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22/03/24

Delighted to welcome and his team into our academy this week to film for his latest book. Inspiring our students to develop their reading further.

18/03/24

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that our Science Technician, Rudolf Van Koningsveld, has been awarded The Registered Science Technician Award (RSciTech), a registered mark recognising excellence for technicians working in science education! pic.twitter.com/v7kYxDhU4E

18/03/24

Year 11 students dazzled the examiner with their recent GCSE Component 2 performances, worth 20% of their overall grade.Performing two gripping extracts from 'Starlight Express', the students showcased months of hard work and dedication, leaving the examiner in awe. pic.twitter.com/eAc3eRjgae

18/03/24

Principal's Breakfast on Friday celebrated ten students nominated for 'doing the right thing all the time' this week by their teachers. Each week the winners receive a free breakfast, gift voucher and certificate pic.twitter.com/vfyD3TDyLS

21/02/24

🎉Congratulations to both and on maintaining their Outstanding Ofsted judgments following recent inspections!Read more about their success here:https://t.co/cXhlAIPOFJ

21/02/24

🎉Congratulations to both and on maintaining their Outstanding Ofsted judgments following recent inspections!Read more about their success here:https://t.co/cXhlAIPOFJ

21/02/24

Very happy to be featured in this week along with following both our Ofsted 'Outstanding' ratings. We're incredibly proud of our staff and students and it's lovely to have our success celebrated! https://t.co/UMwA7yMjcG

20/02/24

Year 12 and 13 students were treated to a talk about economics (and careers) by Chief Economist Peter Arnold . "Peter's talk has encouraged me to pursue a career in economics," said Imran. "I look forward to learning more about the macroeconomic policies in my course." pic.twitter.com/y6KPjVpk7K

15/02/24

We had fun last week celebrating our recent Ofsted 'Outstanding' Award with students. We were very proud of the way our students conducted themselves during the visit. They were a true credit to themselves, our Academy and their families. https://t.co/Frz4TrGe5f pic.twitter.com/S27e95IBt4

13/02/24

Get your tickets for our latest school production, Bugsy Malone, 13th and 14th March 2024. Tickets available on ParentPay from 19th February. Don't miss! pic.twitter.com/mfp6r7W1xP

13/02/24

We are thrilled to announce that our student, Sebastian, has emerged as the winner in the Southwark Regional Final of Jack Petchey's Speak Out Challenge. A compelling and persuasive performance indeed! https://t.co/iJGSNARJai pic.twitter.com/lrwpFhyoyL

06/02/24

Our Art Prefects have had their second workshop with ceramicist Marie Tricaud. Students fired their ceramics in the kiln and applied coloured glaze. We experimented with colour and different painting techniques, finishing with beautiful results https://t.co/UyUjtBhnU3 pic.twitter.com/hALsSeg85L

01/02/24

Younes, Lawrence, Artur and Chowdhury competed in the Year 7 Spelling Bee earlier this week, taking on challenging words such as onomatopoeia, armageddon, connoisseur, fluorescent, leprechaun, garrulous and haemorrhage. A superb effort from our team! pic.twitter.com/f3onldp091

29/01/24

Urban Plan delivered a great urban development workshop today. Year 10 students were split into five 'development companies' and had to show industry professionals why their team should gain the opportunity to develop a new town centre. https://t.co/DyBJtLqfuN pic.twitter.com/mT1G2GLMOO

29/01/24

On Friday we held a special rewards breakfast for all the boys who helped with our Winter Showcase music concert at the end of last term.It was the largest amount of students we have had in one concert, so well done everyone. Our next event is Bugsy Malone in March! pic.twitter.com/QmVbi8qwuT

25/01/24

Our debating team made waves at the recent competition held at Sydenham High. Twelve of our best debaters rose to the occasion, demonstrating their eloquence and critical thinking. Judges praised their poise and respectful engagement with their opponents. Well done boys! pic.twitter.com/UIXm2Ec43h

09/01/24

Ofsted have again found our academy to be 'Outstanding'. A huge thank you to our excellent team of staff who work tirelessly to provide our students with the very best learning opportunities. Thank you so much😃. Read more https://t.co/vOQdNotx7K pic.twitter.com/XU2Hy4Cj6E

14/12/23

Our Chess Club enjoy a friendly tournament with six keen players from . The event was held in the school library, where 15 players competed in a series of matches. Great sportsmanship and camaraderie. Watch out for a Chess Competition! pic.twitter.com/5y6mJlKqMs

12/12/23

We were delighted to welcome our sponsor, Lord Harris, to Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich last week. It was inspirational for many of the students to meet Lord Harris and hear his passion and enthusiasm for our academy. pic.twitter.com/94SSlYjWhh

07/12/23

Sixth formers attend a PwC graduate scheme event for Black students recently, organised in collaboration with . The event catered to Black A-level students in years 12-13 aspiring to attend top-tier universities. Read more https://t.co/a0uJVg5o3G pic.twitter.com/HF5orb2Fto

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Latest News

Posted on June 18th 2021

A Journey of Self-Discovery for Year 9

Ten boys in Year 9 have been on a ten-week journey of self-discovery through a special programme run by the organisation Strengthening Minds.

The programme, set up six years ago by former teacher Steve Daniels, encourages boys to explore what makes them feel strong and powerful, how to express themselves confidently, and how to take responsibility for their own actions.

“We call it our Positive Communication and Pupil Empowerment programme, but at its heart is about the boys recognising their potential and self-worth, and what they are capable of,” says Steve.

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During the ten week programme, students explore how they respond in different situations – covering topics such as how to identify success, the advantages of a positive mindset, self-motivation and why we all sometimes need to step outside of our comfort zones.

Boys explore mindfulness and meditation too, and even look at body language, because how we hold ourselves can influence how we feel.


How are you feeling?

Every session starts with boys thinking about how they are feeling that morning, and sharing this with others. “This is a really important part of every session as the boys get a chance to talk about what’s happening to them,” says Steve.

Every session has practical challenges too, designed to encourage boys to reflect on how they manage their emotions in different ways.

One game, for example, involves trying to bounce a tennis ball into a small cup several metres away. Some boys manage it first time while others need lots of goes before they succeed. The boys learn about themselves and how they manage their frustration when things don’t happen easily, and the resilience they need to eventually succeed.

In another game, the boys roll a dice and get a prize if they roll a four or six. Otherwise they get nothing. How does it feel to win or not win? And what can we learn about ourselves from how we react to what happens?

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“I don’t get annoyed as easily”

We asked some of the boys to explain the impact of the programme on their lives, both at school and at home. “This is the start of something new,” said Tristen, Year 9. “The programme has changed how I look at life in a positive way. I don’t get annoyed as easily now and am more confident.”

Max, Year 9, says he can now focus better and “listen to people for a long time. I think my mum has seen I have been more positive.”

Zaid, Year 9, also thinks his behaviour has improved. “I’ve learned different ways to manage myself when I feel angry and I’m less hot-headed now. I take time out and am learning to step away from things that are making me feel angry.”

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“I am happy with the person I am.”

Boys complete a questionnaire before the start of the ten-week programme and again afterwards, to measure how it has changed their approach to life.

At the start of the sessions, Tristen rated himself as four out of ten when answering the question “I am happy with the person I am.” By the end of the sessions this had risen to eight.

In answer to the question “I know different strategies to manage my emotions”, Syed scored himself as five before the programme, but nine afterwards.

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The start of a journey

Every boy has their own Strengthening Minds journal in which they record how they developed during the ten weeks and can take away at the end of the programme. Steve Daniels stresses to the boys that the end of the programme is really just the start of their journey, as they take away what they have learned and apply it across their school and home lives.

Although Year 9 have now completed their course we are proud to be working with Strengthening Minds later this term on sessions for Year 7, with further sessions planned in September.

Students are chosen for the course if we feel they will benefit because they need extra support to improve their motivation or focus. For further details contact Mr Pugh M.pugh@harrisdulwichboys.org.uk.

Strengthening Minds is also training our own staff to run sessions in future, so that the approach can become embedded across the school in the months ahead.

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