4 October 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!”
Dr Seuss
It’s all about the magic of books this week in school, as we have been very busy working on our new library – The Reading Room. Sixth Form students and school staff have been working incredibly hard organising existing books, classifying donations from staff and students, creating beautiful displays, and cataloguing everything ready for the new scanning system being installed next week. The room is looking cosy and welcoming, and we are excited at the prospect of opening it to our students in the coming weeks.
Researchers say the types of books we read as adults reveal a lot about who we are as individuals, but at school, it’s the influence the books we read as children have on who we become that’s of interest.
I am of the generation who had to wait up to 3 years between Harry Potter books being released. I can still remember the excitement of The Goblet of Fire coming out the day after my birthday in 2000, and racing my younger brother to see who would find out what happened first. He is eight years younger than me, so I had a significant advantage, but it was through many moments like that that we bonded through our love of books; each recommending to the other what their next read should be. The Northern Lights trilogy, which I read as a child, remains one of my favourite book series of all time, but I had to encourage my little brother to ‘stick with it’ as he is dyslexic and found the first chapters a challenging read. I encouraged him that if he kept going, he would be rewarded when he got to the awesome Iorek Byrnison, an armored bear who would fight Ragnor to rule the panserbjørn - great motivation for a teenage boy! As an adult, my favourite books remain those set in fantastical lands where the weird and wonderful are possible, or science fiction novels about dystopian futures. Using my imagination to blend the creativity of the fanciful with the practicalities of life is probably what drew me initially to Engineering as a career, where I could find creative solutions to practical problems. However, it was in teaching I found my true home. It is in the classroom, finding creative new ways to explain such a practical subject as maths, and trying to inspire children with its beautiful application, that I still find myself happiest.
There are so many benefits to reading; mental stimulation for young brains, stress reduction when life gets tricky, widening knowledge, boosting vocabulary, improving memory and analytical skills, as well as enhancing focus and concentration. As a school, we are ambitious in our determination to foster a love of reading in all our students, regardless of age or ability, and give them the opportunity to explore a range of rich new texts, classics, critically acclaimed titles and award-winning books, and feel the joy of getting lost in a really good story.
I’ve been told by an English teacher that we need 1000 books for the Reading Room to be officially classed as a library. Whilst we are very close to that total, we are still a bit short, and to ensure our library can serve all 1700 students, we need more books. Our Sixth Formers have launched a book drive in school, and we are asking for donations of any fiction books in good condition that would be appropriate for a student aged 11+. If you have any books like this spare at home, they will certainly find a loving home in our Reading Room, where they can spark the imagination of the young minds of Durham Johnston Comprehensive School.
If you don’t have any spare books at home, but would still like to donate to a good cause, we have a partnership with Collected Books in Durham City. You can buy a book to donate to our school at a discounted rate via their website, with the added bonus of supporting a small independent local business. Click on the image below to be taken to our wish list, which will change each half term.
As ever, thank you for your support. Wishing you a relaxing weekend where you hopefully find time to curl up with a good book!
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
National Poetry Day
This week in KS3 we celebrated National Poetry Day on Thursday 3rd October. Students took part in a lesson focusing on poetry performance and were introduced to the Poetry By Heart Competition that will run as an extra-curricular over this academic year. English teachers were highly impressed by students' ability to memorise the poems within the first lesson and were wowed by expressive poetry performances.
The first meeting for the Poetry by Heart Competition will take place during lunch on Monday 21st October in EN5 (Year 9 and 10) and Wednesday 23rd October in EN1 (Year 7 and 8).
More information can be found about National Poetry Day and this years' recommended poems at this link.
Miss Bailey
KS3 Coordinator, English Department
Cressida Cowell Visit
How to Train Your Dragon is a series of children's fantasy books written by Cressida Cowell. We are delighted to announce that Cressida Cowell will be visiting Durham Johnston on Tuesday 8th October. She will talk to Year 7, in the hall, and pupils will have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of her new book for a discounted £6. This is a link to the book for more information.
If any parents/carers would like their child to purchase a signed copy of the book, please send in £6 (in cash) in an envelope for pupils to pay for the book on the day.
Mrs Walton
English Department
Year 8 take on a 30 day ‘Pudsey Squat Challenge’ for Children in Need
BBC Children in Need raises funds so that every child has the childhood they deserve – and the support they need to thrive.
They are committed to funding the grassroots organisations and project workers across the UK that provide the vital positive relationships children need to help them navigate the challenges in their lives. Their project workers support, inspire and champion them to ensure they have opportunities and can reach their goals.
They fund thousands of charities and projects in every corner of the UK, that support children and young people to feel and be safer, have improved mental health and wellbeing, form better, more positive relationships and be given more equal opportunities to flourish.
Following on from the success of last years ‘Bearpee’ challenge, Mrs Cummings and some Year 8 students will be completing a 30 day squat challenge. The challenge starts at 10 squats each a day and by day 30 we will be completing 140 squats each!
Students will have the opportunity to raise money for charity by completing the challenge on a daily basis between Monday 7th October and Friday 15th November. We will be completing the challenge during registration together each morning to ensure that we hit that target.
We would be grateful for any small donations to Children in Need via this link.
Squats are the perfect morning energizer, brain break, or quick refresher for students!
We are really looking forward to taking on the challenge – and trying to find any other members of staff brave enough to join in!
We really appreciate any support with this. Wish us luck!
Mrs Cummings
Business and Computing Department
House Representatives
The application process for the position of House Representative for Year 7 & Year 8 is now open. If students would like to apply for the position, then they need to complete an application form telling us why they would be suitable for the role.
Tutors have shared the link in their forms Teams' channel and Mrs Anderson and Mr Digby have also shared this in their respective year team channel.
This is a new system to elect students to a role and get them used to a "democratic process". Tutors will share all of the applications with the class - they may even be asked to present their ideas to their peers. The class will then vote on who their House Representative should be! The closing date is 13th October 2024 - good luck!
The new Junior Captain roles will be advertised later this term.
Miss Forbes
Senior Teacher, the House System
PE News
Monday was a difficult day for our boys’ football teams in the English Schools Cup. Our Year 8 & 9 team both lost to strong sides from Cardinal Hume. Our Year 10s also ended their interest in the competition after a 5-2 defeat at Acklam Grange.
Our boys’ football teams were in League action on Tuesday as they hosted Sedgefield. Our Year 7 team started slowly and conceded 4 first half goals. However, they fought back to 4-4, before running out of steam, losing 6-4. Rory H was POM. It was better news for our Year 8 team who secured an excellent 4-1 win with goals from Reid S, Dylan F, Lucas M and Letsopa K. Sedgefield conceded the Year 9 game and our Year 10 team continued their unbeaten start to the League season, winning 5-3. Aiden L was POM.
Also on Tuesday, our U14 girls were at St Joseph's in the English Schools Cup. This was an excellent game which was level at 2-2 with only minutes to play. Unfortunately, we conceded a late goal to lose 3-2. Freya B was POM.
The U16 rugby CVL which was due to take place in Yarm was called off for waterlogged pitches.
On Wednesday our VIth Form football team travelled to St John's for a League game. We overcame a physical approach from St Johns' to secure a comfortable 4-0 victory, and remain unbeaten so far this season.
Also on Wednesday, our U16 netball team were at Durham High taking part in the Area tournament. The standard was extremely high, and after some hard fought games we finished runners-up. Joint POTs were Willa T and April M-Z.
Yesterday was a very busy day. Our Year 8 boys’ football team travelled to Thorp Academy in the County Cup. This was a great game played in perfect conditions. We dominated the first half but reached half-time only 1-0 ahead after missing lots of chances. They equalised in the second half but an excellent last-minute strike from POM Toby R saw us into the next round.
Our Year 11 boys football team also headed north to face Prudhoe High School in the English Schools Cup. An outstanding team performance gave them a 2-0 victory as they reached the second round for the first time. James O scored both goals, but Will J was POM. However, well done to every single player.
Our U13 girls’ football team headed back to St Joseph's in the English Schools Cup. This was another exciting game. However, despite having them worried for large parts of the game, we eventually lost 2-1. Tanvi P scored our goal and POM was Ellie R with a great goalkeeping display.
Finally last night, our Year 9 & 10 netball teams made the short journey to Framwellgate for League games. We dominated both games as our Year 9s won 22-13 and our Year 10s won 43-1. Grace and Ellie shared POM for Year 9 and Verity was POM for Year 10.
Also yesterday, 16 of our students spent the day taking part in an RFU refereeing course. They were a credit to the school throughout the day, and will soon be ready to undertake matches.
Finally, good luck tonight to our Year 7 basketball team who are playing their first ever match away at Dame Allan's. Also good luck to our Year 7 - 10 netball teams, who travel to Lanchester St Bede's for League matches.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
Sports Bulletin