Why choose us?
St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Primary School Arncliffe is a welcoming community that delivers strong academic results. Students have high expectations of themselves and respect for one another in an inclusive and innovative school environment. In partnership with parents and our parish, we strive to nurture curious, empathetic and collaborative problem solvers, confident in their faith and capabilities to live a life of promise in a rapidly changing world.
A positive approach to learning is embodied by our collaborative, professional staff who know every child individually. St Francis Xavier’s caters for all students’ passions as we prepare them to be confident and creative global learners.
Principal’s Message
Welcome to St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Primary School Arncliffe.
We are about providing a holistic education for every student to reach their full potential across all domains including, academic, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical. I’m incredibly proud to work alongside a team of dedicated and passionate professionals who ensure that every student is known and cared for.
At St Francis Xavier’s we believe that children learn best when they are known, understood, and supported to live life to the full (John 10:10).
We are a community that combines a rich history with highly engaging and contemporary approaches to education. Our vision is “We learn, engage and celebrate – nurturing confident and creative global learners” and we consistently strive to achieve this through our commitment to our Catholic faith and to ensuring that all of our students are nurtured to achieve their potential through a culture of high expectation and support.
Building positive relationships and working in partnership with parents and our parish is at the very heart of our thriving Catholic community. We look forward to growing our school community with the development of new and innovative learning spaces, this year and in many to come.
We encourage you to explore our website and visit our social media pages to gain a snapshot of the strength of our school as a dynamic, innovative, and inclusive learning community.
Debra Heckenberg
Principal
One hundred years ago, the village of Arncliffe was very different from the busy, multicultural suburb that we now know. The original land grant for the part of Arncillffe where our school and church are now located was acquired for David Hannah in 1825 by his father Reuben, an ex-convict who was a brickmaker in Sydney.
Around this time there were two Catholic schools in the Cooks River district, one at Kogarah and another at Tempe.
The school has been witness to a myriad of milestone events over the past century, including the arrivals of the Sisters of St Joseph in the early 1900’s the consecration of the church in 1936, a growth in enrolments during the great depression, the Golden Jubilee in 1982, and recent upgrades and re-configurations to facilitate growth in enrolment and enhance learning programs going forward.
As a faith-filled learning community we at St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Primary School Arncliffe:
- Celebrate Catholic beliefs, values, practices, and traditions within our faith-filled community.
- Educate students to be responsible and ethical learners of the twenty-first century.
- Provide engaging opportunities that develop skills for life-long learning, accessible to all in a safe and happy environment.
- Nurture the development of the child as a whole person building a sense of optimism and hope.
Vision
We learn, engage, and celebrate – nurturing confident and creative global learners.
St Mary MacKillop Parish, Rockdale City
A: 13 Parker St, Rockdale NSW
P: (02) 9567 1558
E: admin@mmrc.org.au
Our Parish Priest is Fr Yacub Barkat, who is very supportive of the school community and is actively involved in celebrating Liturgical and other special events in the life of the school.
The Sacramental programs are parish-based and our Religious Education program is central to the life of the school, encouraging students to develop a deeper understanding of God, self, others, and their world.
Mass Times
| Day | Time | Location | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 5.00pm | Arncliffe | English |
| Saturday | 6.30pm | Rockdale | English |
| Sunday | 9.00am | Arncliffe | English |
| Sunday | 10.30am | Rockdale | English |
| Sunday | 9.00am | Rockdale | Italian |
| 3rd Sunday | 6.00pm | Rockdale | Filipino |
| Tuesday | 7.30pm | Rockdale | English |
| Wednesday | 9.00am | Arncliffe | English |
| Thursday | 9.00am | Rockdale | English |
| Friday | 9.00am | Arncliffe | English |
