Published November 19, 2021
Can you believe that it is only 4 weeks until we break up for Christmas? As we approach advent, we have a number of projects underway as is tradition at this time of year: forms have been busily preparing shoeboxes, we’ll be starting up our Trussell Trust Food Bank donations and also preparations for the annual Carol Service and Art Exhibition are well underway too! More details on all of these initiatives will be forthcoming.
Covid-19
We’re very pleased to announce that our cases as a school are exceptionally low at the moment – many thanks for all you are doing in our efforts to keep cases low. Twice-weekly testing and mask wearing are really important for helping to keep our community safe. Please do ensure that your child is coming to school with a mask.
Anti-Bullying Week
This week we have marked Anti-Bullying Week with assemblies on anti-bullying, encouraging pupils to say one kind thing to one another. As a school, we pride ourselves on the relationships that we build with our pupils and always stress the importance of pupils informing us of things that don’t sit right with them. We are definitely a “telling school” and this helps to keep all or pupils happy and safe.
To finish the week, we encouraged staff and pupils to wear odd socks and in true St Joseph’s style, there were some sights to behold!
Year 11 Mock Exams
Next week sees the start of Year 11 mock exams. Lessons have been largely structured around revision recently and PHSE sessions have also guided on revision techniques and study habits. These exams will be an invaluable experience for our Year 11 cohort as we plan for the first public exams to be sat for two years in the summer. Good luck everyone!
Year 9 Graduation
Mr Brown and Mrs Blake are busy behind the scenes plotting our annual Year 9 graduation ceremony. It is likely to be taking a different format this year due to covid restrictions but still promises to be an excellent event to recognise the achievements of all Year 9 pupils as they move to Key Stage 4 in January.
Year 7 House Parties
Mrs Marshall and Miss Moss have also been busily planning the postponed Year 7 House Parties – these are now going to take on a Christmas theme and will be a celebration of the first term together – dates and arrangements will be confirmed soon!
Trips
As restrictions in the wider community are relaxing, we are being able to organise more enrichment opportunities. As has been tradition, we’ve secured some tickets for the Playhouse Christmas production in December and will be offering the opportunity for year 7 to attend the theatre towards the end of term. Letters will be coming out soon to reserve a space!
We’re also exploring dates for some of our more popular foreign trips for the academic year 2022-23 with the History department looking at the ever-popular Battlefields Trip in Belgium and MFL looking at running the super experience to Barcelona! Watch this space for further details!
Disclaimer: trips and activities are all subject to change due to Covid restrictions/measures.
Movember
There are a number of male staff who have ditched their razors for the last 18 days and have been growing hair on their upper lips (some more successfully/stylishly than others) in aid of Movember and raising awareness of men’s mental health – next week pupils will be treated to an assembly about the issues and their importance.
House Points Race
No change at the top again with Margaret building up a handsome lead. Here are the latest standings:
- 1st: Margaret with 17,870 points
- 2nd: Vincent with 17,313 points
- 3rd: Teresa with 16,241 points
- 4th: Francis with 14,774 points
REMINDER: Next Friday is a TD Day and therefore school will be closed for pupils.
Have a lovely weekend!
Mr Rooney