LEADERSHIP ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
Time Management
It seems that life for everyone just gets busier and busier! When I talk to teachers and students about the demands that are placed on their time, through schoolwork, exams, assignments, camps and excursions, and a wide variety of co-curricular commitments, I am amazed that they can keep up with the pace. Parents, too, have the burden of juggling work and home, along with an array of other demands on their time.
While we all seek to achieve our best in our chosen fields of endeavour, it is important to remember to get the balance right. In managing the many constraints on our time, let’s never lose sight of the things that are most important to us. At times we can be so preoccupied with being “humans doing” that we forget the most important thing is to be a “human being”. The following parable provides a fairly apt analogy for ensuring that we get our priorities right:
Time Management Parable
One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget.
As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said,
"Okay, time for a quiz" and he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.
When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes."
The time management expert replied, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"
By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered.
"Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted.
Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"
"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."
What are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these big rocks in first or you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life? Then, put those in your jar first.
Simon Dash
Principal
FROM THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
Dear Parents,
I would like to begin my article for this week by congratulating Mrs Wilson and 3.1 on their willingness to take on the challenge of being the first class to present some of their learning at our Junior Years assembly. It was wonderful start to our assembly showcase and even Mrs Hogan with her enthusiastic rendition of the XCC war cry could not match the enthusiasm and attention to detail shown by the students in 3.1. Well Done Year Three.
It has been another fantastic week in the Junior Years with many events occurring across the school. Most importantly the students have continued to apply themselves in the classroom and I continued to be impressed with their genuine enthusiasm for learning. As parents I would encourage you to talk to your child/children about their learning and ask them to discuss with you new concepts as they are presented in class. It is well recognised that when students talk about their learning, the knowledge and skills they have been practicing in class become embedded and are able to be retained for future challenges.
All parents should have received an email about the Student Protection sessions on offer for parent volunteers. It is a Brisbane Catholic Education requirement that all parent volunteers attend one of these training sessions if assisting in the classroom. Further sessions will be run in the future to accommodate those parents who were unable to make these initial sessions.
I would also like to recognise all of our Year Five students who received their leadership badges at our Opening Mass this week. At Xavier College we recognise all of the Year 5 students as leaders of our Junior school. They are leaders in the classroom, leaders in the playground and leaders in our extended community. They play a very important part in ensuring our Junior school is place where all students can learn, laugh and be recognised. This year the decision was made to acknowledge our Year 5 leaders as part of our Opening Mass and Leadership ceremony as they form an integral part of the student leadership team at Xavier college. We wish them every success this year and look forward to seeing them grow as individuals and as a cohort.
Have a great week.
Regards
Russell Davey
Head of School (Junior Years)
UPCOMING EVENTS
16/02/2017 Year 11 & 12 Senior Local Immersion (Through until 19/2)
20/02/2017 Hervey Bay District Swimming Carnival
24/02/2017 Junior School Performances (11:30am - 1:30pm)
27/02/2017 Year 5 Camp (Through until 1/3)
STAR OF THE SEA OPENING SCHOOL MASS
On Monday we celebrated with Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School their opening school mass. It was magnificent to have our Year 12 College Captains and some of our Year 5 leaders in attendance to pray for a wonderful year ahead for their school community.
Our Parish Youth Ministry Team were also there to hand out prayer cards to the incumbent Year 6 leaders offering wisdom and prayers to strengthen their choices as they lead their school community. Star of the Sea school was the first Catholic school in our city and came about due to community support and the generosity of our Catholic community , knowing that is was an excellent opportunity for our children.
Xavier too began as a desire from the community to continue Catholic Education in our City, therefore forging two communities who work together to ensure the story is not lost, our parish community and schools are one and that our community is supported by Catholic Education from early years until year 12. Thank you Star of the Sea for the gift you are to our community and we wish all staff, families, students and your wider community every blessing for 2017 and beyond.
HEALING MASS
Last week our seniors attended the first healing mass for the Hervey Bay City Catholic Parish. Our students bring along a plate to share and spend time participating in the Eucharistic celebration and then preparing and serving morning tea directly afterwards. Many Parishioners come along to seek the healing power of Jesus in their life and a wonderful sense of community through the hospitality of Marycare and both Catholic schools within our parish. Our seniors spent time learning about the lives of those who journey with them in our faith as well as being able to share food, conversation and friendship. A big thank you to Ms Stringer and Mrs Brennan’s year 11 Study of Religion classes for participating in this wonderful sacrament.
ALTAR SERVERS GATHERING
Who: All current altar servers and those who are interested in joining this important ministry. (Servers need to have received the First Eucharist and are preferably in Yr 4 and above).
When: Wednesday 8 March from 3.45pm to 4.45pm
Where: St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Pialba
Why:
- To review current practices associated with altar serving
- To instruct in new practices
- To confirm details regarding 2017 involvement
- To catch up with Father Regimon
What we will provide: Afternoon tea
What you need to bring: Your smiling face.
OR
YEAR 12 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
We would like to invite all Year 12 parents to attend the Year 12 Parent Information Evening on Thursday, 16 February at 6.30pm in the Campion Theatre. We will be discussing information about QCAA, OPs & QCS, Traineeships, QTAC applications for tertiary study, exam information, what to expect for the year and important dates, amongst other topics.
CAREER INFORMATION
Below is some information relating to a career in Law
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours): Graduates enjoy employment as barristers or solicitors in private practice, public prosecutors, community lawyers, legal officers and in-house counsel for large companies, while others pursue careers in areas such as investment banking, insurance, government and international relations, property development and management or in the consulting industry. The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) fulfils the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner throughout Australia. Further practical legal training is required prior to admission.
- Many law degrees are combined with other degrees including: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Global Studies, Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Theology and Criminology and Justice.
- Figures indicate that 78.5% of law graduates go on to full-time employment.
- The median salary for a full-time solicitor is $83,200 (approx.).
Each University offers differing options for Bachelor of Laws. Please check either the QTAC site
http://www.qtac.edu.au/home or your preferred universities for different combined degrees, entry requirements, location, duration, and study mode.
Annie Sexton
Guidance Counsellor (Grades 8-12)
FRASER COAST YOUTH AMBASSADOR
If you are aged between 12 and 25 and are passionate about the Fraser coast region - the youth ambassador program could be a great fit for you! Nominations are now open for the 2017 program.
FAMILY SCHOOL FEES ACCOUNTS
If your email address has changed or you didn’t receive your account by email in 2016, please provide your new contact details to the College Office.
XAVIER CANTEEN
XCC Canteen Staff would like to welcome back all XCC families new and familiar. A big thank you to our new and existing volunteers, without you we would not be able to do what we do. If volunteering is something you may be interested in, please do not hesitate in calling Liz directly at the canteen on 4197 1264. We are happy to have you one day a week or one day a term, whatever suits you. Our online ordering system, Qkr, has been updated and will prompt you to update your children's classes. Please take the time to download the App as we have made some changes to our menu and pricing. We are excited to announce that starting last week we will be running a competition for anyone who orders online through the Qkr ordering system. Each order will receive a free entry into a lucky draw, with a winner being announced at the end of each month. The lucky winner will be awarded a $5 canteen voucher. Good luck!
DUNGA DERBY FITNESS CHALLENGE
A wonderful member of our Xavier community is competing in the Dunga Derby for 2017. They are calling for support of a major fund raising event called the Tuff Dunga on the 4th March, 2017 which is an obstacle/mud course.
As you are probably aware all proceeds from the Dunga Derby, Rally for a Cause events are going to support Fraser Coast families and individuals affected by life limiting medical conditions or have had their lives disrupted by circumstances beyond their control (including several students and their families at our school).
COLLEGE FACEBOOKPlease also like and follow our
Xavier Catholic College Facebook page, to see more photos and up to the minute news from around the College.