I am delighted to announce the name of the DHSB School Captain for the coming year.
This morning Ellis Foale accepted the post and I am sure he will be very successful in his new leadership role.
Tom Hyndman will provide support in a handover period over the next few weeks and later this term there will be time to thank him for his extensive contribution to the life of the school community.
Tom said, "The role of school captain is crucial to the running of the school. This is the highest role a student can achieve, representing the entire student body, not only to the staff, but also in the community. I am certain that our new school captain will live up to this role. Ellis impressed us all in the application process, and understands the role well. I wish him all the best and will do all I can to ensure a smooth handover".
125 Anniversary
A huge thank you to Mrs Kinsella and Mr Davis for coordinating our brilliant 125 anniversary reunion event last weekend. We all had a fantastic day and enjoyed the talks given by Dr Hodgins and Mr Riggs, the many happy conversations and memories being shared, the history exhibition and the colonnade light show.
Mrs Kinsella has written a full round-up of the day which is linked here.
She said, “Thank you so much to everyone who was able to come to our anniversary event, there were over 200 of you! You came from one end of the country to the other, Edinburgh to the Isles of Scilly and even further afield! Rob Hodges and Gavin Eyre came from France but Sydney (Sam) Endacott beats everyone though as he travelled from Houston, Texas! We are blown away by the positive feedback we have received. Thank you to everyone who has written to us; I love reading your correspondence - especially your DHSB memories. We were thrilled that the Lord Mayor, Mrs Terri Beer, and her consort, Colin Steer, could join our celebration. Our School Captain, Thomas Hyndman and prefect Lucy Ottewell gave them a tour of the school, including our history exhibition. The Lord Mayor planted our 125 anniversary tree and buried a time capsule”.
Photo credits: Mr Riggs and the Lord Mayor
Sixth Form Student News
Very well done to Sam Follett 13CMC who completed the Cancer Research Cycle 300 challenge in September raising £465 for Cancer Research.
He rode 338 miles in total over a combined time of 23 hours and 50 minutes through his daily commute and longer cycle rides, often in the rain! Congratulations to Sam on this fantastic achievement.
Also well done to Heloise Coleman 12SDO who joined the Plymouth University Junior Academy in February 2021. Although not easy and involving lessons over Zoom during lockdown, she successfully achieved grade 5 piano in August.
She is hoping to take grade 5 music theory exam before the end of the year, and has already started on the grade 6 piano pieces. Well done Heloise.
Holiday Club - Breaking News
Our half term holiday club is now open to all Year 8 students (from DHSB and the wider community).
Mr Campbell said, “We have Plymouth Parkour, Plymouth Argyle Football Schools and Laser Tag run by Battlefield Live Kernow. So come join us”.
Classical Classrooms - Wanted!
Dr Stears is looking for items for the Classics Classrooms.
She said, “Do you have any unwanted holiday gifts from Greece or Italy you no longer want? The Classics department is asking for help in decorating its two classrooms. The aim is to have one decorated with items which represent the culture of ancient Greece, the other with Roman-style objects. Any unloved pottery, statuettes, models or pictures which you may have knocking around at home would be gratefully received. We would particularly appreciate any replicas of ancient pieces such as shown in the attached images. Please do NOT gift any items of value”.
PSHEE Activities
On Wednesday this week students attended assemblies led by their Deputy Head of Year, and then returned to class to complete a choice of various activities celebrating Black History Month.
Year 7,8 and 9 students also had time to complete a school survey, which will be given to Year 10 and 11 students next Wednesday.
This morning all year groups had lessons planned by Mr Carpenter, our International Links Coordinator. He asked students to focus on the USA and in particular on our partner school in Junction City, Oregon, looking at the lessons they may have compared to ours.
Older students also looked at the Athletics World Championships which will take place in Eugene, Oregon, not far from the school, and completed various problem solving tasks and researched athlete profiles.
Next Wednesday there is a house assembly announcing the new House Captains, and for forms to elect their new Sports, Charity and Devonport Voice reps.
As there will not be a Friday lesson next week due to teacher inset, there won't be a section in the Head's Blog as usual, but I'll be back after half term! Let's hope for some pleasant Autumn weather.
Ms Moreton
Sports Update
Congratulations to five Year 9 students who have been selected for the final squad of the U14 Plymouth Schoolboys team. Charlie Menear 9N, Harry McGlinchey 9C, Sam Lord 9N, Sam Pearson 9W and Jack Flower 9C.
Many more students were invited to the initial and final trials so well done to all involved.
In a round-up of sports fixtures this week well done to the U16 rugby team who beat St Boniface College 19 - 5 in their first game of the season and to the U13 football team who won their second round national cup match against Penrice Academy 5 - 2.
The U14 football team is also through to the next round of the national cup. Mr Bunney said, “Great to get the team back together again playing school football after all this time away - well done”.
In another national cup fixture the Year 11 team won against Brixham with a 5 - 3 score - congratulations.
Mr Manley reports that the 1st XI had a fantastic win against Plymouth University in the Devon Wednesday League.
U13 Football
U16 Rugby