St John the Baptist Primary School, Maitland appreciates and values the right of all students to an authentic Catholic education. The school provides a welcoming, secure and happy environment and supports the uniqueness of each individual child.
A strong Catholic identity and an atmosphere of care pervades the school community, providing a meaningful and inclusive learning program that focuses on the student’s wellbeing and caters for the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and physical dimensions of all students.
St John’s has developed frameworks that address the myriad of needs of students and encourages all children to become lifelong learners. With the school’s high student learning achievements recognised by NESA, the curriculum focuses on numeracy, spelling and writing and the school’s unique learning agenda reflects a commitment to growing, developing and responding to the needs of all students. Teachers are involved in intensive professional staff development to stay well informed on current educational trends.
St John's respects the vital role parents and families play in the education of their children and works in partnership and consultation with them to support the growth and development of students. A range of programs are incorporated into the fabric of the school to help achieve the school's mission and encourage personal development. We have programs that supports the social, emotional and academic development of students and pastoral care guides the school's approach to discipline, with an emphasis on recognising, encouraging and rewarding children who behave appropriately.
The school's transition process for new kinder enrolments relies on participation in the ‘Buddies’ program, which encourages relationships between 'old' students and 'young' students. The senior leadership experience gives all Year 6 students the opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities throughout the school year.
The school places a high level of importance on community and serving others and students take pride in their active involvement with the Maitland community, where they share a very special relationship with the residents of the local aged care facility. The school community conduct days that enables students to wear colourful outfits to show support and raise funds for many worthy charities and the Mini Vinnies group raises awareness and funds for causes that impact the wider community, particularly on a global scale. Students also have the opportunity to support local community initiatives such as Tocal Field Days, Anzac services and local government functions.
Students are also given experiences in public speaking and debating, gifted and enrichment programs, sporting activities at school, regional and representative level and swimming schools. All classes participate in a variety of excursions and incursions as well as in special local, community and world-based celebrations.
St Nicholas OOSH Maitland provides before and after school care and vacation care in a fun, safe, supportive and inclusive environment onsite at St John the Baptist Primary School, where children can play, explore, be creative and use their imagination.
Located close to the school is St Nicholas Early Education Maitland, which is a 70-place early education and care centre catering to children aged 0 - 5 years. Located in the heart of Maitland’s CBD, St Nick’s Maitland is one of the few centres in the city’s centre which features a natural, open-air outdoor environment, rich with natural and manmade play spaces designed to excite and engage children’s innate curiosities.
