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

• Peace Proms Rehearsals

  Wed 12 Nov 2025

  Today our pupils attended rehearsals for Peace Proms 2026, working hard to prepare for this incredible musical experience. Peace Proms is a cross-community choral celebration that brings thousands of children together to sing with a full symphony orchestra, promoting peace, unity, and friendship through music.

   

  Our pupils showed fantastic energy and commitment during rehearsals, and we can’t wait to see them shine on the big stage. 

  The event will take place at the SSE Arena, Belfast, on Sunday 1st March 2026.

   

  #PeacePromsJourney

  

• Anti-Bullying Week Assembly - 'Power for Good'

  Tue 11 Nov 2025

  A huge thank you to Mrs. Wray’s Year 6 class for their excellent Anti-Bullying assembly on Tuesday, performed for pupils from Year 1 to Year 7. The children delivered a powerful and creative presentation that included recitations, drama, a PowerPoint presentation, and an uplifting performance of ‘[Insert Song Title]’.

   

  Their assembly beautifully captured this year’s theme, “Power for Good,” reminding us all of the importance of using our words and actions to support and uplift others. The message linked perfectly with our October character trait, Respect for All, and also reflected our school’s vision and values, which the children spoke about with confidence and clarity during the assembly.

   

  We were delighted to see Pebble Points awarded across all classes for acts of respect shown throughout October. These points will contribute to our Year Group Awards, celebrating kindness, empathy, and inclusion.

  Well done, girls and boys — your message was powerful, your performance was polished, and your example is inspiring

   

  #PowerforGood #Anti-Bulling Week 2025

  

• Odd Socks Day – Celebrating Uniqueness

  Mon 10 Nov 2025

  We kicked off Anti-Bullying Week 2025 with Odd Socks Day — a fun and meaningful way to celebrate what makes us all unique! Pupils and staff proudly wore their oddest socks to show that it's okay to be different and that everyone should be treated with kindness and respect.

   

  This year’s theme, “Power for Good,” reminds us that we all have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Through assemblies, class discussions, and creative activities, we explored how small acts of kindness, inclusion, and standing up for others can help build a safer, happier school community.

   

  Together, we’re using our Power for Good to say no to bullying and yes to respect, empathy, and friendship.

  

• Year 5JC Showcase Their Creative Talents

  Fri 07 Nov 2025

  Our Year 5JC pupils have just completed the first six-week block of the For Art’s Sake Project, with a focus on clay work. The children had a fantastic time learning new techniques and creating some truly impressive pieces of art.

   

  To celebrate their achievements, we decided to showcase their wonderful creations in the classroom, inviting pupils from Years 5–7 to visit, ask questions, and share in the celebration. It was a brilliant opportunity for peer learning and appreciation of artistic talent.

   

  A huge thank you to Andrea for her excellent guidance throughout this block. We are excited to begin the next six-week phase with Sinead, which will focus on drawing and painting—and we can already feel another showcase coming on!

  

• ‘Tots and Tea’ – A Lovely Start to Our Mother & Toddler Group

  Fri 07 Nov 2025

  We were delighted to host the first session of our new mother and toddler group, Tots and Tea, this morning in the Minor Hall. It was a joyful and relaxed gathering where little ones played and parents, grandparents and carers connected over a cuppa. A huge thank you to Mrs. O’Doherty and Mrs. Martin for organising and facilitating the session. We’re also very grateful to all the parents for their kind donations of toys and resources.

   

  Tots and Tea will continue every Friday from 10.30–11.30am. Everyone is welcome – we look forward to seeing you there!

  

• Year 3 Service of Enrolment

  Fri 07 Nov 2025

  Congratulations to all our Year 3 pupils who celebrated their sacramental Service of Enrolment in school today. Due to ongoing renovations at Mater Dei, this year’s service was held in our assembly hall, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for this special occasion. The children were amazing—reverent, enthusiastic, and proud to take this important step in their faith journey.

   

  Sincere thanks to their teachers and classroom assistants for preparing the pupils so beautifully, and to Canon Colm for leading the service with kindness and encouragement.

  

• Pupil Council Explore Children’s Rights at NICCY Webinar

  Thu 06 Nov 2025

  Our Pupil Council, joined by Mrs. Wray, recently attended a live online Q&A webinar hosted by the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and CCEA. The session focused on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), helping pupils understand their rights and how these apply to everyday life.

   

  Led by Commissioner Chris Quinn, Dr. Leanne Henderson from Queen’s University, and members of NICCY’s Youth Panel, the webinar gave pupils the chance to ask questions, share their views, and explore issues that matter to them—such as education, wellbeing, and participation. It was an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience that encouraged our young leaders to reflect on how they can use their voices to help shape a better future for all children and young people

  

• Wheelie Big Challenge

  Tue 04 Nov 2025

  Our Eco-Council has officially launched the Wheelie Big Challenge with support from Aodhan at Eco-Schools, who visited to help us get started.

   

  To kick things off, the Eco-Council carried out a bin survey in a Year 6 classroom. They emptied the bin, sorted the contents into recycling, general waste, and compostable waste, and then weighed each category.

   

  The results showed that there was too much food waste in the general bin—waste that should have gone into the brown compost bins. This gives us a clear target for improvement this year!

   

  Next steps? The Eco-Council will complete two more bin surveys in different classrooms and record the results to track progress

  

• St Joseph’s Celebrates Compassionate School Award

  Tue 04 Nov 2025

  After just one year of dedicated work, we are thrilled to announce that St Joseph’s has been awarded the Bronze Level Compassionate School Award. This wonderful recognition marks a significant milestone in our journey to embed Global Citizenship through the Children in Crossfire's 'Educating the Heart' initiative across our school community.

   

  This award celebrates the dedication of our whole school community in embedding values of empathy, compassion, and active citizenship throughout school life. From our pupil-led steering group and curriculum integration across PDMU and WAU, to our strong environmental partnerships and global connections, we have worked together to create a culture where every child is encouraged to think critically, act kindly, and make a difference.

   

  Displays of pupil work, meaningful advocacy projects, and our engagement with local and global issues reflect the breadth and depth of our GCE journey. We are proud of the progress we’ve made and excited to continue this important work as we aim for Silver Level in the coming year.

   

  Together, we are growing compassionate global citizens—one moment, one action, one heart at a time. 💛

  

• Digital Leaders Step into Their New Role as Dream Space Ambassadors

  Mon 03 Nov 2025

  Our Digital Leaders were proudly presented with their Dream Space Ambassador lanyards and notebooks today, marking the beginning of an exciting journey in STEM leadership.

   

  As part of the Dream Space Ambassador Programme, these pupils will take part in virtual training sessions led by Microsoft Ireland’s Dream Space team. Through hands-on activities and creative challenges, they’ll develop key digital skills in areas like coding, computational thinking, and digital storytelling.

   

  But it’s more than just upskilling—it’s about leading learning. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow pupils, staff, and even family members, helping to embed STEM learning across our school community.

   

  This programme encourages confidence, creativity, and collaboration, and we’re excited to see how our Ambassadors grow as leaders and role models throughout the year.