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16 June 2023

Assemblies this week were led by Heads of Year and the theme was team building.


Ms Witchell, Deputy Head of Year 7, said, “Pictured is the Year 7 assembly on team building and teamwork".


She says there was some impressive teamwork on display.

Family Help and Information Line


Plymouth City Council has a new Early Help and SEND advice line for families who may need help or advice.


Family Support Workers are available to talk through any worries and to answer questions about parenting, emotional wellbeing, relationships and more.


Parents and carers may book a conversation at this link:-



Excellent Work

Many thanks to Mr Orkney for sharing this picture of GCSE and A level PE students undertaking their third climbing session.


Students are working towards their practical performance and have progressed quickly to higher and harder climbs incorporating belay work.

STEAM News

'Till Death Do Us Part' is an exciting production which will be staged at DHSB soon. It has been written by Rudi Gibbs Year 12 and he is also producing the play along with lots of other students from across the year groups. Here is his report on how the production is going.


"For nearly nine months now, I've been working on writing and producing my own play: Till Death Do Us Part. I've always liked writing, and now I've been given the opportunity to work with an amazing cast and crew to share it, and I couldn't be happier for it. Every Thursday I get the chance to work with amazing people to build up scenes that have previously only been known to me. I get to hear them discuss ways in how to make scenes funnier or, on the flip side, more dramatic and suspenseful. This whole project has shown me how much I love working in the theatre, writing, directing and performing, and I hope I get the chance to continue working in this sector. When July 10th rolls around, everyone will get to see what we've all been working on and I can't wait for it."


Tickets will be available on the DHSB website and the production is on 10, 12 and 14 July in the Edgcumbe Theatre.

Ms Davarian


World Skills Cyber Security Challenge


The World Skills Cyber Security Challenge is an annual event in which participants compete in a range of tasks related to protecting computer systems. Cyber security consists of technologies which are designed to protect systems, networks, programs, devices and data from cyber-attacks. Effective cyber security reduces the risk of cyber-attacks and protects against the unauthorised exploitation of systems.


The competition focuses on all the essential requirements for a successful career as a Cyber Security Analyst within any industry. The competition tests your abilities in Reconnaissance, Scanning, Vulnerability Testing, and Exploitation of Systems.


There are seven stages to the competition:


1. Register

2. Entry stage

3. National Qualifiers

4. Announcement of finalists

5. Training and development

6. National Finals

7. Squad UK


Our Year 12 Computer Science students Sakthivelan Pandy and Alan Kraszewski are now at stage three and will find out if they made it into the finalist list later in the summer. The national finals will take place in November 2023 in Manchester, so we're wishing them all the best.


Learn more about the competition at this link:-


Mr Scott


PSHEE Activities

The Year 7 lesson this week is all about the importance of sleep, although hopefully they won't be practising during the lesson...it covers why it is important especially in the teen years, and also how to develop good sleep habits and relaxation techniques (which they will be allowed to practise).

I was also pleased to deliver some prizes last week to three Year 7 students who had produced fairtrade posters following a previous lesson - Barnaby Basterfield 7S, and Jude Greg 7W and Noah James 7W. They each received a suitably fairtrade chocolatey prize.

Year 8 students this week had an important lesson regarding arson, sourced from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. They looked at and discussed various scenarios which included ideas around resisting peer pressure and saw films demonstrating how quickly a fire can spread, and the potential damage to property and danger to people which can ensue.

Year 9 students completed two questionnaires - one to advise whether or not they wish to take part in a (voluntary) work experience week (27/11 - 1/12/23) and the second a more in-depth look at their self assessment of skills they have developed/are developing for the future, promoted by the Careers and Enterprise Company.

Finally for this week, Year 10 students completed a lesson originally scheduled for earlier in the year on risk taking, firstly in everyday life and then more specifically with regard to drugs. They learned how the developing teenage brain can be particularly prone to risky behaviour.


I have been inundated with entries for this year's SPaG competition, mentioned last week, so it will be a while before I can announce the winners from each year group - hopefully after Curriculum Enrichment Week.

Have a good week everyone; more tutorial details next week.

Ms Moreton


PTFA News

What a fantastic week the PTFA has had! We were very excited to learn on Saturday that one of our DHSB school lottery supporters had won the national jackpot of £25,000! Congratulations to the winner and thank you for your support.

If you haven't signed up yet but would like to, click below. You have to be in it to win it!


Tickets cost £1.00, 76p of which goes directly to the DHSB PTFA and to prizes. There is one local DHSB supporter winner every week and the chance to win the national jackpot of £25,000.00!

On Sunday we held our popular school disco at Pryzm. 677 students from DHSB, DHSG, PHSG, and their guests did the Conga, the Cha Cha Slide, danced to YMCA, sang along to Abba and Reached for the Stars!

On Wednesday and Thursday we served refreshments to parents waiting for their children who were sitting the 11+ familiarisation tests.


My thanks as always to everyone who has supported us this week and to all the volunteers - we couldn't run these events without you. A special thank you to my mum who stepped in at the last moment to help with the refreshments!

We are in need of more helpers - even just for an hour at events - if you are happy to be added to a pool of volunteers please contact me.

Our next, and final PTFA Meeting is on 4 July at 6.00pm in the Conference Room (directly behind the visitor reception). Please come and join us if you can - you'd be made very welcome


Any questions please email ptfa@dhsb.org

Beverley Kinsella

PTFA Liaison

Sports Update

Athletics


Mr Carpenter said, “A big well done to all the DHSB students who competed in the Devon Schools Champs at the weekend and congratulations to Andreas and Gregor who have both been selected to compete in South West Schools”.


Photos from the Plymouth Sports Gazette.

Cricket


U12


The U12 cricket team came agonisingly close to chasing down a really strong total set by Plymouth College in the second round of the Devon Cup.


Unfortunately we lost by five runs, coming down to the final ball of the match.


Mr Campbell said this was a highly enthralling game, well played by all.

U13


It was a touch afternoon for the U13 cricket team (69a/o) who lost to defending champs Exeter School (197-2) in the Devon Cup on Monday.


Mr Bunney said, “The team chased the total in the right way with positive intent”.

Students also played in the U13 central venue event this week with the Year 7 and Year 8 teams both winning their competition - well done!


U14


The U14 cricket team was in action yesterday, losing by eight wickets to Plymouth College in round two of the Devon Cup.

Surf Club


And finally this week, the popular Surf Club got underway with an excellent evening at Polzeath.


Two to three feet and clean.


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