Our History
St Francis de Sales was established in 1961 by the Sisters of Charity to serve the Oak Park Community.
St Francis de Sales was established in 1961 by the Sisters of Charity to serve the Oak Park Community.
The school was named after St Francis de Sales who was dedicated to the church and demonstrated how to live the everyday life in the image of Christ. He was a model of holiness and lived a life that was amiable and friendly which continues to be reflected in our community today.
The school was named after St Francis de Sales who was dedicated to the church and demonstrated how to live the everyday life in the image of Christ. He was a model of holiness and lived a life that was amiable and friendly which continues to be reflected in our community today.
St Francis de Sales believed:
St Francis de Sales believed:
Have patience with all things but first with yourself.
Have patience with all things but first with yourself.
Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being.
Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being.
You’re a perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist.
You’re a perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist.
Bloom where you are planted
Bloom where you are planted
St Francis de Sales School is dedicated to continuing his vision.
St Francis de Sales School is dedicated to continuing his vision.
The school was housed in 4 classrooms situated alongside the Parish Church. The school now consists of 11 classrooms, a library, parish hall, and a staffroom and work area for teachers.
The school was housed in 4 classrooms situated alongside the Parish Church. The school now consists of 11 classrooms, a library, parish hall, and a staffroom and work area for teachers.
In 2010, we undertook a major building project, adding a new, state of the art educational wing comprising of a library, amphitheatre, resource/planning space and 3 large, dynamic, flexible learning spaces. We are always looking to maintain and develop our grounds and facilities to provide the most positive learning environments we can for our students. In 2021 we will have 12 classes consisting of: 2 Grade Prep, 2 Grade 1, 2 Grade 2, 3 Grade 3/4 and 3 Grade 5/6. In 2019 the school undertook the process of a whole school masterplan of which stage 1 saw the construction of a Covered Outside Learning Area over the basketball court area of the school.
In 2010, we undertook a major building project, adding a new, state of the art educational wing comprising of a library, amphitheatre, resource/planning space and 3 large, dynamic, flexible learning spaces. We are always looking to maintain and develop our grounds and facilities to provide the most positive learning environments we can for our students. In 2021 we will have 12 classes consisting of: 2 Grade Prep, 2 Grade 1, 2 Grade 2, 3 Grade 3/4 and 3 Grade 5/6. In 2019 the school undertook the process of a whole school masterplan of which stage 1 saw the construction of a Covered Outside Learning Area over the basketball court area of the school.
In 2019 I met with Architects from ‘Smith and Tracey’ to discuss a building masterplan for St Francis de Sales. The school was presented with a multi-staged big picture plan of the future of the school buildings at SFdS. This masterplan would enable the school to plan for major building projects and apply for Grants as appropriate.
In 2019 I met with Architects from ‘Smith and Tracey’ to discuss a building masterplan for St Francis de Sales. The school was presented with a multi-staged big picture plan of the future of the school buildings at SFdS. This masterplan would enable the school to plan for major building projects and apply for Grants as appropriate.
On 20 October 2020 I received a letter from The Hon James Merlino MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education, Victorian School Building Authority, advising that our school was successful for a grant of $2million under the 2020-21 Non-Government Schools Capital Fund.
On 20 October 2020 I received a letter from The Hon James Merlino MP, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education, Victorian School Building Authority, advising that our school was successful for a grant of $2million under the 2020-21 Non-Government Schools Capital Fund.
As part of the school’s masterplan, this funding will support the construction of a classroom cluster and community hub with four new classrooms, an upgraded toilet block and a shared learning space.
As part of the school’s masterplan, this funding will support the construction of a classroom cluster and community hub with four new classrooms, an upgraded toilet block and a shared learning space.
This is such an exciting time to reflect on the opportunities for growth and improvement in our buildings to create an even better environment for learning at SFdS.
This is such an exciting time to reflect on the opportunities for growth and improvement in our buildings to create an even better environment for learning at SFdS.
SFdS was successful for a grant of $2million under the 2020-21 Non-Government Schools Capital Fund.
As part of the school’s masterplan, this funding will support the construction of a classroom cluster and community hub with four new classrooms, an upgraded toilet block and a shared learning space.
This is such an exciting time to reflect on the opportunities for growth and improvement in our buildings to create an even better environment for learning at SFdS.