Durham High School End of Week Newsletter
Issue 23 – 15 March 2025
Dear Parents
As I sit down to write this week’s reflection, I feel immense pride and gratitude for our wonderful school community. This morning, we welcomed so many prospective families for our Open Morning, including many Old Girls. The sun shone beautifully, our school looked fabulous, and the energy and vibrancy were truly palpable.
Our guests were full of praise for their guides, who were not only welcoming but also articulate and knowledgeable. A huge thank you to all the girls who helped in classrooms and to our exceptional teaching and support staff for making the event such a success. Special thanks also go to Mrs Todd and Mr Macnair from Parents and Friends for being our Parent Advocates today, and to Annie and her Thomas Franks team for the delicious treats provided for our visitors. It really is the best job being Headmistress of such a delightful school, and I am incredibly proud of our entire community.
This morning, I had the pleasure of watching part of the Matilda rehearsal in the Studio, whilst touring round Open Morning. The girls are working exceptionally hard under the expert direction of Mrs Lonsdale, Mrs Lawrence-Wills, and Mrs Crinson, and I am confident it will be a fantastic production. Tickets are now on sale, and I cannot wait to watch it at the end of March. You can book them by clicking here
We are also thrilled to have published the second issue of ‘High Life’ magazine today, which you can read by clicking here.
Congratulations to our U12 Netball team, who played brilliantly in the Tyne and Wear Tournament. They triumphed in the group stage, defeating Kings Priory, Dame Allan’s B Team, and RGS, securing a place in the semifinals, where they won 7-1 against Dame Allan’s A Team. The final saw them deliver a composed and confident performance, winning 6-3 against NHSfG. Well done to the whole squad – we are so proud of you all!
A heartfelt thank you to all parents who completed the Parent Survey signposted in last week’s Newsletter. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we look forward to receiving the responses from MTM soon.
This week, we celebrated British Science Week, embracing curiosity, discovery, and the vital role of science in our daily lives. From coding to chemistry, our girls have been exploring, experimenting, and engaging with STEM in exciting ways. We are delighted to share that our Science Department has received a generous £1,500 donation from our Parents and Friends Association, enabling us to enhance our data logging equipment. This will provide even more hands-on learning opportunities, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity and support of our parents in inspiring the next generation of scientists. You can read more about our British Science Week activities below.
Our Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award students are in North Yorkshire this weekend for their Gold Navigation Training. Thank you to Mrs Gardner and Dr Alvey for guiding and preparing them, and good luck to all the girls involved! Fingers crossed for dry weather.
I look forward to seeing those of you who can join us for our Year 5 and 6 Music Concert on Wednesday. We are in for a real treat!
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Mrs Michelle Hill
Headmistress
British Science Week Competitions
MiSAC Competition for Year 9 girls
As part of British Science Week, our Year 9 pupils are taking part in the MiSAC (Microbiology In Schools Advisory Committee) Competition 2025 - A competition introduced in 1985 in the UK to enhance student interest in microbiology.
This national competition challenges girls to design an illustrated web-page report aimed at teenagers, raising awareness of human fungal diseases and the growing issue of antifungal drug resistance.
Step Into the NHS Competition – Year 8 girls
As part of British Science Week, girls in Year 8 are participating in the Step into the NHS Competition again this year, which aims to introduce girls to career opportunities in the NHS.
We wish all our girls the best of luck in these competitions and look forward to seeing their creative and scientific talents in action.
EcoStem Club Delivers Inspiring Assembly for British Science Week
On Monday, our EcoStem Club began our Science Week celebrations with an inspiring assembly on barrier reefs why they matter and how we, as a school community, can help protect them. From reducing plastic waste to supporting conservation efforts, every action counts.
A huge shoutout to the incredible Poppy and Lucy for their hard work in putting it all together. A special thank you to our wonderful readers: Poppy, Anna, Elizabeth, and Hannah, for bringing the message to life.
Miss Khan from Durham University, who is currently studying a Natural Sciences Degree, has been on a weekly placement in the Chemistry Department at The High School and has been a fantastic support to the club. Thank you also to Ms Brook, our Head of Chemistry, for her guidance and encouragement. Well done to everyone involved.
Eco- Council Assembly
The Eco-Council hosted our Senior Department assembly on Friday, with the theme ‘recycling in school and at home’. They reminded us of why recycling is important, and how we can do this in school and at home, including which coloured bins to use for certain materials. They also explained where our recycling goes. Did you know a plastic bottle can be recycled and back on the shelves again within 6 weeks?
Senior Sports Update
A big congratulations to our incredible swimmers who competed in the NDSA 2025 Championships! Your dedication and effort have truly paid off, and you should all be incredibly proud of your achievements. Well done, everyone!
We had a double win on Monday night for teams in friendly games against St Thomas More, Blaydon. Our U12B team won 7-6 and our U13/14 team won 24-13. Congratulations to all girls and to our players of the match, Antonia C (Y7) and Zarah (Y8).
It was a brilliant end to the netball season for the U12 and U15 teams in their final leagues matches against St Bede’s School, Lanchester. The U12’s won 16-1 demonstrating strength in defence and excellent passages of play through the court. The U15’s showed maturity and composure to secure a 17-10 win. Congratulations to both teams and to our players of the match Antonia and Emily.
Prep Sports Update
Fantastic swimming by our Prep girls in the NDSA 2025 Championships! Very well done to all three of you. Congratulations.
On Friday afternoon, our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils played in against Newcastle High School.
The U10A Team, won 122, with India as opposition player of the match and Isla as coaches Player of the Match.
The U10B Team, drew 2-2, with Mia as opposition player of the match and Scarlett as coaches Player of the Match.
The U11A Team, narrowly lost 6-5, with Lucy as opposition player of the match and Sofia and Caia as coaches Players of the Match.
The U11B Team, lost 11-5, with Ananya as opposition player of the match and Olivia T as coaches Player of the Match.
Congratulations to you all!
Pupil Successes
Huge congratulations to Faelene!
Well done to Faelene who over half term took part in her very first audition and we’re thrilled to share that she was successful in gaining a place as an Elmhurst Associate Young Dancer!
This prestigious programme is the trainee pathway for Birmingham Royal Ballet, and from September, Faelene will be training with their expert teaching staff in Sunderland as part of an exclusive group of young dancers.
We are very proud of you and can’t wait to see you shine! A big well done, Faelene.
Primary Maths Challenge Bonus Round - Bronze Award Winner Mariam
We are incredibly proud of Mariam in Year 6 who this week learnt that she is a Bronze Award Winner in the Bonus Round of the Primary Mathematics Challenge run by the Mathematical Association. The Bonus Round is an invite-only opportunity for those pupils who did well in the first round of the competition and is designed to extend and challenge their maths skills. Congratulations, Mariam!
Poetry success for Sobia
Well done to Sobia in Year 8, for her latest literacy achievement. Her recent piece of original creative writing is a poem entitled ‘Fractured Tranquillity’ about the emotions of war. It has been selected to be published in a Young Writers Anthology of poems titled ‘Lest we forget’. Sobia credits DHS as contributing to her achievement as it is a huge part of her support system. Well done Sobia you are a super star!
Parent Study Skills Webinar
Monday 17 March at 6.30pm
All year groups in KS3 and KS4 are going to have a 1-hour study skills session with Elevate on 17 March, with different skills taught to different year groups so that they build up their abilities as they go through school. DHS Parents will be able to attend an online seminar at 6.30pm, so you can learn some helpful tips and techniques to support your daughter for their upcoming GCSE’s or for School Examination Week at the end of May, for all other year groups.
Parents and Friends have kindly funded the sessions again this year and we are incredibly grateful for their support of the girls’ wider study skills, helping them to do well in exams and support their mental well-being by increasing their confidence in themselves.
Sample skills taught are introduction to revision for Year 7, time-management, memory techniques, and how to manage a wide range of subjects using past papers as a resource for GCSE girls.
This week’s Pupils of the Week in Pre-Prep and Prep were:
Nursery: Matilda W for always being so happy and friendly with girls in Nursery and for remembering her manners too.
Reception: Matilda M for super effort and hard work when completing written tasks.
Y1&2: Cameron for always challenging herself in all of her subjects and for being a kind and thoughtful friend.
Y3&4: Amiya for always listening carefully to feedback and for working hard to improve her work. Her positivity shines through in everything she does.
Y5: Scarlett for insightful contributions in History lessons.
Y6: Lydia for a wonderful poem entitled ‘Trapped’. She worked hard to choose descriptive and imaginative vocabulary to create a series of fabulous images
Two girls were presented with Lingotot’s Star of the Week certificates: Jessica B (6 March) and Nadia (13 March).
Bea and Caia were awarded certificates for their work with their Buddies at breaktimes. Outside of school, three girls have been busy in the swimming pool: Jessica was awarded her Floating Forest badge; Kira has gained her stage 5 award whilst Mathilde has gained her Bronze level 1 award in Rookie Lifeguarding. Well done, everyone!
Elizabethan Object Investigation
Many thanks to Mrs Almond who organised a speaker from Durham University to come and join us on Friday. We were visited by Michael Conlin, from Durham University's Libraries and Museums to enrich the Year 10 History curriculum. The girls handled real artefacts from Elizabethan and Tudor England as part of their GCSE History. They had to work as museum curators to work out what the objects were and what they may have been used for. They used the artefacts to work out what life would have been like in Tudor England and how things changed under Elizabeth I.
Mrs Slane Smashes the Dark Skies Race!
We are beyond proud of Mrs Slane, our amazing Director of Sport, who took on an incredible challenge last weekend and absolutely smashed it!
She competed in the Trail Outlaws Dark Skies Race Double at Kielder Reservoir, running a marathon on Saturday night (which also happened to be International Women’s Day) and then a 10km race on Sunday evening. Oh, and did we mention, she did it all in the dark, navigating forest trails in one of the most stunning (but tough) locations.
Her grit and determination paid off she finished 2nd female overall and 1st in her age category (F40) What an achievement!
Huge congratulations to Mrs Slane a true inspiration to all our girls She shows us what is possible with hard work and a love for sport!
Parents and Friends Association- Thank you
We’d like to extend a very big thank you to our Parents and Friends Association for their incredibly generous gift to our Pre-Prep and Prep After School Club. Their thoughtful donation of fantastic new games and equipment, has been met with so much excitement from the girls!
The girls are already making great use of these new additions, and we couldn’t be more grateful. It is gestures like these that truly make a difference, and we feel so lucky to have such a supportive community behind us.
Thank you once again for your generosity and for helping to make our After School Club even more special!
Science Sparks Wraps Up for the Term
Thursday marked the final Science Sparks session of the term, and it was a fantastic way to finish. The girls had so much fun conducting experiments, exploring new ideas, and developing their scientific knowledge.
If your daughter is in Year 6, has a passion for science, and would like to get involved in future sessions, send an email to enquiries@dhsfg.org to be notified when our next dates are released.
We look forward to welcoming more young scientist’s next term.
Netball Camps Return to Durham High School This Easter!
Netball Camps are returning to Durham High School during the Easter holidays, now open to pupils aged 8-12 years. The camp will run on Thursday, 10th April; Tuesday, 15th April; and Thursday, 24th April, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The camp is open to all girls both those who attend Durham High School and girls who attend other schools. Activities will include games, group drills, individual player development, and plenty of match play. To book a place for your daughter click here, or email NetballCoachingCamps@gmail.com for further information.
Parents and Friends Association upcoming events.
Easter Quiz
Tickets are now available for this year's Easter Quiz! Join us for this beloved family event in the Main Hall at 6pm on Friday, 28 March 25. It is open to the entire school community where no question is too challenging, and no child is too young to participate! You can purchase tickets through the following link: https://form.jotform.com/250574654243357
Come and put your Easter knowledge to the test, enjoy engaging games, and, as always, participate in a game of Bingo! We will also be selling raffle tickets during the evening for our fantastic Easter Raffle, offering prizes that range from adorable stuffed bunnies to gourmet chocolates.
If you can contribute any Easter Eggs for the raffle, we would greatly appreciate it. Please ensure that all donations are submitted to the school Reception by Friday, March 21st.
Annual School Ball – A Night to Remember! Join us on May 3rd for our Hollywood Glamour Ball! It’s the perfect opportunity to get together with friends and celebrate as a school community Don’t miss out tickets are now available! Scan the QR code below to get yours today. We can’t wait to see you there!
March Key Dates
Please check the events calendar on our website for further dates.
17 March Elevate Study Session Yr 7-11
18 March Reception, Y1 and Y2 Seven Stories Trip
18 March She can Code & Robo Queens Competition
18 March Nursery ‘Stay and Play‘ 1.30pm – 3.30pm
19 March Silver D of E First Aid Training 4pm – 6pm
19 March Year 5 & 6 Music Concert 2pm- 3.30pm
20 March Year 8 Parents’ Evening 4.30pm – 7pm
24 March Year 9 HPV Vaccination
24 March Year 7 Parents’ Evening 4.30pm – 7pm
25 March Spain Trip Parent Meeting 4.15pm – 4.45pm
27 March Sports Presentation Evening 6.30pm – 9pm
28 March Prep Swimming Gala @ Freeman’s Quay 10.00am – 12.00pm
28 March Parents and Friends Easter Quiz 6.00pm – 8.30pm
1 April Year 9 Science Durham University Trip 9.00am-12.30pm