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About St Joseph's

St Joseph's Primary School Elsternwick

St Joseph's Primary School is located in Elsternwick, an inner southern suburb of Melbourne. The school is attractive and welcoming, and the main building is housed within a beautiful old mansion.

 

St Joseph's is a vibrant and inclusive learning community, where collaboration and strong relationships are evident in all we do. Classes are structured as 14 straight grades from Prep to Year 6 (2 classes in each year level). Classrooms are well-equipped with interactive boards, iPads, Chromebooks and trolleys. In Years 2-6, students benefit from a 1:1 Chromebook program. Specialist teaching roles include Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music and LOTE (Italian). 

 

Students in Years 3-6 participate in school camp, with the students in Year 6 going Canberra for 3 nights. Our biennial school production and art show helps foster a strong sense of community, and celebrates The Arts within our school.

 

St Joseph's provides a rigorous and contemporary learning environment that aims to inspire a love of life long learning. Our teaching and learning program is drawn from the Victorian Curriculum, and the use of the Google platform for ongoing collaboration further enriches learning experiences for students. Our staff are trained and supported to use evidence based teaching strategies, with a focus on pedagogically sound teaching methods. This is supported with an evidence based intervention and extension program, which reinforces these foundational skills. 

 

Learning and teaching also involves more than providing academic instruction. It is about nurturing the individual - academically, spiritually, emotionally and physically - equipping students with lifelong skills to become compassionate and contributing citizens. We develop quality relationships with students, families and staff - built on respect, inclusiveness and a strong sense of welcome. We pride ourselves in knowing each child and family, and we aim to develop the whole child. Wellbeing is at the forefront of all our practices, as we believe that the connection between wellbeing and positive learning outcomes is vital. We strive to help students develop an understanding of the world, their community and their role in it.

 

Our outstanding academic results are achieved by working collaboratively with families. Our goal, in partnership with our parents, is to provide a comprehensive education within a safe, happy and rich learning environment. A dynamic 'Parents and Friends' association drives many fundraisers to support the school throughout the year and classroom helpers are welcomed across the school. Parental assistance with curriculum programs, such as Literacy helpers, excursions, guest speakers and sports events, are highly valued. Parents also run basketball, netball and soccer classes before and after school. 

 

The school continues to actively provide opportunities for students, families and staff to participate in Masses, Sacraments, liturgies and family faith nights. Our mission of Christian service continues to drive our strong involvement in a wide range of social justice initiatives that support our local and global communities, including Caritas Australia's Project Compassion, the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal and Christmas Appeal, and the Ryder-Cheshire Foundation in Klibur Domin, East Timor.

 

At St. Joseph's we value our greatest resource - the teaching and support staff. They are models of lifelong learners and work collaboratively with children and families to ensure that all students are provided with rich, authentic learning experiences that cater for their diverse needs and nourish their love of learning.

Our History

St Joseph’s has a long and interesting history as a place of education. The administration building was originally built as a private house in 1885, known as Chiselhurst. It was then used as the residence for the Day Sisters who began a private school, known as Cromarty School for Girls. 

 

In 1910 several new classrooms were designed by Harold Desbrowe-Annear and built in the early Spanish mission style. These rooms remain as part of our school facilities, notably the Prep classrooms and Art room. 

 

The Catholic Church purchased the property in the 1930s and, in 1933, St Joseph’s began as a Catholic primary school, conducted by the Presentation Sisters. Further classrooms and additional facilities were added in the 1970s. In 1999 the ‘convent’ building was renovated for school use while retaining several historic features, such as the fireplace and staircase, which are both heritage listed. 

 

The school has undergone several major refurbishments, with additional playground spaces, shade cloths, building projects and adventure playgrounds completed from 2014 - 2019. In 2023 and 2024 the school undertook a major refurbishment project to modernise the current facilities and learning spaces in the Junior School, to mirror the Middle and Senior school. 

Our Vision

St Joseph’s is a leading, co-educational primary school, dedicated to providing a holistic, Catholic education for every student. We prioritise wellbeing, and educational excellence. St Joseph’s is a community where staff, students and their families thrive.

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Mission

St Joseph’s empowers our students to become compassionate, contributing citizens. 

We uphold the Catholic values of love, acceptance and hope. We develop and enact a strong sense of social justice and stewardship, and celebrate our Catholic faith and traditions. 

At St Joseph’s, we prepare our students with skills and strategies to enhance their social and emotional wellbeing by providing a safe and inclusive environment for all in our care. We foster trusting and respectful relationships with all members of our community. 

With educational and teaching excellence, our goal is to foster academic success for all students through rigorous, evidenced based practices. We develop expert staff who nurture and engage all students to reach their full potential. 

Honoring the Bunurong land on which we work, the St Joseph's community follows in the footsteps of the Presentation Sisters, and continues the mission of Jesus, "in joyful service."
 

Meet the Team

Claire Tobin

Principal

Erin Absalom

Prep - Year 4 Music

Jack Capicchiano

Class Teacher - 3JC

Lauren Doran

Sustainability

Jo Foggo

Learning Support Officer

Cassie Gleeson

Numeracy Support

 

Jack Jansson

Class Teacher - 6JJ

 

Sarah Lockett

Visual Arts

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Sandra Mackie

Learning Support Officer

 

Louisa Molfese

Learning Support Officer

Melissa Pascoe

Learning Support Officer

Garin Sandler

PE Coordinator, PE Teacher and 6ES

Alison Shea

Prep ED

Cat Stanley

Class Teacher - 3CS

Luke Daffy

Deputy Principal  & Teaching and Learning​

Amanda Bowman

Learning Support Officer
 

Maria Crawley

Classroom Support

Wendy Dugosija 

Intervention Support

Melanie Foulkes

Learning Support Officer

Mitch Hayes

Class Teacher - 4MH

 

Amanda Johnson

Admin

 

Monica Linke

Library Technician

 

Courtney Mand

Class Teacher - 1CM

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Plaxy Nardella

Class Teacher - Prep PN

Geraldine Pepper

Class Teacher - 5CD & 3JC

Fiona Scammell

Admin & Finance

Gabe Sheahan

Learning Diversity Leader

Meg Wilkinson

Class Teacher - 1MW

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Alannah Harrison

Deputy Principal & English Leader (currently on maternity leave)

Franca Butera-Crea

Italian

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Elly Dillion

Class Teacher - Prep ED / Junior School Leader

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Claire Dusting

Class Teacher - 5CD / Literacy Leader 3-6

Alexandra Freeman

Class Teacher - 4AF

 

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Anita Jacobs

Learning Support Officer

 

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Jen Kahan

Learning Support Officer

 

Heather Lougheed

Graduate Support 2HS & 4AF and Student Wellbeing

Kyle Moldrich

Class Teacher - 5KM

Alice Nelligan

Class Teacher - 2AN

Anna Perruzza

Learning Support Officer

Elaine Shanahan

Class Teacher - 6ES / Senior School Leader

Hannah Showell

Class Teacher - 2HS

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OSHC Club

Ensuring every child can flourish and achieve their fullest potential.

MACSEYE is a new approved provider, established by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools to offer a high quality Outside Schools Hours Care (OSHC) service, with a strong link to your school.

 

We believe in providing a safe and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
Our dedicated educators will support your child to explore their interests and choose how they spend their play time. Children can choose from a range of resources, including art and craft, games, and outdoor sports activities. We also have cozy, quiet spaces for anyone needing some down time.
Thereʼs also always a range of healthy foods available to help kids stay energised, and active.

 

Hours of operation:

Before School: 7.00am-8.50am

Stay and Play: 3.30pm- 6.00pm

Contact or Enrol Now at 

0493 949 047

elsternwickoshc@macseye.vic.edu.au

 

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