Statement of Special Religious Character
See also: Faith Development
St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School is part of the Catholic Education Family within the Diocese of Rockhampton. In this diocese, Catholic Education is responsible for three ministries – Adult Faith Education and Formation, Catholic Schools and Religious Education in State Schools. All who serve in these ministries strive to live the Catholic Education motto – “Meaning for Life”.
As a school community, through our words and actions, we strive to give witness to the defining features of a Catholic school –
The community of St Francis Xavier endeavours to convey the Gospel message through living out our motto “In Christ We Grow”. In our daily lives, we follow the example set by Jesus and make choices based on the values exemplified in the gospels.
St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School is situated in West Mackay. The traditional owners of the land upon which the school stands are the Yuwi Aboriginal tribe. They used the banks of the nearby Pioneer River for ceremonial purposes and the actual land where the school is located would have been the high ground on the south side of the river and used by the tribe for hunting and gathering bush tucker. Their name for the Spirit of the Dreaming is Yuwi and the totem of their tribe is the scrub turkey.
As a school community, through our words and actions, we strive to give witness to the defining features of a Catholic school –
- Give witness to the message of Jesus and the mission of the Church,
- Have a clear Catholic identity,
- Be open and accessible to all who seek our values,
- Offer a relevant and holistic curriculum of quality teaching and learning,
- Be a community of care,
- Develop and nurture inclusive partnerships within a community of faith.
The community of St Francis Xavier endeavours to convey the Gospel message through living out our motto “In Christ We Grow”. In our daily lives, we follow the example set by Jesus and make choices based on the values exemplified in the gospels.
St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School is situated in West Mackay. The traditional owners of the land upon which the school stands are the Yuwi Aboriginal tribe. They used the banks of the nearby Pioneer River for ceremonial purposes and the actual land where the school is located would have been the high ground on the south side of the river and used by the tribe for hunting and gathering bush tucker. Their name for the Spirit of the Dreaming is Yuwi and the totem of their tribe is the scrub turkey.
In 1935, two pioneering Sisters of Mercy, Sister Mary Louis and Sister Mary Stephen, came to West Mackay inspired by the zeal of their founder, Catherine McAuley. Their endeavor was to continue the “Journey of Service” the Sisters of Mercy had begun in Ireland and to open a school to educate the young. On February 4, 1935, they stood at the front of a tiny wooden building in Bridge Road, West Mackay and welcomed the first pupils to their new school.
The Sisters of Mercy charism comes to them from their foundress, Catherine McAuley, whose ideal of education without boundaries is reflected in the school’s current enrolment policy. As the national vision statement for the Sisters of Mercy reflects, Catherine and her companions were called to a new way of practising mercy through knowing God’s loving kindness and sharing it with others.
Many Sisters of Mercy were members of school staff over the first 50 years, having a profound influence on the students and the character of the school. One significant contributor to the growth of the school was Sister Mary Patrick. She taught at and was principal of the school from 1941 to 1951 and then again in 1954. It was in those years that the spirit and character of the school were formed and nurtured. The traditions, religious fervour, and culture which were established through her service to the children, has endured so well. Her motto instilled in the children was to live life well but to enjoy it. This outlook is referred to in the school’s Mission Statement today.
The Sisters of Mercy charism comes to them from their foundress, Catherine McAuley, whose ideal of education without boundaries is reflected in the school’s current enrolment policy. As the national vision statement for the Sisters of Mercy reflects, Catherine and her companions were called to a new way of practising mercy through knowing God’s loving kindness and sharing it with others.
Many Sisters of Mercy were members of school staff over the first 50 years, having a profound influence on the students and the character of the school. One significant contributor to the growth of the school was Sister Mary Patrick. She taught at and was principal of the school from 1941 to 1951 and then again in 1954. It was in those years that the spirit and character of the school were formed and nurtured. The traditions, religious fervour, and culture which were established through her service to the children, has endured so well. Her motto instilled in the children was to live life well but to enjoy it. This outlook is referred to in the school’s Mission Statement today.
This Mission Statement challenges us to:
The School’s patron saint is Saint Francis Xavier. His undertaking to serve the Lord - “Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do?” – and to spread the Good News is encompassed in the school’s Mission Statement and School Prayer, encouraging the students and staff in the school community to engage in serving the Lord by loving others and witnessing their faith. We take time as a community each year to celebrate his life through his feast day celebrations, in turn, bring St Francis Xavier’s message and our Mission Statement to life.
As we, the community of St Francis Xavier, move forward and accept new challenges, we carry with us the values of the Sisters of Mercy and a strong sense of identity that has been developed through a very proud history of devotion and generosity. May we look forward to a continuation of what our predecessors began in such a spirit of faith and continue the fervent and practical faith on which St Francis Xavier Catholic School was built.
- Learn
- Love
- Live the Gospel
- Witness our Faith
- Celebrate Life
The School’s patron saint is Saint Francis Xavier. His undertaking to serve the Lord - “Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do?” – and to spread the Good News is encompassed in the school’s Mission Statement and School Prayer, encouraging the students and staff in the school community to engage in serving the Lord by loving others and witnessing their faith. We take time as a community each year to celebrate his life through his feast day celebrations, in turn, bring St Francis Xavier’s message and our Mission Statement to life.
As we, the community of St Francis Xavier, move forward and accept new challenges, we carry with us the values of the Sisters of Mercy and a strong sense of identity that has been developed through a very proud history of devotion and generosity. May we look forward to a continuation of what our predecessors began in such a spirit of faith and continue the fervent and practical faith on which St Francis Xavier Catholic School was built.
