The Blessing of the Bambinelli is a tradition that began in Rome by Pope John Paul II.  The word 'Bambinelli' is the Italian for 'little baby boy' and is the name for the Baby Jesus of the Christmas Crib. 

The tradition is that each year on the Third Sunday of Advent the Pope invites children to bring the Baby Jesus from the family Christmas Crib at home to St Peter's Square for a blessing, so that families may carry that blessing home with them in preparation for Christmas.

Today in school, as we approach the Third Sunday of Advent, Canon Colm called in to bless the Baby Jesus from our school Christmas Crib so that all within St Joseph's may carry that blessing home with us in preparation for Christmas.

What a lovely Christmas tradition to mark. 

Many thanks to all those children and their families in Years 2, 4, 5 and 6 who brought in items to create Christmas Class Hampers.  There was a fantastic response to the appeal. 

Today Maria called at school to collect the hampers and was delighted with what she had to take away.  These hampers will now be distributed to help those in our own community who are vulnerable for many reasons and require support at a difficult time. 

Again many thanks - your support and generosity is very much appreciated especially as we approach the Christmas season!

'For it is in giving that we receive.'  St Francis of Assisi

Our second community singing event.  Today it was the turn of our Year 7 choir.

Here they are at Lakeview Nursing Home also doing what they do best ..... singing their hearts out!

“Yesterday’s child is today’s adult and tomorrow’s grandmother or grandfather” (WHO, 2002)

Congratulations to our Year 5 pupils on their Christmas show performances entitled 'A Place of Our Own'.  The children performed to the whole school on Monday and Tuesday and to parents, extended family and friends on Thursday.  They sang, acted and danced with such great enthusiasm. A really beautiful occasion for all who attended; the children were quite simply outstanding, providing such a wonderful message about the true meaning of Christmas and putting all in attendance in the festive spirit!

Many thanks to the Year 5 team for all the hard work in preparing the pupils with their many roles.  Our Year 5 Christmas show is indeed very much a team effort and we thank our entire school community who helped or supported us to ensure another sterling performance!

Congratulations to our girls and boys in Primary 1 who entertained parents, grandparents, family and friends with a wonderful performance of 'A Little Nativity'.  There is something magical about the story of Christmas being told through the eyes of a child and indeed today was no exception.  Well done everyone; a very special Christmas performance indeed which reminded us all about the true meaning of Christmas.

Many thanks to the Year 1 team for all the hard work in preparing the pupils with their many roles.  Our Year 1 Christmas show is indeed very much a team effort and we thank our entire school community who helped or supported us to ensure another sterling performance!

'The light in a child's eye is all it takes to make Christmas a magical time of the year.'

Many thanks to Emily's Granny Jean who very kindly knit over 100 candy cane stockings and sent them into school.  We have decided to offer them for sale over the next few days for £1.00 each and use the proceeds raised for a good cause at Christmas time!

Final Update: All Candy Cane Stockings have now been sold raising a fabulous £231!

Today our pupils and staff had their Christmas Dinner in school. 

Everyone enjoyed a lovely Christmas meal in the school canteen with their classmates, colleagues and friends. 

Many thanks to Rick and all the canteen staff on catering for such a large number and serving up a great Christmas treat.

It was certainly enjoyed by all who attended. 

Thank you!

The best recipe for happiness: friends + food + laughter.

Our Faith Group had a difficult time choosing the entrants for the Society of Missionary Children Christmas Nativity Colouring Competition.  They worked well together as a group to decide upon the final entries to be sent off for judging.  Well done to all and good luck to the final entrants in the competition!

Our girls and boys will be busy over the next few weeks singing within the community.  Today it was the turn of our Year 5 choir.

Here they are at The Whins doing what they do best ..... singing their hearts out!  They were rewarded for their efforts with some lovely treats and a special visitor made a surprise appearance; yes, Santa himself was there and was delighted with the beautiful singing!

#Away in a Manger ..... #Silent Night

The nursery children experienced the magic of Christmas  during their Nursery Trail. Three Wise Men greeted the children and their parents at the school entrance. The children received a gold coin and proceeded down the festive corridor lit with Christmas trees. They collected their unique decorations from the trees before joining Mrs. Claus for an interactive storytelling session. 

Their next stop was Santa’s kitchen. Santa’s two cooks needed JoJo the nursery bear to get dressed for some baking but he arrived dressed as a pirate and       mermaid instead. Finally, JoJo  got it right and appeared suitably dressed and ready to help the boys and girls decorate some delicious gingerbread baked by one of our very talented parents.

The trail moved into the courtyard where children had an opportunity to meet and dance with some Christmas characters. Thanks to the generosity of one of our parents who donated the sausages,  the children received a hotdog and drink     before having an opportunity to engage in some sensory play with Carla from    Sensory-at-home.

The children followed the trail  along the corridor all the way to Santa’s Grotto. The children enjoyed chatting to Santa and sharing their Christmas wishes. They received a book and  a selection box from Santa’s elves. (Thank you to The Friends of St. Joseph’s for purchasing the gifts for the children.)

The trail ended in the minor hall with some refreshments for parents, family and friends and sensory circuits for the children The trail’s success was the result of a massive team effort from the staff, children, parents and wider community of St. Joseph’s Primary School and Nursery Unit.

A big thank you to all who helped in any way. Your generous donations, behind the scenes preparations and ‘on the night’ performances all contributed to an evening of magic and wonder for the children.  A special shoutout to all the Nursery team for their fantastic efforts in planning and hosting this special Christmas event!