The focus during week 1 was on building shelters outdoors - the girls and boys had great fun and came up with some very creative ideas.

We are delighted to welcome Gerard back to St Joseph's  to work with our Year 3, 4 and 5 children on the development of many fundamental skills as part of the Gaelfast Programme. 

We are very fortunate here in St Joseph's to be part of this programme and the many benefits it has for the children and staff in our school.  Today all the boys and girls had great fun indeed!

Election fever hit St Joseph's this week with the first of out two election campaigns for Pupils Council and Eco Council.  Next week we have elections for Digital Leaders and the Faith Group.

Congratulations to all those who have been elected so far and good luck to all next weeks candidates!

The Friends of St Joseph's held their AGM on Wednesday 20th September.  Our elected committee for members for 2023/24 are:

Chairperson Mrs Jennifer Kerr

Vice Chairperson: Mrs Rachel Lee

Treasurer/Secretary: Ms Jennifer McLernon

Teacher Rep: Mrs Louise O'Doherty

First Fundraiser of the Year - BLINGO!

The Friends first fundraising event this year get your bling on and join us for a night of Blingo with a sprinkle of  sparkle in St Claire's Hall Glenavy on Friday 6th October! Ticket order forms will be sent home in schoolbags very soon.  We hope lots of you will join us and make our first fundraiser of the year a resounding success!  Bring your drinks and nibbles, gather up your friends and come along for some fun and the chance to win some super prizes! 

We would like to thank all those who came along this evening.  If you feel you could help in some way, please telephone the office and leave your name and a contact number and a member of the Friends Committee will be in touch.

Thank you for your continued support!

Today the boys and girls who joined our school from other schools at the beginning of this academic year met with Mr Traynor and Mr McMullan for a chat 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.  We wish the boys and girls many happy years in St Joseph's!

Many thanks to Canon Colm for celebrating our beginning of the school year mass with our pupils from P4-7, our staff and wider school community this morning.  It was a very fiiting way in which to ask for God's blessing on our school community as we embark on another school year. 

We pray that it will be another successful year in St Joseph's which brings good health and happiness to all.

Mrs McDonnell and Mrs McCallum's Primary 1 classes have been touring our school to help familiarise them 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. 

They even sang a song before heading back to their classrooms. 

We wish them lots of happy years and great memories as they journey throughout our school.

Mr McKenna's Year 5 class were very excited to meet this year's Roots of Empathy Baby Oisin.

Along with Mrs McDonnell they spent time learning about all the things he can do and how he can tell his mummy how he is feeling. It was a lovely afternoon.  

We look forward to our next visit from Baby Oisin and his mum!

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.  

Mr Stephen Kelly from the Marine Conversation Society visited our school today and delivered a very informative assembly to our Year 5-7 pupils. 

The assembly focused on on marine litter, how litter reaches the ocean, how it can cause harm to wildlife, and how we can all do our bit to help reduce the plastic tide.  The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.  Many thanks Stephen!