Principal’s Welcome - St John the Baptist, Freshwater
Our School

Principal’s Welcome

“With a commitment to putting students’ wellbeing and academic growth at the centre, Mrs van der Merwe aims to have happy, challenged learners who thrive every day at school”


Welcome to St John the Baptist, a diverse, nurturing and high-achieving Catholic primary school with over 100 years of rich heritage.

It is a true privilege to lead a community where every child is known, valued and supported to grow. At the heart of all we do is a strong commitment to both student wellbeing and academic growth, ensuring our learners are not only supported, but also challenged to achieve their personal best each day.

At St John the Baptist, we encourage our students to be curious, collaborative and confident learners to communicate effectively, take risks in their learning and be open to new experiences. We want every child to feel safe to “have a go”, knowing they are supported every step of the way.

Our learning environment is both nurturing and purposeful, offering a rich and engaging curriculum designed to meet the needs of every learner. Guided by our motto, “Prepare the Way”, we develop students who are creative thinkers, adaptable problem-solvers and active contributors to an ever-changing world.

Central to this is the strong relationships we build with our students. We prioritise creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where every child feels a deep sense of belonging.

Our dedicated team of educators work in partnership with families to nurture each child’s unique strengths, talents and voice. Through this, we aim to develop young people who live out our core values of Compassion, Courage and Humility, and who have both the confidence and character to positively shape the world around them.

Grounded in our Catholic faith, we are committed to the formation of the whole child supporting their academic, social, spiritual, physical and emotional development. Our approach reflects a deep sense of community, service and a growing awareness of the wider world.

When you join St John the Baptist, you become part of a community that genuinely cares. We walk alongside one another, supporting families through all stages of school life and celebrating the journey together.

We warmly invite you to experience the difference at St John the Baptist a place where children are happy, supported and challenged to achieve their best every day.

Mrs Alicia van der Merwe
Principal

 

Come and See Our School in Action

We warmly invite you to experience St John the Baptist for yourself.

To learn more or book a private tour:
📞 +61 2 9939 6699
📧 sjbf@dbb.catholic.edu.au

You can also follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram, where we share the learning, achievements and everyday moments that make our school so special.