Choosing the right education for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
As parents, carers, or grandparents you have a choice – and the right – to offer your child the best education available.
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle proudly hosts some of the best schools in the Newcastle, Maitland, Hunter and Upper Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Manning regions.
Catholic schools offer a unique educational experience that forms the child as a person of integrity, compassion, faith and wisdom. Catholic schools also work closely with their local parish to enhance in students a capacity to make sense of their world, to make judgments and to recognise the uniqueness of others within a faith community.
Each school has a supportive community of teachers, parents, carers, P&F committees, clergy, parishioners, and support staff who work together to focus on students; encouraging success, promoting discipline, supporting creativity and instilling compassion. This means Catholic schools don’t just teach religious studies, they seek to develop spirit, mind, body and character and cultivate Gospel values that support lives filled with joy, endeavour and hope in the future.
St John Vianney has a commitment to focusing on each individual child’s ability, offering a unique array of educational, creative, sporting and formation opportunities for students.
Finally, Catholic schools offer peace of mind to parents; knowing they’ve made the right choice and the best investment for their child’s future. It is because of this and the many opportunities available to students that we believe choosing a Catholic education is the right choice to make.
Why Families Choose St John Vianney Primary School
Our Focus is Quality Education
At St John Vianney Primary School we believe our students will best experience success through high-quality education and contemporary learning and teaching. As a school, we encourage excellence in every curriculum area so that all children have the opportunity to reach their full individual potential in a supportive and caring environment.
Our school is well-equipped with modern facilities and innovative technology to maximise learning opportunities for students. All students have access to Interactive TV’s and computers in their classrooms, as well as a bank of computers in the learning hub, an excellent school hall, attractive school grounds, outdoor amphitheatre, environmental areas, play equipment and collaborative learning spaces.
Students are encouraged to pursue excellence in all fields of school life to extend their learning experiences and enhance their skills. Initiatives such as Tournament of the Minds, Mini and MultiLit, provide reading support and Mathletics improves numeracy skills. These programs cater for all students’ needs allowing for both collaboration and personalised learning. The school has a strong professional learning community and the staff regularly meet to discuss children and their needs, resources, and teaching strategies. This supports teachers in their planning so they can effectively meet the needs of all children.
Strong Community Involvement
St John Vianney places a high level of importance on community, belonging and leadership, as well as creating a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment where students are encouraged to become lifelong learners. As a Catholic community, everyone is encouraged to show respect, forgive others, value honesty and grow together through learning. One of the unique features of our school is that we are very family oriented, which is a defining culture of our school. The effective Kindergarten Buddy Program allows Year 5 students to provide support and guidance to the new Kinder enrolments for the first two years. Our playgroup each week also provides an opportunity for younger siblings and potential students to play together while parents build community.
Our school also plays an important role in the wider community by supporting the Parish Sacramental Program, participating in local community competitions, visiting local aged-care facilities, supporting programs at the public library, as well as active participation in community commemorative services and celebrations. Our Mini Vinnies group also organises fun days to raise money for our local community and those in the mission fields overseas.
Encouraging Creative Pursuits
St John Vianney is a community where the creative, unique and individual talents of every student are greatly appreciated, embraced and encouraged. All students have the opportunity to discover, strengthen and express their creative abilities through music, drama, dance and visual arts. Students are encouraged to develop their talents and skills to reach their full individual potential.
Students are provided with the opportunity to participate in creative workshops, join the music program and school choir, audition for ASPIRE, take part in the Dance Fever program, and regularly enter local art competitions. With the assistance of a specialist music teacher, we perform a musical every second year on school grounds. We also host Carols by Candlelight, a family night well supported by the Parents and Friends Committee.
Strong Environmental Focus
At St John Vianney, environmental programs have been introduced to increase student connection with and awareness of nature. As a sustainable school, St John Vianney has a strong environmental focus where the recycling programs and vegetable gardens encourage student involvement and participation. Our school community has a strong focus on protecting the waterways of Lake Macquarie where we have been involved in water testing programs. In 2013, a swale was constructed on the school playground to help control and monitor water. In our efforts to preserve and protect the environment, the school was awarded the 2012 Lake Macquarie Environmental Award.
Opportunities in Sport
St John Vianney offers a range of sports across internal and external programs including netball, soccer, tennis, basketball, rugby league, touch football, rugby union and golf. Students are given the opportunity to compete and represent at local, regional, diocesan and state level in swimming and athletics carnivals, cross-country and team sports. Students can also participate in the Paul Harragon Cup, Waratah Shield for cricket, compete in soccer and netball gala days, join the gymnastic program and improve their swimming skills at a 10-day intensive program at Morisset pool.
Before and After School Care
St Nicholas OOSH provides a before and after school care service in the school hall. It caters for students each morning from 6.30–8.30am and each afternoon from 2.55–6pm. Further information, including a handbook, is available from the school office or at St Nicholas OOSH.