Our School
Our School
St John's Frankston East
St John's Frankston East
St John’s is a Catholic Primary School providing education from Foundation to Year 6. Since our establishment in 1967, we have proudly lived by our motto, ‘Love Is Life,’ fostering a community grounded in compassion, respect, and shared purpose.
At St John’s, we embrace the science of learning, using evidence-based teaching strategies to nurture every child’s potential. Our dedicated staff endeavour to create a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment where a love of learning thrives. We challenge our students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and develop the skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and integrity.
Child safety is at the heart of everything we do. Our Student-led Child-Safe Team plays an active role in promoting and safeguarding the wellbeing of all students, ensuring every voice is heard, valued, and respected.
Nestled beside the historic St John the Evangelist Church, our school shares a deep connection with its spiritual roots. The church was consecrated in 1981 in honour of Pope (Saint) John XXIII and is adorned with breathtaking stained glass windows crafted by artist William Gleeson—an enduring treasure in Frankston East.
St John’s is more than a school—it’s a community. Together with our Parish leaders and parents, we are committed to providing a holistic education that integrates Gospel values with the demands of today’s world. Through cooperation, respect, and shared responsibility, we guide our students to become compassionate leaders and lifelong learners who are ready to make a difference.
School History
St John’s Catholic Primary School in Frankston East opened on 5 February 1967 with an enrolment of 24 students under the leadership of Mrs Margaret Carruthers as sole teacher and principal. St John’s Parish was established as an official Parish on 1st February 1969.
From these humble beginnings, St John’s has developed and flourished under the leadership of six different principals. The order of the Faithful Companions of Jesus led the school from 1968 to 1988 with Sr Kevin Nunan FCJ (1970–1980) and Sr Peter Wilson FCJ (1980–1988). The FCJ Nuns helped form the foundational charism of Saint John’s Catholic Primary School. The FJC Charism is an Ignatian spirituality where members work in a missionary spirit and adapt their religious life to the changing needs of the society and culture in the area in which they live.
The school’s leadership continued with Mrs Dana Morison (1989–1998), Mr Paul Hartin (1998– 2016), Mrs Tonia Tamblyn (2017 - 2019) and continues today with Mr Derek Bruitzman (2020 - current ).
St John’s Primary School is one of three catholic primary schools in Frankston. In 2018, it became more closely linked to the St Francis Xavier Parish. Both Parishes reside in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Currently, the dual Parish (St John's and St Francis Xavier) are under the guidance of the Spiritans, a French Order of priests. The current Parish Priest is Fr Chinua Okeke and the Assistant Priest is Fr Jude Agorchukwu.
In 2017, Saint John’s Catholic Primary School commemorated fifty years of operation providing Catholic education to students in the Frankston area. The school enjoys strong community support and is proud of its positive reputation as a welcoming and inclusive community which provides many opportunities for its students to participate in the life and culture of the school.
Principal's Welcome
Derek Bruitzman
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the St John’s Primary School community.
As educators, we are shaping the minds of Generation Alpha—the first generation to have never known a world without touchscreen technology. In a time where knowledge is expanding exponentially, entire industries are being transformed by digital innovation. By the time our students enter the workforce, nearly half of today’s jobs will have evolved or disappeared due to rapid technological advancements. This presents both an exciting opportunity and a significant responsibility: to equip our students with the skills they need to thrive in an unpredictable future.
At St John’s, we embrace the science of learning to ensure every child develops strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. Education today is no longer just about acquiring information—it’s about developing deep understanding, fostering curiosity, and applying knowledge in meaningful ways. Neuroscience and educational research continue to shape our teaching, helping us create engaging learning environments that support brain development, memory retention, and lifelong learning.
Our goal is for every child to experience personal growth each year, supported by dedicated teachers who tailor learning to meet their individual needs. Through evidence-based teaching, game-based learning, inquiry-driven instruction, and collaborative classrooms, we empower students to take ownership of their learning, reflect on their thinking, and embrace challenges with confidence.
At the heart of our school is our Catholic faith. Learning at St John’s is a journey of self-discovery, shaped by Gospel values and enriched by a deep sense of community. We encourage students to grow in their understanding of themselves, others, and their faith, fostering a spirit of compassion, integrity, and service.
"To know God is to know yourself; to know yourself is to know the world." – Anon
We believe that learning brings hope and endless possibilities. At St John’s, we are committed to providing a holistic education that prepares students to navigate an ever-changing world while remaining grounded in faith, knowledge, and purpose.
I invite you to join us on this exciting journey.
Kind Regards,
Derek Bruitzman
Principal
Australian Citizen Statement
At St John’s we are committed to creating an environment that supports the development of effective Australian citizens, who have an awareness of the values and systems which underpin our democracy.
We strive to ensure that our children develop the following:
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An understanding of, and commitment to, Australia’s democratic system of government, law and civic life.
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The capacity to clarify and critically examine values and principles that underpin Australia’s democracy and the ways in which these contribute to a fair and just society and a sustainable future. These values/principles include – Care and Compassion, Doing Your Best, A Fair Go, Freedom, Honesty and Trustworthiness, Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Understanding, Tolerance and Inclusion.
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The knowledge, skills and values that support active citizenship and the capacity to act as informed and responsible citizens.
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An appreciation of the local, state, national and global rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic life.
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An appreciation of the experiences and heritage of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their influence on Australian civic identity and society.
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An appreciation of the uniqueness and diversity of Australia as a multicultural society and a commitment to supporting intercultural understandings within the context of Australian democracy.
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An understanding of the ways in which citizens and governments contribute to environmental sustainability in local to global contexts and a commitment to adopting values, behaviour and lifestyles required for a sustainable future.
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An appreciation of the influence of media, information and communication technologies on the views and actions of citizens and governments.
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An understanding of historical perspectives on Australia’s development as a democratic nation.
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An understanding of the ways in which governance structures from other countries are similar to or differ from democracy in Australia.
House Values
The students of each family who joins our school are allocated to one of our four houses. Each house is dedicated to a past influential member of St John’s and a unique gospel value.
Red House (Wilson) is dedicated to Sister Peter Wilson, a Faithful Companions of Jesus nun and past Principal of St John’s. The Gospel value of Wilson is compassion.
Blue House (Walsh) is dedicated to Father William Walsh, the first parish priest of St John’s Church. The Gospel value of Walsh is devotion.
Green House (MacLellan) is dedicated to Father Alistair Maclellan who was the longest serving parish priest at St John’s Church. The Gospel value of MacLellan is acceptance.
Gold House (Nunan) is dedicated to Sister Kevin Nunan a Faithful Companions of Jesus nun and first Principal of St John’s. The Gospel value of Nunan is dignity.
Students participate in a variety of events over the year while representing their houses.
School Prayer
Dear God,
We pray for our school community of St John's.
May we continue to work together, sharing joyful times and celebrating life.
May we always treat each person as a gift from you and show care and support for others.
May our school continue to be a place where "Love is Life" is lived, as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Amen
Our Parish
St John’s School is one of three Catholic primary schools that are part of Frankston. The school is affiliated with St John’s and St Francis Xavier Parishes and belongs to the Archdiocese of Melbourne. We are located next to St John’s the Evangelist Church where we come together to celebrate our masses, liturgies and Sacramental celebrations.
Parish Priest: Rev Fr Chinua Okeke CSSp
Church: 20 Coral Street, Frankston East
Assistant Priest: Fr Jude Agorchukwu CSSp
Phone: 03 9783 3484
Fax: 03 9783 2210
Learning
Spaces
Care, Safety & Welfare of Students
Child Safety & Wellbeing
Complaints Handling
Curriculum
Employment
Enrolment
Governance
Infrastructure
Student management
Before & After School Care
Before and after school care is available for students at St John’s Primary School. This service is provided on the school premises. We are fortunate to have Extend operating from our shared Grade 5/6 area. This Child-Care facility is fully accredited, and also offers holiday care (not held on site at St John’s).
For More information on Extend Care and fees check out our website: Extend
Uniform
The Uniform Shop at school is now closed.
From 1st December uniform will be available to purchase from
Peninsula Uniforms
Unit 1/1 Titan Dr, Carrum Downs VIC 3201