Today we celebrated with all those boys and girls who have become Accelerated Reading Word Millionaires - some double and indeed triple Word Millionaires - throughout the school year.  Pupils had an opportunity to enjoy a party and some celebratory treats, in addition to receiving their Word Millionaire T-Shirts and Amazon vouchers for those multi-millionaire word readers. 

Well done to these girls and boys on a fabulous achievement  and to all those in Primary 5-7 who have made such an amazing effort engaging with the programme this year.  Also thank you to Mrs. Matthews (Literacy Co-ordinator) and Mrs. Kinnaird for all their work in managing this very successful programme in our school.

Remember to keep reading and keep smiling!

Our Year 7 pupils set off for the Belfast Activity Centre this morning for a fun-packed day.  Pupils had the opportunity to take part in a number of activities to include canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering, archery, bush crafts, rock climbing, caving and team games!.  The pupils (and adults) arrived back to school tired but all had a great day with lots of wonderful memories made!  A good night's sleep should be guaranteed for all!

Today we were delighted to attend the Green Flag award Ceremony in Stranmillis University College, Belfast.  We have successfully achieved our Eco School Green Flag once again for all the amazing work that is being done in school to reduce, reuse and recycle, as well as the use of our outdoor environment for learning, investigating, and having fun!

There were schools from all around the province in attendance and Mrs. Downey (Eco-Coordinator) and our Year 6 Eco-Team members were there to represent our school and accept the Green Flag for all the work that they have successfully achieved over the past two years.

The event this year also marked the 30^th anniversary of Eco Schools and Northern Ireland schools are leading the way in environmental issues with 100% of schools in the province now signed up.

A great achievement by a great bunch of St. Joseph's Eco Warriors!

Congratulations to all our Pre-School Nursery children who graduated today at St Joseph's. The graduation commenced with a video show highlighting all the wonderful experiences and learning opportunities the boys and girls have enjoyed this year.  It certainly showed how well they have all developed and grown in confidence.  They all looked fabulous in their costumes and graduation gowns and spoke and sang out so well. Indeed there were some great dance moves too.  The beautiful sun shone on the celebrations afterwards and the children, their families and our amazing nursery staff enjoyed some lovely post-graduation celebratory treats. 

Congratulations boys and girls - you are all well ready for Primary1!

Tuesday 11th June marked International Day of Play.  It was therefore very fitting that we held our Activity NI 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. 

Lots of fun learning through play related activities was had by all!  

'Children learn as they play.  More importantly, in play, children learn how to learn'.  O. Fred Donaldson

Despite the damp weather the Primary 1 children had a great day visiting Ballycastle Beach!

'Only at the beach can we go a splishin' and a splashin'!'

To celebrate our Jo Jingles Finale, parents and grandparents joined the nursery children for an afternoon of song and dance. The children followed actions in songs,  explored a variety of percussion instruments and danced with the parachute.  Everyone enjoyed some refreshments at the end of the session. Thank you to our Jo Jingles teacher, for sharing your musical expertise with the children.

A massive congratulations to our Year 7 pupils on their outstanding production of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'.  Each and every child played their part in this wonderful evenings of music, dance and drama that we experienced - it truly was AMAZING! So many proud parents, staff and Board of Governors.

A massive thank you to all the staff who helped with the production in any way - this truly was a team effort.  A special mention to our Year 7 team for all their hard work and commitment ensuring that the Year 7 children had an opportunity to shine and create memories to treasure!

Well done one and all!

Two of our Year 7 children were selected to play in the annual Antrim-Dublin Friendship Games. Oliver represents our school on the boys' football team and Sophia represents us on the girls' football team. The children were presented with their kits today in school and will travel to Dublin tomorrow where they will be taken on a guided tour of Croke Park and will then leave for Parnell Park where they will play their games.  We look forwarding to seeing more photographs of them both in action and wish them good luck on their first run out for Antrim!

Princess Recycle of Crumlin left school today to make her way to the Antrim and Newtownabbey Garden Show Ireland at Antrim Castle Gardens.  She will be representing St. Joseph's at the show this year on Scarecrow Avenue from the 16th-18th June.  We wish her and all who helped create her in school good luck with the judging!