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

• Nee-Naw ..... The Fire Engine Visits the Nursery

  Wed 28 Feb 2024

  There was great excitement today when the fire service came to visit the nursery children.  They had  a great time learning all about the work of a fire fighter, trying on some of the equipment, using the hose, seeing inside the fire engine and hearing the siren sound.  Many thanks for coming along today - the children had a great experience.

  

• February Golden Assemblies

  Wed 28 Feb 2024

  This week we marked the end of another month in school with our February Golden Assemblies.  Mrs. Loughran's Year 4 pupils led both our Year 1-3 and Year 4-7 assemblies.

   

  Mrs. Loughran's Year 4 class chose the theme of Lent for their assembly.  This theme enabled us all to focus on what Lent is all about and how we can best prepare for this special season in the lead up to Easter.  Indeed it also reminded us that making promises in Lent can be very difficult, that we may be tempted, but that we should never give and keep trying.  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 girls and boys; present our February Pupil of the Month Awards, Accelerated Reading Certificates and Confirmation Certificates; celebrate success outside of school and deliver some important messages. 

   

  Well done everyone - it's nearly March!

  

• New Gaelic Kit for St. Joseph's!

  Mon 26 Feb 2024

  Having been presented with the Gold Standard in the Club School Link Programme by LGFA President, St. James' Aldergrove have generously marked the occasion by sponsoring  beautiful new playing jerseys and socks for our Girls' teams in school.  

   

  School Liaison Officer, Louise Brady was on hand to make the presentation to a few of our School Team members who were over the moon at the very kind gift from our local Club. St. James' GAC are also supporting our coaches with after school clubs at present and helping to further enhance the great links between school and club.

   

  Go raibh maith agaibh to all who are supporting our Gaelic games at present!

  

• Year 1 Building Bonds Evening

  Fri 23 Feb 2024

  This time the 'Building Bonds' programme in St. Joseph's featured our Primary 1 pupils and their families.  There was lots of fun and laughter on display as both children and their parents got involved in the various games and activities.  Many thanks to Daryll from Activity NI who lead the activities and made the evening an enjoyable experience for all.  

   

  Thank you also to our Year 1 staff and Mrs. O'Doherty for organising and co-ordinating the event, in addition to making the hotdogs!.  There will be more events to follow where St Joseph's will be offering opportunities for families in other year groups to spend quality time with each other and strengthen those all important family bonds.

  

• Trócaire Presentation and Copper Coin Challenge

  Thu 22 Feb 2024

  Many thanks to Casey Schell from Trócaire for visiting school today.  Casey delivered a presentation to our Year 4-7 pupils which focused on:

  • A general overview of Trócaire’s work;
  • An introduction to this year’s Lenten theme (water: too much & too little);
  • An introduction to the children/family featured in this year’s Lent campaign;  
  • The impact of Trócaire’s work and how pupils’ support is making a real difference; 
  • How students can get involved in the campaign.

   

  We used this presentation as an opportunity to launch our annual Copper Coin Challenge between each of our classes which will begin today and running until Tuesday 19^th March.  Each class will have a sweet jar and we would like them filled with as many copper coins as possible, with all monies raised going to support the work of Trócaire.

   

  Hopefully everyone will join in, and we can raise as much money as possible to support this worthy cause.  The class which raises the most money per child will be rewarded with a Movie afternoon, with a film of their choice and popcorn, all supplied by Mr Traynor!

   

  Please take a look in pockets and purses and down the back of the sofa! All copper coins will be gratefully received!

  

• Year 7 Service of Light

  Wed 21 Feb 2024

  Congratulations to the boys and girls in Year 7 who celebrated their Service of Light on Wednesday evening.  It was a beautiful service which added so meaningfully to the final preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation which will be celebrated on Thursday 29th February in Mater Dei Church.

  

• Accelerated Reading Class Party

  Wed 21 Feb 2024

  There have been lots of amazing individual and class achievements with our Accelerated Reading Programme during Term 1.  The word count continues to rise along with the number of Word Millionaires. 

   

  Today it was the turn of Mrs. Campbell's Year 5 class to celebrate as deserving class winners from Term1.  There were rewarded with an          ice-cream party for their efforts. 

   

  Keep up the excellent reading ...... who will be our class winners in Term 2?

  #watchthisspace #lovetoread

  

• St Joseph's Soccer Tournament

  Tue 20 Feb 2024

  Well done to all of our boys and girls who competed in our soccer tournament held today in school.  Many thanks to Crumlin Integrated Primary for bringing along two team to compete.  The girls and boys had lots of fun and there was great skill, determination and sportsmanship on display.  Congratulation to the winning team who contested two very worthy finals.  Many thanks to Ms. McLernon and Mr. Doherty for organising and to Crumlin Residents Collective for providing refreshments.

  

• The Power of Play

  Mon 19 Feb 2024

  Albert Einstein stated that 'Play is the highest form of research'. 

   

  St. Joseph's Primary School is fully equipped with an engaging and well resourced Rainbow Room which is designed to support pupils through the mediums of play in a nurturing environment.

   

  This week our SEN and Classroom Assistants engaged within training on 'The Power of Play'. Throughout the session they explored the guiding principles underpinning therapeutic play and delved into the medium of sand each creating their own scene using symbols from the rainbow room.  Moving forward we hope the rainbow room will provides a safe space for a greater number of children to communicate and work through feelings, fostering emotional growth and resilience through the support of our school staff. 

   

  

• Year 3 Fractions Pizza Party

  Mon 19 Feb 2024

  The boys and girls in Year 3 have been working hard on fractions recently. They have been finding the half and quarter of a shape and a number. They celebrated all of their hard work by having a pizza party in their classroom! They had a special delivery of pizza and cut it into halves and then quarters.  The best bit was definitely eating the pizza afterwards!

   

  #Year3lovefractions