YEAR 8 JOURNALISM DAY

dhsg enrichment edition

Deven and her mum, Alex

Journalism is experiencing seismic changes as digital news revolutionises the way we consume news. Print journalism has given way to digital content and even the omnipresent 24 hour televised news channels cannot match social media for live coverage of global incidents.

There are however, several key journalistic skills required for effective reporting and these were the focus for a fun and intense day for a talented group of roving Year 8 reporters, their parents, and teachers Mrs Hayward and Mrs Taylor.

Here are some super articles produced on the day by Deven, Beryl and Jessica – plus some comments about the day by their mums.

I’ve had a great day coming into my daughter’s school and experiencing an ‘English’ school. I am American and my experience of high school is different from the way an English secondary school is organised. We never had days where we could bring our parents in, and we certainly didn’t have enrichment weeks.

I really enjoyed exploring the school and meeting some of my daughter’s teachers. It was nice to have an insight into the way the school is set up and run. It was also nice to be able to ‘interview’ some of the different staff at the school and see how they all have an impact on the school system. I found the staff to be very approachable and the day as a whole was very enjoyable. It was also nice meeting some of my daughter’s friends and seeing them interact.

Alex Sloman

My Impressions of the Enrichment Week

My daughter invited me to take part in the Enrichment week by attending the Journalism workshop on the last day. I was indecisive thinking I am going to miss a whole day of work and that means catching up on Monday.

As soon as I entered the room Mrs Taylor immediately put me at ease and I immersed myself in the warmth of the group. I have done a bit of Journalism some years ago and that had been swept under the carpet. Today the session has made the art of writing spring up again within me. It has been a lovely and relaxing day as I have been able to meet other parents and my daughter’s friends. Best of all I have been able to spend a whole day with my daughter interrupted and having my full attention.

I have been able to have an insight in my daughter’s day in school in a relaxed way and also to soak up the atmosphere of the school. Sampling dinner in the school canteen has been a highlight of the day – Lasagne with a lovely pudding of cake and custard.

Jess working with Mrs Hayward

Beryl and her mum, Linda.

Who needs Jamie Oliver? We’ve got Debbie and her

canteen crew!By Deven Sloman

What is your favourite food from the canteen? Not just a tasty sandwich, but something that entices you in, comforts you after a gruelling exam or an energy-zapping lesson?

Maybe it’s the gooey, cheese pizza. Or the flavoursome, beef lasagne. Maybe it’s the

However, there is some sad news in this gastronomic paradise….after 14 years of helping make lunchtimes special, our catering manager, Debbie, is leaving. We sat down with her (yes, it was odd to see her sitting down!) and asked her to tell us about her time at DHSG.

One of the more recent changes made at the school involves the cashless card system. There has been a lot of

Almost a decade ago, the Jamie Oliver “revolution” brought many changes in the way canteens ran and the kind of food served there. “Gone are the days of turkey twizzlers” Debbie said. They have been replaced by healthier and tastier options (who doesn’t love a warm chicken pie?)

But this leads to a crucial culinary question: what is the most popular meal served at the canteen? Debbie thinks that the beef lasagne and mac and cheese are the bestselling and tastiest meals available. Clearly convinced by the recommendation, my mum opted for the lasagne and commented ‘I would definitely have this again!’

No matter what your opinions on the canteen food are, you have to agree that the canteen staff really make the experience special. Debbie agrees, and when we asked her to describe the canteen in three words she said(after a bit of a ponder) happy, busy and ongoing. All of the canteen staff work hard to smile, dish up lovely food and keep the queue moving!

So, after 14 years at DHSG, what will Debbie miss the most? Debbie answered immediately “The students - seeing them grow throughout the years and developing a relationship with them. Some students will tell you that they have a dentist’s appointment, or a big exam that they are stressing about. It’s a really sociable environment.”

We wish Debbie the best in her endeavours, as she moves from being a DHSG canteen

Who needs Jamie Oliver? We’ve got Debbie and her

canteen crew!By Deven Sloman

What is your favourite food from the canteen? Not just a tasty sandwich, but something that entices you in, comforts you after a gruelling exam or an energy-zapping lesson?

Maybe it’s the gooey, cheese pizza. Or the flavoursome, beef lasagne. Maybe it’s the

However, there is some sad news in this gastronomic paradise….after 14 years of helping make lunchtimes special, our catering manager, Debbie, is leaving. We sat down with her (yes, it was odd to see her sitting down!) and asked her to tell us about her time at DHSG.

One of the more recent changes made at the school involves the cashless card system. There has been a lot of

Catering Manager, Debbie

Almost a decade ago, the Jamie Oliver “revolution” brought many changes in the way canteens ran and the kind of food served there. “Gone are the days of turkey twizzlers” Debbie said. They have been replaced by healthier and tastier options (who doesn’t love a warm chicken pie?)

But this leads to a crucial culinary question: what is the most popular meal served at the canteen? Debbie thinks that the beef lasagne and mac and cheese are the bestselling and tastiest meals available. Clearly convinced by the recommendation, my mum opted for the lasagne and commented ‘I would definitely have this again!’

No matter what your opinions on the canteen food are, you have to agree that the canteen staff really make the experience special. Debbie agrees, and when we asked her to describe the canteen in three words she said(after a bit of a ponder) happy, busy and ongoing. All of the canteen staff work hard to smile, dish up lovely food and keep the queue moving!

So, after 14 years at DHSG, what will Debbie miss the most? Debbie answered immediately “The students - seeing them grow throughout the years and developing a relationship with them. Some students will tell you that they have a dentist’s appointment, or a big exam that they are stressing about. It’s a really sociable environment.”

We wish Debbie the best in her endeavours, as she moves from being a DHSG canteen

Enrichment Week: Best week in the school calendar or a waste of

curriculum time?

A few days ago, I was climbing freely up one of the walls in the bouldering room at the Life Centre. I felt liberated, excited and far removed from the dull school routine. Why the change? It was enrichment week - the best week of the school calendar.

Some may argue enrichment week can disrupt normal lessons and essential exam preparation. But, come on, does it get any better than snow tubing speedily with my friends, the wind rushing through my hair or creating the most exotic henna tattoos as part of the Indian experience? Participating in these activities helps to create confidence and improve self-esteem, particularly for those who tend to avoid taking risks.

Everyone agrees that teenage stress linked to school pressure is prevalent. Enrichment week offers a welcome and essential breather from the treadmill of looming deadlines. I chose to get involved with climbing and street surfing because they allow me to escape from the never- ending trail of anxiety. For me, this was achieved when I abseiled off of the top of the climbing wall. It felt exhilarating; I had met a challenge and faced it head on.

Half way through Enrichment week, I was clambering with ropes through a maze of wood and other impenetrable obstacles. One student, pale with fear, was trying to negotiate her way. ‘Don’t worry, the harness is safe. You won’t fall!’ I yelled. She responded with a smile and miraculously finished the course. ‘I wanna go again!’

With confidence restored, the benefit of the activity was clear to see. Socially, new friendships can be forged, students see each other in a different light, and personal challenges can be met.

Funnily enough, teachers are human beings. I saw some of my teachers doing the most amazing things, that I would have never seen if we were stuck within the confines of a classroom. Mrs Taylor is not ordinarily seen to be flying down the Viper run at the ski slope screaming ‘Help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!’ it turns out she isn’t quite the grammar geek she appears to be in lessons. It’s not only the students who enjoy the activities offered by enrichment week, but the teachers too.

Do I think enrichment week should be cast into the history books? No way. This week has enthused, inspired and challenged. I think that enrichment week is the highlight of the school year. (Except for summer holidays, of course!)

Jessica Anderson considers the value of Enrichment Week.

“Personal challenges can be met”

Entering the Unknown… An interview with Mrs Hemsi by Beryl Milton-Gorvie

Edited by Linda Milton-Gorvie (her mum)

All students at DHSG know who Mrs Hemsi is. I see her from time to time during the school day but what has possessed me to interview her today?! I was ushered into her presence and found myself stepping into her temple – the Head

teacher’s Office. I did not realise how big and awesome her office was. She got up from her computer and walked towards me with a big smile. Phwew!!! Now, how much do I know about her?

Mrs Hemsi started out at Devonport High as Deputy Head Teacher having been teaching for a number of years. She never thought she would become a Head Teacher when she started out in teaching, but she decided to improve herself by studying many years ago for an MA in Education. She stepped up to the challenge when the opportunity arose. When asked why she chose to be head teacher, she replied with confidence “It has given me the opportunity to contribute ideas and the privilege to make decisions’ adding “to keep learning and teaching at the centre is my priority.”

“There is never an average day in my job” she explains with a smile. She plans ahead but she accepts that plans could go out of the window at any time; she has learnt to adapt as the day progresses. She doesn’t shut herself away during the day but gets involved with what is happening. Since the school has become an academy, her role has become increasingly varied to include accountancy, health and safety, and most recently, the appointment of our new Catering Manager. A typical day starts with checking emails, a meeting with the

I explained that my career ambition is to work in

senior leadership at 8:30 AM and then a staff meeting before morning registration. After that - anything can happen.

Her best days are when she is out and engaging with the students. She enjoys activities like enrichment week and meeting the New Year 7s. We asked what her favourite event was and she was spoilt for choice. Smiling, she said that she loved spending time with individual students, and going to the gardening club. She also enjoys sports day and felt that it was sad that so many schools have lost this activity. She would be lost without big school productions, dance shows, school assemblies and Year 13 leavers’ day. It is rewarding when all things come together and the most important thing in her work is making a difference no matter how difficult things can get.

I wonder what gives Mrs Hemsi the drive to come to work every day. Responding to this with a glitter in her eye, she replies that she likes to encourage her students and staff to be lifelong learners. She is proud of their achievements; some of the staff have gone on from being technicians to undertaking degree courses and achieve other professional qualifications. She is also proud of the ethos of the school and the value held for respect and responsibility -this is something that I think you can feel in the atmosphere as you walk through those big distinguished front doors.

Social media is a topic for debate that we wanted to discuss. Mrs Hemsi paused to put her thoughts together as we waited for her to spill the beans. She told us that she did not have enough time to fully savour the delights and frustrations of social media. She prefers to keep her professional distance hence she is not on facebook. However, she does watch what cats get up to on YouTube. As a dog lover, I’m not feeling it, but I am surprised to learn Mrs Hemsi shares an interest in cats falling off the back of sofas like many do. She confessed that she sometimes feels she is missing out on social media but feels that it can also be useful and encourages the use of YouTube and twitter to support education.

engineering possibly to facilitate the rehabilitation of patients with spine injury. Mrs Hemsi spoke with passion that girls’ professional ambitions should be promoted and girls should be given the opportunity to excel in the sciences and in engineering. The school promotes this by having STEM activities and Babcock supporting clubs. Her advice to me is to be resilient, have emotional intelligence and pursue my dreams.

Mrs Hemsi’s final words before I left her temple were “work hard, play hard”. I go by the same vibe , thinking that after you have worked your socks off you should take a breather and kick back, reward your hard work. At least I know now that Mrs Hemsi’s not a cyborg, but just as human as all of us.

Life’s A Beach!Beryl Milton-Gorvie reports on Enrichment Day with the Art Department

I walked into the art room last Friday to be greeted by smiling parents and their year 8 daughters who were contentedly decorating driftwood art together. What an idyllic scene! Mr Burton had carefully prepared a day’s creativity on a beach theme and everyone was busily making their own take-home art.

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Parents and daughters were making decorations to hang in their homes and key rings for friends and family. I asked one mum how she was enjoying the session; the reply enthused about how nice it was to get involved and take something home to remember the day by. This special day is an opportunity for family members to see school for themselves, or in some cases to return as adults! One big sister said that it was a bit scary coming into school again as she hadn’t been there for such a long time but it was fun too. She also commented that she would definitely do it again if she had the chance. The brown uniform and school song clearly has appeal for the alumni!

I walked up to a group of mums, very interested in their activities. One said that she was getting in touch with her creative side but they all agreed that it was a great day because normally parents are working, so getting this chance to relax was well earned. As I had a peek at everyone’s work, I observed the sense of freedom they were enjoying and even though they were trying to hide it, I think the Year 8s enjoyed having their parent around for the day.

THE GREAT DHSG BAKE OFF!Deven Sloman and Jessica Anderson enter the DHSG Bake Off marquee ( aka Food Tech room)

A group of Year 8 students and their parents took part in the DHSG Bake Off on Friday the 8 th July which was hosted by Mary Berry’s much younger and more glamorous sister Mrs Tribe. It was an exciting day, and everyone who took part enjoyed it very much.

The students first witnessed a demonstration of how to make the British classic: Bakewell Tarts. They then made their own, while their parents enjoyed having cake, coffee and a quiz next door.

Mr Hughes and Mrs Monks

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After break, the students learned how to master feather icing and iced their own tarts. They did this by spreading white icing over the tarts and piping lines on the tarts using sweet, coloured icing. They then used a cocktail stick to drag the lines backward, creating a decorative “feathered” effect. I witnessed one of my friends using this technique and I found it quite impressive. Who knew icing could look so professional with just a cocktail stick?

Cue the parents in their pinnies. After a quick demonstration, parents tried their hands at making scones and the students made sandwiches for an afternoon tea.

The students and parents enjoyed a quick lunch, and then prepared for the judging of the scones and the Bakewell tarts. Mr Hughes was the victorious parent, and Amelia from 8F had the best Bakewell tarts.

Prizes were then awarded and afternoon tea was served in the canteen. I interviewed one of my friends, and she said that she “really enjoyed” the afternoon. She felt it was good having the parents there, as she could get to know and introduce all of them. She especially enjoyed tasting the tarts and scones (as did I!). Overall, everyone had a very fun-filled and exciting day. Based on how happy everyone looked I think it would be an excellent idea to this again next year.

Marmalade’s Bake Off entry