Student Spirituality

At St Joseph’s Primary School, we acknowledge the innate spirituality of every child. Opportunities to nurture their spiritual growth are planned for and provided through a variety of experiences. These connect children to a faith community, give them a sense of security and belonging and remind them that they are deeply loved.

We strive to guide students toward living responsible and just lives by teaching and modelling the Gospel values of love of others through compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, advocating for justice and service to the poor and marginalised.

At St Joseph’s Primary School, we encourage students to develop their whole selves, treat others fairly and respectfully, be responsible for their actions, and follow moral and ethical principles. We strive to activate this through opportunities to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith through Religious Education classes, daily prayer, retreats and reflection days, liturgies and Mass.

At St Joseph’s Primary School, we incorporate programs that build upon and complement the Catholic Schools Office Student Discipleship Continuum from Year 4 - Year 12. The sequential and age-appropriate continuum provides students with intentional faith-filled opportunities where they feel free to discuss and develop their faith.

Students can experience school and Catholic Schools Office programs such as:

Minyma

Minyma is a one-day retreat experience for all students from Kinder to Year 6 held in Term 1 each year, developed by the school. ‘Minyma’ means ‘message’ in Greek. Therefore, each retreat is based on Sharing God's Message. The day fosters a relationship with God and builds a strong Catholic School community.
This retreat is an opportunity for our students and staff to interact with the Year 10 Youth Ministry class from Mount Saint Patrick’s College, who assist the staff in running the day's activities. To conclude the day, we celebrate with a Liturgy together.

All parents are invited to visit us during the day and share in a wonderful experience with their child.

Accedere Year 4 Retreat

Accendere means to ‘switch on,' kindle to catch fire, light to strike, to produce/spark the flame. It is a full-day retreat that focuses on the theme of 'friendship in Jesus.' Developed by the Catholic Schools Office, this program is provided to schools to implement with their Year 4 cohort. We engage the support of the Youth Ministry Assistants from Mount St Patrick’s College and our Year 6 Student Disciple leaders to assist in delivering the program. 

Exuro Year 5 Retreat

Exuro (Latin for 'on fire') continues the student discipleship formation journey. Year 5 students across five regions in the Lismore Diocese have the opportunity to be involved.  The theme for the day is 'discipleship,' the challenges we face, how to find the confidence to move forward, and making a difference. It strengthens the lives of students and keeps the fire and passion of Proclaim Lismore students alive in parish primary schools. 

Incitare Year 6 Retreat

Incitāre means to stir up, incite, urge, spur, and egg on. It is a one day retreat using various group processes and student led discussion. Students experience faith nurturing activities and skilling for being faith leaders in their respective schools. It is intended that this cohort of students will be invited back for similar days as part of student discipleship and peer leadership programs each year while they are in Catholic education.

Further to the Continuum are:

Schools of Prayer - In nurturing a proper understanding of the role of prayer in the faith life of students, prayer focus is developed to assist age-appropriate parish school engagement in prayer experiences. The main forms of prayer that have been promoted in Catholic Education are the traditional forms and the Rosary, Awareness Examen, Lectio Divina, and the contemplative prayer of Christian Meditation.

Music Ministry - Wildfire, the Diocesan Worship team, offers whole school evangelisation to primary and secondary schools under the banner of Proclaim Lismore and the Ten: Ten Experience.

Sacramental Preparation - Schools work collaboratively with parishes to support students preparing for their Sacraments. This may take the form of a school-based program of preparation or support for a parish-based program.