13 February 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
As I sit writing this bulletin today, I find myself looking out the window and wondering... will it ever stop raining?
If I was to have asked this question as a child trapped indoors during the dreich weather (a regular event growing up in the West Coast of Scotland) I’d probably have got the response "Today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky". And whilst my parents weren’t literally making whisky out of rain(!), the point was that what is uncomfortable, or inconvenient today, can be the very thing that strengthens us tomorrow.
I could go on to talk about resilience, a quality, as some of you know, that I value dearly, and how it is through adversity we build character. I could talk about how you can’t have rainbows without a bit of rain, but that’s not technically true. Yes, rainbows often follow rain, but they don’t have to – just ask the science department! For example, you can make rainbows by shining light through prisms and, in the same way, students can make their own rainbows, creating moments of brightness even on the greyest days.
A particular rainbow in school this week was the first group of Year 7s who were at Beamish today, braving the weather, and by all accounts have had a fabulous time! I did hear tell of students crawling about the floor in sacks but, before you think we have gone completely mad, I’ve been reliably informed by a Year 7 that they were taking part in a lesson about being a miner in the 19th century, discovering some of the dangers of the past and watching demonstrations of the potential explosions. Our sack-sporter was acting the part of the ‘Penitent Man’, a brave miner who was given the task of creeping down the mine with a candle on a stick as a rudimentary test for methane. The sack was an early form of safety equipment – it would be drenched in water, and the Penitent Man would have to hope that was enough to protect him if an explosion did occur! They went on to tell me that the person crawling on the floor was called who went down and made the mines safe for others by burning off methane. The day ended with the customary visit to the sweet shop - now rumoured to be completely out of stock. In the words of a tired but excited Year 7, “This was the best day ever!”
Have a lovely weekend and I hope you have/make some rainbows of your own!
Mrs McFadden
Access to the School Car Park
A reminder that we are changing the system for those parents and carers who have car park passes to collect students from the school site. After half term, students should be collected at 3:00 pm when the site is quieter in order to keep our school site as safe as possible. The students may wait in the atrium until this time. This change will begin from Monday 2nd March 2026 and new parking permits will be issued. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to keep our school community safe. We would like to remind you that parents and carers without permits should not be driving on to the school site at the end of the usual school day.
SEND Clinics
We are holding a SEND clinic Friday 6th March 9.30-11am with the theme of neurodiversity.
Parents/carers or family members are invited to come into school to find out more about the neurodevelopmental pathway process, the needs-led support offer and to talk to staff about any concerns or queries you may have about your child. Alongside school staff, Liz Jackson from the Communication and Interaction Team will be available to answer questions you may have. If you would like to attend, please come in at any time between 9.30-11am; there is no need to book. If you do have any questions prior to the SEND Clinic please email learningsupport@durhamjohnston.org.uk.
We look forward to welcoming you into school.
PE News
Last Saturday 23 of our cross-country runners travelled to Sedbergh School for the Northern Schools Inter-County championships. Despite a very wet and challenging course all of our runners performed very well. In an amazing achievement, 13 of them qualified to represent County Durham at the English Schools National finals which take place in Liverpool in March. To get 13 runners from one school through to the national finals is outstanding. Congratulations to Evie K, Felix H, Henry E, Joe S, Dominic L, Hattie S, Lucy B, Grace C, Daisy G, Zarah L, Will J, James O and Leonard L.
On Monday our Year 9 boys’ futsal team were at Hurworth School for the County Finals. They became County Champions after winning both matches comfortably scoring 11 goals and only conceding 2. The whole team were POT.
Also on Monday, our U14 girls’ football team hosted Whickham in the County Cup. Despite the poor conditions, this was a great game which was level at 2-2 with only minutes to go. Despite having several chances to win the match we unfortunately conceded a late goal to lose 3-2.
On Tuesday our U19 netball team made the short journey to Freeman's Quay to play Durham VIth Form centre in a friendly match. This was a great game played in a great spirit. We proved too strong eventually winning 34-20. This was excellent preparation for the national finals, which take place in 3 weeks’ time.
Our U15 girls cricket team were also in action on Tuesday as they took part in the County Finals at the Beacon of Light. We played some excellent cricket finishing runners-up after winning 2 matches, drawing 1 and only losing 1 match to the eventual winners from Barnard Castle.
On Wednesday our U13 girls’ handball team were at Hermitage School for the county Finals. We started with a 2-0 victory against High Tunstall and became County Champions after a 6-1 victory against the hosts in our final match. We now go on to the regional round after half-term.
Yesterday, our Year 8 netball team were at Maiden Castle for the Area tournament. Eight teams took part in a high-quality afternoon of netball. We remained unbeaten until our final game against Durham High. This was the best match of the tournament which was close throughout. Unfortunately, we lost 5-4 to finish in 3rd place. Kat R and Freyja R were joint POTs.
Finally, a note that indoor clubs and fixtures will be back to normal next week.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
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