Newsletters

What a three weeks!  The New Year at JoG has begun with a bang!

The whole-school activities students have engaged with are fantastic.  There has been the Equa Mead trust music concert, our superb production of The Wizard of Oz, our 'Culture Vultures' had one of their regular trips to Bath Theatre Royal, Ten Tors training on Dartmoor and a host of sporting clubs and fixtures.  I am looking forward to watching our students perform and compete in the West Wilts Dance Festival in a couple of weeks at the Bath Forum.

It was also a pleasure to welcome back a number of our students last year for our GCSE certificate evening.  So many friendly faces.  It was lovely to catch up with many of them and hear how they are getting on, out there, in the adult world.  We do miss them!

Meanwhile, we have supported our current students so much with our rich and extensive educational programme outside the usual provision.  Our students do get a great deal at JoG!  Our Year 9s have had an extensive options programme delivered to them that included a taster day, an evening event for parents who wanted to learn more about how they can support their child through the potentially stressful process and then there was the options evening itself.  To have parents approach me and tell me how passionate our staff are, how informative and well-structured the process has been and how happy their child is made me a very proud Headteacher.

That isn't it – for our Year 11s, they have had the Poetry Live trip with the poets reading their poems live on stage at the Forum, and we have provided Maths and English master classes in collaboration with Lavington school, at Emmanuel's Yard.  The Year 10 Science live trip went out this week along with the Year 12 languages event at Bath University.

Please look out for all the after-school sessions we provide, including revision sessions for Year 11 & 13.  These will be invaluable, and we recommend you promote these with your child.

Thank you again to all the staff who give so much.

It has been wet and windy this term and this has highlighted the need for suitable clothing.  Can I remind all families that students should be wearing black polishable footwear, with no coloured logos.  These shoes will help keep students' feet dry.  It is our expectation that students do not wear trainers that are fabric based.  If you have a concern or require support or clarification, please contact your child's tutor.

Will you also ensure your child has all the correct equipment they need for their lessons and that they are stored in a pencil case.  

Thank you for your support.

The days are beginning to get lighter and this is just what we need.  Have a great second half of the term.

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Mr Rhodes

Year 11 Maths & English Masterclasses 

Year 11 Grade 4 and Grade 7 Maths and English Masterclasses were a huge success on Thursday 22nd January and Thursday 29th January. Students from across both secondary schools within the Equa Mead MAT were invited to take part in an intensive programme designed to support them in achieving their target grades of 4+ or 7+ in Mathematics and English. 

The sessions were held in Emmanuel’s Yard, where students worked collaboratively alongside peers from our partner school. The focus, engagement and determination shown by all students was excellent, and it was fantastic to see the progress made throughout the day.

We were also delighted to welcome a guest speaker from the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme (AMSP) for the Grade 7 session on Thurs 22nd, who provided valuable insight and challenge for our higher-attaining students.

All students made fantastic progress, and it was wonderful to see them so motivated and engaged in their learning. A big well done to everyone involved.

What I wish my parents or carers knew…

Children and young people are growing up in a digital world that includes social media, online gaming and many other online spaces that change all the time. As parents, it can be hard to keep track of what this means for your child and how best to support them to stay safe, confident and balanced online.

The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a guide to help parents and carers manage children’s digital lives. The guide aims to explain common online challenges, help families start and sustain open conversations, and provide support with setting boundaries. The guide includes a checklist of actions and an additional activity pack for children.

We hope this short guide will help you support your child to manage their online life, including social media, gaming and other aspects of the digital world. It offers practical advice and conversation starters that you can use at home. Please do click the link to explore the guidance, we hope it provides reassurance and useful support.

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/what-i-wish-my-parents-or-carers-knew-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers-on-managing-childrens-digital-lives/

Ten Tors: Imber Range Brutality Path

Over the 10th and 11th of January, 32 brave students attempted the 32-mile Imber Range Path as part of their preparations for Ten Tors. This expedition is notorious for destroying feet and dishing out blisters to every party on foot. The unrelenting concrete tracks and roads were only broken up by wet, muddy chalk, as students slid and slithered up and down various hills and hillforts while carrying tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, two days’ worth of food, spare clothes, and all their survival and first aid gear in weighty 65-litre rucksacks.

The 18-mile Saturday route began at Upton Scudamore and passed through Gore Cross and Tilshead before reaching Chitterne. We camped in a farm paddock (many thanks to Lady Sarah Gooch!) and were fortunate to have access to a toilet and water, which was greatly appreciated in the sub-zero temperatures. My tent already had a nice layer of ice on it by 6pm!

Several students found the crushingly harsh temperatures a real challenge, despite having warm sleeping bags and using their stoves to prepare hot dinners. Despite some minor cooking disasters, most students retired to bed early to recuperate before facing the next 15 miles. A few were rescued and taken home to a bath and a warm bed.

Sunday seemed to flash by. A chilly but thankfully dry morning allowed students to get up, breakfasted, and ready to leave by 08:30. However, by around 09:00, the rain had set in and the weather became increasingly windy and wet as the day progressed. Aches and pains began to bite around Warminster, and the back-to-back hills — Cotley Hill, Battlesbury Hill, Scratchbury Hill, Sack Hill, and Middle Hill — claimed a few more victims.

Despite this, a large number of students battled through the pain and the rain to complete this brutal challenge. Many others showed remarkable resilience and determination, even if they didn’t quite reach the end. I was immensely impressed and excited to see what this group can achieve on the even more hostile terrain of Dartmoor this weekend.

Many thanks to Lady Sarah Gooch for the use of her paddock, Jonah Coy and Sophie Brennand, and Mrs Brooks for all their invaluable assistance and help over the course of the weekend.

Young People and children’s data and privacy in the digital world

Why this matters

Every day, young people use apps, games and websites that collect personal information. This can include names, photos, location, contacts and how they interact online. This data is often used to personalise content or advertising and may be shared with other companies.

Children and teenagers do not always realise how much information they are sharing or how long it can remain online.

Key message for parents and carers

Small changes to privacy settings can significantly reduce how much personal data your child shares online.

What information is commonly collected?

• Name and age
• Photos and videos
• Location data
• Contacts and friends lists
• Activity such as likes, searches and time spent on apps

Simple steps parents and carers can take

• Set social media and gaming accounts to private
• Turn off location sharing unless it is essential
• Review app permissions (camera, microphone, contacts)
• Use age-appropriate settings and parental controls
• Encourage children to pause before sharing personal details or images

Talking with your child

Keep conversations calm and regular. Ask which apps they enjoy, who they interact with and what information they share. Make sure they know they can come to you if something online makes them feel uncomfortable or unsure.

A simple action this week

Choose one app your child uses and check the privacy settings together.

Helping children understand privacy is not about stopping them using technology. It is about building habits that will protect them now and as they grow older.

If you have any concerns about this or any other on-line safety issues please contact your child’s head or year or tutor

JoG Careers Fair - 5^th February 

Our annual Careers Fair is taking place on the 5^th of February this year. Every year group will experience some time at this event talking to over 30 employers and providers. If you would like to get involved in our Careers Fair in the future, then feel free to reach out to us on careers@jog.equamead.org  

Take a look at the stalls that will be represented via this link  https://www.johnofgauntschool.org/parents-and-carers/careers-information 

On Weds 21^st January, twelve year 7 & year 8 pupils from the JoG Resource Base attended the West Wiltshire Boccia Event at Lavington School. Boccia is an inclusive target sport which requires concentration, precision, tactics & teamwork. It is recognised as an international sport & is played at the Paralympics.  For many pupils this was a huge step and the first time they had ever represented a school at a sporting event and spent several weeks preparing for it in their games sessions. Three teams represented the school, and overall we achieved 1st, 2nd and joint 3^rd place! Each player was a credit to themselves and the school.

On Saturday January 10th, 6 of our students competed in the Wiltshire Cross Country Championships at Sheldon School in Chippenham. On a bright but sunny morning, our students performed brilliantly, with Imogen in Year 9 coming 13^th in her race, and Kyle and Elise Williams (photos attached) placing 7^th and 10^th in their races respectively. Both qualify for the next round- the South West Cross Country Championships held in Exeter- although Kyle is choosing to prioritise his 800m competition on the same day, which is his preferred event.

Well done to all involved, and good luck to Elise in the next round!

Please see below some photos of our incredible production The Wizard of Oz. Thanks to all who came to see the show and support us.