Newsletter 15 - September 17

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

Galatians 5:22-23 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” 

Recovery and Twisties
Today I want to write about the impact of COVID, and hopefully return an element of hope for our young people, their parents and to challenge all the naysayers who feel that the sky is falling. In previous years I have worked very closely with an educational consultant named Adam Voigt. Some may have seen him on news programs discussing the impact of COVID among other things, and challenging the negatives with a view to putting a positive slant on things. I have reproduced some of his commentary below: 

Adam: “That’s my mission because I’d contend that some of the wrong words have been creeping into the public discourse about school closures in recent times — and I’d like to set the record straight. I’m talking about the sudden horror at “days lost” when it comes to counting the toll of school closures on our kids’ educations. Let’s be clear:

• Days attended is not the measure of an education. You don’t get an award at the end of Year 12 for merely turning up 25,278 or the possible 26,000 days in your school education. Days are not our currency – progress and growth is.

• Very few of our students have lost any days at all. It’s not a day lost when a teacher busts a gut to teach a Google classroom lesson to you, when a teacher connects you with classmates in a Zoom breakout room and when a teacher checks-in on your wellbeing. It’s just a day harder.

• The negative impacts of school closures, as real as they are, are not irretrievable. As much as these are not “days lost” they are also not “days unrecoverable”. In fact, we will most definitely help our kids recover and grow… that’s kind of our thing.

• Let’s treat this disruption like getting out of shape (that’s relevant for me anyway as Netflix has replaced the gym and as Twisties have replaced carrot sticks).

When our students return full-time, they might not be in the best educational shape… but we can fix that. When it’s time, we’ll get them back on a nutritious diet of academic achievement and a training regime of connecting positively with others.

My prediction is that they’ll lose their pudginess in quick time and be back on track for a healthy life of learning and love.

In the meantime, can we just be kind to each other and ease up a bit on the Twisties?

Keep fighting that good fight.” AV

So what do we take from this?
The answer is quite simple in a sometimes overly complicated world. The university places will still be there next year, trades will still require apprentices, retail stores will still require juniors and trainees. That process will go on year after year. And because of this, and the fact that every child in NSW has been impacted generally the same way, our kids will be able to pursue their careers and passions in exactly the same way as if COVID had not impacted them. It’s been tough and challenging, but they will get through it and life will go on. We need to keep the positives clearly in our focus.

What can we learn from Ryley Batt and the Australian Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team?
I was fortunate enough to be the Assistant Principal at St Paul’s High School in Port Macquarie (now MacKillop College) when Ryley Batt (captain and flag-bearer) was a student there. He was a determined young man who refused to allow me to change his rooms downstairs, insisting he could walk (on his hands) up and down easily. He rode around the school on his skateboard and was never late to class. He remarked after the Paralympic loss this year that while his team were really physically fit, they weren’t match fit. I related this story to Year 12 earlier this week and compared their disruption to that of the Paralympic team. Our Year 12 students are approaching their Olympics (the HSC) with plenty of training (study) and comparatively are physically (or intellectually) fit, but have had no match fitness opportunities. The last time they sat exams in a school hall was at the end of Year 11 Term 3 2020. That’s why in Term 4, they will work through more practice exams in order to gain that ‘match fitness’ required to achieve their own gold medal — whatever that might be for them individually. 

No champion performer (at the Olympics or anywhere) likes the training and preparation that goes along with winning. But when the end results are achieved, it’s the training and discipline that is always mentioned as a key to success.

Year 11 in Term 4 and Silent Reading Time
This is not a time for Year 11 students to assume they are able to leave school as is the process for current Year 12 students. Not all of the benefits of being in the senior year are afforded straight away for &ear 11. You will bide your time until the 2022 school year commences.

A final note: School returns for Term 4 on Tuesday 5 October.

Go gently and love each other.

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

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our students for their ongoing efforts throughout Term 3 and to acknowledge the valued support of parents during the home learning period. Thank you to our incredible staff for all they have done throughout what has been a most challenging term to ensure continuity of learning and the best of care for our students. The way in which our staff have responded to the needs of our students truly reflects the Jesuit notion of ‘Cura Personalis’ — care for the individual student.

YEAR 12
Year 12 students are extremely well situated at this point in time and are fortunate to have been able to attend face to face lessons for the first part of the term and again during this last week of term. The forthcoming weeks are an important time for Year 12 students to consolidate and work on examination technique in the lead up to the HSC examinations. Students are strongly encouraged to refine their revision notes and dot point summaries, complete past examination papers under timed examination conditions, and actively respond to teacher feedback in order to maximise results in the HSC examinations.

HSC Examinations
HSC Examinations commence on Tuesday 9 November. The timetable has been released by NESA and is available via the link below.

2021 HSC WRITTEN TIMETABLE

On behalf of the Xavier Catholic College community, I take this opportunity to wish Year 12 every success as they work towards their upcoming examinations.

Year 12 reports will be available through the Parent Portal in the first week of Term 4.

YEAR 11
We congratulate Year 11 students on completing their recent examination and assessment block. The students have displayed great resilience in completing their examinations online and we are extremely proud of each and everyone of them. Students have now completed the Year 11 course and will commence work on HSC syllabi as of Term 4. All students in Year 11 will be issued with a formal report early in Term 4. 

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

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

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

Assistant Principal - Staff and Students

Return of the life of the school
It was truly wonderful to see all our staff and students return to the College this week. The day was bright with the sun shining and smiles on faces, it had a great energy. We have been blessed to have this opportunity to reconnect as a community and work through that transition from online learning to face-to-face learning. There was understandably some anxiety faced, with some students worried about what work they had missed and how effective they had been with remote learning. I would like to thank the teachers for the way in which they have been student centered and supported our students both online and since then in the return to the community. After a recent Zoom meeting I had with fellow Jesuit schools in Sydney and Melbourne, I can say we have been very lucky to have had this early return to school.

Masks
On Monday I could see that as students arrived at the College some were wearing masks and others were waiting to see if masks were required. To the credit of the entire student body, once it was reinforced that you were required to have them on inside and outside, you did the right thing. This is something that both teachers and students will need to get used to but unfortunately it is our current reality at this stage in time.

Uniform and Personal Presentation
It has taken a bit longer for our students to realign their personal presentation standards, predominantly due to the unavailability of hairdressing appointments. Students are reminded that by the start of Term 4 extreme haircuts and colours need to be corrected. This holiday break will give students the opportunity to revisit our Uniform Policy so that they can remember to meet all the expectations regarding jewellery, hairstyles and wearing the uniform correctly.

I wish you all a safe and happy spring holiday break in this paradise we call home and look forward to welcoming you all back next term.

Faculty News

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY -
Multimedia and Timber

Xavier Students are to be congratulated on the successful completion and submission of their Major Design Projects

Vlakyrie Jelich: Multimedia

Explanation
A trailer with eerie vibes, that expresses deep understanding of techniques and notions that explore unique ideas within the trailer. I used my time wisely in the completion of my HSC Major Project, and I am satisfied with the completed work. 

Achievements
I was able to learn:
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Animate
Adobe Photoshop
Filming Techniques
Completed 70 Page document
A 3 minute trailer

.

Lachlan Clarke: Multimedia

Project Description:
For my Multimedia HSC Major Project I have created a short film/documentary on the joys of owning your very first car. For myself I have had the privilege of owning a Mini Cooper for my first car which has been such a fun car to drive and it has become the central focus of my project. Throughout the production of the project I was able to expand my skills across a wide range of multimedia programs (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Illustrator etc.) and develop my cinematography by challenging myself to film an exciting, cinematic film which captures the joy and thrill of driving. I am very proud of the final project and of the new skills I have developed along the way with the help of Mr Dooley and others.

Reid Whitehurst: Multimedia

Explanation:
For my major Multimedia HSC project, I have created a short film embedding ideas of technology and searching for the unknown. This project enforced a new form of median 3D animation, using cutting-edge technology to model, texture, light and render to create quality cinematic 3D renders. This was a strenuous task to learn and develop my skills not only in 3D, but film production as well. Before the serious impacts of the current COVID-19, locations like Sydney and the Gold Coast were used as shooting locations as they provided contrast and enforced the project ideas. Throughout the process of the project I was able to expand and deepen my understanding of programs (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Illustrator, etc), learning new special effects and film techniques. I am very proud of the final project and of the new skills I have developed along the way with the help of Mr Dooley.

Zac Swan: Timber

Explanation: 
The Industrial Technology timber project I have created is a Martin-000 inspired acoustic steel string guitar. Each process contained a high degree of difficulty as almost every process was a specialised process that required an extreme amount of accuracy and precision in order to achieve a perfect result. The construction of this acoustic steel string guitar took many many hours of hard work and dedication, with many many hours of researching techniques, materials and specific video tutorials. The acoustic steel string guitar consisted of a Adirondack soundboard, Tasmanian blackwood back sides and neck, Madagascan rosewood fretboard, ebony headstock veneer and binding, brass headstock inlay, pearl rosette inlay, Evo gold fret wire, jarrah and blackbutt end wedge, and King Billy pine bracing.

Zayden Allen: Timber

Explanation:
For my Industrial Technology timber project I decided to replicate a 1950s style Gibson Les Paul. Every step taken to complete the project took a high standard of accuracy to try and get the most perfect results I could get with the tools and equipment I was able to use. After talking to many people that have constructed their own guitar and getting many helpful tips I realised this project wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. The guitar is mostly made up of camphor laurel throughout the body, neck and headstock; the timber I originally chose for the fretboard was new guinea rosewood but had to change due laser cutter settings being too high. This change was a setback and after a lot of testing I decided to go with a purple gidge, with a flame maple laser cut inlay. 

Achievements: 
Using many skills I learnt in previous years
Learning and obtaining new skills
Changing work processes and overcoming problems
Constructing and completing a fully working guitar

Noah Starfield: Timber

Explanation:
Noah constructed a solid Camphor Laurel dining table with hardwood cross legs separated by stainless square RHS.

The table comfortably seats 8 adults and is a welcome addition to the family home.

House News

McAuley House Krispy Kreme Fundraiser

Krispy Kreme orders will be arriving
Thursday 7 October
Week 1, Term 4

Sport News

Individual Achievements
Earlier this term, Year 12 student Reuben Moyle represented NSWCCC (NSW Combined Catholic Colleges) as a member of the Open Boys’ Rugby League team at the NSW AllSchools state selection trials at St Mary’s Sydney.

Game 1: NSWCCC vs NSWCHS (NSW Combined High Schools)

Reuben started on the wing. In a very tough and physical game against the state government schools team, Reuben scored the first try of the match and was awarded ‘man of the match’. NSWCC went on to win 16 - 12.

Game 2: NSWCCC vs NSWCIS (NSW Combined Independent Schools)

Once again Reuben started on the wing. In a grinding battle against the state private schools team, Reuben defended his edge with determination and saved a number of possible tries. NSWCC went on to win 12 - 8.

Reuben’s success has seen a number of NRL clubs expressing interest in his future. In some very exciting news the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs have offered Reuben a two year contract to play in their SG Ball (Under 19) and Jersey Flegg (Under 21) teams.

Congratulations Reuben and best of luck in your NRL career.

Canteen News – Term 4 2021

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

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