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!
St John's Weekly News - 9 February 2026
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St John’s Choir Shine at the North East Secondary School Choir of the Year Final
We couldn’t be more proud of our fantastic choir, who performed on stage at The Glasshouse ICM this afternoon as part of the final of the North East Secondary School Choir of the Year Competition. It was an unforgettable experience for our students, who rose to the occasion with confidence, teamwork, and true musical spirit. Whilst they weren’t winners this time, our choir performed beautifully and with real professionalism, showcasing the hard work they have put into rehearsals over the past months.
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St John's celebrate ex student on Dragons' Den
In a moment of pride for the Bishop Auckland community, St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form has been celebrating the success of one of its most impressive former students. Entrepreneur Jenna Meek, co‑founder of the beauty brand Refy, recently made her debut as a new Dragon on the iconic BBC show Dragons’ Den, marking a remarkable milestone in her already fast‑rising career.
World Premiere Theatre Experience for St John’s Students
On Friday, a group of enthusiastic Year 10 students from St John’s, Bishop Auckland, travelled to the iconic Newcastle Theatre Royal to experience the world premiere of Weird — an electrifying, pop‑powered reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This brand‑new musical offers a bold, modern twist on the classic tragedy, bringing Shakespeare’s dark tale to life through the eyes of the three witches.
