Gavin Dykes, Principal

Over the first half of the 2021 school year our students have continued to lead initiatives they feel passionate about.  Do it For Dolly Day, the 'Call it Out' Initiative and the FightMND fundraising efforts are some examples of these. 

It has been a real highlight to see how well run and supported student led events and fundraisers have been this year. This was very evident over the past month with the support our school community gave to FightMND.  Led by Stella Robinson (Yr. 12) and Charlotte Benson (Yr. 11), McAuley House have been selling beanies to fundraise for FightMND. 

Last Friday the fundraising efforts culminated with Xavier coming together to cheer on a select group of staff, who had been nominated by students, to take part in our Xavier Big Freeze. Over $5000 was raised for FightMND, a really wonderful contribution to a very worthy cause. 

Today we said farewell and thank you to Mrs Sharon Doubleday.  We thanked Sharon for her wonderful contribution to our school community and the dedication she has shown to our students. Fortunately for us, Sharon is staying on in a casual capacity at Xavier and I know many staff and students look forward to seeing her around the school next term. 

We also wished Mr Steve Lancaster all the best as he commences his well-earned Long Service Leave.

Ms Marie McKinley will be taking some leave commencing Week 3 of Term 3.  We look forward to welcoming her back in 2022.

For anyone who has a child starting Year 7 in 2022 who has not yet applied for enrolment at Xavier, I kindly encourage you to do so very soon.  We have received a lot of applications for enrolment in our Year 7 2022 cohort and this year level is close to being full. Enrolment applications are available on our website.

The latest NSW Health Advice addressing Covid 19 Restrictions for the Greater Sydney; Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas from 4pm, 23 June 2021 until 2 July, impacts how staff and students should plan for the term break. 

The CEDWW advice for students and staff who are seeking to participate in formal group extra-curricular activities in the local government areas designated by NSW Health; and involving staff and students from these local government areas, during this period, is that they do not undertake these activities over this period to protect our CEDWW school communities. 

Where students or staff are seeking to visit; or visit family located in; local government areas where COVID 19 Restrictions are in operation, the student or staff member should follow the advice of NSW Health and monitor for Covid 19 Places of Concern.  Students and staff should be highly vigilant for Covid 19 symptoms and get tested where these exist, and not return to school until they are recovered and received a negative COVID Test. 

Unfortunately our staff conference will again need to be rescheduled due to covid-19.  Our presenter and facilitator Mr Brendon Spillane is based in WA and is therefore unable to travel into NSW due to the recent border restrictions put in place by the WA Government.  As a result, all students will return to normal classes on Tuesday 13 July. 

Monday 12 July will still remain a pupil free day while staff complete professional development.

I wish everyone a safe and happy term break and look forward to seeing all students back at Xavier on Tuesday 13 July to start Term 3.

Semester One Reports are now available for students in Years 7 - 10.

These reports are available for you to access via Compass. 

They offer a summary of student achievement across Semester One and reflect achievement in assessment across that time. 

Students are encouraged to engage with the feedback comments provided by teachers in discussion and on Schoology to ensure their continued growth as they progress through their studies.  

If you have any queries regarding access to or content within the reports, please contact the school.

In Week 9, students spent some time in Homerooms considering the realities of different people and how this might be contrasting to their own and others lives. Students were shown a range of images which have been spliced together by Turkish artist Ugur Gallenkus. Whilst some of the images were confronting, they challenged our community to consider how the realities for people differ as well as encouraging students to question if this is right and just and to consider their own context. This reflection follows some of the themes we have encountered this year in regards to caring for others as well as empathy and celebration of the things we do have.

With Week 10 being National Refugee Week, the focus of our reflection on the story of a refugee named Najeeba. Najeeba’s story highlights her journey to Australia from Afghanistan and the great contribution she has had to our country since arriving. Students were asked to consider the reasons why refugees might flee their country, why Australia might be a choice destination and how Australia has benefited over time from refugees coming to Australia. Students were also asked to reflect on the statement, “...we all share humanity, we are all accountable…” and what this means to them. There was some very robust conversations amongst homerooms with a range of personal experiences being shared around this. Should you wish to view the clip, click HERE.

Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some these skills will come very naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate. Belonging to a group that is like-minded with similar interests is highly beneficial to a young person’s wellbeing. It gives them a sense of security helping them feel valued which in turn builds their confidence.

Positive friendships are an important part of the journey to adulthood. Adult carers can support their child or teenager by providing guidance in the many social and emotional skills required for a healthy relationship. This will help them to obtain, retain and maintain friendships. However, not all friendship are regarded as positive. Sometimes young people develop negative or toxic friendships. Therefore it is also important for them to learn how to identify, avoid or deal with such a friendship.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers can learn how to support their young person’s friendship so that they experience a sense of belonging. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Link to this month's edition CLICK HERE

Our Sports Stadium construction continues to progress as the metal beams lifted into place. 

The FightMND Xavier Big Freeze!

On Friday our amazing team of students & staff raised over $5,000, yes over $5k in funds for FightMND.

FightMND was established with the purpose of finding effective treatments and ultimately a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

Thank you to the McAuley House Captains Stella & Charlotte  for organizing this epic fundraiser, plus Ruby & Chelsea on the cameras for the ice slide.

Recently Year 8 Xavier students visited the Albury City Library Museum exhibition 'Courage to Care'.

Courage to Care is a unique travelling exhibition and educational program that uses stories of Holocaust survivors and their rescuers to demonstrate the importance of standing up to prejudice whenever it occurs. It provokes conversations about social justice and bystander intervention in our communities. Courage to Care is a positive and empowering experience, inspiring visitors to realise that their individual choices can, and do, made a difference.

Courage to Care is an initiative of B’nai B’rith.

Courage to Care is on display at the Library Museum until Friday 25 June and is free to attend.

As part of their Certificate II in Business, Year 10 students completed 35 hours of Work Placement at various local businesses.

The aim of this Placement was to expose students to office environments and put what they are learning in the classroom into practice in a real world setting.

Feedback from the Host Employers and students underlines the importance of this program, with all students receiving positive feedback and looking forward to their second Work Placement in Term 4.

Well done to Year 11 student Jessica Boyd who wrote a remarkable book review for the 2021 fantasy novel "The Prison Healer" by Lynette Noni.

Jessica's book review very clearly details why this book makes such a good read.

For her efforts, Jessica is awarded a book voucher from Dymocks and earns double points for Joseph toward the House Cup!

Congratulations Jessica!

BOOK REVIEW: By Jessica Boyd

The Prison Healer is the story of Kiva Meridan of her life in prison trying to survive. From a young age she has lived in the death prison of Zalindov, fighting her best to survive waiting for her family to come get her. She works as the prison healer, where she is ridiculed by the other prisoners. This book is about her survival in this terrible place where one wrong move will get her killed. So what does she do, she makes a very stupid decision that could get her killed. To help save the rebel queen.

The characters were planned out and detailed. The characters had a purpose for how they acted, and it really showed what people would be like in that situation. The plot moved fast but there were some parts that were drawn out but they were needed so the story could progress. 

All in all this book dragged me along with every twist and turn, I could not put this book down. I felt the emotions the characters were feeling, when they were in bad situations I would get worried wanting to know what will happen next. It was a little long winded in the middle but I still enjoyed that part. I would definitely recommend this book but I would like to say that this book does have some dark themes as being in the young adult genre. It is an amazing fantasy book, I can't wait for the second book.

Reflection by Year 10 Music Student - Hope Chater

On the 11th June, my Year 10 Music Class got the opportunity to participate in a Sound Engineering Workshop, held at the Retro Cafe in QEll Square.

We were taught how sound travels and waves correlate, how different types of microphones pick up sound and how to set up, tune and use the P.A systems.

We even got the opportunity after the workshop to assemble and tune our band setup with our own leads, amplifiers and instruments to perform for the local people eating lunch at the cafe. Overall, I highly enjoyed the workshop and performing.

As a musician who sings and plays, I found that it’s highly valuable to know how to set up and tune a P.A and how to balance sound in different environments so I know how I actually sound.

I’m very grateful to have had the experience to participate in this workshop as it’s a passion and helps my future career direction for Music in the future. 

Student Leader Profile: Grace Aldrich 

House: MacKillop

Your Position: Stage 5 Leader

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
I was inspired to take a leadership position so I could help out MacKillop as well as the broader school community. 

What are the things that make your House great?
The things that make our House great is the great leadership team as well as having the best House leader out there. Another reason our House is the best is because there are many times that we are able to all get together and have lots of fun. 

What do you love about Xavier High School?
I love the wide range of elective subjects that are available which allows you to do the subjects which you enjoy. I also love how the school is super inclusive such as having a parts of the school and altered subjects of Aspect and I also love the respect for different cultures such as the Indigenous kids.

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
The Xavier event that I enjoyed the most last year was Xavier Day because it was so much and there was heaps of really fun activities such as the Colour Run which was a ball of fun.

Student Leader Profile: Ian Burton

House: Clark

Your Position: House Captain

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
I've always been apart of varying leadership positions in one capacity or another. Being in Clark house since Year 7, taking on a leadership position within the house was simply a natural progression. I always wanted to give back to the House and continue the sense of House spirit that all the teachers and previous House leaders have made. 

What are the things that make your House great?
I would say that Clark House has one of the strongest senses of house spirit. We always love a good competition and I think that's one of our key contributors in creating such strong bonds in Clark. 

What do you love about Xavier High School?
Xavier has amazing teachers and support staff that play a vital role in establishing a strong sense of community spirit and fostering an extremely productive learning environment that can push students to achieve their academic best. 

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
With so many events cancelled last year, Red Faces on Xavier Day was definitely a standout event in terms encouraging competition and cultivating a sense of community spirit. Our student leadership team also had quite a bit of fun impersonating the staff at Xavier.

This week a selection of new student work has been added to the Xavier Gallery and is on display now.

On Wednesday the 14th of July, all of Year 10, 11 and 12 will be attending a presentation from Kirra Pendergast from Safe on Social.

Our junior school attended earlier in the year and we thought it was worthwhile our whole school got the experience.

When: Wednesday 14th of July - Period 2

Where: Arts Center

Student Profile - Molly McLaren

Molly McLaren first picked up a Sherrin in Year 3, when she took part in an Auskick day at her school. Since then she hasn’t looked back.

Molly has played in the Paul Kelly Cup in Year 5 and Year 6 and in the Wagga Diocesan Team in Year 6.  She also plays for the Lavington Football Club in their “Pink Panthers” team.

Two weeks ago Molly took part in the All Schools AFL Tournament

To take part in this tournament you first had to nominate to attend the Combined Catholic College trials in Wagga Wagga.  Molly attended the trials with 84 other girls from across the state and was one of the 22 girls selected to play in the carnival.  Molly is only 13 years old and many of the girls selected were 15. Ellie Lowry was also one of the girls selected to play for the team.  

The Carnival consisted of 5 Teams: Catholic Colleges Combined, Independent Schools NSW, Riverina High Schools, Combined High Schools and CCS.  Catholic Colleges Combined played 4 games on the day and won all 4 games, taking the Gold Medal.

Molly won player of the Catholic Colleges Combined Team and Player of the Tournament, essentially identifying her as the best female junior AFL player in NSW.  What an achievement!!  Well done to both Molly and Ellie, two truly gifted sportswomen.

On Tuesday both our Junior Girls and Boys AFL teams played three games at the Lavington Sports Ground.

Junior Girls Grand Final against Kildare

Final score: Kildare 6-3-39 Xavier 1-3-9

Best players on the day Rose Bell, Molly McLaren, Tilly Hayes, Elli Lowry.

Junior Boys Grand Final against Kildare

Final score: Xavier 10-5-65 Kildare 5-3-33

Well done on a great day of football.

This week our Year 7 & 8 Girls had their Junior Netball Trials, with more than 60 girls attending!

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

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

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. 

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:

Creative Kids as a part of Start Up Business Education is running six one-hour modules that teach you how to see, think, be and do like an entrepreneur as you create a brand new business idea and learn how to pitch for funding like on ‘Shark Tank’.

For more information or to enrol visit www.startup.business

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

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

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