Today it was announced that Mrs Lorraine Willis has been appointed as Principal of Catholic College Wodonga starting in 2022. I congratulate Lorraine and her family on her appointment.

As we all know Lorraine is an excellent educator and leader within our school. As a colleague, Lorraine has been a highly valued member of our Leadership team for the last seven years. She has worked in both of our Assistant Principal roles and acted as Principal while at Xavier.  She is an excellent leader while being a strong woman of faith and will be sorely missed by our community. We will farewell Lorraine closer to the end of the year.  Included is an announcement from Catholic College Wodonga announcing Lorraine's appointment.

Congratulations also to Mr Heath Neville who has been appointed to the Leader of Faith Formation and Mission.  Heath commenced at Xavier this year in the HSIE KLA and in the Joseph House Coordinator role. Before starting at Xavier he was the Director of Mission at Marian Catholic College in Griffith. Heath will commence in this role in 2022.

Today we said farewell to Mrs Trish Barwick, Mrs Georgia Duby and Ms Paula Martinez Van Willenswaard. Trish is relocating to Canberra in the school holidays and Georgia will be relocating to Queensland during Term 4. Paula will shortly be commencing work at Wodonga Public Primary School. We wish Trish, Georgia and Paula all the very best and thank them for their contributions to our school. Georgia will continue to work casually at Xavier until she leaves. 

We also wished Mrs Jen Henderson all the very best as she starts parental leave and farewelled Mrs Lyn Coates who is taking some well deserved leave.

Next term we welcome Ms Brie Sharp to Xavier High School. We also welcome back Mrs Bronwyn Lieschke and Mrs Megan Hawkesworth from parental leave.  Mrs Alison Cameron and Mrs Denise Atkins will also join us in Term 4.  Many students will know Alison and Denise from the great work they do as casual teachers at our school.

Full Time Teaching Positions.

Ongoing Positions Commencing Term 1 2022.

Experienced teachers in the following subject areas are encouraged to apply:

• PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION (PDHPE)
• SCIENCE
• ENGLISH
• TECHNICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCE (TAS) 
• RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Option of adding a 2pt House Coordinator position $16,756 pa

Applications close 9am Friday 1st October.

For further information, including position descriptions, selection criteria and to apply CLICK HERE

Currently we are going through our processes for School leadership positions for 2022. Nominations for School Captains have been open since the beginning of Week 7 and will close mid next week. House Leadership positions are currently open as well for students looking to pursue those positions.

Following the nomination period, interviews and speeches will be held for nominees to put forward their case for selection as leaders for the nominated positions. Voting will occur for all positions amongst the student and staff populations following the speeches. Given the current lockdown situation, further information about when and how speeches and interviews will run will be provided to successful nominees. Students who are successful in attaining a leadership position will undergo a range of leadership formation experiences across the next 12 months.

We really encourage all students to consider their suitability for leadership positions and put forward their nomination via the respective channels. If students have any questions about the process, they are encouraged to make contact with their House Coordinator.

Just a reminder of some support services available if you need them;

Mental Health Triage Service: Website link 1300 104 211

Accessline Albury: 1800 800 944

Headspace Albury: Website link 6055 9555

AWAHS (Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service): Website link 1800 421 640

Kids Help Line: Website link 1800551800 Kids Helpline Webchat

Lifeline Australia: Website link 131114 Crisis Chat Support 

Youth Beyond Blue: Website link 1300 224 636 Chat Online

Recently our Yr 11 male students attended a follow-up session from the International Women’s Day/Xavier Men’s Day in Term 1. The success of this event was clearly evident and many teachers have worked tirelessly on ideas on how to best move forward in this space. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to work with the Yr 11 boys and focused on the standards they had identified for themselves earlier in the year. With only the extended session to work in, our main aim was at the boys opening up with their emotions in order to understand the importance of asking for help. They were confronted with the alarming statistics of 75% of those who take their own life in Australia are male. This has led to suicide as the leading cause of death for Australian males between 15 and 44 years of age in 2021. 

With these facts in mind, we identified and addressed the challenges they are facing now and how important it was to recognise how these challenges made them feel. We were able to discuss the acceptance of failing forward in these moments and how to turn them into learning experiences and areas of improvement and growth. 

The plan was to work out on the sheet below simple actions they could all take in order to improve themselves and work through these challenges. In the end, the focus became a healthy discussion between the whole group on how important and easy it is to ask for help. It was powerful and the feedback we received immediately was evidence of the necessity for such programs to take place.

Students wrote: 

“Thought it was an eye-opening experience. Now that our year has a decent level of maturity, We can really get a lot out of it. I really enjoyed it personally. Game me a perspective on others and what they are going through.”

“I understand now that my mental health is miles more important than my image and that I should start to get off my back and break the status.”

I would like to thank the staff that drove and supported this initiative and the students who demonstrated a high level of maturity and commitment towards this topic and event. These students have a bright future ahead of them and I hope to continue to foster and support this as much as possible. We will be looking to continue this program when possible. 

Heath Neville

Joseph House Coordinator

As this week we commence the September School Holidays, let's look back at the journey so far for the Xavier Sports Stadium Construction.

Albury's Youth Mayor has been recognised for his work in the community. 

Congratulations to Xavier Year 11 student Eli Davern, awarded the Order of Australia New South Wales Youth Community Service Award.

Well done Eli!

This years Xavier School Captains Ebony and Isaac check in with 2020 School Captains Mia and Paddy.

They chat about completing HSC through lockdowns, and what they've been up to this year since leaving Xavier.

On Monday Xavier students Lily & Isaac spoke to Prime7 News about the joys of returning to the classroom.

Student Leader Profile: Amelia Street

House: Joseph

Your Position: Stage 4 Leader

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
I chose to take on this leadership position to be a role model, positive influence and friendly face to my peers. I love encouraging and seeing the outcome of amazing team work.

What are the things that make your House great?
Joseph House is great for many reasons we are driven, compassionate, friendly, smart, cooperative and fun. Joseph House never fails to have a good time and inspire each other to do our best. 

What do you love about Xavier High School?
Xavier High School is encouraging and fun. I always wake up with a smile knowing I will be attending Xavier today. They inspire each other, thank each other, help each other and encourage each other. Xavier High School is a friendly community that supports you in everything you do and achieve. 

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
My favourite event at Xavier would have to be cross country. It gives you a chance to walk with friends, meet new people and just have a fun time. You are able to compete at a competition level for your house if you desire, however, you can earn so many points for your house just be walking/running around the oval and having a fun time.

Student Leader Profile: Niamh Boyer

House: Clark

Your Position: House Captain

What inspired you to take on a leadership position?
I was inspired by the House leaders before me! I wanted to become a Clark house leader to carry on with the great things past leaders had introduced and make them a part of our daily life at Xavier. 

What are the things that make your House great?
Our competitive nature and willingness to give things a go even though we don't always come out on top is what makes Clark great!

What do you love about Xavier High School?
I love that the student body have the support of the teacher to make things happen! This year is has been awesome to truly see our ideas come to light in our community. 

Which Xavier event did you enjoy most last year and what was so good about it?
Last year is tough to chose from as we missed out on so much, however over the years the swimming carnival and Xavier day celebrations have proven to come out on top here!

Listen in to Part 2 of the new season of the Teach Better Together Podcast series.

This edition takes an in-depth look into the leadership journey of Dr Stephen Brown. This is accompanied by what Stephen calls his 'legacy piece', The Pathway to Leadership Program. 

In this episode, Stephen reflects on his current work and how it is supporting his continued growth as a leader in education. 

Special guests, Prue Horan and Mary Ellen Dempsey, Assistant Directors of  Wagga Wagga and Wilcannia Forbes, talk about their collaborative work in the program and its implementation into their respective dioceses. 

To listen to the latest episode with Dr Stephen Brown! CLICK HERE

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

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 Xavier website:

CLICK HERE and scroll down to Private Instrumental Tuition