Our School

A message from the Principal 

Welcome – Nau Mai, Haere Mai. 

Since  2008 I have had the privilege of being the Principal of St Joseph’s School Whakatane. Our school is one that instills pride in us all.  We are a dedicated group of teachers and support staff who, when combined with our school community, makes St Joseph’s School an ideal place for children to build a sound foundation on which to grow. 

We are in a unique position as a Catholic School in that we provide an education that goes beyond the seven curriculum areas. We offer education in faith, an holistic education which caters for the whole child now, and for the future. It is in our Catholicity that we demonstrate a loving, caring, inviting and prayerful community. With this as a basis I believe that St Joseph's has the potential to stand as a beacon for education in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and lead our children toward a positive future.

It is my aim that children at St Joseph's will look forward to coming to school, that they will be proud of St Joseph's and have a sense of ownership of this, their school. This will come through the provision of exciting, stimulating and rewarding activities in a safe and compassionate environment where each child is valued for who they are and their individual needs are met. 

The culture of our school is embedded around the five Golden Rules.  

Our doors are always open and we invite our caregivers to be actively involved in our school.  We welcome anyone interested in joining our school community to visit our school.

God Bless

Jo Brady

School Song

Words by Amanda Swantti 1993, Music by Andrew Chin 2000

Dedicated to Michael Weir, Principal 1981-1993

Lord be with us through the day

Help us understand the way

To follow right and never wrong

And make our love grow ever strong.

St Joseph protect us at work and play

And guide our teachers every day

To lead us along the right paths

This, dear Lord, is what we ask.

Hato Hohepa

Haere mai haere mai e nga iwi

Nau mai ra ki runga

o Hato Hohepa

Ki te hapai i nga

mahi a nga tipuna

Ki a kaha, ki a toa, aue

Whakarongo ki te reo e karanga nei

A nga taitamariki e tu atu nei

No reira e hoa ma

Awhinatia mai

matou I nga mahi Whaka

ngahau e.