Durham High School End of Week Newsletter Issue 16 – 17 January 2025
Dear Parents It has been another exciting and busy week here at the High School, with a wide variety of activities, achievements, and events across all areas of the school. Our Year 7 and 8 girls are fully engaged in their Matilda rehearsals, and as I write this edition, it is wonderful to hear them singing the songs down the corridor after their rehearsal. Our Nursery and Reception girls enjoyed the crisp winter sunshine as they got creative, making bird feeders to help our local wildlife during the colder months. Meanwhile, Year 5 made the most of the outdoor classroom, crafting "pear people" and discovering treasures during a scavenger hunt. On Thursday, it was a pleasure to share breaktime with the Year 7 girls who had received Excellence Book nominations for their Norman Castle History homework. We enjoyed juice and cookies together, and I will be meeting with the other nominated girls next week to congratulate them as well. You can read more about their castles later in the newsletter. Friday marked the end of the mock exam period for our Year 11 and Upper Sixth girls. It has been a demanding two weeks for them all, but I, along with all the staff, have been thoroughly impressed by their dedication and resilience. Well done to each and every one of you! I have enjoyed meeting with parents of our Year 6 girls as we begin to think about their transition into the Senior Department. If you have not yet arranged an appointment and would like to come in for a chat, please contact Mr McGee, my PA (headmistress@dhsfg.org.uk), who will be happy to schedule one for you. We are looking forward to our 11+ Entrance Test Day on Friday, 24 January, where we will welcome girls from both Durham High and other primary schools to join us for a fun-filled day (tests aside, of course!). The first School Eco Council meeting of 2025 took place this week, where the Pre-Prep and Prep girls began planning an assembly and art competition focused on endangered species. It’s inspiring to see them tackling such important issues with so much enthusiasm. Senior Eco School meeting will take place next week. Lastly, we congratulate Mrs Sneddon-Brown, who wrote a letter to the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) as part of their 150 Years celebration. We are thrilled that her letter was published in their book Triumph Like a Girl. I wish you all a lovely weekend ahead. With best wishes
Mrs Michelle Hill Headmistress