Blazing Hares Commended!

Monday, 08 April 2013 08:56

Congratulation to the boys in the ‘Blazing Hares’ team who competed in the National Final of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge at the Excel Centre in London last weekend. Although they did not qualify for the World Finals in Austin, Texas, they were awarded the ‘Ferrari Europe Research and Development Trophy’ for their innovative use of different materials throughout their car design. This is a real accolade as it is the only award related to design innovation.  This was the team’s first time at the National Final and we are delighted at their success.   Even better is that their trophy is made from an actual Ferrari piston!

The boys who took part were Benjamin and Jonathon Lawson and Kieran Smith.   Very well done team!

Mr Kennedy, Design and Technology Department 

To read the article from the Northern Echo, please click on the link below

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northdurham/durham/10334905.F1_success_for_Durham_s_Blazing_Hares/

U19 Tennis Finalists

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 08:52

Congratulations to our Under 19 mixed tennis team who performed very well throughout the weekend at the National Tennis Finals at Bolton Arena. They were competing with the best 8 schools in the country. We were the only school from the north and one of only 2 state schools. We played teams from Oxford, Winchester and Dorset.

Laua Wright, Beth Smiles, Daniel Field and Tom Merrett were a credit to the school both on and off court finishing in 5^thplace in the country.

Kids’ Lit Quiz Success

Monday, 19 November 2012 21:41

Congratulations to our two teams of year 7 and 8 students who took part in the regional heat of this year’s Kids’ Lit Quiz last week competing against 34 teams from 18 schools in the region.

In a closely fought competition, our teams came a hugely impressive 1st and 2nd and were separated by only half a point. The national final in Coventry now awaits early next month.

The winning team comprised Joshua, Sophie, Josie and Benedick. Our other team’s members were Harry, Rachel, Harry and Emily. Well done, also, to our reserve Alice for supporting the teams so enthusiastically.

Friday Bulletin 28 September 2012

Friday, 28 September 2012 10:31

Dates For Your Diary

• Sixth Form Open Evening – Monday 1st October 6.00 – 8.00 pm James Hall

• Jeans for Genes Day - Friday 5th October

• Year 13 Parents’ Consultation Evening – Monday 26th November 4.00 – 6.00 pm

• Year 12 Parents’ Consultation Evening – Monday 3rd December 4.00 – 6.00 pm

•  Parents’ Forum – Tuesday 6th November 2012 – 6.00 pm

Sixth Form Open Evening

We expect our Open Evening to be well attended and we would like to suggest that anyone wishing to attend leave in plenty of time to park at the school due to limited spaces.

Battlefields Trip

Mr Wilbraham will be writing to parents to invite the year 10 history students to attend this year’s Great War western front battlefields visit to France and Belgium. The visit is scheduled to take place for five days in July; letters requesting parental expressions of interest will be distributed in the coming days.

Mr Wilbraham

Open Day

Monday 24^thwas our Open Day and evening for prospective year 7 parents and children for entry in 2013.   We were delighted that so many parents came to visit us: about 30 in the morning and between 600 and 700 in the evening.  Parents, children, staff and student volunteers all had a great time!

Monday 1^stNovember is our Sixth Form Open Evening too.  Do come and join us at 1800 if you would like to know how to apply for Johnston’s Sixth Form.

Mrs Roberts – Head

MUSIC

Good news and a plea from the music department!

Congratulations to Thomas Wallage and Emma Hall who both received first  prizes in the St Cecilia Lodge Music Composition Competition at an awards dinner on Wednesday night. Thomas won the A Level Composition class and Emma won the GCSE Composition class.  Entries were received from many schools from the Tyne to the Tees.

Please could all parents ensure that their child’s musical instrument has their name on the outside of the case.   Several pupils have accidentally taken the wrong instrument home this week and one trumpet was left on a bus.

Mr Holmes

Didgfever

Tuesday, 18 October 2011 20:25

The sounds of didgeridoos were heard today coming from James Hall, as some pupils in year ten were given the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture. The pupils are studying "Riding the Black Cockatoo" , by John Danalis, for their English Language GCSE. It is a true story about a man's efforts to repatriate an Aboriginal skull, called Mary, which sat on his family's mantle piece throughout his childhood.

Nick Burman spent the day talking to pupils about his experiences of living with an Aboriginal tribe. Nick brought along with him a number of beautiful didgeridoos and fascinated us all with his mesmerising playing. Pupils were then given their own didgeridoo and they proceeded to fill the hall with sounds never before heard in Durham Johnston.

Nick told stories about hunting kangaroos and emus; spending three days inside Uluru (Ayres Rock), surviving on a diet of bats; how the Aborigines respect their dead; how Aboriginal paints are made and we all now know how to make a didgeridoo.

The pupils had the chance to question Nick about all aspects of the Aboriginal way of life, which they did enthusiastically. Some pupils were very impressed to learn that Nick will be playing in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The pupils’ curiosity ensured that many excellent questions were asked and much was learnt in the fun "hands- on" didgeridoo experience!

Well done Year Ten.

Ms O'Neill-Walton

http://www.didgfever.co.uk/

Sophie Wins Award at Local Writing Competition

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 20:02

Sophie Hebblethwaite year 8 has won 2^nd place in a local writing competition organized by the Northumbrian Writer’s Association. Entrants had to describe a place in the North East. Sophie entered this as part of her English class in July of 2011.

Here is her winning entry:

Hartlepool Tall ships

By: Sophie Hebblethwaite

Standing with the wind in my face , I could feel how cold it was going to be as I stood there shivering . The interesting sound of the seagulls made me wonder what it was like to live by the sea . Smelling the fresh ocean air , it was almost as if we were sailing on the wide ocean . Energetically I was waiting anxious to go on another of the Tall ships . Tiredly standing there , I wanted to have a long rest . Standing there like a statue , I could feel the wind brush up my coat for a few seconds . In the dull weather it was soon going to rain . Hearing the seagulls talk , I could just catch the conversation of other people . When it was time to take the photo I was daydreaming so much that I missed the photo. Holding on tightly to the long mast , it was hard to let go otherwise I would have fallen over . As the smell of hotdogs and bacon sandwiches wafted up my nostrils I was desperate to have my lunch .

When we looked out towards The North Sea I felt like I was a sailor sailing into the ocean . We all began to groan and wine as our bellies were getting very empty . Warmly when the photo was taken in a flash of light , we all had a lovely rest . Thinking about the weather , I was wondering if it was going to rain . When I saw my sister I felt sorry for her knowing that she would be cold . Lightly I brushed my hair out of my face , then I realised that the photo had been taken .

Student Achieve Bronze Level Arts Award

Friday, 30 September 2011 13:06

11 students  have successfully gained their Bronze Level Arts Award. This is the first year through and has been made up of dedicated and talented students who have given up lunchtimes in addition to attending their arts clubs (drama, textiles and media).

They are:

Year 8

Ben Wilson

Luke Hallam

Hannah Liddell

Sophie Hebblethwaite

Year 9

Hannah Booth

Juliet Hague

Olivia Wilson

Robyn Pickering

Year 10

Malia Russell Willis

Emmeline Lentowicz Edge

Year 11

Alex Biggs

Sessions  start next week for anyone who would like to take part, or would like more information.

Silver Award- Thursday 6^th of October in the  Zouche workroom – first and second lunch.

Bronze Award- Friday 7^th of October in the Drama Studio- first and second lunch.

DJCS win PE Department of the year!

Monday, 26 September 2011 15:57

On Friday evening the PE dept attended the Durham & Chester-le-street Sports Awards at the Riverside. We were again nominated in the Secondary School category. I am pleased to announce that for the 3^rd year running we were awarded the title of Secondary School PE Department of the Year (beating Parkview, Hermitage and Durham High).

We now go forward to represent Durham & Chester-le-street at the County Finals held at the Ramside on Thursday 13^th Oct, hoping to retain the County Title we won last year.

Sports Presentation Evening

Friday, 27 May 2011 10:16

Dear Parents

The PE staff are once again organising our 17^th Annual Sports Presentation Evening which will be held at Caedmon Hall, St. Hild and St. Bede College, Durham on Thursday 14th July from 7.00pm to 11pm. The presentation will begin promptly at 7.15pm.

The evening allows the sporting achievements of all pupils who have represented the school to be acknowledged and proves to be a tremendous success every year.  We would ask for your support to make this one equally successful.

Tickets will be £6.00 each which will include a buffet and disco.  Due to licensing laws children under 14 (those in Year 7 and 8) must be accompanied by a parent/adult.  It is permitted to have one adult to accompany a small group of children.

We hope to have a sporting personality to present the awards.

Thanking you in advance for your support.

Yours sincerely

PE Department

Congratulations to the Year 9 Boys Football Team

Thursday, 12 May 2011 18:09

Congratulations to the Year 9 Football team for winning three competitions this season.

After going a full season unbeaten in the league, the year 9 team completed the treble by winning a tough match against Spennymoor on penalties. Goalkeeper Adam W winning man of the match for not only saving 2 penalties in the shootout (see image above) but also saving a penalty deep into extra time.