16 June 2023
Dear Parents and Carers,
This month includes National Volunteers Week, an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities. One of our core values at Durham Johnston Comprehensive School is ‘Public Service’ – we believe that all students should understand the society in which they are growing up, and that they should make a contribution for the public good. They are individuals, but have a role to play in helping and supporting others within society. As you will see from the wider bulletin this week, this is a value which many of our students both understand and exemplify. From selling plants to help our local foodbank, to supporting younger students in Malaga, it is wonderful to see the ways in which so many of our young people make a positive contribution to the world around them. In particular, may I draw your attention to the recognition from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme that participants from our school have contributed an impressive 377 hours of volunteering time over the past year? An excellent achievement.
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.
Parent Governor Vacancy
We have received 8 nominations for the position of Parent Governor.
Parents and carers who are eligible to vote will receive an email on Monday inviting them to cast their vote. Those parents for whom we do not have email address will receive a ballot paper by post, together with a pre-paid envelope to return their voting paper to Reception.
The outcome of the ballot will be notified to parents as soon as possible after the deadline.
Relationships and Sex Education Update: Summer Term 2022-2023
We are currently reviewing the curriculum model and programme of study for personal development/RSE and health education.
The new model will build upon previous good practice, will continue to respond to the needs of all pupils, will consider local and national issues and will be reflect the views of the school community (pupils, parents and teachers).
Updates, including the new RSE and health education policy with be shared with parents via the Friday Bulletin and also on the RSE page of our website; this will include any additional consultation periods as well as opportunities for parents to attend RSE and health education workshops.
You can find the new RSE policy here.
Year 7 RSE sessions
Wayne Stevenson will be delivering a series of RSE workshops with our Year 7 students as part of wraparound support on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd of June 2023. The sessions will focus on the law concerning consent, sharing of indecent images and sexual harassment and unwanted contact.
You can find out more about Wayne here.
Year 9 sessions
We are very pleased to welcome Dorothea Scales back on Monday19th – Wednesday 21st June and then again on Monday 3rd to Wednesday 5th July 2023 to complete a series of RSE workshops with our Year 9 students as part of wraparound support. The sessions will focus on consent and the Law.
As part of their RSE week activities next week, Year 9 students will take part in a workshop looking at the topic of sexual consent. This workshop will be delivered by an ex- Detective Sergeant for Safeguarding who now works directly with universities, colleges and schools to deliver bespoke training sessions which explore comprehensively the victim’s and suspect’s journey. This is such an important topic for young people to grapple with, and the session is tailored to be appropriate for students in year 9. The list below outlines the topics to be covered and will include signposting to local support services.
During the workshop the following topics will be covered:
- Consent-what is it?
- Consent and the law
- Emotional/Physical/Legal consequences of sexual assault
- A victim’s journey
- The suspect’s journey
- The criminal justice system
- Being in control
- Myths
- Where and how to get help
The session will run for two hours altogether. Please note that there will be welfare support provided for any students who may require it, and students will be invited to step out if at any point they are struggling with the content of this session.
Year 10 sessions
Just to remind you Wayne Stevenson is working with 10MK, 10JW, 10CW and 10SW on Wednesday 21st June 2023 to complete a series of RSE workshops with our Year 10 students as part of wraparound support. The sessions will focus on substance misuse, binge drinking and the risk of sexual harm, STI's, consent and the Law.
You can find out more about Wayne here.
Miss Robson
Assistant Headteacher, Personal Development
Ancient Greek at DJCS
We are very proud that Elijah Cann and Tina Huang in Year 10 have entered for the Intermediate Certificate in Classical Greek this week. This is a new qualification designed to provide an opportunity for students to show their skill in a language that very few schools are able to offer on the curriculum. We were part of the pilot last year and now the exam is available nationwide; it is recognised by UCAS and universities and supported by the Classical Association. Funding for all state school entrants has been provided by Classics for All. We have a group of students in Year 9 who are working towards taking the qualification next year. Anyone currently in Year 8 who is interested in learning ancient Greek will be very welcome to come along to Greek Club in September to find out more.
Mrs Bothwell
Languages Department
Year 9 History talk from AJEX
On Monday afternoon, some of our Year 9 Historians were joined by Martin Sugarman for a talk on Jewish resistance during the Second World War. Martin is a historian, author and archivist for AJEX (The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women). The Year 9s learnt about Isidore Newman, an Old Johnstonian who served as a translator and radio messenger in the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Year 9 are currently studying Nazi persecution and genocide of European Jews and were able to ask interesting questions about Isidore and other Jewish fighters. Martin also told the pupils the fascinating story of No.3 Troop in 10 Commando; this group consisted mostly of personnel who were technically enemy aliens – German and Austrian Jews. All members of the troop adopted British names and false personal histories. A total of 130 men served in 3 Troop; they never fought as a complete unit but provided valuable service to other formations as interpreters and interrogators. The troop lost 21 men killed and 22 wounded.
We are very grateful to Martin for contributing his time; it was a valuable experience for our students.
Mr Patterson
History Department
Year 7 Gardeners
The Year 7 Gardening Club have been busy bees in order to raise money for the local foodbank. They have planted colourful pots to sell to staff and are well on their way to achieving their £150 target.
Massive thanks to them (and the staff supporting their efforts)!
Mrs Walker and Miss Robson
Science Department
DofE at DJCS
54 of our current students have recently completed their Bronze or Silver awards, each giving their time to volunteer in the community. You can see the impact of that time in the image below. We are very proud of them!
More students are in the process of completing their awards, with the final Bronze expedition of the year going out on the 10th and 11th July.
Applications for students to take part in the DofE programme in 2023/4 will be opening soon; watch this space!
Mrs Gibb
DofE Manager
Durham University Volunteers Awards
I was delighted to attend the annual Durham University Volunteers Awards celebration on 6th June on behalf of the school. Durham University volunteers have provided tuition to 18 Sixth Form students this past academic year and we hope to continue with the programme of weekly support from September. Sixth Form students will be invited by me to request subject support in September and depending on availability of volunteers, will be allocated a tutor. Please click here to find out more about the range of excellent work completed by Durham University volunteers during this past year.
Mr Wilbraham
Deputy Head of Sixth Form
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
PE News
A short update this week to say congratulations to the Year 7's who have just returned from an amazing sports trip to Malaga. They took part in five days of sporting competition and other activities. They were a credit to their parents and school and received several compliments on their behaviour around the hotel. Special mention to our VIth form leaders - Harry Alderson, Paige Henderson, Will Cornish, Ellen Gray and Mathew Rowley who did an outstanding job helping staff look after the children. We now look forward to the Year 8 trip in four weeks time.
Also this week, congratulations to our children from Year 7 - 10 who gave up their time on Wednesday evening to volunteer at the Durham Dash at Beamish. They were true professionals encouraging the young athletes and taking great pride in their role.
Finally, well done last Sunday to our U15 boys and girls handball teams who were at Nottingham Uni competing in the English Schools national finals. They played some excellent handball throughout a long day of physical competition. Both teams finished in the top 8 schools in the country - an amazing achievement.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE