DHSB Alumni Newsletter

Dear Alumni,

I hope you are all keeping well in these unusual times. We seem to take two steps forward and one step back! Sadly the school has taken the decision to postpone this year’s Speech Day at the Guildhall and cancel the Year 7 Carol Service at At Andrew’s Church – both highlights of our school calendar.

Thank you to everyone who read my previous Newsletter - it's been read 3301 times (the ‘1’ is my mum 😀) in 204 locations all over the world! If you missed it you can read it here:

https://www.smore.com/u/beverley.kinsella

For those who couldn't attend our 125th Anniversary event, or those that did but missed the great talks by Dr Ian Hodgins (Edwardian DHSB) and Mr Dave Riggs (‘Some Buildings, Some People, Some History and Some Memories’) here is a link for you to watch them:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1x2VPpBrq53B_0exnQpGiw6ul1cPvnXUU?usp=sharing

Dr Ian Hodgins refers to the the book ‘A Torch in Flame’ – a history of DHSB by former student and teacher Henry Whitfeld, if you are interested this book can be bought as an instant download from our DHSB Alumni website:

https://www.dhsbalumni.com/

We have some amazing drone footage from the day too which I am able to share here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NljaUlnAb2pV-CLhKYXk4qndzk_Xw_ZS/view?usp=sharing

And here is a link to the photos from the day:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17g_wzN1lrnR_tTe4ZuMx86EO2OVZy1Kt?usp=sharing

My thanks to the fantastic photographers Wes Ashton (drone photography), Lacey Varey and Brian Aitkenhead. The fantastic background photo here is by Wes Ashton too. There are also some of my photos! They are not in any order and some are similar but I thought you may like to see all of them. Please note that these images and footage are copyrighted so are for your personal viewing only.

If you were not at the event these photos and footage will give you a real flavour of the day. Sadly these photos are all we have left of our lovely new spade which we bought especially for the Lord Mayor to plant a tree marking the celebration. I think someone must have picked it up by mistake - it's easily done 😀. Please let us know if you come across it, (no questions asked😀) alternatively all we want for Christmas is a new shiny spade 🎄🎁

Talking of events, looking forward, the Old Boys Association, now the Alumni Association, will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2022. If there is enough interest we are considering holding another event at the school, albeit more low key I would imagine. Please let me know if this is something you would be interested in.

In school news, this term we have welcomed our new School Captain, Ellis Foale. Congratulations to him and I hope he enjoys his time in the role. We will shortly be collaborating on the next edition of the School Magazine which will be with members of the Alumni Association in the next couple of months. If you would like to join the Alumni Association go to ‘Join Us’ on the DHSB Alumni website (https://www.dhsbalumni.com/). The fee is £10.00 per year which includes receiving a copy of the annual School Magazine produced by the students. You will also find most of the previous editions, dating back to 1904 on the website too and they are fully searchable with key words.

In other news, history was made in November when we had our first ever win in the senior girls category at the Plymouth Schools Cross Country! Well done to Sixth Form student Kristyna Cade!

We found out something interesting too recently. There is a Devonport High School in Devonport, Tasmania. Not very surprising I hear you say to yourselves 😀. However, the surprise to us is that it has the same Latin School motto 'Prorsum Semper Honeste,’ the same bottle green (or 'myrtle' green then as I have been advised 😀) blazers and entrance exams. The founder surely had a connection to DHSB didn't he? If anyone can throw any light on this please let me know! One of our teachers, Paul Scott, has been in contact with the alternate Devonport High and they are in the process of setting up penpal links between the students

This term Scott Horner, former DHSB student and Barrister at Devon Chambers, kindly came in to speak with potential lawyers, sharing useful insights into pathways to Law and careers relating to this field. Another former student, Dr Ian Hodgins supports students in their interview preparations. If you feel that there is something you would be able to offer or any work related learning opportunities in any fields we would be very grateful. Please let me know.

I wonder can I interest you in signing up to our school lottery? The PTFA has unfortunately had to cancel all of our regular fundraising events because of COVID-19. Due mainly to our school lottery we have still been able to support the school. The PTFA has paid for a visit from Eric Murangwa, a survivor of the 1994 Rwanda genocide to give a talk at the school, it funded ‘Quizalize’ (a resource for the Modern Foreign Language Department) and bought data postcard kits for students to communicate with other schools around the world.

Tickets cost £1.00, of which 76p goes to DHSB and covers the prizes. There is a DHSB winner every week and the chance to win £25,000. Click on this link to join and thank you for your support:

https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/devonport-high-school-for-boys

Christmas is nearly here and I expect a lot of us will be shopping from Amazon. Please consider signing up to Amazon Smile to help raise money. It is so easy to use and for every eligible purchase (there are literally millions) 0.5% will be donated to the PTFA. Here is the link to sign up:

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1130846-0

For those who shop using the Amazon app it's even easier as you can connect your account automatically to Amazon Smile through the in-app settings.

Another way to help us to raise funds is to sign up to Easyfundraising. Again this is very straightforward to do. As we approach Christmas this is an effective way of gaining money for the school. The first step is to create an account making sure to choose DHSB PTFA as your cause.

Once you have set up your account you basically shop via the links on the Easyfundraising website. There are 4063 retailers to choose from, such as EBay, Amazon, John Lewis, M & S, Argos and Sainsbury’s.

Easyfundraising is an entirely free service. Every time a purchase is made through their link a donation is made to the PTFA. It really is free money! We can raise funds for the school whilst doing our shopping! Here is the link:

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/dhsbptfa/

I have been asked if donations can be made which the school can claim gift aid on. Yes we can, so do please email me if you would like to do that.

If you are looking for DHSB stocking fillers please take a look at our DHSB Alumni website (https://www.facebook.com/Devonport-High-School-For-Boys-Alumni-Archives-102991571784303/) - we have a range of lovely gifts ranging from mugs (two kinds - travel and ceramic), to large golf umbrellas to a specially commissioned framed print of DHSB produced in 2021 to celebrate our 125th Anniversary by local artist Sarah Smalldon. They must be good as my son has put one on his Christmas list! 🎄 We even have DHSB magnets and Christmas decorations! You can buy your whole school photograph too! Unfortunately if you want your items before Christmas you only have a few days to order as the last time we can post items is Tuesday (the 21st). Please note that it will not be possible to have any DHSB polos ready before Christmas. Apologies as this does not give you much time but due to technical issues this Newsletter has gone out later than planned.

Thank you to those who have sent me photos and memories. I will be adding them to our social media and website in the New Year. Please carry on sending them to me. My email is beverley.kinsella@dhsb.org or you can write to me at DHSB.

All that remains is to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy 2022.

Best wishes,

Beverley Kinsella

Alumni Engagement & Archives