Education doesn’t end with the school bell
Too few hours in the day? Sometimes families struggle to square parents’ work commitments with their children’s hectic schedules. Boarding might offer a solution, by cutting out the daily commute for students and the evening taxi service for mums and dads.
Suddenly your family expands tenfold!
Next to their immediate family, probably no-one will know a student better than their fellow boarders.
Living together in a boarding house and sharing everyday experiences from breakfast to movie nights, gives young people an enduring sense of belonging, a wonderful insight into the ups and downs of friendship, and a growing appreciation of personal responsibility.
Friendships among boarders are particularly strong and they overcome any barriers of nationality and race. Boarding at St Joseph’s College isn’t just a special community but a global one. And while our boys and girls are developing independence day-by-day they are always supported by caring adults: both highly-experienced staff and fun-loving gap students.
Boarding is fun. Freedom from the daily grind of commuting, adds valuable hours to the day – hours in which to play sports, follow artistic dreams, crack on with the homework and chill with friends. The brilliant facilities of the campus are at hand and so, too, is the expertise of the teaching staff.
Travelling through the teenage years with adults who have rich experience in supporting young people at this stage of development, offers stability and empowers our boarders. Added to that, family phone calls, weekends at home and the holidays are then appreciated all the more.
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.
St Jo’s is special to me because it has truly changed my life. It allowed me to be myself while at the same time excelling academically and developing emotionally. For the incredible job the staff have done, I will always be grateful and forever in their debt for all they have given me.
I have worked as the non-residential Matron at the Goldrood and Mews boarding houses at St Joseph’s College for five years. My role involves caring for students aged from Prep School to Sixth Formers, with different nationalities and personalities. I enjoy the variety of each day, reminiscing on my own children’s education. My daughter excelled at St Jo’s, completing GCSEs, A-levels and BTECs. The supportive teaching staff helped her secure a place in a prestigious London drama school for a BA Acting degree. St Jo’s has been a blessing to my family and me. I love working here and the community is great!
The abundant sense of community at St Joseph’s College is what truly underpins our ethos of aspiration, confidence and respect. It is here where I have been supported, whether that be in my desire to play a high level of sport, to achieve the best grades possible, or even to take on new challenges such as public speaking! In my last year at St Jo’s, it has been my greatest pleasure to take on the role of Head Girl after many years of looking up to the previous Head Boys and Girls.
WHO WE ARE
Meet the Boarding School team
Mr. Jonathan Sim
I am the Head of Boarding and have been a teacher for 20 years, I teach a variety of subjects including Computer Science. My wife and I enjoy travelling to visit our family, who are spread all over the world. We love learning, finding out new things and discovering new places. I am originally from Aberdeen in Scotland, where my family still lives and we love to go and visit the north of Scotland. We have two dogs who I love to take walking, especially at the coast. I am excited to be the Head of Boarding and I look forward to supporting our boarding students, helping them to settle in and having a great year together with learning, fun and friendship.
Miss Lucia Jesenaiova
Boarding Student Academic Co-ordinator
With 16 years of experience working in the boarding school sector, I have developed a deep understanding of the needs of students, helping them excel in their academic pursuits while providing a nurturing environment for personal growth.
Mrs Caroline Pope
House Mistress & Non-Residential Matron
I joined St Joseph’s College in 2019 as a Matron in Boarding and I love my role. Supporting our students in our Boarding Houses to feel at home while away from home is my joy. I love long-distance running and some students have joined me in my Sunday morning runs.
Mr Declan Foster
Head Of Athletic Development and Physical Wellbeing
I have over five years’ experience in the strength and conditioning industry, working in a range of schools and professional academies. I have been at the College for two years and look forward to continuing to grow and develop a leading school athletic development and physical wellbeing curriculum.
Miss Dena Glading
As a Learning Support teacher and Assistant Houseparent, I am passionate about helping students thrive both academically and personally. Having joined the school as a teacher last year, I bring a unique perspective, having once been a student here myself. I am deeply committed to upholding the school’s ethos, aiming to provide students with a rewarding and enriching boarding experience that mirrors the positive impact the school had on me. My goal is to support students in developing as well-rounded, compassionate individuals ready to embrace the wider world. I am dedicated to continuously enhancing our supportive learning environment for every student.
Sabrina Deng
I was an international student in the UK 20 years ago, and I fully understand the challenges international students face when adapting to a new country with different language, food, and culture.
With 18 years of experience working in education focused on helping international students, I am dedicated to supporting their academic and personal success, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that empowers them to thrive and achieve their full potential.
Alice Lee
Prep School
Looking for an independent Prep school that’s all about creating the very best chances for your child’s success?
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Senior School
Experience our Independent Senior School at St Joseph’s College, Ipswich. Engaging curriculum, pastoral care, and co-curricular activities. Book a visit today.
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Sixth Form
Looking for a private Sixth Form near Suffolk? St Joseph’s College offers a wide choice of courses, top sport and the friendliest welcome.
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