Welcome to St Joseph's

A school that celebrates success, respects diversity and encourages students to be all they can be.

Our Vision

“That we may have life and have it to the full”

(based on John 10:10)

Our Values

Our Values Are The Gospel Values as lived in the life of Jesus.

Our Values underlie all that we do.

Caring For Ourselves - Kia manaaki ai tātou katoa
Caring For Others - Kia manaaki ai ia tāngata
Caring for Our World - Kia manaaki te Ao Whānui
I strive to do my best and be the best I can - Kia tū tāngata
I value everyone - Kia ngākau mahaki
I will use the world’s resources responsibly - Ko te oranga taiao, he oranga tāngata

Our School's History

The Church on Manuka Street, built 1856

In 1847 - 170 years ago - a small Chapel was built on the corner section of Shelbourne Street. Other religions helped with donations to build it. So, there was a church, a school room, cemetery, but no priest. Then in 1850 8th May Father Garin arrived in Nelson. He was born in France and was St Mary's priest for 48 Years.

1867 - THE FIRST CHURCH BELL

The first Church bell was imported from France had such a terrible sound that when it was rung people turned out in their hundreds thinking it was the fire bell. Father Garin sold it to the Nelson Fire Brigade for 25 pounds!

ST MARY'S SCHOOL

The first school on the site was founded in 1848 when Miss Elizabeth O’Dowd opened a school for about 12 children – 169 years ago! Then 1871 four members of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions arrived in Nelson and took over the education of the boys and girls at the request of Father Garin. This was known as St Mary's School for Girls - a Roman Catholic secondary school. This same Order, whose primary work was education, staffed the school entirely for many years. The last member of the Order to work in our school retired in 2001. The first lay teachers joined the Sisters in the late 1940’s, and the school is now fully staffed by lay people.

THE ORIGINAL CONVENT

This was known as Sacred Heart College, then renamed Redwood College. The school was cold with only a small gas fire at each end of the room. Girls were not allowed fringes, and they were not allowed to cross their legs above the knee when sitting down!

SACRED HEART, LATER PART OF REDWOOD COLLEGE, NELSON

The primary school grew and in 1900 St Marys School for Girls was renamed Sacred Heart College, and the sisters also ran a secondary school at the Sacred Heart site, which later became Redwood College and closed in 1983. At 5:15am, 9 May, 1983 the Redwood College
Convent was set alight by a 16 year old boy and his acquaintance. The historical building was being moved to Founders and the top of the building had already made its journey and is still there today as the Granary.

THE ORPHANAGE - 1872

Father Garin opened orphanages for both boys and girls. This is the girls orphanage in 1922.

1932 - THE SITE OF ST JOSEPH'S

THE NEW BUILDING, 1932

In 1932 a new emblem or badge was introduced with the initials “V” “K” which stand for Virtue and Knowledge.

The Blessing of St Joseph’s School 1932

ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL, 1998

The Mission Sisters taught at St Joseph’s
School until Sr Maureen Lawson retired in
2000.

PRINCIPAL CHRIS GLADSTONE, AND NICOLA HEWITT, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, 2017

Today

Today, St Joseph’s is a full Catholic primary co-educational school, catering for children from New Entrants to Year Eight. It is staffed by fifteen lay teachers as well as numerous support staff. The school is situated in, and is a part of, the Parish of Holy Family. The school is well supported by a strong community.

With a current roll of 360 St Joseph’s comprises a Junior Syndicate of four classrooms with a separate playground, a Lower Middle Syndicate of three classrooms, an Upper Middle Syndicate of three classrooms, and three additional classrooms in our Senior Intermediate Syndicate. The school has extensive and mature physical grounds that are utilised for both learning and playing. Situated on the school grounds is a swimming complex, with a junior and a senior pool for our students. Also within the grounds is a modern school hall and administration block, shared by the Parish and by the school.

Our Future

Please follow the link to learn about our future direction outlined in the School Charter.

“...we had the perfect balance between learning, being creative and being active ... being at St Joseph’s made me the studious person that I am today. I was taught to love learning and inspired to want to give everything I do the best of my ability”

— Amaka Gessler (NZ Rep Swimmer)