Ask The Head Anything - Twitter Event

Monday, 13 May 2013 13:55

Mrs Roberts will be taking part in a "Ask The Head Anything" Twitter event on Tuesday 4th June between 7pm and 8pm. If you have a Twitter account you can follow our school by following @durhamjohnston. Submit a question anytime between 7pm-8pm and Mrs Roberts may respond. This is your last chance to ask Mrs Roberts anything you can think of before she leaves us in July. 

Foodbank Week 6th May

Monday, 29 April 2013 19:22

Young Americans To Visit DJCS

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 21:29

On the 21^stMarch our school will take part in a project with a group of talented artists from the USA. The project is called Young Americans and will involve three days of working with professionally trained singers, dancers and actors/actresses from an internationally recognised theatre group.  This will be a three day workshop which will culminate in a show in which our pupils will take part alongside the Young Americans.  It is a great opportunity for our young people to improve their confidence, show off their talents and have a lot of fun. The memories of their time with Young Americans will stay with the students for years to come!

Our Young Americans program will run as follows:

Thursday 21^stMarch: 2.45pm Young Americans arrive. They will give a private show for all those taking part. After, they will begin to practice for their own show until 8pm.

Friday 22^ndMarch: students will work with the Young Americans on their show during school time and after school until 8pm.

Saturday 23^rdMarch: students will come to school in the morning for a dress rehearsal of the show and then the Young Americans will have their own dress rehearsal alone in school.

Saturday 23^rdMarch: 7pm – the main show which will feature the Young Americans in their own show followed by a joint show with our Young Johnstonians.

The Young Americans have a long history of working with schools around the world and their program is internationally respected. They are all aged between 18 and 22. More information on them can be found at www.youngamericans.org

The cost of participation in the Young Americans is £50 which is payable before the commencement of the workshop.  There are only 200 places available on the workshop and they will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please return the slip with the £50 fee payable by cheque or cash to ensure your child’s space before Wednesday 20^thMarch.

There are still spaces for any students who wish to get involved!  To download an information brochure click here

Mr Blake

 

Public Speaking Final

Wednesday, 13 March 2013 14:08

This year’s Public Speaking Competition Final will be held on Tuesday 19^thMarch, in James Hall, starting at 7pm. 

 

All welcome.

Studying Abroad Information Evening

Tuesday, 12 March 2013 19:56

To find out more about our Studying Abroad Information Evening please download the poster below:

Poster

 

Debating News

Thursday, 07 March 2013 12:44

It has been a busy few day for Durham Johnston’s debaters.

On Friday 1st of March, a team of four year 13 students took part in the Regional final of the ‘Debating Matters’ competition at Newcastle University.

The DJCS team won their first two debates, before narrowly losing to Gosforth in the final.

However, our debaters won a number of individual prizes, including Best Individual (Lizzie Augarde), 3rd Placed Individual (Emmeline Skinner-Cassidy), with Charlie Patterson getting an ‘honourable mention’, and Roisin Beck-Taylor also excelling in her debate.

On Wednesday the 6th of March, a team of eight year 12 debaters took part in the Regional round of the ‘European Youth Parliament’ forum. After a tough days debating (including a debate in French and German) our team emerged victorious, qualifying for the National Final in Liverpool.

Congratulations to Alison Bain, Leah Cowling, Kate Wood, Hannah Wilkinson, Jo Chandler, Laura Wright, Naomi Holliman, and Zak Bonnington.

Ski Trip Blog - March 2013

Friday, 01 March 2013 12:32

Friday 8^thMarch 2013

It is snowing!  The big flakes of snow are making it even more exciting for the last day on the slopes.  Join us later for more updates.

 

Thursday  7^thMarch 2013

The longest black run in Europe was completed by 2 ski groups and 3 members of staff.  La Sarenne is 16km long and an incredible 2210m vertical drop.   What a fantastic challenge, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.  Another group did part of a blue run and made it to the snow park where there was the opportunity to have even more fun, confidence building and to capture some photo shots!  The park has everything from an easy beginner line to enormous jumps.

After our evening meal we walked down to Invertigo which is an indoor sport activity centre.  Students enjoyed the activities that included high ropes, ride the scooter and climbing which was all up a height.  However, they were not keen on wearing the hair nets!

 

Wednesday 6th March 2013

 

 

Tuesday 5th March 2013 -Day 3

The group experienced red slopes and some people attempted some off piste 360 degree turns.  Most of the time was spent off piste where there were some crashes but no injuries.  We all had great fun and we are hoping that later in the week we can complete a black run.

After hearing exciting news after tea that we were going for crepes, we had our choices in mind.  On one table nutella was near full house but one student opted for nutella and banana.  Delicious!

We headed back to the hotel to catch the big football match of Real Madrid V Manchester Utd, on the TV screen in the Sport Hotel Beausoleil.  Upon arrival we soon discovered that the channel was unavailable.  Most of us frantically tried to access the match through the use of laptops, IPads and mobile phones, even Mr Humberstone tried his best.  With no success we had to make do with score updates online.

Overall a brilliant day and evening.

 

Monday 4th March 2013 - Day 2

Another beautiful day sunshine all the way.

Hope you enjoy reading what some of the groups have reported on today. In no particular order:-

Group 4 - Today we enjoyed going off piste on a slalom course and were taught how to do 180 degree turns we were also taught how to ski backwards. It was the most fun we have ever had!

 

Group 3 - We went over a massive scary valley to another resort and went down lots of really great red runs. Then half of our group fell over and the other half got lost. Then one member made us get on the wrong lift (no name mentioned) and we had to treck for ages on a long and hard tiring journey up a steep hill, carrying our skis and wearing our boots. Finally we arrived exhausted looking down at our weak and withered legs, then went straight to bed. So overall it was great and eventful day out on the slopes.

 

Group 5 - Our the ski group enjoyed the parallel turn practice at the end of the lesson, even though they are hard to master. We had a great time going over the bumps and not one of us fell, only Ms Brown but that was at the start of the button tow. However she got up and met the group at the top of the highest green run. Although when we started we were all really nervous we managed to conquer this steep run and overcome our fears thanks to our great ski instructor as well as group support. Miss Godfrey and Ms Brown both said we make a great team and look after each other well when we are struggling. We had an amazing time bumboarding tonight - sledging using small bum sized trays on the ski slope out the back of the hotel. Helmets, ski gear minus the skis made it a fab evening activity.

Quote of the day:

Room inspection girls floor - (points awarded by staff out of 10 for the cleanest, tidiest and most fragrant rooms) The clear winners not only met the above mentioned critera they went above and beyond with this meet and greet at the door.

Pupil - "May I welcome you in and offer you this fruit drink (already poured and holding up!) and chocolate biscuit. I wasn't expecting all 3 of you however I do have extra biscuits".

Obviously bribary will win staff over every time - how to win friends and influence people! What a lovely gesture.

Another memorable day with photographs to follow.

Sunday 3rd March 2013 - Day 1 on the slopes

Brilliant start to the day, enthusiastic pupils opened wake up call doors and surprisingly were already up and dressed for breakfast!  After a hearty meal we were all set in plenty of time to meet our instuctors for the week.  Beautiful blue skies, stunning scenery and warm conditions meant we could not ask for a better start to the week.  A fantastic day was had by all.

 

Quote of the day:

Beginners group - Bridget Jones style moment

Instructor yells "stooooooop, you need to turn, you need to turn, no you need to turn NOW!"

Pupil - no response too busy -  full steam ahead in a straight line top to bottom.  When questioned later "Are you ok?", "Yes miss it was the most fun I have ever had"

What a great day, we are all looking forward to see what tomorrow brings.  Forecast is more blue skies, crisp white snow, warm sunshine and enthusiam in abundance.

 

 

Saturday 2nd March 2013

After a smooth departure from Newcastle airport to Geneva, followed by the 21 hairpin bends to the resort  (not too much screaming and closed eyes) we arrived in resort bang on time.  Dinner was served immediately in order to meet the rep for ski fit.  As always the efficiency of everyone involved meant that all pupils were in bed by 10pm and there were no complaints.

 

Quote of the day:

Mrs Hopper (after overhearing a conversation on the bus) -  "oh so have you been skiiing before?"

Pupil -  "yes but not here"

Mrs Hopper -  "wow so where have you been then?"

Pupil -  "Manchester" 

 

 

 

 

History Herstory - Drama Production 14th February

Wednesday, 06 February 2013 14:21

Ski Blog 2013

Wednesday, 23 January 2013 08:01

Durham Johnston Ski Trip 2013

 

 

(Some of the images in this blog are movies, so wait for them to load and then click the go arrow at the bottom left corner of the image.)

 

 

On Tuesday evening, after doing the town trail (a sort of treasure hunt with no treasure)

the party warmed up in a local Creperie.

 

 

Here's a scrapbook of photos from Tuesday morning's skiing 

 

This is another slideshow from Tuesday morning.

 

Here's a movie of a group skiing on Monday - a bit of a grey day as you can see.

 

 

Tuesday was sunny and Wednesday a bit in-between.

 

 

 

Happy bum-boarders - Monday evening

 

 

Group 1 relax during a tiring day.......

 

 

Boot room blues - what do I do with all these clips and straps????

 

 

Alpes d'Huez comes to life on Monday morning........

 

 

 

 

Monday Morning Antics

A good night's sleep was had by all. The troops got up at 730 to enjoy a continental breakfast.

First morning skiing done, everyone back safe and very happy. Lots of lovely soft snow (to fall in!). More updates later.

Here's breakfast.........

 

 

.......and finally, some skiing !        

  

 

 

 

 

The Longest Day

We aimed to depart Durham Johnston 1pm Saturday to allow extra time for snow in the North-East. After only a brief delay for a student coming up from Nottingham we set off to Newcastle Airport. Clear roads saw us arrive very early for our 5.30pm departure. Let’s just give this as a timeline...

2pm exploring Newcastle airport

3pm 45 minute delay posted on screens

6pm delay becomes unknown, cleaners tell us Geneva airport is closed. Pupils melt down!!

8pm we’re going to get a coach to Luton Airport and fly out at 7am.

Mass “Onesie” outbreak as pupils prepare for travel sleepover.

9.40pmpass Durham in a packed coach – 9 hours after starting in Durham.

11.30 pass Nottingham (see above)

1am we arrive in Luton Airport and unpack our second coach.

1.15am have explored Luton Airport.  One senior traveller is very concerned about his hand baggage!

 

5am breakfast courtesy of Easyjet. Watch weather forecast of snow coming to Luton later in the day.

Great Austin Healey hunt ensues – and here's the photographic evidence!

 

7am fly out to Geneva for 2 hours – comfortable enough to sleep!

10am local time arrive Geneva, collect bags and start to look for coach.

11am find out that coach can’t leave coach park area because the airport ICT does not think we’ve got our bags. More cuckoo clock than Swiss watch. Even Mrs Hopper has now had enough.

12 noon coach breaks free and arrives.

12.30 we arrive in France 24 hours after arriving at school.

4pm arrive Alpe d’Huez....and unpack another coach.

4.30pm Skiplan sort out new schedule so we have slightly longer each day skiing and a short session skiing on Saturday to make up the lost ski hours.

6pm pupils falling asleep in their custard.

8.30pm pupils in bed at last.

 

 

 

NEWS JUST IN!

*******WE ARE NOW LEAVING AT 13:00 FROM THE SCHOOL CAR PARK, JAN 19TH. ******Mrs Hopper

 

The Ski trip leaves tomorrow 14:00 prompt. Please come back daily to see the blog and updates of how they are getting on.

Homework Club

Friday, 18 January 2013 08:59

Homework Club

Open to all students. Would you like support doing your homework or some extra tuition or guidance?

Sixth formers, learning support staff and trainee teachers will be available to work with you if you would like some extra help.

If you want to do your homework on your own this is a peaceful place to be.

Every Tuesday

2:45 - 4:30pm

Lydia Centre

Refreshments Provided

 

 

You can stay until 4.30pm or leave earlier, it’s up to you.  If you finish before 4.30pm and you would like to stay in the Lydia Centre you can do some reading, use Kindles or play chess. 

Late bus leaves at 4.30pm.