Newsletters

Fencing @ DPS

To provide another opportunity to experience new sports and special learning opportunities, we commissioned a company to come into school and run sessions for every class trialling fencing. It was a hugely enjoyable experience and great to see everyone get fully involved and have lots of fun!

In February, we've booked the same company to lead whole class quidditch sessions - again, an opportunity to try new sports and extend the curriculum.

Thank you, Mr Taylor, for helping us to provide lots of rich sporting activities. 

Governor Updates

“Cometh the hour cometh the man”

This happened to me very recently, as this well-known saying states!

I’m Andy Limbert and I’ve been a member of the school’s governing board for a number of years, during which time I’ve held a variety of positions, the most recent of which has been Vice Chair of the Board.

This appointment came about when Peter Nickoll was elected Chair of the board and I was elected to the position of his Vice Chair, or as Peter called it “his wing man”.

Peter and his wife (unfortunately for the school) have decided to relocate to Canterbury, to be nearer to their family, returning to the area in which they grew up. This move has therefore meant that he has had to resign his position of Chair, leaving me in the unenviable position of filling his boots until a new chair is elected. (Watch this space for an imminent announcement!)

Peter has been a fantastic Chair, incredibly supportive of Mrs Rice and all the team at DPS, and has in-depth knowledge of education. He was a past head teacher of DPS a number of years ago.

The hour “cometh” when the board was to hold its full governor's meeting last Tuesday and I received not one but 2 “invitations” to chair this up and coming meeting. The first message came from the Clerk to the Board, Penny Parkin, and the second, if the first wasn’t enough, Phil Webster, the C.E.O. of the Board of Trustees of the Grand Union Partnership. How could one refuse?

Well, the meeting went ahead, we covered all the items on the agenda unpicking school progress, considered the school development plan, shared our governor's reports, planned future school visits (myself and Mr Owen joined the science elevation group this week) and finished on time! Success? Well, I hope so. It could be the one and only time I chair the full board meeting because a new chair should be taking up the role very soon.

Best wishes to all of you.

Andy Limbert

PSHCE

On a weekly basis, we plan class PSHCE sessions (PSHCE stands for personal, social, health and citizen education). Our sessions are a very important and valued part of our curriculum, helping our children to stay healthy, safe and prepared for life (and future work) and have a regular opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings. 

These sessions are supported by weekly mindfulness sessions led by Miss Stanley and Mrs Bailey. Understanding our ever-changing emotions and how to regulate and share these, is part of the sessions. 

We are very fortunate to have an extra layer of support available @ DPS, with learning mentor support from Mrs Mildren and Mrs Tapp.  If you feel that additional support might be useful for your child, please don't hesitate to make contact with the class teacher. 

Further information about health and wellbeing can be found on our website. 

Safeguarding

As always, please report any concerns to our safeguarding team:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - Mrs Rachel Rice 

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) - Mrs. Lynn Mildren, Mrs. Natalie Parsonson, Miss. Steph Forward and Mr. Mike Pennington