December 2025

Dear Parent / Carer

As we reach the end of a busy and productive autumn term, it is wonderful to reflect on everything we have achieved together. The school has been buzzing with energy, particularly over the last few weeks, as we captured the spirit of the season through a variety of festive events. These celebrations culminated in our recent reward events, where it was a joy to see so many students recognised for their hard work, kindness, and commitment to our school values.

Our students, in all year groups have shown incredible dedication this term. I would like to personally commend our Year 11 and 13 students, who have worked exceptionally hard throughout their mock examinations, demonstrating the focus and resilience required for these important milestones. Similarly, well done to our Year 8 and 9 students for the diligence shown in completing their DET assessments; your focus during this period has been impressive.

A special "congratulations" must go to our Year 7 cohort. You have now officially completed your first full term of secondary school. It has been a pleasure watching you settle in, grow in confidence, and become such an integral part of our school community.

None of these successes would be possible without the people behind the scenes. I want to extend a huge thank you to all our staff, who have worked tirelessly this term to provide the best possible experience for our students. As the term comes to a close, we bid farewell to two valued members of staff. Mr Hector and Mrs Twedell who are moving on to new exciting chapters in their careers and lives. We thank them for their invaluable contributions to the school and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours. We are delighted to welcome Mrs Merhemitch who starts as our new SENCo from January 2026.

I also want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you, our parents and carers. Your continued support and partnership are vital to our success, and we truly value the role you play in our school family.

I wish you all a restful, happy, and peaceful break. We look forward to welcoming staff back on Monday 5 January 2026 for an INSET day, and we look forward to seeing all students return on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Warmest regards

Chris Price

Headteacher, The John Warner School

Remembrance 2025

Our entire school came together at 11 am to honour the brave who sacrificed so much.

Students observed a parade by our excellent Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and listened to poems read by our Student Head Team, before Matthew closed the ceremony with ‘The Last Post’.

‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.’

Lest We Forget.

Year 12 Geography

This term, our Year 12 Geography students had the opportunity to study redevelopment and regeneration at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, as part of their course.

They spent the day interviewing the public to gather thoughts and opinions regarding the changes that have occurred, while also evaluating improvements to the local environment. Ultimately, the students will use their findings to decide whether the regeneration has been successful.

Photo taken in East Village: Victor the Gorilla was sculpted by John Cox and became a popular focus for athletes' social media posts during the 2012 Games.

Cranbourne Christmas Bake

On Thursday, 27 November, we welcomed Cranbourne School for their annual Christmas cake bake.

Throughout the day, all Year 6s learned how to follow a recipe, work in a team, and bake their own individual fruit cakes. While the cakes were cooking, everyone took part in a fun food quiz where we learned about different biscuits. All of the children were delighted with their cakes, which were taken back to school to be 'dressed' in preparation for the end of their DT project. It is fair to say that everyone had a wonderful time.

Reading Matters

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Learner Voice Council

On Tuesday 18 November, Mr Reece and members of our Learner Voice Council (LVC) spent an inspiring day collaborating with LVC groups from across the Danes Educational Trust’s secondary schools.

The team travelled to Onslow St Audrey’s School in Hatfield for the summit. Our JWS students truly shone throughout the event, and it was fantastic to realise that we are well ahead of schedule with our current Learning Focus.

A big shout-out goes to Miss Wood-Thompson for driving the minibus and ensuring the team arrived safely. Well done to all our LVC members for representing John Warner so professionally!

Key Stage 3 Art Club

This term, the Key Stage 3 Art Club extended their sugar skull designs by creating relief press prints. The students explored the application of pattern and line to build upon the "visual language" they have been developing in their time-tabled Art lessons.

The impressive work shown is by: Jessica, Harry, Matilda, Naomi, Isabelle, Chloe, and Archie.

Key Stage 3 Art Club takes place every Tuesday lunchtime in Room 504 with Mrs Aylott and our Sixth Form artists. All are welcome!

Christmas Club

Over the past couple of weeks, our students have been busy getting into the festive spirit! They have created "sweetie" goodie bags for their Christmas Eve boxes, decorated beautiful Christmas cakes, and crafted homemade shortbread. The students even learned the art of professional chocolate making by mastering the skill of tempering. To finish off a wonderful few weeks, everyone also found the time to write their letters to Santa!

Sports Round Up

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Born to Dance

On Thursday 13 November, our dance students performed in this year's showcase, 'Born to Dance'. The dancers performed exceptionally well to a full audience, demonstrating just how talented they truly are.

The show featured BTEC assessments, mock exams, performances from dance clubs, and much more. The event raised £160, which will go towards transport for a dance event in the new year. Thank you to everyone who donated; your contributions mean a lot.

A big thank you to Emily Fairfax, who returned to photograph the event and captured some wonderful photos of the night. Information on how to purchase these will be shared soon.

Thank you also to Owen and his team. The lighting looked fantastic, and we are very grateful for their time and effort.

Miss Brenton would like to thank everyone for attending and supporting our wonderful dance students, and she looks forward to seeing you all at the next showcase!

Christmas Showcase

On Tuesday 9 December, the Performing Arts team held a Christmas Showcase to get us all in the mood for the holidays.

All students performed to an exceptional standard, and it was lovely to see them smiling and performing so well. The show featured the Choir, Sixth Form dancers, and our pantomime, Snow White. Thank you for your kind donations and for taking part in the tombola; we raised £134, which will go towards transport for a dance competition in the new year.

A big thank you goes to Mr Macpherson, Mrs Aylott, the backstage crew, and our Sixth Form artist. The sound, lighting, and set design all looked wonderful, and we were very grateful for their time and effort.

Miss Brenton, Mr Reece, and Miss Curaba would like to thank everyone who attended the event and hope to see you again at the next performance.

Robotics Update

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Bringing Christmas Spirit to the Residents of
Broxbourne Nursing Home

Thirteen students and Jill set off on a community project to the Broxbourne Nursing Home, taking with them plenty of joy and the spirit of Christmas.

As the residents sat around long tables, the students joined them to create amazing Christmas cards. Others put their baking skills to the test in true Paul Hollywood fashion! Through long conversations and encouragement, the two generations bonded over both activities. It was a very successful arts, crafts, and baking session for everyone involved.

Once their efforts were complete, the students were treated to chocolates and soft drinks. This was followed by a reading of ‘The Magical Christmas Adventure of the Bear and the Bee’—a story created by our very own students and read beautifully by Olivia and Natalia. To finish, Erika (Year 9) gave an eloquent rendition of ‘Merry Christmas Everyone.’

The morning was a huge success. Many family members and residents expressed their praise for our students; in fact, some didn’t want them to leave! The students were a credit to the school and their parents, showing exactly what our community does best.

“There are really no words that can express how immensely proud I am of the students. Each and every one of them brought joy, happiness, and laughter to the residents. They were a real credit to the school and their parents. I cannot put into words how highly valued and thought of they are by everyone at the home,” said Jill.

A Message from Broxbourne Nursing Home: “Jill, on behalf of everyone at Broxbourne Nursing Home, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful visit today. It was truly a pleasure having your students spend time with our residents. The joy in the room was unmistakable. We were also so grateful for the two beautiful hampers you kindly donated. Your generosity means a great deal, especially during this festive season. We look forward to welcoming you again in February!” — Jackie and Vivi, Broxbourne Nursing Home.

Student Reflections:

“Visiting the nursing home was such an enjoyable experience. It was lovely to talk and interact with the residents, and the staff were so welcoming. It truly made my day.” — Olivia, Year 9
“The experience was truly heartwarming and unforgettable. Every moment felt deeply meaningful, and we were able to form genuine connections and make new friends.” — Natalia, Year 10
“The experience was truly wholesome. The residents shared so many funny stories that brought smiles to our faces. I would love to go more often.” — Chisom, Year 10

ROLL OF HONOUR

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the students who have been named on the Danes Educational Trust Roll of Honour following recent Trust-wide assessments. This distinction is reserved for students showing exceptional academic progress across all schools in the Trust. A massive well done to Daniel (Year 9 Science) and Olivia (Year 9 Maths & Science) for their dedication and resilience. Notably, Olivia was one of only three students across the entire Trust to achieve this distinction in two subject areas!

SKI TRIP - AUSTRIA 2026

We have an important notice for all students attending the 2026 Austria Ski Trip. If you have opted to hire a ski jacket and trousers, please meet in the Main Hall at the start of lunch on Wednesday 21 January. This session is essential so that you can be measured and kitted up correctly.

Supporting Wellbeing: Mental Health Matters

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Sixth Form Updates

Sixth Form Reading Mentors

A huge thank you goes to our Year 12 students who are currently supporting Year 7 pupils in developing their reading confidence.

This dedicated support group meets every Tuesday morning during form time in the library. It is wonderful to see our senior students acting as such positive role models and helping our younger students flourish in their literacy skills.

Year 12 Art

This half-term, Year 12 artists Sydnee and Isabelle have been exploring the fascinating world of photography. Their studies have taken them from the history of the camera to modern-day techniques used by professionals.

Alongside mastering compositional techniques and the use of light, the artists have been learning to navigate DSLR cameras using manual settings. By skillfully manipulating shutter speeds and apertures, they have successfully created these stunning "light paintings." We are delighted to share some of their brilliant results below.

Unifrog

As part of Futures Week, all Sixth Form students took part in a Unifrog workshop led by Meryem Ismail on Monday 8 December.

The session was designed to help students navigate their options after Sixth Form, whether they are aiming for University, Apprenticeships, or specific Career Aspirations. It was a vital opportunity for students to explore the tools available to them and ensure they are fully prepared for life beyond school.

Sixth Form Fundraiser

Our Sixth Form students got into the holiday spirit today, arriving in an array of pyjamas, festive jumpers, and fancy dress! The day was a well-deserved celebration to mark the end of a long and high-pressure term filled with A-Level studies, mock exams, and UCAS applications.

The students enjoyed a "JWS Dance 90s Christmas Bingo" and a fantastic buffet lunch, which everyone contributed to by baking cakes or providing treats.

Through their efforts, the students raised a fantastic £127.80!

A huge thank you to all the students for making such a brilliant effort, and a special thanks to Miss Brenton for giving up her free time to host the Bingo.

Happy Christmas to all!

UKMT Senior Mathematics Challenge

On 9 October, several Year 11 students, along with Year 12 and 13 Mathematicians, took part in the UKMT Senior Mathematics Challenge. The challenge required students to complete 25 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes. Students were provided only with plain paper for their workings; no other equipment was allowed.

A total of 125 marks can be achieved, with all participants starting with a baseline of 25 points. Four marks are awarded for each correct answer, while one mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. Any answers left blank receive 0 marks.

This year’s certificate thresholds are as follows:

Gold: 72+
Silver: 57+
Bronze: 46+

Pupils in year 7-10 will have the chance to take part in either the Junior or Intermediate challenge later in the year and should speak to their Maths teacher should they wish to find out more.

Well Done to all of those who took part in the Senior challenge.

Congratulations to the following students who achieved the following certificates:

Bronze Award Sliver Award

Felix Sydnee

Mikey William

Harry Luc

Jessica Markuss

Joshua Joshua

Woody

Jacob Gold Award

Harrison Oliver

Sara

Romario

Seb

Oliver's score also qualified him for the Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo, which took place in November .

Vacancies

To explore current opportunities at The John Warner School, click the link below to visit our recruitment page.

Click here

Thank yous

Dear Miss Brenton

Many thanks for a wonderful evening last night. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all my party. A proud moment.

Each and every child danced so well and all told a story. You must feel so proud today with how well it all went as I know so much hard work and time goes into it.

To Mr Price, I just wanted to say how lovely it was to see so many staff there, either helping out or watching. The teachers were welcoming and it was nice seeing them interact with the students after the show had finished.

Also, when I was in the queue there were 3 girls standing behind me, also queuing, they wished every student that went through the door good luck, which I thought was really lovely and kind.

Well done to everyone involved and thank you once again.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Our sincere thanks go to Hayden and the Garett family for their kind donation of historical books and magazines to the department

Parent Governors

We were delighted that so many supportive parents came forward as prospective governors for the parent governor election. The election, which ran on Choice Voting, closed on Monday 1 December.

The two prospective parent governors with the most votes were Shannon Richards and Sheree Sabatino. They are duly appointed for four year terms of office, as parent governors to the School Board.

We would like to thank those who came forward to support the school.

Proud to be part of