How Curriculum is Managed
Anchored in the Ministry of Education's NZ Curriculum, St Joseph's has nine designated curriculum areas to deliver. They are as follows:

  1. Religious Education
  2. English
  3. Mathematics and Statistics
  4. Health and Physical Education
  5. Science
  6. Social Science
  7. The Arts
  8. Technology
  9. Learning Languages

At the beginning of the year curriculum responsibilities are assigned and in many cases shared between teachers. These responsibilities may include budget planning, expenditure, resource management, syndicate/whole school unit planning and in some cases assisting with or leading reviews.
Syndicate groups/individual teachers plan, deliver, assess and review the programmes taught.

School Camps
St Joseph’s is committed to providing ‘Education Outside the Classroom’ (E.O.T.C) for its senior and junior students.

A popular and valuable element of this programme is our School Camp, held for our Year 5 and Year 6 students.

These camps are held at least bi-annually at various locations, and have proven a highlight for the senior students and accompanying parents, caregivers and staff.

Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC) Sailing Academy
St Joseph's was the first primary school to receive scholarships to participate in the RAYC sailing academy. Each year the school applies for 6-8 Year 6 children to have the opportunity to join the "The Learn to Sail course" at the Club. The course is designed for children new to the sport who would like to experience the thrill of sailing. RAYC have the latest equipment and some of the best coaches in the country. The scholarships entitle the children to a family membership with RAYC for the season.

Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons are held each year in the first Term at Sacred Heart College in conjunction with the Eastern Bays Swim School. These are block courses of two weeks and the children progress greatly each year. A sports day is held on the last day and the children's victories contribute to overall house points. There is an extra charge for swimming; in 2006 it was $60 per student including transport.

The House System
In their first year the children are allocated to one of four houses. House and Vice House Captains are elected annually by Year 5 and 6 children. Over the year, the children participate in a variety of activities in their house groups instead of their classes. This cross-age grouping has proven a great way of strengthening the bonds of the school community. The Senior students encourage the younger ones to achieve, and the Junior children aspire to perform alongside their Senior counterparts.

School Council
The school has a representative council of students who are elected through a class voting process. As well as introducing democratic principles (including political campaigning!), participation on the School Council also leads to some important responsibilities:

  1. To carry forward suggestions identified by the various classrooms in to the broader school community.
  2. To help implement specific school events in the form of leadership roles.
  3. To develop initiatives for students on their behalf.
St Joseph's School Council was established in 2005. The staff believes the School Council gives children an opportunity for leadership and responsibility as well as teaching then to become mediators who can convey, and hopefully implement, ideas from their peers which enrich their time at St Joseph's School.

School Assemblies/Singing
The school holds both school and singing assemblies. These assemblies clearly demonstrate the character of St Joseph’s and we encourage prospective parents to contact the school if they are interested to attend a school assembly. An important aspect of the St Joseph’s approach is that the children themselves play a leading role in the running of assemblies, giving each child numerous and varied opportunities for public speaking and peer acknowledgement. A school assembly would usually cover the following:

  1. Hosting of the assemblies by individual classes.
  2. Honouring of student achievement; academically, socially and in the field of sporting endeavour.
  3. Communication of school events and happenings.
  4. Singing of both Liturgical and popular songs.
The school also conduct assemblies for visiting performers, dignitaries and for Holy Thursday, Stations of the Cross, Passion Plays, Christmas Pageants and A.N.Z.A.C Day. Parents are always welcome and participation in our assemblies is another way in which families collectively contribute to the spirit of the school.

School Rules
An influential aspect of the school year is the ‘Class Contract’ that each class develops with their teacher. These contracts are signed by all students and teachers.

Two important things are covered in these agreements: Firstly, that positive contributions will be acknowledged whilst also, that students must take responsibility for their own action; Secondly, how positive (and negative) contributions and behaviour will be acknowledged,

This process lays out a ‘Steps System’ by which consequences are clear and, importantly, children understand what they can do to avoid them.

The time and sincerity with which teachers approach these discussions with students demonstrates the value the school places on a ‘values based education’. The fact that time and attention is paid to discussions of these rules, gives St Joseph’s parents confidence that their children are receiving the very best start to their education.