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 The school closed in 1873, when the Government grant was withdrawn.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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.