Table Tennis – Plymstock School U13 girls win Devon Championships
Our Under 13 girls have qualified for the West of England Finals of Table Tennis in Bristol this February. They did this by winning the Devon Championships and finishing runners up to Penair School in the South West Regional Finals last weekend held at Eggbuckland Community College.
Mr Bellamy said ‘Molly, Chloe, Tilly and Anna were outstanding on the day and we are proud of the maturity, competitiveness and focus that they demonstrated to succeed. What a day, and roll on Bristol!’
In our staff briefing this morning we celebrated their achievement and as a school we are really proud of them. I was delighted to meet these modest girls and award their medals and an additional certificate from me to recognise their personal achievement. Fantastic!
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Keeping Children Safe in Education (often shortened to KCSiE) is a piece of statutory government guidance that sets out the legal duties that all staff in education must follow to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people aged under 18 years in schools and colleges.
As part of our work to keep children safe we deliver lessons through our pastoral curriculum to both educate our students and enable them to recognise risks.
Raising Awareness of Child Exploitation
This week we invited in Alter Ego Creative Solutions Theatre company to raise awareness of County Lines. They did presentations to Years 8,9 and 10. There will be more in next week’s blog and a MyEd message to parents from our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Leeshia Walton this week about the importance of students and parents/carers knowing about County Lines. The presentation was around students understanding how exploitation can start from a new friendship and the importance of knowing what makes a healthy relationship.
The leaflet below will be given out and sent home to the students who took part as a follow up next week through our tutorial programme.

Australia bushfires, WIRES an animal charity
In the wake of the horrifying pictures coming out of Australia following the bushfires, one of our cleaners has decided to support WIRES an animal charity in New South Wales. Mrs Callachan has made these lovely embroidered koala hangers, which are for sale by a donation of at least £2.50. If students would like to have one, they should come and see Ms Baker in MFL (LA7).
Year 7 Netball success
On Tuesday night Mrs Kirk had the pleasure of taking 10 Year 7 students to Heles School for Netball fixtures. They were motivated, engaged and worked exceptionally well as a team. They only had one match on this occasion and were amazing to watch on court. The Year 7 Netball team won 11-1 against Eggbuckland. Thank you to Miss Doyle for both her coaching and amazing support with the Year 7 team. Thanks should also go to Isabella and Gracie, in Year 8, for their coaching and umpiring.
Thank you also to the parents that came to support, it was a proud moment. The following students: Isabelle, Emily, Lyla, Erin, Elouise, Ava, Alex, Isabella, Gracie and Esme were a credit to Plymstock School.
Keep being the best you can be!
Mrs Kirk

Post 16 Choices Evening
On Wednesday evening we were pleased to welcome many of our Year 11 students, as well as many Year 11 students from around the city, to discuss their Post 16 options, in particular what we can offer our students in our own Sixth Form. A wide range of students attended, from those who were certain on what subjects they wanted to take, to those that needed quite a bit more guidance!
The Post 16 options guidance continues with our Year 11 Parents’ Evening next Wednesday, as well as on-going discussions with teachers, tutors and careers advisors.
The information from the evening is available on the Sixth Form page of our website should anyone requires further information.
Good luck with your choices Year 11 – remember, the options form is due by Monday 3rd February!
Miss Monelle
Assistant Headteacher – Director of Post 16

Careers at Plymstock School
This week our Careers Insight focuses on the world of Computing #Gatsby Benchmarks
We often speak to students who have a strong interest in perhaps gaming or computing but are unsure of where this can take them in the future.
The ability to use a computer demonstrates great problem solving skills; a highly sought after employability skill! There is an abundance of career opportunities in this employment sector from customer service focused roles to those with more creative skills.
For more job roles in computing, click here!
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/data-network
Many thanks
The Careers Team

Year 9 Boys put up a valiant fight.
The Year 9 boys’ football team took on Stoke Dameral on Thursday evening in the Plymouth Cup. The result finished in favour of SD but the boys were brilliant. A fantastic display of sportsmanship and effort from all involved.
Mr Foot
Judo is the best for Jess
Congratulations go to Jessica who we have followed in the blog for the last few years. She has recently been interviewed about her ongoing Judo success and has been made Drake Judo Club’s ‘girl of the year’

Students of the week
All our winners have demonstrated Endeavour, Resilience and Empathy; Plymstock School students striving to “Be the best you can be”
Our winners include:
In Year 7 Ava has been nominated for being an amazingly supportive friend to all students in Year 7.
In Year 8 – Isabella and Gracie for their coaching, umpiring and amazing support with the Year 7 team netball team. Both Mrs Kirk and the Year 7 students really value your time and support; you have been amazing role models.
In Year 9 – The pastoral team would like to recognise Zack and Jakub this week for reaching 55 merits each; a fantastic achievement!
Finally, this week in Year 10. Jake has been chosen for working really hard on his Sports studies coursework this week.
Next week we will have a special feature celebrating the success of our students in Year 11 following their recent progress check both for effort and achievement

Forthcoming Events.
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday January 29 @ 3:45 pm – 6:15 pm
And finally…
