Gavin Dykes, Principal

Earlier this term we held the Annual General Meeting of the Xavier High School Council.  Our School Council plays an important role in ensuring that our community is involved in advising and providing feedback to myself and the leadership team on our schools operations and strategic direction. This year we have welcomed three new parents to our School Council; Elizabeth Harangozo, Nuala Jewitt and Jason Kimball.  They join Tracey Parnell, Owen Clarke and Craig Wakley as our parent representatives. Craig was also appointed as the Chair of the School Council for 2021. The contributions and expertise our parent representatives provide is very valuable and I would like to thank them all for being involved. 

Over the past few months we have received many enrolment applications for Year 7 2022 and it has been exciting to start learning about the students joining our school next year.  In the coming weeks we will commence our Transition to High School meetings. These meetings help us get to know our Year 7 2022 students so we can ensure their transition to Xavier High School is as smooth as possible. 

If you or someone you know has a child starting Year 7 next year and is interested in attending Xavier please submit an enrolment application as soon as possible.  

Finally I would like to give everyone notice that there will be two pupil free days at the start of Term 3.   The 12th and 13th of July will be pupil free days as all staff will be involved in a professional development conference. Please also be aware the school office will not be open.  If you need to get in contact with the school on one of these days, you are welcome to email us via xhs-info@ww.catholic.edu.au

Have a great long weekend! I look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday.

Recently during National Reconciliation Week our Indigenous educators Darren and Jordan held a smoking ceremony. 

The theme for the ceremony was healing, with a focus on the harms done historically to Aboriginal Australian’s over an extended period of time. 

Darren explained to students the significance of smoking ceremonies and the many reasons they are held. This varied from welcoming people to country, farewelling people, healing and other reasons.

Students were able to scan QR codes and read the stories of a variety of Indigenous Australian’s who were taken from their families, with a focus on those from our own region. 

This week we have rolled out surveys to our staff and student community around mobile phone use at school. We are in the process of reviewing our policy around mobile phone use during class and break times and will use this information to help inform any decisions. We will also soon be sending out a survey for parents following the student and staff surveys to further help inform this process.

We will keep our whole community informed along the way as to any changes in policy. 

In Week 7, our Year 8 students commenced their sessions with Courage to Care. This exhibition has been put on in conjunction with the Albury City Library with a focus on challenging behaviours and attitudes around discrimination, racism and prejudice. The reports from students and staff who have attended thus far have been outstanding with the sessions being extremely informative, engaging and challenging. Students heard real life stories from Holocaust survivors which whilst confronting, were also encouraging of the potential each human being has to impact change in their community.

Every Year 8 and 9 class will be going to this exhibition before the end of this term with some follow up activities to occur into next term.

In preparation for the ‘Big Freeze’ at Xavier, the Week 8 reflection focused on Neale Daniher and his courage, resilience and work for others through his own personal battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

The video clip highlighted the struggles Neale has faced whilst also highlighting the awareness he has created through community engagement work. Students were asked to consider the personal lessons or messages they can take from Neale’s story as well considering his statement, “...it’s not about me, it’s about others…” and what this means in our context of a school.

Our Sports Stadium construction continues its progress the metal beams craned into place. 

As per all weeks this year, students have experienced two different reflections over the past two weeks. In Week 7, and in the theme of Reconciliation Week, students viewed a clip around the meaning of Reconciliation Week. Discussion questions focused around what reconciliation means to each person, why it is important, why we must reflect on the past to improve the future and how we can each work together for the betterment of our whole nation. This messaging is in line with our School values around care, acceptance and understanding of all.

There is no single age group of people more affected by alcohol and drugs than our young people. For some, a one time or infrequent use of alcohol or drugs can result in tragedy: alcohol poisoning, an accident or fall when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or an arrest associated with alcohol or drugs. Young people who use alcohol and drugs before their brain has fully developed, are at increased risk for future addiction. Those who start drinking alcohol before the age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol abuse or dependence than those who first use alcohol at age 18 or older.

To view the SchoolTV newsletter around this issue, CLICK HERE.

There are many lost property items waiting unclaimed at Student Reception ready for collection.

Mrs Stringer also has an extensive collection of lost jewellery.

#timetocollect

Recently Xavier students Connor, Isabella, Isacc, Lachie and Xavier began their submission for the Regionate Competition titled Xaviervation.

Regionate is a State wide entrepreneurship competition that requires the completion of four activities, with one task completed and submitted each week for the duration of a month. 

Task one for Regionate was to create a short video introducing each student, including what future careers they may like to pursue, and how innovation had affected that chosen industry. 

The challenge was set for this entrepreneurship competition and it didn’t take long to spark the inspiration to tackle the issue with a bright idea. 

Following the workshopping, brainstorming and planning of how the perfect first impression would have an impact on the judges, a fun and creative video was created.

Student Leader Profile: Mietta Batrouney 

House: Aquinas

Your Position: Stage 4 Leader

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
I felt inspired to take on this role as I saw the great work of the Year 8 leaders when I was in year 7 and wanted to do the same. The previous leaders made us all feel so welcome into the House and feel a part of the House and I wanted to do the same for the 2021 Year 7's. 

What are the things that make your House great?
Aquinas is a very welcoming and encouraging House. They are always uplifting people and making them feel good about themselves. Aquinas is a safe place where we feel at home.  

What do you love about Xavier High School?
There are so many supporting and generous people at our school. If there is ever an issue you know that you will be safe in the hands of the Xavier teachers. There is always someone to talk to. Every staff member is so lovely and helpful. 

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
I enjoyed the Xavier day the most. It was a fun day where everyone could play around with friends and celebrate the end of the school year. 

Student Leader Profile: Hamish Morrison

House: MacKillop

Your Position: Stage 5 Leader

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
I have always been a leader in everything I do and to have the opportunity to lead my house and my year group will be a great experience, so I went for it. 

What are the things that make your House great?
MacKillop is Xavier's best House because of the giving we do. We fundraise very often and give back to the community as much as possible. We have welcoming arms to our Year 7's and new students and always make them welcome. All MacKillop students follow our morals in school and at carnivals giving us that extra edge to get extra house points. 

What do you love about Xavier High School?
The best thing about Xavier is its great school environment. The teachers and students are have great attitudes towards learning and respect. Xavier has the best opportunities to excel in all learning paths, especially sport. 

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
Xavier Day was an incredible experience for me with the Red Faces, food stalls, and Colour Run that was enjoyed by everyone all day. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone had smiling faces and wanted to be there.

MacKillop House will be holding a ‘KFC Go Bucket’ lunch fundraiser on Monday 21st June. 

All orders must be pre-ordered. Orders close Monday 15 June

Please follow this link for details and to pre-order: CLICK HERE

Year 10 students will soon begin the important process of selecting their courses for Year 11 2022 and the HSC in 2023.  

Students have been provided with information around the available courses in 2022 in the form of this website > CLICK HERE

They are encouraged to consult their teachers from now until they make their selections, as to the courses that best suit their interests, ability and potential. 

McAuley House are currently hosting a charity fundraiser for ‘FightMND’

Beanies are on sale during recess every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so be sure to head on down to the 300 quad near the office and pick up a beanie for only $20

FightMND was established with the purpose of finding effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, and with every beanie purchased, you can help to further fund their cause.

Thank you to the McAuley House Captains for organizing this fundraiser, and make sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming Big Freeze day where you’ll be able to wear your new beanie!

ICAS Assessments are designed to recognise academic excellence. Students are assessed on their ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts, using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.

ICAS - International Competitions and Assessments for Schools run by UNSW Global. The top 1% of each year will receive an award of High Distinction, the next 10% will receive an award of Distinction and next 25% will receive an award of Credit.

Xavier will be offering the opportunity for students to participate in the world-renowned ICAS Assessments this year. 

Payment Portal: CLICK HERE

Unique code for payment: PFP275 

The ICAS tests we will be offering this year are Mathematics, English, Science and Digital Technologies. 

Join in with our up-coming lunchtime activities at Xavier.

Music Jam Session - Each second Friday (Day 5)

Yr 10, 11 & 12 Film & TV Club - Wednesdays

Board Games - Tuesdays & Thursdays

Faith/Ethics/Philosophy Discussion Group - Each second Friday (Day 5)

Art Group - Tuesdays 

Yarning with Yarn - Fridays

Voice coaching with Nicki  - Thursdays

Choir - Thursdays

Chess Club - Wednesdays

Are you a keen reader and want to win some great prizes...

The Xavier High School Reading Competition is on now!!

WHO: 
Junior Category: Students in Years 7 - 10 
Senior Category: Students in Years 11 & 12

WHAT:
Xavier High School Reading Competition.

WHEN:
Open now until the Final Judging during Book Week in Term 3 (Wk 7)

WHERE:
Visit the Xavier Library for more information.

WHY:
The House with the most number of book reviews will win
House Points are up for grabs
Great individual prizes on offer for the Best Book Review!

HOW:
Easy 3 step process: 
1. Find a book you like 
2. Borrow it from the Xavier library 
3. Leave a review on the Library Portal (Oliver) 

Huge congratulations to former Xavier student Ellie Pashley (O'Kane) with the announcement today that Ellie has qualified for the Marathon event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Ellie is an elite distance runner with a Marathon personal record of 2hours 26mins.

In 2019 Ellie placed 8th at the NYC Marathon and ran the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Doha.

Ellie is a Physiotherapist and is based in the Surfcoast town of Torquay, Victoria.

On Wednesday 9th of June, Xavier High School competed at the Albury Hockey Gala Day.

Both teams consisted of a mix of players; some who play in the local Albury Wodonga Competition and some who were willing to try their hand at hockey for the first time. Both teams had a successful day, with the boys winning all of their matches and the girls having a loss after the siren, a draw and a thumping win.

Girls: 3-2 (Loss to Scots), 1-1 (Draw with Corowa HS), 6-1 (win over Murray HS - including a Bella Heagney Hat-trick)

Boys: 8-0 (win over Trinity), 4-0 (win over Albury HS), 6-1 (win over James Fallon HS)

Huge congratulations to Class of 2020 Xavier School Captain Patrick Parnell today drafted to the Adelaide Football Club.

Well done Paddy!

To read more: CLICK HERE

Congratulations to former Xavier student Daniel Turner who was today drafted to the Melbourne Demons.

Well done Dan!

Congratulations to Alicia Spiers and Patrick Bullivant who competed last Friday in the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships for the NSWCCC team at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. 

Both students swam in 3 events each. 

Alicia placed well in her three events, finishing 8th in 50m Butterfly, 5th in 100m backstroke and an amazing 4th in 50m backstroke. 

Patrick moved up the ranks in his events finishing 6th in 200m breaststroke and 5th in both 100m and 50m Breaststroke events. 

Well done Alicia and Patrick on a fantastic effort.

Boys travelled to Griffith to play Marian in Round 3 of the Bill Turner Cup.

Boys were a little bus-lagged and star struck. They were comprehensively beaten 9 - 1.

Our best player was our goal keeper Josh Murphy who made the score line somewhat respectable.

The boys did well to make it this far in the competition and beat Albury High along the way.

The BISSA Athletics Carnival planned for Wednesday 2nd June has been postponed.

The new date for the Carnival will be Tuesday 20th July.

Just a reminder that Year 7 Enrolments for 2022 are closing soon.

It's easy to complete as we have a brand new Online Enrolment Portal.

Just create a profile then click through the steps to submit your application.

For more details or to find the link to apply, visit the Xavier High School website www.xhsww.catholic.edu.au

Did you know, there is a Xavier Facebook group for second hand uniforms & equipment?

This is a closed group, however you can request permission to join.

LINK: CLICK HERE

About:

Xavier offers students access to on-site private music tuition before, during and after school. Tuition is open to all students from Years 7-12. 

Xavier collaborates with instrumental teachers of music, providing students with the opportunity for private lesson on their chosen instrument.  

Students can study:

• Keyboard Piano
• Guitar - Acoustic, Electric, Bass
• Woodwind - Flute, Clarinet, Oboe
• Brass - Saxophone, Trumpet
• Percussion - Drums
• Voice - Contemporary

Shared lessons can be arranged with individual tutors at a reduced fee per student. 

For more information visit our website:

CLICK HERE and scroll down to Private Instrumental Tuition

A reminder that on a Friday there is a limited menu of items on offer.

Reminder to students and families that Monday 14th June is a Public Holiday.