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

• Team Trials

  Tue 06 Dec 2022

  Today we held our school team trials for gaelic football, hurling/camogie and soccer. 

  In the New Year we look forward to taking part in afterschool and in a number of competitions representing our school.

  #teamwork #dreamwork 

  

• Public Health Agency Press Release

  Tue 06 Dec 2022

  PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON 6^th DECEMBER 2022

   

  PUBLIC URGED TO BE ALERT TO SIGNS OF GROUP A STREP

   

  Parents and guardians are being urged to be alert for the signs of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections by the Public Health Agency (PHA).

   

  Group A streptococcus bacteria usually cause a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare circumstances, these bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS).

   

  As well as an increase in notifications of scarlet fever, which is above the levels we usually see at this time of year, the PHA is also aware of a higher number of cases of iGAS being reported across the UK.

   

  While iGAS is still uncommon, it is important that parents are on the lookout for symptoms of illnesses caused by group A streptococcus bacteria and seek medical advice so that their child can be treated appropriately and to help prevent the infection becoming serious.

   

  What to do if you suspect your child has scarlet fever

   

  Scarlet fever mainly affects children under 10, but people of any age can get it. In the early stages, symptoms include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel. 

   

  The PHA is asking parents to contact their GP if they suspect their child has scarlet fever, because early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.

   

  Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Scarlet fever usually clears up after about a week, but anyone who thinks they or a child may have it should contact a GP for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

   

  “To limit the spread of scarlet fever it is also important to practise good hygiene by washing hands with warm water and soap, not sharing drinking glasses or utensils, and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. People should also stay away from nursery, school or work for 24 hours after taking the first dose of antibiotics.”

   

  Don’t put off seeking help if your child continues to get worse

   

  There can be a range of causes of sore throats, colds and coughs. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop an infection and that can make them more unwell.

   

  The PHA is also urging parents to seek help if their child is very unwell or seems to be getting worse – even if they have started treatment. Parents should contact their GP if they feel:

  • their child is getting worse;
  • their child is feeding or eating much less than normal;
  • their child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration;
  • their baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher;
  • their baby feels hotter than usual when they touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty;
  • their child is very tired or irritable.

   

  Call 999 or go to the Emergency Department if:

  • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs;
  • there are pauses when your child breathes;
  • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue;
  • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

   

  Dr McClean continued: “The PHA has issued an urgent message to all primary and secondary care healthcare providers alerting them to increases in group A streptococcal infection. Acting quickly if you suspect anyone has this infection could make a difference to the outcomes.”

   

  For further information on scarlet fever, visit www.pha.site/ScarletFever

   

  Rises in recent cases of invasive group A streptococcus across the UK may be due in part to more social mixing, which may also result in other illnesses circulating at the same time. The PHA would therefore urge everyone eligible for the free flu vaccine to get it at the earliest opportunity. In particular we would urge parents of all pre-school children aged two years and over and those aged 6 months to 2 years who are in risk groups to avail of the free flu vaccine.

   

  Find out who is eligible for the winter vaccines and where to get vaccinated see www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines

   

  For the UKHSA update on Group A Strep and scarlet fever on 2 December 2022 visit www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-scarlet-fever-and-invasive-group-a-strep

   

  The PHA has also written to Health and Social Care Trusts and GPs to inform them of an increase in GAS infections being seen across the UK, including in Northern Ireland. The letter advises that the increase in GAS infections has been accompanied by a rise in the rare, most serious, form of the infection called invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS). 

   

• Daily Mile Santa Run

  Fri 02 Dec 2022

  Today, Friday 2nd December, St Joseph's joined over 500 schools from across Northern Ireland to take part in the Daily Mile Santa Run.  

   

  The children had a great time and puts lots of energy into ensuring they had a good workout #healthybody #healthymind

  

• Pupil Council Work

  Fri 02 Dec 2022

  Our Pupil Council have been working hard this week with Mrs Wray and Mr McGrattan visiting classes to raise awareness of children’s rights and in particular Article 23, Children with Disabilities as Saturday December 3^rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

   

  They have also been working with Mr Traynor and representatives of the Friends of St Joseph's on designing a new school sports kit which the Friends are kindly sponsoring.  After our meeting final designs have been decided through the use of a computer package.  We're now ready to place the order and the Pupil Council look forward to unveiling our new sports kits after Christmas.  We're keeping the design under wraps until then!

  

• Christmas Books and Pencils for Year 3

  Fri 02 Dec 2022

  Many thanks to the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's Good Relations team for their donation of Christmas Around the World colouring books and pencils for all of our pupils in Year 3. Mr Traynor presented the boy and girls with their books and pencils today. The colouring book highlights how Christmas is celebrated in different ways around the world.

  

• It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

  Thu 01 Dec 2022
  

• November Golden Assemblies

  Wed 30 Nov 2022

  This week in school we had 2 beautiful Advent assemblies led by Mr McKenna's Year 3 class and Miss Walsh's Year 4 class.

   

  Both assemblies focused us all on how we can use this time in the build up to Christmas to prepare for the special day.  It reminded us of the importance of love, joy, hope and peace during this festive season. 

   

  In addition to this Mr Traynor delivered some important messages and there was lots to celebrate with the presentation of our monthly awardssome fabulous achievements in our Accelerated Reading Programme.  Well done to everyone involved!

  

• Year 5 Archaelogy Visit

  Tue 29 Nov 2022

  Professor Eileen Murphy, mother of Gabriel in Year 5 came to school to deliver an educational workshop on Ancient Egpt.  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 tody!

  

• Blessing of the Advent Wreath

  Tue 29 Nov 2022

  This Sunday 27th November marked the First Sunday of Advent.  On Tuesday 29th November, Canon Colm called to school to bless our Advent Wreath.  During our Prayer Service we had a number of special readings from Mr Traynor, Mr McCarthy and members of the Year 7 Faith Group.  To conclude the service our Year 7 pupils sand a beautiful rendition of Silent Night.  

   

  After the Service the Advent Wreath was moved to the foyer of our school.  Here the Faith Group met to discuss the proper upkeep of our wreath and to share responsibilities for delivering our whole school Advent messages to each class during the month of December.  

  

• Awards Presentation at CAFRE Greenmount

  Fri 25 Nov 2022

  Members of the Eco team attended an awards ceremony at Greenmount College for our scarecrow entries to the Garden Show in Antrim earlier this year.  The deputy Lord Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey was in attendance as well as tutors from Greenmount college.

   

  After some refreshments each school had their presentation, which was a poinsettia plant (that had been grown in Greenmount), an apple tree and a goodie bag for each of the pupils.  We then had the chance to see some of the greenhouses that the students use and got an opportunity to choose some pansies and plant them in our own containers.  It was a very enjoyable morning and a great experience for the children involved.