Durham High School End of Week Newsletter Issue 12 – December 3, 2024
Dear Parents Firstly, may I apologise that you are receiving the End of Week Newsletter on a Tuesday. We have worked very hard this term to ensure you receive this by the end of the week. However, last week was an extraordinarily busy week, with the fabulous Chicago performances on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Evening and our wonderful Christmas Fayre on Friday afternoon. As a result, it has set us back slightly in the compilation of content. Thank you for your patience. As I write this week’s letter, I find myself reflecting on the events of last week and still in awe of what Mrs. Lonsdale, Mrs. Lawrence-Wills, and Mrs. Crinson accomplished in just eight weeks with our Senior girls and their performances of Chicago. This year, we had two casts, and it was truly wonderful to witness the unique interpretations of each of the lead characters. Our ensemble worked incredibly hard over the four nights, and by Friday, it was a joy to see them adlibbing and fully embracing their characters on stage. The performances were a remarkable showcase of talent, both on and off stage, and I am immensely proud of each and every one involved. Their dedication and commitment have been truly indefatigable. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the parents for their support, whether it was bringing the girls to weekend rehearsals or cheering them on during the evening performances. Your support is deeply appreciated, and I’m sure you will carry these wonderful memories for years to come. Looking ahead, I’m excited for the Year 7 and Year 8 rendition of Matilda Junior in the Spring Term, where, as our Guest Speaker at Speech Day, Steph Edusei, reminded us – "Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty!" On Wednesday, we welcomed Year 11 girls from other Secondary Schools to join our Year 11 girls for a Sixth Form Taster Day, and a glimpse into the exciting opportunities available to them here. Whether engaging in taster lessons in Economics, Computer Science, Psychology, or Fine Art, to name but a few subjects, or simply enjoying lighter moments, such as eating doughnuts, or experiencing life in the Common Room, it was a day filled with enthusiasm and promise. Our commitment to making this transition as smooth as possible for these young women is unwavering, and we look forward to seeing them thrive within our supportive, stimulating environment. I am sure you will be pleased to know that our Junior Eco Council met this week, and it was a very serious affair. With representatives from Yr 1 – Yr 6 they discussed some of the issues that mattered most to them, such as taking care of nature, planting wildflowers and trees, preventing littering and recycling. Discussions were in full flow for starting a gardening club, albeit in the finer weather. Thank you to Ana, our Eco Council Sixth Form Leadership Representative for encouraging the girls with such projects. I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.