As a Catholic school in the Salesian tradition, Xavier College is guided by the belief that “it is not enough that young people should be loved, they have to know that they are loved.” This commitment calls us to create an environment where each student is genuinely known, cared for, valued and supported in their learning, wellbeing and development.

In recent years, Xavier College has expanded significantly, now operating across multiple campuses and serving rapidly developing communities across northern Adelaide. This expansion is not for its own sake, but reflects our commitment to community, responding to regional growth and diversity, and supporting parent choice, while continuing to provide high-quality Catholic education.

Our growth as a College is supported by a range of strategies that focus on our students, families and staff. These include extended curriculum choices for students, improved facilities across campuses, a larger workforce with expanded expertise, strengthened shared services, and ongoing improvements in teaching, learning and wellbeing. Together, these efforts provide a connected journey for students from Early Years to Year 12 both now and into the future. 

Strengthening our leadership forms part of this approach, reinforcing Xavier College as one College with connected campuses, and the continued delivery of a high-quality Catholic education that has been built and trusted over the past 30 years.

Strengthening leadership

• Xavier College continues to operate as one College, with all its campuses working together under a shared vision and direction. Mark Flaherty is the Xavier College Principal with responsibility for Xavier College as a whole.
• The College’s campuses at Evanston, Gawler Belt and Two Wells are to be led by Campus Principals supported by a leadership team working with that community. This ensures strong, connected layers of care for each child, allowing each campus to be responsive to its local community and benefit from the strength and opportunities of the larger College.
• Recruitment is to commence shortly for the Campus Principal of the Riverlea Park campus of Xavier College, followed by additional leadership appointments for the Riverlea Park campus.

How this benefits students

Students are known and cared for

With a Campus Principal at each site, there is greater capacity for leadership and staff to work together in supporting students, strengthening how we understand and respond to the needs of each child and the campus community.

Quality and consistency of learning and care

Stronger coordination across the College will ensure consistent expectations, teaching approaches and student support across campuses.

A connected journey from Early Years to Year 12

Strong connections between campuses supports smoother transitions and a more consistent experience as students progress through the College, particularly those moving from the Evanston Campus into Gawler Belt.

What this means for families

Families will experience clearer communication and greater consistency in how the College operates. With defined leadership roles at both campus and whole-of-college levels, families will have:

• Clear points of contact for support and information
• More consistent communication across campuses
• Confidence in how decisions are made and applied.

Listening to our community

Many of these changes, along with the broader strategies being implemented across the College, are informed by feedback from across our community.

This includes insights gathered through the Parent and Caregiver Survey, engagement with staff, input from our parish partners, and the important role of the College Advisory Board. These perspectives play a valuable role in shaping how the College continues to grow and respond to the needs of students and families.

We thank all members of our community for the contribution they make through their feedback and ongoing partnership, and we encourage this to continue as the College evolves.

Looking ahead

As Xavier College continues to grow, our focus remains unchanged, to ensure that every student is known and cared for, and to continue providing a high-quality Catholic education across its campuses

Mark Flaherty
College Principal