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17/09/24

“I used to be shy, but this week I’ve started putting my hand up more in class. I’m more confident now, and it feels good to share my ideas.” Shaheem (left), who came to us from John Donne Primary. Come and see our school for yourself. Open Event dates at https://t.co/W6QXf6prds pic.twitter.com/Iz3TJ5fDEr

17/09/24

Students on our new Performing Arts Bursary pathway met Mr Edwards this morning to map out their pathways for the year. They will receive free musical tuition, major roles in the school performance and courses with our artist in residence, Molly Burrows. https://t.co/pw61lPrnoc pic.twitter.com/mYxxbMUw6a

12/09/24

Year 7 students Robert, Muhammad, Othniel, Shaheem and William look back on their first two weeks of secondary school. The five came from different primaries: , Torridon, Bessemer Grange,  and . Read what they say at https://t.co/DF7GtlB2p0 pic.twitter.com/8dsGBTQkH0

12/09/24

We look forward to welcoming you to our Open Events. Our Open Evening is on Thursday 26th September 2024, 5pm-7pm.We also have drop-in mornings from 8.40-10.30am on:Monday 30th September 2024Tuesday 1st October 2024Wednesday 2nd October 2024Details https://t.co/W6QXf6prds pic.twitter.com/ZREuYAZP1r

22/08/24

Mr Brett pictured with Stanley, who achieved nine Grade 9s and two Grade 8s, and Lucas, who achieved six Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and one Grade 7. Congratulations to our students, staff and parents for our best ever results. https://t.co/8HL05iUS1j pic.twitter.com/EYkcMWoEvW

22/08/24

Students at Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich are celebrating achieving the Academy’s best-ever results this morning.Students gained a total of 276 top Grade 9s and Grade 8s across their subjects. Full story https://t.co/8HL05iUkbL pic.twitter.com/ieGFL9vC5u

16/08/24

Harris Academy East celebrates A-level and success with student securing job at @DeloitteUKhttps://t.co/bG4cSWkHgF pic.twitter.com/1Mxh5DdxxH

15/08/24

Amy (pictured with Mr Chan) is taking up a place on the Harris Apprenticeship, an exciting brand-new programme in HR, Talent Acquisition and Finance. pic.twitter.com/9VZAPNBZ6v

15/08/24

Mr Brett and Mr Ingham pictured with Robiq, Elijah and Markell - all going to the University of Leicester after achieving their great results. pic.twitter.com/RKP2QmrThZ

15/08/24

More of our students than ever before have gained places at Russell Group universities including Nottingham, Exeter, Kings College London, Bristol and Southampton. Ryan (left) is going to SOAS to read law, while Sky is going to the University of Exeter to study Business. pic.twitter.com/GkUmaTPS6B

15/08/24

Students at Harris Sixth Form at East Dulwich are reaping the rewards of two years of hard work as they collect their results today. At A-Level, 40% of entries achieved A*-A grades. In Technical Levels in Sport and IT students averaged a Distinction + grade overall. pic.twitter.com/jsvVqviR2X

11/07/24

We hosted a fantastic summer concert yesterday, organised with meticulous care and passion by the ever-dedicated Ms Bee.The event was a resounding success, showcasing the immense talent of students from Years 7-12 and a true celebration of our school's vibrant musical culture. pic.twitter.com/1wc2r4AUGi

10/07/24

Harris Boys' Academy East Dulwich has scored a major win by clinching the 2024 EY Foundation Impact Award for Southern Education Partner.Announced yesterday, this award highlights the school's positive impact on the community in Southern England. https://t.co/zgJnFv6HP5 pic.twitter.com/8ImbNGi33l

02/07/24

The 30th anniversary of the opening of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London was the occasion for 30 of our Year 8 students to attend a spectacular performance of Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' at the theatre recently. pic.twitter.com/1mPxaGAVpe

26/06/24

Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich is proud to have been awarded the Quality in Careers Standard, meaning that our careers programme meets all the gold-standard criteria for world-class advice and guidance. https://t.co/jcBZUJMPk5 pic.twitter.com/CGxkWnJ8Fk

17/06/24

Summer Showcase, 10th July, 6.30pm - Get Your Tickets! pic.twitter.com/VJYChQMf5J

06/06/24

Addressing smartphone addiction - headteachers of 17 Southwark secondary schools call on families to support a new joint approach to tackling the profoundly negative impact of Smartphones and Social Media on young people." Find out more https://t.co/kpYOXZ8hrm

23/05/24

Our Student Council has been working on a group project with students from James Allen's Girls' School to organise a writing competition focused on . Find our more about our neurodiversity writing competition at https://t.co/xnEkgtfYj5 pic.twitter.com/NTHnNajSD4

23/05/24

See our latest science experment with our Science Technician, Dr. Rudolf Van Koningsveld. This one is on convection... https://t.co/boc1XYMjJt

12/05/24

Harris Dulwich Boys is pleased to announce a partnership with in support of their State School Sixth Form Cricket Programme. Details https://t.co/pLEr6OKPi1

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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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