Old Birkfeldians at
St Joseph’s College
Our alumni matter to us across the decades.
Once a Joey, always a Joey
We prepare our students for life, not just for exams or university, and we are proud to wave them off into the world at the end of their studies. It’s not goodbye though – it’s just the beginning of a new chapter as they join the ranks of our alumni, our Old Birkfeldians.
Our pride in and affection for our students does not disappear once they leave the College, and we are delighted to report that they like to keep in touch with us too. We wave them off to their exciting new destinations around the UK and the world, with friendly reminders to keep in touch and let us know how they’re getting on.
The family feel of St Jo’s is never more apparent than at our Upper Sixth’s final assembly as young people we are invested in, talk about what the school means to them. We wear our heart on our sleeve, as we listen to them and our pride in their achievements and ambitions is plain to see.
Many are back at the school within a year or two, demonstrating how far they’ve travelled but still Joeys at heart. They’ll tour the art rooms again, shake the hands of former teachers and stop to reflect in the Chapel and we are always delighted to have our students back.
As years pass, our OBs become immersed in their own careers and families and perhaps the reunions come slightly less frequently – nonetheless we are always delighted to welcome them back at big College set pieces, like the Rugby Festival, or when they happen to be back in the area, visiting friends and family.
It is a great pity that some of the older generations of OBs have slipped away from us. Our aim is for every former member of the student body to be a registered Old Birkfeldian. Membership of the OBs is automatic, but unless individuals opt in we are unable to contact them and send newsletters and invitations. It’s a simple process and it’s free.
In their own words…
When a family joins the College community a door is opened to a new and wide network of friends, families and contacts. Members of the St Joseph’s community are present at the many events throughout the academic year, and many stay in touch through forums and social activities.
After leaving St Joseph’s in 2019, I realised fully how fortunate I was to study there for seven very special years. Memorable trips, various sports including playing in three rugby festivals, and on-stage highlights helped shape me. Great teaching led to top grades and an Economics degree in Leeds and Canada
I cherish my time at St Joseph’s College – studying hard and playing hard. While playing in the school rugby team, I formed lasting friendships with many other players and learnt the discipline of how to balance a hectic academic life with doing what I enjoyed most. I am grateful to this day for the emphasis on sportsmanship in rugby training – an ability to focus on the process of the tasks over the outcome – which I find most valuable to this day.
Whilst at St Jo’s, I completed a triple BTEC sport which eventually led to me graduating from the University of Exeter with a degree in Sport Science. This is something I know I would not have been able to achieve without the support provided by teachers and fellow students. Whilst at St Jo’s, I started up my own business called BWOWNIES and set out on my mission to build the best brownie brand IN THE WORLD. Everyone was super encouraging and supportive, and never stood in my way. In fact, a lot of my teachers still order to this day! After graduating in the Summer of 2022, I went full-time with BWOWNIES – it all started at St Jo’s.
I was honoured to receive a football scholarship at St Joseph’s where I not only developed as a player but also as a person with the support of the College’s friendly and caring environment. My confidence and people skills have developed from being at this wonderful school. The facilities are backed up by coaches who always had time for me and helped me to develop as a footballer. I loved my studies and now am studying for a degree alongside my Football commitments, thanks to my brilliant time at St Joseph’s College.
If you have the opportunity to study at St Joseph’s I would advise you to go and do it. Studying there allowed me to balance my studies with my football commitments perfectly and this allowed me to strive to be a better athlete and a great student. The facilities were perfect and were hugely beneficial for me, particularly the fantastic gym and brilliant pitches to train on. On top of that, there are well-qualified coaches to assist students. My studies were perfect – I learnt a great deal, and succeeded in getting excellent grades but still had plenty of time for my sport.
Despite the COVID restrictions cutting my final months short, St Joseph’s College taught me valuable skills that I’ll never forget. Trips to South Africa, China, and Europe broadened my worldview while playing rugby for the 1st XV and performing in the many College Musicals has opened so many doors hopefully culminating in a career in sports broadcasting. As a History student in Bristol, St Joseph’s set the foundation for my success here and fostered my passion for singing, acting, and sports. The exceptional teachers and diverse opportunities can’t be overstated, and I’ll cherish the experience forever.
Studying at St Joseph’s College was a life-changing experience. I had never been abroad before I came to Ipswich in 2005 and I was nervous and insecure when I first arrived here, but I received a lot of love and encouragement at St Jo’s. I went on to study Economics at Bristol University and now I am a film and television producer in China.
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