Published August 12, 2025
GCSE exams are long finished, end-of-year awards certificates have been handed out, pupils are off enjoying their summer holidays… the curtain has officially closed on another incredible year at St Joseph’s!
Without further ado, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights from the 2024/25 academic year.
September 2024
We started the new academic year by welcoming Mr Higgins as Headmaster. Since he first started with us, Mr Higgins has been instrumental in encouraging positive and proactive change at the school, and has helped set us on the road to success. Thank you Mr Higgins – long may it continue!
Changes began to happen to the school site, including moving our library and ‘green tables’ area. Over a summer a new canopy was built over our outside courtyard space, creating a sheltered space where pupils can socialise at break and lunchtime in all weathers.
We began our Tesco Stronger Starts campaign to create a new wellbeing area for pupils. In collaboration with the Princess Diana Award, our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have created a multifaceted campaign focused on student wellbeing. Click here to read more.
Also in September, Year 10 and 11 saw a production of Macbeth at Theatre Royal Winchester, Year 7 had their first school trip to Marwell Zoo, and our MFL department helped the school celebrate International Day of Languages, where pupils could hear which other languages our staff speak.
October 2024
We hosted our Open Morning which saw many prospective parents coming to see the school in action. The parents who visited were full of praise for the school, pupils and staff. Our Year 9 tour guides did us proud as brilliant ambassadors for the school!
Our Maths department organised for other local schools to come and participate in a Maths Enrichment morning. It was a great morning involving problem solving and giving food for thought on where maths can take you career-wise.
Our pupils also represented us well in a number of sporting fixtures, even in the miserable weather. Year 11 boys football drew 3-3 with Wyvern St Eds in the Laverstock El Classico, Year 7-10 girls competed in a netball and football tournament at Trafalgar, and our runners took part in a Cross Country event!
Finally this month, our Geography and History departments were very busy with a trip to Swanage with 50 GCSE pupils which gave them a valuable opportunity to undertake fieldwork, and our History department held a special exhibition with some incredible work on show!
November 2024
In November, pupils from our Chaplaincy team visited Year 5 at St Mark’s CofE Junior School to speak as part of their Interfaith Week. They shared a presentation about the Catholic faith, our Tree of Values, and our House Saints. They then worked with the Year 5 pupils to create their own posters about the values of peace, respect, and dignity. Read more about this here.
December 2024
Our outgoing Year 11 cohort gathered in the hall with their families to receive GCSE certificates and special awards. There was a lovely atmosphere as pupils and teachers were reunited. The evening began with refreshments, lots of catching up, and current pupils showed previous Year 11s what has changed around the school site since they left in the summer. There were many special awards given out, which you can read about here.
Our community came together to celebrate our Christmas carol service. Families, friends, pupils, staff, and governors were invited to join us for this annual celebration where they were treated to an evening of music, readings, and drama performances by St Joseph’s pupils and staff, as well as a selection of mince pies and mulled wine. Mr Inglis also launched our Gifts for Gravy campaign in aid of Salisbury Foodbank. Read more about this here.
January 2025
We started the year by celebrating Allies Week! Inclusivity is always at the forefront of our efforts here, so we were proud to focus a whole week on what it means to be an ally to your friends and community, particularly those who fall into marginalised or underrepresented groups, with a focus on LGBT+ and faith. Our Inclusivity Alliance held a cakes, sweets and Pride bracelets stall which raised almost £50!
Year 8 pupils competed in dodgeball against several local schools. They played against Trafalgar, Sarum Academy, and Wyvern St Edmunds. They narrowly missed a top 3 place by the smallest of margins, but their sportsmanship, attitude and commitment were highly commendable.
February 2025
Pupils and staff returned from their trip to the Battlefields in Ypres and surrounding areas in Belgium and France. Their itinerary was packed full of visits to WW1 Battlefields and cemeteries, along with museum visits, a chocolate shop visit and an opportunity to pay respects at the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony. You can read all about their many highlights from the trip here.
A 70-strong team of pupils and staff went to Portsmouth Guildhall for this year’s Dance Live! competition. Their piece, entitled Threads of Illusion used the circus as a metaphor for the fast fashion industry and the impact of child labour. Although St Joseph’s didn’t place in the top 3, we came away with two technical awards! Read more here.
March 2025
Our Science department celebrated British Science Week with a whole range of fun science opportunities! Pupils had opportunities to make bioplastic and bath bombs, explore how diseases spread, and learn about robotics with an incredible Lego robot battle. Click here to see a gallery of pictures from the day!
35 pupils and 5 staff braved the cold to sleep underneath the Cathedral cloisters for the Big Sleep 2025, an annual fundraising event run by local homelessness charity Alabaré. It’s an honour to take part in this every year, and put ourselves in the shoes of those who have no choice but to sleep rough every night. Read more and see a photo gallery here.
April 2025
We were honoured with a visit from Bishop Bosco, who was appointed as the Bishop of Clifton by Pope Francis last year. He led a lovely service for our pupils in which he reflected on our new mission statement before joining our Chaplaincy group for a question and answer session. Read more about the visit here, and read Bishop Bosco’s full interview here.
Our new Pupil Leadership Team was chosen for the next academic year, including Heads of School and Prefects. Congratulations to Suzie and Immy who will be our new Heads of School, Jacob and Cecil who will become Deputy Heads of School, and Beatrix and Maddie will be our new school Chaplains! Alongside them will be a dedicated team of senior prefects who will work together to ensure their fellow pupils’ voices are heard.
Also in April, we had the privilege of hosting a group of students from Spain. The students joined ours in some of their lessons and stayed with local host families, giving them a true taste of British life. We saw lots of smiles and laughter over the days they were here, so we really hope everyone had a great time!
May 2025
We commemorated VE Day with lots of bunting, a tea party, and a special visit from Group Captain Ron Burrows. The afternoon began with the whole school joining in with the national 2-minute silence at midday, to pause and reflect on Britain’s effort in the war and the lives that were lost. Then Group Captain and Chief Test Pilot Ron Burrows joined our History Club for a tea party and Q&A session – read all about it here.
A group of pupils and staff embarked on our second international trip of the year: Barcelona! They immersed themselves in the city’s rich history and culture, seeing sights of the Nou Camp Stadium and marvelling at the nearly completed Sagrada Família, a breathtaking testament to faith and dedication that mirrors the perseverance they demonstrate in their learning. You can see lots of updates throughout the trip on our X account.
June 2025
We celebrated Pentecost, a pivotal moment in the Christian
calendar. Pentecost marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the
apostles, empowering them to spread the Good News. It reminds us of the strength and unity found in faith. The whole school formed the word ‘HOPE’ on the field, and we were joined by pupils from St Osmund’s Primary School for our Pentecost service.
Or History department were very busy with a trip to Chalke Valley History Festival, and the History Club learned about and sampled German wartime food and wrote letters to teachers complete with their own wax seals.
We welcomed over 220 Year 5 pupils from our feeder schools for their taster day. Many described it as their best yet! Our Year 9 and 10 pupils served as excellent ambassadors, modelling the values we hold dear.
Year 11 returned to play in our annual alumni football and netball matches against staff and ex-pupils. The Year 11 team won the football match, and the staff team came through to win at netball! The weather was glorious for both events and they were a really lovely way to bring everyone together.
Also in June (a very busy month!), Year 11 had their Leavers’ Breakfast, which was a heartfelt tribute to their journey with us at St Joseph’s; Year 10 went out on Work Experience and got some excellent feedback from employers; and many pupils took part in their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition, developing vital skills in resilience and teamwork (head to our X account for updates).
July 2025
Year 10 pupils took part in a Maths Challenge, and we were really proud of them for coming 2nd among Salisbury schools! Their teamwork, problem-solving skills, and mathematical thinking were outstanding—well done to all involved!
We welcomed our new Year 7 pupils and their families to St Joseph’s! Their Transfer Day and Welcome Evening were filled with excitement and anticipation. Many key staff spoke with parents and pupils, and it’s clear that our new cohort is eager to begin their journey with us in September. A huge thank you and congratulations to our School Prefects and Student Council members for their excellent leadership and support.
We held our Year 11 prom at Antrobus House in Amesbury. We were lucky with the beautiful weather after a couple of years of rainy prom nights, and staff who have also attended previous proms said this was the best one yet! Read more and see lots of pictures in this article in the Salisbury Journal.
Our PE department held our annual Sports Day, which was a huge success. After being mostly rained off last year, it was a relief to see sunny skies for this year’s celebration of whole-school sports! It was incredible to see pupils push themselves to take part in sporting events including running, javelin, long jump, and more. Click here to read more and for a full list of results and records.
We enjoyed our Summer Showcase, where pupils from all year groups braved the stage to share their talents. It promised to be “an unforgettable evening celebrating the talents of pupils in dance, drama, music, and comedy.” Highlights included beautiful singing, dance, cheerleading, trampolining, and a comedic parody of Romeo and Juliet which had English teacher Miss Snook crying with laughter. Read more here.
More than 400 pupils and 40 staff members completed a seven-mile sponsored walk from school to Clarendon Palace and back, to raise money for new sports facilities. Then, on their return with what energy they had left (surprisingly a lot!), pupils took part in the Colour Run, filling the school with laughter and colour! Read more and see pictures in this article in the Salisbury Journal.
Also in July, Year 10 visited Andover College, giving them a valuable insight into post-16 education; more than 200 pupils set off on their annual rewards trip to Paulton’s Park, and a large group of GCSE RE pupils went on a Pilgrimage Walk: an 11-mile walk to Salisbury Cathedral, St Francis Church, and Old Sarum before returning to school.
Finally, we ended the year with a series of special awards assemblies delivered by our Heads of Year. Mr Brown shared wise and heartfelt words with our Year 7 pupils, recognising their growth and encouraging them as they continue their journey; Mrs Blake offered guidance for the future for Year 8; Miss Snook ensured that every Year 9 pupil was recognised and celebrated; and Mrs Kenney not only reflected on the successes of Year 10 but also looked ahead to the exciting opportunities of Post-16 pathways.
As Mr Higgins said in our final weekly update of the year, we parted for the summer reflecting on the words from 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This verse beautifully reflects the spirit of our school community—one of generosity, joy, and wholehearted commitment.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this year so fantastic, and we can’t wait for a new one to begin in September!
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