Newsletter 15 - 23 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”

Farewell Year 12
Few groups of students in my time in leadership have had to withstand so many setbacks, roadblocks and resets as have our graduating Year 12 class; through it, all they have remained steadfast and determined in their resolve to achieve at the highest levels. We have seen in recent weeks the outstanding quality of some of their works on show for visiting HSC markers, and I have witnessed firsthand the outstanding grades they have achieved in their academic studies. They have come so far and should feel justifiably proud of their achievements. I ask you all to join me in congratulating them and to wish them well in our prayers for their continued success. I look forward to seeing the outstanding results (HSC, ATAR, Employment, Further Study, gap year) that they all seek at the conclusion of their time here.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate the Class of 2022’s achievements at the Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony. It was a wonderful occasion that emphasised just how remarkable our students are. Each student can be proud that they are leaving the College as examples of men and women for others — young adults that are willing to stand up for their beliefs, persist in the face of hardships, and strive to achieve every one of their goals. I thank all those involved in creating this memorable event, and thank all those involved in our students’ time at Xavier Catholic College.

Extended Family Leave
It is quite understandable now that borders both within and external to Australia have opened up, that families are taking the option to go on an extended break. I understand the need for important family time and readily acknowledge that there are times when the opportunity to go and the dates it impacts are out of your control.

Section 22 of The Education Act (NSW 1990) makes it very clear that students are required to be in school on all days when the school is open for instruction. It is for that reason that Notification of Extended Leave is not an application for leave from the Principal. The Catholic Schools Office as our Registering Authority have determined that Principals can not ‘permit’ or give ‘permission for’ extended leave for extended holidays. The Notification of Extended Leave is required under law to be provided to schools as an explanation of the absence. This does not constitute permission from the school to take the leave. Please note, however, I have no authority to tell families when they can and can't take leave. That is entirely your decision. 

As schools cannot give permission for leave, we can similarly not provide alternate learning for families when they are away on leave, nor can the leave be used as grounds for ‘Special Consideration’ for exams or assessment tasks. It creates a challenging decision for families and under current circumstances I can appreciate that timing is difficult. 

There are only certain situations where permission for extended leave may be granted

• To attend ‘Elite Sporting’ events (may include state and/or national representation)
• To attend ‘Entertainment Industry’ activities (a role in a movie, series, etc)
• As a result of serious illness or injury. In this case, alternate learning opportunities and Special Consideration may be approved.

A number of families have been receiving notification of missed explanations from previous absences. Please note we have identified some issues with previous procedures and this is a result of the College (and our new staff member) correcting and updating these omissions. Your patience and support in redressing these is appreciated.

REMINDER - 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.

A further Staff Professional Learning Day (our final of the standard 4) will be held on Monday 10 October. This will also be a student-free day. As mentioned in previous newsletters, all schools in the Diocese have 4 official PL days. Schools undertaking the School Review process are granted a fifth. The date for the fifth PL day is yet to be determined but will be communicated to families as soon as it is notified.

School Resumes in Term 4 for students on Tuesday 11 October.

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

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

HSC EXAMINATIONS
HSC examinations commence on Wednesday, 12 October and finish on Friday, 4 November 2022.

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

Top Achiever in Course for HSC 2021
Tim De Wit - Dutch Continuers (Year 11 Accelerant, 2nd in NSW)

Mrs Amanda Falvey

Assistant Principal Mission - Staff and Students

First Holy Communion
I would like to congratulate all the students from Holy Family, St Francis Xavier and local public primary schools who received their First Holy Communion on Sunday 18th September as part of the sacramental program for St Francis Xavier Parish. This also included our Year 7 student Audrey Johannes. Congratulations!

Best Wishes to our Year 12’s
Thank you to the Heads of House for making the final week of the Year 12 cohort’s school year a memorable and joy-filled occasion. It was celebrated with some wonderful House activities. Although it has been a difficult last few years in many ways, with so many unpredictable impacts, I have been impressed to witness this cohort conclude their schooling with dignity and a spirit of community, demonstrating a maturity that is reflective of all the best elements of our College and leaves us feeling proud of the wonderful young adults they have developed into. I wish our Year 12s the best as their formal schooling comes to a conclusion here at Xavier. As a community, we give thanks for bringing these young people to this special moment in their lives. We ask God to accompany them as they face new adventures and challenges. May the paths they take always lead to God and to the eternal joy that is their inheritance through Baptism. Best of luck Year 12s of Xavier Catholic College 2022!

School Holidays
Although we often celebrate and look forward to holidays, they can be challenging times without the routine that many come to rely on. For some young people, this time of year can feel as though you've been taken away from your usual routine of studies or work and you may not get to see your friends, teachers or classmates as often as you would like to. This can leave you feeling bored, unsupported, upset and sometimes anxious. It’s important to stay healthy and look after yourself. There are a number of ways to help you do this, and we've suggested a few tips below.

Ways could include:

EATING WELL
It’s important to have a well-balanced diet with less of the bad things (like junk food and lots of sugar) and more of the good things (such as veggies, fruit, whole grains and water). This can help with sleep, energy levels and general health and wellbeing.

SLEEP WELL
Getting a good night’s sleep helps you feel energised, focused and motivated. Developing a sleeping routine can help you sleep much better. To do this, try to wake up around the same time each day, get out of bed when you wake up and go to bed around the same time each night. Avoid stimulants (such as caffeine) late in the day/evening and have a break from the blue light of screens as you approach your bedtime. Making sure you get adequate movement and fresh air in your day can also improve sleep.

BE SOCIALLY ACTIVE AND GET INVOLVED
Social relationships are really important to your general wellbeing. Spending time with friends and family is also really important for keeping and building on existing relationships. Getting involved with volunteer work, hobbies, clubs or committees, or sports can help you feel connected to your wider community while also meeting new people.

PLAY
Play is important for staying mentally healthy. Devoting time to just having fun can recharge your battery, revitalise your social networks and reduce stress and anxiety.

I’d like to wish you all a safe, relaxing and recharging spring holiday break. Be safe and have fun!

Mr Peter Fear

Catechesis And Evangelisation

Festa Christi
Festa Christi is a gathering for selected Year 8 students from parish secondary schools in the north of the Diocese to celebrate their faith at a Diocesan level. 

The two-day retreat experience involves activities that focus on ‘walking in another person’s shoes,’ having the students overcome their fears and gain a greater awareness of social justice. Festa Christi allows time for prayer and reflection and concludes with the celebration of the Eucharist. The program has been geared to meet the needs of Year 8 students. 

The gathering will be an overnight experience that will allow relationships to be built with other students from throughout the Diocese, as well as a chance for students to talk and share about their faith journey. 

What: Festa Christi – a youth gathering for students from every parish school in the northern region of the Diocese. 

When: Thursday 3 – Friday 4 November 2022

Where: PCYC Bornhoffen, Natural Bridge

Cost: Nil. All transport, food and accommodation expenses will be met by the Catholic Schools Office.

In discerning which students might participate in this retreat experience, the CSO has recommended the following guidelines:

• Faith-filled and eager to share the love of Jesus
• Regularly attend their parish Mass
• Are involved in some other form of church participation either at school or in the parish (for example lunch prayer, altar serving) 

All students who attend Festa must understand it is a faith experience in the Catholic tradition. They must be open to learning more about the Christian faith and growing in this area. 

To apply to be one of XCC’s delegates to the  2022 Festa Christi 2022, students should complete the Online Festa Application Form

Thank you Mr Priddis
Mr Sam Priddis has been filling the position of Assistant Leader of Religious Education while Mrs Howard has been on leave. We thank Mr Priddis for his contributions to the leadership of our faculty and we warmly welcome Mrs Howard back.

Year 10 Social Justice Speeches
Year 10 have been writing speeches on the theme “Will you cry out?” to evoke action on social justice issues, such as human trafficking, the environment, homelessness, and refugees. Excerpts from students' response speeches are below. Congratulations to Year 10 for their hard work on this task. 

The Catholic Social Teaching, “Preferential option for the poor,” explains that caring for those who are marginalised and vulnerable is everyone's responsibility. So let’s start with change: recycle your clothes, recycle water, adopt wind and solar power options, curb excessive transport, plant trees. These local changes can and will have a global effect! You can cry out — you can start this change! Think global, act local. Recently in the slums of India, a new type of system has been developed where groups of homes can harness solar energy through solar panels, then buy and sell it between houses through the ‘solshare’ box energy trading system. They can then use this energy to power their homes, allowing for lighting and hot water. Even those who cannot afford a solar home system can buy a much cheaper ‘solshare’ box, fill it with money, and buy and sell energy. In addition to this, these microgrid systems can collaborate with other microgrid systems, forming a larger energy trading community. These impoverished communities have skipped the step of mining fossil fuels and are already implementing renewable systems to generate power. If it is cheaper and more efficient for them to use renewable solar energy, surely we can move on from mining industries towards a more sustainable future. This will certainly halt the repercussions of climate change on poverty-susceptible communities and create a safer and healthier earth for future generations.  
Sunny Seberry (10C)

Often when we are confused or scared, we look to God to be a guide. His teachings are continuously passed onwards by important religious figures, exemplified in former head of Church Pope Benedict XVI. His 2009 papal encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, states “charity can be recognized as an authentic expression of humanity and as an element of fundamental importance in human relations.” This notion must be carried forward as legacy, especially as we face the prevalent rise of homelessness and poverty. He is clearly influenced by the Catholic Social Teachings in his writings, a system of ideas which challenge us to live responsibly and in alignment with God. There are three key principles rooted in Catholic Social Teachings that have been conveyed in Pope Benedict’s enyclical; dignity of the human person, preferential option for the poor and call to family, community and participation. These values must be utilised as we tackle homelessness as they not only provide a framework for our actions but teach us to dignify and hold human life with respect. Pope Benedict’s encyclical also communicates that “besides the good of the individual, there is a good that is linked to living in society”. Here, we are reminded that charity must be extended to our community and when all else fails, the people who surround us are the embodiment of support and encouragement. We must not lose faith in one another and always strive to be generous in providing aid for the homeless and impoverished. 
Abbey Horvath (10D) 

“Charity is love received and given. It is “grace” (cháris). Its source is the wellspring of the Father's love for the Son, in the Holy Spirit.” Charity demonstrates the genuine love that God has for both his son and for us because it is both given and received. This means that instead of just talking about it as we sit about, we must get up, stand up, and start acting. We are here in warm beds with a roof over our heads, food in the fridge whenever we need it, while there are people sitting on the streets without food, without money, and losing their sense of self. Consider how fortunate we are, and now, imagine taking everything away. What do you have now? Nothing. So truly, if you're being honest, is it so hard to contribute to those who are less fortunate than you? Please pay attention to what I have to say, what God has to say, and what those who are pleading for help are saying. The principles of the CST are highlighted in this encyclical, confronting the faults in our society. Why are we doing nothing about the situation of homelessness? Catholic Social Teaching offers a method of being, acting, and seeing the world. It presents a picture of a just society where those who are struggling are cared for and everyone is treated with respect. The CST themes in this encyclical encourage us all to act justly and with regard for human dignity in connection to this situation.
Avril Crawford (10D)

Year 9 Magazine articles
Year 9 students have been preparing magazine articles about the Church in Australia. They have interviewed people, compiled data, and created comprehensive sophisticated articles. Samples of their articles are below.

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.

The Class of 2022 has Graduated
Each year we are so proud to see the men and women of Xavier Catholic College walk across the stage to celebrate their graduation. We recall their entry into Xavier in 2017 as children and see them graduate in 2022 as fine men and women. There are the champions and the academically successful who have worked tirelessly for great results, but every bit as important (to my way of thinking) is the knowledge that each student has been tested in the fire of secondary life and emerged triumphant. They have had to navigate difficult social changes as their friendships ebbed and flowed. They have had to negotiate a more mature relationship with their parents. They have had to cope with the teachers they didn’t especially like and enjoyed the classes with those teachers with whom they resonated. They have completed difficult subjects. They have been selected for sporting teams and/or missed out on selection. They have had their hearts broken and they leave us as men and women who will strive to do the “Magis” who will be “men and women for others”. They should be proud of themselves; we are very proud of them.

Student Toilets
I am asking you to have a chat with your students about the treatment of the College toilets. We have three toilet blocks here at Xavier and each student deserves to be able to use them in an hygienic condition. I’m sure that we only have a few folk who are acting very destructively in the toilet rooms. The damage they are doing to their own facilities is heartbreaking. It is a terrible task for the cleaners to clean and repair each evening. If your student knows who is doing this could they please let us know? An anonymous note under my door or left on their PC teacher’s desk would be appreciated.

Uniform
As we come to the three-quarter time break I would ask that you have a good check of your student’s uniform. 

• Skirts and dresses may need to be let down as the student has grown over the year.
• Skirts and dresses should be knee length.
• Shoes must be black, polishable and lace up. Shoes must be polished regularly. I don’t understand how people spend so much on shoes and don’t polish them. It’s part of my weekend. (Not the best part.)
• Students must wear the College Socks. No exceptions. 
• Students should return with no extreme hair styles.
• Students must avoid places that pierce their ears endlessly.
• Students should have a good holiday.

Mr Anthony Condon

Faculty News

Drama News

On Monday 12 September, HSC Drama students performed their Individual Performances and Group Performances for family and friends. The show was a huge success — please see a few of the photos from the night. Thank you to Ms Wade for taking photographs and Miss Quinn for helping with the lighting on the night.

Congratulations again to the students who have been nominated for inclusion in OnSTAGE and to the students who submitted their Individual Projects in Video, Script and Costume Design this week.

Mrs Allysha Hodges
Drama Teacher

Entertainment News

During this term, Year 12 Entertainment student Joseph Raines was lucky enough to complete a work placement at Ballina Players. Joseph worked in the audio department, gaining skills in how to run the audio desk during a live show. Thank you to Mrs Leanne Broadley for supervising Joseph during his work placement.

Mrs Allysha Hodges
Entertainment Teacher

Year 12 Hospitality Excursion to Sydney

On Wednesday 14 September, the students in Year 12 Hospitality classes attended an excursion in Sydney.  

The students attended a wide variety of establishments that helped with giving them clear examples of working in the Hospitality Industry at all levels of service. This is particularly essential to the delivery of a VET course, where students are training for high standards in the Industry. It is also essential for the students sitting the HSC examination, who require industry examples at 5 stars in their extended responses.

Students were introduced to different types of establishments, including 5-star hotels such as the Fullerton and the Intercontinental. Students also were able to sample different types of cuisine, such as Turkish food, Thai food and desserts from Koi.

Students found it exhausting walking around the city and were able to travel on different types of public transport but all reported having an amazing time

It was a very enjoyable trip, which has been well earned after the students have helped to run the school coffee shop every morning at school.

Thank you to Mr Pavez for his tireless assistance with the Year 12 students.

Fiona Spinks
Hospitality Teacher

Sport News

NSWCCC Athletics Championships
Congratulations to the following students who represented the Lismore Diocese at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships at Sydney on the 12 September.

• Abigail Matthews - 12 Girls     
• 6th 1500 metres 5.49.59
• 7th 800 metres  2.50.30
• Skye Dogan - 13 Girls Lismore Diocesan Age Champion  
• 3rd 800 metres 2.37.29
• 3rd 1500 metres 5.16.59              

• Finn Gisen - 13 Boys  
• 2nd 100 metres 12.64 (0.01 seconds off first place)                                               

• Tyler Dogan - 15 Boys
• 4th 1500 metres 4.26.18
• 5th 800 metres 2.12.66

Individual Achievements

Special congratulations to Tahj McCabe who recently attended High Performance Basketball Trials in Maitland. He was subsequently selected in the NSW Country U16 Boys Basketball Team to compete at the Australian Basketball Country Cup in Albury in January 2023.  Tahj was the only U16 boy chosen from the Far North Coast Area.

Mr Pat Kennedy & Mr Russell Asser

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Canteen News – Term 4 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

Congratulations Leela Siva

Congratulations to Leela Siva (Year 11) on winning the Hawaii Tourism/Take 3 for the Sea Competition.

The competition was to help our oceans and eliminate plastic. Leela came up with the fantastic idea of tourists being given a bag to collect rubbish and then being able to exchange the rubbish for activities. The judges loved the detail in her response and the consideration of budgeting and implementation, as well as engaging local tour operators and of course the focus on removing plastic and litter from the beaches - they were really impressed!

Leela has won an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii from 13 September to 20 September 2022. The trip is centred around International Coastal Clean Up Day on the 17 of September and therefore, she will be doing a lot of work to clean Hawaii’s beautiful beaches and reserves of any rubbish. It will involve a lot of physical work outdoors and in the hot sun.

Leela will also have the opportunity to participate in a lot of fun activities like snorkelling, surfing and canoeing, as well as attend educational lectures and workshops and learn about how to protect the ocean and eliminate plastic. She will also be visiting Hawaiian schools where she can present her ideas to the kids in Hawaii on how they can look after the ocean. Leela will also be joined by another competition winner.

Congratulations Leela.

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