History:
St Joseph’s School in Chelsea began over 80 years ago, with the motto 'Always Faithful'. It began as a 'Church School' staffed by lay teachers, one of whom later became a Brigidine Sister and was appointed the first principal of St Joseph’s School. The school was administered by the Brigidine Sisters until 1935 and then by the Sisters of St Joseph until 1986 when the school became totally lay staffed.
Description:
The school is on a very small site, surrounded by busy roads on three sides and blocks of flats on the fourth. The present population of 350 students is accommodated comfortably in this environment. A new administration area has been added in recent years. The school offers pleasant and very workable classrooms, corridor space and hall, and excellent resources for the teaching staff.
Features:
The school has a multicultural population, with 37 different nationalities present. No one particular ethnic group dominates, with one to two per cent of the students coming from many different ethnic origins, the main ones being India, Cambodia, Vietnam and Poland. The school has an extensive Special Needs Program to cater for the difficult circumstances many children find themselves in, and offers Effective Parenting Courses and and other parental and adult education. The Parents and Friends Association acts as a social arm of the school, supporting classroom programs and managing fundraising.