School Information
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School is in the heart of the East Kimberley. Our academic performance is en-par with many comparable schools around the country and we are proud of our achievements and continued improvements. Below are links to our amazing teaching and support staff, as well as important information about school fees and enrolment.
The Staff at St Joseph's
The St Joseph’s teachers provide a sound academic education with a strong emphasis on improving literacy and numeracy outcomes in a stimulating, caring and safe environment. The children’s emotional development is integral to the school’s ethos through provision of excellent pastoral care, moral and behavioural guidance programs and spiritual development. Students are nurtured throughout their schooling and provided with opportunities to develop in aspects of leadership, citizenship, responsibility, self-discipline, integrity and compassion.
We pride ourselves on the ability to attract and retain dedicated, skilled and motivated staff that continue to engage in further development of their own professional ability. The staff consists of classroom teachers, Aboriginal teacher assistants, teacher assistants, specialist teachers (Reading Recovery, Physical Education, Creative Arts, Bluearth), other program support staff and the administration staff, including the Principal and Assistant Principal.
Our comprehensive curriculum is aligned with the National Curriculum and provides for each student’s academic, physical, creative and emotional development. Regular testing, both standardised and teacher-based, is employed to monitor student’s progress.
Therese Clancy
School Principal
My name is Therese Clancy. A relative newcomer to the Kimberley, I've enjoyed spending time in Kununurra since arriving in 2022. I've had the opportunity to live and work in many places in Australia, as well as in south and east Asia, which has shown me that there are many different ways to learn new things and there are opportunities to learn new things every day.
I'm enjoying meeting and working with everyone at St Joseph's and look forward to continuing to explore the Kimberley in 2023.
Shaun Joseph
Assistant Principal
Hi everyone and welcome back to St Joseph's for 2023. I'm so excited to continue being part of the team for another year. It's been such an exciting start to the year with so many smiling children back at school and having a wonderful learning experience each day.
I have felt very welcomed by the staff and families that I have met so far and look forward to chatting with you all some time during the year. I have been working in the Kimberley for the past four years and supporting schools in literacy across WA for the past six. As the Assistant Principal, I'm looking forward to bringing all of my expertise and experience to continue the fantastic learning that is happening here at St Joseph’s.
Tanya Lockwood
Kindergarten Teacher
I grew up in Katherine and I come from the Alawa/Mara clan from the NT. In 2017 I began working at St Joseph's School with our Aboriginal Families as First Educators Playgroup, while studying for my teaching degree. I am now in my fourth year of teaching and third with our Kindy class. I love teaching Kindy-aged children as it gives me the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life.
Sarah Masters
Pre-Primary Teacher
My name is Sarah and I moved from Albany to Kununurra with my husband Leigh, Eryn (9), Niamh (7) and Bondi (17mths) to continue my career in early childhood education. We love spending our free time in the outdoors fishing, camping and boating. I studied for my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education through Curtin University. I am passionate about providing an enjoyable education for all children.
Ashlee Speirs
Year 1 Teacher
I grew up in the small towns of Penola and Coleraine before attending university in Adelaide. When I finished, I caught the travel bug, and spent ten years teaching in various countries before returning to Australia to teach in the central desert of the NT. I am excited to explore the Kimberley as I love camping, swimming, hiking...anything outdoors. Armed with a good sense of humour and an inclination to break out in dance, I hope to create a warm, positive and safe classroom. I look forward to another year at St Joseph's in partnership with families and community to support the students' academic, social, emotional and spiritual journey.
Sophie Gilmour
Year 2 Teacher
My name is Sophie Gilmour and I am excited to be a part of the St Joseph's Kununurra school community. I completed my Bachelor of Primary Education four years ago and am currently studying for my Masters of Early Childhood Education. My first two years in the Kimberley were spent as the Year 1/2 teacher at St Joseph's in Wyndham. I have loved every moment of living in up here. I am always eager to learn more, especially from my students. I enjoy providing fun, engaging and motivating opportunities for students to grow and achieve.
Elle Tierney
Year 3 Teacher
My name is Elle Tierney. Five years ago I completed my final teaching practicum at St Joseph’s School. I am thrilled to be living in Kununurra and spending my fifth year of teaching here. I grew up in the small country town of Moora, where I spent a lot of time doing sport, outdoor activities and travelling. After attending boarding school in Perth I went on to complete a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree at Curtin University.
I look forward to providing all students with the opportunity to develop to their full potential in a safe and supportive environment.
Steve Italiano
Year 4/5 Teacher
Myself, my wife and daughter have been living and working in Kununurra for the past four years. I have two sons who are studying at university in Perth. I have worked as a health professional and a consultant with the Department of Education's State Wide Services. I enjoy fishing, 4WDing and cruising around the Ord. I am very excited about 2023 and hope to make a positive difference in the education and lives of the Year 4 St Joseph's students.
Silvia Espachs Torne
Year 5/6 Teacher
Hola! My name is Silvia, and I am thrilled to be the Year 5/6 classroom teacher at St. Joseph’s School. I am originally from Barcelona in Spain. After graduating from university in 2014, I spent three years as the Year 3/4 teacher in a small Spanish town called Lleida. However, I took a summer holiday travelling in Australia, and there began my dream of becoming a teacher in this wondrous country - a long journey, but totally worth the effort. My last two years were spent as the Sports and Year 5/6 teacher at St Margaret’s in Geelong, Victoria, and I absolutely loved the community there. I am passionate about education and supporting students to develop a love for learning. They are the leaders of our future. I am really looking forward to assisting our community in providing a school environment where students feel safe, happy and engaged with their learning, in a multitude of ways. The outdoor environment, sports, dance, laughter and books are my great passions!
Marion Roberts
Specialist Teacher
My international travels have cemented my belief that a good education can change lives through the opportunities and experiences it can provide. I initially completed a Diploma in Applied Fashion and Textiles before beginning a Bachelor of Primary Education in Fremantle, Western Australia. After living and working overseas, I returned to Sydney to complete my degree. In 2021 I completed my Master of Education Degree in Leadership and Management.
I'm grateful and happy that this is my sixth year at St Joseph's Kununurra. I love the Kimberley environment and really enjoy learning more about this beautiful area and the people here.
Aboriginal Teaching Assistants and Teaching Assistants
Our teachers enjoy the benefits of small class sizes and the added benefit of having Aboriginal Teaching Assistants and Teaching Assistants in class. This affords our teachers the opportunity to provide greater individual attention to students, thus achieve better outcomes.
Eileen Watkins, Sandra Kelly, Judith Brennan, Susan Swan, Lee-Lee Morgan, Bernadette Nott, Tiffanee Dixon, Lena Hu, Kimberley McLaughlin, Nicola Spackman, Veronique Lamb and Jamie Short (Chaplain) .
Additional Staff
Hellen Johnson: Canteen Manager
Sr Julianne Murphy: Religious Education, Pastoral Care, Classroom Assistant
Ann Storey: Administration Officer
Di Brooks: Administration Officer
St Joseph’s Primary School is committed to providing a sound Catholic education for students by facilitating each child’s development in a supportive, encouraging environment. In so doing, the school aims to keep fees to a minimum so that parents will be encouraged to enrol their children without undue hardship. Arrangements can be made to pay the fees in a lump sum or in instalments. However, the inability to pay school fees shall never be the reason for the non-enrolment or exclusion of any child from St Joseph’s Primary School.
Confidential arrangements can be made with the Principal if there is financial difficulty.
| 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4+ Children | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | $429.00 | $1,012* | $1,511.00* | $1,511.00** |
| PP - Year 6 | $739.00 | $1,289.00 | $1,754.00 | $1754.00** |
* One in Kindy , remaining children in PP - Year 6 **No Additional Fee for four or more children
Fee discount
A discount on tuition fees is offered to families who pay their fee account in full within two weeks of issue. Please contact our office for details.
Healthcare & Pension Cards
Families who have a Health Care Card or a Pension Card may be eligible for assistance with fee payments from the Federal Government under an agreement between the government and CEWA. Please present your Card to the office for a discount. If you are experiencing financial hardship, and are not eligible for either card, I would encourage you to make a time to see the Principal to discuss your individual circumstances.
How to pay
The school office accepts payment by EFTPOS, cash, BPay or EFT payments. School bank details are:
Account Name: St Joseph’s School
BSB: 086 006
Account: 826 500 626
(Please use your child’s name as a reference)
Students already enrolled do not need to re-enrol each year, however, parents MUST update their phone numbers and emergency contact information regularly so that staff can contact you in an emergency situation.
Please be sure to have all contact information ready including contact details, education history, key dates and immunisation information before you start this form. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us on (08) 9168 1079.