St Joseph's Primary School - Uralla

St Joseph's Primary School is a small rural Catholic systemic co-educational school located in Uralla. St Joseph's was established by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1886. In that year, Mother Mary MacKillop (Saint Mary of the Cross) paid a visit to the school. Mother Mary wrote in her diary, on 29 April 1896, that she 'was very pleased with the school and children'.
St Joseph's is a vibrant Christ centred community, well-supported by the parish and parent body. The Gospel values, including faith, respect and service, guide and permeate all learning and behaviour. A high standard of education is provided for the students, strengthened by the teaching and example of Catholic faith and tradition. Students are encouraged, to develop to their full potential, in an inclusive and supportive climate of love, respect and acceptance.

Student engagement is the key to learning. Dedicated and enthusiastic teachers strive to ensure that student learning is both meaningful and inspiring. Children are exposed to an array of activities that encourages them to extend themselves in all Key Learning Areas of the curriculum. They develop values, skills and knowledge within an engaging and inspiring environment. Classrooms are large, well resourced flexible learning spaces that allow for 21st century learning to take place. Students have access to Chromebooks, iPads and Promethean boards to further support learning, allowing
them to keep up to date with the ever changing world of technology.

Teacher capacity continues to be built, in order to deliver the curriculum to students, by working collaboratively to enhance a more flexible and engaging learning program. St Joseph's remains focused on the needs of each and every individual student, whilst adapting programs to promote maximum learning growth and well-being.

Many extracurricular activities, that engage students and support the delivery of the NSW Syllabus, are included in the curriculum. These include the school's Organic Learning, a sheep manure business and the garden projects which not only beautify the school but also provide fresh vegetables for students to snack on. Many and varied visiting incursions and co-curricular and extracurricular excursions are conducted. Specialist coaches are accessed to support the school sport program, enabling student skill development.

The school values its place in the Uralla and wider community. The school participates in the local Thunderbolt's festival, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies as well as contributing to the local Uralla Arts Festival and Australia Day activities. The school participates in a variety of local and diocesan cultural and sporting activities.