It has been an extremely busy year, with major developments taking place, in both the indoor and outdoor learning environments.

The school has made a massive investment in I.C.T resources, with thirteen additional computers and ten interactive whiteboards having been bought this year. Each classroom is equipped with a number of computers and an interactive whiteboard, so that all the children in St. Joseph's have equal access to a huge variety of colourful, stimulating and motivational resources, to support their learning. The use of I.C.T. resources allows different learning styles to be catered for and facilitates the delivery of the Revised Curriculum, which promotes the development of creativity, thinking skills, self-management and independence.

The huge financial investment in the new resources has been made possible by prudent financial planning over the past few years, as part of the school's strategic plan for I.C.T. While most of the £45,000 investment has been made from the school budget, it was supplemented by the proceeds of last year's summer fair, which raised over £8000.
To complement the purchase of the new resources, the staff underwent a comprehensive training programme, in the use of interactive whiteboard and associated resources, such as LearningNI and Promethean World. This was led by Mr Damian Mc Guckian, the school's vice - principal and I.C.T. Co –ordinator.

The staff has worked with enthusiasm and excitement, to integrate the use of the resources into lessons. Indeed, so successful have they been in embracing the new technologies, that they have recently been involved in the making of a television programme, showing best practice in education. The programme was produced by Sky TV for the Teachers' Channel and is scheduled to be transmitted in the autumn. The focus for which St. Joseph's was invited to provide footage, was the use of the interactive whiteboard in the Foundation Stage. Filming for the programme took place on 12 May, to the delight of pupils and staff, alike.

Meanwhile, another aspect of the school's work, the development of the playground and grass areas, to provide new learning and recreational opportunities outside, has been taking place. This work began three years ago, when outdoor learning was first promoted by the Department of Education, in preparation for the Revised Curriculum. All staff members were involved in this project, with everyone bringing their expertise to different stages of the development.

They were helped by a number of willing parents and other people from the local community. Resources have been provided for physical play, in the form of a jungle gym and obstacle course, while a staged area encourages singing, dance and drama. A creative area allows the children extra opportunities to show their artistic talents, while a variety of new playground markings provide the focus for both formal learning and informal learning across a number of curricular areas.
The most recent part of the project has been the planting out of the school garden, which has taken place over the past few weeks.

Every child in the school was involved in sowing seeds in trays and looking after them in classrooms, until they were ready to be planted outside. While the Primary 7 children did a lot of the work, all classes were involved in the transferring of the plants from the trays to the garden beds.

Vegetables, fruits and herbs have been planted, as well as a variety of sensory plants and those which attract butterflies and bees. The wild garden area will, also, hopefully, attract other wildlife and promote an awareness of environmental issues amongst the children. All the different aspects of the school garden provide the perfect means for learning to be made alive for the children, especially in the new curricular area of "The World Around Us."

Reflecting on the most recent developments in the school, the principal, Mrs Maura Mc Alonan said: "It has been a very busy year and indeed a very expensive year for us, but worth every minute of the time and every penny of the cost involved.

"It means more to the staff of St Joseph's, than words could ever describe, to see the children being so happy in their learning and being really thrilled with the new facilities which have been provided for them."