10 March 2023
Dear Parents & Carers,
I would like to start this week’s update with three very positive things. Firstly, we will be welcoming Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England and Old Johnstonian, to school in May to speak with students and to celebrate 75 years since the foundation of the NHS in 1948. Two other of our former students have also achieved great success this week, with Matthew Edge and Sam Taylor participating in this weekend’s Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. Matthew is in the bow of the Cambridge boat, making it a fairly straightforward decision about who to cheer for on Saturday. Finally, we have been discussing and celebrating inspirational women as part of International Women’s Day and this year’s focus upon embracing equality. It has been fascinating to discuss role models and contemporary issues linked to the gender pay gap with students.
International Women's Day 2023
Thank you to all those parents and carers who attended Tuesday’s Year 11 examination and revision information session. At the meeting we shared key leaving dates for Year 11, and we have also written to Year 12 and 13 students. I can confirm that:
- Year 11 – will begin their study leave on Friday 9th June 2023. We have extended this date by three weeks to allow for greater revision, support and guidance in school.
- Year 12 – those completing AS level examinations will have study leave on the morning of exams only, but Year 12 will be present in school throughout the exam period so that they do not miss valuable learning opportunities. They won’t have study leave for internal mock exams.
- Year 13 – will begin their study leave on Friday 12th May 2023.
The first GCSE or A Level exam of the summer takes place on Monday 15th May, and the final exam on Monday 26th June 2023.
We wrote to parents and carers on Wednesday outlining school contingency plans for the NEU industrial action, due to take place on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th March 2023. That updated letter can be found here:
We are hopeful that further negotiations will take place and, as with NHS trade union representatives, that it might be possible to postpone the action so that all children can be in school. If there are any important developments, we will update all members of our school community as quickly as possible.
Finally, I would like to invite parents into school for a coffee morning between 10 and 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 30th March. We are keen to support families of children who might be struggling with their emotional wellbeing and to provide a forum for discussion and collaborative work. Please get in touch via the school email address (school@durhamjohnston.org.uk) if you would like to attend.
Have a good weekend; and good luck to Matthew and Sam!
Mr O’Sullivan
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 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
Parliamentary Youth Panel
We are extremely proud of Year 10 student Alexandros Mylonopoulos, who was recently selected to give evidence as part of a Youth Panel in the House of Lords. Alexander reflects on his experience below:
On the 2nd of March, I participated in a Youth Panel in Parliament organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Metaverse and Web 3.0. It was facilitated by Afagh Mulazadeh (Senior Policy Analyst, House of Lords) and Professor Kieran Fernandes (Durham University). We were 20 participants of the same age and from different parts of England. We discussed three main topics: The widening of the digital divide due to unequal access, addiction to immersive experiences and new forms of online harm. After the Youth Panel discussion, we did a tour of the House of Lords. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, and it was interesting listening to other people's opinions and experiences and expressing my own views on the topic.
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Careers and Guidance Department Notices
Please click here to view this week’s Careers Notices.
Mr Kennedy
Subject Leader, Guidance
Music Notices
Stage & Screen Concerts
Final Rehearsals
Monday 27th - 2.45 to 4.00pm - Wind Band, Junior Orchestra, Big Band, Junior Choir & Soloists
Tuesday 28th - 2.45 to 4.00pm - Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra & Soloists
Concerts
Wednesday 29th - 7.00pm - Wind Band, Junior Orchestra, Big Band, Junior Choir & Soloists
Friday 31st - 7.00pm - Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, Senior Orchestra & Soloists
Tickets for both concerts are available to buy from the Music Department priced £4.00 (£2.00 concessions). Payment by cash or cheque payable to 'Durham Johnston School'
Mr E Holmes
Subject Leader for Music
PE News
On Monday, our U16 basketball team travelled to Harrogate to take on St Aidan's in the English Schools competition, trying to reach the last 16 schools in the country. This was an outstanding game. We started slowly and were 10 points behind after 5 minutes. Then we settled down and took the lead in the last quarter. However, the game ended 60 - 60. We therefore needed overtime. Alex Hedley scored a basket with 1 minute to go to take us two points ahead. With only 40 seconds left they scored a three-pointer to win the game 65 - 64. We were very unlucky, but it was an outstanding performance by the whole team.
Our Year 9 football team were also involved in a close game on Monday. They faced a strong Monkwearmouth team. We dominated possession but couldn't find the decisive goal as the game finished 2 - 2. Despite hitting the bar and post we lost 3 -2 after extra time.
On Tuesday, our Year 9 rugby team battled Harton and the weather to win a friendly match 35 - 5, playing some excellent rugby despite the conditions.
Yesterday's football matches at Wolsingham were a victim of the weather but the County cross-country championships did go ahead at Emmanuel College. The best schools in the county gathered to compete for 8 county titles. In very challenging conditions it was another outstanding cross-country performance by Durham Johnston as we won 6 of the 8 races:
Year 7 boys - 1st and County Champions
Year 7 girls - 3rd
Junior boys - 1st and County Champions
Junior girls - 1st and County Champions
Inter boys - 3rd
Inter girls - 1st and County Champions
Senior boys - 1st and County Champions
Senior girls - 1st and County Champions
Finally, good luck to our U19 netball team who are travelling down to Peterborough today to compete in the English Schools national netball finals at Oundle School. The competition takes place tomorrow when we face Millfield School in our opening game. Of the 16 schools who have made the finals, we are one of only 3 state schools. Regular updates will appear on Durham Johnston PE twitter throughout the day.
Mr Hopper
Subject Leader for PE