Xavier Catholic College
ACT JUSTLY Love God Love Others Love Yourself
2 Redford Drive, Skennars Head PO Box 1310, Ballina NSW 2478 Phone: (02) 6687 6484 Facsimile: (02) 6687 6828 Email: [email protected] Website: www.xavierlism.catholic.edu.au Office Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm Uniform Shop: 6687 6940 (Tuesdays only)
Term 4: Newsletter No. 20 – 11th
December, 2015
Dear Parents, Students and Staff,
The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
Be Merciful Just as Your Father is Merciful
The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy began on Tuesday 8th December, 2015 – the 50
th anniversary of the
closing of the Second Vatican Council – and concludes on 20th November 2016.
A jubilee year is a special year called by the Church to receive blessing and pardon from God. The tradition started
about 700 years ago and 26 jubilees have been celebrated since. Of those, only three have been “extraordinary” –
including the Year of Mercy.
At the start of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis will open a special holy door at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Symbolically it will be a “Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God who
consoles, pardons, and instils hope.”
The theme for the year is: Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. Included at the end of this section is the
Prayer of Pope Frances for the Year of Mercy.
The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy has an official website at www.im.va; a Twitter handle: @Jubilee_va; a
Facebook page; and accounts on Instagram, Flickr and Google+.
Reflection: The end of another year! As always, the start of 2015 seems so long ago. Much has happened in the past twelve
months. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the parents, who have supported the College by your
efforts throughout the year.
I hope and pray that Christmas will be all you want it to be for your families. It is difficult in this day and age to
keep sight of the Christian message of Christmas. Like Joseph and Mary searching for a room in Bethlehem, we
need to make room in our lives for Christ. If Christmas is not about accepting Jesus into our lives, then we have
missed the meaning. As the 2015 year draws to a close, we can look back on the year with thanks and look forward
with hope.
We have worked together to achieve our goals, at all times conscious of God’s goodness and our children’s
education.
What I ask for you in my prayer is what you have given to the Xavier Catholic College community: strength,
mercy, simplicity and patience.
And therefore I pray: May the God of strength be with you, holding you in strong-fingered hands; and may you
be the sacrament of His strength to those whose hands you hold.
May the God of mercy be with you, forgiving you, beckoning you, encouraging you to say ‘Now I will get up
again and go to my Father’s house’.
May your readiness to forgive calm the fears; deepen the trust of those who have hurt you.
May the God of simplicity be with you, opening you to a clear vision of what is real and true, leading you deeply
into the mystery of childhood, and may your dealings with others be marked by honesty, which is simplicity.
May the God of patience be with you with outstretched arms, letting you ‘find out for yourself’ and may his
patience with all the young who fall from small heights and the old who fall from greater heights be your
patience.
May the True God be with you – drawing you even nearer, speaking to you of unity – true community where
distinction of persons is also oneness in being.
Xavier Catholic College ACT JUSTLY
Great News As mentioned in earlier newsletters, Xavier Catholic College had applied to become a Jesuit Partner School. This
has been a long journey for our community, begun by previous principals. I can now, with great pleasure and
excitement, confirm that Xavier Catholic College is officially a Jesuit Companion (Partner) School. The Jesuits
have replaced the word ‘Partner’ with the more fitting ‘Companion’.
Becoming a Jesuit Companion School will allow Xavier a share in the Jesuit charism. It is a charism which has a
deep and ongoing narrative which tells the story of the Jesuits and the way they serve God and their neighbours,
from the time of St Ignatius, their founder to the present day. Becoming a Jesuit Companion School will assist us in
fostering the spiritual growth of all members of our college community in an Ignatian tradition. It is a rich spiritual
heritage that characterises a Jesuit school, and our challenge would be to embrace and fully engage with Ignatian
Spirituality. We would endeavour to celebrate and foster this by ensuring that all staff members understand
Ignatian spirituality, and appreciate the promise of growth that it offers. This spirituality may then be passed on to
our students. Becoming a Jesuit Partner School will also afford us opportunities to take part in Jesuit leadership
programs, staff and student spirituality programs, student immersion programs and possible participation in Jesuit
sporting events. Becoming a Jesuit Companion School also makes sense in that our Patron Saint, Francis Xavier
was one of St Ignatius’ early companions and a Jesuit Priest himself.
Staff News At the end of next week we farewell several members of staff who have served the Xavier community
tremendously well through their dedication and hard work during their time here: Ms Carol Myers, who after 23
years of teaching, 13 of which have been at Xavier, will be retiring. Whilst we will see her around in a casual
teaching capacity, we wish her all the best in her retirement. Also, Mr Vince Trirro is taking twelve months leave
in order to take up a teaching appointment at Trinity Catholic College in Lismore; Mr Julian White and Mrs
Emma Smith are both taking up respective twelve months exchange positions in Canada; Mr Scott Jones is taking
twelve months leave in order to teach overseas; Ms Rose Lobban will be working on a casual basis next year, as
will Mrs Vanessa Christmas; Kalen Grondin, our Youth Ministry Officer will be leaving in order to take up
further study; and Ms Kerry McLeod and Mr Laurie Bellett will be taking six months long service leave. We
express a sincere word of gratitude to each and every one of these staff members for their loyalty, commitment and
dedication. We wish them all the best in 2016.
Annual Awards Ceremony On Tuesday, 15
th December at 12:15pm in the Magis Centre, members of the Xavier Catholic College community
will gather to recognise and celebrate the academic, cultural, sporting and community achievements of our students
in 2015. This will be a significant occasion for the College, and I take this opportunity to thank all the staff and
students who contribute to make it possible. I encourage all parents to attend and join us in acknowledging the
achievements of your children.
Students whose parents are in attendance at the ceremony will be allowed to leave early with their parents at its
conclusion.
God Bless,
Michael Vella
Principal
Christmas Mass Times
Christmas Eve 5.30pm– Ballina 7.30pm– Ballina
Christmas Day
7.30am – Lennox Head 9.00am – Ballina
St Vincent de Paul Piety Shop operates in the
foyer of St Francis Xavier Church, Ballina. Open before
and after 6pm Saturday night mass and 9am Sunday mass.
Great gift ideas for Christmas: Various rosary beads
from $7, St Christopher magnetic car medal $6, “Prayers I
Pray” child’s prayer book $12, Holy Water Font $6, Catholic Nativity Cloth Book $8.50, Statues, pictures,
Holy cards. Lots more. Many light items for easy
mailing. Call in and have a look.
Inside this Issue:
2016 return dates
January 2016 Uniform Shop
hours
Xavier Catholic College Love God
Catechesis and Evangelisation Mrs Leanne Broadley – Acting Leader of School Evangelisation
THE FEAST DAY OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH SCHOOLS DAY Last Thursday was a wonderful celebration of our three parish schools, with Holy Family Primary School, St
Francis Xavier Primary School and Xavier Catholic College all combining on our college grounds for the day.
Despite a windy start to the day, and relocation of some rides to a less windy part of the school campus, the day
was an outstanding success, with so many activities for students to participate in, wonderful crafts, entertaining
sports, carnival rides and a very festive atmosphere. The catering staff from Xavier Catholic College did an
outstanding job in providing 1700 people with a freshly cooked chicken breast burger, and many staff ran their
stalls and did supervision activities for most of the day. Many thanks go to all involved in making this day a
wonderful success.
SAM MORGAN FUNDRAISER The Feast Day of St Francis Xavier Parish Schools Day saw a mighty fundraising effort for former student Sam
Morgan, victim of a recent shark attack off Ballina’s Lighthouse Beach. Some students chose to wear “Socks for
Sam”, while others donated generous amounts of money to help out with his recovery. Overall we raised $1000 for
Sam, which has been given directly to him to help with his ongoing medical costs and rehabilitation in his
recovery. Thank you to everyone who donated money on the day.
VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL We are continuing to raise money for the Vinnies Christmas appeal with pop up candy cane stalls and the Vinnies
Mountain Bike Raffle tickets. The bike raffle will be drawn on Tuesday, 15th December at a school assembly prior
to the awards assembly; tickets are on sale in the canteen area at recess and lunchtime.
Prayer of Pope Frances for the Year of Mercy
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,
and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.
Show us your face and we will be saved.
Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;
the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;
made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.
Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:
“If you knew the gift of God!”
You are the visible face of the invisible Father,
of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:
let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.
You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness
in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:
let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.
Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,
so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,
and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,
proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind.
We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy;
you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
Amen.
Xavier Catholic College Love Yourself
Curriculum Update Ms Yvonne Head – Assistant Principal
Our students completed their semester examinations and received feedback. Their formal lessons for 2015 will
conclude next week. The arrangements for the final week are outlined below.
Week 11
Monday, 14th
December (Day 3)
Normal lessons Years 7-11.
Tuesday, 15th
December (Day 4)
Periods 1-3: All students will attend the College Advent Liturgy. This will be followed with the presentation
of semester awards in Year Assemblies. Extended recess/lunch break.
12.15pm: Annual Awards Presentation (as outlined in Mr Vella’s section of this newsletter)
Semester Two reports will also be distributed at the end of the ceremony. Students whose parents attend the Annual
Awards Presentation will be permitted to leave with their parents immediately after the ceremony. Students
remaining at school will have activities.
Wednesday, 16th
December Year 7: Wet’n’Wild
Year 8: Dreamworld/Whitewater World
Year 9: Wet’n’Wild
Year 10: Dreamworld/Whitewater World
Year 11/12 students are not required to be at school. Supervision will be available at school if required.
Thursday, 17th
December
Staff Development Day
Parent-Teacher interviews from 9.30am – 5.30pm. Bookings are made through the College Office.
Limited supervision available for students if required.
Friday, 18th
December
Staff Development Day
Parent-Teacher interviews from 9.00am – 12.00noon. Bookings are made through the College Office.
Limited supervision available for students if required.
I take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Christmas and relaxing holiday.
Music News Mrs Leanne Broadley – Music Teacher
The Xavier Catholic College Show Band has had a busy couple of
weeks, with performances at the Feast of St Francis Xavier Parish
Schools Day, the St Anne’s Christmas Party and the Lennox Head
Carols. Students have committed a lot of time to rehearsals and the
community are always so appreciative of our performances. This
email was received this week from the organiser of the Lennox Head
Carols, and the treasurer of the Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce,
Sue Brennan.
“On behalf on the Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce we would like to say a very big thank you
for participating in this year’s Carols in the Park. It was such a delight to have the students from
Xavier Catholic College Band be part of the evening’s entertainment and to see the joy on their
faces as they performed on stage. Once again many, many thanks for your support and please pass
on our thanks to anyone else involved in preparing the students for the evening.”
Congratulations to all students involved and a big thank you to students who came into school on a pupil free day
to serve the community in this way, and to all the senior students who are in the middle of an assessment block,
giving up a couple of hours of time to bring some joy to our local community.
Xavier Catholic College Love God
UNIFORM SHOP
OPENING HOURS: TUESDAYS ONLY
8:00-11:45am & 3:00-5:30pm
Phone: 6687 6940
PLEASE NOTE: Cheques will no longer be accepted as a payment choice – Cash / EFTPOS only
Uniform Shop Openings
January 2016
Wednesday, 20th January: 10am – 2pm
Thursday, 21st January: 10am – 2pm
Friday, 22nd January: 10am – 2pm
Monday, 25th January: CLOSED
Tuesday, 26th January: CLOSED
Wednesday, 27th January: 10am – 2pm
Thursday, 28th January: 10am – 2pm
Friday, 29th January: 8am – 11am
Upcoming Events
WEEK 11
Monday, 14th
December (Day 3) Normal lessons for Years 7-11
Tuesday, 15th
December (Day 4) Presentation Day
Wednesday, 16th
December Worlds Excursion – Gold Coast
Last day of term
Thursday, 17th
December Staff Professional Development
Parent/Teacher Interviews 9.30am-5.30pm
Friday, 18th
December Staff Professional Development
Parent/Teacher Interviews 9.00am – 12noon
2016 RETURN DATES
Friday, 29th January 2016
Years 7, 11 & 12 return
Monday, 1st February, 2016
All students return
Peace Tree for France Mrs Maureen Campey – Leader of Languages
After our wonderful trip to France and the amazing days
we spent in France, we felt really sad when the terrorist
attacks took place in Paris on 13th November. Our time
there was so special. We were lucky enough to stay near
Place de la République in a little hotel called the Hotel
Américain.
In the face of the loss and violence, our reaction was to
send a peace tree to the hotel. Year 9 and 10 French
students made the hearts. Year 8 students wrote simple
messages of support on each of the hearts. They wrote
messages in French such as “Ton frère est mon frère’, ‘Ta
ville est ma ville’, “Nous prions pour Paris, “Nous sommes
tous ensemble”, “Je suis Paris”. (Your brother is my
brother, Your town is my town, We pray for Paris, We are
all together.)
We took pictures of the tree and made it into lovely notepaper on which the Year 12 French students wrote a letter
to the hotel staff, sending our love, support and prayers.
The hearts were then taken off the wall and sent with the letter to the Hotel Américain in Paris. We asked that they
give the hearts out to all the staff: receptionists, cleaners, catering staff and management. This is only a small
gesture from the students of Xavier Catholic College but we were proud to stand united with all our friends in
France.
We also watched a beautiful youtube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDXZsj7Ivks put out in the
aftermath of the attacks by the Paris Saint Germain Football Team.
Year 7 students studying
Food Technology have
recently designed, cooked
and presented their
‘signature burgers’.
The lucky guest teacher
judges were extremely
impressed. 7?
YEAr 7 Food Technology
Well done Year 7.
The standard of work you
achieved this semester was
excellent.
Ms Eisenhauer, Miss Loch
& Mrs Christmas
7A
7C
7B
Our bundles were placed into saucepans full of natural dye obtained from fallen
gum leaves. Here, steam encourages the plant matter to expand and release its
natural dyes, which is transferred onto the silk to create a printed impression.
ECO-PRINT BUNDLING: the botanical alchemy of making leafprints on cloth
Yr 10 Textiles students have enjoyed creating eco prints on silk fabric. Leaves, flowers and onion
skins were arranged on the fabric, then tightly bundled and tied. The end results were amazing. Ms Eisenhauer
After waiting a day, now for the exciting part…
unwrapping our bundles!
Everyone was surprised by the results achieved using natural dyes and the variety of impressions and patterns on the silk.
Year 11 students who are part of our Xavier Catholic College
Leo Club celebrated the end of the year with a get together at
lunch.
Lion’s Club liaison person Mrs Helen Southgate being presented
some Thank You! flowers by Josephine Rogers.
Relay for Life!
Congratulations to our team, LIVELY
LENNOX Leos who raised a fantastic
$1,072.10 for the Cancer Council.
A HUGE thank you to all those members of our College community who
collected Woolworths Earn and Learn stickers while this program was
running. We were able to collect enough stickers to purchase another raised
garden bed. Our SRC are looking forward to the opportunity to get some
strawberries or similar growing.
Student Name Year group
Brodee Emery 7
Lily Murphy 7
Isabella Holmes 7
Tessa Atkinson 7
Gemma Broadley 8
Caitlin Ferns 8
Max Knott 8
Madison Smith 8
Tahlie Murdoch 9
Lucinda Eyles 9
Lachlan Wilson 9
Cameron White 9
Grace McCall 10
Erin Hetherington 10
Callum Viel 10
Jacob Kay 10
Tom Harris 11/12
India Brown 11
Harrison Murphy 11
Jasmine McCall 11
Marcus Kolo-Higgs 11
Kathleen Byrne 11
Giacomo Pippo 11
Tania Teurquetil 11
2016 College Captains
Vice Captain Jasmine McCall, Captain Thomas Harris,
Captain India Brown and Vice Captain Harrison Murphy.
Our College SRC were inducted at an Assembly at the start of
the term. They will serve in this position Term 4 2015 and
Term 1 2016. After this time new representatives will be
elected for Terms 2 and 3 of 2016.
I would like to commend them on their efforts thus far as they
are proving to be a dynamic force.
Our 2016 College Captains and Vice Captains have impressed
with their willingness to step up and with their reliability.
They lead from the front each Friday morning helping to
ensure the smooth running of our recycling program.
They have been busy planning for next year and I encourage
the student body to get behind their SRC Reps in 2016.
Leader of Cocurricular:
Ms L. McFadden