It is with great joy that I extend a warm welcome to all of you to St John the Baptist Primary School, Maitland. As the Principal, I am honored to be a part of this extraordinary community that nurtures not only academic excellence but also the spiritual growth of each individual. St John the Baptist Primary School is a Catholic school situated in the historic town of Maitland and caters for students from Kindergarten to Year 6. The school operates under the governance of the Catholic Schools Office in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
St John the Baptist Primary School is prominent in the local community and offers a sound Catholic education for the 315 students who are enrolled. We have a strong Catholic identity and an atmosphere of warmth and care pervades our school community. Our parent body is an enthusiastic and vibrant group that work together in many class and whole school endeavours to assist in the education of their children and foster community spirit.
At our school, we follow in the footsteps of Saint Dominic, who was a tireless seeker of truth, wisdom, and compassion. Guided by our Catholic faith and Dominican values, we strive to create an environment where every child feels valued, loved, and inspired to reach their full potential. We celebrate our Dominican heritage and recognise the contribution made by the Sisters to the history of St John’s since 1856. We were the first Domincan School established in Australia and therefore the oldest Domincan School in Australia. Catholic identity in the form of Gospel values forms the basis upon which our educational perspective is shaped. The Catholic identity of St John the Baptist Primary School is clear and apparent to all, from the prayer at the beginning of each school day to the final words spoken to the students before they go home. Indeed, the many signs and symbols, the visible traditions of the founding Dominican Sisters and the many prayerful celebrations serve as constant witness to the Catholic ethos of the school.
Our dedicated team of educators is committed to providing a well-rounded education that goes beyond textbooks and exams. We aim to foster a deep sense of moral responsibility and empathy towards others, encouraging our students to become compassionate leaders in our ever-changing world. Providing a meaningful and inclusive learning program, St John the Baptist caters for the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and physical dimensions of all students. Strong programs in each Key Learning Area are delivered to all students. A highly structured combination of professional development opportunities, access to quality teaching resources and experiences, as well as an increased emphasis on student wellbeing and parent engagement has been developed to increase student readiness for and engagement in learning. Curriculum differentiation ensures that the learning is tailored to meet the needs of all students.
St John the Baptist has high expectations of its students, they are encouraged to be active participants in their learning journey, embrace the challenges, ask questions, and pursue knowledge with curiosity and enthusiasm. We believe that every student is unique and that each student has something valuable to contribute to our school community.
Once again, I extend my warmest welcome to all new and returning families. Let us embark on this journey together, guided by faith, knowledge, and the Dominican spirit, as we strive for 'truth and forgiveness' in all that we do.
May God's blessings be upon us all,
Kate Ferguson
Principal