History:
St Joseph’s College first operated in 1854 as St Augustine’s Church and Schoolhouse. St Augustine’s orphanage was built opposite the school in 1857 on the present site of the College. The original bluestone orphanage building is now the Br Tom Howe Creative Arts Building. In 1876 the original school closed and the land became part of St Augustine's Orphanage. In 1890 a newly established St Joseph’s College was blessed and opened while still sharing the same grounds as the orphanage. In 1935 the orphanage was relocated to Highton. The present St Joseph’s College was officially opened and blessed by Archbishop Mannix in 1935.
Description:
St Joseph’s is a Years 7–12, Christian Brothers College, providing a comprehensive education for boys within the Geelong region. Sharing facilities with Sacred Heart College and Clonard College has enabled co-instruction for boys and girls at Years 11 and 12.
Features:
Our Religious Education program emphasises the importance of Jesus in guiding the way we live. The College has a vertical curriculum structure, which allows students in Years 8–10 to select educational ‘PATHWAYS’ according to their assessed abilities. The College has developed VET links with local TAFE colleges. Career education and work experience is coordinated through the Careers Coordinator and Consumer Education teachers.
The essential characteristic of our pastoral care programs is the fostering of the total development of each person. The peer support program operates at Year 7 with the Year 10 boys taking responsibility for a small group of Year 7 boys. The Skills for Adolescence program in Year 7 addresses many major difficulties young people experience.
By 2013 all students will use PC laptops hired from the school. Italian and Chinese are taught throughout the College. Through our outdoor education program we offer a range of educational and recreational experiences which complement the classroom curriculum. The College presents musical and drama performances, productions and recitals involving boys at all levels. Our gymnasium, ovals and weights room are available to students as part of the physical education program and also for training and recreational use. Saturday sports provide the opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs.