History

The initial plans for a new Catholic high school were suggested by Bishop William Murray in 1978. A project team led by Father John Ward of the Dapto Parish saw the construction through to its completion. One hundred and forty students commenced in 1982 with Brother Mat Murphy as the founding Principal.

Twenty five years later St Joseph's Catholic High School is now a regional systemic co-educational high school. The school provides a quality catholic education for young men and women in the southern Illawarra, drawing students from areas bounded by Gerringong and Kiama in the south, Unanderra in the north, Shellharbour and Warilla in the east and Albion Park in the west.

A Catholic School

Our school has a proud tradition as a caring and close community and one where individual growth is achieved through interpersonal communication, understanding and commitment to values linked to personal experience.

As a faith community there is an emphasis on the total development of students. The spiritual, social, academic and physical dimensions are underpinned by parish input, a rich liturgical tradition, community events such as St Joseph's Day, social justice inspired whole school events and an extracurricular program which encourages full student engagement in their school.

What We Offer

• A proud tradition of outstanding academic success as witnessed by sustained Higher School Certificate success and a high level of ..tertiary educational opportunities being realised by students.

• A growing commitment to careers and vocational education programs with an extensive curriculum of dual accredited vocational ..courses offered at St Joseph's in well equiped and modern facilities.

• Emphasis on pastoral care and the provision of school counselling where student wellbeing is prioritised.

• Cutting edge learning with a whole school commitment to information technology. All classrooms are connected to the internet. ..Students and staff access to computers is pronounced and learning and teaching experiences provide significant opportunities for ..students in.learning technologies.

• A prized community spirit which values highly a strong working relationship between parents and school. The use of school diary ..emphasises the priority placed on communication between home and school.

• An active Parents and Friends' association which sponsors a diversity of school community events.

• A commitment to learning models and projects that emphasise independent learning and critical thinking. The school currently ..sponsors an annual Science and Research Expo for schools within the region and is involved in stage learning projects such as ..BRIDGE, a stage 3 and 4 learning model project involving students in Years 6 and 7 across primary feeder schools and St Joseph's.

• A rich extracurricular program that features a proud history in rock eisteddfods and school musicals which all students can access.

• An excellent array of sports facilities that includes a gymnasium featuring two indoor basketball courts, outside netball, basketball/tennis ..courts and playing fields.

• A school that has implemented a sustainability and environmental program over the last four years. A Sustainable School Grounds ..Program features student involvement in maintaining gardens, tending bush tucker and vegetable gardens and showing animals at the ..various royal shows that the school enters.

• Opportunities to represent the school are many, including sports, debating, public speaking, music, dance, choir, rock eiseddfod, school ..musical and social justice initiatives.

• An extensive peer support and orientation program for Year 7 students that ensures a positive transition to high school life.

• A modern creative arts facility taht provides rich opportunities to students in all areas of the arts.

Major Achievements

• 60% of students proceed to university or TAFE
• Outstanding HSC results over many years with course averages generally above State means
• School Certificate results that are consistently abouve State average
• Local and State success in school musical productions and Rock Eisteddfods
• A strong emphasis on creative arts
• An oustanding tradition of involvement in Social Justice at school
• Successful participation in major competitions for Debating and Public Speaking
• A tradition of excellence in teaching as evidenced by examples of staff winning Premier Awards, a Churchill Fellowship and national ..awards for services to teaching
• A renowned fostering of science by our school as evident in the anuual Research Expo held at St Joseph's
• A tradition of community based projects that build community including our Sustainable Schools Project, the School Walkathon, St ..Joseph's Day and the Arts and Culture School Expo
• State and National representation in Hockey, Netball, Athletics, Swimming, Basketball, Rugby League, Soccer and Tennis.

School Prayer

Lord,
We were all born to learn, to grow,
to love, to create, to enjoy and to see the beauty in all things,
including ourselves.
We are unique human beings,
each with a call to realise in life what no one else can,
and to realise it in the concrete context of here and now.
Let our community be one where we respect,
greet and interact with each other
in an atmosphere of security and happiness.
In the sprit of our patron saint, Joseph,
may we work together to build and maintain a school
community and environment on a strong foundation of
honesty and integrity.
May St Joseph's continue to be a place
where dreams are fostered, ambitions and talents nurtured
and long-lasting friendships formed.
And may we always strive to act with justice,
love with tenderness,
and walk with the humility that God asks of us.
St Joseph pray for us.