Welcome to St. Joseph’s National School Cobh Website.
A message from the Principal
A very warm welcome to our website.
We hope this website will serve many functions. It will improve communication between parents and the school. We wish to highlight all that is best about Scoil Iosaef Naofa. The range of school policies available on the site will be expanded over time. We want to communicate with you our achievements as a school community.
Please let us know what you think of our new site. Along with the Parents’ Association facebook page, our text a parent service and our school newsletter it will be a valuable source of information.
Over the next few months we have some very exciting developments coming on stream. Plans are being drawn up for the resurfacing and fencing of our smaller playground into an astro-surface area.
The music room will be completed at the back of the school as well as a small sensory play area. We also intend to upgrade our sensory room which is adjacent to An Droichead, our special class.
Keep in touch with this website for more details.
We believe our pupils are really special people and so this website will primarily be about them and their learning. It is sometimes amazing to me to witness the range of learning activities going on in the various classes. We wish to share these experiences with you.
Tony Kenneally Principal
Please click here to view Letter to parents and guardians 25th Feb 2021
Please click here to view Letter from Minister Foley to parents and guardians 24th Feb 2021
The following website also contains back to school advice for parents, students and families Back to school advice
Virtual Open Night
The closing date for applications for junior infants starting in September 2021 is Friday January 8th 2021
A copy of the school’s Admission Policy and the Application Form for Admission 2020/2021 is available as follows:
- To download at: www.stjosephsnscobh.com
- On request: By email at scoiliosaefias@gmail.com
- Writing to : Scoil Iosaef Naofa, Bishop St, Cobh. P24P270
Please follow the link to get a better insight into our school: Virtual Open Night
Please click on the link to view the letter from the HSE: HSE Letter
Mr. Martin Fleming will be retiring on Friday 2nd October. He has given huge service to Scoil Iosaef Naofa for the last 39 years. Mr Fleming taught a variety of classes in his career but excelled at preparing boys in 6th class for the important transition to secondary school. He has a particular love for the Irish language and always gave it its due importance in his teaching.
The term ‘legend’ is often used these days but it best describes Mr. Fleming in relation to his involvement in Gaelic Games and sport in general. He coached so many boys in their introduction to hurling and was tireless in his promotion of the game. For a long number of years he prepared teams for the Primary School Sports and Cross Country events. He will be sorely missed as a valued member of our staff. His kindness and advice to younger staff members was always appreciated. We wish him every happiness on his retirement.
Click on the link below for ways to get spiritually ready for receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion or Confirmation in the coming weeks. The link directs you to the Diocese of Cloyne website.
Please click the link below to read the latest public health advice for parents
Please take note of these important messages before returning to school:
Arrangements for Junior Infants for Thursday 27th and Friday 28th August:
We are so looking forward to meeting our new pupils on Thursday 27th August.
We have particular arrangements for our juniors knowing the significance of their first days in school. Please click the link below for this information:
Government policy, which is based on official public health advice, continues to advise against non-essential travel overseas for everyone.
It is a requirement for anyone coming into Ireland, from locations other than those with a rating of ‘normal precautions’ (“green”), to restrict their movements for 14 days, and this includes school staff, parents and children or other students coming from abroad to attend school in Ireland. Restricting your movements means staying indoors in one location and avoiding contact with other people and social situations as much as possible.
Dates for the celebration of Sacraments which were postponed last term:
Confirmation: Saturday September 26th at 2pm
First Holy Communion: Saturday October 3rd at 12 Noon
Uniforms/Face Coverings/Meetings with Teachers and Staff/Illness among pupils
Uniforms.
There is no need to purchase extra uniforms. Some parents have expressed a desire to have the uniforms cleaned on a more regular basis. To facilitate this every class will have uniforms for 2 days, tracksuits for 2 days and a non-uniform day in each full week. The precise days will be communicated to you by the teachers.
Face Coverings.
The latest public health advice is that the children should not wear face coverings. The staff of the school will be wearing visors when teaching the children in the classroom along with public health advice. We consider that visors will allow children to see the expression on the face of the adult. This is important for effective communication.
Parents should wear face coverings when speaking to staff.
Meetings with Teachers and Staff.
Meetings with resource teachers, class teachers, SNAs and the Principal should be arranged in advance. Communications of a minor nature should be done by way of phone or message in the journals or folders.
Illness among pupils.
Please keep your child at home if he is not feeling well. Follow public health advice if you, a family member or your son is displaying any symptoms associated with Covid 19.
Even apart from Covid 19 we must ask you to exercise caution when your child is not feeling well. It will not be possible in future for the staff members to ‘diagnose’ the condition of children so if you have any doubts please do not send them to school.
Should we believe that your child has symptoms associated with Covid 19, the child will be led to an isolation area and you will be contacted. It is important that you fill in contact details on the journal if your son is in any class from 1st up to 6th. We will need to have alternative contact names and numbers should parents be unavailable.
These measures are being put in place to allay any fears you or your children may have. I will detail in the next few days the cleaning measures being put in place to keep everyone safe. We feel certain that the children will get used to these measures and will enjoy their school experience again. We are committed to making that happen.
With the new school year fast approaching, we would like to introduce our two junior infant teachers and give our new pupils some information about St. Joseph’s. Follow the link to meet Ms. Murphy and Ms. Smithwick and get a mini tour of our school. We can’t WAIT to meet our junior infants! https://www.facebook.com/stjosephscobh/videos/339993507043886/
Dear Parents,
We are delighted to be re-opening on Thursday 27th August. Understandably there will be some anxiety among children and parents but we are going to follow public health and Department of Education advice. Re-opening presents a big challenge and so new measures will change the way schools operate. We are going to inform you of these proposed chages through the school website and the facebook page.
The first major change involves the opening and closing times.
There will be no congregating in the school grounds or yards in the morning.
OPENING TIMES
Pupils and parents must NOT arrive in school before 8.45 a.m. This is really important and we ask for your co-operation in this.
Junior Infants are to be brought directly to their classroom door any time from 8.45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Please enter the school by the centre doors and exit by the Junior/Senior infants’ corner.
Juniors will have a transitional arrangement for the first week and a half of school. We will circularise parents separately about this.
Senior Infants are to be brought directly to their classroom door any time from 8.45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Please enter the school by the centre doors and exit by the Junior/Senior infants’ corner.
Pupils from 1st to 6th classes may be accompanied to the gate of the school and boys make their own way to their classrooms no earlier than 8.45 a.m. until 9 a.m. They will be greeted on entering the centre door
The school shed is not to be used in the mornings so it is important to plan for arriving in the school between 8.45 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Finishing Times
In order to avoid large crowds congregating together we have proposed major changes to the times for pupils leaving.
Junior Infants….after the week and a half transition period for junior infants the closing time for Junior Infants will be 1.30 p.m.
Senior Infants finish at 1.45 p.m.
When the weather is fine the children will be brought to the school yard. Please do not enter the yard until all the children are placed appropriately.
When the weather is inclement please collect the children from the school hall. Enter the school by the centre door and exit by the side door. Please do not enter the school until the appropriate time.
All other pupils
1st and 2nd classes finish at 2.30 p.m.
3rd and 4th classes finish at 2.40 p.m.
5th and 6th classes finish at 2.50 p.m.
Farewell to our Class of 2020. It was a strange year without a doubt but we hope that in the eight years you spent with us in St. Joseph’s that the good memories outweigh the bad and that you go forward to secondary school with hope, determination and excitement about what your futures hold. We will miss you all!
Best wishes to all the boys in Scoil Iosaef Naofa’s Communion class. We know you were looking forward to it, but your special day will come and it will be worth the wait! For now stay safe and well and enjoy the day with your families. We look forward to seeing you all very soon.
See can you tell who these staff members are on their Communion Day!
Fr. Kelleher will be saying mass for the boys at 11am tomorrow 6th June on Facebook Live.
Below is a special message he recorded for the boys.
Pubblicato da Liam Kelleher su Giovedì 4 giugno 2020
Some special messages for our First Communion Boys:
Special messages for our First Holy Communion boys.
Pubblicato da Scoil Iosaef Naofa – St Joseph's School Cobh Parents Association su Venerdì 5 giugno 2020
Get Active!
Here is our next challenge for you all!
Our staff have been keeping active while at home and we hope you all are too!
Here are some activities for you to try out!
Click the link to head over to our school facebook page and try one, some or all! https://www.facebook.com/pg/stjosephscobh/posts/
Happy Easter to all our pupils!
Here is an Easter message from our principal Mr. Tony Kenneally.
Hope you enjoyed our staff pics competition!
Here are the answers:
1.Petrice Scriven. 2.Tony Kenneally. 3.Katherine Studdert. 4.Seán Ó’Loingsigh. 5.Susan Kelly. 6.Martin O’Driscoll. 7.Martin Fleming. 8.Marie O’Regan. 9.Lynda Ahern. 10.Grace Doonan. 11.Orla Finn. 12.Eileen Forde. 13.Vickie Harrington. 14.Kate O’Donovan 15.Catherine Smithwick. 16.Grace Kelleher. 17.Rosemarie Doherty. 18.Margaret Kearney. 19.Niamh O’Grady. 20.Niamh Stack. 21.Levi Kelly. 22.Willie McSweeney. 23.Jacinta Donovan. 24.Brendan O’Donovan. 25.Claire Murphy.
Winner Winner!
Congratulations to the winners of our staff pics competition: The Griffin Lynch family! Staff winners were: Grace Kelleher and Petrice Scriven!
EASTER COMPETITION!
Guess The Staff Member!
Guess each staff member correctly and win a prize!
Submit your guesses numbered 1-25 to: scoiliosaefias@gmail.com
The closing date for entries is Wednesday 8th April at 5pm.
Hint: One person is a former member of staff.
Competition open to families of pupils and staff only.
Good Luck!
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!
Here are some St. Patrick’s Day messages from Scoil Iosaef Naofa.
We know it’s a very different one this year but we hope you are all staying safe and enjoying spending time at home with your families. We look forward to seeing you all soon and hearing all your news. In the meantime, keep those brains busy and remember to wash your hands!
Say hello to our newest addition!
On 9th March, St. Joseph’s became the first primary school in Cork to have a Sensory Pod.
The Sensory Pod is a futuristic calming space for the school environment, full of amazing features and is sure to be a popular addition to the school for teachers and students alike!
The Sensory Pod has a mood light ceiling which can be changed instantly to the favoured colour. It has a built-in flat screen tv and speakers, along with a heated soft base with custom vibration. The pod is fun, relaxing and appealing to any child, or adult, to spend any length of time. It is already being used successfully in Special Needs environments and Universities, seeking an Autism Friendly Environment.
Trip to The Everyman
On the 28th February, Mrs. McGowan’s 3rd class went to The Everyman to see Revolting Rhymes. Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes have been delighting audiences young and old for generations. The show brought together some of the finest musicians in the country and a great time was had by all.
First Confession
On the 5th March, our 2nd class boys celebrated their First Confession. Congratulations to all. Sincere thanks to Ms. O’Regan and Ms. Scannell for all their work in preparing the children for the sacrament. A big thank you also to Mr. O’Donovan, Mr. O’Loingsigh and Ms. Donovan who provided the beautiful music on the night. The children now turn their focus towards their First Holy Communion which will take place on Saturday 6th June.
FAI Tournament
On 5th March, some of our fifth and sixth class took part in the FAI five-a-side tournament which was held in Mayfield AFC. Our team emerged as the winners!
School Soccer League News
Team Barcelona were the eventual winners.
School Soccer League News
Team Celtic were runners up.
Many thanks to Cobh Credit Union for presenting the school with €10,000 for our new playground. Everybody is delighted with it!
Scoil Iosaef Naofa – Annual School Walk
Sunday 13th October – 11.30am
Usual Route
3 Draws – Sponsors’, Sellers’ & Walkers’
Please support our major fundraiser.
Cross Country Running
In September our school took part in the East Cork Primary Schools Cross Country Running Competition which was held in Ballymacoda. Up to 100 runners took part in each race and the first 15 each received a medal. We had eight medal winners in all. These were: Ben Healy, Michael Bradley, Luca O’Rourke, Cillian Dorgan, Jakub Wolny, Sam Cronin, Oisin Dorgan & Ryan Abramson. All our other runners performed very well and finished just outside the medals. These were: Bartosz Ratajczak, Evan Kavanagh Byrne, Fionn Walsh Connick, Oliver Derdowski, Ronan O’Rourke, Mikey Felix O’Sullivan, Ciaran Clancy, James Burke, Roan Fallon, Will O’Keeffe, Cillian Kelleher, Nico Pindelski & Conor Leahy. Many thanks to Ms. Finn, Mrs Ahern & Mr. Fleming for preparing the runners and looking after them on the day.
