IN 1978, St Francis Xavier College opened its doors to the first intake of 75 students. Today, the college has grown into a three campus educational institutions with a student enrolment of more than 2500, a combined staff of more than 300 and an extensive building complex.
The college offers a comprehensive curriculum with values centred on the Gospel teachings of Jesus and the remarkable life of its patron, St Francis Xavier.
The Berwick Campus, established in 2003, and the Officer Campus, 2012, provide innovative and quality education for students in Years 7-9; while the Beaconsfield Campus offers a broad curriculum for students in Years 10-12. The co-curricular options are grouped into academic, community service, cultural endeavour and sports. Involvement in these areas is encouraged through Courage and Courtesy Achievement Awards.
The college celebrates the individual and encourages each person to discover his or her own particular uniqueness. The college strongly believes that everyone is capable of learning and improving their skills and knowledge, not only of a particular subject, but also of themselves and others.
The college is committed to meeting the needs of students by encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, analysis, critical thinking, creativity and reflection. They strive to develop a learning environment where the pursuit of individual excellence is promoted and celebrated.
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 undertake an extensive curriculum across all learning areas. While Years 7 and 8 study a core curriculum in the learning areas, Year 9 students are given the opportunity to explore different areas through choice. In Year 10, the range of subjects on offer broadens and may include Units 1 and 2 of a VCE subject or a VCE-VET subject, leading students into many options in their VCE years. The college also offers an extensive VCAL program as an alternative to the VCE.
The college focuses on the development of quality leaders. Therefore, they are committed to developing both the quality of leadership and capacity for leadership among staff, and providing teaching and learning opportunities to encourage student leadership.
The development of an informed and compassionate student begins with the religious education program and continues through opportunities provided by the Christian Leadership Program across all year levels. Retreats and reflection days are held during the year where presentations, activities, liturgies and quiet times are geared to the different stages of students’ development.
Being members of a Catholic school based on the Gospel of the Risen Jesus, the college believes that all students are potential leaders, and so it encourages them to take leadership roles in the Church of the future. The aim is to enable them to grow into men and women of conscience, competence and compassion.
For more information, contact the college on 9707 3111 or info@sfx.vic.edu.au
