As Principal of John’s Catholic Parish Primary School, I am delighted to welcome you to our wonderful school community. Our school acknowledges the original Aboriginal landowners and extends respect to past, present and emerging local Elders.

Catholic education has a long and rich history in Dapto. Today, St John’s has an enrolment of approximately 600 students and proudly boasts new, modern and contemporary learning spaces, facilities and playgrounds, following an extensive redevelopment of the school site, which was completed in 2020.

We are a faith community in the Josephite tradition and are deeply committed to giving witness to the Gospel message. Our traditions, values and beliefs are inspired by the charism of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph. We are an integral part of the Dapto Parish and are blessed to be supported by our Parish Priest, Fr Francis Tran.

St John’s is a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters respectful relationships built on mutual respect and trust. There exists a strong sense of pride in the school and a commitment to excellence. We recognise that parents are the first and primary educators of their children and in partnership, share the collective responsibility for their learning, well-being and faith development. 

Our school values of Faith, Learning, Love, Respect and Community underpin our vision and have been collaboratively discerned by students, staff and parents. They convey our deepest beliefs to which we aspire and inform all that we do within our school community. Our school values are integral to who we are as a people and a community.

We are driven by a deep belief that every student is capable of successful learning. Staff are highly motivated, experienced and dedicated, ensuring that all children reach their learning potential within a supported, safe and positive environment. Learning is differentiated, catering for the individual needs of students through a range of interventions, support and enrichment. Find out more about learning and teaching.

I am very proud of the St John’s School community and I invite you to experience it for yourself. If you have any questions about our school, please contact the school office.

Andrew Heffernan
Principal