As we come to the end of a busy and exciting Spring term, I’d like to reflect on some of the highlights we’ve shared and look ahead to what’s coming up
With Spring approaching, there is a real sense of energy across the school. Our Year 11s have completed their final mock exams with great commitment, and with the GCSEs beginning in May, we remain focused on guiding them through these last crucial weeks I was also delighted this term by the Year 10 HPQ presentations; the depth of their research and the enthusiasm they showed for their chosen topics were genuinely impressive, and I hope their hard work is reflected in their results.
The Year 10 ski trip to Sestriere was another highlight of this term. With 80 students taking part, it was wonderful to see them showing such resilience as they learned new skills or refined their technique The conditions were the best we’ve seen in years, and I’m sure the memories made on the slopes of Italy will stay with them for a long time
Another impressive feat of the Spring term is the Stringer Dance Show at Brighton Dome, the culmination of a week-long festival of dance as part of Let’sDance, which Dorothy Stringer has coordinated since 2005. Both events are key moments in our school calendar, and it’s always a privilege to see our talented dance students perform on such a prestigious stage.
As usual our talented sports teams have also given us plenty to celebrate, from table tennis and football to rugby and netball, our teams have impressed at every level, with many students now competing at county and national level For more highlights, do visit our Instagram account @dorothystringerschool, which showcases the range of talents within our school community
At the time of writing, our Spring Concerts will shortly take place, and I know they will be a fantastic celebration of our students' musical talents This year it has proved more popular than ever, with the expanding participation meaning the department have put on two nights of fabulous music to round off the term.
Looking ahead, the summer term brings work experience, the lower school production, the school film and enrichment week. As we head into the break, I’d like to thank our students, staff and families for their continued support and hard work I hope you enjoy the upcoming break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 13 April, refreshed and ready for the term ahead - especially our Year 11s as they prepare for their long-awaited GCSE examinations.
Matt Hillier
Dorothy Stringer open evening Message from Sarah Bakhtiari -
Chair of Governors
As Chair of Governors, I would like to thank colleagues on the Dorothy Stringer Governing Board for the thoughtful way they approach their role The work of governance is strategic It is about setting direction, checking impact and making sure decisions serve students well over time, while the day to day running of the school rightly sits with the Head and senior leaders.
At our recent meeting we reflected on how we operate as a Board, drawing on recent local authority training. We are looking carefully at how we structure our discussions so that time is spent where it matters most: on outcomes and long-term impact.
Admissions was a significant focus. The adjudicator has confirmed that the school’s Published Admission Number will remain at 330, with revised catchment arrangements coming into effect as planned for the 2026 intake. Governors will continue to keep this under close review
The financial position of the school is currently stable, although rising costs present challenges for the years ahead. As the three-year plan develops, the Board will examine it closely to ensure that spending remains consistent with the school’s priorities, including its commitment to inclusive provision.
Attendance and safeguarding were also discussed in depth. Early attendance data shows signs of improvement, and governors will continue to monitor progress carefully, particularly for vulnerable groups. Key policies were approved to ensure compliance and clarity.
Governors remain focused on ensuring the school continues to be ambitious and inclusive for its students, while financially secure for the future.
Sarah Bakhtiari, Chair of Governors
Yeargroup highlights - Year 11
Hello all,
With the GCSEs beginning on 7 May, I wanted to take a moment to share a few thoughts as we head into this important stretch of the school year.
We all play a part in helping Year 11 reach their potential and manage the pressures that naturally come with the exam season. As you know, Ms Dodds and I are here to support in any way we can, should your child need it. Revision is going to be very important over the next two months; building small rewards into your child’s routine can make a real difference. Something as simple as a cup of tea or a biscuit once they’ve settled into a study session can help keep motivation up - I know my mum doing this helped me a lot during my exams!
We also all have a role to play in making these final months at Stringer as good as they can be. By being respectful and polite, some of the harder stuff like the work and revision will feel more manageable. It would be wonderful for our students to look back on their time here with pride, and for us as staff to hold fond memories of the year group as they prepare to move on I have every confidence in them, and I will continue to offer guidance and encouragement wherever it’s needed
And a small reminder to the students - the effort they put in now will pay off enormously when they reach the long summer ahead. It’ll be about a month longer than what they’vebeen used to, and then they’re off to pastures new. Working hard now will be so worth it when they’ve got those holidays to enjoy.
I wish all our students the very best as they enter the exam period, and I hope you all have a restful and enjoyable Easter break.
Warm regards,
Adam Haddington
Yeargroup highlights - Year 10
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are now halfway through the first of the GCSE years and Year 10 have been exemplary in their attitude and dedication I would draw attention in particular to the excellent Peer Mentors, the activities of the Student Voice representatives, and the way that the Year group have tackled their GCSE subjects so far. I would also like to mention the HPQ students and the creative projects which they have researched and now completed. Our staff very much enjoyed seeing their work on an immensely wide range of topics.
At the time of writing, we are also looking forward to our input into the Dance Show and the Spring Concerts, along with all the success which our Year group continues to have in all their extra-curricular activities
Work Experience will take place at the end of this academic year, and we hope and expect that our students will, no doubt, receive praise from their placements for their maturity and responsibility.
Another key milestone this year will be the Year 10 exams, scheduled for the week beginning 18 June 2026. More information will be shared closer to the time, but we know our students will rise to the challenge with the support of both home and school. There will be two sets of mock exams planned for Year 11 before the main exam window opens By this time next year, Year 10 will be getting ready for their final GCSE exams, having already applied to colleges and planned their CVs for the workplace
At the end of last half term, we held another Year 10 Cake Day, a lovely chance to recognise student’s achievements At the end of term, we will be once again celebrating the attendance, achievement and conduct of our form groups.
We hope everyone has an enjoyable Easter break and look forward to Year 10 returning refreshed and ready for the final term of the year.
Mr Shilladay
Yeargroup highlights - Year 9
Dear Parents and Carers,
This term, we were pleased to welcome Jack Hayes back as part of the Dare to Dream initiative, where students explored the importance of developing positive mindsets, setting goals and recognising their own potential. His sessions encouraged them to think confidently about their futures and the steps they can take to achieve their ambitions. We also had the privilege of hearing from Martin Cosser, CEO of Charlie’s Promise, during Knife Crime Awareness Week. His powerful talk highlighted the devastating impact of knife crime and reinforced the importance of community and safety The police were also present, which gave an exciting opportunity to the students to ask any questions they had.
In addition to this, we celebrated International Women’s Day, recognising the achievements of women both locally and globally in lessons and in the wider school. Our students participated enthusiastically, fostering discussions that inspire respect and equality And if you haven’t already seen them, the three reels produced by our staff and students can be viewed on our school Instagram account @dorothystringerschool.
World Book Day was another highlight this term, with many students donning creative book-themed outfits and bringing in ‘bookish bakes’ for our fundraising bake sale. Students also joined in activities like the Teacher Treasure Hunt, which encouraged teamwork and a love for reading.
This term marks a significant milestone for Year 9 as students have now chosen their options, paving the way for their future studies. It’s hard to believe they are already over halfway through their time at Stringer! To mark this point, the Year 9 school photos have taken place, replacing their Year 7 ones. Our recent parents’ evening was a great opportunity to review students’ academic progress with their families, and we hope you found it useful to talk with staff in person.
Finally, a large number of our talented students participated in the annual Stringer Dance Show at the Brighton Dome, and the Spring Concert was so popular that it had to be staged over two evenings this year. As well as this, football, netball and swimming have had a multitude of fixtures taking place throughout this term. It is fabulous to have such a talented cohort in the Sport and Performing Arts departments!
What an exciting term it has been for Year 9, we can't wait to see what happens next!
Have a restful break one and all,
Natalka Leszniwskyj and Matt Harvey
Yeargroup highlights - Year 8
Dear Parents and Carers,
Two terms completed in Year 8, and what a whirlwind it has been since Christmas. It’s hard to believe we are already approaching the Easter break. We had such a great time celebrating World Book Day together - it was lovely to see the whole year group together in assembly along with a visiting dinosaur and a jedi among many of the costumes on display. It is so important for the year group to have these communal moments and feel a sense of belonging.
This sense of togetherness was also evident when we gathered to hear Martin Cosser’s powerful assembly about his son Charlie, who was tragically killed by a boy carrying a knife. Our students were a credit to you; they listened with maturity and commented respectfully. It was a moving experience, and I hope the message stays with them. If they ever need to report a crime or concerns about someone carrying a knife, they can do so anonymously by calling 0800 555 111
March is always a busy month for Year 8. Students have now received emails with links to submit their creative and language choices for next year – an important opportunity for them to take responsibility and make their own decisions for next year. We encourage them to make their choices based on subjects they enjoy They can always pick up any of the subjects again at GCSE in Year 10 if they wish. Also thinking of the future, they have all been set a Virtual Work Experience home learning task to get them thinking about future careers and building their CVs.
It has been lovely to see so many Year 8s auditioning for a part in our Lower School play, Emil and the Detectives, and we look forward to watching the production in the woods in July
We are also delighted to see those of our students continuing to pursue their love for sports, committing to training and representing the school in various activities, from football and rugby to cross country. A special mention goes to our netball team who have just been crowned Sussex champions - we are very proud of them!
We had an amazing celebration on St Patrick's day when 8RTM and Miss Rothman led the whole year group in an Irish céilí . A wonderful 20 minutes ensued with steps being learnt and students being twirled around the Sport's Hall. We all had some great craic - a massive thank you to Miss Rothman!
We wish you a wonderful Easter break, and hope Year 8 return refreshed and ready for the summer term.
Kind regards, Katy Poole and Neelam Parmar
Yeargroup
Dear Parents and Carers,
Year 7 have continued to make tremendous progress, and I am so proud of them. They are vibrant, enthusiastic and hardworking, and have truly embraced our school values of Creativity, Resilience and Respect. They engage readily in polite conversations and so often have a smile on their faces.
It has been a very positive and busy term for the year group, and we are delighted with the way students have settled back into school life. Over the past few weeks, they have taken part in a wide range of activities alongside their classroom learning. Highlights have included student-led charity cake sales, a well-attended school disco, and several school trips, including a recent History visit that brought their studies to life. Students have also shown great enthusiasm for extracurricular opportunities such as sports competitions, quizzes and our ever-popular Mastermind challenge. It has been wonderful to see their confidence growing as they take part and support one another.
As always, we encourage our Year 7 students to continue demonstrating the excellent organisation, respect and kindness they have shown so far this year. These positive attitudes make a real difference to our school community, and we look forward to seeing the year group continue to thrive in the months ahead.
Thank you.
Mrs De Brun and Mr Harvey
Spring Concert
This year’s Spring Concert was themed Back to the 70s, as voted for by the students involved. We were delighted to offer two evenings of music this year for the first time ever due to the huge number of students involved – you asked, we delivered! There were nearly 100 students involved and the evenings were full of impressive musicality and lively performances
The concert opened with Mr Reeve’s favourite Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pink Floyd’s iconic atmospheric track that set the powerful tone for the rest of the evening. Audience members were taken on a whirlwind tour of the decade with hits like Le Freak, Mr Blue Sky and Stairway to Heaven challenging both the Big Band and Vox Choir. Show Choir, our new audition-only choir, also wowed the audience with What I Did For Love, a song from the 1975 hit musical A Chorus Line. Alongside our large ensemble there were a number of performances that were organised and rehearsed by the students themselves A massive well done to all those who auditioned and congratulations to Oren, Polly, Dimitri, Max, Alex. Leo, Louis, Mia, Klara, Matilda, Lyra, Ben, Maiwenn, David, Phoenix, Georgia, Liv, Oli, Delilah, Emma, Gino, Felix, Ndana, Sophie and Charlotte, who all bagged one of the coveted spots. Behind the scenes, our student tech team ensured sound and lighting went smoothly – a huge thank you to our technician Josh for leading on this.
We were pleased to welcome local primary schools to watch an exclusive matinee performance of the show on Thursday – hopefully it helped to inspire the next generation of musicians to come to Stringer and join in the fun!
Looking ahead, we turn our attention to the next big musical event of the school year – the Summer Concert It is themed Greatest Hits of All Time and will be the warmup gig for our much-anticipated Music Tour to Belgium. We hope to see you there!
Re-Generation choir
Students from Stringer’s Music department were asked to take part in Brighton Festival Youth Choir’s Re-GENERATION project, an event that merges music and drama in connection with climate-change themed workshops and speakers. Lots of local schools took part and it was hosted at The Attenborough Centre on the University of Sussex campus in March
The students were set the task of creating a choral arrangement of a song from scratch, including chord progressions, melodies and lyric writing The message of the song had to raise awareness for issues surrounding climate change or the wider natural world and it was performed live at the final event Students were also treated to singing and drama workshops led by local practitioners and an environmental talk led by Dr Fiona McNae who is a specialist from Exter University. A massive thank you to all the students who took part and to Miss Parker-Hanks for organising the rehearsal sessions
The students involved were Molly, Cara, Harald, Emmet, Arlo and Marlowe from Year 7; Martha, Finley and Mia from Year 8; Lola from Year 9; and Cody, Rosie, Victor, Sophie, Charlotte and Ndana from Year 10.
World Book Day
We had a brilliant World Book Day in the library this year!
In the library, our book portrait competition had over 40 participants with three winners being chosen by our lovely Art teachers. Congratulations go to Audrey (Year 11), Leila (Year 8) and Imani (Year 8) for their outstanding portraits. A selection of these is now displayed in the library for all students and teachers to enjoy
The Teacher Treasure Hunt also received a lot of attention, with students racing against the clock to try to identify as many teachers as possible. Congratulations to Eleni in Year 11 for managing to identify 16 out of the 18 teachers.
Finally in the library, The Traitors came to Stringer! 12 books… Can you identify the 3 traitors among them and avoid murder? Or perhaps win a shield along the way? Turns out a lot of murders occurred in the library on World Book Day, but George (Year7) managed to identify the traitors and win the top prize. Well done, George!
We also held a non-uniform day and a bake sale in support of our Amaze StoryTrail Book Bench fundraiser It was fantastic to see lots of students and staff donning their book-themed outfits and supporting our bake sale at break time – thank you to everyone who supported on the day! We are delighted to share that not only did we hit our fundraising target for Amaze – but we were also the first school to do so! This is a brilliant achievement and we look forward to receiving our Book Bench in April – look out for information from the Art department who will be running a competition to design the Book Bench!
I Have a Dream poetry competition
Our students have truly risen to the occasion this year, producing an inspiring collection of poetry for the Young Writers I Have a Dream competition An impressive 28 students took part, each submitting their own original poem - an achievement that reflects their genuine love of creative expression
From this group of submissions, we are delighted to share that the work of 13 students has been selected for publication in the I Have a Dream anthology This is a significant accomplishment, and those students should feel incredibly proud of having their work recognised and shared with a wider audience
However, this success belongs to all who took part The sheer number of entries speaks volumes about the creativity within our school community, and every poem submitted contributed to this collective achievement.
We celebrate all 28 students for their hard work and courage, and we extend a special congratulations to the young poets whose work will appear in the anthology We look forward to seeing their creativity continue to flourish in the years ahead
Stringer Things writing competition
Using their own ideas from one of our prompts, students were tasked with writing a 500-word story in which strange and mysterious things happen. There were lots of excellent stories, but congratulations go to our winner, Max in Year 9! His story 'Echoes in Innocence’ really stood out for its dystopian feel and captivating writing.
Max has submitted his work to the Orwell Youth Prize competition, and we wish him the best of luck! You can read his story below.
Echoes in Innocence
I strode through the warm, lashing rain. I seemed to have lost all feeling in my fingertips. The lights of the oncoming traffic burned psychedelic; I glanced about myself with relief It had been my first time taking a lie detector test, and though I had done nothing wrong, it wasn’t what you could call a comfortable experience
I paused for a second to grab a newspaper.Touching my phone against the beady eye of the scanner, I took the folded piece of paper in my hand and watched the rain soak greedily into the dry pages. None of the stories really caught my eye: more riots in Berlin, military-grade memory loss drugs missing, cuts to dementia research It all felt very abstract, very detached; nothing to do with me. Better to just watch the ink run in smoke like rivulets across the damp paper
Across the road a scuffle broke out, shadows in the rain. I turned away.
When I got home, I slumped onto the bed and stared across the room, into the lens of my archaic Polaroid camera, trying not to think about the man who died in the hallway.The questions came back to me then, in that level, robotic voice that chipped at the back of my skull.
“Where were you on the eighth of March?” “How did you know James Fresco?” and bluntest of all, “Did you have any involvement in his death?" I had replied that I thought him a drug-addled, obnoxious man and in fact the reason for our block’s ill repute, but that I definitely hadn’t murdered him I had lain in bed that day, drifting in and out of sleep
Then the green light clicked, and the guard had come in and removed the sticky black tags and wire-meshed, fingerless gloves, and I had walked out of the warren of tiny rooms and empty corridors, and into the rain.
Snapping out of my reverie, I noticed something Asmall package lay on the floor of my tidy apartment. I didn’t remember ordering anything, so I tore it open eagerly.
Inside was a map and a key The key was analogue (a rarity these days) and the map had something written on it. On closer inspection, I saw that one of the warehouses
Stringer Things writing competition
in the sixth octant had been circled, and beside it was scrawled: Come if you want the truth about Fresco What caught my eye was the not the words but the handwriting; the slanting script was uncannily familiar.
As I walked, I thought about the lie detectors When they had first appeared, everyone became paranoid; it was, they said, a violation of their rights, an invasion of their privacy The technology was shunned
But then, slowly, that began to change. Ironically, it was the most liberal countries which adopted the tech first Perhaps the dictators feared waking up one day with their hands in the gloves… But even they had their secret services using them, and in the end, their legal systems were too
Quietly and carefully, courts were replaced with maze-like, concrete buildings that channeled the full potential of the machines; truths and lies ran shallow under the cracked tiles, an irrefutable confluence of data.
I wonder if it made us complacent?
Arriving at the building, I found a lock that fitted my key and stepped inside.A spacious, dark abyss opened before me At its centre was a small table with piles of papers on it. Mainly, they were cuttings of newspapers, photos, or letters and even in the darkness I could see notes had been scribbled frantically across them It was the familiar handwriting again. My hand writing. Looking at one, I read: Lie detectors find it difficult to pinpoint lies with amnesia patients Then I saw the centrepiece It was a Polaroid photo of Fresco’s body, splayed across our hallway; his frame was set with recognizable malaise
Some terrible revelation just beyond conscious reach, I tore into the material on the table
It was a chaotic mess: death threats from Fresco, addressed tome, reports on the mass layoffs of forensics and detectives, some articles about a new trauma medication and at the bottom…Apair of syringes.
Wait, I thought Had I
I shoved the idea away; it was inconceivable.
I picked up a syringe and read its label, and as I did the wave of nausea that had been building in my gut flooded over me.
Mental Conceptual Erasure Property of the British Military
Dizzy and tasting bile, I leaned on the cheap wooden table, ignoring the splinters that jabbed into my palm, and as I did, I noticed that the other syringe still contained fluid On it, in my handwriting, were two words: Your choice
Young Speakers Challenge
This half-term, our second cohort of Year 8 Brighton and Hove Young Speakers candidates were invited to participate in an Advocacy event at the University of Sussex Mooting Room The students got to learn what a real-life courtroom is like. The session was led by a University of Sussex Law lecturer and our students had the opportunity to discuss ideas and develop arguments with the help of the Sussex university ambassadors. The students represented the school brilliantly, articulating their arguments clearly and confidently We can’t wait to get started on the in-school heats to decide which one of our candidates will perform their own speech in the Brighton and Hove Young Speakers final.
HPQ presentations
Year 10 Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) students gave their poster presentations on Thursday 12th March after school Over the course of the last year, our HPQ students selected a question to investigate, and learnt how to research, reference and write a 2000-word academic report on a topic of their choice.
The poster presentation was an opportunity for these students to show each other and many staff members what they had been working on We had a fantastic range of topics, from abortion rights in the US to SIX the musical, from Dostoyevsky to the use of AI, and from dreams to sharks – it was fantastic to see how varied student interests are beyond the normal curriculum.
The HPQ students should be incredibly proud of themselves, and it was brilliant to see all their hard work paying off!
Roedean Oxbridge conference
We were delighted to invite eight students from Years 10 and 11 to attend an Oxbridge Conference at Roedean School on 4 March. The event brought together representatives from both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, who offered valuable guidance on applying to two of the most competitive universities in the world Students attended talks on course choices, entrance requirements, personal statements, and interview preparation, giving them an excellent insight into what makes a strong application
Oliver in Year 10 attended the conference and shared his reflections on the day: “I was lucky enough to be invited to the Oxbridge conference at Roedean School It was very helpful, as I found out about the application and interview processes. For example, I learnt that you usually need two As and an A to do a STEM degree Overall, super helpful and informative ” Our students represented the school brilliantly, and we are pleased to be able to support them in exploring the full range of post 16 and post 18 pathways available
Mastermind 2026
On Wednesday 4th February during lunchtime, we hosted our annual Dorothy Stringer Mastermind Quiz in the main hall The participants were our top 4 quizzers from our General Knowledge Quiz held in October, and their specialist subjects were:
British Monarchs from 1066 to the present day
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3
Aston Villa: the Unai Emery years 2022 – present day
Task master Seasons 1 – 5
Their knowledge was amazing and the competition fierce with the final placings as follows:
1 Dolly R, Year 11
2 Diggory W, Year 7
3 Peggy D, Year 11
4 Finn M, Year 8
Thank you to Mr Watson for organising and hosting the quiz, Ms Chrisp for assisting on the day, and to everyone who came along to support our participants
Intermediate Maths Challenge
On Wednesday 28 January all of our Newton classes across Years 9-11 took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge All students involved worked incredibly hard for this challenge and were fantastic on the day, working out problems right up to the last minute We had some amazing results, with 44 students achieving a Bronze Award, 28 achieving Silver and 12 achieving Gold. Special congratulations go to Dexter G, James W and Wynne BW who got the best results in their year groups, and to Emeric T who was our Best in School!
As well as this, we have 8 students who have qualified for the next rounds, with 2 students going onto the Grey Kangaroo and 6 onto the Pink.
The day was a great success and students left with a great feeling of accomplishment We wish the students who qualified for the following rounds the best of luck and cannot wait to see what they achieve Excellent work by all who took part in this challenge - well done everyone!
Bebras Challenge and Cyber Explorers
This year, we were delighted to once again take part in the Bebras Challenge, an international initiative designed to introduce students to the world of computational thinking. The challenge encourages problem-solving, logical reasoning, and creativity -skills that are increasingly important in today’s digital world
We are extremely proud of all the students who took part in the Bebras Challenge this year Our students approached the competition with enthusiasm and determination, and their hard work has certainly paid off An incredible 23 Year 7 students achieved the prestigious Gold award, placing Dorothy Stringer in the top 10% nationally - an outstanding accomplishment that reflects our student’s ability and dedication.
Our Year 8 students also performed brilliantly, with 10 students earning a Gold award. This continued success across year groups highlights the strength of computational thinking skills being developed throughout the school
We would like to give special recognition to our top scorers: Tobi, Alex, Jonson, Orla, George, and Arlo. A particular congratulations goes to Arlo, who achieved a perfect score of 165 - an exceptional and impressive feat
Also this year, we will be competing in the national Cyber Explorers Cup competition. Last year we entered one team and finished 86th out of 500 entries This year we have 4 teams competing and hope to better that result. We wish our teams all the best and will provide an update with the final scores in the next issue of the Stringer Press!
Women in STEM event
We are delighted to share that our students recently participated in two inspiring ‘Women in STEM’ events A group of Year 9 students visited the event hosted at Hove Park School, while our Year 10 students attended a dedicated summit at the University of Sussex.
In many STEM industries, women currently represent only 30% of the workforce. These events were specifically designed to challenge those stereotypes, celebrate the achievements of women in these fields, and encourage our female students to see Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths as exciting and viable career paths
Over the two days, students engaged in hands-on workshops that brought complex theories to life, including:
The Psychology of Pain: Understanding how our bodies and minds interact
Optical Communications: Using light to transmit information and building telephones using a torch
Diagnostic Medicine: Investigating how x-rays are used to identify illness.
Aeronautical Engineering: Designing and testing gliders
Neuroscience: Exploring the latest research into the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
Future Tech: The science and programming behind automated cars
It was wonderful to see our students so engaged with these critical subjects, and we hope it has sparked some lifelong interests.
Dare to Dream
On 23rd Feb, a group of Year 9 students, who are part of the Dare to Dream Project, made a visit to Legal and General in Hove to meet their mentors in their workplace.
After a tour of the offices, students were involved in thought-provoking and fun activities, including observing a mock interview and giving their feedback.
Students learnt how collaborative working, within a flexible environment, drives development and promotes inclusion and well-being And they had an excellent lunch!
Additionally, as part of the Dare to Dream Project, our Year 9 students were also visited in school by Jack ‘the Lad’ Hayes, who delivered inspirational assemblies focusing on self-esteem The assemblies had a huge impact on our Year 9 students, and one parent wrote in to say: ‘Jack had a profound effect on my daughter and made her see things differently about her own self esteem ’
Thank you to Jack and the Dare to Dream team for inspiring our students this term!
Sian Berry visit
Y10 Politics Society met with Sian Berry, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion this term. Sian spoke to us about the recent Green success in the Gorton and Denton by-election, Green Party actions in Parliament and more local issues such as sea sewage and youth initiatives Year 10 students had a huge amount of intellectual and well-researched questions for her!
This comment on the experience is from Y10 students Gil, Ned, Saskia and Emily:
We really enjoyed meeting Sian Berry MP because it was very helpful to meet someone with first hand experience in politics, in our local constituency and to have an idea about plans for our future Sian was very open about answering our questions, was very honest and presented answers that satisfied the queries of our members It was good to understand concepts in place and what parties are doing to help the country and to tackle different events, gaining knowledge of what the party stands for and its views and opinions
Holocaust education talk
On Wednesday 4th March, we were honoured to welcome two Next Generation speakers, Peter and his wife Moria, who visited our school to share the story of Holocaust survivor Kitty Hart-Moxon Year 10 History students listened with great respect as Peter spoke about his mother’s experiences, and together he and Moria told Kitty’s remarkable life story
During the hour-long talk, students learned about Kitty’s immense courage, resilience, and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity. They were then given the opportunity to ask questions, which were thoughtful and perceptive, about both Kitty’s personal journey and the wider historical context. The session fostered an atmosphere of empathy, reflection, and profound respect, enriching students’ knowledge of the Holocaust and its lasting impact
Kitty’s remarkable strength and resilience did not end with her survival. She devoted the rest of her life to campaigning for Holocaust education and supporting fellow survivors She played a crucial role in securing Holocaust studies within the British History curriculum and helped establish the Holocaust Educational Trust, ensuring that future generations continue to learn from this dark chapter of history
Kitty HartMoxon is an exceptional woman, and we feel privileged that our students had the opportunity to hear her story told with such compassion and authenticity
Berlin trip
Year 11 students travelled to Berlin for a memorable and educational history trip Throughout the visit, we explored several important historical sites that helped bring the history of our curriculum topics Nazi Germany and the Cold War to life
One of the most powerful experiences was visiting Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial, where we learned about the realities of the Holocaust and reflected on the impact of World War II We also visited the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, which showed how the secret policecontrolled life in East Germany
The trip also included visits to fascinating museums such as the German Resistance Memorial Centre and the interactive DDR Museum We went up the Berlin TV Tower and enjoyed incredible views across the city. Overall, the trip was both enjoyable and insightful, a great experience that helped students build a deeper understanding of Germany’s history.
Year 7 History trip
Year 7 students recently enjoyed an exciting trip to two of London’s most famous historic landmarks: Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.
During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore centuries of British history. At Westminster Abbey, they walked through the historic church where many monarchs have been crowned and learned about the important events that have taken place there over the years. The group then headed to the Tower of London, where they discovered its fascinating past as a royal palace, fortress and prison
One of the highlights of the day was seeing the world-famous Crown Jewels, which impressed many students with their incredible sparkle and historical significance Students also enjoyed watching the famous Yeoman Warders
Ella and Elena shared their thoughts about the trip:
“We really liked the trip because of the sparkling Crown Jewels and watching the Beefeater soldiers We loved being able to take pictures of so many historical things Definitely worth it and we learnt so many new facts. 10/10 would do again!”
Ski trip
Seventy students and six members of staff enjoyed an unforgettable week on this year’s school ski trip to Sestriere in Italy. Blessed with excellent snow conditions throughout the week, students had a fantastic opportunity to make the most of the slopes and develop their skiing skills
Over five days of lessons with experienced instructors, students worked hard to build confidence, learn new techniques and challenge themselves on a variety of runs. From beginners finding their feet to more experienced skiers honing their technique, everyone made fantastic progress
The trip was not only a great chance to improve technique on the slopes, but also an opportunity for students to spend time together, support one another and create lasting memories.
A wonderful week was had by all, and we are already looking forward to organising another fantastic ski trip next year!
Tate Modern trip
Our Year 10 Fine Art students enjoyed a cultural trip to the Tate Modern this term. They spent the day drawing and recording from the diverse genres of art, sculpture and installations of the permanent collection. Spring-like weather allowed an alfresco lunch with a view of the Thames.
Year 10 Design trip
Our Year 10 Design and Technology students recently visited Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, taking part in a trip designed to deepen their understanding of contemporary design and introduce some of the many education and career pathways within the field
During their visit, students explored the museum’s permanent displays, which include a range of 20th century design pieces The collection includes furniture, furnishings, and everyday products from across the last century, giving students a broad view of how design ideas have developed and changed over time.
As part of the trip, students took part in school-led activities inside the exhibition space These tasks were designed to support their Design and Technology coursework, particularly their current lighting design project. By studying real examples of historical and modern design firsthand, students were able to gather inspiration and develop ideas for their own work
The visit provided a valuable opportunity for students to see different design styles in context and understand their influence on modern design today. Overall, it proved both inspiring and practical, helping students link their classroom learning with real-world examples of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation
Barbican Centre trip
Our Year 10 students enjoyed an inspiring visit to the iconic Brutalist landmark, London’s Barbican Centre Art Gallery, where they explored the Dirty Looks exhibition
The exhibition offered a valuable opportunity for students to see the work of renowned designers they have been studying in class It encouraged them to reflect on how natural processes and decay have influenced design for centuries, while also prompting thoughtful discussion about the darker side of the fashion industry and its environmental impact
Everyone had a fantastic day, and the experience has already begun to influence and elevate their own creative work back in the classroom
Year 9 ceramics
This term Year 9 art students have been studying the work of British sculptor Nichola Theakston. After researching their chosen animal, the students made drawing studies in pencil, oil pastels and watercolour They then created ceramic animal eyes to practise their clay skills before embarking on the final clay heads which were fired then glazed. We are very impressed with the results!
RA Young Artists’ Summer Show submissions
The art department has received lots of wonderful entries for this year’s Young Artists’ Summer show for the Royal Academy of Arts in London We are very impressed and proud of all the students who submitted a piece of art and want to congratulate everyone who has been involved. We have received a wide variety of imaginative pieces of art from painting, illustration, photography, sculpture, collage, and graphic design.
The exhibition will open on the 14th of July until the 30th of August both online and in person at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. We now wait to hear if any of our students have been selected. In the meantime, take a look at some of the impressive entries we received below
Art club
Our enthusiastic Art Club are busy preparing costumes and structures for the upcoming Children's Parade in May! The Children’s Parade kicks off the Brighton Festival and is one of the most spectacular events of the year on the streets of Brighton. This year’s theme is 'Read all about it' and the power of myths and stories
Our creation will depict Chanctonbury Ring and the legends surrounding it. We can't wait to see the finished result and hope to see lots of our school community at the parade!
Environmental news
We began this term at Stringer by welcoming the Sussex WildlifeTrust’s flock of sheep to our Butterfly Haven These sheep play an important role in clearing excess vegetation and grazing back the grass so that wildflowers can flourish. It’s always a pleasure to see them grazing in the Butterfly Haven as we come and go from school, and we hope to welcome them back again next year.
This term our Groundforce group have also been busy planting primroses along the top of the bank by theATP, with the hope that they will gradually spread down the bank over the coming years.
Meanwhile, spring bulbs have created a beautiful display throughout our woodland.Thanks to a grant from South Downs National Park, all ourYear 7 students were able to plant a range of native bulbs as part of their Environmental Science lessons.Alongside the flowers, spring has also brought plenty of frogs to our newly cleared pond
We also held more of our volunteer days this term Thank you to everyone who joined us to spend two days coppicing a section of hedge around the Butterfly Haven.This work will encourage new young shoots to grow, which are important for butterflies such as the Brown Hairstreak, a species that has established a colony on our site.
It has been wonderful to see the continued participation and development of students at Stringer across PE and Dance The department prides itself on giving opportunities to all students across a variety of sports and we love the commitment students show to the school This term, we have celebrated success in national, county and city competitions, alongside social fixtures that give even more students the chance to represent Stringer As we look ahead to the Summer term, finals will take place and new sports will be on offer for students to try We look forward to seeing such impressive levels of participation continue into the warmer months
Netball
The U12 netball team continue their pre-Christmas form and remain unbeaten With seven impressive league wins and a remarkable goal difference, their dedication to teamwork and skill development has truly paid off TheYear 7 team have continued to impress and over the course of the season have won all of their games, scoring 140 goals and conceding only 17 in their league games The highlight of this term has been the District Schools Netball tournament, where ourA team clinched first place after winning all the games they played, while the B team secured a commendable third after being knocked out in the semi-finals to the StringerAteam.The B team deserve a special mention, considering the tournament was a first game of netball for lots of them!TheAteam progress to the Sussex State Schools Cup final inApril where they will represent Brighton and Hove.
The U13 Netball team have continued to show impressive skills, strength and determination this term. The term started with the quarter finals in the Sisters in Sport Cup againstThe Fitzwimarc School, Essex The girls worked consistently hard, but the opposition were tough and defensive, resulting in a loss of 23-16 but they did extremely well to get to the last 8 in the South In the Sussex Cup, they had a quarter final win against Brighton College 24-14, and a semi-final victory 33-15 against Roedean School, which meant a place in the Sussex Cup Final against Hurstpierpoint College The girls put in an outstanding performance, holding the lead and winning 29-27 to become the U13 Sussex Cup Champions for 2026
‘On Wednesday 11 March we played Hurst in the Sussex Cup Final The game was very intense and physical It was 40 minutes in total, 10-minute quarters with short breaks in between It was a close game It was fast-paced with loads of running but it was fun In the first quarter we were tied 7-7, but the final score was 29-27 to us We won!’
By Grace F, Grace E,Amelia D,Aoife G
The girls team have also been dominant in the Brighton Schools League, winning all their games and then winning the Year 8 District Schools NetballTournament, meaning they progress into the Sussex State Schools final inApril It has also been great to see the Year 8 Netball B team developing, playing a couple of friendly games against Hove Park and Blatchington Mill and we look forward to them continuing to develop next year Congratulations to all the U13 girls - they should feel incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!
The U15 Netball team has faced a mix of results this term, with one win, one draw, and three losses over the course of the season While these outcomes may seem challenging, they highlight the resilience and determination of our students Their third-place finish in the district tournament demonstrates solid performance and a commitment to learning from every experience In training, the team has been focusing on various skills, including umpiring, which not only enhances their understanding of the game but also prepares them for future responsibilities They have demonstrated our core values brilliantly, by umpiring recent primary school events We can't wait to see what the last year of Stringer Netball will have in store for them in September.
The U16 girls have consistently shown up for training every week in large numbers and it has been a real pleasure to coach them throughout their time at Stringer, they finished their netball journey by coming 2nd in the final tournament of the season Their last game to represent Stringer in netball will be against the Stringer school staff next week, this is an annual event and sees the staff looking to retain their title from last year Can the girls spoil the staff party?
Football
What an incredible term it has been for girls’football! We have had around 30 girls attending training each week, and it has been fantastic to see both participation and enthusiasm continue to grow.The standard of play has improved week by week, which is a real credit to the players’hard work and commitment.
Unfortunately, a number of fixtures were cancelled due to circumstances at other schools However, despite this disruption, our U12 Girls team has achieved an excellent result by reaching the semi-finals of the BHDSFAShield competition The team also played ShorehamAcademy in the County Cup Shield competition and progressed through to the quarter finals after a 5-1 victory
The U13 Girls competed well throughout the year and showed great character in their games, with a few of them stepping up a year group and playing for the U14s too Unfortunately, they were unable to make it through to the Brighton District Shield, finishing 9th in the table and missing out by one place They played out a competitive game against the Stringer U14s, losing 8-4 and showing great determination They are due to play Hove Park in the County Shield competition in the next round
The U14 Girls have had an exciting 2025-26 season, doing well in all three competitions – the ESFANational Cup, County Cup and Brighton League After beating Glenmoor and WintonAcademies in the last 32, they travelled to Weydon School in Fareham to play the last 16 game Aterrific and cagey affair saw Stringer and Weydon tied 1-1 at halftime However, Stringer ended up losing 3-1 and bowed out of the competition with their heads held high in a game that shows how competitive girls football is across the country In the County Cup, the U14 Girls beat Oathall 4-2 just after Christmas to book their place in the quarter final They showed their class again, beating ShorehamAcademy 8-0 to set up a showdown with Blatchington Mill in the semifinals, which will be played after the Easter holidays In the Brighton League, Stringer finished third in the league, qualifying them for the Brighton District Cup, where they are due to play King’s School in the semifinals Good luck in both semifinals!
Stringer’s U16 Girls progressed into the last 16 of the County Cup, showcasing their strength against Willingdon Community School and coming out 3-0 winners Unfortunately, the quarter finals would be their last County Cup game, as Oriel High proved worthy winners. In the Brighton Cup, Stringer faced Longhill to fight for a place in the semifinals.The girls played brilliantly and won to set up a tie against Blatchington Mill.There, they faced a team who had made it to the last 16 of the National Cup and proved too strong for the Stringer Girls. It has been amazing to see the progression of the Girls over their time at Stringer and we wish them well for their footballing in college.
After the Easter holidays, training will continue as usual. We are also in the process of organising a tournament to ensure that new players, as well as those who missed out due to cancelled matches, have more opportunities to play Looking ahead, next year is very promising, with plans to enter more teams into girls’leagues, particularly for next year's U13 team
The last week of the Spring term the school joins in celebrating girls’football as part of the city-wide Shine a Light on Girls’ Football month and the FA’s ‘Made forThis Game’campaign We are hosting a girls-only astro break time and inter-house competition the week beginning 23rd March
Thank you to all the girls for your dedication and effort this term Your enthusiasm and support for one another have been outstanding - keep up the fantastic work!
The U12 Boys have continued to show their enthusiasm for football and training, with over 90 students attending football training and battling for their places across both theAand B teams, as well as fixtures for the socials, giving opportunities to cater for all of our boys TheAteam battled hard in the Brighton League to earn themselves a spot in the Brighton Cup, by finishing fourth in the Brighton League They now face tough opposition in Cardinal Newman to earn a place in the final In the County Shield, theAteam showed how much they had progressed and come together as a team by beating Warden Park and making it to the quarter finals, where they faceAngmering School in the last 16 The B team have shown great enthusiasm over the year Their commitment to each other and their own improvement culminated in a fantastic victory over Patcham Bs We look forward to seeing how the boys develop over their years at Stringer
U13 Boys club has continued to be well attended this term We managed to run an intra-squad game which involved many of the regular attendees TheAteam have shown some good progress in performances this term with some positive results Following the ‘Champions League’style format they finished 6th in the league, qualifying for the Shield knockout which will be played after Easter For the B team, they competed well in the Brighton League and had a great game against theAteam, with over 40 students representing the school
The U14 Boys football has seen over 35 boys represent both theAand B teams across the year and have gained competitive experiences across numerous games.TheAteam have reached the Brighton Cup after finishing third in the League, where they face Blatchington Mill. In the County Shield, theAteam beat Forest School 5-2 to book their place in the quarter finals and are waiting to find out if they will play Bognor Regis or Claremont school.The B team had great games against Newman B, Longhill, Patcham and Blatchington Mill Bs, developing well as a team and showing individual improvements
The U15s continued their good form after Xmas, putting in some great team performances We progressed to the semifinals of the County Cup following a 1-1 draw vs Uckfield despite going 1-0 down and going down to 10 players An epic penalty shootout followed with us eventually winning after nearly 50 penalties taken We playedArdingly next and after an excellent team performance were unfortunately beaten 1-0 The team finished 3rd in the Brighton Schools League, qualifying for the Cup knockout in the next couple of weeks
Basketball
Basketball at Dorothy Stringer has been full of energy and commitment this term, with teams training hard and showing real progress on the court TheYear 7 andYear 9 squads are especially focused as they prepare for an exciting playoff match against Newman, aiming to secure their place in the finals Looking ahead, both the girls’and boys’teams are eager for the Easter break to pass so they can return to a busy schedule packed with fixtures and more opportunities to compete and improve
Boys’Rugby Union
The U12 Boys continued to make progress this term and welcomed many new faces to the squad They continued their County Cup campaign with an away fixture to Cardinal Newman, a tight game resulting in a 30-30 draw Although this meant they finished bottom of their pool, they progressed to Finals Day at Brighton Rugby Club to play Bexhill Adominant display from the team saw them run in 12 tries, with newcomer to the team, Jacob S scoring a hat trick The boys also took part in the annual Snell Cup at Brighton College, a Rugby 7s tournament and a much faster version of the game. Again, the boys were competitive, putting in some strong performances with victories against Warden Park and Seaford Head seeing them finish 3rd in their pool and qualify for the Vase competition.Adefeat in the Vase semi-final against Brighton College saw the boys eliminated but I am extremely proud of the progress this group have made this year and am excited to see what they can achieve next year.
The U13 Boys continued their unbeaten start to the season after Christmas with a County Cup Quarter Final against Cardinal Newman Atightly fought contest saw the scoreline see saw throughout the game, but the Stringer boys dug deep and ended up 35-25 winners They progressed to the semi-finals and came up against a very strongAngmering School team Although Enzo scored early on to put us 5-0 up, the game ended in defeat, and we bowed out of the County Cup for this year The KUDU Cup, hosted by Brighton Rugby Club marks the end of the season for the U13 Boys 7 local secondary schools took part, the boys finished the pool stages unbeaten, winning 6 from 6, this left a final against Downlands to see who would be crowned KUDU Cup Champions Under the lights on a Friday night and with plenty of spectators watching, the boys finished the season in style, winning the final 15-0 and being crowned KUDU Cup Champions for the first time Another terrific season
The U14 Boys are having another highly successful year The NewYear saw them progress to the State School County Cup Final after beating Cardinal Newman and Sackville It was a tough final and the boys had to dig deep and overcome a late fight back from ShorehamAcademy; however, they finished eventual winners 29-24, their 3rd County Cup title in 3 years They also made terrific progress in the Open County Cup, where a hard-fought semi-final away at Brighton College loomed Agame that was in the balance throughout with the lead changing hands 4 times unfortunately ended in a 24-19 defeat The whole squad should be incredibly proud of their efforts This year, the team entered the County 7sTournament hosted by Christ’s Hospital Asingle defeat in the group stages to Seaford College saw the Dorothy Stringer boys qualify for the plate final against Varndean where they were victorious and crowned Plate Champions Well done to all involved!
We wish both the U13 and the U14 Boys teams the best of luck this week as they take part in the Howden Rosslyn Park National Schools 7sTournament This is the largest rugby tournament in the world and a fantastic event to be a part of
Girls’Rugby
This winter has been a particularly soggy one, but despite the rain each week, the girls have shown great commitment by continuing to train.They have worked hard on developing their handling skills and understanding of rucks, while also building confidence in their tackling.
The girls attended a county-wide tournament at Oscar Romero, where many teams came together to compete.This gave the girls an excellent opportunity to apply their rucking skills in a competitive environment and further develop their tackling confidence They had a fantastic time and described the tournament as “vibing”!Thank you to Oscar Romero for hosting such a great day OnTuesday 17th March, Stringer then hosted Patcham, where the improvement in the girls’abilities was clear to see There was some excellent rucking, supportive team play, and so many tries that Ms Prince lost count! Well done on a Stringer victory
For any girls interested in playing more rugby outside of school, Hove Rugby Football Club offers a fantastic female programme It’s a welcoming club right around the corner that encourages and develops players of all abilities
Rugby League
After their success at the London & SoutheastTournament, the U14 Boys progressed to the Southeast Final and faced Kingsdale School at Chiswick Rugby Club Atough game from the start, with strong carries and big tackles from both sides but the Stringer boys found their rhythm playing some excellent rugby league A36-16 victory saw them qualify again for the Champions Cup National last 16 After last year's disappointment at being eliminated at this stage, the boys were keen to do well!Ahome tie saw them face Standish School from Wigan.An incredible display from the boys saw us WIN 28-18 and progress to the quarter finals, where we will face last year's opposition but this time, at home!
Table Tennis
The U13 Girls (Saskia, Leila and Claudia), the U16 Girls (Sienna, Olive and Makia) and the U16 Boys (Ryan, Daniel, Finley and Hamza) all progressed to the Regional Finals in the NewYear.The standard of competition at these events is extremely high but a place at the National Finals in Wolverhampton is up for grabs for the tournament winners After a full day of competition and some excellent table tennis, I'm delighted to say that all 3 teams have progressed to the National Finals This is an incredible achievement and the first time that Dorothy Stringer will have 3 teams there Congratulations to all that took part and we wish you good luck for the finals at the end ofApril COME ON STRINGER!
Swimming
The NewYear sees the Dorothy Stringer Swim team continue to compete in rounds 3 and round 4 of the Swimming Super League It's been great to see so many different swimmers take part in this year's galas and competition for places is proving extremely high After 4 rounds of competition, the team qualified for the C League Final at the K2 in Crawley The students were fantastic on the day, plenty of gold, silver and bronze medals were won and this resulted in the Dorothy Stringer team finishing second overall in the C League Final, a terrific result for all involved Aspecial mention to Murray D, who won all his individual races on the day bringing in 3 gold medals! He has been a tremendous competitor over his 5 years representing the team at Stringer
Athletics
The Dorothy Stringer Cross Country teams continued to compete strongly at the Brighton Schools and Sussex Schools Cross Country competitions There were impressive runs from many of our students at the Brighton Schools,Ada G took 1st place in theYear 7 girls, Felix D took 2nd place in theYear 10/11 boys andAmelia D finished 5th in theYear 8/9 girls At the Sussex Schools our Junior Girls team of Stella G,Amelia D,Amelie B, Florence R and Lyra J took Junior GirlsTeam gold in a superb run Some incredible cross-country performances this year from our Dorothy Stringer students, we are looking forward to seeing them compete again in the summer term at the track and field athletics events We wish ourYear 7 Girls,Year 8 Girls andYear 8 Boys teams all the best as they compete in the Sussex Schools Indoor Athletics finals after Easter Good luck to all who are selected for the teams!
Sports Captains
Sports Captains have continued to develop their skills, completing a Netball officiating session and then using this to successfully umpire at local primary school competitions. More to come for them in the SummerTerm.
Dance Show 2026
The Dorothy Stringer Dance Show made a triumphant return to the Brighton Dome on Saturday 21 March, showcasing the talents of more than 200 students
The programme featured a vibrant mix of performances, including routines from extracurricular dance clubs, choreography developed in lessons, and original pieces created as part of GCSE coursework Together, these works highlighted an impressive range of styles and celebrated the skill, creativity, and effort of our students who have demonstrated an incredible commitment to Dance over the past year.
Having the opportunity to perform in such a prestigious Brighton venue is a real privilege and gave our students valuable experience of dancing on a professional stage.Huge thanks go to the Dorothy Stringer Dance department and PE staff, as well as the team at Brighton Dome, for their hard work behind the scenes We are also incredibly proud of our students, whose preparation and commitment ensured the show ran smoothly. Families and friends in the Stringer community also provided welcome support on the night – thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a special night!
Let’s Dance 2026
We were thrilled to return to the Brighton Dome this month to host a spectacular week-long celebration of dance – Let's Dance
Running from 16–20 March, the festival welcomed more than 2,000 young performers aged 5–18 from over 70 local schools, colleges and dance groups – making it the largest festival of school dance in the UK.Throughout the week, the Dome stage came alive with a huge variety of performances, showcasing the talent, creativity and enthusiasm of young dancers from across the community
The event also provided valuable opportunities behind the scenes. Students from Varndean College played an important role backstage, supporting the production team with stage management and gaining first-hand experience of what it takes to run a large-scale live performance
It was fantastic to see so many young people, from beginners to experienced dancers, performing with such confidence and energy, cheered on by a wonderfully supportive audience Let’s Dance is a true celebration of dance and community, and we are already excited to see it return next year.
Feedback:
My wife and I went to the Let’s Dance show last night to support our granddaughters I must admit I was approaching this event thinking I would be bored once they finished on stage How wrong was I
The sheer joy, love and support from all the organisers, teachers and most especially the boys and girls who participated made this a wonderful emotional evening We sat behind a group from your school who shouted, screamed and clapped everyone, they were generous in their support for everyone This was also reflected in parents and carers who supported every group
Thank you for a wonderful evening.
Student news
Congratulations to Klara who delivered an outstanding performance at the EnglandAthletics National Indoor Championships in Sheffield in February, achieving remarkable success in both the long jump and triple jump in the U15 girls’ category.
Simply qualifying for the championships in both events was a significant achievement, as the competition brings together the best young athletes from across the country. Klara began the weekend in impressive fashion in the long jump on Saturday, recording a new personal best of 5.17m. The jump secured her an excellent sixth-place finish in a highly competitive field.
She then went on to produce a superb performance in the triple jump, where she claimed the gold medal with a jump of 10.90m. The result crowned Klara as the current U15 national indoor champion in the event and, at present, places her as the topranked U15 triple jumper in the UK. Well done Klara!
Alex,Year 8, has been selected to represent East Sussex at the next World Scout Jamboree, a prestigious international event that brings together young people from across the globe.
She is one of just 36 Scouts from the entire county to be chosen for the opportunity. In July andAugust 2027,Alex will travel to Poland with her contingent to take part in the Jamboree, where she will join around 30,000 Scouts from countries all over the world for a unique programme of cultural exchange, adventure activities and international friendship.
In the lead-up to the event,Alex will take part in a series of training camps, activity days and team-building experiences. She will also be involved in fundraising efforts to help support the cost of the trip.
Good luckAlex, we hope it’s an unforgettable experience!
Well done toAbbi, who has once again enjoyed great success in her darts competitions. She reached the semi-final of the Girls’Scottish Open, where she narrowly lost to the eventual winner Following her strong performances,Abbi is now ranked 24th in the world in the girls’rankings.
Congratulations to River, who recently won a Grade 3 Regional Girls’Under-14 tournament at Wilton Tennis Club in Wimbledon. River delivered some fantastic performances throughout the tournament and in the final she showed great determination in a closely fought match, finishing 7–6, 0–6, 7–10. River has also developed a reputation as a real “comeback queen”, often turning matches around with her resilience and determination on court.
In addition to this, River also recently won two U18 Girls tournaments in Croydon and Harrow
In recognition of her talent and potential, River has also secured funding for a place on a trip to the Nadal Academy in Spain this October – an exciting opportunity to train at one of the world’s most prestigious tennis academies. Best of luck, River!
Huge congratulations to Ray,Year 8, who had an incredibly successful day at his swim club presentation, being presented with 8 gold medals and 7 trophies, including the Club Championship cup! In addition to his swim club, Ray has been representing Dorothy Stringer at swim meets this year and we are very proud of his commitment.
Fox, inYear 8, has enjoyed an exciting season after being selected for Basketball England’s prestigious Aspire Programme, the first stage of the national England Talent Pathway
At the end of last summer, he was nominated for the programme by his club, Sussex Storm. Following three days of competitive trials in early autumn, he was selected as one of just over 30 Under-13 boys from across Sussex, Kent and Surrey to join the programme, which involved taking part in a series of development camps, designed to support and develop some of the most promising young basketball players in the region.
The programme concluded with the Super South Inter Regional Tournament, held at the Essex SportArena. Fox was selected for the South East Under-13 Boys 1 team, competing with top young players from across the South and East of England. The team had an outstanding tournament, finishing top of their group, winning their semi-final and going on to secure victory in the final to become tournament champions. Congratulations, Fox!
Headteacher’s Special Award
We were recently contacted by multiple members of the public who wanted to commend three of our students who had helped a lady experiencing a medical emergency in the city centre. Despite having little identifying information to go on, we conducted our own investigation to discover the identity of our undercover heroes, and were pleased to be able to award Ben, Daniel andAyham with a Headteacher’s SpecialAward.
Our students not only rang for an ambulance but also supported members of the public as the situation unfolded.The sister of the lady who collapsed said: ‘we were just wanting to send a message of thanks to those boys - they helped save her life’.
We are so proud of these students for stepping in to help and for embodying our school value of respect in our local community. Well done, boys.
Positive feedback
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send us feedback and kind words this term; it is always appreciated. We've been really delighted to receive some lovely feedback from parents and carers recently, so we thought we'd share some of the comments with you.
If you would like to leave us any feedback please email office@dorothy-stringer.co.uk
I wanted to say how wonderful it was to meet my son’s teachers yesterday. What an amazing bunch of people – supportive, dedicated, engaging, enthusiastic. I was genuinely bowled over by the quality of every teacher and the helpful feedback they gave about his progress and areas of strength and things to improve My son really likes all of his teachers and is very happy at school. Thanks for everything you and your team do to, working so hard to make it such a fantastic school.
My daughter loves all her lessons and extra-curricular dance, and she has made a lovely group of friends who she sits with every lunchtime. Coming from out of town where she didn’t know anyone, she’s made such a positive start.
We wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for inspiring my son in Triple Science - he often talks about what an excellent teacher you are, how much he learns, and how much he appreciates your teaching methods. My son is very motivated to do well and that is in no small part down to you and your encouragement, he has been very lucky to have you
Thanks for all your school community’s hard work – my daughter loves DS. Thanks for making it so special.
Key dates
Upcoming key dates - Summer Term
Easter holidays
Year 8 Parents’ evening
Photography competition deadline
Children’s parade
Bank holiday
GCSE exams begin
Year 11 Leavers assembly
Year 11 prom
Summer concert
Sports day
Year 10 work experience
Enrichment week
Last day of term (school closes 12.30pm)
30 March - 10 April
Thursday 23 April
Friday 1 May
Saturday 2 May
Monday 4 May
Friday 8 May
Friday 19 June
Wednesday 1 July
Thursday 2 July
Monday 6 July
Monday 6 July - Friday 10 July
Tuesday 7 July - Friday 10 July
Friday 17 July
Social media photos
Share Your News
We are always interested in hearing about our students’ achievements outside of school as well, and would love to celebrate them in our termly news and on social accounts. Please share them with us by emailing communications@dorothy-stringer.co.uk.
Weekly News Updates
Remember to keep an eye out for our weekly news update from the Headteacher in your email inbox! It can also be viewed by logging onto the SLG, where you will find it under ‘Newsletter’.
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