About St Joseph's Boronia

Welcome to St Joseph’s Primary School, Boronia

Growing Together in Faith, Love and Knowledge

Nestled in the natural beauty of Melbourne’s outer-eastern suburbs, St Joseph’s Primary School, Boronia, is surrounded by a cherished remnant forest, offering a peaceful and inspiring environment for our children to learn and grow.

The bright, modern learning spaces are designed to support collaborative practices that promote student engagement, happiness, and deep focus. At St Joseph’s, we foster learners who are confident, curious, and committed to growing together in Faith, Love, and Knowledge.

Our dedicated staff engage in continuous professional learning, ensuring they bring the most current and effective practices into their teaching. From Prep to Year 6, students benefit from our specialist programs in:

Visual Arts
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
Physical Education
Auslan (Australian Sign Language)

We are committed to developing the whole child through the Victorian Curriculum and Religious Education Curriculum Framework (MACS), complemented by our rich Wellbeing approach. With Mindfulness, Meditation, and Restorative Practices, our students are able to build strong, respectful relationships in both the classroom and playground.

We are proud of our strong and connected parent community, who work in partnership with staff in creating the best possible learning environment. Our school offers a high-quality, rigorous education that celebrates diversity, student voice, and gender equality, ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Our direction is shaped by our School Improvement Plan and School Advisory Council, ensuring we remain responsive, reflective, and forward-thinking.

At St Joseph’s, we offer a learning environment that is Safe, Fair, and Kind, a place where every child can flourish.

Our Vision

“Let the children come … for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”

Mark 10:14

Reflects the human face of Jesus to all within our proud community, in an environment of faith, love and a yearning for knowledge.

Faith - that celebrates God’s unconditional love and sustains us through life’s challenges.

Love - that liberates us to be compassionate, just and committed to the service of others.

Knowledge - that opens our minds to rich understandings and leads us to hold a deep respect for our environment and all within it.

Our Mission

We are a proud Catholic learning community committed to nurturing a strong sense of belonging, respect, and lifelong learning. We honour the Traditional Custodians of Country and acknowledge their deep connection to land, waters, and culture.

Through restorative practices and inclusive circles, we foster a safe and supportive environment where every voice is heard and valued. Our approach strengthens relationships, encourages mutual understanding, and equips students with the skills to solve problems and grow together. Guided by our shared faith and values, we provide a challenging, engaging curriculum that inspires every learner to flourish.

Our Story

St Joseph’s Primary School, Boronia, has a proud history founded in the Catholic tradition. In January 1964, the Ferntree Gully Parish was subdivided, with the communities of Boronia, Bayswater, and The Basin forming the new Parish of Boronia. On 19 March 1964, the first classes were held at the newly established St Joseph’s School. As the local population grew, so too did demand for Catholic education. This led to the establishment of additional schools in areas originally served by St Joseph’s: Bayswater in 1965, Wantirna in 1979, and The Basin in 1983. Following this expansion, enrolment at St Joseph’s gradually declined from a peak of 544 students in 1978 to its current, more intimate cohort of 130 students.

St Joseph’s delivers a high-quality, rigorous education that values diversity, student voice, and gender equality. Our dedicated and professionally engaged staff provide rich learning experiences aligned with the Victorian Curriculum and the Religious Education Curriculum Framework (Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools). Specialist teachers offer programs in Visual and Performing Arts, Physical Education, and AUSLAN from Prep to Year 6.

The wellbeing of each student is at the heart of our mission. Through a structured and holistic approach, including mindfulness, meditation, and Restorative Practices, we foster positive and respectful relationships in both classrooms and the playground.

We are proud of our highly engaged parent community, which plays an active role in connecting home and school. Our families generously contribute their time and energy to ensure St Joseph’s remains a thriving and supportive place for all students. Committees, including Buildings and Grounds, CommUNITY at St Joseph’s (formerly Parents & Friends), and the Fete Committee, operate under the guidance of the School Advisory Board, reinforcing a strong partnership between staff and families.

Ongoing improvement is central to our school’s direction. Regular reviews of policies, programs, and priorities, guided by our School Improvement Plan and the School Advisory Council, ensure that we continue to grow and respond to the needs of our community.

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and compassionate environment where every learner is supported to flourish.

Learning & Play Spaces

Surrounded by pockets of native woodlands and set on a picturesque site, our school is more than just a place of learning; it’s a haven for exploration, creativity, and community. Our natural surroundings provide a peaceful backdrop that inspires calm and reflection, as well as adventure and discovery.

Outdoor Spaces Designed for Play and Exploration

At St. Joseph’s, we believe that outdoor spaces are just as vital as classrooms in shaping young minds. Our school grounds include:

A full-sized oval perfect for team sports, athletics, and casual play
A grassed area ideal for soccer, football, or cricket games
A multi-half-court basketball area where students can enjoy fast-paced games and build teamwork
An extensive adventure playground featuring climbing equipment, a cubby, and open-ended play zones
A quiet reflection area, thoughtfully designed for reading, drawing, or peaceful contemplation.
The Environmental Trail winds through our area’s native vegetation, supported by local groups and the council. We've added a frog bog and fish pond to attract wildlife, enriching the natural space.
A Conservation Area borders the playground and is home to many native and indigenous plants.

Each area is purposefully designed to allow students to learn through movement, imagination, and social interaction.

Inspiring Learning Environments

Inside our modern school buildings, students learn in new, open-plan classrooms supported by:

Flexible breakout spaces with comfortable, modular furniture to support different styles of learning
Integrated technology in every room to enhance teaching and student engagement
Enhanced classroom audio systems to ensure every voice is heard and every lesson is clearly delivered
Committed to sustainability, Solar Panels were installed with government grants. Energy-saving monitors in each room help track and reduce energy use, while recent upgrades to energy-efficient LED lighting further lower the school's consumption.

Whether students are working as a class, in small groups, or one-on-one with a teacher, our learning environments are bright, flexible, and built to support all learners.

A Community Where Every Child Belongs

At St. Joseph’s Primary School, our mission is founded in our Catholic values. We strive to create a school community where each child is known, respected, and celebrated. Our facilities and staff work hand-in-hand to ensure that every student has the opportunity to grow in confidence, character, and curiosity.

If you’re looking for a school that combines modern education with a strong sense of belonging and connection to nature, we warmly invite you to visit us at St. Joseph’s Primary School, where every child has space to grow and the support to prosper.