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

• A Busy, Bright March in our Nursery Unit

  Fri 27 Mar 2026

  March was a wonderfully busy and joy‑filled month in our Nursery Unit at St Joseph’s. We began by celebrating World Book Day, with children proudly bringing in their favourite stories to share. Together, we explored the different parts of a book—title, author, illustrator and blurb—and the boys and girls loved drawing the characters that captured their imaginations.

   

  Our celebrations continued on Wear It Green Day, when the nursery was alive with Irish songs, jigs and plenty of laughter. A real highlight was the fabulous performance from our talented Primary Two pupils, which had all the little ones clapping along.

   

  As spring arrived, the children turned their attention to new life on the farm, discovering how animals grow and change. This led beautifully into our Baby topic, inspired by the exciting arrival of several new babies within our nursery families—a lovely, real-life link for the children.

  We were also delighted to welcome Antrim Play Ball, who delivered energetic and engaging sessions throughout the month. These activities helped the children develop their fundamental movement skills while learning to work cooperatively in pairs and small teams.

   

  It has been a month bursting with curiosity, creativity and celebration—and we can’t wait for all that the next term will bring!

  

• Friends of St Joseph's Annual Fun Run

  Fri 27 Mar 2026

  Thank you to everyone who sponsored our children for the Friends of St Joseph’s Annual Fun Run.  The atmosphere was brilliant, and all our boys and girls loved getting active as they lapped the playground to raise funds for new school resources.

   

  A big thank‑you also to Shane and Catherine from Oaktree for kindly donating the juice and refreshments, and to the parents from the Friends of St. Joseph's who came along to help serve them.

   

  Sponsorship money can be returned to school up to and including Thursday 2nd April.  Every penny helps and will go directly towards resources for all of our children.

   

  Your support, as always, is very much appreciated.

  

• March Year 1 and 2 Principal Awards

  Fri 27 Mar 2026

  Congratulations to our Primary 1 and Primary 2 pupils who received the weekly Headteacher Award throughout March.

  
  Each of these boys and girls has been recognised for showing wonderful qualities that brighten our school every day.

   

  As we move towards the Easter break, it’s lovely to pause and celebrate those moments of kindness, effort and enthusiasm that make such a difference.

   

  Everyone Matters, Every Moment Counts – and our March Superstars have shown exactly that.
  We are very proud of them all!

  

• A Step Back in Time with Miss Anderson

  Thu 26 Mar 2026

  Our Year 3 pupils enjoyed an unforgettable experience this week as Miss Anderson from Time Steps transported them back to the early 1900s. Arriving as a strict, no‑nonsense teacher from the past, she led the children through a school day very different from what they know today.

   

  The boys and girls tried their hand at writing on slate boards, took part in traditional arithmetic and spelling drills, and learned about the expectations of school life long ago — including girls doing needlework and boys gathering coal and sticks to heat the classroom. These stories sparked plenty of curiosity (and some disbelief!) as pupils compared life then and now.

   

  To fully embrace the theme, Year 3 pupils dressed up, and our teachers and classroom assistants joined in the fun too. We even edited our accompanying photos in black and white, just as they would have appeared in those days.

   

  It was a wonderfully engaging and memorable session, and while everyone thoroughly enjoyed stepping back in time, the children were unanimous in saying they’re glad school isn’t quite so strict anymore!  A big thank‑you to Miss Anderson from Time Steps for bringing history to life in such a captivating way.

  

• Time Steps Titanic Workshop

  Wed 25 Mar 2026

  Many thanks to Stephanie from Time Steps for delivering a highly informative and enjoyable workshop to our Year 7 classes today.

   

  The programme explored the background and key events surrounding the Titanic. Pupils examined life in 1912, discussing the social and economic factors that contributed to the building of the ship, as well as the major events and influential figures of the time. They also investigated popular theories and myths about the sinking, along with the wider impact of this maritime tragedy.

   

  The session concluded with a hands‑on, competitive boat‑building challenge, which the pupils thoroughly enjoyed.

  

• Creative Connections: Capturing Our Creativity in Action!

  Wed 25 Mar 2026

  Our Year 5 pupils in Mr. McKenna’s class were delighted to take part in an exciting Creative Connections filming experience this week. A professional film crew visited our school to record the children in action, capturing the wonderful artwork, ideas, and reflections they have developed throughout their Creative Connections journey.

   

  The pupils spoke confidently with the crew, sharing what they have learned, how their creativity has grown, and what the project has meant to them. Their enthusiasm, imagination and teamwork shone through, and we are incredibly proud of how brilliantly they represented our school.

   

  These recordings will feature as part of the Creative Connections Celebration Day on Tuesday 12th May in the Guildhall, Derry/Londonderry. This special event brings schools together to showcase pupils’ achievements, celebrate their creative experiences, and highlight the joy and curiosity that the programme inspires.

  We look forward to seeing our pupils’ work displayed and celebrated alongside other schools, and we are grateful for the ongoing opportunities Creative Connections provides to nurture creativity, confidence, and expressive learning in our children.

   

  Well done, Year 5 — your creativity truly is something worth celebrating!

  

• National Footbal League Half-Time Games

  Mon 23 Mar 2026

  In the National Footbal League it was Antrim v London on Sunday 23^rd March. Six of our Year 7 boys had the opportunity to travel to Erin’s Own Cargin on the day to partake in the Cumann na mBunscol Half Times Games. 

   

  They were a credit to their parents, school and clubs playing with great skill and team work.  Thank you to Antrim GAA and Antrim Cumann na mBunscol for giving the children the opportunity.  Congratulations boys - the medals look lovely and were very well deserved! 

  

• Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP)

  Fri 20 Mar 2026

  We were delighted to receive our GYOP (Grow Your Own Potatoes) pack.

  Grow Your Own Potatoes is a valuable educational programme that supports key curriculum objectives.

   

  Through hands‑on learning, it helps pupils explore healthy eating, sustainability, science, and the environment. Whether they’re investigating plant life cycles, developing practical gardening skills, or learning about healthy lifestyle choices, GYOP provides an engaging way to bring learning to life. It sparks curiosity while reinforcing important concepts and fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.

   

  We look forward to the learning opportunities this project will bring — and we can’t wait to see our potatoes develop and grow. We may even serve up a tasty treat at the end of the growing season!

  

• Faith Group Easter Colouring Competition

  Fri 20 Mar 2026

  Our Faith Group had a difficult task selecting the entries from St Joseph’s to be sent to the Missio Ireland Easter Colouring Competition. They worked well, carefully reviewing all submissions before choosing the final pieces to be sent off for judging.

   

  Well done to all the children who entered, and a special thank you to our Faith Group for their thoughtful judging, teamwork, and promotion of Lenten values throughout this special season as we journey towards Easter.

  

• Rededication of Mater Dei Church

  Thu 19 Mar 2026

  A Special Celebration for Our School Community - Mater Dei 'Mother of God'

   

  The Rededication of Mater Dei Church took place on Sunday 15th March, a special occasion for our parish and school community. The ceremony was a memorable event, followed by a warm and welcoming reception in our school. Every child played their part in marking this historic moment by creating a special piece of work, proudly displayed at the reception and adding to the sense of celebration.

   

  On Thursday, we were delighted to welcome Canon Colm and members of the Parish Pastoral Council to school as part of the continuing rededication celebrations. Together, we marked the occasion with the cutting of a celebratory cake. Every child enjoyed a slice and was gifted a candle along with a special Rededication Prayer, beautifully written by Hannah Rose in Year 7.

   

  We look forward to celebrating Mass, marking special school occasions, and coming together in our newly refurbished and much‑loved Mater Dei Church for many years to come.