As we enter our Summer Term, it is good to reflect upon the successes and events across the College during the course of the Spring Term.

Whilst Mr Colpus does not place too much value on league tables, it is very pleasing when St Joseph’s finds itself at the top. According to the figures published recently by the Department for Education, St Joseph’s College is ranked number one out of all the schools in the Reading area for ‘value added’ for students aged 16 to 18 years. The College is also 53 out of the 4,434 schools and colleges in England. The ‘value-added’ tables tell you how much progress students at St Joseph’s made between their GCSEs and their A Level examinations, compared to similar students across England.

Mr Colpus, accompanied by the other members of the Senior Leadership Team, also had the privilege of attending the i25 Awards ceremony this term. Whilst he did not win on this occasion, he was thrilled to have been shortlisted as one of the 25 leading innovators and influencers in the independent schools sector. He thanked all of the staff, pupils, governors and parents for making St Joseph’s such a successful school which is regularly shortlisted for national awards. 
 
Duke of Edinburgh
The DofE programme is going from strength to strength at St Joseph’s. We currently have a number of pupils working towards their Gold and Bronze Awards, with one of our Sixth Formers recently becoming our first DofE Ambassador.
 
STEM
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects continue to flourish across the College, and activities were held across all age groups to celebrate National Science and Engineering Week. In addition to regular events, such as the ever-popular Café Scientifique lunchtime talks and STEM clubs, we have also enjoyed some major successes this term.
 
F1 In Schools
Three teams from St Joseph's competed in the London South East Regional Finals of F1 in Schools before the half term holiday. The challenge requires teams to design, manufacture, and race a miniature F1 car and source sponsors to enable them to do so. Our pupils performed extremely well. Team Super Nova made it to Regionals for the first time in a very competitive Entry category; Team Lunar were awarded the judges' Research and Development Award and Team Illusion were crowned Regional Champions in the Development category. This is an amazing achievement and the second year running that St Joseph's has been awarded this title. Team Illusion then went on to make it to the podium at the National Finals of F1 in Schools UK, with an amazing third place in the Development Class. They also received the Star Quality: Portfolio Judges Award and the FIA: Women in Motorsport Award, and were one of the only two nominees in the Sponsorship and Marketing Category. We congratulate our pupils who have worked very hard for the last year to reach this national level of the competition, not only in the Engineering aspects of the challenge, but also in Finance, Marketing, Graphic Design, and Customer and Sponsors Relationships. They are an inspiration to all their peers.
 
British Physics Olympiad
Our Year 12 Physics students entered the AS Challenge of the British Physics Olympiad, a renowned national competition run by the Physics Department of the University of Oxford. Two of our students received a commendation, one was awarded with a Gold Award and two were given Bronze Awards.

National Mathematics Challenge
Two of our Year 6 pupils received awards from The Mathematical Association in this year’s Primary Mathematics Challenge (one Silver and one Bronze). The prestigious honour demonstrates their achievement as some of the best young mathematicians in the UK.

Staff
At the end of term, we bid a fond farewell to Mrs Midge Robinson, who was both a Year 1 and Reception Teacher during her 4 years in the Prep School.
 
Events
There is always something happening at St Joseph’s! Amongst other events, we have held and taken part in the House Art Canvas Competition, World Book Day, Prep Healthy Eating Day, Woodley Festival plus music concerts and LAMDA showcases during the Spring Term.
 
We were also pleased to launch monthly Stay and Play sessions, for parents and carers considering St Joseph's as a school for their young children. The sessions are free of charge and offer an ideal opportunity for adults and their two year olds to explore our fabulous Early Years Centre and garden.
 
Trips
Some of the exciting trips in the Spring Term ranged from the Years 5 to 8 Scholars’ trip to Harwell Space Campus and Year 9 to 13 pupils attending the Banff Mountain Film Festival, through to the Year 2 pupils visiting the Roald Dahl Museum and the Early Years children visiting the local bakers shop to buy doughnuts!
 
Parents’ Association
The PA continue to enhance the community spirit and exciting calendar of events across the College. They were delighted to donate £5,400 to the school this term to enhance the outside areas for pupils in the Prep and Senior School. This will include new playground markings and equipment for Prep children, as well as Senior outdoor seating and new bike racks.
 

Sport
It has been another successful term for sports across the College. In football, the Year 12 and 13 boys retained their 5-a-side trophy yet again this year, the Year 9, 10 and 11 boys all managed wins against Holme Grange. The Year 11 boys also notched up wins against Reading School, Bulmershe and Denefield, and managed a draw against Maiden Erlegh. The Year 9 boys beat Theale Green 4-1.
 
The Year 11 boys’ basketball team also triumphed against Maiden Erlegh, winning their match 38-23.
 
In netball, there has been further success. The Year 7 girls won their matches against Oakbank, Maiden Erlegh, Prospect and Highdown, whilst the Year 8 girls recorded wins against Kendrick and Maiden Erlegh. Not to be outdone, the Upper Senior teams from Year 9 and 10 were also triumphant in their matches against Oakbank, Kendrick, Maiden Erlegh, the Abbey, Blessed Hugh Faringdon and Highdown. The Year 10 match against Reading Girls School ended in a draw.
 
We are also fortunate to have two sisters at the College who have both been selected to play rugby in their age groups for the County this year, one of whom, a member of Reading U18’s Girls, beat London Scottish 17-15 and were named Area 2 Cup Winners. They are now one of the top six Girls’ U18’s Rugby teams in England and are through to the National Semi Finals. 

St Joseph's also participated in a swimming gala at Leighton Park, finishing first overall.

CAFOD – Give It Up for Lent 
The pupils threw themselves into the spirit of Lent, raising hundreds of pounds for CAFOD and learning valuable life lessons along the way.
 
Everyone at St Joseph’s hopes that you have enjoyed a very happy and healthy Easter.

Please do sign up to come along to our annual Alumni Reunion on Sunday 30 June if you have not already done so: Alumni Reunion Registration Form

We are hoping to post a printed version of this year’s Alumni Newsletter to those who have requested it in the next few days. Alternatively, please consider helping the environment by reading the 2019 newsletter here: 2019 newsletter
 
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