St Joseph's Primary School, Taree strives to actively promote excellence in a learning environment based on Gospel values and endeavours to equip all students with the skills and knowledge to enjoy life, contribute to society and act responsibly towards other people and the school.
Surrounded by a picturesque, bush land setting on several hectares of carefully maintained park-like grounds, St Joseph's enjoys strong links between the school and the broader community, including the Indigenous members of the local community which are supported by programs that foster a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture.
St Joseph’s provides a flexible and contemporary learning environment giving students access to interactive SMART Boards, and the latest computer technology. Along with experienced and enthusiastic classroom teachers, St Joseph’s also offers specialist science, music, and learning support teachers. An EALD teacher also works with students, parents, carers and staff to ensure that students with English as a second language are able to succeed throughout their education. The staff of St Joseph’s are provided with regular high-quality professional learning based on the needs of the students.
The school is currently refurbishing its large library space transforming it into a Learning and Resource Centre (LARC), which will not only enrich students' literacy experience, but also provide a multimedia room, and cater for their specialist Science and Robotics programs. The school also provides several outdoor learning areas capable of housing several classes.
St Joseph's offers its students many creative and performing arts opportunities in the form of choirs, dance groups, a whole school musical production, Kodaly Early Childhood music lessons and a newly formed ensemble music program for brass and wind instruments. The school has several stage areas where the students can perform.
St Joseph’s is an environmentally friendly school that strives to increase student connection with, respect for, and awareness of nature and environmental issues. Through their kitchen garden program, storage of rain water, use of solar panels and policies to reduce their environmental impact, students are encouraged to become environmentally responsive each day.
The school’s Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program gives students the opportunity to learn valuable skills in maintaining several garden beds where they grow, harvest, care for and prepare vegetables and fresh herbs, with the produce supplied going to the school canteen to be used daily lunches. The school’s chook pen houses six nesting chickens which gives students the opportunity to interact with the chickens and learn how to look after them by feeding them daily with scraps from the canteen.
St Joseph’s has a tradition of sporting excellence and offers a range of sports across both their internal and external sporting programs. These include rugby league, rugby union, netball, basketball, swimming, athletics, cross country, touch football, cricket, soccer and futsal. Students also have the opportunity to participate in sport gala days, Knights Knockout, Buderus Sevens, Newcastle Knights All School carnivals, League of Legends shield, NSW Catholic Primary Schools Basketball Challenge, Netball State Cup, Paul Kelly Cup and Futsal State event.
St Nicholas OOSH Taree provides before and after school care and vacation care in a fun, safe, supportive and inclusive environment in the building behind Our Lady of the Rosary Church, where children can play, explore, be creative and use their imagination.
Students of St Joseph's Primary School, Taree are encouraged to continue their Catholic education by attending St Clare's High School, Taree.
