The Staff and Students of South Dartmoor are always delighted to receive letters of thanks, or praise, from members of the public and parents who take the time to write or email, to express their appreciation of our work.  We would like to share some of those comments here.

If you would like to add your comments regarding an event or occasion at SDCC please email them to Lin Blackman at lblackman@southdartmoor.devon.sch.uk

"Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and your department for putting on such a fun evening for pupils (and parents) - the journey home was full of positive comments  - the boys are clearly thoroughly enjoying their science - thank you.  I'm sorry I didn't 'make myself' known to all of their teachers - it was all too distracting!" 

Science subject page

Thank you so much for sending such a comprehensive package of learning materials today. I feel very rarely does one see, or in this case receive, so much creativity and possibility in one go. I would really like to hear you talk about the work you have done and would also recommend you write about this work in A'N'D (see NSEADs website for info). Only of course if this would help you in your path to spreading the word. The readership is approx 2000 teachers and art advisors all of whom I think would be amazed at what you are conveying and how this has been developed.

If ever you would consider inviting me to a talk you are giving, or would welcome giving a talk at an NSEAD event I would be delighted to know. Either way I think you should be spreading the word and graphic word! The effective means by which you are communicating learning strategies and exploring and extending your own is remarkable. Lucky new school.                                                                                                        Thank you again. Best wishes, Sophie

Expedition to Zambia and Botswana

Following an extremely successful expedition to Zambia and Botswana this summer, this letter was received from a parent by the SDCC leader Richard Woodland:

We just wanted you to know how much we all appreciated the time and commitment you dedicated to ensure the trip to Zambia and Botswana was an unqualified success. 

We have been constantly regaled with fascinating stories of their adventures in Africa, some of which sounded terrifying.  The students were so lucky to have a teacher at SDCC who was prepared to take on such a demanding and responsible job over his own holiday period and to show such enthusiasm over the 18 month preparation. 

I am certain that the experience was an eye opener and their memories will remain with them for life.  Thank you again.

Click here to read the report and see photos of the trip

Zambia & Botswana

Advisor for Physical Education, Devon Education Services

The following comments have been received by John Whithead, Subject Leader of Dance at SDCC:

Once again I am indebted to you and the young people of South Dartmoor
CC for your support and outstanding contribution to the Healthy Schools
Presentation evening at Tiverton on Thursday. The feed back from the
evening has been exceptional and the 2 dance elements made a significant
impact on the audience.

Ann Whiteley (Director of Children's Services) was particularly
impressed by the confidence and adaptability of the 8 young dancers, who
are without doubt a credit to you and your colleagues.

Please accept my sincere thanks and pass on my congratulations to the 8
young people. As always it is a pleasure to work with you.

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Advisor for Physical Education, Devon Education Services

The following comments have been received by John Whithead, Subject Leader of Dance at SDCC:

I am writing briefly to thank you and the 8 youngsters from South Dartmoor who did such a great job on stage yesterday. To dance in front of 4800 youngsters and with a live band requires a special type of youngster. I was very impressed with their composure and their ability to respond to the needs of a live performance. They were all fantastic and a testament to the excellence that you and the South Dartmoor team promote.

Please pass on my thanks and congratulations to all of the young dancers. They are a credit to you and the college.

Finally a very big thank you to you and your colleagues for delivering a dance to a tight brief in a short time scale. It is always a pleasure to work with you and I look forward to future projects.

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Following a visit by Simon Forbes, the Assistant Headteacher of Nailsea School, a Technology, Media and Arts College in North Somerset, a letter of thanks has been received:

Dear Mr Tarlton
May I please put on record my thanks for Mr Kensington's time and help during
our visit to your college on Wednesday 3rd June. Capita had recommended Mr
Kensington as someone who might be able to help us as we wrestle to use SIMS
Profies to generate our school reports etc. and they felt that your college was a
beacon of good practice.

Peter was extremely helpful prior to the visit, when Cathy, our administrator, first
contacted him to ask for help and a possible visit. We were very impressed that
he was in the foyer to welcome us on arrival and then willing to give us so much
of his time to look at the philosophy and implementation of SIMS Profiles and
AM7 in South Dartmoor Community College. Clearly, Peter is very
knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his areas of responsibility and generous in
sharing his expertise.

Cathy and I were grateful for the warmth of welcome and detailed help given; we
were also impressed by the friendly, calm environment of the college and the
helpfulness of Peter's administrator, Claire.
May we please ask you to pass these thanks on to those colleagues and may we
thank you, too, for providing this outreach support.

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World Book Day Donation

SDCC were able to make a donation of £438.06 to Book Aid International following the very successful World Book Day event held at the school in March.  Students and staff paid to come to College in either Fancy dress or Mufti and there were some amazing costumes on show.

To see photographs of the Fancy Dressed students and staff click here

Over £500 raised for the Children's Hospice South West

Audience members who came to see the SDCC's Autumn Production 'StarChild' were given the opportunity to buy a Memory Star to raise money for the Children's Hospice South West.   Following the production the stars were hung on, and almost covered, the huge Christmas tree in the hall.  The collection of donations continued in the staff room until the end of term, and a retiring collection was made at the end of the Carol Concert.  In all an impressive total of £531.78 was sent to the hospice.  This is an extract from the letter received from Eddie Farwell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Children's Hospice South West:

Your thoughtful and kind support for the life limited children of the South West is truly appreciated.  With the recent opening of our second hospice, Charlton Farm, near Bristol, and with the launch of our new 'Precious Lives' appeal for a third much needed facility, this time in Cornwall, it is more important now, than ever, that we continue to have the support of local people.  It is only with your generosity that we can continue to provide and grow this much needed service.

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The Y10 GCSE Drama performance on 13th February was very well received by a packed audience of family, friends and both current and ex-SDCC students.  Being so close to Valentines day the evening was set around extracts from various Shakespeare plays on the theme of 'Love'.  The following comments have since been received by James Hills, Drama Subject Leader:

I just wanted to say what an amazing performance you and your team put on last night. Thank you so much for all your hard work. Myself and my family had a fantastic night and can't wait for the next one. Please pass on my congratulations to all your team and the pupils who are a real credit to you and how they remembered all those difficult lines I will never know.

Following a visit to the Drama department by Jeremy Balfour, Head of Drama at Dartmouth Community College, James Hills received the following letter:

I felt impelled to write to thank you for your tremendous support and encouragement during my visit to the Drama department on 27th February.Not only were you very generous with sharing resources that you have developed yourselves over many years but you also offered considered opinions on published resources such as the Rhinegold 'Teaching Drama' quarterly and Keith Johnstone's latest publication.

But beyond this advice was hearing your departmental philosophy with regard to the overall approach to the OCR Drama course and the extent to which you focus very much on Genre, Style & Conventions from an early stage which then carries the empowered students through the rest of the course.

Armed with your input and enthusiasm, I am about to embark on writing some new Schemes of Learning at both KS3 & KS4 for my department and my day at South Dartmoor has inspired me to be bold and creative.

Sandy Akerman, from the Headbangers Theatre Group, was employed by the Health Behaviour Group who devise and facilitate the provision of the sex education programme APAUSE to schools and colleges. She visited SDCC during January to create a DVD to support the training of teachers and peer educators.  The DVD will be used nationally.  Our Y9 took part in filming and the following email has since been received from Sandy by Julia Barker:

Julia, it was, as ever, a pleasure to work at South Dartmoor. The Year 9s were a credit to the school. They were reliable, committed and hard working.They worked well with the camera man, Apause team and the older peers. They contributed creatively and performed beautifully. It's great to work with young people who can find the balance between having fun and being serious when it's necessary.

Clips made at South Dartmoor have already been used to train peers both locally and nationally.  Feedback during the training has been very encouraging.  Please pass this on to the Year 9s and thank them from us for all their hard work.  We look forward to coming back into the school - for the next Apause training.

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Visit by Mr Brian Hodge

Thank you for organising the two Sixth Formers to show me around. Both Heather and Sarah were excellent ambassadors for the school.
It was also interesting to see how well Heather had transferred into the Sixth Form from Torquay Girls and clearly enjoyed South Dartmoor.
It was interesting when I asked them at the end of the visit - If you could change one thing at South Dartmoor what would it be....? I was very surprised when they actually couldn't think of anything - even when prompted!!
Clearly they liked the staff, the social activities and even the food was praised!!

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Following a visit to SDCC by the BECTA Executive Director and Director of Technical Strategy, when Students ran an assembly about our systems, the following email has been received from Claire Ashton, the Partnership Schools' Co-ordinator of the Strategic Partnership Team at Capita:

I would like to thank you, once again, for the excellent visit on Friday and for sparing so much time and so many key staff. I thought the messages from you, the staff and students were very strong in highlighting the innovative culture of success at SDCC and the importance of SIMS in supporting the college.

Thank you for your support in this, and other areas of Capita, we all appreciate and value our relationship with you.

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From a letter regarding the Christmas Carol Service - 'A Stranger at the Door':

"The service was excellent in every way, from the music performed by the Chamber Orchestra - lovely to be greeted with good music!, - through the pieces rendered by the choirs and soloists, and the readings so clearly read that we didn't have to attempt to follow the programme!"

The letter goes on to praise:

"the high standard of music sung by the choir"

"a mixture of traditional with more modern tunes"

"The behaviour of all students throughout the evening whether performing or doing other duties was exemplary"

"the ladies who supplied refreshments whilst we listened with much enjoyment to the Folk group"