Published October 15, 2021
It’s been an especially busy week this week at school with PE clubs getting up and running, a visit to Godolphin School to see an author discussing their love of reading and their inspirations, PSHE lessons (friendships, online safety, careers and gambling awareness covered across the year groups), flu vaccinations, Yr11 Revision & Booster sessions, and a fabulous Dyslexia Awareness session with Yr7 & 8 pupils! And, last but by no means least, the Yr7 form tutor evening!
Next week is only a two day week for the pupils as we break up for half term on Tuesday 18th October at the normal time and return on Monday 1st November.
Next Tuesday will be a non-uniform day and our Year 11 senior prefects have decided that the money we raise from £1 donations will be used to fund some new football nets for the school goal posts.
We’re also encouraging pupils to ‘wear it purple’ to promote/support the #spiritday which stands against bullying and harassment because of identities.
Full School Uniform
We’ve taken the decision to return to full school uniform after half term for every day of the week. Over the summer, we made a significant investment in expanding the changing rooms – they are much more spacious and fit for purpose for a school of our size and will be able to accommodate pupils changing from school uniform into PE kit.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone proudly sporting their St Joseph’s uniforms at all times from 1st November onwards.
Year 11 will have the privilege of being able to wear their PE kit to school on the days that they have PE, but no other year group will.
As the weather is going to be getting colder and we will be keeping windows open to aide ventilation, we will allow pupils to wear coats/jackets in the school building. Hoodies and jumpers will not be permitted under blazers.
This will be reviewed termly.
PE Clubs
It’s been lovely to get PE clubs up and running again this week – Year 7 & 8 pupils were especially enthusiastic filling the trampolining club and football club on Tuesday! And, also, a shout out to the keen Yr 9 keen table tennis players on Thursday morning!
The clubs that we have running are as follows (these may change after half term):
Tues after school:
- Yr7 Football
- Yr8 Football
- Yr7 Trampolining
Weds after school:
- Yr9 Basketball
- Yr8 Netball
Thurs before school:
- Yr 9 Table Tennis
Thurs after school:
- Yr9 Football
- Yr10 rugby
Fri after school:
- Yr11 Basketball
Following guidance from the Local Authority we will be reviewing mixed year group clubs on Monday 15th November. On this date we will also be reviewing the return of face-to-face assemblies in the school hall and other covid measures currently in place.
Youth Survey
Last week we circulated a survey from South Wiltshire area board who would like to hear from young people to determine how their funds are spent over the next few years. Please encourage your child to complete the survey on the link below . It should only take about 2 minutes: https://surveys.wiltshire.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=162367653303
SMHW & Office 365
If your child is having trouble logging into SMHW or has forgotten their password there is a simple solution to overcome this. When on the logging on screen, SMHW offers the option to ‘sign in with Office 365’. Clicking this option and then inputting the login details used to access Teams should enable them to login.As members of our school community, your child will also be able to access Microsoft Office app free of charge on their devices – again by using their school email address and password for accessing the network.
Lateral Flow Tests
This week, pupils have been given another batch of lateral flow testing kits to bring home. These testing kits are nasal swab kits and as such we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the instructions inside the package.
Achievement Points Race
The first half term draws to a close and the standings are as follows:
- 1st: Margaret House: 12,704 points
- 2nd: Vincent House: 11,938 points
- 3rd: Teresa House: 11,604 points
- 4th: Francis House: 10,486 points
Have a lovely weekend and great half term when it arrives!
Mr Rooney