17 March 2023
Dear Parents & Carers,
A brief update today, as this week has been a slightly unusual and truncated one due to industrial action. It has been good to have a full and busy school again today. I am hopeful that serious negotiations will now take place between the Education Secretary and Trade Union leaders to ensure that students, parents and school staff can look forward to the summer term with confidence. I will offer a more detailed update next week in relation to Year 11 exams, support for parents and carers in relation to social media use and to also reiterate how important it is for all members of our community to behave in a kind and respectful manner.
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:
Lost Property
We have an unusually large volume of lost property in school at the moment. Please click here to read information about procedures for reclaiming (and also preventing!) lost property in school.
Year 9 Vaccinations
A reminder that if you wish for your child to receive immunisations for Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio (Td/iPV) and Meningitis ACWY (Men ACWY), you need to provide consent through the links on the letter below:
Please note that the date for the Immunisation Team to visit school has been changed to 30th March 2023
A Level Geography Field Visit
Year 12 geographers visited Seaton Carew this week to investigate how the characteristics of the sand dunes changed inland. Students braved the cold and windy conditions to collect data on vegetation diversity, pH and sand dune profiles. All students had a great time and were a credit to the school.
Ms Colquitt
Subject Lead for Geography
CyberFirst Girls Prize Trip
Early on Saturday morning, we boarded our flight to Belfast - the trip was a reward for our team of Year 8 girls who won the regional heat of the CyberFirst Girls Competition.
Our team took the top spot after successfully seeing off competition from thousands of challengers to win their heat, and join the thirteen other schools who were crowned as the 2023 winners!
It was an unbelievable experience, and we would like to express our thanks to all those at NCSC @ GCHQ that made this possible. The competition aims to inspire girls aged 12 and 13 to pursue their interests in technology and pursue a career in cyber security, where women make up just 22% of the workforce.
This year’s contest, which was entered by over 8,700 girls from across the four nations of the UK, saw pupils tackle challenges covering topics from cryptography and logic to artificial intelligence and networking.
During our trip, we took part in an exciting array of activities (including an escape room!), visited the Titanic Museum and attended an awards dinner on the evening. We also spent time exploring the city and visiting some of the city's landmarks. An excellent and well-deserved opportunity for the girls; we are all very proud of their achievements! The girls were also presented with a laptop and AirPods as part of their prize; again, we are very grateful to NCSC. Well done to everyone involved - you really are a credit to the school!
Miss Forbes, Mr. O'Connor & Mrs. Cummings
Computing Department
Sixth Form Notices
Please click the link below to read the weekly digest of news and information for Sixth Form Students.
Music Notices
Stage & Screen Concerts
Final Rehearsals
Monday 27th - 2.45 to 4.00pm - Wind Band, Junior Orchestra, Big Band, Junior Choir & Soloists
Tuesday 28th - 2.45 to 4.00pm - Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra & Soloists
Concerts
Wednesday 29th - 7.00pm - Wind Band, Junior Orchestra, Big Band, Junior Choir & Soloists
Friday 31st - 7.00pm - Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra & Soloists
Tickets for both concerts are available to buy from the Music Department priced £4.00 (£2.00 concessions). Payment by cash or cheque payable to 'Durham Johnston School'.
Mr E Holmes
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
Last weekend our U19 netball team made the journey to Oundle School, Peterborough to compete in the English Schools national finals. We were taking on the best 18 schools in the country and were one of only 3 state schools involved. All the girls were a credit to the school throughout the weekend and played some outstanding netball. We won game and were very unlucky to lose two games by 1 goal and another two games by 2 goals. We didn't make the semi-finals - but still an amazing achievement to finish as one of the top state schools in the country.
Incredibly, that is our third national final this academic year, following our cross-country and swimming teams' success.
Also last weekend, Year 8 student Ben Beale was swimming in the English Schools Swimming Association finals. After an outstanding swim, Ben won the 100M fly to become English Schools Champion. Not only that, he broke the Championship record.
On Tuesday, our U14 rugby team travelled to Harton for a friendly match. The boys played some excellent rugby to win a competitive match 20 - 5.
On Wednesday, 30 of our Year 7 pupils were at Durham Amateur rowing club taking part in a free taster session. They all had an excellent evening of expert coaching including some time on the water. A huge thank you to all the coaches and helpers who gave their time to make it such a successful experience.
Yesterday our Year 9 rugby team were at Durham School competing in the County 7's finals. This is a competition dominated by private schools. However, we produced some excellent rugby and a heroic team performance as we beat the hosts Durham School, Yarm, Egglescliffe and St Bede's. We only lost one game which was to the eventual winners from Barnard Castle. An outstanding achievement to finish runners up.
Also yesterday, our U13 and U15 boys’ and girls’ handball teams were at Maiden Castle competing in the first round of the English Schools Cup. The standard was high in all four competitions. However, it was excellent news for our U13 boys and U15 boys and girls who all remained unbeaten to win the competition, and now qualify for the regional finals which take place in Oldham in April. I would like to thank the Durham University handball team who gave their time to support the event with refereeing, and Phil Hancock for his organisation.
Good luck tonight to our Year 7 rugby team who are also at Harton for a friendly match.
Finally, more national final representation for the school this weekend as Ben Beale, Grace Carter, Will Jardine and Charlotte Dillon all travel to Wollaton Park, Nottingham to represent County Durham in the English Schools national cross-country championships. Good luck to them.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE