A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL

A chairde,

We are coming to the end of another at St. Joseph’s C.B.S.  From the 30^th of August to the 28^th of June we have worked, we have played, we have learned and we have grown. I thank each and every one of you for your help and support throughout the year. It was my first year in the role of principal and relied on the support of the pupils, staff and parents as well as the Board of Management and Parent’s Association to help me learn, grow and develop.  It was a year of great change here at St. Joseph’s when history was made as we welcomed junior infants to our school for the very first time. It is with great pride that we watch those junior infants progress to senior infants after such a successful year.

June is always a very busy month in schools and St. Joseph’s is no exception. As the end of the month draws near it is a good idea to reflect and draw breath and think about our achievements throughout the year, our achievements as individuals, as classes and as a school community. Some of the achievements are academic, some are sporting, or musical or artistic, some about how represent our school, how we conduct ourselves and how we treat each other.  All of this learning is important and some of the best lessons we learn cannot be found in our copies and in our school books.

This week we said goodbye to a wonderful group of sixth class students and we were happy in the knowledge that they were ready and prepared to move on to the next stage of their education.  Every year we say goodbye to some students and staff who will start next year in new schools in the Drogheda area and beyond. To those of you who are leaving us we thank you for your company, your service and your friendship and we know that wherever you are next year you bring something special with you.

We will welcome new students to the St Joseph’s family in August in junior infants and third class and in other classes throughout the school and I know that our boys will help them to feel at home.

During the Summer holidays I ask pupils and their families to remember three things:

1. Read – Read for pleasure and for fun, read what you like, read to others and listen to others read to you.
2. Be Safe- at home, with others, on-line, on bikes or near water, take care of yourselves and others
3. Have Fun- Summer is a time to make glorious memories. Come back in on August 29^th and tell us all about it.

Míle buíochas agus beannacht Dé oraibh go léir

SPORT

The Peter O’Reilly Memorial Cup

 A great day was had in United Park this June in memory of our dear former colleague Mr. O’Reilly. Over 100 pupils from 12 local primary schools took to the soccer field in the 3rd Annual Peter O’Reilly Memorial Cup. A brilliant St. Joseph’s team topped their group, only to be defeated in the semi-final by the eventual winners St. Mary’s who, in an epic final, beat a fantastic St. Patrick’s NS, Harestown team to lift the trophy for a second consecutive year. The tournament was played in a great spirit befitting of Mr. O’Reilly’s name.

A huge thank you to all our school staff who made the event possible and a special word of thanks to Drogheda United for the venue and Moneymore F.C. for the use of their goalposts.

GAA

The Under 13s Gaelic Football team finished off the year on a high by reaching the final of An Corn Bhrian Mac Craith. Unfortunately our boys came up just short against a very strong and skillful St. Paul’s N.S. team. The 22 strong panel, led by joint captains, Eoin McCoy and Joe Clarke, showed the hallmarks of all St. Joseph’s teams – determination,  teamwork and sportsmanship. We loose alot of fantastic footballers this year but the future is bright with some very talented players emerging from both 4th and 5th class. Well done to all the boys who worked so hard all year!

CLASS NEWS

R9 Google Visit and Easter Rising Walk

The boys in R9 were treated to a trip to the European Headquarters of Google in Dublin this June. They received a guided tour of the offices, took part in a virtual reality experience and listened to a fascinating career talk from a number of the Google staff. The trip was truly inspirational and many, if not all the lads, came back with aspirations of working in Google or a similar company.

In addition to this, R9 who read the novel ‘The Guns of Easter’ this year went on a 1916 Rising history walk, taking in many of the sites from the book, including: Beggar’s Bush Barracks, the houses on Northumberland Road which were occupied by the Irish volunteers and Mount Street Bridge, where over a four day period during the Rising, 28 British soldiers were killed and over 200 badly injured – two thirds of the total British casualties of the Rising!

The behaviour of the lads was exemplary and this was mentioned to teachers by many of the Google employees. They were blown away by the maturity, respect and excellent questions directed to them from our pupils.

R11

The boys from R11 in  sixth class recently had a cooking lesson from Tara Walker who appears frequently on Ireland am. They learned how to cook quesadillas, sticky chicken drumsticks and a delicious chocolate biscuit cake.

R11 and R12

Recently our sixth classes R11 and R12 took part in an art programmer in conjunction with the Highlanes Art Gallery. The boys had to make mini chairs which will be on display in the gallery throughout the summer and were also treated to some traditional and classical Music as part of the project. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all the boys.

Words from the Principal, Summer 2018

Another busy year has so quickly flown by here at St. Joseph’s as we finish off in a blaze of glorious sunshine. For myself I am acutely aware of the fleeting nature of time when I look back on my 40 years of having the privilege of being part of this great school community of St. Joseph’s.

I am immensely grateful in particular for the privilege of being the Principal in the final years of my career and the tremendous support I have had from our staff, Board of Management, Parent’s Council, parents, guardians and of course the pupils. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all.

The pupils of this school are boys of whom this school community can be very proud. Wherever they have gone, be it on tours; visits to library, Arts Centre events, Highlanes Gallery, history walks, sports events etc., compliments on their behaviour and attitude has been frequent and genuine. Molaim sibh a bhuachailli.

A special farewell is highly appropriate for our outgoing Sixth Class. They have been a great example to their fellow pupils in their friendly interaction with each other and their very positive cooperation with their teachers making it a really satisfying year for all. We wish them the very best of futures. A particular word of thanks also from myself for their parting gift to me of the “J Clay 40 “ Galway jersey! Much appreciated.

Throughout the year 2017/2018, school activities have been enthusiastically embraced by our pupils. Cooking/baking, gymnastics, Viking visit, Transition programmes, sporting activities –especially gaelic football, soccer, table-tennis, athletics – Lego club, Chess Club, Homework clubs, Mindfulness activities, Blessed Sacrament adoration, Sacrament of Confirmation, Drogheda library Book Club, Junior Entrepreneur Programme, Green Schools Tidy Towns initiative, Ukelele classes, Singing Club, Parent and child cooking/ guitar classes, Cas Amhráin Tg4, Rith 2018, and the list goes on! In my teaching lifetime the life of the primary school has changed tremendously and I believe it to be a hugely positive transformation for pupils and teachers alike.

2018/2019 in the life of St. Joseph’s Primary brings further great and exciting change with the arrival of two Junior Infant classes to our school community. It is an historic milestone in St. Joseph’s educational journey that is being greeted with great enthusiasm and anticipation by all here. September will certainly bring a whole new buzz for pupils and teachers!

A new era begins for our school and I am delighted to know that the incoming Principal is Ms. Sarah Bradley, who has been a terrific Deputy Principal during my time as Principal and whose support has been invaluable to me. I have every confidence that the school will be in the most capable of hands. Beir bua Ms. Bradley.

It is also timely for me now to express my deep gratitude in particular to Sandra our long serving, invaluable secretary whom I know will continue to be a similar support to Ms. Bradley in the practical running of St. Joseph’s C.B.S. in the future. Míle buíochas Sandra.

It is with a sense of deep appreciation that I will bid my farewell to St. Joseph’s C.B.S.Primary.

Thank you to all.

John Clayton.

CLASS NEWS

G5 have been busy planting potatoes, strawberries, chives, carrots, spinach, lettuce and turnips in class with the Incredible Edibles.

Fourth class all got a visit from a “real” Viking.

G5 and 4th class got to perform on the Ukulele concert for our parents and grandparents in R9. we have been working hard all year.In science, we made our own “awesome dinky obstacle course” and “flying machines”!!

GREEN SCHOOL NEWS

The Green Schools’ Committee have had a very busy last term as they continue to work towards the 6th Green Flag for Global Citizenship Litter and Waste.

The poster and slogan competitions were held in April.  Our new Green Code is:

“Don’t make the Earth fear,

Make it clear.

If we do this together,

We’ll keep it up forever.

Our target is to make things right.”

This was a joint effort by Ali, James R, Joe and Luke W in 5th Class. The poster competition winners are Ralf G5, Caoimhín R7, Vince R8 and David R6.

In May, a Tidy Towns clean-up was carried out by the committee around the local area – Hardmans Gardens, Parkview and Magdalene Tower.

The committee members also took a trip to the Drogheda Recycling Centre in May.

On 18th May, we participated in National WoW (Walk on Wednesday) Day. G6 were the winning class with the most walkers and cyclists.

Our Day of Action was held on 14th June when 5th classes hosted a Multicultural Day. All our cultures were celebrated on the day. There were displays and food from Ireland, India, Poland, Nigeria, Spain, Pakistan, Croatia and Trinidad and Tobago. A big thank you to all our parents and families for their great support on the day.

Good luck and thank you to our 6th Class members as they move onto secondary school. We will miss you!

FAREWELL TO OUR 6^th CLASSES

No matter which road you choose,

No matter how long it may seem,

Let your heart be your guide along the way,

If you want to fulfill your dreams.

No matter the detours, road blocks or dark nights,

Continue your hearts desire,

Lift up your torch,

Do not be afraid to set the world on fire.

You are the light of a new day,

Shine for all to see,

Carry your knowledge from this day forward,

Blaze a trail for history.

No one will ever be quite like you,

Remember this important truth,

We all have a purpose in this life,

One that begins in youth.

Who you are now and who you will become,

Is determined by your soul,

With your dreams in your heart to lead the way,

You can conquer any goal!

A SPECIAL GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK TO OUR 6TH

CLASS PUPILS AS THEY LEAVE FOR

SECONDARY SCHOOL.

GO N-ÉIRÍ LIBH!

Words from Our Incoming Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The end of another school year has come again and as we finish we are already looking forward to the start of a new one. I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr Clayton, who after forty years of loyal and dedicated service to our school and four and a half years of inspiring leadership has decided to take much deserved retirement.

On behalf of the staff and of myself we would like to express to you how privileged we feel to have worked under a principal of the calibre of Mr. John Clayton. We know that you and your sons would agree that he treated all those he met with respect, kindness and compassion and that he will be a role model for all of us, especially myself as we prepare for the new school year. We hope that he will not be a stranger to us and will visit us often to make sure we are living up to his example.

Next school year will mark the beginning of a historic new chapter in the history of St. Joseph’s. We will welcome two classes of junior infants on the 30th of August. The whole school community has been preparing for this new start for quite some time and we are ready and excited to embark on this challenge.

On the 30th of August, I will take over in the role of principal of St. Joseph’s C.B.S and I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to this position. I will lead a staff of professionals who are committed to implementing the elements of the ERST charter in their day to day work here in the school. I hope that I count on your support as parents and guardians as we work together to try and achieve the best possible outcomes for your boys.

Until the Autumn, try and encourage reading for enjoyment during the holidays and enjoy the sunshine.

Go n-éirí libh

Le meas

Sarah Bradley

(Incoming Principal)

CBS TIMES- SUMMER 2017, Issue 21

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Another school year draws to a close, while at the same time in the winding down process, the year to come is very much to the fore of our minds,

Last week we welcomed our incoming classes from St. Patrick’s as they engaged in the grand tour of their new academic abode to commence August 31^st 2017.  It has been heartening to hear from their present Principal, Ms. Harmon, that the predominant impression was one of eager anticipation for the next stage of their educational journey.  We look forward very much to having them for the coming four years of their primary school experience. Fáilte romhaibh go léir a bhuachaillí!

This week sees us bid farewell to our present 6^th classes, wishing them the very best for their transfer to second level. Hopefully the transition programmes they engaged with in the past number of weeks allied to the school policy of creating new class formats going forward into 4^th and 6^th class gives them a confidence in embracing change and challenges ahead. Beir bua a bhuachailli.

St. Joseph’s has had many highlights throughout the school year 2016-2017, with for me, the outstanding ones being the great generosity of the Shoebox Appeal, the upgrading of our school library, and the initiating of the Peter O’Reilly Memorial Cup Soccer Competition with our own boys emerging as the first to claim the honours of victory.

Among other very notable events were the success of our Coffee Morning, our school team being G.A.A. Louth County finalists twice, new Edmund Rice Schools’ Flag raising day, Third Class violin/fiddle recitals , the school Chess team winning the Drogheda Schools Competition,  6^th class being awarded the Co. Louth Entrepreneur Workshop Award, 5th Class boys second place in Motor Show Mascot Art Competition and of course 6^th class Confirmation Day.

Great appreciation is due to the work and support of our Parent’s Association and the co-operation of teachers, S.N.A.s, Sandra & Stephen and invariably all our pupils. Maith sibh go léir.

The largely unseen work of the Board of Management is of vital importance to the successful operation of our school and sincere gratitude is due in this regard.  Mile Buiochas as ucht dár gcuid oibre.

On behalf of our school community I wish all a great summer holiday.  As usual we remind ourselves that the reading of books is a great way of keeping the doorway to learning open and enjoyable.  Library visits highly recommended!

Slán agus beannacht,

S. de Cleatún (Priomhoide)

CONFIRMATION MAY 3rd

On May 3rd, Cardinal Brady celebrated another very successful and enjoyable confirmation in Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Our boys can be very proud of their preparation for this Sacrament and their participation on the day received very favourable comment. The school community worked very well together to ensure that the occasion was memorable and one which the boys will bring with them as they go through life.

SCHOOL LIBRARY

St.Joseph’s CBS Primary had the official opening of their newly refurbished library today. Local children’s author Erika McGann officially opened the library and then gave a chat to the boys about the joys of reading and how she was inspired to write. Her books range from The Clubhouse Mystery to The Demon Notebook.

The newly redecorated library was fully funded by The Parents’ Association. They organised a number of fund raisers events over the last two years to enable this project. Their support and belief in the school has been invaluable.

The children in St. Joseph’s CBS Primary are thrilled with the library. They love the art work by local artist Noel Kelly and books from authors all over the world in equal measure.

Check out a quick video of our fantastic library-

CLASS NEWS

G5 have enjoyed a super June. There was a sports day, a trip to Dublin Zoo and an ice cream/DVD party for super attendance! We are all set for Rocky Road, pizza and wedges this week in cookery class!

R11 came out the winners against over 900 students from Louth in an entrepreneurial business workshop Art competition. The winning slogan, designed by Daniel Kavanagh, was “In Louth, business makers are risk takers”. The winning poster was designed by Jack Connor Martin. Well done to all who got involved in the workshops and the competition. You can read all about it in The Drogheda Independent and on droghedalife.com,link below-

Joe’s boys win LEO’s Primary School Challenge

SPORTING NEWS

On May 31st, the inaugural Peter O’Reilly Memorial Cup was held in United Park. It was a 5-a-side soccer tournament, in commemoration of our esteemed colleague, friend and teacher Mr.O’Reilly. Eleven schools participated in this fun and sporting event and at the end of the tournament, ourselves and St.Josephs, Mell met in the final. The final proved to be an enthralling contest with extra time required. Eventually, we emerged as victors! The cup was presented by Peter’s sister, Veronica, who thanked all the participants and organisers of the day’s event, stating it was a very fitting tribute to Peter and his desire to support opportunities for children partaking in sports activities. Read all about it below-

Peter O’Reilly Memorial Tournament 31/5/2017

Here’s a picture of Peter’s sister,Veronica, presenting our captain Samuel Soyemi with our new soccer kit which have POR on the sleeve in memory of Peter.The second picture shows our champions lifting the trophy!! Joe’s Abú!

GREEN SCHOOL NEWS

 The Green School Committee have continued to promote and encourage recycling and water and energy conservation throughout the school. We planted some nice colourful flowers in pots to brighten up the entrance to the red school. The shrubs we planted last year are doing really well in our small garden area.

On Friday 24th June, 3rd and 4th class members of the Green School Committee attended the opening of a new rose garden in St. Dominic’s Park. The garden was dedicated to the memory of Princess Grace of Monaco and was opened by her son HSH Prince Albert. The boys spent a lovely afternoon in the park in the presence of royalty!

We would ask everybody to remember to encourage recycling at home over the summer holidays.

Members of the Green School Committee attending the opening of The Princess Grace Rose Garden.

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

The Parents’ Association would firstly like to wish every success to all the 6^th class boys who are leaving St Josephs C.B.S. this year. We also wish to say a very big thank you to some of our members who will be leaving us this year. Their contribution over the years to the Parents’ Association is greatly appreciated. 

A big thank you to you all for your support during this year’s fundraising events, which included our annual Calendar sale, Christmas draw and Easter Coffee Morning. There was great support for each event and thank you for your kind raffle donations during the year.

The funds raised during the year went towards the renovation of the school Library. It’s now a lovely space for the students to enjoy.

Again just one last thank you to the students, Parents, Guardians and staff of St Josephs for your continued support and help which is greatly appreciated and always welcome.

Thank you.

St. Joseph’s C.B.S.  Parents’ Association.

FAREWELL TO OUR 6^th CLASSES

No matter which road you choose,

No matter how long it may seem,

Let your heart be your guide along the way,

If you want to fulfill your dreams.

No matter the detours, road blocks or dark nights,

Continue your hearts desire,

Lift up your torch,

Do not be afraid to set the world on fire.

You are the light of a new day,

Shine for all to see,

Carry your knowledge from this day forward,

Blaze a trail for history.

No one will ever be quite like you,

Remember this important truth,

We all have a purpose in this life,

One that begins in youth.

Who you are now and who you will become,

Is determined by your soul,

With your dreams in your heart to lead the way,

You can conquer any goal!

A SPECIAL GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK TO OUR 6TH

CLASS PUPILS AS THEY LEAVE FOR

SECONDARY SCHOOL.

GO N-ÉIRÍ LIBH!

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

Today, Mr. Clayton called to our class with great news! We entered a Louth County Council “Greener Christmas” poetry competition. Our poem received a €20 Easons gift voucher. Here it is,we hope you enjoy it!!

Mr. Tobin’s 6th class have been busy enrolling in the Drogheda library. We have signed up and received our library cards and have been busy readers!