XAVIER College was nationally recognised at the 11th International Conference for Adolescent Success in Brisbane last month, receiving the Future Ready Students Award.

The award recognises the college’s work on successfully transitioning students from primary to secondary and middle school education, with Janet Coomber receiving the accolade on behalf of the school.

Mrs Coomber, who will head Xavier’s new Two Wells campus once it is built in the coming years, was delighted with the recognition.

“It’s an international award, it covers Australia, New Zealand and Singapore,” she said.

“What we had to do is to demonstrate how our place of learning and practice of learning had a positive education on our adolescent learners.

“That included our transition program with our year sevens coming into the secondary environment.

“We were acutely aware that we weren’t just putting year sevens in a secondary environment.

“This is the end of three years’ worth of work.”

Mrs Coomber added it was a huge achievement for the college.

“It’s a prestigious award,” she said.

“What it means for us in terms of middle school, it’s not the acknowledgement, it’s the fact we know that we’re doing the best for our kids, that’s been really good.”

In addition to the award, Mrs Coomber, along with Christian Bateman, presented a workshop about the student transition at the conference.

“We had to put together an abstract for it, and they go through a panel to select it,” she said.

“It’s a rigorous avenue to get selected.

“We presented on our project- based learning and innovative approach to that.”

Xavier principal Lynn Martin said he was delighted for the college to be recognised.

“Xavier is very proud of all who contributed to the award, including impactful transition programs, inspirational curriculum and an innovative approach to middle years curriculum that facilitates pathways for future success,” he said.

“Our exceptional staff should be very proud of their efforts, particularly in preparing our new year sevens this year for the first time, and they thoroughly deserve the recognition received through this award.”