2 December 2022
Dear Parents and Carers,
When planning to write this week’s update, I thought that it might make sense to define our final weeks of term of some key numbers, many of which are indicative of the hectic, but enjoyable, planning that is needed in the run up to Christmas. For full disclosure, I initially tried to make my update fit within a ‘12 days of Christmas’ format but couldn’t make it work.
As I type, the school Christmas tree is in situ and waiting to be decorated and we have also chosen this year’s school Christmas card. I’d like to thank Mr Devlin, our Subject Leader for Art for running this year’s competition and, more importantly, Charlotte Hetherington for her wonderful winning ceramic design. We will share the card in next week’s Friday update.
We have had two meeting pods installed, that some younger students may have assumed (or been deliberately misled…) into believing represented a Christmas grotto.
We have had two first aid and defibrillator training sessions this week, attended by over 200 students and also two Christmas concerts being rehearsed, with 155 students preparing to perform next week.
Our catering staff are preparing to serve up to 1800 Christmas meals next Wednesday (no calling birds, turtle doves, French hens or partridges are on the menu, vegetarian and vegan options are available) and 61 form classes are choosing presents for our annual Christmas appeal.
We have discussed the democratic process with form classes this week as we have shared ballots for the two candidates standing for our Parent Governor vacancy. The deadline to vote is 7th December 2022. Form classes have also discussed the issues that some families face at Christmas.
We have 10 school days left, concluding with 1300 students attending the Carol Service at Durham Cathedral. We will share our Cathedral planning with all parents and carers in a separate update next week.
This is a busy time of year, but one that we are always look forward to. We missed the opportunity to do many of these things last December and the return to a more celebratory Christmas period is excellent.
Have a good weekend
Mr O’Sullivan
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
Christmas Lunch: Wednesday 7th December
For any pupil not wanting to have a Christmas Lunch there will be a selection of sandwiches, jacket potatoes and paninis available.
Christmas Book Swap and DEAR
“Evidence from OECD (2002) found that reading enjoyment is more important for children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status. Clark and Rumbold (2006) argue that reading for pleasure could be one important way to help combat social exclusion and raise educational standards.”
Reading is, also, just good fun!
We are asking all Year 7, 8 and 9 students to bring in one (or more, if they can) new or good condition used book/s by the week beginning Monday 5th December.
10 House Points will be awarded to the person who brings in the most books in his/her tutor group; 30 House Points for the person who brings in the most books in his/her year group.
Students will have the option of wrapping their books in brown paper (provided in school) and writing a brief description on the front of the brown paper. Books will then be gifted to each other.
In the final week of the school term, Years 7, 8 and 9 will Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) for 15 minutes a day, giving them a chance to enjoy their book gifts.
Donations of any books would be very gratefully received.
Mrs Clark
Subject Leader for English and Whole School Literacy Coordinator.
Author Visit
On Monday 21st November, Year 7 welcomed a virtual visit from acclaimed author David Almond, OBE, FRSL. Almond is a local author who has written many novels since 1998- each receiving critical acclaim and read across the globe. In year 7, students study Almond’s debut novel Skellig, which received the Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year and the Carnegie Medal from the Library Association.
During this audience with the author, Almond gave an animated reading from the text; explained what inspired him to become a writer; inspiration for the novel Skellig and answered a range of pertinent questions from students. Almond’s resounding message throughout was that anyone and everyone has the potential to become a successful writer: you just have to keep writing!
Miss Bennett
Acting KS3 English Coordinator
Geography Department Notice
All students in Years 7-10 are invited to enter the British Antarctic Survey Competition 2022.
Task: Draw a polar research station and its surrounding environment, including any wildlife.
Important details about the competition:
Please ensure that your full name, age and school name are displayed on the poster.
The panel of judges will include a variety of science, engineering, technology and maths (STEM) colleagues, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and BAM.
The winning entry will be framed for display in the new Discovery Building at the research station in Rothera, Antarctica. BAS will take photos of the winning entry alongside people who work at the station in a variety of roles – reminding people that many different career paths can take you to Antarctica!
The winner will also receive an online call from the construction team in Antarctica for them and their class. Once the construction team returns to the UK, they will also visit the winning school to talk about life and work in Antarctica.
You can find more details at this link. https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/antarctica-drawing-competition-launches/
The competition is open to Year 7 to 10 Students. For more details see Ms Colquitt in Gg3. The deadline for entries is Monday 23rd January 2023. Good luck!
Ms Colquitt
Subject Leader for 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.
Mr Kennedy
Subject Leader, Guidance
House System News
This week we offered basic first aid and defibrillator training to our students. The sessions were led by Mrs Gibb who walked students through the basics of CPR, how to help someone who was choking, how to place someone in the recovery position and how to access and use a defibrillator. The sessions were well attended, with approximately 200 students taking part. The idea was raised during our student voice meetings - a really worthwhile suggestion from our student body! Further training with a more "hand-on" approach will be offered in the spring term.
Miss L Forbes
Senior Teacher
Music Notices
Christmas Concert arrangements
Rehearsals have been going very well and pupils and staff are looking forward to having the opportunity to perform their festive repertoire to an audience next week. Please note that the Junior Choir rehearsal has moved to Tuesday and the Senior Orchestra rehearsal has moved to Wednesday.
Rehearsals
Tuesday 6th December - 14.45 - 16.00. Rehearsal for Thursday (Concert 1). All members of Wind Band, Junior Orchestra and Junior Choir must attend this please. Please note that although Big Band are performing on the Thursday concert, their last rehearsal will have been today.
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
There are still a few tickets for each concert. If you would like to attend and don't yet have a ticket, please do send your child to purchase these. They are £4 and £2 (Concession)
Mr Holmes
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
I would like to start with two excellent performances from two weeks ago.
On Saturday 19th November our Inter Boys’ swimming team made the long journey to the Olympic Pool, London to compete in the English Schools national finals for both freestyle and medley relay. We produced two excellent swims to finish 8th in both races which put us in the top 30 schools in the country and the top 6 state schools.
The following day, our athletes travelled to Lancaster to compete in the northern regional biathlon finals. Again, we performed very well with all our athletes finishing in the top 10 places. Congratulations to Grace Carter who finished 2nd in the swim and won the run to win the event and become northern schools champion, Congratulations also to Alex Chilton who finished 2nd and Archie Woodall and Henry Coy who finished 3rd.
Last Monday our Year 9 futsal team remained unbeaten to comfortably win the Area championships and now qualify for the county finals.
Last Tuesday all our cross-country teams travelled to Framwellgate School for the Area championships. It was an outstanding morning for Durham Johnston as we achieved the following results:
Year 7 boys - 1st
Junior boys - 1st
Inter boys - 1st
Senior boys - 1st
Year 7 girls - 2nd
Junior girls - 1st
Inter girls - 1st
Senior girls - 1st
All our teams now qualify for the county championships. Congratulations to Josh Smith, Ben Beale, Sam Mason, Ivo Schulz and Charlotte Dillon who all won their race to become Area champion.
After school, our U16 basketball team were in English Schools action at Jesmond Park. This was an excellent game which we unfortunately lost 90 - 81.
It was also unlucky for our Year 9 girls futsal team, who reached the area final only to lose a close final by 1 goal.
Last Wednesday we hosted the Tyneside Schools' basketball tournament. We played some excellent basketball, and only lost one game to finish runners-up.
Also last Wednesday, our Year 8 football team ended their English Schools cup run with a comprehensive defeat from a very strong Conyers team.
Last Thursday, our netball teams took on St Leonard's. These were all excellent matches with the following scores:
Year 7- lost 6 - 7 with Grace Clark POM
Year 8 - won 14 - 8 with Harriet Howe POM
Year 9 - lost 6 - 12 with Maddie Morton POM
Also last Thursday, our U16 basketball team played their second game of the week away at Dame Allan's. This was another high-quality match in which we took control in the first quarter. We went on to win 73 - 49, That victory means we finish runners-up in the north-east group and qualify for the national knockout stages after Christmas.
English Schools basketball continued this week as our U19 boys and girls team made the journey to Harrogate to take on St Aidan's school. Both games were played in a great spirit with honours even. Our girls won 48 - 25 to win the north-east group and reach the last 16 schools in the country. Despite a strong start, our boys lost 56 - 36 to a very strong team.
Also on Monday, our Year 7 football team competed in the area 5-a-side tournament at Sedgefield. They remained unbeaten to reach the final, where they unfortunately lost 2 - 1 to Parkside.
On Tuesday our U19 basketball team travelled to Bradford to take on St Bede's & St Joseph's College. This was a close game throughout. We conceded two late baskets to lose a low scoring game 31 - 27.
It was better news for our U15 girls' futsal team. They remained unbeaten to win the area championship without even conceding a goal. Player of the tournament was Lucy Wells. They now go on to the county finals.
Good luck tonight to our U19 basketball team who play their third game of the week as they take on Dame Allan's - this time at home.
Also, good luck tomorrow to our Inter boys' cross-country team who are in Leeds competing in the English Schools Cup final where they will face the best 27 schools in the country.
Finally, can I thank all those Year 7 & 8 students who have applied for the Malaga sports trips this summer. Both trips have been massively over-subscribed, including over 100 Year 7 applications. Apologies to those who were unsuccessful in the draw today, but we are taking as many children as possible over the two trips.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE