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

• Shining Bright: Stella’s First Adventure at St Joseph’s

  Fri 06 Feb 2026

  Stella the Star, our new school mascot, had the shiniest first week in Mrs. O'Doherty’s Primary 3 class! She told us her amazing story about how she zoomed through the sky and landed right in our school, and we chatted all about the special values she carries in her stardust. The children created colourful posters to show these values and added them to our new classroom display — Our Galaxy of Values!

   

  Stella also became a brilliant scientist, helping P.3 investigate whether a car travels further on a higher ramp. She joined us for assembly, Paired Reading and PE, shared lunch with us, and helped us learn how to stay safe using AI on Internet Safety Day. She even wore her brightest red for Red Day!

   

  On Number Day, she was over the moon to help us slice pizzas into halves and quarters… and she loved sharing a slice with her new friends!

   

  The next class that will be hosting Stella is… Mrs Matthew’s Year 7 girls and boys!

   

  #StellaShinesInP3

  

• SW Antrim Cumann na mBunscol Allianz Hurling Tournament

  Thu 05 Feb 2026

  Congratulations to our school hurlers who showcased great skill, commitment and teamwork at the South West Antrim Cumann na mBunscol Allianz Indoor Hurling Tournament. 

   

  The boys finished Runners-up in the Cup section and thoroughly deserved their silverware.  Congratulations to Mary Queen of Peace PS winners of the Cup. 

  Well done to all involved.

• Year 4HF Shared Education – Coding with Scratch

  Thu 05 Feb 2026

  Today Year 4HF met with our Shared Education partners for our second session together. Working in mixed groups they used Scratch to code algorithms and create their very own Virtual Fish Tanks!

   

  There were opportunities to change the backgrounds, added sprites, explored different costumes and code the movements to make sure the fish bounced around the tank. Some groups even experimented with adding fun sound effects!

   

  It was a brilliant morning of teamwork, creativity and problem‑solving. The children are already looking forward to their next meet‑up.

   

  #WorkingTogetherForABrighterFuture

  

• Core Kids – Staff PE Development Session

  Thu 05 Feb 2026

  We were delighted to welcome Gary Wallace from Core Kids to St. Joseph’s for a fantastic staff development session focused on dance and gymnastics. The workshop was highly informative, practical and full of energy – just the way PE should be!

   

  Gary provided our teaching staff with new ideas, fresh approaches and lots of opportunities to build confidence in delivering high‑quality physical education across the school.

   

  There was plenty of fun along the way too, and even Stella, our new school mascot, joined in to cheer everyone on!

   

  A huge thank you to Gary for supporting us as we continue to develop engaging, inclusive and active PE experiences for all our pupils.

  

• Year 5 Hurling with Ulster GAA and Gaelfast

  Wed 04 Feb 2026

  Primary 5 have been busy developing their hurling skills with Ulster GAA and Gaelfast coach, Pádraig. Pupils have been working on their striking technique and putting their skills into practice through mini matches.

   

  A big thank‑you to Pádraig for all his expert advice and fantastic demonstrations—our players are really progressing!

  

• Big Red Engine, Little Curious Learners

  Wed 04 Feb 2026

  There was great excitement today when the Fire Service came to visit our Nursery children! The boys and girls had a fantastic time learning all about the important work of a firefighter. They especially enjoyed trying on some of the equipment, using the hose, exploring inside the fire engine and hearing the siren.

   

  A huge thank you to our local firefighters for giving the children such a memorable and engaging experience. They absolutely loved it!

  

• Year 7 Service of Commitment

  Wed 04 Feb 2026

  Today our Year 7 pupils took part in a Service of Commitment during our February school Mass. This special moment marks the beginning of their preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation, an important step in their faith journey.

  We look forward to celebrating this sacrament together as a school community.

   

  Sacrament of Confirmation 

  Date: Tuesday 28th April 2026
  Time: 11.00am
  Venue: Mater Dei Church
  Celebrant: Bishop Alan McGuckian

   

  We keep all our Primary 7 pupils, their families, and sponsors in our prayers as they prepare for this joyful and meaningful occasion.

  

• Safer Internet Day - Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI

  Wed 04 Feb 2026

  On Tuesday morning our Digital Leaders took part in a Dream Space Ambassador’s Workshop where they explored the theme of Safer Internet Day:

  “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.”

   

  Today they introduced Safer Internet Day to the school via a virtual assembly. 

   

  The Digital Leaders have also been working hard to create a number of tasks for our pupils to complete on Safer Internet Day to include:

  P1-P3: Colouring Competition

  P4-P7: Just2easy Digital Footprint Activity.

   

  Prizes will be awarded to the winning entries in each category.        

   

  #saferinternetday

  

• Blessing of Throats - Feast of St. Blaise

  Tue 03 Feb 2026

  We were delighted to welcome Canon Colm to school today as we marked the Feast of St Blaise. St Blaise is known for caring for the sick, and there is a long held tradition of the Blessing of Throats on his feast day.

   

  Canon Colm kindly blessed the throats of our school choir members, using the candles that had been blessed on Christmas Day. It was a lovely, prayerful moment for the children.

   

  A big thank you to Canon Colm for visiting and for his continued support of our school community.

  

• Online Safety Parent Information Session

  Tue 03 Feb 2026

  Safer Internet Day is the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety. Each year we cover an online issue or theme that speaks to the things young people are seeing and experiencing online.

   

  Safer Internet Day 2026 is due to take place on Tuesday 10th February.  However, as we will be closed for Mid Term we will mark Safer Internet Day on 5th February 2026, with celebrations and learning based around the theme:

  “Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI.”

   

  Each class will complete an online safety activity to reinforce acceptable online behaviour.

   

  To mark Safer Internet Day please find a link below to a parent information session on online safety which we receive as part of our annual subscription to Knowsley Council

   

  https://www.knowsleyclcs.org.uk/online-safety-parent-carer-session-january-2026/  

   

  We hope you find this useful and informative.