St Francis Xavier College

St Francis Xavier College provides an opportunity for students to continue their Catholic education beyond the Primary years of schooling. St Francis Xavier College was established at the direction of Bishop Fox of the Diocese of Sale to provide urgently needed Catholic education in the area. An interim Board of Management worked towards the establishment of a Catholic Regional College. Within a short time land was purchased, 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 November 1977.

On 7 February 1978, St Francis Xavier College opened its doors to the first intake of 75 students. Led by the Principal, Mr Robert Schneider, and a foundation staff of five, the school prospered. In 1987, a second campus was established at Cranbourne. Seven years later this became St Peter’s College. 

Today, the College has grown into a three-campus educational institution with a student enrolment of more than 2800 students from 2000 families, a combined staff of over 350 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, established in 2012, provide innovative and quality education for students in Years 7–9; while the Beaconsfield Campus offers a wide-ranging curriculum for senior students in Years 10–12.