St Joseph's N.S.

Keep in touch with all the goings on at St Joseph's throughout the year.

Eco Environmental Clothing Collection - Friday, 12th
In accordance with our Green-Schools effort another clothes recycling drive was held at the school this morning.

Miss Kerwick's Last Day - Wednesday, February 10th.
Today was a very sad day for everyone connected with St Joseph's N.S. Cutbacks in Education meant that today was Miss Kerwick's last day with the school. Having worked as an SNA in St Joseph's for almost three years Miss Kerwick will be deeply missed by staff and students alike. We wish her the very best for the future.

Parents Computer Course - Thursday, February 4th
The six week basic computer course given by Patricia Commins began today.

Drumming Workshop - February 3rd to February 12th
With an impressive array of drums which she got on loan from the Kilkenny Education Centre, Mrs Egan began her daily drumming workshops with all the students.

Bill O'Dwyer - Tuesday, February 2nd.
Local man Bill O'Dwyer visited the school today to speak to the students about farming down through the years. Mr O'Dwyer gave a very interesting and informative talk which was much enjoyed by the students of 2nd Class and upwards.

Silly Sock Day - Wednesday, January 27th
The students and staff of the school raised €278 for the earthquake victims in Haiti just by wearing silly socks into school.

Wizard Of Oz Rehersals - Thursday, January 21st
Rehersals for our production of The Wizard of Oz began today. We hope to be able to perform the play before the Easter break.

Christmas Open Morning - Tuesday, December 22nd
St Joseph's N.S. threw its doors open to parents this morning. A packed library witnessed a delightful nativity play performed by the Junior Room followed by a whole school Carol Service. Parents were invited to have a look around the school before partaking of some Christmas refreshments in the Parents Room. Our traditional musicians kept them entertained all the while and Santa Claus even found time to deliver presents to our very well behaved students. The Parents Council Raffle added even more excitement to a hectic day.

Christmas Cookies - Monday, December 14th.
Fifth and Sixth Class students put their culinary skills to the test in the Parents Room this morning. Shortbread cookies were the order of the day and by all accounts they were just lovely.

Green Flag Prize-Giving - Monday, December 7th.
Students Aiden Mullally, Jack Kealy and Cormac Maher travelled to Clonmel this evening on behalf of the school to receive a cheque for €100 from South Tipperary Co Council. The prize giving was in recognition of all our hard work in obtaining the Green Flag

Confessions - Wednesday, November 25th.
With Christmas fast approaching Fr. Breen helped our students prepare by hearing their confessions this morning.

INTO Work Stoppage - Tuesday, November 24th

Nurse's Visit - Wednesday, November 11th.
The Health Nurse came to the school today to ensure that all those eyes and ears are in perfect working order.

Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoebox Appeal - Wednesday, November 4th.
Despite the recession the students and parents of St Joseph's still dug deep to help out those less fortunate than ourselves. In all thirty four shoe boxes of goodies were collected from the school to be distributed to needy children in time for Christmas.

Halloween Fancy Dress - Friday, October 23rd.
The last day before the Halloween break was a terrifying one at St Joseph's. Countless witches, monsters and pirates attended the school for ghouls. Just to make sure that there were to be no tricks the Parents Council laid on some treats for our scary students.

School Game Playing Day - Friday, October 23rd.
The students got the chance to bring in their favourite board games and play them with their friends at school. School Game Playing Day raised €39.50 for school funds.

Khan's Book Fair - Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20th and 21st.
Our students enjoyed great choice and value when Kilkenny and Thurles based bookstore Khan's brought their book fair to the school.

Parent-Teacher Meetings - Tuesday, October 20th.
The annual Parent-Teacher Meetings were held after school today.

Parent Enrichment Workshop - Thursday, October 15th
Ms. O'Sullivan welcomed nine parents to the Parents Room for the first session of the Parent Enrichment Workshop run by Sueann O'Donnell.

GOAL Jersey Day - Friday October 9th.
The generous St Joseph's N.S. students raised €60 for GOAL by wearing in their club or county's colours into school.

Used Clothing Collection - Friday, October 9th.
The St Joseph's N.S. Green-Schools Committee in conjuction with Eco Environmental Ltd. organised a used clothing collection from the school this morning.

Cross Country Running - Wednesday, September 30th.
Twenty nine young athletes from St Joseph's took part in the Co Tipperary Cross Country Championships in Thurles today.

Julia Walsh - Monday, Septembr 28th.
South Tipperary County Museum Education Officer, Julia Walsh visited the school today and spoke to the children about the local heritage project that the museum are running.

GAA Training - Monday, September 28th.
We welcomed James Logue back to the school today as our new GAA coach. James will be training all students from Second Class up every Monday. We would like to thank our new Games Promotion Officer Andy Ryan and Ballingarry GAA Club for organising these training sessions.

Tadgh Vaughan - Wednesday, September 23rd.
Local athlete Tadgh Vaughan came to the school today to give our budding young athletes some advice before the upcoming Cross Country Championships. Tadgh spoke to the children about warming up, cooling down and how to prepare for a race. He also reminded the children that Coolquill Athletic Club holds training sessions in the Commons at 6pm each Wednesday.

Garda Walsh's Visit - Thursday, September 17th.
Locals may have been surprised to see the 'squad' parked outside the school today but there was no cause for alarm as Ballingarry's new Garda, Pat Walsh had just dropped in to meet some of the young people of the village. Garda Walsh visited all three classrooms and spoke to the children about road safety. He also spoke of his own experiences as a Garda and delighted the children by passing around his handcuffs and asp for closer inspection. We are delighted to welcome Garda Walsh to Ballingarry and we look forward to his future visits.

Harvest Time - Thursday, September 10th.
Mrs Noonan led all the students and staff around to the raised beds to harvest what had been sown earlier in the year. The was great excitement as turnips, spinach, lettuce and the occasional carrot were shared out amongst the students. The teachers got nothing...(cutbacks!!!)

Music Lessons - Tuesday, September 8th.
Ms. Martina McGarry made a welcome return to St Joseph's after the summer break and will continue to teach music every Tuesday.

Tiobraid Arann Abu - Friday, September 4th.
The students wore in the Blue and Gold in support of their Tipperary heros and decorated the school in the Premier County colours. Here's hoping...

New School Year - Monday, August 31st.
St Joseph's opened it's doors for another year today. Seven Junior Infants started today so a warm St Joseph's welcome goes out to Eimear Dunne, Orla Ivors, Andrew Hayes, Billy McGrath, Fionn O'Brien, Michael Blake and Kieran Murry.

New Teacher - Monday, August 31st.
St Joseph's also welcomed a new teacher to its staff. Ms Catherine Shanahan is the new Learning Support teacher at the school. We all look forward to working with her.

Summer Works Scheme - Monday, August 31st.
The school was looking well when we returned thanks to the work carried out on it over the summer. The school is now wheelchair accessible thanks to tne new ramps that have been installed. Our flat roof has been repaired and a lick of paint given to the areas in need of as freshen up.