Friday Bulletin

Dear Parents and Carers,

It seems like a long time since we returned to school on 3^rd January and I thought it would be helpful to offer a summary of what has been a successful half-term, particularly with spring, hopefully, being ever closer. 

 

We have had a series of successful parents’ evenings and a very well attended Year 9 options evening. Our assemblies have addressed issues linked to growing up in modern Britain, with thoughtful assemblies delivered by a wide number of school staff. Students have referenced, in particular, Mr Wilbraham’s series of assemblies linked to Black History Month – focusing on the first-person experiences of key historical figures – and Miss Forbes’ age-appropriate assemblies for all year groups on how to make good decisions and to stay safe online. We have also had guest speakers lead assemblies, with a particularly moving session delivered on family history, the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 and crimes against humanity by Professor Marek Szablewski from Durham University.

 

Our Year Leaders have also held regular assemblies, sharing key messages around collective endeavour and reminders about how to stay safe and treat others respectfully. Earlier this week I asked each Year Leader to identify an important success for each year.

 

Mr Digby shared that: ‘Year 7 have settled into school life brilliantly. They have embraced school life, our extra-curricular offer and have demonstrated that they are an amazing bunch of young individuals. To pick out one specific thing, I would like to refer to their collective efforts in raising money and gifts for the Christmas Fund. That really was an outstanding effort and it warmed the heart to see such generosity in a time of general hardship for so many.’

 

For Year 8, Mr Briggs explained that: ‘This half-term has been a busy one for Year 8, taking part in House Competitions, representing the school in a multitude of ways and preparing for exciting school trips, even managing to squeeze the odd lesson in between! This has been a very positive half-term and one that will help set the year group up for a successful second half of the school year. Well done, and have a restful half-term break.’

Options have been an important priority for Year 9 and Mr Blake explained that: ‘I think the most positive development in our year group has been how maturely they have approached their options choices. They have thought carefully about what they will pick and asked intelligent and sensible questions before making such important decisions. They deserve real credit and it has been great to see them choosing pathways that will lead them into GCSEs and beyond.’

 

Mrs Banner has been particularly impressed with how Year 10 have settled into their GCSE study and increased maturity. She feels that the year group are working very positively and are now fully fledged GCSE candidates.

Year 11’s increased work ethic and attendance at intervention sessions has been really positive to see according to Mrs Anderson. She commented that: ‘Students are showing increased effort in lessons, and every Friday I look at the house points leader board and 'hot spots' of house point activity, and I try to visit these lessons to say a quick well done. Many students have matured greatly over the last month or so and this is evident in conversations I have with them and their teachers. Half term should bring rest and recouperation for the year group as well as revision; it is important to look after wellbeing and not burn out.’ That final message is applicable for all of our students and, particularly for exam year groups; they should rest, eat healthily, exercise and remember that time spent with friends and family is as important as studying. Exams are about peaking at the right time, planning effectively and managing a normal level of worry. Taking time out is essential.

Mr Wilbraham has also written to all 6^th form parents with a very detailed overview of the year so far and what A Level students need to do next.

 

During this half-term we have also completed extensive planning and next steps in relation to our key school priorities, with, for example, the school’s reading programme involving many more children via paired reading. We also intend to offer many more personal development opportunities in the spring term and to focus upon resilience and good mental health for all. During this half-term we have also shared our first steps in relation to forming a Multi-Academy Trust, as we are committed to the provision of a high-quality education for students now, whilst also carefully considering the long-term future success of the school.

 

In a busy half-term, many of these things can be forgotten as, understandably, parents or carers sometimes see the school from our own child’s perspective only. There are always issues to work on, but we are very focused upon improvement and keen that all students take advantage of their time at Durham Johnston. It is important that I share our success and publicly thank staff, students and parents for helping the school to function effectively and to continue providing so many opportunities.

 

Have a great half-term.

 

Mr O’Sullivan

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