Weekly Update: Week 1 (06.09.24)

Published September 6, 2024

Firstly, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the families of our new Year 7 cohort and to all the new starters across all years. In addition, welcome back to all our families for the new school year.  I hope that you had wonderful summer with your nearest and dearest and that everyone is refreshed, recharged and ready to tackle the new academic year.

Aside from Wednesday, it’s been a very wet start to the new school year, but our pupils have brought joy and sunshine to the classes as they started their new learning journeys together. This has been handled admirably by the pupils and staff alike and we are very grateful for our new sheltered canopy area just outside the green tables.

We have been delighted with the start that has been made across school and the majority of our pupils have the correct uniform – long may that continue. Please may I remind pupils and parents/carers of our high expectations on uniform and if unsure, refer to this guide.

Mr Higgins has led insightful assemblies for all year groups, first lessons have been completed and I know that our pupils can now rise to the challenges ahead and achieve their excellence. Reflecting on the words of the late Archbishop Romero, I know our pupils can ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’. There continues to be a very positive vibe and buzz around the classrooms in school and we have also had school photos for Year 7 and Year 9!

Year 7

Mr Brown, Head of Year 7 is delighted with the start that Year 7 have made.  They look very smart and have settled into school life very well.  They have made a great first impression on all staff and have set excellent standards for the year ahead; well done.

Homework & Satchel One

Homework Timetables will be shared next week and today, your child received their Satchel One login details – it is important that they and you follow the instructions on the slip to login to Satchel One today.  If your child is struggling to login to Satchel One, please do not worry – we will run workshops next week to help them to login.  

Forgotten Details

If your child has forgotten their Satchel One login details, they can use the Microsoft Office sign in option instead.  Please see the attached for screen shots on how to do so.

Year 11 Mocks

Next week, Year 11 begin their mock exams.  These will last for two weeks and will be held mainly in the school hall. These exams will be an excellent experience for Year 11 as they prepare for the most important year of their school lives.  Today, we held an assembly with Year 11 to go through the expectations and procedures of public exams.  Their attitude in the assembly, and throughout this first week, has been excellent.  They certainly seemed engaged and eager to do their best!

Following the exams, towards the end of the half term on Thursday 17th October, we will be holding a mock exams results reveal evening.  Parents and pupils will be invited to attend St Joseph’s to receive their results (these will not be given out in lesson time) replicating the experience that they will have in August with the real results.  During this evening, we will also be outlining the Year 11 programme for the year and how we, as a school, will do all we can to support you and your child through this very important, and sometimes stressful, year.

Meet our New Headmaster & Information Evenings in the School Hall

Over the next two weeks we will be hosting evenings for all year groups where year group specific information will be discussed. These evenings will be an excellent opportunity for you to know all about the programme for the year for your child and important dates and events to be aware of as well as support and help on offer.  They will be led by Mr Higgins, our new Headmaster and your child’s Head of Year.

This Thursday, we will host Year 7 at 4:00pm and Year 8 at 5:30pm. Please confirm your attendance by clicking the appropriate link below:

Car Park

I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents to not drive into the school car park at drop off or pick up. It is essential that we always keep pupils safe, and your support is welcomed. You will have noticed that the car park is very congested with school buses and taxis and as such there is not the capacity for us to also be able to have a pick-up / drop-off zone.  Please make arrangements to pick-up and drop-off away from the school site to ease congestion not only in the car park but also on the road outside of the school.

Coming up next week:

Assemblies led by Heads of Year on Respect (linking to International Day of Democracy)

Monday 9th September

  • Pupil Parliament Meeting – PM Reg, Room 1
  • Year 11 Exams:
    • AM – Maths
    • PM – Sociology

Tuesday 10th September

  • Dance Live begins! After school until 4.30pm for Performers only.  Backstage will begin next week.
  • Lunch Clubs:
    • Chaplaincy Council – Room 21
    • Culture Club – Room 9
    • RE Crafts & Art Club – Room 22
    • KS4 SolidWorks Club – Room 28
  • Anti-bullying Ambassadors – PM reg, Room 1  
  • After School: Year 8 & 10 Football 
  • Year 11 Exams:
    • AM – Physics
    • PM – RE 

Wednesday 11th September

  • Lunch Clubs:
    • GCSE Open Art Studio – Room 3
    • Netball, all year groups, on the courts 
    • GCSE PE revision, Room 21
  • Year 11 Exams
    • AM – English Paper 1
    • PM – Spanish Listening

Thursday 12th September

  • Lunch Clubs:
    • Year 7 Football, Field
    • Vocal Ensemble, Room 2
  • PM Reg – Prefect meeting, Room 1
  • After School Clubs:
    • Year 11 Football, Field
    • Year 9 Football, Field
    • Warhammer/Painting/Model Making Club, Room 2
  • Year 11 Exams:
    • AM – Food NEA / French Speaking
    • PM – Drama NEA, Computer Science
  • Information Evenings:
    • Year 7, 4:00-5:00pm
    • Year 8, 5:30-6:15pm 

Friday 13th September

  • Break – Inclusivity Alliance, Room 5 
  • Lunch Clubs: KS3 Art Club (25 spaces, 1st come, first served!), Room 3
  • PM Reg – Head Pupil Meeting, Room 1 
  • GCSE PE Intervention, Room 28
  • Year 11 Exams:
    • AM – Maths P2
    • PM – History / French Writing 

Key dates for the Autumn 1 Term:

  • Thursday 19th - Year 9 (4pm) & Year 10 (5.30pm) Information Evenings
  • Thursday 26th September – Open Morning (9.30am to 12noon) & Evening (5.30pm-7.30pm)
  • Friday 27th September – International Day
  • Thursday 3rd October – Year 7 Form Tutor Evening (4.30pm to 7pm)
  • Thursday 17th October – Year 11 Mock Results Reveal Evening
  • Tuesday 22nd October – Year 7 House Party (during Period 5)

Have a lovely weekend!

Mr Rooney

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