St Joseph’s College has a Kindergarten to Year Twelve House System. The Houses are named after people who offered lives of witness and service to the community.

Cunningham

Cunningham House is named after Monsignor Charles Cunningham, Parish Priest of Albany from 1958 – 1972. Monsignor Cunningham was a Chaplain on the Kokoda Trail during World War II. On returning to Australia Monsignor Cunningham served in a number of parishes. Highlights of this time included setting up a hospital in Busselton for aged care and buying a College bus from a lottery win. In Albany Monsignor Cunningham was well known for his ecumenical ideals. Thanks to the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition and Mons Cunningham the current College campus was built. In December 1972 Monsignor Cunningham was transferred to the Parish of Brunswick Junction. Many had come to know and love “Mons” during his fourteen years in Albany.

De Vialar

Emilie De Vialar was born in 1797 to a rich and distinguished family in France. The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition were founded by Emilie in 1832. Emile and the Sisters of St Joseph devoted their life to prayer and to the care of the poor, the sick and the aged. They also provided free education for children. The Sisters expanded their work to other countries and in 1855 the Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition came to Perth to open a College. The Sisters came to Albany in 1856 and opened their first College in 1881. Today, the Sisters of St Joseph work in twenty six countries. St Emilie was canonised in 1951. Her last testament to her Sisters was ‘love one another’.

McCormack

Irene McCormack was born in Kununoppin in Western Australia in 1938. After completing her schooling in Perth, she joined the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. This allowed Irene to serve throughout Australia, teaching Religious Education in Colleges. Her final appointment was at Kearnan College in Manjimup. In 1989 Irene left Australia for Peru. She worked with the poor in Huasahuasi, about 200 kilometres from Lima. Amidst daily threats and acts of violence, false accusations were made against Irene and she was murdered in 1991. Irene McCormack fought against inequality and injustices against people. The people of Huasahuasi have claimed her as their own and with a deep understanding that she gave her life for them they celebrate the anniversary of her death each year with a special solemnity. The story of her life and death has also made an ongoing impact on many people from Australia and beyond.

Ozanam

Frederic Ozanam was born into a nineteenth century society afflicted by social inequality. As a student in Paris in the 1830s he was confronted with the daily misery of the working class poor. In 1833 a group of six students and a journalist formed a group called the Conference of Charity. Their purpose was simple: as a small group of friends they would become servants of the poor in Paris. Others were moved by their example to commit themselves to serving the poor. They chose to call their group the Society of St Vincent de Paul, based on the exemplary charitable life led by St Vincent. Frederic gave his life totally to God and to love of neighbour. Today the worldwide St Vincent de Paul Society continues the mission of service through its almost one million members.