Welcome to St Joseph's School

Kia ora Koutou,

St Joseph’s School is an integrated school offering education with a Special Catholic Character to children from Year 0 to Year 8. The school is located in the rural township of Wairoa. St Joseph’s School is a decile 2 school with a current roll of 80 students.

Our school was founded by the sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1911. Their leader was Sister Mary Mackillop now Saint Mary of the Cross. The sisters followed the mission of Jesus through Saint Joseph who is our patron saint. Both the sisters and Saint Joseph were models of stewardship, faithfulness, Gospel values, teaching and sustainability. Our school resides within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North.

St Joseph’s School consists of three branches – the school community, St Peter’s Parish and the whanau of Tawhiti a Maru Marae.  These three branches of the school are interwoven with regard to school liturgy, support/tautoko and fundraising. Parents are involved in many ways assisting with grounds,maintenance/improvements, fundraising, coaching and managing sports teams and assisting on school camps and trips.  Parents/caregivers show a real interest in the learning, progress and achievement of their children.

Student achievement, support for quality teaching and learning processes and sound management of school structures and resources is significant and critical.  The Board of Trustees and Principal are committed to building upon leadership to support further development of effective teaching practice in order to make a significant contribution to student success and achievement.