Today the boys and girls who joined classes throughout our school community at the beginning of this academic year met with Mr. Traynor and Mr. McMullan.  They chatted about how they were settling in to their new school and classes. 

There were lots of stories told about good times and new friendships formed, all whilst enjoying a few morning treats.  Pupils were presented with the Headteacher's Award for setting in so well to their new school. 

We wish the boys and girls many happy years in St Joseph's!

Many thanks to Canon Colm who called into school today to bless us, our schoolbags and our classrooms to mark the beginning of a new school year. 

A special welcome to all of our girls and boys who have joined us this year in Primary 1. 

Mrs. McDonnell and Mrs. McCallum's Primary 1 classes have been touring our school to help familiarise themselves with our school surroundings.  Today both classes popped in to say hello to Mr. Traynor in his office and he was delighted to welcome them all.  Such wonderful smiles on their faces and lots of stories to be told. 

We hope that they have many happy years and create many special memories as they journey throughout our school. 

Congratulations to all those pupils who completed their graded music exams (Initial - Grade 2) in violin, flute, cornet and clarinet.  A wonderful achievement by these boys and girls which will ensure another successful year for our school orchestra under the guidance of Mrs. McDonnell.

Congratulations to all of our children who took part in the nationwide Young Artist Monster Madness competition.  The competition saw children across the country come up with their own monsters.  Each entry had the chance to be included in a children’s artwork book which was published in July 2024. Cassie Crane was chosen as our school’s overall winner and will see her design published on the front cover of one of the Monster Madness books.  In addition, Cassie received a good bag full of art supplies.  Pupils were presented with copies of their artwork books at our start of year assemblies. We are very proud of all the pupils who entered and showcased their creative skills.

We celebrated being together again by hosting our first assemblies of the school year where we were able to come together in our school hall. 

It was a very special occasion where we had the opportunity to listen, reflect, sing and pray together.  

Prayer for a New School Year

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the opportunity
to begin this new school year.
We ask that you bless
our families, the children and staff,
So that we can work together

to make our school a great place.
We pray that you will guide us in all ways,
so that we will seek your will
in everything that we do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Many thanks to our Classroom Assistants Mrs. Mirza, Mrs. O'Neill. Mrs. Graham and Miss Rogan for creating our lovely new mural in the school canteen.  We look forward to sharing many happy and delicious meals in the canteen this year!

It was wonderful to see all of the children back in school again for a new school year.  Everyone looked so well in their school uniforms and were so well prepared for the year ahead.  There were lots of smiles and friendship rekindled.  A special welcome to all our Nursery and Primary 1 pupils and those who join year groups from new schools.  

We wish all our pupils, staff and parents every blessing, good health and happiness for the year ahead!

Many thanks to the Children in Crossfire’s Global Citizenship Education (GCE) team for leading a workshop with all staff in school on 'Educating the Heart'.  As a school we explored how our 'Educating the Heart' GCE training and support can help build on so much already going on across the school. There was lots of good learning about how compassion and skills for critical thinking can be embedded in our school through a Whole School Approach. We look forward to delivering the programme across the school this year and to working in partnership with Children in Crossfire's GCE team.