Brief History of St Francis Xavier's College

St Francis Xavier’s College was established in 1985 to serve the Catholic youth of Newcastle, and district, for the last two years of their secondary schooling. It was seen as a continuation of the Catholic Education system founded in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle more than a hundred years ago.

The establishment of this senior College was a result of a major restructuring of Catholic schools in the Newcastle area at the time. An essential principle of this restructuring was “to establish a system which would provide equality of access and opportunity for both boys and girls, thereby eliminating some inequality that currently existed throughout the city.”

In deciding on one senior co-educational College for the Newcastle area, the Bishop and his advisers reasoned that “St Francis Xavier’s College will also be able to offer a wide range of electives and levels, improved class size and maximum use of senior school facilities”. The choice of the site was greatly influenced by its centrality and accessibility to transport facilities.

1985, the inaugural year of the new College, was a transitional year with co-educational classes in Year 10 as well as in Year 11, and with boys only in Year 12. It was not until the following year that there were only Years 11 and 12 at the College. 1986 saw a total student enrolment of approximately 850. This number continued to grow steadily and now enrolment numbers consistently exceed 1000.

From the beginning there has been an ongoing building program necessitated by an increasing enrolment and a changing school curriculum. There were also the disastrous effects of the 1989 earthquake involving considerable damage to many of the College buildings. It took at least two years to restore some buildings and to replace others completely lost.

A major addition to the campus was the construction of the College Hall. This building was opened in 2006 which then enabled assemblies, sports and drama to be undertaken in a modern and appropriate complex.

In more recent years there has been an emphasis on upgrading the facilities of the College. To this end a major program to provide disability access throughout the campus was undertaken in 2013.

Specialist centres were also constructed that included the MacKillop Centre for students with special needs and the Hospitality Centre for the delivery of VET Hospitality and Food Technology. This centre also operates as a café for students and staff before the start of school each day.

Towards the end of 2014 the campus was significantly enhanced with a complete renovation of the main quadrangle. This area was re-designed to include outdoor basketball/volleyball courts, artificial turf and modern landscaping.

Significant works were also undertaken in 2015 and 2016. These works included re-constructing four science laboratories, re-building the Music Centre into a modern, purpose-built complex and a complete reconstruction of the student toilets. Also, an extensive air-conditioning program was undertaken so that all classrooms were equipped with reverse-cycle air conditioning.

2022 saw the completion of a refurbishment and renewal of a ‘wellbeing’ space in the former school hall at the top of ‘B’ Block. The space is open-planned and comfortably furnished, inviting students to share some relational time together without the distractions of technology.