RELIGIOUS EDUCATION...

The staff work at reinforcing all the beliefs, practices, and values that have already been taught in the home.  The example of teachers and parents will nourish the growth of a deeper love of God within each pupil, and will provide an environment which will sustain the full development  - spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional - of the personality of each child.

The teachers intend for their part, to preserve the Catholic character of the school and will inculcate respect for the traditions that have been built up by past teachers and pupils of St Joseph's since 1950.

While giving Religious Education full priority of time, we do not believe that Christian Living is just obedience to regulations, but a way of life, in which the life of Jesus is used as our model.  Each class has a number of formal Religious Education lessons a week and many opportunities are taken for incidental teaching. A new Religious Education curriculum has been written and it is now being fully implemented at all class levels. The programme consists of 5 Strands; God, Jesus, Spirit,  Every 6 weeks the teachers have a Religious Education staff meeting which begins with a Liturgy,  followed by discussion on the  theme to be taught during the following period.

A parent support book is also available offering guidance at home, supporting the teaching children receive in the classroom.  This "Whanau" book can be purchased from the school office. This covers the programme from Year 1-8 and is an invaluable resource.

School Masses are held throughout the year with children attending with their class at week day Masses.

Sunday Mass is held at 9.30am each week. The school hosts two parish Sunday Masses a year, to which all families are expected to attend.