Newsletters

ACTIVITIES WEEK - 18 - 21 JULY 2022

Letters regarding the activities have been sent out, and they are also available to view on the website.

If your child has signed up for the hiking activity, then we need consent to take your child off site.  Please ensure you have given consent via Parentpay, otherwise your child will have to spend the day in school.

If you still haven't paid for any activity, please ensure this is all paid asap.

The canteen will be open as usual during activities week.

Many thanks

Faculty Admin Team

Pond dipping

Some Y7s were making the most of the lovely weather by identifying the invertebrates in one of our nature ponds. They found many species including lots of mayfly nymphs and dragonfly larval casts, called exuvia. 

Some of these are currently drying in the lab, ready for students to collect at the end of the day to take home (apologies in advance if one appears on your kitchen table!).

This week an intrepid group of students set off on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award expedition. Despite the extreme heat the staff ensured their safety by reducing loads to the essential items, having plenty of water, taking breaks often and adding extra water check points. With two days of long hikes and camping every single student worked hard to overcome the real challenges of the trip.

They arrived at the campsite with joy, setting up tents, cooking dinner for each other and with some even having the energy to play games in the sun before bedtime. The following day started with students preparing breakfast, washing up cooking equipment and packing away tents/sleeping bags.

The students were relentless in their ambition to complete the expedition and worked extremely well with their teams, showing support to one another right to the end. All students should be extremely proud of themselves for the effort they put in, and we are proud to say every single student completed it and passed this part of their DofE Bronze Award!

The students are now ensuring that all their Volunteering, Physical and Skill sections are complete. They will all be presented with their awards in a celebration event to be confirmed a little later in the year.

If you have expedition kit that you no longer need and wish to donate it to the school for use in future expeditions please can you send it in. Any items that cannot be used will be donated to suitable charities.

As we reach the end of the academic year, the big question is do the triumphant students have what it takes to achieve their Silver Award?

Anti-bullying Ambassadors

This week 17 students from years 7 & 8 began training to be JOG Anti-bullying Ambassadors (ABAs). We hosted 3 other schools (Malmesbury, Hayesfield and Wykham Academy) for a day of workshops, games, discussion and reflection led by two enthusiastic representatives from the charity The Diana Award.

The programme, funded by the Department of Education, will take the students through a year of campaigning, running events and developing routines and resources in school.

More news to follow next term…?

Year 7 Rounders

Last week the year 7 rounders team took to the field for their first competitive tournament against 4 other local schools. The girls played amazingly well, adapting to each team they faced and improving throughout. They showed great team spirit, worked well as a team and were really supportive of each other. After all matches had been played, the girls finished in 2^nd place! A huge success, having won 2 games, drawn 1 and lost 1.

A massive well done to all the girls involved!

Mr Walker

Well done to Niobi Spicer, 10C, who took part in a Taekwondo competition in Weston-Super-Mare. She took first place in the "Power" competition meaning she had the strongest kick.

We look forward to hearing about Niobi's future competitions.

On Wednesday last week the year 7 & 8 girls touch rugby team had the privilege of attending the Wiltshire School Games at Dauntsey’s school. This competition involved all the top schools from across the different regions in Wiltshire, hoping to be crowned champions in numerous sports.

Having won their West Wilts qualifying round to get there, the girls were in high spirits and looking forward to the event (and the chance to have a look at the amazing facilities at Dauntsey’s). An early setback losing Annabelle meant the girls had to rally together and have a bit more game time each. Some amazing effort was shown by all and after all the games had finished, they had won 1, drawn 1 and lost 2. All the games were played with a very competitive edge and despite coming up against tough and well drilled opposition, the girls remained focused and determined to do well. For a first attempt at this event and against some schools who focus heavily on touch rugby this was a great achievement.

A massive well done to Freya and Rose for being recognised by staff from other schools and the officials on the day for their work rate and intensity, leading from the front.

From me, huge congratulations to all the girls, and thanks for making the day a fun experience. I hope they continue to strive for rugby excellence; the potential with these girls is huge!

Mr Walker

Celebrating Character Education and those living a Value Filled Life

Over the past week, we have celebrated those students who have demonstrated living a valued-filled life. At the John of Gaunt, we have five core values: Excellence, Ambition, Resilience, Respect and Responsibility.

Over 450 students across the school have achieved their Bronze Digital badge for Resilience for achievements which include being awarded 75+ rewards points in this value, attendance at school or an extracurricular club, and taking part in expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. We also have over 100 students achieving their Silver Digital Badge and even 120 achieving their Gold Digital badge! Similar numbers of students also achieved their digital badges for Respect and Responsibility. This year we have 24 students who have been awarded over 75 Class Charts points for Excellence; these students have demonstrated to staff across the curriculum their commitment to Excellence Every Day, and we commend their achievement.

It has been a pleasure to celebrate with each year group and add so many points to students’ Class Charts profiles; it was also an honour to award three students their Excellence Certificate and pin badge. The following students not only achieved 75+ points in Excellence, but they also achieved their Bronze Digital Badge in three other values. These students have fully exemplified the importance of living a value-filled life, and we are very proud to share their achievements with our community.

Congratulations to:

• Sym Edwards
• Rose Church
• Hattie Sargent

A truly fantastic achievement!

Year 10 media studies - NEA

Here we have Isaac McKell and Samuel Duncan filming Isaac's mobile phone app advert.

He will green-screen the pizza restaurant background in the editing process. 

The John of Gaunt 6th form went on their first ever residential involving current year 11 and year 12 students! We took 98 students and had an amazing time at Bath University staying for 2 nights in en-suite Undergraduate accommodation.

The aim of the residential was to experience world-class academic facilities, bond the two year groups together and gain valuable skills in independent living and employability. Activities ranged from taster lectures to sport and team building exercises to sessions on delivering successful presentations.

A huge thanks to staff for facilitating the experience and to Bath University for accommodating the trip. 

For further information please click on the link below.

https://www.dwfire.org.uk/education/summer-safety/