Newsletter 1: Friday 10 February 2023

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

Welcome to our first newsletter of the year. We have had a fantastic start as a school community, and I could not be prouder or more excited to be part of Xavier Catholic College. 

I want to first thank all our parents/caregivers for the support of our school and also offer a warm welcome to any new parent joining our community. A key focus for me this term and for the College moving forward is building strong family and school partnerships. More information on how we collectively will do this will follow in the next couple of weeks. We have also launched our school theme for the year “Better Together” which is based on the scripture, "Above all, maintain constant love for one another." (1 Peter 4:8). The theme was developed by our Student Leaders and will be the foundation of all things relating to our school and lens that we will look through for 2023. 

College Mass and Assembly: This week saw our College begin the Year with a beautiful College Mass. Our students prepared for this special event with some singing practice and I can tell you they did a wonderful job singing during the Mass. On Wednesday we also had our first College Assembly. This was particularly special as it was student lead by our wonderful College Captains (Grace Kennedy, Millie Jackson, Oliver Dwyer, and Isaiah Galloway). Through my experience at schools, this was by far one of the most engaging and enjoyable assemblies I have been part of. Guests visiting the school also expressed how wonderful the feeling was amongst our student body and their active participation. Congratulations to our Captains and also to our wonderful students. During the assembly, we were able to acknowledge a number of significant achievements involving students from the College. 

Bill Turner Cup: One of these acknowledgments was our talented Bill Turner Cup boys receiving their medals after finishing eighth in the National Competition. What an impressive achievement for a regional, small coastal school. We are so proud of their achievements and each of the boys who were part of the team. A huge thanks to Mr Edmonds, the other staff, and parents/caregivers who supported this team and journeyed with the boys to the numerous locations as they progressed through the competition. We look forward to the team this year again doing our school proud.

Jake Hamilton — NSW U15 Boys State Blues Hockey Team: Congratulations to our talented Year 8 student Jake Hamilton. Jake was selected for the NSW U15 Boys State Blues Hockey Team on Tuesday. He was named in this team following an onerous selection process involving three selection camps, the first involving 100 athletes, which was then cut to 60 athletes for the final selection camp, held in Port Macquarie last weekend. Jake will now travel to Sydney twice this term for training camps and then compete at the U15 National Hockey Championships at Darwin over the Easter break for 9 days. What makes this selection even more exciting is that Jake is in the younger age group and still has another year in the U15 divisions. Congratulations again, Jake. We could not be prouder of you!

OnStage Excursion and Lirra Eady: This week saw our Year 11 and 12 Drama students travel to Sydney to attend the OnStage HSC performance by the 2022 student cohort. The trip provides students with an understanding of performances that were considered of an exceptional standard in the HSC. Xavier was fortunate enough to have Lirra from our 2022 cohort performing throughout the week. Congratulations to Lirra on being selected and her amazing performances this week. We could not be prouder of you either!

COLA Works: This week saw the start of the COLA (Covered Outdoor Learning Area) being constructed over one of our outdoor court areas. The work for this space will most likely take until the end of this term. We appreciate students’ patience with this and look forward to them enjoying this area during the breaks and PE/Sports lessons. It will provide a cooler area for our students to enjoy in the hot weather that is part of this great area in which we live.

Compass: This a friendly reminder to all families to download the Compass App. This will be the main source of communication used by the school and also a key part of teachers and parents collaborating on the progress of their child/children’s learning. More information on how to download can be found in the Compass Letter shared earlier this week.

Facebook: Throughout this term, we will be using Facebook to share all the wonderful things that are taking place at our school. If you have not followed the College yet, I invite you to do so and share in all our experiences. 

Finally, if at any stage your child has achieved something significant in any field we would like to know about it so we can celebrate and acknowledge this at our College. Thank you for your ongoing support, and I hope to meet more parents and families throughout this term.

Mr Ryan Campbell
Acting Principal

ryan.campbell@lism.catholic.edu.au 

Have you downloaded Compass?

Compass is our new parent communication tool and one-stop shop for daily updates, upcoming events and notifications about your child's learning. Download the app below:

• Google Play Store
• Apple Store

Can't find XCC? Search for Skennars Head, and we'll appear! Then, use your provided login details to access your parent portal.

If you have any questions, please email us at xavier@lism.catholic.edu.au. 

Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Welcome back to the College for 2023, and welcome to all new students and families joining our Xavier Catholic College community.

Laureate Assembly

This week, we celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2022 at our annual Laureate Assembly. 

Students who achieved results in the highest band in a subject were acknowledged as Distinguished Achievers and presented with medallions to celebrate these outstanding results. We also acknowledged students on other HSC achievement lists, such as All Round Achievers, Top Achievers in Course, Showcase Selections, and College Dux. 

In acknowledging these academic achievements, we were also given an opportunity to acknowledge our students for consistently aspiring to succeed in all areas of their lives. As our 2022 graduates take their next steps in life, we will continue to pray for them and wish them every success on their individual journey.

A full list of HSC achievements is available on our website.

Parent Evenings

Parents are warmly invited to our upcoming Parent Evenings where we will share important information about learning and assessment. It will be an opportunity to connect with other families and learn how to work in partnership with the school to support your child.

• Year 11: Monday 13 February at 6pm in the Magis Centre
• Year 10: Monday 20 February at 6pm in the Magis Centre

It would be wonderful to have as many parents there as possible.

Book Packs

All stationery requirements, including book packs, are listed for each year level on the College website.

2023 Contacts

If you have any queries regarding study or subjects, please see the list below for relevant academic contacts. This list is also available on our website.

• Ms Carmel Zuino (Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching): carmel.zuino@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Mrs Mary Howard (Leader of Curriculum): mary.howard@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Dr Madeline Beveridge (Leader of Religious Education): madeline.beveridge@lism.catholic.edu.au
  
• Ms Krista Austin (Leader of English): krista.austin@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Mr Graham Black (Leader of Mathematics): graham.black@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Ms Maria Casamento (Leader of HSIE): maria.casamento@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Ms Tracy Wade (Leader of Science): tracy.wade@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Mr John Cunynghame (Leader of PDHPE): john.cunynghame@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Ms Fiona Spinks (Leader of Technologies): fiona.spinks@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Mrs Emma Smith (Leader of VET): emma.smith@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Mrs Leanne Broadley (Leader of Creative Arts): leanne.broadley@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Mrs Maureen Campey (Leader of Languages): maureen.campey@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Mr Trent Dooley (Leader of ICT): trent.dooley@lism.catholic.edu.au 

Base Classes

Students in Years 7-10 have received a new base class this year. Year 7 base classes are mixed-ability and allocated by House group; your child will travel to most classes with this group. In Years 8-10, base classes are mixed-ability and include students from all six Houses.

PAT Testing

All Year 7 students will sit Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) during Weeks 3 and 4. Further information has been emailed to parents. If you have any queries, please email Mr James Gordon, Leader of Pedagogy (james.gordon@lism.catholic.edu.au).

Ms Carmel Zuino

Assistant Principal Mission - Staff and Students

College Theme

As we begin a new school year, we are reminded of the importance of community and coming together. Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or in our personal lives, we are stronger when we work together.

The theme of "Better Together" is not just about working together but also about understanding and valuing the unique strengths and contributions of each individual. It's about recognising that we are all different and that our differences make us stronger as a community. It's about promoting kindness, inclusivity, acceptance and community.

As we navigate the challenges of this school year, it is important that we remember to support one another. Whether it's offering a helping hand to a fellow student, lending a listening ear to a friend, smiling at the people we see on the school grounds or being respectful to teachers and staff members as they offer their expertise and support, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us. We should strive to be kind, inclusive and grateful for every member of our community, regardless of their age, gender, background, strengths or weaknesses. We all play an important part in this community.

As a Catholic school, we are called to live out the values of love, compassion and service. By working together, we can make a positive impact on our school, our community and, in turn, the world.

Opening Mass 

We thank Fr Anselm again for serving our community in such an inspiring way at our Opening Mass. He shared his gifts with us and talked about how we are all created differently, and the diversity of our gifts is what makes a community rich. It would be a poor community if we were all carbon copies of each other; diversity should be celebrated. As we celebrate each other's strengths, we should also understand that we all have different weaknesses too and this is where we can take up the opportunity to serve and support each other. Our weaknesses also allow for a richer, stronger community if we can see them as a connection point where one person’s weakness can be supported by another person’s strength. We can be the glue that makes our community stronger and ‘better together’. As Brene Brown famously quotes: “Imperfections are not inadequacies; they are reminders that we are all in this together” and “We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” 

Great Start

Congratulations to all students, staff and families on the fantastic start to the 2023 academic year. I would like to acknowledge the respect our students have shown for our facilities and the improvement we have seen in the yard. This reflects their commitment to creating a positive and inclusive community, and I urge them to continue this great work for the remainder of the year.

I am also thrilled to see our senior students stepping up to leadership roles and taking on greater responsibility within the College community. Your example sets the tone for the rest of the school and is a true testament to the character and values we seek to cultivate here at Xavier Catholic College. A big thank-you to our brave and creative College Captains for running our first student lead assembly which was a great success. We look forward to seeing your creative ideas thrive on our assembly stage throughout the year.

As we welcome our Year 7 students to secondary school, I want to commend them for the remarkable effort they have made in navigating this new environment, which can be so different from primary school. Your courage and determination to succeed is truly inspiring. I am confident you will continue to thrive and make the most of this exciting new chapter in your education.

Finally, I would like to encourage all of you to embrace the kindness and generosity at the heart of our Catholic community. Let us work together, using our individual gifts and strengths, to build a strong and supportive community where everyone feels valued and respected.

Sunsmart

As a reminder, students who do not have a hat during recess and lunch will be directed to remain in the shade. This is to ensure that they are protected from the sun and that they do not develop skin damage or skin cancer in the future.

Taking steps to protect your skin from the sun is essential, especially in North Eastern NSW where the risk of developing melanoma is high. By wearing a hat and seeking shade, you can help reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer and stay SunSmart.

Catechesis And Evangelisation

Welcome, new RE staff!

We are blessed to have a number of new staff joining our faculty this year. Mr Taylor Jermolajew joins us from Queensland and will teach junior RE and Studies of Religion. Mr Nick Jones is an arrival from St John’s College Woodlawn and will teach Studies of Religion. Mrs Emily Webster, Mrs Genevieve Maguire, and Mrs Nattalie Schreenan will be familiar to many students. Emily, Genevieve and Nattalie will teach junior RE and Catholic Faith in Action. We are so excited to have wonderful faculty of teachers leading the religious life of our College this year. 

Community Service Program

In 2023, we will continue our Men and Women for Others Community Service Program. The program gives students the opportunity to be acknowledged for the good works they are already doing and encourages them to undertake service to others in the community. In 2022, many students have already recorded hours of community service work in their planner and received awards for these at the end of the year. Below is a reminder about the details of the program.

How it works:  Students undertake deeds in the service of others and keep a log of their hours in their planner on pages 28-29. Their hours must be signed off by a supervisor (such as a parent, teacher, or community supervisor). At the end of the year, their Pastoral Care teacher will record their hours, and they could be awarded a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Community Service Award:

• Gold Award: 100+ hours of community service
• Silver Award: 50 hours of community service
• Bronze Award: 20 hours of community service

What is community service? Community service is an unpaid activity that serves the community. It could include work that is: volunteering, community work, sports coaching, Parish-based, tutoring (unpaid), or for the Xavier Catholic College community (e.g. Leos club, ministry activities, environment club, Year 9 program). If they assisted during the floods, either at Xavier or in their local community, this also counts as community service. The range of activities that ‘count’ as community service is broad — if students have any questions they can talk to their PC teacher, RE teacher, or Dr Beveridge. 

Mr David Eyles & Dr Madeline Beveridge

Wellbeing

I am thrilled to be able to introduce myself to the Xavier Catholic College community at the beginning of this year. It has been an amazingly energetic start to the year, and I am certainly feeling a great deal of gratitude to the students, staff and parents who have welcomed me thus far. I look forward to getting to know a great deal of you over the coming years and to accompanying the young people we serve at Xavier, helping them to enjoy a positive experience of high school and experience the fullness of life that our College can provide.

Back to School

The commencement of high school, or return to school for another year, can be a time of great joy or some hesitation for students. It is important to remember the importance of having quality conversations with your child about their daily experiences. Please see the following resources that might help facilitate fruitful discussions at home, particularly on some of the more poignant topics in your child’s life:

• Settling into High School
• Healthy Online Behaviours
• Wellbeing - the Big 3: Health, Sleep & Relationships
• Coping with Change

Uniform

There has been a very positive start to the year with students wearing the correct uniform and adhering to policies around grooming and jewellery. We appreciate the support of families and ensuring that our students are well-presented at all times. I draw your attention to our uniform policy and encourage you to look through this page with your children to ensure you are all on the same page regarding the College expectations.

Parent Partnership

Daily interactions with energetic and friendly students make it quite easy to know how they feel about their time at school. I would love to experience that same understanding of how our parents and carers feel about our College. Please feel free to reach out to me regarding your experience, particularly around feeling connected to your child’s learning. The first port of call for contact will generally be your child’s class teacher or PC group teacher, and I would encourage you to follow that process to ensure all concerns are addressed in a timely manner by the people who see them day in and day out.

If there is any way that I can assist your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out via the contact details below:

• Email: nick.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Phone: 02 6618 0149

Mr Nick Jones
Leader of Pastoral Care

Faculty News

PDHPE News

Child Studies: Visit to St Anne's Long Day Care Centre

Year 9 and 10 Child Studies classes were thrilled to reconnect with Narelle Dewhurst and her team at St Anne’s Long Day Care Centre. Year 9 had a tour of the centre, engaging with staff in the Pebbles, Shells, Rockpools and Seabirds rooms. Children at the centre were so happy to welcome our students into their rooms and showed them around with confidence. Year 10 were given an information pack covering Food and Nutrition. Narelle’s wealth of knowledge was much appreciated as we began our journey into Term 1’s topic Feeding Young Minds and Bodies.

Thank you to Mr Silva for accompanying Year 9, and to all students for your positive engagement at St Anne’s today.

Mrs Naomi Byrnes
Child Studies Teacher

Music News

Private Music Lessons

Music Tuition is available at school for a range of instruments, and our private tutors are starting back with us next week. 

The Xavier Catholic College Music Tuition program is open to all students in our school community. It is a school-based tuition program where students can access music lessons during the school day with highly experienced tutors. 

Students who want to learn an instrument with one of our tutors during the school day should complete this form, and a tutor will contact you. There is an expectation that students who attend lessons through this program participate in the cultural life of the school - and in High School this will be in the form of playing in the school band or choir, the Anzac Day drum and marching band, Liturgies, Open night, or elective class performances, once a level of competence is attained.

Please complete this form and a tutor will contact you. This year we welcome a new tutor, Sangeeta Lee Jones, a highly experienced vocal teacher and guitarist available to teach singing and guitar lessons.

We are still awaiting confirmation of our brass and woodwind (reed) teachers this year, but please fill in the form if you are interested in learning a brass or woodwind instrument, and we will be able to start you as soon as we can. In the meantime, brass and woodwind beginning students can join the ‘tutorial band’.

Music Ensembles at Xavier

We are very proud of our band and ensemble program at Xavier, and all ensembles are starting again next week: 

• Choir: Tuesday lunchtime in the music room. All welcome
  
• Senior Band: 8:10am on Thursday mornings before school. All students who play a band instrument (drums, percussion, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, bass guitar, and keyboard percussion) are welcome.
• Marching Drums: All students who play drums and learn drums at school will form a drum line to accompany our school band in the ANZAC Day March this year. Rehearsals are on Thursday at lunchtime.
• Tutorial Band: All brass and woodwind beginners in group lessons (free group lessons with our classroom music teachers).

Brass and Woodwind Tutorial Band: This year we will have a tutorial band on Thursday lunchtimes. This will be a large group lesson for all beginners on brass (trumpet/trombone/tuba/euphonium) and woodwind (clarinet/saxophone) in both music rooms with our classroom music teachers. If you would like your child to learn one of these instruments and participate in this band, please contact leanne.broadley@lism.catholic.edu.au, and we can discuss what instruments are available to hire.

Mrs Leanne Broadley

Sport News

Welcome students and parents to the 2023 sporting year at Xavier Catholic College. Students are asked to please check their Compass News Feed daily, check their emails daily, and be aware of team Sign Up Sheets on the Sports Noticeboard.

Championship Swimming

The 2023 Championship Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 17 February at the Ballina Memorial Swimming Pool. 

• The Championship Swimming Carnival is NOT compulsory
• To compete, you must nominate via the Google Form sent to parents/guardians. 
• If you are a strong swimmer and wish to swim competitively, please nominate
• You do not have to be a squad or club swimmer to compete
• 2023 Age Champions will be decided at the Championship Swimming Carnival
• Students who would like to represent the College at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival on Thursday, 2 March at Kempsey must compete at the Championship Carnival.

Please view the Swimwear Policy below to ensure your child has the correct swimwear for the carnival.

Sport Uniform

Students are required to wear the correct sports uniform when representing the College in sports or when participating in Integrated Sport. This includes the College hat/cap, predominantly white or black sports shoes with jogger soles, navy striped socks, correct shorts (not rolled up at the top) and a red polo shirt.

Years 7/8 and 9/10 Integrated Sport

The Term 1 Integrated Sport Calendars can be found on the College website under the Co-Curricular link. Students will be informed of expectations by their Integrated Sport teacher.

NRCC (Northern Rivers Catholic Colleges)

The NRCC sporting competition is for students in Years 7 - 10 only and is in two age divisions: Under 14 boys and girls, and Under 16 boys and girls. The 2023 NRCC Draw can also be found on the College website under the Co-Curricular link. The competition continues to grow in 2023 and includes nine schools: 

• Xavier Catholic College
• St Mary’s Catholic College Casino
• Trinity Catholic College Lismore
• McAuley Catholic College Grafton
• Mt Saint Patrick’s College Murwillumbah
• St Joseph’s College Banora Point
• St John’s College Woodlawn

Guest schools in 2023 include Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School Terranora and Emmanuel Anglican College Ballina.

NRCC Sports include:

• Rugby League at Casino
• Volleyball at Casino
• Hockey at Goonellabah
• Netball at Tweed Heads
• Touch Football at Ballina
• AFL at Byron Bay
• Cricket at Murwillumbah

College Website: Sport Link

When visiting the College Website, please use the Co-Curricular Link then the Sport Link to find:

• Integrated Sport Term 1 calendars
• 2023 NRCC Draw
• Contact Sport Permission
• Swimwear Policy
• Sports Shoe Policy
• Lismore Diocesan Sport website
• NSWCCC (CSNSW) website
• School Sport NSW website

Mouthguards are compulsory for all contact training/sports including Rugby League, Rugby Union, AFL and Hockey. Team coaches will have paper copies of the 2023 Contact Sport permission note at training or copies are available at the Front Office.

Diocesan Individual Winter Sports Trials

Please note: These are not XCC teams.

Students who are interested in nominating to trial for ‘Individual’ Diocesan Representative Sport Pathways should see Mr Pat Kennedy or Russell Asser (Sports Trainee) for printed paper instructions. A number of sports are currently open for Individual Nomination on the Lismore Diocesan Sport website.

AFL and Rugby are no longer Diocesan Sports Trials — interested players need to register as individuals directly on the NSWCCC website below.

NSWCCC (CSNSW) Representative Sporting Links

Please note: These are not XCC teams.

Students who are interested in nominating to trial for ‘Individual’ NSWCCC Representative Sports should visit the CSNSW Sport site and read all of the associated information carefully with your parent/guardian.

Parent Information

Please download the flyers below for more sport information.

Mr Pat Kennedy & Mr Russell Asser

Canteen News – Term 1 2023

Volunteering in the Canteen is a great opportunity to meet other parents and to be involved in your child/children's 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 to the Canteen where you can prepare 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 on how busy the day is.
• If you cannot 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.
• Reminder: All Canteen volunteers need a volunteer Working With Children Check before starting with us. This is free for volunteers, and you can apply via Service NSW. 
  

Canteen Roster: Weeks 3 and 4

Mrs Denise Barnard
Canteen Supervisor

College News

Year 7 News

Year 7 Transition 2023

What a fantastic start to 2023 for our new Year 7 cohort! We welcome you with open hearts to the Xavier Catholic College community. With the central theme of Better Together, we focussed on activities that allowed students to get to know one another and their teachers. The students were welcomed by myself and the Heads of House, with many teachers taking time in their spare period to come down and say hello also. Mr Campbell and Mr Jones spoke to students as they listened intently and took on board all the new procedures, expectations and rules for them to know. They certainly listened well, as the students have transitioned magnificently. Later in the day, the Year 12 students met their new Year 7 buddies, and they explored the school, its buildings, and where their timetables would take them. 

The days following the first day of school have seen the Year 7 students being supported by the whole College community and supporting each other. I have witnessed the senior students walking the younger ones to their classrooms, explaining timetables, and seeing so many smiles. I have had many conversations at lunchtime as I roam to see how they are all faring. Mr Campbell, Mr Fear and Mr Jones have also been seen in deep conversation with the new students. 

Year 7's First Day

Please remember that if students have any questions or concerns, they can speak with their Pastoral Care teacher (who they see each morning), their Head of House, or they can come and see me also. There is plenty of support available and ears to listen to questions and concerns. 

SAVE THE DATE: In Week 4, Thursday 23 February is the Year 7 Belonging Day at Ballina Pool and Waterslides. More information and permission forms will be emailed this week. That evening, we will also be holding a family gathering from 6-8pm, where parents can speak with their child’s Head of House and then enjoy an array of food vans, music from our Entertainment students, and games on the College Green with our senior leaders. We look forward to seeing so many faces come along and enjoy the community spirit our College is rebuilding. 

Ms Nichole Page
Year 7 Transition & Pastoral Care Coordinator

Seasons for Growth Program

At Xavier Catholic College we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce and related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. Loss is very individual and can symbolise a variety of differing things. While loss can be the passing of a loved one, it can also be the loss of the way things were.

This program is facilitated in small groups, is confidential and is based on research that highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. Issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks are a focus of the Seasons for Growth Program. 

The Positive Peers Program

With all that our students have going on in their lives Xavier Catholic College felt that students would benefit from continuing the small group program called The Positive Peers Program (PPP) which commenced in Term 4 2022. Students from 7-10 were invited to participate in this weekly small group activity to work on social skills and finding a safe space at school. Through discussion within their peer group, the students work on navigating friendships; conflict resolution; social communication; impulse control; where to turn to when they need support; and building on their support network.

If you'd like information on our Seasons for Growth Program or Positive Peers Program, please get in touch with Rennae Reilly via email: rennae.reilly@lismcatholic.edu.au.

Ms Rennae Reilly
College Chaplain

Community News

Byron Bay FC Soccer season registration now open!

Registration for Byron Bay FC is now open for the 2023 season at playfootball.com.au. Division 1 youth mixed and girls teams are available in all age groups, as well as senior mens and womens teams. Season and registration information is available on our website https://www.byronbayfc.com.au/youth and Byron Bay FC social media.