competition to design a new house noticeboard.
Today's lessons covered another eclectic mix.
Year 7 students learned about British Values, the Prevent strategy and safeguarding, while Year 8 students heard a series of talks around careers connected to sport, such as fitness coach, physiotherapist and sports analyst.
Year 8 students are looking at different career options over this term before they choose their options for GCSE subjects.
Year 9 students considered the weighty theme of Crime and Punishment, thinking about why some crimes such as graffiti or shoplifting may be committed, and suitable deterrents and/or punishments.
Year 10 students began the first of two lessons where they completed an application form for an imaginary Saturday job. These will be sent to a local employer for critique, and the employer will come into school later on this term to conduct a mock interview with some students, with the rest of the class as onlookers. I'll report further on this as the activity progresses.
Finally Year 11 students spent the lesson online, firstly answering an in-house questionnaire regarding their thoughts on potential destinations and intentions after GCSE. Students can also request a 1:1 careers interview with our independent careers adviser from CSW group.
They also used the pathway planner tool within the Careerpilot site which helps us to pinpoint needs for further assistance in any particular area.
Careerpilot is a useful site we recommend, with areas for parents as well as students, and lots of information.
Lots to keep everyone busy and informed - more next week!
Ms Moreton
Sports Update
As I said earlier, it’s been great to see so many extracurricular opportunities on offer since our return to school this term. One afternoon after school I watched a cup football match, house sport, rugby and ultimate frisbee training.
Football
Congratulations to the Year 10 team for starting the year with a 4 - 2 victory against Ivybridge in the Plymouth Schools Cup.
The Sixth Form team was in action on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Manley said, “It’s great to be back playing in the Devon Wednesday League. Our first XI started the season with a 1 - 1 draw against Dartmouth Royal Naval College.
Rugby
Mr Orkney confirmed the U15 rugby side are through to round two of the national vase competition after a 17 - 5 win over a spirited Holsworthy Community College.
Well done!
