Durham High School
End of Week Newsletter
Issue 21 – 22 February 2025
Dear Parents
We have finally made it to Half Term, and what a fantastic one it has been! In 27 years of teaching, I don’t think I have ever encountered a seven-week Spring 1 half term, and I know that both our staff and girls are certainly ready for a well-earned break. However, as always at the High School, the pace has not slowed, and this final week has been as busy and rewarding as ever.
Monday saw our Year 9 girls and their parents attend the GCSE Options Evening. It was a pleasure to hear about their academic successes so far and to discuss their aspirations for the future. It’s an exciting time for them as they take the next steps in shaping their educational journey.
A huge thank you to all the parents and grandparents who have visited school this week to support fixtures, as well as our Music and Drama concerts. Your presence means so much, and we truly appreciate you making time in your busy schedules to be with us.
On Wednesday, our Year 1 to Year 4 girls treated us to a spectacular Music Concert. From ensemble pieces to solo performances, every single girl shone on stage, making their families and teachers immensely proud. We enjoyed a wonderful variety of instruments, including drums, piano, voice, viola, violins, and recorders what a talented group of musicians we have! A special mention to Mrs Crinson for her first concert as Joint Head of Music it was a triumph! Our thanks also go to our dedicated peripatetic music teachers, who nurture the musical talents of our girls so brilliantly.
Thursday evening brought another highlight: our Lamda showcase and a preview of our performance for the upcoming Shakespeare Festival at the Gala Theatre in March. Both elements of the evening were an absolute joy to watch, filled with confidence, creativity, and passion. We also bid a fond farewell to Mrs Meki, our wonderful Lamda teacher, as she relocates further south. She has been a fantastic member of staff and will be greatly missed. We are now looking to recruit a new Lamda teacher for September if you know someone who may be interested, please do encourage them to get in touch. Best of luck to all our girls taking their Lamda Grade exams next weekend!
Another highlight this week was meeting with our final Excellence Book nominees of the half term. Monday saw me congratulating our English Speaking Union girls for their outstanding Shakespeare Monologues in the first round of the English Speaking Union
Performing Shakespeare Competition. Well done to Zoe, Sobia, Kate, Charlotte, Izzy, and Julia for their exceptional performances, and special congratulations to Izzy and Zoe, who will compete in the next round in Leeds after half term we are sure they will do brilliantly! On Friday, I had the pleasure of recognising Eme for her superb Art Articulation entry and Jenny for her beautifully calligraphed translation of a song into Mandarin. Both demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication very well done to you all!
Looking ahead, we have plenty to be excited about after the break. National Careers Week will be a key focus, with our Careers Fair taking place on 7th March. Girls from Year 5 to Upper Sixth will have the opportunity to engage with representatives from a wide range of job sectors, exploring future career pathways. We warmly invite parents to join us with their daughters from 4pm to 5pm.
World Book Day celebrations will also be in full swing across the school, with special activities planned in Prep and Pre-Prep, as well as a creative classroom door decorating competition in the Senior Department, where each door will be transformed into a book cover something I know the girls will thoroughly enjoy!
As we step into the half-term break, may I wish you all a wonderful time with your families. I have put in a request for sunshine we can only hope!
Best wishes
Mrs Michelle Hill
Headmistress
Uniform updates
Thank you for your ongoing support with uniform, ensuring your daughter maintains the high standards we expect.
As a reminder:
❖ Make up of any kind is not permitted in Prep and KS3 and in KS4, it should be very discreet.
❖ False nails and false eye lashes are not permitted.
❖ Skirts should be just above the knee. Please contact the school shop to place an order if your daughter’s skirt is shorter than the required length.
❖ Coats and school bags in Senior Department should be plain black and without logos.
❖ Please ensure all items of uniform and PE kit are named
❖ PE leggings and hoodies should be the DHS branded ones purchased through the school shop only.
❖ Water bottles should be clear and no bigger than 1 litre.
Pre-Prep and Prep –
Planetarium Experience
What an incredible way to start the week! On Monday morning, Pre-Prep and Prep girls embarked on a
fascinating journey through space, exploring the wonders of the planets and the skies above. The arrival of a mobile planetarium provided an immersive experience, allowing pupils from Nursery to Year 6 to step inside and discover the mysteries of the universe. A huge thank you to Durham University for providing this fantastic opportunity
Newcastle University Careers Talk – Faculty of Medicine Sciences
As part of our Careers Programme, girls in the Senior Department had the valuable opportunity to attend a careers talk delivered by Newcastle University, focusing on the admissions process for the Faculty of Medicine. The session provided insightful guidance on different interview techniques applicants may encounter, including Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) consisting of multiple seven-minute interview rounds as well as more traditional panel-style interviews.
In addition to interview techniques, the talk also offered expert advice on crafting a compelling personal statement, answering application questions effectively, and providing strong examples to demonstrate key skills and experiences.
Pupils of the Week in Pre-Prep and Prep
Nursery: Verity for always being enthusiastic, polite and extremely kind to her friends.
Reception: Amelia for her enthusiasm and super number work, especially in doubling.
Year 1 and 2: Kira for challenging herself in her independent work and for always being thoughtful towards her classmates.
Year 3 and Year 4: Eden for being a wonderful historian when learning about the Romans. She has been so insightful!
Year 5: Zaria for amazing teamwork, dedication and creativity during Robo Queens sessions.
Year 6: Sama for her helpfulness in the classroom and for a super attitude towards her work.
Nancy was this week’s Lingotot’s Star of the Week.
We had lots of different achievements to celebrate this week in our Celebration Assembly.
Emma (basketball), Ella (football) and Sofia (netball) were all presented with their awards for sporting success outside of school. Nancy’s achievement in singing and Faelene’s dancing success were also celebrated.
Well, done, everyone!
Boosting Study Skills with Elevate Education– March 17
We’re excited to share that once again on March 17, we are working with Elevate Education, where all KS3 and KS4 girls will take part in a one-hour Study Skills session, tailored to their year group. These sessions are designed to build essential skills gradually, helping girls develop strong study habits as they move through school.
Parents are invited to a special webinar at 6:30 pm, providing insights into what your daughters have explored, and helping you to support revision and exam preparation for Exam Week in May. Topics include: Year 7 – Introduction to revision
Time management & memory techniques
Using past papers effectively (for GCSE students)
A huge thank you to Parents and Friends who have once again kindly agreed to fund these sessions. Their continued support ensures our girls develop study strategies that not only help them perform well in exams but also boost their confidence and well-being. We’re looking forward to an inspiring and productive day.
Pre-Prep and Prep Sport Update
On Tuesday, both the U10 A and B teams played against Dame Allan's Schools, with the girls showcasing excellent skill and teamwork during their netball matches. The A team won 9-5, with Zaria named Opposition Player of the Match and Isla awarded Coaches' Player of the Match.
The U11 B team was defeated 3-1, with Olivia T and Shaan both earning Coaches' Player of the Match awards. Well done to all the girls for their efforts!
The B team secured a 3-2 victory, with Charlotte earning Opposition Player of the Match and Mia receiving Coaches' Player of the Match. Well done, girls!
On Wednesday, the U11 A and B teams also faced Dame Allan’s. The U11 A team lost 4-5, with Lucy named Opposition Player of the Match and Sofia receiving Coaches' Player of the Match.
On Friday, the Prep girls participated in a friendly fixture against Durham School, providing plenty of opportunities for match play in mixed teams. Well done to all the girls for embracing the chance to play in different combinations and for braving the weather. Despite the wet and windy conditions, the girls all agreed it was a fun and successful afternoon, with all teams winning their matches. Opposition Players of the Match for each team were: Zaria, Safaa, Sofia, and Alba. Coaches Players of the Match were: Mia, India, Tara, and Mariam. Well done to all the girls for their excellent play!
Senior Sport Update
18 girls in Y7 enjoyed a brilliant afternoon of netball against St. Thomas More, Blaydon on Thursday. Both teams played some excellent netball and demonstrated brilliant team work. The A team won 12-7 and player of the match was awarded to Evie. The B team drew 77 and Khadeeja and Abigail were awarded players of the match. Congratulations to all girls.
Pre prep and Prep Art Morning sparks creativity
Get ready for an exciting peek into the creative minds at Durham High School! During our vibrant Art Morning, each year group in Pre-Prep and Prep was assigned a unique corner of the school to bring to life. Each group crafted their own character, designed to offer advice and add personality to their designated space. The girls had the chance to experiment with a variety of exciting materials, including plasticine, buttons, pipe cleaners,
and sparkling gems! Next term, look out for the display in the Prep corridor to see the amazing results.
Digital Marketing Business Pitch
Our Digital Marketing Team took on an exciting challenge this week developing a proposal to incorporate a dedicated Careers Section into the school website. The team conducted in-depth research, gathering peer feedback and identifying ways to make careers resources more accessible. Their next step? Presenting their vision to the whole school in assembly an exciting project that we can’t wait to see take shape!
Student Success
For the past few months, Emily, one of our dedicated Sixth Form students, has been volunteering at the Durham United girls’ football training sessions, held at school every Friday. Her commitment and enthusiasm have paid off, as she has successfully completed her EE Playmaker course! This programme, designed for those keen to take on a more active role in grassroots football, covers five key modules, including making football accessible to all, creating fun and engaging sessions, and ensuring safety in the sport. Congratulations on this achievement, Emily we look forward to seeing how your coaching journey progresses! (Pictured here with FA Coach, Billy Horn from Durham United.)
St Cuthberts Fundraiser
In December, you may remember that our Pre-Prep and Prep pupils took part in the Sponsored Reindeer Run, and the response was nothing short of amazing! The girls showed incredible enthusiasm and dedication, raising an outstanding total of £1,103.50 for a great cause. We were thrilled to welcome Erin from St Cuthbert's Hospice to assembly, where she shared how the funds will directly support the hospice in providing vital care and services to those in need. A big thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, or supported this wonderful event. Your generosity is truly appreciated.
LAMDA Performance Shines
On Thursday our girls delivered a remarkable LAMDA and Shakespear Soiree, showcasing their talent and dedication to the performing arts. The evening featured a captivating rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream, alongside a series of individual performances by girls preparing for their upcoming LAMDA exams.
Years 1-4 Concert - A Musical Treat!
Our girls took to the stage with an incredible showcase of musical talent, performing songs and playing instruments in front of proud parents and teachers. Their confidence, dedication, and enthusiasm were truly inspiring, and we could not be prouder of the skill they displayed. It was a joy to witness their hard work and passion for the performing arts.
Teesside University Pharmacy talk
Teacher Taskmaster returns
We were delighted to welcome Dr Fiona Smith from Teesside University for an insightful talk on her career in the pharmaceutical industry. A trained pharmacist turned pharmaceutical researcher, Dr Smith shared her fascinating journey, offering a deeper understanding of the crucial role pharmacists play in healthcare. She also provided an engaging overview of the drug development process, illustrating how treatments have evolved from the historic 'foxglove soup' to modern heart failure medications. A truly eye-opening session!
The much-anticipated Teacher Taskmaster returned to DHS this week! Organised by our Interact Club, this annual event challenges teachers to take on a series of hilarious tasks, all in the name of charity. Pupils were encouraged to bring a £1 donation to watch the event, which took place in the main hall during lunch time on Thursday. All proceeds will go to Comic Relief, supporting vital causes.
Thank you to all the staff who were super sports: Miss Udale, Miss Morales- Salum, Mrs Platt, Mrs Cowie, Miss Hardy, Mrs Lawrence Wills, Miss Casey, Mrs Almond, and our returning champion, Mr Coates with his new teammate, Mrs Gardner! The event was hosted brilliantly by Dr Alvey and supported by Yasmeen, Harriet and Ava. It was a fantastic way to end the half term.
Exploring Roman Life Through Art, DT, and Creative Projects
Our Year 3 & 4 pupils have been diving into the wonders of Ancient Rome through a variety of creative and hands-on activities:
Art – Roman Mosaics
Using small tiles, the girls created their own stunning Roman mosaics, inspired by the intricate designs that once adorned the homes of wealthy Romans.
DT – Roman Honey Cake
In Design Technology, the girls followed an authentic Roman Honey Cake recipe, learning how the Romans sourced and prepared their ingredients. The results were as delicious as they were educational!
Creative Homework Projects
Over the past three weeks, pupils have been working on imaginative homework projects, showcasing their understanding of Roman history in unique ways.
A Cosmic Celebration in Reception
Our Reception class has taken their space-themed learning to the next level with an exciting Alien Tea Party! As part of their ongoing space projects, the girls immersed themselves in a world of imagination, enjoying a cosmic celebration complete with alien cupcakes and intergalactic fun
Early March Key Dates
Please check the events calendar on our website for further dates.
3 March School Returns after Half Term
w/c 3 March National Careers week
4 March Shakespeare Theatre Festival @ Gala Theatre (Y7- U6)
6th March U6 Parents Evening 4.30pm
7th March Careers Fair 4.00pm
7th March World Book Day
w/c10th March British Science Week
12th March Y9 Yorkshire Wildlife Park Visit