SCHOOL IN PROFILE
St Joseph’s Catholic School, The Strand St Joseph’s Catholic School, The Strand
teachers, parish priests and parents for
Floods as early as 1892 and as recent as
was founded in 1873 from humble
the ongoing development of each child.
1999 have played a part in the building and
beginnings and today is known as a modern educational institution providing schooling from Prep to Year 6.
In 1873, Townsville was still only an infant settlement when St Joseph’s Church was built on The Strand. It stood on a site midway between the present St Patrick's College on The Strand and the Sisters of Mercy Chapel in Fryer Street. The first Parish Priest, Fr Connelly applied
child is recognised as unique and formed in the image of God. It’s a school community which fosters a friendly, trusting collaboration between principal,
in the education of their children.
history of the school and the wider parish.
Some five years later, this community of nuns who responded so well to local needs was recalled to Brisbane. In 1878, a request was made to Brisbane for the Sisters of Mercy to reopen the school. This was achieved in 1879. In those early years the sisters had to support themselves and pay lay teachers as well. They managed this by providing music tuition for children and adults alike.
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in particular, the need to assist families
researching and documenting the wonderful
church, it was dedicated to St Joseph.
At St Joseph’s Catholic School, each
needs of an expanding population and,
help him staff a school for the children
position with the current Church
celebrating its 150th year in 2023.
and refurbishment as it strives to meet the
the Sisters of St Joseph, for teachers to
sisters opened a school and like the
its 150th year in 2022 and the school
School is a continuing story of building
Today, St Joseph's Catholic School is still
of Catholic settlers in Townsville. The
year this year, the parish celebrating
too have left their mark. St Joseph's Catholic
to Mother Mary MacKillop, foundress of
The school and parish are in a unique building celebrating its centenary
rebuilding of the current school. Cyclones
