Boost at DCHS

Small Charity Week celebrates the big impact that small charities have in communities across the UK.

Tonight was our last meeting of the school year and, as always, we had a full agenda which ranged from testing our equipment to reviewing student feedback, agreeing new activities and planning for next year. Our trustees and volunteers are at the heart of our charity - they give up their time to make decisions, manage funds, plan events, oversee projects and much, much more and without them we would not exist.

Small charities like ours rely on volunteers and, together, we make a huge impact.

Small Charity Week is a moment to recognise and back the work of small charities across the UK. Because when small charities like ours thrive, communities thrive. And when communities thrive, society is stronger.

This half term we are collecting feedback from students about mental wellbeing in school. Over the next week we are asking all students to share their views through a whole-school survey.

Later in June/July some students will also be invited to participate in focus groups with school staff and specialist external partners.

Learning from both the student survey and the focus groups will play an important role in helping us identify priorities and shape how we support future wellbeing provision at DCHS.

If you are reading this as a student - please make sure your voice is heard by completing the survey (check with your form tutor if you cannot find the link in the bulletin). If you are reading this as a parent or support young people in our community, please ask them to check the student bulletin to take part in the survey.

Deadline Weds 17th June and all responses are anonymous.

Everyone who completes the survey has the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win a £10 Starbucks voucher. The winner will be drawn at our next trustee meeting.

This week our creative arts programme brought Sean Elliott Photography into school to work with Y10 and Y12 students on portrait photography. It was a really excellent experience for students and we are looking forward to welcoming Sean back next week when he will be helping students to edit and present their work.

Bringing artists and creatives into school gives our young people access to a wider range of opportunities that would not be possible without additional support through BOOST. Thank you to everyone who supports us to make experiences like this happen 🙏

One last shout out to remind everyone about the Alnwick LGBTQIA+ group tomorrow. 10:00-12:00, in the White Room, at the Playhouse Theatre in Alnwick.
Look forwards to seeing you all tomorrow

Celebrating our wonderful volunteers this Volunteers' Week 🌟

Volunteers support BOOST in lots of ways - helping at events, fundraising, behind the scenes admin, planning etc etc. Our volunteers are parents, students, DCHS staff and members of the wider community. Every volunteer brings something different to our community and together they support us to do more for our young people. THANK YOU for making a difference 👏

If you would like to get involved, we now have a new platform where we will be posting volunteer opportunities. Sign up here...

https://boost-volunteering.teamkinetic.co.uk

There is still time to sign up for our Charity Golf Day - £150 for a team of 4 on a spectacular course with sea views.

20th August 2026 from 1pm

We are also looking for event sponsors to help us maximise fundraising from this day.

To book your place or for more info on sponsorship please get in touch - drop us a message or email [email protected]

Our Golf Day is back for 2026 ⛳

This is our biggest fundraising event of the year and you can be a part of it. Teams of four players are invited to take part in this special event. Cost = £150 per team.

20th August 2026 from 13.00
Alnmouth Golf Club (Foxton Hall)

The competition will be played under Texas Scramble handicap rules as per World Handicap System guidelines (25% of lowest course handicap, 20% of the second lowest, 15% of 3rd lowest and 10% of the highest).

Prizes will be awarded to the first three teams and a raffle will also be held on the day alongside on course competitions. Refreshments will be available to purchase in the clubhouse and at the halfway house.

Last year the team from Alnmouth Village Golf Club took home the top prize and our DCHS student team finished in the top 5. Have you got what it takes to beat them? Whether you are the winning team or not we can promise you a fantastic day out on an amazing course.

Get in touch now to enter a team - please email [email protected].

Pride Month 2026 is here 🌈💖

We are delighted to be supporting Sports Week at DCHS in July. We are working with to provide a range of sporting activities all available locally so that students across all age groups get the chance to try something new.

Huge thanks to Alnwick Harriers who have made a donation to BOOST to make this possible.

Sports on offer include:
Crossfit and hyrox with Real Fitness
Tennis at Alnwick Tennis Club
Bouldering at The Coliseum
Surfing with NE Surf School
Golf at Alnmouth Golf Club (Foxton Hall)
Spinning at Cycles
Swimming/inflatables at Willowburn Sports And Leisure Centre

This is a fantastic opportunity for our young people and we hope some of them will be inspired to carry on with these activities over the summer and beyond.

Look out for our new wall art in school next week - created by NBNE Print & Sign. We absolutely love it ❤️

This gives us a new space to share information with staff and students and raise the profile of what we do.

Yesterday BOOST trustees popped into to talk to Y12 art students in the new sixth form studio. This is a space where Y12 and Y13 students can work independently and it is accessed during lunchtimes and after school as well as during lessons. We have been supporting the studio this year, providing artistic materials, equipment and subscriptions which would not otherwise be available for use in school.

It was great to hear from students about the difference this is making - enabling them to grow in confidence and be experimental and curious in their work. We had so many great conversations and, as usual, we were blown away by the talent in the room.

Huge thanks to all students who shared their work with us. We are looking forward to seeing this space develop more next year.