12 September 2025
Dear Parents and Carers,
It’s nice to see the sun returning as we complete our first full week of 2025-26. Students have met all their teachers, Year 10 and 12 students have had lessons in all their chosen subjects and our new Year 7 students have made an excellent impression. They’ve settled in remarkably well and are now confidently navigating the building; it was heartwarming this afternoon to see so many of them enthusiastically playing together on the yard - our bespoke version of Four Square is definitely a big hit!
We are delighted that this week saw the launch of our extra-curricular timetable for the term. One of our five core values is ‘Diverse Opportunities’ and after discussing in the start of term assemblies the importance of students choosing to make the most of their time here, it’s been fantastic to see so many students turning up full of enthusiasm at the many different clubs. This term we have everything from Chamber Choir to Chess club, Rugby to Robotics; a real feast of opportunities. I dropped in on the netball trials last night and there were an incredible 93 students in attendance. They were being coached by Mr Hopper and some of our extremely talented Sixth Form girls who reached the national finals last year. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and I have seen it echoed at many other clubs and activities around school this week - a complete list of activities is available on our website at this link.
Those of you who are familiar with the school’s sporting reputation will not be surprised to hear that we already have our first addition to the sports presentation trophy table; congratulations to the Year 11 Cricket Team who have retained their title as County Champions!
Looking ahead to next week, Year 7 will have their first Durham Johnston Comprehensive School photo; individual photographs for Year 7 take place on Wednesday. All other years (8 – 13) will have their individual photos on Tuesday. Year 11 and the Sixth Form will have their whole year group photos taken on Wednesday – all significant milestones in a student’s time with us.
We are in the process of sending out information specific to each year group about the curriculum and would like to remind parents and carers of the dates of upcoming Parental Information Presentations (PIPs), which can be found here. The first PIP is on Monday evening for Year 8 parents and includes an opportunity to meet your child’s form tutor from 4.30pm.
I have had so many brilliant interactions with our students over the course of this week that it is hard to pick a favourite to share with you. There was however a moment that made me smile when I was around school on Tuesday. I was walking past a science lesson when I heard a disturbance... Stopping to investigate, I entered the classroom just as the teacher was passionately shouting “DARE TO BE WISE, DARE TO BE WISE” to 30 engaged Year 8s – it’s good to see the staff are just as enthusiastic as our students!
Thank you for your support and have a lovely weekend.
Mrs McFadden
Extra-Curricular Programme
Please click here to see the wide range of clubs and activities available to students this term.
SEND Clinics
We will be holding SEND online clinics every month for parents to meet with a member of the learning support team to discuss any area of their child's learning or development. The aim of the clinic to identify the most appropriate support which may be signposting to external support. The first clinic will be held online 3rd October between 1-3pm. If you would like to make an appointment to talk with a member of school staff, please contact learningsupport@durhamjohntson.org.uk to arrange this.
Scholastic Book Fair
Durham Johnston is excited to host our annual Scholastic Book Fair. As we start the academic year, come along to the 'Back to School Book Fair' and get reading! The fair will be open from Wednesday 24th - Tuesday 30th September.
The book fair will run on the following days in the Reading Room:
- Wednesday 24th September 2.45-3.15pm
- Thursday 25th September 1st lunch, 2nd lunch, 2.45-3.15pm
- Friday 26th September 1st lunch, 2nd lunch, 2.45-3.15pm
- Monday 29th September 1st lunch, 2nd lunch
- Tuesday 30th 1st lunch, 2nd lunch, 2.45- 3.15pm
We will be using a cashless system for payments. Parents/carers/students must use the QR code attached and select Durham Johnston Comprehensive School. This can be found on your English TEAMS page, Friday Bulletin, or shared with home via Class Charts to upload an online payment. Upload credit to spend at the fair on books/stationery of your choice. Most books cost between £4.99-£9.99 with a few brand-new releases priced at £14.99!
Geography Photography Competition
The annual Geography Photography Competition launched this week - This year’s theme is ‘Earthshapes’.
The competition is open to all year groups and there will be prizes for each key stage. For more details see Mrs Scott in Gg2.
The deadline for entries is Monday 29th of September.
Geography Department
Drama Notices
Extra-curricular drama begins next week on the following days.
Tuesday 16th September 2.45-3.30 – Technical Theatre club in the drama studio – no sign up needed.
Wednesday 18th September 2.45- 3.30 – Drama Club 1 for the first 30 students who have signed up.
Thursday 19th September 2.45-3.30 – Drama Club 2 for the first 30 students who have signed up.
The notice board next to the drama studio also offers more details of these clubs.
We are happy for students to try any of these out, and that they may want to try something else so drop out. All we ask, is if this is the case that they inform the teacher running the club so their place can be offered to others on the waiting list.
In the acting club we will be having acting workshops around Greek theatre up to half term. Then we will start rehearsing for a triad of Greek plays with a performance before Easter. This date is to be announced.
Ms Ayrey
Lead Teacher of Drama
PE News
It has been an amazing start to our first full week of extra-curricular clubs and fixtures including winning our first county trophy of the year. We have had around 150 students staying back each night for a variety of clubs and trials including boys’ and girls’ rugby, cross-country, boys’ and girls’ basketball, netball, and boys’ and girls’ football. Badminton club will also be starting next week.
The enthusiasm and talent has been great to see with so many enjoying sport and physical activity. A reminder that all our clubs are free and no sign up is needed. Children can just turn up after school and join in.
On Tuesday, our U15 cricket team were at Hetton Lyons CC taking on High Tunstall in the county cup final. We batted first and scored an impressive 136 runs in our 20 overs. Ray W top scored on 45. An excellent bowling and fielding display saw us become county champions after restricting them to 108 for 8. Barney F took 3 wickets. That is the second year running we have won that trophy; a great start to the year!
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
Sports Bulletin