20 September 2019
Dates for your Diary - Autumn Term 2019
- Year 6 Open Day/Evening - Monday 23 September 2019 - 9.30 until 10.30 a.m. and 6.00 until 7.45 p.m.
- HPV Immunisation, Wednesday 25 September
- Sixth Form Open Evening - 7 October 2019 - 6.00 until 7.45 p.m.
- Year 11 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 18 November 2019
- Year 13 Parents' Consultation Evening, Monday 2 December 2019
- Year 9 Options Evening, Monday 13 January 2020
- Year 9 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 20 January 2020
- Year 12 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 3 February 2020
- Year 7 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 2 March 2020
- Year 8 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 27 April 2020
Mr O'Sullivan Writes
In my time as a History teacher at Durham Johnston students have asked me all types of questions. This pattern has continued in my time as Headteacher, but it would be fair to say that the most frequent questions that I am asked in that role do not, as I had expected, relate to fairness, uniform, careers or why students can or cannot do certain things. All of those feature, but not as frequently as questions about climate change and the need to protect the environment. I did not expect that, but it is very welcome. It is clear that, as a school, we need to engage with students on those issues and that it is something that should be discussed regularly in the classroom and assemblies. Young people tend to engage in a very passionate and heartfelt way with things they deem to be foolish or unfair and that is clearly evident in the concerns being raised by students about climate change. Some students want to show their support for the global protest movement by participating in organised strike days. I fully understand that desire and feel that it is a matter of conscience, something that students need to discuss with their parents and carers and to make informed decisions about. I feel that we have a responsibility to create opportunities for students to express their concerns at school too and we intend to organise events during this term that allow all our students to debate the issues and to act collectively as a school community. Small changes can make a big difference and there are 1750 students and adults at Durham Johnston that can work together to have a positive impact. The main purpose of any school is to educate and we are keen to focus upon subjects that are of concern to many of our students and that will help them to make good decisions in the future. We also have a responsibility to safeguard students and that is so
mething that we take very seriously. If parents would like to discuss the school’s approach and plans then please feel free to contact me.
An update: Over 150 of our students participated in the global protest today. I would like to thank parents for contacting the school, working closely with us and for collecting students to ensure their safety. Participating students have been polite, keen to work with the school and have demonstrated that they care about the society in which they live. This reflects very well upon them.
A J O'Sullivan - Headteacher
Duke of Edinburgh Notice
Final deadline for Gold application form is Friday 27 September. Applications cannot be considered after the deadline.
Mrs I Gibb, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator
Lunchtime Clubs and After School Activities
Please click on the following link below for details of Lunchtime Clubs and After School Activities for the Autumn Term.
Lunchtime Clubs and After School Activities - Autumn Term 2019
High Needs Funding Consultation
Durham County Council have asked schools to inform parents of a consultation on High Needs Block Funding that supports children and young people with Special Education Needs, Disability (SEND) and alternative education requirements. The consultation will run until 17 October 2019. Information about this consultation and how you can have your say can be found at: http://www.durham.gov.uk/consultation
Please see below further information and a letter from Head of Early Help, Inclusion and Vulnerable Children, Durham County Counci
Music Notices
Music Ensembles 2019 - 2020
All 7 ensembles have made an excellent start to the year. Pupils who still wish to join groups should aim to attend next week, to ensure that they have a place in the relevant groups. Please follow this link for more information about musical opportunities within the school community.
Instrumental Tuition
Now that instrumental and vocal tuition in school has started to settle down, we find that there are a few places for pupils to receive lessons on keyboard or orchestral percussion. In order to have electronic keyboard lessons pupils would need to have an instrument, upon which they could practice, at home. Orchestral percussion lessons might best suit those who already play the piano, as this will broaden their musical skills, and allow them to join a school ensemble in the future. Please note that there is a cost for this and that pupils should see me for more details.
Piano Event
Any pianists and those taking GCSE and A Level Music may be interested in a lecture/ recital which is taking place in Durham on Saturday 5th October. Please note that this is the correct date and not in July as was advertised last week. For more information please click here.
Dancing on the Tyne
The newly formed Music Department of Northumbria University has asked me to draw your attention to an event which has been organised for secondary school pupils on the afternoon of Saturday 22nd November. Further information can be found at this link.
Mr Holmes – Subject Leader for Music
PE Department News
Three of our football teams were in cup action on Tuesday. Our Year 7 team took on St Leonard’s in the Tyneside Cup. This was an excellent game played in a great spirit. We were 2 – 1 ahead at half-time and dominated the second half going on to complete a 5 - 1 victory. It was also good news for our Year 9 team who also recorded a 5 – 1 victory this time against Heworth in the County Cup.
Our only defeat came in the Year 10 County cup as we took on a very strong team from St Joseph’s eventually losing 6 – 1.
Also on Tuesday our U15 table tennis team were at Belmont competing in the Durham Area championships. After an excellent evening of high quality table tennis we finished runners-up only losing one game to the eventual winners from Framwellgate.
St Leonard’s were back on Wednesday for a VIth form football match. Our VIth form team are looking strong this year and we started the season with a comfortable 6 – 2 win.
A busy week of football continued yesterday as our Year 7 team travelled to Kingsmeadow in the second round of the English Schools cup. We took a 2 – 0 lead before being pegged back to 2 – 2 early in the second half. We then stepped up a gear going on to reach the third round with a 5 – 2 victory. It was also a successful night for our Year 10 team who were at home in a league and cup double game against Bishop Barrington. This was a one-sided game which we won 8 – 0.
Finally good luck tonight to our U14 girls football team who are at home against High Tunstall in the county cup.
Mr Hopper - Subject Leader for PE
Football Fixtures 2019-2020