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

• Fairtrade Fortnight

  Tue 11 Mar 2025

  To raise awareness the Pupil Council have been visiting classes to talk about Fairtrade and what exactly it means for us in St. Joseph's.  They have also shared a number of resources with the teachers which can be used to further promote Fairtrade in each classroom during the course of Fairtrade Fortnight.  

   

  More information on Fairtade can be accessed at:

  http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools

   

  Our Year 6 Pupil Council members also hosted a Banana Break Fairtrade Tuckshop to celebrate ‘Fairtrade Fortnight.’   Children in Year 6 were very pleased to be able to purchase a Fairtrade banana to help support farmers in developing countries.  Well done to our Year 6 Pupil Council for hosting this very meaningful event which helped raise awareness of the importance of Fairtrade products within their year group.

   

  

• Engineers Ireland - STEPS Programme

  Mon 10 Mar 2025

  The Engineers Ireland STEPS programme gives children the opportunity to discover engineering with the main aim being the promotion of engineering.  Today our Year 7 pupils were fortunate to have Carly and Charlie in school to complete a series of workshops and highlight the importance of the profession to the children.  Many thanks folks - much appreciated!

  

• More Credit Union Quiz Success

  Mon 10 Mar 2025

  We have some extremely exciting news and congratulations to share as our Primary 7 quiz team, made up of Jenna, Joseph, Sarah and Scarlett had another successful afternoon in Stranmillis University College Belfast at the Chapter Level of the Credit Union Quiz as representatives of Camlin Credit Union Limited.
  
  The team, who were competing against many secondary schools in the U13 Section, finished Runners-Up and therefore qualified for the All-Ireland Level of Credit Union Quiz to be held in the RDS, Dublin, on 6th April 2025!
  
  Huge congratulations to all 4 of the team - we are so proud of you!  Onwards to Dublin we go!

  

• Fire Service Visit Year 5

  Mon 10 Mar 2025

  Today two firefighters visited our Year 5 children to complete our annual Fire Safety Talk.  The children participated in discussions and educational conversations about how to prevent fire in the home.  In addition, they discussed with the Fire service, what measures to take in the event of an emergency fire situation.

  The firefighters gave the children TWO challenges:

  • To make sure they could remember their home address incase they had to make a 999 call and request the help of the Fire Service.
  • To make sure all smoke alarms were tested at home and were working properly.

  All children received a ‘Safety Team’ pack to discuss with adults at home.

   

  It is also possible to organise a Home Fire Safety Check.  A Home Fire Safety Check is a visit to the home to provide advice on how to stay safe from fire.  Each visit will be carried out by at least two staff from NIFRS who will be wearing NIFRS uniform and will carry a NIFRS photographic identification card.

   

  During the visit they will either fit a smoke alarm or show you how to test your existing smoke alarm, explain the potential fire risks in your home, provide fire safety advice and explain the importance of having a night time fire safety routine and a fire escape plan.

   

  The visit will take up to 40 minutes. Sometimes it is useful for a family member, friend, neighbour or care worker to also be present so that they can assist with the advice.

   

  To apply for a Home Fire Safety Check please follow the link below to complete the form.

  https://www.nifrs.org/home/staying-safe/community-safety/home-fire-safety/home-fire-safety/

  

• The Magic of Literature Through Art

  Fri 07 Mar 2025

  Year 5 were very lucky to participate in an online Art Project for 'World Book Day'.  Artist Sinead Mc Dermott lead the online workshop based on the Harry Potter novels.  This was a wonderful opportunity to engage the pupils in the magic of literature through art. 

   

  Using pastels, pencils and paint, Sinead helped the children to shade, design and blend colour and effect.  It was a wonderful experience which was full of joy, imagination and inspiration.  The end result - some absolutely amazing works of art on Hedwig the Owl.

  

• World Book Day

  Fri 07 Mar 2025

  On Thursday 6th March we celebrated World Book Day in St. Joseph's.  For us in St. Joseph's, EVERY DAY is World Book Day.  We have been so busy this Term with our Silent and Accelerated Reading, pairing up with Reading Partners in Primary 3 and Primary 7 and reading with our teachers in class.  

   

  On World Book Day, the children from Nursery to Year 7 participated in a variety of events and activities to celebrate a love of books and reading.

   

  We hope the children enjoy spending their World Book Day tokens and treat themselves to a new book.  Tokens are valid until Sunday 23rd March.

  

• SW Antrim Cumann na mBunscoil Girls' Indoor Final

  Fri 07 Mar 2025

  Congratulations to our girls who travelled to Tir na Og in Randalstown to take part in the SW Antrim Cumann na mBunscoil Indoor County Final today. 

   

  The girls showed great strength, skill, teamwork and determination and were a delight to watch.  It was a privilege to share this wonderful experience with such a talented bunch of young footballers and we were delighted that they finished as Runner-Up, beaten by a very strong St. Anne's PS Belfast team.  We extend congratulation to St. Anne's.  The girls look forward to many more achievements on the gaelic pitch!

  

• Year 7 Confirmation

  Thu 06 Mar 2025

  Congratulations to our Year 7 pupils who celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation in Mater Dei Church on Thursday 6th March. 

   

  We pray that the Holy Spirit will bless and guide them today and in the days and weeks ahead as they continue on their educational and spiritual journey. 

   

  Many thanks to the Year 7 team for ensuring the children were so well prepared for today, to the boys and girls in the Year 5 and 6 choir for the beautiful singing, to Mrs. McDonnell and Mrs. Lawlor for the wonderful music and to Canon Colm for delivering the service. 

   

  Well done everyone!

   

  Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
  and kindle in them the fire of your love.
  Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
  and you will renew the face of the earth

   

  

• Year 6AW Trip to Lely Farm

  Wed 05 Mar 2025

  As part of Engineering Week Year 6AW travelled to Lely Farm in Lisburn to visit a milk production farm to learn about modern agricultural practices and the latest engineering technology in the dairy industry.

   

  During the visit, pupils got an up-close look at how the farm utilises advanced engineering solutions to enhance milk production efficiency, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

   

  The children finished off their visit with a delicious ice-cream treat; courtesy of Lely Farm and the cows of course!

   

  Thank you for a very enjoyable and informative visit!

   

  

• Ash Wednesday Prayer Service

  Wed 05 Mar 2025

  Today was Ash Wednesday.  It signals the beginning of Lent.  In order to mark this special season Canon Colm held a Prayer Service in the school hall for pupils in Year Groups 4 - 7.  Pupils had an opportunity to reflect on how best they were going to prepare for Lent and Canon Colm then distributed ashes to the pupils and staff.  We welcome this period of Lent to help us best prepare for the season of Easter.