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

• For Arts Sake - Creative Photography and Collage Work

  Tue 17 Feb 2026

  Primary 5 pupils in Mrs Campbell’s class have been fully immersed in the For Arts Sake project exploring both photography and creative collage over recent sessions. Their work in photography introduced them to the concept of capturing motion, where they experimented with torches to produce striking light trails and discovered how changing shutter speeds can dramatically alter the look and feel of a moving subject. This hands‑on experience helped them understand how photographers use technique to create different visual effects.

   

  Alongside this, the pupils took part in a vibrant collage activity, designing their own unique masks or posters using magazines, newspapers, stickers and markers. Their creativity truly shone, with each piece turning out completely individual.

   

  Together, these activities have given the children a rich blend of artistic and technical skills, encouraging imagination, experimentation and confidence in expressing themselves through visual art.

  

• Children’s Mental Health Week – Sound Bath Experience

  Tue 17 Feb 2026

  During Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, our Year 3 and Year 4 pupils took part in a calming Sound Bath experience led by Ms Blease. Using soothing sounds and gentle vibrations from instruments such as chimes and singing bowls, the session created a peaceful space for pupils to relax and reset.

   

  The children thoroughly enjoyed this unique wellbeing activity and left feeling calm, refreshed, and ready to learn.

   

  Sound baths can help children to:

  • Reduce stress and anxiety through deep relaxation
  • Improve focus and concentration by creating a calm mental space
  • Support emotional wellbeing and help regulate big feelings
  • Enhance mindfulness by encouraging stillness and present-moment awareness
  • Promote overall relaxation and a sense of inner calm.

  We are delighted to offer experiences that nurture positive mental health and wellbeing across our school community.

  

• Camlin Credit Union Quiz 2026

  Mon 16 Feb 2026

  Congratulations to all those boys and girls who represented our school at the recent Camlin Credit Union Quiz.  This year we had three teams representing our school, 2 A Teams and 1 B Team.  We are delighted to announces that Team A (Year7) and Team B finished in first place and Team A (Year 6) finished in third place.  Both of the winning teams will now progress to the next round will be held on Sunday 8th March at 2.00pm in Stranmillis College Sports Hall (Belfast).

   

  Team members were:

  Team A (Year 7): Kate Brady, Orla Hamill, Eoin Lawlor and Hannah Lin

   

  Team A (Year 6): Clodagh Bell, Cillian Bunting, Nicolaj Lewis and Christopher McCafferty

   

  Team B (Year 7): Aoibhinn Benstead, Hannah Rose Docherty, Ciara McCullagh and Noah Peoples

   

  Well done girls and boys - super representatives for St. Joseph's!  

  

• Wear It Red Day 2026

  Fri 06 Feb 2026

  We were delighted to celebrate Wear It Red Day in school on Friday 6th February. The children enjoyed a fun non‑uniform day and came to school proudly wearing red—whether through clothing, accessories or creative touches!  We also enjoyed a special Valentine’s Day menu in the canteen—huge thanks to Rick and his wonderful staff and our Year 1 and Year 2 pupils were presented with their weekly Headteacher Awards, recognising their hard work, kindness and shining efforts.

   

  This year 'Wear It Red Day' was for St. James' GFC Aldergrove.  We are pleased to be supporting St James’, who work so closely with our school throughout the year. Their team provides invaluable support in developing children’s fundamental movement and games skills, as well as offering coaching and after‑school clubs free of charge for all pupils.

   

  'Wear It Red Day' was our way of giving something back as they begin their fundraising campaign to improve facilities that will benefit both our school and the wider community.  Thank you, as always, for your generous support.

  
  We wish all our families a safe, restful, and enjoyable half‑term break.

  

• 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!