About Us / History

1954 - 21 students are enrolled in Newport Vocational School and classes begin in the Parochial Hall
1955 - A new school building is opened
1958 - The present school transport system has its origins in St. Joseph's College - a taxi to Rearcross, Kilcommon and Milestone is organised by Principal Dan Cotter, Dan Kennedy MCC, Canon Mulvihill and Eddie O'Malley. The first school magazine is published.
1960 - Martin Ryan wins the Munster Final of the "Young Farmer of the Year"
1962 - Our first secretarial course begins. The first 'Fleadh Ceoil' in Newport is organised to fund school transport. 17 students are conferred with Diplomas in Social Science.
1963 - Three students win All Ireland Hurling medals with Tipperary Vocational Schools
1965 - Newport Vocational School gains second place in Ireland for Wood Work and Mechanical Drawing
1966 - Free Post Primary Education
1969 - We win our first North Tipperary hurling and football titles. Our first Past-Pupils' Reunion is held.
1970 - A school outing to Wales is organised
1973 - A Commercial Science Course is planned for Post-Leaving Cert students.
1976 - Our Senior Basketball team wins the TUI cup. Students and staff spend a week-end in the Kerry Gaeltacht.
1978 - We win our first Munster Hurling title. A Pastoral Care programme begins. We take delivery of our first computer, an Apple
1979 - 180 adults enrol in night classes. Three tennis courts are built.
1980 - A fire destroys the Engineering room and three prefabs. A pre-employment course begins
1981 - Our debating team wins the PTAA trophy
1982 - We win North Tipperary titles in Basketball, Rugby and Athletics as well as three Munster Handball titles. Alternative Maths Certificates are awarded for the first time.
1987 - A major extension to the school is officially opened.
1990 - St. Joseph's College takes part in the Euro Tech Net Project
1991 - Two projects are entered in the Aer Lingus Young Scientist competition
1993 - A PLC course in Engineering Technology begins
1994 - A PLC course in Information Technology begins
1995 - The Organic Garden Club is set up
1996 - We are in contact through the Internet with Tim Severin as he travels through the Spice Islands and Indonesia.
1997 - A National Certificate of Distinction is awarded to Anthony Power by the Engineering Teacher's Association for a Junior Cert Project
1998 - Our first study skills seminar is organised. Learning Support begins. A Bonus Points System is introduced. Our school becomes on IT 2000 centre. We win a second Munster Hurling title.
1999 - Anti-Litter treasure hunt is organised. 65% of PLC modules result in Distinctions.
2000 - A new Student Diary which monitors progress, attendance and behaviour is introduced. Three second years create a Powerpoint Presentation of St. Joseph's College for primary schools.
2001 - 31% of students take supervised study. St. Joseph's hosts a Talent Show and Concert. Miriam Ralph receives a Millennium Award for IT
2002 - Eleven students enter four projects in the ESAT Young Scientists Competition. The Student Council initiates the change of uniform with a survey. The Leaving Certificate Applied is introduced
2003 - Nine students receive certificates for full attendance at our Annual Awards Ceremony. Another National Certificate of Distinction in Metalwork is awarded to Brendan McCarthy. Students win four Gaeltacht Scholarships as well as two of the four French Scholarships on offer from North Tipperary VEC.
2004 - A Millennium Award in Personal Achievement is awarded to Christopher Campbell. Culture Day Successes in Public Speaking, Chess, Craft, finalists in Debating.  Handball alleys are roofed.

2005 - Canteen service set up to facilitate students and staff having healthy hot and cold lunches. Music is introduced to the curriculum as a first year subject.

2006 - College participates in the Green Schools programme to promote a safer and healthier environment.  Fitness Initiative Programme is put in place to enhance lifestyles of students and staff.

2007 - Became part of 'DEIS' initiative.  Homework Club, Breakfast Club, and lunchtime activities organised.  Home school community liaison and enhanced school completion team enhance the colleges ability to fostor 'life long learning' and success amongst students, parents and the community.

2008 - Awarded "Green Flag" at ceremony officiated by  the John Gormley, Minister for the Environment.  We are the first VEC school in North Tipperary to be awarded the Green Flag.

Links with the Primary schools

We pride ourselves in linking with potential students, their parents/guardians and schools.  We hold workshops, competitions and evenings for local primary school children.  This eases the transition to second level and allows parents to get to know us before we get to know your child.  We focus on each individual child and plan how best to meet the needs of all in a caring environment.