This month's theme is Staying Safe during School Holidays.

This video provides a quick overview on posting photos safely, balancing screen time and tackling cyberbullying.

Please click on the link below:

https://www.knowsleyclcs.org.uk/online-safety-monthly-videos/

Please find below a link to our Summer 2026 SWAY News @ St Joseph's

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/o9rsZC15agEtqKtG?ref=Link

We would like to wish our school community a very safe, happy and  hopefully sunny Summer Break. 

School will re-open for pupils in Years 2—7 for an Induction Day on Friday 28th August and will close at 12.00 noon. There will be no school dinners on this day. There will be no school buses at 12.00 noon. Nursery and Year 1 pupils have been forwarded individual starting dates for the new school year.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back after the Summer Holidays refreshed and energised for the school year ahead.

Best wishes from,

All at St Joseph's Primary and Nursery School!

We were delighted to present £200, raised as part of our 2026 Lenten Charity Campaign, to our classroom assistant, Fiontann, who is currently taking part in the Hope Mission Zambia Project.

Fiontann has now arrived safely in Zambia, and we are proud to know that the funds raised by our school community will be put to such good use, supporting vital work with communities there.

We wish him every success as he begins this meaningful journey and look forward to welcoming him back to school in September to hear all about his experiences, the work undertaken, and the adventures along the way!

A huge congratulations to all our incredible Summer Award Winners from Years 1 to 6!

Your hard work, kindness, creativity, and determination have truly shone this term. Whether you’ve been a brilliant buddy, a maths master, a reading superstar, or a resilient role model — we are so proud of each and every one of you.

“Friends, fun, and a splash of adventure!” 

What a wonderful sunny way to wrap up the year! Our brilliant Primary 1 children headed off to Ballycastle Beach for their end-of-year trip.

From splashing in puddles to digging in the sand, the children had a fantastic time exploring the beach, playing games, building sandy creations and laughing with their classmates.  There were smiles all around as they made special memories to mark the end of their first year at school.

It was a joyful celebration of all they’ve achieved in Primary 1 — a day filled with giggles, friendship and a whole lot of splish-splashing fun! 

“Sandy toes, happy hearts, and memories that last forever!” 

#P1BeachDayBliss

Following our Leavers' Breakfast, we gathered for our Annual Year 7 Prizegiving before going to Mater Dei Church for a special Leavers’ Mass, where parents joined us for this important celebration.

Afterwards, everyone returned to the school hall, where pupils and families enjoyed a memory slideshow featuring photographs from Year 1 and Year 7, beautifully capturing just how much the children have grown and changed over the years. The presentation of Records of Achievement marked another important milestone, and the children delighted everyone by singing songs from The Wizard of Oz, adding a joyful and memorable touch to the occasion.

The celebrations concluded with pupils making their way along a red carpet and out of the school grounds for the final time, cheered and applauded by staff, pupils and families.

It was an emotional day for all involved, but these girls and boys are truly ready for the next exciting stage of their journey into second-level education.

From everyone at St Joseph’s, we wish you every blessing and the very best of luck.

And remember, above all:

" Follow the yellow brick road"

&

“You've always had the power, my dear—you just had to learn it for yourself.”
(The Wizard of Oz)

Today, we bid a fond and emotional farewell to our wonderful Year 7 pupils.

The day began with our traditional Leavers’ Breakfast in the school canteen—a special opportunity to come together, share a meal and reflect on their journey through St Joseph’s. The breakfast is always a symbolic moment, marking both an ending and a new beginning. There was even some impromptu singing and dancing, highlighting the strong sense of friendship among the children.

We extend our sincere thanks to Rick and the canteen staff, past and present, for the beautiful breakfast and for the care and dedication they have shown in catering for our boys and girls over the years.

On Tuesday 23rd June, the Year 6 classes visited CIC for a taster morning.

We were put into class groups and had the opportunity to visit a range of subject departments, all exploring the theme ‘We Are Champions’.

In Home Economics, we made edible medals using biscuits and icing sugar. In French and Spanish, we learned words and phrases to describe things we are good at. In History, we explored the Olympic Games and how they differ today compared to the Ancient Games. In English, we created posters about what makes a champion, while some other classes designed trophies.

We also enjoyed a delicious break, choosing from hotdogs, pizza or burgers.

It was a lovely morning and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to CIC, where we were made to feel very welcome.

Today marked the exciting conclusion of the St Joseph’s Chess Tournament for 2026. Our chess finals were held outdoors in beautiful sunshine, creating a wonderful atmosphere for the occasion. Both games were fiercely contested, showcasing the remarkable skill and dedication of our young chess enthusiasts.

After two tense matches, Nicholaj emerged as the overall winner, securing the coveted title of St Joseph’s Chess Tournament Champion for 2026. Ryan finished in 2nd place, Michael in 3rd place, and Shea in 4th place. Their performances are a testament to their strategic thinking and focus throughout the tournament, and provide well-deserved recognition of their hard work and commitment to the game.

We also congratulate all 56 participants for their commendable sportsmanship and passion, which made this year’s tournament such a memorable event. We look forward to many more exciting chess tournaments in the years to come.

Congratulations once again to our overall winner Nicholaj, our finalists, and all participants for their outstanding performances!

We are incredibly proud to announce that St Joseph’s has now been awarded the Silver Level Compassionate School Award. This special milestone was marked at a beautiful celebration in the historic Guildhall in Derry, where the award was formally presented.

Representing our school on this memorable occasion were Mr Traynor, Mrs Loughran, and representatives from our Faith Group and Pupil Council, whose commitment and enthusiasm truly embody the spirit of our work. In a particularly proud moment, Mr Traynor was invited to speak, sharing the story of our journey through the Educating the Heart programme and how it has shaped our school community.

This recognition celebrates the continued dedication of our pupils, staff, and wider community in embedding the values of empathy, compassion, and active global citizenship across school life. Through our pupil-led initiatives, meaningful curriculum links, environmental partnerships, and engagement with local and global issues, we are nurturing children who think deeply, act kindly, and strive to make a difference.

Our journey has been enriched by thoughtful advocacy projects, powerful pupil voice, and a shared commitment to creating a more just and compassionate world. The Silver Award reflects not just what we have achieved, but who we are becoming as a school community.

We are delighted with this recognition and excited to continue building on this success as we now set our sights on achieving the Gold Award next year.

Together, we continue to grow compassionate global citizens—one moment, one action, one heart at a time