14 June 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week’s update is brief, as our focus in school continues to be on supporting students through the exam season and preparing Years 7-10 for their next steps. Whilst Year 11 and 13 are working towards the conclusion of their exams, Year 12 have also completed a full set of mock examinations this week and Year 10 have mock exams in their core subjects scheduled for later this month. It is an intensive time for students, and I would encourage all students to get the balance right between working hard, taking time to do the things that they enjoy, and spending time with family and friends.
As you will see from today’s bulletin, our students continue to achieve great success and have a wide range of opportunities that they can access, try and enjoy. Please encourage your child to take advantage of the clubs and activities that are available at school and to maximise their time at Durham Johnston.
Please also note that we are currently seeking to employ an English teacher, and additional information on that post can be found at this link.
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
Geography Club Update: Young Geographer of the Year Competition
The Royal Geographical Society is launching their 2024 competition for Young Geographer of the Year. The topic this year is 'Choose Geography' and is encouraging students to think about the benefits of studying the subject and what pathways it can lead to in the future.
Geography Club resumed in IT4 after school on Thursday 13th June from 3:00-4:00 for students who would like to work on their Young Geographer of the Year Competition entry before the summer holidays. Further information about the competition can be found via this link. 
Miss Milburn
Geography Department
Music Notices
Tuition from Durham Music Service over the coming weeks
Year 11 and Year 13 are still encouraged to attend instrumental/ vocal lessons and they need not be in school uniform if they are just on site for this sole purpose. If they are unable to attend lessons because of exams or revision sessions, please would they be kind enough to inform their teacher in person, or by email in order that this time can be reallocated.
Instrumental/Vocal Exams
Pupils who need to leave school early or arrive late in order to attend an instrumental/vocal exam do not need to apply for a 'Leave of Absence', but they do need a note from a parent or carer in their organiser, which can be authorised by their form tutor, or by Mr Holmes, giving them permission to be out of school. They then need to collect a pink off-site pass from reception. Good luck if you have an exam coming up!
15th Durham Johnston School Music Festival
The annual school music festival will take place in James Hall on the evening of Friday 28th June. Please note that this is a change of date from that shared at the start of the academic year. There are three classes over the course of the evening and this performance opportunity is open to those who take music lessons outside school, as well as those who receive tuition in school from Durham Music Service.
The Whinney Hill Cup (Grades 1-3), 18.00,
The Crossgate Moor Cup (Grades 4-5), 18.45
The Durham Johnston Cup (Grades 6+), 17.45
We have had a good number of entries for all of the classes, and everyone who entered is through to the festival, with no need for preliminary auditions. Pupils who need an accompanist should see Mr Holmes to arrange a time to rehearse before the festival, and pianists can also arrange with Mr Holmes a time to practice on the grand piano in the hall. On the evening of the festival, pupils who are performing should be in school uniform.
Music for a Summer Evening
Year 13 musicians, their family and friends are invited to ‘Music for a Summer Evening’ on Thursday 4th July at 7.00pm. This is an informal ‘cabaret–style’ event taking place in the Cafe, where pupils and staff entertain their guests whilst they enjoy drinks and a light buffet. It is an opportunity to say ‘goodbye’, and ‘thank you’ to the leavers for all their commitment to extra-curricular music over their years at Durham Johnston School. The musical items usually have a more light-hearted feel to them than in the traditional school concerts, and I already know of some special items lined up for this year! In the past contributions have ranged from Noel Coward and Flanders & Swan to Joni Mitchell and Radiohead. For more details, please follow this link.
Durham Music Trust’s Third Annual Alumni and Friends ‘Make Music Day’
Are you a former musician of Durham Music Service Groups? Did you learn with our fantastic DMS teachers? Have you been a parent of a young musician in County Durham? Do you just want to support great music to happen for young people in our region? Come along on Saturday 22nd June to Durham Music Trust’s Third Annual Alumni and Friends ‘Make Music Day’! In the morning you can sign up to play with our well-established Durham Alumni Big Band. Or in the afternoon, join leading composers from our region Lucy Walker, Will Todd, and Alan Woods singing a programme of Songs of Home and Belonging. Read more at this link.
Mr Holmes
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
Can I start with a reminder that tickets are still on sale for our 28th Annual Sports Presentation evening which takes place on Wednesday 10th July at Ramside Hall? We have sold over 150 tickets already so please purchase any more quickly before we sell out.
Last Friday, our Year 10 cricket team travelled to Yarm School in the County Cup. We batted first and scored an impressive 127 runs. A good bowling performance saw us secure a comfortable 50 run win with captain Jim Twiddy POM.
On Saturday, over twenty of our athletes were at Monkton Stadium representing Durham Central at the County Championships. Durham Johnston students made up the majority of the team and helped Durham Central to win the competition and become County Champions. We had lots of podium finishers, and they all now go forward to the Inter-County championships this Saturday at Gateshead Stadium.
Athletics continued on Tuesday as our Year 7 & 8 teams were at the Riverside Stadium for the Area Championships. Both our Year 8 teams had comfortable victories to become Area champions. Unfortunately, both our Y7 teams finished runners-up by only 1 point. This still made us overall school champions.
Also on Tuesday, six of our Year 7 football team spent the day at Sheffield United 1st team training ground. They took part in a variety of activities and workshops giving them a taste of what it is like to be a professional footballer. They also played in a friendly tournament. They all had a great and inspiring day.
On Wednesday, we had more athletics as our Junior and Inter boys’ teams were at Monkton for the Tyneside Championships. The best schools in the North-East gathered for an excellent day of high qualify athletics. Our Junior boys continued their domination of regional athletics by winning the competition to become Tyneside Champions. Unfortunately, our Inter team had several injury concerns. Despite fielding an understrength team, we still finished in 3rd place.
Also on Wednesday, our U13 girls cricket team hosted Durham High in a friendly. This was an excellent match which we won by 11 runs.
On Wednesday evening, 21 of our students gave up their evening to go to Beamish Museum to volunteer at the Durham Dash. They were a credit to the school throughout the evening, receiving many positive comments on their attitude and enthusiasm.
Yesterday, we were due to play tennis matches against Durham School. Unfortunately, they cancelled at the last minute. However, County Cup cricket did go ahead as our Year 9 team took on Thorp Academy at Durham City CC. We missed a few catches, and they scored 126 in their 20 overs. However, an outstanding batting performance from Isaiah Moore and Tom Warbrick saw us reach their total without losing a wicket and with 5 overs to spare. We now progress to the quarter final.
Also yesterday, our Year 7 & 8 girls’ futsal teams travelled to Newcastle to compete in a North-East schools tournament. Our Year 7 team played some excellent futsal to win their group and reach the final where we faced a very strong St Joseph's team. A close game was decided by only one goal as we finished runners-up - a great achievement. POT was Gabby Arthur with a defensive masterclass. The Year 8 team also played well eventually finishing in 3rd place after just missing out on the final. POT was Emily Robson.
Unfortunately, the Year 7 county cup cricket match against Durham School which was due to be played today has been postponed due to the weather.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE