20 September 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
It’s been a bright and busy week in school with individual and group photos, clubs getting into full swing (471 extra-curricular hours logged so far) and, of course, lots of engagement in lessons and learning.
It has been lovely this week to welcome parents and carers into school as we hosted our Year 12 and Year 8 Parent Information Evenings; it was wonderful to see so many of you in attendance, especially on such sunny evenings. At both presentations, we spoke about ways to support your child to get the most out of their time here, and fed back on our recent parental surveys and focus groups, and the action we had taken in response to your views. Other year group evenings will follow, the next of which is Year 11 on Tuesday.
At Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, we believe that strong partnerships between parents, students, and the school are key to providing the best possible education for our young people. We want to work together with you to ensure your child has a positive and enriching experience during their time here. We appreciate your involvement and support at home, as this plays a crucial role in your child's success and can have a profound impact on their academic achievement and personal development.
I also want to thank you for communicating with school staff respectfully, and for appreciating that during the day our teachers are focused on working with your children in school. We always aim to respond to parental communication within 3 working days.
Thank you for your continued support and for working with us to ensure our students, your children, can achieve their fullest potential and develop into responsible young adults.
Mrs McFadden
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
Classics News
We are very excited to have the opportunity to introduce Latin to all our Year 7 students for the first time as part of our Taster Language Carousel. Students will discover the town of Pompeii and learn about some of the people who lived there in 79AD, as well as taking their first steps in the Latin language. We are very proud to be able to offer this to all our students - an understanding of the ancient world is a key part of their cultural heritage, especially in the North East where the presence of the Romans 2000 years ago has left such clear traces. Learning some Latin will also help build their English vocabulary and their language awareness as they see links between Latin and the modern languages they are learning.
We are also delighted that we have sufficient interest for another study visit to Pompeii and nearby sites in the Bay of Naples in October 2025. Those who have registered their interest will be invited to submit deposits very soon. This trip is open to those studying Latin who are currently in Year 8 – Year10.
Greek Club is meeting in LA8 on Tuesdays after school. Anyone from Year 9 to Year 13 who is interested in learning the language of the ancient Greeks and discovering their history and culture is very welcome to come and join us. There is the option to work towards a formal qualification after two years of study: the Intermediate Certificate in Classical Greek, which is pitched at half-way to GCSE level and is recognised by UCAS. In summer 2024 we had our 3rd and largest cohort of candidates for this exam. All now in Year 11, they did well, with Toby, Dami and Katrina being awarded Distinction and Judy awarded Merit.
Mrs Bothwell
Languages Department
Future Business Magnates Competition 2025
Business Durham will be launching the 20th Future Business Magnates competition in November.
FBM is a business planning and development competition for Year 8 students. We will select a team of 8 students to enter the competition from those that apply. The team will participate in 6 challenges between November and June. Each challenge is designed to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and ideas. All the challenges have workshop sessions to help the team develop their business and skills. Challenge workshops are led by industry professionals and are held at venues across County Durham.
The benefits of participating for students are immeasurable, giving young people the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and introducing them to the world of work whilst also allowing them to develop their own creativity. There are prizes - both for the winning schools and students.
An amazing opportunity for our young people – Year 8 students, please check your Computing Teams Channel for further info next week
Miss Forbes
Subject Leader for Business & Computing
Year 10 Computer Science
Year 10 Computer Scientists dug deep this week and explored the inner workings of PCs.
The lesson, a student favourite, allows students to “open up” PCs, explore what components are inside and then research what each of them do.
The hard part is always putting them back together correctly and there are often a few parts remaining.
Rest assured, they are never plugged back in...!
Mr Digby, Mr O’Connor and Mrs Ward
Computing Department
House Competition
Last week saw our first whole school House competition for Year 7 – the return of the inter-house egg and spoon race! 267 students, their tutors and some chocolate eggs which had been coated with PVA glue - what could possibly go wrong?! After using real eggs last year (yes, what were we thinking) we went for chocolate this time – but they were basically obliterated within 5 minutes! Anyway, that didn't stop play. With some dubious running, 87 drops, three red cards for blatant cheating and tutors legging it for dear life everyone completed the task! Huge congratulations to everyone who took part - you did your house proud. Overall winners went to 7MK, with 7UA in 2nd and 7SW & 7CW taking 3rd and 4th place. Lots of smiling faces and everyone contributing – a great start, Year 7!
Miss Forbes
Senior Teacher, the House System
PE News
We continue to see an amazing turn-out for all clubs and trials so far this year with an average of 150 students staying back every night - it is so good to see so many enjoying physical activity in the sunshine this week.
Rugby and football seasons are also now underway.
On Monday our U14 rugby team had a difficult first round draw in the national cup as they hosted Dame Allan's. Despite missing several players, we never gave up but couldn't match the strength and size of Dame Allan's. Good luck to them in the next round.
On Tuesday, we had three football teams taking part in the first round of their English Schools Cup. Our Year 8 boys hosted Mortimer School and dominated the game, going on to win 5-1 with 5 different scorers. Reid S was POM.
Our U14 girls travelled to High Tunstall, and also produced a commanding performance to reach the second round with a 5-0 win. Emily R scored two of the goals and was POM.
Finally, our Year 9 boys were in Middlesbrough taking on Acklam Grange. They completed an excellent night with an 8-3 win. POM was Finn R who scored a hattrick.
Football continued on Wednesday as our VIth Form team started their season with a trip to St Joseph's Hebburn. This looks like a very exciting team this year and they made a great start with a 7-0 win. Inioluwa K scored two goals and was POM.
Also on Wednesday, our U16 rugby team hosted Barnard Castle. This was an outstanding game of rugby. The first half was close with both teams scoring excellent tries. Unfortunately, they just got the better of us in the second half, eventually winning by 30 points.
On Thursday, our Year 11 cricket team played in their second final in a week as we faced Framwellgate in the Tyneside Cup final. This was a one-sided game as we bowled them out for 38 runs, and despite losing a few wickets, we reached their total with 11 overs to spare. That was the final game for what has been the most successful cricket team the school has had - well done to all the boys involved.
Good luck today to our U15 rugby team who are hosting Emmanuel College in the English Schools cup.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
Sports Bulletin
We have also been asked to share the following:
Durham Healthy minds have been fortunate enough to have received funding for young people, aged 13 – 19 years old living in County Durham to receive free counselling. This has been made possible by the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, The Albert Hunt Trust and County Durham Community Foundation Community Grants. If you know of a young person who would benefit from this service, please get in touch via the details in the poster!
A little bit about our project and how this mental health support came about…
Durham City Youth Projects’ youth workers were increasingly reporting low mood and mental health issues amongst the young people they were working with. This was not only due to Covid 19 but exacerbated by issues such as living in poverty, domestic violence, exclusions from school as well as alcohol and drug misuse. In September 2021, Durham Healthy Minds was established and offers mental health support for all young people in County Durham aged 13 - 19 years old. Since then the project has worked with 171 young people most of whom have accessed 6 weeks of counselling. Referrals have been from young people, parents, GPs, mental health nurses, One Point Hubs, CAMHS, schools, social workers, Humankind, the Police, Public Health and other Youth Projects.
Below is some feedback from young people at the end of counselling, they have been kind enough to share their experiences of how it benefited them.
At the beginning of counselling, I felt hesitant to open up about my feelings, but once I did it reassured me that I am being heard. I would recommend counselling for anyone who feels like they need someone to understand their emotions but are reluctant to speak to those around them, it gives you a release and reminds you that you are not alone.
“My journey through counselling has been very beneficial and has helped massively with my personal development. It has helped me navigate through difficult times, deep emotions and past experiences. I can feel a big difference on my perspective towards new challenges in life and I’ve gained a better understanding of myself and my feelings. I strongly believe that other young people who are struggling would benefit from the comforting and compassionate space that is provided through counselling.”
Again, thank you for all of your help over the past months - You are the best!
If you would like to make a referral or find out more please don’t hesitate to contact on the details shared in the poster.
counselling.dcyp@gmail.com | 07883 730 550
