SPECIAL CHARACTER

St Joseph’s School is a school of Special Character and for us the Special Character of our school is the Catholic character.

As a Catholic School we provide an education for our children where the Catholic perspective covers all dimensions of our school life. The Catholic Education we provide for the children is in line with the Religious Education programme taught in all New Zealand Catholic schools.

The programme covers the attitudes, values, knowledge and skills, children in a Catholic School need to acquire.  The teaching is done in a systematic way enabling children to appreciate and grow in the Catholic Faith.

St Joseph’s School also ensures that Religious observances are part of the school so that the children can experience sacramental celebration and rituals that are appropriate to their stage of development.

We encourage links between the home, the school and the Parish.  These three avenues are  vital to developing a childs concepts of faith as they learn what it is to be a Catholic.

Our school supports the overseas missions and regularly holds fundraising events.  Senior pupils are encouraged to organise and be responsible for these events.

We attend Mass as a school several times throughout the year.  Often we will begin the new term with a full school Mass or Liturgy. We also, twice a year, are part of a Sunday Mass in our parish of Holy Name.  It is expected that all pupils will be part of this Mass.  Parents are always welcome to attend any Masses or Liturgies we may be part of in our school year.

At St Joseph’s School we remember the Sisters of the Mission who were the founding order of our school.  We endeavour at all times to carry on the Mission Charism they brought into the school. 

This charism is :-

• Contemplation - to prayer together
• Communion - to share with each other
• Mission - to care for the less fortunate in the world

At St Joseph’s School the values and principles of the Gospels and of our Catholic faith are at all times fostered and encouraged. We endeavour to have our pupils leave our school living and sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and knowledge about the faith they espouse.