St John's Weekly News - 18 May 2026
STEM Careers at St John’s
On Monday, a group of our Year 9 and 10 students had the exciting opportunity to visit Fujifilm Biotechnologies in Billingham as part of their careers project. During the visit, students experienced what it is like to work as a laboratory scientist, gaining a real insight into the world of STEM. They also explored the wide range of career opportunities available within the industry, helping to inspire their future pathways.
El Camino Excellence at St John’s
Today at St John’s, we were proud to host an incredible Trust event celebrating creativity, history and faith. Students from our Trust secondary schools joined us for a special awards ceremony, following a unique writing competition in which they were challenged to compose a letter detailing the life and journey of a pilgrim walking the El Camino over 500 years ago. The quality of writing and imagination on display was truly outstanding.
Sporting Success for St John’s U13 Cricket Team
St John’s U13 cricket team produced a superb performance in the Cricket County Cup on Friday, delivering an outstanding all‑round display to secure progression to the next round. Batting first, St John’s were clinical with the bat, posting an impressive 174 runs from 20 overs. The strong total set the tone for the rest of the match and reflected the confidence and skill shown by the team throughout their innings.
Year 7 Auckland Project Visit Brings Geography Learning to Life
Year 7 pupils from St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Bishop Auckland recently enjoyed a valuable learning experience as part of their Geography studies, taking part in a visit to The Auckland Project. Mrs Swinbank and Miss Allaway accompanied class 7M on Friday’s visit, which linked directly to their current topic on Urban Regeneration. The pupils had the opportunity to bring their classroom learning to life by visiting Auckland Tower, Auckland Palace and the Faith Museum.
St John's Weekly News - 11 May 2026
Soar and Explore… Coming Soon at St John’s Catholic School, Bishop Auckland
St John’s Catholic School in Bishop Auckland is delighted to announce the upcoming launch of a brand new cultural enrichment initiative, Soar and Explore. This exciting new programme reflects our continued commitment to providing meaningful experiences beyond the classroom.
Year 7 Auckland Project Visit Inspires Learning at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form
St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form is proud to celebrate the first of our Year 7 Auckland Project visits, with 7A setting an excellent example during their recent trip to Auckland Palace. The students demonstrated outstanding conduct throughout the visit and fully immersed themselves in the “Awful Auckland” experience, where they explored the more challenging and not‑so‑pleasant aspects of Bishop Auckland’s history. This engaging approach allowed students to deepen their understanding of the past in a memorable and meaningful way.
Year 10 Mock Interviews Prepare Students for the Future at St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form
St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form was delighted to welcome a wide range of professionals into school on Friday to support our Year 10 mock interviews, an important part of our careers education programme. All Year 10 students took part in the experience, meeting employers from a variety of industries. These included education providers, engineering firms, Bishop Auckland Council, and local independent companies. We were especially pleased to welcome several employers who are former students of St John’s, highlighting the strong and lasting links between the school and its wider community.
Sporting Success for St John’s Students at Durham School Golf Championships
St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form is proud to celebrate recent sporting success, as three of our students took part in the 2026 Durham School Golf Championships held at Beamish Park this week. The competition was very well attended, with an exceptionally high standard of play throughout the event. Representing St John’s were Sam Johnston, Sam Ramsey and Emmanuel Reed, who competed with confidence and enthusiasm.
St John's Weekly News - 5 May 2026
Sports Leaders Shine at Girls’ Football World Cup
The Girls’ Football World Cup was held at St John’s on Friday, welcoming teams from our local feeder primary schools for an exciting and enjoyable day of competition. The event provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen links within our wider school community while promoting participation in girls’ football.