20 December 2019
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Dates for your Diary - Autumn Term 2019
- Annual Christmas Carol Service, Friday 20 December, 1.00 p.m.
- Term ends after the Carol Service, Friday 20 December
- Term begins on Monday 6 January 2020
- Year 9 Options Evening, Monday 13 January 2020, 3.30 - 6.00 p.m.
- Year 9 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 20 January 2020, 4.00 - 6.00 p.m.
- Year 12 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 3 February 2020, 4.00 - 6.00 p.m.
- Year 7 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 2 March 2020, 4.00 - 6.00 p.m.
- Year 8 Parents' Consultation Evening - Monday 23 March, 4.00 - 6.00 p.m.
- Year 10 Parent' Consultation Evening - Monday 27 April 2020, 4.00 - 6.00 p.m.
SIMS Learning Gateway - Important information
Notice re SIMS Learning Gateway and the SIMS Parent App
We are aware that some parents may still be using their old SIMS Learning Gateway (SLG) account. We would like to advise that with effect from 20 December 2019, Capita SIMS are withdrawing this product from schools.
In anticipation that the SLG would eventually be withdrawn and replaced with a newer product, the school introduced the SIMS Parent App. A number of parents have already signed up to this and are using it successfully.
We are currently revising the procedures for parents who wish to continue using the app, or those who wish to sign up to use the app. Information regarding the SIMS Parent App will be available and sent to parents in January 2020.
Please note that those parents already signed up to the SIMS Parent App may continue to use he app in the meantime.
Giving Back Campaign 2019
Thank you from Feeding Families
Feeding Families was one of the chosen charities in our Giving Back Campaign 2019. Please see below the message we received from Juliet Sanders, Feeding Families CEO, together with a certificate acknowledging the charity's appreciation of the school's donation.
I am writing to thank you for supporting Feeding Families 2019. With so much help from the community we packed 1300 hampers at the weekend and have a further 1700 being delivered by individuals in the next week.
We love to spread a message of kindness to children and young people and for them to see that they can make a difference through their actions.
In token of your participation, please accept this certificate to show our appreciation.
Kind regards,
Juliet Sanders CEO Feeding Families (Registered Charity 1179694)
Thank you from the Foodbank
County Durham Foodbank also benefited from our Christmas fundraising this year and we were delighted to receive the letter below from Glenn Jones, Chairman of the board of Trustees.
Festive Afternoon Tea
On Tuesday we invited elderly members of our local community, along with prominent charity workers to a festive afternoon tea. A wonderful event, the band played and our guests sang. An array of beautifully prepared scones, cakes and sandwiches were served. Our KS4 Health and Social Care group provided an excellent service and key members of staff supported. An event where young and old came together to chat and sing, stories were shared and a good time was had by all.
My sincerest thanks to everyone who made this event a possibility – to the D&T department for the amazing food and the music department for the delightful music! And to everyone else who helped to set-up, serve and clear. You brought a smile to the faces of many!
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Miss Forbes, Senior Teacher
2021 Ski Trip venue change
The ski trip closing date was last week and I am pleased to announce that every pupil who applied has a place.
Due to the numbers who did apply, our original venue (Club Hotel Belle Aurore) it turns out is not big enough, so Skibound have moved us to Club Hotel Frejus in Serre Chevalier. This is an excellent venue, we have been before and the skiing area is larger than Alpe D'Huez, the only real difference is that the transfer is slightly longer to this resort. Everything else is the same.
Merry Christmas
Mrs Hopper, Ski Trip Co-ordinator
House System Leader Board December 2019
Dog Training
The Health and Social group have been researching about guide dogs and looking into training techniques. On Wednesday they attempted to use some of the training they have learned about with Charlie, a 6 month old Labrador. The students did a fantastic job.
Mrs White, PE Department
Information for Year 9 parents
Protecting Your Child Again Meningitis, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio
Please click here to read the letter from the Childhood Immunisation Team inviting you to consent to the MenACWY vaccination and DTP booster vaccination. Please note that the deadline to consent online is 3 January 2020. A printed copy of the the attached letter will be issued to your child to bring home on Monday.
Mrs Coady, Attendance and Welfare Manager
National Citizen Service
Next term NCS will come into school and present an assembly outlining the whole NCS experience. A cost saving is available for students who sign up early and before the end of December. Year 11 students will receive an information letter next week. For a copy of the letter please click here.
To find out more about the work of NCS please click here
In brief, the programme includes four sections;
Be Epic – away from home for 5 days and 4 nights staying at an approved outdoor education centre, a chance to try some new adrenaline fuelled activities such as rock climbing, canoeing etc. built in refection, teambuilding and free time.
Live Life – a 5-day, 4-night university style experience, independent living and responsibility, budgeting, community exploration in term of services and charities and more...
Do Good – lead your own project! Young people will spend 30 hours planning and 30 hours delivering their very own social project focussed on the issues they care about. Youth led.
Go Party – time to celebrate, bring a plus one and be congratulated and presented with your nationally recognised certificate.
The programme is government funded and is worth £1500 per young person. The most you will ever pay if you sign up your daughter or son is £50, and if you secure their space before December 31st, you’ll qualify for a discounted price of £30.
Bursaries are also available at £25 per place regardless of when you sign up, if you think your son or daughter may be eligible for a bursary or you would like the opportunity to chat about this unmissable opportunity, then call a member of the NCS team on 0800 197 8010.
Mr Kennedy, Subject Leader for Guidance and Careers
PE Department News
We have had three excellent and very close English Schools basketball matches this week.
The first was on Monday as our U16 team travelled to St Cuthbert’s. This match was close throughout and we were only 1 point behind with 1 minute to play. Possession changed several times eventually leaving us with 2 seconds to score. As the buzzer went Roan Varley tipped the ball in but unfortunately the referees decided it was just too late meaning we lost by 1 point.
Also on Monday, our U16 Futsal team were at St John’s competing in the Area competition. We remained unbeaten winning every game to qualify for the regional round in January.
The basketball continued on Tuesday as St Aidan’s, Harrogate arrived for U14 and U16 English Schools games. Our U14 team started slowly but an excellent second half saw the scores finish level at 32 – 32. We then played 3 minutes over-time in which we outscored them 5 – 1 to win the game 37 – 33 and go top of the North group. Then the U16 game followed a similar pattern as a fourth quarter fight-back saw us level the scores with 2 minutes to play. Unfortunately, we couldn’t maintain this eventually losing an excellent game 75 – 71. Special mention to Roan Varley who has an outstanding game scoring 48 points.
Our U16 girls’ football team were due to be playing Venerable Bede in the county cup semi-final on Tuesday. However, they conceded the game at the last minute meaning we now reach the county final in the New Year.
However, the Year 7 girls' Area 5-a-side tournament did go ahead at King James. This was another excellent result for Durham Johnston, as we remained unbeaten to become champions and qualify for the county finals.
The final basketball match of the year was due to be on Wednesday but unfortunately Tyne Met College were unable to field an U19 team.
Finally on behalf of the PE department can I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as we look forward to more sporting success for Durham Johnston students in 2020.
Mr Hopper, Subject Leader for PE