Newsletter 1: Friday 9 February 2024

For the Calendar

Week 3

• Monday 12/02/24: Year 11 Parent Assessment Information Evening (6pm)
• Wednesday 14/02/24 - Saturday 17/02/24: HSC Showcase Excursion (Sydney)
  
• Wednesday 14/02/24: Ash Wednesday
  
• Friday 16/02/24: Championship Swimming Carnival
  

Week 4

• Monday 19/02/24: Year 10 Parent Assessment Information Evening (6pm)
• Wednesday 21/02/24: Year 12 Uni Roadshow
  
• Thursday 22/02/24: Year 7 Belonging Day, RSA Training for selected Year 12 students (3:30-6:30pm)
• Friday 23/02/24: Year 10 Vaccinations, RSA Training for selected Year 12 students (3:30-6:30pm)
  

Week 5

• Monday 26/02/24: VET White Card course
• Tuesday 27/02/24: Dio Individual Touch Football Trials 
  
• Wednesday 28/02/24: Year 7 and Parents Belonging Picnic (5pm)
• Thursday 29/02/24: Year 7 2025 Principal's Tours
• Friday 01/03/24: Year 11 Geography Excursion, Year 12 Assessment Block Briefing in PC
  

Week 6

• Tuesday 05/03/24: 7-12 Diocesan Winter Trials (Rugby League and Football)
• Wednesday 06/03/24: Year 7-12 Girls' Rugby League at Murwillumbah
• Thursday 07/03/24: Year 7 2025 Principal's Tours, Year 7-12 Diocesan Swimming at Port Macquarie
• Friday 08/03/24: McAuley House Fundraiser
• Sunday 10/03/24: Musical Rehearsal

To see our full Term Planner, click here.

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

Welcome Back to the 2024 Academic Year

I am happy to report that we have had a most successful commencement to the 2024 school year, with an enrolment of 904 students and over 125 staff. A special welcome is extended to the new families who have joined our community here at Xavier Catholic College — the families of our 168 Year 7 students, as well as the families of new students in Years 8, 9, 10, and 11. I trust that all new families find Xavier Catholic College to be a community that is committed to challenging and nurturing your children as they grow into “young men and women for others.” Xavier Catholic College is a community that is proud of its Ignatian tradition.

Welcome also to our new members of staff:

• Ms Natalie Lincoln (Teacher Librarian)
• Mr Sam Rogers (Maths, commenced last year)
• Mr Ben Arthurs (Inclusion)
• Mrs Sally Miller (HSIE for Mr Mark Lee)
• Miss Ebony Milgate (HSIE & SOR commenced last year)
• Mrs Thea Darnell (TAS)
• Ms Genevieve Maguire (HSIE for Mrs Karen Brown)
• Mr James Dawson (Maths returning in Week 4 at latest)
• Mrs Jo Scotcher (French)
• Ms Sophie Day (Science)
• Miss Jessie Kernaghan (Maths for James Dawson until his return)
• Mrs Jacinta Forestal (Science)

And our new support staff:

• Ms Rennae Reilly (Learning Support)
• Mrs Gosia (Gosha) Hosie (Student Wellbeing Officer)
• Miss Emily Keys (Sports Trainee)
• Mrs Amy De Roma (Creative Arts Assistant)
• Ms Tamera Bolt (AEW, commenced last year)
• Miss Jess Jordan (Counsellor)
• Mr Brendon Clarke (College Youth Minister)

We welcome each of them and pray that their stay with us is rewarding.

Looking Forward

At our combined Laureate and opening assembly last week, I laid down some ground rules that are important in all facets of life. We need to maintain and uphold the standards that set us apart from lesser-performing schools. These rules are the importance of:

• Good manners – please and thank you are still magical words
• Striving for your best – no one else will do it for you
• Wearing uniform with pride – let the world know you are proud of this uniform
  • A strong focus on returning to some rigorous standards with respect to uniforms is a key focus this year. Expect a flurry of messages home if your child has let theirs slip.
• Taking pride in our school – equally, let the world know you are proud of this College
• Establishing positive relationships – be the person you want others to be to you and show your appreciation for the gifts of others

This is underpinned by taking a positive approach to school each and every day by the work we will undertake this year with the Resilience Project. Its key messages are:

• G: Being Grateful – seeking opportunities to be thankful for the gifts we have. The more we seek to be thankful, the more things we find to be thankful for.
• E: Being Empathetic – understanding that not all have the same as we do, or that others carry a burden inside that we don’t always see
• M: Being Mindful – taking time in prayer and quiet to discover our true selves through the Examen and meditation.

Laureate Assembly

Our College Dux of 2023, Mira Michels, was not available to speak so Grace Kennedy delivered the address.  In it, she spoke to our gathering of the importance of structure, planning, and preparation, but also especially to balance to succeed in Year 12. I would add that this needs to happen from Year 7 onwards and that while not everyone can be Dux, all of us can be the best version of us we can be. That is a goal that is attainable for everyone. I encourage every member of our College community to strive to be the best person you can be as we live out our theme of gentleness, kindness, and generosity. I pray that you all have a fruitful and rewarding 2024.

Outstanding HSC Results

Congratulations to all Year 12 students on an outstanding 2023 HSC. Results in most courses were well above the state average and many individual students excelled in courses and achieved outstanding results. It was most pleasing to see that the performances of this very talented group of students placed Xavier Catholic College at 107 in schools in NSW. On behalf of the entire College community, I sincerely congratulate each and every one of our 2023 Year 12 students — the entire community is very proud of what they have achieved.

Parent Partnerships

Shortly parents will receive a package of hard-copy items for you to keep and refer to. One of these will be a parent calendar that represents all the opportunities to be part of the community and to join us in serving our young people to be the best they can be. Please place this on the fridge or somewhere handy and take the opportunity to visit the College on every occasion you can.

God Bless,

Mr Kevin Lewis
Principal

Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching

I extend a very warm welcome back to the 2024 school year and particularly welcome to all new students and families joining our community. We look forward to working together with all our families to support the students in our care.  We are very excited about the academic year ahead and look forward to accompanying our students as we learn and grow together.  

Timetable

Sincere thanks to students, parents and guardians for your patience as we worked to resolve timetable issues.  Our school theme of Stand by Me was exemplified by students, staff and families all working together to ensure the best possible outcomes for students and staff.  

We now begin the process of actioning subject change requests for students in Years 11 and 9, and again ask for your patience as we work diligently to provide a suitable and engaging pattern of study for each student as they begin new and exciting elective subjects.

Laureate Assembly

Last week, we had the pleasure of celebrating the achievements of the HSC Class of 2023 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 their 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. We trust this assembly inspired the student body, as we continue to build a culture of learning that values effort and excellence.

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 2023 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 & Student Information Sessions

Parents are encouraged to attend 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.  It would be wonderful to have all parents attend the following sessions:

• Year 11: Monday 12 February at 6pm in the Magis Centre
• Year 10: Monday 19 February at 6pm in the Magis Centre

Students will also attend information sessions to learn about NESA’s regulations for learning and assessment.  Assessment Calendars and Assessment Policy Handbooks for all year levels are currently being updated and will be available in the near future on the College website.

Book Packs & Stationery Requirements

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

2024 Contacts

Our staff value working in partnership with parents and guardians. 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
• Ms Tracy Wade (Acting Leader of Curriculum): tracy.wade@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Ms Dana Barnsley (Leader of Pedagogy): dana.barnsley@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Dr Madeline Beveridge (Leader of Catechesis): madeline.beveridge@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Ms Jennifer Leigh-Jones (Leader of English): jennifer.leighjones@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Mrs Emma Fitzpatrick (Acting Leader of Mathematics): emma.fitzpatrick@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Ms Maria Casamento (Leader of HSIE): maria.casamento@lism.catholic.edu.au
• Mr Steve Edmonds (Acting Leader of Science): steve.edmonds@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 and DIBELS Testing

Year 7 students undertook Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) during Week 2, and DIBELS testing will begin for Year 7 and 8 students from this week.  These test assist staff to understand students and adjust their teaching practice to better meet the needs of individuals and class groups. Please find attached further information regarding DIBELS testing and data, and its role in supporting reading growth. 

Supporting your child with assessment tasks

Developing good study habits at home and discussing upcoming assessment tasks with your child is an important step in supporting learning. Students receive task notifications at least two weeks prior to the due date of a task, which detail:

• The nature of the task
• The outcomes being assessed
• The weighting of the task
• The due date
• Task requirements, and 
• Marking schemes.

Assessment task notifications are typically placed on subject Google Classrooms and should be used to support discussions around upcoming task requirements.

It is important that students keep an eye on their assessment calendar to best manage their study. Please note that students may not study all of the subjects listed on the Calendar, particularly in regard to elective subjects. 

Study habits

Good study habits are not just for senior students. The foundation is laid in junior years and from the beginning of the year. If you or your child is unsure about how to approach study, please consider the following tips:

• Create a study environment that fosters productivity. A quiet, well-lit room with a desk and comfortable chair is best. Keep distractions at a minimum — silence any computer notifications, and keep your phone on silent and in another room.
• Be conscious of due dates and develop a weekly planner. Map out activities in advance, including set times for study and revision. Ensure a copy of the relevant assessment calendar is clearly visible.
• Set clear and achievable goals for each study session. Be well-prepared and do not leave tasks until the last minute. Consider breaking the material into smaller 'chunks' — daily summary notes, visual diagrams, dot-point summary notes, mind maps, and subject-specific flashcards are some useful tools students may wish to use.
• Test your understanding. Senior students may wish to access past HSC papers to consolidate their understanding. Students may also use draft questions from textbooks, Atomi, chapter summary quizzes, Kahoots, or other digital resources.
• Look after yourself. Make sure you keep a balance between life and study. Healthy habits are important. Ensure you get plenty of sleep each night, drink water, and eat healthy food. Exercise will also boost your energy and make you feel great, so keep up any regular sporting activities.

I encourage students to seek help with their learning wherever necessary. Classroom teachers and Leaders of Learning are available to offer feedback and advice to support learning and wellbeing.

Ms Carmel Zuino

Assistant Principal: Mission

Welcome Back & Congratulations!

Welcome back, Xavier Catholic College community! We're delighted to see our students returning to the College, embracing new changes, and settling into the rhythm of the new academic year. With adjustments to bell times, mobile phone policies, and the introduction of new gates, our students have demonstrated remarkable adaptability.

During our recent Opening Mass, Fr Ramesh delivered a poignant homily, reflecting on our 2024 College Theme, Stand By Me. He emphasised the significance of companionship on our journey together, urging us to lift one another up daily and embody the spirit of the Magis. In our tradition, living Magis means striving to do more for Christ and, in turn, do more for others. It serves as both an aspiration and an inspiration for our community.

Lent

In a heartfelt message preceding the commencement of Lent, inspired by Pope Francis's wisdom, let us embrace this sacred season as a reminder of God's enduring love for us. Lent beckons us to embark on a journey of conversion and liberation, echoing the words from Exodus: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Exodus 20:2). Just as Jesus faced temptation in the desert, Lent offers us an opportunity to confront our own struggles and temptations with the strength of our faith. It is time to act, and in Lent, to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer, in order to receive the Word of God. Prayer, almsgiving, and fasting are not three unrelated acts, but a single movement of openness to help us connect to God, each other and ourselves.

Road Safety: A Collective Responsibility

Ensuring the safety of our entire community on the roads is paramount. We ask all parents and guardians to strongly emphasise the importance of road safety with their children, especially those using e-bikes and e-scooters. It is imperative that helmets are worn and road rules are followed diligently. Unfortunately, we have already received reports of students taking risks on their way to and from school via e-bike.

I encourage all XCC community members to familiarise themselves with the College's Traffic Management Plan.

Essential Road Safety Conversations

As we navigate the return to school, we must prioritise safety in all aspects of travel. Have conversations with your children about safe commuting practices, and encourage them to:

• Always use the door closest to the kerb when entering or exiting a vehicle
• Remove headphones when walking to remain aware of their surroundings
• Set a positive example for younger students when travelling on buses
• Wear properly fitted helmets when using bikes, scooters or skateboards.

Student drivers must adhere to government regulations and school expectations, and must drive responsibly.

Remember, safety should never be compromised for convenience. For more information on road safety guidelines, visit https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/.

NSW School Vaccination Program: Important Dates

Mark your calendars for the NSW Health Schools Vaccinations Program at Xavier Catholic College:

• Year 10: Friday 23 February 2024
• Year 7: Tuesday 2 April 2024

The below has been provided by NSW Health.

NSW SCHOOL VACCINATION PROGRAM

If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide online consent for their routine school vaccinations. 

In 2024, the following vaccines will be offered:

• In Year 7, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV).
• In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine. 

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received. How to provide consent:

1. To complete online consent for your child's school vaccinations, visit: https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage
2. Follow the steps to log in to your existing ServiceNSW account. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver's licence. If you don't have a Service NSW account, refer to ServiceNSW to create one.
3. Update or confirm your personal details in ServiceNSW as required.
4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child/ren. You will need to:
   • Enter your child's personal details
   • Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
   • Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and privacy statement. Translations available in 27 languages
   • Provide consent 
     

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper- based consent form directly from your child's school. The benefits of providing consent online:

• easily update your child's details
• receive SMS and/or email notifications when vaccinations are given
• faster upload of vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination. 

Mr Peter Fear

Catechesis & Evangelisation

Liturgies and Masses

The 2024 School Year began with our traditional Welcome Liturgy in the Magis Centre.  Prayers were read by our  College Captains, who then lit the College Candle to commence the year. Flames from the College Candle were taken by House leaders to light their House candles. Those House leaders then outlined their House patrons and mottos and welcomed new students, especially the incoming Year 7 Cohort. A feature of the liturgy was music led by students from Years 10-12.

The 2024 Commencement Mass was on Tuesday morning. The presiding priest was Fr Ramesh Richards SJ. Fr Ramesh was with our Year 12 cohort on retreat last year - and has attended Xavier Senior retreats for many years now.  Tuesday was the Feast day of Paul Miki and his companions, a group of Japanese Catholics who were martyred on 6 February 1597.  The feast day of a Jesuit martyr was a fitting occasion for Fr Ramesh, who is from the Society of Jesus, just like Paul Miki and Francis Xavier, to become the very first Jesuit to preside at a whole College Mass for Xavier Catholic College Ballina — a new milestone for us as a Jesuit Companion School.

Project Compassion

In the week ahead,  the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.  This also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Please give generously to Caritas Australia this Lenten season and help vulnerable people around the world, now and for all future generations.

With your support, Caritas Australia has been able to assist communities around the world through income generation, water and sanitation, food security, education and disaster risk reduction programs.

Project Compassion 2024 reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow.

You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes and online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

Caritas has a range of interesting and engaging prayers, reflections, resources, and activities for Project Compassion that will be of interest to many families: https://www.caritas.org.au/resources/project-compassion/

Religious Education classes will be using these resources to learn more about Project Compassion whilst fulfilling the UAP of walking with the excluded. 

St Vincent de Paul Bin at Xavier Catholic College for Secondhand Uniforms

The College St Vincent de Paul group accepts donations of clean secondhand uniforms in the wheelie bin near the front office.

These uniforms are sent to the Vinnies shop in Martin St, Ballina. Families seeking secondhand uniforms are welcome to visit the Ballina shop – if the particular size or uniform you need is not on display, please ask.  There is a considerable quantity of stock out the back!

All organisations that recycle secondhand clothes in Australia are currently struggling with the sheer volume of unwanted goods being left at collection points. Our XCC second-hand uniform bin is quite small. We can only accept clean secondhand XCC uniforms in this bin – no other items, please!

Our 2024 College Youth Minister, Brendon Clarke

The Diocese has implemented a new approach to Youth Minister employment in 2024.  A few recent school leavers, such as 2023 Xavier College Captain Oliver Dwyer, have been employed as Regional Ministry Assistants (RMAs). Oliver will be based in Lismore and work in multiple schools in this region.

College Youth Ministers with more extensive experience and training in Youth Ministry have been engaged to work more closely with students within individual secondary schools. The CYM (College Youth Minister) at Xavier Catholic College this year is Brendon Clarke. Brendon was a YMO at St John Paul College Coffs Harbour. He has been employed in various roles since then. Last year, he was a pilgrim with the Diocesan group travelling to World Youth Day, where he discerned a call back to Youth Ministry. We are very blessed to have Brendon to Minister with our students this year.

Applications open for Seniors to attend LEAD Gathering

All Year 11 and 12 students are invited to consider attending the upcoming LEAD Gathering. This is an overnight retreat experience in Grafton with Year 11 and 12 students from across the Diocese, as well as all the Diocesan Youth Ministers and the Proclaim Lismore Wildfire Worship Team.  

LEAD Gathering is a diocesan event for students in Year 11 and 12 who are currently involved in their school’s Senior Ministry Team, or who would like to become more involved in these activities. 

Every Year 11 and 12 student is welcome to apply to attend LEAD. There are no prerequisites other than a willingness to be open to the experience and to engage with new people. All Year 11 and 12 students were sent a Google Form expression of interest this week.

LEAD will be held at McAuley College Grafton on 21 and 22 March. 

2024 Retreat Dates

Compulsory College Retreats

The events listed below are a compulsory part of the Catechesis and Evangelisation program for all students enrolled at Xavier Catholic College.

Lismore Diocesan Discipleship Events

The events listed below are faith-development experiences, specifically targeted at students already involved in their local churches. The number of students Xavier Catholic College can send to these events is restricted due to practical limitations such as transport and accommodation.

Community Service Program

Our Men and Women for Others Community Service 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, as well as living out our Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs). 

Students are encouraged to start recording their hours now for inclusion in the 2024 program. Many students volunteer at Surf Life Saving, Parkrun, and other community organisations, particularly over the school holidays, and these can count towards students' accrued hours for 2024. 

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, community supervisor). In Week 6 of 2024, their Pastoral Care teacher will record their hours and they could be awarded a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Community Service Award.

Awards: 

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

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 are broad.

If students have any questions they can talk to their PC teacher, RE teacher, or Dr Beveridge. 

Catholic Faith in Action

Our Year 12 Catholic Faith in Action students attended an exciting excursion to Brisbane in Week 2. We look forward to hearing about their trip in our next newsletter. 

HSC Results for Studies of Religion I and II

Congratulations to the HSC class of 2023 for their outstnading results in SORI and SORII. Our thanks go to their teachers: Mr Eyles, Mr Jones, Mrs Howard, Ms Casamento, and Dr Beveridge. Our results placed us at the top of the Diocese, with a highlight being over 80% of SORII students achieving a Band 5 or 6 (top two bands). This work is a just result for not just two years of hard work, but a dedicated and enthusiastic RE team that teaches from Year 7 to 12. Well done! 

Mr David Eyles & Dr Madeline Beveridge

Sport News

Welcome students and parents to the 2024 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 2024 Championship Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 16 February at the Ballina Memorial Swimming Pool. 

• The Championship Swimming Carnival is NOT compulsory
• In order 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
• 2024 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 7 March in Port Macquarie must compete at the Championship Carnival.

Sport Uniform

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

Years 9 & 10 Integrated Sport

Term 1 Integrated Sport will be provided by the ‘Bod Squad’ personal trainers as a duty of care, as not all staff on sport are PDHPE trained.

NRCC (Northern Rivers Catholic Colleges)

The NRCC sporting competition has grown in 2024 to include boys and girls from Years 7 to 12. The NRCC Draw can be found on the College website under the Co-Curricular link. The draft draw can also be found below:

College Website — Sport Link

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

• Integrated Sport Calendars
• 2024 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. The 2024 Contact Sport Google Form will be emailed to all parents.

Diocesan 'Individual' Winter Sports Trials — Girls and Boys Football and Rugby League

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 Miss Emily Keys (Sports Trainee) for printed paper instructions. A number of sports are currently open for Individual Nomination on the Lismore Diocesan Sport website below:

https://sport.lism.catholic.edu.au/registration/

NOTE: AFL and RUGBY are no longer Diocesan Sports Trials. Interested players need to register as individuals directly on the NSWCCC Website, as explained below.

NSWCCC (CSNSW) Representative Sporting Links

NOTE: THESE ARE NOT XCC TEAMS

Students who are interested in nominating to trial for ‘Individual’ NSWCCC Representative Sports should use the link below and read all of the associated information carefully with your parent/guardian:

https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/nswccc

Individual Achievements

Netball in Fiji

Congratulations to Zali Raudonikis, who was selected by CSNSW to play for the Australian Wanderers Netball team in Fiji. Zali has described this amazing experience below:

“We arrived in Nadi on the first day and met all our teammates and explored local villages, islands and connected with the locals. We then travelled to Suva, where we played matches against the Suva Grammar School and other local representative teams. We were told they were the under-17s teams with some 15, 16-year-olds. The matches were very challenging as the Fijian girls were strong and well-drilled as a team. The very last game we played was against the 17s, and we drew.” 

“We travelled to the games on local Fijian buses each day and passed through the main capital to see all the happy, and welcoming locals. We then travelled to the Coral Coast, where we visited the local village and played netball on a marked-out sand and gravel court. This was my highlight of the trip as we got to connect to the village netball team on a personal level and learn and engage in their happy and vibrant culture. The local people taught me to never take my opportunities for granted and to be grateful for the life I live in Australia. Most of my team brought over some of their local netball uniforms, shoes and balls to give to the Fijian village, to say thank you for the cultural opportunity they gave us.” 

Football in Europe

Congratulations to Callie Gollan, Schapelle Mannix-Farrell, Lucy Bill, Sophie Maiden, Hayley Patterson and Sophie Ranyard who were selected by the Australian Wanderers to play Football in Europe. 

Callie describes the experience below:

“On 28 December we travelled from Brisbane to Sydney, then to Hong Kong and 24 hours later we landed at Heathrow Airport, London. The Australian Wanderers Football squad was made up of 36 girls split into 3 teams. All six XCC girls were in the 1st team, which played six matches in the UK and one match in France.”  

“It was a great experience and very cold. Awards were given out at the end of the tour. Five XCC received awards, including Callie Gollan - the Wanderers Player; Lucy Bill - Coaches Award; Hayley Patterson - Players Player; Sophie Ranyard - Best Fun Fact in Liverpool; and Schappelle Mannix-Farrell - the Best Selfie in Leeds!”

AW Green Shield: Quarter Finals NSE's Premier U16 Cricket Tournament

Congratulations to Kai Dalli who represented Manly Warringah against Western Suburbs in the AW Green Shields Quarter Finals. The following article is quoted from the Daily Telegraph:

“Kai Kaboom, He’s the Ballina recruit the coach hired sight unseen. The boy with the bat, the long bomb specialist. And when Manly needed it most, Kai Dalli went kaboom, launching the ball to all parts and his side into a semi-final.” 

“With early showers sweeping across the northern beaches Manly Oval was no place for batsmen, let alone at 3-35 against a fired up Wests attack. Still buzzing from a last start four-wicket haul, paceman Santhosh Kumaran (3-49) teamed with Raj Sharma (2-38) to unpack Manly’s top order, before Dalli joined skipper Lukas Overhoff (55 off 87) to end the carnage. Although for Wests, thoughts of an upset would’ve skyrocketed upon seeing Dalli take guard. Two days earlier, Overhoff cracked 96 against Norths while Dalli couldn’t even crack the XI. In fact, before Tuesday’s match winning 92 off 105 balls, the North Coast youngster had only scored 13 in his last four innings.” 

Circumspect early, the right-hander put on 83 with Overhoff before easing through the gears in a knock that included seven fours and five maximums. No bowler was spared, not even the visitors’ trio of classy leg spinners, while the pace of Sharma disappeared over the mid-wicket fence. Set 240 for victory, opener Baldip Singh (51 off 77) and Rehaan Shyamsundar (34 off 63) took the score to 2-89, but as the run rate climbed the wickets tumbled until the last fell still 55 shy of the target.”

“We just wanted to put runs on the board and create pressure,” said Manly coach Kev Davies.

“It didn’t look good early, and I’d dropped Kai for the last game, so for him to return the way he did was a special effort.

“He was pretty dirty to miss out, but his response was exactly what you hope to see.”

For Davies, just having the Ballina-bomber on board is a story in itself.

“I couldn’t make it to the trials, but left a request to find a kid that could hit a big ball,” he said.

Sport Information

Please use the links below to find out about Diocesan and representative sports opportunities. For more information, please contact Mr Pat Kennedy or Miss Emily Keys.

Mr Pat Kennedy (Leader of Sport) and Miss Emily Keys (Sport Trainee)

College News

Child Studies News

A new group of Year 9 students have started their learning journey in Child Studies. I am thrilled to be teaching them and look forward to introducing them to the staff and students at St Anne’s Long Day Care Centre, continuing our tradition of visiting the local hospitals, libraries and preschools. ‘Tiz’ will help the students learn about a newborn and the care they require to ensure optimal wellbeing. 

Welcome to Child Studies: Isla, Ivy, Mame-Diara and Tayah (Felix and Ella not in picture). 

Mrs Naomi Byrnes
Child Studies Teacher

Co-Curricular News

Learn a New Instrument in 2024!  

Private music lessons will be available again in 2024! 

We are so privileged this year to have experienced tutors available to teach our students. Before, during and after school hours are available for Year 7 and 8 students, our Elective Music students, and anyone wanting to join our school band. Lessons are $40 per half hour or $20 for shared lessons (where available).

There is an expectation that students who attend lessons through this program participate in the cultural life of the school, in our choirs, bands, House bands and liturgical celebrations.

For more information and to register your interest, please email:

• Leanne Broadley (Leader of Creative Arts)  leanne.broadley@lism.catholic.edu.au 
• Amy De Roma (Creative Arts Assistant) amy.deroma@lism.catholic.edu 

2024 Tutors

Canteen News

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. 

Our recess and lunch order cutoff time is 8:45am.

To see the Term 1 2024 Canteen Roster, click here.

Mrs Denise Barnard
Canteen Supervisor

Community News