St Joseph's School
|
|
|
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 3 is Te Whakaatu Karaitiana | Christian Witness. By considering this dimension and its focus areas of Catholic school communiy, partnership and collaboration, pastoral care, and service and outreach, we evaluate how the school supports Christian witness, and empowers our community to integrate their faith and daily life.
See Catholic special character evaluation for development 
(NZCEO).
Catholic school community
St Joseph's School, as an authentic Catholic community, promotes and supports active Christian witness and practice in our school and as part of our parish. We help our community to understand that Christian witness is a response in faith and action to encountering Christ, which we provide opportunities for through school prayer and liturgies. The school and parish collaborate to promote the involvement of students and whānau in the parish and Eucharistic community.
As part of promoting active Christian witness within the school community, we aim to develop an understanding of the cultural background of our students and their whānau, and honour their identity, language, knowledge, and values. We work to develop an understanding of te ao Māori, and as a community we address racism, cultural bias, and discrimination. Our aim is for the school to be a welcoming environment where all are treated with aroha and manaakitanga.
Partnership and collaboration
St Joseph's School recognises that education is a collaborative responsibility. We partner with mana whenua, parents and whānau, parish and Eucharistic communities, our founding religious congregation, and the proprietor and bishop. Through these partnerships, we aim to instil in our students an understanding and appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the cultural diversity of New Zealand.
The school engages in authentic consultation with our Māori community and mana whenua, and we work to remove barriers to effective partnership. We consult with parents and whānau in culturally appropriate ways, and ensure our methods of communication and consultation are appropriate and accessible to our school community. We acknowledge parents and whānau as educators of their children, and we work to include whānau participation in the faith development and education of our students.
See Te Tiriti o Waitangi and School Community Engagement Policy.
Pastoral care
At St Joseph's School, we provide education in a safe, nurturing environment supported by a strong pastoral care network, in which each member of the school community is known, respected, cared for, and aware that they are loved unconditionally by God.
Behaviour management processes at our school are just, fair, and clear to all, and we ensure the mana of everyone involved is upheld. We are guided by restorative practice and Catholic social teaching. Our pastoral care systems reflect Gospel values and Church teachings, and draw on the support of the Church and external authorities.
Service and outreach
St Joseph's School provides service and outreach opportunities in recognition that each person is called as a Christian to take care of others and to work for justice and equality. Service and outreach opportunities are an important focus of the school and align with the Gospel message.
We encourage students and staff to take part in or lead service activities that contribute to the life of the local community, and we acknowledge the service efforts of our school community.
Our school has a Special Character programme, which fosters inclusion, community engagement, and forward thinking.
Release history: Term 3 2024, Term 3 2022
