We are delighted to announce that we have made formal links with our local community library. Throughout June, each of our Key Stage 2 classes will be visiting the library. During these visits, the children will have the valuable opportunity to become library members. We highly encourage you to return to the library with your children over the summer holidays to keep up their reading habits. In addition, Sarah from the library will be visiting us here at school. She will be h

Our nursery children have been busy exploring our outdoor areas and searching for minibeasts! 🌿🔍 We had lots of fun learning interesting facts and investigating natural habitats to discover a range of fascinating creatures. 🕷️🍃 We discussed how to handle minibeasts safely and respectfully, as well as what they need to survive in their environments. 🏡💚 The children showed great curiosity and enthusiasm as they became little nature explorers! 🌎✨

St Joseph’s School is proud to have achieved the Live Simply Award, recognising the school’s commitment to living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with communities around the world experiencing poverty. The award, championed by the international aid charity CAFOD, was presented to the school after pupils and staff successfully planned and carried out faith-inspired actions that highlighted the importance of caring for both people and the planet. These actions have had a

Year 2 children have been exploring the artwork of Martin Bulinya, focusing on his African-inspired paintings of the Maasai tribe. His work often depicts Maasai people in a variety of poses and groupings, with particular attention to the intricate patterns and detailed designs of their traditional clothing. Inspired by his style, the children used iPads to create their own patterns digitally. They then applied these designs to felt, producing their own unique pieces of clothi

Year 2 children have been exploring how the seaside has changed from Victorian times through the 1950s to the present day. They had the opportunity to handle a range of artefacts and worked together to sort them into “then” and “now.”

Year 4 visited Housesteads Roman Fort. They found out about life at the fort and they walked on Hadrian’s Wall!

This week we have had an egg-citing delivery! 🥚✨ Our focus story was “Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones”, where we learned about all the different animals that lay eggs. 🐔🐍🐢 We received a special package containing some eggs and a message asking us to take care of them. 💌 We talked about what might hatch by looking closely at the colour, size, and shape of each egg. 👀 We were so excited when we saw some adorable ducklings beginning to hatch! 🐣💛 We have been fascinated wat

Year 1 had great fun learning to count in 2s using pairs of socks! This practical activity helped children understand that counting in 2s links to grouping objects into pairs. The children sorted socks into pairs and counted them aloud: 2, 4, 6, 8… They quickly noticed patterns in the numbers and began to develop their understanding and confidence.

In Year 1. we have been busy exploring and measuring weight. The children worked collaboratively to compare different items, using key vocabulary such as heavy, light, heavier than, and lighter than. They demonstrated great teamwork as they shared their thinking and explained their reasoning.

Our Year 1 children had a wonderful time creating their very own Easter gardens to help them understand and retell the Easter story. They then took part in a thoughtful collective worship in our prayer garden, reflecting on the themes of hope and new life. To finish the celebration, the children enjoyed an exciting Easter egg hunt, bringing lots of smiles and fun to the end of a special day.

Year 1 – France Bonjour! In Year 1, we enjoyed learning all about France and its culture. We started off the day by understanding what Languages Day is about. We looked at France, where it is on a map, famous landmarks and traditional dishes. We learnt how to say the different colours in French and some simple phrases Bonjour, Merci, Au revoir, je m’appelle. We tasted some French baguette and croissants and created our own French flag!

Pentecost Year 2 children have been learning about the story of Pentecost. They discussed how the disciples may have felt during this time, moving from fear and uncertainty to feeling comforted and brave enough to share the Good News. The children then created a display to express their thoughts and feelings.

In 2025, we introduced our new Essential Letters and Sounds reading spine across Early Years and Key Stage One. Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff, children and parents, we are delighted to have invested in the next set of books for our Key Stage Two classes. Readerful is an award-winning, flexible reading spine that provides high-quality books for independent reading and reading aloud. This rich, carefully linked collection of inclusive and age-appropr

In Year 2, pupils have been learning about nutrition, with a particular focus on the importance of a balanced diet. They explored the different food groups and discussed the recommended amounts needed for a healthy daily intake. Using this knowledge, the children designed and prepared a healthy fruit salad, which they enjoyed as a nutritious snack.

Following many months of planning and preparation, our rain garden was finally ready for its grand planting session at the beginning of April. Jennie demonstrated how to plant carefully to ensure the new arrivals would get off to the best possible start at St Joseph’s. Everyone had the chance to bed in at least one plant before the area was thoroughly watered. Thanks to the favourable conditions this month, there are already signs of new growth. Don’t forget to take a look wh

Our Mini Vinnies have been shining examples of compassion and service this Lent, inspiring the whole school community to live out kindness in meaningful and practical ways. They began the season by creating a beautiful Well of Kindness, encouraging every pupil to contribute acts of generosity, friendship and positivity. Their commitment to helping others continued with a hugely successful cake sale, raising valuable funds for CAFOD. They also joined the entire school for the

Year 5 rounded off their Hoops4Health journey in spectacular style this week as they took part in the final competition at the iconic Vertu Motors Arena—home of the Newcastle Eagles. Stepping onto a professional court was an unforgettable experience, and the children rose brilliantly to the challenge. Throughout the event, they demonstrated superb teamwork, determination and sportsmanship, putting their newly learned skills into action against schools from across the region.

Year 2 took part in the Lent Walk to raise money for CAFOD, joining EYFS and Year 1 on their route. They also cheered on KS2 as they completed their walk in Hodgkin Park and Newburn. Well done to everyone involved!

It was time for action, when our robotics engineers showcased their talents at a regional competition. The pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary in Benwell were competing in the Vex IQ Robotics Competition North-East Regional at Sasmi College in Sunderland, where the robot they had created was put through its paces. “The event is part of an international competition run by Vex Robotics, with a variety of age categories, and the UK North-East division is supported by Nissan

The children in Year 2 had a wonderful time celebrating World Book Day. They took part in a range of book‑themed activities and listened to lots of different stories throughout the day. Some children even came dressed as their favourite characters! Everyone enjoyed sharing their favourite books with the class, and the children also had the chance to relax and spend some quiet time reading in the classroom.