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; the entrance is enhanced by an impressive heritage staircase.

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 device 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 4 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 for students 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. We provide explicit teaching in key learning areas, such as English and Mathematics, ensuring students are provided with strong foundational knowledge and skills.

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 program, which reinforces these foundational skills. Our involvement in additional learning programs, such as Tournament of the Minds, Maths Olympiad and STEM Club, further enhances our student motivation and engagement.

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. At St. Joseph's, 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. At St Joseph's, 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, e.g. Literacy helpers, excursions, guest speakers and sports events, are highly valued. Parents also run basketball, netball and soccer classes before and after school. There are currently 23 basketball teams (220+ children) from St Joseph's who represent 'The Joey Giants Club' in daily afternoon competitions.

The school has undergone several major refurbishments in recent years, with additional playground spaces, shade cloths, building projects and adventure playgrounds completed from 2014 - 2019. In 2020, the school was successful with an application for Supplementary Capital Grant to support a building/refurbishment program. The focus of this latest program will be to replace the old roofing area of the Junior school, and refurbish and modernise the current facilities and learning spaces to mirror the Middle and Senior school. At the end of 2021, the school received funding to install a new shade cloth on the rear deck, to provide an outdoor learning environment for students.

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.