12 June 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
The sun is shining as we reach the end of another busy week in school. We have moved to single lunch this week and it has been lovely to see the older and younger students interacting so positively. The only downside is that we may have to spray paint a few more four-square courts to meet the demand!
I have had the privilege this week of visiting some of our local primary schools to meet the Year 6 students who will soon be joining us. I can’t help but smile thinking about their enthusiasm as we discussed what they were most looking forward to and any worries they might have. There was lots of excitement around all the new clubs they could join, school trips and meeting new friends. A few worries around getting lost such a big building and would they get detentions - they all seemed so little, and it was a stark contract to return to our present Year 7 and realise just how much they have grown up in a year! We are all looking forward to welcoming the new Year 6 into school for a taster day in the near future.
For all other year groups there are still a valuable 5 weeks left in school and as I walked around the school this afternoon it was lovely to see students continuing to work hard and positively engaging. For many it was revision lessons in preparation for Year 10 mocks or end of year assessments but I also have the lovely opportunity to join in with a very competitive German competition. Sadly French was my language of choice so I was of very little help but I do at least now know how to order a ham sandwich – a handy life skill!
Have a lovely weekend.
Mrs McFadden
Parental Safeguarding Survey
A reminder that our Parental Survey on Safeguarding is currently open. As shared in last week’s Friday Bulletin, we are aiming to carry out shorter form, more frequent surveys than we have in the past, to help parent voice become a continuous part of our decision-making process.
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the survey is entirely anonymous, and therefore we are unable to provide individual responses to questions. We would encourage anyone with a specific question or concern to contact the school directly via the school email address. We use an outside organisation to carry out the survey who then analyse the responses for us. However, this organisation has had no access to anyone's personal data at any point, nor will they share your responses with anyone other than us.
Thank you to all those who have already completed the survey. If you have more than one child in the school, you are able to complete it multiple times for each child.
It will close for submissions at 9AM on Monday 15th June.
As ever, we are very grateful for your continued support.
Music Notices
A reminder of all the events coming up over the next few weeks in the Music Department.
For all ticketed events, please visit TicketSource.
Music Festival
Thursday 25th, James Hall, free entry on the door
Class 1 (Grade 1-3) The Whinney Hill Music Cup 6.00pm
Class 2 (Grade 4-5) The Crossgate Moor Music Cup 6.45pm
Class 3 (Grade 6+) The Durham Johnston School Music Cup 7.30pm
This is a solo performance competition for students of all levels of ability. The Music Festival is an annual tradition, and the standard of performances is always deeply impressive. Students can pick up an entry form in the music corridor with all the information required outlined on the form.
Key Stage 3 Concert
Wednesday 1st July, James Hall, tickets available on Ticket Source (see above)
Our training orchestra, training choir, and a variety of KS3 soloists will perform in their own 'stand-alone' concert for the first time. A wonderful opportunity for our younger musicians to shine. Please come and support them.
Music for a Summers' Evening
Thursday 2nd July, @ DJ, free entry on the door
A relaxed opportunity for our Year 13 leavers to perform as soloists and in small ensembles one more time before they leave DJ, once their A level exams are all complete.
Wine, food and refreshments will be provided.
Orchestra at the National Music Festival
Saturday 11th July, Birmingham Symphony Hall
The orchestra have been invited to the National Music Festival! They are performing in the Symphony Hall during the morning session of Sat 11th July. Our performance time is specifically 11:20am.
Students will be transported by school on coach. Parents/carers are very welcome to come and support (it would be wonderful to have a 'home crowd' welcome our wonderful orchestra as they take to the stage. Moreover, we can't guarantee that our musical ensembles will be playing Symphony Hall Birmingham every year, so please do take the opportunity to see and hear your child play in one of the world's premier concert halls if you are able to. Tickets are available at this link.
Les Misérables
September 3rd-5th, James Hall, tickets available on Ticket Source (see above)
Tickets have been promoted within the cast, and as this term progresses, we will be promoting our forthcoming performances of Les Misérables more widely. However, tickets are on sale already online at the following address if you would like to get yours now. 'Les Mis' is going to be a big school event, and a superb musical and theatrical experience. Please support the amazing cast as they pioneer staging large musicals here at DJ.
Gabrieli Summer School
July 17th – 22nd, culminating in a performance at Ely Cathedral of Saul by Handel
Following on from the excellent contribution of senior choir to the staging of Vivaldi's Gloria in February, the Gabrieli organisation have offered 15 places to Durham Johnston this year on their prestigious Gabrieli Summer School. We wish them lots of luck, and are we are hopeful that this time next year we will be preparing to take 40-50 students to this wonderful event.
Glasshouse Concert Visits
October onwards
We are very grateful to Mrs Bothwell, who is to facilitate a new dimension for our students' music education next academic year - organised school visits to concerts at Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead).
These concerts will give our students the opportunity to hear artists such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and famed cello virtuoso Sheku Kanneh-Mason at significantly discounted prices for school parties. Tickets for such concerts sell out months in advance, so we are encouraging our young musicians, of any age, to collect a letter and reply slip from the Music Department and return it as soon as possible to secure a space.
Mr Howarth
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
No PE bulletin this week, as Mr Hopper is in Malaga with Year 7 – they’ve had a brilliant time, check out @djcspe on Instagram to see what they’ve been up to!
A reminder of our weekly sports bulletin: