Old Birkfeldian Summer Term 2017
Contents • Message from the Principal • What they did next… • News from our community • Teachers and their service... • Do you remember?
Dear Old Birkfeldians, As I write, another academic year has come to a close and another generation of students join the College’s esteemed alumni. It is always such a pleasure to meet Old Birkfeldians individually, or with your families and to hear about your careers, achievements and personal news – please continue to share this with us from wherever you are on the globe! In terms of events – it was fabulous to see so many OBs at the Rugby Festival in October – and we look forward to seeing the same number, if not more, at this year’s Festival on 20-22 October 2017. On behalf of the College, I would like to thank all those who were able to support the inaugural OB Ball in May and all of you who have been part of our Visiting Speakers’ programme for our Sixth Form students. If you are interested in contributing to this programme and sharing your experiences, challenges, success, or advice, then please contact the College’s Futures Co-ordinator, Mr David Kemsley at d.kemsley@stjos.co.uk.
From the Editor As we come to the closing of this academic year at the school, I look back with total pride and thanks for the presence and commitment each and every one of you has shown our wonderful Old Birkfeldian family.
The School continues to develop and grow, whilst maintaining its traditions and ethos which are so central to what makes us different at St Jo’s. Some of you will be aware that at Easter, the ’55 Block’ was completely refurbished to provide modern classrooms for teaching and learning – this has gone down a storm with staff and students. Sadly, the College’s Chapel is temporarily out of action. Remedial works are being investigated and costed in relation to its roof, to ensure that our chapel is safe for use and also future-proofed for generations of students and staff to continue to come together as a community. The end of a school year is always a ‘bittersweet’ moment as we look forward to a break and a new academic year, but also as we say goodbye to a number of longstanding staff. This summer, we wish Mrs Rothwell and Mrs Simmonds well who are retiring after 30 and 29 years respectively and we also wish Mr Davies well after 26 years of teaching sport and coaching rugby at the College, as he relocates and moves on to a new post.
Over the last term, we have felt a strong Old Birkfeldian attendance in the heartbeat of school life. We have had another coffee morning for past staff, which was a wonderful success; reuniting old friends and colleagues, who come back to reminisce their love for the school whilst also going on a tour to see how the St Joseph’s College is continuing to develop. We held our first Old Birkfeldian Ball, which was a fantastic event, seeing over 150 friends of St Joseph’s come together. The evening culminated in everyone together on the dance floor singing the school hymn, Jerusalem. It was a very special occasion, bringing together different year groups in friendship and memories. We have just finished our annual school Arts Festival on the theme Noli Timere (Do not be afraid). This fabulously creative week saw several Old Birkfeldians coming back to share their art. We had the very talented Connor Adams open the week with an inspirational acoustic set. Musical theatre trained actress Tabby Debenham performed two exciting performance pieces. Kato Lam and Crystal Wang came and performed some of their own work, and Adam English, former Head Prefect, came and gave his tenth performance since
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Finally, I would like to acknowledge Jo Davey’s work as the College’s Alumni Coordinator this year, which has included the OB Ball, a new-look OB Newsletter and also sourcing male and female OB merchandise – this is now available through Coes in Ipswich.
With every best wish,
Mrs Danielle Clarke Principal
leaving the school. Joe Shaw delivered an inspirational speech on his reaction to the week’s theme, while Iona Ross-Marrs participated in the Celebration of Language Evening. The support throughout the week was overwhelming and the presence of Old Birkfeldian supporters at the Unplugged Finale made the event stand out. I would also like to thank you all for you incredible support to me this year. It has been a privilege to work closely with so many of you and to share my love for our school with you all. I have been blessed with so much friendship, support and loyalty and this has meant a lot to me on both a personal and professional level. I am now moving forward with my career, however I will always be involved and present as a fellow Old Birkfeldian. I love our school very much and will forever be thankful for my time here. News about forthcoming developments of the Old Birkfeldian community will be announced in due course, but rest assured the traditions and database that have been set up this year will continue to grow. Warmest regards as ever,
Joanna Davey Old Birkfeldian Co-ordinator
Over the last term the school has been very busy and the students never stop surprising us with their talents and determination. In the Mathematics Department this term we have had some very exciting success. Schools across the world volunteer to take part in The World Class Maths Tests. The most able students from countries as diverse as the USA, Australia, Dubai and Hong Kong aim to solve complex mathematical problems and puzzles. The test takes a gruelling two-and-a-half hours to complete – much longer than an individual A-level or GCSE exam. A special mention to Patrick Rawlins (Y9), who gained a Distinction. In four out of the five strands of Mathematics, he scored in the top 5% of the talented students taking part worldwide. Four other students also passed.
News from our community… In the Prep School, teams of top junior programmers tested their skills at BT’s Suffolk research HQ, Adastral Park, in the RoboCup Junior competition, where a team from St Joseph’s College Prep School came away with the Primary Schools trophy for Inspired Line Tracking and a clutch of commendations. St Joseph’s sent two teams of programmers, who have been honing their skills with Crumble robots at the school’s weekly robotics club. It was the Year 5 team of Lewis Hall, Harry Willetts and Archie Hepton which won the Regional Challenge.
In the penultimate week of term we had our annual school Arts Festival, themed Noli Timere (Do not be afraid). The week saw students from all age groups conquer fears and take leaps in their artistic journeys. We had many Old Birkfeldians come back and perform and support and this enhanced the family feel of the week. Key moments to mention were the Unplugged Finale event, the Sounds in the Grounds concert on the roof and the four extended assemblies: each with a variety of performances exploring the theme.
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What they did next Connor Adams I joined St Jo’s in 2008 on a rugby scholarship. Throughout my time at the College I achieved many things I thought I'd never be able to say I could. For example, winning our famous National Schools Rugby Festival back in 2010… and reaching the Semi Final of the Daily Mail Cup in 2011. I never really realised how big these achievements were until I look back at it now; it amazes me. After Sixth Form my time was up at St Joseph’s and I then went on to play for Bedford Blues and then Bury St Edmunds, whilst at the same time constantly writing music and playing a few little gigs here and there. I then went on to record and self-release some original music to iTunes & Spotify etc. Reaching No.5 in the iTunes charts, things went pretty crazy for me. And this is how my whole music career started. I'm now a professional full time musician, playing festivals and shows all over the country. My next headline show will be on 29 July at The John Peel Centre, Stowmarket. Tickets available online. Coming back to the College brought back great memories and it was a pleasure of mine to play a few tracks to kick off Arts Festival Week.
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Tabitha Debenham St Joseph's Arts Festival was and still is one of my favourite places to perform. It is the one time of year where you let go of all of inhibitions and express your passion for music, drama and art. When I look back at my days in Jo's, the music department was my second home. I used to feel free and relaxed the moment I walked in, as I knew I could just be myself and lose myself in doing what I love, singing, acting and performing. I quite literally spent every break and lunch time with the wonderful teachers I had, Mr Duckett and Mrs Bloore, who I still hold very close to my heart today. Arts Festival really highlighted for me how much I really wanted and needed to perform, leading to my decision to study Musical Theatre at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. I must also add how much I love coming back to perform each year, how very lovely and special it is to have such a warm and welcoming audience! St Joseph's is/will always will be a part of me and I would never have it any other way; it is a one in a million school and I couldn't be any more proud to be a Joey,
Adam English As a student of St Jo's until 2003, the College will always mean a great deal to me. Beyond its excellent academic platform, the school enabled me to develop the confidence to express myself with confidence and humility, and to maintain an awareness of myself and those around me. In addition, the teaching staff and environment conjured and harnessed a strong team-orientated work ethic, developing my drive and determination to improve and to succeed in my goals beyond Sixth Form. I forged the strongest of my friendships during my school years and will always appreciate the role St Joseph’s played in those relationships.
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Teachers and their service Mrs Rothwell Who would have thought I’d be here today after 34 years of teaching, 31 of them at St Jo’s, (don’t you get less for murder?!!) reflecting on my teaching career. As a teenager I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but definitely NOT teaching. Languages were, and always have been, my passion. However, after spending a year as an English Language Assistant in the Pyrenees, 13km south of Lourdes, my mind was made up and I have never looked back. My own secondary schooling was in an all girls’ Catholic school, where I was taught predominantly by nuns, so my arrival here at an all boys’ Catholic school run by De la Salle brothers wasn’t too dissimilar an experience, although we did have girls in the Sixth Form. Boarding was a new experience though. What can I say about Ipswich? – It’s flat. After three years in Cumbria I arrived here wondering where the hills are and I still haven’t found them!
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I have recently been described in public as a straight-talking, no-nonsense kind of person. Or maybe a blunt Northerner might be a better description. I have a reputation for saying what I think, good or bad, and I’ve never been one to shirk difficult conversations. Perhaps that’s why I became Child Protection Officer several years ago. It meant, however, that I had to stop using some of my stock phrases in class, “If you throw anything across my room again, you’ll follow it!” If you stopped to think about this very short person threatening to throw much larger students across the room, you’d realise it couldn’t possibly be done, but thankfully no-one ever put it to the test and it always served as an effective deterrent. Or, after giving a particular student a very withering look, “You are going to die a very painful death!” On an almost daily basis throughout my career I have said to myself, “I love what I
do and I do what I love.” What a privilege to feel that way! I have been blessed to have worked alongside many inspirational teachers over the years but have learned the most from my dealings with the students. I hope along the way I have imparted some knowledge, but most of all I’d like to think I have supported students through difficult times in their lives and been a ‘listening ear’. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have walked alongside a countless number of students on their educational journeys and to have had the opportunity to influence their personal development along the way. So many times we hear people say, “St Jo’s is a special place.” A cliché perhaps, but those of us who have lived and breathed St Joseph’s for a good number of years totally ‘get it’. I hope the generations to come will also ‘get it’ and spread the morals, respect and kindness that permeate their years at the College.
Do you remember? Mr Davies What’s your happiest memory?
Why do you love St Jo’s?
Favourite school event and why?
Too many to recall here. Sitting on a bench and overlooking the Dovey estuary at the Outward Bound Centre, Aberdovey, surrounded by staff and pupils from St Joseph’s College and the friendly reception from the centre staff must be up there. Rosslyn Park seven a side tournament in Wimbledon, London, where I have bumped into old colleagues and pupils who have become teachers at other schools or referees. But to be honest, my happiest memories happen on a daily basis when a child’s face lights up as he or she gets it, that skill that I am looking for, and they can repeat it again and again and get pleasure in their understanding. At the end of the day, I get most of my happiness from the people around me being happy and if I have created some of that happiness then I have had a good day!
It represents everything I believe is important in life….. ‘family’. The College encourages us to follow in the teachings of our founder Jean-Baptiste de La Salle and treat each child as if they were the child of a king. I like to think that I have treated my pupils as if they were one of my own children! The relationship between staff, pupils and parents is the key and the secret to successful teaching.
Without doubt, the St Joseph’s College Rugby Festival. ‘Family’ at its best! Year on year the family grows stronger and larger. The only regret I have is that I wasn’t there for the very first Festival, but I have been involved in every one of them since. Sum up your St Jo’s journey in five words Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!
Any embarrassing stories? Playing in an end of season parents v staff and pupils' cricket match and being caught on the boundary by Mrs Holdroyd as I was attempting to hit a six to the pavilion on the 1st XI square. I have not played in a competitive cricket match since!
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Remember what makes us feel different...
Thank you for your continued support with the relaunch of our special community thus far, talking with people on a daily basis and hearing their love for our school has been a total privilege. We welcome any thoughts, feedback or contributions you may have at any time, our community is very much led by us all and anything that can help strengthen it is warmly invited. Please get in contact with any stories, memories, pictures or ideas you have. We are always looking for Old Birkfeldians to come back to school and speak with current students about their journeys and careers. Nothing is more powerful for our students than hearing fellow Joeys love for their school and what it has taken them on to do. If you feel this is something you would be interested in, please get in touch, you would be so very welcome.
‘If you have any news or questions for The Old Birkfeldian please contact the editor, Joanna Davey by email: obs@stjos.co.uk
Please look at our OB merchandise on www.coes.co.uk