Philosophy

The Victorian Registration Standards (Sch 2 Cl 16) (CECV Guidelines Ref 1.4) requires that all schools must have a clear statement of philosophy.

At St Joseph’s School Trafalgar we believe that the social, emotional, spiritual, moral and physical wellbeing of our students is essential to student health, safety, learning and success. We are therefore committed to: 

• Our faith community, fostering an environment where all teachers and students reach their potential.

• We are deeply passionate about fostering a positive and inclusive environment where staff members work collegially and collaborate effectively, valuing teamwork and mutual respect in all aspects of our professional practice.

• We are dedicated to the ongoing professional development of our teachers, aiming to cultivate expert educators who possess the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to ensure that every student makes meaningful and targeted progress in their learning journey.

• We are firmly committed to the comprehensive implementation of both the Victorian Curriculum and the Religious Education Curriculum, ensuring that our teaching practices align with these standards to provide students with a holistic and well-rounded education.

• We believe in and actively promote a culture of shared ownership when it comes to learning and teaching, where all members of the school community—teachers, students, and leaders—take collective responsibility for educational outcomes and continuous improvement.
• We strive to nurture students who are not only reflective about their learning experiences but also capable of thinking independently, encouraging them to take initiative, question critically, and engage deeply with their education.

Our philosophy is enacted through our teaching and care for students. Our philosophy guides our teaching, strategic plans and governance decisions.