CATHOLIC IDENTITY AT ST JOSEPH’S SCHOOL

This week we celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. St Joseph’s School has served the Granite Belt for 146 of those years. In that time there has been great change in schools and in our wider community. Today, Catholic schools continue to play a very important role in the education and development of our children.

Catholic schools of the 21st century are called to promote the wholeness of people; the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, moral, spiritual and aesthetic development and wellbeing of young Australians. They do this through their educational vision, mission and identity which are founded in Faith, Learning, Community and Formation.

• Faith provides the beliefs and values that shape and pervade all schooling experiences;
• Learning engages the development of wisdom through the liberating contributions of technology, pedagogy, content and knowledge;
• Community is founded upon relationships, stewardship, outreach and inclusion; and
• Formation supports the integration of faith, life and culture within a community of authentic practice.

The Catholic school is:

• a place of care: where all are invited, respected and loved
• a place of relationship: where people know, share and learn together in harmony
• a place of learning: where students, teachers and families journey in learning inspired by Christ
• a place of service: where learning empowers self in service of others and the world; and
• a place of transformation: where education of all is shaped and reflected in learning success, confident and creative individuals and being active and informed within the community.

(Beyond the school gates - The distinctiveness of the Catholic school in an increasingly pluralist world. Associate Professor William Sultmann AM & Professor Br David Hall FMS March 2021)

As a member of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, St Joseph’s School’s mission is academic success for all students within a distinctly Catholic environment.

We believe that all are made in the image and likeness of God. Being created in the image and likeness of God accords everyone an equal and inherent dignity (human dignity); gives everyone unlimited potential; and opens to everyone the promise of fullness of life, a meaningful and fulfilling life.

God Bless