History:
St Joseph鈥檚 Primary School, Springvale, commenced in 1938 with an opening enrolment of approximately 43 children. Initially staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, from the 1950s the school was staffed by the Brigidine Sisters. In 1974 the Franciscan Friars, OFM, assumed the pastoral care of St Joseph鈥檚 Parish. The Brigidine Sisters maintained a presence in the school until the mid 1980s.
Over the years the school and parish have grown and reflected the changing migration patterns of our country: from British and European immigrants to refugees from Asia, Africa and South America. More recently we have welcomed families from the Islands of the South Pacific. At present the school has approximately 18 different ethnic groups speaking about 21 different languages.
Description:
The school is located behind the Springvale shopping precinct with its main entrance on St John鈥檚 Avenue. It is in close proximity to the Springvale Community Health Services, Springvale Library and Springvale railway station. The school, the church and the friary are all located on the same block.
Currently St Joseph鈥檚 has an enrolment of approximately 700 students in Years Prep鈥�6. St Joseph鈥檚 is a multicultural community of families sharing a common belief in a Christian concept of life centred on Jesus Christ. As a Catholic school we have a mandate to ensure that the children in our care develop a personal relationship with God. This is done in conjunction with our parish community. We offer students a teaching and learning program permeated with the spirit and values of the Gospel. We aim to integrate skills across all key learning areas with a positive and reflective Religious Education program based on the Melbourne Archdiocesan texts, 'To Know Worship and Love'.
In a world that is constantly changing, education strives to prepare students to meet their present and future needs. Therefore it is St Joseph鈥檚 aim to develop students who are lifelong learners, who are independent and able to acquire new skills to meet the challenges they encounter.
Features:
At St Joseph鈥檚 we provide a number of specialist programs such as Music, Library, Physical Education, Perceptual Motor Program and computer studies. We also offer a LOTE language, Italian. The school places a strong emphasis on literacy and we are part of the Catholic Education Office Children's Literacy Success Strategy (CLaSS). There is an extensive special education facility that assists students with special needs. Reading Recovery, speech therapy and other intervention programs are also available.
We believe the curriculum is extended and broadened by providing additional activities and programs such as senior camps; excursions; a swimming program for Years 3鈥�6; cross-age tutoring and Buddy programs; interschool sports and carnivals; and other cultural activities such as Celebrations for Lunar New Year, the Moon Festival, and annual community presentations that included art shows, bush dances, concerts and gymnastic displays.
The school has recently undergone an extensive building and refurbishment program. The facilities are modern, well equipped, secure and safe.
There are a number of staff employed to provide translator and interpreting services. Most school correspondence and reports are presented in multiple languages. We have a close relationship with our two main Catholic secondary schools, Mazenod College and Killester College.