Newsletter 14 - 9 September 2022

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”

Congratulations to our Year 12 Drama students for their OnSTAGE nominations:
OnSTAGE is a showcase of exemplary HSC Drama projects from across NSW. These nominations are an outstanding achievement for these students — we are extremely proud to know their talent has been acknowledged in this way.

Individual Performance Nominations: Tyler Adamson, Clancy Miller, Joel Hoolihan, Lirra Eady, Ruve Murdoch, Grace Pateman

Group Performance Nominations:

• Clancy Miller, Gabrielle Bolger, Tyler Adamson, Jackson Falvey, and Joel Hoolihan
• Ruve Murdoch, Lirra Eady, Grace Pateman, Sasha Ferreol, and Taya Kelly

Special thanks to Mrs Allysha Hodges (Year 12 Drama Teacher) for all her work with our students.Congratulations to Siobhan Thompson: Congratulations to Siobhan for her Callback nomination, a showcase of HSC Dance performance pieces from across the state. I thank Mrs Hodges (Year 12 Dance teacher) all our Dance students.

National Catholic Education Conference 2022:
I had the great pleasure of attending the NCEC2022 Conference this year in Melbourne. I was joined by over 1400 school, system and parish leaders from across Australia to hear some wonderful speakers, engage in outstanding learning opportunities and share ideas with some of the greatest educational minds in our nation. The theme for the Conference was The Future is Listening. This gave us great cause for reflection and discernment. What will the future make of our decisions right now? This, along with our soon-to-be-released School Review report, should provide a great catalyst for renewal, revisioning and reimagining what learning and imagination will be like at Xavier Catholic College — but, more importantly, how will the futures of our young people right now be able to attest to the decision we make right now?

One thing is for sure — the health and wellbeing of our students (following COVID, floods, other tragedies and family turmoil) has never been so important. As a principal, there are two groups that are most important for me to ensure that care and wellbeing is provided for: students and staff. Because it is the staff who need to be well in themselves so that they can provide the best care for our students every day. Students need:

• Positive school culture
• Equitable access to relationships, academic and pastoral care
• Social and emotional learning
• Student voice and participation
• To be assured school is relevant to them as a future member of society
• And the connection between themselves and safe, trusted adults. Those adults at school are the teachers

As such, I need (with your continued focused and deliberate support and commitment) to make sure my teachers are well loved and cared for to ensure that your children are well loved and cared for. I have written over the last two newsletters about supporting staff. These trusted and professionally caring people also need care and support, especially after enduring what we have all endured over the last three years. They are wonderful but tired human beings doing the absolute best for your children under difficult circumstances. They need our love and support as much as any in the community..

Taking Leave in Term 4:
Mrs Kate Kilby: I would like to wish Mrs Kilby and her family a wonderful time away as she takes some well-earned leave for Term 4. During her absence, the role of Head of Campion House will be filled by Mrs Ciel Jukes. Ms Nichole Page will take on the role of Leader of Year 7 Transition and Pastoral Program in place of Mrs Jukes.

Mr Matt Wills: Mr Wills is also taking leave during Term 4 from Week 5 onwards. Mr Wills has also decided to stand down from his role as Head of Faber House in 2023. During his period of leave this year and continuing into 2023, the role of Head of Faber House will be Mr Michael Raeburn. I thank Mr Wills for his love and pastoral care for all students, and especially for the students of Faber House.

Resigning from or Changing Leadership Roles in 2023:
Collectively, I will thank each of these leaders for their dedication, commitment to our students and inspiring and diligent leadership, and to welcome their replacements for an exciting new future of leadership and support at Xavier Catholic College:

• Leader of Science: Mr Rob Waters has decided to step down from his Leader of Science role to focus purely on his teaching and learning in the classroom. Mr Waters will be replaced by Mrs Tracy Wade as Leader of Science, and Mr Steve Edmonds will replace Mrs Wade as she steps out of her Assistant Leader of Science role to take up this new position.
• Head of House McAuley: Mrs Andrea Grimster has also decided that now is the time to refocus on teaching and learning and will resign her leadership role next year. Mrs Sarina McPherson will take on this role from the beginning of 2023.
• Leader of Co-Curricular: As Mr Steve Edmonds steps out of this role, I welcome Miss Georgia Quinn as she takes on this new role of responsibility.

Please join me in thanking our departing leaders and welcoming those new to the roles.

Year 12 DramaWorks Performances:
Congratulations to our HSC Drama students who were selected to perform at DramaWorks in Byron Bay. DramaWorks is a showcase of the region’s best individual and group HSC Drama performances, and I was very proud to watch our students perform on Thursday night. Congratulations to Lirra Eady, Ruve Murdoch, Taya Kelly, Sasha Ferreol and Grace Pateman to perform their group piece, and further congratulations to Grace for also being selected for her Individual Performance. My thanks to Mrs Allysha Hodges for her hard work with these talented students and for supporting them in their creative pursuits.

Vaping:
Let’s provide some clarity around this so parents, carers and families are fully aware of the implications for our young people should they choose to involve themselves in this alarming trend.

Vaping for a young person is ILLEGAL.

Our Police Youth Liaison Officer recently gave a presentation to us on the topic of Vaping. Here’s what she had to say and the subsequent response the College has concerning policy information to parents:

• Vaping is illegal
• Possession of a vape as a minor is illegal
• Possession will trigger an immediate call to the police
• Police will investigate and give an initial warning (or, depending on the previous history, possibly a charge)
• Possession in the first instance will result in a 3-day suspension
• Possession a second time will also trigger a call to the police
• Police will likely lay charges which will stay with the student for life
• The distribution of vapes and related paraphernalia will trigger a call to the police
• Distribution will definitely result in charges being laid — again remaining with them for life
• Distribution and/or possession in the second instance will result in either:
• 10-day suspension and a 'Show Cause' letter, or
• A request to the Director of Catholic Schools to consider Expulsion

Staff Professional Learning Day - Friday 23 September:
The College will once again use this day as directed by the Bishop in the formation of faith for our Catholic Schools staff. This will be a student-free day; however, being mindful of the impact on families over the past number of years there may be no other option for a small number. As such, we can provide very limited supervision with casual staff whilst our teams engage in this important gathering. There will be no new learning provided to students if they are in attendance on the day.

REMINDER: Staff Day School Review:
Please note that the Catholic Schools Office has provided Xavier Catholic College an extra ‘student-free’ day to work through our school review feedback. This day will be negotiated with the Office and communicated to families as soon as possible.

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

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Congratulations to Year 12 Drama students and their teacher Mrs Allysha Hodges 
Congratulations to our incredible Creative Arts students on their nominations in HSC Showcases!

Year 12 students have been nominated in Callback (HSC Dance showcase) and OnSTAGE (HSC Drama showcase) for their exemplary work in Creative Arts.

Special thanks to Mrs Allysha Hodges (Year 12 Dance & Drama Teacher) for all her work with our Creative Arts students.

Year 11
Year 11 examinations continue next week. Students are only required to attend the College when they have a scheduled examination or if they wish to access the College library to study. Normal classes resume for all Year 11 students on Wednesday 14 September except for students who will complete scheduled examinations for Mathematics Extension 1, VET Fitness or scheduled practical examination for Music, Dance and Drama.  Please contact Ms Zuino or Mrs Falvey if any support is required at this time in regards to illness/misadventure. Year 11 reports will be available to download via the Parent Portal in Week 3 of Term 4.

Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony
The Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony is on Thursday 22 September. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of students in Year 12 on this special occasion. 

NAPLAN - YEAR 7 & 9
NAPLAN reports were sent home this week for students in Years 7 and 9. The report provides information on your child’s performance in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests, held earlier this year. NAPLAN assesses aspects of literacy including grammar and punctuation, reading, spelling, and writing, as well as numeracy.

NAPLAN tests are designed to provide you, your child and their teachers with information about how your child’s learning is progressing, and if they need support to improve their literacy and numeracy skills or additionally some students may require further extension. NAPLAN results provide information to teachers and parents on what students know and can do. 

However, as NAPLAN provides a snapshot of a student’s assessment at a point in time, results need to be interpreted with care and should be considered together with school-based assessments. Your child’s teacher will have the best insight into your child’s educational progress.

Mrs Amanda Falvey

Assistant Principal Mission - Staff and Students

Year 12 Final Weeks
At Xavier we have developed our own traditions that showcase the success of our Year 12 students after completing their 14 years of schooling, including House activities days, mock-awards and our graduation ceremony. We celebrate that these young adults are now ready to embark on their new post-school destinations by seeking to make the end of Year 12 at the school as special as possible. The culmination of their schooling for Year 12s is a symbolic life event which should be celebrated; however, inappropriate or illegal behaviour is not acceptable and never tolerated. ‘Muck Up’ day (AT OTHER SCHOOLS) is often regarded as the last day that the Year 12s spend in their school. However at Xavier we do it much better by incorporating positive activities rather than ‘muck up’ days that counter everything that the school and families have tried to teach the students over the past 13 years. As part of normal end-of-year processes, we communicate information and expectations to our Year 12 students about appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, including consequences such as not being able to attend graduation ceremonies, formals etc. It is also important that our Year 7 to Year 11 students do not find themselves wrapped up in this excitement and make a silly mistake, as their time to celebrate will come. As a College community let us celebrate in a positive way this fantastic group of young people as they finish their secondary schooling with dignity and head out into the adult world as leaders and upstanding members of our community.

RUOK? Day
On Thursday 8 September the College recognised ‘RUOK?’ Day.  RUOK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. For the day there was a number of pastoral care and lunchtime activities for our students to engage in. The splash of yellow across the school was a sight to behold. We would especially like to thank Mrs Jukes and the students in their preparation for the day.

Vaping
Vaping continues to be the challenge that our young people are facing. Nationally and internationally teachers and education leaders are concerned about the impact of rising e-cigarette use on student mental health and performance. Tobacco smoking in Australia is at its lowest for decades, thanks to effective policy measures and public health messaging on its harm. But the uptake of e-cigarettes by young adults is a worrying trend. At our recent College assembly our community Police Liaison Officers addressed the entire College regarding the dangers and changing community responses to this growing concern. At Xavier we share this concern and I encourage all parents to read Mr Lewis’ piece regarding vaping and our school’s response. 

It is important that parents discuss this concern with their children. E-cigarettes, or ‘vapes’, are not safe for anyone, especially young people. They come in many shapes and sizes and can be hard to spot as they can look like everyday items including highlighters, pens or USB memory sticks. 

Key vaping facts 

• Many vapes contain nicotine. Nicotine can cause long-lasting negative effects on young people’s brain development, including impaired learning ability and altered mood, and can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
• A single vape can contain as much nicotine as 50 cigarettes and those that don’t may still contain many harmful chemicals.
• Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray, which can lead to serious lung diseases. 
• Young people who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes. 

The laws around selling vapes
It is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18 years. Young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores, or from friends and contacts on social media. You can report suspected illegal sales of vapes to NSW Health or by calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.

Social Media
There are also regulations that prohibit the advertising and sponsorship of both nicotine and non-nicotine e-cigarettes. While these laws cover most types of advertising, including print, TV, and radio, online promotion has proven harder to regulate. This is a substantial problem because 70% of e-cigarettes are bought online.

Talk to your child about vaping
It’s important to take the time to talk to your child about the risks of vaping. Try to start the conversation in a relaxed, easy-going way, and remember your goal is to have a conversation, not deliver a lecture. Importantly, get the facts at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaping

Mr Peter Fear

Catechesis And Evangelisation

Year 10 Ministry Class Visit to Holy Family Primary
Students from the Youth Ministry Class returned to Holy Family Catholic Primary School this week. Together with YMOs Chelsea Gorman and Macy Butler and Bianca McInnes (The Parish Youth Coordinator), they led Year 4 students through various activities on a Bible Verse from 1 Corinthians 1:11 Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 

Our students ran small group discussions, large group games and presented songs and dramas for the Year 4 students.  Their efforts were especially appreciated by the Year 4 students.

Senior Retreat 2022
Google Form permission notes were sent out last week to all parents of Year 11 students for the 2022 Senior Retreat.  These medical and permission forms must be submitted by Friday 16 September. This form can be accessed via the following link: Senior Retreat Permission and Medical Forms

The Senior Retreat is compulsory.  It is held at the beginning of each cohort’s HSC journey and this year’s Senior Retreat dates are listed below:

Date:          Wednesday 26 October until Friday 28 October 2022

Venue:        Queensland Conference and Camping Centre, 255 Beacon Rd, Mount Tamborine

Depart:      Depart College 9:10am Wednesday 26 October

Return:      Return to College approx. 3:00pm Friday 28 October

Looking for our 2023 YMOs
Current Year 12 students and recent graduates are invited to consider a year of Ministry and Service at Xavier Catholic College as a Youth Ministry Officer. We have been truly blessed by the presence of some remarkable young people since our first YMO in 2014. YMOs receive excellent formation through the diocese and Australian Catholic University. For further information please contact the College or click here to access the Diocesan Careers page to apply.

Mr David Eyles & Dr Madeline Beveridge

Wellbeing

Optimism and Competence
[ Character Strength and Jesuit Value]

This week’s Character Strength in the Student Planner is Empathy and it dovetails with the Jesuit aspiration of being a person who finds God in all things.

Restorative practice
​Restorative practice seeks to repair relationships. It is a practice we like to use when possible here at Xavier.

As parents you are well aware that the joyful and difficult task of raising children into adulthood is a journey that requires you to make difficult decisions for your child from time to time — decisions that are not always appreciated by your teenager! Sometimes this can cause the relationship you have with them to fracture and to need repair. At school, students often come into conflict and we need to support them to repair their friendships or “frenemyships” by using the tools in the Restorative practice methodology.

Restorative practice is a strategy that seeks to repair relationships that have been damaged, including those damaged through bullying. It does this by bringing about a sense of remorse and restorative action on the part of the offender and forgiveness by the victim.

The rationale behind this approach is that we hope when offenders reflect upon their harm to victims: They become remorseful and act restoratively.

Practitioners can focus on the unacceptable behaviour of offenders rather than their personality. It’s the action we don’t like, not the person.

This can lead to healthier interpersonal relations among members of the school community and more effective learning.

It is often difficult to rub along with one another in a school community or family and our relationships occasionally need to be restored as best we can to continue to function into the future.We try to adopt this practice at Xavier.

Resistance is built step by trip our Mindset needs to be set by our positivity.

It’s not bad things that upset us, but what we think about things that does all the damage.

Our sense of what a problem is — our subjective understanding — is more powerful than the objective reality. Mark Twain is supposed to have said "I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened." 

If you tell yourself that you were failed by your teachers and that’s why you’re not as smart as other people, for the rest of your life you’re going to have trouble learning and understanding things. It may be true that your teachers were less than adequate, but the story you’ve chosen to tell yourself is the true failure (and you can see how a person who tells themselves a different story about the same facts — “I attended an underperforming school but my hunger for learning allowed me to rise above it” or “My street smarts make up for what I lack in education” — will do much better in life).

As the Ancient Roman Stoic Epictetus said: “Sickness is an impediment to the body but not to the will unless the will wants to be impeded. Lameness is an impediment to the leg, but not to will. If you tell yourself this every time, you will find the impediment is to something else but not to yourself.”

That’s the narrative we want for ourselves. Yes, we all have problems, but we are not the problem. We have flaws but we are not flawed. We might do something dumb but that doesn’t mean we are dumb. We decide what things mean. We decide what is actually an obstacle and what isn’t.  You have the power.

College Captains

Congratulations to all of our Student Leaders for 2022/23.

Safer Drivers Course

Monday 26 September - 4:00pm to 7:00pm

1 Gilmore Crescent Byron Bay

Cost: $140 

Concession available for young people on Centrelink.

                                                   Bookings: https://www.bys.org.au/transport

Mr Anthony Condon

Faculty News

CREATIVE ARTS NEWS

Year 7 Art Students Create Skillful Charcoal Still-Life Drawings

On display in the library

There may very well be some great future artists in the making.

Year 7 Visual Arts students completed their first artmaking assessment task. They photographed their own still-life compositions of bottles, vases, flowers, cups and even plaster skulls. They then created two still-life drawings: one using the traditional Grid technique employed by the great Renaissance artists of the 16th century, and the other, a bold tonal drawing using charcoal showing an understanding of tonal scale and mood. They achieved success in both media and produced outstanding artworks which are currently on display in the library. 

This what students had to say:

Cooper Penny: “I learned how to persevere and develop the patience to achieve my precious artwork goals.”

Yali Amit: “I have learnt how to use charcoal to create different tones.”

Jacob Ellis: “I’ve found the shading of the art exquisite and beautifully fun.”

Oscar Klose: “I enjoyed shaping and making all the objects look 3D when shading with the charcoal.”

Verity Paulsen: “ I really enjoyed making the still life arrangement and angling the source of light for the photo.”

Celeste Dalby: “I’ve learnt how to create a range of different charcoal tones and highlights.”

Benny Keenan: “I have learnt how to use charcoal to create different shapes and tones.”

Ms Jasmin Rogers      Mrs Therese O’Kane     Mrs Amy Fear
Art teachers

Dance News

On 17 and 18 August, the Year 12 Dance class presented their final works for the external HSC examination. This included Core Performance, Core Composition and Major Performance/Composition/Film. As part of the Dance HSC, students must choreograph for a younger dancer and I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to the following students who gave up many hours to rehearse and then present the choreography during the HSC examination.

• Year 11: Josie Crethar and Ella Bartholomew
• Year 10: Sienna Endres, Emelia Campbell and Alani Adamson
• Year 9: Sunney Horner
• Year 8: Lily Mason, Amelia Axman and Ruby Boronski

Please see attached photos from the HSC examination days and also the performance night we held for family and friends the following week.

I would also like to congratulate Year 12 Dance student Siobhan Thompson on her Callback nomination for her Core Performance dance. Callback is a showcase of exemplary works from HSC Dance, held in Sydney. This is a phenomenal achievement and I wish Siobhan all the best in the selection process.

Mrs Allysha Hodges
Dance Teacher

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PDHPE NEWS

Exploring Early Childhood

Year 11
The Year 11 Exploring Early Childhood class recently engaged in numerous visits to St Anne’s Long Day Care Centre to have a tour of the centre, talk to the Centre Director Mrs Narelle Dewhurst, and to observe different classes and their educators. This has been an extremely valuable experience for the students to have the practical application of working with young people, observing highly experienced educators working with young people and to experience and discover the resources and quality education available to young people in our community. 

We are extremely grateful to Narelle, her staff and the students of St Anne’s for allowing us to visit the centre. 

Year 12
The Year 12 Exploring Early Childhood class are currently studying the module ‘Transition to School’ and have been visiting Holy Family Catholic Primary school to visit different Stage 1 classes. This educational experience has been outstanding for our Year 12 students to observe different teachers and teachers aides, and their outstanding pedagogy in the classroom. In addition, it has been extremely beneficial for our students to assist and support young children with their literacy and numeracy skills on our visits to these classrooms. 

We would like to thank Assistant Principal Mr Adam Sullivan for helping to organise these visits and to the Stage 1 staff and students for allowing us to visit. 

Mrs Rebecca Kennedy
Exploring Early Childhood Teacher

House News

MacKillop House News

MacKillop House recently celebrated the feast day of our patron Saint, Saint Mary of the Cross — Mary MacKillop. Her feast day is the 8 August. The theme for our liturgy this year was lessons from sunflowers and Saint Mary Mackillop. 

What lessons can we learn from Sunflowers and Saint Mary MacKillop?

1. Look to the sun
   Both Mary MacKillop and sunflowers look to the sun. Sunflowers depend on the sun for warmth, for heat, for light.  They depend on the sun to make their food so they can keep growing. Mary MacKillop’s driving force was God and her passion to provide education for all children in Australia regardless of their colour, past education, wealth or geographic location. Students were reminded that the best way we can look to the sun or the positives are to smile, be grateful, remind ourselves everyday to be positive, and look for the good. 
2. Keep turning to the sun
   One of the most impressive things about sunflowers is that they don’t just start out the day by facing the sun. They don’t just allow the sun to warm them on any spot. Throughout the day, they turn. They were designed to continually shift their faces towards the sun to not only soak up the sun, but to soak up the sun on their face. Mary MacKillop chose to look to the sun consistently throughout her life. She had to deal with many hardships including being excommunicated from the church. She was a great example of someone who consistently looked for the good. Students were reminded that often when you look for the good — you will find it!
3. Look to others
   Our third lesson from a sunflower is that they turn to each other! They face each other until the sun comes out from behind the clouds and they can turn to face the sun again. Mary MacKillop lived by her motto to, ‘Never see a need without doing something about it.’ Mary saw the inherent goodness in all people and things, and she encountered all situations with love. Her life provides a blueprint upon which to pattern our thoughts, our motivation for all our actions, and how we relate with life around us. Students were reminded that Mary dared to be different, and for this reason, she encourages each of us to take up the challenge. 
4. Better Together
   Sunflowers are better together. Sunflowers rely on each other.  They hang together. They grow together. They turn to each other and help each other when they cannot see the sun. Mary MacKillop once said, “So great is the strength we possess in our unity.” Students were encouraged to say hello to someone new in their PC group everyday, compliment their teachers on their lesson, smile at people as they walk past them at school, help their parents at home, get involved in extracurricular activities, and help others in their community. 

This artwork for this year's liturgy was a reminder of our MacKillop theme this year to ‘Be the Yellow ‘and to regularly take life lessons to be like a sunflower and like Mary MacKillop. 

Thank you to our Captains, Gabby Bolger, Ben Lee, Isabelle Shubert and Tamzin Collins who presented the liturgy so well. Thank you also to the students from MacKillop who read the prayers of the faithful: Rose Meany, Dominique Smith, Kai Sauge, Lilyana Monk, Mia Dirou, Joshua Thick and Cheyenne Acret. 

MacKillop House would particularly like to thank Ms Sharyn Dorey who provided so many sunflowers for us to use for our liturgy and Ms Tracy Wade and the Photography Club who took pictures for us on the day. 

Mrs Rebecca Kennedy
Head of House - MacKillop

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Sport News

7-9 Girls NSWCCC Football
NSWCCC - Semi Final - Sydney

Xavier’s junior girls football team travelled to Sydney on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 August, to compete in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Football semi final.

We were lucky enough to fly down, be bussed out to Valentine Sports Park (the head of ‘Football NSW’), train, play and stay on site. We were even able to watch an MPL women's match between NSW and Sydney Olympic. It was such a treat to be able to watch high quality football in the lead up to our match the next day.  It allowed the girls some perspective on where they were. The venue was world class and the girls genuinely experienced what it is like to play at the highest levels of the sport.

Our semi final was against Loreto Kirribilli.  Loreto were a quality team who had an impressive set of results leading into the semi. We were lucky enough to play on the grass pitch, usually reserved for games like we witnessed the night before. The girls were quite apprehensive after hearing of the Woodlawn girls team's demise in the Bill Turner Cup after they narrowly beat us recently.  It proved to be a motivating factor that led to our best performance of the season. We went down 3 - 0’ but we went down fighting.  

Every player did their part, mainly in defence, as we were under constant pressure from a high quality opposition. The girls' effort was second to none. I can honestly say that I have not been prouder of a playing group for how they applied themselves diligently throughout the contest. In the blink of an eye it was over and we were knocked out. Even the opposition coach praised our girls for providing such a challenge.

It was of great consolation to us to see Loreto go on and win the final 5-0. It demonstrated how well we played. It is the furthest we have managed to get in this competition in the school's history. What a great bunch of young ladies. Parents, you should be proud.

Thanks must go to all involved. Pat Kennedy, who organised, not only this trip, but every detail of every game that we played this season. Katie Elliott in the office for her assistance; Russell Asser who assisted Pat; SuperCoach Mrs Jessica Ferris for stepping up and coaching the girls to victory in the Coffs tournament which gave the girls the chance at this experience; Ms Giselle Want for giving up her time to chaperone the girls to Sydney, and of course the parents for supporting the cause (special mention to Tonya Ranyard for driving down to support). Also to the girls in the squad who did not get to come this time, but were a big part of us getting there: Leila Klein-Coleman, Mika Cruden and Adelaide Brown.

Of course the girls have been the real stars of the show. It has been a privilege to have been a part of this year's success and to work with such dedicated and fun loving young people. Ladies: thank ou for the experience.

Mr Michael Raeburn
Coach/Manager/Bus driver

Mr Pat Kennedy & Mr Russell Asser

Bill Turner Cup Under 15 Boys

After being crowned the 2022 Far North Coast Zone Champions with a 3-2 win over Summerland College, our great season continued with a resounding 4-0 over New England Zone Champions, Armidale Secondary College. The result put XCC into the last 16 teams in this national competition. Our opponents in the Round of 16 were a very organised St Pius X Adamstown side who controlled most of the possession in the first 15 minutes. Xavier stuck to their style of playing quick passing football — the midfield trio of Jerridan Tulloch, Tyler Dogan and Jacob Miletic were outstanding and the balance started to shift our way. A period of sustained XCC pressure paid off when classy centre back Jack Groves was on hand to volley home the loose ball from a corner to make it 1-0. Just before the break, Jacob Miletic won possession in the opposition box and finished calmly for Xavier to go into the break with a two goal advantage. St Pius came out firing in the second half and pulled one back with a long range effort setting up an exciting last 20 minutes. The XCC back four of Bodhi Smith, Rob de Wit, Jack Groves and Joey Anderson stood firm. Keeper Caiden Manley made a string of excellent saves to get us to the final whistle without conceding further and the game finished 2-1 our way. The result put us into the quarter finals the next day and after an overnight stay in Coffs Harbour, we were back again the following day to take on Hunter Sports High for a spot in the last four. Hunter Sports High has a selective high performance football program and it was always going to be a tough task to compete at this level. It was a difficult morning and we found ourselves under the pump from the first whistle. We struggled to maintain possession and build any pressure and we ended up being outclassed by the team that will probably go on to win the competition. Despite this result, this football season has been the most successful in the history of Xavier Catholic College. To get to the last 8 teams in a 900 team national competition open to all schools is an amazing achievement for a regional school. Special mention must go to the parents who have supported the boys and myself so well throughout the journey.  Big thanks also to Mr Pat Kennedy and Mr Russel Asser for organising all the logistics of the campaign, allowing me to focus on the coaching.  Let's have another shot in 2023 — it's coming home.

Bill Turner Cup Football Squad 2022: Caiden Manley,  Jack Groves,  Oscar Fogarty,  Jacob Miletic,  Tyler Dogan, Cooper Powell, Rob de Wit,  Tom Rutledge,  Harry Groves,  Jerridan Tulloch,  Bodhi Smith,  Koby Mortimer,  Joe Anderson,  Asger Paungreen, Charlie Hong,  Lennox Broadley,  Archie Power.

Official Photographers - Patrick Jones, Toby Schofield (XCC Photography Club)

Steve Edmonds
Coach

Semi Final - Xavier Catholic College vs St Pius Adamstown

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Quarter Final - Xavier Catholic College vx Hunter Sports High

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Diocesan Athletics

Congratulations to the team of 33 College athletes who travelled to the Coffs Harbour Stadium on 24 August to compete at Diocesan Athletics. Well done to the students below who placed in the top 4:

• Abigail Matthews - 12 Girls
• 1st 800m - 2.55.22
• 1st 1500m - 5.52.84
• 2nd 400m - 1.15.47
• Isabella Orlanno - 13 Girls
• 3rd 200m - 30.73
• 4th 100m - 14.54
• Skye Dogan - 13 Girls
• 1st 800m - 2.38.47
• 1st 1500 - 5.28.04
• 3rd 400m - 1.12.19
• 4th Javelin - 19.57
• Marli Francis - 14 Girls
• 3rd 800m 2.49.68
• 3rd 1500m - 5.53.87
• Arlo Stack - 12 Boys
• 3rd 400m - 1.17.61
• Finn Gisen - 13 Boys (4th Age Champion)
• 1st 100m - 13.13
• 3rd 200m - 27.78
• 3rd Long Jump - 4.55
• James Kirby - 13 Boys
• 4th 400m - 1.05.15
• Tyler Dogan - 15 Boys
• 2nd 800m - 2.17.16
• Wildcard 1500m
• Alexander Crimmins - 16 Boys (3rd Age Champion)
• 1st 400m - 55.28
• 1st Long Jump - 5.76
• 1st Triple Jump - 12.34
• Matthew Page - 16 Boys
• 2nd Long Jump - 5.66
• Loui Rubbo - 17+ Boys
• 4th 100m - 12.47
• 4th 200m - 25.35
• 4th Shot Put - 10.89
• 4th Triple Jump - 10.94

Special congratulations to the following students who have qualified to represent the Lismore Diocese at the  NSWCCC Athletics Championships at Sydney on 12 September.

• Abigail Matthews - 12 Girls
• Skye Dogan - 13 Girls
• Finn Gisen - 13 Boys
• Tyler Dogan - 15 Boys
• Alexander Crimmins - 16 Boys

2022 Championship Athletics Age Champions

Congratulations to the following Athletics Age Champions:

• U12 Boys - Ohtis Edwards
• U12 Girls - Layla Keough
• U13 Boys - Finn Gisen
• U13 Girls - Charlie Hudson
• U14 Boys - Declan Wallace
• U14 Girls - Adelaide Brown
• U15 Boys - Caiden Manley
• U15 Girls - Olivia Hayden and Hayley Patterson
• U16 Boys - Matthew Page
• U16 Girls - Niamh Sharpe
• U17 Boys - Loui Rubbo
• U17 Girls - Mia Viel
• U18 Boys - Zach Sullivan 
• U18 Girls - Olivia Page

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Canteen News – Term 3 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

FREE Instrumental Tuition Scholarships available for Term 4 — APPLY NOW!

I am pleased to announce that Xavier Catholic College will be offering scholarships for a term’s FREE tuition for flute, trumpet or trombone tuition. Up to 9 students (maximum of 3 per lesson) may participate in 8 weeks of  FREE Tuition and Instrument hire during Term 4 2022. Scholarships are open to students who have not previously learnt an instrument through the Xavier Instrument Tuition Program.

From this, we hope to have students who will continue on their chosen instrument and join the College Band in 2023. Further information can be obtained from the Instrumental Program Coordinator: kathleen.mclennan@lism.catholic.edu.au 

Don’t Miss Out on this Great Opportunity to learn a new instrument. Fill out the form below to apply!

Instrument tuition form

LIBRARY NEWS

Book Week 2022
Book Week was held in the Xavier Library in Week 6, with many activities and competitions taking place. There were also displays including the Children’s Book Council of Australia short-listed books, Year 11 Ceramics works and free bookmarks for all students who borrowed books. It was wonderful seeing staff and students utilising Library facilities!

The results of the competitions are as follows and prizes were awarded at the Week 7 College Assembly:

Library Treasure Hunt -  Patrick Jones, Year 7 ($30 Book Warehouse voucher)
What Are They Reading?/students - Kira van Eijden, Year 8 ($30 Book Warehouse voucher)
What Are They Reading?/staff - Dr Jo Adlard, ($30 Book Warehouse voucher)
Lolly Jar A (73 minties) - Hayley Patterson, Year 9
Lolly Jar B (54 redskins) - Zane Walker, Year 8
Lolly Jar C (80 eclairs) - Benjamin Smith, Year 8

Student Wellbeing

During Week 7, students had the opportunity to ‘Shred Their Worries Away’. Students from all year levels were invited to write down their worries and then shred them. Some kept their worries private whereas some either quietly shared them with their friends or openly discussed them around me as they decorated their worries before shredding them. The bright coloured paper and words were shredded into confetti that I will use in my chooks’ palace for bedding and laying eggs on. (Yes, our girls like their space to be bright.) It was amazing to see how this simple task of writing your worry and then shredding it made the students feel better.

Week 8 was filling our XCC ‘Jar of Awesomeness’. Students were invited to write a win or goal that they are proud of. The response to this was simply amazing! All students embraced this activity with zealous enthusiasm! The challenge to write about themselves was a struggle but WOW, they did it. A display has been created in the library with your thoughts of awesomeness. Pop in, borrow a book, and see what your student cohort is proud of. A big thank you to all the students!

I am available Monday and Tuesday. I can be found in the library before school and during class or floating around the yard with some project to do during breaks. The Seasons Program is also open to any students who are interested. Keep being fantabulous!

Rennae Reilly

The School Photographer Group Photo Orders

Group Photos are now available to order online through the School Photographer website.  Please see the list below of photos available to order.

Community News