Religious Education

As a Catholic school founded in the Mercy Tradition, St Joseph’s College educates students in the Catholic faith while respecting other religious traditions.

The foundation of the College curriculum is the traditional Catholic quest to integrate faith in the mystery of God with supporting reason and knowledge. This perspective permeates and challenges every curriculum domain.

Religious education is also a specific curriculum domain, with formal classes in years 7 through to 12. It is always relevant to the developmental levels of students and is sequential in its development of concepts. It aims to challenge students in their personal faith responses and in their understanding of the Catholic and other religious traditions.

Religious Education is not just taught within the classroom. At St Joseph’s College, many programs and facilities are provided to sustain the Christian faith of our College community. All students are encouraged to take part in the act of volunteering. Our year 8 students participate in a Mercy Works program, where they actively meet the needs of communities, and develop practical skills, self-esteem, and a sense of civic responsibility. Year 11 and 12 students are also required to do 20 hours of community service in the local community as part of the Senior Mercy Works program.

The Sacred Heart Parish Church, located on Eleventh Street, is a spiritual place of worship. The College utilises the church for our Ash Wednesday Liturgy, Passion Liturgy, St Joseph the Worker Mass, and Mercy Mass. The original Mercy Chapel at the Enright Campus is used for our weekly staff mass, classroom activities, liturgies, displays and meditation.