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: xccball@lism.catholic.edu.au 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