Gavin Dykes, Principal

From next year, the Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga (CEDWW) is moving to standardise leadership roles across the five secondary schools in CEDWW.  This means from Term 1, 2022 all high schools in the Diocese will have in place the same leadership structure. 

This move has been made to ensure our schools are able to prioritise the needs of our students and staff over the coming years, provide greater opportunities to share professional practice, competencies and knowledge across our schools and to ensure all schools continue to meet their accountability, equity and sustainability requirements.  As a result of this initiative a number of exciting leadership opportunities have been established at Xavier.

From 2022 our Leadership structure will be as follows:

• Principal
• Assistant Principal (1 position)
• Leader of Faith Formation and Mission, Leader of Learning and Teaching and Leader of Student Wellbeing and Pastoral Care 

Mr Edmund Brown, our Director of Faith and Mission has made the decision to step aside from this role at the end of the year. Mr Brown started at Xavier in 2004 and has held roles in faith leadership since this time. Fortunately, he will be staying with us at Xavier as a teacher in 2022. We look forward to thanking him later in the year for the incredible commitment and contribution he has made to our school community while working as our Director of Faith and Mission. 

With the ongoing Covid-19 situation in Sydney, our Year 12 students have seen changes to the dates of their Trial HSC Exams, Final HSC Exams and their practical submissions and performance dates. Please know that Xavier will continue to provide the best academic and wellbeing support for all Year 12 students. I encourage Year 12 to remain focused on their studies over the coming months and know that if you need any advice or support please take the time to speak with your teachers, house coordinator or homeroom tutor.

Stage 5 Review

We are currently exploring our current Stage 5 (Year 9 and 10) curriculum offerings.  This is in light of current research and practice that is focused on building engaging learning experiences that will equip our students with skills and capabilities for the complexities of their futures. 

We are seeking your thoughts based on the experiences of your sons and daughters who have already completed Stage 5 or who are currently in Year 9 or 10.  The feedback we receive will shape our decisions in constructing offerings for 2022.  

To take part in this survey, please click HERE.  

Mobile Phone Survey

As highlighted in previous newsletters, we are currently reviewing our policies around mobile phone use within the school. To do this, we are looking for feedback from all sectors of our community. 

Our student and staff communities have had the opportunity to provide their feedback around current processes in regards to mobile phone use. We are now providing parents with the opportunity to further inform our future direction by completing a short survey.

The feedback from this survey will be collated with the staff and student information in helping us establish our direction into the future.

Your participation in this survey is very much welcomed. To access, please click HERE. 

Colleen Mullavey O'Byrne was a boarder at St Joseph's from the late 1940's completing her Leaving Certificate in 1953. After receiving a scholarship to study she moved to Sydney and completed a Diploma in Occupational Therapy (OT).  

As professional educator she gained great respect in Australia and internationally for her work in the OT field where she was known as an innovator and a leader in her profession.  She was critical to the transition of OT from a diploma course through to undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD qualifications in a university setting. She also lent her expertise to courses in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Thailand and the United States.

Colleen is survived by her two sisters, son and grandchildren.

A number of exciting leadership opportunities have opened up across the school through a new Diocesean wide leadership initiative.

We are looking for dedicated and innovative teachers to join us in 2022 in the following roles.

Former Xavier High School student Ellie Pashley (O'Kane) will this Saturday compete in the Women's Marathon event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Ellie commenced at Xavier in 2001 and completed her HSC in 2006. 

Ellie then completed her Physiotherapy studies at CSU in Albury and now lives on the Surf Coast near Torquay, Victoria.

This week Ellie kindly took some time out from her Olympic preparations to pass on this message to our students. We're incredibly proud of what Ellie has already achieved and we wish her all the very best for her run on Saturday.

Go Ellie!!

This week we were fortunate to be able to gather as a School community to celebrate the academic success of our students in Semester One. Students from Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 who received three or more ‘A’ grades in their Semester One report were recognised with a certificate of merit during this assembly. It was really pleasing to see such a high number of students from these year levels achieve such success in their studies this year so far.

The assembly also had a range of different events and activities highlighted which have occurred or are in play currently. There was a focus around the Dynan Kindness Week, an update from the Environmental Action Group, information from the Year 10 Food Technology class around their Carevan fundraiser and a recognition of our Pi Day winners, plus a special message from former Xavier student Ellie Pashley.

Thank you to all involved in the assembly and congratulations to all award winners.

A video of the Live Stream can be viewed by visiting the link above

This week is Xavier Kindness Week so Lachie and Halle sat down with some students to learn more about Kindness at Xavier.

In the theme of the Olympics, our Week Three reflection item focused on inspiring Olympic moments. The video highlighted a range of different examples of assisting others, persevering through adversity and the notion of achievement not being just about winning. Students were asked to consider how the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together” is evident in the clip and what this actually means. Students were asked to reflect on what the messages mean to them and how it applies to their everyday lives. To view the clip, CLICK HERE

In Week Four, the Dynan House led us with a theme around kindness and the impacts it can have on us all.

Students viewed a clip titled the “Kindness Boomerang”. This clip showed a range of different people experiencing acts of kindness towards them and in turn passing them onto others. The final part of the clip shows the first person receiving another act of kindness in in a full circle style moment, highlighting that kindness does in turn pay back.

Students were asked to reflect on and discuss moments of kindness they had experienced, the impact this has had on them and others, why it is important to be kind to others and how we all benefit from it.

Recently we shared with all parents via Compass instructions on how to sign up for the Safe on Social Parent Toolkit. This toolkit provides a wide range of wonderful resources aimed at helping parents navigate the online world with their children. This month, the Safe on Social newsletter update focuses on keeping kids safe through times of lockdown.

It recognises that young people have been spending more and more time online and provides some useful tips on how to help ensure their safety. If you have not yet had the opportunity to login to the parent toolkit, please refer to Compass for instructions on how to do so.

Due to on & off lockdowns, it’s safe to say that our kids have been spending more time online - remote learning, social media for connection, online games to pass the time - you get the idea! But just because this seems to be the new norm, does not mean kids should be given complete freedom online. We're not telling you to ban them from using online platforms (we don’t believe in that!) we’re just here to remind everyone that healthy boundaries should be set. Kids should be taught that many of the same behaviours that keep them safe offline can help keep them safe online.

Here are some tips:

• Talk to your kids about what they are doing online and what steps they are taking to stay safe (this is a great way to spark discussion at home)
• Agree on how much time your kids spend online in addition to their schoolwork.
• Put down devices at dinner for the whole family - screen fatigue is real so give everyone a chance to connect face to face.
• Know where to seek help and assistance for both you and your child if you should need it.
• Be aware of any signs of your child being distressed or noticeable changes in behaviour.
• Be careful not to share photos that may compromise your child or affect their privacy and protection.
• Find some time to do offline activities with children and encourage them to do things that we often don't get a chance to, like baking, craft, art, and gardening.

We understand this is a challenging time for both staff and parents alike. We are always here to support you and encourage you to come to us with questions. If you’re struggling with too much screen time or concerns around online safety during lockdown please reach out - we continue to support these teachings in school through the Safe On Social Toolkit program we have rolled out this year.

School TV is a wonderful resource for our community to explore a range of concepts which might be impacting upon young people. Dr Michael Carr Gregg presents parent friendly information to help inform decision making in assisting to bring up our young people in a safe and healthy way.

This week, we are sharing his talk around happiness and gratitude and how they are linked. His short presentation highlights the importance of practicing gratitude and the impacts it can have on our own wellbeing. To see this presentation, see the link HERE.

Masks on Busses

Students are reminded that whilst travelling on busses to and from school, they are required to wear a mask. This applies to all students above the age of 12 unless they have a medical exemption. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation with this mandated requirement.

Students are reminded to ensure they are in the correct uniform at all times. Students can wear their sports uniform on days when they have practical PDHPE only. On all other days they are to be in the formal winter uniform. With the current cold weather, we have seen some students wearing hoodies as a part of their uniform. Hoodies are not part of the uniform and are not to be worn at all. Please refer to the uniform policy on our website for further details around uniform.

Congratulations to Hope Chater who has qualified for the Australian National Kettleball team.

Hope recently competed at the NSW State Championships and is now eligible to compete for Australia at the World Championships to be held in Italy in 2022.

Well done Hope!

This week our Year 10 Food Tech students held a Street Market in the 300 Quad.

As a part of their studies students needed to research trends in what type of food to sell, calculate the cost for each serving, prepare their market stall, create signage and posters and then sell their food item to deliver a profit. 

Year 10 students worked in small teams - plus in communication with other teams to produce a variety of options plus ensure there were no double-ups.

The total amount raised in sales during the Street Market $1,469.50

Cost of food - $790

Total Profit - $679.50 for Carevan!

Student Leader Profile: Chloe Smith

House: MacKillop

Your Position: House Captain

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
In my final year at Xavier High School I wanted to put myself forward to be a role model and leader within Mackillop House. Within homeroom especially I feel as though it is a very welcoming environment and wanted to make it even more welcoming across all of them. When I came into year 7 I was very nervous and as a leader I wanted to make it a more welcoming environment because I know many new year 7s will be feeling the same as I felt the first few weeks of school. 

What are the things that make your House great?
The handball competitions - inclusivity, different homerooms coming together, teachers included. 

What do you love about Xavier High School?
The teachers are always looking out for the students and are very friendly and always go the extra mile for the students.

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
The swimming carnival and the colour run, everyone was having a really good time, the teachers were involved.

Student Leader Profile: Charlie Sanson

House: Dynan

Your Position: Stage 6 Leader

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
Become a role model for younger students.

What are the things that make your House great?
Homeroom/House activities.

What do you love about Xavier High School?
The variety of opportunities.

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
Red Faces as it lets kids showcase talent and provides entertainment.

Keep an eye out on Prime7 during the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics for the brand new Xavier TV commercial.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

We Will Rock You – the musical by Queen and Ben Elton has been powering on despite the last minute COVID restrictions.

Xavier students Kye Groves & Kylan Duffy have relished the occasion to be involved.

We encourage all NSW residents to please buy a ticket and support the arts & live music community on The Border.

Please contact the Albury Entertainment Centre box office on (02) 6043 5610 to secure your seat!

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:

Check out the Teach Better Together Podcast 

To listen to the latest episode titled Break it down with Dr Stephen Brown! CLICK HERE

To learn more, or for more episodes follow the Teach Better Together facebook page CLICK HERE

Donations of new and clean blankets are now being accepted at the Xavier Reception.

This is a part of the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Call out for Xavier students and members of the community to raise much needed funds during the Vinnies Winter Appeal.

Our goal is to raise $2,000 during the Winter Sleepout held on Friday 20th August.

To take part in the Sleepout a minimum of $100 needs to be raised per person.

For more details contact the Xavier Vinnies Team.

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. 

This weeks' featured Tutor: Gary McDonald Drum / Percussion tutor.

Visit Gary's website: www.thedrummers.com.au

For more information visit our Xavier website:

CLICK HERE and scroll down to Private Instrumental Tuition

TS Albury is a Youth Organisation based at Bandiana, we are sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy and aims to build leadership skills in young people through adventure and exciting learning activities.

Becoming a Navy Cadet means making new friends, being part of a team that values you. Whilst also experiencing challenges that will develop your potential as a leader. 

Adventure and fun are the key ingredients for all camping, water sports and team challenge activities. 

Navy Cadets learn how to sail, navigate and gain skills in everything from IT, communications, cooking and first aid to drill and seaman ship.

If you have any further questions, contact:

Camilla Webb

Unit Support Officer - Lonsdale

camilla.webb@navycadets.gov.au

0422 455 582

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