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 2 is Mā te Mātauranga ka Tipu | Growth in Knowledge. By considering this dimension and its focus areas of leadership, religious education, and Catholic curriculum, we evaluate how the school helps our community to grow in knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ, his teachings, and the Catholic Church.
See Catholic special character evaluation for development 
(NZCEO).
Leadership
St Joseph's School provides effective leadership to enable our school community to grow in Catholic knowledge and understanding. Teaching and learning at our school aligns with Gospel values and reflects a Catholic worldview, with the aim of integrating faith into the everyday life of our school community.
The principal and director of religious studies lead the development of our Catholic special character and work towards advancing their faith-based leadership capabilities. The director of religious studies is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the religious education curriculum. We also ensure there is professional development available for teachers in the areas of religious education and Catholic special character.
Leadership at our school emphasises how faith, culture, and life are brought into harmony. We consider how to be culturally responsive in our teaching and learning, and support professional learning and formation in te ao Māori, mātauranga Māori, and wairuatanga Māori. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate wairuatanga Māori into their teaching of religious education and spirituality. The board, principal, and director of religious studies are guided by the principles of Ka Hikitia – Ka Hāpaitia | The Māori Education Strategy in providing support to Māori students and their whānau, hapū, and iwi.
Religious education
St Joseph's School ensures that our religious education programme is well managed, appropriately resourced, and professionally delivered by qualified teachers. We follow a national curriculum for religious education as set out by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC), and ensure the delivery of this curriculum meets timeframes set by the NZCBC. Religious education teachers participate in regular Catholic special character professional learning and formation.
We deliver a religious education curriculum that is responsive to the identity, language, and culture of our students. We encourage an environment where students and teachers can learn from each other, and where students are enabled to integrate their faith, culture, and life.
Catholic curriculum
At St Joseph's School, the Catholic worldview is integrated into the daily practices of the school and our curriculum. We consider a Catholic perspective and apply the principles of Catholic social teaching in all curriculum areas. The school encourages staff to engage in a programme of Catholic special character professional learning and formation, including the principles of Catholic social teaching and the application of these principles to their responsibilities.
Our curriculum supports an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and emphasises the importance of tangata whenua and the partnership with tangata Tiriti. The school as a Catholic community demonstrates a commitment to a deeper understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, reflecting the partnership commitment of the New Zealand Catholic Church.
See Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We ensure that aspects of the health curriculum, particularly those that involve sexuality and personal relationships, are set in the context of Catholic teaching, and delivered using culturally responsive pedagogy. We consult with the proprietor and our wider school community about how the health curriculum is implemented. The school considers the most appropriate way to consult Māori and representatives from other cultures within our community.
See Health Education and School Community Engagement Policy.
Release history: Term 3 2024, Term 3 2022
