At St Francis Xavier Primary School Ballarat East, our aim is to keep alive this vision of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy and to give it practical expression. We do this by embedding the qualities of Mercy into our curriculum, our Pastoral Care Program and our policies and practices.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, Ballarat East, we are committed to honouring the vision of Catherine McAuley and the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy. We bring this vision to life by embedding the values of Mercy throughout our curriculum, pastoral care practices, and all school policies and procedures. These values guide our learning, relationships, and community life, shaping a nurturing and inclusive environment for all.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, our mission is grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ and inspired by the charism of the Sisters of Mercy. We are committed to providing an inclusive and faith-filled learning environment where each child is nurtured to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. We strive to develop motivated, creative and independent learners who live out Gospel values, demonstrate compassion and integrity, and show leadership, resilience and respect in service to others within the school and wider community.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, our curriculum is guided by the Victorian Curriculum, which provides a clear and consistent framework for teaching and learning from Foundation to Year 10. It supports us in planning meaningful learning experiences, assessing student progress, and reporting to families. We integrate this curriculum within the context of our Catholic values and the needs of our school community.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, Religious Education is guided by the Awakenings curriculum, developed for the Ballarat Diocese. We believe every child is unique, valued, and called to live a full and happy life with God. Our students grow in faith within a supportive community where Gospel values are taught, lived, and celebrated each day.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, our English program is built on a Structured Literacy philosophy and an Explicit Direct Instruction approach. Students develop skills in Reading, Writing and Oral Language through clear, intentional teaching and engaging learning experiences. Using whole-class and partner activities, we provide a supportive and challenging environment that caters to the needs of all learners.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, we teach Mathematics using the Origo Stepping Stones program, aligned with the Victorian Curriculum V2.0. Students explore key areas including Number, Space, Measurement, Chance and Data, and Working Mathematically. Our approach includes targeted focus group teaching to ensure all students are appropriately challenged and supported to develop essential mathematical skills and understanding.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, students benefit from a broad and engaging specialist program that includes Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Language – Auslan, and Science. These programs are contemporary, innovative, and aligned with current curriculum standards. They enrich our students’ learning by fostering creativity, curiosity, and global awareness, and form a valued and dynamic part of our whole-school curriculum.
At St Francis Xavier Primary School, our Integrated Curriculum uses Inquiry Learning to encourage students to explore, question, and connect ideas across subjects. This approach strengthens literacy skills, critical thinking, and creativity, helping students express themselves and apply their learning in meaningful, real-world ways.
The school actively participates in numerous sporting competitions and offers students opportunities to engage in private music lessons across a variety of instruments.
The School Leadership Team operates on a two-year curriculum planning cycle, using ongoing data analysis to drive school improvement. This includes integrated planning for staffing and school structures. Professional development is prioritised within collaborative teams focused on teaching, learning, and key initiatives.
We have a structured curriculum planning approach that fosters a shared vision among teachers and families, supported by common documentation. Teachers regularly analyse assessment data gathered through our SFX Assessment Schedule—to inform their planning.
Our Learning and Teaching Policy reflects and supports our school’s educational philosophy in practice.
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