History

St Francis Xavier College was established at the direction of Bishop Fox of the Diocese of Sale to provide urgently needed Catholic education that was entirely lacking in the Berwick/ Pakenham/ Narre Warren area.

An interim Board of Management consisting of representatives from the parishes of Berwick, Cranbourne, Koo Wee Rup, Iona /Maryknoll and Pakenham was set up to work towards the establishment of what was then known as the “West Gippsland Catholic Regional College”. Within a short time land was purchased on the existing site in Beaconsfield, the original buildings of three classrooms, a canteen and small office block were constructed and a meeting was held for prospective students and parents in St Michael’s Hall, Berwick, in November 1977.

This early vision of the community of a Catholic Regional College came to fruition on Tuesday February 7, 1978, when St Francis Xavier College opened its doors to the first intake of 72 students.

Led by the Principal, Mr Robert Schneider, and a foundation staff of 5 the school prospered and within two years needed additional classrooms. As the population of the South Eastern suburbs continued to grow, student numbers expanded and, in 1987, a second campus was established at Cranbourne which grew to become independent as St Peter’s College Cranbourne in 1994. With the need for additional blocks of classrooms at Beaconsfield, buildings were named as “Houses” to commemorate the founding fathers: Mr Des McKenna , Mr Terry Synan (Director of Catholic Education – Diocese of Sale ), Mons. John Gallagher (Parish Priest of Berwick), Mr Robert Schneider (the foundation Principal), Mr Jack Thomas (foundation Board member and College Accountant). Later, as a result of projected enrolments increasing three more “Houses” were added to the College buildings; Burgess (after Bob, a member of the Ancillary Staff of the College), White (after Gael, an inspirational Librarian and early Board member) and McDonagh (after Maureen, a past Chairperson of the College Board).

Today, the College has grown to a dual campus educational institution with a student enrolment of 1889, a combined staff of 230 and an extensive building complex over two campuses. 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, provides innovative and quality education for students in Years 7-9 while the Beaconsfield Campus offers a wide reaching curriculum for senior students in Years 10-12.

There are eight feeder primary schools within the five Parishes of our region and we look forward to continuing to meet the challenge of providing Catholic secondary education for our ever expanding community. With the knowledge that education is a sacred vocation, we seek to develop in our young people, the Christian values of competence, conscience and compassion and look with hope and enthusiasm to the future of our vibrant learning community. A community that is inspired by the tradition of our College motto of Jesus as “The Way, the Truth and the Life”.

St Francis Xavier 500th Anniversary

In 2006, the College celebrated the 500th anniversary of the birth of its Patron Saint, Francis Xavier.

The name of the College, chosen by its first Principal, Mr Robert Schneider, was inspired by the life of St. Francis Xavier, the Patron Saint of Australia, often described as “the Apostle of the Indies”.

The zeal and pioneer spirit of those who established the College, the building of the College Chapel by volunteer labour and materials from the College Parents & Friends Association, the amazing collection of crosses collected by travellers in the College community from all parts of the world are just some examples of the strong spirit of community inspired by St Francis Xavier and his many travels carrying the cross as a universal symbol of Christianity, transcending the bounds of culture and language,.

Each year the College has a theme for its community to focus upon, again one which reflects the vision of its founder. In 2006 the College focused on the theme inspired in its motto: Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Under the leadership of the Principal, Mr Paul Desmond, various celebrations took place and each sector of the College community initiated a special project to commemorate the 500th anniversary.

Forming part of the 500th celebrations the College instigated a series of Guest Speaker Evenings featuring people who epitomise some of the courage, commitment and conscience inspired by the College’s Patron Saint. The speakers included Jason McCartney - AFL Identity and Bali Bombing Survivor, Li Cunxin - author of the international best seller - Mao’s Last Dancer, Moira Kelly - Director of Children’s First Foundation and Richard Leonard - Jesuit Priest and expert in the charism of Francis Xavier.

The commissioning of a permanent memorial at both the Berwick and Beaconsfield Campus was also completed to commemorate the Anniversary.

Former student, Pamela Cunningham, was commissioned to create a statue to honour St Francis Xavier which now welcomes visitors to the Beaconsfield Campus.

The sculpture, created in bronze cast is a life size replica placed on a large granite base and was unveiled on Wednesday February 14, by the Most Reverend Bishop Jeremiah Coffey, Bishop of the Diocese of Sale.

A large wooden cross was also erected at the Berwick Campus set amongst large rocks symbolizing the Parishes within the College community.

College Principal, Mr Paul Desmond, also initiated an annual “Living Treasures” award to recognize people who have working tirelessly for the development of the College. In 2006, these awards were presented to Mr Des O’Connell of Maryknoll, (designer of the College crest) and Mr Des McKenna (a founder of the College).

Special projects also included the construction of a 1.5km walking track around the Campus, called “The Way” to be used for fitness and recreation by staff and students. A Japanese style Peace & Reflection garden was also established as a memorial to enhance the College grounds.

The actual day of St Francis Xavier’s 500th Anniversary,
April 7, was a great day of celebration at the College with special Campus assemblies and an evening community Mass.

In 2007 we chose the key words from our Vision Statement: Competence, Conscience and Compassion , as the ideals to which we aspire. In 2008 our motto was "Courage to Care" and in 2009 we "Walk in Hope"

St Francis Xavier on the Catholic Information Network