Welcome

On behalf of the St Joseph’s College Geelong Board, Staff, Students and Families I extend a warm welcome to you and your family.

St Joseph’s has a proud tradition dating back to the establishment of St Augustine’s Orphanage on Newtown Hill in 1857. The College is part of Edmund Rice Education Australia, is committed to its Charter and supports the Edmund Rice Foundation. St Joseph’s is the only Boys’ College in the Geelong district.

The College has a broad curriculum, designed to engage students in a way which promotes excellence and builds self esteem. Our innovative middle school curriculum is vertically structured, to allow students to take responsibility for their learning by encouraging them to make well informed choices, in interesting and challenging subjects. Our dedicated Staff are experts in boys’ education and work as team members to develop the potential of students in our care.

The College has a strong commitment to Pastoral Care and promotes the values of the Christian gospels. We are fortunate to be located centrally in Newtown and have worked hard to establish beautifully appointed grounds and modern educational facilities.

I look forward to your family joining our community.

Paul Tobias - College Principal

“At St Joseph’s

College we have

worked hard

to establish

beautifully

appointed

grounds, modern

educational

facilities and

dedicated staff

who are expert in

boys’ education”

to St Joseph’s College

Principal’s Profile

Paul Tobias was born in Melbourne in 1955 and was educated at Christian Brothers College, St Kilda. He completed his secondary education in 1972 and was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship to attend Monash University where he completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English and Bachelor of Education.

In addition to the above qualifi cations he also holds a Diploma of Religious Education from the National Pastoral Institute, a Diploma of Educational Administration from the University of Melbourne and a Masters of Educational Administration from the University of New England.

Paul has held Deputy positions at St Joseph’s College Warrnambool, Emannuel College Warrnambool and St Joseph’s College Geelong. He was appointed Principal of St Joseph’s College in 2000. In 2008 he was named the Victorian Secondary Principal of the Year as part of the Herald Sun Victorian Teacher of the Year Awards.

Paul is married to Dianne and has four children.www.sjc.vic.edu.au

our staff are expert in boys’ education and our curriculum and pastoral care programs are designed to meet the very specifi c

needs of young men, whilst seeking to challenge common stereotypes and prejudices.

We believe that in a single-sex learning environment, boys are less susceptible to social pressures and may confi dently develop their own identity, explore their masculinity and take on leadership roles.

Providing meaningful direction for boys’ energy requires specialist understanding and tolerance. We are fortunate to have fi rst class sporting facilities on site. Other curriculum opportunities such as camps and outdoor education programs are also tailored towards boys.

St Joseph’s College caters for all young men irrespective of their academic ability. We have a proud tradition of students achieving excellent VCE results. Our VCAL, VET in Schools and School Based Apprenticeship programs provide similar results for those interested in pursuing apprenticeships and traineeships.

Teaching and learning at St Joseph’s is focussed on the pursuit of excellence. Striving for academic achievement has a strong emphasis, and is promoted via a rich array of programs and support activities. Literacy and numeracy are prominent at all year levels. All courses and their delivery challenge students to reach their highest possible achievement.

During Years 11 and 12, students from Clonard College and Sacred Heart College attend some classes at St Joseph’s and vice versa, providing students with a very wide subject selection during senior years.

“Learning can

mean far more

than academic

achievement.

Our Staff are

experienced at

helping guide

boys through

the many

challenges and

choices that

arise as they

grow as men”

Educating

Young Men

Service to Others

Students are encouraged at all year levels to provide support to those less fortunate on a local, national and international level.

The Edmund Rice Foundation has established a global network of assisting those at the margins. St Joseph’s has a strong connection with the Edmund Rice ministries in East Africa. All students are encouraged to live their faith by supporting a broad range of community service activities. In doing so they develop an appreciation of their own lives and see the importance of compassion.

Lifelong Learning

We seek to equip boys with the knowledge, integrity and sense of self that will help them develop into fi ne men who contribute to the world in their own unique way. We uphold the model of life long learning and hope that each boy leaves St Joseph’s with confi dence and motivation to keep reaching for new horizons.

www.sjc.vic.edu.au

As a Catholic College we aim to build a community of faith which expresses itself in commitment to the person and lived values

of Jesus Christ.

Our aim is for our students to develop a sound knowledge of the Catholic tradition, an appreciation of Gospel values and the skills and willingness to contribute to family and community life. Our programs are designed to encourage student growth towards a mature faith that will provide them with strength and direction as they move into the adult world.

In the junior years, there is a greater emphasis on the knowledge of our Catholic tradition and practices. As students develop, they are encouraged to learn about and critically analyse other religions. This then leads to a focus on contemporary issues facing our Church and society, bringing to them our Christian perspective.

In senior school, students study religion through compulsory and optional VCE units. A school based Religious Education program is offered for those not wishing to take on the VCE units in Year 12.

We regard student involvement in College liturgies, retreat days, prayer and community service as special opportunities to explore, express and celebrate their faith.

“All persons

are unique

and worthy

of respect. We

recognise the

individual gifts

of all students

and our College

welcomes all

those who

seek Catholic

Education”

In The Tradition

of Edmund Rice

Edmund Rice of Waterford, Ireland founded the congregation of Christian Brothers in 1802 for the Christian education of poor boys. His example was an inspiration to others and for more than two centuries many have been attracted by his vision and generosity.

The Mission continues today on all fi ve continents through the ministry of the Christian Brothers and laity called to serve in this vocation of Catholic Education.

St Joseph’s College Geelong was founded in 1935 by the Christian Brothers, providing a comprehensive education for boys within the Geelong Region.

The College’s motto ‘Ad Alta Virtute’ translates as ‘Strive for the Highest’ reminding us that we are born for higher things - testimony to which is found in the life of St Joseph, our patron Saint.

St Joseph’s is a

Community of

Faith

www.sjc.vic.edu.au

We provide the opportunity for all students to participate in a broad, innovative and well balanced curriculum, based on the

Key Learning Areas: Religious Education, The Arts - Design, Creative and Performing, English, Health and Physical Education, Languages - Italian and Chinese, Mathematics, Science, Business Studies, Humanities, Food Technology, Information, Materials and Systems.

Year 7 students are assisted in the transition to secondary school by maintaining stable class groups throughout the year for all subjects. Our Pastoral Care program includes group activities, a camp and the Peer Support Program where Year 10s help the younger boys to settle in. This allows Year 7 students to develop confi dence in their new school and provides an understanding of their subject options in following years.

Years 8-10 are offered a unique curriculum structure titled ‘Pathways’. This vertical organisation gives students the opportunity to choose subjects according to their achievement and their interests. Subject requirements in all Key Learning Areas keep future options open; students can focus more on areas of interest or accelerate their studies. Boys participate in peer group activities such as socials and camps and meet each day in homeroom groups.

A diverse range of VCE units is offered at either St Joseph’s College, Sacred Heart College or Clonard College. Curriculum is also enhanced and career opportunities broadened with a variety of Vocational Educational and Training (VET) units that can be completed in conjunction with schools or with the Gordon Institute of TAFE. Students also have the option to enrol in the Victorian Certifi cate of Applied Learning (VCAL) or to complete School Based Apprenticeships.

“All curriculum

is delivered in

an environment

where the welfare

of each student is

paramount. Every

student is given

the opportunity

to experience

success and achieve

potential”

Facilities

With Purpose

Heritage architecture merges with contemporary buildings to create diverse learning and activity spaces. In addition to our many classrooms we also have the following facilities:

Chapel

Design & Technology Centre

Food Technology Centre

Library Resource Centre

Performing Arts Centre - Lecture Theatre

Heritage Centre

VCE Centre

Edmund Rice Year 7 Centre

Careers Centre

Fitness Centre & Weights Room

Music Centre

Arts Centre

Science Laboratories x 8

IT Laboratory

Canteens x 2

Multi Purpose Gymnasium

Ovals x 4

Cricket Nets x 6

Basketball Courts Indoor x2

Basketball Courts Outdoor x4

Tennis Courts x 3

Soccer Pitch

Beach Volleyball Courts x2

Every Student is Given

the Opportunity for

Success

www.sjc.vic.edu.au

When students begin their journey at St Joseph’s College they quickly discover that there is more to being a student at

St Joseph’s than just showing up for classes each day. We believe all our students, past and present, should have a sense of pride in being a part of our community.

St Joseph’s students are continuing a long history of young boys developing into young men. Some students continue their journey long after having graduated, with values and friendships that originated at St Joseph’s lasting a lifetime.

St Joseph’s College focusses on the development of the whole person - spiritual, moral, emotional, intellectual, physical, social and aesthetic. All people are unique and worthy of respect. We recognise the individual gifts of all students and our College welcomes all those who seek Catholic education regardless of social and economic status or ability. We emphasise participation and involvement of all members of the College community; students, parents, teachers and administrators.

Moved by the story of Edmund Rice, and inspired by the gospel values of love and justice, we encourage one another to “strive for the highest” (Ad Alta Virtute).

We are committed to education that encourages students to develop and use talents, to respect and show compassion towards others, to embrace innovation, to help develop abilities and teach Christian ethics as the basis of acting with integrity.

“We encourage

our students

to take pride in

our College and

promote respect

for one another in

the tradition

of Blessed

Edmund Rice”

What Does It

Mean To Be A

Joey’sBoy?

Leadership

Skills For Life

We have a vibrant student leadership environment designed to promote self confi dence and develop skills in decision making. There are many opportunities for boys to be involved in leadership activities. Leadership within the Christian tradition promotes the notion of service. There is an expectation that all student leaders will lead by example, will seek to serve others and will be leaders in the areas of Community service.

www.sjc.vic.edu.au