Newsletter 20 - December 14

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”

Welcome to the final newsletter for 2021. And what a year it has been…

Our College theme from Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” has certainly been put to the test. Having put the 2020 version of COVID behind us, I am sure the College community was keen to have a year focused solely on learning and excellence — as was I. Whilst this has remained our strong focus this year, our students have had to face it in the most challenging of times. I take my hat off to all of them for their persistence, resilience and good-humour facing it down and getting on with the year. Let’s hope and pray for a smoother year in 2022.

Staff Farewells
A significant number of staff will be finishing up with us at the end of the year. Some permanently, some taking a well-earned break while others are completing their contracts at years-end. I thank each and every one of them for their work, dedication and care for our students. I have mentioned Mr Chris Robinson in a previous newsletter and will make a special note now of Mr John Gorman. Mr Gorman commenced at Xavier College on 29 January 2001 and in that time has been in that time a Mathematics Teacher, a Pastoral Care Teacher, a Mathematics Leader of Learning, a valued colleague and friend to so many, chief timetabler and a guide to so many young aspiring Maths teachers and students. Congratulations John on your retirement and thanks for your contributions to the Xavier community.

Other staff leaving at the end of 2021

We wish them all the very best for 2022

School Return Dates
The day immediately following Australia Day next year is a public holiday. Therefore school resumes on Friday and Monday for staff only.

Students resume:   Years 7, 11 and 12 - Tuesday 1 February
                                Years 8, 9 and 10 - Wednesday 2 February

Final Days this Year
Whilst school is open for supervision this week (M,T, W), it is understandable that some families may take the option to commence holidays early. Given the strains and stresses of the pandemic, it is understandable that families may want to take every opportunity to relax and enjoy quality time together. Please be aware though, that as it is still school time, SMS messages will continue until Wednesday seeking explanations of absences. Please be mindful that this is a regulatory requirement and construct responses accordingly.

Theme for 2022
As this is the culmination of the Ignatian Year for Jesuit schools around the globe, as we are entering into a year of School Review for the College under the Catholic Schools Office timelines, I felt it fitting to adopt the theme of the Ignatian Year for the 2022 school year:

To 'see all things new in Christ'

Have a merry, safe and holy Christmas and a wonderful relaxing New Year. Go gently and love each other.

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

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Year 12 Graduation
We would like to congratulate all Year 12 students on their Graduation on Monday 6 December. We recognised the achievements of individual students and presented Perpetual Awards. We acknowledged the following students who were recipients:

Presentation Day
Xavier Catholic College’s Presentation Day was celebrated on Friday 10 December 2021. A list of perpetual award recipients is included below.

I would also like to acknowledge recipients of the Spirit of Xavier Awards, presented to students in each year level and House for their contribution to the life of the College.

Semester 2 School Reports – Years 7, 8, 9 and 10
Reports for students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 are now available via the Parent Portal for viewing.

Book Requirements for 2022
Attached to this edition of the Newsletter, stationery requirements and book lists for students entering into Years 8, 9, 10 and 11. Please ensure all items for the pattern of subjects your child will be studying in 2022 are purchased prior to the commencement of the 2022 school year.

2022 Classes
A reminder that all classes, including base classes and streamed classes for English, Mathematics and Science, will be reallocated for the commencement of the 2022 academic year.

Wishing all in our College community a happy and holy Christmas.

Mrs Amanda Falvey

Assistant Principal - Staff and Students

Formal 
The night began in style: a stunning marquee on the picturesque green, families and graduates arriving in style, photographic opportunities, formal presentation as the graduates processed into the event and some wonderful opening speeches just before the delicious entrees arrived… and then suddenly, everything changed. The heavens opened with unrelenting rain, wind and then the onset of a full scale thunderstorm. The lightning that accompanied it meant an evacuation into the Jockey Club itself, abandoning the beautiful marquee and official formal setting. To everyone's credit the guests handled it all with good grace and still had a fantastic evening. The storm moved through relatively quickly, leaving the guests damp but still appreciative of the double rainbow to the east and golden sunset to the west. 

I would particularly like to thank Sharyn Dorey for her hard work in preparation for the evening, and also our Year 11 Student Leaders and helpers who, even thoroughly saturated, worked through the evening to make sure everyone was well catered for and looked after. Their commitment to service was exemplary. A huge thank you to all the people who contributed to this important event.

Year 10 Alternate Program
Our Year 10 student cohort had a successful week of Pastoral and Retreat activities in Week 10: enjoying a pastoral day at Lake Ainsworth, a presentation by ‘Unleashing Personal Potential’ and an enjoyable Chris Doyle musical performance. These sessions had our young people engaging in interactive student wellbeing, problem solving, team building and leadership sessions. It was fantastic to see this cohort who is about to embark on their journey as the new Year 11 Leaders. They will wear the ‘white shirt’ with pride as role models, not only for the new Year 7 students of 2022, but stepping up to their responsibilities as leaders for our Year 8 to 10 students.

Particular thanks needs to go to our Welfare Team including our counsellors, Heads of House and Pastoral Care teachers who have supported each and every student in their care throughout a very challenging school year.

A Christmas Message
That first Christmas, into a world of such massive uncertainty and brokenness, into our world, God sent his son ‘to save his people from their sins’ (Matt. 1:21). As we finish another school year we should contemplate whether we understand and accept the significance of Christmas and what the gift from the Father of his only son means in our lives. If we race around frantically this season in a flurry of activity, even if it does result in a fun holiday, and fail to use this time of reflection to the fullest, we will be poorer for it less resilient, less joyful, less grateful, and less ready for the new year.

The birth of Jesus signifies a new beginning for all of us. A time for renewed hope, peace, love and new beginnings. It reminds us that God walks beside us in this life, and it gives us pause to reflect on how we have grown from the past year and to set ourselves a new vision for the new year ahead. Aware of the many ways we have grown and changed through the challenges that 2021 has thrown us, we can reassess our strengths and weaknesses, our mindset, our relationships, our ability to adjust and grow in challenging circumstances, our goals, and best of all we can re-define who we are and what we can bring to our communities in the beautiful new year set before us. 

On behalf of the staff of Xavier Catholic College, I would like to wish you and your family a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and a New Year blessed with health and happiness.

Let’s Pray: Thanks to God

At the end of this school year we give thanks to God: 
For all the teaching and learning that has taken place in our school, both in and out of the classroom,
For the talents and gifts that have been shared and the challenges that have been faced;
For the respect and care that has been given.
We give thanks for the friendships that have just begun and for those that have grown.
For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles,
For the hope that has lifted our hearts,
And for the love that has kept us going
We give thanks to the community that we are, and we ask you Lord -
Bless our families as we take our holidays, may our time together leave us with memories to cherish.
Pour out your love on us that we may return renewed and refreshed to continue our journey together.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Mr Peter Fear

Catechesis And Evangelisation

Christmas Eve Family Mass 6:00 pm, Friday 24 December 2021

All families are warmly welcomed to attend the Christmas Eve Family Mass commencing at 6.00 pm in the Magis Centre at Xavier Catholic College.

Last year’s inaugural Christmas Vigil Mass in the Magis Centre was a joyful celebration, and this year promises to be even better with no limits on seating capacity and expectations high that mask wearing may soon be out and congregational singing back in.

Year 10 Activities Week 2021

Our Year 10 cohort were unable to participate in the annual Year 10 Retreat this year due to COVID restrictions, but last week’s locally-based activities proved to be a rewarding and spiritually uplifting time for all those involved.

One of the days was spent with presenters from “Unleashing Personal Potential.” The students were led through team building and problem solving games in the Magis Centre with some very engaging presenters. https://www.unleashingpersonalpotential.com.au/

A second day was spent with their House teammates and Head of House at Lake Ainsworth.  The Lake Ainsworth Day began with a taster experience of Ignatius Loyola’s First Spiritual Exercises and a reflection on the Ignatian theme of Spiritual Freedom. The remainder of the day was spent pursuing outdoor activities under the direction of staff from NSW Sport and Recreation. Intermittent showers on Tuesday could not dampen the enthusiasm of our happy Year 10s.

The third day brought all Year 10 together with very popular presenter, Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries. Chris Doyle was already familiar to our Year 10 students from their Pastoral Day with him in Year 9. Chris challenged students to see the positive side of their school life and develop a welcoming and accepting community within the year group.

Many thanks go to our guest presenters, our hard-working Heads of House and the Youth Ministry Officers.

Mr David Eyles & Mrs Mary Howard

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Faculty News

Year 7 Technology - Mixed Materials

Glow Lamps…

This semester, Year 7 Materials Technology students had the opportunity to express their individuality in the design and production of a Glow lamp. The lamps utilised a student constructed timber base with a personalised acrylic frame insert. LED technologies were integrated to create a uniquely lit graphic. Learning encompassed traditional knowledge and skills including sketching, timber preparation and joining processes and emerging technologies including laser cutting and 3D printing.

Mr Ian Yensch
Class Teacher

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Boxer Shorts 

Students have designed their own fabric and created a pair of unique satin boxer shorts this semester in Mixed Materials Technology. They created the print design by either scanning in photos or hand-drawn images, or selecting and digitally manipulating an online image. The design was then printed using our sublimation printer and heat-pressed in place onto the fabric before being sewn into shorts using skills learning in Semester 1. A wonderful array of personalised, fun and creative designs were achieved. Well done Year 7.

Ms Rachel Eisenhauer
Class Teacher

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VET Entertainment

This term has been very busy for VET Entertainment students who have been learning the skills of lighting and vision for stage shows. In this unit students are taught how to design and operate lights and vision equipment based on a client brief. As part of their assessment for competency the students have to work collaboratively in small groups to display their skills. Due to COVID restrictions we were unable to put on a live show; however, the students showcased their talents by designing and operating lights for a ‘fake band’. We were also lucky enough to attend a zoom meeting with the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) Head of Vocational Education Ms Marnie Campbell. Ms Campbell spoke to the students about all the different courses on offer at NIDA, scholarship opportunities and pathways into the live production industry. Some of the Entertainment crew also helped at the recent Year 12 Graduation Mass and Presentation, live streaming the event and managing the audio. Well done to all the students who have embraced this new and exciting subject this year!

Mrs Allysha Hodges
VET Entertainment teacher

Year 8 Religion

Year 8 Religion classes have been studying the unit “The Path to Goodness” throughout Term 4. In this unit, students learn about how we can use Jesus as a model to affirm goodness in our lives and realise the fullness of humanity. The PBL (project based learning) task for this unit was to work in groups creating a board game that would educate young people about making good choices. The students have been extremely creative in producing fun and interactive games.

Mrs Allysha Hodges
8A and 8E Religion teacher

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Year 9 Visual Arts Surreal Self Portraits

Year 9 completed a body of work in 2D and 3D forms using a Surreal style. Inspired by their studies of artists such as Frida Kahlo and Del Kathryn Barton, the artworks utilise symbols to convey meaning about identity, imaginings, dreams, memory and experience.

Constructed using mixed media drawing materials on paper, clay and glazed surfaces, the artworks are a bold exploration of form, techniques, symbols and subject matter. The resulting expressive bodies of work create a narrative to be interpreted by the viewer. Pictured are just a few of the works from both classes.

 “In my artworks I use symbols such as the clocks to symbolise the concept and pressure of time; how we never seem to have enough. The machinery parts represent family medical history and illness. I really enjoyed experimenting with the different types of techniques.”

Isabella.

Well done to all Year 9 Visual Arts students for your impressive achievement and commitment to artmaking this semester.

Happy holidays!

Miss Jasmin Rogers and Ms Donna Albany
Class Teachers

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House News

Faber Christmas Hearts Fundraising

Thank you to all those families that purchased a Christmas Heart ornament in our annual Faber House fundraising campaign. We managed to raise over $500 for our sister school in Turuscai. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Faber House Captains for distributing the ornaments and Mr Ian Yentsch for overseeing the construction of the ornaments.

Mr Matt Wills
Head of Faber House

Year 9 Breakfast

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Sport News

Bill Turner Cup FNC Regional Final vs Trinity

The Bill Turner Cup team had to wait until COVID restrictions on school sport were lifted in late November for the Far North Coast Zone Final. The eagerly awaited showpiece final against Trinity was a tight affair. 

The visitors scored from a corner on the stroke of half time to put Trinity ahead at the break. The equaliser wasn't long coming when an excellent ball from Archie Power put Kai Saric through on goal almost from the second half kick off. Two more goals in quick succession from Kai Saric put Xavier into a commanding 3-1 lead. Trinity threw everything they had at Xavier and managed to score a scrappy goal to make it 3-2 with around 10 minutes to go. 

Jack Groves and Rob de Wit were commanding at the back and the game finished that way to crown Xavier as the Far North Coast Champions for the first time in many years. In any other year, the team would have had the opportunity to progress further and take on the best teams in Sydney and beyond, but unfortunately the finals series had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. 

Congratulations to the boys not only are they a very talented group of players, they are also excellent young men who have represented the College in an exceptional manner. 

Mr Steve Edmonds
Coach 

Canteen News – Term 1 2022

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

Library News

Merry Christmas from the Library Staff

Community News