Newsletter 20 - 16 December 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”

Our Final Newsletter
I would like to thank the vast majority of parents and families for your support over the last 12 months. It has certainly been one most of us would prefer to forget. However, there will be many lessons to learn and opportunities to continue improving. So, as committed Jesuit leaders and teachers, we will ever keep ‘one foot raised’ marching on towards even better results for our young people academically, spiritually, culturally and pastorally.

Outstanding HSC Results
It is fair to say that expectations for this year’s HSC could easily and understandably have been lowered just a tad to allow for the horrendous impact of floods and community tragedies. However, far from lowering their expectations and that of their teachers, our outstanding Year 12 cohort has far exceeded any results they could have imagined. I am pleased and proud to announce the following results as just a brief example of their outstanding achievements:

• Lucia Pilgrim                          1st in State French Continuers
  
• Ben Masterson                       2nd in State Industrial Technology 
  
• Ewan Trafford                        9th in State Mathematics Advanced
  
• Jayda Thompson                   All Rounder - Band 6 in all 7 courses
  
• Reuben Adlington                 All Rounder - Band 6 in 6 Courses
  
• Ewan Trafford                        All Rounder - Band 6 in 6 Courses
  
• Ruve Murdoch                       All Rounder - Band 6 in 5 courses

Overall the College had 156 Distinguished Achievers - Band 6 in one or more courses, and over half of ALL results at either Band 5 or Band 6, which is simply outstanding.

Farewells and Welcome
The end of each year is always tinged with a touch of sadness, alleviated by a level of excitement for the changeover of staff at every College. This year is no different as we say goodbye to some outstanding staff and educators, and, equally, note the supreme level of expertise we will welcome next year. With that, I wish all the best to the following staff who leave us at the end of the year.

Departing Staff

Welcome New Staff                                           From

What a wonderful team we have gathered for the 2023 school year.

The Role of Schools - Social-Ills
Throughout each year, we see an ever-increasing number of what I refer to as ‘social ills’. On the news and other places, we often see teenagers making mistakes in life, poor decisions or lack of understanding, causing issues in and around our communities. Often the onus is pointed back to schools to address these. It is generally a resounding response from the community that ‘this needs to be taught in schools’ and why don’t they teach this in schools?’

Schools feel the pressure of an already crowded curriculum, but we genuinely see the validity and need for us to provide these topics to our young people in support of their parents and families.

• Driver safety and education

• Road Safety - Year 10
• YOU CHOOSE participants are engaged by powerfully relatable concepts of choice and consequence, which are placed in context with their own lives and their own loved ones. 

• Financial Literacy and Planning

• Students increase their awareness of positive savings programs and some models of money management.

• Positive Mental Health Messages - The Batyr standard

• Whole School
• Students will learn where to reach out for help and be given practical tips on how to look after their own wellbeing so that they have actionable takeaways

• Senior Study Skills preparation and planning

• Yr 10 senior school preparation

• Access to HeadSpace support

• Year 7 
• Looking Out for Your Friends: Notice, Ask, Connect
• Year 10
• Self-Care: Looking after your Mental Health

• Opportunities for non-academic social interaction

• House-led sporting games week

• Social Justice initiatives

• One Foot Raised Walkathon
• Students complete the walk as an act of solidarity, carrying bags of rice or bottles of water.
• "Unleashing Personal Potential", a group from Brisbane that runs motivational courses for school students.

So for the last week or so, we have provided these in a manner that would not impact an already crowded curriculum. Assessment had concluded, reports were being written, and these ‘social ills’ were being addressed at school, as I said, to support parents and families. We feel strongly that we have an important role to play in supporting the recognition of ‘Cura Personalis’ (the care of the whole person), in providing these initiatives. A huge amount of work goes into putting this together.

This is why it was so disappointing throughout the time these activities were on, to receive messages from families responding to ‘absence SMS’ messages that “school was finished (for my child at least) as 'nothing' was happening” and “I’m keeping them home because of the lack of structure”. Of course, this is paraphrased, but it indicates the many responses we had over that time. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that families have opted to simply believe their child who is looking for any reason not to be at school. And this is a contributing factor to the angst that many staff (including me) feel in trying to work in partnership with families.

As a College Leadership and educational community, we have a long way to go to restore the partnership with families to what it should be. COVID, floods and other events have contributed significantly to this situation. But as partners, I urge families to reconsider their role in their child’s education, their impact on respect for staff and values in the school, and their role in ensuring we speak and act as one voice in supporting our young people to succeed.

My Time Away in Term 1 2023: The impact of leadership for me over the last 20 years has accumulated to a point where I feel I need to take some time away in order to replenish my energy levels and ensure I am at my very best to return to lead the College again from Term 2 onwards. Mental health is no trivial matter, and I ask that all families and staff do everything they can to ensure their own is supported, nurtured and cared for at every opportunity. Mr Ryan Campbell will be Acting Principal in my place.

Have a safe, happy and holy Christmas

I will see you all in Term 2, 2023

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

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

The Class of 2022 — HSC Results

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 on extraordinary HSC results.

Xavier Catholic College is incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding HSC achievements of the Class of 2022.

Although the HSC is a marker of academic achievement, we want to celebrate the individual behind the results. Each student's achievement is a reflection of their individual diligence and commitment; however, it also speaks to a longstanding pursuit of excellence across a variety of areas from the moment they first stepped onto the College grounds in Year 7. Our students have spent their years at Xavier Catholic College learning who they are as an individual, discovering their passions and using them to guide their plans and dreams ahead. We are proud to note that each student has graduated from our College as an individual ready to make a difference in the world. 

Our thanks to the teaching and support staff who have guided our students in their learning, and to our wider College community for their support throughout a challenging year. We are so proud of our students and pray for each of them as they take the next steps on their individual journey through life, whether that be in the workforce, pursuing further study, or any number of post-school adventures.

2022 HSC Ranking

We are excited to announce that Xavier Catholic College ranked second in the state amongst Catholic systemic schools. We ranked 61st in NSW in the 2022 HSC results!

Check out the full HSC rankings here.

Top Achievers In Course

The Top Achievers In Course List represents student ranking across NSW, recognising students who place in the top 20 students amongst their subject cohort.

HSC All Rounders

The HSC All Rounders Honour List recognises students who achieved an overall HSC result of 90 or above in their 10 best units.

HSC Distinguished Achievers

The HSC Distinguished Achievers List celebrates those students who achieved a result in the highest band for one or more courses. 

64 students have been honoured as HSC Distinguished Achievers in 2022, with over 150 entries from Xavier Catholic College students on the list.

Course Results

Our students demonstrated their outstanding talent across a range of subjects — over 88% of courses placed above the state average in 2022!

Every student who studied English Extension 1 placed in the top band. 

100% of students in the following courses received results in the highest two bands, achieving results of 80% or higher:

• English Extension II
• History Extension
• Visual Arts

At least half of the students in the following courses received results in the highest two bands, achieving results of 80% or higher:

• Business Studies
• Construction
• Dance
• Design & Technologies
• Drama
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Economics
• English Advanced
• Entertainment Services
• Food Technology 
• French Extension
• French Continuers
• Geography
• Hospitality
• Italian Beginners
• Legal Studies
• Mathematics Extension 1
• Mathematics Extension 2
• Mathematics Standard 2
• Modern History
• Music
• Society & Culture
• Studies of Religion I
• Studies of Religion II

Mrs Amanda Falvey

Assistant Principal Mission - Staff and Students

JACSA Student Leadership Conference
From Sunday 4 December until Tuesday 6 December I was fortunate to accompany three of our College Captains;  Millie, Oliver and Grace to Xavier College Kew, Victoria for the Jesuit and Companion Schools Association Student Leadership Conference. Unfortunately Isaiah was unable to attend due to his commitment to performing in the local production of Mamma Mia. This was an enriching three days where our leaders had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow student leaders from the 10 Jesuit and Companion schools from around Australia.

Whole School Swimming Carnival 
We experienced a fun-filled day of novelty events and some competitive swimming in a dance party atmosphere. All the students who were in attendance had a fantastic time and contributed to developing connection and community spirit. Disappointingly, the attendance was not strong and we ask families to support these important College community events in future as these opportunities strengthen relationships and add positively to the emotional health of our students. We expect that students attend these events; we need you to ensure that they do.

Every blessing for Christmas
Each of us comes to this time of year from a different perspective. For some it is a great time of celebration, fun and joy; for others it may be a time of anguish, emptiness and pain. From my own heart, I pray that God’s blessings be upon you all, especially those most in need, and ask that the Spirit of Christmas bring you peace, that the gladness of Christmas bring you hope and that the warmth of Christmas bring you love.

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
which we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.

Mr Peter Fear

Catechesis And Evangelisation

Vinnies Hampers 
Thank you to students and staff who contributed to our Vinnies hampers. These were delivered to Suzanne Nichols, Lismore president, and will be distributed to families in need in our local area. 

Best wishes
Best wishes to our staff who are leaving us at the end of 2022. Mr Priddis has gained employment at Mt St Pat’s College, Murwillumbah, Mrs O’Kane will be moving closer to family in Sydney, and Mrs Hunt has made the decision to retire. We are most grateful for their years of service to our College and for their wonderful collegiality, dedication, and energetic presence in our faculty. We will miss them greatly!

Mr David Eyles & Dr Madeline Beveridge

Wellbeing

Accomplishment and Competence
[Character Strength and Jesuit Value]

This week’s Character Strength in the Student Planner are Accomplishment and Optimism and it dovetails with the Jesuit aspiration of being a person of Competence who finds “God (good) in all things”.

Mental Health Care in the Holidays
The holidays are a great time to spend with your most precious people, your family. Remember to help a friend in need: How to help a friend. These upcoming online moderated chat groups (e-headspace) may be of interest for both students and parents group chats led by professionals | headspace.

Tuesday afternoon Silent Reading
On Tuesday afternoon at 2:56, all students move to allocated rooms for silent reading and are supervised by half of the staff while the other half attend their PLT (Professional Learning Teams) Meetings; they then swap the next week. In 2023, the Year 12s will meet in the Magis for a meeting to help guide them through their HSC. The requirements of the NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) for all HSC students will have to be discussed from time to time. This time will also be used to pass on other information for our senior students. No student is to leave the College before the 3:20pm bell in 2023.

Uniform: A few issues of concern for the start of next year:

• All students should only be wearing the XCC socks to school.
• All senior students wearing the boy’s uniform must have their shirts tucked in and must wear a black belt.
• Students must limit themselves to two lobe sleepers or studs and one (religious) necklace and one ring.
• Skirts and dresses must be knee length.
• Parents of students who are non-compliant with the uniform will be asked to collect their child from school until the uniform is compliant. Most students' dresses and skirts are currently too short and should be no more than ten centimetres above the knee. The College will be very strict about this in 2023.

Adieu. Cohen or Dylan?
I never had the sense that there was an end: that there was a retirement or that there was a jackpot. Leonard Cohen

Anthem. Album: The Future by Leonard Cohen 1992

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

Forever Young. Planet Waves (1974) Bob Dylan

"May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation,
When the winds of changes shift."

Mr Anthony Condon

Faculty News

Technologies News

Year 7 MIXED MATERIALS (TEXTILES)
The Textiles Technology rotation of the Year 7 Mixed Materials course successfully created a reusable tote bag and a pair of shorts. Design, cutting and sewing skills were developed initially in creating the tote bag, which also features a hand-drawn design. The students’ shorts project initially involved creating and manipulating their own digital design in Adobe Photoshop to form a repeat pattern. This design was then printed with the sublimation printer and heat-set onto their shorts fabric. This process allows a very clear image transfer and students are to be congratulated in displaying such creativity in their personalised print pattern designs. Students were then able to sew their shorts and finished off the course by designing a vinyl-cut logo for a t-shirt, or tie-dyeing a t-shirt.

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Year 8 ENGINEERING
In Semester 2, Year 8 Engineering students enjoyed developing and challenging their wood-working practical skills in the Makerspace to create a lolly dispenser machine. This project integrated examples of course content concerning systems, motion, simple machines and forces. Some very creative and thoughtful design ideas were developed and adapted as students worked through the design process. Students demonstrated improved skills in technical drawings of their initial designs and of the lolly machine. Technologies utilised throughout the semester included the laser cutter, hand tools and machinery. The students also developed skills using CAD program ‘Onshape’ to digitally create their lolly machine.

Ms Rachel Eisenhauer
Class Teacher

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Visual Arts News

Year 10 People's Choice Portrait Prize

House News

Year 8 Pastoral Week

The Year 8 Pastoral Week was held in Week 7 after being postponed in Term 1 due to the floods. It was definitely a memorable experience, which included three days at Tyalgum Ridge Retreat and two days here at school participating in other pastoral activities. The main focus of the week was to build strong and new relationships with our peers built on respect, and to step out of our comfort zone for a bit.

It is needless to say that our days in camp at Tyalgum were definitely challenging, but a lot of fun. Even though some activities were hard, like the three-hour hot hike through the rainforest, we still got through them with lots of laughs with all our friends. Despite many eventful injuries and experiences everyone put on a brave face and carried on. Whether it was trying to get a fire started, animals around the capsite scaring us at night and even someone’s screaming night terror that woke us all up petrified, we could always count on the others to make sure we had a smile on our faces. We enjoyed the range of different activities including high ropes, raft building, kayaking, archery, bike riding, low ropes and group initiatives. Over the three days we overcame the obstacles and felt a real sense of achievement and tiredness. 

Back at school we spent a couple of fulfilling and enjoyable days where everyone participated in activities that helped build and strengthen our teamwork as a group. These activities were engaging and were designed to associate with one another and everyone. The boys worked on the  quote ‘#Good Bloke’, while the girls focused on teamwork, valuing themselves and being an upstander. We had some great talks about mental health with Angela Murray, one of the College Counsellors. She talked about how sometimes  things can build up and cause our bucket to overflow and the great ways we can release that stress and, importantly, seek support. The boys also heard from Trent Chapman, who shared his own personal experiences about life and how it made him the person he is today. We also spent some time at the beach together and other fun activities.

All up, we had an amazing week and we would like to thank all of the staff involved for their time and effort. We really appreciate it. 

Sarah Jones and Tasman Grew-Jones, Year 8 students

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Sport News

NRCC Boys Cricket
On Wednesday 30 November 2022, the Xavier College U/16 Cricket team competed in the northern division cricket competition in Murwillumbah. We chose to bat first in both games, collecting 193 runs against Mt St Pats, then 223 runs against Lindisfarne in the T20 final. Both opponents bowled out under 100 runs.

Jack Evers, Kai Dallie, Bailey Thomson and Noah Helle all retired batting, while Lennox Broadley and Bayden Tay were fantastic in the field. Great day for all players and coaching staff.

Clint McCarthy
Coach

2023 Swimming Carnival
The 2023 Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 9 December at the Alstonville Aquatic Centre. Thank you to the College staff who attended and the wonderful staff at the Alstonville Aquatic Centre. Congratulations to the students who participated with colour and pride for their Houses. Results:

1. McAuley 578 points 
2. Campion 565 points
3. Ignatius 516 points
4. Nagle 500 points
5. Faber and Mackillop 469 points

Congratulations to the 2023 Swimming Carnival Shield Winners McAuley

Mr Pat Kennedy & Mr Russell Asser

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Canteen News – Term 1 2023

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

STAGE BAND CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE
Our Stage Band had a great time playing half an hour of Christmas Show Tunes for the St Annes Preschool Christmas Party on Monday 5 December. The weather for the afternoon was perfect for a Christmas picnic, and our students ranging from Years 7-12 were able to bring in the afternoon festivities in style.

Mrs Leanne Broadley
Leader of Learning - Creative Arts

Community News