31 January 2020
Dates for your Diary - Spring Term 2020
- 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 2020, 4.00 - 6.00 p.m.
- Year 10 Parent' Consultation Evening - Monday 27 April 2020, 4.00 - 6.00 p.m.
Year 11 Career Opportunities - Apprenticeships
Nissan Sunderland
Click on Facebook Link and apply to be notified when apprenticeships go live.
Alternatively go to https://careersatnissan.co.uk/nissan-apprenticeships/ and scroll to bottom of page and sign up for job updates.
VP PLC - Durham Area
Apprentice Fitter (Plant Maintenance) – salary £13K. See picture below for details on how to apply.
Mr Kennedy, Subject Leader for Guidance and Careers
Music Notices
Evensong
Chamber Choir sang Choral Evensong in Durham Cathedral on Monday evening and we were delighted with the many kind remarks which we have subsequently received. Their ability to sing with aplomb, confidence and security in such a large building was notable, and their rendition of the anthem, which was composed by Mrs Holmes for them, was just lovely. Many thanks to all parents, carers and colleagues who came to support.
Rehearsals for the next few weeks
All rehearsals are as normal over the next few weeks, with the following exceptions:
Wed 5th Feb – Senior Choir – Soprano and Alto only
Wed 12th Feb – Senior Choir – Tenor and Bass only
Thurs 13th Feb – Senior Orchestra - Wind and Brass only
Brass lessons
As a result of some recent timetable changes, we now have space for some new starters (or restarting lessons) in brass instrumental tuition. Please do encourage interested pupils to talk to a music teacher if they are interested. This would be particularly suitable for year 7 or 8 pupils for new starters or members of any year group, for those wishing to restart lessons.
Exciting Opportunity for Orchestral Instrumentalists (Grade 7+ standard)
Applications are now open for the 2020 Opera North Orchestral Academy training programme. Applicants must be aged 14-19 and be Grade 7+ on their instrument. Applications close on March 30th and auditions will be held in Leeds on Saturday 26th April. Further information can be found here http://www.operanorth.co.uk/orchestra-academy
Exciting Opportunity for Singers
Samling Academy provides young singers from the age of 14 in the North East unique learning and performance opportunities. Bringing world class artists such as Caroline Dowdle (from the Royal Opera House), international tenor and Samling Artist Nicky Spence and James Baillieu (award-winning pianist, Samling Artist and Professor of Accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music), Samling Academy is an excellent opportunity for young classical singers in the North East to work with some of the best artists today.
The kind of young person they are hoping to find is someone with a good voice who might be taking singing lessons, either privately or in school.
More information about the academy may be found on their website and the application form for the 2020 course may be found here.
Spring Concert
School Spring Concert: Thursday 26th March, James Hall, 18.30 and 19.30. All school performing groups will take part with rehearsals during the school day. Tickets will be go sale for this event in early March.
Mr Holmes, Subject Leader for Music
Online Safety Newsletter
Please click on the link below to read the February edition of the Online Safety Newsletter.
Online Safety Newsletter - February 2020
Whole School Literacy
Not only were the Year Eights impressive last week in completing the word ladder, but they also created some excellent word ladders of their own:
This week was anagrams and these were the most challenging yet, I think. They are all disguised food and drinks…
Mrs Clark, Whole School Literacy Co-ordinator
Toy Appeal - Christmas 2019
Please click here to view the Toy Appeal Thank You Booklet.
We received this booklet from Emily Murgatroyd - Fundraising Officer at Family Action with the following message:
'I hope you enjoy seeing all the pictures of the children whose Christmas you helped make magical! It was a pleasure working with each and every one of you and I do hope you would like to support Family Action in the future.
Thank you again for everything you have done and best wishes'
Miss Forbes, Senior teacher
PE Department News
Can I start by saying a huge thank-you to Abbey Vets for kindly sponsoring our new cross-country / athletics vests which can be seen in the photograph below. They will be worn for the first time at the Tyneside Championships on Friday 14th February. It is a great help to the PE department to have local businesses supporting us in ensuring our teams always look smart.
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On Wednesday our U14 boys and girls basketball teams were competing in the Area finals. It was a similar story to the Year 7 competition as both our boys and girls teams won all their matches easily, to meet each other in the final. This was the best game of the evening as our boys made a strong start. Despite a late comeback from the girls the boys became area champions with a 20 – 10 victory.
We have had confirmation this week that our U14 boys, U14 girls and U16 girls have all won their English Schools north-east groups and have now reached the last 16 schools in the country. We are the only school in the north-east to have three teams through to this stage.
Also on Wednesday our Year 7 boys, Year 8 boys and U13 girls rugby teams travelled to Harton for friendly matches. All three games were played in an excellent spirit. Our Y7 boys and U13 girls both had comfortable victories. The best game was the Year 8 boys which was close throughout, eventually ending in a draw.
On Thursday our Year 9 futsal team were due to be playing in the Tyneside schools tournament. However the other three schools all withdrew meaning we now go through to the final after half-term.
The highlight of the week took place on Thursday afternoon as our U16 girls football team took on Groby School, Leicester in the ESFA National quarter-final. This was an outstanding game. We took an early lead and dominated the first half going in 3 – 1 ahead. The score reached 4 – 2 with less than 10 minutes to play when an excellent goal from Emily Salmon completed her hat-trick and saw us reach the national semi-final. An amazing achievement.
Girls' football continued later as our Year 7 team took on Framwellgate, also in the English Schools Cup. This was a more one-sided game as we played some great football on the way to a 3 -0 victory despite the very windy conditions. We now progress to the fourth round.
We have had a fantastic couple of weeks with our inclusion sports. Kareem Ellabban performed so well at the Level 2 boccia competition that he was selected for the Durham team.
Grace Walker also produced an excellent rowing performance to be selected to represent Durham in the next round on 12th February at Trinity School.
Finally Cameron Richardson, Libby Dixon and Megan Shaw have been selected to represent Durham City at the end of March in the Level 3 school games swimming competition. Well done to all of them.
Good luck tonight to our Year 10 basketball team who are at Emmanuel College competing in the Tyneside finals.
Mr Hopper, Subject Leader for PE
2021 Ski Trip Instalment
This is a message for parents/carers of those in year 7, 8 or 9 who have signed up for the 2021 ski trip.
The second Instalment is due by Monday 3rd Feb 2020. May I please remind you of further instalment dates for your diary;
2nd Instalment- £151 by Mon 3rd Feb 2020
3rd Instalment- £151 by Friday 24th April 2020
4th Instalment - £151 by Friday June 26th 2020
5th Instalment - £151 by Friday 18th Sept 2020
6th Instalment & FINAL PAYMENT - £151 by Friday 6th Nov 2020
(Cheques made payable to Durham Johnston School)
Thank you.
Mrs Hopper, PE Dept