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.
2026 Jubilee Year: Saint Francis of Assisi
The 2026 Jubilee Year celebrates the life and legacy of St Francis of Assisi, focusing on his love for God, care for creation, commitment to peace and service to others. Throughout the school, each year group explored different aspects of St Francis’ teachings and how his values remain important today.
Year 1 – Caring for Creation
Year 1 learned about St Francis’ love for animals and nature. The children explored how God created the world and why it is important to care for it. They created 3D animal artwork and reflected on ways they can protect and care for God’s creation, with some pupils also writing prayers of thanks.
Year 2 – The First Nativity
Year 2 discovered how St Francis created the first Nativity scene in 1223 to help people understand the story of Jesus’ birth. The children created their own Nativity displays and reflected on how they can keep the Christmas story alive today through performance and storytelling.
Year 3 – Spreading Peace and Kindness
Year 3 explored St Francis’ Peace Prayer and what it teaches about kindness, forgiveness and helping others. Through role-play and reflection, pupils considered how they can bring peace to their school, homes and friendships.
Year 4 – Following Jesus in Different Ways
Year 4 learned about different religious orders and how they follow Jesus through unique missions. They compared the Franciscans, who focus on simplicity and care for creation, with the Passionists, who focus on compassion through reflecting on Jesus’ suffering.
Year 5 – Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Year 5 studied the story of the Wolf of Gubbio, learning about fear, conflict and forgiveness. Through drama, discussion and writing, pupils explored how St Francis’ message of peace connects to modern issues such as resolving conflict and treating others with dignity.
Year 6 – Why St Francis Still Matters Today
Year 6 considered why St Francis remains a powerful role model in the modern world. They explored global challenges such as climate change, war and conflict as well as fast fashion, debating how St Francis’ values of simplicity, peace and care for the poor can guide people today.
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.
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.
