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Events this week: 3 Dec—Week 1

Wed 5th—Year 11 into 12 Day

Wed 5th—Year 8 Parents’ Subject Evening 3.30—6.30 pm

SPANISH EXCHANGE It has been our pleasure to welcome 16 students from Floridablanca school in Murcia, Spain, this week, along with their two teachers, Ana Rosa López and Concha González. They have been staying with their John of Gaunt partners, who will be flying over to Murcia in February for a week. The Spanish group spent some time in school on Monday, sampling John of Gaunt lessons, and have also 'enjoyed' our typical British weather while visiting Stonehenge, Salisbury, Bath and Bristol. They even met the mayor on Monday and got their faces in the Wiltshire Times! https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/17258522.spanish-pupils-sample-uk-life/ Thank you and muchas gracias to all the families involved in hosting - the Spanish students have been very happy with your welcome and your Trowbridge hospitality. Ms Lopez Director of Learning - Modern Languages Faculty

Congratulations to Our Senior Maths Team

On Tuesday 27th November, 4 A-Level maths students represented the school at the South-West Regional Maths Challenge. They competed against 17 other schools, many of which were private. Our team came 6th out of 18, with only one other state school surpassing us.

Very well done to Peter Mould (year 12), Patryk Biegalski (year 12), Jamie West (year 13) and Ethan Devlin (year 13).

Dear all,

On Monday this week it was lovely for the Mayor to join us in welcoming our Spanish

exchange visitors to our school. You may have already seen the article in The Wiltshire

Times. https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/17258522.spanish-pupils-sample-uk-life/

There have been a whole range of highlights this week. However one of them has been

hearing the news that 4 students in our Post 16 provision have been offered interviews at

Oxford, this is a fabulous achievement and I’m sure you will join me in wishing them well.

With only 3 weeks left until we break up on Thursday 20th December, there are a whole

range of events taking place for students to enrich their learning, this includes the ever

popular Carol Concert on Thursday 13th December. Tickets are now available from

reception.

Finally, I am delighted to let you know that this week we heard about our applications

from our local Year 6 students. Once again our first choice applications continue to

significantly increase, this is a wonderful achievement for the school and I am really

honoured that the community are supporting us in educating their children.

I wish you all a restful and relaxing weekend

Paul Skipp

Headteacher

Year 8 Parents Evening—Wed 5th Dec The Friends of JOG will be selling tea, coffee, cake, sweet bags etc. at next week’s year 8 evening. Any cake donations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Careers @JOG - Where are the jobs of the future? It is useful when thinking about our career plans and study choices to consider where are local industries are and what sectors are set to grow. Here is a snapshot of the South West region. For detailed information on Trowbridge and the surounding areas as well industry specific information, please visit https://workwiltshire.co.uk/lmi/

Maths Shop

General Black pens 5p Green pens 5p Red pens 5p Pencils 5p Rulers 15p Erasers 10p Sharpeners 10p Compasses 30p Protractors 180° 10p Protractors 360° 35p High-lighters 15p Filled pencil cases £1.50

Calculators Scientific Calculators £6.70 A Level Calculators £18.50

Revision Guides Edexcel Maths, Revision Guide & Workbook (H&F) £5.00 Further Maths Practice Book £11.70

The importance of attendance

Students excel in Accelerated Reading

Our students are reading really well and so far Y7 and Y8 have read an amazing 23 787 547 words in Accelerated Reading! Many of our students have surprised themselves with their reading skills and they are growing more confident in their ability. The Y7 leader board is topped by Adam Brown who has read 934 368 words and quizzed 25 books, he will surely be the first Y7 Word Millionaire this year. He is closely followed by Eva Beauvoisin, Katie Miller, Joshua Diaper, Willow Weir, Cara Frost, Ethan Giles, Zerryn Hunter and Peter Quinton. My super Y7 quizzers are Daniel Heard with 23 quizzes, followed by Megan Bell, Maddie Lashley, Kacey Dunk, Joseph Clarke and Isabelle Kerbey. What a super start to Y7!!

The Y8 leaderboard sees some familiar names from last year with the unbeatable Beth Fearon in top place with 1 701 606 words read and 30 quizzes passed! She is followed by two more Millionaires: Jack Fievez and Ayaan Khan. Looking down the list are more familiar names: Charlie Smith, Aimee Day, Catrin Grant, Rory Poulter, Erin Disney, Lydia White and Cade Phillips. Other super quizzers are William Ludwell, Devan Jackson, Areena King, Scott Fear-Edwards and Bailey Winfield. I am really impressed with how you have continued your reading momentum from year 7. Well done!

There are so many students who have been reading and quizzing with great determination. Some of my reading superstars are Corey Messen, Lucy Allen, Ameila Mead and Harry Parkhouse.

Recommended Reads for Christmas

At this time of year I will usually add some present ideas for Christmas to the bulletin. All Y8 and Y9 will get some recommended reads in their knowledge organisers and the usual favourite authors have released books that will no doubt end up under lots of trees this year alongside old favourites from Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Guinness World Records.

This year I would like to give one special recommendation: You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything By Matthew Syed.”

I'm no good at sport ... I can't do maths ... I really struggle with exams” ... Sound familiar? This is a really uplifting and very funny book than aims to help children build resilience, embrace their mistakes and grow into successful, happy adults. Some of you may be familiar with Syeds book Bounce. You Are Awesome is aimed at younger adults but I think we could all benefit from reading it! There is also a journal available that is a perfect toolkit to help you focus on your goal, whatever it is. Mrs Bruton Librarian

Changes to the Use of Mobile Devices in School

Thank you for the feedback in response to the use of mobile phones and related devices

in school.

In response to feedback from parents and staff we have made the decision to operate a

‘phone free’ school from the 7th January. This means that students will not be allowed to

have phones, wearable ‘smart watches’, headphones, non-learning tablets or mp3 style

players out whilst on the school grounds.

Research (links below)

There are many reasons for this decision. Research shows that a school where mobile phones are not used has improved academic outcomes. The BBC, along with other sources have recently reported on a student by The London School of Economics which found that; ‘banning phones had the effect of giving pupils an extra week's education over the course of an academic year. Researchers looked at schools in four English cities and found test scores increased by more than 6% in those which banned phones.’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44546360 See also https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/may/16/schools-mobile-phones-academic-results. The research actually shows that for some students, particularly those who may struggle and have additional vulnerabilities, the increase in results can be over 14%. There is also a link between schools which do not allow phones to be used at any time and a reduction in bullying behaviour, particularly cyber bullying and to other risky online behaviour. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1012619/schools-ban-mobile-phones-save-pupils-online-bullying Spending break and lunchtime playing, talking to a person face to face or engaging in

extra-curricular activities also supports students’ mental health https://

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/26/ban-mobile-phones-in-schools-to-protect-

pupils-mental-health

We do understand that some students struggle with social time and we have spaces including the library and Pitman building where these students can go and feel supported at break and lunchtime. Students are asked to have their devices off or on silent whilst on the school property,

including break and lunchtimes. If a device (including headphones) is seen or heard then

staff will be asked to confiscate this until the end of the day. The device will be stored in a

safe in G109 for KS3 students and G21 for KS4 students. The first time a device is

confiscated during a term, it will be able to be collected at the end of the school day. Any

subsequent times the phone must be collected by a parent or other nominated adult with

a letter of authorisation from the parent or it will be held for 5 school days, whichever is

sooner.

If you have any questions you would like to ask Mr Skipp, Headteacher and Helen Kerr,

Assistant Headteacher, they are available for parents to see in a ‘drop in session’ on the

11th December between 5.30pm and 7pm in the CLC.

We have listened to the concerns that parents have expressed and have made the

following adjustments:

Q1. I want my child to be safe on the way to and from school. They need a phone to

ensure their safety.

A1. We are not ‘banning’ students from having phones off and in their bag. They can use

these on the way to and from school.

Q2. My child may feel anxious or may need to contact me during the school day.

A2. If a student wants to use their phone during break or lunchtime, we have created 3

‘phone hubs’ where students can go to check and send messages or make calls in these

situations. They are G109 for our KS3 students, G21 for KS4 students and the Pitman

Building for all students who work with our individual learning department.

Q3. I may need to contact my child during the school day.

A2. We understand that sometimes things may need to be communicated to students and

plans for things such as being collected from school may change after a student leaves

home in the morning. Students can check messages if they are expecting one at break or

lunchtime in one of the phone hub locations. We are also able to pass on messages to

students that are delivered to reception. We have a student messenger each day and will

ensure that messages are passed on quickly.

Q4. What if my child needs their phone for learning.

A4. We have asked staff to create a learning environment where this is not necessary

during the school day. Students are able to carry their planner with their timetable in and

we can provide a new planner if the original is lost and timetables can be given to students

for the day if they forget their planner.