Lent
Birkfeldians
Dear Old Birkfeldian
Lent Term 2026 at St Joseph’s College has been packed full of academic endeavour, particularly for our Year 11 and Upper Sixth students. The impressive list of university and apprenticeship places offered to our Sixth Formers has been growing longer day by day.
The Arts continue to flourish at St Joseph’s, with two nights and a matinee of ‘FootlooseThe Musical’ performed at the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge, and winning performances for St Jo’s students at the Suffolk Festival of Performing Arts.
Sport has of course been a highlight, with Rugby 7s fixtures and tournaments played, culminating at Rosslyn Park. Much success has continued to be achieved in Football, and our burgeoning annual Netball and Football Festival took place recently. The yearly pilgrimage to the slopes remains a feature of our extensive trips programme. Our skiers and snowboarders departed for Val Cenis in France, close to the Italian border on 29 March and will return on 4 April. We now look forward to the cricket season for our boys and girls after the Easter holiday. Thank you as ever for your maintaining your connections to the College and for your many contributions - please continue to keep us updated about your news. You may also be interested in the below:
The establishment of our Birkfield Committee, a fund-raising and events group made up of staff, alumni and parents.
The College’s second annual Giving Day, on Friday 15 May (see also pages 12 & 13). Please contact Mrs Rebecca Gordon-Cocker for more information r.gordon-cocker@stjos.co.uk about both these initiatives.
I do hope you enjoy reading this newsletter, and may I wish you and your loved ones a very happy Easter.
Mrs Danielle Clarke Principal
Experience is the Teacher of all Things, as Julius Caesar Understood
Two of our recent Birkfield Speakers – an Old Birkfeldian and a parent – introduced our Sixth Formers to careers that help keep us all a little bit safer in an increasingly uncertain world.
Patrick Goudkuil OB (who is pictured on the front cover of this newsletter) is a director of D. J Goode & Associates, a leading firm of consulting engineers specialising in security engineering and blast and ballistic effects on buildings. The company was formed in 1993 and has worked in over 30 countries around the world mitigating threats.
Parent Mr Jason Dearsley, father of Ben in Lower Sixth, attended in the uniform of the Essex Police, for whom he is a sergeant in the Commercial Vehicle Unit.
Our students were very interested in both the roles as the visitors generously gave up their time to explain what their jobs entailed.
St Joseph’s College benefits hugely when alumni and members of the wider school community visit us to talk to our students - whether little ones in Prep, older boys and girls, or Sixth Formers in the process of making decisions about possible career paths. If you think you might be able to help, please contact Mr David Kemsley, our Student Futures Advisor at d.kemsley@stjos.co.uk
‘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.
Vision Behind the Wellbeing Garden, by the Man who Designed It
Returning to St Joseph’s and helping to create something lasting for a place that I have such fond memories of has been a genuinely special experience. This year, my landscaping company - jjdesigns.co.uk - had the privilege of designing and building a new Wellbeing Garden for the Prep school — creating a space dedicated to connecting with nature.
The purpose of the garden was simple: to create a peaceful environment where pupils can step away from the busyness of the school day into a calm place surrounded by nature.
Set away from the hustle and bustle of the main playground, the garden has seating areas and quiet corners within natural style planting. This, together with the gentle sound of a water feature, encourages mindfulness, conversation and the opportunity to take a moment to enjoy the plants and bees.
It is well known that green spaces are extremely important for our health and concentration. We wanted this garden to be even more than this, a space for developing minds and as a practical resource for pupils and adults alike. Whether it’s used for small group sessions, individuals reading, or quiet time during the day, this space has been designed with wellbeing at its heart.
For me, being involved in this project has been incredibly meaningful. Having once walked these corridors and open spaces as a pupil, it feels especially rewarding to contribute something that will support current and future generations of St Joseph’s pupils.
I hope the wellbeing garden becomes a place where pupils can recharge, find inspiration and take a moment to breathe – a small reminder that looking after our mental health is just as important as academic success.
James Cooper OB
These Little Piggies Went to Market… When Students Learned the Hard Realities of Farming First-hand
Christmas 1953 marked one year of the Farmer’s Club at the school. A report in the school magazine thanked the volunteers who kept things ticking over during the long summer holiday and reported that despite some falling off in interest, the club had 59 members, plus day boys.
Stock included two in-pig sows and 12 stores (young pigs, typically aged 10 to 12 weeks, that have been weaned.)
‘On August 4, Gert’s first litter, six piglets arrived. It was a small number but a good even set and perhaps all that she could manage as she had been ill. They were sold at three months or so, for £60, as 14 others, kindly presented by Daisy on September 15, were enough to keep us busy. These will probably also go at three months. Keeping them till that age has advantages to us. The next litter is due on January 25, and we hope Gert will be in better form.’
The young farmers also had four calves to care for: Ayrshires Lady (10 months) and Josephine (nine months), and Dairy Shorthorns Patricia (nine months) and Christine (eight months).
Poultry included hens, pullets, Rhode Island Red cockerels and bantams.
‘The egg production is not very high at the moment, but we hope to have 45 cockerels for the Christmas market and a number of ducks and geese. The ducks have just completed their first dozen eggs.’
Goats were also kept and the boys expressed themselves extremely grateful to Mr J. R. Egerton, former president of the British Goat Society and then president of Ipswich Goat Club.
‘We are indeed lucky to have such an authority on goats to help us, a man who, in spite of his own great
experience since 1926, can nevertheless understand the dilemmas of beginners and is willing to go out of his way to be of service. Those interested in goats have been kindly welcomed by the Ipswich Goat Club and will doubtless profit by the monthly meetings in Ipswich or the summer visits to other goat farms.’
An earlier article in the magazine described a visit to Mr Egerton’s model goat farm, with its happy animals, neat buildings, drying tacks for kale, milk records and prize certificates, ‘which covered the walls like wallpaper’.
This report, by a boy called by P. Johnston, concluded, ‘Finally, we went into Mr Egerton’s house, where tea had been prepared for us on a very generous scale. After having to admit that Mr Egerton’s generosity had surpassed the limits of our appetites, we thanked him for his kindness and said good-bye.’
Back at the school, the farm had a delightful new resident. A donkey named Charity had been ‘kindly and spontaneously’ lent to the boys by Lady Ailwyn, of Stone Lodge. With Daisy came her harness and a useful little cart.
‘It has solved the problem of carting the manure away, quite apart from being another animal, docile and good tempered, for us to care for… The farm is all our own work, occupying a good 40 boys every day… If we include Jock the dog, I think we have mentioned all our animals.’
At the time of writing that report, the tasks the boys were undertaking including digging, lining and bricklaying around a duck pond.
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!).
But Seriously, Can it Be 35 Years?
When I first heard that the school was going to stage Oliver at the Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge, in January 1991, I was unsure as to whether to go in for it. Most of the people in the choir whom I spoke to said they weren’t going to. Half of me wanted to and the other half wanted to go with the crowd. I had done the musical in the previous term and liked it, and after speaking to my parents and getting some more encouragement, I thought I would enjoy it.
From the beginning of this school year, we started acting out some of the scenes. Every Tuesday evening, for one hour, we would go up into the auditorium and repeat the scenes over and over again, changing it a little every time. It was getting boring, but when all the parts had been given out, it became interesting once more...
As we progressed through the Christmas term, we had to learn the dances and almost all of our lunchtimes were given up to practising them to near perfection. As 1991 approached, everything began to take shape and we had almost completed many of the scenes.
The Christmas holidays came and went and suddenly the three big nights were almost upon us. We practised till the very last second and on Monday 21st January, we went to Woodbridge and missed school! That week our dressing rooms became our second homes. The dress rehearsal was on the Wednesday and we went through it with our band of ten. After all the hard work we had put in, it went extremely well.
By Thursday night, most of us had chewed our fingernails down to the bone. We put on our costumes and went on stage in front of a full house. It was terrific and we enjoyed ourselves. The Friday and Saturday performances went just as well and by the end, we were all extremely tired and I just wanted to go to bed!
A cast of forty-four people performed, excluding the band and the make-up team and many others helped. Miss Downes, Miss Scales and Mr Moss organised the whole thing and should be congratulated on their success. I enjoyed myself tremendously and would jump at the chance of taking part in another production.
Mark Boyton 2B (edited by Haran Jogeesvaran)
As reported in But Seriously magazine
Having a Ball with Us in Support of St Jo’s
SOLD OUT
Just look at those smiling, happy faces. You know the St Joseph’s community can lay on an excellent bash when it sets its heart on it and that is just what will be happening in a few weeks’ time.
The St Joseph’s College May Ball 2026 takes place at the school on Friday 15 May and tickets have now been sold out. Guests may expect a wonderful, seasonal menu prepared by the College’s catering partner, Thomas Franks, to fuel the fun, and much, much more. A magic show, live music and a casino are also on the bill.
Magic Circle member Stephen B. Wiley will entertain and bedazzle in equal measure. His close-up wizardry has made him one of the most sought-after rising stars of illusion. Best of all, parents, staff members, alumni and friends attending our adults-only event will be contributing to the school’s fundraising efforts to support students and families now and in years to come.
May 15 is both St Joseph’s College Founder’s Day and St Joseph’s College Giving Day; two important dates in the school year, coalescing in 2026. Profits will be shared by our two overarching charitable funds: the Halo Fund, which widens access to a St Joseph’s College education through bursaries, and the Cornerstone Fund, which benefits bricks and mortar projects on the campus.
The ball-goers captured here over the years include Maxine Turner, who is pictured top of page 13 with the then rugby coach, Richard Branch. Mrs Turner, a stalwart of the Science faculty, remains on the College staff.
A Short Career at St Joseph’s Packed with Accomplishment
Informing us of the untimely death of John Cunningham OB, Benjamin Chilcott OB wrote, ‘John was in my year, just for the Sixth Form, but a much-loved old boy and someone right in the thick of things.’
He continued, ‘John joined St Jo’s in September 1985 – straight into the Sixth. He was instantly one of the gang. He was full of fun, mischief, interest and he was genuinely kind. He was someone you couldn’t embarrass – he never, ever blinked first. Rugby was a big part of his life. He followed the Lions on the 1997 tour to South Africa and went to Australia for the 2003 World Cup final.
‘In later life he headed up the Wooden Spoon Rugby charity for Cumbria. He had time for others. He loved a beer / glass of wine, and he could talk for hours on most subjects – and was a good listener too. He was the classic case of having strong views held lightly. He didn’t hold anyone else’s views against them. He could put an argument away in an instant and make a cup of tea and move on. He didn’t hold grudges or harbour resentment.
‘Fifteen old boys made the journey to Kirkby Lonsdale for his funeral – just over 40 years since he joined the school.
‘He has two young daughters, aged 14 and 9 – who were immensely brave at his funeral. They both spoke about their love for their daddy.’
A look into the school magazines of the day also tells us John won the Sixth Form English Prize. He represented the College in soccer, the rugby VIIs first team and the second XV. He assisted with refreshments for the school play, ‘Animal Farm’, and together with David Wade, organised a 24-hour five-a-side football competition for the Old Folks Campaign, to fund their Christmas party.
John is pictured directly behind John Bentley on the 1997 Lions tour.
OB Remembered for his Decency, Wisdom and Compassion
Mr Peter Morling OB kindly let us know of the death of his schoolfriend, Mr Charlie Judge OB - ‘a nicer school mate you couldn’t imagine.’
Here we reproduce the report published in the Ipswich Star.
Tributes have been paid at Ipswich Crown Court to a barrister who died suddenly this week.
A former pupil at St Joseph’s School in Ipswich, Charles Judge, who was in his 60s, lived on the outskirts of the town and regularly appeared at Ipswich Crown Court.
On Tuesday, Mr Judge’s colleagues, friends and court staff gathered at the court to hear resident judge Martyn Levett pay tribute to his “honesty, decency, courtesy, politeness, honour and integrity”.
Judge Levett described Mr Judge, who was called to the Bar in 1981, as “an old fashioned gentleman” and said he would be remembered for his “wisdom and compassion”.
“He embodied the best of the legal profession and brought to each case a wealth of experience and justice,” said the judge.
He said Mr Judge’s colleagues at 5 Paper Buildings spoke of him with admiration and affection.
Judge Levett added: “He was a man of quiet strength, never boastful and generous with his time and experience.
“The best most of us can hope for when we die is that someone who knew us in life might still be around to offer a passable tribute.
“Sadly, Charles is no longer here to do so for any of us, and so I will offer this tribute to him - he was our friend, our colleague, and, for me, a companion of 45 years.
“Charles was a constant - steadfast, kind and true. It is therefore with profound sadness and deep respect that we gather in Court 1 to remember Charles Judge, a distinguished barrister whose presence at Ipswich Crown Court was as familiar as it was revered.
“His death on Monday night has left a void in our legal community that will not easily be filled. His absence will be felt by colleagues and the many who came to know him as a man of integrity, wisdom and compassion.”
As well as being grateful to hear about this well-loved Old Birkfeldian, we were delighted to be back in contact with Paul, who told us ‘Charlie was a day boy while I was a boarder. He was very studious and very generous with his time and help. He played second row in all rugby age groups.’
Paul also filled in some of the gaps on what he has been up to since his days at St Jo’s.
‘I was not as serious at my studies, preferring all sports, particularly rugby. I successfully completed my Army training at Sandhurst and was Commissioned into the Royal Anglian Regiment, with whom I served for nine great years. On leaving I enjoyed 34 years in the brewery business as a salesman for Adnams and Woodforde’s breweries. I am married to Maureen and have two sons, James, a Norfolk Police officer, and Kieran, currently with EE.
‘Now retired, I am working my way through the list of tasks my wife has drawn up for me!’
Like Mother Like Daughter: Making Positive Choices for Glitz and Glamour
Glamour is written large in the post-St Joseph’s College career of Kirsten Snook OB, beginning with an internship at Victoria Beckham. Kirsten writes:
Whilst at Victoria Beckham, I worked Paris Fashion Week and gained a strong foundation in fashion communications. After completing a year as PR & Marketing intern, I returned to Brighton University and achieved a first class degree in Fashion Communications with Business Studies. I proceeded to travel around Australia and SE Asia for six months. Sydney, in particular, was somewhere I was keen to return to after an exchange with Pymble Ladies College in 2017 during my time at St Jo’s.
Whilst travelling, I was given the opportunity to work as the assistant to the former editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar Australia and CEO of Australian Fashion Week during the fashion week. Upon my return to the UK, this relationship continued when I worked freelance for the CEO’s wardrobe rental company amidst its launch in the UK.
In November, I started my current position as Showroom Strategy & Delivery Assistant for Burberry at the global HQ in London. Since beginning at Burberry, I have visited Paris twice, most recently for Fashion Week to work the showroom.
Alongside what I’ve been doing in my fashion career, I have been assisting my mother with the launch of her project, Originals Live.
Mum came to St Jo’s multiple times to give talks about her career in music in the 90s for Sixth Form and also for women’s days. She has created Originals Live, a show coming to ten venues across the UK, including Ipswich on 28 May 26. The show champions women and originality and we would love to see as many familiar faces as possible at Ipswich Corn Exchange, especially as St Jo’s continues to hold such a special place in our hearts.
https://www.originalslive.co.uk/
So Many Vivid Memories 36 Years Down the Line
What a lovely surprise when Taymor Farage OB dropped into St Joseph’s College after an absence of decades. Taymor came to the school alone during the First Iraq War with limited English and even more limited contact with his family in Iraq. He managed to find his feet and thrived in Years 8 and 9, eventually joined by his brother, Tayseer.
Taymor, who is now based in Toronto, visited the school from London, accompanied by his cousin, Mrs Nadine Winkler. Another of Nadine’s cousins, Dr Bashar Safar OB took A-levels at St Jo’s and has gone on to become a renowned colorectal surgeon and oncologist in the USA.
We hope to persuade Taymor to write an article for a forthcoming OB newsletter. It sounds like the whole family has a story to tell!