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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 May 11th 2021

Speaking Out Against Gender-Based Violence

Four women who have been victims of gender-based violence visited Harris Dulwich Boys yesterday to tell their powerful stories to Year 8.

In a hard-hitting 90-minute session run by the charity Action Breaks Silence, founder Debi Steven described how she was raped twice as a child and the impact this has had on her life. She started the charity so that other women would not have to go through what she did, she said.

Gender 1

The boys also heard from Taya Blem (pictured), who grew up in South Africa, which she described as the “gender-based violence capital of the world” and where at school many of her friends experienced gender-based violence including rape.

Another Action Breaks Silence ambassador, Deborah, spoke about what happened to her in a toxic relationship when her boyfriend posted sexually explicit film of her online without her consent.


Roots of toxic masculinity

But the main focus of the session was on asking the boys about their own experiences of growing up as young men, with our students openly sharing some of the challenges they face because of expectations put on boys and men not to show emotion.

The session explored the roots of toxic masculinity and the limitations that societal and cultural pressures put on boys too, and how this can be changed.

“It was great!”, said Malek. “They weren’t afraid to approach sensitive topics with us and they made it engaging and made me want to learn more about how I can be an activist for gender equality.”

Micah agreed. “The women were inspiring and they made me reflect on toxic masculinity, gender equality and inspire me to make the world better,” he said.

The session also looked at the cost people pay when they don’t show their feelings, or when showing emotion is associated with weakness.

Gender 2

Charity founder Debi Steven talks with the boys about their own experiences of the pressures of growing up.


A safe environment to talk

Debi and the other session leaders were impressed by how open and engaged our boys were, in what was a very hard-hitting session dealing with sensitive issues.

We were all really inspired by the level of the interaction of the boys,” said Debi. “We come in with a slightly different approach to teaching, one where it’s really important for us to hear the boys’ stories and have their input.

“I thought the response from the boys was incredible in terms of how they were really able to share their feelings and emotions – and it was great that the school and our team could create the kind of environment where this can happen – because it feels like a safe environment.”

Gender 3

"The boys showed maturity and openness, discussing a subject that men of any age would find difficult to talk candidly about," said Mr Exley. "With testimony that was at times emotional and direct, the students displayed an engagement and willingness for discussion that can only serve them well as they mature into young men."


‘The changing generation’

Debi says her approach is not to look at boys and men as potential perpetrators but as part of the solution. “We can acknowledge that their journey as boys and young men can be difficult too – in terms of the pressure to not show emotion and not cry. But I think this is the ‘changing generation – one that is starting to ask lots of questions and I’m really hopeful.”

Debi said that even though the trainers were really emotional sharing their stories, the impact on them has been positive because of how the boys at the school responded to their testimony.

At the end of the session one of our boys, Micah (pictured above), walked up to the front to offer comfort to Action Breaks Silence trainer, Charmaine, who had shared her experiences of abuse for the first time and found it understandably difficult. Micah’s sensitivity was a lovely end of the session and a fitting tribute to our boys' openness to engaging with this sensitive and difficult topic.


What our Year 8 students said…

“It was great! They weren’t afraid to approach sensitive topics with us and they made it engaging and made me want to learn more about how I can be an activist for gender equality.” – Malek

“The women were inspiring and they made me reflect on toxic masculinity, gender equality and inspire me to make the world better.” – Micah

“I didn’t realise how bad this issue was and they’ve really opened my eyes.” – Patrick

“I found it very useful - although it was shocking, it was necessary.” – Austin

“It was so good because they helped me to realise the role we all play in fighting gender violence and taught me how to be myself.” – Daoude

I love how they expressed their feelings.” – Vakesse

“It was interesting because we were discussing the stereotypes of men and how that affects us. It made me think about the mental as well as the physical impact of rape and how toxic masculinity can affect women around us.” – Malachi


Gender 4

Thank you to the trainers from Action Breaks Silence for sharing their stories: Charmaine, Deborah, Taya and Debi.