Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation | Weekly Newsletter

Durham School

Last night saw the first major House competition of the year, and it was for Drama to open the proceedings. Receiving a brief just before 9 o’clock yesterday morning, the six House teams had a day to devise, design, produce, rehearse and perform their pieces at 5pm. As ever, the event brought pupils from throughout the House together both on and off the stage, creating a shared sense of purpose, pride and belonging. Whether performing, directing, designing sets, managing props or working behind the scenes, it was excellent to see the House team bring the production to life. I commend all those who participated, and trust they enjoyed the challenges and success of working together to achieve deliver the performance within such a tight schedule. Congratulations go to Pimlico on their outstanding production and performance.

Next week sees the Music Scholars’ Concert on Wednesday at 7 pm and, as usual, we close with a service in the Cathedral at 3pm on Friday. Parents and family members are warmly invited to join us for both the concert and the service. A further reminder that we mark the 100th anniversary of the School Chapel with a service at 5.15 followed by the OD Dinner in Big School. Tickets may be reserved here.

Good luck to those playing against Ashville tomorrow as well as those competing at Tyne Long Distance Sculls and Small Boats Head. I offer my best wishes for the weekend.

Dr Michael Alderson, Principal

Chorister School

Dear Parents,

We all know how easy it is to spend our time glued to a screen, scrolling through social media and missing what is happening around us. At school, we want our children to see adults who are fully present: listening, laughing and enjoying the company of the people they are with. This matters to us as much as what we teach in the classroom.

There are times though when you may notice a member of staff using a mobile phone while on the cobbles, on a trip, or elsewhere around school. I have had some feedback on this so wanted to explain why, so there is no confusion.

Our staff do not use their phones for personal reasons during the school day while with the children. Expectations on this are clear and we hold ourselves to high standards in this regard. However, many of the systems we rely on to keep pupils safe and organised are used as apps on staff phones. This allows teachers to stay connected with those apps while outdoors with the children.

When you see a teacher using their phone, it is most likely for one of the following reasons:

· Taking the register on iSAMS. Accurate registration is essential for safeguarding, and it needs to happen wherever the children are, including outdoors or on a visit.

· Checking SOCS. This tells us which children should be at which clubs and how each child is getting home at the end of the day, so that every child is with the right person and in the right place at the right time.

· Messaging colleagues on Teams. Staff use this to pass on urgent information quickly, such as a change to a club, a child who needs to be collected, or a request for support.

These are tools that help us look after your children. Our staff are trained to use them responsibly and I am grateful for the care they take in doing so. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to me or to your child’s teacher.

We have a busy week ahead as we approach the half term break. On Wednesday we have Topsy Turvy Day in which we are raising funds for the RSPCA as chosen by the school council. On Friday we have the Harvest Festival and we are asking for donations for County Durham Foodbank. Also on Friday we are marking our long association with the Foundation of Light as they celebrate 25 years of outreach and working in the community.

Mr Kevin Hannah, Head of Chorister School

Computer Science Department: Donations for Robotics Club

A little plea to parents!

As we head into half term, we know many families might be having a clear out at home. If you have any old mobile phones, laptops, games consoles or Lego that are no longer being used, we would be incredibly grateful if you would consider donating them to the Computer Science department!

These items could be put to great use in our displays or help support our new Robotics Club, starting after half term. Things that might be gathering dust at home could make a real difference and inspire our pupils’ curiosity and creativity!

Donations can be dropped off at Big School or Choristers’ Reception, care of Mrs Fox.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support – it really is appreciated!

Careers Education at DCSF

Our careers programme helps pupils explore future opportunities, discover different pathways and make informed decisions about their next steps. To find out more about our approach to careers education, guidance and support across the Foundation, please read our Careers Booklet, available to access here.

DCSF Events

Explore our Events page to discover upcoming events and find out what’s happening across the Foundation.

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Term Dates

2027-2028

The term dates for 2027–2028 are now available to view. Click here to find out more.

Week Ahead

Chorister School - WEEK COMMENCING Monday 19 OCT 2026

WEEK COMMENCING Monday 19th October 2026 AT CHORISTER SCHOOL

Monday 19th October

15.30 – Parent Tutor Meetings

15.30 -1P Parent Tutor Meetings

Tuesday 20th October

All day – Year 1 visit to Raby Castle

All day – Brass Day at Durham School

15.30 – FS2Ma Parent Tutor Meetings

15.30 – 2W and 2JY Parent Tutor Meetings

Wednesday 21st October

School Council’s Topsy Turvy Day

15.30 – 1P Parent Tutor Meetings

17.15 – Optional visit for Year 3 to 6 to Boys Evensong

19.15 – Durham School Music Scholars Concert

Thursday 22nd October

15.30 – 2W Parent Tutor Meetings

Friday 23rd October

Red and White Day, supporting Sunderland Foundation of Light

09.30 – Harvest Festival, Durham School Chapel

11.30 – Jazz musicians to workshop at Gala Theatre

HALF TERM BEGINS AT END OF SCHOOL DAY School closes at 18.00

Durham School - WEEK COMMENCING Monday 19 OCT 2026

WEEK COMMENCING Monday 19th October 2026 AT DURHAM SCHOOL

Monday 19th October

Week B

Sixth Form Autumn Formal – 18:30-22:00

Tuesday 20th October

F&GP Committee – 09:00-11:00

Brass Day – 11:00-16:00 AM – Durham School. 14:30 onwards – Chorister School

Hockey Girls-U14A vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U14B vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U15A vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U15B vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Lodge House – Halloween Crafts and Makes – 16:30-18:30

Wednesday 21st October

Y10 Geography Fieldwork – All Day Hamsterley Forest

Year 9 Artist Workshop – 09:00-16:20

Hockey 1st XI vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey 2nd XI vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U16A vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Lodge House Social Event – Halloween Party – 16:30-18:00

Poole House Year 7 and Upper Sixth Form Social – 17:00-18:30

Scholars’ Concert – 19:00-21:00

Thursday 22nd October

Lodge House – Victorious HIVE Team Pizza Party – 13:30-14:15

Hockey Girls-U12A vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U12B vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U13A vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U13B vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Hockey Girls-U13C vs HOUSE HOCKEY – 14:30(H)

Rugby Union Boys-U12A vs Junior House Rugby – 14:30(H)

Rugby Union Boys-U12B vs Junior House Rugby – 14:30(H)

Rugby Union Boys-U12C vs Junior House Rugby – 14:30(H)

Rugby Union Boys-U13A vs Junior House Rugby – 14:30(H)

Rugby Union Boys-U13B vs Junior House Rugby – 14:30(H)

Rugby Union Boys-U13C vs Junior House Rugby – 14:30(H)

Year 9 & 10 Caffinites Social – Lane 7 – 16:30-18:30

Friday 23rd October

Durham School Cathedral Service – 15:00-16:00

Senior School Houses close to boarders and day pupils – 16:30 Half Term Begins

Saturday 24th October

Chapel Centenary Celebrations – 17:00

Sunday 25th October

–

Weekly Newsletter – 16 October 2026

Durham School

Chorister School

DCSF News

Poole – 16 October

MacLeod – 16 October

The Caffinites – 16 October

Pimlico – 16 October

Lodge – 16 October

Bungites – 16 October

From the Cathedral Choristers – 16 October

From the Archives – 16 October

House Drama Competition 2026: A Play in a Day

Term Dates

2027-2028

Week Ahead

Chorister School - WEEK COMMENCING Monday 19 OCT 2026

Durham School - WEEK COMMENCING Monday 19 OCT 2026

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