Wellbeing

At St Francis Xavier’s College we are committed to the wellbeing of our students. The House system and Tutor Groups break the student body down into small "family" groups.

The Wellbeing Team consists of the: Assistant Principal (Wellbeing), Assistant Principal (Studies), 8 House Coordinators, Wellbeing Coordinator, School Counsellors, Learning Support Coordinator, Careers Advisor, Ministry Coordinator and Aboriginal Education Teacher.  A School counsellor is available to the students on site every day.

The information evenings, orientation days, the "Getting to Know You Day" and "Meet and Greets" with House Coordinators are all designed to facilitate a smooth transition into the College.

St Francis Xavier’s College offers a range of extra curricula activities to provide students with opportunities to become involved, to learn about themselves, to meet people, to show initiative, to build interpersonal skills, to develop or build skills in leadership, teamwork and communication.

Social Justice/Wider Community

  • Vinnies: there is an active group at the College which meets weekly and organises activities to support those in need in the wider community.
  • Community Care Van: the College has around 10 teams of staff and students who volunteer on Saturday afternoons to provide food and a gathering place for those in need.
  • Refugee Hub: students volunteer to meet with & have conversations with refugees to help build their English language skills.
  • Cambodian Immersion: each year approx. 6 students and staff travel to Cambodia and provide help at a school “Lavalla” for disabled children.
  • MAPS (Marist Asia Pacific): students support MAPS through fundraising and awareness raising
  • Marist Youth Forums: students attend these annual events in Mittagong and other events as they arise.
  • "Teaching in the Primary Schools" is a program where students lead activities with younger students.
  • Charities: the SRC and Solidarity Leaders organise fund and awareness raising for charities of their choosing.

Transition into the College

After the Information evenings an interview with the student and at least one parent takes place early in October with a staff member to discuss the chosen program of study.

There are separate orientation days for each of the associated schools and students from non-associated schools.

A “Getting To Know You Day” in week 4 for Yr 11 involves activities designed to help students become more familiar with those students in their Tutor Group and their House Group.

The Yr 11 Information evening early in Term 1 informs parents about how they can support their child and provides the forum to meet with their child’s Tutor Group Leader and other parents of the students in their child’s group. This provides the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice in a small setting.

A “Welcome Morning Tea” is provided for students from non associated schools around mid term 1 to enable these students to meet each other, student leaders and staff.

Yoga is offered free of charge to students one afternoon and one morning per week.

Meet & Greets: A House Coordinator will meet individually with each student in their House Group

Special Events

  • Anzac Day is commemorated at a special service at the College.  Two Yr 11 students work on a committee with students from other high schools to present the "All Schools Combined Anzac Service" to primary schools in the Newcastle area.
  • Commissioning Ceremony early in the year recognises the Students leaders for the year and formally commissions them into their roles.
  • House Celebration Days: each House celebrates the life of their respective founder on separate occasions throughout the year.
  • Retreat: this is a compulsory 2 day Retreat for Yr 12 and occurs during Week 5 of term 2.
  • “Battle of the Bands”: different groups within the College audition to compete at this annual competition in Term 1.
  • College Production is staged in term 2.