03
Dec
Primary High Notes 3rd December 2021
Perfection is overrated! In so many areas of life we are encouraged to strive for perfection. Now that’s not a bad thing, however it can result in us missing out on the beauty of the world around us. Make no mistake, I am all for being the best you can be and having high standards, but not at the expense of enjoying life. You see, if you become obsessed with perfection, living in an imperfect world can become quite taxing and you risk losing sight of the importance of the process. In my Primary assembly yesterday, I illustrated this with the wonderful story A Squash and a Squeeze.
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03
Dec
Senior High Notes 3rd December 2021
Perfection is overrated! In so many areas of life we are encouraged to strive for perfection. Now that’s not a bad thing, however it can result in us missing out on the beauty of the world around us. Make no mistake, I am all for being the best you can be and having high standards, but not at the expense of enjoying life. You see, if you become obsessed with perfection, living in an imperfect world can become quite taxing and you risk losing sight of the importance of the process. In my assembly this morning, I shared the tale of a squash and a squeeze.
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24
Nov
Senior High Notes 24th November 2021
Another busy week at Derby High has concluded with the much anticipated return of House Drama. Following a year’s break due to covid, it has been brilliant to be able to bring back this wonderful DHS tradition. House competitions, whether they be sport, debating, drama or music, always stir up great passion, camaraderie and excitement. In line with our covid safe measures, performances were live-streamed into form rooms this afternoon for all students to watch together - and I have been fortunate to be able to see it at home, whilst I am isolating with Covid. It has been a fabulous afternoon, with great performances and teamwork both on and off stage.
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24
Nov
Primary High Notes 24th November 2021
It may have only been a three day week, but this week has been full to the brim. Year 5 enjoyed National Space Day yesterday and on Monday we welcomed nine visiting schools for an Upper Juniors’ netball festival.
It is fantastic to see our outdoor Christmas tree return to the Head’s Lawn. Christmas preparations are in full swing with lots of rehearsals and recordings for our Christingle, Christmas productions and Carol Service. We look forward to sharing these performances with you in the coming weeks.
I wish you a restful, extended weekend. The exeat gives everyone the opportunity to recharge batteries ready for the final weeks of the term.
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19
Nov
Primary High Notes 19th November 2021
This week has been Anti-Bullying week, with the theme “One Kind Word”. It was wonderful to see the array of odd socks pupils were wearing on Monday, starting off the week so positively.
On Thursday, assembly was taken by a group of Year 9 students who performed some lovely sketches and discussed how important it is to stamp out bullying.
We finished the week with all the children dressing up in support of Children in Need. So many wonderful outfits, this is always a lovely day each year.
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19
Nov
Senior High Notes 19th November
This week has been Anti-Bullying week. From odd socks, to good vibe messages and post-it notes on lockers, our students have embraced the message “One Kind Word”. I want to particularly thank our U4 students and Mr Ince who have been the driving force behind so many key activities.
Children in Need is always a wonderful day in school, where we see tutor groups dressing up in different themes for a very important charity. There has been a wonderful array of outfits, I am always so impressed by the ideas and thinking behind the themes. Special mention must go to the staff, whose theme was crazy hairstyles!
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12
Nov
Senior High Notes 12th November 2021
It is always wonderful to hear how well Derby High alumni are doing in their careers. This week I was at Derby Royal with my daughter for a minor hand operation. Arriving in the anaesthetic room, we were greeted by the anaesthetist who told us she went to Derby High, completing her A levels some 12 years ago.
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12
Nov
Primary High Notes 12th November 2021
It is always wonderful to hear how well Derby High alumni are doing in their careers. This week I was at Derby Royal with my daughter for a minor hand operation. Arriving in the anaesthetic room, we were greeted by the anaesthetist who told us she went to Derby High, completing her A levels some 12 years ago. She spoke fondly of her time at the school, and it was clear she is very much enjoying her work.
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05
Nov
Primary High Notes 5th November 2021
The children have returned from their half term holiday full of stories about adventures, large and small, they have had over the 2 week break. I have been so impressed with the work they have all been doing this week in class. The children have been creative, academically curious and focused.
My Primary Assembly this week focused on the events at COP26 in Glasgow. We looked at what climate change and net zero is all about. I shared this great TED Ed video which explains these two things brilliantly by discussing the ‘myth’ of the boiling frog.
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05
Nov
Senior High Notes 5th November 2021
In our Thursday assembly, Mr Gallagher, our Head of Sixth Form and Head of Geography, talked about the important events at COP26 in Glasgow and most importantly what climate change is about how we can achieve net zero.
This morning in my assembly, I shared this great TED Ed video which explains these two things brilliantly by discussing the ‘myth’ of the boiling frog.
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