The Primary 5 and Primary 6 classes were visited by Naomh from INTO Film where she demonstrated their StoryBuilder resources. StoryBuilder enabled the children to develop their understanding of the basic building blocks of film - the 3Cs and 3Ss of film; colour, character, camera, story, sound and setting before creating imaginative narratives of their own.

Once all the children's work has been completed it will be sent back to INTO Film where it will hopefully receive a prize. Good luck everyone and many thanks to INTO Film for facilitating these wonderful workshops.

Members of staff from St Joseph's attended training on the implementation for the Pharmacy in Schools Programme in the beautifully refurbished St Comgall’s site on the Divis Road in Belfast this week.  They got to hear the history of the school and how it is now being used as a centre for the local and wider community to use for a variety and range of activities.

The programme will be introduced throughout the school later this year to develop the children’s understanding of the importance of self-care and become more aware of the role of the community pharmacist to treat common childhood ailments.

It has been developed by Belfast Healthy Cities, which is connected to the World Health Organisation and we look forward to promoting this and develop our health literacy through many organised lessons and activities, as well as inviting our community pharmacists in to school to talk about their role.

As we emabrk on the second half of Term 1 our new whole school display entitled 'We May All Be Different Fish, But In This School We Swim Together' reminds us that whilst we are all individuals with our own unique qualities and characteristics, we are much stronger and more vibrant whenever we work and play together!

Thank you to all of our Year 4 pupils who created a beautiful Holy Souls Prayer Service to celebrate the Feast Days of All Saints and All Souls.  The Prayer Service has been recorded and watched virtually by all of our pupils and has been forwarded to parents and guardians via SeeSaw to view.  Welld one girls and boys.

Watch Out .... lots of spooky things going on in St Joseph's today!  

HAVE A SAFE AND RELAXING HALLOWE'EN BREAK!

PS Our witch was called Aggie this year!

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who made a shoebox for our recent 'Drop Inn' Appeal.  The 'Drop Inn' charity was just bowled over by your generosity. Thank you!

Today we celebrated our October Golden Assemblies.

Mrs McConkey's Year 2 class led our Year 1-3 Assembly on the theme of 'Autumn' and Mrs Downey's Year 5 class led our Year 4-7 Assembly on the theme of 'Respect'.  The children were excellent and their assemblies informed and entertained us with readings, drama and  music and delivered very timely messages.

Pupils were presented with certificates for Pupil of the Month, Accelerated Reading and the newly elected Digital Leaders were presentes with their badges.  We also had a number of pupils who brought in medals, certificates and trophies from home to celebrate achievement outside of school.  

Well done to all our boys and girls - we are very proud of you all!

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) thanks to the hard work of all our pupils and staff.

We would like to say a special, 'Thank you' to Mrs Downey, our World Around Us and Science Subject leader, for collating the evidence and providing the additional support needed for this award.  Also a special well done to all our Science Ambassador representatives from each class who have worked so well along with Mrs Downey to promote the profile of Science within our school.

Today we celebrated this wonderful achievement with a presentation in our science courtyard attended by Mr Anthony Grant (Chairperson of our BOG) and Dr Aidan Hamill (Vice-Chair of our BOG).  Following the presentation there were party celebrations for our science ambasaadors and light refreshment served for our visiting guests.

The Primary School Quality Mark programme ensures effective leadership of science, enables schools to work together to share good practice and is supported by professional development led by local experts.

It encourages teacher autonomy and innovation while at the same time offering a clear framework for development in science subject leadership, teaching and learning. Schools that achieve PSQM demonstrate commitment and expertise in science teaching and leadership.  The Primary Science Quality Mark is led by the University of Hertfordshire, School of Education in collaboration with the Primary Science Teaching Trust.

Well done to all involved ..... a wonderful achievement for our school!

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.