Celebrating Neurodiversity
As we celebrate World Thinking Day, we are reminded of the richness that comes from seeing the world through different perspectives. This is at the heart of our commitment to embracing neurodiversity. Many remarkable individuals who have helped shape our world have spoken openly about their neurodivergence. Professor Temple Grandin, whose insights into autism transformed our understanding of learning; Tim Burton, whose creativity has inspired generations; Simone Biles, who has shown the world the strength and discipline of those with ADHD; and Greta Thunberg, whose autistic focus has amplified global awareness of environmental responsibility. Their stories remind our pupils that their minds are not limitations, but gifts.
The Government’s Education White Paper reinforces the importance of inclusive, high‑quality provision for every learner. We are proud that our values already reflect this vision, ensuring that each child is supported, understood, and encouraged to thrive in their own unique way.
World Thinking Day invites us to appreciate how diverse thinking strengthens compassion, teamwork, and problem‑solving. In this spirit, we continue building a community where every child feels valued and empowered.
As Romans 12:6 reminds us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”
Have a lovely weekend.
Raising Standards
It is important that all pupils follow the School’s Uniform Standards so that they can take pride in wearing their School Uniform. Next term, the Pupil Parliament will be working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and the PE Department to help shape our Uniform Policy and to contribute to the design of our new PE tops. Further information can be found here: Uniform
On Monday, the Science and History departments took a group of 12 gifted and talented pupils to the “Railway 200 – Inspiration Train” exhibition. There was the opportunity to explore the history of the railways, different careers within National Rail and hands on experience of bridge building, designing railways, being a train guard and designing wheels. Pupils enjoyed the hands on experiences and being able to explore how design impacts railways.
We have been fortunate to be selected as one of only two schools to receive free self-defence classes for a group of pupils through the WASP Tackling Inequalities Fund. The first of these classes, run by Adam Gerken, owner of React Self-Defence, happened this week with a selected group of pupils, and taught them how to deescalate a situation and then how to react if the situation heightens. The pupils loved it, and we can’t wait to see how the next few sessions progress!
To see more updates and pictures throughout the week, make sure to follow us on social media.
Spring Term 1
MARCH
- 3rd – Year 10 Mock Interview Day
- 5th – World Book Day
- 10th & 11th – Year 11 Food NEA
- 11th – Year 8 & 9 Trip to Portsmouth Aquarium
- 12th – Y11 & Team photographs
- 13th – Non-Uniform Day & The Big Sleep at School
- 17th – Year 8 HPV Immunisations
- 17th – Y11 BTEC Creative Media
- 20th – Y7 Longleat Trip
- 24th – Y11 Trip to see ‘The Beekeeper of Aleppo’
- 25th – Year 9 & 11 Trip to see ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
- 26th – Salisbury Schools’ Book Awards at BWS
- 27th – Margaret House Day & Y11 Dance Off
In School Next Week
- Year 7 Academic Review Week
ASSEMBLIES
- Gideons – Year 7 (Monday)
- World Book Day Assembly (Tuesday & Wednesday)
- Getting Ready – Year 11 (Friday)
MONDAY 2nd MARCH
- Assembly: Gideons, Year 7
- Monday AM Formtime: Salisbury Schools’ Book Awards book club, room 11
- Lunch: Cricket Club (all years in the hall)
TUESDAY 3rd MARCH
- Year 10 Mock Interview Day
- Assembly: World Book Day, Year 9 & 10 (via Teams)
- Lunch: Basketball Club (KS4), Rugby Club (KS3), SolidWorks Club (Rm30), History Club (Rm4), KS3 Maths Games Club (Rm14)
- School nurse drop-ins
- After School: Street and Break Dance Club, Girls Football, HW Club (Rm28)
WEDNESDAY 4th MARCH
- Assembly: World Book Day, Year 9 & 10 (in the Hall)
- Lunch: Chaplaincy Team (Rm25), Racquet Sports (Hall), Environmental and Gardening Club (Rm8)
- After School: Netball
THURSDAY 5th MARCH
- World Book Day!
- Year 11 Science & Maths Mocks
- Bath Spa University Workshop (parents will receive an announcement message if their child is part of this)
- Reading Intervention – Year 10
- Pupil Parliament Meeting (Library)
- Lunch: Rugby (KS4), Vocal Ensemble (Rm27), Inclusivity Alliance (Rm23), Room 21 will be open if any students have their own embroidery/cross stitch/crochet/knitting project that they want to bring along
- After School: DSTL Lego Spike Club (Rm30), Trampolining (Hall), Warhammer/Painting/Games Club (Rm27)
FRIDAY 6th MARCH
- Assembly: Getting Ready – Year 11
- Reading Intervention – Year 8
- Chaplaincy Team to Exeter House
- Lunchtime: House Comp
For our current programme of weekly co-curricular clubs, click the button below to go to our Co-curricular page.
I hope you are keeping well and that you have had a good week after half term. I am writing with our chaplaincy newsletter and to share some encouraging highlights from a very strong start to the term.
We began the week on a real high with our chaplaincy meeting on Tuesday, when Father Anthony joined us. It was a joy to welcome him, and we were grateful that he concluded our time together with prayer. It was a calm and prayerful beginning, and it set a wonderful tone for the weeks ahead.
Family Fast Day – supporting CAFOD
This week, we also discussed the Family Fast Day, which we introduced briefly to our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils during Monday’s short assembly. We invited pupils to contribute either online or with cash during tutor time on Friday. Throughout the week, our chaplains have been visiting tutor groups to help with collections, and they have also been collecting donations from staff and pupils. Thank you sincerely for your generosity and for encouraging your child to take part.
As part of our enrichment work with Year 8, pupils also baked with me an Austrian marble cake, which we then sold for 50p a slice outside the canteen this Friday. This was a lovely example of young people working together with purpose, and I am delighted to say that it was a successful fundraiser. All money raised will go to CAFOD, supporting their vital work to help eliminate poverty around the world.
Outreach visit – Exeter House
This week I also had the privilege of taking our amazing chaplains — Rosie (9M), Mason (7V), Jacob (7T), Harry (8F), Ezra (7V), Brook (8F), Edward (7F), Ruby (8F), Raff (7F), Theo (8F), Sylvia (7M), Cameron (8F), and Ryan (7F) — to Exeter House for our usual outreach visit. I have been incredibly proud of how well our chaplains contributed, working with the teachers and pupils there – particularly in the Swan class where we met all in the end. They were a real credit to St Joseph’s and showed, in a very practical way, what it means to live out our Catholic Social Teaching in practice. It was wonderful to see our values lived out so naturally through service, kindness, and respectful collaboration.
Corridor of Values – new nominations being processed
Before the end of last term, our chaplains collected staff nominations for pupils to be recognised through our Corridor of Values awards, linked to our trio of values. These nominations are now being processed and will soon be updated with new names on display, as previously mentioned. This is a genuinely lovely way to celebrate those pupils who work so hard to demonstrate what we stand for at St Joseph’s. Thank you to all staff who took the time to nominate pupils. Next week, during our Happiest Minute of the Week, I will be giving a special mention to all the names that have been put forward.
Lenten Charity Collection – please support if you can!
Finally, as we journey through Lent, we are beginning our Lenten food collection. I would like to encourage every family, if possible, to send your child in with at least one non-perishable item—for example: a tin of food, pasta, rice, sugar, cereal, or similar items with a good expiry date. Donations can be placed in the collection box by Mrs Pearson’s medical office room, and all contributions will be warmly welcomed during this Lenten season.
As the collection grows, I hope to take the chaplains to begin packing boxes for the food bank, as we have done in the past. Lent is, of course, a time of prayer and reflection, fasting—but it is also a time of almsgiving, of being generous and mindful of those who may be less fortunate than ourselves. Together, let us make every effort to support our charitable work and make a real difference in the world around us.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support and for the many ways you encourage your children to live with compassion and generosity.
The second half of term is well underway, and it has been encouraging to see so many positive developments across the school as we continue to focus on learning, progress and pupil support.
Year 11 WIN Programme and Academic Interventions
Our new WIN programme will launch next Monday, alongside a refreshed set of academic interventions. These are designed to ensure pupils receive the right support at the right time, whether that’s consolidating key skills or stretching their learning further. Staff have already commented on the strong engagement from pupils in lessons since returning from half term, and we look forward to seeing the impact as the term continues.
Please refer to the letter sent home this week for more details on the different interventions taking place. The new programme is here:
Academic Review Weeks
Academic Review Weeks have begun with real purpose. Year 11 pupils are reflecting on their progress, discussing their next steps with teachers, and setting clear goals for the months ahead. This structured reflection is an important part of helping pupils take ownership of their learning, and it has been great to see them approaching it so thoughtfully. Next week sees the turn of Year 7 and the following week is Year 8.
Year 7 & 8 Reports
We hope that Year 7 and Year 8 parents have found the recent reports helpful. They are intended to give a clear and honest picture of how pupils are getting on, highlighting both strengths and areas for development. We appreciate the time families take to talk these through at home, as this partnership makes a real difference to pupils’ confidence and progress.
Year 9 Parents’ Evening and Options
It was a pleasure welcoming Year 9 families into school for Parents’ Evening and the Options discussions. These conversations are an important part of helping pupils make informed choices about the next stage of their education. A reminder that final option choices should be submitted by 20 March. If any further questions arise, please do get in touch.
Please use this link to complete your choices.
National Careers Week and Year 10 Mock Interviews
Next week is also a significant week for careers education. As part of National Careers Week, we encourage you to use the resources here to explore a wide range of pathways and opportunities with your children.
Resources to use at home:
- Access a national online virtual Careers Fair
- BBC Bitesize Careers with lots of information and quizzes to help make those all-important careers decisions.
A particular highlight for next week will be the Year 10 Mock Interview Day, giving students valuable experience in presenting themselves confidently and talking about their strengths to local employers! This is the culmination of all the work they have been completing in PSHE regarding covering letters, CVs and interview preparation. We are grateful to the employers and volunteers who support this event and help make it such a meaningful experience for our pupils.
In addition, a Year 9 group will be having Bath Spa University Workshops (parents will receive an announcement message if your child is part of this) to help them find out more about University Life.
In this week’s Careers Newsletter…
- Exploring Law with the University of Cambridge: Online course offering insight into university‑level law and support with applications.
- Springpod’s Big Work Experience Challenge: January–April programme with virtual work experience, skill‑building tasks, and prize incentives.
- ERIC Creative Careers Library: Hundreds of videos on creative career paths, apprenticeships, CV advice, and insights into roles in fashion, theatre, and more.
- University Spotlight – Arts University Bournemouth: Info on art, design, media and performance courses at a specialist creative university.
- Employer Spotlight – Warner Music Group: Overview of creative careers and pathways within a global music company.
Expert Advice for Parents from the Young Minds Parents Helpline
No matter what a young person is going through – whether it’s relationships, school stuff or our mental health – parents and carers are often the first person they turn to. You’re there when they need you most – and expert advisors from the Young Minds Parents Helpline are here for you.
The Young Minds Parents Helpline is here – no matter what a young person is going through. Advisors are a call or a click away and ready to help, but it can be hard to take that first step. That’s why they want to do more to reach parents who need them.
If there’s a child or young person in your life that is struggling with: anxiety, avoiding school or feeling low often, these tips can help. But first, if you or a parent you know could use some advice from people who get it, visit our parents section for guidance, support and someone to talk to.
Talking with your child
“Our children don’t need us to have all the answers right away but they do need us to know that we are there for them.” – Natasha
Tip: Make time during the week where you talk to your child about how life is going for them. Watch the full clip »
Dealing with anxiety
“Breathing techniques are a tried and tested way to regain a sense of control.” – Sarah
Tip: Try the five-finger breathing technique. Watch the full clip »
Low mood
“The more they withdraw, the lower they can feel.” – Emeke
Tip: Start by talking to them about people in their circle, who they like hanging out with and what could help them open up. Watch the full clip »
School avoidance
“Build your child’s confidence together and draw on professional support when you need it.” – Sarah-Jane
Tip: Create a visual schedule and celebrate the little wins. Watch the full clip »
No one should feel alone when someone in their life is struggling. The Young Minds team are here to help, and our Pastoral team at St Joseph’s is here too. We’re just a phone call or an email away.
