Our Mission

At St Joseph’s, our Mission is to nurture and educate all students, in partnership with their families, in order for them to achieve their full potential; spiritually; academically; socially and emotionally; while empowering them to become resilient lifelong learners within a Catholic Christ-centred learning community.

Our Vision

St Joseph’s is a welcoming and caring Christ-centred Catholic learning community, where all members are supported, inspired and motivated to love learning and be lifelong learners in an engaging, supportive, inclusive and collaborative professional learning environment

Our Values

As staff of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we will focus on the dignity of the whole person, modelling Gospel values and being the face of Christ to all we encounter. We will challenge all members of our school community to continually strive for personal excellence, while leading by example, professionally and confidently. We will strive to improve our teaching practice by engaging in professional learning, and we will use data to inform instruction and facilitate positive growth.

Our Goals

At St Joseph's we will monitor the ongoing learning growth of our students through the collaborative measurement and analysis of whole school data, enabling us to reflect and respond appropriately to individual needs.

Mission- Why do we exist? We exist …	Vision- What must we become to accomplish our Mission? We must become …	Values- How must we behave to achieve our Vision? To achieve this we will …
To nurture all students.	Welcoming and caring.	Focus on the dignity of the whole person.
To educate all students into becoming lifelong learners.	A Catholic learning community, which loves learning, in an engaging and collaborative professional learning environment.	Engage in Professional Learning in order to improve our teaching practice, while using data to inform instruction.
So that students can achieve their full potential (spiritually, academically, socially & emotionally).	Supporting, inspiring and motivating.	Challenge all members of the school community to continually strive for personal excellence, while leading by example professionally and confidently.
To be a Catholic Christ-centred learning community.	A Christ-centred, supportive and inclusive community.	Model Gospel vales and be the face of Christ to all those we encounter.

The K-12 Vision for the Macleay Valley Catholic School

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St Joseph’s Primary and St Paul’s College have a strong commitment to providing our students with a K-12 experience of Catholic Education in the Macleay Valley.
We work in partnership with our Parish to ensure that opportunities for all learners and their families are fostered and supported through our mission as disciples of Jesus Christ.

St Joseph’s and St Paul’s College do this by:

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week each year;
Retreat Days;
Year 6 into 7 Transition Days;
Combined Staff Masses;
Executive Team Meetings;
Regular school visits by our Parish Priest;
Weekly class attendance at Parish Mass.

Frequently asked Questions

What does it mean that Catholic schools are “proudly Catholic”?

Catholic schools are communities built on the teachings of Jesus and the mission of the Church to share the Good News. Being “proudly Catholic” means our schools embrace a rich tradition of prayer, reflection, values, and service. This identity shapes the culture of our schools, how we teach, how we care for students, and how we work together as a community. We honour the legacy of those who came before us and continue to share the message of faith, hope, and love in all we do.

Are Catholic schools only for Catholic families?

No. Catholic schools warmly welcome all families who value a faith-based education. Whether you are Catholic, belong to another faith tradition, or have no religious background, you and your child are welcome in our school communities. All students are included in the full life of the school, including Religious Education and prayer experiences, and all families are respected, valued, and invited to take part in community life at a level that feels right for them.

What are Catholic schools expecting from families?

When families enrol in a Catholic school, they enter into a partnership that supports their child’s faith and life journey. Families support their child’s participation in school liturgies, retreats, and other moments of spiritual growth. For families of baptised children, this includes continuing their child’s sacramental journey. Above all, parents aspire to the values and worldview that shape Catholic education, one that forms the heart, mind, and spirit.

What if our family belongs to a different faith, or our child is not baptised?

That’s absolutely okay. We see enrolment as a privilege and a moment of welcome. Our schools honour each family’s story and beliefs. We do not seek to convert or impose our faith; instead, we offer a gentle invitation to explore the Catholic tradition through learning, reflection, and shared experiences. Students and families of all backgrounds are respected and included in the spiritual life of the school, in ways that are meaningful and appropriate to them.

What is the ultimate goal of Catholic education for our child?

Catholic education aims to nurture the whole person, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. Our hope is that every student, through their time in our schools, will encounter Jesus, experience a sense of belonging, and come to know the fullness of life He offers. We strive to help each child grow into a person of goodness, truth, compassion, and purpose, equipped not only for success in the world, but also to make a meaningful difference within it.