| Principal's Message | | http://www.sfx.qld.edu.au/our-school/Pages/Principal's-Message.aspx | Principal's Message | <h2 class="ms-rteElement-H2"><div dir="ltr"><p>Welcome to St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School, Runaway Bay.<br></p><p></p><p><img src="/our-school/SiteAssets/Pages/Principal%27s-Message/r1.jpg" alt="r1.jpg" /><br></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-13 ms-rteFontSize-1">It is with great pleasure that I welcome you and your family to St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School. Whether this is your first experience of Catholic education, or your family is continuing your journey with us, we hope that your association with St Francis Xavier's will be long-lasting, and one filled with many memorable experiences. We offer you not only a school of learning which is dedicated to providing a quality education, but also a community of faith which openly recognises Christ and seeks to live and proclaim His Gospel message.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-13 ms-rteFontSize-1">St Francis Xavier is a well-established school. It has strong links to the local community and a great reputation for providing a quality education for all students, not only those of the Catholic faith. Grounded in the traditional values and ideals of holistic Catholic education, we are committed to quality teaching that ensures success for all students. We value students, parents and staff as part of our community of learners and we encourage parents to be active partners in their child's education.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-13 ms-rteFontSize-1">Each child and parent wishing to enrol at St Francis Xavier must strive to uphold the values of this school. We are called to participate actively in maintaining the special character of the school's faith and cultural identity and agree to become a part of a community of learning, which is seeking knowledge of the world and of its Creator. By sending your child to this Catholic school, you openly affirm your support of a Catholic education. Hopefully, what we endeavour to offer at St Francis Xavier is far more than just 'another education'. Our commitment is to bring together faith and learning in ways that are real and meaningful to our own lives, and which ultimately reflect the life and message of Jesus Christ.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-13 ms-rteFontSize-1">St Francis Xavier School is part of the Holy Family Parish Runaway Bay and was established in 1975 to meet the educational and spiritual needs of Catholic children and a growing population at the northern end of the Gold Coast. Originally St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School was established with the construction of four classrooms, administration, tuckshop, library and toilet block. St Francis Xavier School opened its doors to 69 students. The school community now embraces 680 children from almost 480 families. The spirit of community, belonging and partnership between the school, the Parish and the parents is warmly encouraged.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-13 ms-rteFontSize-1">St Francis Xavier School is named after our Patron Saint, St Francis Xavier and offers a Catholic education based on the Gospel. St Francis Xavier was a founding member of the religious order, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), along with St Ignatius Loyola. The Society's mission was to take the message of the Good News to people everywhere. St Francis believed in the Good News of Jesus, and of sharing that message of hope with all people. He spent his adult life travelling to other countries and teaching people about Jesus, and much of his life was spent tending to missions in areas such as India and Japan. Today we can follow in St Francis Xavier's footsteps, not by going out to faraway places, but by being people of hope for our friends, family and people we meet.</span></p><p style="text-align:left;"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0 ms-rteFontFace-13 ms-rteFontSize-1">To find out about the many more reasons why your family would want to become part of the St Francis Xavier community, I invite you to read through the information on our website or reach out to the school directly. We at St Francis Xavier look forward to our journey with you and sharing the challenge of bringing your children to a greater knowledge of themselves, their world, and their God.</span></p><br></div></h2><p class="ms-rteElement-P">
<a href="/our-school/Documents/St%20Francis%20Xavier%20-%20Patron%20Saint%20of%20St%20Francis%20Xavier%20School.pdf">St Francis Xavier (1506-1552)</a> is patron saint of our school, Australia and of missions. Francis was born into a wealthy family in their castle of Xavier, near Pamplona in northern Spain. He met Ignatius of Loyola at the University of Paris where through their friendship and in collaboration with several others, they co-founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Francis had an interesting style of evangelization. He first approached children with stories and songs and then went to the poor and the outcasts of a community. He converted thousands to the Christian faith. He is remembered for his positive and courageous approach and has been called the greatest missionary since the Apostles. When we see God in others and we are prepared to share our faith story, we are living like Francis Xavier. </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P">Francis, who as a member of the Jesuit order, was guided by the
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<a href="/our-school/Documents/Introduction%20to%20Ignatian%20Spirituality.pdf">Ignatian tradition</a></span>. We too, are guided by this tradition as members of St Francis Xavier school community. Our contribution to the life of St Francis Xavier school will be enhanced if we are able to be:</p><div> <br></div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">GOD CENTRED</p><p class="ms-rteElement-P">“We are created to praise, reverence and serve God”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">SPIRITUAL </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Recognise that the initiative for all that happens in us is from God”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">GENEROUS </p>
<p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Generosity was one of the most important dispositions Ignatius looked for in individuals”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">COMPASSIONATE </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Be compassionate as your heavenly father is compassionate”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">RESPONSIBLE </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Seeking excellence in self and ready to encourage others”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">JUST </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “To act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">GRATEFUL </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “We give thanks to God”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">RESPECTFUL </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Seeking and finding God in all”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">COMMITTED </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “To search for the truth in relationship with others”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">HELPFUL </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Ignatius Loyola wanted us to help souls”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">LOVING </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Love ought to manifest itself more in deeds than by words”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">CULTIVATOR OF VIRTUE </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “In self and others – Faith, Hope and Charity”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">REFLECTIVE </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “Engages in the Ignatian practice of reflection on experience leading to action”</p><div> </div><p class="ms-rteElement-P">TEAM MEMBER </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> “We belong to a community of faith with a single aim to be on Mission with Christ” </p><p class="ms-rteElement-P"> </p><div> <br></div><div> <br><br><br></div> | | | | |
