Thinking of Enrolling?

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St Joseph’s Balclutha is an integrated school, this means that we are state funded but are able to protect our Special Character identity by having an enrolment policy. Our enrolments are considered either "Preference" or "Non-Preference" places.

Preference Places

Most Catholic schools give preference to students who can establish a “particular or general religious connection with the Special Character of the school”. This usually means:

• The child has been baptised or is being prepared for baptism in the Catholic Church.
• The child’s parents or guardians have already allowed one or more of their siblings to be baptised in the Catholic faith.
• At least one parent/guardian is Catholic, and although their child has not yet been baptised, the child’s participation in the life of the school could lead to the parents having the child baptised.
• With the agreement of the child’s parent/guardian, a grandparent or other significant adult in the child’s life, such as a grandparent or godparent, actively undertakes to support the child’s formation in the faith and practices of the Catholic Church.
• One of the child’s non Catholic parents/guardians is preparing to become a Catholic.

Non-Catholic Places

St Joseph’s welcomes people from all walks of life and backgrounds, Catholics & non-Catholics.  We are able to enrol 5% of the maximum roll to families who do not meet the above "preference" criteria. Each year, due to student graduation, a small number of places become available, so please feel free to get in touch with the Principal.
Our procedure for enrolment in this situation involves a meeting with the Principal and Parish Priest.