The Engineers Ireland STEPS programme gives children the opportunity to discover engineering with the main aim being the promotion of engineering. 

Today pupils in Year 6 and 7 were fortunate to have two engineers from AECOM Engineering in school to complete a series of workshops and highlight the importance of the profession to the children.  Many thanks folks - much appreciated.

This half term, Miss Agnew’s Year 7 class along with Mr. Coey’s Year 7 class from CIPS will take part in a cross-community basketball programme delivered by Peace Players Northern Ireland as part of a secured funding initiative.

This project will involve basketball drills and skills, community relation work and team-building activities to further establish common ground and continued relationships developed through Shared Education.

Today marked a very successful beginning to the programme and all involved look forward to taking part over the next 3 weeks!

Congratulations to our Credit Union Group A Competition Winners who travelled to Malone Lodge in Belfast on Sunday to take part in the next round of the Credit Union Competition.  The girls and boys did exceptionally well representing their school and finished in third place on the day.  Well done everyone .... great representatives for St Joseph's!

Congratulations to our Year 7 pupils who celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation in Mater Dei Church on Thursday 29th February - what a unique date for a wonderful school and parish celebration!

We pray that the Holy Spirit will bless and guide them today and in the days and weeks ahead as they continue on their educational and spiritual journey. 

Many thanks to the Year 7 team for ensuring the children were so well prepared for today, to the boys and girls in the Year 5 and 6 choir for the beautiful singing, to Mrs. McDonnell and Mrs. Matthews for the wonderful music and to Canon Colm for delivering the service. 

When back in school the pupils celebrated with the presentation of Confirmation Certificates and some delicious Confirmation cake and treats!

Well done everyone!

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you will renew the face of the earth

There was great excitement today when the fire service came to visit the nursery children.  They had  a great time learning all about the work of a fire fighter, trying on some of the equipment, using the hose, seeing inside the fire engine and hearing the siren sound.  Many thanks for coming along today - the children had a great experience.

This week we marked the end of another month in school with our February Golden Assemblies.  Mrs. Loughran's Year 4 pupils led both our Year 1-3 and Year 4-7 assemblies.

Mrs. Loughran's Year 4 class chose the theme of Lent for their assembly.  This theme enabled us all to focus on what Lent is all about and how we can best prepare for this special season in the lead up to Easter.  Indeed it also reminded us that making promises in Lent can be very difficult, that we may be tempted, but that we should never give and keep trying.  All of the children were wonderful representatives for their class and school.

We also had time to sing Happy Birthday to all of our February girls and boys; present our February Pupil of the Month Awards, Accelerated Reading Certificates and Confirmation Certificates; celebrate success outside of school and deliver some important messages. 

Well done everyone - it's nearly March!

Having been presented with the Gold Standard in the Club School Link Programme by LGFA President, St. James' Aldergrove have generously marked the occasion by sponsoring  beautiful new playing jerseys and socks for our Girls' teams in school.  

School Liaison Officer, Louise Brady was on hand to make the presentation to a few of our School Team members who were over the moon at the very kind gift from our local Club. St. James' GAC are also supporting our coaches with after school clubs at present and helping to further enhance the great links between school and club.

Go raibh maith agaibh to all who are supporting our Gaelic games at present!

This time the 'Building Bonds' programme in St. Joseph's featured our Primary 1 pupils and their families.  There was lots of fun and laughter on display as both children and their parents got involved in the various games and activities.  Many thanks to Daryll from Activity NI who lead the activities and made the evening an enjoyable experience for all.  

Thank you also to our Year 1 staff and Mrs. O'Doherty for organising and co-ordinating the event, in addition to making the hotdogs!.  There will be more events to follow where St Joseph's will be offering opportunities for families in other year groups to spend quality time with each other and strengthen those all important family bonds.

Many thanks to Casey Schell from Trócaire for visiting school today.  Casey delivered a presentation to our Year 4-7 pupils which focused on:

• A general overview of Trócaire’s work;
• An introduction to this year’s Lenten theme (water: too much & too little);
• An introduction to the children/family featured in this year’s Lent campaign;  
• The impact of Trócaire’s work and how pupils’ support is making a real difference; 
• How students can get involved in the campaign.

We used this presentation as an opportunity to launch our annual Copper Coin Challenge between each of our classes which will begin today and running until Tuesday 19^th March.  Each class will have a sweet jar and we would like them filled with as many copper coins as possible, with all monies raised going to support the work of Trócaire.

Hopefully everyone will join in, and we can raise as much money as possible to support this worthy cause.  The class which raises the most money per child will be rewarded with a Movie afternoon, with a film of their choice and popcorn, all supplied by Mr Traynor!

Please take a look in pockets and purses and down the back of the sofa! All copper coins will be gratefully received!