As we end this term the St Joseph’s RC High School community would like to say a huge thank you and a very fond farewell to an inspirational teacher and leader, Mrs Basham.

After the Easter break Mrs Basham will be taking up a new position as Deputy Headteacher at our neighbouring school, Newport High. Mrs Basham will be a great loss to our school, but we were lucky to have the opportunity to work with her.

She began her teaching career at St Joseph’s in 1997 and after a career move to London in 1998, she returned to us in September 2004. In 2007 she was appointed as second in the English department and in 2009 Head of English. Under Mrs Basham’s inspirational leadership the English department at St Joseph’s has become one of the highest performing English departments in Wales. In September 2015 Mrs Basham was promoted to Assistant Headteacher, a position where she has continued to flourish professionally whilst also having a great impact on securing life chances for pupils.

Mrs Basham’s outstanding classroom practice, visionary leadership and passion for developing both pupils and staff has been recognised and celebrated not just by St Joseph’s but also by Newport Local Authority, the Education Achievement Service and Welsh Government.

 We wish her the very best in her future and we all thank her for everything she has given to St Joseph’s.