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

• Pupil Council Lead the Launch of Stella the Star

  Wed 21 Jan 2026

  As part of Catholic Schools Week 2026, our Pupil Council proudly led a very special staff development session to introduce Stella the Star, our new school mascot.

   

  Over the past number of months, the Pupil Council have worked thoughtfully and creatively to shape every part of Stella’s development. They explored ideas, voted on designs, helped craft her story, and contributed to the creation of activity packs that will support our vision and values across our school.

   

  During the staff session, the pupils confidently presented their work, explained why a star was the perfect symbol for St Joseph’s, read Stella’s story aloud, and shared the classroom resources they helped design. Their leadership, teamwork and communication were outstanding, and staff were genuinely impressed by the maturity and pride shown by each member of the council.

   

  This launch connected beautifully with the theme of Catholic Schools Week — “Normal Lives, Called to Holiness.” Stella reminds us that holiness is found in everyday kindness, care, respect and love. 

   

  What happens next?
  Stella will begin her journey around classrooms in the days ahead, helping celebrate our school values and encouraging pupils to be their best selves. Teachers will have access to a full Stella Activity Pack, and classes will be invited to create their own ideas, artwork and writing inspired by our new mascot.

   

  Stella will be officially launched to all pupils during our January Golden Assemblies next week, where the whole school will have the chance to meet her, hear her story and celebrate this exciting new chapter for St Joseph’s.  We are incredibly proud of the Pupil Council for their leadership and delighted to introduce Stella the Star — a bright new symbol of our motto:

  
  “Everyone Matters, Every Moment Counts.”

  

• Spirit of Catholic Education Awards 2026

  Wed 21 Jan 2026

  We are delighted to share that St Joseph’s Primary School has once again been awarded the Spirit of Catholic Education Award — for the third time. This recognition celebrates the vibrant faith life of our school and the commitment of our pupils, staff and families in nurturing a community rooted in prayer, reflection and the love of God.

   

  Today, representatives from our school travelled to St Mary’s University College Belfast to receive the award from the Catholic Schools Support Service.  Mr. Traynor and Mrs. Loughran were joined by Aoibhinn and Freddie, two dedicated members of our school’s Faith Group, who proudly accepted the award on behalf of all pupils.  The award was presented by Bishop Alan McGuckian.  Mr. Grant, Chair of our BOG, and Mrs. Wright (Ethos Governor) were also present.

   

  This year’s award focused on how schools develop, nurture and promote the spiritual and prayer life of their Catholic community, with a special emphasis on how pupils have responded to the call of prayer during the Jubilee Year 2025. Our submission highlighted the many ways prayer, reflection and faith are woven into the daily life of St Joseph’s — from classroom prayer and sacred spaces to pupil‑led liturgies, guided reflection, sacramental preparation and opportunities for children to encounter God in meaningful and age‑appropriate ways.

   

  We are especially proud of the leadership shown by our pupils. Whether preparing assemblies, writing prayers, leading worship or supporting their peers, our children play an active role in shaping the spiritual life of the school. Their example reflects the heart of this year’s Catholic Schools Week theme: “Ordinary People, Called to Holiness.” This theme reminds us that holiness is found not in extraordinary moments, but in the kindness, compassion, forgiveness and love shown in everyday school life.

  

• Catholic Schools Week Assemblies

  Tue 20 Jan 2026

  Catholic Schools Week runs from Sunday 20th January to Saturday 26th January.  This year’s theme, “Catholic Schools: Normal Lives Called to Holiness”, invites us to recognise that holiness is found in the everyday—through simple acts of kindness, honesty, forgiveness and love.

   

  Our Year 1–3 assembly was beautifully led by Mrs. McDonnell’s Year 1 class, while our Year 4–7 assembly was confidently led by Miss McMullan’s Year 6 class.  At both assemblies, the children shared a thoughtful message about how holiness can be lived out in the simple, everyday moments of our lives. They reminded us that being holy is not about doing extraordinary things—it is about the small acts of kindness, the quiet choices to be a good friend, and the respectful way we treat one another at home, in school, and within our parish family.

   

  The children beautifully expressed that holiness grows when we try each day to “be the best version of yourself you can be.” Through their prayers, readings and reflections, they helped us see that these simple actions—showing care, offering a helping hand, including someone who feels left out—are all ways of letting God’s love shine through.  They also reflected on the example of St Carlo Acutis, a young person who showed that holiness can be found in ordinary life by choosing kindness, faithfulness and goodness each day

   

  A huge well done to all the boys and girls involved for leading such prayerful, reflective and inspiring celebrations.

  

• Year 4HF Shared Education Project

  Tue 20 Jan 2026

  Today Mrs Fenton’s Year 4 class enjoyed their first joint activity at CIPS, where they met the other Year 4 classes from CIPS and Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach.

   

  The children enjoyed taking part in a series of icebreaker games which provided a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends and work together.

   

  They're already looking forward to their next ICT Coding activity activity in a few weeks time—this time at St. Joseph's!

  

• Catholic Schools Week 2026

  Mon 19 Jan 2026

  Catholic Schools Week 2026 will take place from 18–24 January, and this year’s theme is “Catholic Schools – Normal Lives, Called to Holiness.”
  This theme reminds us that we don’t need to do anything extraordinary to live holy lives — we simply try to show love, kindness and faith in the everyday moments of life.

   

  Inspired by the example of Saint Carlo Acutis, Pope Francis encouraged us to remember that holiness is for everyone. Saint Carlo was an ordinary young person who loved his family, enjoyed his friends, worked hard at school and used his interest in computers creatively — all while keeping his faith at the centre of his life.

   

  Throughout Catholic Schools Week, pupils will explore how we can all live with faith and love in the ordinary things we do each day. Each day will have a special focus, supported by prayer, reflection, classroom activities and community involvement.

   

  As a school community, we look forward to celebrating how our everyday actions help us grow closer to God and one another.

  

• Year 1 and 2 Weekly Principal Awards

  Fri 16 Jan 2026

  As we begin a new school year, we are delighted to celebrate the first Headteacher Awards of January. These early‑year achievements set a positive tone for the months ahead and highlight the many wonderful attributes that exemplify our school vision and values. From showing care and respect to embracing learning with enthusiasm, these pupils truly reflect who we are and what we stand for.

   

  Everyone matters, every moment counts – and our January award recipients are living proof of this.

   

  Well done, boys and girls! Keep shining brightly.

  

• Allianz SW Antrim Indoor Boys' Gaelic

  Thu 15 Jan 2026

  Today our boys travelled  to Antrim Forum to take part in the Allianz SW Antrim Cumann na mBunscol Indoor 5-a-side Football Tournament. 

   

  There was great team work, determination and skill displayed.  The boys did St. Joseph's proud reaching the semi-finals of the Cup Competition.

   

  Congratulation to Mary Queen of Peace PS winners of the Shield and to Moneynick PS winners of the Cup! 

   

  Well done boys - Proud of you all!

  

• A&N Borough Council Boys' Soccer League

  Thu 15 Jan 2026

  Our soccer team embraced their games during the first round of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Boys’ Soccer League with enthusiasm, sportsmanship and skill! 

   

  Over six hard fought games our hard-hitting strikers scored a number of goals securing three wins, two draws and a narrow loss.  Well done boys - we look forward to Round 2!

  

• Exciting News from Our Pupil Council!

  Thu 15 Jan 2026

  Our Pupil Council has been working hard on an exciting project to refresh our school mission, vision, and values. As part of this work, they have designed a brand-new school mascot to represent what makes our school special.

   

  Today, the council met to finalise creative activity packs that will be used in every class across all key stages whenever our mascot comes to visit. Next week on Wednesday 21st January they will lead a staff development session to share the journey behind this project and officially unveil the mascot to staff.  Our school mascot will then be unveiled to our pupils during our January Golden Assemblies.

   

  The mascot will spend a week in each class, helping pupils explore our values in fun and meaningful ways. We can’t wait for everyone to meet our new mascot and join in the activities!

  

• Roots of Empathy Baby Visit

  Wed 14 Jan 2026

  Today Baby Freya made her first visit of 2026 to Mrs. Wray's Primary 6 children.  This was Freya's fourth visit this year and the girls and boys noticed a number of changes in Freya since her last visit. 

   

  Under the guidance of Mrs. McDonnell, our Roots of Empathy instructor, the boys and girls explored the theme of 'Emotions'.  They also had the opportunity to observe, ask questions, discuss and draw conclusions.  Baby Freya was a little tired at the end of visit and the children finished off by singing a lullaby and saying goodbye.  We look forward to welcoming Baby Freya and her mum back to St. Joseph's in February!