Newsletters

Dear families,

It has been an exceptional week, one I have not experienced in my career, but I feel this may not be the last...  Thank you for your flexibility and collaborative approach supporting your children through the first two days of the week.  Our values of Kindness, Positivity and Belonging were clear to see as staff and students worked together to ensure the young people continued to gain the education they need and deserve.  It was the right choice to close the school in this extreme weather, but it needs to be back to business as usual to complete the rich learning experiences we have planned for our students.

I write this newsletter looking forward to the Yr11 prom tonight.  This is always a lovely event that signs off the compulsory education for our young people at The John of Gaunt School.  It is a milestone that they will not fully appreciate until they are well-rounded older adults, but they will look back on their time with us and recognise the support and guidance they received from all of my staff as they steer their way to adulthood.  We are in a vocation that nurtures characters and changes lives and I want to thank my staff for all their efforts.

Since the last newsletter, there have been so many opportunities for our students, led by my fantastic staff, I cannot list them all, but a flavour of these include:

• Art exhibitions
• Geography  field trips
• Living history role play
• Engineering bridge building
• Barcelona netball tours
• Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
• Inclusive rugby leadership and officiating for the area competition
• Oxbridge trip
• County time capsule project
• Ten Tors competition
• Athletics competitions

The breadth of experience for students is wonderful at JoG, but we do not forget our primary focus is to ensure students demonstrate 'excellence everyday' so that they can be as successful as they can be when sitting their final exams in Yr11 and Yr13.  Our students in Yr10 are sitting their end of year exams now and Key Stage 3 students will be completing end of topic tests.  Please support your child as much as you can to prepare for these.  There is nothing better or more impactful to build resilience and a positive attitude to learning than support from adults at home. 

Finally, in the following days I will be sending more information about our preparation to be a phone free school next year.  We are proud that our policy of 'See it, Hear it, Lose it' has been predominantly successful over the years, but we also understand we need to ensure we are in-line with government expectations in regard to phones and access to social media.  A declaration form is going to be sent very soon to ascertain the intention of the responsibleadult for each student in regard to possession of a mobile phone when attending The John of Gaunt.  When you receive the message, please complete this form as quickly as you can so that we can set-up payments for those who wish their child to have a pouch.

Take care

Please subscribe to our social media sites:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063904941052

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/jogschool24/?hl=en

Mr Rhodes

Headteacher

TEN TORS CHALLENGE 2026

On the second weekend of May, 18 hardy John of Gaunt or ex-John of Gaunt students participated in the annual Ten Tors Challenge, a gruelling two-day event set in the harsh and unforgiving terrain of Dartmoor. The two bronze medal teams had to hike, navigate and camp along a 35-mile route, whilst the silver medal team attempted a 45-mile route. Once using allocated river crossings and avoiding hazards such as marshes had been taken into account, the true distance hiked was nearer 40 miles and 50 miles respectively.

The weather was kind, and we woke to a beautiful sunrise on Saturday morning. After a hearty fried breakfast, the teams made their way to the start line alongside the other 2,400 participants. The parachute display ended, the helicopters flew across the valley, and the cannon fired – 07:00. Time to start.

Staff and parents nervously watched their progress online and from the information hangar, often feeling anxious due to delays in information being transmitted. However, it soon became clear that the teams were doing brilliantly, and on Sunday we all headed down to the crowded finish line to applaud the tired, aching and sweaty teams as they crossed it.

It was a hugely successful event for The John of Gaunt School.

Team 35A – Isla Scotney (navigator), Maciej Sekula (navigator), Elsie Cunningham (captain), Riley Proctor, Sam Howes and Lock Walsh-Hill. Completed the 35-mile challenge (bronze medal) at 13:14. The 3rd fastest team ever for JOG (out of 21).

Team 35B – Timo Stillwell (navigator), Sam Moore (navigator), Owen May (captain), Sammy Grindley, Harrison Bown and Joe Bush. Completed the 35-mile challenge (bronze medal) at 13:44. The 6th fastest team ever for JOG (out of 21).

Team 45 – Tom Usher (captain/navigator), Leo Lockwood-Norris (navigator), Isla Biggs, Alfie Baily (retired on medical grounds), Jensen Walsh-Hill and Wes Marsh. Completed the 45-mile challenge (silver medal) at 13:36. The 2nd fastest team ever for JOG (out of 13).

A huge well done to everyone who took part, including those who participated in the training but were not able to gain a place on a team.

A massive thank you for the support and assistance of so many people, in no particular order: Mrs Brooks, Imogen Wood, Jacqui Surgey, Matt Doughty and Nigel Reeves (sorry about the minibuses!), Bill Smith, Emma Jefferies, Steve Usher, Sarah Usher, Shaun White, Iain Richards, Yousaf Mirza and Ben Rhodes.

We couldn't have done it without you.

Click here for photos.

Mr Gray

We are currently looking for a small number of new Youth Ambassadors (aged 13+) and would be grateful if you could share this opportunity with parents/carers and any girls who feel may be interested.

Our Youth Ambassador group is made up of secondary school-aged girls who meet every couple of months to share ideas, provide feedback, and help shape the future direction of Mighty Girls. It is a great opportunity for young people to have their voices heard, develop leadership skills, and contribute to a local organisation.

The role can also provide valuable experience for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and/ or CVs.

Girls can join independently or with a friend if they would feel more comfortable doing so. We aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment where young people can build confidence, make connections, and share their ideas.

To learn more about Mighty Girls or to apply to become a Youth Ambassador, please visit www.mightygirls.co.uk or email info@mightygirls.co.uk 

Special celebration Día de los Muertos in Spanish year 9

Spanish language students in year 9 have been learning about the tradition of Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), and they have seen the film Coco (Disney, 2018). They have been learning vocabulary related to food, flowers, decorative and ritual elements of the special celebration of those who are no longer with us.

The small group 9y/Sp5 decorated their own masks in the style of the “calaveras” (colourful skulls), which we took as an opportunity to remember colours in the target language, but also each of them planted some small Marigold flowers, using gloves, small pots and soil, after learning the special place these flowers have in the festivity. After planting the flowers, the students organised the “altar” with the “ofrendas”, placing all the objects, using photos of the film characters, and labelling the items in Spanish.  A sensory hands-on experience, full of colour, soul and laughter to close term 4.  

To our Year 11 and Year 13 students on completing their examinations!

Many students gave up their time during the half-term break to attend maths revision sessions as they prepared for the final push towards their last exams.

The Maths Department would like to extend huge congratulations to all students who engaged with after-school revision, before-school revision, holiday sessions, and the countless hours of independent study completed at home.

Your dedication, perseverance and hard work have been fantastic to see, and we are incredibly proud of the commitment you have shown throughout the examination period. We hope you all enjoy a well-earned rest and look forward to celebrating your successes in the months ahead.

This year we entered the National Storytelling Competition 2026, and amongst a huge number of entries, four of our students have been successful and are now published authors in the National Storytelling anthology The Young Writers' Team said: 'The creativity, imagination and effort shown by students have been exceptional, so very well done for making it into the anthology.'

Congratulations to our budding writers!

The English Team

Callum Moyes (8G)

Ella Barton (8D)

Ruby Wilcox (7H)

Amelia Carrigan (7G)

The History Department  is delighted to announce that we will be running 2 enrichment Living History workshops in association with Oxenwood Outdoor Centre-one for year 7 on Monday 6 July and one for year 8 on Wednesday 8 July – both during period 5.

The theme will be the “Romans in Britain” and students will have the opportunity to

• Be enlisted as new recruits into the Roman army.
• Learn about the structure of the army, ranks of command and discipline.
• Get kitted up in uniform
•  Have time handling artefacts
• Take part in army drill and learn some of the many shield formations.

There will be 30 places in each session and these will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

You will receive formal communication from the school regarding this shortly – keep your eyes peeled so that your child doesn’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Ms Davison

Students Shine in Final Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions

Both Silver and Bronze groups successfully completed their final assessed Duke of Edinburgh expeditions in very hot conditions, showing real progress and maturity throughout.

• Silver participants completed a three-day hike with two nights of camping, managing the heat well and demonstrating noticeably improved navigation since their practice. All groups reached the final checkpoint in excellent spirits.
• Bronze participants undertook a two-day hike with one night of camping, showing strong teamwork and much greater confidence in their route-finding. They also arrived at the final checkpoint cheerful and proud.

Despite the challenging temperatures, all students handled themselves responsibly and performed to a high standard, making this a highly successful expedition season.

Dear Partners

Please visit our website here to see and download our most recent newsletter.

We are excited to celebrate our second year as Wiltshire Family Hubs.

We are so grateful for the support we have received from all our partners and look forward to the year ahead.

Best wishes

Celia Earl
(She/her)
Senior  Admin Data Navigator

Working Days: Tues am, Wed, Thurs

07899 814 776

W: www.wiltshirefamilyhubs.org.uk

On Tuesday 16^th June, I took 12 6^th form students on our first ever trip to play Padel in Corsham.

Padel has exploded as a sport in the UK over the last two years and is a game which combines aspects of tennis and squash together in an accessible and fun way.

Our year 12 Sport Science students were able to gain a new experience, whilst collecting valuable data for some of the coursework they are required to complete as part of their course.

The students were brilliant and took part in some coaching sessions, where they developed techniques and grasped the fundamentals of the sport, before putting it into practice in some competitive games.

Mr Dunbar

Helping young people use AI safely

Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday life for many teenagers (and adults!). It can help with revision, explain tricky ideas, support creativity, generate images, improve writing and help young people explore new interests. Used well, it can be a useful tool. We would like to support you, as parents and carers, to help young people use it safely, wisely and kindly.

The NSPCC (https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/2025/generative-ai-childrens-safety) warns that generative AI can also bring risks, including fake images, deepfakes, bullying, grooming, sextortion, harmful advice, misinformation and content that may upset or exploit children. Teenagers are often early users of new technology, and Ofcom reported that four in five online teenagers aged 13 to 17 had used generative AI tools. (www.ofcom.org.uk)

Parents and carers can help by keeping conversations open. Ask your child which AI tools they use, what they use them for, and whether they have seen anything that worried them. Try not to lead with panic but be curious. In fact, it might even be that they enjoy teaching you and giving you a window into this exciting world of technology. Young people are more likely to talk to us when they feel they will be listened to, not judged or worried about.

A useful rule is, as with all online platforms and sites, “Do not share anything with AI that you would not want shared more widely.” This includes full names, school details, addresses, phone numbers, passwords, private worries, personal photographs, or images of friends. Remind children that AI tools may store information and that a chatbot, although it can feel genuine, is not a real friend, counsellor, doctor or trusted adult.

Young people also need to know that AI can get things wrong. It can make information sound certain even when it is false. Encourage them to check important information with a trusted source, especially anything about health, relationships, law, money, schoolwork or safety. The NSPCC advises parents to talk about what AI can and cannot do, and to help children think critically about what they see online. (NSPCC)

Families should also talk clearly about images. It is never acceptable to use AI to create fake, embarrassing, sexualised or threatening images of another person. What might be described as a joke can cause serious harm and may also have serious school, safeguarding or legal consequences. Children should also be told not to upload images of themselves or others onto unfamiliar AI tools.

Practical safeguards help too. Check privacy settings, app permissions, age ratings and parental controls on phones, tablets, games, browsers and social media accounts. The UK Safer Internet Centre recommends using safety settings and having regular conversations about online life, rather than relying on one single technical fix. (UK Safer Internet Centre)

Finally, agree a simple action plan. If your child sees something worrying, receives a threat, is asked for images, or finds that a fake image has been made, they should not reply, pay money, or try to manage it alone. They should save evidence, block and report the account, and speak to a trusted adult straight away. School can help, and support is also available from Childline, CEOP and the NSPCC.

AI is part of the world our children are growing into. With curiosity, clear boundaries and calm adult support, we can help them benefit from it while staying safe.

Carnegie Winners Announced!

Newsflash: Mrs Bruton cried!

The 2026 Carnegie Medal winners were announced on Tuesday 23 June. The awards are the UK’s longest running and best-loved book awards for children and young people, run by library and  information association, CILIP. All Y7 and Y8 students have learnt about the medal and have been shadowers of the process.

In a shortlist dominated by established names, new talent triumphed as debut author Beth O’Brien won both the Carnegie Medal for Writing and the Shadowers’ Choice Award for Writing for her feminist reimagining of Red Riding Hood, Wolf Siren. Inspired by Beth’s own lived experience and passion to write a nuanced book that represented visual impairments, this “fresh” and “bold” story explores power and accessibility through “richly layered symbolism”.

The ceremony was watched by a Y7 class in the library. Mrs Bruton was a bit emotional and may have cried (sorry!). Wolf Siren was The John of Gaunt students' favourite from the shortlist this year and Mrs Bruton agreed (even though Jason Reynold is still her favourite). It’s not often a book wins both the Shadowers’ Choice Award and the Medal for Writing in the same year. It is always nice when a debut novelist wins, especially one that is as enthusiastic and great an advocate for visual impairment representation as Beth O’Brien. We all send our congratulations to Beth!

Stella Hine, Chair of Judges for The Carnegies 2026, said:

“Wolf Siren is a wonderful fairy tale for our times when hope triumphs over despair and justice over apathy. Red is a thoroughly traditional and yet modern heroine whose journey includes timeless messages for all, young and old. The environmental messages are clear, the language is sublime, and the rich content covering many contemporary themes invites reflection. Wiggling Words is a joyous and deceptively simple insight into the world of a dyslexic reader. Using typography and their signature cyanotype technique, Kate Rolfe not only affords the dyslexic reader a voice but also invites the non-dyslexic reader into this unique world. We accompany the young protagonist on their journey from frustration to empowerment. Many congratulations to the 2026 Award winners in this National Year of Reading. I’d like to thank the judging panel who sacrificed much of their personal time and energy for the Awards. Thank you to all the Shadowers around the country and overseas. Thank you to every teacher and librarian supporting young readers to explore these outstanding lists.

Debut author Beth O’Brien wrote Wolf Siren, a captivating feminist reimagining of Red Riding Hood, from a desire to tell stories that spotlight the nuanced spectrum of sight inspired by her own lived experience of visual impairment. Blindness is often misrepresented as total sight loss, but in reality 93% of blind and partially sighted people experience a spectrum of light, movement, and colour. This authentic experience leads Beth to write lyrically, describing not what she sees but how she sees, inviting readers to uncover her world with all their senses. The Judges praised this “fresh” storytelling, and her “richly layered symbolism” to write a “strikingly relevant” reimagining exploring power, gender stereotypes and disability. Beth O’Brien is currently studying for a PhD researching the (mis)representation of disability in contemporary fairytale retellings, often primarily used as a plot device to be cured, a symbol of evil, or to be supplemented by a superhuman ability. Having grown up with an insatiable appetite for stories and writing, Beth O’Brien consumed books through the audio and large print editions at her local library. As an adult, she is now acutely aware that not everyone has access to these formats as easily, and advocates to make the magic of stories accessible to everyone.

World Cup-Themed Sunday Brunch Set to Bring Football Fever and Family Fun to Westbury

Westbury, Wiltshire – Sunday 28 June, 10am–2pm

Westbury town centre will be transformed into a celebration of football, food, music and community spirit on Sunday 28 June as the popular Sunday Brunch event returns with a special World Cup theme.

Taking place across the High Street Rotunda, Soisy Gardens and Edward Street from 10am to 2pm, the free community event promises a packed programme of entertainment and activities for all ages.

Football fans can put their skills to the test with a giant Human Table Football experience, while aspiring young players can take aim at the Westbury United Youth Football Club Penalty Shoot-Out Challenge. For those seeking even more action, there will also be an exciting inflatable assault course.

Adding to the lively atmosphere, local musician Wade Merritt will provide live music throughout the event, while visitors can enjoy a free 30-minute yoga session with Yoga with Yara at 12.30pm, offering a chance to stretch, relax and recharge.

The event will also showcase a fantastic selection of local traders and artisans. Visitors can browse unique artwork from Carty and discover bespoke White Horse-inspired crafts from Arty Farty.

Food lovers will be spoiled for choice with a delicious range of artisan and street food vendors, including:

• Be Sweet Chocolates and Fudge
• Wiltshire Chilli Farm
• Mi Brew Loose Leaf Teas
• Hedgerow Cheese
• Delicious Miss Dahl's Sweet Treats

For those looking for a tasty lunch, hot food options will include:

• Freshly made crêpes from Posh Crepe's
• Authentic Greek cuisine from Rebel Bites
• Traditional pasties and sausage rolls from The Pasty Cove
• Freshly baked pizzas from Pizza Box Wiltshire

The World Cup-themed Sunday Brunch offers the perfect opportunity for families, friends and visitors to come together, support local businesses, enjoy great food and entertainment, and celebrate community life in the heart of Westbury.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

For more information, follow Westbury's Sunday Brunch updates on social media and join us on Sunday 28 June for a fun-filled day of football, food and community spirit.

Kind regards,

Congratulations Maya Williams who completed a massive 76km walk, the Cotswolds Way Ultra Challenge over the weekend. She was an absolute superstar and kept motivated. Her mental and physical strength was tested, as she did amazingly! We set off at 9.30am Saturday morning, walked through the night and crossed the finish line at 7.30am on Sunday. 

We were raising money for Dorothy House in memory of Maya's grandmother, who sadly passed away before Maya was born. We are super pleased to have raised £2000.

Huge congratulations to Zuzia in Y7 for her latest swimming competition results! Zuzia is a keen swimmer & has been working really hard this year in training & comps to improve her times.

First Place: 50M front crawl 

Second Place: 50m back stroke 

We are very proud of how she is applying herself. 

Well done!