Easter Edition

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY MAGAZINE

ISSUE 02 | MARCH 2024

INTRODUCTIO

Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking the read our Easter magazin thank Joseph Davidson i particular, as Joseph has development and editin newsletter with aplomb.

We have enjoyed anothe busy term, with our S4-S shortly beginning Study our S1-S3 about to move new year group in April.

P7 pupils have enjoyed s transition visits in anticip their move to St. Joseph summer. This magazine captures a pupil led activities and s hope you enjoy reading t what is a very well deser break.

With warm regards,

Mr Kane

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY ALUMNI:

LORD HUGH MATTHEWS

While I was composing this article the words “not again” came into my head. I did one for St Columba’s in 1966 and another for St Joseph’s in 1970 Will this constant grind never end? The school year after I wrote my first article, 1966/67, was an extremely good one. Not only did Celtic win everything they entered, including Quizball (ask your grandparents) but it was my first year at St Joseph’s. It was called a High School then rather than an Academy but to us newbies, whatever it was officially called, it was the Big School. The building was bigger than St Columba’s, as were the students The gym was massive We obviously needed more room to throw basketballs instead of beanbags. I have been asked to write about 700 words about my time at St Joseph’s Whenever I am given a limit or target like that I ask myself how many pages of an F2 it is Again ask your grandparents You don’t need to worry about that now because the computer will count it for you. In those days we did not have laptops or mobile phones We did have computers though They were not like the ones on television in shows like The Man From U.N.C.L E, which were giant things that took up whole walls with reels of tape. After however long it took, the answer came in the form of a print out. Only in Star Trek was there a computer which talked and communicators which looked for all the world like mobiles. We had two kinds. There was a machine about the size of 3 or 4 shoe boxes with lights that went on and off That was it. It illustrated the binary system. The other was a home made one consisting of pieces of card with holes at the top and a knitting needle. Any writing we did was with pens and pencils and there was no Google to answer questions for us We had things called books.

I have been asked if I was good at school I had to be. My father was my French and Spanish teacher and later became the rector That did not stop me playing silly games Two of them I would actively discourage now so I will keep them to myself. The other was one we brought with us from St Columba’s We called it flickers and it involved picking oose from your jumper and making a wee ball that you flicked from one side of the desk to the other 90 times. Your fingers acted as goalposts and you could only score in your opponent’s half You got two shots if your opponent put the ball out of play One of my pals set up a full Subbuteo game on the teacher’s table before a French lesson but unfortunately for him the teacher, guess who, walked in while it was in full swing. I didn’t have any particular favourite teacher although, like the rest of the boys, I fancied Miss Finn, who was our English teacher in first year.

My favourite subject was probably Latin I was fascinated by ancient Rome and in fact only last year did I manage to visit Rome for the first time Latin came in handy when I was studying Roman law (called Civil Law) at University and history, particularly learning about the late 17th century, was very helpful when I studied Constitutional Law. Don’t let anybody tell you that school is waste of time I have heard people say, for example, that the French you learn at school is not the same as they speak in France, mais ce n’est pas vrai. French lawyers I speak to appreciate it when I try to converse with them using proper grammar. It is amazing how it all comes flooding back. Everything you learn is worthwhile even, perhaps especially, when you make mistakes along the way.

One of the highlights was an interview with Bobby Lennox shortly before Celtic beat Leeds United in the semi-final of the European Cup in 1970. I did that with a pal from Hurlford who went on to become a professor of nuclear physics and the interview was the subject of the article I referred to earlier

The ethos of the school was, I suspect, much the same as it is today. The bricks and mortar are different but they are not what makes a school. Like ancient Sparta, it is the people who constitute it. As you do, we organised charity events, like a Disco for Oxfam, but the need for that kind of thing seems so much greater and more immediate these days so I am very proud when I hear what the school is doing these days

I am not sure why I went into the legal profession I did not make up my mind until I was in sixth year and it seemed like the right thing to do. I had studied languages, history, maths and Latin and they were a good fit but law covers all fields of human activity so almost any subject would have suited. I have been lucky to have worked with a lot of very clever and experienced people who helped me get to where I am. I enjoyed being an advocate, both in civil and criminal cases of many different kinds, defending and prosecuting. The Bar does not allow you to choose whether to accept a case or not, except for good reasons, so you have to get on with whatever life throws at you. A good schooling helps you to cope with that. After becoming a Judge, I spent most of my time presiding over trials, some of them quite well known like the Worlds End murder case. I am now in the Appeal Court but I won’t have many more years left before I retire

When I do, I will not just look back fondly on my career but on the six happy years I spent at Grassyards Road.

Which brings me neatly on to my one gripe We had a competition when I was in second year, to come up with a title for the new school magazine The winner was “The Black and Red” My suggestion was better It was “The Grassyards Grapevine”. Maybe next time.

Lord Hugh Matthews

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

S1 and S4 enjoyed a trip with Mrs Howie recently. S4 learned all about the impact of War in Kilmarnock, and read the poem at the War Garden by Jackie Kay.

S1 visited the Dean Castle to learn about the myths and legends associated with it, as they are writing their own Scottish Myth story

BURNS’ SUPPERS WITH 1T2

On Thursday 25th January, 1T2 hosted a Burns' Supper that would be remembered by all!

We had a selection of food and drinks with one thing in common: Scotland! Tea cakes, Irn Bru, pancakes and shortbread were enjoyed by everyone. Some S6 pupils and some member of Senior Management came to watch as 1T2 put on a show!

From the 'Toast tae the Lassies', tae the 'Immortal Memory' there were poems, speeches and songs too.

It was a lovely morning in the community hall for all, and we hope more people will join in next year.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

S3 Debate Club members Lucy Murray, Anna Nardini, Zoe Simms, Maisie Fraser, Aimee Wylie, and Megan Denham represented St Joseph’s Academy at the Holocaust Memorial Day event by delivering a speech about ‘Fragility of Freedom’. They undertook detailed research into past genocides, worked effectively as a team to create a PowerPoint and speech, and confidently delivered this to an audience of local schools and Councillors at the East Ayrshire Council Chambers. Everyone delivered very insightful and thought provoking speeches.

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 was 'Fragility of Freedom' - highlighting that freedom is very easily restricted and taken away, and is usually done so in small increments over a period of time by the oppressors. The importance of the HMD event is not only remembrance and acknowledgement of these past genocides, but also to highlight that these restrictions (fragility) of freedom are the current reality for many across the world.

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

The Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) Schools Public

Speaking Competition involves teams from schools across the six Sheriffdoms in Scotland as they compete to become National Public Speaking Champions. Members of the Debate Club took up this challenge for St Joseph’s Academy with two teams participating in the Ayrshire Heat on Tuesday 20th February 2024: Team 1 – Lucy Murray and Anna Nardini, and Team 2 – Maisie Fraser and Zoe Simms. The topic for discussion was ‘Does technology only improve things for those who can afford it?’ Both teams delivered well researched and compelling speeches at the Heat and competed against other schools across Ayrshire – they should be very proud of their hard work!

Huge congratulations to Team 2 - Maisie Fraser and Zoe Simms – who won this Heat and the Semi Final! St Jose uck!

DRAMA DEPARTMENT GO ON A WICKED OUTING

In January, S1-3 Drama pupils were delighted to attend a Music Theatre Workshop and an outing to see Wicked in Edinburgh. Pupils attended MGA Academy of performance arts in Livingston where we were given a tour and watched 3rd year students on their Hip-hop and Ballet classes! Such an inspirational experience! We were then put through our paces in a Wicked workshop led by West End star Carly Anderson who has not only played the lead role on Wicked but had also just finished the London premiere of Crazy for You. Carly taught us the music and choreography of ‘One Short Day’ and taught us lots of singing techniques. Following the workshop we headed to Edinburgh playhouse for the matinee performance of Wicked. A great day was had by all!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Over the course of 5 weeks, a group of 4 pupils worked with Ayrshire Film Company on two film projects. The pupils were split into two groups, each making our own individual film. By the final week, we came out with two short films. These films had not only demonstrated the skills that we had learned and the various ways to tell stories on screen and in a short timespan.

Throughout this experience, we also developed more understanding of what Ayrshire Film Company do and the connections they have with the film industry. This has also proved to be useful for me applying to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to do filmmaking, as Ayrshire Film Company employees are home graduates of that very course.

Lastly, on the final week, we gave feedback to the people running the club. We all enjoyed the club thoroughly and especially the process of filming and acting in our projects and would like to continue it in a follow up club.

BYLUCABAXTER

CENTRESTAGE PRODUCTION OF SUNSHINE ON LEITH

This year, a few S5/6 students were involved in Centrestage’s production of Sunshine on Leith. Sunshine on Leith follows Davy and Ally, soldiers that have recently returned home after fighting in the army, as they attempt to adjust to normal life once again. We all had an absolute blast being able to take part in this special show, especially since it was totally different from the cheesy, American musicals that we are so used to performing for an audience. It granted us with a new challenge to do more ‘serious’ acting, and in a Scottish accent for once!

We received fantastic feedback from our audience, specifically at the Saturday night show, where we had a full audience giving us a standing ovation. This was particularly emotional for me and other S6s, as Sunshine on Leith was our last proper Musical Theatre production at Centrestage before we go to university. We look forward to hearing the next show announcement and coming along to support the S5s!

BY ANNE CASSIDY

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING

The Cumnock Tryst is a meeting place for music and runs an annual festival every year. It was founded by Sir James Macmillan, and they host international summer schools to give composers the opportunity to work with each other and Sir James.

Sir James came to our school, along with Gillian Walker and 3 instrumentalists to assist us in composing our Advanced Higher and Higher compositions for Music. We were presented with a cellist, violinist, and flautist and each were given an opportunity to show us what their instrument could do. After this, Gillian worked closely with us for a number of weeks developing new skills to use in our own compositions. We then started writing our pieces with her support on a programme online, in which we had a few “check in sessions” with the musicians where they played our pieces and helped us out figuring out what was possible, and alterations that could be made to make it easier for the musicians to play. This was highly informative and eye opening, seeing what was and was not possible on different instruments.

After completing our compositions, we displayed them on the 20th of February at St Joseph’s Church, where each of us were given the incredible opportunity to present our piece and hear it played live.

BY ALESSIO POGGI

POETRY WORKSHOP

S1-S5 pupils went to a Poetry Workshop which was attended by primary and secondary pupils from South, East and North Ayrshire schools at Ayr Town Hall on the 7th February. South Ayrshire Council hosted the event with the Charity Never Such Innocence for children who have been affected by conflict. Pupils attended a poetry workshop followed by a performance.

We are raincoats

We are umbrellas

We are drookit

Maks Kolesnykov (S4) Mare Tutka (S4)

I miss my friends

I wish to go to Ukraine

I miss my dad

Davyd Surmach (S4) and Yefym Sukovoi (S3)

I am my dad’s voice

I am an air siren

I am the crunch of winter snow

I am birds singing on a summer morning

I feel calm

Bohdan Hrechanya (S1) and Ivan Kudil (S1)

We are the rain

because we bring hope in a dry season

We are ‘Hiya’ ‘aye’, ‘folks’ ‘calm doon’...

We are bring a brolly when you leave the ‘hoose’

We are Kyiv cake

because life can be sweet

We are everything

Because life has a variety

We are Grandma’s cooking because it’s perfect,

We are sad

because we miss and worry about our families

We are silence

because sometimes we have no words...

Yeva Voitsekhivska (S4) Anna Prokopenko (S3)

We are falafel

We are the wind

We are people

We say ‘Aye’ and ‘heid’

We learn English

And we keep going

We will be a barber

And a dentist

We will have the best cars

Mardin Azizpour (S4) and friend

I am the sound of bagpipes

I am the strong wind

I am the rain

Artem Konyshev (S5)

KIRSTY SKELTON S3

PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS

ARCHIE MIRFIN S1

Congratulations to Archie who has been accepted into the Associates Programme at Emil Dale Academy in Hitchin. He has to go down once a month to train in musical theatre. The Associates programme is for young performers from around the UK who want to pursue a career in musical theatre and to help prepare them for full time drama school. Archie was invited to audition for this programme and was successful.

DANIEL TORBET S2

Daniel attends Sea Cadets, T.S Argyll where he has recently been promoted in rank due to his work in the community such as raising money for Poppy Scotland and for working his way through his vocational modules. Daniel has just received an advanced pass in weapon handling and safety. Daniel will attend his 1st offshore voyage onboard T.S Royalist very soon. Daniel has just been selected for a Sea Cadets district Drill competition which takes place at the end of the month at HMS Caledonia in Fife.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Seniors (all for achievement in Reading in the prelim)

Isla McBurnie (S4)

Milly Devlin (S4)

Luke Robertson (S4)

Tosia Cushley (S4)

Abigail Kennedy (S4)

Kiera Galloway (S4)

Olivia Andrew (S4)

Tia Lundie (S5)

Ava Murray (S5)

Mya Shand (S5)

Brayan Goralczyk (S5)

S3 (Winners were chosen for their success in class Reading assessments and library effort / participation)

Alexandra Gutowska

Sophie Walton

Charlotte Lawrie

Garry McCormack

Giancarlo Minchella

S2 (Winners were chosen for their success in class Reading assessments and library effort / participation)

Megan Queen

Emily Shields

Feranmi Oyesanya

Lucy Morrison

S2 (Winners were chosen for their success in class Reading assessments and library effort / participation)

Harry Farren

Mack Dodds

Elisha Dimaunahan

Kayla Wyper

Alfie Todd

MATHS DEPARTMENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Huge congratulations to our recent winners of the High Five award:

S1: Riley Smith, Brooklyn Wayne, Joseph Duff, Emily Officer and Megan Kennedy

S2: Layla-Jane Webb, Maise Welsh, Katie Davie, Leonard Daramola and Nicholas Nicol

S3: Sasha Ishchuk, Olivia Le Fevre, Karys McAvoy and Lucky Omajaja

They all received a special high five pin badge, sweets and a certificate!

Also, well done to our current Numeracy Ninja Grand Masters:

Tegan Powell, Riley Ewart, Katie Davie, Lily Devlin and Claire Weir

They all received a certificate and some chocolate. Excellent effort everyone!

EVIE

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH

St. Joseph's Day brought a sense of reverence and joy as we gathered together for a special whole school Mass to celebrate our patron saint. Adding to the significance of the occasion, our newly ordained Bishop of Galloway Diocese, Bishop Frank Dougan, joined us. During his homily, Bishop Dougan reflected on the virtues of St. Joseph, highlighting his unwavering faith and humble nature He drew parallels between St. Joseph's life and our own, offering guidance for navigating the challenges of our daily lives as pupils.

Bishop Dougan encouraged us to emulate the virtues of St. Joseph in our own lives. He reminded us of our potential to make a positive impact on our school community and beyond.

As well as Mass, there was also a bake sale organised by the Junior Leadership Team which raised a fantastic £220 for school funds.

Pupils and staff also took part in a quiz all about Saint Joseph and our school. Congratulations to Rebecca Kilpatrick who won and received an Easter chocolate hamper!

ORDINATION OF BISHOP DOUGAN

On Saturday 9th March, Mrs Shearer and pupil representatives Olivia and Tosha attended the Ordination of the new Bishop of Galloway Diocese, Bishop Frank Dougan. Pupils Joseph, Luca and Aidan did an excellent duty as altar servers.

The Ordination took place in the Church of St. Peter-inChains, Ardrossan. Bishops from across Scotland attended as well as the Archbishop Maury Buendia (the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain) and over 100 priests!

After the Mass, the celebrations continued at a buffet at St. Matthew’s Academy.

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE NET MINISTRY TEAM

1. For people who don’t know, what is NET ministry? What is your mission?

NET Ministries challenge young people to follow Christ and embrace a life of community in the Catholic Church through relational ministry. - Gracie

NET stands for National Evangelisation Teams. We challenge young Catholics through relational ministries to embrace Christ and the life of the Catholic Church - Sam LeMark

2. What inspired you to become a missionary?

I grew up in a very Catholic family, and we ran a ministry called Image Trinity together Having always cultivated this mindset of mission and service, my desire has always been to serve Jesus as a missionary Over the past few years, I have worked with multiple missionary organisations but I joined NET this year because Jesus made it clear that He wanted me to step out of my comfort zone and serve here in Scotland - Gracie

I desired to serve people. I think people were created to love and this is a way I get to love and serve people, fulfilling a desire of my heart. - Serina

3. What is your favourite thing about St. Joseph’s Academy?

I love the community here. The students have been so welcoming and kind to each of use and the staff have offered us so much support and generosity.

The pupils for sure Everyone is so fun to hang around with! You have been so welcoming and always appreciate a good laugh. - Sam LeMark

4. What are the main differences between schools in Scotland and schools in your country?

Catholic schools in America are not free, your family needs to pay to go to one. Also, grades add up over the years so your S1 grades impact you in S6. You also attend secondary school for 4 years instead of 6 - Sam LeMark

5. Our school values are respect, equality, ambition, courage, truth and service. Which one do you think is the most important? Why?

I think courage is the most important. It takes courage to treat people equally and with respect It takes courage to be ambitious, search for truth, and serve people As C S Lewis said, “Courage, Dear Heart.”. - Serina

I believe that a balance of all of these virtues is very needed, but in order to rightly practice the other values, one needs to start on a firm foundation of truth. Without truth, one could practice all the other values for the wrong reasons, but if one starts with a basis of truth, everything else will fall into its rightful order. - Elias

6. It can sometimes be difficult to be a young Catholic. What advice would you give to our pupils who want to strengthen their faith?

Pray every day - the more time that you set aside for Jesus, the more you will be able to hear His voice.

Never stop asking questions - that is the only way to discover truth.

“Do not be afraid.” - the Bible says this 365 times. Once for every day of the year. At the end of the day, people might not like that you believe in Jesus, but they aren’t the ones who died on the cross for all of our sins Elias

AN EASTER REFLECTION

We all love a holiday and what a great break from school life Easter is for us all. I hope it is a thoroughly lovely time for you and your family as we bask in the longer light days, the bright colours as the flowers flourish and of course the abundance of new life we see in the lambs in the fields and the cards full of images of the new life of chicks and bunnies! Life is teeming over!

The darkness, cold and seemingly lifeless wintery world can't be held back - it is all around us as sure as night turns into day and spring becomes summer. This is a great moment for the Christian community too as it celebrates the new life of the risen Christ. Despite the darkness of rejection, the horrible and humiliating treatment at the hands of others and his ultimate death on the Cross.

He could not be held back either, he could not be downtrodden for ever, he could not be extinguished or erased - he is alive! He is Risen! Alleluia!

As we celebrate this Easter holiday let us recall that Jesus, the man who lived and died and rose again nearly 2000 years ago can be experienced in the new life that surrounds us, he lives among us, he is in our hearts now - and his wish for us is to have life and have it to the full - forever. Alleluia!

BY FATHER JIM HAYES

LENTEN PROMISES

Lent is a time to remember that there are others in the world that are less fortunate as ourselves. It is also a time of preparation for Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. People abstain from certain things to remind themselves of the pain and suffering that Jesus went through. The three main things that Christians do during Lent are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Here are some of the things that a few of our teachers gave up for Lent, and why.

Mr Marr - History

Mr Marr gave up sweets, crisps and generally unhealthy snacks. He did this because he thinks that Lent is an important time to remember that there are people not as fortunate as ourselves that don’t have the luxuries that we have and to boost himself to not eat as much rubbish.

Mr Kane - Head Teacher

Mr Kane wanted to scale back on TV and gave up unhealthy snacks. Mr Kane chose this because he wants to use the time he usually spends watching TV to pray more and gave up snacks to encourage himself to be healthier.

Mrs Devine - RE

Mrs Devine gave up having a cake with her coffee and getting her nails done and donated the money she saved for both things to SCIAF.

Mrs Curley - Maths

Mrs Curley gave up unhealthy foods to encourage her and her family to eat healthier.

Miss Thomson - Music

Miss Thomson gave up worrying about things she can’t change, to help herself and the people around her feel better and to encourage a better mindset for herself.

All of these things are a great reminder of what the purpose of Lent really is and to encourage us all to become better versions of ourselves.

BYMEGANQUEEN

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

BYMEGANQUEEN

International Women’s Day is a day for us to remember and appreciate women everywhere that have made an impact on the world that we live in, and women that we know personally that inspire us, care for us, love us and help us to become better versions of ourselves

Two famous inspirational women that I am going to tell you about are Helena Morrissey and Malala Yousafzai

Helena Morrissey

Helena Morrissey (Baroness Morrissey) is a Member Of The House Of Lords She is a British financier and campaigner. She gives presentation advice and is well known for wearing bold colours.

Helena was born in Bowdon, Cheshire in 1966 and is married to Richard Morrissey. In the early 1990s, Helena moved to a company called Newton Investment Management, as a fixed income fund manager. Eventually, she became the company’s Chief Executive and managed £47 billion worth of assets. Helena left the company in 2016, and in July 2021 joined the Board of AJ Bell and became chair in 2022. Later in 2022, she announced that she was resigning as the chair of the board.

Helena Morrissey is also a great campaigner

Helena established the 30% Club to campaign for greater female representation on company boards Helena is also a trustee at the Eve Appeal, which raises money for gynaecological cancers In addition to this, she is a former chair person of the corporate board of the Royal Academy of Arts

Helena has been awarded many honours, but was very significantly created Baroness Morrissey of Chapel Green in the Royal County of Berkshire and sits in the House of Lords

Helena is the proud mother of nine children, three of which are boys and the other six are girls One of her daughters is Flo Morissey, the famous musician

She is the author of 2 books, ‘A Good Time To Be A Girl’ and ‘Style and Substance, a Career Guide for Women who want to Win at Work’

Helena Morrissey is inspirational because of her great successes and determination

Malala Yousafzai

Malala was born on July 12, 1997 Malala was the daughter of an outspoken social activist and educator Malala is a young Pakistani activist and in 2008 she began protesting that the girls schools in her area were being shut down by the Taliban The Taliban did not allow women to participate in society in general

In 2008, Malala gave her first speech It was called “How Dare the Taliban Take Away My Basic Right to Education?” It was publicised all over Pakistan In 2011 Malala began to receive awards for her work Malala was nominated in October 2011 for the International Children’s Peace Prize by human rights leader Desmond Tutu. In December 2011, she was awarded Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize, which was later renamed the National Malala Peace Prize.

On October 9th, 2012, Malala gained global attention, when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman on her way home from school. Malala miraculously survived the attack, and was taken to Birmingham, England where she recovered. After this attempted assassination, her cause was taken up by many people in power and a $10,000,000 education fund was given to Pakistan in Malalas honour

Malala went on to be a successful activist, winning multiple Honours Malala was the youngest person to ever receive a Nobel Peace Prize, at the age of 14 Malala also wrote a memoir called, ‘I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban’ which was published in 2013

Malala is an inspirational woman because of the amazing impact that she has had on so many lives, and the incredible fight that she put up for girls in her country in order for them to lead a better life

The two women that you have read about are incredibly inspirational

Who are the inspirational women in your life? Is it your Mum, a grandparent, a carer, close friend, or even a teacher? Whoever it may be, they all deserve to be appreciated on International Women’s Day

THANK YOU!

I would like to thank any and all staff who have covered for me during my absences. It is very much appreciated. I would particularly like to thank the P.E. staff who have done their best to offer as many of my classes their P.E. time as possible It is appreciated more than you know.

I really want to say a big thank you for being a great teacher. You make PE Core a safe place for me and you help me with lots of stuff, making me overcome my fears. You made me love PE again, thank you for everything Mr Fulton.

— Lucky Omajaja

Thank you to Mrs Kelly. I have never ever seen someone who has the same kindness like her and her accent in French is nice.

- Rida al Fadly

Thank you to Mrs Jamieson and Mr Gibson for always helping me with my Maths and believing in me and my ability. For also seeing my full potential.

Matthew

Mrs Shaw

Thank you Leon for sending your messages on the National 5 Maths teams, it has filled me with a lot of joy and has spurred me to work to the best ability I can and pass all of my exams.

— Tyler

Thank you Mrs Donaghy for being an amazing teacher. Thank you for taking your time to teach us and I really appreciate your effort.

Thanks also to Mrs Cunningham for being a really cheerful and funny teacher, I always look forward to your class.

Khadijah

Benji has helped me a lot. Thanks also for the tub of tuna mayo pasta!

Adam

Thank you to Mrs Jamieson I have cherished our time in the maths department and I love coming into maths to be taught by such a great mind. I hope everyone has a good Easter but especially Mrs Jamieson as her class is my favourite time of the week!

Callum

Dear God,

As our school community gathers together,

We come before you with hearts full of gratitude and joy, for the gift of Easter and the hope it brings. We thank you for the love demonstrated through Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself to bring us salvation and new life.

May His resurrection fill us with hope and renewal,

As we celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, And the promise of eternal life with you.

Bless our teachers, pupils, staff, and families,

As we journey through this Easter season together. May your presence be felt in our classrooms and corridors, Guiding us in wisdom, understanding, and compassion.

Help us to embody the spirit of Easter in all we do, Sharing kindness, forgiveness, and joy with one another.

May our school be a place of grace and transformation, Where hearts are touched and lives are changed, By the power of your redeeming love. Amen.

The staff and pupils of St. Joseph’s Academy wish everyone a happy Easter!

“He is not here; He has risen.”

- Matthew 28:6