School Profile
St Joseph’s Primary School, Oatley was established in 1953 conducted by the Sisters of St Joseph. Initial enrolment of the school was 75 pupils. Major extensions to the school buildings were officially opened in 1972. The sisters withdrew from Oatley at the end of 1979 and the school was placed under lay administration. New classrooms and administration were completed in 2004.
SCHOOL MISSION
Our mission at St Joseph’s is to educate our children within the framework of an authentic Catholic community. Jesus Christ is the central person in our school. We are called to oneness in Him.
Within the context of Gospel values and with special consideration of the Church teachings on social justice issues, we are committed to nurturing the individual development of each child. We recognise and strive to foster the intellectual, social, physical, spiritual and emotional dimensions of each child’s life.
We believe in an integrated holistic approach to our curriculum, tailored to meet the perceived needs of our children.
As a staff we are dedicated to Catholic Education. We take pride in our professionalism and congeniality. We consider our strong, ongoing partnership with parents to be vital, as together we journey, guiding each child to fulfil his/her optimum potential.
In our daily interaction with children, parents and the parish and wider community, we strive to be faithful to our school motto promoting Faith, Knowledge and Peace. We seek inspiration and direction from the example of our parish and School Patron, Saint Joseph.
VISION STATEMENT
We are called to be members of a community of God’s People, journeying together and sharing the Christian Life.
We strive to be a LOVING PEOPLE, bound together by the love of a common Father and the mutual love of brothers and sisters. We recognize the person of Christ in all we meet, disregarding all artificial barriers of race, sex, political or economic status.
We strive to be a HOPEFUL PEOPLE who believe that life has an ultimate purpose and that, despite evil and tragedy, good will prevail because of the presence of our loving Father. We refuse to be discouraged or to lose heart.
We strive to be a PEACEFUL PEOPLE who possess an inner quality and experience of wholeness – living in harmony with others and the environment and striving for alternatives to aggression and violence in seeking personal goals and resolving conflicts.
We strive to be a PROPHETIC PEOPLE who work for justice, freedom and an end to discrimination. We see the future as always offering the possibility for growth or greater fullness. We seek the highest levels of personal achievement in developing and applying the gifts and talents we have received.
We strive to be a FORGIVING PEOPLE who recognize our own need for forgiveness and the need to forgive others who offend, being confident in God’s merciful and creative forgiveness.