21 January 2022
Dear Parents & Carers,
A very short update this week. I wrote to all parents and carers on Thursday morning about the changes announced to guidance on students wearing face coverings in the classroom. I also shared the Department for Education’s update relating to face coverings, which emphasised the importance of local decision making and working closely with regional Public Health teams. With that in mind, I wanted to reiterate that we will respect the decisions that families make in relation to face coverings, but I would also, whilst case numbers remain high in the North East, continue to recommend and encourage students to wear face coverings in school to protect face-to face teaching and to limit the spread of the virus where possible. This is a position taken by nearly all secondary schools in the North East and is sensible given the context of high case numbers and a difficult picture in relation to staff absence in the region. This is also the position that we are being advised to take by the Local Authority Public Health Team. We will continue to review the situation and will offer an additional update next week.
We have distributed Lateral Flow Tests for all students this week and would encourage all students to continue testing on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. We will offer a more detailed update regarding new isolation rules and county wide opportunities for the vaccination of 12-15 year-olds at the beginning of next week.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Mr O’Sullivan
Key Stage 4 Option Choices 2022-2024
The Year 9 Options Event is now live on the school website.
Students have been issued with their Option Form in school this morning and shown the Options section of the website. Choosing which subjects to study at GCSE is always an important milestone for our Year 9 students and they will benefit from your support in making these decisions. Please go through the materials on the website with your child to help them make the best choices for their interests, strengths and future aspirations. The school is here to support students through this process, and if you or your child have any questions, and/or would like any additional information or support, please contact us by email at options@durhamjohnston.org.uk.
Year 9 Parents’ Evening is on Monday 31st January from 3.30-6.30pm and will take place virtually using SchoolCloud. Parents and carers have been sent a reminder today using the SchoolCloud platform, so please look out for that email. Instructions as to how to log on and make bookings can be found here on our website as well as in the email sent last week about options. Booking opens on Monday at 12 noon.
All families should be able to make appointments with the teachers of English, Maths and Science, but we do ask that you only make appointments with subjects that your child is interested in taking at GCSE in addition to this. For some staff, due to the volume of Year 9 students they teach, it isn’t possible to see every family.
Key Dates
- Year 9 Progress Update was shared on Friday 14th January
- Virtual Options Event Live on Friday 21st January
- Parent Consultation booking system open from Monday 24th – Thursday 27th January
- Parent Consultation on Monday 31st January
- Deadline to complete the option form is Friday 18th February 2022
Mrs McFadden & Mr Wright
Deputy Headteachers
Careers and Guidance Department Notices
Please click here to view this week’s Careers and Enrichment Notices
Mr Kennedy
Subject Leader, Guidance
Music Notices
Instrumental tuition spaces:
Through Durham Music Service we are currently able to offer new starter slots for brass instruments (trumpet, French horn, trombone), woodwind instruments (flute, clarinet), and Orchestral Percussion/Drum Kit. Please ask your child to come and see me at some point for further information.
Aural Tuition:
If any pupils are preparing to take an instrumental/ vocal exam later this term and they need support preparing for the aural part of the exam, they should book a regular tuition slot with a member of the music department as soon as possible. These are available on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes.
Mr Holmes
Subject Leader, Music
PE News
Last Saturday over 30 of our cross-country runners represented Durham Central at the County Championships at Barnard Castle School. In cold conditions, they all produced excellent performances. Durham Johnston students won three of the eight races. Our County champions were Ben Beale, Charlotte Dillon and Emily Chong. In total, 14 students from Durham Johnston finished in the top 16, and therefore qualify for the Inter county championships on Saturday 5th February.
On Tuesday, our U14 basketball team travelled to Jesmond Park School in the English Schools Cup. We started well and took an early lead. However, we picked up several fouls before half time and we ended the half 8 points down. Despite a combative performance in the second half we couldn't close the gap, losing 94 - 86.
On a busy Thursday, we returned to Jesmond Park with our U16 team. It was a very similar story and another close game. We led towards the end of the third quarter but we ran out of steam in the last few minutes, losing 69 - 58. Also yesterday, our U19 football team were at home taking on Whickham in the quarter-final of the Tyneside Cup. We controlled the game and progressed to the semi-final with a 3 - 2 victory thanks to goals from George Shead, Matthew Ward and Max McKay.
Finally last night, our Year 7 netball team were at the Louisa Centre competing in the DCDSNA area tournament. We won three matches and lost two scoring 42 goals to finish in third place. Player of the tournament was shared by Verity Ranns and Lily Goss.
A reminder that the parents' meetings for our Malaga Sports trips take place on Tuesday 25th January in the James Hall. The Year 7 meeting is 6.15pm - 6.45pm, and the Year 8 meeting 7.00pm - 7.30pm.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader, PE