Xavier College Newsletter - Term 1 Week 4

Principal's Welcome

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Welcome back to the commencement of the 2024 school year.  I extend a warm welcome to all families and students new to the College community at all 3 campuses.  I am also very pleased to welcome all new staff to the College, as they embark on their journey at Xavier.

Year 12 Results

Once again our class of 2023 Year 12 students did us proud, with 100% SACE completion.  It gives me great pleasure to advise that our Dux of College for 2023 was Alby Turnbull with an ATAR of 96.65.  We congratulate Alby on this wonderful achievement.  We also congratulate Keeley Hurst who was a recipient of the Governor of South Australia Commendation Excellence Award.

I wish the class of 2023 all the very best as they embark on their journey post Xavier, whether that be academia, trade or employment.  Know that you will always hold a place in our hearts as a student of Xavier College.

Liverpool Football Club and Xavier College Partnership

On Thursday 15 February, the College was delighted to formally launch a partnership with Liverpool Football Club International Academy which included an 'official handover'.

From an international perspective the Liverpool Program:

• Is delivered in 30 countries
• Across a total of 70 venues
• Directed by 331 coaches
• 227 support staff
• And over 10,000 players globally

Our partnership with the Liverpool Football Club International Academy will include the following:

1. Liverpool modules imbedded into the PE curriculum
2. After school skill development clinics
3. Holiday clinics
4. A comprehensive 'Liverpool Standard' coaching program for our staff and selected Senior Students to engage in.
   

Please see elsewhere in the newsletter a link to register interest for the holiday clinics.

Annual General Meeting

The College Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 19 March 2024.  We warmly invite all parents/caregivers to attend. The meeting will be held in the Gawler Belt Campus Auditorium, commencing at 6.30pm.

If you would like to attend the AGM, please RSVP to Carolyn Pape via email cpape@xavier.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday, 12 March 2024.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Mark Flaherty
Principal

2024 School Fees

We are pleased to inform our families that there will be no increase in school fees for the 2024 school year. Please read the letter linked below for further information.

Important Changes to College Uniform from 2024

Dear Families

Over the past few years there have been a number of changes to the Xavier College Uniform and we would like to remind you of the requirements for students from the commencement of the 2024 school year.

In 2020, information was sent to parents/caregivers informing of a brand refresh of the Xavier College uniform. At this time, students in Year 7 2021 were asked to purchase only the new uniform items with the updated College crest.

Existing students in Years 8 to 12 were given until the completion of their schooling to wear the existing uniform, however, were asked to purchase new items if larger sizes were required during this period.

Accordingly, from the commencement of the 2024 school year all students from Years 7-10 should be in new uniform only (new crest). Only students in Years 11-12 may wear the old uniform which displays the old crest.

In relation to the wearing of the PE uniform, the following now applies:

Yours sincerely

Mark Flaherty
Principal

Xavier College x Liverpool Football Club

In Week 3, Xavier College launched a new partnership with Liverpool Football Club International Academy Australia! This collaboration makes Xavier College the home of the first Liverpool FC Academy in South Australia, becoming a hub for several community training sessions and holiday programs. Thank you to students, staff and invited guests who helped launch the program.

More details on the holiday clinics and programs will be released in due course, however, families may register their interest via the following link:https://lfa-nsw-au-1273.app.digistorm.com/.../xavier...

Season of Lent and Project Compassion

The Season of Lent

Last week, College community members acknowledged the beginning of Lent by engaging in two major activities across all campuses. 

Students had the opportunity to enjoy delicious pancakes to mark Shrove Tuesday, the day before the Season of Lent begins. Traditionally, pancakes were made and consumed as they were a way to use foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar before fasting during the 40 days of Lent. There were lots of smiles and happy faces while enjoying the pancakes!

On the following day, Ash Wednesday, prayer services were held across all three campuses. During our prayer services, those present were marked with ashes in the sign of a cross on their foreheads. We reflected on how we will make a special effort to pray more often, fast, or give up a special treat and give (almsgiving) to others during this Lenten season.

Project Compassion

The central 'almsgiving' focus for the College is supporting the work of Caritas Australia by fundraising for their annual Project Compassion appeal. While the national appeal runs throughout the Lenten Season, we will run a more concentrated campaign, beginning in Week 7 and ending on Holy Thursday in Week 9. Families will be able to make donations through oratories and classes across the campuses.

Project Compassion brings thousands of Australians together with the world's poor and needy to help break the cycle of poverty, promote justice and uphold human dignity. The campaign strives to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with the millions of people worldwide that Caritas helps. Last year's theme of For All Future Generations is continued this year. Together, we can make a difference now and For All Future Generations. If families would like to find out more about the work of Caritas Australia and Project Compassion, please visit their website: https://www.caritas.org.au/

Please assist Xavier College in our ongoing commitment to supporting Caritas Australia's work by contributing to our Project Compassion activity during this season of Lent, starting in Week 7.

Kristynn Ross and Gareth Watson
Assistant Heads of Campus - Mission

Evanston - Head of Campus

As we gather once again after a well-deserved break, it brings me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. I hope this newsletter finds you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for an exciting term ahead. 

To our returning families and staff, welcome back! Your continued commitment to our school community is truly valued and appreciated. Your dedication to fostering a nurturing learning environment is what makes the College thrive. 

To our new families, students, staff, a heartfelt welcome! We are delighted to have you join our school community. Your presence enriches our diversity and we look forward to getting to know you and embarking on this educational journey together. 

Already, we find ourselves immersed in various enriching activities. Our Early Years students have had the pleasure of experiencing nature play incursions, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world around them. These experiences not only promote physical activity but also encourage curiosity, creativity, and a sense of wonder. 

Additionally, we recently gathered as a community to celebrate Ash Wednesday with a solemn Liturgy, marking the beginning of Lent. It was a moment of reflection and renewal, reminding us of the importance of forgiveness, and spiritual growth during this sacred season. 

Looking ahead, we will be conducting SPOC meetings. These meetings provide an invaluable opportunity for you to engage with your child's class teacher, discuss their progress, and gain insights into their learning journey thus far. Your active involvement in your child's education is paramount to their success, and these meetings serve as a platform for collaboration and partnership between home and school. 

I extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to our students' academic and personal development. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence in education and cultivate a vibrant, inclusive learning community. 

Once again, welcome back to our school community. May this term be filled with joy, discovery and meaningful connections. 

Rozanna Elmassih
Head of Campus - Evanston

Evanston - Campus Captains and House Leaders

At our Beginning of the Year Whole School Mass in Week 2, our Year 6 Campus and House Leaders were formally presented to our school community.  These students have already made an impact with their leadership over the past few weeks, supporting our younger students at Mass, leading prayer services for our whole campus, and being excellent role models for all students at Evanston.

The Year 6 leaders were all very excited to receive their leadership badges during this celebration and we are looking forward to the positive influence these students will have at Evanston Campus in 2024.

Evanston - Carnevale

Carnevale is a festive season celebrated across Italy. It typically occurs in the weeks leading up to Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and reflection observed by many Christians before Easter. The word 'Carnevale' itself comes from the words “carne levare” which mean “to remove meat” reflecting the tradition of abstaining from meat during Lent.

Carnevale is celebrated in various ways throughout Italy, with each region having its own traditions and customs.  For children in Italy, Carnevale is a time of excitement and they often participate in organising colourful costumes, parties and engage in traditional Carnevale customs like throwing coriandoli/ confetti.

Masks play an integral part of Carnevale, especially in the city of Venice. They serve as symbols of anonymity, transformation, creativity, celebration, and tradition. They add an element of mystery and enchantment to the festivities, making Carnevale a truly magical and unforgettable experience.

Enjoy some photo’s of our students enjoying the magic of Carnevale.

Diana Loprete
Italian teacher

Evanston - Vacation Care

It is hard to believe that we are already almost halfway through the Term. As we look back on the December and January holidays we realise how much fun we packed into those few weeks.

In the final week of Term 4 we had an amazing fun filled week of making movies, visiting our local community at the Cultural Heritage Centre at the Gawler Library, shopping at local Op Shops, and visiting the Salisbury Cinema to see Wonka in reclining seats!

Christmas crafts covered with glitter, paint and sand allowed the children to make a variety of homemade gifts for loved ones, Santa visited our Christmas lunch and we celebrated with Kris Kringle presents for all children.

After a short break to celebrate the new year, staff returned for a training day before we jumped back into excursions, incursions, and crafts. Children had the opportunity to go swimming, learn how to use a lightsabre with Sabre Academy, and experienced wheelchair sports.

Our Educators were so pleased to see joyful faces, hear lots of laughter, and children exclaiming, ‘This is the best day ever!’ All great indicators of a successful Vacation Care.

We are already excitedly planning our April and July Vacation Care activities.

Rachel Brooke
OSHC Director

Evanston - Welcome to Xavier

In Week 2, the Evanston Campus held an afternoon tea to welcome the new Reception families into our community. It was wonderful to see families interacting together and establishing connections with one another.

This afternoon tea provided an opportunity for staff to check in with our Reception families and we value the conversations and feedback that was shared together.

We wish all families well as they start their child’s learning journey at Xavier College.

Anthea Lipp
Early Years R-2 Coordinator

Gawler Belt - Head of Campus

We have had a wonderful start to the 2024 Academic Year. In Week 1 we welcomed into our community nearly 220 new Year 7 students. From Year 7 to 12 we now have a total of 1120 students enrolled on our Gawler Belt Campus. We place a significant amount of importance on building in structures which ensures the smooth transition of the Year 7s into the College in order to ensure each student feels that they belong and that they are truly known. Special celebrations and events from the 'Welcome to House' evenings to the Year 7 Camp are two examples of the way in which the new Year 7 students are provided with opportunities to become immersed into our vibrant learning community.

In Week 2 we came together as a community to celebrate the academic achievements of our 2023 Year 12 Graduates with an Assembly that involved the Graduates being formally acknowledged for their outstanding commitment to their academic pursuits in front of all of our students and the staff.

As Graduates of Xavier College, we call upon our old scholars to be beacons of light and agents of positive change in an ever-evolving world. Equipped with knowledge, faith, and a profound sense of purpose, they have the power to make a difference, to advocate for justice, and to spread kindness, love, understanding and compassion wherever they go just as Saint Don Bosco did in his very first Oratory.

In our Assembly I encouraged our students to:

• Be passionate about their studies
• Surround themselves with great role models - like our Graduates who have joined us for the Assembly
• Be future focused
• Always strive for excellence
• Never give up

John Cameron
Head of Campus - Gawler Belt

Gawler Belt - Occhiena Wins Bosco Cup

Congratulations to Occhiena House on winning the 2023 Bosco Cup! The Bosco Cup is a culmination of all the hard work students put in throughout the year and is measured through the Sports Shield, the Christian Citizenship Shield, and the Academic Shield. It was a close finish that came down to the results of the Academic Shield, but Occhiena House came through with the win. Well done, Occhiena!

Gawler Belt - Year 12 Formal

Year 12 students celebrated their Formal in Week 3 at Sfera's Convention Centre. From stunning dresses to sharp suits, every detail reflected their excitement and joy. The event was a celebration of their journey and achievements, marked by laughter, games, dancing, and cherished memories. As these students commence their final year, the night served as a fitting tribute to their hard work and camaraderie to get them to this point, creating lasting impressions for years to come.

Robert Polito
Assistant Head of Campus - Pastoral Care

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Gawler Belt - Pedal Prix

The 2024 Pedal Prix season is about to commence for the Xavier College team. We welcome new members from any year level at Gawler Belt. Training is each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 3:15pm til 4:30pm, held on site either at the Pedal Prix track or other campus facilities. The first training session will be on Tuesday, 27 February. We compete in events during the year at Tailem Bend, Victoria Park, and Murray Bridge. Information sheets can be obtained from the Hub, or please contact Jo Bakker at jbakker@xavier.cathoilc.edu.au or via phone 0885214560. 

Jo Bakker
Pedal Prix Coordinator

Two Wells - Head of Campus

As we embark on a new year filled with possibilities, we extend a warm welcome to all new students, staff, and families joining our vibrant Two Wells community. We are thrilled to have you with us.

We understand that starting at a new school can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Rest assured, our dedicated staff are here to support you every step of the way. Remember, you're not just joining a school; you're becoming part of our Xavier College family.

One of the highlights of the beginning of the school year so far is undoubtedly the Year 7 camp at Wallaroo. This experience offers students the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones, forge new friendships, and develop some great skills. We look forward to seeing the bonds that are formed.

I was incredibly proud of our students during our Ash Wednesday prayer service; the participation and respect was a credit to them. Not only did our youngest students do a great job, but it warmed my heart to witness our older students look after our young ones – a true community.

We were excited to hold our Welcome to House for our Year 7 students as they fully embrace the Middle Years of school.  Students received a House badge they can wear on their lapels, as a source of pride, and a rite of passage.

Additionally, it was fantastic to meet our families and have the opportunity to meet each other in our SPOT and SPOC interviews. These meetings aim to facilitate open communication between students, parents, and educators. These platforms provide opportunities for good relationships and constructive dialogue, and progress monitoring, ensuring that every student receives the support and case management they need to reach their full potential. We will hold the next round of meetings in the next few weeks, and look forward to seeing everyone again.

Thank you to everyone for their support of the recent and exciting launch of our partnership with the Liverpool Football Club International Academy. I was very proud of our staff and students, of their enthusiasm and their sportsmanship.

As we embark on this new journey together, let us embrace the opportunities for growth, learning, and connection that the new year brings. Together, we will make this year a memorable and enriching experience for everyone in our school community. Welcome aboard!

Janet Coomber
Head of Campus - Two Wells

Two Wells - Campus Captains and House Leaders

At our Academic Assembly in Week 4, our Student Leaders were formally presented to our school community. These students leadership is already on full display in Term 1, as each of them have been fantastic role models at Two Wells.

Each student is excited for their role this year and hopes to make an impact on the Two Wells Campus. 

Absent - Nadia Smith (Campus Captain) and Imogen Tezacker (Handley House Leader).

Two Wells - Reception Meet and Greet

The 2024 Reception families came together for our annual 'Meet and Greet' event on Wednesday, February 7, at Xavier College Two Wells Campus. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for our new and existing parents to connect with one another and reflect on the beginning weeks of their child beginning school while enjoying a warm cup of tea, coffee, and delicious scones, courtesy of the local Two Wells Bakery. Thank you to those families who were able to join us and look forward to fostering a continued sense of community and support throughout the year. 

Adele Taylor
R-2 Early Years Coordinator 

Two Wells - Wallaroo Camp

In Week 3, Year 7 students from our Two Wells Campus had an amazing time on their camp to Wallaroo! Students enjoyed fishing, kayaking, and beach activities, making great memories in the outdoors. Exploring the local town through orienteering was a fun way to discover hidden treasures and learn about the area’s history and culture. The educational train ride at Moonta Mines Tourist Railway was the highlight of the camp, providing insights into the region’s mining heritage and leaving a lasting impression on everyone.

Simone Dajeman
Teacher

Community Noticeboard

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