On Wednesday, we bid a fond farewell to our Year 13 pupils, who are embarking on study leave today ahead of their A Level examinations. We wish them the very best of the luck over the next few weeks and beyond. It was wonderful to be able to come together at St Oswald’s Church and share this reflective moment with pupils, staff, family and friends.
We also send our best wishes to Year 11, who also went on study leave today ahead of their GCSE exams. They all truly deserve to reap the rewards of their extremely hard work over the last few years.
Music for May Evening
This week, we were delighted to host a wonderful evening of musical entertainment from some of our Senior Department pupils. We were treated to vocal, violin and piano solos, as well as performances from the Middle School and Senior Chamber Choirs, and the School Orchestra. Well done to all of the pupils that performed and a huge thank you to Mrs Lawrence-Wills, Dr Hardy, Mrs Lonsdale, Mr Bell and all other staff involved, for helping to ensure the concert was a success.
Open Day
Following a successful trial last year offering families personalised tours during the Summer Term, it has been decided that we will be offering the same experience to prospective pupils this year. This means that the planned Open Day for Saturday 10 June will no longer be taking place. You are, however, invited to join us on the same afternoon to celebrate the musical talents of our school community at DHS Live!
DHS Live!
On Saturday 10 June we will be hosting DHS Live!, which is our outdoor summer music event to celebrate the talents of our pupils, alumnae and the wider school community. The event will run from 1.00pm – 5.00pm in the ground of Durham High School and the cost is £5 per person for entry. The proceeds from will be donated to St Cuthbert’s Hospice, whose ongoing work is integral to the local community.
You are invited to come down and bring your own picnic and blanket to enjoy the proceedings. There will be an ice cream van and inflatable slide for children throughout the afternoon. Please like and share our event page on Facebook and help us to spread the word.
Prep Sport
On Thursday the U10 and U11 A and B cricket teams travelled to Newcastle High School. The teams played some fantastic cricket and a huge well done to everyone that took part.
This half term, the ‘All-Stars’ Cricket coaching team has delivered sessions to pupils in Prep and Pre-Prep. All Stars Cricket provides a fantastic first experience for all children aged 5-8 years old where they are guaranteed 8 weeks of jam-packed fun, activity and skills development. Dynamos Cricket provides a fantastic next step for all those graduating from All Stars Cricket and the perfect introduction for all 8-11 year-olds new to the sport.
School Ball
It is unfathomable that it has been two weeks since the tremendous School Ball at Ramside Hall. The atmosphere was fantastic, and all guests seemed to thoroughly enjoy the evening. We are extremely grateful to all of the parents on the Ball Committee who have worked tirelessly over the last few months to ensure that the event was a huge success.
Our thanks must go to the sponsors HiLights Entertainment, for the photobooth and props, and Hughes Bros Construction and HGT Construction Ltd, who provided the funds to cover the hire of both casino tables. We were also very grateful to Grace, Lucy, Ellie and Izzy in Year 11, who kindly gave up their Saturdays to sell raffle tickets to guests on the evening.
The total profit raised this year from the Ball currently stands at £2767. The money will all go to the Parents and Friends committee to help fund the extra things that really enhance school life for pupils, such as playground equipment, special workshops and visits, sports equipment and much more.
Senior Sport
It was a fantastic start to the season at the Area and District Athletics Championships for the girls in Senior Department, with some brilliant individual performances.
Well done to everyone who took part, with special mentions to Annabelle in Year 8 who won the Junior shot, Harriet in Year 9 who won the Junior discus, Sophie in Year 10 who won the Intermediate 800m and Darcy in Year 10 who won the Intermediate javelin.
Reporting Absence
A reminder that parents are expected to notify the school as soon as possible when their child is to be unexpectedly absent. We operate a 24/7 line for this purpose and you should endeavour to contact the school before 9.30am on the day of absence.
You can call 0191 384 3226 and select Option 1, where you should leave a brief message with your child’s name, their form/year group and the reason for absence (reporting any symptoms). If your child is off for more than one day, please contact us each morning.
As you may be aware, schools are expected to record and report attendance effectively and by following this procedure, we will avoid any absences being marked as unexplained or unauthorised.
Grandparents’ Morning
It was wonderful to welcome some of the grandparents of pupils in Year 7 and 8 into school today. They were treated to a look around the school by their granddaughter, before enjoying tea, coffee and cake in the Main Hall alongside some wonderful entertainment. Performances included the Middle School Choir, piano and vocal solos and some Bharatanatyam dancing.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Newsletter
Last week we published the latest version of our Social and Emotional Wellbeing Newsletter, with an extended section on helping your daughter to deal with exam worry and stress. If you did not see it, you can read the newsletter by clicking here.
