18 November 2022
Dear Parents & Carers,
Thank you to those parents and carers who have applied for our recently advertised Parent Governor vacancy. Parent Governors are hugely important, and we are grateful that parents are willing to contribute and want to work positively with the school. The election process will start next week, and I would like to wish the candidates good luck. We have also asked parents and carers to complete our first termly survey of the year and your feedback is very welcome. The survey is live until Friday 25th November and we are keen for as many parents to complete it as possible.
As advertised on the website and at the start of the school year (Term Dates | Durham Johnston School), we are closed to all students on Friday 25th November. We have informed school transport and will remind all students on Monday and Thursday to avoid any
any confusion.
We have made an important decision in relation to GCSE RE this week. As you will know, the majority of our students complete a full GCSE in RE and start their study in Year 9. Mr Bray, Subject Leader for RE, has recently spoken with parents and carers at our Year 10 and 11 parental information sessions. The attached letter outlines why we feel a change of exam board will be beneficial for students and will increase their opportunities to succeed:
Letter to parents | Change of RE Exam Board
On a final note, students have been involved in fundraising for the House System this week and we have been very impressed with their generosity. Thank you for your support too.
Have a good weekend.
Mr O’Sullivan
Parental Survey
A reminder that the first parental survey of this academic year is currently open, and will run until Friday 25th November.
We have emailed parents and carers with a link to the survey; if you have not received this, please let us know via school@durhamjohnston.org.uk.
If you have multiple children in the school, please feel free to complete the survey multiple times.
The survey acts as a really valuable tool in letting us know what you as parents and carers think about the school and plays an important role in allowing us to think about what areas we need to continue to develop to best serve you and your children. We thank you in advance for sharing your views. Unlike with previous surveys, we are using an outside organisation to conduct the survey who will then analyse the responses for us. However, this organisation has had no access to anyone's personal data at any point, nor will they share your responses with anyone other than us.
Mr Wright
Deputy Headteacher
What is my child learning?
In the Learning section of our website you can find guidance on what every student at the school is studying. As well as an overview of our curriculum and principles behind it, you can find an overview of each subject area. You can also find a guide to the content being covered in every subject and how you can support your child for each half term here: Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Year 12 | Year 13.
2022 Colour Run News
We run many special events as a house system, but the one most personal to us is the colour run. The colour run is a celebration of the life of a much-loved teacher who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2016. We organise this event to remember her and her wonderful contribution to school life! The money we raise from the event goes directly to the amazing South Tyneside ward that cared for her. This week we are in receipt of a letter which outlines not only their thanks but an overview of how the money will be spent. You can read the letter at this link.
Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed - incredibly worthwhile!
Miss Forbes
Senior Teacher, the House System
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
At Durham Johnston Comprehensive school, all students are invited to apply to enrol with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Following a hiatus due to COVID-19, we are delighted to be in a position to accept applications to register for the 2022-2023 Bronze award programme from students in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11.
The initial letter can be found at this link, and paper copies were handed out to interested students in form period.
Students wishing to take part in the award should return the expression of interest form by Thursday 24th November, directly to Mrs Gibb in Sc4.
Students who are already registered on the award, but who have not yet completed their expedition are also invited to sign up to complete their award programme, again with Mrs Gibb in Sc4.
Mrs Gibb
DofE Coordinator
Careers and Guidance Department Notices
Please click here to view this week’s Careers Notices.
Mr Kennedy
Subject Leader, Guidance
Music Notices
Christmas Concert arrangements
Arrangements for the week of the concerts will be as follows. Please note that there will only be one performance of each concert this year, rather than the two we had last year.
Rehearsals
Tuesday 6th December - 14.45 - 16.00. Rehearsal for Thursday (Concert 1). All members of Wind Band, Junior Orchestra, Big Band and Junior Choir must attend this please.
Wednesday 7th December - 14.45 - 16.00. Rehearsal for Friday (Concert 2). All members of Senior Choir, Chamber Choir and Senior Orchestra must attend this please.
Concerts
Thursday 8th December - Concert 1 - James Hall - 19.00. This concert will include performances by Wind Band, Junior Orchestra, Big Band, Junior Choir & Soloists. Please could pupils be here by 18.40.
Friday 9th December - Concert 2 - James Hall - 19.00. This concert will include performances by Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra & Soloists. Please could pupils be here by 18.40.
Concert Tickets
These are selling well and are available from the Music Department (MU3), and these are £4 (Concessions £2). Payment in cash, or cheque payable to 'Durham Johnson School'.
Solo Performance slots
Many thanks to the pupils who have offered to perform a solo in the concerts. We still have room for one more piece in the Thursday concert and possibly one on Friday. If your child has a piece ready for performance and would like to play in the concert, please ask them to come to the music department to see Mr Holmes. If the piece were to have a festive theme, that would be most suitable, but we will consider all repertoire.
Mr Holmes
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
On Monday our Year 8 basketball team were at Sedgefield for the Bishop Auckland Schools tournament. We played some excellent basketball to remain unbeaten, winning all our games easily to become champions.
On Tuesday, our English Schools basketball campaign started as our U14 boys team travelled to Jesmond Park Academy. We started well but ran out of steam in the second half against a very strong team, eventually losing by 30 points.
The wet weather caused the cancellation of a Year 8 boys’ football match, but a Year 11 English Schools game did go ahead as we faced Laurence Jackson School. Despite dominating possession, we couldn't find a goal, eventually losing 1 - 0.
Year 8 girls futsal also took place on Tuesday as we hosted the area tournament. We played some excellent futsal to reach the final where we took on King James. This was a close game which was level with less than a minute to go. Unfortunately, we conceded a free kick which they converted to win with the last kick of the match.
English Schools basketball continued on Wednesday - this time it was the turn of the girls. Both our U14 & U16 teams played Tapton High School, Sheffield. These were both excellent games. Our U14 team started well but Tapton took control of the game eventually winning 65 - 20. It was the reverse in the U16 game as we played some excellent basketball to secure a comfortable 60 - 31 victory. Both teams travel to Manchester for the next games.
Also on Wednesday, our U19 netball team were at the Beacon of Light for the county netball finals. We had a tough first game against Durham High losing 9 - 17. After that we remained unbeaten including a comprehensive 23 - 2 victory over Durham School to finish runners up and secure a place in the north-east finals.
Finally on Wednesday, our U13 girls took part in a football tournament in Sunderland. After an excellent morning of football, we finished with two draws, two defeats and a win.
A Vith form football match on Thursday was a victim of the weather but netball matches against Durham High did go ahead. It was an excellent result for our Year 7 team as they won 16 - 1 with Grace C player of the match. Unfortunately, our Year 8 team could not complete the double as they lost 5 - 18 with Mia G player of the match.
Good luck tonight to our Year 10 futsal team, who are competing in the area tournament hoping to make the county finals.
It’s a busy sporting weekend for our students as well. Tomorrow, our Inter Boys’ swimming team make the long journey to the Olympic pool, London for the ESAA National finals. We are one of only a handful of state schools who are competing.
Then on Sunday we have several students making the journey to Lancaster to compete in the northern regional biathlon championships.
Good luck to all of them.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE