A Catholic school in the Salesian tradition 1

Issue 2 Term 1, Week 4 Thursday 23rd February, 2017

the Xavier NewsA Catholic school in the Salesian tradition

School Diary

Interschool Gymkhana Friday, 24 February

Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival, 6pm Tuesday, 28 February

Ash Wednesday Wednesday, 1 March

Year 8 Camp Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 March

College Athletics Carnival Friday, 10 March

Public Holiday Monday, 13 March

No Gawler College Buses Tuesday, 14 March

College Board Meeting AGM Tuesday, 21 March

Project Compassion Monday, 20 March

Yr 8 Immunization Wednesday, 22 March

Student/Parent/Teacher Interviews Yr 8-12, 3.30 - 8.30pm Wednesday, 22 March

Student/Parent/Teacher Interviews Yr 8-12, 3.30 - 8.30pm Monday, 27 March

Catholic Ed Athletics Carnival, 3.30 - 8.30pm Monday, 27 March

Open Day Sunday, 2 April

Xavier College Well-being Expo Yr 8-12 Thursday, 6 April

Palm Sunday Sunday, 9 April

Yr 12 RE Day Monday, 10 April

Holy Week Monday, 10 April

End of Term, 2pm dismissal Thursday, 13 April

Good Friday Friday, 14 April

Easter Saturday Saturday, 15 April

Easter Sunday Sunday, 16 April

World Day of Social Justice“For the United Nations, the pursuit of social justice for all is at the core of our global mission to promote development and human dignity.”

“The UN General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the UN General Assembly. Observance of World Day of Social Justice should support efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.”

Integral to the education program at Xavier College is an understanding of our place in the world and our social responsibility to family, along with the local and global community.

The current population of the world is 7.5 billion, whilst the population of Australia is 25 million, that means, we make up 0.3% of the world’s population! Being born in Australia is like winning the lottery. Living conditions of the average Australian family is amongst the best in the world, whilst millions of families across the world do not even have the fundamentals to ensure survival, they live with insufficient food and without access to clean water. So many other things that we take for granted are an impossible dream for these families.

College Assembly – Social JusticeThe College Assembly earlier this week had a Social Justice Focus. We had presentations on each of our annual Social Justice Appeals:

• Term 1 - Caritas Australia ‘Project Compassion’ Appeal

• Term 2 – St Vincent de Paul ‘Winter Can’ Appeal

• Term 3 – Salesian Mission Appeal

• All Year Recycling Effort – School for the Deaf (Erode, India)

At the Assembly we also:

• Launched the Term 1 Project Compassion Appeal.

• Heard from guest speaker, Br Michael Lynch sdb, Coordinator of the Australian Salesian Mission Office.

From the Principala home

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• Heard from guest speaker, Mr John Phillips OAM, Executive Director of KESAB and key person behind the APEX-supported School for the Deaf in India.

• Listened to XAG (Xavier Action Group) members who encouraged others to join their group and outlined their anti-bullying initiative.

Ash WednesdayNext Wednesday, 1 March, staff and students will again assemble as one community in the gymnasium for Ash Wednesday. A short Liturgy will be conducted, during which each person has a cross marked on their forehead with ashes. The ashes are a reminder that we are mortals and will die - ‘Remember man that you were dust and to dust you shall return.’ A contemporary understanding of this symbolism is a call to reflect on the things in our life that diminish us as individuals in contrast to those things that are ‘life giving’. We all make mistakes as human beings and at times, these mistakes can negatively affect others and in doing so, diminish us as people. We can all benefit from reflecting on the quality of the life we live and what motivates the decisions we make. Psychologists would tell us that it is essential that we do this as part of creating a happy and healthy life.

Ash Wednesday is also the commencement of the Season of Lent which extends through to Easter. The Lenten tradition is for this period to be a time of personal reflection, a time to examine our lives and look for areas where we need to improve, for our sake and for the benefit of others.

2017 Salesian StrennaEach year the Salesian Rector Major presents a Strenna (theme) to inspire the global Salesian community, some 2000 schools, youth centres and parishes across 132 countries. This year the Strenna is “We are family! – Every home a school of Life and Love”.

The Strenna has been the theme of staff reflection at our last two ‘Principal’s Brief’. Each Monday afternoon at 3:20, teachers gather for the ‘Principal’s Brief’ – this starts with 20 minutes of reflection led by Fr Brian Ahern, followed by pertinent information from the Principal and then concludes with an hour of Professional Development.

The Season of Lenta parish

The following reflection reminds us of the rich religious symbolism of the day and suggests a few challenges we could take up during the Lenten season.

Reflection: Star Dust by Fr Michael Tate

Billions of years ago the universe was erupted into existence. God created a tremendous burst of energy and matter, a fantastic fireball, light and energy, a starburst of immense potential.And now, billions of years later, we are the descendants of that starburst. We are star-dust, but very special, very beautiful stardust, loved by God into existence, sustained in existence by God’s love.However, if nothing else happened, our bodies, our stardust bodies, would share the fate of the universe. Just like the stars, including our sun, which will all run out of energy and lack all life, so our bodies will collapse at the end of our earthly lives into inert dust. Ash Wednesday reminds us of the possibility of this fate.When I put the ashes on the forehead of those who come forward I will say: ‘Remember that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return’, and I will mark those ashes in the sign of the Cross, the Cross which appeared to signal the extinction of life. But, you will recall that Jesus’ death on the cross was only the start of a fantastic three days, a ‘Triduum’ which finished

with his victory over death. His body was transfigured by divine energy like a new sunburst, a new starburst, a new creation, we call ‘the Resurrection’.This is our destiny too, to become radiant stardust again.So, let us embark on these forty days of Lent remembering that we are stardust with a wonderful destiny.And then let us do three traditional things: • thank God for our existence as earthlings with a fantastic

destiny – Prayer• be generous during Project Compassion, for we share the

same genesis as every other human being – Almsgiving• live a little more simply – FastingSo, now let us have the ashes put on our foreheads because we are the most beautiful stardust ever created by God, destined to share divine glory.

© Fr Michael Tate www.liturgyhelp.com.au

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Prayer for the Beginning of LentLoving God,

May we be always aware that our world is not balanced, fair, just or peaceful.

Confident in our faith, may we also recognise that through prayer, fasting and almsgiving this Lent, we can participate in righting relationships, in transforming our world and in seeking justice.

May we all aspire not to have more, but to ‘be more’ this Lenten season and beyond.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

a school GRIP Leadership ExcursionMonday, 20 February saw our College and House Captains attend the GRIP Leadership conference at the Entertainment Centre Adelaide.

The conference was attended by some 750 students and staff from all over South Australia, where strategies were provided to improve the leadership potential on an individual and group basis.

Throughout the day participants were enlightened by guest speakers, but also had the opportunity to attend elective sessions to develop areas that they felt needed to be addressed. The general feedback from the ten leaders was that it provided some very useful practical tools that they can use in their leadership roles on a daily basis.

Robert Polito Assistant Principal-Pastoral Care

Community NoticeboardXavier College provides this information for families and asks that consideration be given to the usefulness and appropriateness of the information.

Providing the information does not of itself infer any recommendation.

Open Door Christian Community BookshopThe Open Door Christian Community Bookshop is once again in need of extra volunteers. The shop is staffed entirely by volunteers who provide more than a retail service - it has been a valuable form of ecumenical service and outreach since 1997. With current volunteer numbers, the shop may need

to close for some whole or half days. If you have a half day a week or fortnight to spare, please consider joining our volunteer team. Contact us on 85 221 677 or call in personally to the shop in

Gawler Arcade (Woolworths end).

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WILLASTON NETBALL CLUB

QUIZ NIGHT

Saturday, 25th March 2017 @ 7.00pm 47 Gawler River Rd, Willaston

BYO Nibbles.

Come along as a single, couple, triple or a whole team (no more than 10 people per team please)

$10.00 per ticket Door Prizes, Lucky squares, silent auction, raffle and much more

Tickets can be purchased from coaches, committee or Andrew on 0418637770

“Community spirit is a table of people working together to beat the table next to them at a quiz night”

Keep your kids smiling SA Dental Service

Have you received a letter from Medicare about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule?The School Dental Service is a Child Dental Benefits Schedule provider.

Dental care is FREE for ALL babies,preschool and most children under 18years at School Dental Service clinics.

Call now for an appointment. Your clinic is: Elizabeth GP Plus Dental ClinicPhone: 7485 4000

Don Bosco Youth Group

Involving fun, games, sport, prayer and reflection.

All secondary students welcome!

 Term 1 dates: Mar 14; Mar 28; Apr 11

Held on Tuesday afternoons from 3.15 until 5.45 pm

in the Xavier College Old Gym.

For more information contact: Fr Brian Ahern: 8523 0088

or David Smith: dpsmith@xavier.catholic.edu.au

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Participation of Year 10,11 and 12 students in The B Part of It Study

The licensed meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero®) is being offered to all year 10, 11 and 12 students in 2017 at our school by Health and Immunisation Management Services as part of The South Australian B Part of it Meningococcal B Vaccine Herd Immunity Study.

During 2017 - 2018 each participant will:

• Receive 2 doses of Meningococcal B (Bexsero®) vaccine

• Complete 2 single page questionnaires (1 if student is in year 12)

• Have 2 throat swabs taken (1 if student is in year 12)

• Receive a $20 iTunes card after having each throat swab

Immunisation consent packs will be sent home to all eligible students

It is important that you read the information contained in the pack before you provide consent for your child to take part in the study.

The student is also required to provide their consent to participate in the study by signing and dating the consent form.

The vaccine is licensed in Australia and recommended for use in adolescents and toddlers.

• The Meningococcal B vaccine is also licensed in Europe, Canada and the USA where is it being used to protect children against meningococcal B disease.

• Up to 25% of adolescents carry the meningococcal bacteria in their throat. While this may not cause illness to themselves, the adolescent has the potential to spread the bacteria which may cause disease in others.

• The study aims to determine whether the Meningococcal B vaccine has the additional benefit of preventing the spread of the meningococcus bacteria from person to person.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Health and Immunisation Management Services or the Immunisation Section, SA Health, Monday - Friday, 8.30am - 5pm on 1300 232 272 or visit B Part of it website www.bpartofit.com.au

All parents / legal guardians are requested to complete, sign, date and return the Consent Form, even if you do not consent for the student to be part of the study. If you do not receive a Meningococcal B Vaccine Herd Immunity Study pack from your child, and you think your child may be eligible, please ask at the school office.

Virginia Parish Sacramental Classes

Enrolments for 2017Enrolments for classes for Pre-Reconciliation, Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy

Communion will begin on

Sunday, 5th March 2017

at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Penfield Road, Virginia following 10.00am

Mass. (Classes will commence @ 9.45am to 11.45am) Confirmation and First Holy Communion will

be celebrated on the same day.

Please contact Parish priest on 8380 9029, or Dianne, Parish secretary on 0417 062 605 for

enrolment form or more details.

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THE AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM An overview for parents

The Australian Curriculum is designed to teach students what it takes to be confident and creative individuals and become active and informed citizens.

It sets the goal for what all students should learn as they progress through their school life – wherever they live in Australia and whatever school they attend.

What are the learning areas of the Australian Curriculum?

From the first year of schooling to Year 10, students develop knowledge and skills in eight learning areas:

English Mathematics Science Health and Physical Education (HPE) Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) The Arts Technologies Languages

In our Catholic schools, all curriculum areas have a religious dimension and Religious Education is taught as a core curriculum area.

To find specific information about the Australian Curriculum for your child's year level click on the information sheets below.

Information for parents Foundation year

Information for parents years 1–2

Information for parents years 3–4

Information for parents years 5–6

Information for parents years 7–8

Information for parents years 9–10

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1 Kentish Road, Gawler Belt SA 5118 Telephone 08 8523 0088 Facsimile 08 8523 0916 www.xavier.catholic.edu.au

PARENTING SOUTH AUSTRALIAHelping parents be their best

Are you the parent of a teen or pre-teen? Come and join us or watch our live webcast.

2017 SeminarsCome and join us at these free seminars for parents at the:

Riverbank room, Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide

or watch them live online.

Save the dates in your diary and register to attend via Eventbrite. Bookings open mid-February.

Register to attend in person or view the live webcast at: Online: http://parentingsa@evenbrite.com.au Phone 8303 1660 Email: health.parentingsa@health.sa.gov.au

Presented by Parenting SA www.parenting.sa.gov.au or www.chy.com

7-9pm Wed 22 March

The mysterious world of teens and pre-teens: survival tips for parents

Presenter Kirrilie Smout, an Adelaide psychologist working with teens and their parents

7-9pm Tues 30 May

Understanding the boy code and what it means for boys and girls

Presenter Dr Justin Coulson