Published September 20, 2024
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Headmaster’s Update
This week has been a very busy week in the life of the school. Year 11 completed their mock exams in the hall, and several Year 10 and 11 pupils went to the Theatre Royal in Winchester to see Macbeth. Year 9 and Year 10 had their Parent Information Evenings, and today, Year 7 had their first year-group trip to Marwell Zoo. We have also made some improvements around the school site; the library now has a new permanent home where the ‘green tables’ area used to be, and the area under the new canopy is now furnished with benches and tables. (To see some pictures, visit our Twitter/X account @sjcssalisbury).
There is lots of positive change happening, and it really is an exciting time to be part of the St Joseph’s family. It was wonderful to see so many parents at the Information Evenings yesterday and last Thursday. We are looking forward to the formation of working parties so that we can continue to improve the school for your children. More information will follow shortly, and I urge you to be a part of this journey as we take the school from good to great.
Have a lovely weekend.
Meet the Headmaster and Parent Information Evenings
It has been lovely welcoming our families into school during the past two Thursday evenings and we hope that you have found the information that we have shared valuable for the year ahead – we really value the opportunity to begin the year on a united front.
All the information shared during the Parent Information Evenings can be accessed via our website here.
Manners
This week in assemblies, we looked at how learning happens and how staff are developing their skills around positive relationships and the impact on learning. We looked at manners and have been urging the pupils to remember their manners around the school site (and beyond). We have always stressed ‘do your best and mind your manners’ and have been delighted with how the pupils are responding to this.
Uniform
Next week our focus on uniform will shift to jewellery. We would like to remind you that there should be no facial piercings at all and that earrings should be a single stud in each ear lobe. There should be no rings worn on any finger or thumb.
Please may I remind pupils and parents/carers of our high expectations on uniform and if unsure, please refer to our uniform guide. There are visual aids here to help clarify our expectations.
Litter
We have also introduced a new initiative to help the pupils take responsibility of their environment. Each form group will be on a rota where they will spend the afternoon Form tidying and improving the school’s site. We hope this will encourage the pupils to take better care of the school environment and ensure that litter is kept to an absolute minimum. Year 7 embraced this initiative with such enthusiasm this week – well done!
Curriculum Visibility
During the Year 9 and 10 Information Evenings this week we shared some curriculum developments, and in particular Subject Learning Journeys. These are present in all subject specific classrooms and map out the topics that your child will be studying. These can be found on the subject pages for our different curriculum areas here.
They are being updated and will be finalised by September 26th. We are also developing our key learning checklists and key terminology checklists for each module in each subject’s curriculum area.
Homework
YOLO – You Only Learn Once is a myth! The secret to success is hard work and often independent hard work. We encourage every pupil in all year groups to continually revisit and review their classroom learning – this will undoubtedly improve their retention of information.
Homework Club
Homework club will begin next week, and we will be offering two morning sessions and two after school sessions.
- Morning: 8:20am – 8:50am in Room 28 on Tuesday and Thursday.
- Afternoon: 3:45pm – 4:30pm in Room 26 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Homework & Satchel One
Homework Timetables are now published on the school website here.
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
Today saw the last of the exams in the hall until January. As stated last week, we are delighted with how Year 11 have tackled their mock examinations. Although they are all very tired and have found the experience a challenging one, they have risen to the challenge brilliantly and deserve a well-earned rest this weekend!
Following the exams, towards the end of the half term on Thursday 17th October at 6pm, 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 their actual results.
During this evening, we will also be outlining the Year 11 programme for the year and how St Joseph’s can fully support you and your child through this particularly important, and sometimes challenging year.
Key dates for the Autumn 1 Term:
- Thursday 26th September – Open Morning & Evening 9:30am – 12pm, 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)
Weekly Calendar
Monday 23rd September
- International Day Assembly – Yr7&8 (PM Form time)
- Pupil Parliament Room 1 PM reg
- Exams: Spanish Speaking (by appointment)
- Lunchtime: Just Dance club – hall, GCSE PE revision Rm21
- Cross Country race at Amesbury Rec – 3pm-4:30pm
Tuesday 24th September
- Before School: HW Club, Rm28
- International Day Assembly Yr9&10 (PM Form time)
- Lunch: Chaplaincy Council – Rm25, Culture Club – Rm9, Lunch: RE Crafts & Art Club – Rm22, Lunch: KS4 Solidworks Club – Rm28, GCSE Dance (hall)
- Anti-bullying Ambassadors PM reg room 1
- After School: Yr8 & 10 football, Dance Live Performers & Backstage
- After School HW Club: Rm26
- Exams: DT NEAs
Wednesday 25th September
- Lunch: GCSE Open Art Studio – Rm3 (KMI), 3×3 Basketball Tournament (hall)
- Netball club at lunch (all years on the courts)
- After school: KS3 Basketball in hall
- After School HW Club: LRE Rm26
- Exams: DT NEAs
Thursday 19th September
- Open Morning 9:30-12:00
- Before School: HW Club Rm28,
- International Day Assembly – Yr11PM Reg
- Prefect meeting Rm1
- After School Yr11 Football & Yr9 Football
- Lunch: Vocal Ensemble (Rm2), Rugby (all years), Yr7 football (field)
- After School: Warhammer/Painting/Model Making Club (Rm2)
- Y7 Netball tournament at SWGS – 12:30-4PM
- Exams: ART NEAs
- Open Evening – 5:30-7:30pm
Friday 27th September
- International Day
- Break: French market in reception (bring cash)
- Friday lunch: House Competition in the hall. Un poco loco from Coco
- Yr11 Assembly with a presentation from S6C about Post-16 Options
- Break – Inclusivity Alliance room 5
- PM Reg – Head Pupil Meeting Rm1
- GCSE PE Intervention – Rm 28 (CMO & AGO)
- KS3 Girls Football run by KS4 female coaches
- Exams: Art NEAs
Open Morning & Evening for Yr6 Parents and Pupils
Next Thursday we are hosting our Open Morning and Open Evening events. If you have a child in Year 6 who would like to tour school and see what we have to offer, please come along to either or both events. Likewise, if you have any friends or family who have a child in Year 6 and they are looking to find out more about us, please let them know.
Open Morning tours with pupils from 9:30 – 12:00 – No need to book, just arrive at a time convenient to you.
Open Evening Presentations from the Headmaster and Head Students followed by Guided Tours with Pupils 5:30-7:30 – book your space for the evening by registering here.
International Day – Friday
Next Friday we’ll be holding our 10th annual International Day as part of The European Day for Languages! This is a day where we celebrate the wide diversity of our school community. The events that are happening are: House competition: Un Poco Loco lyrics in the Hall!
Non School uniform day: Come in colours or outfits representing your heritage (or House colours if you can’t find anything related to your heritage!). £1 donations will go to supporting CAFOD and our own school projects
Form Activities: There will be a Duolingo competition happening throughout form rooms next week! International Food in Canteen: Our fabulous canteen staff will be cooking up many international dishes on the day.
French Market Break Time: Croissants, crepes, pain au chocolat on sale in the reception on Friday break. Orders must be taken in French only. Again, all proceeds to CAFOD and our own school projects.
Have a lovely weekend!
Mr R Rooney
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