Introducing Our Principal

Tony Paatsch was educated by the Christian Brothers at Trinity College Colac before completing Year 11 and 12 at St Patrick's College Ballarat. He completed a Science degree at Melbourne University followed by a Diploma in Education at Christ College (now ACU). Following teaching positions at De La Salle College Malvern, Mazenod College Mulgrave and an appointment with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority as Chief Assessor of VCE Physical Education, Tony was appointed Deputy Principal here at St Joseph's in 2000. After nine years in this role he was appointed Principal of St Bernard's College Essendon, a role he held until 2016 before accepting the role at St Joseph's.

Tony holds Masters degrees in Education from Monash University, Arts (theology) from Australian Catholic University and is currently completing a Masters in Business Administration (Executive) at ACU.

Tony and his wife Louise have 2 daughters who are alumni of Sacred Heart and a son who completed his secondary education at St Joseph's in 2016.

Principal's Welcome

Welcome to St Joseph's College, a Catholic School in the Edmund Rice Tradition. On behalf of the College Board, Staff, Students and Families I extend a warm welcome to you and your family to the College.

St Joseph’s has a proud tradition of educating young men in the Geelong region for almost 150 years, with education on our Newtown site dating back to the establishment of St Augustine’s Orphanage in 1857. We are the only Year 7 - 12 boys' school in Geelong and pride ourselves on being expert in boys' education.

The College is one of over 50 schools governed by Edmund Rice Education Australia nationally and we are committed to the EREA Charter which incorporates the four touchstones of Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Justice and Solidarity and Inclusive Community. We strive to be faithful to these touchstones in all aspects of our operation.

We aim to develop the whole person and have a broad curriculum much of which is based on the principles of Project Based Learning. We aim to engage students in a way which promotes and encourages excellence, builds self esteem and prepares young men for the world beyond school. The College has a strong commitment to Pastoral Care and our wellbeing policies and procedures are based on the principles of restorative practice. We promote student voice and encourage the participation of students in a range of activities that promote and encourage leadership.

In addition to the Edmund Rice campus in Newtown our Westcourt Campus in Geelong West provides our Year 9 students with a program specifically tailored to their needs.

I look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to the St Joseph's community.

Tony Paatsch
College Principal