"Being Josephite means being in mission with a humble heart, with a belief that this is God’s work and we are participants in that mission"
Founded in Penola, South Australia in 1866 by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart are affectionately known as the Josephites, or ‘Joeys’.
Grounded in a deep trust in God’s providence, their mission has always been to respond to the needs of the time, especially through education and service to those most in need.
Today, the Sisters live in communities and minister across Australia and internationally, including New Zealand, Ireland, Peru, Timor-Leste, Scotland and Brazil. Following her canonisation in 2010, Mary MacKillop is now known as Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint.
Inspired by this enduring Josephite spirit, the Sisters of Saint Joseph established a Domestic Arts School in Footscray, offering practical courses in sewing and cooking. Yet, as society changed in the early 1960s, so too did the aspirations of young women, who increasingly sought a broader and more academic education.
In response to this need, Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College was established by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. On 4 February 1964, the first 65 students walked through its gates, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Catholic education in the area.
As the first Catholic secondary college in the region, the College offered hope, opportunity, and a strong sense of purpose to families who believed in the transformative power of education for their daughters.
The College motto, Virtue Courage, was later affirmed at the official blessing of the College by Bishop Fox, values that continue to shape and inspire the life of the College today.
...virtue will be taught here; and courage also to face the difficulties of life, courage to give up everything for the sake of Christ and to follow in the footsteps of their teachers.
Since 1964, the College has educated generations of young women, fostering a rich tradition of academic excellence while nurturing the growth of each student as a whole person.
Today, the College continues to offer a high-quality Catholic education, inspired by the Josephite charism and deeply grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, at the heart of our founders’ mission.
Educating today, shaping tomorrow.
