ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE GEELONG

St Joseph’s College Geelong, founded in 1935, offers a sound, broad education. It is the only secondary boys’ college in Geelong.

Facilities: Heritage architecture merges with contemporary buildings to create diverse learning and activity spaces. The Brother Rahill Resource Centre, Information and Communication Technology Laboratories, Peter Chanel Music Centre, Joseph Wood Design Technology Centre and Food Technology Centre are purpose-built specialist facilities which add to the richness of the curriculum. The Edmund Rice Centre is a dedicated Year 7 area, providing classrooms, a science laboratory, shaded undercover area and ready access to the Aphrasia Oval and courts, all for the exclusive use of junior-aged boys. The Peter Cannon Centre is a modern performing arts space which includes a 250-seat auditorium, foyer, a dance drama studio, teaching areas and storage facilities. St Joseph’s continues to invest strongly in their capital works programs to enhance facilities; recent additions include a refurbished and extended multipurpose centre which includes two indoor basketball courts and a wellness centre, new purpose-built science and technology building and the refurbishment of all existing science facilities. Externally, a sense of space is maintained with extensive sporting and outdoor areas including four on-site ovals, numerous basketball courts, tennis courts and down-ball areas. 2013 will see the completion of the joint venture Trade Training Centre. This facility will be shared with Sacred Heart College, Clonard College and McKillop Education.

Curriculum: At VCE level Unit 4, 38 subjects are offered between St Joseph’s, neighbouring Sacred Heart College and Clonard College. Year 7 students remain in class groups for all subjects, while students in Years 8, 9 and 10 select subjects from Key Learning Areas according to achievement levels and interest. A wide range of academic and general subjects are taught in this vertical curriculum, including Chinese and Italian. The college offers VET and VCAL programs.

Sport: The college has a proud history of sport. It is the only non-metropolitan member of the Association of Catholic Colleges (Victoria), with teams in swimming, athletics, basketball, badminton, football, cricket and cross-country.

Extra-curricular activities: Students can participate in drama productions, school band and ensembles, chess, debating, public speaking, community service, outdoor education, a cultural trip to China or Italy, year-level camps and retreats.

Student welfare programs: There is an emphasis on social, moral and religious development based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. The college is open to boys of other faiths. Two student welfare counsellors are employed as well as an educational support co-ordinator.