Newsletters

Dear all

What a year it has been, it has flown by!

It has been such a positive year with more recognition and celebrations of student participation and success than ever before. The house system is flourishing and the school's engagement with partner primaries has grown with many events that have been just wonderful. 

Our year has been topped off with two amazing proms, a sports day with such an up-beat atmosphere, an expressive arts exhibition and Oscar evening that was as much glitz and glamour as you could wish for, and our staff have organised just the best activity days that have been brilliant fun.  On top of all of this, we must not forget we have a new multi-million pound building for mathematics, business and computing now in place.  It's all been 'go at JoG' and we won't stop being aspirational!

Thank you to all staff for their efforts this year.  This school would not be what it is without the dedication they all give to JoG and the students.  We say farewell especially to Mrs Perks, Mrs Stewart and Mrs Taylor, who have given so much to so many children and the school over a number of years of service.  They will be missed greatly, and we all wish them well in the future.

I would also like to thank the students who have been amazing this year.  Time and time again, we have external visitors and members of our community who comment on how lovely our students are, how polite they are and how they like the atmosphere and ethos of the school.  Our values of Kindness, Positivity and Belonging are at the core of our school and shine through our students.

Please read the whole newsletter to gain all the information you need for next year and to appreciate all the fantastic opportunities our students have had over the last couple of weeks and will have next year.

I wish you all a lovely summer. I am excited to see how our summer school goes for our new students and looking forward to our Yr11 and 13 students gaining excellent results, sending them on their way to the next stages of their lives.

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Mr Rhodes

Start of the New Academic Year – September

The new school year will begin on Wednesday 3^rd September. To ensure a smooth and well supported start:

• Period 1 and Period 2 will be for Year 7 students ONLY
• All other year groups should arrive in school in time for breaktime (10.45am), ready to begin lessons from Period 3.

Sports Day 2025

Sports Day was fantastic. The weather was great, and the energy was off the charts.
Our students really got involved, sitting proudly in their house teams, cheering each other on with incredible spirit 
A special shout out to our staff who went head-to-head in a tug of war showdown!
Huge thank you to everyone for your amazing efforts in making the day so memorable 

Duke of Edinburgh Award Final Expedition Report

On the Thursday our Silver group, embarked on a challenging journey from Westwood to Roundwood, where they camped overnight. The subsequent day the Bronze groups joined us in the morning and entailed an adventurous hike towards Westbury White Horse, marked by a steep ascent. Very hot weather made hiking conditions tough, the participants displayed resilience, teamwork, and adaptability throughout the expedition. They all eventually made the new campsite at Thoulstone Park. Upon arrival, the team swiftly set up camp, demonstrating their proficiency in outdoor skills and teamwork. The overnight camp provided students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge of camping procedures and hone their self-sufficiency skills. Participants engaged in campsite activities and bonding over shared experiences, further solidifying their camaraderie.

The final day the expedition commenced with students setting off equipped with essential gear and a spirit of adventure. As they traversed the initial leg of their journey, light rain accompanied their progress, adding an extra layer of challenge and waterproof clothing. However, the inclement weather failed to dampen their enthusiasm as they navigated through the countryside to reach the designated final point between Bishopstrow and Heystesbury. Through their participation, they not only honed their outdoor skills but also forged lasting memories and friendships. This successful expedition underscores the value of outdoor learning opportunities, fostering personal growth and development among young individuals.

Well done everyone on a successful Expedition.

What an incredible Activities Week! 

We've just wrapped up an unforgettable Activities Week, and what a week it’s been! From cinema trips and hikes to alpaca walking and trout fishing. From trips to Bath and bowling to a day at the beach in Weymouth, our students have had the chance to explore, create, and have fun in so many amazing ways.

Highlights included:
🎢 Paultons Park adventures
🏎️ Go-karting thrills
🦁 A wild day out at Longleat
🌊 Fun on the water at Cotswold Water Park
🍝 Italian cooking classes
🎭 Dungeons & Dragons 
🎨 Art & photography sessions
🥁 Steel pan & samba drumming workshops
🎬 Film making
🃏 Card and board games galore

We’ve had so many staff members involved in making these experiences possible - thank you all for your energy and enthusiasm. It’s been a real pleasure to hear from students throughout the week about how much they’ve enjoyed each day.

Year 4 - Bubbly Maths Event 

On Thursday 10th July, we hosted nearly 200 students from 5 local primary schools for our Bubbly Maths Event. It was a fantastic event and we can't wait to run more like this in the future. 

Students Shine in Spectacular Collaborative Concert with Trowbridge Symphony and West Wilts Orchestras

On Wednesday 9th July, the sound of showstoppers filled the air as students from local Trowbridge primary and secondary schools joined forces with the Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra and West Wilts Youth Orchestra for a truly memorable evening of music. The collaborative concert, held to a packed and enthusiastic audience, celebrated Songs from the Musicals — and what a celebration it was.

From the opening notes, it was clear the evening would be something special. The two orchestras blended beautifully, providing a rich, professional backdrop for the students’ singing. Together, the singers and musicians created a powerful and uplifting sound that filled the venue and drew warm applause from the very first number.

The students themselves were nothing short of wonderful. Singing with confidence, energy, and real emotion, they brought classics from the stage to life and showed remarkable poise performing alongside seasoned orchestral players. The venue buzzed with excitement throughout, with every seat filled and every song met with applause. Audience members couldn’t help but join in with many of the numbers!

It was a night to remember — a testament to the power of music to bring generations and communities together, and a proud moment for all the young singers who took part. One thing is certain: this won’t be the last time we see this wonderful collaboration and next year we may have a bigger venue which will allow us to take more members from our school choir. Our students truly did themselves, our school, and the community proud.

GCSE citizenship campaign 

 Our year ten group held their campaign to raise awareness of Amnesty International on Monday 14^th July. A part of their GCSE course is to plan and deliver a campaign on an issue to the rest of the school community. The group raised over £100 for Amnesty, which is one of the highest amounts we have ever raised.

Congratulations!

A big thank you to everyone who supported the campaign and donated money.

Mr Perraton & Mrs Scott. 

Exciting Collaboration with Hiscock Engineers Ltd!

Our Year 10 boys have been hard at work this term on a fantastic project in collaboration with a local engineering company, Hiscock Engineers Ltd. This has been a unique and valuable opportunity for them to get hands-on experience in real-world engineering, working closely with professionals and learning about the different stages of a project, from concept to creation.

We’re incredibly proud of the focus, teamwork and creativity they've shown throughout, and we’re looking forward to sharing more about their project in the new term - including a few sneak peeks behind the scenes!

Stay tuned for updates and photos as we celebrate this exciting partnership and the amazing efforts of our students.

Supporting Your Child to Stay Safe Online Over the Holidays

The holiday period is a great opportunity to spend some time exploring your child’s online world with them. Sitting down to play their favourite games or use the apps they enjoy can be a brilliant way to understand both the endless fun and some of the potential risks.

We know that starting these conversations can feel challenging, especially if you don’t regularly use technology yourself or use it differently. However, talking openly about your child’s online life is one of the most effective ways to help keep them safe.

If you’re wondering where to begin, the NSPCC has created an excellent webpage packed with useful information, including:

• Guidance on how to have age-appropriate conversations
• Resources such as practical tips and interactive quizzes
• Clear explanations of some of the online risks children and young people may face
• Advice on tackling tricky topics together

You can find all this support and more on the NSPCC website 

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/talking-child-online-safety

Prom - Cohort 2024-25

A gloriously hot and sunny evening greeted the students at Trowbridge Rugby Club on the evening of Thursday 26^th June 2025, to celebrate Prom. The functions team at the club had created a beautiful reception space to receive the students.

The evening started with an amazing array of Super-cars, motorbikes, tractors, complete with trailer, a JCB and a motorised Bath! (Not Abarth!; for those in the know).

The students were magnificently dressed in a range of colours and styles, of dresses, suits, jumpsuits and originally designed outfits. With fabulous hair, makeup and shoes to match.

The evening started with an incredible magician called Raj, who performed close-up magic to groups of students. His magic was mind-boggling, and it was wonderful to witness the students being confounded by the tricks in front of them. For example, picking cards up from the floor without touching them, changing five subway vouchers into five ten-pound notes, all in the blink of an eye.

Following an excellent feast of chicken, vegetarian burritos and pizza, with a very large quantity of chips, the night really took off to the sounds of Mr Coomb’s disco. The students absolutely danced the night away and many did not want to leave even once the lights were on. 

The students this year decided on a more egalitarian approach to awards, with Prom Royalty being voted for in advance and within tutor groups, so we had two fabulous students awarded from each group, 11A to 11I. In addition, the whole cohort voted on a number of most likely awards. Once again, this was completed in advance of the night with an amazing array of the students being recipients. Xavier Heath received the award for most likely to be a pilot, Bartosz Lopaciuk to be Prime Minister and Demi Rae McNally won the social influencer award.

As the evening came to a close, staff and students sang a chorus of The Killers ‘Mr Brightside’ as a farewell song. The evening was a huge success and this was due to the brilliant community spirit of all those who attended.

Congratulations Year 11 cohort of 24/25. We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday 21^st August, exam results day.

With all our best wishes for the future

Mrs Scott and the Year 11 team.

A Night of Celebration: Expressive Arts Faculty OSCARS Shine Bright

The Expressive Arts Faculty rolled out the red carpet last night for its annual OSCARS awards evening — a glittering celebration of hard work, creativity, and enthusiasm in the arts. Students, families, friends and staff filled the packed hall to recognise and honour the outstanding dedication shown by students across Art, Drama, Music, Photography and Textiles, both in lessons and through an impressive range of extra-curricular activities.

From the moment the doors opened, there was a real buzz in the air. Everyone arrived in their finery, dressed to impress, and the sight of students walking down the red carpet to collect their awards brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to the evening. A total of 60 students from across all year groups were recognised, each chosen for their positivity, commitment, and passion for the expressive arts.

Interspersed between the award presentations were captivating performances that showcased the incredible talent within the faculty. The audience were treated to a lively performance from Manner of Muck, whose energy set the tone for the night. Stephanie Clarke’s beautiful piano solo enchanted everyone in the room, while Cameron Nash delivered a powerful vocal performance that earned a rapturous round of applause.

Drama students kept the audience entertained and laughing with a witty and creative performance of ‘Magician Audition’, and the evening also featured a fabulous fashion show, where Textiles students modelled garments and pieces they had designed and created throughout the year — a true testament to their skill and imagination.

Throughout the evening, the hall was filled with warmth, pride, and a real sense of community. The positivity in the room was infectious as teachers spoke of the resilience, creativity, and joy that the students bring to the faculty every day.

The Expressive Arts OSCARS was not just a chance to give out awards, but a reminder of the importance of the arts in nurturing confidence, collaboration, and expression. It was an unforgettable evening that left everyone inspired — and already looking forward to next year’s celebration.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and to everyone who contributes to making the Expressive Arts faculty such a vibrant, welcoming, and creative place.

Exciting News! New School Caterers Starting This September!

We’re thrilled to announce that starting this September, we’ll be welcoming a brand new catering team to our school! Get ready for delicious, nutritious, and freshly-prepared meals your children will love.

Our new caterers are passionate about food and committed to providing a variety of healthy, balanced options every day. Whether your child is a picky eater or an adventurous foodie, there will be something tasty for everyone!

We can’t wait for your children to try the new menu and enjoy a great dining experience at school. More updates and full menus will be shared soon so stay tuned.

Take a look below for a few sneak peek photos of the new menus and setup!