Durham High School
End of Week Newsletter
Issue 5 – 05 October, 2024
Dear Parents
I am writing this week’s newsletter having returned home from our first Open Morning of the year, brimming with pride It is always a joy to welcome so many excited girls and their families to visit our fantastic school and see the facilities we can offer their daughters. As ever, what makes the morning so special, is your daughters. The number of parents who have commented today on what wonderful young people your daughters are, and the ease and confidence with which they have chatted about how much they enjoy being part of the Durham High family. You would not believe that some of them only started the High School five weeks ago. Thank you to all the staff for the fabulous displays and activities in classrooms and to Thomas Franks who as always have provided our visitors with the finest of sweet treats.
It is the time of year when I have the delightful task of meeting with our Upper Sixth students to discuss and finalise their UCAS references. Our early entries for Law, Dentistry and Medicine have begun in earnest. I am always impressed with how well they articulate their reasons for their chosen university courses. Their passion and dedication shine through.
It was wonderful to meet the parents of our new starters at the New Parents’ Supper last Friday evening. We enjoyed a fabulous evening of chatter, laughter, good food and even better company. Thank you to all who were able to make it. I know it is not always easy getting childcare organised, so we were very grateful to those who were able to make it. A few parents were unfortunately poorly and couldn’t join us. I hope if that was you, that you feel are feeling much better.
On Monday we celebrated Harvest at the High School. Mrs Hopper Led an assembly in Pre-Prep and Prep and Miss Shoulder and her RE students led the Senior Department in their assembly. Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed to our Harvest appeal. We have extended the deadline until the end of next week, so if you still have
donations to make, we would be delighted to add them to our collection for the Durham and Sunderland Foodbank.
This week our Year 3 and 4 have had fun exploring for insects in our wildlife area as part of their science lessons. Year 8 have enjoyed their Geography Field trip to Marsden and today, our Senior girls are rehearsing in preparation for the Senior Musical, Chicago. Tickets will be on sale soon. Our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students have begun their training in earnest too.
Our Lower Sixth girls enjoyed an informative session from Drive Safe as part of their enrichment programme this week. It is always a great session, especially when so many have started driving lessons.
You will be pleased to know that our website provider has fixed the syncing issues with the School Calendar. This should now be up and running again. Thank you for your patience with this.
With best wishes
Reception: Emma for working hard on developing her reading skills at home and at
Charlotte for her enthusiasm in class and for her fabulous art work.
Y6: Alba for her enthusiasm in lessons, particularly towards our class novel, ‘Letters from badges which she had earned in Rainbows, and
National Poetry Day 3rd October 2024
The theme of this year’s National Poetry Day competition was ‘Counting’ and the entries from years 7, 8 and 9 were incredibly diverse – from counting sheep to people who matter (count), the poetry was inspired and inspiring. Once gathered in the Senior Library, some writers read their own poem or read for a friend, and we had a performance by duo, Kate and Carola Elin from year 8, who brought the two voices from Kate’s poem to life. Mrs Gellately, Mrs Hawkins and Mrs Walker now have a very tough job in choosing the class and year group winners! Watch out for the results, which will be announced soon.
Senior
Department Author Visit
On Welcome Day when our current Year 7 girls were in Year 6, they were given a copy of 'I am Rebel' by Ross Montgomery. On Thursday they had the chance to meet him and get their copy signed. Ross entertained us all with stories of what it is like to be an author and showed Year 7 how to start making up a story of their own.
Mathematician of the Month
This is a new initiative introduced by the Maths Department. This month’s Mathematicians are:
Year 7 – Evie
Year 8 – Carola Elin
Year 9 – Amelia
Year 10 – Joy
Year 11 – Harriet
Lower Sixth – Liza
Upper Sixth - Maggie
Their photos and reasons for their nomination will be on display in the Maths Corridor. Congratulations girls.
Black History Month
During Black History Month, our Year 7 girls will be studying Black Romans in Britain and Year 8 girls are studying the Haitian Revolution. Year 9 will be looking at the life of Sarah Parker Remond as part of their study of women's suffrage.
The A-Level historians are currently studying the origins of apartheid in South Africa and the conclusion of the civil rights movement in the US.
On Friday, Mrs Almond’s Lower Sixth Tutor Group, 12KA delivered an assembly on Black History Month, sharing some very powerful messages from children of colour, who spoke of their wish to be considered for who they are rather than by the colour of their skin. They also launched the History Department’s Black History Month Competition, requiring students in Senior Department to create a poster on a historical figure linked to Black History. Entries will be displayed in S5.
Sports Update
Our U10 and U11 girls enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of friendly football fixtures against RGS on Thursday. Well done to all players and congratulations to the players of the match:
U10 - Mathilde and Beatrix
U11 - Tara and Laura
Congratulations to the U16 Netball team on their performance at the Area and District Tournament this week where they finished 3rd. Player of the tournament was awarded to Freya.