Published November 15, 2024
From the Headmaster’s Study
At our School, we believe that fostering integrity and promoting anti-bullying are fundamental to creating a safe and nurturing environment for our pupils. Integrity, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, is a cornerstone of our educational philosophy. As C.S. Lewis wisely said, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
Bullying, in any form, is unacceptable and goes against the values we hold dear. We are committed to ensuring that every child feels safe, respected, and valued. By teaching our pupils to stand up against bullying and to support one another, we help them develop empathy and resilience. Our commitment to Catholic values further strengthens our mission. These values guide us in providing an environment where pupils can grow academically, spiritually, and morally. The teachings of compassion, respect, and love are integral to our approach, enabling us to offer the best possible environment for your children.
Together, let us continue to support and encourage our children to be individuals of integrity and to stand against bullying, fostering a community where everyone can thrive.
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the sunshine.
Mr Higgins
News From Around School
Another busy and productive week around school; we welcomed the Wiltshire Council Youth Board on Thursday working with pupils across all year groups, and we had the History exhibition on Friday lunchtime, which was very creative and an extremely tough competition to judge.
We must congratulate Miss Moss on her wedding, as we welcome her back as Mrs Kenney and also we congratulate Mrs Miles on the birth of her baby boy!
Year 11 WIN Sessions, Revision and Mock Exams
The WIN (What I Need) sessions continue to be very well received by pupils and staff as Year 11 continue their revision journeys this year. The Year 11 Common Room and Study Room at lunchtimes has also been well received and used by Year 11 – a great space for the Year 11 pupils to have in school at lunch time.
The January mock exam series will begin on 13th January – there will be one week of exams in the school hall and some subjects will be hosting classroom-based assessments during the following week. The exam timetable is currently being finalised and will be released shortly.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that there are several revision resources on our website to help you and your child prepare for exams. On the webpage you’ll find:
- Subject Specific Revision Guide = containing tips on revising each subject area and links through to exam board websites for past papers and mark schemes
- Reaching your potential booklet – a useful guide to effective revision techniques and getting organised.
- Video clips for parents including:
- Effective revision techniques
- How the teenage brain works
- Myths about revision
- Things to avoid saying to your child during revision
- Getting organised and using revision timetables
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
There is a Year 11 Parent’s Evening coming up on Thursday 21st November –thank you to all parents who have booked their appointments already. The link to select your appointment slots is here. Pastoral, SENCO and our Careers Lead will also be present at the evening.
Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh
There has been a great response to the Duke of Edinburgh Award assembly and a third of the year group has applied to be involved this year! During the week commencing 25th November we will host a parent information evening to explain the Award and commitments.
If you would like more information about what is involved in the DofE then please visit here or email one of the team on pca@sjcs.org.uk or kth@sjcs.org.uk.
Remembrance Day Commemorations
On Monday morning at 11am, we observed an impeccable two-minute silence across school mirroring the guns falling silent at the end of World War 1. Many thanks to Miss Ingham and Charlie in Year 11 for leading the reflection and poem.
It was excellent to see so many pupils proudly sporting their cadet uniforms too – and Mr Allen as well!
Equipment
We are going to have a big focus on equipment over the coming weeks so that all our pupils are fully prepared and ready to learn. We will be sharing expected equipment items with pupil assembly next week and parents next week and will be carrying out an equipment audit and checks of all pupils.
Our approach will not be punitive, and we will be ensuring that all pupils have all equipment needed each day to ensure that learning time is maximised – more to follow next week!
Class Charts & Homework
The move to ClassCharts continues apace. All achievement points, behaviour points and homework will be set via Class Charts. If you are having issues logging in, please contact kmc@sjcs.org.uk
Likewise, if your child is having issues logging in, please prompt them to see Mr McGuinness.
Shoebox Appeal
Further to the message that this Christmas we will be partnering with a fantastic local charity – House of Opportunity, our collection has been going very well. Any more donations to add to the already brilliant response we’ve had are welcome by Tuesday 19th November. If you have any shoe boxes or Christmas wrapping paper that you can donate, please could those be bought in.
Item we are collecting:
- Sweets
- Small toys
- Balls
- Jigsaws
- Small loom kits
- Hair accessories
- Pen and pencils
- Colouring books
- Sticker books
- Toothpaste/brushes
- Gloves, hats or scarves
These items will be collected in school and then made up into shoe boxes which we will donate towards the end of November.
Last day for donations will be Tuesday 19th November and items can be handed into tutors during registrations.
Thank you for helping us and your child support this worthy cause.
College Update
The last few Post-16 Open Events are taking place before Christmas for local 6th forms & colleges (open to Year 11 & 10):
- Saturday 16th November, Wiltshire College, Salisbury, 10.00am-12.00noon – click here
- Thursday 21st November, S6C, Salisbury 6th Form College 4.30, 5.30, 6.30 – click here
- Thursday 21st November, Bishop Wordsworth 6th Form, 2.30pm (NOW FULLY BOOKED)
- Wednesday 4th December, South Wilts 6th Form, 2.00-3.30pm – click here
- Apprenticeship Open Evening: Accountancy (AAT) at Pkf Francis, Salisbury on Wednesday 27th November at 5.30pm – click here
Tesco Stronger Starts Programme
The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors’ Tesco Stronger Starts programme continues! We would like the funds to go towards a wellbeing seating area. We intend for the space to be a calm area where pupils can spend time outdoors during their break and lunch time.
Voting with the blue tokens, officially began this month and will run until the 12th of January. If you go to any of the following Tesco stores, please do add to the St Joseph’s collection:
- Fordingbridge Tesco
- Salisbury, Wilton Road Tesco
- Salisbury, Town Centre Tesco
- Salisbury, Southampton Road Tesco
The first-place prize is £1500, second place is £1000, and third place is £500. The more money we raise, the more we will be able to achieve for our school community.
Thank you for your support in our wellbeing campaign.
Key dates for the Autumn 2 Term
Thursday 21st November: Year 11 Parents’ Evening (4:30pm – 7:00pm
Thursday 28th November: Certificate Evening for Last Year’s Year 11
Monday 16th December: School Christmas Carol Concert and Showcase
Thursday 19th December: Year 11 Winchester Christmas Market trip, Yr7 Panto Trip
Friday 20th December: End of term – half day
Have a lovely weekend!
Mr Richard Rooney
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