Newsletter 11: Friday 22 September 2023

For the Calendar

Week 1 (9/10/23 - 13/10/23)

Monday: 

• Staff Development Day (no students)
  

Tuesday:

• All students return
  

Wednesday:

• HSC Examinations commence (click here for HSC timetable)

Thursday:

• Year 11 Student Leadership Camp (3:30pm - 8:00pm)

Friday:

• Year 11 Student Leadership Camp (offsite)
• Socktober

Saturday:

• Year 11 Student Leaders Commissioning Mass at St Francis Xavier Parish

Week 2 (16/10/23 - 20/10/23)

Monday:

• HSC Examinations continue (click here for HSC timetable)

Tuesday:

• Year 10 Visual Arts Incursion
  
• Year 11 Earth & Environmental Science Excursion (P3-4)
• Year 10 Careers Program

Wednesday: 

• Whole School Assembly: New Leaders Commissioning
• Year 10 Careers Program

Thursday:

• NSW All Schools 16s Rugby League
• Year 10 Careers Program

Friday:

• Year 11 Reports released via Compass
• Year 11 HSIE Excursion
• NSW All Schools 16s Rugby League

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,

‘Above all, maintain constant love for one another.’ 1 Peter 4:8

Farewell, Year 12

Few groups of students in my time in leadership have had to withstand so many setbacks, roadblocks and resets as have our graduating Year 12 class; through it all, they have remained steadfast and determined in their resolve to achieve at the highest levels. We have seen in recent weeks the outstanding quality of some of their works on show for visiting HSC markers, and I have witnessed firsthand the outstanding grades they have achieved in their academic studies. They have come so far and should feel justifiably proud of their achievements. I ask you all to join me in congratulating them and to wish them well in our prayers for their continued success. I look forward to seeing the outstanding results (HSC, ATAR, employment, further study, gap year) that they all seek at the conclusion of their time here.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate the Class of 2023’s achievements at the Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony. It was a wonderful occasion that emphasised just how remarkable our students are. Each student can be proud that they are leaving the College as examples of men and women for others — young adults who are willing to stand up for their beliefs, persist in the face of hardships, and strive to achieve every one of their goals. I thank all those involved in creating this memorable event and thank all those involved in our students’ time at Xavier Catholic College.

Temporary Staff Changes (Term 4)

Leader of Mathematics: Mr Graham Black will be taking some well-earned rest with his family during Term 4. During this time, Mrs Emma Fitzpatrick will assume the role of Leader of Mathematics, while Mrs Susan Horvath will be our acting Assistant Leader of Mathematics. 

We welcome Mr Samuel Rogers as a teacher replacement for Mr Black and for some of Mrs Fitzpatrick's classes during this time. Mr Rogers is a graduate of Wollongong University, majoring in Mathematics teaching.

Indigenous Education Workers: We welcome Mrs Tamera Bolt (5 days) and Mr Isaijha Donovan (3 days) as our new Indigenous Education Workers. Both are Bundjalung people who have strong connections to the local elders and local histories. 

I take this time to thank Mrs Deborah Hildrew, who was acting in this role and provided great guidance and support for our young Indigenous students. Mrs Hildrew will remain connected to the team and provide additional ongoing support and mentoring to our new staff.

Reminder: Staff Professional Learning Day - Monday 9 October

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) have commenced the release of new syllabus documents to all NSW Schools. This day will have primary focuses:

• Working as an entire staff on our Action Plan for the Education of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 
• Working through syllabus documents to commence preparation for their implementation over the coming 12-24 months.
• On November 1, the College will engage in a full-day workshop on our Indigenous Histories and Cultures to further embed our understanding and ability to cater more empathetically for our indigenous students. It is called Crossing Cultures Hidden Histories and will be our FINAL Staff Professional Learning Day. 

This will be a student-free day. As mentioned in previous newsletters, all schools in the Diocese have four official PL days. Schools undertaking the School Review process are granted a fifth. The date for the fifth PL day is yet to be determined but will be communicated to families as soon as it is notified.

School resumes in Term 4 for students on Tuesday 10 October.

God Bless,

Mr Kevin Lewis
Principal

Have you downloaded Compass?

Compass is our new parent communication tool and one-stop shop for daily updates, upcoming events and notifications about your child's learning. Download the app below:

• Google Play Store
• Apple Store

Can't find XCC? Search for Skennars Head, and we'll appear! Then, use your provided login details to access your parent portal.

If you have any questions, please email us at xavier@lism.catholic.edu.au. 

Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching

Thank you

I am constantly grateful to work within the Xavier community. As another incredibly busy term draws to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank our students for their positive engagement with their schooling at the College. Your teachers are grateful for your enthusiasm, good manners, love of learning, sense of humour, curiosity, kindness and sense of community. I sincerely thank our families who have worked in partnership with the school, working collaboratively with staff to support the students in our care.

I would like to acknowledge our team of dedicated and professional staff. This term, we have had the Trial HSC Examinations and the Year 11 End of Course Examinations. We have issued reports for students in Years 7-10 and Year 12 End of Course Reports. We have conducted hundreds of Parent Teacher Student Conferences. We have engaged in subject selection processes for students in Years 8 and 10 and worked hard to place students in their optimum pattern of study. We have presented hundreds of students with Consistent Effort and Academic Achievement Awards. We have hosted teams of markers who have been on-site marking HSC projects and practical tasks. We have run HSC language examinations (during the school day and on weekends). Teachers have organised numerous incursions and excursions across Key Learning Areas to ensure students have real-world connections to their learning and to nurture curiosity and inspire wonder. Teachers have engaged in ongoing professional development, as required within the performance and development framework.  In addition, teachers are preparing for the rollout of the NSW curriculum reform which has necessitated an enormous amount of preparation in addition to their usual duties.  I sincerely thank our teachers, LOLs and support staff for their hard work, their commitment to our students and the pursuit of excellence.

Year 11

We congratulate Year 11 on the completion of their end-of-course examinations and their preliminary studies.  Reports will be issued early next term, with the opportunity for Parent Teacher Conferences to follow.  

At this point, students have the opportunity to reflect on their successes and areas for improvement.  Information in relation to dropping and/or changing courses will be emailed to students, parents and caregivers and changes will be processed at the beginning of Term 4 as students begin their HSC course.  Please be advised that strict NESA rules are in place throughout the HSC which govern many aspects of learning, teaching and assessment.  The HSC Assessment Policy (2023/25) and the Term 4 assessment calendar will be provided to students in Week 1 Term 4.

Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony

The Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday 21 September. It was wonderful to welcome families and special guests to acknowledge and celebrate the gifts, effort and achievements of our Year 12 students on this special occasion. This included our Creative Arts students who have been nominated for inclusion in HSC showcases. Further information on these outstanding nominations is below.

HSC Examinations

HSC Presiding Officer Karen Stanton visited the College in Week 10 to provide Year 12 students with the HSC Briefing. This is a continuation of the College’s ongoing efforts to provide students with academic care through the provision of regular and timely information to assist them in navigating the complexity of the HSC. This year's written examination period will span 18 days and will involve more than 75,000 students, 124 examinations and 785 examination centres. The HSC examination period commences on Wednesday 11 October and concludes on Friday, 3 November 2023. We wish our students all the best with their HSC preparation and encourage them to engage in a consistent and thorough revision of their coursework.  It is a very long road, but they are nearly there, and these final efforts really can make a difference.

We understand that the HSC can be a stressful experience for students and their families; please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Mary Howard (Leader of Curriculum) or myself if you have questions or concerns. We are happy to assist and will do our best to support each and every student through the examination period. 

Ms Carmel Zuino

Assistant Principal: Mission

Best Wishes to our Year 12s

Warmest congratulations and best wishes are extended to our Year 12 students as they approach the culmination of their formal schooling here at Xavier Catholic College. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Heads of House for orchestrating a number of days of memorable and joy-filled activities, emphasizing our school's commitment to providing an ever-expanding array of fun and appropriate ways to celebrate this significant milestone. It is essential to note that our institution steadfastly upholds a tradition free from the term "muck-up day", a decision made to ensure the emotional and physical wellbeing of our students and the entire community, as these traditions have, historically, resulted in unintended and undesirable outcomes in various educational settings. With the conclusion of this chapter, our Year 12s are encouraged to maintain their focus on preparing diligently for upcoming exams. We humbly ask for God's guidance and presence in their new journeys, seeking His grace as they embark on new adventures and confront new challenges. May their paths forever lead them closer to God, embracing the eternal joy that is their divine inheritance through Baptism. Best of luck to the remarkable Year 12s of Xavier Catholic College in 2023!

Save the Date: The Resilience Project

In the upcoming year, Xavier Catholic College will be placing a significant emphasis on fostering resilience within our community, a strategic direction born out of careful analysis of the 'Tell them from me' surveys. As a result, our annual plan is geared towards a shared goal of collaborating with our parent, student, and staff community to introduce a deliberate student well-being program that specifically addresses resilience and overall well-being. An exciting initial step in this journey will be a live presentation held at the Magis Hall by Martin Heppell, signifying a substantial commitment on the part of the College. We eagerly anticipate the active involvement of all our parents as vital partners in this endeavour, working alongside our dedicated teachers and students as we continue to strengthen our community. Your presence at this presentation will be crucial, so please mark your calendars for the following date and make it a point to join us in this important journey:

Monday 4 December - Resilience Project - Parents Presentation 6:30pm - 8:00pm

School Holidays - Strategies for Students

Although we often celebrate and look forward to holidays, they can be challenging times without the routine that many come to rely on. For some young people, this time of year can feel as though you've been taken away from your usual routine of studies or work and you may not get to see your friends, teachers or classmates as often as you would like to. This can leave you feeling bored, unsupported, upset and sometimes anxious. It’s important to stay healthy and look after yourself. There are a number of ways to help you do this, and we've suggested a few tips below:

• Quality Family Time: Make the most of the holiday break by spending quality time with your family. Engage in conversations, games, and activities that strengthen your family bonds and reflect the values important to our Catholic faith.
• Stay Active: Incorporate physical activity into your holiday routine. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, biking, or walks with your family. Look for community events like charity runs or sports tournaments to stay active while having fun.
• Balanced Nutrition: While indulging in holiday treats, remember the importance of a balanced diet. Include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your meals to maintain good nutrition. You can even participate in meal planning and preparation with your family to learn about healthy eating habits.
• Mindfulness and Prayer: Amidst the holiday excitement, find moments for reflection and spiritual connection. Practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing to manage stress and improve your mental well-being. Attend Mass and engage in prayer to deepen your faith and express gratitude for your blessings.

I’d like to wish you all a safe, relaxing and recharging spring holiday break. Be safe and have fun!

Mr Peter Fear

Positive Peers Program (PPP)

The Positive Peers Program has been successfully running at XCC for the past fifteen months. PPP is a small group program with a mix of students from different year levels who meet on a regular basis to discuss student wellbeing and how to navigate our world. Over the last week or so, we have been creating paper flowers for R U OK day. Neeve, Gisele and Imogen from Year 10 happily distributed the flowers on our behalf during lunchtime.

Catechesis & Evangelisation

Year 9 Religious Education - Magazine Articles

Year 9 students have been working hard to write some incredible and inspiring magazine articles that explore the concept, “How can Scripture inspire young people?” The articles covered a diverse range of topics, such as heroic women of the Bible, a comparison between Moses and Jesus, the Bible and Harry Potter, and finding God in all things. A few articles have been included below. Congratulations to Year 9 for your creativity and dedicated research when preparing these tasks. It has been so wonderful to see the manner in which students have engaged with this task. 

IPP and ChatGPT

As a Jesuit Companion School, we have been working to embed the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm into our work as a Religious Education Faculty. One activity that our Year 8 students have been completing lately has involved using ChatGPT to converse with St Paul of Tarsus as part of their unit “Disciples, Martyrs, and Witnesses”. This activity aligned with the five stages of the IPP framework: context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation. Additionally, it provided a fun and engaging way for our students to learn about one of the most significant figures in Christianity. 

Dr Madeline Beveridge & Mr David Eyles

House News

Faber Market

On Thursday of Week 9, Faber House had its fundraiser, ‘The Faber Market’.  We asked for students to bring in their used clothes to donate to St Vincent De Paul.  We then set up a market during lunchtime, using these clothes, to raise money.  We also sold food and drink.

This was the first time that we had tried this idea, and it was a success. The vibe around the market at lunchtime was excellent. Many students and teachers walked away with a bargain or two — or three in some cases.

All in all, we managed to raise a total of $1050 from the market alone, and with the funds from RUOK casual clothes day added in, we made it to $1700.  All of the clothes that were not sold at the market were donated to Vinnies along with a cheque for $1700.

Thanks to all of the families who donated clothes, and to the students who gave their time and effort into helping set up, advertise, sell and pack up the market.  I think we are onto a winner.

LET'S GO FABER!!!

Mr Michael Raeburn
Head of Faber House

Faculty News

Creative Arts: Dance News

Our Dance Department at Xavier Catholic College has made the College proud over the last few weeks. Our students recently participated in the Lismore Eisteddfod and their outstanding performances were recognised.

Our Year 9 Dancers showcased exceptional dance skills and performed with such professionalism, securing first place in their category. The adjudicator spoke highly of these girls and commended them on how well they worked as a team. Junior Dance Troupe and Year 11 Dance also were awarded Highly Commended in their section and

Year 9 Dance girls (Lia Axman, Jen Angeli, Ruby Boronski, Eimear Jessup) won their contemporary against some very talented and professional groups!! The adjudicator spoke so highly of the four of them - they were flawless!

Dance Troupe (Year 7 and 8 students) placed 4th! Some of these students have never danced before, let alone on stage. They have shown such dedication to their rehearsals every week and really brought it together. I am so proud. Congratulations to Amalia Anderson, Charlie Boyle, Sophia Brown, Taya Coates, Madison Hill, Kaydee Horne, Kayla Kanyaro, Jazmin Torres De Oliveria, Zara Webber and Grace Wood.

Rhiannon Burt, Emelia Campbell, Paloma Jones and Havana Weir of Year 11 Dance placed 4th in the senior section. It was a very difficult section with some outstanding hip-hop and contemporary groups. It was a great experience for them to perform on stage before they entered their HSC course.

Finally, our Year 12 students, Ella Bartholomew and Josie Crethar finished their HSC Dance course this week with their final essays to come at the start of November. In August, they completed their practical components with external markers coming to the College. I only came to the College at the start of the year, but have loved every minute of being in the company of these two students. Each lesson, they have brought nothing but positivity and enthusiasm. I wish them all the very best in their future and thank them for their hard work and dedication.

A huge thank you to their student dancers, Evie Crethar, Paloma Jones and Havana Weir. Your commitment to the Year 12 students is very much appreciated. 

Miss Sarah Purnell
Dance Teacher

Creative Arts: Drama News

Term 3 has been jam-packed in the Drama department. Year 12 completed their practical HSC Exam in Week 7, performing their Individual Performance and Group Performances for external markers. In Week 8, Year 9 Drama students attended DramaWorks at Byron Bay Theatre, a showcase of HSC Drama exemplary performances from schools in the Northern Rivers. Our very own Mikayla Alexander, Landon Broadley, Hanna Waters and Yasmine Wenzel performed their Group piece, The Tale of Time, and Landon Broadley performed his Individual Performance Sweeney. Year 11 performed their assessments on Absurd Theatre and Epic Theatre. Year 10 has been studying practitioner Bertolt Brecht, and Year 9 performed scenes from the play ‘Stories in the Dark’. Below are some photos of Year 12 Drama students.

Mrs Allysha Hodges
Drama Teacher

Creative Arts: Visual Arts News

Year 12 Visual Arts students are to be congratulated on their outstanding Bodies of Work. Currently in ‘lock up’ prior to marking, their artworks express a range of concepts stemming from their personal and contextual worlds and showcase their skills and creative talents. Pictured are individual pieces in students' collections of work.  

An exhibition will take place once marking has been completed next term, date to be confirmed. Five students Bodies of Work have been nominated for the CSO Showcase exhibition for 2023. The standard of the nominated artworks is exemplary in their chosen expressive forms. Well done to those students: Hendrix Mills, Izaiah Tipene-Royal, Suraiya Smith, Grace Kennedy and Mikayla Alexander.  I am very proud of all the Visual Arts students' achievements and wish them all the very best for the HSC exams and their exciting futures.

Miss Jasmin Rogers
Visual Arts Teacher

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Technologies News: Year 12 Major Projects

A large focus of the TAS or Technology department in year 12 is the production of major projects.  We have three subjects involved this year.

• Industrial Technology 
• Textiles and Design
• Design and Technology

All students in these subjects have been required to complete a physical major project and associated folio.  This is the culmination of 12 months of work.  There are some outstanding projects. Thanks to the teachers who have assisted the students in the development of their major projects, which involves many agonising hours of hard work.

Industrial Technology: Multimedia & Metal Engineering

The Industrial Technology Metal Major Projects and Folios included:

• Joshua Thick made a ‘Custom Food Smoker’ from recycled barrels provided by Koellner Steel, Plasma, Laser and hand-cut components, Onshape CAD plans, extensive MIG steel welding and a trolley on casters with hardwood slats and adjustable serving shelf.
• Jet Thomas-Borger made a ‘Custom Multipurpose Workbench’ which involved extensive MIG steel welding, sheet plate work and internal steel framing, as well as Onshape CAD plans, timber storage shelves and sliding drawers.
• Kane Creighton made a ‘Custom Half Squat Rack’ which involved extensive MIG steel welding using templates and jigs, Onshape CAD Plans, J Cup holes drilled by Koellner Steel and Raptor coating. 
• Luca Verus made a ‘Custom Workbench’ which involved extensive TIG aluminium and TIG stainless steel welding, Onshape CAD plans, and the use of timber and checker plate components. 
• Zachary Gillett and Jasper Mantel both attempted to make Go Karts using MIG steel welding techniques, jigs, templates and Onshape CAD plans.

Teachers: Mr Trent Dooley & Mr Pat Kennedy

Textiles & Design

Students of Textiles and Design have designed, constructed and decorated some exceptional garments. They all have demonstrated excellent pattern-making skills, fabric manipulation skills, creativity and a high quality of workmanship. Their projects were marked in Sydney recently along with their folios, which were also of a very high standard in terms of their documentation and presentation of the design process.

• Gia Reichinger created a red silk corset with the lining printed in her own design, and a bias-cut long skirt with a fishtail train. 
• Suraiya Smith created a beige evening gown with a cream lace overlay, enhanced with beading and feathers on the skirt section.
• Max Sponder created a black 1950s-inspired dress and a jacket, both featuring sublimation printed and hand-painted lining.
• Izaiah Tipene-Royal created a black kangaroo leather jacket with vented features at the elbows and back, along with metal zips and stitch detailing. 
  

Teacher: Ms Rachel Eisenhauer

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Design & Technology

• Rose Radburn - ‘Solar Panel Picnic Table’ designed to allow students to conveniently study outdoors, with access to solar power to change devices.
• Gia Reichinger - ‘Residential Bushfire Safety Management System’ has been designed to help homeowners protect their homes remotely in the event of bushfires.
• Oliver Sharpe - ‘Foot-activated door-opening mechanism’ designed to eliminate the need to touch high-risk door handles after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Bella Stanley-Jones - ‘My Wardrobe’ is an online platform for the design, collaboration and sharing of clothing to reduce the impact of fast fashion on the environment.
• Sam Thomas - ‘Sea Safe Pod’ Flotation device designed to carry mandatory boating safety equipment. 

Teachers: Mr Sam Kennedy & Mrs Tawney Peachey

Sport News

College Sporting Teams

NSWCCC Football Quarter Finals

The College Boys 7-10 D football team travelled to Port Macquarie earlier in the term to compete in the Quarter Finals of the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Knockout Football Competition against St Joseph's College, Lochinvar. The team progressed to this level after being crowned Lismore Diocesan Champions in Term 2 and a comprehensive Round of 16 win over O'Connor Catholic College, Armidale. We started well and scored first with a well-taken free kick from the lethal left foot of striker Koby Mortimer. St Joseph's fought back with sustained pressure and scored twice in quick succession to make it 2-1 going into halftime. Very quickly after the restart we were on level terms with Koby Mortimer once again the provider, smashing home after some neat passing build-up. All games are tough at this level — St Joseph's piled on the pressure and once again scored twice in quick succession to go 4-2 ahead. We fought back well and it was no surprise when we scored again through Jacob Miletic's deflected shot to make it 4-3. With only minutes on the clock, we pressed and pressed, but the opposition back line stood firm and it finished 4-3. XCC has never got to this stage of the competition before and it is a significant achievement for this group of players to get to the last 8 Catholic Schools in NSW.

The boys have represented the College admirably this season and deserve congratulations for their fighting spirit, sporting behaviour and good manners that they demonstrated at all times, both on and off the pitch. Big thanks must also go to Mr Pat Kennedy and Mr Russell Asser for their excellent administrative organisation and support behind the scenes. Players: Caiden Manley, Harry Groves, Jerridan Tulloch, Aidan Martorana, Lennox Broadley, Jax Vawdrey, Joey Anderson, Bodhi Smith, Rob de Wit, Archie Power, Tyler Dogan, Jacob Miletic, Tom Rutledge, Asger Paungreen, Cooper Powell, Cooper Keane, Koby Mortimer - Mr Edmonds

Under 14 Girls NSW Rugby 7s

The Under 14 Girls Rugby team had committed to three before-school training sessions and were raring to go! The NSW Rugby 7s were held at the SCU Lismore on Thursday 24th August. After a very loud and exciting bus trip full of Taylor Swift singalongs, the girls hit the field full of energy.

Game 1: XCC vs Trinity

After a nervous start, the girls were down 10-0 and a bit hesitant in defence, when the super subs came onto the field and changed the momentum of the game. Runaway tries were scored by Abigail Matthews and Billie Cook-Slevin. All of the girls' confidence grew, and we dominated possession. Mia Sawkins was unlucky to lose the ball over the tryline, and Billie Cook-Slevin almost scored her second try. 

Final score: XCC 10 Trinity 10

Game 2: XCC vs Woodlawn

Trinity had beaten Woodlawn earlier, so this was an important match for the girls. The XCC girls dominated in attack, playing some lovely running rugby and found their confidence in defence. Layla Ross scored a try and converted. The sister act of Lara Sawkins and Mia Sawkins both scored tries. Billie Cook-Slevin scored another runaway try and converted. 

Final score: XCC 24  Woodlawn 10

Game 3: XCC vs TRinity

The Final was an exciting game with both teams playing desperate attacking rugby and showing real grit in defence. However, the XCC talent was on display with tries to Billie Cook-Slevin, Layla Ross, Dusty Emanuel and Mia Saunders. 

Final score: XCC 20  Trinity 17

Congratulations girls on your application to training before school at 7.30 am and your positive teamwork and comradery. Undefeated winners of the carnival is a great achievement. It was an absolute pleasure to coach you and Maccas on the way home was well-earned! Thank you also to Andrew Fraser who helped train the girls and Russell Asser the manager.

Players Player

In a unanimous vote, congratulations to ‘rocket boots’ Billie Cook-Slevin.

Coaches 3, 2, 1 points

• 3 points to Billie Cook-Slevin
• 2 points to ‘Captain’ Layla Ross
• 1 point to Tully Fraser

Special mention to Kiarna Hickey and Kailee-Rose Le Compte who were excellent and to all twelve girls who played so well.

Coach: Mr Pat Kennedy

Under 16 Girls NRCC AFL

On 7 September, sixteen girls from both Year 9 and Year 10 headed to Byron Bay to compete in the NRCC Intermediate Aussie Rules Gala Day. With 16 players, the girls were in for a long day with a large amount of running and tackling ahead. In their first game against Woodlawn, the girls managed to pick up a win. The girls displayed a high level of sportsmanship and determination within the next two games against St Joseph's College Banora Point and Mount St Patrick College and made it to the final. We were matched up against Mount Saint Pats in the final, however, despite our best efforts we were unable to come away with the win. Well done, girls, on your efforts throughout the day!

Coach: Mrs Jessica Ferris

NSW Schools Cup Netball FNC Finals

Year 7-8 Team

Despite facing challenges leading up to the day, including two players being unable to participate due to injuries, the girls showed great resilience with the support of the talented Kaia who stepped in to join the team at the carnival.

The girls encountered stiff competition in a strong pool, but they admirably held their own, showcasing their skills in nail-biting games. Ultimately, the team secured two wins and endured two losses, with XCC narrowly losing to Woodlawn by just one point, a team that went on to win the carnival.

I commend the girls for their dedication and sportsmanship, both in preparation and on the day, as they represented our school admirably. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for these talented athletes!

Team: Amalia Anderson, Celeste Dalby, Keilani Drikibau, Kaia Drikibau, Madison Hill, Matilda Hoey, Layla Keough, Zali Raudonikis, Lara Sawkins, Mia Sawkins, Evangeline Woodburn

Coach: Mrs Tegan Paton-Kelly

Year 9-10 Team

The 9/10 Girls' team started out of the blocks on fire with successful wins against Woodlawn, Grafton High School and St Joseph’s Banora, clearly dominating the field. The quality of netball was amazing and the team worked well together to secure a semi-final shot against McAuley College. 

The semi-final was a repeat of the pool games, with the girls showing complete class and determination to get to the final and be one win away from the State Finals in Sydney. A solid win in the semi had us set to face Woodlawn again for that one spot (from our region) into the State finals. 

The final started not as expected. Within the first minute, star shooter Pippa Bailey went down hard and rolled her ankle, putting her out of the game. The team were rattled and at half-time were down significantly. The girls fought super hard to claw back the lead Woodlawn had on them, but unfortunately in the shorter version of the game, they went down by 3 in the final. It was heartbreaking for the girls after a dream carnival up to that point. 

I would like to thank the girls for being absolute superstars with the way they played and the way they represented the College. Other school staff members made comments to this effect and I was proud of their representation. Girls…. we've got this next year! I will bet my Krispy Kremes at Sydney Airport on that one!!!! 

Team: Milli O’Neill, Sarah Jones, Charlotte McNally, Ruby Yantsch, Olivia Hussey, Lillian Woodburn, Phoebe Ryan, Marli Francis, Olivia Ryan, Jorja Wagland, Pippa Bailey (missing from photo)

Coach: Ms Nichole Page

Diocesan Athletics

At 5:00am on Wednesday 23 August, 38 College students and staff travelled to the Coffs Harbour International Stadium for the 2023 Diocesan Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to all students on your conduct and school spirit. Special congratulations to the students listed below:

Diocesan Age Champions

• 14 Girls Skye Dogan 1st
• 14 Boys Finn Gisen 2nd
• 16 Boys Tyler Dogan 2nd
• 17+ Boys Alexander Crimmins 2nd
• 13 Boys William Schmid 4th
  

Diocesan Girls Results

13 Girls Abigail Matthews

• 800m 3rd
• 400m 4th
• 1500m 3rd

13 Girls Taya Coates

• Shot Put 4th

14 Girls Skye Dogan

• 400m 1st
• 800m 1st
• 1500m 1st
• Javelin 1st

14 Girls Charlie Hudson

• 800m 3rd

14 Girls Audrey Johannes

• Shot Put 2nd

15 Girls Marli Francis

• 800m 4th
• 1500m 4th

16 Girls Ruby Yantsch

• 800m 3rd
• 1500 4th

16 Girls Lillian Beadham

• High Jump 2nd

Diocesan Boys Results

12 Boys Elijah Currie 

• 100m 4th
• 200m 4th

13 Boys William Schmid

• 400m 2nd
• 800m 1st
• 1500m 1st

13 Boys Isaac Mulligan

• 1500m 4th

13 Boys Cian Harding

• Long Jump 3rd

14 Boys Finn Gisen

• 100m 2nd
• 200m 2nd
• Long Jump 2nd

14 Boys James Kirby

• 400m 4th

15 Boys Declan Wallace

• 400m 2nd
• Javelin 1st
• Triple Jump 3rd

16 Boys Tyler Dogan

• 800m 1st
• 1500m 1st

17+ Boys Alexander Crimmins

• 100m 2nd
• 200m 2nd
• Long Jump 1st
• Triple Jump 2nd

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Individual Achievements

Congratulations to the following students who competed at the combined NSW/ACT/QLD/SA Snow Sport Interschool Championships:

• Coco Gallagher
• Banjo Gallagher
• Noah Horvath
• Jett Kubelka 

Thank you to Nicky Gallagher, who was the Team Manager and provided the details below:

Results:

Slopestyle (rails and jumps) 

• Coco Gallagher 1st 
• Banjo Gallagher 8th  
• Noah Horvarth 34th

Boardercross

• Coco Gallagher 10th
• Banjo Gallagher 16th
• Noah Horvath 35th 
• Jett Kubelka 36th

Giant Slalom

• Coco Gallagher 10th
• Banjo Gallagher 18th
• Jett Kubelka 28th 

Congratulations to Coco Gallagher and Banjo Gallagher, who placed in the Top 20 in all of the events above and qualified for Australian Nationals. Unfortunately, Nationals have since been cancelled due to a lack of snow at Mount Buller. Coco and Banjo have also been competing in outside-of-school competitions. Coco placed second overall in the Thredbo Triple Crown series, second in the Big Air competition and third in the Slopestyle. Banjo took out fourth place in The Big Air competition at Thredbo. 

Manager: Nicky Gallagher

College News

Popstars — Musical News

After the huge success of Back to the 80s, we are very excited to be bringing another wonderful Musical to XCC in 2024. Popstars - the 90s Musical is scheduled for the end of Term 1 2024, and we have already held auditions and cast the major roles of the show. Below is a list of the successful auditionees.

In addition to this, we also have around 70 students involved in the ensemble, band, stage crew and art team. Rehearsals begin next term for what will be another amazing show.

Mrs Allysha Hodges
Director/Producer

Sustainability News

Thank you to all those who have helped make our school more sustainable this term! We have one full battery recycling container, ready to ship back and replace. If you have any suggestions for other recycling stations that you would like to see at XCC, please let me know!

For three days last week, 15 students in Year 9 joined me on our inaugural Student Ecology Retreat. We met with each of the Jesuit schools across Australia via Zoom to discuss the current climate crisis and suggest ways we can make a difference in our daily lives. Costa Georgiadis made a guest appearance, which was very exciting for some of us!

We participated in an environmental walk and created some ceramic tiles to place around the school, acknowledging the native flora and fauna we can find in our area. Thank you to Mrs Schreenan for your help with this! We finished our session off with a beach walk, where we spent time reflecting on our global environmental impact and made pledges about how we can live more sustainably. 

A final thank you goes to Molly O’Connor for building our vertical garden. This is located behind J Block, and our aim is to plant seasonal vegetables in this for the Canteen to use. If anyone has any 1.5L or 2L soft drink bottles that you could donate, that would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you again for your efforts and support throughout Term 3. As always, any suggestions, ideas or expertise you may have to offer are welcome. Please contact me at emily.webster@lism.catholic.edu.au

Ms Emily Webster
Sustainability Coordinator

Canteen News – Term 4 2023

Volunteering in the Canteen is a great opportunity to meet other parents and to be involved in your child/children's school life.

• Arrive at school by 8:45am and park on the street (or you will get locked in the bottom carpark!)
• Go to the Office to sign in and receive your Visitor Badge.
• Head to the Canteen where you can prepare for the day’s lunch orders.
• Volunteers receive lunch, and their children receive a $5 canteen voucher.
• Finish time is approximately 1:30-2:00pm, depending on how busy the day is.
• If you cannot make your rostered day, please email Denise at xcccanteen@lism.catholic.edu.au or phone the College beforehand on 6618 0180.
• Text message reminders are sent on Wednesdays the week before your rostered day.
• Reminder: All Canteen volunteers need a volunteer Working With Children Check before starting with us. This is free for volunteers, and you can apply via Service NSW. 

Please note that, due to price increases at our suppliers, we will be increasing costs on some canteen items from Term 3. 

From Monday 24 July 2023, our recess and lunch order cutoff time will be 8:45am.

Check our live Term 4 Canteen Roster here.

Mrs Denise Barnard
Canteen Supervisor

Community News

An Invitation to Grandcarers

If you are a grandcarer who looks after your grandchildren full-time, DAISI Services is here to support you in your important role of helping your grandchild or grandchildren reach their potential.

The Grandcarer Project, an established group, is ready to welcome you. 

Frequency: The first Monday of every month (3/4/23, 1/5/23, 5/6/23, 7/8/23, 4/9/23, 6/11/23)

Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm, with lunch provided

Venue: Ballina Masonic Hall, 56 Cherry St, Ballina

Please contact Sue Hetherington on 0491 065 906 or gc.sue@daisi.asn.au for more information.