Special Character of St Joseph’s Catholic School,
Te Aroha
Our mission is to nurture and educate each student within the loving embrace of Christ. We are dedicated to fostering a strong foundation of faith and empowering our young people to live as active and engaged Catholic Christians within our community.
Special Character: Our Guiding Principles
Our school's Charter and Strategic Plan clearly articulate the Special Character elements that form the heart of our academic, social, cultural, and spiritual life. Our Annual Plan outlines specific Special Character Goals, ensuring the preservation and ongoing development of our unique Catholic identity. Furthermore, all Board policies are grounded in clear Special Character Statements.
As a Catholic school, St. Joseph's is committed to the holistic development of each child in Jesus Christ, guiding them towards a deeper, personal relationship with Him.
Partnership with Families in Faith Formation
Our dedicated staff works in close partnership with families, reinforcing the beliefs, practices, and values instilled at home. Through the combined example of teachers and parents, we aim to cultivate a profound love of God within each student. We provide a nurturing environment that supports the full development of every child – spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Living the Gospel: Beyond the Classroom
We believe that Christian living extends beyond mere adherence to rules. It is a way of life guided by the example of Jesus Christ. While Religious Education is prioritised in our timetable, we recognise that learning about faith happens throughout the school day.
Each class dedicates specific time to Religious Education lessons each week, supplemented by incidental teaching opportunities.
Our Religious Education curriculum, Tō Tātou Whakapono Our Faith, is structured around the four themes of Te Atua - God, Te Rogopai - Good News, A Tātou Whakapapa - Our Story and Kia Noho Hahi - Being Church, and is fully implemented across all year levels.
Worship and Community
We celebrate School Parish Masses throughout the year, providing opportunities for collective worship.
Students participate in weekly Parish Masses on Fridays at 10:00 am, on a rotating class basis.
We warmly invite all school families to join us for Mass.