Our School
St. Joseph's has a strong and proud tradition of providing Catholic education in Benalla for over a hundred years. The school’s Vision, Mission and Graduate Outcome statements continue to embody our commitment to Catholic Education and Gospel values.
At the heart of St. Joseph's as a Catholic school is a Christ-centred ethos and worldview that permeates all aspects of school life including relationships, structures, liturgies, celebrations, routines as well as a formal curriculum.
As a Catholic school, St. Joseph’s is committed to fostering a Christian community that is centred on the person of Jesus and guided by Gospel values.
Our History
St. Joseph’s Primary School was built in 1858 as a denominational school and cost 278 pounds. The first teacher was Mr C.J. McNeeley. The school closed in 1873, when the Government grant was withdrawn. In 1879, following the Education Act of 1878, it was re-opened by the Catholic Community and named St. Joseph’s Catholic School.
For three years the Mercy nuns from Bendigo taught at St. Joseph’s School. For some unknown reason, the Mercy nuns left St. Joseph’s in 1890. The F.C.J sisters, who had just established the new F.C.J Convent, took over the running of the school in 1901.
The FCJ order was founded in France in 1820. Sixty-two years later a group of twelve Sisters had arrived in Australia to begin their ‘missionary work’. The Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus, in the spirit of their foundress, Marie Madeleine d’Houet, established FCJ College in Benalla in 1900.
In July 1901, a new school was built. It was a brick hall, 80 feet long, lofty and thoroughly ventilated - an immense improvement on the old premises which was erected in ‘the good old days’, before the Board of Health had begun issuing decree!
In 1953, renovation and large-scale extension work was carried out. Five more classrooms were built between 1960 and 1967, together with the natural population growth, the number of pupils increased from 190 to 416. In 1964, St. Joseph’s had an enrolment of 428 and a staff of 9.
Two new classrooms were completed in 1967 and another two were completed in 1971. The building program, carried out so successfully in the days before government grants were available, speaks volumes for the generosity of the Benalla people and the courage of their parish priests.
The next building project undertaken at St. Joseph’s school was completed in July 1995. This building project consisted of the refurbishment of classrooms, administration area, a new library, staff facilities and toilet block. The project was funded through the Government Capital Grants and the support of a Parish loan.
Our Timeline
• In 2002 two new classrooms, a pergola, and a landscaped area were added to St. Joseph's school.
• In 2005 the Commonwealth Government's 'Investing Schools Grant' enabled new air-conditioning to be put in all classrooms.
• In 2006 sun shade sails and new playground equipment were installed.
• In 2007 a Master Plan for major capital works improvement was launched with a St. Joseph's Building Fund.
• In 2009 a Master Plan for major capital works improvement was launched with a St Joseph's Building Fund. Along with National Schools Pride and BER funding the following improvements were conducted:
- Installation of Solar panels and Water tanks
- Oval irrigation and Landscaping
- Extension and refurbishment of Senior and Junior wing to accommodate 21st Century Learning
- Additional Toilet Block
- Major Refurbishment of St Joseph's Hall
- Extension to staff room and library
- Fencing, plumbing and resurfacing of the playgrounds
• In 2011 the prep unit was extended to create a third classroom.
• In 2013 we commenced the redevelopment of the front of the school with new fencing, updated signage, and an extension and refurbishment to staff office space. The redevelopments were fully completed in 2017.
•In 2016 St. Joseph’s purchased additional land next to the school for future growth opportunities and developed a new Master Plan for the school’s future.
• In 2015 St. Joseph’s began the development of an interactive mathematics garden for the whole school community to play, learn and enjoy. This was officially opened in 2016 as, ‘Carroll’s Corner’. This was in recognition of the significant contribution made to St. Joseph’s Primary school by Barb and Mick Carroll.
• In 2019 St Joseph’s built a further learning building that accommodated four large classrooms with break-out areas, a theatre space, art area, staff and meeting rooms and storage area. This extension of our facilities is based on current team teaching practices, visible learning principles and future growth.
• In 2020 St. Joseph’s had new play equipment installed.
• In 2021 St Joseph’s began the extension and renovations of the Middle and Senior buildings. Also in 2021, A new covered outdoor learning area was built to offer an additional space that provided shade and shelter.
• In 2022 the extensions and renovations of the Middle and Senior building continued and were to be completed mid-way through Term 2 2023. A new landscaped outdoor space was established behind the Hall / next to the Junior learning area. A new government-funded shade sail was erected over the landscaped outdoor space.
In 2023 we officially opened and blessed the New Middle and Senior Learning Centre. This includes 10 classrooms and break-out areas for the Middle and Senior area as well as our wonderful Art Room.
Identity Statement
St. Joseph’s is a welcoming, Catholic, child safe school community, that nurtures and values each person, knowing God lives in all of us.
Vision Statement
St. Joseph’s strives to:
Provide a safe, inclusive environment that fosters hope, respect, responsibility and reconciliation. Promote shared partnerships between home, school, parish and the wider community. Educate the whole person - spiritually, socially, emotionally, academically and physically. Provide a challenging, innovative and comprehensive curriculum that encourages life-long learning.
Meet Our Team
St Joseph's Benalla
2024 Staff
Leadership
Mary Dunstan
Principal
Hayden Reeves
Learning Diversity / Pastoral Wellbeing Leader
Sam Kerlin
Deputy Principal -
Learning & Teaching Leader / Catholic Identity Leader
Jade Humphrey
Literacy Leader / Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader
Maria Pomponio
Curriculum Leader
Lisa Kennedy
Digital Technology Leader
Administration
Dianne Muller
Administration Officer/Finance
Rhonda Ward
Road Safety Officer / Lollypop Lady
Louise Hayes
Administration Officer
Steve Hart
Maintenance
Father Vijay Bandanadam
Parish Priest
Foundation Unit
Ally Ellis
Room A Teacher
Alicia Kempton
Room A Teacher
Kat Barker and Hazel Piccolo
Room B Teachers
Erin Boulton
Room A Teacher /
Unit Leader
Junior Unit
Kaitlin Kaine
Room Q Teacher
Meagan Griffiths
Room R Teacher
Georgia Hooper
Room S Teacher
Bonnie Evers
Room T Teacher/
Unit Leader
Hannah Clough
Room U Teacher
Middle Unit
Fran Dayman
Room L Teacher
Maria Pomponio
Room L Teacher
Jane Hawkins
Room M Teacher
Bonnie Evers
Room T Teacher/
Unit Leader
Hannah Clough
Room U Teacher
Natalie Challis
Room M Teacher
Brendan French
Room N Teacher /
Unit Leader
Jake Tunks
Room O Teacher
Senior Unit
Bryan Piccolo
Room F Teacher
Elisha Ross
Room G Teacher
Tammie Gawley
Room H Teacher
Leanne Honybun
Room I Teacher
Brooke Robertson
Room I Teacher
Kristy Anderson
Room J Teacher /
Unit Leader
Peta Welsh
Room J Teacher
Jacqui Creamer
Room G Teacher
Specialist Unit
Yuko Sasaki
Languages: Japanese Teacher
Sharon Mellington
Physical Education Teacher
Deborah Pasztor
Performing Arts Teacher
Ann-Maree Challis
Visual Arts Teacher
Learning Support Staff
Marg Briggs
Learning Support
Julie Sheehan
Learning Support
Leanne Pritchard
Learning Support
Monique Milner
Learning Support
Janine Lewis
Learning Support
Kristy Fry
Learning Support
Tanya Johnstone
Learning Support
Leanne Trotter
Learning Support
Rachel O'Brien
Learning Support
Megan Bamford
Learning Support
Ashleigh McDonald
Learning Support
Bre Ackerly
Learning Support
Gratitude Outcomes
At St. Joseph’s we strive to educate students to:
Grow in their personal relationship with God and others
Values the beliefs, rituals and traditions of the Catholic faith
Be committed to social justice
Be engaged and resilient
Be life-long learners, open to challenges and opportunities
Be safe, respectful and responsible for themselves, others and the environment
Achieve curriculum standards reflective of their individual ability
Spaces to Learn & Play
Each of our learning areas have open plan learning spaces for small and independent learning instruction. Students are able to work on small projects allowing for interaction and collaboration with peers from other classes.
School Assembly
Each Monday at 2:45pm, our whole school gathers in St Joseph’s Hall. Students participate in prayer, and are presented with awards aligned with our Learning Attitudes and PBIS values. All parents and families are invited to attend each Monday for this community gathering.
St Joseph's Policies
Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
Curriculum and Learning Framework
Conflict of Interest for Responsible Persons Policy
Student Bullying and Harassment Prevention Policy
Occupation Health and Safety Policy
Shared Behaviour Expectations/Code of Conduct
Student Behaviour Matrix/Behaviour Flowchart
Restraint and Seclusion Policy