Newsletter 19 - November 26

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” 

Feast of St Francis Xavier: Saint Francis Xavier, 1506-1552
Next Friday 3 December marks the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, SJ, one of the first Jesuits, who is considered by some to be the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles. In his passion for spreading the gospel, in his simple obedience, in his humble disregard for himself, the saint was a near perfect imitation of Christ. 

Teacher Email Addresses
I remind families that the provision of access to teachers via email is for formal and polite conversation and information only. It is concerning that a small number have taken it upon themselves to use this as a means of attacking and targeting teachers unfairly and without recourse. It is the responsibility of the College and the Catholic Schools Office to provide a safe and supportive workplace for all who work here. A sad but inevitable result of this small number of interactions may be the withdrawal or blocking of email addresses from families who are not willing to utilise staff emails in a respectful manner. 

I am aware that this has been a challenging year, not just for staff and students, but for families too. Nerves are frayed and patience short, and at times an unintended consequence of this is to forget our manners and behave in a way we would not normally do. Please take time to reflect on any potential interactions with staff, and if necessary, perhaps save items in draft and read them again at a later date as a way of vetting prior to sending. The education of our young people relies on a strong and positive partnership between College and families.

On the rare occasion that you need to register a formal complaint, you can find our Policy and Procedures here: https://www.xavierlism.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2013-Complaints-Handling-Policy-and-Procedures.pdf 

Please refer any issues to:

• Welfare and discipline incidents: the relevant Head of House
• Teaching and Learning incidents: the relevant Leader of Learning

And for more serious incidents

• Welfare and discipline incidents: Mr Anthony Condon - Leader of Student Welfare &/or Mr Peter Fear - Assistant Principal Staff and Students
• Teaching and Learning incidents: Mr Chris Robinson - Leader of Curriculum &/or Mrs Amanda Falvey - Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

School Improvement Planning for 2022
Next year the College community is up for our cyclical review process to determine our School Improvement agenda in the ensuing years. Families will have a key role to play in that process. Early in the year I will provide more detail about how you can contribute to this important process.

Resignation of Dr Sally Towns - Director of Catholic Schools Lismore
It is with very mixed emotions that I write to inform you that Dr Sally Towns has resigned from her position of Director of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Lismore. Sally has led our System of 45 Catholic Schools in some extremely challenging times. Recent years in our parishes and school communities have been characterised by devastating bushfires, floods and, of course, the global pandemic and Sally’s steady and calm leadership through these challenging events has been exemplary.

In addition, Sally has also been leading one of the most significant organisational changes that we have seen in our schools since the inception of the Catholic Schools Office in 1973, being our transition to a new governance structure. This is another task that she has undertaken with patience, expertise and wisdom and our schools are extremely grateful for this.

Sally has been a great friend to Xavier College in her time at the helm of this Diocese and will be greatly missed. Sally leaves us to take up the role of Executive Director of Brisbane Catholic Education in the Brisbane Archdiocese forming the next step in her career in Catholic Education. At this stage Sally’s resignation will take effect by Easter of 2022. 

The entire Xavier Catholic College community extends our thanks and best wishes to Sally.

Go gently and love each other.

God Bless,
Mr Kevin Lewis
College Principal
kevin.lewis@lism.catholic.edu.au

Assistant Principal - Staff and Students

Teen Mental Health First Aid Training
This week our Year 10 and Year 7 Cohort undertook three sessions of Mental Health First Aid training. We faced some challenges regarding how to deliver this course content due to our current COVID restrictions. The course was delivered virtually to each year level by Prevent Consultants who are accredited MHFA Instructors and focused on “What is Mental Health?” to develop students' awareness of mental health problems The key message from the presentation was “How students can notice concerning behaviour in their peers and how to be a supportive friend, but, most importantly, how to direct their friends to a helpful adult and appropriate help”. 

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
On 25 November, staff were reminded of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This is an annual day of recognition and this year’s theme is “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”

Nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crisis, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence. These women are also more likely to face food insecurity. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help.

While pervasive, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence.

To raise awareness, this year's theme is "Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!". Orange is our color to represent a brighter future free of violence against women and girls. Be part of the orange movement!

We pray,
God of love, compassion and healing, we pray to you on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women:
For women and girls who have experienced violent relationships, that they can find safety and healing from their trauma, and rebuild their lives;
For children who have witnessed violence in their homes against their mothers and sisters and other family members, that they will experience healing and hope;
For indigenous women and refugee women who have been impacted by extreme violence, that deep and lasting change will ensure their safety;
For individuals and organisations working to prevent violence against women and girls and help survivors of violence, that their courage and generosity will endure;
For men who speak out against forms of expression that demean women or condone violence against them, that their voices will grow stronger;
For the men and boys who have behaved violently towards women and girls, they will have a change of heart, repent in meaningful ways, and seek whatever help they need to lead changed lives.
God of love, we commend these prayers to you and for your compassion to flood the hearts of all people with love.

What can we do to take action against gender-based violence?

LISTEN: Be open to learning from others who have more expertise and experience. Before you speak, think: have you really listened? 

BELIEVE: Believe survivors and those who have been affected by gender-based violence. Hear their truths and support their stance. 

SPEAK OUT: Join the conversation and use your voice to speak out against gender-based violence. We all have a role to play in ending violence. 

INTERVENE: If you see someone being threatened or assaulted, find a safe way to help. Don’t ignore it.

ACT: Giving your time to an organisation or group that works to prevent and address gender-based violence. Be the change you want to see and take on a leadership role within your community.

Mr Peter Fear

Catechesis And Evangelisation

YEAR 10 Activities in Week 10

All students attending Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation must complete an online registration form particular to their designated day:

Campion, Faber and Ignatius Students complete this form

MacKillop, McAuley and Nagle Students complete this form

Xavier Catholic College also requires parental permission to attend this event, which we will collect via a Google Form:  School permission form for all Year 10 students 

A three day program of pastoral activities has been organised for Year 10 as outlined above. These activities will all occur during school hours.

One of the days will be spent with presenters from “Unleashing Personal Potential.” Parents may wish to visit their website for more information about this organisation. Their workshops have been very well received by our students in previous years.  https://www.unleashingpersonalpotential.com.au/

A second day will be spent with their House teammates and Head of House at Lake Ainsworth.  The Lake Ainsworth Day will include short periods of reflection on themes from Ignatian Spirituality and outdoor activities under the direction of staff from NSW Sport and Recreation. On their day at Lake Ainsworth, students will need to bring appropriate swimwear (including a rash shirt) as well as a hat and a water bottle.  Lunch will be provided at Lake Ainsworth on that day.

The third day will bring all Year 10 together with Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries. Chris Doyle is already familiar to our Year 10 students from their Pastoral Day with him in Year 9. Our students have always found his spirituality days uplifting and engaging.

Students should wear full College Sport uniform on each of these three days.

Year 12 Retreat 2022

Wednesday 16 February until Friday 18 February 2022
The Year 12 Retreat is an essential part of the Catechesis and Evangelisation Program at Xavier Catholic College. Retreats are central instruments of Pastoral Care within the College and an integral part of your son/daughter’s personal development. At Xavier Catholic College, attendance at Retreat is compulsory for students in Year 10 and for all senior students at the beginning of their HSC. 

All parents of Year 11 students were sent information and a Google Form last week. This form can be found here: https://forms.gle/7FKvE7Gt3ytkPM7a9

These forms need to be submitted online by Monday 29 November 2021.

Donations for Mary’s Place
A hamper is being prepared for the Homeless Support Centre in Ballina. Mary’s Place is an apostolic work of St Vincent de Paul. The facility provides assistance to people in crisis and the significant homeless population in the local area.

Xavier Catholic College students are asked to bring suitable items to the College Office or the YMOs before the end of the school year.  

Items especially sought by Mary’s Place include:

• Non perishable food with minimal preparation requirements e.g. instant noodles, tinned beans etc.
• Socks and jocks: new pairs of underwear or socks are much appreciated by long term homeless
• Small Toiletry items
• Hats/sunscreen
  

Mr David Eyles & Mrs Mary Howard

Wellbeing

Engagement and Competence
[Character Strength and Jesuit Value]

End of Year Locker Clean Out
As usual we need to finish the year with absolutely empty lockers. Please ask your student to start bringing home any materials in their lockers that they are not using at present. It may be too much to bring it all home at once. Any textbooks that they are not using should be returned to the library. Any lost textbooks will have to be paid for before new books can be reissued next year. In the final few days all lockers will be emptied.

Uniform (especially for 2022)
Please ensure the students return in 2022 in perfect Xavier Catholic College uniform. In terms of new spending please only buy clothing that conforms to our uniform. All students will need to buy our new socks from the School Locker, 26 Boeing Ave, Ballina NSW 2478.

Sports Shoes
Should only be mostly white or mostly black. Please don’t buy multi coloured sport shoes for school.

Our Hair policy is “Extremes of hairstyle will not be accepted.” So, if your child would like an extreme hairstyle, I suggest you book into the barber/hairdresser now for the first day of the holidays, enjoy the style and have it grown out and then styled out for the start of school in 2022.

Mr Anthony Condon
Leader of Student Welfare

Faculty News

Year 10 Portraits
Year 10 Visual Arts students have completed impressive portraits of ‘someone significant to them’. Inspired by the Young Archie and their study of the Archibald Prize, students developed individual styles of representation using oil painting on linen canvas. 

Their artworks were completed during an examination day and are testament to their commitment to learning and a beautiful way to honor their selected significant subject.

Ms Jasmin Rogers
Class Teacher

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Year 8 Fauve Portraits 
Modern art has been explored by Year 8 Visual Arts students with their expressive Fauvist portraits. They have embraced the Fauve aesthetic, being ‘wild beasts’ of colour, inspired by Matisse and others to complete a portrait of someone special to them.

Ms Jasmin Rogers
Class Teacher

House News

Ignatius House
Caring for our Common Home

As the Green team, Ignatius House has taken on awareness raising among the student body around the Jesuit Apostolic Preference of Caring for our Common Home.

In Week 6 the Ignatius House leaders prepared activities for all students to participate in during Pastoral Care. This coincided with National Recycling Week, which was celebrated between 8 – 14 November. National Recycling Week, established by Planet Ark in 1996, is held every year during the second week of November. The campaign aims to help Australians reduce waste and “recycle right”. Recycling can be confusing, especially since China’s effective ban on recycling imports and media coverage about the “waste crisis”.  Ignatius student leaders focused the pastoral activities around helping our community to understand how to recycle correctly in the Northern Rivers with a video prepared by the leaders and then games. They also refocused our attention on the recycling activities we undertake here at the College, with a closer look at how we recycle paper and cardboard and a reminder about the Return and Earn Program that Ignatius House launched in the College back in June.

Since the launch of the program 1812 containers have been kept out of landfill. This also equates to savings made in water, energy and carbon. For example, it takes less water to make a new container from recycled plastic or glass than it does from new materials. Making glass from recycled materials requires only 40% of the energy needed to make glass from new materials. By recycling through Return and Earn, bottles and cans can be recycled and back on the shelf as a new container in as little as 4-8 weeks. The Return and Earn Impact Calculator lets you see the energy, water, carbon and landfill savings made when you Return and Earn. The image below shows the impact that Xavier Catholic College has had since we launched Return and Earn on World Environment Day in June - small changes can collectively make a real impact.

Keep up the great work everyone - and remember to keep rubbish out of the Return and Earn bins.

Mrs Janine Wallace
Head of Ignatius House

Sport News

2022 Whole School Participation Swimming Carnival
Friday 3 December 2021

Details of the annual Xavier Catholic College Swimming Carnival are listed below.

Activity:        Annual Swimming Carnival – Attendance is compulsory
Venue:          Ballina Memorial Pool - River Street, Ballina
Date:             Friday 3 December 2021
Travel:           ALL students will travel by bus to and from the pool
Departure:    Buses depart College at 9:00am (no house cheers this year)
Return:          Return to College by 3:00pm
Needs:          Canteen facilities will be available to purchase recess/lunch
                      See below; hats and sunscreen, swimwear policy
Cost:              Nil

House Spirit: Students may come to school in appropriate House colours/fancy dress/costumes etc. The Winning houses will be announced in the Magis Centre at the completion of the carnival and Age Champions announced from the Championship carnival.

Hats and Sunscreen: All students will be required to wear a hat and sunscreen during the day.

Events: Students will have the opportunity to swim in year group freestyle and breaststroke races, as well as House freestyle relays and year group novelty events.

                        NAGLE  -           Blue
                        McAULEY  -       Pink
                        CAMPION  -      Red
                        MACKILLOP  -   Gold/Yellow
                        IGNATIUS  -       Green
                        FABER  -             White

Canteen News – Term 4 2021

Mrs Denise Barnard – Canteen Supervisor

Canteen is a great opportunity to meet other parents and to be involved in your child/childrens school life

• Arrive at school by 8:45am and park on the street (or you will get locked in the bottom carpark!)
• Go to the Office to sign in and receive your Visitor Badge.
• Head over to the Canteen where you can start preparing for the day’s lunch orders.
• Volunteers receive lunch and their children receive a $5 canteen voucher.
• Finish time is approximately 1:30-2:00pm, depending how busy the day is.
• If you are unable to make your rostered day please email Denise at xcccanteen@lism.catholic.edu.au or phone the College beforehand on 6618 0180.
• Text message reminders are sent on Wednesdays the week before your rostered day.

College News

College Musical 2022

Marist Fathers Indigenous Education Grant applications for 2022 are now open!

The Marist Fathers Indigenous Education Grant 2022 is now open. The Marist Fathers are mindful of the important role of education in furthering the prospects and opportunities of Indigenous youth. This fund aims to assist Indigenous students who are in need in areas not normally covered by other available sources of funding.

A grant will be made available for assistance in any of the following areas:

• School uniform and school footwear expenses
• Text book and stationery expenses
• Special subject levies and equipment
• VET course fees
• School retreats
• School camps
• Distance learning in junior high school
• Necessary documentation must be provided to claim reimbursement

Applications must be received by Friday 18 February 2022. Click here for the online application form.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Doreen Flanders email doreen.flanders@lism.catholic.edu.au or Claire Lane claire.lane@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Community News

My name is Eloise Wood youth transport coordinator for YAXI. YAXI is a youth transport initiative for young people living in the Ballina Shire funded by Transport NSW.

Yaxi has been operating locally for over 25 years and aims to provide affordable, safe, and pre-booked transport to all young people that may have limited access to public transport. Yaxi is funded to support young people to access social and recreational activities by contributing costs for transport.  Yaxi has an easy online booking system and is easy for young people to navigate.

 The service is so wonderful and really needs to be shared and known about amongst our younger community to ensure they are getting the most out of what the Shire has to offer. I am emailing you today at Xaviour Catholic College to try and reach as many of your peers as possible, weather that be through the newsletter, pamphlets and/or through support staff. I would love to come to meet you at the school or to hear from you before the summer holiday break.

Please feel free to look online at yaxi.com.au to find out more about the fantastic service, otherwise you can call or email the contact details below.

Yours sincerely,
Eloise Wood
Yaxi Coordinator
yaxi@community-transport.org.au
Mobile:   0404 465 109
Web:       www.yaxi.com.au