2 April 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week saw one of my favourite events in the school year – the Year 6 Welcome Event! At a point in the term when both staff and students are using up the last of their energy reserves, this evening fills me with renewed excitement as we welcome our soon to be Year 7s into our school community. One of the key themes of the night was about empowering our new students with a sense of belonging to our community and what it means to be a Johnstonian. To be a student here is to contribute to, and further a legacy of curiosity and character. Every time a student asks "why," or masters a complex method, or stands up for a peer, they are adding a fresh layer to that legacy. We want our students to walk into their classrooms knowing their unique potential is valued, whether they are debating the merits of a historical source or discovering unknown talents in a new extra-curricular interest.
As I looked out into the audience in James Hall, I also found myself taking in the faces of the many adults seated with the Year 6s and reflecting that to be a Johnstonian parent is just as crucial a role.
For those of you reading this, it may be 6 years, or it may have been just 6 months since you were that parent or carer sitting in the hall. It could be even longer if you have seen many children through our school. Either way, the very first time you walked through our gates with your first child in Year 7, you joined our community too. We became partners in a shared mission with a common goal – supporting your child to develop into a young adult who dares to be wise, cares to be kind, and strives to be better today than they were yesterday.
So, what does it mean to be a Johnstonian parent?
Being a Johnstonian parent means being a "co-author" in our legacy. Whether you are a veteran parent seeing your youngest through their final exams, or you are just beginning this journey with your first child still in Year 6, your role in this partnership is the constant that makes everything else possible. When we work together, when we speak with a consistent voice, and when we share the same high expectations, we strengthen that sense of belonging for your child. Being part of our community means buying into our core values and you can support us at home by championing the idea that hard work is the key to progress and that intellectual curiosity is a lifelong gift. You can support us by modelling kindness and ensuring your children understands that belonging to a legacy means making a contribution to something bigger than themselves. You can support us, too, by opening doors - you provide the encouragement and we will provide the opportunities - to allow your child to find their unique passions and shape the person they want to become.
As we head into the Easter break, it is nice to reflect how every one of our families has in their own unique way added to our legacy since their first day in Year 7. We are incredibly grateful that you have chosen to send your children to Durham Johnston and for all you do to be an active and supportive member of our school community. Thank you.
Have a lovely break.
Mrs McFadden
SEND Clinics
We hold SEND online clinics every month for parents to meet with a member from 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 next clinic will be held online 8th May between 8.30- 11 am. If you would like to make an appointment to talk with a member of school staff please contact Mrs Sangster who will arrange this for you via learningsupport@durhamjohnston.org.uk.
Focus on Health: Keeping Medical Information Up to Date
To ensure we can support your child effectively in school, please make sure all medical information is accurate and up to date.
If there have been any changes to your child’s medical needs, please email: djcsmedical@durhamjohnston.org.uk
If you would like to discuss any medical or dietary requirements, medical plans, or consent for medication, please contact Mr Urwin, First Aid/Medical Coordinator, via the same email address.
Students with Asthma
- Students should always carry their own inhaler, clearly labelled with their name and form.
- Inhalers must be taken to PE lessons outside and on all school trips.
Emergency Inhalers in School
School holds an emergency salbutamol (Ventolin) inhaler for use if a student cannot access their own.
Although this may not be your child’s usual inhaler, medical guidance states that using it in an emergency is better than giving no treatment.
We require parental consent to administer the emergency inhaler.
Students with Anaphylaxis
- Students diagnosed with anaphylaxis should carry an emergency pack containing:
- Antihistamines
- One in‑date AAIs (Adrenaline Auto‑Injectors)
- Packs must be clearly labelled with the student’s name and form.
- Students must take their emergency pack on school trips and for outdoor activities, including PE, depending on the allergen.
Emergency AAIs in School
Recent legislation allows schools to hold emergency adrenaline, this has been held in school for a number of years. This may be used if a student goes into anaphylactic shock and is unable to access their own medication.
This emergency medication will only be administered to students who already have a prescribed AAI, and parental consent is required.
Medical Care Plans
If your child has a diagnosed condition requiring a medical care plan (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, anaphylaxis), please ensure the most up‑to‑date plan is sent to school.
Individual Health Care Plans
If your child has a medical condition that impacts daily life in school, please contact Mr Urwin to discuss whether an Individual Health Care Plan is appropriate.
‘Macbeth’ Performance
Back in November, a group of lovely students (eight Year 10s, two Year 9s and one brave Year 7!) began preparing a thirty-minute version of ‘Macbeth’. From the beginning, they showed amazing maturity in making most staging and directing decisions. They were enthusiastic and conscientious in rehearsing and learning lines – all in Shakespearean language. Rehearsals have been full of fun and creativity.
This has all been part of the Coram Shakespeare Festival in partnership with Durham University. They provided two school workshops with a wonderful actor and then generously hosted us on Monday 23rd March for a tour of Durham Castle, a private viewing of Shakespeare’s first folio and even lunch in the Castle’s Great Hall!
Tuesday 24th March was showtime. After spending all day in workshops and rehearsing, the students took to the stage at Mount Oswald Hub in front of an audience of approximately 100 people.
The hard work paid off and I was incredibly proud of the spellbinding, murderously good performances of the whole cast. They were all stars and thoroughly deserved the huge applause they got at the end of the show.
Mrs Clark
Subject Leader for English
PE News
On Monday our VIth Form football team were at Maiden Castle taking on Emmanuel College in the County Cup final. We missed a couple of early chances and found ourselves 1-0 behind mid-way through the first half. However, we improved as the game went on and were 2-1 ahead at half-time. We took control in the second half and dominated the game, eventually becoming County Champions with a 7-1 victory. We incredibly had 7 different goal scorers. However, POM was awarded to our goalkeeper Alex H for some crucial saves. That was the last school game for our Year 13s and we would like to thank them for the commitment, positive attitude and hard work over the last 7 years.
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We’d also like to send huge congratulations to former pupil Finn Geragusian (who would be in Year 13) who is now a Sunderland player for making his full International debut for Armenia in a friendly at the weekend.
Also on Monday, our Year 7 boys’ football team hosted St John's in the league. We produced some excellent football winning 5-0 with 4 goals from POM Isaac G. St John's unfortunately conceded the Year 9 game.
Our U13 girls’ football team were also due to play Manor School in the County Cup semi-final. Unfortunately, they also conceded the game, so we move into the County Final after Easter.
Finally on Monday, our Year 7 boys’ rugby team were at Northern FRC for the Tyneside Schools Sevens tournament. We started slowly, losing our first game to Newcastle School for Boys. However, we found our rhythm after that, winning our remaining games to finish runners-up.
On Tuesday, our Year 7 & 9 football teams were due to play Woodham. However our Year 9s again were left without a game as they couldn't field a team. That meant that our Year 9 team are League Champions having not lost a league game this season. The Year 7 game did go ahead. We struggled to score past an excellent goalkeeper in the first half but eventually found the net in the second half, winning 6-0. POM was Isaac G with another 3 goals making it 7 in 2 games.
Our Year 10 football team were also crowned League Champions this week after the Woodham conceded their final league game on Wednesday. Our Year 9 rugby team were in action on Wednesday as they played Emmanuel College in a friendly. This was a great game to end their season which was close throughout as we eventually lost 29-24.
When we return from the Easter holidays, we will be immediately starting with our summer clubs including tennis, cricket, athletics, rounders and cycling clubs. As always everyone is welcome.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin:
