30 September 2022
Dear Parents & Carers,
It has been a very positive week in school. On Monday we held our Year 6 Open Evening and were genuinely surprised to welcome over 1000 Year 6 parents, carers and students to the school. The atmosphere was very positive and we were very proud of how students from across the age range spoke with visitors, led tours of the school and answered a range of subject specific and whole school questions. Many of our prospective parents and carers commented on how impressed they were with our students and that is always provokes a great sense of pride. These evenings always show the school at its best and we are committed to ensuring that every child’s experience at Durham Johnston is as positive as it can be too. Below are some photographs of the activities and examples of work from our Design Technology Department – just a small selection of what was on show.
On Tuesday we also welcomed the parents and carers of Year 11 students. There are two information sessions for Year 11 each year. Tuesday’s session offered guidance from the Subject Leaders for English, Maths, RE and Science. It also shared advice in relation to the upcoming mock examinations. The second session in March 2023 will be linked to revision and preparation for the full GCSE examinations that start in May of that year. We host such evenings as it is important that students and their families are informed but we also stress that the year represents a marathon and not a sprint. Mock exams are, ultimately, mainly useful as a learning experience; they don’t represent final results and are more concentrated than the full GCSEs, which take place over a 6-week period. We host our Year 12 Open Evening next week and also a parental session for those in Year 9; another pivotal year where good advice is key. Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, Miss Davies, and Careers Lead, Mr Kennedy, are also present and available to discuss any queries at our open events.
We were very proud of our students on Monday and there have also been other excellent examples of their inclusivity and desire to help others this week. I have awarded Headteacher badges to two specific groups. The first group include students from Year 7-11, who have trained as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. They are committed to helping others and it was good to see them interacting with parents on Monday too. The second were a group of our very talented sixth form students, who trained this week as guide runners for partially sighted or blind students. In simple terms, that means that some of our younger students will now be able to participate fully and they are accessing sporting opportunities like their peers. I’ll write more next week about how similar support is being offered and having a positive impact in Music.
I would like to thank parents, carers and students for being so supportive of our uniform policy. We have all wanted a return to the normal structure of a school year and wearing our uniform properly is a key part of being part of the school community. We would like to thank you for buying the correct uniform and ensuring that your child wears it appropriately each day. It is notable that the vast majority of students are doing so without issue which means that they and their teachers can focus, as is right, on learning and progress in the classroom. I would like to thank all parents and carers for supporting the school in this way.
Could I also reassure the small number of parents and carers who are awaiting access to the SIMS Parent App. We intend to action all requests next week and I would like to apologise for the delay to this point.
Finally, we are aware of a number of issues that have affected our students who travel on buses A-D from Brandon and Meadowfield. We are working closely with the Transport Team at Durham County Council and have asked that they share any developments or updates via letter, so that we can keep you fully informed. Whilst the school isn’t responsible for organising bus transport, we take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and want to ensure that students are safe when waiting for buses and when they travel to and from school.
Have a good weekend.
Mr O’Sullivan
Year 7 Visit to Durham Cathedral
After a two-year Covid-induced hiatus, we are delighted to be able to resume our cross-curricular visits to Durham Cathedral with Year 7. The entire year group will visit over three days next week: forms J, C and S on Wednesday 5th October, forms H, A and M on Thursday 6th, and forms D, U and R on Friday 7th.
Arkwright Scholarship
Congratulations to Toby Llewellin in Year 12, who has been awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. Toby has reflected on the process below:
In Year 11, I applied for the Arkwright Scholarship, which is a prestigious engineering award for A-level students. This week I was delighted to hear that I was successful.
I applied to Arkwright as it is an excellent opportunity to gain skills, meet people, and boost my CV. If you get the scholarship, Arkwright provides you with an industry mentor and a monetary award to help with your studies and projects. They also connect you with an engineering sponsor, who can provide you with work experiences, contacts, and advice.
The application and selection process was challenging. I had to design and build an engineering project (I chose to design a magnetic accelerator for launching rockets), complete an application form, and pass an exam. I was then interviewed by a pair of professional engineers. It required hard work and determination, however, I am very happy that I did it. I would still have found it worthwhile, even if I hadn’t succeeded, as it taught me a lot about how an engineer works, and gave me many skills.
I plan to use the monetary reward to help fund a 6th form aerospace society, which will aim to inspire others to become engineers. I also plan to continue the project I started through Arkwright, and create more complex, more sophisticated prototypes.
Destination Northumbria - Northumbria University, Newcastle
Danielle from Northumbria University came in to visit the Year 13 students interested in attending Northumbria University from September 2023, to discuss the Destination Northumbria programme that the university has to offer. The talk itself was an insight into university life, and the support/key information they provide for the transition from studying at A-Level to studying undergraduate courses at university. The representative talked to students about the programme, how to sign up, including eligibility criteria, and the benefits of the programme, such as gaining some UCAS points to attend Northumbria University. Overall, this lunchtime optional event was well attended and it provided students with an extremely insightful and helpful talk.
Abbie & Amy
Year 13 Students
Geography in the News Club
As the deadline for the Young Geographer of the Year Club has passed, Geography in the News Club will be starting Thursday 6th October in IT4 from 3:00-4:00pm. The club is open to all pupils in KS3 and KS4, where students will create news reports about Geographical events that have occurred that week. The stories will then be placed on the Auld Alliance Corridor club display wall for everyone to read and learn from. If students have any questions about the club, they should speak to Mr Ray or Miss Milburn.
Mr Ray
Second in Department – Geography
Sixth Form Notices
Please click the link below to read the weekly digest of news and information for Sixth Form Students.
Careers and Guidance Department Notices
Please click here to view this week’s Careers Notices.
You can also find the schedule of Year 11 CEIAG Activities for this year which was distributed at the Year 11 PIP on Tuesday at this link. Please note, the date for the New College assembly is now Tuesday 1st November.
Mr Kennedy
Subject Leader, Guidance
Music Notices
Music ensembles and lunch clubs
All 7 ensembles have made an excellent start to the year. If your child would like to join an ensemble, please do encourage them to do so in the next few weeks, as we will be starting to refine the repertoire for the upcoming performances.
Lunchtime clubs are also still open to new members, for more information about these and ensembles, please follow the relevant link below.
And, for further information about ensemble performance dates and other events over the coming school year please follow this link.
Music Tuition from Durham Music Service.
Teaching schedules have just about settled for colleagues from Durham Music Service and I'm delighted to say that are able to offer new starter slots (for Year 7 or 8 pupils), or the opportunity to restart tuition (any year group) in the following instruments.
Brass (trumpet, french horn, or trombone)
Woodwind - double reed (oboe or bassoon)
Woodwind (flute, clarinet or saxophone)
String (violin or viola)
If any pupils are interested in more details about these opportunities, please ask them to go to the Music Department and see me at some point next week.
Mr Holmes
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
Last Friday both our Year 8 & 10 boys’ football teams were in Hartlepool taking on Dyke House. Our Year 8 had a comfortable 5 - 1 victory in the National cup. The Year 10 County Cup game was much closer and finished 0 - 0. We held our nerve in a penalty shoot-out to win 5 - 4 with Dom Ward scoring the winning penalty.
On Tuesday both our U13 and U15 girls’ football teams faced Egglescliffe in the English Schools Cup. Both were amazing games with 16 goals scored. Our U13 girls won 4 - 3 to reach the second round and our U15s lost 5 - 4.
Also, on Tuesday our Year 7 boys’ team were in English Schools action as they played Hurworth. They were an excellent team, and proved too strong for us as they reached the second round with a 6 - 2 win.
Wednesday was a very successful night with basketball, netball, football and rugby success. Our U15 basketball team were at Dame Allan's for a friendly. We started well and took control of the game going on to win 60 - 25.
We hosted the U19 Area netball tournament and despite some inclement weather the standard of netball was outstanding. We remained unbeaten in our 5 games to win the tournament and become champions, scoring 57 goals and only conceding 15. Izzy Sharman was voted our player of the tournament.
Our Year 11 football team took on Monkwearmouth in the first round of the English Schools Cup. This was a tight hard-fought game which was settled by one goal. A composed finish from Thomas Harvey saw us get the victory and reach round 2.
Finally on Wednesday, our U16 rugby team were competing in the county finals at Hartlepool RFC. We remained unbeaten throughout the competition to become county champions - our first county title of the year.
Last night our cross-country teams were at Emmanuel College for the first event of the season. In lovely conditions we produced some outstanding performances.
Junior boys - 1st (Ben Beale - 1st and Emmanuel Schools champion)
Inter boys - 1st (James Ormerod - 2nd)
Junior girls - 2nd
Inter girls - 2nd (Grace Carter - 2nd)
This was excellent preparation for the 1st round of the English Schools Cup which takes place at Preston Park on Tuesday 18th October.
Huge congratulations to Ivo Schulz and Tom Sadanandom who were in Portugal last week representing Great Britain in the U19 World Laser Run championships. Ivo finished 7th in the world and Tom 8th. They were part of the Great Britain team which finished in 2nd place. Good luck to them for next week when they take part in the European Championships.
Finally, good luck to Ben Beale who next week travels to Greece to represent Great Britain in the European Biathle championships.
Amazing international success for Durham Johnston students!
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE