St Joseph's College Summer End of Term Newsletter 2016

Summer Term Newsletter 2016

2014 –2017

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AWARD

Message from the Principal As I reflect on the Summer Term 2016, it is fabulous to note just how many events have taken place and how many opportunities our children and young people have taken advantage of. In this newsletter we have highlighted a small sample, from academic endeavours, prizegiving and sports days to charity fundraising, festivals and leavers’ services in our Chapel.

As I write, we are looking forward to the new academic year, a new Sixth Form Centre opening and our focus now turning to the next phase of our Building for the Future plan. At the same time, we remain resolute in our focus on students achieving their best academically, within an environment which keeps close its traditional values and nurturing ethos.

Whilst the summer term is filled with many joyful occasions, it also has its more serious moments, none more sobering and final than the GCSEs and A-levels, which our eldest students have recently sat.

There are also many mixed emotions at this time, including sadness paired with pride, as we watch our Year 13 students ‘fly the nest’ and embark on the next stage of their lives as the wonderful young men and women they have become.

Although this academic year comes to an end on 6 July, this summer is as ever a busy one. We wish Dr Hine, Mrs Simmonds, Miss Wright and our five L6 students a safe, enriching and successful experience running a summer school for children in Kenya. We are delighted that another group of L6 students have taken advantage of paid work experience organised by the College at Suffolk Life thanks to Mrs Chester, parent and Governor. Pre-season rugby training starts on 22 August and our girls depart for their Hockey Tour to Holland on 26 August. We also wish a happy and successful trip to our next four St Joseph’s students travelling on exchange to Knox Grammar School in Sydney.

This is also the time of year when we traditionally say goodbye to a number of staff who leave the College. We wish the following staff every happiness and success in their future ventures and thank them for their service and many contributions: Mr Twist Senior School Mr Reavill Senior School Mrs Ireland Prep School Ms Cockroft Prep School Mrs Crossley Prep School Miss Pitcher Dance, maternity cover Mrs Donovan Reception Miss Mallet Music In September, the College will welcome the following new staff into the St Joseph’s community: Mr Cinnamond Head of Sixth Form & Progression Mrs Richards Prep School, EYFS Teacher

A team of staff led by the College’s Director of Studies, Mr Phaup, will be in school on both public examination results’ days - Thursday 18 August for A-level and Thursday 25 August for GCSE. The team will be on hand to provide each young person with the required guidance and support in relation to their choices of A-level and university destinations.

The 2016/17 academic year starts with new overseas students arriving on 1 September, Year 7 and Lower Sixth students only will be in College on Friday 2 September and the start of term for all students is Monday 5 September. All College students should be in their full correct uniform, which now includes the new Sport kit introduced last September.

I wish you and your family a wonderful summer holiday and thank you for your generous support in so many different ways over this academic year. There are members of the Senior Leadership Team in school throughout the summer, if you need to make contact or have a particular query – we are here to help.

Miss Cadge Senior School, Science Teacher Mrs McNicholas Teacher of Economics Miss Nutt Gap Graduate, Sport & Boarding Mr Grigg Gap Graduate, Sport & Boarding Mr Kemsley Futures Co-ordinator Ms Davey In the new role of Alumni Co-ordinator Ms Simpson Dance, maternity cover Ms Rowe Dance, maternity cover

Mrs Danielle Clarke Principal

2

Message from the Chair of Governors Once a year, I ask that one of the bi-monthly meetings of the College’s Board of Governors be dedicated to an open discussion about key priorities within the College’s Development Plan. There are no subjects that are off-limits and it is a great opportunity to focus on all aims in an open forum. This year, the discussion took place in May and it was certainly the liveliest and most positive so far.

It took place in the knowledge that many other independent schools are focusing on dramatic cost-reduction and even consolidation through mergers due to reducing student numbers and income levels.

The Governors are certainly not oblivious to the pressures within the sector. It is because of this that our management approach to St Joseph’s College will not be changing; it will continue to combine a clear strategic direction, core objectives, a prudent approach as to delivery and development of the school’s unique ethos at its very core.

fund-raising opportunities, better and alternative uses for our assets throughout the year, overseas activities and recruitment, UK and regional marketing, communications, student retention and future expansion opportunities were but a few amongst them.

We were conscious that many other schools might necessarily be having rather different conversations. The whole Board takes the duty that it has during its brief tenure of responsibility for the school extremely seriously. It is determined to put in place the strong foundations for a strategic direction that will ensure that St Joseph’s College can continue with its vital and special role in the overall educational landscape and the life of students for generations to come.

As always, thank you all for your very generous support

We have made great progress. Growing pupil numbers have allowed building work to begin on the Sixth Form Centre, and an energetic management and staff team is being assembled to deliver on a clear strategy for a unique student experience from September. Whilst we will not be overstretching ourselves, we are determined to push forwards with the next stages that include releasing some value from land and buildings on the site to permit future investment in new boarding facilities. Initial appraisals are already underway.

The Board’s realistic determination to progress with the improvement programme framed its discussions in the strategy session last month.

It led to a wide range of issues being raised - additional income and

Mr Paul Clement Chair of Governors

An Overview from the Director of Studies The new, state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre continues to take shape and work is progressing according to schedule.

The interior, including dedicated study and social spaces, has been designed with input and approval of the target audience and we are all looking forward to its completion with excitement. None more so than the dedicated Sixth Form team.

The team will be headed up by Mr Sacha Cinnamond, supported

by Mr Crack and Mrs Simpson Jacobs as Heads of Year, and Mr David Kemsley, joining the College as Futures Coordinator, tasked with assisting students towards their career paths, external links, coordinating a programme of visiting speakers and supporting students through the UCAS process.

We are now drawing up a schedule of visiting speakers and would be very pleased to hear from parents and friends who might be willing to share their experience and expertise of careers, both traditional and arcane.

Mr Steven Phaup Director of Studies

3

Focus on a Teacher Mr Fletcher, Science Teacher Mr Fletcher was born in Luton and grew up there and in Lowestoft, attending schools in both towns. He enjoyed his school days and particularly PE and Science lessons.

After taking his A-levels, he became an apprentice gym instructor, qualifying and working in the role for two years before achieving his childhood ambition of joining the RAF, specialising as an RAF Policeman.

During Basic Training he won the Lord Trenchard Trophy, as the best recruit in Physical Education of the whole intake.

“During my RAF Police training, I won the PE award and the Provost Marshall’s Baton, awarded to an ‘Outstanding recruit’. This was particularly pleasing as it is only handed out a few times each year,” he said.

Mr Fletcher was posted to the Service’s Officer Training School, RAF Cranwell, in Lincolnshire and took up numerous opportunities offered, including climbing on expedition in Penyal d’Ifac, on the coast of Spain, not far from Alicante.

“I had a really good career in the RAF but felt that it was time for me to leave and pursue a career in teaching. I got a job as a PE Technician at a Kirkley High School, Lowestoft, and worked my may up with a number of coaching courses, such as archery, trampolining, Rock-it-ball, football and badminton. I was then given an opportunity to work as a School Sports Coordinator with the Lowestoft and Beccles School Sports Partnership, where I continued to gain more qualifications,” he said.

“I developed over the 10 years of teaching and coaching PE a wealth of experience working with students from Nursery and Reception to KS4 and at the local college working in over 32 different schools. During this time I also delivered weekly PE lessons at the Warren and the Ashley special needs schools and I helped to set up two clubs for disabled students.

4

“The first was a disability trampolining club at Waveney Gymnastics Club; and the second was the Lowestoft Action Sports Club, a weekly club designed to allow disabled children and young adults to access sporting activities whilst simultaneously allowing parents to have respite of a few hours to network with families in similar situations.

“For all this hard work, I was nominated for and received a community award from Waveney District Council for my contribution to disability sport, which was presented by the swimmer Nick Gillingham,” he said.

Still not quite busy enough, Mr Fletcher studied part-time for his BSc (Honours) in Molecular Biology whist working as an SSCo! “I have really enjoyed my year here at St Joseph’s and have been made to feel part of the St Jo’s family by the staff and the students,” he added.

In his spare time, Mr Fletcher can be found playing 7s tag rugby and wood working, making breadboards, boxes and cabinets.

Farewell, Class of 2016 An Extract from the Head Boy’s Speech

academically; we prospered in sport; we shone in our performances; but most importantly, we disturbed the universe! I look forward to seeing you all in the audience of one of our peer’s first professional sports fixtures, West End performances or political debates.

This day has come around a lot quicker than I’d hoped or imagined and writing this was perhaps the most difficult speech I’ve had to do, both for its content (since it’s been impossible to cover everything I wish to say and everyone I wish to thank, in such a limited amount of time), and emotionally too…but I want to express 16 years’ worth of gratitude, towards both the College and each and every member of the St Joseph’s community who has enhanced my experience here.

The depth of our successes is best represented by the bonds and friendships we’ve developed, strengthened and continue to share. Life is just a series of peaks and troughs, and, as a family does, we have shared our downs. These have grown us both as friends and individuals, but it is the countless life-changing events and everyday laughs that we have experienced together that best symbolise our time here.

I would like to thank my parents for providing me with the opportunity to attend a place as special as this. I will never be able to repay them. Secondly, I would like to mention all the staff one by one but unfortunately I haven’t got the time. I am eternally grateful for all your efforts. You have not only taught me about my subject areas but about life in general. You have gone beyond getting me good grades, you have all helped me personally and for that reason I no longer consider you teachers, but friends.

One of the most influential people in my life, who moulded me academically, morally and spiritually without me even being aware of it happening, was Mr Davey, whose true nature is one of the biggest influences I have ever had the luck of experiencing. His legacy will live on, not only in me, but in everyone that ever had the privilege of coming into contact with him.

Our ethos is epitomized by service and we are all, both as individuals and more importantly as a group, and will always be emblems for St Joseph’s College. The attributes we have gained from our time as pupils will be the infrastructure of every decision, action and event that we partake in until our last days.

This place puts opportunities on a plate for you. My biggest mistake was not taking them soon enough; trust me, your time soon flies. Don’t passively let life come to you but go out and seize every opportunity that comes your way; that is one regret you won’t have.

Nathaniel Abery, Head Boy 2015-16

Although I owe a lot to the College itself, I would like to thank my friends and peers sincerely. It has not only been a pleasure to have spent my youth and grown with you but to have led such a diverse, unique and talented group of individuals is extraordinary.

The magnitude of our achievements as a year group, throughout our time here has grown exponentially. We have done so many great things. We thrived in each and every sense of ‘Jo’s’ life: we achieved

5

A confirmed animal lover, Ms Graham’s home life includes caring for several canine friends and donkeys, Annie and Dec.

Prizegiving How an Animal-Loving Solicitor Became a Sports Presenter and How One Chooses a Career Lesley Graham retired as Racing Welfare’s Chief Executive last year and now lives in France, undertaking the major renovation of a farmhouse in the Dordogne. She is a former Channel 4 Racing presenter (appointed in 1993 as the first female presenter of the sport), prior to which she was a corporate lawyer in the City and latterly in Cambridge.

While working in television, Lesley also set up the British Horseracing Board’s Ownership Marketing Group, was a Director of the National Stud and frequent public speaker. She has previously worked with the Animal Health Trust, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and ran the British Horseracing Authority’s Media Training Programme.

6

Form Prizes Form

Achievement

Effort

7BCL

Imogen Cerely

Alfie Eldridge

7SME

Hanna Koepf

Jemima Bestley

7MOH

Eloise Ward

Rosie Smith

8PBA

Jessica Bryce

Ginevra Gutierrez Diana

8SDA

Leonardo Bignell

Lily Fielden

8SLO

Isabelle Atkinson

Ethan Nightingale

9LBA

Katie Warne

Patrick MacDonnell-Hannah

9MDS

Rhiannon Dunbar

Alexander Mann

9KDR

Luke Barrett

Isabelle Beach

10NCH

Louise Humphries

Elana Fraser

10PDU

Jacob Marston

Harry Suckling

10DED

Morgan Willetts

Jacob Wright

10JSO

Lia Taylor

Alexander Coan

11ABL

Luke Le Roux

Charley Hewitt

11LHS

Zoe Asbury

Zachary Monk

11JDA

Alice Gittins

Elin Davies

Special Awards The Downing Cup for Special Effort (Girls, Year 7 to 11)

Lucy Waring

The Alexander Cup for Special Effort (Boys, Year 7 to 11)

James Waring

The Hudson Cup for Science (Girls, Year 7 to 11)

Elana Fraser

The Jubilee Cup for Science (Boys, Year 7 to 11)

James Hunt

The Mike Kearney Memorial Chemistry Prize

Crystal Wang

The Lawrence Treanor Prize for Physics

Mark Zhu

The James Hehir Science Prize for Biology

Adelaide Zampi

The Wyllie Prize for Engineering

Lindsay Smith

The Bonnar Cup for Mathematics

Mark Zhu & Grace Luo

The Mike Caseley Prize for Business Enterprise

Zoe Asbury

The Benet Technology Prize

Chad Griffiths

The Newman Cup for Humanities

Adelaide Zampi

The Owen Cup for Religious Education

Alice Gittins

The Anne Dunford Cup for Creative Writing

James Battye

The Excellence in Drama, Senior Award

Charley Hewitt

The Outstanding Contribution to Drama

Josaia Wacokecoke

The Excellence in Drama, Junior Award

Oliver Fraser

The Dance Award

Lia Taylor

The Crabbe Cup for Debating

Jonathan Renshaw

The Tom Symes Prize for Public Speaking

Nathaniel Abery

The Young Artist of the Year (Year 7 to 11)

Leonardo Bignell

The Sketchbook Designer of the Year

Gideon Bowden

The Conall Shanks Memorial Prize

Casey Kwok

The Boarding Cup

Pedro Da Costa Coutinho

The Birkfield Society Prize

Clarice de Silva & James Battye

The Charity Cup

Kyra Stone

The Shaw Cup for Contribution to Music

Harry Taylor

The Helen Watson Memorial Prize for Music

Kato Lam

The Bales Cup for Most Improved Musician

Casey Kwok

The Sixth Form Prize for English

James Battye

The Josephine Lea Cup for Citizenship

Daisy Swinbourne

Achievement in Sport The Downing Cup for Rugby

Jacob Dormer

The Clements Cup for Hockey

India Goodman

The Hobbs Cup for Netball

Rosie Bennett

The Gentry Rugby Cup (Team Achievement)

1st VII

The Michael Davey Cricket Cup

Jack Mexome

Achievement in Sport – Junior Girls (Lower School, Year 7 to 9)

Mai Easton

Achievement in Sport – Junior Boys (Lower School, Year 7 to 9)

Matthew Kent

Achievement in Sport – Senior Girls (Year 10 to Upper Sixth)

Olivia Locke

Achievement in Sport – Senior Boys (Year 10 to Upper Sixth)

Sam Easton

7

Arts Festival 2016 The theme for Arts Festival 2016 was ‘Triumph and Disaster’, and together as a school community we explored how we must approach every moment, good or bad with the same level humility and good grace. Each student embodied the theme and took risk upon risk, as they expressed themselves throughout the week. This was an opportunity for our whole community to take a leap of faith together, delve into the unknown and discover something they didn’t know they could do.

Some highlights from the week’s 34 events would be the opening dance sequence in Chapel led by the Prep School, the exhilarating Prep School performance of ‘Oh, The places you’ll Go!’ at The Avenue Theatre and the diverse ‘Language Evening’, which saw newly-appointed Head Boy Chowa Chanda perform his own imaginative poetry. We also had a selection of Art, Dance, Psychology and Poetry workshops.

In an exceptionally creative ‘Summer End of Term Concert’, classical music met beat boxing – a creative triumph! Other exciting events to mention were the fantastic performance of ‘Pinocchio’ led by the Lower School, the epic rooftop concert ‘Sound in the Grounds’, led by U6 Leaver James Battye, and also ‘Rock in the Quad’, which celebrated the range of talent here at St Joseph’s.

A new venture was the ‘Flash Theatre Evening’, during which students across the school shared sections of drama. It was a great success and allowed students to produce their own work and give it a platform.

The Festival came to a close with the ‘Unplugged Finale Celebration’, where all art forms came together to celebrate a fantastic artistic journey shared. The week was a spectacular success, embraced by the whole College with spontaneity and joy.

Ms Joanna Davey Arts Festival Coordinator

8

9

News from the Prep School Young Deckhands Thrive on Residential Barge Trip Year 4 pupils, in groups of ten, had a memorable experience aboard the Thames Barge ‘Reminder’, entering into life on board with great team commitment within watches led by Dr Hine and Mrs Bennett and then Mrs Ireland and Mrs Bestley.

Highlights included taking turns to steer under the skipper’s guidance and climbing the rigging, with many reaching 40 feet above the deck to gain a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. When the watches changed, duties below deck included setting the tables, helping to prepare meals, washing up and sweeping the floors.

Daily activities saw the children tying knots, map reading and learning about navigation, going out in the tender and beach combing. Weather conditions ranged from heavy rain to bright sunshine…and everyone had a wonderful time.

Putting the Balance in Education

Fieldtrip Culminates in Exciting BMX Challenge

For some healthy downtime amidst the busy rehearsal schedule for the summer production and preparing for our end of Key Stage assessments, the children of Year 2 were invited to bring their bikes into school for a lesson in co-ordination, stamina and above all…fun!

Year 5 and 6 visited the Lee Valley VeloPark at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. The trip supported their cross-curricular project work on the ‘Summer Games in Brazil’, developing skills in Geography and Design and Technology.

The children enjoyed cycling around the Astroturf, trying their best to avoid cones and each other! If there had been a prize for the best fall, Ben Wilkinson would have been the worthy winner but luckily he escaped without injury and was very proud of his ‘stunt’.

The children experienced the legacy of London 2012, developing their geographical and design skills by exploring the city panorama and the regeneration of the site. They next undertook a design observation challenge around the velodrome and consolidated their learning by creating and recording a design interview.

Highlight of the session was the look on Isobel McNicholas’s face when she suddenly realised that she was cycling unaided for the first time, a huge achievement and one that she made sure was well-known throughout the Prep School.

The event had the added bonus of underlining the school’s emphasis on inclusiveness. One of the cyclists is currently having to tailor physical activity to a medical problem. It doesn’t stop her being a whizz on a bike though and she completed the course with aplomb.

10

Whilst eating their lunch, everyone was enthused by watching a number of cyclists circling at great speed around the incredible velodrome circuit.

In addition, the students experienced an introductory session of BMX cycling, tackling the bumps and jumps on the BMX track.

For many, this was the most exciting part of the day. All the children fearlessly faced the challenge of the course, which has been adapted since the 2012 Olympics for public use.

Never a Dull Moment on the Colour Run Prep pupils joined senior students and staff in getting thoroughly, colourfully messy in a good cause. The Colour Run in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance had to be rescheduled due to rain on the original date but the wait paid off and the run was staged in glorious summer sunshine. The charity benefited to the tune of nearly £800.

A Taste for Geography Reception, Year 1 and 2 braved unpredictable weather conditions to spend a day at Felixstowe beach. The trip linked to the Infant children’s Geography work as they had the opportunity to compare Felixstowe’s coast to that of the Scottish Isles.

They walked along the seafront, stopping on the way to observe features such as the Pier, Spa Pavilion and beach huts. The children made sand castles, took part in a beach treasure hunt and enjoyed a picnic and ice lollies on the prom. A great time was had by all despite the challenging weather conditions.

The children had previously consolidated their geographic studies of the Scottish Isles with a Scotland-themed House Teams’ Day. They all had a chance to make shortbread and oatcakes, create St Andrew’s cross flags, learn some Scottish dancing steps and participate in their own version of the Highland games.

Infants Deliver Global Warming Warning through Words and Song Over two performances delivered to appreciative audiences of family and friends, the young actors of the Infants department told the story of global warming and its dire consequences for our animal friends.

The children of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 had worked hard to learn their words and practise the songs for ‘Eddie the Penguin Saves the World’, the central message of which also fed into their cross-curricular studies in Geography and Science.

Families were given a vote of thanks for creating imaginative costumes for the cast of penguins, polar bears, lumberjacks and even the Prime Minister of Australia. Thank you, too, to all the boys and girls taking part for entertaining us so well.

Healthy Menus Fit For Olympians School Council in the Prep launched a competition inviting all children to design a healthy and tasty main course or pudding. Entrants drew a picture of their dish and wrote a description.

In the main course category, the winners of Design a Dish were Evie Wicks (Year 3), who created a smorgasbord, Joseph Bloomfield (Reception), who designed fajitas, and Oscar Willis (Year 1), whose dish was creamy carbonara.

In the pudding category, the winners were Catie Lloyd (Year 2), for a dish called gingerbread man with milk, Emilia Nicholson (Year 2), who suggested fruit kebabs with chocolate sauce, and Caitlin McNicholas (Year 6), for a creation called strawberry delight.

The winning dishes have featured on the College menu this term.

In their Food Technology classes, the boys and girls have also been concentrating on healthy food, fit for Olympians. They have been growing heritage vegetables and cooking lean, mean turkey burgers and quinoa salad.

11

Dog Days of Summer…

This year dogs were very much to the fore at the Prep School Pet Assembly and they came in all shapes and sizes, from puppies to dignified seniors.

The children gave them a very warm welcome and the canines were beautifully behaved. Other visitors included cats and kittens, guinea pigs, tortoises, a cockatoo and a snake.

After a period of happy socialising between the children and animals, assembly proper got underway. Head of Prep School, Dr Hine, said, ‘A very special welcome to all your pets, and a big thank you to parents for bringing your pets and special animals here this morning for a special blessing.’

Prep School staff retold the story of Noah and assembly finished with a hymn that ended: ‘All God’s animals need the care we give, if they’re to live.’

Elated…But Very Nearly Worn Out! Twenty-eight pupils from St Joseph’s College Prep School went to the Outward Bound centre at Aberdovey in the Snowdonia National Park for the annual Wilderness Week.

It was five fun-filled days of self-discovery, challenge and achievement for the Year 6 girls and boys, who tested themselves with rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, hiking and high rope activities. They also took the plunge literally – leaping from an eight-foot jetty into the cold April sea.

One of the intrepid band, Ethan Willetts, said the jetty jump was the hardest test during the week, but that the Aberdovey experience was exciting ‘from the second we stepped off the bus’.

He wrote: ‘The Welsh trip might even be the thing I am most proud of in my entire life because I did some things I never thought I would be able to do: abseiling down the steep side of a huge cliff; canoeing down a super long estuary between the sea and a river; even doing the longest hike I have ever done, which lasted seven hours.’

Fellow student, Amelie Clarke said, ‘We did at least three activities a day so we were always nearly worn out… We had such an amazing week that we shall never forget. This was not possible without the teachers and instructors, so a massive thank you to them.’

Quiz Team Wins Tough Area Heat Competition was tough in the Area Heat of the National Inter-School Quiz Championship and the title was decided virtually on the final question, but the quartet representing St Joseph’s Prep School kept their cool and nailed it.

Congratulations to Sebastian Fox (Year 3), Benedict Rosher (Year 4), Nicole Walker (Year 5) and Finlay Bloore (Year 6), who were quizzing against children from five other schools.

The clever quartet worked out that by eliminating known wrong answers and spreading the risk in their multiple choice questions they could effectively hedge their bets; a valuable life skill.

12

Prep School Sport Boys’ Cricket and Tennis The main focus for boys’ sport during the summer term has been on cricket and tennis. The U11A cricket team, whilst not having the greatest of success as far as the results on paper, has produced during the season some pleasing individual batting and bowling performances. William Stace and Ted Newborn both have performed well with the ball in hand. Callum Woolston, Sam Slatter and Kieran Salema all had great performances with the bat.

The highlights for the team came in the form of a Suffolk Cup 8-a-side semi-final appearance against The Abbey and a 6-a-side semi-final appearance against Littlegarth in the Orwell Park tournament.

The U9 cricket team has been very competitive in all of its games. As with the U11 team, the U9s’ highlights came during a 6-a-side tournament at Orwell Park, with the team playing some very good cricket in its three games against some strong opposition: Orwell Park, Taverham and Old Buckenham Hall schools.

The U11 boys’ tennis players made the Suffolk County Cup final for the second time in three years, having beaten Brandeston Hall and Holbrook Academy in previous rounds to qualify for the finals. At the finals day, held indoors at the Ipswich John Lloyd Centre, they played a very close semi-final against St Felix School and lost by the narrowest of margins 4-2, with one of the lost matches going to sudden death at three games all and deuce. We then had to play Ipswich Prep for a third and fourth place finish. Although the game was close in matches the result was a convincing win to St Joseph’s, resulting in a third place.

Connor Holdcroft Many congratulations to Will Jolly, Callum Woolston, Sam Slatter, Ted Newborn, Connor Holdcroft and James Holdcroft for giving so much effort to the school tennis team.

Connor Holdcroft is no slouch when it comes to football either: he played in the Under 10 Ipswich Town Elite squad match against Colchester, which ITFC won 11-1. Connor has been in the Elite squad since September, starting on the very same day he joined St Joseph’s.

U7 5-a-side Football Tournament at St Felix Our Year 2 footballers travelled to Saint Felix School to make their playing debuts for the College. In the first game, against the hosts St Felix, they played well and had equal possession and territory, with all players fully committed to the cause, and they took an early lead. But with 10 seconds of the game remaining St Felix equalised.

The boys then lost to Sole Bay Football Club 3-1. The third game proved to be one too far in the heat of the midday sun. Kirkley and Pakefield Football Club, tournament favourites, immediately put us under pressure and quickly scored 3 goals. St Joseph’s did not give up but the score remained 3-0.

Congratulations to all the players for a great performance: Archie Bainbridge, Rafferty Belcher, Marcus Hall, Isaac John, Benjamin Patterson and Ben Wilkinson.

13

Track and Field

U9 County Handball Tournament The U9 handball team competed in a competition at Inspire Suffolk.

The team started slowly, losing the first match 3-2 to Sproughton, but then rallied to win 6-1 against St Pancras. Next, a tight fixture against Hadleigh - undefeated at this stage - ended in a 2-1 victory to St Joseph’s. The final match was against Stratford St Mary’s which we won 4-0 with some fantastic defence helping keep a clean sheet.

Girls’ Cricket The U9 girls have had their first taste of competitive cricket and seemed to enjoy both batting and fielding. The first match took place at Finborough, with an A and B team taking part. The girls particularly enjoyed playing in a local tournament, proving that they were able to hit a number of fours and take wickets from their much-improved bowling and tactical play. They embraced each other’s talents, living the school ethos through their words of encouragement.

The U11 girls have also taken to Kwik cricket with great enthusiasm.

They have rapidly taken on the rules and tactics, and have been able to play very competitively within a short space of time. We have really put ourselves forward as a strong team, winning many of our matches and tournaments as well. We have been delighted to add high level decision makers so quickly, with good emerging skills, and our enthusiastic girls are already playing for clubs and county teams. All U11 girls have had access to specialist coaching via our weekly cricket club during the season.

14

This summer our athletics has really taken off, with more than 50 children participating in the mixed athletics club. This inspired us to host our own track meets for both U9 and U11 boys and girls. The competitions were of a very high standard, pushing our athletes to achieve personal bests to win their events. We also witnessed amazing determination as each child gave their all to score points for their team.

Our U11 athletics squad drew on this insight into competitive athletics before competing in Ipswich ‘Quad Kids’, where they faced children from 63 schools. For each athlete, the afternoon consisted of four events: Vortex Howler throw, 75m sprint, standing long jump and 600m.

The team performed magnificently to achieve a commendable ninth place, missing out on a regional place by just two points.

Swimming We have been delighted to build upon our swimming success in the Lent term and offer another swimming gala for a mixed team of swimmers from Years 4 to 6. We also furthered swimming opportunities for the U11 children by entering a team in the Great Eastern Open Water Swim.

Boys Walk 96 Miles for Children with Cancer During the half term week, Year 7 students Cameron Towers and Josh Palmer (along with their fathers) walked the West Highland Way for charity. The boys walked 96 miles from Glasgow to Fort William and also climbed two Scottish mountains, including Ben Nevis at 4413 feet high.

This was no small effort for the boys given on one day the walking was 21 miles in very warm conditions. Feet were certainly aching by the time the boots came off!

Their efforts raised some £1,600 for their chosen charity, Children with Cancer UK.

News from the Senior School

Animator Wins British Film Institute Bursary When Art scholar Cameron Clack (Year 11) watched Pixar’s computer animated movie ‘Cars’ as a very young boy he wasn’t just entertained but determined to know how it had been made.

‘Cars fascinated me,’ he said. ‘I researched animation, learning that all the movies that followed were made for a particular reason… “Finding Nemo”, for example, worked around perfecting animal movement.’

As time went on, Cameron learned about stop motion animation and used a Flip Cam, a one-button pocket camcorder. He often incorporated another of his passions – Lego bricks – to morph fluidly according to his storyboards.

He was one of just 24 young film makers to be selected from some 800 applicants for a residential workshop run by the British Film Institute near Bristol. He was also one of the two youngest; some of the participants are already working in the industry.

As part of a group of four, he collaborated on a film called ‘Climate’, highlighting the effects of global warming on polar bears. Cameron covered the artwork. He also took part in other projects, including a film called ‘Funfear’, about facing up to challenges.

His talent has now earned him an internship at the BFI this summer, with a bursary to cover travel and equipment costs.

Mathematicians Excel in International Event Taylor Locke and Matthew Kent of Year 9 took part in the World Class Tests in Mathematics event, which challenged talented students in 25 countries around the world. Taylor and Matthew gained Distinctions, placing them in the top five percent of all entrants worldwide.

They were presented with their certificates at assembly Dr Hine, Vice Principal and Head of the Prep School, who also made awards to eight fellow participants in the Tests. They came away with an impressive haul of passes and passes with merit.

Another group of keen St Joseph’s mathematicians, from Years 7 and 8, took part in the Junior UK Mathematics Challenge.

Dr Hine said, “St Joseph’s College is known for the strength of its mathematicians and you have proved once again that the reputation is well deserved.”

15

Editorial Team’s Talents Shine Through to Impress Industry Judges St Joseph’s College finished first runner up in the online magazine category of the Shine Media awards. This was an outstanding result for our VOX editorial team, which has only been in place since September 2015.

The students travelled to Stationers’ Hall in London for the awards ceremony, accompanied by Mrs Simson-Jacobs and Mrs Turner.

They took part in workshops run by leading figures from the world of media. As a networking experience it was unparalleled and the team returned fired up with enthusiasm to put all they had learned into practice.

The Shine competition offers pupils an opportunity to work together to produce a school magazine, newspaper, newsletter, digital edition or website. For students looking for career pathways in the Communication, Content and Publishing Industries, the Shine project is a significant stepping stone in the right direction.

The keynote speaker was digital brand guru Torie Chilcott, from advertising technology company Scoota. She enthralled the capacity audience at Stationers’ Hall with a talk on ‘Making the most of your career and have fun at the same time’.

Emily Experiences Malawian Charity at First Hand 'I recently went on a volunteering trip to Malawi to work and support a charity run by my mother, and her work partners. It is called Love Support Unite. It’s very small but has a very large heart.

'When I arrived in Malawi my initial reaction was WOW! Malawi is a poor country but it is so happy. We arrived at Tillinanu orphanage.

Tillinanu means ‘always with you’ in Chichwa, the native language.

'The 38 girls sang a welcome song for my Mum and me and one of the older girls showed us around their home. There was a younger girls’ room that had 15 children aged 7 to 13 sleeping in and an older girls’ room that slept 23 teenagers, aged 13-19.

'The girls range in schooling abilities, but all have an education and three meals a day because of the money raised by people like you donating to the charity.

'The next day we visited a school built by Love Support Unite. It cost £50,000 to build the four school block that educates and feeds 800 pupils. The charity uses a sustainable education model that in three years’ time will allow the community to be able to pay for their own education by farming crops and selling them at market.

'The work produced by my Mum, Alice and Nina is amazing and heart-warming. The charity is still small and very short on funds but the people are always so happy, no matter what. I am so lucky that I can always have something so special and so close to my heart.

16

Highly commending the St Joseph’s College team, the judges wrote, ‘The VOX website was well-received by the judges – particularly by Google – for its clean and colourful page format using a WordPress template that lends itself to be viewed easily and legibly on smartphones and tablets.

‘Navigation around the website is quick and the articles are well written and interesting, covering diverse topics and news stories.

‘The interview with West End star Ruthie Henshall shows enterprise and good journalistic skills. The editorial team have shown their enjoyment of this project with their excellent online publication and we are led to believe that there is usually quite a lot of singing when the team meet each week after school to plan and update the next issue – we enjoyed VOX too!’

'I learnt from my trip how to appreciate the small things, such as water, electricity and food. The children out there have virtually nothing but always have a smile on their faces when you walk through their village.

'Thank you to Love Support Unite and St Joseph’s College for allowing me to have this life opportunity that I know most people my age can’t always have.'

Emily Berry 10DED

Geographers Wade into Fieldwork Tasks

From Green Runs to Black Runs in Five Days

Year 10 Geographers undertook three days of fieldwork, learning about setting and testing hypotheses, sampling strategies and risk assessment, while gaining experience of a wide range of fieldwork skills.

After a long 24-hour trip involving minibuses, a plane and a coach, 35 students and seven members of staff arrived at Lake Tahoe, California, ready to hit the slopes. The conditions at the resort, Sierra at Tahoe, were perfect for both beginners and the more advanced skiers: plenty of snow, cool winds, clear visibility and plenty of sun.

On the first day, we carried out a river investigation, finding out how the Belstead Brook changes with distance downstream. Students measured channel characteristics, such as width, depth, channel shape, velocity and bedload size and shape. Also that day, we conducted a town centre study in Ipswich. Students categorised buildings according to their purpose and interviewed members of the public to find out about their use of the town centre.

On the second day, we compared coastal landforms and processes at Walberswick and Aldeburgh. Students recorded beach profiles, measured longshore drift, and considered the relationship between beach material and both distance from the sea and beach gradient.

On the final day we visited Southwold. During the morning students discussed the shoreline management plan, and used bi-polar analysis to help evaluate the different options for managing the hazards of flooding and erosion. In the afternoon, we investigated the economic and environmental impact of tourism on the town. Students categorised shops as tourist or local, carried out pedestrian counts and environmental quality surveys, and conducted questionnaires. Amazingly, they even had time for some fish and chips.

I would like to thank all the staff and students who came out on fieldwork for approaching the activities with energy and enthusiasm, and making the experience such a pleasure.

Throughout the week, each of the four groups – one beginner, one intermediate and two advanced – impressed their instructors not only with their skiing, but with their enthusiasm.

The beginners’ group progressed massively during the five days.

They started on green slopes and finished on a black; a fantastic achievement. Many of the students had brilliant moments on the snow. A couple of examples being the fall made by Harrison Ward (Year 9) whilst celebrating the fact he had not fallen over coming down a difficult off-piste route and Ewan Kingdon (L6) taking out every member of his ski group in an attempt at stopping.

Each evening we ate out and enjoyed group activities like bowling and the fancy dress and quiz night. After five days of skiing, it was time to travel to San Francisco to do some sightseeing and shopping.

Before flying home, the group gathered so that Mr Branch could announce the awards for the week. Chad Griffiths (U6) won Best Skier, Nathan Croft (L6) won the Lasallian Award, Harrison Ward won Best Tourist, Holly Bennett got Most Improved Skier, Dena Glading (Year 10) won Best Fall and Will Tillett (L6) won Best Fancy Dress. Mr Duckett’s quiz team also collected their prizes for winning the quiz night.

This was a fantastic trip enjoyed by all.

Mr Woodley, Gap Year Graduate

Barclays Life Skills help Year 10 Build Workplace Skills A team from Barclays Bank in Ipswich came to St Joseph’s to run workshops with the Year 10 students, preparing them for the workplace. In a series of three workshops run during the morning, students learnt how to structure and write their CVs, make a first impression and match their skills and experience to a job opportunity.

With students beginning to look at taking their first steps into the workplace through holiday jobs, the timing of the event inspired many to draft their first CV under the expert eye of the Barclays professionals. With role play and thought-provoking questions, students explored the importance of first impressions and researching their potential place of employment. All students enjoyed the opportunity to experience being interviewed by the team, who were impressed with the mature and engaged approach the students took to the event. With individual feedback on their performance, students felt that they understood how much preparation they need to do ensure they are the best choice for any job opportunity they pursue.

17

Senior School Sport The examination season has been punctuated by over 130 cricket fixtures, A and B string County tennis leagues and athletics meetings for every year group.

The Under 12, U14 and U15 cricketers all won through to the County cup finals. The U14s lost narrowly away to Ipswich School in a tense and weather-affected final. The skill levels and the drama were fantastic advertisements for schools’ cricket.

The U15 team played Ipswich at home and were set a challenging target of 142. This game also went to the final over but this time St Joseph’s were victorious; fantastic batting from Jacob Marston and Harvey Skinner saw their team through to win by five wickets.

Senior cricketers have proven to be excellent role models for the junior sides. Archie Wilkinson, the most prolific six hitter in the country in last year’s U18 T20 competition, has often been seen sharing his experiences with the younger pupils. The 1st XI have benefited from some excellent performances from Archie among others. Jack Mexome’s

hat-trick followed by 101* was an incredible individual performance. He followed this up with 116 v Framlingham College and several other vital contributions with the bat and ball.

Alfie Marston joined Jack in the 100 club for the College with an excellent unbeaten 103* v Wymondham College.

St Joseph’s welcomed Cheltenham College, Ardingly and Stowe for the annual cricket festival. The 50-over format is a fantastic challenge for these players and an opportunity to pitch their skills against some of the best players nationally at that age. The tournament faced hasty rearrangement due to rain, but the skills of Mr Hamilton and his team allowed play to recommence and in the spirit of the Festival each school played all the others. Cheltenham proved to be outstanding this year.

As well as captaining the College and Suffolk for Cricket, where he has scored successive centuries and taken four wickets in four balls, Matthew Kent became Suffolk 200m champion.

A fantastic achievement and fitting award for this determined and talented young man.

Matthew Kent

Tennis Round Up The U13 girls played only one match due to the small number of entries, but they won this convincingly. The U15 girls played well in their two matches, with one win and one loss against St Benedict’s and Debenham respectively.

The U15 boys have played three very close matches, with two losses and one win. We have been able to enter two teams in the U13 boys’ event.

The B team won three of the four matches, only losing to a powerful Orwell Park team.

U13 A team - Adam Rudolph, Josh Stokes, Alex Ringwood and Joel Sheldon - had an excellent season, with convincing wins against Ipswich, Orwell Park, Woodbridge and Culford. The boys qualified for the regional finals with no loss of games. There they won their semi-final against Brandeston Hall convincingly. The final against Culford was close, with our Year 7 boys facing players a year ahead of them. With some great serving and precise hitting the boys won one of the singles and one of the doubles matches. Our boys should be very proud of becoming County runners up.

18

Netball Tour The term began with the Netball tour to Butlins, Skegness, with 36 girls in five teams, from U12 to U16s. The netball displayed over the two days was of a phenomenal standard and some individuals were outstanding. Of particular note was Safia Ludlam, who was named Player of the Tournament. All the girls were awarded their trophies by England player Ama Agbeze.

Cricket Despite stoppages for rain and the sport being new to many, we have made some tremendous achievements across the board. The senior girls won comfortably against Framlingham. Eloise Head and Ellie Cook shone in this match.

The U15s did well in their friendly fixtures against Debenham, Framlingham and Langley. Ellie Cook delivered excellent captaincy and all round play throughout these fixtures. Mai Easton, Phoebe Hutley and Dena Glading have also been major players for the team. This was the first experience of hard ball cricket for many of the girls and their improvement has been amazing to see. In the quarter finals of the National Cup, we beat Berkhampsted in the fourth round. Mai Easton, Ellie Cook and Elana Fraser all had a fantastic game.

The following day we hosted a U15 8-a-side cricket tournament, but rain eventually stopped play. Connie Hughes was named Player of the Tournament for her superb batting.

The U13 girls lost very narrowly to Ipswich, Langley and Framlingham, underlining their rapid improvement. Nascent stars include Charlotte Mann, Jess Oakes and Olivia Hughes. In the Super 8 cricket tournament, we finished fourth, with excellent deliveries from Eloise Ward, Jess and Lily Fielden and impressive running by Eloise, Jess and Olivia Hughes. Charlotte Mann was Coaches’ Player of the Tournament.

Athletics During a day of athletics at Northgate for Years 6, 7, 8 and 10, we gained valuable experience in the long jump pits and practised our sprint events on the tartan track. Thank you to Northgate High School for allowing us to use their facility.

Year 9 Athletics The girls came fifth and the boys won! On the track, special mentions to Safia Ludlam and Matthew Kent who were 1st in 100m sprints. Isaac Codjoe was 1st in 200m, Ali Clack was 1st in 400m. We won both the girls’ and boys’ A team relays. In field events, Matthew Kent was 1st in long jump, Wilf Kemsley was 2nd in Shot put and Mai Easton was 2nd in Javelin. Well done to all the students who took part.

Year 8 Athletics The girls came seventh and the boys came eighth. On the track, Beatrice Quantrill won the 200m, Gabby Stokes was second in the hurdles, and the relay team finished third. In the field events, Charlotte Mann came fourth in discus and Lauren Robert fourth in the shot put.

Year 7 Athletics The girls came seventh and the boys eighth. On the track, Jemima Bestley won the 200m and the girls’ relay team came third. In the field events, Amelie Goulbourn won the long jump, with Jemima Bestley second. Hanna Koepf came fourth in the javelin.

19

Making a difference with the PTA The St Joseph’s College PTA is made up of a small team of around a dozen volunteer parents, along with two members of full time school staff. All of us volunteer to help out alongside our own family and work commitments.

Over the school year we run and support a number of very successful events for the benefit of all the students at the College.

Many of these events are firm favourites in the annual calendar, including our Quiz Night, the Prep School Camping Night and the Christmas Fayre, while some have been entirely new, such as our very successful Christmas Shopping Experience

in November. These events help to raise money that is then reinvested into the school for equipment or experiences for the children.

We are only able to run or assist with these events if we have additional support from other parents and teachers across the school. We do have a number of people who regularly help out who are not members of the PTA committee but it would be great to expand this group across the College community so that the same people are not asked every time.

We’re a great team to be involved with and

working with the PTA is a really good way to meet people from across the school and to make a really positive difference to life at St Joseph’s College. Whether you have ideas about new events, if you are interested in joining the committee itself, or if you wish to volunteer on an ad hoc basis, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at pta@stjos.co.uk We would like to wish everyone a very happy summer break and we look forward to seeing you all in September.

With best wishes from everyone on the St Joseph’s College PTA Committee.

New in for the new school year…

Charity Golf Day Friday 16 September 2016 The PTA is delighted to be organising a Charity Golf Day on Friday 16 September. This exciting new event will be held at Waldringfield Golf Club to raise money both for the activities and experiences we support for the College and for the East Anglian Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Starting with registration from 1pm, the competition will kick off with a shotgun start at 2pm. Following 18 holes of golf there will be a barbecue meal, prize giving and a raffle.

If you would like to be involved, either as part of a team playing on the day, or by sponsoring a hole, please contact us at PTA@stjos.co.uk

20

College Alumni Introducing our New Alumni Coordinator My name is Joanna Davey and I have worked at St Joseph’s College for six years.

I am an Old Birkfeldian myself, having been a student at the College for nine years.

Many of my family have been educated at the College and as a family we support the school at every opportunity. I immersed myself in the ethos of the College as a student, and I am now totally passionate about continuing to serve St Joseph’s in my new role as Old Birkfeldian Alumni Coordinator.

The school to me is a family and I treat it with the same level of care as I do my own.

St Joseph’s College is now hoping to develop the Old Birkfeldian community in a more formal sense, building on its current ties with alumni, re-establishing links where they have faltered and breathing new life into its pledge that membership of the St Joseph’s family is membership for life. We aim to create a calendar of events that appeals to and involves as many former students as possible.

I hope to create a more formal and regular channel of communication with my fellow Old Birkfeldians, to talk to them and meet them, to discover what they would like

to see in the development of our wider community of committed past pupils.

As a former pupil myself, I know how much I got from my time at St Jo’s and being able to give back to the College by serving the St Joseph’s community once more is a privilege I will take very seriously.

I am very excited about my new role in the College, and hope to work with many of you over the coming years as we look at ways to bring together the old and the new, so that St Joseph’s College can continue to strengthen its foundations and develop a very warm and diverse relationship between pupils past and present.

Cricketers Pitch Perfect So Far The Old Birkfeldian Cricket XI’s inaugural venture into the National Cricketers Trophy has been a huge success. Not only have we beaten the 2015 (Monmouth) and 2014 (Lancing College) winners to reach the quarter finals, but it has been an excellent way to bring together alumni of many different eras. We have had Leavers spanning from last year right back to 1996 playing some excellent cricket. The fun and friendship has been fantastic.

As this Newsletter went to press, we were approaching our first home game of the tournament, with a fixture against the Old Hamptonians. This ironically fell on the date of our annual school match against the OBs, allowing the College 1st XI to be on the side lines to support. The game came as a nice addition to the ‘unplugged’ Sunday of Arts Festival week.

21

Boarding News Broadening Boarders’ Horizons We have had a very active term within Boarding, encouraging students to step outside their comfort zone. We believe it is important to teach our young people the skills to challenge themselves to do more than the norm, more than what is expected, more than the average ‌ to be exceptional in all areas of their life.

Students have been investing large amounts of their time in revision for both internal and external examinations and conducting group revision sessions, private study on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the day, attending additional sessions laid on by committed teaching staff, and scrutinising endless past papers and discussing correct approaches to answers.

I am sure that our students will reap the rewards of their hard work in the summer when they open up final reports and examination result envelopes and I look forward to their onward successes.

The Boarding community has also seen some fantastic performances from both UK and overseas members throughout Arts Festival Week: Boarders have read poetry, sung songs, played instruments, made the most beautiful craft and debated as if their lives depended on it!

Public speaking is a skill that we carry with us for life and it is one that we grow into through pushing ourselves to stand up and use our voice to share our thoughts and ideas. We are extremely proud of all the young men and women within our community who rose to the occasion.

22

On more light-hearted matters, our students have been busily engaged over the final months of the academic year with our very full activities programme. The highlights of our trip to Colchester Zoo were meeting Mr Bailey on the road train and getting up close to the inhabitants of the lemur enclosure. We also took a very large number of students to Thorpe Park over Bank Holiday weekend and we were blessed with sunshine.

All students returned safely to the bus, with tales of high rollercoaster thrills, big splash chills and large teddies won on stalls. Another fantastic day out came when Mrs Debenham enjoyed sharing her passion for horse riding with a small group of students. They had a most wonderful outing, learning basic riding skills and going for a gentle hack in the Suffolk countryside.

The term drew to a close with the College celebrating National Boarding Week and Boarders had the opportunity to invite friends from the day school for a ‘Big Boarding Sleepover’ – although I’m not sure how much sleep was actually achieved! The boys and girls enjoyed welcoming their friends into their home and in the words of one girl 'we had an awesome water fight' followed by a movie night, complete with popcorn and lots of giggles!

We wish all students well in their journey back to their home, whether it be here in the UK or further afield, and we look forward to welcoming you back, along with a wonderful array of new students, on Thursday 1 September, freshly invigorated for the challenges ahead.

Mrs Gina Rowlands Head of Boarding

23

NSPCC Highlights Digital Dangers