Celebrating the National Year of Reading: Love Your Library Month at St John’s
February’s Love Your Library Month brought an exciting buzz to St John’s Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form, with students across all year groups diving into reading activities, competitions and creative challenges. We were truly blown away by the quality of the entries submitted—proof that our students have an incredible imagination and a genuine passion for books.
A Magical Evening at Matilda the Musical
Just before half term, a group of our talented Performing Arts students – including members of our school choir and the Little Shop of Horrors cast – enjoyed a spectacular trip to the Sunderland Empire to see the award‑winning Matilda the Musical.
St John's Weekly News - 2 March 2026
Tom’s Talks: Year 10 Explore Positive Masculinity and the Power of Social Media
At St John’s Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form, we are committed to developing confident, compassionate and responsible young people. As part of our ongoing personal development and character education programme, our Year 10 boys recently took part in an inspiring Tom’s Talks workshop led by speaker and youth educator, Tom. This thought‑provoking session tackled some of the most important issues facing young people today, including toxic masculinity, misogyny and the powerful influence of social media.
Ash Wednesday Liturgies: Beginning Our Lenten Journey Together
During the final week of term, all year groups at St John’s Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form came together to mark the beginning of Lent with meaningful Ash Wednesday liturgies. These reflective services offered students a moment of calm, focus and spiritual renewal as we entered this important season in the Church’s calendar.
Sixth Form Theatre Trip to York: A Day of Culture, Creativity and Conversation
Our St John’s Sixth Form students enjoyed an unforgettable cultural experience this week as our Performing Arts and Art groups travelled to the historic city of York for a day filled with creativity, inspiration, and powerful theatre.
Inspiring Visit to St John’s Bishop Auckland: Year 10 Learn from Syrian Refugee Speaker
Last week at St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College in Bishop Auckland, our community had the privilege of welcoming Iman, a Syrian refugee who shared her powerful personal story with our entire Year 10 cohort. Since arriving in the UK in 2017, Iman and her children have faced challenges, change and incredible moments of resilience — and her visit offered our students a unique opportunity to learn directly from lived experience.
St John’s Student Librarians Enjoy Magical Matilda‑Inspired Reward Day
Student librarians at St John’s Catholic School in Bishop Auckland were treated to a truly magical celebration this week as part of their successful Key Fund project, transforming the LRC into a literary‑themed dining experience inspired by Roald Dahl’s Matilda. As part of their reward day, the students enjoyed an imaginative cinematic dining experience that brought the beloved story to life through food, creativity, and a shared love of reading.
St John's Weekly News - 16 February 2026
Catch Up With Life at St John’s – Your Weekly Roundup Is Here! From upcoming school events to important dates you won’t want to miss, this week’s St John’s newsletter is packed with everything you need to stay in the loop. Discover what students have been busy with, get a sneak peek at exciting activities on the horizon, and make sure your calendar is up to date with all the key reminders.
St John’s Sixth Form Launches 2027 Peru Expedition: A Life‑Changing Opportunity for Students
This week, excitement filled the room as more than 100 Year 11 and Year 12 students gathered for the official launch of the well‑established St John’s Sixth Form charitable expedition to Peru. This remarkable project—running every two years since 2009—continues to be one of the most transformative experiences offered to our students. Joe Plumb, long‑standing leader of the initiative, delivered an inspiring introduction to the aims and vision of the expedition, outlining what students can expect from the 2027 journey and why the project remains such an important part of St John’s Sixth Form life.
Year 7 Shine on Their Pure Padel PE Reward Trip
Last week, twelve of our Year 7 students enjoyed an exciting PE reward trip to Pure Padel Durham, where they had the chance to try out one of the fastest‑growing sports in the world. Throughout the visit, students took part in a range of skills‑based activities, learning the fundamentals of padel and building their confidence on the court. They then put their new techniques into action with some friendly match play, demonstrating great teamwork, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship.
St John’s Scientists of the Future
Last week, our Science Department had the pleasure of taking 15 enthusiastic Year 10 students to a post‑16 STEM careers event at New College Durham. The visit was designed for students who are considering A‑level Science in St John’s Sixth Form and exploring future careers in STEM—and they certainly rose to the occasion!