Newsletters

Support for Ukraine

As a school, we'd like to support Dawid Fedyk's project to collect donated items and transport them to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees who have fled across the border. 

Dawid is organising for donations to be sent to Poland every week to a hostel in Kgierz and a volunteer centre in Lodz.  Every item donated will go directly into hands of the Ukranian people in need. 

Items needed are:

• First aid equipment
• Batteries
• Torches
• Power banks
• Dog and cat food
• Pet accessories (bowls, toys, pet beds)
• Children and baby clothes (nappies)
• Clothes (coats, warm boots, new underwear etc)
• Blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Hygienic products (toothbrush, hand wash, tampons etc)
• Medicine (painkillers, bandage, plasters etc)
• Food with long expiry dates (rice, pasta, canned food)
• Childrens toys, teddies

If you'd like to donate, please bring your items into school by 3pm on Friday 11th March, and we'll make sure these items are passed on.  

You can find out more about this at the following link https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/support-for-ukraine  The link also informs you of charities that are taking monetary donations if you would like to contribute. 

As part of the school's ongoing commitment to improve the service we provide for our community we regularly review and update our polices.

We are currently reviewing the admissions policy for the academic year 2023/24. We are starting a period of consultation and the draft policy can be found here Draft Admissions Policy 2023-24 If you have any feedback that you would like to share regarding this policy, please contact hkerr@jogschool.org with your comments.

Kind regards, Helen Kerr    

This week, over 150 year 7 pupils participated in the 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 event provided an enrichment opportunity for year 7 students who have been studying the events of 1066 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!

For a selection of photos from the day's activity please click the link below.

The Battle of Hastings 1066

The Year 10 team Captained by Jimmy Redfern have played 2 games so far this season, drawing one and losing one, however the tide has changed this afternoon (Tuesday 1^st March).

While away to Melksham Oak a team they lost to 3-1 the last time they played them, the gentlemen played fantastic football in very wet conditions and the gents have come away with a well-earned 2-0 win!!

The Player of the match was Charley Comley for his excellent work rate and some game defining tackles. Let's roll this into the next one.

Mr Mockett

Year 10 Meringue Roulade with Lemon Curd

Today we were looking at foam formation and linking together Food Science with World Issues - denaturing / renaturing, caramelisation, emulsions and food waste.

To develop our high level skills, we made meringue but realised that we would have food waste – egg yolk. In order to prevent this yolk going into landfill we decided to make lemon curd and here are the results.

Fun making the meringue – foam formation, denaturing and hopefully NOT renaturing! (the foam collapsing back down to liquid)

Making the lemon curd - emulsion

The final result - you can see the caramelisation

World Book Day 2022

Thursday was World Book Day and the library was buzzing with activities! Students were busy finding Wally, watching World Book Day Live! and solving two murders. The World Book day books were on display and students collected their World Book Day tokens. Lots of staff members were dressed up for the day and students were being taught by Biggles, the Wicked Witch of the West, Mrs Trunchbull, Skulduggery Pleasant, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, Shere Kahn, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Queen Anna, Katniss Everdeen and the peach from James and the Giant Peach.

The assembly this week was on World Book Day, and it featured some special guests. If you would like to have a peek you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA4PF4nj8wA

The World Book Day tokens are still available for students to collect from the library.

For an assortment of photos here is the link World Book Day Photo Gallery

Mrs Bruton aka The Wicked Witch of the West

Comic Relief - March 18th

On March 18th, the school will be raising money for Comic Relief.  Each Year Council will have fundraising activities, and we'll have a non-school uniform day.  This time students will be asked to bring their voluntary £1 donation into school, and we'll collect it during registration. 

We look forward to supporting this great charity and the work that it does. 

Darts club is BACK! All students welcome. See you on Thursday’s

Supporting Careers Education Information, Advice and Guidance

Year 9 Students head out to local Business THG/LABS Acheson

Just before half-term, twelve Y9 students went to the Trowbridge HQ of Acheson & Acheson, suppliers of beauty products to some of the biggest beauty brands in the industry, to start a group mentoring programme that aims to match business mentors with groups of school students. 

After settling in the company meeting room, the students listened to the career journeys of the employees before sharing their own dreams and aspirations and reflecting about what they needed to do to meet them.  

This was the first session of six taking place over the next few months, culminating with the students hosting their mentors at school. The aim is that the employability, skills, and experiences of every kind of employee can be inspirational to school students and improve their attitude to education as a result.  

The project is brought to the school with the assistance of the charity Ablaze West of England Mentoring (WEM) and Wessex Inspiration Network (WIN).

Employers support year 13 students with mock job interviews.
At the beginning of the week year 13 students were given the opportunity to practice their interviews skills with representatives from local business.   Students were given feedback on how they performed to support them as they move on from their 6^th form studies this year. Some students commented; ‘It gave me a real confidence boost.’ ‘I couldn’t believe it when they said they would have given me the job – I wasn’t expecting that!’

Many thanks to representatives from Longleat, THG/LABs Acheson, Babcock International, Amey and Wiltshire Council for giving up a day to support this event.

Next Week is National Careers Week 7-11^th March

Supporting this week students in all year groups will have an assembly based around hope and aspirations for the futures.  For more resources to support your child’s career aspirations please see https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/parent-zone