Newsletters

Dear all

What a fantastic term it has been so far! Our recent open evening was a resounding success, with the field packed full of cars and our wonderful students serving as exceptional ambassadors. The feedback from visiting families has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the enthusiasm and dedication of our entire school community.

I extend my deepest gratitude to all the staff, particularly Miss Lewis, for coordinating the second 3-day PGL residential trip for our Year 7 students. This experience has forged lifelong friendships and created cherished memories.

Congratulations to our Year 10 football team for their impressive 9-2 victory, advancing to the second round of the cup competition. Their skills, tactics and team spirit are commendable and I wish them luck in the next round.

I am eagerly anticipating the school show next week, with two performances on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th. The dedication and effort put into the preparations, including weekend rehearsals, by staff and students promise an outstanding production.

As the term flies by, with only a week and a half left until we break on Wednesday, 23rd October, I would like to remind you of our uniform policy that students should wear trousers or skirts with black tights for the autumn and winter months (Terms 2,3 & 4).

Please enjoy the rest of the newsletter and keep up to date with all our announcements and celebrations through our website and social media pages:

Facebook:  The John of Gaunt School  

Instagram: jogschool24

Have a lovely weekend,

Year 7 PGL 

Two PGL trips have now taken place for our Year 7 students. Huge thank you to all the staff who have coordinated this and all the students who have got involved in the activities truly making this a trip to remember. The weather for the first PGL was extremely wet, but that did not dampen the spirits of the students. PGL trip 2 was a little luckier with the weather and stayed mostly dry (apart from jumping in after canoeing) and even saw the Northern Lights - take a look below for the fantastic sky they were able to witness last night. 

It’s time to get off the sofa and get active in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme.

The DofE is all about going the extra mile – gaining new skills, pushing yourself physically, helping others and exploring new territories. At the same time, you’ll gather friendships, experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, as long as you’re in year 9 to age 24, you can choose the activities that motivate you and go on your own personal journey. We know from other participants that the DofE helps you stand out from the crowd when you apply for college, university or jobs.

This year at JOG you can enrol on the Bronze Award in Year 9 and 10. We will run Silver if we have the numbers.

There are 4 activities within each award that require different time commitments:

Volunteering – Helping individuals or charities – Examples: Involved in the Plastic Free Schools, litter picking, working in a charity shop, assisting with a sports club at school, youth leading and scout leading.

Skills – Learning and developing a skill. Examples: a musical instrument, learning to juggle, art and craft to name just some.

Physical – Developing in a sport, dance or any physical activity.

Expedition – 2 days and a night (Bronze) Hiking and camping as small team independently. Training is provided over the school year and the final expedition is completed at the end of the summer term. (Silver is 3 days and 2 nights)

Enrolment is NOW! Meetings usually held Tuesdays afterschool

To find out more about the award and how to enrol speak to any of the leaders or look out for an email coming your way. Or pop along Tuesday 23^rd after school to G95.

Regards

Mr Bilsdon

The John of Gaunt School, along with many schools in the area, have been contacted by the organisation Rehab 4 Addiction with the aim of raising awareness of services available in the local area.  

Rehab 4 Addiction offers a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health. Information regarding the support and services that they offer can be found at https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/country-wide/drug-alcohol-rehab-trowbridge 

This week we say congratulations to some of the students who recently completed their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

These candidates successfully completed many hours of volunteering, learning a new skill and taking part in a physical activity as well as the preparation, planning and completing their expeditions. They will be receiving certificates and badges for recognition of the award and be able to include their achievements in future CV’s.

There are many others who successfully completed their expeditions recently who are on their way to completing the other sections and should be submitting their assessor reports. If you are one of their assessors, please encourage them to complete the section.

Black History Month is dedicated to celebrating and learning about Black heritage. It gives everyone the opportunity to recognise the achievements of and share appreciation of those with African or Caribbean backgrounds. This calendar is a celebration of black composers and is intended to inspire everyone to explore the lives and works of these great musicians. If you scan the QR code you can access the full playlist. Enjoy!

IT'S (ALMOST) PANTO TIME! 

For the second year in a row, Poppy Newman has auditioned and been given a part in the ensemble for Warminster Athenaeum's Patomime of Beauty and The Beast! She will be performing as part of the red team. Congratulations Poppy, we hope you have lots of fantastic performances and have a blast. 

Please a look at the flyer below for how to book tickets and all get behind supporting Poppy. 

Interception to Intelligence

Year 9’s look out for a trip to Bletchley Park, 10^th December 2024, where you will get a greater understanding of cryptography and enhance your knowledge of one of the first computer scientists Alan Turing. You will have a guided tour of Bletchley Park, learn about the enigma and bombe machines and take part in a learning session: Interception to Intelligence: D Day

REMINDER RE FLU VACCINATIONS 

The School Immunisation Team will be attending The John of Gaunt on Tuesday 12^th November and Friday 15^th November to carry out Nasal Flu Vaccinations. 

This vaccination is recommended to help protect your child against flu. Flu can be an unpleasant illness and can cause serious complications. Vaccinating your child will also help protect more vulnerable family and friends by preventing the spread of flu.

If you have not already done so - please complete the consent form (yes or no) using the following link:

www.bswschoolagedimms.co.uk/Forms/Flu

Please use the school code: WT138020

Please ensure you complete your child’s consent no later than 48 working hours before your school session to ensure your child receives their vaccination.

Most children are offered a nasal spray vaccine which is a quick, simple and painless spray up the nose.

The nasal spray vaccine is the preferred vaccine.

A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme for primary aged children can be accessed at:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66730c5864e554df3bd0db99/UKHSA_12922_Protecting_your_child_against_flu_leaflet_03_WEB.pdf

A leaflet explaining the vaccination programme for secondary aged young people can be accessed at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64a2e2e245b6a2000c3d47de/UKHSA-12388-protect-yourself-against-flu_information-for-those-in-secondary-school.pdf

This includes details about the small number of children for whom the nasal vaccine is not appropriate. The nasal spray vaccine contains a very small amount of gelatine from pigs (porcine gelatine) as an essential ingredient to keep it stable and able to work. For those who may not accept medicines or vaccines that contain porcine gelatine, a flu vaccine injection is available. Consent can be provided using the link above. The Immunisation Team will send you a link to book your child into one of our Community Clinics you will then be directed to book a clinic appointment to have the injectable flu vaccine.

Even if your child had the vaccine last year, the type of flu can vary each winter, so it is recommended to have it again this year or they won’t be protected.

Since the programme was introduced, most children offered the vaccine in schools have had the immunisation.

If you have any queries, please contact the School Aged Immunisation Team on 0300 247 0082 or email us using vcl.immunisations@nhs.net

If your child becomes wheezy, has a bad attack of asthma, or has started oral steroids for their asthma after you return this form, please contact the School Aged Immunisation Team on 0300 247 0082.

If you decide you do not want to vaccinate your child against flu, please complete the consent form giving the reason. This will help us plan and improve the service.

In order for us to work collaboratively with schools and to organise vaccination timetables, schools will share with us the necessary information to ensure records are updated accordingly. 

For further information see: www.nhs.uk/child-flu

CLOSURE OF WESTBURY TRAIN STATION – 24.12.24

Please be aware that Westbury station will be closed between 24.12.24 – 24.01.24 for them to modernise aging facilities within Westbury station and the rail infrastructure in the surrounding areas.

This will affect staff and pupils in January. There will be no running trains from Warminster, Dilton Marsh or Westbury to Trowbridge during this time and services to Frome will also be limited.

Rail replacement services will be in place HOWEVER to ensure that this is adequate they would like to try establish the number of pupils and colleagues that will be affected.

If this is a route you’d usually take – please fill out the following survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VPRDW8T

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Hard to believe that it is that time of year again but we are now gearing up for our annual donation to the Link to Hope Shoebox Appeal.  As part of our community programme, we send shoeboxes of gifts to people in need in our wider European community.  If your child would like to take part in this lovely project, they will need to bring something from the list below to school on Monday 21st October and give it to their tutor.  All details are on the leaflet below.

As well as gifts, we need adult shoe boxes, Christmas wrapping paper and £3 postage per box.  All gifts need to be new and unused.

Thanks in advance for your support of this project ??.

Mrs Addecott and the Humanities/Social Science Faculties