21 June 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am writing this update after watching the Year 9 Euros final between our Heaviside and Kenny Houses. It has to be said that it was more enjoyable than watching England’s second group game last night, with much more attacking intent and greater tactical awareness. In the echo of the England team’s tournament history, I left today’s game when it was equal on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
I always look forward to our summer competitions and school staff deserve real credit for offering such opportunities. Similarly, the way in which form groups embrace their teams and countries is wonderful to see, as is their support during the games. I have regularly written about the importance of rituals and milestones for our students and our summer term competitions, the Colour Run and our house events characterise Durham Johnston’s summer term. We think carefully about their timing too, so that we give the correct support to those completing external exams and then have a range of engaging activities for our younger students as we head towards the end of term.
Year 11 applied themselves fully throughout the GCSE exam period, and it is good to see so many of them back in school for today’s Year 12 induction day. They are clearly excited about their next steps, and it was also very encouraging to speak to young people from so many other schools who are keen on joining us in September. Each year students from over thirty-five other secondary schools join our sixth form and we always extend a warm welcome. Today is an important day and the sixth form team will continue to offer support between now and the start of the 2024-25 school year.
The final 4 weeks of term are busy, and students can involve themselves in a range of activities. We are proud of our extracurricular offer and are aware that not all schools can or do provide so many opportunities.
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
Parental Survey
As a school we are always keen to know what our parent body is thinking. To that end, we run surveys for parents twice each academic year, in the autumn and the summer. The summer survey opened for responses this morning, Tuesday 18th June at 8.00am, and will be available until Friday 28th June at 6.00pm.
The link to the survey was emailed directly to parents and carers earlier this week; if you did not receive it, please contact the school via school@durhamjohnston.org.uk
If you have multiple children in the school, please feel free to complete the survey for each child.
The survey is a really valuable tool to let us know what you think about the school as parents or carers and helps us to understand how we need to continue to develop and improve to best serve you and your children. It is also helpful in identifying what we are doing successfully. We thank you in advance for sharing your views. This year, we ran parental focus groups as a direct response to the autumn survey and are continuing to work on the feedback we received from those. Responses from this survey will be used to inform our planning for the next academic year, and you will be able to hear more about this during the Parental Information Presentations in the first term.
Individual responses to questions are not possible when completing the survey and we would encourage anyone with a specific question or concern to contact the school directly via the school email address.
As previously, we use an outside organisation to carry out the survey who will then analyse the responses for us. However, this organisation has had no access to anyone's personal data at any point, nor will they share your responses with anyone other than us.
Sixth Form Induction Day
Thank you to all attendees of 2024's Sixth Form Induction Day. A reminder to applicants that they have until no later than 28th June to complete their subject request confirmation form. They can find the form and support documents with the transition to A-Level study at this link.
We look forward to seeing you in August.
Mr Wilbraham
Head of Sixth Form
PE News
On Monday our U13 and U15 boys’ tennis teams hosted Whitburn in league games. We played some excellent tennis to dominate both games winning 6-0.
On Tuesday, our U15 girls tennis team travelled to Conyers. This was also a straightforward victory as they won 6-0 to remain unbeaten this year.
Also on Tuesday, our Year 10 cricket team were at Dame Allan's in the quarterfinal of the Tyneside Cup. Despite fielding an understrength team, we still managed to reach the semi-final with a 21-run victory. Jim Twiddy was POM. This was excellent preparation for next Thursday when they travel to Netherfield CC, Kendal for the English Schools northern finals.
Tennis and cricket continued on Wednesday as our U15 girls cricket team travelled to Sedgefield for the area final against Conyers. They played the best of 3 games, and we won 2-1 to reach the county final which took place yesterday.
After school our U13B and U15B boys and U15 girls’ tennis teams took on Egglescliffe School in league games. This was an excellent afternoon of tennis played in perfect conditions. Our U13 boys and girls both won 4-2 and our U15 boys lost 5-1 despite lots of close games.
Thursday was a very busy day which started with our Year 10 BTEC PE students heading to Cleves Cross Primary School. They had an amazing time running their school sports day. They received lots of positive feedback and hopefully this will become an annual event.
Also out for the day were our U13 and U15 girls cricket teams, who were competing in the County Finals at Burnopfield CC. Our U13 team finished runners up to a strong team from St Leonard's. Our U15 team were also very unlucky not to win as they finished in 3rd place after losing by only 3 runs to Shotton Hall, a team they had beaten earlier in the day.
Our Year 7 cricket team made the short journey to Durham School for a County Cup quarterfinal. We batted first, and kept losing wickets as we were bowled out for 78 runs. We bowled well but they reached our total with 5 overs to spare. Isaac Coy was POM.
During the afternoon we hosted the Tyneside Schools U13 tennis tournament. We faced Newcastle School for Boys in the semi-final and reached the final with a comfortable 5-1 victory. We played Dame Allan's in the final, and despite some close matches we came out on top becoming Tyneside Champions with a 6-0 win.
To complete the day, we also hosted the Year 8 district rounders tournament. We had two teams entered. Both our teams and Parkview tied, winning three games and losing one. On rounders scored, and also rounders difference, our DJ2 team were overall winners.
Today, 20 of our Year 7 & 8 students have spent the day at Maiden Castle taking part in an Opportunity for All festival where they have tried lots of different and exciting activities.
Also, good luck to our U13 boys’ tennis teams who are at Emmanuel College for a friendly match.
Finally, those Year 7s going to Malaga on Sunday: don't forget to set your alarm! See you at school for 2.30am ready for what should be amazing 5 days of sport in the sun.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE