Xavier College
Xavier College | |
---|---|
Boys (F–12) | |
Number of students | 1,802 |
Colour(s) | Cardinal and Black |
Affiliations | IPSHA APS AHISA ABSA JACSA |
Website | www |
Xavier College is a
The college is part of the international network of Jesuit schools begun in
The school is in the
In December 2010, The Age reported that, on the number of alumni who had received a top Order of Australia honour, Xavier College ranked equal tenth among Australian schools.[8]
Grant Thomas described the school as "the best-connected school in Melbourne".[9] Its notable alumni include one archbishop, two state governors, one deputy prime minister, one state premier, three deputy premiers, one High Court justice and numerous Supreme Court justices.
History
What is now called "The Senior Campus" is located on Barkers Road in
In 1993, a multi-purpose sports centre, the Stephenson Centre (since renamed), was opened. A science facility and the Eldon Hogan Performing Arts Centre opened on the campus in 2008, with eleven science laboratories, a
At his appointment as principal in October 1997, Chris McCabe was the first lay head of a
Some buildings on the Senior Campus,[15] and Studley House at the Burke Hall Campus,[16] are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Xavier has a long-standing rivalry with St Kevin's College, in legal circles, an Old Xaverian Supreme Court judge quipping that 'You boys who were taught by the Brothers can never aspire to the Supreme Court. Positions on that Bench are reserved for those of us who were taught by the Jesuits'.[17]
- Memorial Chapel
An Italian Renaissance style chapel was built in 1927 to celebrate the golden jubilee of Xavier College.[citation needed] From conception to completion, construction took around sixteen years and was led by Rectors Edmund Frost and Frank O’Keefe.
The foundation stone reads:
AD HONOREM DEI VIVENTIS IN MEMORIAM SODALIUM DEFUNCTORUM HUNC LAPIDEM PRIMARIUM IMPOSUIT RMUS DANIEL MANNIX D.D. ARCHIEPISCOPUS MELBOURNENSIS FESTO CHRISTI REGIS AN. MDCCCCXXVII |
In honour of our living God In memory of our fallen comrades This foundation stone was laid by His Grace Daniel Mannix D.D. Archbishop of Melbourne on the Feast of Christ the King In the year 1927 |
- Burke Hall
In 1920, Studley Hall, a gift from T.M. Burke, a Catholic businessman, was opened in 1921 as Xavier's first
- Kostka Hall
Following the request by Daniel Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne, that the school should have a campus in the southern suburbs of the city, William Hackett SJ, Rector of Xavier opened the Kostka Hall Junior campus in Brighton in 1937, with the addition of a second building, Marchwood (also known as St Johns).[10] This was demolished in 1959 to make way for a major building project, including classrooms, tuckshop, and administrative buildings, and a chapel was built in 1967. Science rooms were added in 1969, and in the 1970s the Jesuits bought various adjoining properties to expand the campus. In 1996 a multi-purpose hall was completed with a new arts centre opened in 1998. In 2005 an Early Years Centre based on the one at Burke Hall was opened. This campus was closed in 2021, due to a decline in enrollments, and in 2024 a new building called 'The Kostka Building' was built at the Senior Campus, primarily to be used by year 7 and 8 students, who in 2024 transitioned from Burke Hall to the Senior Campus.
- Buxton Campus
In addition to the three main campuses, the school has an outdoor education facility in
Houses
Senior Campus
After existing in some form for several decades, in 1977 the system of inter-house sport and activities was restructured. Each house was assigned a housemaster and seven tutors. Boys are split up into these seven tutor groups within each house and the tutor group meets each day with the tutor acting as mentor during their four-year attendance. House meetings take place around once a week, lockers are organised according to house and several inter-house sporting events are held each year.[21] In 1991, the houses, previously known by their colour, were given names.[22] and in 2010, the new houses of MacKillop and Regis were added.
House | Named after | Motto | Premierships † | Number of Premierships |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bellarmine | Robert Bellarmine | Integrity In All | 1998, 2018 | 2 |
Cheshire | Leonard Cheshire | No Call Ignored | 1992, 1997, 2021 | 3 |
Claver | Peter Claver | To Serve Not Be Served | 1995, 2004, 2009, 2010‡, 2016, 2017 | 6 |
Gonzaga | Aloysius Gonzaga | No Greater Love | 1991, 1993, 1996, 2006, 2010‡, 2011 | 6 |
Ignatius | Ignatius of Loyola | To God Alone The Glory | — | — |
MacKillop | Mary MacKillop | Virtue Conquers All | 2012, 2015, 2020, 2023 | 4 |
Mannix | Daniel Mannix | Love One Another | 2000, 2014, 2022 | 3 |
Regis | John Francis Regis | Courage Burns Within | — | — |
Ricci | Matteo Ricci | To Understand The Unknown | 1994, 1999, 2001, 2015 | 4 |
Spinola | Charles Spinola | Always and Ever Faithful | 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2019 | 6 |
† Unawarded 2001–2002.
‡ Gonzaga and Claver shared the 2010 Old Xaverians Trophy for the Champion House, having accumulated the same number of points throughout the year.
Burke Hall
The six houses of Burke Hall had existed for many years as Hodgson, Ignatius, Studley, Surbiton, Trawalla, and Waverley.[22] In 1987, two new houses were added and with the exception of Ignatius, the houses were renamed. Due to the Year Seven and Eights moving to the Senior Campus in 2024, new houses will be made for the Junior School and will be implemented at the start of the 2024 school year.
House | Named after | Motto | Premierships |
---|---|---|---|
Aloysius | Aloysius Gonzaga | No Greater Love | 1999, 2005, 2008, 2009 |
Campion | Edmund Campion | The Expense Is Reckoned | 1987‡, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2006‡, 2013, 2018, 2019 |
Claver | Peter Claver | To Serve Not Be Served | 1988, 2010, |
Ignatius | Ignatius of Loyola | To God Alone The Glory | 1992, 2012, 2014 |
Loyola | Ignatius of Loyola | And Not To Count The Cost | 2002, 2007, 2011 |
Owen | Nicholas Owen |
Unless The Lord Builds | 2003, 2004, 2006‡ 2014 |
Regis | John Francis Regis | Your Word My Light | 1994, 1997, 2016 |
Southwell | Robert Southwell |
Who Least Hath Some | 1987‡, 1996, 2000, 2017, 2020 |
‡ Tied premierships: 1987, 2006.
Early Years Centre
Upon its foundation in 2002, separate houses were created for the Early Years Centre students at Burke Hall.
House | Named after |
---|---|
Chisholm | Caroline Chisholm |
Favre | Peter Favre
|
Berchmans | John Berchmans |
MacKillop | Mary MacKillop |
Kostka Hall
Awards commenced in 1971.
House | Named after | Motto | Premierships |
---|---|---|---|
Campion (formerly Tully House) | Edmund Campion | The Expense Is Reckoned | 1976, 1977, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
Claver (formerly Hackett House) | Peter Claver | To Serve Not Be Served | 1973, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2009 |
Owen (formerly Maritima House) | Nicholas Owen |
Unless The Lord Builds | 1972, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Regis (formerly Craig House) | John Francis Regis | Your Word My Light | 1971, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1988, 1993, 2001, 2008 |
Curriculum
Xavier offers its senior students the
Xavier has a strong academic history. For each of the past sixteen years (excluding 2009 and 2015) the Dux of the school received an ATAR score of 99.95, the highest possible.[citation needed] In 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2016, three students achieved this mark at Xavier out of 32 in the state.[23] In 2012, five students achieved the maximum ATAR of 99.95.
Year | Rank | Median study score | Scores of 40+ (%) | Cohort size |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | 37 | 34 | 21.4 | 458 |
2013 | 63 | 33 | 18.8 | 451 |
2014 | 64 | 33 | 17.8 | 468 |
2015 | 69 | 33 | 16.6 | 442 |
2016 | 67 | 33 | 14.1 | 430 |
2017 | 66 | 33 | 15.0 | 399 |
2018 | 53 | 34 | 17.0 | 391 |
2019 | 56 | 34 | 16.2 | 417 |
2020 | 45 | 34 | 19.2 | 399 |
Co-curriculum
The main activities include Sport, Music, Drama,
Community service
Students are encouraged to participate in community service, and a minimum amount of completed service hours is mandated. Each Friday evening Xavier students volunteer their time at a tutoring school in
In collaboration with Genazzano FCJ College, Xavier College participates in a community outreach program in conjunction with the combined parishes of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Deepdene, Sacred Heart, Kew and Immaculate Conception, Hawthorn. For the duration of one week, 12 students from the partnered schools participate in a community building program in Bourke, an Outback town of New South Wales.[citation needed]
Debating
From Year 8 and above, students have the opportunity to participate in the Toorak division of the Debaters Association of Victoria competition. The college also takes part in the annual Jesuit Schools' Debating Carnival competing with Aloysius, Ignatius Riverview, Ignatius Adelaide and Loyola Mt Druitt.[citation needed]
Sport
Sport is compulsory for all students at Xavier,[26] and in addition to cricket and Australian rules football, a range of sporting activities are offered including athletics, badminton, basketball, cross country, hockey,
Cricket is the main summer sport and the school has won premierships in 2009/10 and 2010/11.[28] Two alumni who pursued careers in the sport were Percy McDonnell (1860–1896) who captained the Australian Test team in six matches, including the tour of England in 1888, and Karl Schneider (1905–1928), who is described in Cricinfo as one of "the most naturally gifted batsmen to have graced the game".[29] While at the school, he played in the 1st XI for four years, three of which as captain. He broke the APS runs (1642) and wickets (139) records which remain unbroken,[29] and captained Xavier to back-to-back premierships in 1923–24.[28] Due to the performances of David Seal in 1974 the school won the premiership once again after fifty years.[30] Cricket alongside rowing (colloquially known as XCBC) are the two biggest summer sports at the college.
The school's
Along with football, the school's Old Xaverian community also links with the Old Xaverians Soccer Club and Old Xaverians Athletics Club.
APS Premierships
Xavier has won the following APS premierships:[32]
- Athletics (16) – 1957, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1991, 2009
- Basketball (3) – 2000, 2014, 2019
- Cricket (11) – 1910, 1923, 1924, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2020
- Cross Country (3) – 2004, 2008, 2014
- Football (30) – 1910, 1917, 1924, 1932, 1933, 1955, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2021
- Futsal (3) – 2015, 2020, 2021
- Hockey (4) – 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
- Rowing (5) – 1928, 1929, 1937, 1948, 1999
- Soccer (10) – 1997, 1998, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022
- Tennis (4) – 1995, 2007, 2008, 2009
- Volleyball (2) – 2014, 2018
- Water Polo (8) – 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
Performing Arts
Performing Arts have been part of the school's activities since 1929, with Musical Theatre/Operetta and Dramatic Plays having a shared focus in the college's co-curricular program. The school conducts an annual Senior Musical Production with Genazzano FCJ College[33] as well as the annual Winter Play and Spring Play, which has been performed in collaboration with Loreto Mandeville Hall since 2000. The two Junior Campuses also have Performing Arts and Dramatic programs, each staging a major production every year. With the development of both the Crypt Drama Studio, below the Memorial Chapel, in 1999 and the Eldon Hogan Performing Arts Centre, performing arts at the college has become an integral part in the school's co-curricular program.
The Yearly Senior Calendar includes:
- Annual Musical Production in late February/early March, produced in association with Genazzano FCJ College. (Year 10, 11, 12)
- The Comedy Revue, run entirely by and for students in late March. (Year 9, 10, 11, 12)
- VCE Theatre Studies Play, produced by the VCE Theatre Studies Class in May. (Year 11, 12)
- Annual Winter Play, produced in late July in association with Loreto Mandevalle Hall Toorak. (Year 9, 10, 11, 12)
- VCE Theatre Studies and Drama Solo and Monologue Performance Night in late September (Year 11, 12)
- Spring Play, coordinated and held at Loreto Mandevalle Hall, Toorak, in association with Xavier College Drama. (Year 9, 10, 11)
Maytime Fair
The Maytime Fair has been held annually in May since 1952 and is hosted by Xavier College. It raises funds for the work of the Jesuit Mission, with support from friends and benefactors connected with schools, parishes, and other communities in Victoria and beyond.[34] The annual fairs have been assisted by traditional sister school Genazzano FCJ College, and together, the two schools have provided a number of student-run stalls such as "Go Nuts for Donuts", a Fairy Tent and face-painting, amongst others.
Each stall and attraction at the Maytime Fair donates its profit to the work of Jesuit Mission. The Maytime Fair consistently contributes over $100,000 each year for work in the
Notable alumni
Alumni of Xavier College are known as Old Xaverians, and all former students become members the Old Xaverians' Association (OXA).[36]
In politics, academia and the law, Xavier's alumni include:[citation needed]
- Richard Alston, a former Federal minister and diplomat
- William Cox, a former Governor of Tasmania
- Tim Fischer, a former Deputy Prime Minister
- Sir James Gobbo, a former Governor of Victoria
- Rob Hulls, a former Deputy Premier of Victoria
- Phillip Lynch, a former federal Treasurer and Deputy Leader of federal Opposition
- Julian McGauran, a former Senator for Victoria
- Peter McGauran, a former Federal minister
- Pat McNamara, a former Deputy Premier of Victoria
- T. J. Ryan, a former Premier of Queensland
- Bill Shorten, Minister for Government Services and the NDIS
- Simon Steward Judge of the High Court of Australia
- Dan Tehan, former Federal Minister
- Brian O'Shaughnessy, philosopher of mind and action
In other areas, notable Old Xaverians include:[citation needed]
- Timothy Conigrave, actor, writer, and activist
- Robert De Castella, world champion marathon runner
- Peter Dahlsen, actor and barrister
- Will Davison, professional sports racing driver
- Alan Jones, Formula One world championship-winning driver
- Paul Fitzgerald, noted Australian portrait artist
- James P. Gorman, CEO of Morgan Stanley
- Denis Hart, the 8th Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne
- Lloyd J. Williams, property developer and businessman
- Jobe Watson, former Essendon AFL captain
- Bailey Smith, current Western Bulldogs AFL player
- Josh P. Kennedy, current Sydney Swans AFL co-captain
- Dan Hannebery, current St Kilda AFL player
- Ted Richards, former Sydney Swans AFL player
- Luke Ball, former Collingwood AFL player
- Sean Darcy, current Fremantle Dockers AFL player
- Laitham Vandermeer, Western Bulldogs player
- Changkuoth Jiath, Hawthorn AFL player
- Daniel Robinson, former Sydney Swans player
- Michael Green, Richmond Team of the Century
In popular culture
- Holding the Man, a memoir, a play, and a feature film, begins at Kostka Hall and then the Senior Campus.
- Remembering the Man, a feature-length documentary about the memoir Holding the Man, includes footage and photos of the Xavier College Senior Campus in the late 1970s and interviews with former students.
- Sir Les Patterson, a fictional character portrayed by Barry Humphries, "attended" Xavier College.
Historical sexual abuse allegations
In March 2013, a submission was made to Victoria's parliamentary inquiry into child sexual abuse about the alleged abuse of children in its care in the 1960s and 1970s.[37]
See also
- Catholic education in Australia
- List of schools in Victoria
- List of high schools in Victoria
- Victorian Certificate of Education
- List of Jesuit schools
References
- ^ "Announcement of new Principal". Xavier College. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
- ^ "About Us". About Xavier. Xavier College. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Xavier College". Catholic Schools Victoria. Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Professional Development". Victorian Branch. Junior School Heads Association of Australia. Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Victoria". School Directory. Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia. 2008. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Xavier College". Schools — Victoria. Australian Boarding Schools' Association. 2007. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Conclusions and further research" (PDF). Publications. The Australian Political Studies Association. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ Topsfield, Jewel (4 December 2010). "Ties that bind prove a private education has its awards". The Age. Melbourne. p. 11.
The hard copy article also published a table of the schools which were ranked in the top ten places:- 1st (19 awards) Scotch College, Melbourne
- 2nd (17 awards) Geelong Grammar School
- 3rd (13 awards) Sydney Boys High School
- Equal 4th (10 awards each) Fort Street High School, Perth Modern School and St Peter's College, Adelaide
- Equal 7th (9 awards each) Melbourne Grammar School, North Sydney Boys High School and The King's School, Parramatta
- Equal 10th (6 awards each) Launceston Grammar School, Melbourne High School, Wesley College, Melbourne and Xavier College.
- ^ "The Xavier network". The Age. Melbourne.
- ^ a b c "History". About Xavier. Xavier College. Archived from the original on 9 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Xavier College Science & Performing Arts Centre" (PDF). Catholic Development Fund. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ "Overview". About Xavier. Xavier College. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
- ^ Xavier principal announces his retirement, 6 February 2008, Province Express
- ^ "Xavier College welcomes new principal". 3 September 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ "{{{2}}}, Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0893, Heritage Overlay HO4". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria.
- ^ "Studley House, Victorian Heritage Register (VHR) Number H0789, Heritage Overlay HO101". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Billilla Mansion". 30 January 2007. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
- ^ Billilla Gardens Archived 20 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Brighton, Bayside City Council
- ^ "Xavier College - Outdoor Education Centre at Buxton". Archived from the original on 22 July 2010. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ Sharpe, Graham [ed.]. The Xaverian 2009, 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
- ^ a b Wallbridge, Fr Philip SJ [ed.]. The Xaverian 1981, 1981, pp. 86-91. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ "Xavier College - VCE Results". Archived from the original on 1 November 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ "Trend of Xavier College by VCE results". bettereducation.com.au. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Friday Night School moves to Richmond". 17 February 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ "Xavier College". Retrieved 27 December 2010.
- ^ "Co-curricular Program: Sport". Xavier College. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ a b c "Boys' APS Premierships" (PDF). The Associated Public Schools. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Karl Schneider". Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ Wallbridge, Fr Philip SJ [ed.]. The Xaverian 1975, 1975, pp. 105-6. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
- ^ "VAFA Premierships" (PDF). Victorian Amateur Football Association. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ "Boys' Premierships – APS Sport". Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Co-curricular Program: Productions". Xavier College. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
- ^ a b "The Maytime Fair". Events. The Jesuit Mission. 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Jesuit Mission says thanks". Province Express. 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
- ^ "Old Xaverians' Association". Alumni. Xavier College. 2007. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ Alison Caldwell (26 March 2013). "Xavier College abuse victim pushes for $6b lawsuit". ABC News (www.abc.net.au/news).
Further reading
- Schrader, H. J. T. (1926). School songs of Xavier. Xavier College.
- Dening, Greg (1978). Xavier: a centenary portrait. Old Xaverians' Association. ISBN 0-9595926-0-1.
- Brennan, Peter (1981). Report on the Australian Jesuit schools. Jesuit Publications Australia.
- Hawkins, Thomas (1999). Sursum corda, "Lift up your hearts": a history of Xavier College, 1914-1928. Monash University.
- Penrose, Helen (1999). Lifeline to India: a history of the Maytime Fair. Eldon Hogan Trust. ISBN 0-9577067-0-7.
- Penrose, Helen (1999). Red, black and khaki: cadets at Xavier College. Eldon Hogan Trust. ISBN 0-9577067-2-3.
- Pertzel, Barbara (1999). The Sincere gift of himself: a biography of Eldon Hogan. Eldon Hogan Trust. ISBN 0-9577067-4-X.
- Walters, Fiona (1999). A better, gentler school: music at Xavier College. Eldon Hogan Trust. ISBN 0-9577067-3-1.
- Waterhouse, Catherine (2001). Xaverians on active service: from South Africa to Vietnam. Eldon Hogan Trust. ISBN 0-9577067-5-8.
- Henderson, Paul (2005). Xavier behaviour. Eldon Hogan Trust. ISBN 0-646-44662-2.
- Murphy, Frank (2006). The vision splendid: a history of the Xavier Memorial Chapel. Eldon Hogan Trust. ISBN 0-9577067-7-4.