“A woman’s voice is not just heard — it echoes, inspires, and remakes the future.”
Outside of school we have reached the regional finals of the Catenian Public Speaking competition with speeches about religion and political fashion highlighting the important role of women’s perspectives in our increasingly diverse culture and society. We are proud of the women and girls who have come before us at St Joseph’s and celebrate the potential in our classrooms to change the world.
In the week that we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is pivotal that we recognise the powerfulness of women’s voices in our society. Throughout the school we have been honouring women’s achievements through assemblies and tutor time, concluding in a whole school photo of the powerful women and girls that make up our school community.
By Ashleigh and Beatrix, Year 11
The Little Big Sleep: Raising Money for Alabaré
As a school, we support Alabaré’s Big Sleep every year as we believe it is a great way for our pupils to empathise and raise money for such a worthy cause. TONIGHT we are hosting the Big Sleep at school and are calling it The Little Big Sleep!
All the money raised will go to support Alabaré who help the homeless in our community and in the South West region.
If you can, we would welcome any donations that you can offer. Please click here to donate to our JustGiving page.
Many thanks for your support!
The Science Department took Year 8 and 9 pupils to Portsmouth Aquarium this week – here are some of the photos from their day!
To see more updates and pictures throughout the week, make sure to follow us on social media.
Spring Term 1
MARCH
- 13th/14th – The Big Sleep at School
- 17th – Year 8 HPV Immunisations
- 17th – Y11 BTEC Creative Media
- 20th – Y7 Longleat Trip
- 23rd – Legal and Illegal Drugs Awareness Parent/Carer session from Sarah Boyle of the Talk About Trust
- 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
ASSEMBLIES
- Neurodiversity Week (Tuesday & Wednesday, Friday)
MONDAY 16th MARCH
- AM Reg: Salisbury Schools’ Book Awards book club, room 9
- Lunch: Cricket Club (all years in the hall)
- Brilliant Club starts on Monday with 7 G+T students from Yr10
TUESDAY 17th MARCH
- Assembly Yr9&10 – Neurodiversity Week
- Reading Intervention – Yr7
- Lunch: Basketball Club (KS4), Rugby Club (KS3), SolidWorks Club (Rm30), History Club (Rm4), KS3 Maths Games Club (Rm14)
- Yr8 HPV Immunisations – Room 1
- School nurse drop-ins
- After School: Street and Break Dance Club, Girls Football, HW Club (Rm28)
- Year 11 Creative Media NEA
- Yr11 Dance – practice in hall
- Young Enterprise Showcase
WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH
- Reading Intervention – Yr9
- Lunch: Chaplaincy Team (Rm25), Racquet Sports (Hall), Environmental and Gardening Club (Rm8)
- After School: Netball
- Year 8 football vs Trafalgar (H)
THURSDAY 19th MARCH
- St Joseph’s Day – non-uniform day
- Reading Intervention – Yr10
- P3-4 representatives from Oxbridge will be meeting a selection of Yr11 Gifted and Talented students talking through the application process
- Lunch: Rugby (KS4), Vocal Ensemble (Rm27), Inclusivity Alliance (Rm23), Rm21 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/Modelling Club (Rm27)
FRIDAY 20th MARCH
- Year 9 Options Choices Deadline
- Head Student Interviews
- Reading Intervention – Yr8
- Lunchtime: House Comp
- Lunch: KS4 discussion and debate club – Debating whether Trump’s actions in Iran have any similarity with the Suez Crisis of 1956
For our current programme of weekly co-curricular clubs, click the button below to go to our Co-curricular page.
This week we had planned to take part in a series of Lenten walks throughout the week. Unfortunately, due to the weather conditions we were only able to complete one walk when the weather allowed and it was safe and accessible for us to go out with Mrs. Griffiths. We hope that next week’s weather will allow us to continue with more of our Lenten walking activities as we journey through this important season together.
We are also preparing for next week’s St Joseph’s Day, when we will celebrate our patron saint and reflect on his caring and faithful example for our school community. To mark the occasion, pupils will take part in short liturgies and there will also be a small treat of ice cream and lollipops for pupils to enjoy as part of the celebration.
Mrs. O’Grady is also making great progress with the house competition and the tree planting initiative as part of our Laudato Si’ commitment to caring for our common home. We look forward to seeing this initiative develop further across the school.
I would also like to congratulate our pupils who represented St Joseph’s so well in the recent Public Speaking Competition in Bournemouth. Beatrix and Ashley spoke brilliantly in the regional final, alongside six other pupils and some sixth form students. Although we did not progress to the national final in Manchester this year, the girls received fantastic feedback and the experience gained has been truly invaluable. We are hopeful that next year, even as they move on to sixth form colleges, they may still be able to enter through St Joseph’s if they wish, with the support of the Catenians. The girls continue to take part in the Friday debate club with Mrs. Ingram, and we look forward to seeing their confidence and skills grow even further.
Today we also have 27 pupils from Years 7 and 8 taking part in our retreat at Kintbury, supported by two amazing Year 9 pupils, Gabriel and Alyssa, who are helping to support the activities as well as enjoy a day away from school. The retreat includes prayers and reflections, as well as a range of team-building activities prepared by the Kintbury team. I will be sharing some pupils’ thoughts and photographs from the day in the newsletter, and I am pleased to confirm that at the moment everyone is enjoying a wonderful, meaningful as well as spiritual day together.
Finally, please remember to send your child with any food donations this week as I wrote about in our Lenten weekly updates.
Thank you for your continued support, and I wish you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.
The second half of term continues at great pace, and it has been fantastic to see pupils across all year groups engaging so positively with their learning, personal development and wider opportunities on offer.
Year 11 – Revision Continues & Exam Statements of Entry
Year 11 remain firmly focused as revision continues across subjects. This week pupils received their Statements of Entry for the summer exams. These documents list the subjects, tiers and components they are entered for. Please ensure these are checked carefully and returned promptly to Mrs Oakley so that any amendments can be made in good time.
At the beginning of next week, we will be releasing the forms to sign up for the Easter Revision Clinics (schedule below) and we will also be inviting you to our Exam Information Evening so that you are fully informed on how the exams will run, timings, regulations and procedures. At this evening (Thursday 26th March), you’ll also receive personalised exam timetables.
Well done to Year 11 for the mature attitude shown so far—keep up the excellent momentum.
Year 9 Options – Deadline Fast Approaching
A reminder that the Year 9 Options deadline is fast approaching. Thank you to all pupils who have already submitted their choices.
If you have not yet completed the form, please ensure it is done as soon as possible using the electronic link provided Year 9 GCSE Options 2026 Final Choices – Fill in form
These choices shape the next stage of learning, so do reach out if you need any final guidance.
Year 7 – Academic Review Week
Year 7 pupils have taken part in their Academic Review Week, an important opportunity to reflect on progress and discuss how they have settled into secondary school life.
Tutors were impressed with pupils’ thoughtful reflections, enthusiasm and willingness to take responsibility for their learning. A fantastic foundation as they continue through Key Stage 3.
Looking Ahead – Gifted & Talented Programme
Next week sees the continuation of our Gifted & Talented (G&T) programme:
- Year 10 Brilliant Club sessions begin, with pupils diving deeper into university-style learning.
- KS4 Debating Club launches this week to develop critical thinking and public speaking skills – they will be debating whether Trump’s actions in Iran have any similarity with the Suez Crisis of 1956
- Also, next week, we are pleased to welcome Oxbridge students who will be visiting to speak with Year 11 pupils about the Oxford and Cambridge application process—an inspiring opportunity for those interested in highly competitive university pathways.
Young Enterprise – First Showcase
Our Young Enterprise team is preparing for their first showcase which will take place in Cirencester next Tuesday.
The group has now completed their company report, and a presentation has been drafted ready for the judges. Pupils will be sharing the story of their company’s journey so far—from idea development to product creation and sales. We wish them the very best as they present their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.
The term continues to be filled with exciting opportunities, academic progress and moments of real pride across the school. Thank you to pupils, staff and families for your continued support as we move through this busy and energising period. Please do get in touch if you have any questions regarding any of the items above.
Year 11 WIN programme and Easter revision clinic schedule is here (click on an image to see full size):
In this week’s Careers Newsletter…
- Free online learning & skills development – TechSheCan live/on‑demand lessons, the Preparing for Your Future online course, LinkedIn Learning courses, and new Springpod Skills for Life programme
- Work experience & career exploration resources – Young Apprentices Network work‑experience listings, ERIC’s creative careers video library and contact spreadsheet, British Science Week activity packs, and Empathy Week events
- Career inspiration & guidance – Podcasts and talks such as Squiggly Careers, 40 Minute Mentor, Ali Abdaal’s career strategies, and Michelle R. Weise’s “Future‑Proof Your Career” advice
- Employer and university spotlights – Insights into careers at Marriott and information about studying at the University of Gloucestershire
Please see an update on upcoming courses from our partners at The Family and Community Learning Team:
We are delighted to be running a selection of our teen courses in April, dates and details below. These courses will support parents and carers to start looking ahead and supporting their teenagers through upcoming exams and transitions.
Supporting My Teen with Study and Revision Tuesday 10 April 10am – 12pm
This course supports parents and carers to communicate positively with their teenager and to facilitate effective revision plans and a healthy study life balance. (Suitable for parents and carers of children 12+ years old)
Supporting My Teen with Anxiety Thursday 16 April 10am – 12pm
This course supports parents and carers to understand the particular challenges faced by teenagers and to promote their teenagers’ confidence and wellbeing. (Suitable for parents and carers of children 12+ years old)
Supporting My Teen with Transitions to Adulthood
Five online sessions: 21 April, 5, 12, 19 May, 2 June, Tuesdays 10am – 12pm
This course helps parents and carers to understand the range of post 16 options available to young people and supports parents and carers to support their teenagers’ growing independence. (Suitable for parents and carers of children 14+ years old)
For bookings, please contact FACL on 01225 770 478 or at familyandcommunitylearning@wiltshire.gov.uk or complete an application form online here: Enrolment – Work Wiltshire. We follow up applications from new learners with a phone call to welcome learners and confirm bookings.
