Newsletter 9, 17 June 2022

Acting Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

Mr Lewis is currently on a planned period of Long Service Leave and is spending time visiting family in England. During this period of leave, please contact Mrs Amanda Falvey (Acting Principal) or Mr Peter Fear (Assistant Principal: Staff and Students) at the College.

Reflection

As Christians, we are called to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I encourage all students as we lead into the final weeks of term to be kind and compassionate, to show gratitude towards each other and your teachers, and to shine your light as you go about your daily actions in our school community. Remember to seek the good in each and every day and in your actions strive to be the goodness you wish to see in the world.

Diocesan Champions

Congratulations to the girls soccer team, who won the Diocesan competition last week, and to Mr Raeburn and Ms Ferris who coached the team.

Farewells 

This week we farewell Ms Sarah Walker. Sarah has worked at the College for the past 6.5 years, commencing as our Human Services Officer. She has also worked as our Enrolments Officer and, most recently, as our Student Attendance Officer in the front office. I take this opportunity to thank Sarah for her work at the College and wish her well as she takes up the position of Administration Officer at Mount St. Patrick College, Murwillumbah.

Mrs Karina Lampe will be taking a period of maternity leave from Week 10 of this term. We would like to wish Mrs Lampe well as she commences her maternity leave. Mrs Emma Smith will act as Leader of Learning: VET while Mrs Lampe is on leave.

Back to the 80s - College Musical

The Musical production team is working extremely hard to put together a fantastic production of Back to the 80s. The musical will be staged next week with public performances on Thursday 23 June, Friday 24 June and Saturday 25 June. I encourage all to attend and to support what promises to be an amazing production and a celebration of the cultural life of the College.

Year 10 Examinations

Congratulations to our Year 10 students who recently completed their end of semester examination block. Students are to be commended for the positive manner in which they approached and completed the examinations. We hope this experience has built a strong foundation for our students as they move towards senior studies. Additionally, students in all year levels have completed a number of end of semester assessment tasks and are to be commended for their application and efforts over the past several weeks.

Year 10 and Year 11 - Minimum Standards Testing

Students in Year 10 will have their first opportunity to sit the Minimum Standards tests in Week 9 (20 June onwards).Year 11 and 12 students who have not yet attained the Minimum Standard will also be provided with an opportunity to sit the tests.

All students are required to complete online Reading, Writing and Numeracy tests to demonstrate they meet the Minimum Standard of literacy and numeracy required to receive the award of the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Students have multiple opportunities to sit the tests during Year 10, 11 and 12 (and post school). Further information about Minimum Standards Testing can be accessed from NESA.

Year 10 Subject Selection for Year 11 2023

A Senior Subject Selection Information Session will be held for Year 10 on Monday 27 June. Year 10 parents are invited to attend a session at 6:00 pm on Monday 27 June to gain an understanding of senior subject selection requirements and to support their child with subject choices for Year 11, 2023 and Year 12, 2024. All Year 10 parents are strongly encouraged to attend the information session to support their son/daughter with their transition to senior studies.

All Year 10 students and their parents/guardians will be required to attend an interview early in Term 3 (25-26 July) to discuss senior school requirements and to complete senior subject choices. Further information pertaining to this will be forthcoming.

School Reports

Year 11 Reports were uploaded to the Parent Portal on Friday 10 June. 

Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 Reports will be issued early in Term 3. Please ensure you have created a Parent Portal account to enable access to school reports. If you require assistance with this, please contact the Helpdesk on 6618 0123.

Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations (1 August – 15 August)

Year 12 will complete their final assessments in Term 3 during the Trial HSC Examination period. A timetable has been distributed to students. All Year 12 students are encouraged to use the holiday period for consolidation and revision of learning in order to be well prepared for the upcoming examination period; however, I would like to remind students of the need to take time for relaxation and time with family and friends. A sense of balance is important, particularly during what can be a stressful time for students. It is extremely important that all students are in attendance during the Trial HSC period and family holidays should be avoided during the examination period.

Mrs Amanda Falvey
Acting Principal
amanda.falvey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Assistant Principal Mission - Staff and Students

Community Event: Improving the Wellbeing of Young People

If families are interested, there is a free community event focusing on the strategies and tools for improving the wellbeing of young people. This is presented by Dr Justin Coulson, trusted and respected parenting expert. 

WHEN: Monday 27 June

TIME: 6pm – 8pm

WHERE: Lennox Head Cultural Centre

WHO: Parents, Teachers, Carers or anyone else that works with our youth

COST: FREE

What do we do to help our kids feel safe? How do we help build their resilience? How can we be better role models and have better connections with our youth?

There are no easy answers to these types of questions. But science has shown us that there are a host of protective factors that parents, teachers, carers, coaches, and community members can support  to reduce the risk and increase the likelihood that our kids will not just survive, but thrive, during adolescence.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-youth-resilience-tickets-347818162487

Revisiting St. Aloysius Gonzaga, SJ

The Feast Day of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, SJ (1568-1591) is next Tuesday 21 June. This saint is especially important for a Jesuit Companion school because he is, of course, a Jesuit but he is also the Patron Saint of Young People.

“It is better to be a child of God than king of the whole world!”

St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ

St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ grew up in a very wealthy family. His father wanted him to be a soldier “just like him!” In fact, at the age of 4 years old, he began his training as a soldier and a courtier (a person who works as an advisor or companion to the king or queen). Granted, Aloysius lived 450 years ago, but still that was a young age to begin training.

Around the age of 8, Aloysius began to suffer from kidney disease, and so he had to take it easy. While resting, he read about the lives of saints, did spiritual reading and prayed. (Most of us at this age are just learning how to read!) By 9 years old, he made a vow never to marry. Whenever possible, this young man would go out among the poor children and teach them their catechism.

It took Aloysius a long time to convince his dad to let him join the Jesuit order. But finally, his father consented. At 17 years old, Aloysius joined the Jesuits.

In 1591 something terrible hit Italy, where he lived — the plague. Hundreds of people died from this awful disease. Aloysius took care of those that were sick with the plague. He was never a very strong and healthy person, and he caught the disease too. On June 21, 1591, St. Aloysius Gonzaga died. Aloysius Gonzaga was canonised in 1726 and later named Patron Saint of Young People in 1729.

What can we learn from St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ..?

Be courageous enough to resist peer pressure and social-media compulsions when they entail compromising your convictions or sacrificing your personal integrity. Aloysius showed maturity beyond his age. He was clear about his choices and priorities, obviously motivated by his God-centred goal in the pursuit of holiness.

Exercise discretion in the programs you watch on television or the sites you surf on the internet (be a conscious consumer or content curator), Aloysius’ behaviour, though exaggerated, is not without its merits. His “custody of the eyes” calls for serious reflection and deep introspection. Our natural eyes are the “gates of our soul”. We must take control of them and use our discretion wisely to keep them open or shut as needed.

You may not have an occasion to perform heroic deeds of service, but you must develop a compassionate heart that reaches out in some way to those around you who are suffering.

Father, you called Aloysius
from a life of riches,
comfort and power
to be poor as Jesus was poor.

As Jesus healed the sick
and raised the dead,
Aloysius cared for the sick and dying.

Give me the courage to seek you
in the poor and the abandoned,
in those who have no place
and no status in this world.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God Bless.

Peter Fear

Assistant Principal - Staff and Students

Mr Peter Fear

Catechesis And Evangelisation

Catechesis and Evangelisation

Year 10 Retreat

Notes were emailed to all Year 10 parents last week regarding the annual Year 10 Retreat. The Year 10 Retreat is a most significant annual event at Xavier Catholic College and a very special part of each student’s experience at our school. Upon enrolment at Xavier Catholic College, advice was given of the compulsory nature of the College retreat program. 

The year level has been divided into two even groups according to their Houses (see below). On the days when their class is not on retreat, students will need to attend school. School activities on these 'off retreat' days are yet to be finalised, but in past years there have usually been assessment tasks scheduled.

GROUP 1:      10 Ignatius, 10 MacKillop and 10 Nagle

                        Depart College: 9.30am - Monday 8 August 2022

                        Return to College: 3.00pm - Wednesday 10 August 2022

GROUP 2:      10 Faber, 10 McAuley and 10 Campion

                        Depart College: 9.30am - Wednesday 10 August 2022

                        Return to College: 3.00pm - Friday 12 August 2022

Parents are to complete and submit the Year 10 Retreat Google form which includes medical details and parental consent by Friday 25 June 2022.

A copy of that google form can be accessed from this link: Year 10 Retreat Permission Form

Vinnies Winter Sleep-Out

Later this month the Senior Ministry Team will be hosting the 10th Vinnies Winter Sleep-out at Xavier Catholic College.  Our Senior Ministry Team and the Year 12 Community and Family Studies class will be sleeping rough in the XCC playground in solidarity with the homeless community: giving up one night in a warm, comfortable bed to help raise funds and awareness about the housing crisis that is most pressing in our very own backyard. 

Please consider donating  now to help us reach our fundraising goal which will help Vinnies to provide support for those in our community who need it the most. You can access our registered School Sleep-out fundraising page via this link. Xavier Catholic College Ballina Sleepout

The Ignite Conference

This exciting conference is back again in September. The CSO will be organising a trip which is open to students from Years 7-12. The trip will be subsidised by the CSO to make it more affordable and accessible. Student participants will be asked to make a co-contribution of $245.00. This contribution will go towards the registration cost. Transport and accommodation are fully subsidised.

The first step to securing a place with the Xavier Catholic College delegation to Ignite 2022 is to complete the online application form: Ignite Applications 2022 (XCC Ballina) These must be submitted by Friday 10 June. 

All those selected to attend Ignite will then need to bring the $245.00 (non-refundable) payment and permission notes to the school office. Registration for the conference will be completed online using the coupon code provided on the permission note. 

The Shine Gathering

SHINE is the annual gathering for all Youth Ministry (CSYMA) students in Catholic secondary schools of the Diocese of Lismore.  A group of about 600 is expected to gather at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour in August.  This will include our Year 10 Ministry Class, selected Year 9 students and Senior Ministry Team members from Year 11 and 12.

This year’s event will continue to honour the popular features of the annual gathering and will be a joyful celebration of youth, faith and music.  Year 10 Ministry Students and Senior Ministry Team members should have already received their permission notes - these are due back by Monday 20 June.

Year 9 students who would like to apply to be a delegate to the 2022 Shine Gathering should submit the Google form: Shine Application Form

Faculty News

Exploring Early Childhood

The Year 11 students have been studying the developmental needs of 0-8 year olds. Part of this experience was taking the Reality works baby home. This gives students a ‘real’ experience of parenting and caring as the baby cries, needs nappy changes and monitors the carer's response to the baby's needs including rocking, burping, head control and temperature regulation. Well done to the Year 11 students who dealt with this experience so well and thank you to the families who had the baby as an overnight visitor to their homes. 

We thank staff member Dr Madeline Beveridge, her husband Sean, and baby son Paddy, who recently visited our class. This was extremely beneficial to get both parents' perspectives on raising their son and insights into pregnancy, childbirth and the growth and development of a young person. Sean is also a sonographer, so it was wonderful to hear his experience and insights in terms of his experience in his career with child development. Our sincere thanks to the family for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit us. 

The Year 12 class has been busy researching Additional Needs and young people and support services that are in the community to assist young people and their families. They recently assessed the disabled accessibility at XCC and reported on the needs of young people with disabilities at our school. 

Mrs Rebecca Kennedy 

Class Teacher

House News

MacKillop House Fundraiser

What a great way to celebrate Australia’s first and only Saint with Xavier’s Biggest BBQ! Thank you to the Xavier community for supporting the MacKillop BBQ this year. The Year 11 MacKillop students did a marvellous job cooking scrumptious bacon and egg rolls and sausage sandwiches. 

MacKillop House managed to raise $527.50. This money will be sent to a rural and remote school St Francis Xavier Catholic School, Daley River. MacKillop House is following the charism of St Mary MacKillop by supporting rural and remote communities. The money will be used to purchase educational resources for the school. 

Thank you to the Year 11 students who cooked the BBQ Lunna Elkerton, Elly Higgins, Molly O’Connor, Ben Bolger, Mia Dirou, Caston Smith, Asharntie Foster, Campbell DuSautoy and Kate Hulbert. Thank you to the MacKillop Captains for serving the students Gabby Bolger, Patita Clifford, Bella Schubert, Tamzin Collins, Ben Lee, and College Captain Cheyenne Acret. Thank you to Denise and Michelle who helped in ordering and preparing the food. 

Mrs Rebecca Kennedy

Head of House - MacKillop

Sport News

Mr Pat Kennedy & Mr Russell Asser

NSWCCC Cross Country

Five Xavier Catholic College students travelled to Eastern Creek Sydney to represent the Lismore Diocese at the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships. Congratulations to the students below on your amazing results.

• Tyler Dogan 2nd Place (Qualifies for NSW All Schools)
• Skye Dogan 4th Place (Qualifies for NSW All Schools)
• Clancy Miller 4th Place (Qualifies for NSW All Schools)
• Abigail Matthews 7th Place (Qualifies for NSW All Schools)
• Marli Francis 11th Place (next in line for NSW All Schools)

Len Diett First XV Rugby

The Open Boys First XV have now played Lindisfarne twice in the Len Diett competition. 

Game 1 was played at XCC in front of a large and boisterous crowd. After a slow start we were able to run in 5 tries to 1 to win comfortably.

Game 2 was played at the Casuarina Rugby Club and was a much closer match. At half time the scores were locked  at 0-0.  The second half saw Tom Grimster swoop on a loose ball, kicking it down the field, chasing and regathering for an incredible individual try. Soon after, Bailey Sullivan broke four tackles to sneak through the defensive line to seal the match at 2 tries to 0. The late call up of Will Cass cemented his spot in the team with a handful of powerful runs on his debut. Congratulations to the boys who showed a great deal of effort with very few reserves.

Mr Pat Kennedy & Mr Russell Asser

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Diocesan Junior Football Carnival

On June 9 the 7-9 girls football team travelled to Coffs Harbour to compete against teams from across the Diocese. The girls had a tough start to the tournament, running from the bus to take the field for the first game after some unexpected traffic. Despite this the girls came out strong and took the win. The girls then had three more round games in which they only lost one, allowing them to progress into the semi finals. The semi final was a tough game resulting in extra time with drop offs and golden goal. The girl displayed a huge amount of determination and took the win.  With that the team moved onto the final, which was the third game in a row. The girls came out strong, shut down the team's main play maker and prevented the other team from scoring. We received a penalty kick in the first half and Lucy Bill converted this to make it 1-0, which was the final score in the end.  

Well done Xavier Girls, the first ever 7-9 girls team to win this competition.

Jess Ferris

Coach

Canteen News – Term 2 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

Xavier Library again hosted the Sorry Day Colouring Competition during Reconciliation Week in conjunction with the Art Department. The prize winners were Ellie Grifith (1st), Riley Chapman (2nd) and Lara van Eijden (3rd). These students were presented with their prizes at the Sorry Day School Assembly recently. Congratulations to all students who entered - the standard was exceptional.

A “Suggestion Box” in the Library has been well-utilised and a number of new ideas for “Library Happenings’ have come from this. This week began our Thursday morning “Loud in the Library” with themed music from the Eighties to bop along to before school. 

Book Club continues to meet once a month  (now the first Thursday of the month) and numbers have been growing steadily. New books are constantly arriving at our Library, so make sure you come along and find a good read for these cosy winter days!