St. Joseph’s National School

Summer is nearly upon us and what an eventful year we all have had.

Thank God we’ve made it through Covid and still managed to teach our pupils and keep the school open.

Many, many thanks to all parents for being so positive about Covid protocols and keeping children safe at home when they appeared to have Covid symptoms. Our staff managed to ensure the children had fun while they learned, and many fantastic events took place throughout the year which helped us all to keep our spirits up. We were delighted to see the return of Sports Day and school tours after a 2 year gap.

We fared brilliantly during all the sports events and swimming activities this year and of course our students not only won many games but were exceptionally well behaved throughout and represented the school so well.

Of course 2022 will go down in history as the year one of our own Amy Broadhurst, won a World Championship this year for boxing. A very emotional and excited school welcomed Amy and her family following her win.

A very special thank you is due to Ms Cunningham who secured Badminton coaching sessions for the children. Through the exceptional generosity of Anthony Byrne the school was given resources to further develop the children’s skills.

Thanks to Mr O’Connor and Ms Caulfield, the ‘Every Child A Reader,’ project went from strength to strength, culminating this year in a lovely Reading Passport which the children will use next year to extend their reading in our library – brilliantly enhanced by Ms Kennedy.

We will be very sad to lose our wonderful violin tutor Marie Claire who is heading off for a year or two. There were very proud parents, children and staff at the Newry Féis, when cups and plaques were won. Ms Manning also managed to get the children on RTE News, and well deserved. The children were brilliant.

Many thanks are due to our staff who volunteered to work on early morning and afterschool clubs, which everyone enjoyed. As ever, thanks are due to Ms Hughes and her team who supplied breakfast to many.

Ms Thomas, our Home School Liaison Officer, is getting fitter by the week with her parent groups who are out walking early mornings! Thanks Ms Thomas for all the fruit and veg delivered into the community. Many thanks to Ms Caulfield, 6th class pupils, teachers and school community for raising funds and supplying goods to send to the unfortunate people of the Ukraine and donating books to Primary Schools in Ghana. Closer to home, our 6th class pupils raised funds for Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

Many thanks to parents on working on Easter Hats and to the 6th class pupils whose Junk Kouture show organised by Ms Donnelly was a huge success and great fun.

I am very, very grateful to the members of staff who are helping to ensure we can run July Provision in the school and also August Summer Camps.

Many thanks are due to our new DP, Mr McEntee, who has been working very hard at all levels of the school.

We are all very excited about our new ASD class starting in September. Ms Donnelly and her team have been doing great work preparing. We wish the 6th class pupils a safe and happy transition to Secondary School and look forward to Graduation Night which is always very special. We look forward to our first meeting with our new Junior Infants and their parents in the coming days.

We say a fond farewell to Nuala Shaw who is retiring from St Joseph’s. Her years in the classroom, but most especially in the Language Class will never be forgotten. There will be many families, children and staff very sad to see her go. On behalf of the school community we wish her a long, happy and rewarding retirement.

God Bless and have a wonderful Summer – see you all on Wednesday 31st August at 8:50am sharp!

Ms Roz