Newsletters

Horrible History JOG Style

On Monday and Tuesday 17-18 April, Year 8 pupils participated in the annual John of Gaunt School “Civil War - Living History Day”. 

 The students learned the story of the events leading up to the Civil War 1642-49, fought between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians. They handled artefacts including swords, helmets, and muskets and then started on some battle training.

As new recruits to the Royalist army as pike men, the students practised their pike drill, including how to repel a cavalry attack. They finished up learning how to fire a canon! The event was organised in conjunction with Oxenwood Outdoor Education centre who provided the professional re-enactor and all the weaponry.

The day provided an enrichment opportunity for Year 8 students who had been studying the events of the 1630s-1640s and how these shaped our island’s history. An event like this really brings History alive as the students don’t just learn about events but experience them.

It’s the next best thing to having a time machine!

Looking forward to next year,

Ms Davison

Girls' Football

Despite the poor conditions, we were lucky enough to have a match with St Augustine’s sixth form girls. We made a comeback from being 1-0 down and secured a 2-1 win with a wonder strike from Year 11 Ruby Hopkins.

It was a great match, and we hope to continue our winning streak with a potential fixture against St Laurence.

Friday 5^th May - Red, White and Blue Day 

On Friday 5^th May we're inviting all members of our community to wear red, white and blue clothes (appropriate for school) to celebrate the King's Coronation.  Please note, it is clothes only so no face paints or dying of hair. 

Theatre trip to see An Inspector Calls – now open to year 9s

Excitingly, we have a number of tickets left to see An Inspector Calls - which we can now offer to Year 9 students on a first-come, first-served basis. Year 9 will study this powerful play in Year 10 as part of their GCSE English Literature course. Any remaining year 10s and interested year 9s, please book now to avoid disappointment. Booking details are in Parent Pay.

Breakfast club reminder

A quick reminder that we offer a breakfast club every day which is free to all students. The club is run every day between 8am and 8.25am in the intervention room in Mackereth building. We offer breakfast options including toast with a range of spreads, a selection of breakfast cereals and drinks. All are welcome.

Period product friendly school

No-one should be held back from accessing education due to their period. We have introduced this period product scheme to provide free period products for all learners who need them. This means learners at all state-maintained schools and 16 to 19 education organisations in England will have access to free period products in their place of study.  DfE website     

What this means for our students is that free period products are available for anyone who needs them. We keep a comprehensive range of products and any member of staff will be able to direct the student to a place where they can choose and take away the products they need. 

Free pads, tampons & liners along with new underwear and tights in a range of sizes and styles are available the sixth form toilets, year offices and the medical room entrance where products are available to students without having to ask for them. In addition, we are able to provide products to be used at home if this is something students would find helpful.

Information from Motiv8 shared with all education providers within Trowbridge and the surrounding areas:

Motiv8 is a substance misuse service for young people aged 11-18 in Wiltshire. We provide advice, guidance and one-to-one sessions for young people who are having problems with drugs and/or alcohol. The service is free and confidential, and we aim to provide a flexible and non-judgemental space for young people to be open about the problems they are facing

We would like to make you aware that we have been informed by 'Connect' (Young People’s Substance Use Service) that there is a rising number of young people using THC Vapes/cannabis oil within Trowbridge and the surrounding area.

THC is the illegal component within cannabis and is the aspect with makes individuals high; this method has become more popular with young people recently due to its non-odorous smell and its discrete nature. Illegal vapes may also include synthetic cannabinoids which can produce stronger side effects. 

The appearance of THC oil vaping devices can vary, ranging from having a pen-like shape to being rectangular. The oil either comes pre-filled in the vape or is sold in compact containers for refillable devices. The liquid may look brownish in colour, but can also come in yellow like tones. 

If parents are concerned regarding any issue which relates to substance misuse please contact Mrs Kerr or your pastoral lead for a confidential conversation.

Parents and young people can also contact Motiv8 directly following the link below:

https://www.dhi-online.org.uk/get-help/young-peoples-drug-alcohol-services/connectyp

Year 5 Maths Challenge

On Wednesday we had 215 Year 5 students from local primary schools in for a maths challenge.  Year 10 students supported at this event, which proved incredibly popular.  The Year 5s completed a carousel with 20 maths problems and were rewarded for both mathematical success and team effort. They worked in mixed teams. Our Year 10s were a credit.

GCSE Citizenship campaign

Our two Year 11 GCSE Citizenship groups planned and carried out their own active campaign for the Halo Trust. This involved contacting key stakeholders in our community, such as our MP, as well as raising awareness for this NGO with the entire school community. Year 11 finalised their active campaign with a cake sale and raffle to raise money for the Halo Trust. They raised a total of £85 for this organisation!

A big thank you to the Year 11 students who took control of their campaign and really showed their leadership qualities, as well as those who spent hours of their time baking!

You can find out more about the Halo Trust here https://www.halotrust.org/ 

Mr Perraton and Mrs Scott