Dear Parents, Carers and Families,

This week the message is once again from one of our students. I’m proud that one of our 6th Form students has chosen to write so eloquently about their personal experience as a gay student. I’m a straight, white, middle-aged man and while I will always respect and value all our students, at times it feels like I shouldn’t be the voice of them when they have their own voices, views and opinions, and especially when they can express themselves so well. I thank Eli for taking the time to share their thoughts.

School has of course closed today for the Easter holidays. We reopen at the normal time on Monday 28th April. Students coming into school for extra revision sessions should go to the room indicated on their timetable – this information can be found on ClassCharts.

Please note that the school’s email system won’t be actively monitored at this time and the majority of our staff will be unavailable. If you have an urgent safeguarding concern for a child, please telephone First Contact on 03000 267979 or the police on 101. If you are seeking urgent support, you can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or the CAMHS Mental Health Crisis Team on 08000 516171.

Many thanks for your continued support of the school; I hope you all have a good weekend.

Michael Wright

Headteacher

Student Reflection

During my time at Framwellgate School Durham, the LGBTQ+ have always been treated with the upmost care and respect as any other student would be. Fram does an amazing job at making everyone feel included whilst taking opportunities to celebrate diversity wherever possible – and not just for the LGBTQ. I had the privilege to contribute to last year’s Pride Month celebration, and it was a delight to create a whole presentation dedicated to my community whilst educating people on the sheer diversity within it. We hung flags around the Sixth Form area and even have a display board dedicated to the support and education on LGBTQ+. Not only that, but I have had teachers and students come to ask questions about the community out of genuine curiosity, which was both exciting and heartwarming in my opinion. It’s such a privilege to be supported by a school that is dedicated to celebrating diversity, not just with older year groups but also the lower years.

As for my experience, I’ve been openly queer for years now and not once have I been made to feel ashamed or embarrassed for it. My experiences were always positive and pleasant as I had a group of people, much like myself, and a bustling support from the teachers around me if ever conflict occurred. Thankfully, I’ve never had a problem at Fram, my friend, however, has had a problem in the past of being outed during class and having disgusting comments made about them. Luckily, my friend is not one to take such comments seriously and was able to shut down the comments swiftly with the support of teachers. Respect is such a valued quality within this school that even if conflict occurred in passing, it would be dealt with seriously. Teachers are also wonderful when it comes to supporting members of the transgender community, doing so with sensitivity and kindness. On behalf of the community, they are a delight to have around school, and we thank them all for their kindness, acceptance and patience.

Framwellgate dedicates itself to making students’ experience within school the best it could possibly be. They’re always considerate of students’ feelings and opinions, especially around topics regarding sexuality and gender. Viewpoints are never pushed onto students, and they’re taught to be free-thinkers – to make their own opinions - which I believe to be crucial. Respect is taught and earned, and Fram executes this wonderfully.

Eli, on behalf of the LGBTQ+ Community at Framwellgate School

Training Update

All our teaching staff met with some external speakers to explore support for learners with speech, language and communication needs. We will be revisiting this with departments after the Easter break.

Year 11 - The Final Countdown!

As we now enter the final few weeks of preparation with Year 11 students, we would like to share with you the help and support that is available for your child to access:

  • Final RAS block runs from 31st March to 9th May.
  • Mock results assembly - Friday 4th April.
  • Masters of memory – 15-minute bite-sized revision sessions every morning tutor time.
  • Revision booklet and timetable templates issued to students this week.
  • Easter holiday RAS programme - please see below and register your child's intention to attend via the link on ClassCharts. https://forms.office.com/e/G9xbyNYm9U
  • Study leave, final exam arrangements and quick-tip sessions before exams will be explained to students on their return to school after Easter.

Year 10 Assessment period – Monday 28th April to Friday 23rd May

Last week your child received an assembly informing them of the up-and-coming assessment period. To support them through this process, your child is being provided with the following support:

  • Exam preparation assemblies.
  • Topic checklists to inform focused revision.
  • Revision booklet, including a weekly planner to devise their own revision timetables.
  • Tutor groups sessions on 'How to plan your Revision Time'.
  • Tutor group sessions on the 'Fram 6' researched informed revision strategies.

Miss Lutynski, Assistant Headteacher

An Email from the Wider Community

I received the email below this week. I don’t know who the students involved are, and therefore their parents or carers, so I’m using this forum to offer praise and thanks from this person.

“I wanted to send an email to say thank you to some of the children attending the school.

My mother-in-law collapsed yesterday on her way to St Godric’s Primary School and the first people to her aid were pupils from your school. Unfortunately, I do not have names or anything but would like you to pass on both mine and my mother-in-law's thanks to those individuals as they either rang for an ambulance or provided the phone to another person to do so. I would also like to let them know that she is doing ok.

Both the school and their parents should be proud.”

County Football Success

Congratulations to the 6th Form boys’ football team who on Tuesday 8th April became winners of the U19 Durham County Cup.

It had been 20 years since Framwellgate last won a County Cup, despite some very close finals and semi-finals in recent years. Back in 2005 it was a Y8 team which was successful, but the 6th Form had not lifted the County Cup since 1983!

As expected, the game started fast and ferocious with both sides showing signs of nervousness on the big occasion, and the first goal came after just 6 minutes. Ahmed K opened the scoring with a brilliant goal from the right-hand side to make it 1-0 to Fram and to settle the nerves. The second goal came from a long throw from Liam SF on the left-hand touch line, Harry M rising highest in the box to flick the ball on to the back post where Richard O was waiting. He turned sharply in a tight area and managed to tuck the ball away to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes. Momentum fully in Fram’s favour, the third goal was a well worked team goal, with Ahmed turning provider after some excellent play down the right-hand side. Harry M was on hand with a great finish, making it 3-0 with 10 minutes of the first half still to play.

Half-time was a tricky one.  Carmel College had just started to get back into the game towards the end of the first half, narrowly missing a couple of chances, and the Fram players looked like they needed the break after the high energy half in the April sunshine.

The second half started well, with both sides understanding that the next goal could change things completely. Carmel managed to pull a goal back to make it 3-1 with an excellent free kick! Alex B in goal moved and stretched well, but the ball was hit with such power and precision that any keeper would have struggled to stop it. 20 minutes left to play, and the momentum had shifted. It took an excellent individual effort from Man of the Match Ahmed to make it 4-1 just a few minutes later and take back the momentum of the match. He picked up the ball near the halfway line, dribbled directly towards goal, taking on two players, shifting the ball onto his favoured right side, before hitting a superb finish. 4-1 it finished.

The win felt special for several reasons. It was the first time since 1983 that the 6th Form had won the County Cup, and it was the last time a number of players would play for and represent the school. However, the main reason it felt special was highlighted by the Durham County officials during the trophy presentation after the game.

Alan Johnston said, “The Senior Knockout Cup dates from 1967 and has been won by Fram on one previous occasion - 1982-83. Fram were RU 1978-79, 1985-86 and 1992-93.

Following the passing of John Robson in 2008, the Durham County SFA decided to rename the trophy after him in his memory.

John Robson spent his whole teaching career involved with school teams, including his teaching at Framwellgate Moor School where he taught History for many years. He was an extremely dedicated and respected teacher; a perfect gentleman who totally immersed himself in all aspects of school football, both as a team manager and administrator. He was Chair of Durham CSFA in 1990-91, ESFA Chair in season 1998-99 and served on the ESFA National Council from 1988 to 2001. He was also DCSFA Secretary in 1981-88 and 2007-2008.

John’s other passion was cricket. He travelled the world watching England Test Cricket as an original passive member of the Barmy Army! Following John’s death, he left a donation in his will to Durham CSFA so that it could continue to offer footballing opportunity to boys and girls in Durham County.”

Congratulations to the squad and everyone involved in lifting the U19 John Robson Cup and bringing it back to Fram!

Mr Sands, Curriculum Leader for PE

Student Band

Below is a message from a band, all of whose members are in our current Year 12. They wanted some help in promoting their new single and asked if people could pre-save. I told them I had no idea what that meant, they explained it, I’m still not certain, but all three of the boys are nice young men (which maybe you don’t want to be described as if you’re “punk”) and crucially the link is legitimate. We genuinely wish them every success.

Formed in 2023, Jam Tub is an indie-rock and punk band consisting of Michael Stott, Freddie Dobby, and Fergus Hamill. Known for their high-energy live shows and raw songwriting, they quickly gained attention, especially after being featured by BBC Introducing. Their debut EP and singles have earned them comparisons to artists like Sam Fender and Fontaines D.C. Their new single, "Hostility or Handshakes", is set to release on 19th April.

It would help us out if people could pre-save it. The link to do this is below.

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jamtub/hostility-or-handshakes