ST JOSEPHS N S
School Details
About
St. Joseph’s National School is a vibrant Catholic primary school that embraces a welcoming, inclusive ethos and a progressive educational approach. The curriculum is enriched by a strong emphasis on wellbeing, with initiatives such as “Thankful Thursday” that focus on mental health and family‑centred activities, alongside a robust literacy and numeracy programme. The school also participates in national schemes like the Blue Star Programme, encouraging pupils to explore European culture, citizenship and language through creative projects. The campus has been significantly expanded with a two‑storey extension that houses a state‑of‑the‑art sports hall and a modern library, providing excellent facilities for both physical education and independent learning. A range of extracurricular clubs—including a Breakfast Club, sports teams (hurling, Gaelic football, badminton, soccer, athletics) and community‑based projects such as the UNICEF Children’s Rights Gold Award and the Happy Land Project—support a holistic development of each child. The school benefits from DEIS funding, a dedicated Home‑School Community Liaison co‑ordinator and a proactive Parent Association, all of which strengthen the partnership between the school, families and the wider community.
History
St. Joseph’s National School opened in 1979 with Gerry Murphy as its first principal. By 1980 construction of new school buildings began and the Marist Fathers assumed administration of the newly formed Holy Family parish, with Father Des Hunt becoming the inaugural Chairman of the School Board of Management. The current Chairperson is Sr. Joan Watters of the Mercy Sisters. Over the years the campus has hosted community services such as Springboard family support, Lios na nOg pre‑schools, a Speech and Language Therapy Unit and a Special Needs Assistant Scheme. In 2005 the school joined the DEIS programme, gaining additional resources and a full‑time Home‑School Community Liaison co‑ordinator. A major refurbishment led by principal Marcella o Conluain in 2012 added a two‑storey extension with a sports hall and library, and the school now serves a diverse, international pupil population under the leadership of Dr Rosalyn Morris.