Our Year 7 pupils set off bright and early this morning for an action-packed day at the Belfast Activity Centre — and what a day it was!

From canoeing and mountain biking to orienteering, archery, bushcraft, rock climbing, caving, and team games, the children embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and energy. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to build confidence, work together, and most importantly — have fun!

The pupils (and staff!) returned to school tired but full of smiles, with plenty of stories to share and memories to treasure. After such a busy day, we think it’s safe to say that a good night’s sleep is on the cards for everyone!

Well done, Year 7 – what an adventure!

Today was a truly special day at St Joseph’s as we celebrated the graduation of our amazing Nursery children!

The celebration began with a heartwarming video showcasing all the fun, learning, and adventures the children have enjoyed throughout the year. It was a joy to see how much they’ve grown in confidence and blossomed in every way.

Dressed in their graduation gowns, the children lit up the stage with their bright smiles, confident voices, and joyful songs. There were even some fantastic dance moves that had everyone smiling!

After the ceremony, the sun shone brightly as families, children, and our amazing nursery staff came together to enjoy some well-deserved treats and celebrate this wonderful milestone.

Well done, boys and girls – you are more than ready for Primary 1! We are so proud of each and every one of you.

Today, our enthusiastic netball team headed to Crumlin Leisure Centre to take part in the Crumlin Community Netball Club’s Primary School Tournament. It was an afternoon filled with energy, teamwork, and sportsmanship!

The girls thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to play alongside—and compete against—their friends from the club, proudly representing St. Joseph’s. Their positive attitude, team spirit, and love for the game were clear to see throughout the tournament.

A big well done to all our players — you represented our school brilliantly and made us all proud!

Wednesday 11th June marked International Day of Play.  It was therefore very fitting that we held our Kidz Academy End of Year Fun Days this week where the children in Years 2-6 had an opportunity to partake in a variety of playful activities to include art, ICT, cookery, technology and sport.  To top it all off, everyone enjoyed a delicious ice cream treat, adding a sweet touch to an already fantastic celebration.  Lots of fun learning through play related activities was had by all!  

As the renowned play advocate Fred Rogers once said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.” This week was a perfect reminder of just how powerful and enriching play can be.

A huge congratulations to our incredibly talented Year 7 pupils for their outstanding performance of Matilda! Over two unforgettable evenings, our young stars lit up the stage with their remarkable skills in drama, singing, and dance — captivating packed audiences and leaving everyone in awe.

This production was more than just a show — it was a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and the vibrant spirit of St Joseph’s. Every child brought something special to the stage, and together they delivered a performance that was nothing short of magical.

We are so proud of each and every one of them. What a beautiful way to mark the end of their journey here at St Joseph’s, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

A heartfelt thank you to all the staff who supported the production in any way. Your dedication and teamwork made this possible. A special shout-out to our amazing Year 7 team for their tireless commitment and for giving our pupils the opportunity to shine.

Well done, everyone — you truly wowed us all!

Huge congratulations to our fantastic Primary 1 and Primary 2 pupils who received the Headteacher Awards for the second week of June! 

These young learners have continued to impress us with their enthusiasm, kindness, creativity, and determination. They are setting a wonderful example for their peers and helping to make our school a joyful place to learn and grow.

We are so proud of each of you—keep up the amazing work and continue to shine!

On Friday 13th June our school took part in a live online Eco-Schools assembly, joining schools from Wales, Scotland, and Germany to celebrate the inspiring environmental work carried out this year.

During the assembly, we shared highlights of our eco activities, showcasing the dedication and creativity of our pupils. Photographs of our school’s eco efforts were included in the presentation, thanks to the contributions of Mrs. Downey, who worked closely with our Eco Committee to lead a range of green initiatives.

It was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on our achievements and connect with other schools committed to sustainability. We are proud to have been part of this international celebration of environmental action!

We are incredibly proud to cheer on Lucia Rooney, who will be representing Antrim in the annual Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Friendship Games as they take on Dublin at Corrigan Park on Friday 13th June.

Lucia’s dedication, talent, and team spirit have earned her this fantastic opportunity to wear the county colours with pride. We know she’ll give it her all on the pitch and inspire everyone watching.

Ádh mór, Lucia! Your school community is behind you — go out there and shine!

Our Year 6 pupils recently had a fantastic visit to Crumlin Integrated College, where the theme of the day was "Growth." The day was packed with exciting and enriching activities that sparked creativity, teamwork, and learning.

Pupils explored their artistic side by designing plant pot covers inspired by the vibrant work of Henri Matisse. In drama, they brought scenes from Matilda to life with energy and imagination. Maths took a hands-on twist as students investigated scale and engineered impressive structures using spaghetti and marshmallows. Over in Home Economics, they got creative in the kitchen, making delicious pitta pocket pizzas.

The fun continued outdoors with a variety of sports including badminton, football, and hurling. To top it all off, everyone was treated to hotdogs, drinks, and a visit from the ice cream van — a perfect way to end a memorable morning.

A huge thank you to the staff at Crumlin Integrated College for their warm welcome, engaging workshops, and generous treats - it was certainly a lovely way to spend the morning!

Today, we waved goodbye to our scarecrow Martina Featherfriend as she set off to represent St. Joseph’s at the Antrim and Newtownabbey Garden Show Ireland, held at the beautiful Antrim Castle Gardens.  She will proudly take her place on Really Rubbish Scarecrow Land from 15th–17th June, showcasing the creativity and teamwork of our Year 7 pupils and staff.

We are incredibly proud of everyone involved in bringing Martina Featherfriend to life and wish them the very best of luck in the judging!

MARTINA FEATHERFRIEND

In a field where flowers sway,

Martina Featherfriend stands both night and day.

With a hat of straw and a smile so wide,

She welcomes birds from far and wide.

No scary face or flapping sleeves,

Just gentle songs on rustling leaves.

She hums a tune the robins know,

And waves hello when breezes blow.

Her pockets hold some seeds to share,

For finches, wrens, and doves with care.

She’s not a scarecrow — oh no, not she!

She’s a bird friend, wild and free.

So if you see her standing there,

With feathers dancing in her hair,

Say “Hello, Martina!” loud and clear,

She loves it when the birds draw near!

By St. Joseph’s Primary School, Crumlin