Xavier College Newsletter - Term 4 Week 10

Principal Welcome

Dear Parents

I wish to congratulate all students that received an award this year. The full list of award winners is published below.

I congratulate all students that have given their best to their studies, to their House and to the Xavier College community.  I encourage all students to continue to give their best or to make a mind-set change over the Christmas break and come back passionate about your studies and how you contribute to our community.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all staff members, students, parents, and families who have contributed to our community.  In particular, I would like to acknowledge the following permanent staff members that are leaving us at the end of the year:

Fr Damien Sladen, Mrs Kerry Oates, Ms Roberta Beer, Mr Tom McLean, Mr Sam Powell, Mr Michael Larner, Ms Alison Draca, Mr Andrew Dale, Ms Rebecca Davill, Ms Chris Dwulat and Ms Deb Wyatt

In closing I wish you all a safe and Holy Christmas and Blessed New Year.

Mark Flaherty
Principal

Christmas Reflection

The Christmas season means different things to different people. For some it is a great time of celebration, fun and joy; for others it may be a time of anguish, emptiness, and pain. No matter where you find yourself this Christmas, I pray that God’s blessings will be upon you all, especially those most in need. May the spirit of Christmas bring you a true sense of inner peace, that the gladness of Christmas bring you hope, and the warmth of Christmas bring you love.

Over the years, I have shared one of my favourite Christmas prayers written by Robert Louis Stevenson, better known for giving us the characters of Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Stevenson wrote a collection of daily prayers for family and friends during the last four years of his life while battling chronic illness.

Have a blessed and holy Christmas everyone!

Gareth Watson
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

Christmas Mass Times

Friday 24^th of December - Christmas Eve

Vigil Mass

7.00pm

Family Mass at SAMMAT venue,

St Brigid’s School, Para Road, Evanston

Children are invited to come dressed as angels, shepherds etc.

Children from other schools are encouraged to join in – please contact the Parish Office

Midnight Mass

11.30pm Carols

followed by Solemn Midnight Mass

at the Gawler Catholic Church

Saturday 25^th of December - Christmas Day

Masses at 8.00am and 10am

at the Gawler Catholic Church

Please Note: No Mass at 6.30pm

Sunday 26^th of December – Feast of the Holy Family

Masses at 8.00am and 10am

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturdays 10.30am

Immediate Preparation & Individual Reconciliation

Parish of Virginia – Two Wells

Our Lady of the Assumption Church - 107 Penfield Road, Virginia.

St Joseph Church – Chapman St, Two Wells.

Ph: 8380 9029; Email: virginiaparish@adam.com.au



Friday 24^th of December - Christmas Eve

Vigil Mass at 7.30 pm at Virginia.

Midnight Mass at Two Wells

Saturday 25^th of December - Christmas Day

8.30am at Two Wells

10.00am at Virginia

January Uniform Shop Opening Times

Monday January 24: 9am - 1pm

Tuesday 25th: 12pm - 4pm

Wednesday 26th: Closed

Thursday 27th: 9am - 1pm

Monday Feburary 1st: 9am - 1pm

Friday 4th: 1pm - 5pm 

Gawler Belt Academic Awards

Since the early years of the College, Xavier has recognised outstanding academic performance through a series of Awards that culminates in the highest award, the Dux of College.

It has also become a Xavier tradition to recognise and reward Academic Excellence each semester. This is the second year that Certificates of Academic Excellence will be awarded on a Grade Point Average System in which points are allocated for grades and these are weighted according to the length of the subject. An average number of points is determined to provide a GPA, or grade point average, for each student.

This new system is non-competitive - each student has the opportunity to achieve an award by setting achievable goals for themselves, and committing to achieving the goal by working hard.

Students who receive a grade point average of 4.6 or above for semester one or two receive an Academic Excellence Award. Students who receive a grade point average of 4.6 or above in both semesters are also awarded the Principal's Merit Award. The student, or students in the case of a tie, who receive the highest grade point average in each year level are awarded the Dux of Year Level.

In 2021, these awards were presented at our final assembly of the year, our Presentation Assembly in week 8.

Students that were awarded an Academic Excellence Award in Semester One and Semester Two and were therefore recipients of the Principal's Merit Award for 2021.

Awards were also given for Academic Excellence in 2021.

Congratulations to all award winners for their excellent achievements.

Paul Taylor
Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning

Gawler Belt Year 7 Transition Day

Students in Year 7 in 2022 enjoyed a day of activities to prepare them for their time at Xavier College. An amazing trail around the College helped them to find the locations of various buildings that will be important for them to know next year, trying out different sports such as volleyball and badminton followed by an ice block at recess. A taste of what Art and Drama classes might offer or an opportunity to make slime followed, then lunch and a sausage sizzle and a chance to mingle and make new friends. After lunch these activities swapped over, and more fun was had. The day concluded with another house gathering and then meeting with the whole year level at the end of the day. We look forward to seeing all of our new students at the beginning of the school year in 2022. 

Denise Piggott
House Director Pastoral Care - Handley

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