St Francis Xavier places a paramount emphasis on the pastoral care of our students, parents, families, and staff. We believe in nurturing a supportive community where everyone feels valued and cared for. As part of this commitment, we provide various forms of support within our community.
Stage Parent Support Teams are a rewarding and interactive way to become more involved in our school community. These teams promote a sense of belonging and support those in need, as well as serve as an additional point of contact for parents to relay information, concerns, and suggestions to the school administration. These team members also assist with the sharing of important school announcements, updates, and event information with the parents in their class group. They encourage parent involvement in school activities, events, and volunteer opportunities. They may also organise social gatherings or parent meetings to foster relationships and encourage positive and constructive conversations. The Community Tuckerbox is a special initiative at St Francis Xavier that aims to provide support and assistance to members of our school community who may be facing challenging circumstances. The Community Tuckerbox is a dedicated resource where essential food items, personal care products, and other necessities are made available for our families to access when needed. Mini Vinnies is an engaging and empowering program at St Francis Xavier that encourages primary school students to make a positive difference in their local and global communities. Inspired by the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mini Vinnies provides young students with the opportunity to develop their compassion, empathy, and leadership skills through various acts of service and social justice initiatives. As leaders of the school, Stage 3 students are given the opportunity to be peer mediators to support younger students during lunchtime, particularly for Kindergarten and Stage 1 students. Their goal is to ensure everyone at our school feels included and is treated with kindness. Peer mediators are guided by teachers to support younger students when solving minor conflicts to have an enjoyable and safe playtime. Our Buddy Program is thoughtfully designed to offer support and build meaningful relationships between Kindergarten and Year 6 students. This program plays a crucial role in helping children as they embark on their first year of school, ensuring they feel secure and connected to the larger school community. It also instils a sense of responsibility in our older students, nurturing their leadership skills and empathy. At St Francis Xavier, we strongly encourage all students to showcase leadership by leading by example and engaging in acts of service. We provide ample opportunities for students to develop this important skill through a variety of experiences, including the Year 6 Leadership Ministries. These ministries allow our students to take on leadership roles, exercise their decision-making abilities, and contribute positively to the school community. We believe that in developing students' leadership skills, we empower them to be confident and responsible individuals who will make a difference in our world. At St Francis Xavier, we are committed to Positive Behaviour Support to ensure the overall well-being and success of our students. Our Positive Behavior Support (PBS) framework is designed to promote positive behaviours, create a safe and inclusive atmosphere, and enhance the learning experience for all. In our PBS approach, we focus on the following key elements: Through our Positive Behaviour Support framework, we strive to create a nurturing and respectful school culture where every student feels valued, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential. We empower our students to become responsible, compassionate, and successful individuals by promoting positive behaviours and providing a foundation for social-emotional growth. At St Francis Xavier, our school counsellor is available to work with students and families who may require additional support. The school counsellor works closely with the wellbeing support teacher to provide 1:1 and small group sessions such as Seasons for Growth and social skills support.