Welcome To The New St. Joseph's Website
On behalf of everyone at St. Joseph's, may I extend a warm welcome to you and your child. If this is the first member of your family to attend secondary school, we hope that he or she will have a happy and successful career; if you already have, or have had, a child in St. Joseph's we look forward to renewing our links with you.
It seems that education is constantly changing. One thing, however, does not change; this Catholic school belongs to you and your children. It works best if you as parents are prepared to share your responsibilities with us in a trinity of school, parents and parish. Our children need this co-operative support if they are to develop in a truly Christian way. We enjoy a good reputation within the community as a successful school. This is entirely due to the joint efforts of highly committed teachers, parents, clergy, support staff and pupils.
We have been a Technology College since 1996. In order to maintain Specialist School status it has been necessary to make a commitment to a technology college ethos and culture. As well as establishing and improving links with local business and industry, it has been necessary to show a continuous improvement at all levels of public examination results in particular, maths, science and technology. We have had to show that an increased proportion of Year 11 students stay on at Sixth Form and to demonstrate further development of Vocational courses for 14 to 19 year olds.
On a practical level, the school now has over 250 computers (PCs) networked and programmed with good educational software and all of our Design and Technology rooms have been re-furbished. St. Joseph's is also part of the successful South Tyneside bid for a huge injection of Government money in order to re-model secondary schools under the initiative known as 'Building Schools for the Future'. We expect a large scale re-build and refurbishment of St Joseph's over the next three years.
Our success in achieving our academic, vocational and pastoral targets, coupled with a successful programme of collaboration with our neighbouring schools, was recognised by the DfES in the award of "Leading Edge" status in September 2003.
Our tradition of sporting success continues in the fields of football, hockey, netball and athletics, and staff offer a wide range of other extra-curricular activities for students in the areas of Music & Drama, Chess and Debating Clubs. Under the guidance of our School Chaplain we offer students many opportunities to develop their faith and we believe that those who complete their education with us leave school well qualified, well prepared to get along with people, care for those in need and generally able to lead a fruitful, Christian life.
It is impossible to describe the life of St. Joseph's within so few words so we encourage to visit the school; you are always welcomed. In common with other schools, we are a place of change as we respond to the needs of our children, and at St. Joseph's there will always be development and improvement.
Please take some time out to browse the site for other information you may need and enjoy your visit here.
Dr. JJA Campbell