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ST JOSEPH’SBOYS’ SCHOOLST JOSEPH’S:FIRST CHOICEFOR BOYS@stjosephsderry

CONTENTContent 2Principal’s Welcome 3 Head Boy Address 4Our Faith 5Curriculum 6New Experiences 8 Induction 8 Year 8 Pen Pics 9Careers Provision 10Pupil leadership 11Pupil Wellbeing 12Celebrating Success 13Extra-Curricular 14 Enrichment 14Autism Specific Classrooms 16School Information and Details 17Awards 18St Joseph’s Prospectus 20242

PRINCIPAL’S WELCOMEAt St Joseph’s we want every pupil to feel known, valued and understood. A strong sense of community defines the St Joseph’s way: truth, integrity and hard work. We welcome boys from our wider community parishes and encourage you through the admission criteria to make St Joseph’s your first preference. I encourage parents to make their choice of St Joseph’s Boys not just because of our excellent academic record but because the boys simply enjoy their time at school. I believe that school life should be enjoyed for itself and not only as a preparation for adulthood. We offer outstanding opportunities for learning and enriching experiences in the classroom and beyond the classroom. We set high aspirations for our pupils to ensure a safe and kind environment for learning, building pupil confidence and actively promoting each individual pupil’s wellbeing. Catholic life is at the heart of the school promoting everything the school offers to pupils, staff and parents, creating a distinct family where everyone feels valued. Our expectations of each boy’s behaviour, academic achievements and contribution to the school is celebrated daily in our value led processes of Ready, Respect and Safe. Ciara DeaneSt Joseph’s Prospectus 20243

HEAD BOY’S ADDRESSTiernan McElhinneyAs Head Boy of St Joseph’s, it’s a true privilege to invite our potential students and their parents to our Open Day in 2024 and to have a read through our prospectus. I hope you will take the opportunity to see the best of what St Joseph’s has to offer. As a student here, you will experience an enriched curriculum, extra-curricular activities and see first-hand that St Joseph’s really is a school for everyone. It is a supportive, caring, nurturing school, which has our boys’ best interests at heart. The teachers encourage and inspire us to be the best we can, whether that is academically or personally through our studies, sports and performing arts. I have thrived as a student because of this and I am confident that each and every one of you will as well. Tiernan McElhinney Head Boy St Joseph’s Prospectus 20244

OUR FAITHReligious Education is at the heart of the curriculum and central to the school community. Our staff and pupils are involved in regular events which include weekly morning mass in our oratory, assemblies, Advent and Lenten reconciliation services, retreats and the Pope John Paul II award. We fully recognise the importance of promoting our faith and fostering the ideals that your child received in both his home and primary school. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me”. During the past year, both pupils and staff engaged in a wide variety of fund-raising activities, and as always, the generosity of pupils and parents has been phenomenal.Mrs C LaganMrs C LaganHead of RETHE SCHOOL PRAYERThank you, God, for another day,Thank you, God, for showing me the way.Help me Lord to be fair and kind,To always give others peace of mind.Never dwell on what we have done,God forgives us, we are his sons.Be my best in what I think, do, and say,Guide me Lord throughout this day.St Joseph’s Prospectus 20245

CURRICULUMCurriculum at each Key Stage We offer a rich and varied curriculum from KS3, 4 & 5. We aim to ensure that all our students have access to a wide variety of subjects and areas that will enable them to acquire the skills necessary for lifelong learning and the qualities to become a responsible citizen in the 21st century. The range and flexibility of the curriculum affords students the opportunity to choose courses that best suit their individual needs and interests, and which will ultimately lead to their successful progression to either further education or employment. St Joseph’s Prospectus 20246KEY STAGE  CURRICULUM YEAR -:REEnglishSpanishIrishMathematicsScienceTechnology & DesignHistoryGeographyArt & DesignDramaMusicICTPELearning for Life & Work (including Home Economics)

St Joseph’s Prospectus 2024KEY STAGE  CURRICULUM YEAR -:The following subjects in years 11 & 12 are core subjects:Religious Education MathematicsEnglish Careers EducationOptional subjects:English Literature Art & Design Business Studies ICT Drama Spanish Music Motor Vehicle and Road Safety Studies PE Technology & Design Applied Business Studies Single Award ICT BTEC ICT Hospitality Occupational Studies *(Business and Services, Environment and Society, Technology and Innovation) Geography Double Award Science GCSE Science Prince’s Trust Churches Trust History Government & Politics Health & Social Care Science Learning for Life & Work Leisure & Tourism Moving Image Arts KEY STAGE  CURRICULUM YEAR  -:The following subjects are available for study at AS/A Level:Art & Design English Literature Geography Government and Politics History Mathematics Music Religious Studies Design Technology ICT Moving Image Arts Life and Health Science BTEC National Level 3 Courses:Business Studies ICT Travel and Tourism Engineering Music Sports Studies Other courses will be available through the Foyle Learning Community.

NEW EXPERIENCESInductionThe Primary-Secondary Links Co-ordinator visits the primary schools of every potential Year 8 pupil in January and again in June.• Survival kit.• Induction booklet.• Open Day in January.• P7 taster day in June.• Induction day in September.• Year 8 Mass.• Welcome evening for parents in September.• Parent care pack.• Sixth form prefects for each class to guide pupils as they settle.• Personalised timetable pack and map.St Joseph’s Prospectus 20248 We aim to ensure your child experiences a smooth transition from primary school. Your son will be welcomed into a caring and happy environment by the Head of Year 8 and Form Tutors, who will ensure your son is pastorally guided and supported. Our Year 8 Induction Programme promotes positive relationships and wellbeing, encouraging your child to connect and build friendships.

YEAR  PEN PICSSt Joseph’s Prospectus 20249Name; Harry Morrow.Primary School; Rosemount Primary School.What do you like about St Joseph’s Boys’ School?I am really enjoying my first year here at St Joseph’s Boys’ School. So far, PE and sporting events are my favourite part of school life. The new Sean O’Kane Multi Sports Facility is fantastic and getting to use this first-class pitch is brilliant. Name; Henry Hutcheon.Primary School; Nazareth House Primary School.What is the best thing about St Joseph’s Boys’ School?I have made lots of wonderful new friends and the teachers are very helpful and friendly. I really like going to the Lunch Bunch Club. We get to play lots of games, learn new skills and make new friends. I love to play Minecraft at lunch and be creative with my new friends. I also really enjoyed the school summer scheme!Name; Ronan Maguire.Primary School; Sacred Heart Primary School.Best thing about St Joseph’s Boys’ School?When I visited the school on Open Day, I was really impressed by the school facilities and the range of activities on offer. Every teacher makes sure to make learning fun and engaging. They are also kind, friendly and approachable and go out of their way to make you feel welcomed, safe and included. The best thing for me is interactive learning and taking part in new subjects like T&D and HE.Name; Liam Millar.Primary School; St Anne’s Primary School.Favourite subject and why?I enjoy all my subjects, however, my favourite subjects so far are Maths and Technology and Design. I really enjoy learning new concepts and ideas. My teachers make my lessons interesting, engaging and fun. I have just recently completed my first set of examinations and I have excelled in many of my subjects due to the fantastic teachers that I have.

CAREERS PROVISIONH.O.D. Caroline BarnettCareers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance are central to the curriculum for pupils in years 10 to 14. The Careers team work hard to ensure that pupils have access to important information that will enable them to make informed decisions about their future. The programme provides a variety of experiences which will assist pupils in their decision making and further enhance their career opportunities. This programme raises awareness and educates our students through attendance at Careers Fairs, STEAM Week activities, careers days, guest speakers, industrial visits, pupil conferences, St Joseph’s Prospectus 202410interview skills sessions and attendance at and hosting of University, information events.All our sixth form pupils gained successful progression to University, Further Education or Apprenticeships. The continuous delivery of Careers education throughout their school experience ensures our pupils match their abilities and preferences to the right choice of career.We aim to nurture pupils self-esteem and confidence and ultimately prepare our pupils for their lives as adults at home, work and as responsible members of society.

PUPIL LEADERSHIPStudent Council Saint Joseph’s Boy’s School’s Student Council advocates for all students here in Saint Joseph’s Boys’ School. Our Key Stage 3 and 4 Council debate relevant and pertinent issues to ensure positive outcomes for the school community and its collective wellbeing. The meetings are a perfect opportunity to develop their individuality, as we encourage a strong Catholic Ethos so the boys feel safe in this forum and feel part of a democratic process and adhere to our mission of Ready, Respect, Safe. The school Council welcomes new members with a positive vision which will improve life for us all. We continually strive for excellence and relish new ideas from new members. You could be part of this vibrant and forward thinking team too! Special Educational Need Provision The robust approach to special educational needs at St. Joseph’s Boys’ School is evident in the high outcomes for our pupils. The learning support team work tirelessly to support our pupils in a variety of settings. The SEN provision permeates all classrooms, adopting a personalised approach to learning for all.The learning experience of all SEN pupils is enhanced with digital literacy and numeracy programmes that are modified to meet all our pupils’ needs. We foster an inclusive ethos that underpins the school values of “Achievement for all”.Our pupils access learning across the curriculum in an inclusive environment. Programmes of study are linked with learning and teaching in each classroom, and pupils are encouraged to enhance learning through homework club, film club, reading rooms and varied literacy / numeracy projects.Pupils are also encouraged to engage in the additional support provided by a range of outside agencies. We are a school working with and within the growing needs of our community. We will work tirelessly to support parents to meet the changing needs of their child throughout all key stages in the school. We are proud of the relationships developed with all organisations working with individual pupils. Strategic links are sustained with ASD Services, Speech and Language Service and the Cedar Foundation working with students with disabilities. St Joseph’s Prospectus 202411JUNIOR LEADERSHIP TEAMNoah FrielCiaran BarrLogan RoddyChe Duffy Darragh GillDarragh Houston SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAMCiaran BarrNiall FrielBen CurranCianan CampbellNikoderm DziarskiTiernan McElhinney (Head Boy)Davin ParkhillDarwin SpencerDylan McKinney The learning experiences for all pupils are rooted in the relationships they have with each other and school sta. The SEN department is integral to all other departments and is motivated by an ethos of respect and high expectations for all our pupils” Learning Support Manager

PUPIL WELL-BEINGThe primary aim of pastoral care in St Joseph’s is to provide a safe environment whilst building positive relationships rooted in respect and ensuring pupils are ready to learn. Pastoral Care is evidenced in the relationships in school between teacher and pupil, teacher and parent and among the pupils themselves. We believe this is achieved daily in a school community that fosters relationships between staff and pupils that are warm, loving and respectful.St Joseph’s Prospectus 202412

CELEBRATING SUCCESSReady Respect SafeAchievements and successes are celebrated throughout the year:• Prizegiving• Incentive trips• Class rewards• Assemblies• Departmental postcards• Pupil of the Month• Display of work• School representatives at events• Pastoral peer roles as Head Boy, Junior Head Boy Prefects, Class captains and vice-captains. St Joseph’s Prospectus 202413

EXTRA CURRICULARSt Joseph’s Prospectus 202414MondayKey Stage 4 & 5 SoccerMr Quigley & Mr ParkhouseTuesdayKey Stage 3 Gaelic TrainingMr QuigleyMr MaudeChess Club Mr SmithKey Stage 3 SoccerMr Mc Ginty & Mr GibbonsWednesdayBasketballMr HribarMr MaudeDrama ClubMs Mc CallionThursdayElectronic Arts Sports team and Coding ClubMr QuigleyMr HegartyHomework Support and Wellbeing Check in - 3-4 pm DailyENRICHMENTAlongside many other opportunities within classroom-based learning, St Joseph’s value and promote extra-curricular opportunities after school, to enrich and enhance pupils’ learning experiences – this is particularly strong within the sporting provision for the student body. As well as recognising sporting excellence, we equally value participation and sportsmanship so all pupils are always welcome to participate and train.St Joseph’s offers and provides strong sporting competition in Gaelic games and soccer for pupils in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. The school has had many successes in the past and most recently, we featured in two consecutive Ulster finals for Gaelic games and won the national Northern Ireland Cup for Soccer. We work extensively with local clubs such as Phoenix FC, Trojans FC, Seán Dolan’s and Doire Colmcille CLG to build on the carefully laid foundations to champion morals, alongside sporting prowess.All sporting provisions are inclusive and cater for pupils of all dispositions to encourage mass participation, which develops and maintains the sporting culture within the school.Promoting diversity and recognising the changes in an ever-evolving society, St Joseph’s have recently developed a Coding Club to teach children the basic coding language and structure that enables children to design and devise their own websites. Encouraging computational thinking, communication and teamwork, St Joseph’s selected an Electronic Arts Sports Team and Pupil Digital Leadership Team to compete on the Nintendo platform for Mario Kart and Splatoon. Clubs alternate and run each half term to cater for the plethora of interest and talent within our school and to maximise student potential.

EXTRA CURRICULARSt Joseph’s Prospectus 202415St Joseph’ Boys’ School are proud partners of the Manchester United Football Club Foundation. The partnership commenced at the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year with Stephen Parkhouse, MU Foundation High School Partnership ocer, leading the programme within the school. Stephen has extensive experience in the sporting sector having played professional football in England and Ireland for over 15 years. He previously led and delivered the Maiden City School’s programme throughout primary schools in Northern Ireland as well as coaching elite academy teams. Stephen’s main role within the school is to mentor and role model future talent whilst targeting and delivering, timely interventions to help pupils: repair, rejuvenate and reintegrate when pupils are disconnected from school or at home. Enhancing the PE department, Stephen is the lead coach for the soccer teams and provides first class sessions to raise attainment within the PE provision. To ensure there is a smooth transition from primary to secondary school, Stephen works with the local feeder schools to serve as a future available adult and provide taster sessions of the inclusive and elite PE opportunities available at St Joseph’s. Using his experiences to help shape and guide future leaders, Stephen promotes pupil leadership opportunities and helps pupils access employability skills by providing opportunities to undertake courses and diplomas through the Irish Football Association and facilitates pupil-led coaching sessions in feeder schools. The Manchester United Foundation’s mantra of ‘we stay, and we serve’ is well placed alongside St Joseph’s philosophy of connection over correction to provide countless chances and opportunities of enjoyment and success at school.” Stephen Parkhouse

AUTISM SPECIFIC CLASSROOMSSt Joseph’s Prospectus 202416St Joseph’s Autism Specific Classrooms offer a personalised curriculum so that all pupils benefit from individualised learning that will provide lifelong learning. Teachers’ planning will ensure that pupils take part in activities which are meaningful and interesting for them and through which they address relevant and challenging learning intentions. This enables all pupils to maximise their progress. The tailored curriculum underpins the ethos of the school, Achievement for All, and strives to provide the context within which pupils with autism are given the opportunity to achieve high standards. The Autism Specific Classrooms serve as a zone for regulation between transitions and encourage integration once confidence is established.Learning for life in the Autism Specific Classrooms:• Successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress, and achieve.• Confident individuals who can live safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.Key Stage 3Our curriculum approach enables all pupils to be taught in a way which optimises their learning and is engaging and meaningful to them. All pupils work at their own level through individualised teaching strategies and differentiated lessons based on the expectations of the Northern Ireland curriculum.During Key Stage 3, teachers aim to ensure that a varied basis is developed for all pupils with different profiles of ability and performance in different areas.This prepares the pupils for the coming years of gaining qualifications and accreditation. We strive to develop an in-depth knowledge of each pupil’s profile of ability so that the school is well placed to develop strengths and maximise potential.Key Stage 4Our secondary curriculum offers excellent educational opportunities for national accreditation. We provide effective support for the individual learning needs of our pupils so that they can access a range of certificated subjects. We also deliver a range of vocational and life skills subjects, including work experience, to prepare pupils for life beyond school. Accreditation available to learners at the Key Stage 4 Autism Specific Classroom will include GCSEs and OCNs. The formal curriculum at Key Stage 4 aims to provide our pupils with the opportunities to access certifications with great flexibility in terms of the time they are allotted to complete a course. In addition, the amount of GCSE courses on a student’s timetable will vary depending on the needs of the student.

SCHOOL INFORMATION AND DETAILSUniformSchool UniformWe take pride in every aspect of our school and the school uniform plays a very important role in this. Every pupil is expected to always wear full school uniform, and to wear it with pride. This also includes P.E uniform when appropriate, the correct equipment for class, and being prepared for the day ahead. We have our own uniform shop based in the school so that any student without an item of uniform will be sent there to borrow it for that day. Compulsory:• Green jumper with school colours V stripe• White shirt• School tie (junior, senior, 6th form)• Black trousers• Black blazer with school crest• Black shoesPE Uniform:• School tracksuit – black with school crest• KS3 SJBS Green t-shirt with school crest, Black shorts• KS4 and 5 SJBS Black t-shirt, Black shorts• TrainersSt Joseph’s Prospectus 202417

AWARDSList of accolades 2023-24• Ecoschools Green Flag Award • Pearson National Teaching Awards Mrs Harrigan -Stewart Highly Commended in the Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education • The National SEND Awards Winner of the Most Inclusive School • Special Educational Needs and Disability Awards Winner of the Most Inclusive Practice Across a School • Mental Health in Education Awards Winner of the Pupil Voice Award • Local Women Awards Winner Mrs Ciara Deane, Inspirational Secondary School Principal of the Year • Local Women Awards Winner Mrs Celine McLaughlin, Inspirational Librarian of the Year • Renaissance Awards Winner of the Curriculum Innovation Award Mrs Brenda Edwards, for her ground breaking literacy programme • Renaissance Awards Runner Up for the Celebration and Innovation Award, St. Joseph’s Derry, Learning Support DepartmentSt Joseph’s Prospectus 202418

ST JOSEPH’SBOYS’ SCHOOLSt Joseph's Boys' SchoolWestway, Creggan Estate, Derry, Northern Ireland. BT48 9NXTelephone: 028 71262923 / 028 7126 2333Fax: 028 7137 0032Email: info@stjosephs.derry.ni.sch.ukFOYLE ROADBISHOP STREETCRAIGAVON BRIDGERIVER FOYLEST. COLUMB’S PARKBROOKE PARKVICTORIA ROADSPENCER ROADGLENDERMOTT ROADLIMAVADY ROADPEACE BRIDGEFOYLE EMBANKMENTFOYLE STSHIPQUAY STFERRYQUAY STCARLISLE RDJOHN STREETABERCORN ROADORCHARD STWILLIAM STREETGREAT JAMES STREETLONDON STABERCORN ROADBISHOP STREETA2WATERLOO STNORTHLAND ROADCLARENDON STREETASYLUM ROADLAWRENCE HILLEBRINGTONSQUARECHAPEL ROADTRENCH ROADSTRAND ROADBUNCRANA ROADROSSVILLE STREETQUEENS QUAY