Catholic schooling in the Albury region has experienced a long and successful tradition, dating back to 1868, wherein the Sisters Of Mercy established St Brigid's College on a small block of land owned by St Patrick'sParish, in South Albury. In 1885, Patrician Brothers opened a school for boys in an adjacent block in Olive Street, also owned by St Patrick's Parish. This school for boys was re-inaugurated by the Christian Brothers in 1917, the same year St Brigid's College was redeveloped and renamed, St Joseph's Ladies College. For the majority of a decade, The Sisters of Mercy and Christian Brothers delivered Catholic-based education to thousands of students across the area. All teaching during this time period was performed by clergy of the Church, linking closely with St Patrick's Parish. In 1959, a northern campus of the Boys College was established in Fallon Street North Albury, the site of the present day Xavier High. This establishment was named Aquinas College. In 1983, the boys and girls schools were amalgamated to create a co-educational system under the name "Xavier High School", named after Saint Francis Xavier. The campuses remained separated until January 2001 wherein the school united to share the redeveloped Northern campus, the site of the present day school. The school promotes its history to the student body, with many of the 8 Houses within the school named after the aforementioned colleges. Today, the school employs over 60 teaching staff in addition to numerous support staff and several volunteers. Additionally, continual redevelopment of facilities and structural expansion is currently in progress to accommodate the increasing number of enrolled students at the school.
Facilities
Xavier High School has undergone considerable development since its establishment, resulting in a host of educational facilities available for students, including;
a 900-seat Arts Centre, complete with elevated stage, stage lighting and audio-booth
access to a developing wetland and rainwater recycling facility
a recently constructed block of 4 classrooms and central computer room
4 recently constructed student locker bays and toilet facilities
Xavier High School is currently undergoing Stage 5 development, which presently includes an expansion of food technology and hospitality facilities to include a full commercial kitchen, construction of general learning spaces, a covered outdoor learning area and new walkways with work expected to be completed by the end of 2012
Houses
Xavier hosts an annual House-Cup competition between the 8 House groups of Xavier High School, with points awarded for House achievement and participation in sporting carnivals and events, fundraising, inter-house trivia and novelty events such as celebrations. The House-Cup winners for 2010 were Aquinas House, led by House Coordinator Jo Gleeson and House Captain Thomas Freeman and Julia Rossiter. Each House is briefly described below, outlining of the House leaders for 2010:
Aquinas"Enlightenment through learning, faith through understanding". Named after St Thomas Aquinas and Aquinas College, Aquinas is represented by the colour maroon.
Clark"Persistence, task completion, fitness, working joyfully". Named after Thelma Clark, the first lay teacher of St Joseph's Ladies College, Clark is represented by the colour gold.
Dynan"Gentleness, inner strength, striving for excellence, preserving what is good". Named in honour of Brother Dynan, a pioneer of Aquinas College, Dynan is represented by the colour red.
Joseph"Simplicity, Love of work, courage, faith". Traditionally, Joseph is named in honour of Joseph, the father of Jesus Christ, in addition to recognising St Joseph's Ladies College. Joseph is represented by the colour white.
Loreto"Holy place- in the way of Mary, loving and thoughtful". Loreto house is named after the village wherein the house ofMary the Mother of Jesus is situated and is represented by the colour blue.
MacKillop"Faith Bravery and Strength- forthright and battling adversity". Mackillop is named in honour of Sister Mary MacKillop, who was canonised as the first Saint born in Australia. MacKillop is represented by the colour green
Rice"To do, to lead and learn, working for others". Rice House is named after Edmund Rice, advocate for disadvantaged education and inspiration for the Christian Brothers and is represented by the colour orange.
Sports and extra-curricular
In addition to a focus on academia and Catholic education, Xavier High School is represented in a number of sporting activities, including;
