It is hard to believe that it is half term already as it only feels like 2 minutes since Easter! On the whole, the weather has been awesome here in School which has meant the boys have had lots of ‘outdoor time’ and made the most of the school’s beautiful playing fields. I have, however, had to remind a few of them that despite their protestations they are not at ‘Champions League’ level and could easily smash a window with a wayward shot or a poor touch (and as I live close to the grass… this would not end well).
Academic
There have been lots of public exams this week and I can see that the pressure has started to take its toll on a few of the seniors. The Half term can now be used to recharge batteries and finish subject revision in preparation for the home straight. Our junior years have Internal exam week just after half term so please encourage the boys to continue to knuckle down over half term.
Tuesday saw the u15s host Cleveland losing by 66 runs. In a better bowling display, Thomas XU picked up 2 wickets as Cleveland scored 159 for 7 off 30 overs. Durham attacked the game losing too many cheap wickets and ending 95 all out.
Sport
Also on Tuesday the U14s boys played Castle View on the minefield with the visitors scoring 150/7 with Durham chasing it down with 9 wickets down.
In the Saturday block against Barnard Castle it proved to be a greenwash with all teams coming away with wins.
Starting with the u14s winning by 4 wickets as they bowled Barney out for 72.
The u15s scored 157 all out. Barney were then bowled out for 92 with Kanishk getting 3 wickets.
Finally the boys 1st XI were away at Barney scoring 221 for 3 wickets in their innings, Captain Hedley Windows 93 not out was once again the pick of the batsman. They then bowled Barney out for 63 to complete a fantastic day for School.
Rowing
Tees Regatta did not disappoint for the Bungites involved. It was great day of racing across the board against some tough competition. Chris H was back racing again after his successful previous weekend and the senior boys including Simon G, Jason W, Matthew W and Nick W picking up some good Band 1 wins.
Good Luck to all those boys mentioned above who leave today for the National Schools Regatta at Dorney Lake in London.
DHM Diary
One might expect that, in the final week of the half term, the thoughts of the boys turn to the holiday… but this doesn’t seem to have been the case in the School House. In fact, it has been great to see lots of ‘extra’ academic work going on in the house over breaktimes and lunchtimes – I’ve seen more than a couple ‘revision clocks’ over the past few days! This is great, and shows that the pupils are, to use a phrase from the sixth form, ‘locked in’ when it comes to preparations for the internal exams after the break. All pupils should now have accessed their exam timetables on Teams (again, please do ask to see this) and they should fully-understand the expectations; it is crucial that pupils approach mock week maturely.
Outside of exam preparation, a few sporting fixtures have survived the intermittent rain this week. As I write, I have half an eye on my phone to find out how our year 7 and 8 boys got on against RGS – well done to everyone involved in this and the other cricket fixtures over the week. We also had a number of junior boys from the house represent the boat club last weekend as part of the Tees Regatta; a particular shout out to Chris H and Vance M. Also on the rowing front, good luck to all the boys who are travelling to the National Schools competition at Dorney this weekend, accompanied by our very own Mr Bryant; this is a great event, and I know you will be proud to represent the school.
I wish everyone a restful half term and look forward to seeing everyone at the Speech Day celebrations on Friday evening.
Academic Awards
Lauds this week
Albie A
Ibrahim A
Rupert A
Martin B
Sebastian C
Alex C
Max D
James H
Max H
Marcus H
Mustafa H
Robert L
Vance M
Harry M
Evan O
William P
Bill Q
Ben S
James S
Henry S
Laud Leaderboard
1=Harry M
2=Albie A
3=Marcus H
4=Sebastian C
5=Jesse E
5=Evan M
Congratulations to all of the boys listed above.
Boarding
Our boarders enjoyed a night of Eurovision last Saturday with all three houses coming together to celebrate the annual extravavganza. We had drinks, snacks and lots of pizza! It was a great evening only let down by the United Kingdom’s quite staggering entry!
New House and School Monitor team
It is my pleasure to share with you that Spencer S has been appointed Head of House for 2026/2027. He will be supported in the house by Lewis S (also a School Monitor), Rowan B, Will G, Jason W and Charlie D. My congratulations go to all of the boys. They have big shoes to fill but I have every faith in them to push the house on next year. I must say a huge thank you to the outgoing monitor team for their work this year. Of course, special thank you to Pardeep L who has been a superb Head of House and I am hugely grateful for all of his help and support.
House Keeping
Really looking forward to Speech Day this evening for what is a fantastic celebration of achievement in our School. For info, the house closes at 9:30pm tonight and there will be no school transport for pupils.
I wish you all a restful and enjoyable half term.
