There are many benefits to playing chess.  Chess has been shown to improve visual memory, attention span, social skills and spatial-reasoning ability. Because it requires children to make a series of decisions, they learn to think critically, evaluate alternatives, and use logic to assist in their decision-making.

Indeed chess is proving to be a very popular board game enjoyed by many of our Key Stage 2 children at wet lunchtimes.  A group of children have approached Mr. Traynor and asked about the possibility of organising a chess competition in school.  42 children form Year 5 to Year 7 along with a few members of staff have now committed to taking part and a date for the competition has been set for week commencing Monday 10th March.  We have a few weeks to 'brush up' on our chess playing skills and will keep you updated as to how the competition progresses!     

At St Joseph's we are very proud of our Forest School Status.  We believe that Outdoor Learning:

• Provide a context for learning;
• Complements indoor learning;
• Supports emotional and physical wellbeing;
• Impacts positively on attitudes and self-esteem;
• Increases knowledge of and care for the natural environment.

Over the past few days Mr. McKenna who is a qualified Outdoor Learning instructor has been modelling and leading a number of outdoor learning lessons with our teachers and pupils.  All involved have found this most beneficial. 

As we make the move into Spring time we intend to have a greater focus on learning outdoors and reap the benefits its has for learning across the curriculum.  Let's hope the weather is kind to us over the coming months - let the sun shine!

“The classroom of the future should not be limited to a classroom at all – an ‘excellent' curriculum would go beyond the traditional boundaries and offer real-world learning experiences outdoors.” Taking Learning Outdoors – LTS 2007

Today Noel from Arc21 (the waste management group for 6 councils in the eastern part of Northern Ireland) visited our school. 

Noel led a series of talks and crafts workshops with our Year 3-5 pupils which centred on waste and recycling and linked in with our curriculum.  The children found the workshops very interesting and informative and were thoroughly engaged in the arts and crafts which involved paper pot making, origami and creating Egyptian Death Masks.  Many thanks to Noel and we look forward to welcoming him back to St. Joseph's in March to work with our Year 6 and 7 pupils.

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

The programme looked at the background to and events surrounding the Titanic.  Pupils looked at and discussed the year of 1912 and the social and economic factors which led to the building of Titanic, through major events and people of this period.  Popular theories and myths about its sinking were explored, in addition to the follow on effects from this tragedy.  Pupils finished the workshop by participating in a competitive boat building workshop.

Congratulations to all those boys and girls who represented our school at the recent Camlin Credit Union Quiz.  Our Year 6 team finished as Runners-Up and our Year 7 teams finished in first place overall.

Team members were:

Year 6 Team (Runners-Up) - Aoibhinn Benstead, Oliver Brady, Oran Gilliland and Noah Peoples.

Year 7 Team B (First Place) - Scarlett Collins, Sarah Donnelly, Jenna Gibson and Joseph Owens.

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

Many thanks to everyone who supported our 'Wear it Red' Day for defibrillator and mental health first aid training .  There was a sea of red across St. Joseph's. A great day was had by all. 

Enjoy the Mid-Term Break!  School will reopen for all pupils on Monday 17th February.

Many thanks to Rick and the canteen staff for hosting our Valentine's Special Dinner today - We LOVED it!

Congratulation to Bella in Year 6 who scored the most points in the various challenges and activities completed at the recent Antrim Grammar Open Day.  Representatives from Antrim Grammar called to school today to present Bella with her certificate and a bag of goodies.  Well done Bella - Congratulations!

We are delighted to be one of 29 schools chosen in the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to partake in the Healthy Kids Programme. 

The objectives of the sessions will include Sport/Physical Activity delivery, Nutrition, and Mindfulness with the overall aim:

• To promote healthy nutrition, emotional mental health and exercise across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area.

• To create an opportunity for boys and girls to learn about Mental Health and nutrition and use the opportunity to help participants appreciate the role of mental health and nutrition in their daily lives

• This Project links to the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Community Plan, by addressing improved health and mental wellbeing, lifelong opportunities and aspiring to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Each week the session will begin with an interactive nutrition or mindfulness video followed by a fun physical activity element. We look forward to participating in the programme with our coach Paul and learning lots of new facts, all whilst getting fitter and more active!

#KnowYourselfGrowYourself

There have been lots of amazing individual and class achievements with our Accelerated Reading Programme during the first half of Term 2.  The word count continues to rise along with the number of Word Millionaires. 

Today it was the turn of Mrs. Campbell's Year 5 class to celebrate as deserving class winners.  There were rewarded with a class party for their efforts. 

Keep up the excellent reading ...... who will be our next class winners?

#watchthisspace #lovetoread