Newsletters

Class Chart Rewards 

Don't forget to spend your points!

The deadline is 24^th June 2022

After this date your points will be reset to zero.  You will then be able to carry on earning and accumulating points up until next year.

If you don't spend your points before 24^th June,  you will lose them - so please spend, spend, spend!

We aim to deliver all your rewards to you during tutor time by 15^th July 2022.

Thank you

Faculty Admin Team

Horrible History JOG Style

Over 120 Year 8 pupils recently participated in the annual John of Gaunt School “Living History Day”. 

The students learned the story of the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in October 1066. They role-played the key events in the story of Harold Godwinson, England’s last Saxon king and Duke William of Normandy which ended with the defeat of the Saxons and William becoming the new King of England.

They handled artefacts including swords, helmets, Halberks and battle-axes and then started on some battle training.

As new recruits to the Saxon army the students learned how to create the famous Saxon shield wall and how to handle their spear. As the Normans charged the shield wall the students held firm and repelled the enemy attack.

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 1066 and the Civil War 1642-49 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

Head of History

This week I had the pleasure of taking 16 Year 7 students to a This Girl Can event organised by West Wilts. The aim of this was to improve girls engagement and confidence. We spent the day with other Schools and rotated around several activities such as dancing, a glow in the dark disco & swimming. 

I am proud of how the students engaged with other schools, each other & got involved in all the activities. The feedback from the girls was really positive, so I'm looking forward to attending next year with our new cohort.

Well doe to all those who attended.  

Miss Lewis 

Year 10 Achieve Study Sensei Status

After the success of Elevate’s Study Sensei sessions with Year 11 and Year 13, the company returned this Thursday to work with Year 10 ahead of their upcoming mocks and transition into Year 11.

The Study Sensei session focuses on effective study and revision habits, including structuring and reviewing notes and utilising practice papers. As Year 10 approach their mocks it will be important that they structure their revision successfully and manage their time appropriately – if they begin now, they will reduce the pressure on themselves next year. The workshop has therefore been a wonderful opportunity for Year 10 as they approach their mock exams, and we hope they have found it as useful as the groups before them.

The Year 10 Team have been really impressed with the engagement and positive atmosphere across all the groups working with Elevate and are really impressed with the work produced in the supporting booklets. A special mention also goes to Jimmy R in 10F for surviving a bombardment of whiteboard pens as part of one activity.

We are also mindful that some of our students are finding the run-up to mocks stressful and would direct all those feeling overwhelmed to the Young Minds guidance on dealing with exam stress https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/ or invite them to check in with a member of the team.

Miss Wood, Miss Beer & Miss Wall

This week during STEM club, the students extracted DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)! Again, they did a great job, well done STEM club!

The government has started a 13-week consultation process on the proposals within the SEND green paper, which closes on 22^nd July 2022.  The Wiltshire Parent Carer Council is keen to submit a response to the consultation on behalf of Wiltshire parent carers and to enable them to do this, they have arranged three face to face sessions for parent carers to attend and contribute their views.  You can find out the dates of the sessions and book a space using the following link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SEND-Review-2022

The Carnegie Winner Announced!

In the library, we have been shadowing this year’s Carnegie Medal and the students in Y7 and Y8 have been introduced to the books and the authors.

On Wednesday the 16^th June the winner was announced in a live broadcast that luckily took place during a Y8 lesson.

Library (and librarian!) favourite Jason Reynolds features again this year with the graphic novel version of the popular Long Way Down which won the Kate Greenaway medal.

 The Carnegie Medal and the Shadowers Choice Award were both awarded to Katya Balen for her book October, October.

As many of you know, the library is buzzing with students at lunch and break every day. I love watching students get comfy and to see them read. On Thursday I looked up and saw Diana, Lilly and Sydney on one of the sofas, and it looked like Lilly had read Sydney to sleep!

Mrs Bruton

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Your Year 9 child is now due the routine vaccinations Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (DTP) and Meningitis ACWY (MenACWY), these will be delivered by the School Aged Immunisation Team of Nurses, at John of Gaunt on 5th July 2022.

For more information and to enable your child to receive these important vaccines it is essential that you complete the online consent following the link below.

If you do not want your child to receive the vaccines then please also complete a form stating that you do not want them to receive the vaccine, this will ensure it is recorded on your child’s record, and you will not receive any direct follow up from our team.

https://schoolimms.hcrgcaregroup.com/dtp/2021/wilts

The link for the consent for your child’s school will close at midnight on 28th June 2022 - this is to ensure safe and efficient planning of the session therefore please ensure it is completed before this time to avoid disappointment.

If the link is not working for you:

• Try to copy and paste it into your internet address bar.
• If it continues not to work, or you are experiencing any other problems, please contact our designated team on 0300 247 0082 for support.

Thank you

School Aged Immunisation Team

Supporting Careers Education, Information and Advice at JoG

Young Work Wiltshire – Supporting young people to move successfully into further education and employment.

If you have concerns that your child does not have a place at college, 6^th form or with an apprenticeship next year, please contact the school’s careers adviser in the first instance alynch@jogschool.org

If you think your child would benefit from some support over the Summer to help them move onto their next steps successfully, then please contact Wiltshire Councils Young Work Wiltshire Service to discuss how they can help.

Service contact details:

Email: workwilts@wiltshire.gov.uk 

Direct Tel: 01225 716890

Website: https://workwiltshire.co.uk/young/

Looking for Virtual Work Experience or University Degree tasters to help you chose where and what to study post-18?  Springpod has a variety of online experiences with Employers and Universities for students in years 9-13.

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience

https://university.springpod.com/discover

World of Work Fest

Swindon & Wiltshire Careers Hub

11am - 2pm & 5pm -7pm

The Careers Hub will be hosting a Learn Live Event for students and parents/carers with interactive chat from all stakeholders involved. The broadcast will cover:

A FREE virtual event to all our schools and colleges in Swindon & Wiltshire for young people (aged 14+).  This is a World of Work Fest to showcase the employers and their industry sectors around the county. This will give teachers, parents, carers and students the opportunity to discover the skills gaps employers are looking for, resources, opportunities on their doorstep.  There will be a twilight session for students, parents and carers, 5pm-7pm.

Please register for the event at https://learnliveuk.com/wow-fest-2021-2022/

Sections covered:

• Construction
• Public Services
• Engineering
• Retail
• Hospitality
• H&SC
• Finance
• Creative