On the 23rd of September, Year 7 played their first competitive football match as a team. It was a cup game against local rivals Kirk Hallam School.
After being 3-0 up and cruising, Kirk Hallam slowly came back into the match, and it ended 3-2. Goals were scored by Finlay W, Dexter B and Jasper McN. The boys worked hard, showed grit and determination and deserved the overall win.
They will play Repton School in the next round. 
SJH will be attending Flame and letters have bene sent out to Years 9, 10 and 11. Save the date March 15th 2025.
U14s girls football:
Through to the next round!
The U14s girls football team drew The De Ferrers Academy in the first round of the School Cup away. On Thursday, the team played a blinder and walked away with a win and are through to the next round of the School Cup. Goals from Amy-Leigh N, Katelyn P and Peyton W. Player of the match awarded to Remy K, who displayed a solid defensive performance. Well done to the whole squad for battling through and demonstrating excellence and sportsmanship. 
Year 7 Welcome Mass
Here in SJH we gather and put Christ in the Center. Mass in the most beautiful way to welcome head and heart and ask God to walk with us on our journey in Catholic Education. Huge thanks to all who made this special occasion possible.
“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalm 46:10
Friends of Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy
We would love for you to join us for coffee and conversation on the 20th Sept 2024, 18 Oct 2024, 6 Dec 2024, 24 Jan 2025 & 2 May 2025 from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
Come and join us at Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, Abbot Road, Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston, DE7 4HX
Contact – schooloffice@sjh.srscmat.co.uk
We are delighted to share our Catholic Schools Inspection report, we would like to thank our staff and school community for all their hard work and support in helping us achieve our overall “Good” rating and being classed as “Outstanding” for our Catholic life and mission and Collective worship.
Key findings of the report:
- The integrity and passion of all leaders, including governors, are tangible at St John Houghton. This is a popular school which holds Christ at its heart.
- The exceptional Catholic ethos permeates all areas of school life.
- The religious education department is at the forefront of the current progress and developments in teaching and learning at the school.
- Chaplaincy provision is a shining beacon within the school. The approach to collective worship reflects the passion and engagement of the lay chaplain and school leaders and ensures that prayer remains a key focus of daily life for all students, staff and parents.
- Engagement with the community, through ‘Faith in Action’, parish work, the development of the eco garden and regular coffee mornings, is a strength which is to be commended and celebrated.
Please see following link to the full inspection report: St John Houghton CSI Report
Year 11 thoroughly enjoyed their leavers celebration on Thursday 20 June 2023 at Horsley Lodge.
On the 10 and 11 June 2023, 18 students completed the Expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.
The award comprises 4 sections, a Physical section, a Skills section, a Volunteering section and the Expedition. The sections are completed over 3 months with one section completed over 6 months.
In the Expedition section, students took part in two days of training in school on the 5th and 6th June. This involved learning how to put a tent up, cooking food, packing and carrying a 65l bag as well as planning the routes for the qualifying weekend. The students had to complete two days of 6 hours walking with an overnight camp.
The group started their walk at 9am and after a hot, sweaty days walk arrived at the campsite in Birchover between 4 and 5pm to put up their tents and prepare food. The students were up early on the following day and completed the days walk by 2pm.
The feedback from the assessors was very complimentary, the students being one of the best groups they have worked with.
The award will be completed by the end of September 2023.
We began our Camino from SJH. Thank you Mr Hall, Mr Warden, Austino and Ivan. Fr Paul met us in Eastwood and gave us a blessing at the Altar Stone. With thanks to St Thomas pupils, Parishioners, Parents and Alfie and Ava for joining us on our Pilgrimage. We talked, sang, prayed and walked…to Beauvale Priory. St Benedict’s provided wonderful music for this outdoor Mass. It was lovely to be with English Martyrs CVA and St Thomas CVA. We prayed the Martyrs Prayer and had Mass. With thanks to all in SRSCMAT for making this a very special day. Saint John Houghton. Pray for us.
