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

• Year 5 Carol Singing at The Whins

  Mon 09 Dec 2024

  Our girls and boys will be busy over the next few weeks singing within the community.  Today it was the turn of our Year 5 choir.

   

  Here they are at The Whins doing what they do best ..... singing their hearts out!  They were rewarded for their efforts with some lovely treats and a special visitor made a surprise appearance; yes, Santa himself was there and was delighted with the beautiful singing!

   

  #Away in a Manger ..... #Silent Night

  

• Our Christmas Nursery Trail

  Fri 06 Dec 2024

  The nursery children experienced the magic of Christmas  during their Nursery Trail. Three Wise Men greeted the children and their parents at the school entrance. The children received a gold coin and proceeded down the festive corridor lit with Christmas trees. They collected their unique decorations from the trees before joining Mrs. Claus for an interactive storytelling session. 

   

  Their next stop was Santa’s kitchen. Santa’s two cooks needed JoJo the nursery bear to get dressed for some baking but he arrived dressed as a pirate and       mermaid instead. Finally, JoJo  got it right and appeared suitably dressed and ready to help the boys and girls decorate some delicious gingerbread baked by one of our very talented parents.

   

  The trail moved into the courtyard where children had an opportunity to meet and dance with some Christmas characters. Thanks to the generosity of one of our parents who donated the sausages,  the children received a hotdog and drink     before having an opportunity to engage in some sensory play with Carla from    Sensory-at-home.

   

  The children followed the trail  along the corridor all the way to Santa’s Grotto. The children enjoyed chatting to Santa and sharing their Christmas wishes. They received a book and  a selection box from Santa’s elves. (Thank you to The Friends of St. Joseph’s for purchasing the gifts for the children.)

   

  The trail ended in the minor hall with some refreshments for parents, family and friends and sensory circuits for the children The trail’s success was the result of a massive team effort from the staff, children, parents and wider community of St. Joseph’s Primary School and Nursery Unit.

   

  A big thank you to all who helped in any way. Your generous donations, behind the scenes preparations and ‘on the night’ performances all contributed to an evening of magic and wonder for the children.  A special shoutout to all the Nursery team for their fantastic efforts in planning and hosting this special Christmas event!

  

• SW Antrim Boys Cumann na mBunscol Indoor Football

  Thu 05 Dec 2024

  Today it was the boys turn to travel  to Antrim Forum to take part in the Allianz SW Antrim Cumann na mBunscol Indoor 5-a-side Football Tournament. 

   

  Again today there was great team work, determination and skill displayed.  The boys did St. Joseph's proud and reaching the semi-finals of the Cup Competition where they were beaten by the eventual winners St. Patrick's Rasharkin. 

   

  Well done boys - proud of you all!

  

• Year 3 First Confession

  Thu 05 Dec 2024

  Many congratulations to our Year 3 children on making their First Confession. The boys and girls were so reverent in the church.  They celebrated the special occasion in school today with a cake party.  We are very proud of you all!

  

• Sustrans Project Launch @ St. Joseph’s

  Wed 04 Dec 2024

  We were delighted to welcome Johnny McCrystal to assembly today to launch our participation in the Sustrans Project this year.

   

  Johnny spoke to the Year 4 to Year 7 classes explaining what the project was about; travelling to school and home as active as we can.  He also spoke about the importance of sustainable travel for the environment as well as for our own mental and physical health.

   

  The Year 7 classes got the chance to do some further activities after assembly with Johnny and we look forward to welcoming him back in January 2024 to carry out our Dr. Bike Day!

   

  #WalkingWheelingAndRunning

  

• St. Joseph's Open Night

  Tue 03 Dec 2024

  Many thanks to all those who came along to our recent Open Evening.  All those in attendance were taken on a guided tour of our school and its facilities by our excellent Year 7 tour guides.  Staff were on hand to answer any questions as our visitors moved throughout the school. Many thanks also to our Digital Leaders  who showcased a wide range of mathematical and ICT topics and skills and to our wonderful choir who sang so beautifully in the main school hall.  We look forward to our prospective new pupils joining our school and nursery unit in September 2025. 

   

  If your child is starting pre-school or primary school in September 2025, you can apply online from  midday Friday 10th January 2025 to midday on Friday 24th January 2025. 

   

  Further information is available on the EA website under the Admissions section at:

  https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions

  

• Year 4 Visit from the War Memorial Museum

  Tue 03 Dec 2024

  Today Mark from The War Memorial Museum in Belfast visited Primary 4 as part of their topic on World War II.   

   

  Mark was great and told us lots of interesting facts about WW2 and The Belfast Blitz. We saw photographs of the home guard and evacuees. We also saw an aerial photograph of the shipyard in Belfast were boats and bombs that were used to fight in the war were built. Mark brought lots of artefacts too including gasmasks and helmets. At the end we all got the opportunity to wear the helmets, hold the gasmasks and clang the gas rattle. It was amazing - many thanks to Mark for coming along!

   

  

• Just2Easy Christmas Creativity

  Tue 03 Dec 2024

  Year 6 have been using Just2easy to create some beautiful images in preparation for Advent.  This digital tool encourages the children's creativity and enhances their knowledge of game-based learning and digital literacy skills.  Have a look at some of their wonderful work displayed in one of our ICT suites.

   

   

  

• Webinar on Children's Rights

  Mon 02 Dec 2024

  Following on from their visit to meet the Children's Commissioner in November the Pupil Council met with Mrs. Wray and Mr. McGrattan to view a follow-up Webinar on 'Children and Young People's Rights.'

   

  During the webinar he children had the chance to explore and ask questions about their rights; explore issues that affect them, and find out more about how they can improve the quality of their lives.  

  

• Year 5 Ancient Egypt Workshop

  Mon 02 Dec 2024

  One of our parents, Professor Eileen Murphy, came to school to deliver an educational workshop on Ancient Egypt to all of our Year 5 pupils as part of their topic. 

   

  Professor Murphy is a  specialist in Egyptology and all of the children in Year 5 thoroughly enjoyed the workshop which she delivered.  Indeed they are now much more knowledgeable about life in Ancient Egyptian times.  Thank you Professor Murphy for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come visit Year 5.  They thoroughly enjoyed the workshop!