The Religious character of St Joseph's School Wandal is embedded in the traditions of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, who was the Foundress of the Sisters of St Joseph. Mary had a vision which she nurtured by realising that with an education, one could face poverty and rise above it. Therefore, with faith, courage and determination she responded to one of the greatest social issues of her time, the lack of educational opportunities for the poor. Mary dedicated her life to teaching poor children.

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St Joseph's school motto "To Love is to Serve" encompasses the tradition of Mary. She was courageous enough to dream, and determined enough to work for the realisation of that dream. Likewise our school community is courageous to be of service to all. A significant responsibility for creating this unique service rests with the staff individually and in community, "for the teacher does not write on inanimate material but on the very spirit of human beings". (The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third millennium, #19) 

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"The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord's year of favour." (Luke 4: 18-19, 21).

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St Joseph's School Wandal endeavours to live out Christ's prophetic words by:

• ensuring that we believe in ourselves and our ability to respect the dignity of each person

• acknowledging the presence of God in each person

• participating in the evangelising mission of the Church

• promoting compassion and justice within St Joseph's

• acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)

• demonstrating supporting and encouraging engagement in life long learning

• catering effectively and holistically for those with special needs

• promoting and developing the effective contribution of parents / carers and parent bodies

 

This mandate is challenging as St Joseph's endeavours to develop students who "are responsible and inner directed, capable of choosing freely in conformity with their conscience" (the Catholic School Section 31). This enables the dream to be woven and to be taken on a journey to be lived and loved.

In doing so St Joseph?s School Wandal encourages all within its realm to:

• "Love God and love our neighbour? (Matthew 23:37)

• continue to respond with an enthusiastic YES to the Gospel

• proclaim Jesus' message of hope

• "Live life in all its fullness" (John 10:10)

 

St Joseph's School Wandal will follow St Mary of the Cross MacKillop's example of loving God, always being ready to make allowances and to endure whatever comes. "It bears all things, believes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7). St Joseph's Wandal will live the message of love by respecting all as a community of believers, who continue to live out the call of Baptism, through personal faith in Jesus Christ, witnessing together to the Good News of the Kingdom.