St Joseph Springvale

St Joseph Springvale is a school in Victoria, recently celebrating it's 70th Birthday. =School History=

St Joseph's Primary School, Springvale, commenced in 1938 with an opening enrolment of approximately 43 children. It was initially staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, but from the 1950s the school was run by the Brigidine Sisters. In 1974 the Conventual Franciscan Friars, OFM Conv, assumed the pastoral care of St Joseph's Parish. The Brigidine Sisters maintained a presence in the school until the mid 1980s.

Over the years the school and parish have grown and reflected the changing migration patterns of our country: from British and European immigrants to refugees from Asia, Africa and South America. At present the school has students from 18 different countries, speaking about 29 different languages

School Description

The school is located behind the Springvale shopping precinct with its main entrance on St John's Avenue. It is in close proximity to the Springvale Community Health Centre, Springvale Library and Springvale Railway Station. The school, the church and the friary are all located on the same block.

Currently St Joseph's has an enrolment of approximately 700 students in Years Prep - 6. St Joseph's is a multicultural community of families sharing a common belief in a Christian concept of life centred on Jesus Christ. As a Catholic school we have a mandate to ensure that the children in our care develop a personal relationship with God. This is done in conjunction with our parish community. We offer students a teaching and learning program permeated with the spirit and values of the Gospel. We aim to integrate skills across all key learning areas with a positive and reflective Religious Education program based on the Melbourne Archdiocesan texts, 'To Know, Worship and Love'.

In a world that is constantly changing, education strives to prepare students to meet their present and future needs. Therefore it is St Joseph's aim to develop students who are lifelong learners, who are independent and able to acquire new skills to meet the challenges they encounter.

Religious Education

Religious Education underpins all the arrangements we make for children's learning at St. Joseph's and so is an integral inclusion in our total curriculum. The Religious Education program at our school is based on the Melbourne Archdiocese program Coming to Know, Worship and Love.

Our students' knowledge and relationship with God is nurtured through the school's Religious Education program. Everyone in our community is encouraged to live out the teachings of Jesus in every aspect of their lives.

All students actively participate in the sacramental programs with Reconciliation and Eucharist in Years 3 and 4, and Confirmation in Years 5 and 6.

Victorian Curriculum Standards

The Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) are the guiding documents for all Victorian schools. They allow the development of an integrated approach to curriculum planning and implementation. These frameworks allow for, and encourage, the variety of assessment and reporting procedures currently in use at St. Joseph's.

St Joseph's is able to offer effective educational programs due to the commitment of a dedicated and professional staff who possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to meet the variety of needs of our students.

The Victorian Essential Learning Standards include six standard levels. The relationship between the levels and years of schooling is:

* Level 1 - Preparatory * Level 2 - Years 1 & 2 * Level 3 - Years 3 & 4 * Level 4 - Years 5 & 6

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