Goodbye Branksome, hello DSMS

In September 2011,we said goodbye to our beloved name and school, Branksome. Branksome has been in this area’s history for hundreds of years and originates from Branksome Hall. Years after Branksome hall closed it was converted into a school. That school was also named with a name which remained for many years after as Branksome Comprehension School. After that it got changed again but still remained what we know as it as Branksome Science College in the year of 2009. From there though it held a lot of change. We had many new teachers including Mrs Coleman. Also we had some very sad departures from the likes of Mrs Simms and Mr Clark. Then the main shock to us all was the resignation From Ms P Armstrong. From that we received our current head Mr C Kipling. Then sadly Mr Coyne our deputy retired after many years of working at Branksome. He was replaced by Mr N Johnson who had previously worked at Longfield Sports Academy. Well from that we broke up for a well deserved summer holiday. Then When we came back it was Hello DSMS! DSMS brought much change among the school including the updating of the school. The whole school was painted and we also got new chairs and flooring in the main hall and the gym. Our changing rooms were also refurbished. They also got some new equipment. The major change though is to the student. We got some new uniform. The uniforms contained blazers and candy striped clip-on ties The biggest worry of all though was what us students would think of it all. Some liked the uniform but others weren’t so keen. We asked some students what they liked and disliked about the changes “The uniform is good but would be better with normal ties.” Alisha Mascall and Robert Archer said this “ It’s good but in a way also fails” This shows Many mixed views on the changes but the majority all agree that the changes are good but some need still a little encouragement. However this shows yeah we may change our name but the good nature of our students will never change and that were always open to it By Katie Jayne Appleyard