From the Principal – 18 August 2025

Dear parents and friends,

Our students have had a great start to Term 3 and it is such a source of pride to see them so invested in their studies and relationships with their teachers and each other. Our learning environment is emblematic of a school where contemporary pedagogy and an emphasis on student wellbeing enhance the experience of our students. It is during Term 3 that our Year 8, 9 and 10 students undertake course counselling and choose their electives and senior courses in preparation for the following year and I am delighted with their interest in and enthusiasm for the range of new and contemporary courses and learning opportunities their teachers have developed for the 2026 academic year and which are unique to Francis Xavier College.  

At our mid Semester Junior and Senior Awards ceremonies recently we esteemed the academic, community leadership and effort of our students in Semester 1. I wish to offer my warm congratulations to all our students who received awards and my thanks to the parents and grandparents who attended the ceremonies.

Congratulations to the following students who received Academic Excellence awards in their respective cohorts.

Year 7 - Sam Harvey

Year 8 - Amelia Arentsen

Year 9 - Zara Nicholson

Year 10 - Pranav Kumar

Year 11 - Farhana Khan

Year 12 - Mia Givens 

Our College Musical Legally Blonde which aired recently in our newly refurbished theatre was an outstanding success in every respect. As an extravaganza of colour, energy and hilarity in the tradition of musical theatre the performances of our students in each of their scenes, as vocalists, dramatists, dancers, musicians or as members of the backstage crew reflected excellent casting, discipline and dedication to their craft. We could not have had such a colourful and successful musical without the skill and leadership of our Producer Dale Thane who was ably supported by the cast and crew, college staff and alumni. Thank you to the parents of our cast and crew for your support for our students and their participation in the musical, without which they would not have been able to commit the time and energy necessary for this endeavour.

Our Year 12 ATAR seekers will participate in their AST examinations next week. Year 12 have been preparing for these for two years under the expert guidance of their teachers, and along with their course scores in each of their units of study the AST contributes toward their ATARS. I am sure you will join me in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers and in wishing each of them the very best for the AST. 

Toward the end of this week or early next week we will be launching our new website. We have engaged a website developer to assist us in its development to arrive at a more contemporary and accessible interface between the school and our community. It will showcase our key messages and documentation and be a source of celebration of events, staff and students. I am going to ask staff, students and our parent Community Council to provide feedback once it is operational. 

Finally, I wish you and your families the very best for the weeks ahead. Please do not hesitate to contact me at principal@sfx.act.edu.au if I can assist you in any way.

Yours sincerely

Sandra Darley

College Principal