Durham High School
End of Week Newsletter
Issue 7 – 20 October 2024
Dear Parents
This week has been vibrant and full of creativity, beginning with our muchanticipated Bake Off! Under the expert guidance of Mrs Smith in Pre-Prep and Prep, supported by Mrs Beattie and Mrs Scott, our students whipped up an impressive array of cakes. In the Senior Department, Mrs Henderson and Mrs Almond took on the role of Star Baker judges, marvelling at the incredible talent on display. The cakes were not only delightful to behold but also served a greater purpose, as we raised funds for our chosen charities: Action Against Hunger in Pre-Prep and Prep, and the Durham and Sunderland Food Bank in the Senior Department. Stay tuned for the announcement of our Senior Department winners next week during our final assembly of the half term! Pre-Prep and Prep Winners are announced below. We’ve included a few photos below but be sure to check our social media channels for a glimpse of all the fabulous entries.
On Tuesday, our Year 9 Geography students embarked on their fieldwork project, investigating crime in Durham. Luckily, the rain held off just long enough for them to enjoy their outing!
I had the pleasure of spending break time on Wednesday with Poppy in Year 8, who had brought in her mum’s old planners from when she was a pupil at the High School. It was incredibly interesting looking at the subject entries and what was similar and different to our curriculum and planners today.
Our Sixth Formers have had a busy week with our English students going to see Othello, one of their set texts at The Assembly Rooms on Thursday, followed by our Art students visiting Northern School of Art yesterday, where they learnt more about life drawing. A brilliant time was had by all, with new skills being developed and the production of some great artwork Thank you to the Art Department and English Department for accompanying the girls.
It was lovely to connect with many Senior Department parents at the Ski Trip Parent meeting on Thursday evening. The excitement is building for our upcoming trip to the slopes in December! I am also looking forward to welcoming parents of Year 7 and Lower Sixth into school on Tuesday for the Meet the Tutor Evening. Please do say hello whilst enjoying your refreshments.
Yesterday, we observed Show Racism the Red Card Day. Miss Turner’s Lower Sixth Form delivered a powerful assembly to mark this important occasion. The charity aims to challenge racism through education and empowerment. As Nelson Mandela profoundly stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.” His vision for education emphasised the need to instil values of tolerance, empathy, and inclusivity principles we cherish at our school.
I’ll leave you with another poignant quote from Mandela: “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Long Walk to Freedom (1994).
With best wishes
INSET Day – Friday 25 October
A reminder that next Friday is an INSET day for staff, so the girls will break up for half term on Thursday.
Pre-Prep and Prep Reading in Unusual Places Competition
To celebrate the opening of our newly-refurbished library last month, the girls in PrePrep and Prep were challenged to read in an unusual and out-of-the-ordinary place. The winners were Florence, Molly, Nadia, Nancy and Théa. Here are their winning entries.
Thank you to everyone who took part. We hope you continue to enjoy reading your books. “Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything” – attributed to Plato.
Senior Department Successes
Congratulations to Darcie in Year 8 did a great job of playing Grace in Annie with Birtley Community Theatre recently. Well done, Darcie!
Following on from the NODA nominations, earlier in the year, we offer our congratulations to Rana in Year 8, who performed in SpongeBob the Musical, with Gateshead Musical Theatre Company, which has won ‘Best Junior Show’ and ‘Commendation Award in the North East Region. She was also part of ‘Frozen Junior’ which won ‘Best Musical’ for District 3 NODA.
Pre-Prep and Prep Successes
Stars of the week:
Nursery: Ettie for good listening and not allowing herself to be distracted by others.
Reception: Marina for increased participation particularly when sharing her experiences with the class.
Y1&2: Seren for super writing.
Y3&4: Rose for making exceptional progress in rounding in Maths lessons this week.
Y5: India for careful listening, for working hard and for excellent presentation.
Y6: Sama for an interesting and well-presented piece of homework about Mae Jemison as part of our work on Black History Month.
Mrs Hopper presented Jessica and Caia with certificates for work they have done with their Buddies and Honey was this week’s Lingotot’s Star of the Week. In addition, we celebrated Celeste’s level 2 Gymnastics award.
Bake Off Winners
Nursery and Reception
Star Baker: Amelia
Runner Up: Charlotte and Freya
Creativity: Molly Rose
Year 1 & 2
Star Baker: Jessica
Runner Up: Seren
Creativity: Neive
Year 3 & 4
Star Baker: Maja
Runner Up: Amiya
Creativity: Wren and Rosie
Year 5
Star Baker: Mathilde
Runner Up: Nancy
Creativity: Rosie
Year 6
Star Baker: Lucy
Runner Up: Nadia
Creativity: Laura
DHS Supporting Women’s Football
Girls from DHS were supporting the SAFC v NUFC women’s match on Sunday (representing both red and white and black and white). The girls contributed to a record breaking 15,387 attendance. Tara in Year 6 had an extra special experience as she not only got to watch the match but was a flag bearer for the SAFC team as they walked out onto the pitch!
Prep Sports Update
Hockey at Mowden Hall
Years 5 and 6 played in a hockey festival at Mowden Hall this week. They faced teams from Mowden Hall, RGS, Dame Allans, Barnard Castle and NHSG. The team have been working hard at after-school training and this showed on the day - they were tough competition for their opponents in all games. Close matches with lots of fantastic play from the DHS team, well done girls!
Football v Whinney Banks
U11A and U11B football teams selected from Year 5 and Year 6 travelled to Whinney Banks for a football match on Friday afternoon. The girls had a brilliant afternoon, displaying passion and resilience in all the matches. The girls had the following to say about the afternoon;
"It was a long drive but it was definitely worth it" Bea, Year 5". It was tough but we pushed though" Sama, Year 6. Well done girls!
Parents and Friends
Parents & Friends would like to invite parents to contact them and have a say on how the money that you help raise is spent. We understand that due to the many commitments parents face, it isn't possible to attend all or any of our P&F meetings where we discuss the best way to invest funds back into DHS.
Below are just some examples of what Parents & Friends have helped to provide to date:
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Grand Piano
• Workshops
• Play equipment in Junior yard
• Sixth Form Kitchen
• Electricity to the Outdoor Classroom
• Teepee
• Tents for students at DHS doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Furnishings for the new Junior Library
• Flashing School Safety signs on South Road
• Trophy Cabinet in Concourse
• Digital Signage (TV) in Reception
• Inspirational Quotes in Senior Department Main Corridor
• New classroom lockers in Senior Department
If you would like to make a suggestion, please email: dhsparentsandfriends@outlook.com
Prep & Pre-Prep Disco is Back!
Back by popular demand and this time we are going ‘Neon’ We will be holding our next school disco on Friday 15th November. Tickets are £5 and include refreshments, glitter tattoos and glow sticks.
To book please use the link below.
https://form.jotform.com/242883948723370
Netball Camps
Netball Camps will be returning to Durham High School this October half term and is now open to pupils in Year 3 - Year 7. The camp will run on Tuesday 29th October 9:30- 3:30pm. The camp is open to all girls, those who attend Durham High School and girls who attend other schools too.
Activities will include games, group drills, individual player development, and plenty of match play. For more information and to book a place for your daughter, please email Netballcoachingcamps@gmail.com.
