Over the last couple of years all of us have had to navigate the challenges that Covid-19 has brought to our community and society.
I’d like to convey my sincerest thanks to our parents and carers for their patience, understanding and support during this time.
We continue to be incredibly proud of all our young people, they have shown great resilience and determination in their attitudes to learning, they have worked hard to overcome the challenges of working remotely or in a blended way. Our students have been extremely cooperative and shown great understanding with all the rules and changes throughout this year, they have shown great compassion for others in our community and kindness when things have been tough.
I also want to pay tribute to the wonderful teachers and support staff here at DHSB. When I reflect on just what they have achieved during the last two academic years, during the pandemic, I am immensely proud of them and grateful for their relentless hard work and dedication to do the very best they can for our students and families.
For us in school the pressures since about Easter have started to reduce and, although Covid-19 hasn’t gone away, the measures regarding how we live with it have enabled many more of our normal practices and experiences to resume.
I shared many of these messages in our whole school assembly today which allowed students and staff to reflect on the year.
Progress Towards School Development Priorities
This week I am sharing with you our update on the progress we have made towards the school development plan priorities.
Speech Day Celebration Event
We were sorry that, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we were unable to hold a traditional Speech Day in December 2021.
We invited all award winners (current students) and their families to a celebration event held in school yesterday afternoon.
This gave an opportunity for students to receive their awards in front of their family, staff members and other students.
A level awards (for 2021 and 2022) and school awards for the year 2021-2022 will be presented at our new-look Speech Day which will be held in a marquee in the school grounds in September.
Congratulations to the award winners who, along with their families, have received notifications about their prizes and an invitation to the event.
Sports Day
Students and staff enjoyed the return of a full sports day yesterday and we were pleased that this could go ahead despite having to postpone due to the extreme temperatures on Monday and Tuesday.
Here are some photos from the day.
Student News
Many congratulations to Victor Topor 7C who took part at the KUGB National Karate Championship in Nottingham and came in joint third place in kumite (boys under 5ft) and got to the quarter finals in kata for Dan grades (black belt).
Well done Victor!
Rock Project
We've enjoyed being able to provide and encourage student activities once more and on Tuesday families of our participants in the Rock Project club were treated to an informal concert of the songs they have learned this term.
Well done to all the students involved and thanks to the Rock Project tutors.
We are very pleased to be continuing this club on Tuesdays in the Autumn.
PTFA Photography Competition
The PTFA are delighted to announce the winners of our popular photography competition. First place goes to Max Roberts, 7E, for his spectacular photo of the Eden Project. Max's photo will feature on the front of our academic calendar and he has also won a prize of £50.00.
Second place went to Luke Madgett 8P and third place to Patrick Dunne 10W. They won £30.00 and £20.00 respectively as well as their photos featuring in the calendar.
Our runners up for the other 9 months are: Matthew Fry 7C, Sam Bamcroft 9C, James Young 10S, Ciaran Smith 8C, Jack Chen 9N, Ollie Pentecost 6AJD, Jamie Nannelli 9C, Joe Kua 7S and Tristan de Rochefort-Roper 9N.
Congratulations to all our winners, we certainly have some very talented photographers in our midst.
Our thanks to Mrs Burdon who took on the very difficult task of judging the competition for us. The standard was very high and I didn't envy her. Thanks to everyone who entered the competition - we've loved seeing your amazing photos.
The fundraising academic calendars are available to buy now on MCAS and will be distributed at the start of next term. There are spaces to write your own plans, and include historical DHSB dates and the A and B weeks of your child's timetable - something not many of us can keep track of so it is very useful.
Please support us by purchasing the calendar if you can.
Wishing you all a lovely summer.
Mrs Kinsella, PTFA Liaison
First - Max Roberts 7E
Second - Luke Madgett 8P
Third - Patrick Dunne 10W
DHSB Community Challenge
I launched the DHSB Community Challenge back in the spring writes our School Captain, Ellis Foale.
The six week summer holiday is a great opportunity to add to any community work already completed.
The challenge aims to engage students with the community whilst aslo giving them key skills that makes them both well rounded and employable.
You can find the Google form and more information in the Head's Blog of 4 March 2022.
There will be awards in the new term for those who have completed the challenge.
Many thanks
Ellis Foale - School Captain