St. John Vianney’s Catholic Primary School

St. John Vianney’s Catholic Primary School

48 McGrath Street, FAIRY MEADOW 2519

Ph: 02 42 266 577

Fax: 02 42 265 311

Email: info@sjvdow.catholic.edu.au

Their primary function as a primary school is to assist the parents and the parish in the provision of quality Catholic learning and teaching. They aim to do so in an environment that recognises and celebrates the unique identity of every individual in our community.

The History of St John Vianney’s

In 1947 the Fairy Meadow Parish was established. St John Vianney’s School began in 1950 as a parish school staffed by the Good Samaritan Sisters of the Order of St Benedict. The first teachers appointed were Sr Audrey McCabe (Principal) and Sr Alacoque Cotter. Sr Audrey was Bishop McCabe’s sister.

The Good Samaritan Sisters of the Order of St Benedict was founded by Archbishop Bede Polding in 1857. The Order was the first religious congregation for women to be founded in Australia and its ministry was the care of women in need as well as education. At Archbishop Polding’s request, the Sisters began their work in Wollongong in 1873.

St John Vianney’s School began 1950 with an enrolment of 80 infants children. Older children had to travel to St Columbkille’s School Corrimal or to St Francis Xavier School Wollongong. The Sisters commuted to Fairy Meadow by bus from the Star of the Sea Convent in Harbour Street Wollongong each day or would sometimes procure a ride from a friendly parishioner in their car. This was a real treat as cars were not very common at that time.

The first classes were held in an old army shed which had been purchased from the Cowra Prisoner of War Camp complete with bullet holes at a cost of £50. The shed was very hot in summer and very cold in winter. This building functioned as a church on Sunday. Each Friday students moved the furniture, swept the floors and arranged the chairs for Mass. After Mass on Sunday everything had to be rearranged to prepare for school on Monday morning.

In 1979 the closure of the Migrant Hostel resulted in the decline of the school’s enrolment. Gradually the demountable buildings which served as classrooms were demolished and removed. However three of them remained and functioned as the library, music and art room until 2000. In 2001, a new library, staff room and multi purpose room was constructed. In 2010 the school has a growing enrolment of over 350.

The School’s Mission and Vision

VISION STATEMENT

To assist parents to bring to reality the fullest development of each child within the experience of a loving and supportive Parish School.

MISSION STATEMENT

In an endeavour to fulfil the Vision we recognise that the school serves the Parish of Fairy Meadow and we will:

• uphold the teachings and disciplines of the Catholic Church
• work in cooperation with the Parish and wider community
• assist the parents to educate the whole person
• create a safe environment
• strive for academic excellence

Philosophy

St John Vianney’s School is an educational and faith community in which the parents, parish and school work in partnership to provide a Catholic education for the children of the parish. In this community, all work together to develop quality relationships, a love and practice of the Catholic Faith and to provide exciting learning experiences.
The primary purpose of any Catholic school is to provide an atmosphere conducive to the education of the whole child with special emphasis on fostering within the pupils a love for, and the practice of the Gospel message within the Catholic Tradition. This we endeavour to do at St John Vianney’s by daily immersion in Christian principles, conscious always that we set an example to the children under our care. We try to foster in the children a respect for self and others, an acceptance of life situations as they occur and the desire to achieve their full potential.

Enrolments

In the Wollongong Diocese parents may apply for enrolment in Kindergarten if their child’s fifth birthday is before 30th June, providing places are available and the enrolment criteria is met by the applicants.

Preference is given to children who are baptised Catholic and where one or both parents have a commitment and involvement in the parish. When the numbers of applications exceed places available, preference is given to older children.

Enrolments for Kindergarten at St. John Vianney’s School are taken in Term 1 each year following advertisements in the Parish Bulletin and the School Newsletter. Interviews with parents are held in Term 2 and parents are then notified in writing of acceptance for enrolment.

Enrolment in Years 1 – 6 is determined by the availability of places. Where places are not available children may be placed on a waiting list.

You can visit their website by clicking on the link provided

http://www.sjvdow.catholic.edu.au/index.html