As the pupils set off on their summer holidays on 4 July, now seems the perfect time to reflect upon what a busy yet exciting term this has been.

Alumni Reunion
We were delighted to welcome back 50 former pupils and members of staff on a sunny Sunday 24 June. Thank you to all those who came, and particularly those who have taken the time to contact us since the event to share your experiences with us. Those who came enjoyed looking through the archives, speaking to old friends, sharing a buffet lunch, meeting the Headmaster, Head Girl and Head Boy, viewing the Art Exhibition of our talented students' work and witnessing all of the changes which have taken place across the school.

Plans are starting to be made for the celebration of St Joseph's 125th anniversary at the end of 2019.

New Houses
We were delighted to share the news with our alumni guests that, from September, the school will be reorganised into four houses, named Dixon (green), Hummel (purple), Jennings (blue) and Richardson (yellow). We were absolutely delighted to welcome Poppy Dixon to our recent Alumni Reunion, after whose ancestors Dixon is named. (The pupils from Early Years up to Year 2 will have a slightly different house system.)

Music
The Music Centre is now up and running, and the pupils are enjoying their music lessons more than ever now that they are taking place in the new, air-conditioned classrooms - which is particularly welcome during the recent spate of hot weather.

Guests were recently treated to a wonderful concert which showcased just how talented our pupils are in this area.

Drama
The recent production of "Hoodwinked" by the Juniors in the Prep School was marvellous. The Prep School also held its first LAMDA Showcase this term, demonstrating another key strength of our younger pupils and across the school community.

CAFOD Public Speaking Competition
Each of the seven primary schools from the Greater Reading Cluster of Catholic Schools sent three pupils to this competition, which took place in the Council Chambers in the town centre. We were delighted when our three pupils delivered their speeches to an exceptional standard, enabling the Prep School to win the trophy for the best school.
 

Scholars' Society
There were a number of trips for our scholars this term, including a science trip to Bayer, a trip to see Chess and a visit to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Trips / special days
There have been far too many trips this term to mention each and every one individually, but a small sample would include the Year 7 English and Drama trip to see Matilda, the Early Years visit to a local care home and the Year 2 visit to the Living Rain Forest. The Prep School also took part in their first ever Prep School STEM Day. We also held a very successful French Exchange with Notre Dame de
France, a prestigious, co-educational, Catholic, independent day school in central Paris.
 

We held our Enrichment Week at the end of June for pupils in Year 7 to 9, which is a very exciting programme of trips and activities designed to develop skills and abilities which are not so easy to develop in a classroom environment. The week culminated in our annual Year 5 Day when the College welcomed 90 Year 5 pupils from almost 50 different prep and primary schools to an exciting day of lessons and activities which they might enjoy if they select St Joseph's for their secondary school. The Prep School Year 5 pupils also had their own Prep Year 5 Day.

Annual events
Lots of exciting events are a feature of the Summer Term. We held our May Procession when we celebrate those who are making their first Holy Communions this year, Year 6 Mass at Douai Abbey, Come Dine With Me events when our Year 6 pupils prepare a special meal and make speeches about their time at the Prep School for their special guests, the Parents' Association Summer Picnic, Sports Days, Prep and Senior Prize Giving ceremonies, Sixth Form Ball and Sports Awards Dinner.
 

Sport
There have been some more terrific results this term, including the Year 7 and 8 girls’ team beating Leighton Park by 107 runs to 92, the Year 8, 9 and 10 boys remaining unbeaten in cricket, St Joseph's gaining some wonderful wins in the athletics league, and the Year 10 girls coming second in a rounders tournament against Denefield and Highdown. The pupils also enjoyed the annual Swimming Galas and Sports Days.

In addition to the above, we have also managed to squeeze in assemblies, parent breakfasts, charitable acts and fundraising for a number of good causes - and public exams!
 

We wish our students, staff and governors a wonderful summer holiday, and safe trip to those who go on their music tour to Tuscany tomorrow and Uganda trip next Thursday.