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

• Easter 2024 Sway News @ St. Joseph's

  Thu 28 Mar 2024

  Please find below a link to our Easter 2024 SWAY News @ St Joseph's

   

  https://sway.cloud.microsoft/FQEBBRp3Xtj5JW1j?ref=Link

   

  We would like to wish our school community a very Happy and

  Egg-citing Easter Break.

   

  From all at St Joseph's!

• Easter Trócaire Campaign

  Wed 27 Mar 2024

  We launched our Trócaire Campaign at the beginning of Lent with our Copper Coin Challenge.  Throughout Lent all classes were collecting 1p and 2p coins.  We have been amazed at the response with a fantastic £709 being raised in coppers in only five weeks.  Congratulations to all the classes on such a sterling effort.  A special congratulations to Mrs. Loughran's Year 4 class who were the highest collectors in the school with a total of £80.22 and will be awarded with a class party supplied by Mr. Traynor.

   

  During Holy Week our charity campaign continued.  There were lots of activities organised to include Colouring Competitions, Bring a Toy Day, Nursery Easter Bonnet Parade  and Name the Duck - this year it was called 'Lucky' and was won by Caleb Fawcett.  Our Year 7 pupils were amazing and organised a host of stalls making, decorating and selling a variety of products.  They were just amazing - fabulous creativity and entrepreneurial skills on display.  Total raised so far, a fabulous £723!

   

  We look forward to announcing our final total when we return to school after the Easter Break.  Well done to all and thank you for your continued generosity and support.

   

  'For it is in giving that we receive.'  St Francis of Assisi

   

  

• Year 6 present 'The Way of the Cross'

  Wed 27 Mar 2024

  Many thanks to our Year 6 children on their wonderful Easter assembly.

  They presented 'The Way of the Cross' to the children in Years 4-7 and to parents, family and friends in a very meaningful and powerful manner which allowed all present to reflect on the key days and moments of the Easter season.

  Thanks also to the Year 6 staff who guided the children in what was a very poignant and reflective ceremony and to Mr. McCann in the canteen for providing some lovely refreshments.

   

  'Because by thy holy cross, thou hast redeemed the world'.

  

• Easter Awards Presentation

  Tue 26 Mar 2024

  Many congratulations to all the boys and girls who received Subject, Accelerated Reading, Pupil of the Month, and Principal Awards at our Easter Awards Assemblies.

   

  Year 3 and Year 7 also finished their Paired Reading Programme today and were presented with certificates to mark the completion of this special and very beneficial initiative.

   

  You are all superstars - Well done everyone!

  

• Nursery Easter Bonnet Parade

  Tue 26 Mar 2024

  Such eggsitement in our Nursery Unit today with some 'cracking' Easter bonnets on parade. Congratulations to all who took part.  The Easter Bunny hid some very special treats along the way.  However, all the boys and girls searched very hard and managed to find where he had hidden all those lovely chocolate eggs! 

   

  Thank you so much to the parents who came along and took time to create the wonderful pieces of art the children wore.

   

  And how wonderful to feature in the front page of Wednesday's 'Irish News' 

   

  Happy Easter!

   

  'An Easter Bonnet sent your way, to brighten up this special day!'

  

• Easter Special Dinner Menu

  Mon 25 Mar 2024

  Many thanks to Ricky and all the canteen staff for a special and very delicious Easter treat at lunchtime today.

   

  Also congratulations to all our canteen staff on achieving their Food Hygiene 5 star rating.  We are very lucky at St. Joseph's to be able to enjoy such wonderful canteen breaks and meals!

  

• British Sign Language Week Assembly

  Mon 25 Mar 2024

  The Pupil Council had the opportunity to take part in a British Sign Language lesson as part of Sign Language Week 2024.

   

  The aim of the Sign Language Week is to encourage people of all ages across the UK to take up the challenge of learning British Sign Language for themselves and finding out more about the language and culture of the Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing people for whom BSL is their first or preferred language.

   

  The lesson provided them with the opportunity to learn BSL from a deaf teacher, improving their communication skills and confidence, and teaching them new ways to express emotions, whilst giving an appreciation of the diverse cultures of the UK. 

   

  During the lesson they had an opportunity to sign the alphabet, some colours, animals and pets and many family member names.  It was good fun.  They also saw the importance of facial expression whilst signing. 

   

  The pupil council then led our Year 4-7 End of Term 2 Assembly.  They spoke to them about Sign Language Week, the lesson they took part in and demonstrated signing some of the words they had learned.

   

  They finished by reminding everyone about the importance of communication.  They also reminded us all that as a school community we should always think of others, be inclusive, be kind and treat others with respect – simply put, to treat others the same way we expect others to treat us!

  

• Food Waste Week 2024

  Fri 22 Mar 2024

  The Eco Council meet with Mr. Traynor to discuss Food Waste Week.  This year's theme was all about buying fruit and vegetables loose and only buying what you need.  Lots of conversation was generated and lots of ideas put forward.

   

  We discussed why food waste is a problem and ways to avoid waste.  We also discussed why loose fruit and vegetables are the best because you can choose only the items that are right for you and you're also helping the environment because you're not buying plastic packaging.  

   

  #FoodWasteActionWeek

  

• Being Well Doing Well

  Fri 22 Mar 2024

  We are delighted to be part of a new EA programme called 'Being Well Doing Well', creating a whole school approach to Emotional Health and Wellbeing.  All school staff came together this week to meet our link advisor for 'Being Well Doing Well', Mr. Stuart Kennedy, who held an information session for us all.

   

  We have always valued the health and well-being of all members of our school family - children, staff, parents and the wider community.  Social, emotional and physical health and wellbeing has been a long standing item on our School Development Plan, and something we value and try to improve continuously, so we are really looking forward to strengthening this through the support of the 'Being Well Doing Well' programme.

   

  Follow the link below to find out more about the 'Being Well Doing Well' programme and to access the information video provided by the EA.

  https://www.eani.org.uk/services/being-well-doing-well-programme

  

• Sanctuary Garden at Easter

  Thu 21 Mar 2024

  Now that Spring is truly upon us and the days are getting brighter, our Faith Group have been working very hard with Mrs. Loughran to ensure that our outdoor sacred space is ready for the season of Easter. 

   

  They have completed a Spring tidy up, and using their Forest School skills, have added some beautiful art work depicting the Easter Story.  We also thank Mr. Kelly for making our wooden cross and Mrs. Mirza for working with the girls and boys in the group to create a beautiful  sign to ensure that all within our school community know that they are welcome to come and pray, reflect, relax, or simply unwind in this peaceful outdoor area.   

   

  'We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it is our garden that is really nurturing us.'  Jenny Uglow