Newsletters

We have vacancies for examination invigilators to help ensure the smooth running of our school examinations.

If this casual work appeals to you please follow the link attached 

https://www.johnofgauntschool.org/page/?title=Vacancies&pid=20&action=saved

Charity fun in the sun!

Many thanks to the Year 8 Student Council who worked really hard to raise just under £70 for Comic Relief last Friday.  They put together a “Guess the number of Sweets Jar”, a raffle and a name raffle and cheerfully gave up their break and lunchtime to raise money for an excellent cause.

The winners are announced below and can collect their prizes from the Year Office at breaktime on Monday 28^th March.  Many thanks to all who took part!

Year 8 Council members: Diana Velea, Sydney Taylor, Monty Ives, Ellie Howes, Max George, Cameron Nash, Daniel Kun, Bart Lopaciuk, Elizabeth Williams, Henry Tiley, Rose Church, Szymon Jaskolski, Lilly Krawiec, Rayan Chafik, Lenny Dean, Hilda Tuinasakea, Lils McQuoid

Mrs Addecott

Assistant Head of Year 8

Comic Relief Winners

Raffle

Big egg – ticket number 21 – Georgia Wells 8B

Small egg – ticket number 77 – Rose Jones 7A

Small egg – ticket number 1 – Sydney Taylor 8A

Sweets

Jar – Olivia Fyall 7E

Small egg – Lacey-Mae Jenkins 8B

3^rd price – Summer McNamee 7D

Name board

Big egg – “Elizabeth” – Holly Jones 8E

Small egg – “Iris” – Cora 7B

3^rd prize – “Monty” – Cameron Nash 8C

4^th prize – “George” – Henry Tiley 8E

Ten Tors 2022: North Dartmoor Expedition Report

After the customary scrutinising of students' equipment in the Gym (sunscreen included) 20 students and 6 staff set off down to East Okement Farm "campsite" just north of Okehampton. The moon was full, and the stars were clear, bathing the campsite in a lovely silvery light despite the late hour. Tents were quickly and effectively put up as students hunkered down to avoid the sub-zero temperatures forecast overnight.

After their single "Smoky Bill's banging breakfast" this weekend, tents were packed away, littered cleared and the 2 groups of students were issued with their maps, compasses, official Ten Tors documentation and equipment - all done very punctually to meet our 0800 departure time.

Both groups traversed a wide-range of moorland terrain - tracks, steep hills, tussocks (baby's heads), marshes, streams, bogs and mussy pasture. Our Saturday route took in East Mill Tor, Oke Tor, Okement Hill, Steeperton Tor, Great Kneeset, Kitty Tor, Prewley Moor, Meldon Reservoir, the Ten Tors finish line and then finally back to camp. The groups walked brilliantly, and the clear, crisp weather enabled the navigators to showcase some superb skills (well done Elliot, Will, Joseph and Lucas). Dealing with wind which blew constantly at 30mph or above was an ongoing challenge. Both groups got into double figures and one group managed a really impressive 23-miles). 

Saturday night and Sunday morning gave the another opportunity to cook their own food in sub-zero temperatures and most were able to do so (although some of Bill's lovely leftover chilli was handed out to a few!). Sunday saw similarly glorious sunshine and the group were again able to get their mileage into double figures (15-16 miles) despite a few incidents which had to be dealt with on the way around.

Overall, a cracking weekend - I'm still nervous that they haven't seen the "real" Dartmoor yet, and keep trying to explain that it's usually misty, wet and horrible rather than some stunning springtime paradise.

Huge thanks to all that make this possible - volunteers "Smoky Bill" Smith, Jazzy Smith, Iain Richards, Mr Lord, Mrs Brooks and also the "hidden" helpers - Matt Doughty, Julie Gray and Jacqui Surgey in Finance.

Please click on link for a selection of photographs  https://www.johnofgauntschool.org/gallery/?pid=7&gcatid=2&albumid=13

Congratulations to our Year 9 netball team who played their final fixture last night! One team came 3rd/8 which is the highest we've ever placed. Each and every one one of them has worked so hard, progressed and is able to perform at a much higher standard. 

We are super proud of them! We are very much looking forward to the rounders season. 

Player of the Match (white): Oliwia & Sophia

Coaches Player (white): Amelia K 

Player of the Match (yellow): Amelia B

Coaches Player (yellow): Evie L & Grace

Brilliant Club Launch

This week we met together to attend an online introduction to the programme.  We had a presentation from Homerton College, Cambridge.  We found out about universities, the kind of courses we can apply for and what we can do to prepare future applications.

Food Allergy Information Request Form

To enable John of Gaunt to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of your child, parents and carers are being asked to complete the below Food Allergy Information Form.

It is likely that we are already aware of your child’s allergy, but it is essential this form is completed to ensure a full and updated record of foods to which your child is allergic/intolerant to.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=R0wg0KHBF0CDOm9kYy17xbnaJArPkuFOiXJnJrIACH5UNlpZWjJITUc3NTlWOE5LRDA0TUVINUNTVS4u 

Please can you complete this form as soon as possible.

Many thanks,

Luisa Mitchell

Pastoral Support Lead – Health & Wellbeing

This week we have taken advantage of the great weather, but we have not been the only ones outside enjoying the sunshine. We have all noticed the large number of bees, butterflies and ladybirds that have emerged in recent days. We also spent time hanging bug houses in the wildlife area. The boxes were made by current year 8 students during activities week last year.

Bug hunting is running again for year 7s during activities week this year so sign up if you are a fan of creepy crawlies! 

Mr. Little

Computer Science Trip London Excel

Well done to the Year 12 and 13 Computer Science students who attended the BETT show in London Excel. It was a great opportunity to speak to the experts and see the latest technology innovations in the world of Education. It was a long day, but they did the school proud.

Thank you Year 12/13 for making it an enjoyable day.

Sri Lanka Trip 2023 Launch

This week we have launched our exciting volunteering and cultural capital trip to Sri Lanka in 2023 with our Y10-12 students during tutor time. The video can be seen here (you may be to register for free to access this) 

https://vimeo.com/689262935/35b8e256cf

If your child is interested and in Y10-12 please come along to our question-and-answer session on Thursday 31^st March in Wingfield Hall at 6pm.

Miss Lanng

I had the pleasure of taking the Year 11 Football team on one of their last fixtures of playing together before the Exam Season starts. What a match to watch, all players work tremendously hard and fought with real commitment for the entire game. Communication and motivation throughout the players was a real strength, with a few players stepping up to play at the last minute.

Full-time: St Laurence 3 -1 JOG.

As a Head of Faculty I came away from the fixture feeling proud of them all, and what a lovely mature group of boys. Well done boys.

Player of the Match - Ethan Pow for his commitment and outstanding performance.

Katherine Bodman

Director of Learning- PE