“A man had two sons. He went to the elder one and said, “Son go and work in the vineyard today.” “I don’t want to,” he answered, but later changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing, “Yes sir,” he answered, but he did not go. Which one of the two did what the father wanted?
We do what we say we are going to do – we walk the talk. — Matthew 21:28-31
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St. Joseph’s School
30 Ludstone Road
Kaikoura 7300
St Joseph’s School has contributed to the education and journey in faith of hundreds in Kaikoura over the last 125 years.
It all began in 1883 when a Catholic School was opened with the first teacher being a Miss Hollis. By 1892, the School roll stood at around fifty pupils!
The Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission arrived on the “Whakatu” on the 9th of January 1900, the same year as the new Sacred Heart Church opened, creating a landmark in the history of our Parish. The Sisters initially lived and taught in the renovated St Michaels Church that had been moved from the Kowhai.
The 2nd of June 1912 saw a new, purpose-built Convent School opened. Hundreds of children were educated by and learnt music from a wonderful band of devoted Mission Sisters and lay teachers until 1980. On the 15th of June 1980 the present school in Ludstone Road was opened and blessed by Archbishop Thomas Williams, with the original complex subsequently converted into ‘The Old Convent Bed and Breakfast’.
With a roll averaging 100, our school continues to play an important role in our community by providing a catholic education for our children.
Integration took place on 17th September 1982.