The new build is in full swing and, if all goes well, the main structure will be in place by the end of the day. These are exciting times for us, with the reality for our staff and students teaching and learning in this fantastic new facility at some point next term becomes ever more tangible. Please continue to look out for our social media posts to see the progress being made.
Yesterday summed up the DNA of The John of Gaunt. The ambition of the new build continued at a pace whist we have many companies and services visiting the school to take part in our day-long careers fair that our students attended. The event provided our students with real insight and guidance into potential future pathways and enabled our young people an opportunity to have personal discussions that may forge their future vocational lives.
We also had our KS3 students and welcomed some of our primary partner school pupils to participate in our 'Science Boffins' event. A scientist visited our school and presented a fun, engaging and educational lecture with practical demonstrations that excited the audience!
Meanwhile, some of our Post 16 students were travelling with other students across the county to participate in the, 'History lessons from Auschwitz trip', something this school has been an active member of for a number of years and is as important as ever in today's current climate.
The school day ended with us hosting the ESU Shakespeare competition where KS3 students perform chosen acts from a Shakespeare play of their choice. Schools came from as far as Dorset and Portsmouth. It was a wonderful event with our students representing The John of Gaunt School superbly.
Again, I reiterate what wonderful opportunities our students can gain from their time at The John of Gaunt School and I thank all my staff for their dedication towards our young people.
Look out for the photos of our Comic relief events run by our Student Leaders. I may be getting a bit of a soaking with the 'Sponge the teacher'!
A reminder that next Wednesday 26th March we are holding a parent exam support drop in session in the Tescos community room for all year 11 parents and carers from 11am-130pm. Please do drop in if you have any questions or want to discuss anything around supporting your child over the remaining few months. Refreshments will be provided.
The community room is just by the parent and child spaces to the left of the main entrance to Tescos.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Ten Tors Update: Touching the past!
Last Saturday 16 of our remaining Ten Tors participants did a wonderful local hike around the Avebury area. They completed a 21-mile route in the allocated 9 hours and also took in some of the amazing Neolithic and Prehistoric sites. The weather was mostly kind but an occasional bout of gloom and drizzle interrupted the clear Spring day. They were mostly unaccompanied so good navigation and teamwork was essential.
Students began at Knoll Down and then looped around towards Avebury Trusloe and the imposing Standing Neolithic standing stones of Adam and Eve. After partially circling the Avebury Stones, the group headed along The Avenue and up alongside the man-made Silbury Hill and then went and explored the insides of the West Kennet Long Barrow (a Neolithic burial chamber). We then headed up the Ridgeway path - often labelled as Britain's oldest road and has been continually in use for over 5000 years, and down into Fyfield Down (a site of special scientific interest featuring thousands of Sarsen Stones created over 30 million years ago and deposited in Fyfield Down in an pre-historic Ice Age). After this the final few checkpoints were The Devil's Den Neolithic dolmen (tomb), Windmill Hill Iron-Age hillfort and then finishing at the duanting 1845 Cherhill Monument - a huge 38m obelisk and 1780 Cherhill White Horse cut into the hillside nearby.
A wonderful day was had by all and the students should be rightly proud of what they achieved. Many passers-by compliment the group on their friendliness and politeness. Also many thanks to Mrs Brooks for her company and assistance during the day.
Mr Gray
🌸🐣 Affordable Schools Easter Egg Raffle: A Sweet Treat for a Great Cause! 🐣🌸
Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a chance to win a delicious bundle of Easter treats, while also supporting a fantastic cause!
We are excited to announce our Easter Egg Raffle, where £1 per entry could land you a bundle of scrumptious Easter goodies! 🍫🐰
How to Enter:
Entry Fee: £1 per ticket on Parent Pay – You can buy multiple entries into the raffle, too.
Deadline: Entries close on 31st March at 12pm, so make sure to grab your ticket before then!
Winners Announced:1st April (No April Fools here, we promise!)
More information about Affordable Schools can be found on our School Website.
Last week Year 7 pupils participated in the annual John of Gaunt School “Living History Day”.
The students learnt about the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The students learnt about the battles preceding Hastings and handled artefacts. They then formed the Saxon shield wall and were charged by the Norman cavalry!
The event was organised in conjunction with Oxenwood Outdoor Education centre who provided the professional re-enactor and all the weaponry.
The day 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!
