Lent Term 2026 at St Joseph’s College has been packed full of academic endeavour, particularly for our Year 11, Year 12 and Upper Sixth students. We wish them well with their revision for their examinations after Easter.
A daily growing number of Year 13 students are in receipt of impressive university and apprenticeship offers. The list so far includes Goldsmiths, Warwick, Durham and Exeter universities, Camberwell College of Art and Anglia Ruskin Medical School. One of our Sixth Formers has won a sought after apprenticeship at Willis Towers Watson, the British-American multinational advisory, broking and solutions company.
The Arts have continued to flourish at St Joseph’s, with two nights and one matinee of Footloose - The Musical performed at the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge and winning performances at the Suffolk Festival of Performing Arts. As I write, we look forward to our Easter Extravaganza and Spring Concert.
Sport has, as ever, been a highlight, with Rugby 7s fixtures and tournaments, culminating in Rosslyn Park, and wide-ranging successes in Girls’ and Boys’ Football. The excellent participation rates in Sport are testament to how much it is valued by our students. Our third annual Netball and Football Festival, taking place as we went to press, was hugely enjoyable. We wish Senior school students and staff well on the College ski trip and look forward to the start of the Cricket season at St Jo’s for our boys and girls.
Finally, I do hope you enjoy reading the content of this Newsletter - this term’s spotlight on College staff includes articles from our Head of Student Recruitment, Sabrina Deng and Head of Science, Cerys Gallagher.
I wish all St Jo’s families a very happy Easter break.
Mrs Danielle Clarke
Principal
The Easter holidays are upon us and how quickly they seem to have arrived! It is no wonder though, as looking back, you realise how much has happened over the past 12 weeks.
The term has been filled with a wide range of trips, visiting speakers and themed days, all of which have enriched the children’s learning beyond the classroom. These opportunities are such an important part of our provision, bringing learning to life and inspiring curiosity and enthusiasm in our pupils.
One particular highlight was World Book Day, which was a wonderful, whole community occasion. It was lovely to see the children arrive in such a wide range of imaginative costumes, with a great deal of thought and creativity clearly evident in their choices. From much-loved characters to more original interpretations, there was a fantastic variety on display. Throughout the day, there was a real buzz around books and reading, with children enjoying the opportunity to share favourite stories, talk about characters they admire and celebrate the pleasure that reading brings.
We have, as always, ended the term in true style with our annual Easter Extravaganza concert. This much-loved event is a wonderful celebration of the musical talents within our school, but just as importantly, it showcases the confidence of our children and their growing ability to perform in front of an audience. It is always a joy to see them rise to the occasion with such enthusiasm and pride.
This term has also seen the introduction of our new format for sharing assemblies. These have provided another valuable platform for our children to develop their presentation and oracy skills, while also building the confidence and resilience needed to speak in front of others. It has been a joy to see how they have embraced these opportunities and supported one another throughout.
Alongside this, we have greatly enjoyed the many occasions where we have come together as a community. Our whole college Colour Run and Prep School Easter Egg Hunt were wonderful examples of this, bringing a real sense of fun and togetherness for our children and families.
As we close for the Easter holidays, I am sure that you and the children are looking forward to a well-deserved break. I hope it will provide an opportunity for rest and family time, and a chance to recharge.
We very much look forward to welcoming everyone back for the Summer Term, with the promise of warmer and lighter days ahead.
Mrs Dianne Searle
Head of Prep School
Prep News
Dipping
a
Towering Feats in Chapel
Teachers and parents took on our pupils in a twominute tower-building challenge during one of the term’s Prep Sharing Assemblies. The brief was to create the tallest, most structurally sound edifice possible and with plenty of teamwork and laughter, some of the resulting structures were impressively sturdy.
Six of the Best
We love to share in the successes of our pupils, whether in the classroom, on the sports fields or in extracurricular activities. These six young performers made us proud with their showing in their ABRSM music exams!
Toe
in the Water of Marine Engineering
A STEM day run by Mr Scott gave KS1 (EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2) pupils some experience in Engineering. They worked on engineering solutions to do with the ocean. The children had three tasks, the first of which was to create a simple paddle boat that could propel itself across a tray of water. They then examined the environmental consequences of litter in the oceans, seas and rivers. The children designed and built a form of net to clean a spill in our water tray. The final task was to produce a raft that was buoyant enough to carry animals across the water. Children and adults alike loved the day.
Waxing Lyrical About Bees
There was quite a buzz about EYFS when local beekeeper Helen Thorne came to share her knowledge of bees and her passion for caring for them. Helen talked to the children about her role as a beekeeper, the protective clothing she wears to stay safe, and how she tends to her tiny charges throughout the year.
The children were captivated. They listened carefully, answered questions and modelled the latest in beekeeper headwear. Part of our Eco Schools project, the visit was a wonderful hands-on experience that helped deepen the children’s understanding of the natural world and the important role bees play in it.
‘All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today’ Indian proverb
Well, come on, it wouldn’t be England if it wasn’t raining! A good watering aside, we are delighted that our new Wellbeing Garden is now complete and already bringing a fresh sense of calm and beauty to our playground. What was once an unused corner with an old pond has been transformed into a thoughtfully designed space for reflection, exploration and quiet connection.
The garden was created by a talented garden designer—and former student of St Jo’s —James Cooper, who gave his time and creativity to help us shape a space that feels both natural and nurturing.
This project has been truly rooted in the spirit of our community. Every penny was raised through events run by the Prep School, with children, staff and families all contributing to bring this vision to life. The result is a space that belongs to all of us: a peaceful corner where children can sit together, enjoy nature and take a moment of calm in their busy school day. It has added a wonderful new dimension to our grounds and we look forward to seeing it enjoyed for many years to come.
Meeting the Emergency Services - Cut Down to Size
During the Lent term, EYFS have enjoyed learning about People Who Help Us and exploring a range of different occupations. We were very lucky to have visits from the fire service, police, a radiographer, a GP and our school nurse, Mrs Debenham, which helped bring our learning to life.
The children discovered how these important people play a vital role in our community and took part in engaging, hands-on activities and role play. They developed lots of new vocabulary linked to different jobs and confidently shared their ideas during discussions.
This learning supports the Understanding the World area of Development Matters, helping children to understand the roles people have in society and how communities work. We are very proud of how this topic sparked their interests and curiosity about the world around them.
Prep Sport
It has been a busy and exciting period for sport across the Prep School, with pupils enjoying a wide range of activities and competitive opportunities.
In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, pupils have been developing fundamental movement skills through a variety of games, while also enjoying their introduction to rugby. Their enthusiasm and willingness to get involved in all activities has been fantastic to see.
Years 3 and 4 have been focusing on gymnastics and tennis during PE lessons, building coordination, balance and technique. In their games sessions, pupils have continued to develop their rugby skills, showing great teamwork and determination.
Year 5 and 6 pupils have been learning about basketball and tennis in PE, improving their understanding of tactics and gameplay. The boys have also represented the school in football fixtures against South Lee School and Colchester High School, producing some excellent performances. Meanwhile, the U11 Netball team have competed in fixtures against Old Buckenham Hall School and South Lee School, demonstrating impressive teamwork and resilience.
We have also enjoyed several exciting fixtures against Ipswich Town Foundation, played under the floodlights, which created a fantastic atmosphere for the pupils. Looking ahead, we are excited for our U10A and U9A teams who will soon take on Colchester RFC. We wish them the very best of luck for their upcoming matches.
Expertise in school fees planning
A focus on making independent education more affordable
Rising costs of independent education.
Transparent advice with no hidden jargon
Flexible options tailored to your family’s needs
With the introduction of VAT on school fees, many parents are concerned about the affordability of keeping their children in independent education. School fees are already increasing year on year, and VAT has added a further 20% to the total cost.
Protect against future fee increases.
One way to safeguard against rising fees and VAT is to lock in today’s prices. Many schools allow parents to pay fees in advance for several years. Doing so now can help you avoid future inflation and tax-related increases.
Use property equity to cover fees.
Parents may be able to use equity in their home through a second charge mortgage or a remortgage to fund school fees. In many cases, the interest rates on these loans are lower than the annual increase in school fees, making it a potentially cost-effective strategy.
Students Kick off their Sunday Shoes and Cut Loose
Youthful energy and optimism – the themes of eighties’ musical, ‘Footloose’ – were delivered in spades by our talented students for three performances of Footloose at the Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge. The fast-moving production, peppered with hits, including ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’ and ‘Holding Out for a Hero,’ began and ended with the irresistible blast of the title song.
We watched as new boy in town Ren met and won over the local kids, then led the fight to overturn a town ordinance prohibiting dancing. The adults’ eyes were opened to the uplifting effect of dancing and joy broke out all around. It was a simple plot, perhaps, but it gave scope to unstoppable dance action throughout.
The 45 students taking part on stage – there were many more with behind-the-scenes roles – were drawn from Year 7 through to Upper Sixth, both seasoned performers in and out of St Joseph’s and newcomers. All threw themselves into the production and the result was an exuberant two hours’ entertainment for families and friends.
The year cast received a fantastic boost before curtain-up when former St Jo’s student Mariam Pope, currently appearing in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, sent a message of best wishes. West End castmates also offered a ‘break a leg’ and there was even a message from Harry Potter himself!
Footloose, As Watched by A Proud Father
How time flies, writes Mark Boyton OB. As we stood to give a standing ovation to the cast of St Joseph’s production of ‘Footloose’, it was hard not to be struck by a strong sense of nostalgia. 35 years since I was in the cast of Oliver on the same stage at the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge, I applauded my three daughters as they took their bows. However fierce our family competitiveness might be, I’m sure the antics of Fagin’s gang back in 1991 could not rival what I had just witnessed from 2026’s stars. Everyone did a fantastic job retelling the energetic classic 80’s story, full of fantastic songs that truly made you want to get up and dance. Mind you, that must have been a difficult task back in our day, trying to persuade a bunch of shy boys with two left feet to throw off the shackles and perform! My memories of Oliver were recently rekindled when Lindy Rodwell from the school kindly sent me a copy of an article I wrote in the school magazine ‘But Seriously’ from 1991. I did chuckle as I read the article ‘Oliver - One of the Cast’ by Mark Boyton (2B), mainly by the addition of the line ‘edited by Haran Jogeesvaran’ at the end of the piece. The scribblings of an 11 year old obviously weren’t up to the required standard!
The pupils nowadays are very lucky to have such an enthusiastic and encouraging Performing Arts team supporting them. Back in my day, Mrs Weale and Miss Scales did a great job with the students, then an all-boys school boosted by the girls who joined us for sixth form. However, they did an even better job to get the best out of those like myself who were completely out of their comfort zone. That said, there was no need to teach how to act fearfully when Bill Sykes entered the stage, seeing as the role was played by deputy head Mr Regan and we were all naturally scared!
St Joseph’s runs through the blood of the Boyton family and I was beyond proud to see my three girls Eva, Grace and Eliza representing the College on stage. Sat alongside me was my mum, Joan, who many will remember as librarian at the school, starting when the new library (now The Arc) was opened in 1984 until 2002. Mrs Boyton’s fierce stare and shush were well-respected and not many dared to be noisy in the library including her son! My dad Brian was also thrilled to watch his granddaughters take centre stage. He was a supply teacher at the school in the late nineties and also a vociferous supporter on the rugby sidelines!
I’m very grateful for the all-round opportunities the school gave me. Whether that was in the classroom, on the rugby pitch or on the stage (even missing classes to sit in the sunshine while being the first XI cricket scorer!). Lifelong friends were made and I feel very grateful that they continue to be a huge part of my life today. We were lucky to have mentors like Mike Davey who instilled important morals and what it means to be a Birkfeldian. To see this ethos continue at the College with my girls is so important. The focus on achieving the best for each individual, irrelevant of their strengths and weaknesses, is something that continues to be at the heart of the school.
We all felt a great sense of pride of what the cast of Footloose had achieved as the applause and cheers flowed. The performing arts and the self-confidence it nurtures in all who take that step into the spotlight, is a really important part of a young person’s development if they have the courage to take that step. Long may it continue to be as important a part of the school calendar as the rugby festival of which we are all so proud. Thank you to all the teachers, Miss Wong, Mrs Pethybridge, Mrs Gledhill, Mrs Forbes and Mrs Barker for their hard work.
(Hopefully no editing required!).
National Events with Local Resonance
The message delivered to students attending the third Women’s Leadership Conference at St Joseph’s College in Ipswich was overwhelmingly positive. And although the impossibly idealistic hope of ‘having it all’ was not mentioned, students were left in no doubt that being fulfilled by a successful career could indeed be achieved alongside family life and personal interests.
Four highly successful women, whose careers spanned the law, entrepreneurship and mental health advocacy, gave inspiring and insightful talks to an audience made up of Sixth Formers and Year 11 students at St Joseph’s, together with visiting students and staff from St Alban’s RC High School and Northgate High School, Ipswich.
The speakers were Clare Jupp, mother of Head Boy, Henry, and MD of The School Fees Company; Amanda Hardy KC, leading taxation and trusts barrister; Rae Warner, current parent and Director of STC Teamwear; and psychologist Fiona Hannah, of Teenage Mental Health.
The students asked penetrating questions ranging from coping with grief to the persistent but lessening overrepresentation of privately educated barristers and judges.
A powerful lesson was that paths to success are rarely without stumbling blocks; persistence, a positive mindset and taking up the opportunities that presented themselves were key.
The conference and a special assembly marked International Women’s Day. St Joseph’s also marked World Book Day this term. It has become an annual highlight and took on even greater emphasis in this National Year of Reading. A range of events and activities underscored our commitment to books and to the written and spoken word. They included a charity book collection, a visiting poet (Lewis Buxton) and of course a deep dive into the literary dressing up box.
World Book Day 2026
Holocaust Assembly
Students arrived in Chapel to the plaintive strains of the Schindler’s List theme for the annual Holocaust Memorial Day assembly. Led by Deputy Principal Mr Cinnamond, fellow History teacher, Miss Staff, and five Year 12 History students, the assembly underlined the rapid fall of an educated and cultured nation into ‘industrial scale murder’.
The Holocaust began with words, then ploughed remorselessly on to segregation, deportation, forced labour and mass murder, Mr Cinnamond said. Miss Staff contended, ‘By bringing these stories forward we can build a bridge between history and hope for the future.’
A-level History students Tom, Amy, Isabel, Josh and Logan recounted some of those stories: Czechoslovak Petr Ginz and other boys at Terezín concentration camp produced a magazine called Vedem (‘We Lead’). Inspired by Verne novels, Petr created poems, articles and illustrations for the magazine.
In 1944, 16-year-old Petr was transported to Auschwitz, where he was gassed to death. He left a diary with his sister, who lived to see the liberation of Terezín. His sketch, Moon Landscape, is housed in the Czech Center Museum Houston, donated by astronaut Andrew Feustel.
Author, activist and Nobel Laureate Eli Wiesel survived Auschwitz and spent his long life ensuring the genocide was not forgotten. ‘Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky.’
Captain of the British weightlifting teams at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne and the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Sir Benjamin Helfgott MBE was a Polish-born British Holocaust survivor, initially sent to Buchenwald. He was liberated in 1945, but was very weak. He was among 732 orphan refugees under the age of 16 brought to England after the war by the Central British Fund for German Jewry (CBF). He and one of his sisters were the only members of his family to survive the war.
Austrian Eva Schloss was the stepdaughter of Otto Frank and the posthumous stepsister of diarist Anne Frank. Eva continued Otto’s work after his death, talking about the family’s experience of the Holocaust at schools and universities. She died in London at the age of 96. King Charles said he and the Queen were ‘privileged and proud to have known her’.
Centenarian Anita Lasker was visited privately by the King on her 100th birthday in July 2025. One of three daughters of a German Jewish family, Anita and her sister Renate were sent to Auschwitz after a war of active resistance. Their younger sister had escaped to Britain on the Kindertransport.
Anita survived Auschwitz by playing cello in the Women’s Orchestra. After the war she was a witness in the Belsen Trialshe had been sent to Bergen-Belsen as the Red Army advanced. Anita testified against the camp commandant Josef Kramer, camp doctor Fritz Klein, and deputy camp commandant Franz Hössler, who were all sentenced to death and hanged that year.
The assembly ended with a reading of Barbera Sanek’s poem, ‘Holocaust’.
We played, we laughed, we were loved. We were ripped from the arms of our parents and thrown into the fire. We were nothing more than children. We had a future. We were going to be lawyers, rabbis, wives, teachers, mothers. We had dreams, then we had no hope. We were taken away in the dead of night like cattle in cars, no air to breathe
smothering, crying, starving, dying. Separated from the world to be no more. From the ashes, hear our plea. This atrocity to mankind can not happen again. Remember us, for we were the children whose dreams and lives were stolen away.
The previous day Year 9 students had learned about the Nazi genocide in a special lesson before attending a live webinar in English. They heard author Tom Palmer interview Mrs Ruth Barnett MBE, who left Berlin in 1939 at the age of four with her seven-year-old brother. They came by Kindertransport before their Jewish father escaped to Shanghai.
Their mother, who was not Jewish, remained in Germany in hiding until 1945. She had taken part in the Rosenstraße protest in Berlin in which around 200 non-Jewish German women who were married to Jewish men demonstrated outside a building where many of their husbands had been interned by the Gestapo. After leaving university, Ruth married her Jewish boyfriend and converted to Judaism. A former secondary school teacher and psychotherapist, she continues to write and talk about the Holocaust.
Staff Spotlight
Mrs Cerys Gallagher Head of Science and Teacher of Chemistry
Not long after finishing university, I was preparing to spend some time travelling in South East Asia with no clear career plan in sight. A week before I departed, however, everything changed rather quickly: I responded to an advert for a teacher training course on the Tuesday, interviewed on the Friday, received an offer the following Monday, and flew out to Jakarta the next day. In the space of a week, I suddenly had something meaningful to return to—and I realised very quickly that I had found my passion.
I joined St Joseph’s College as Assistant Head of Science in 2021 after 10 years’ teaching in the state sector, and I was delighted to take on the role of Head of Science in 2024. In many ways, this professional move mirrored my own school experience: I attended a local independent school after moving from the state sector, having grown up in Ipswich myself. Coming to St Jo’s brought a sense of familiarity and nostalgia, and I’ve not looked back.
When I think about my own school days, the memories that stand out most are those shaped by opportunities beyond the curriculum—whether singing Carmina Burana at Snape Maltings with the choir or attending the Salters’ Chemistry Camp at Swansea University. Those experiences stayed with me. St Jo’s already had a strong ethos of enrichment, and I was keen to help drive this further. Since joining the College, I have championed academic enrichment in Science, encouraging students to take part in challenges such as the Chemistry Olympiad, the Intermediate
Biology Challenge and the Junior Physics Challenge. I’ve also woven extracurricular elements into the curriculum, including Science Week–themed lessons for KS3. Opportunities like these shaped my own aspirations, and I hope they will do the same for our students.
I think teaching was always something I was destined for. Growing up, I was a competitive majorette (baton twirler) from the age of four to 24, and I trained a local troupe from the age of 11, working with children aged four and above. I loved supporting my peers and helping them achieve their own successes, as well as the creativity involved in choreographing new routines— something I now channel into lesson planning. More recently, you’re likely to find me paddleboarding on the sea, bouldering, or exploring coastal paths and beaches with my family. And you may even spot baton twirling making the occasional appearance in the Development Hour curriculum here at St Jo’s.
Curiouser and Curiouser
British Science Week at St Joseph’s College celebrated curiosity, inspired by this year’s theme: ‘What’s Your Question?’ Mrs Gallagher, Head of Science, led an engaging whole-school assembly that opened with the spectacular elephant toothpaste demonstration. Students were encouraged to notice, wonder and question – using the demonstration as a catalyst for their curiosity.
The assembly highlighted how curiosity has shaped scientific breakthroughs, sharing stories from Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, Tu Youyou and George de Mestral — each proving that great discoveries begin with a single question. A House Quiz asking ‘If this is the answer, what is the question?’ Followed, with La Salle securing a well-earned victory.
From Year 5 to Year 8 lessons centred on the theme, ‘What if we make it bigger?’ Rockets were launched, gummy bears played a part in an investigation of diffusion, and cans were crushed using atmospheric pressure, all allowing students to develop their scientific thinking.
Science Week left them inspired, energised and reminded that ‘answers end a moment, but questions begin a journey.’
Speaking of Success, Our Debaters Are Well Worth Hearing!
Our Senior boys (Demi, Alex and Josh) won the regional finals of The English Speaking Union’s Mace debating competition and are now through to the national finals, to be held in London in May. This is a first for the College and we are so proud of the team - now one of 12 finalists from 375 schools. The Junior Girls (Tiwa, Ava and Holly) have also shone, winning the Rotary district final and earning a place in the regional final in Cambridge, again in May. The Girls got there in style, taking all the individual trophies on the day - Best Chair, Best Proposition and Best Opposition.
It was the Lake District, of course it rained!
Despite the rather wet weather, the students approached the Geography field trip to the Lake District with outstanding enthusiasm and impeccable behaviour throughout. They represented the school superbly and demonstrated great resilience, teamwork and curiosity in sometimes challenging conditions.
Over the course of the trip, students carried out a wide range of fieldwork activities that will directly support the completion of their Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). These included:
• Investigating water infiltration rates across different environments to understand how land use and soil characteristics influence drainage.
• Calculating the amount of carbon sequestered by different tree species as part of our work on the carbon cycle.
• Walking up to Easedale Tarn, where students mapped the orientation of glaciated features and analysed evidence of past glacial processes within the surrounding landscape.
• Conducting human geography fieldwork in the picturesque town of Keswick, examining patterns of tourism and land use.
• Sketching and analysing lowland glaciated landforms to support their understanding of glacial landscapes.
The students engaged thoughtfully with every task and collected an excellent range of primary data. As a result, they are now very well prepared to begin the next stage of their NEA projects with confidence.
Trips like this are an invaluable part of geographical study, allowing students to apply their classroom learning to real landscapes and develop key fieldwork, analytical and independent research skills.
Art Cuts a Dash and Draws in Admirers
We hosted our first ‘Open Studio’ event, when everyone was invited to come in and see the incredible work our A-level Art, Photography and Textiles students have created so far. The studio was filled with enthusiasm and admiration as visitors celebrated the talent and creativity of our young artists.
February half term camps delivered the encouraging expertise of professional artists Sam Peet, Teresa Seals and Hannah Tooke to internal and external students .
Our collaboration with ITFC Foundation kicked off with a home win for Luca (Y5) and Ashton (Y7) having their work chosen to be displayed in the match day programme, together with the work of young artists from other schools. This was a glorious display of the link between sport and Art. More to come soon.
Creative Director of Farah, Mr Chris O’Brien, delivered an inspiring Birkfield Talk to our Sixth Formers, discussing careers in the fashion industry and offering useful advice about career progression in associated fields.
Chris will return to St Joseph’s for an Easter camp, along with Lily Hammond of UWU Studio and ceramic and glass artist Anita Honeyball. This provision of high level artists for our students demonstrates the strides in delivering outstanding opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship in the arts.
Three St Jo’s artists will have their work displayed at the prestigious Christies in London in April for the Young Art national schools competition. From among 5,000 entries, Mousie (Y7), Rocco (Y7) and Ted H (Y8) were selected for exhibition, with Rocco’s being highly commended.
Staff Spotlight
Mrs Sabrina Deng Head of Student Recruitment
I was born and raised in China, and after finishing my undergraduate degree I came to the UK to study for an MSc in Marketing and Management at the University of Surrey. It was my first time meeting any native speakers, not to mention living abroad. I still remember stepping off the plane and thinking, ‘Even the air smells different!’ It was exciting, slightly overwhelming and the beginning of a journey I didn’t yet realise would bring me back here permanently.
After graduating, I returned to China and worked in Shenzhen and Beijing. I started out at an educational agency before moving to the institution side, recruiting students from all over the country to study in the UK. In hindsight, what I do now feels like a natural continuation of the same story. Life back then was fast-paced and very loud — a contrast to Suffolk!
In 2012, I moved to Ipswich, which, to my surprise, has now become the longest I’ve ever lived anywhere. I joined St Jo’s in 2017 to focus on international student recruitment, and it didn’t take long for me to realise how much I loved the work. Meeting families, answering their questions, and helping them navigate what can feel like an intimidating process is something I genuinely enjoy. Having once been the student trying to make sense of everything myself, I understand that unique blend of excitement and uncertainty behind those early enquiries.
What I’ve come to appreciate most is that this role stays with you. There’s a real privilege in watching a student who once arrived quietly, maybe even a little shy, grow into someone confident, independent and ready for whatever comes next. Knowing I was there at the very beginning of that journey is incredibly meaningful to me.
Over the years, my role has grown, and I feel lucky to work with colleagues who care so deeply about the young people here. St Jo’s has a particular warmth, the community sense — it’s easier to feel than to describe. I noticed it the moment I arrived and I still feel it every day.
Outside of work, most of my free time revolves around my son Harry’s sporting calendar, especially rugby. Weekends often involve muddy pitches, enthusiastic sideline cheering, and me continuing to refine my understanding of the rules (slowly but surely!). At home, our dog Benji keeps us busy and ensures no one gets too comfortable on the sofa.
I love travelling whenever I get the chance and enjoy cooking, especially dishes with plenty of spice — although I admit my spice tolerance has definitely softened since moving to the UK. I’m also learning Japanese, with bursts of determination and the occasional strategic break. One day, I hope to visit Japan and manage conversations that involve more than pointing and smiling. I remain optimistic.
Senior Sport
Rugby
The rugby programme has been exceptionally busy in recent weeks, with students representing the College across a wide range of fixtures and festivals. Our 7s season saw teams competing almost daily at tournaments across the region. These events have provided fantastic opportunities for players to develop their skills in the fast-paced sevens format while demonstrating great teamwork, resilience and ambition.
Across all age groups, the standard of rugby and the commitment from our players have been outstanding. Many squads have progressed to latter stages of tournaments, with several strong performances and notable victories along the way. Just as pleasing has been the spirit in which our teams have played, representing the College with pride both on and off the field.
With more festivals still to come this term, the excitement continues to build. We are incredibly proud of the effort, attitude and sportsmanship shown by all our rugby players.
Netball
One of the busiest and most exciting periods in the sporting calendar, netball has been taking centre stage. Our teams have been involved in weekly fixtures, cup competitions, and festivals, providing pupils with many opportunities to compete and develop throughout the term.
A standout achievement came from our U16 Netball team, who qualified for the Big National Schools Regional Finals, the first time an U16 team from SJC has reached this stage of the competition. The regional finals featured 24 schools, with only the top two teams qualifying for the National Finals. Competing at this level provided the team with valuable experience against strong opposition from across the region and was a fantastic reward for their commitment and hard work.
Our U18 squad also enjoyed a successful outing at the Seaford 7s Netball Festival held at the University of Chichester. After a day of competitive matches against strong schools, the team finished the tournament in impressive fashion by winning the Bowl competition. The event showcased the team’s determination and teamwork, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable and successful day for all involved.
As we went to press another highlight of the term beckoned: our annual U18 Netball Festival, bringing together ten leading schools from across the county. This festival has become an important and wellregarded fixture, providing high-quality competition while celebrating the spirit of school sport.
Football
Similar anticipation was being experienced by the footballers, whose own Festival was to take place simultaneously. St Jo’s footballers have been outstanding this term, with the U18 Girls reaching the ESFA semi-finals, the ISFA final, the Futsal National Final and the County Cup semi-final.
The U18 boys have the Society of Heads semi-final and the quarter-finals of the Suffolk County Cup. The younger boys are anticipating Finals of their own: the U13 Boys have reached the ISFA final and the U12 Boys the South Suffolk final.
Cricket
As we move closer to the start of the cricket season, it has been fantastic to see the amount of work pupils have put in over the winter months. Much of our focus has been on technical development through 1:1 and smallgroup sessions, allowing players to refine key aspects of their game and build confidence in their skills.
More recently, our team training sessions have begun to ramp up in both intensity and purpose as we turn our attention towards the upcoming season. The energy, commitment and attitude shown by pupils across all year groups has been excellent, and it is very encouraging to see so many players eager to improve.
Participation across the winter programme has also been particularly strong, with excellent numbers attending sessions across all groups. It has been great to see so many pupils making the most of the opportunities available to train and develop their cricket.
At the time of writing, our girls’ squad is preparing for the county finals of the indoor cricket competition –a fantastic achievement and a reflection of the progress the girls have made this winter. We wish them all the very best.
Boarding What’s Red, Gold, Mountainous, Delicious and Speedy? A Term in Boarding!
This term in Boarding has been bursting with energy, creativity and celebration. From seasonal crafts and house competitions to cultural events and exciting trips, our boarders have embraced every opportunity to make memories together.
Culture Vultures
With all the fun of Christmas just behind them, the wonderful sense of community it had engendered was back at its peak when our Chinese boarders welcomed us all into another cultural highlight, the Lunar New Year.
The celebration provided one of the outstanding moments of the term as boarders performed the vibrant dragon dance during the whole-school assembly, sharing a number of the traditions they would follow at home with the wider community. With red envelopes, bright decorations and an enthusiastic audience, it was a joyful and meaningful occasion for everyone involved. The boarders also created a little taste of home by making Yuan Xiao - Chinese New Year sweet dumplings. These mark the conclusion of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
One for the Road
Boarders also ventured off campus for a thrilling go-karting trip. Fully kitted out in racing suits and helmets, they enjoyed an afternoon of speed, skill and friendly rivalry. The smiles at the end of the session said it all—this was a definite favourite of the term!
Boarders Tread the Boards
On the subject of enthusiastic audiences, none was more so than the one at the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge when the boarders came en masse to see Footloose - The Musical. They were vociferously and kindly supportive of the production overall and particularly of the many from within the boarding community taking part, including in leading roles.
Suffolk is beautiful but undoubtedly rather flat. Two boarders, both exceptional artists, took their chance to sketch some mountains. Upper Sixth Form students Andy and Gordon hitched a lift to the Lake District with a party of St Joseph’s Geographers and captured the beauty of the landscape.
A Warm and Welcoming Community
Throughout the term, what has stood out most is the sense of friendship and cooperation among the boarding community. Whether sharing a meal, building gingerbread houses, celebrating cultural traditions or joining in weekend outings, the boarders have continued to support one another and make St Joseph’s feel like a true home from home.
We look forward to even more activities, achievements and shared experiences in the coming weeks.
