At St Joseph’s, our Catholic faith is lived out each day through our words, actions and relationships. Our mission statement —“We learn, love and grow with God at the centre”— shapes every aspect of school life and inspires us to follow Christ’s example of love, service and compassion.Rooted in the Passionist charism, we strive to keep alive the memory of Christ’s passion by showing empathy, forgiveness and care for others. Pupils understand that faith is active and expressed through service, charity and outreach both within and beyond our school community.
Catholic Social Teaching underpins everything we do. Through faith in action , pupils lead and participate in a range of charitable projects that reflect the Church’s call to work for the Common Good.Locally, we support local Islington food banks, promoting thePreferential Option for the Poor. We also support the Whittington Hospital Children’s Ward, linking toCommunity and Participation. Nationally, we raise funds for Cancer Research UK, upholding the value ofHuman Dignity. Everyone is welcome to donate any amount to our 'Tree of Hope' in the school foyer. Globally, we support Oceana, embracingCare for Creation. These initiatives help pupils make meaningful connections between Gospel values and real-world action.
Pupils are encouraged to:
Live out Gospel valuesin all they do, showing kindness, honesty and respect.
Follow the example of St Joseph, who was a hardworking, faithful and loving father.
Strive to serve otherswith humility and compassion, putting faith into action in daily life.
Work together as a community, using their gifts to make a positive difference in the world.
History of the School
At St Joseph’s, we are proud to be a Passionist Catholic school, grounded in the rich tradition and values of the Passionist Congregation. Our faith-based approach to education is inspired by the teachings of St Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Passionists, who dedicated his life to deepening people’s relationship with Christ through prayer, service and a profound commitment to the Cross. The Passionists are a Catholic religious order with a unique spiritual charism focused on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At St Joseph’s, we integrate this charism into all aspects of school life, encouraging students to develop a strong, compassionate faith that calls them to love and serve others. Our school community is built on the values of prayer, community and service, seeking to follow Christ’s example of love and self-sacrifice. Father George, our parish priest, visits the school at least weekly.
Meet the Pupil Chaplains
We are the Pupil Chaplains of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, and we are incredibly proud to represent our school in this special and privileged role. We wear our distinctive chaplain jumpers, which are a different colour from the rest of the school uniform, so that everyone can recognise us and the important part we play in our school’s faith life.
To become a Pupil Chaplain, we each completed an application and were then interviewed by Father George, our parish priest, and Mr Drumm, who is in charge of Religious Education. We meet regularly to support the Catholic Life of the school, to plan events and to share our ideas about how we can help others grow in faith.
We are very proud that our school has its own chapel. It is such a special and peaceful place that we take off our shoes before entering, as a sign of respect. During lunchtimes, we take it in turns to be in the chapel to welcome pupils who come in to pray or reflect. We also help younger children to learn about prayer and deepen their understanding of our faith.
As Pupil Chaplains, we take an active part in Collective Worship throughout the year, leading prayers and reflections during key times in the Liturgical Year. We also act as ambassadors for our school, helping to lead tours for prospective parents and visitors.
We are full of ideas about how to live out our faith and love in action. Throughout the year, we support local, national and global charities through fundraising and community projects. In all that we do, we aim to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and of St Joseph, living as servant leaders who bring faith, hope and love to our school and wider community.
Our School Saint
Our school is dedicated to St Joseph because he inspires us to be caring, faithful and hardworking, just like he was.
We honour him as a role model for our community. Joseph was a carpenter who cared for Mary and Jesus with great love and faith.
He trusted God’s plan, even when it was challenging, and is a wonderful example of kindness and hard work.
St Joseph is the patron saint of workers, families and the Church, making him a special figure in our faith.
Our House Saints
St. Patrick (Patron Saint of Ireland)
St. Patrick, born in the 4th century, is one of the most beloved saints in Catholic tradition. Originally from Britain, he was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland as a slave. After escaping and returning home, he later returned to Ireland as a missionary, spreading Christianity across the country. He is credited with using a shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity and is the patron saint of Ireland. His feast day, the 17th of March, is celebrated worldwide.
St. George (Patron Saint of England)
St. George, a 3rd-century Christian martyr, is known for his courage and faith. According to legend, he slayed a dragon to save a princess, a symbol of the triumph of good over evil. His unwavering dedication to Christ, even unto death, has made him a symbol of bravery. St. George is the patron saint of England and his feast day is celebrated on the 23rd of April.
St. Andrew (Patron Saint of Scotland)
St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter, was one of Jesus’ first disciples. He is said to have been crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is now a symbol of Scotland, where he is the patron saint. St. Andrew’s Feast Day is celebrated on the 30th of November. He is a symbol of faith and humility.
St. David (Patron Saint of Wales)
St. David, a 6th-century bishop and monk, is the patron saint of Wales. He founded several monastic communities and is often depicted with a dove. He was renowned for his wisdom and dedication to the Christian faith. His feast day, the 1st of March, is widely celebrated in Wales with parades and cultural events.
2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope
Every 25 years, the Catholic Church holds a Jubilee Year. All members of the global Church family are called to participate in this Holy Year. It is a time to grow in our faith and prayer life. It is also an opportunity for us to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another and with all of creation. The Jubilee Year, with the theme – ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, officially began on Tuesday 24th December 2024 and will run until Tuesday 6th January 2026. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis performed the rite of ‘Opening of the Holy Door’ at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Please see below, the Jubilee prayers that we will be using in school:
We are incredibly proud of some of our talented staff who created a stunning 3D model of the Pilgrim of Hope logo to celebrate the Jubilee Year with our children. This beautifully crafted model was showcased at the Jubilee Liturgy in Westminster Cathedral, following a special request from the Diocese of Westminster Education Service. It was a true honour for our school to be part of this celebration, and the model now has a permanent place in our school chapel, serving as a lasting reminder of our spiritual journey together.
Jamaica Day - 14.11.2025
In October this year, Hurricane Melissa caused severe devastation across Jamaica. Many people lost their homes, electricity, and access to clean water. Entire communities were flooded, and families were left struggling to find food, safety, and medical support. Moments like these remind us how important it is to respond with compassion, especially to those who are poor or vulnerable. Every person deserves dignity, and the Bible teaches us to “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8).
Today, our school came together to show solidarity with the people of Jamaica. Students and staff dressed in the colours of the Jamaican flag—black, green, and gold—as a sign that we stand with those affected. Alongside this, each student donated £2 to help provide emergency supplies such as food, clean water, temporary shelters, and medical care. By giving generously, we followed the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the preferential option for the poor, putting the needs of the most vulnerable first.
Catholic charities like CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) play a vital role in supporting communities after disasters. CAFOD provides life-saving aid, including food, water, and medicine, and helps rebuild homes, schools, and essential services. Their work protects human dignity and ensures that the poorest communities receive help quickly and fairly. Recovery isn’t just about the immediate aftermath—it includes long-term rebuilding so families can return to school, work, and daily life. Even small actions, such as fundraising or sending messages of support, reflect Jesus’ teaching: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).In conclusion, our school’s efforts—and the work of organisations like CAFOD—show how we can respond to disasters with kindness, justice, and hope. By supporting the poorest and most vulnerable, we help communities rebuild their lives and look toward a safer, brighter future.
Sister Anne
Throughout the year Sister Anne has led retreat sessions across the school for all year groups. She has helped us grow deeper in our faith as we prepared for Christmas and Easter by leading us in prayer. She has worked tirelessly to support us in our lessons by working with teachers on lessons to help us grow closer to Jesus. These were uplifted by including her entertaining stories and raps on parables such as “The Good Samaritan.” As part of their lessons, pupils in EYFS and Year 4 interviewed her to understand what it means to be a nun. School Chaplains met weekly with her to develop and enhance their role across the school. Every week she came in and supported pupils across the school accompanying groups on many occasions. Thank you Sister Anne for all of your hard work, dedication, and joy that you have brought to St Joseph’s. As she leaves us to return to Manchester one of the Year 5 pupils said,” “May God Bless you with happiness as you continue to bring the Lord’s Word to life.”
We welcomed Bishop Hudson to St Joseph’s. He visited the classes and spoke to the children about their work. In Year 4 Sapphire class one of the children asked “What is the most difficult things about being a bishop?” Bishop Hudson replied “When you have to tell a priest that they need to leave a parish and move to another one once they have become part of the community.” He attended an Irish bodhran drumming workshop and watched Indigo class perform “Imagine” in song and sign language. Bishop Hudson commented that throughout the school there was a lovely energy and atmosphere between staff and children. “The colourful and vibrant environment gives everyone visiting a real sense of a Catholic community.”
We are the Pupil Chaplains of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, and we are incredibly proud to represent our school in this special and privileged role. We wear our distinctive chaplain jumpers, which are a different colour from the rest of the school uniform, so that everyone can recognise us and the important part we play in our school’s faith life.
Our school is dedicated to St Joseph because he inspires us to be caring, faithful and hardworking, just like he was.
Every 25 years, the Catholic Church holds a Jubilee Year. All members of the global Church family are called to participate in this Holy Year. It is a time to grow in our faith and prayer life. It is also an opportunity for us to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another and with all of creation. The Jubilee Year, with the theme – ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, officially began on Tuesday 24th December 2024 and will run until Tuesday 6th January 2026. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis performed the rite of ‘Opening of the Holy Door’ at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
