Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• February Golden Assemblies

  Tue 28 Feb 2023

  This week we marked the end of another month in school with Golden Assemblies.  This month it was the turn of Mrs McDonnell's Year 1 class to lead our Year 1-3 Assembly and Mrs Loughran's Year 4 pupils to lead our Year 4-7 Assembly.

   

  Both classes chose the theme of Lent for their assembly.  The assemblies enabled us all to focus on what Lent is all about and how we can best prepare for this special season.  Indeed it also reminded us that making promises in Lent can be very difficult and that we should never give.  All of the children were wonderful representatives for their class and school.

   

  We also had time to sing Happy Birthday to all of our February boys and girls as well as present our monthly awards, celebrate success ouitside of school and deliver some important messages.  Well done everyone - it's nearly March! 

  

• Peace Proms at the SSE Arena 2023

  Mon 27 Feb 2023

  Congratulations to all the choir members who represented the school so well at the Peace Proms in the SSE Arena. They were just amazing. Such fantastic singing, dancing and participation. A wonderful experience to sing in a 3,000 strong choir. Many thanks to the parents who attended to support their children and to Mrs McDonnell, Mrs Matthews, Mrs Lawlor, Mrs Downey, Mrs Campbell and Mr McMullan who were there to support on the day. A great time had by all.

  

• Cumann na mBunscol Half-Time Games

  Mon 27 Feb 2023

  In the Allianz National Footbal League it was Antrim v Fermanagh on Saturday 25th February. Four of our Year 7 boys and girls had the opportunity to travel to Corrigan Park on the day to partake in the Cumann na mBunscol Half Times Games. 

   

  They were a credit to their parents, school and clubs playing with great skill and team work.  Congratulations boys and girls - the medals look lovely and were very well deserved! 

  

• Year 7 Service of Light

  Fri 24 Feb 2023

  Congratulation to all of our Year 7 pupils who celebrated their Service of Light in Mater Dei Church in prepartion for their Confirmation On Thursday 9th March.  Well done boys and girls - it was a beautiful service.

  

• Ella Wins Missio Ireland School Competition

  Thu 23 Feb 2023

  Congratulations to our Year 7 pupil Ella on her success in the reccent Missio Ireland Christmas Competition.  Feedback states they received thousands of enteries which made the task of picking the winners extremely difficult.

   

  They went on to state:

   

  'However the entry submitted by Ella stood out from the crowd! Ella's entry is so good that it will be used for the front ot our Christmas Card to donors this year.'

   

  Well done Ella and congratulations on this wonderful achievement!

   

  

• Ash Wednesday Prayer Service

  Wed 22 Feb 2023

  Today was Ash Wednesday.  It signals the beginning of Lent.  In order to mark this special season Canon Colm held a Prayer Service in the school hall for pupils in Year Groups 4 - 7.  Pupils had an opportunity to reflect on how best they were going to prepare for Lent and Canon Colm then distributed ashes to the pupils and staff.  We welcome this period of Lent to help us best prepare for the season of Easter.

  

• Year 7 EA Shared Education

  Wed 22 Feb 2023

  On Wednesday we came together for a Shared Education lesson to learn about The Ulster Scots language and traditions. Matthew informed us of some words that came from Ulster Scots. Andy gave us lots of information about the bagpipes. We enjoyed a few sing songs together with the guitar and bagpipes using all the words and phrases we had learnt during our lesson. It was really good fun!

  

• PlayBoard

  Mon 20 Feb 2023

  With the cost of living crisis impacting families across Northern Ireland, PlayBoard has developed a new resource highlighting a range of low-cost play ideas.

   

  Play is central to children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. All children have a natural urge to play and that need will remain, even during times of economic hardship. Play activity does not need to be expensive or involve costly toys and gadgets - there are many ‘free and found’ play opportunities that already exist within our schools and other settings.

   

  Play in times of hardship has practical play ideas and activities which can be enjoyed at little or no cost. https://bit.ly/playintimesofhardship

   

  Please feel free to share this valuable resource with parents, carers and your school community.

• Wear It Red Day

  Fri 10 Feb 2023

  Many thanks to everyone who supported our 'Wear it Red' Day for HOPE-MISSION Zambia, our chosen charity to support throughout Term 2.  There was a sea of red across St. Joseph's. A great day had by all and money raised for a very deserving charity!

  

• Mindfulness for Year 7

  Thu 09 Feb 2023

  As part of Children's Mental Health Week our Year 7's had a special visitor from the renowned, Irish- born minfulness coach, Brenda Shankey.

   

  Brenda is a spirtual life coach, meditation teacher and minfulness coach.

  She has a vast experience of working with children and has guidance written books promoting a mindfulness lifestyle. Today Brenda carried out sessions on minfulness, being empowering to others and traffic light breathing techniques. 

   

  Thanks Brenda for supporting our programme of activites across the school this week!