4 April 2025
Rather than our usual message from Mrs McFadden, we would like to share this letter from Dr Whitton, our Chair of Governors:
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am delighted to inform you that the Governing Body have just appointed Mrs McFadden as your permanent Headteacher. As you will be aware, Mrs McFadden has been Acting Headteacher since 1st September, following the departure of Mr O’Sullivan who left last summer to work with local universities.
Mrs McFadden’s appointment followed a very rigorous process which included input from staff, students, governors and the Head of Education for Durham Local Education Authority as well as our Leadership Advisor, also from Durham LEA. Following 5 very demanding tasks, at all of which she excelled, Governors unanimously agreed to appoint Mrs McFadden as our permanent Headteacher. Mr Murray, Head of Education for the LEA, remarked that the school was extremely fortunate to have made such a great appointment, and governors fully concur.
The tasks Mrs McFadden faced included a staff panel, a pupil panel, a lesson observation following which she was observed giving feedback to a member of staff, a presentation, and formal interview. Her focus throughout each task was on the students and how the school could ensure the best outcomes for every single one of them. She also focused strongly on how she, together with her leadership team, could support all staff in school to ensure the best outcomes for students whilst considering the wellbeing of all. She demonstrated repeatedly that she is passionate about the ethos and values of Durham Johnston, which impressed all those involved in the interview process.
Governors feel very reassured that the future of Durham Johnston is in very good hands. We are excited to see how the school continues to develop over the coming years, whilst staying true to all that makes Durham Johnston such a special school.
With best wishes,
Dr Sandra Whitton
Chair of Governors
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 Assessment Calendars, and 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
Year 7 and 8 Book Fair
We will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair for Year 7 and 8 from Wednesday 9th - Friday 11th April. The book fair will run on the following days in the Reading Room:
Wednesday 9th April 2.45 – 3.30pm
Thursday 10th April 7.45 – 8.15am, 12.00 – 12.30pm, and 2.45 – 3.30pm
Friday 11th April 7.45 – 8.15am, 12.00 – 12.30pm, and 2.45 – 3.15pm
We will be using a cashless system for book payments. Parents/carers must use the QR code that can be found below, on students' English TEAMS page, and shared with home via Class Charts to upload an online payment. Parents/carers can either preorder a specific book to be collected from the Reading Room or upload credit to be spent at the fair on books/stationary of your choice. Most books cost between £4.99-£9.99 with a few brand-new releases priced at £14.99!
We can't wait to see what books the students choose!
Music - a message from Mr & Mrs Holmes
Although there is another term to go, the two concerts this week marked a significant milestone for us, and for the Music Department. This was the last time that we would conduct Senior Orchestra, Senior Choir, Chamber Choir and Wind Band, and the last time we would make music with the fabulous pupils here at Durham Johnston before we bid farewell at the end of the year. Whilst it has always been about taking part, and not necessarily playing the hardest music possible, it was lovely to hear audience members commenting 'best ever' on their way out of James Hall last night. The 'Greatest Hits' concerts really were great!
There are so many people to thank; parents, colleagues in school, colleagues at Durham Music Service, local musicians, members of the community, and all those who have supported the work of the department and collaborated with us over the last 20 plus years. However, what we will remember most fondly are the generations of DJ pupils and the music we have played together. In the Leavers' tribute, they kindly sang that the music 'city' was built on Mr & Mrs Holmes, but actually it is built firmly upon the many pupils who turn up every week for rehearsals, usually with the right instrument, mainly on time, but always with enthusiasm, commitment, and that motivation to work towards the best performance of which they are capable. For some that will be a level of musical proficiency that will take them on to a career in music at the highest level, whilst for others it may be a more basic contribution, however we cherish each and every one of you, and your predecessors from generations now grown up and flown the DJ musical nest.
In the programmes this week, we included a quotation from the American composer and musicologist Virgil Thompson.
"I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down."
This is a truth we hold dear.
With all best wishes,
Mr & Mrs Holmes
PE News
On Monday our Year 9 boys’ football team were at Meadowfield playing St Thomas More in the Tyneside Cup Final. We took an early lead inside the first two minutes and dominated the game going on to become Tyneside Champions with a 6-0 victory. Our goals came from Malachi D, Louis B, Josh S, Finn R and Henry B.
On Tuesday, our Year 7, 8 & 10 football teams were due to play Woodham in the final league games of the season. Unfortunately, they conceded the Year 7 & 8 games, but our Year 10 team took part in an excellent game with both teams hitting the bar. A Henry B goal gave us a 1-0 win. Joint POMs were Joe S and Asaph M.
Also on Tuesday, our U19 boys football team faced Emmanuel College in the League Cup Final. We dominated possession and ended up as League Cup champions after a straight-forward 6-1 win. Durham Johnston first won this trophy in 1966. Goals came from Cole C, Alex W. Oscar D, Ini K and Captain Harry S.
On Wednesday, it was the turn of the Year 7 boys to be at Meadowfield for their Tyneside Cup Final when we took on Ponteland High. We conceded an early goal but fought back and roared on by a huge crowd we eventually went on to claim another trophy with a 6-3 win. Goals came from Thom B, Euan P, Matthew H, Will S and POM Harry F-H.
Yesterday, our Year 10 GCSE PE students acted as leaders as we hosted a Year 3 tri-golf event. In perfect conditions all the children had a great day, and our leaders were excellent and great role models throughout the day.
Also during the day, we hosted the Girls county rugby sevens tournament. 14 teams from 6 different schools competed in an amazing afternoon of rugby. Great skills and tenacity were on show and all games were played in a great spirit. A big thank you to Chanel S, Naomi L and Charles B who were brilliant young match officials for the event.
After school our VIth Form football team hosted Ponteland High in the semi-final of the Tyneside Cup. This was an outstanding game of football between two excellent teams. We managed to keep a clean sheet on the way to a 4-0 win. Two goals each from Cole C and Harry S, and joint POMs were Harry C and Jake T. The final is being played at Meadowfield on Monday - 4.00pm kick off.
Finally, to complete an amazing week of football, our Year 11 team are playing Monkwearmouth Academy in the final of the County Cup. Incredibly this competition has been running since the 1970s and we have never even made the final before, so this Year 11 team are making history tonight, whatever the result. Good luck to them.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
Sports Bulletin