Our Mission Statement
Our intention is to provide an Education in a Catholic environment, which will best enhance the wairua, the whole being, of each individual
Kia Ora Welcome to St. Joseph’s School Patea
Our school opened in 1904 and is an integrated Roman Catholic School for boys and girls from New Entrant to Year 6. We are a decile 2 School situated, situated in the small coastal township of Patea in South Taranaki.
St. Joseph’s School offers a balanced education based on and encompassing the ideals and values of Jesus Christ. School policies and programmed activities strive to capture and live the Special Character of our School.
Out learning programs cover the New Zealand Curriculum Learning Areas and Religious Education. Programs within the School are developed with regard to the composition of the community and relevant to the immediate environment. The School strives to provide a safe and happy learning space that welcomes all people and whanau involvement.
Consultation on the Proposed Cancellation of the Integration Agreement for St Joseph’s School, Pātea
The Proprietor of St Joseph’s School, Pātea, the Bishop of the Diocese of Palmerston North, has asked the Minister of Education to consider the mutual cancellation of the school’s Integration Agreement. If the Integration Agreement is cancelled, the Proprietor intends to close the school.
The reasons for this request include:
- Declining roll and low numbers of students with a Catholic connection
- Inability to recruit a suitable Catholic principal and safeguard the Catholic special character
- Low demand for a Catholic learning pathway
- Long-term concerns about the quality of teaching and learning and its impact on student achievement
- Low student attendance
- Students tend not to remain enrolled through years 1-6
On behalf of the Minister of Education and the Proprietor of the school, we are consulting with interested persons and groups.
How to Provide Feedback
You can provide feedback in any of the following ways:
- Written feedback forms, available at the St Joseph’s School, Pātea office, Suffolk Street, Pātea
- Email:
- John Dale, Senior Advisor Network, Ministry of Education: Dale@education.govt.nz
- Teresa Edwards, Manager of Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Palmerston North: tedwards@pndiocese.org.nz
- Online, via the Ministry of Education Consultation Hub: https://www.education.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-proposed-cancellation-integration-agreement-st-josephs-school-patea/details
(or search: “Have your say – Ministry of Education” and then “St Joseph’s School, Pātea”)
Consultation closes 5pm, Thursday 2 April 2026.
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