This week

Assemblies started with a fantastic performance by two talented Year 10 students, Anthony and Alex, who entertained with an extract from their play written and recorded for DWS Audio. This was a mixture of pre-recorded and live action and was a great way to start the day. The play centres on Brighton in 1969 and the activities of friends who go in search of a missing teenager from London. To hear more, the audience were encouraged to listen to the full podcast on the DWS Audio blog. Students were also hopefully inspired to get involved with recording their own performances by attending the lunchtime club in EN10 every Friday lunchtime.

The assembly theme this week returned to that of Values. When everyone in school works together towards a common goal (i.e. educational excellence) this can be achieved far more easily if we all live by the same values (in our school these would be Respect, Responsibility, Honesty). It was also an opportunity to remind students of the five British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect for and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith. These aim to maintain social cohesion and equality.

Book Return Day – arrangements for Thursday, 20th June

In order to facilitate our annual Book Return Day for Years 11 and 13, there will be a later start to school for students in Years 7-12. They should arrive at school at 9.45am. Form Time will be at 9.50am and lessons will start with Period 2 at 10am. An email has been sent to parents of students involved in Book Return Day with details and timings.

GCSE and A level Art and Textiles Exhibition

You are formally invited to the GCSE and A level Art and Textile Exhibition on Tuesday, 25^th June at 4.00pm-6.00pm in DT1 and DT6; please find attached the digital invitation.  This exhibition will be showcasing the amazing work that the GCSE and A level students have produced over the last two years. 

We do hope that you will be able to attend and celebrate the excellent work that the students have created.  The Art and Textile Departments look forward to seeing you at the Exhibition.

Darrick Wood Musical Instrument Donations  

The music department are running an instrument amnesty this half term and are looking for donations of old instruments. If you have a trumpet or guitar gathering dust at home, or a drum kit that takes up too much space, the music department may be able to give these instruments a new lease of life. Instruments will either be used to help further support our music curriculum or help those who wish to learn a new instrument. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact Mr W. Rees, Head of Music. Items can be dropped at school, or can be brought along to our Summer Concert on the 11^th July, tickets can be purchased at £5 via parent pay. We look forward to receiving your donations.   

DWS Dance Company

DWS Dance Company performed at The Dance Championships at the end of May. The Dance Championships is a dance competition run by Cascade Dance that has a secondary school category, with a number of schools from Kent participating. DWS Dance performed two pieces; Fast Fashion and Trampoline. The students performed beautifully and worked so well together performing some daring and challenging lifts. DWS Dance Company placed 2^nd with their piece Trampoline. Well done to everyone involved.

Dance Production

This year’s Dance production, Now That’s What I Call DANCE, is a celebration of Dance and students across all years have been working hard on pieces both in curricular and extra-curricular clubs. Students can create and audition their own pieces for the Dance Production. Auditions will take place next week, on Thursday, 20^th June. Tickets also go on sale for cast members only from Monday.

Local footpath closure

We have been notified of the following temporary closure of a footpath used by some of our students. This is to facilitate maintenance work as part of the Platinum Jubilee Project and is planned for 17th to 23rd June. This closure is necessary to ensure safety and well-being. See below for the location and available alternative routes.

Dates for the diary

Date	Event	Notes
Monday, 3rd June	Years 7-9 assessments for next two weeks
Thursday, 20th June	Book Return Day for Years 11 and 13	See email to parents/carers of these year groups. Please note there will be a late start for students in Years 7, 9, 9, 10 and 12 at 9.45am.
Monday, 24th June	Year 12 examinations
Wednesday, 3rd July	Sports Day – Years 7-9	Norman Park Athletics Arena
Monday, 15th July	Year 8 Sayers Croft trip	Half Mon-Wed, half Wed-Fri
Wednesday, 24th July	Last day of term