St. Joseph's Catholic High School in Barrie is a Catholic school community. As such, we are fundamentally guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and the values taught in the Gospels. Monsignor James Clair was instrumental in bringing a Catholic high school to Barrie. At our inception in 1946, our little school on Mulcaster Street, located across from the old St. Mary's parish, housed 13 Gr.9 students and 2 teachers, Monsignor Clair and Sister Francis Regis. We moved into our new building on Cundles Road East in 1985. Presently we have 750 students and 70 staff members.
Our Faith
Schools in our board are unique because they provide learning experiences to students that emphasize our Catholic beliefs and values. At our school, you can see and witness our Catholic identity when you walk through the doors or speak to our staff and students. Here are some of the ways that you can see our faith celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic High School.
- Prayers and scripture are taught and integrated into school life, and we frequently celebrate Mass as a community.
- We have a direct and meaningful connection with our school parish.
- We support our parish in getting students prepared for their sacraments.
- We encourage social justice, respect for life and responsibility for all God's creations through our classroom teachings and extra-curricular activities.
- Our Catholic beliefs and values are integrated into curriculum teachings. Regardless of whether it is science, English or religion class, the information we teach our students is infused with our Gospel values.
- Our school has a chapel to provide students with a place to reflect and celebrate our faith.
- Our faith is reflected through religious symbols that are visible throughout our school.
First and foremost we are a Catholic School Community guided by the teachings, examples and life of our saviour Jesus Christ. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, live in and act through each of us. We are all Gifts from God, created in His image as a testament of His love, and a celebration of life everlasting. As such we are one family in service to and for each other, committed to the success, joy, and ultimate salvation of all. We are called to excellence in everything we do, and in everything we do we find joy, meaning, and identity when we do our best. We walk together humbly and thankfully, creating hope, keeping the faith, trusting in God and celebrating the gift of life in all its diversity, challenges, sorrows, and joys, because ultimately we believe that God holds us all in the sanctuary of his love and the paradise of his being.
Catholic Education at St Joseph’s Catholic High School, in partnership with our families and parish, strives to foster, nurture, and educate our students unlocking their potential in pursuit of achievement against the following expectations/vision of a St Joe’s graduate:
- A discerning believer formed in the Catholic Faith community who celebrates the signs and sacred mystery of God's presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection and moral living
- An effective communicator who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.
- A reflective, creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions with an informed moral conscience for the common good.
- A self-directed, responsible, lifelong learner who develops and demonstrates their God-given potential.
- A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the rights of all and contributes to the common good.
- A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community.
- A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice and the sacredness of human life.
St Joseph’s C.H.S is an open access school which means all are invited to be part of our school experience. At St Joseph’s C.H.S you will find a caring environment where staff and students work together and support each other. The family atmosphere of the school is rooted in acceptance and understanding. We are all learners and each of us learns in a unique way. At St Joseph’s C.H.S the diversity of our staff and students celebrates our own uniqueness.
We offer a rich and robust curriculum covering the Arts, Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Physical Education, Technology, Leadership, Business, Computer Studies, Humanities, Canada and World Studies, and Religion.
