What a talented bunch of girls and boys we have here in St. Joseph's.  Today at our Year 4-7 assembly the children shared with us their achievements in a variety of extra-curricular activities which they take part in outside of school.  There were certificates, medals, badges and trophies galore today showcasing achievements in showjumping, soccer, Gaelic football, hurling, swimming, Irish dancing and Hip Hop!  We even had a signed top from the All Ireland Armagh team!  Well done everyone - Keep up these great efforts!

Many thanks to all our Nursery parents for attending the Nursery Curriculum Evening and to the Nursery staff for organising a very informative and enjoyable evening for all in attendance.  

Today our Pupil Council launched our 2024 Safeguarding Week in school.

What’s happening during our Safeguarding Week 2024

1. School leadership will evaluate provision using the NSPCC Safeguarding Self-Assessment Toolkit.

2. Any remaining staff (teaching and non-teaching) will receive their updated Safeguarding & Child Protection / Medical / First Aid training update(s). 

3. Our termly Fire Drill will be carried out.

4. There will be a Year Group focus on an aspect of Road Safety (topics covered will include crossing the road, playing at home, pedestrian crossings, bus travel, riding your bike, walking in carparks, and the use of mobile phones and music players) and People Who Help Us/ Who Can I Talk To?

5. Weekly Key Stage Assemblies on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week will promote messages relating to Road Safety and who the children can talk to if they have a worry or concern.

6. We would encourage all parents who have not already done so to download the ‘Safer Schools NI’ app in order to stay up to date with all online safety guidance.  Instruction on how to this this have been included in our October Newsletter which can be accessed in the 'Parents' section of our school website.

We look forward to a successful and informative week.

We began Mission Week Ireland today with a Prayer Service in the foyer of our school, led by the Year 4 and 5 representatives of our Faith Group.  We will continue to pray each day this week that we as a school community will be more socially and globally responsible.  Mission Week will culminate this Friday when we celebrate the Children's Mission Day of Prayer in school.

St. James Aldergrove have organised a programme of Gaelic football coaching in school for our boys and girls this year.  This programme started today with a 6-week block of coaching for our Year 4 and 5 children.  Many thanks to John Jones, Louise Brady, head coach Ryan and his assistant coaches for providing these valuable skill development sessions with the children.  They had a great time today and look forward to the weeks ahead!

Many thanks to the team from Core Kids for the delivery of their online fitness lesson.  Our Year 5 pupils thoroughly enjoyed participating!

Congratulations to our newly elected Faith Group for 2024/25.  Today they received their badges from Mr. Traynor and Mrs. Loughran and can be seen pictured here beside Miss Agnew's Year 7 display which celebrates the season of Creation.

In St. Joseph’s our Faith Group has a very important role.  Our group helps everyone in the school to understand our faith better.

The Faith Group will meet regularly with Mrs. Loughran to find ways that we can help promote the Catholic Ethos in St. Joseph’s.  During the course of this year they will be:

• Maintaining and updating Sacred Spaces within the classroom and in our school garden;
• Promoting meaningful prayer times within our classrooms;
• Leading prayerful meditation within our classes;
• Helping to promote charities;
• Helping to promote Sacraments and other religious celebrations throughout the year.
• Working towards achieving our third Spirit of Catholic Education Award

We look forward to seeing how the children's ideas develop and grow throughout the school year!

Many, many thanks to all who organised and supported our Coffee Morning for Macmillian Cancer Care. There were so many beautiful cakes, tray bakes and buns on display.

There was a great atmosphere in the hall with so many staff (past and present), volunteers from 'The Friends of St Joseph's', grandparents, parents, past pupils and friends from the local community who popped in to show their support.  

We finished off the morning with a bun sale in school with lots of treats being enjoyed by the boys and girls.

Draw Winners were:

Ellie Mae McCaffery

Joanna Campbell

Daire O’Doherty

Sandra Kelly

Clara Traynor

Christine Carberry

Mrs McAree

We are delighted to announce to date £900 has been raised for this very worthy cause.  We will announce the final total next week.  Again many thanks to all - what a team effort and what a great morning!   

#greatteameffort  #welldoneandthanks 

Congratulations to our newly elected Digital Leaders for 2024/25. 

During the course of this year the Digital Leaders will become involved in a number of projects to include:

• Helping to promote Online Safety within the school;
• Promoting the use of iPads and ICT devices in all year groups;
• Promoting our Nerve Centre School Partnership Programme;
• Taking part in an exciting new project to become a Dream Space Ambassador whereby they will attend online training and build confidence in passing on the knowledge and skills acquired to other members of our school community.

We look forward to watching these boys and girls taking the lead in all things digital helping other in our school navigate the digital world safely and creatively.