Xavier High School, Albury

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's Parish, 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 Congregation of 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.[4] There are 8 Houses within the school named after the aforementioned colleges.[5] Today, the school employs over 60 teaching staff.[6]

Xavier High School has many facilities, including an indoor stadium, with elevated stage, lighting and an audio-booth, mezzanine seating for 150, terraced seating for a further 200, and a capacity of 1,200; equipped with a surface catering for a range of indoor sports, a 200-seat Arts Centre, complete with elevated stage, stage lighting and audio-booth, 2 Music rooms, 3 Visual Arts rooms, 3 sound-proof music/tuition rooms assisting in private study, with recording equipment, a re-surfaced outdoor soccer/basketball court and access to 3 large sporting ovals, 4 fully equipped science laboratories and laboratory preparation room, 2 Computer rooms, offering internet access and a range of software programs, a library with a range of fiction and non-fiction reference materials and an adjacent classroom, 2 fully equipped Hospitality kitchens, modern Industrial Technology workshop, catering for a range of Industrial and VET-based subjects, a textiles room, recently refurbished/re-landscaped quadrangles, access to a developing wetland and rainwater recycling facility, a relatively recently constructed block of 5 classrooms, 4 recently constructed student locker bay, toilet facilities

Xavier hosts an annual House Cup competition between the 8 House groups, with points awarded for House achievement and participation in sporting carnivals and events.

House information

• 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 of Mary 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
• McAuley: "Working with others, leadership, dignity of all people, courage and compassion". McAuley House is named after Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy and is represented by the colour purple.
• 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.

In addition to a focus on academia and Catholic education, Xavier High School is represented in a number of sporting activities, including school based Athletics, Swimming and Cross-country carnivals, BISSA and CCC level individual and team sports and state-level and national individual and team sports. Sports focused on at Xavier High School primarily include Soccer, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics, Cross-country running, Hockey and Cricket. Current extra curricular activities include Musical Performance evenings, Art Exhibitions, Musicals/Stage Productions and involvement in ANZAC day services/supporting Legacy.

• Albury High School
• List of non-government schools in New South Wales
• Catholic education in Australia

• Official website