Newsletters

NEWSLETTER 33 - 1 JULY 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

I am really pleased we made the decision to press ahead with sports day today as it was a fantastic event, despite the looming clouds overhead. It is always nice to see students take part in activities, particularly so this year having not been able to run sports days during the pandemic.

This week we have finally said goodbye to our Year 13 students, they have been such a positive bunch of students and a real delight to have as our ambassadors of the school. It has been really exciting to hear of their plans, with around 85% heading to university after the summer. We wish them all the very best.

As you will see from the newsletter below, there has been a lot taking place, from visits to Oxford University, sports fixtures and trips.

Best wishes,

Paul Skipp

Headteacher


Dates for the Diary

Week 2
All Day
04
July
Year 12 Work Experience Week
All Day
From 04 Jul until 08 Jul
04
July
Year 5 Curriculum Day
All Day
04
July
New Year 7 Induction Day
All Day
05
July
New Yr7 Parents' Evening
6:30pm – 8:00pm
05
July
Year 5 Curriculum Day
All Day
06
July
6th Form Ball
All Day
07
July

Latest News

01 Jul 2022
Annual Art Exhibition
Tuesday saw the opening of John of Gaunt’s annual Art Exhibition with a Private View of A Level Art for friends, family and invited guests. This year, for the first time, the exhibition is being split and hosted out of school at Drawing Projects UK, exhibiting A Level Art, with Town Hall Arts...
Read more

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.  Their mission is to provide items and services to all low-income families in the UK raising disabled or seriously ill children, that they could not otherwise afford or access, and that help improve their quality of life. They provide grants for a wide range of items, such as washing machines, sensory toys, family breaks, bedding, tablets, furniture, outdoor play equipment, clothing and computers. It can be a struggle financially, emotionally and physically for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, and these grants help break down many of the barriers families face, improving their quality of life and easing the additional daily pressures.

You can find more information on their website: https://www.familyfund.org.uk/our-mission 

Vicky Marshall

SENCo




This year as part of a Maths in Industry Project a class of year 7s have been taking part of a statistics activity. They were looking at the county’s attitudes to plans for changes to help the environment.

For the end of this project the class went to see the Wiltshire Council County Hall. They toured the building to see all the green initiatives they have in the building and took part in activities thinking about what we can do to help the environment. They also heard talks about the different roles that people play in the Wiltshire Council.

It was a fantastic morning out!


New Year 7 team news

Mrs Green, Mr Walker & Ms Galbraith have really enjoyed starting to get to know the Year 7 students this week before we officially take over as their new year team next week.

We would like to thank Mrs Addison, Miss Lewis & Ms Stewart for all their hard work & support with the students since they joined JOG.  

We have been getting to know the students as well as the wonderful Year 7 tutors.  It has been lovely to see the students during morning welcome, in their tutor time sessions & in some lessons too.  Mrs Green & Mr Walker particularly enjoyed seeing some bookends being created in a Design & Technology lesson.

We look forward to celebrating some more successes with the Year 7 students before the end of term.

The new Year 7 Team.




This week, we took a group of 11 Year 12 students to the University of Oxford's open day. These students, who are all considering applying to Oxbridge, spent the day exploring the university and the city. Between them, they attended taster lectures and seminars in the faculties of law, psychology, history, engineering, Earth sciences and archaeology; had guided tours of a range of different colleges, led by current students at the university and had the chance to speak to tutors and professors in a range of subjects; visited the Bodleian library and (for the Harry Potter fans, Christ Church college's famous hall) - and enjoyed some well-deserved ice cream after all the walking! 


The government has started a 13-week consultation process on the proposals within the SEND green paper, which closes on 22nd July 2022.  The Wiltshire Parent Carer Council is keen to submit a response to the consultation on behalf of Wiltshire parent carers and to enable them to do this, they have arranged three face to face sessions for parent carers to attend and contribute their views.  You can find out the dates of the sessions and book a space using the following link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SEND-Review-2022

Response to the Government's SEND Review Green Paper Survey

Web survey powered by SurveyMonkey.com. Create your own online survey now with SurveyMonkey's expert certified FREE templates.

www.surveymonkey.co.uk





Supporting Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at JoG

Starting 5th July, Lloyds Banking Group is hosting a series of monthly career spotlight events.  Lloyds Careers Live is an online event for students and parents exploring a new career area every month, interviews with apprentices and graduates working in that sector so that students and parents can ask questions and support their career thinking.

Careers Live will run 6.30pm -7.30pm starting Tuesday 5th July and will feature a different career on the first Tuesday of every month.  July will explore “careers in cybersecurity”, August “careers in commercial banking”, September “careers in Data Science & Analytics.  A great opportunity for students to understand what it’s like to work in these sectors, the skills needed and the potential for future growth & progress.

All three events are now open for registration.  Booking link is here LBG Careers Live (explorelbg.co.uk)