St Joseph's School
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At St Joseph's School, we work to evaluate and strengthen the education with a special character provided by the school. As part of our evaluation, we focus on different dimensions of our Catholic special character as set out in Catholic Special Character Evaluation for Development (NZCEO).
Dimension 1 is Te Tūtaki ki a Te Karaiti | Encounter with Christ. By considering this dimension and its focus areas of spiritual formation, evangelisation, and faith-based leadership, we evaluate how the school encourages and facilitates the development of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
See Catholic special character evaluation for development 
(NZCEO).
Spiritual formation
St Joseph's School provides ongoing Catholic spiritual formation to help our school community deepen their relationship with Christ within their own cultural context. We aim to provide opportunities for spiritual formation to all members of our school community, including students, parents and whānau, staff, and board members.
Our school values are based on Gospel teachings, and we teach, model, and promote these values to support spiritual formation. We recognise that through scripture, the sacraments (especially Eucharist and Reconciliation), and actions of love, mercy, and justice, we can build a personal relationship with Christ.
Opportunities for spiritual formation at St Joseph's School may include:
By incorporating te ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and wairuatanga Māori into the Catholic special character of the school, we aim to support rangatahi and whānau Māori in their spiritual formation and acknowledge Māori as tangata whenua. Our aim in providing opportunities for spiritual formation is that there is a shared understanding of Catholic spirituality, and a vision for the development of this spirituality within the school.
Evangelisation
St Joseph's School facilitates an encounter with Christ through our practices and communications, and spreads the Good News to our school community. We provide opportunities for our school community to develop and deepen their understanding of the scriptures and teachings of the Catholic Church.
We hold regular Mass and liturgies at school and support opportunities for students to help develop and have leadership roles in liturgies. The school is a part of St Mary's parish. All students and whānau are encouraged to attend School Mass once per term.
Other actions to support evangelisation may include:
We aim to actively involve parents and whānau in the faith journey of our students so that all members of our Catholic school community feel a sense of belonging, and so that members understand and take actions to support the mission and Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Faith-based leadership
At St Joseph's School, faith-based leadership shapes the vision and direction of the school, with the aim of ensuring a genuine and ongoing encounter with Christ. The principal and director of religious studies provide effective leadership to support our school community to encounter Christ. By providing an example of the servant leadership of Jesus Christ, as witnessed by our school community, we promote a faith-based vision for the school.
The principal and director of religious studies:
St Joseph's School encourages professional development of the principal and director of religious studies in te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, and wairuatanga Māori.
Release history: Term 3 2024, Term 3 2022
