Over the Easter break, 4 staff and 35 students from year 8 & 9 embarked on the trip of a lifetime to South Africa to immerse themselves in the sport and culture of the Western Cape. Cape Town was the first stop, with the excited students taking in Table Mountain, Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak, Seal Island, Boulders Beach and Simonstown all within 2 days of arriving!
Our first round of fixtures saw the girls lose narrowly to Pro Star Netball Academy before the boys A & B teams took on Durbanville FC, with both teams coming out victorious. Players, staff and spectators from both teams then enjoyed a traditional Braai (BBQ) hosted by the Football club, with the local hospitality being an excellent way to finish our first sporting experience in Cape Town.
Next up was the much anticipated trip to the Langa Township, where the students joined in with local children from the Township Primary school to facilitate a range of sporting activities. For many, this humbling experience was the highlight of the tour, which finished with the JOA students handing over the sports and essential school equipment purchased via the £1200 the tour raised prior to departing.
With spirits high, the group moved on to their second round of fixtures, with the girls kicking off proceedings by exacting revenge on the Pro Star Netball Academy in an 18-17 win. Inspired by the massively improved performance of the girls, both boys’ teams secured heavy wins over Bellville FC, with the A team winning 10-1 and the B’s winning 10-3.
From Cape Town, the tour moved along the Garden Route to our new base in Oudtschoorn, where the students visited the ostrich farm, wildlife park and caves of the Cango region as well as having a leisurely morning on Wilderness beach in Knysna.
Our day in Knysna also included our final round of sporting fixtures, with the girls kicking things off with an outstanding 12-1 win over Knysna School. This was followed up by an impressive 5-0 win for the B team and then a last minute 3-2 victory for the A’s in what was the most hotly contested game of the tour.
The final leg of the tour saw the group travel inland to the impressive Gondwana Game Reserve in Mossel Bay. After taking high tea, the students jumped in the jeeps for their first safari game drive and were soon greeted by an array of wild animals including Rhino, Giraffe, water buffalo, Impala and even 2 lionesses. The final day on tour started with a 5:45am wakeup call before jumping back in the jeeps for our second game drive before departing for the airport.
I would like to say a big thank you to all of the parents for their support and kind messages upon returning from the trip as well as everyone who donated towards our various fundraising efforts. I would also like to thank the staff – Miss King, Mr Clarke and Miss Bowden for all of their time and support with the trip. The final thanks has to go to the students, who were extremely well behaved and an absolute credit to St Joan’s’.
Mr Gallagher
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Holocaust Memorial Day 2018
For Holocaust Memorial Day 2018, 25 year 9 students were chosen after their great attitudes in History this year to take part in a live feed from a survivor. The students listened to Janine Webber who gave her talk to hundreds of schools across the country with students being able to submit questions to be answered by Janine herself through a live web stream.. The students had an excellent experience and hopefully it is something that has solidified their love of history for years to come. Well done students.’
As part of our new Udayan Connect Project, each form class will be connected to a child at Udayan. During a pupil’s time at JOA, they will connect with these children through correspondence and support. We hope that this project will help our own children grow in gratitude for the lives that they have (their material wealth, and also the freedom to live with family) as well as raise much needed funds to enable Udayan continue its work.
Follow the links below to discover more about these children and the Udayan Connect Project:
For more information about Udayan’s mission, JOA’s relationship and to financially support these children please visit joa-udayan.co.uk/sponsor.
On Wednesday the 22nd of November Aid to the Church in need organised a day to wear red to raise awareness of the persecution which is experienced by thousands of people around the world for simply wanting to practice a faith. It was great to see so many of our pupils support the cause and show their solidarity for those who are being persecuted for their faith. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Our pupils clearly demonstrated this teaching by wearing it red. A huge thank you for your generosity as we were able to raise over £900.
It was a great privileged to be part of the Rome Pilgrimage this year. It was wonderful to see our pupils taking such pride whilst celebrating their faith. It was a brilliant opportunity to allow our pupils to engage further with their own spiritual development and was lovely to see how excited they were when seeing the Pope. They were brilliant representatives of our school.
Parliament Week
The cabinet minister the Rt. Hon. David Gauke visited St Joan of Arc to help mark UK Parliament week with Year 12 & 13 Students Government and Politic’s students.
We thank him for his time.
Red is the Christian colour of martyrdom. Christians are the most persecuted faith group in today’s world and #RedWednesday will honour all Christians who suffer and die for their faithfulness to Christ’s message of peace and love. #RedWednesday will shine a light on Christian persecution but also highlight the injustices perpetrated against other faith groups.
JOA will be holding #RedWednesday on Wednesday 22nd November to support the work of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). ACN are an organisation who work for the rights of those persecuted for their faith around the world.
On Wednesday 22nd November, we are asking that pupils donate 50p (via ParentPay) to support the work of ACN, whilst also wearing an item of red clothing in solidarity with those affected by religious persecution. There will also be student led lessons and reflections taking place in RE lessons and in the Chapel.
Competitive, hidden, challenging, confusing and rewarding. Debt free degree, employed, trained and a valued employee. Look through these slides to support your research into Degree Apprenticeships and remember the Apprenticeship Exhibition on 24th and 25th November www.skillslondon.co.uk at ExCel
Year 12 Biology Field Trip
Earlier this summer the year 12 biology students visited the Amersham field studies centre to carry out different sampling techniques in woodland and in open ground. The data obtained was analysed using several different statistical methods. The weather was kind and we had a good day practicing techniques that could be examined in the A level exams next year.