LEADERSHIP ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we commence the first week of Term Two, classes are in full swing with our students seeking to build on the success of Term One. We are also keen to continue to develop our emphasis on building a strong learning culture where everyone strives to achieve their personal best.
I want to thank the 774 parents, staff and students who completed the Community Satisfaction Survey. We have collated the data and we will be working through this extensive 68-page report over the coming weeks. While much of it is very affirming, there is a great desire within our community to continue to look at ways to improve our academic standards and outcomes. The College has produced very good results in previous years, but the sense that we can take this to the next level is very strong.
While our teachers do a remarkable job in staying abreast of latest educational trends and implementing them into their daily practice, your assistance is also vital. You can never underestimate the impact of parents in developing a learning culture.
The following pointers from www.education.com provide some useful tips for parents to assist their child’s reaching their educational potential:
How Should I Help My Child with Homework?
- Show that you think education and homework are important. If your child knows that you care about what is happening at school, he or she will have a good reason to complete assignments on time.
- Set a regular time for homework. The best schedule for homework is what works best for your child and your family. Your child’s outside activities, such as sports or music lessons may mean that you need a flexible homework schedule.
- Provide an area for your child to do homework. Make sure the area is well-lit and has minimal distractions.
- Ensure that there are no distractions. Discourage your child from making and receiving social telephone calls during homework time. Turn off the television if it is keeping your child from doing his or her homework.
- Provide supplies and identify resources. Have pencils, pens, erasers, writing paper, a dictionary, or other supplies that may be helpful available.
- Help your child use everyday routines to support the skills he or she is learning. Teach your child to play word and math games. Help your child look up information about something in which he or she is interested.
- Look over completed assignments before they are turned in. Then, after the teacher returns completed homework, read the comments to see if your child has done the assignment satisfactorily.
- Talk about school and learning activities in family conversations. Ask your child what was discussed in class that day.
- Show your child that the skills he or she is learning are an important part of the things adults do. Let your child see you reading, writing, or using math. Talk to your child about what you do at work.
- Attend school activities. If you can, volunteer to help in your child’s classroom or at special events.
God Bless
Simon Dash
Principal
HEADS OF COLLEGE ADDRESS
Only the first week and our heads are already spinning with the many wonderful activities that are on the Calendar for the term.
Cross Country- Take 2
Due to Tropical Cyclone Debbie, we had to make new arrangements for the Cross Country and the Parlauf Relay. We thank our parents and community for the support you provided when we had to cancel classes and batten down the hatches in the extreme weather. Our Cross Country will be held on Thursday –morning for Junior school and from 12.45pm for the Senior School.
Xavier Day Celebrations
Wednesday saw us celebrate Xavier Day with the many activities that ensure we follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis Xavier where we pray, serve and then enjoy ourselves. We thank our Faith and Mission team, lead by Mr. Brendan McDonald for organising this day.
Senior School Camps & Retreat
Next week students in years 6-11 will be going on camp and the year 12 students will take part in a Retreat to be held in the College grounds. A great deal of hard work over a long period of time has gone into ensuring that the students have an enjoyable and rewarding experience on camp. Thanks must go to the Heads of House who take on this responsibility along with the staff who give up time with their families to spend time with students. Camp is a special time where staff get to know our students in a different capacity as well as students having time to get to know a range of students they may not normally spend time with.
ANZAC Day Activities
We look forward to Xavier Catholic College having a strong representation of students at the Anzac March again this year. Our College Choir will be singing at the Dawn Service with a big thank you to Miss McDuff for organising this activity. We will have students representing the College and laying wreaths at Toogoom and other areas on Tuesday.
Promoting Xavier Catholic College in the Community
Over the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April Xavier will have a display at Stockland Shopping Centre. The College Leadership Team members look forward to working with our student leaders who will assist in promoting the College across the Fraser Coast. If you are shopping over the weekend please ensure you drop by and say hello!
FROM THE APRES
Term 2 begins with a whirlwind of activity. This week the college honoured the life of our patron, St Francis Xavier with our annual Xavier Day celebration. The day began with an Easter liturgy followed by a range of activities including community service projects, a family lunch on the lawn, sharing birthday cake for St Francis and a karaoke party, just to name a few of the highlights from the day.
Next Monday the college will remember the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, especially those who gave their lives for us. On Tuesday, all students are encouraged to participate in one of the community commemorations for Anzac Day. Details are as follow:
Dawn Service
Parade outside RSL Club in Torquay Road at 05.00am
Step off at 05.15am
Dawn Service at Freedom Park (approx) 05.30am
Anzac Day Mass
7:30am at St Joseph’s Church, Bryant St, Pialba
Main March
Parade in car park located in Hunter Street, Pialba behind Woolworths 08.45am
Step off at 09.15am
Service at Freedom Park (when all participants in position - approx 09:45am)
Burrum Heads Service
8:00am – Assemble at Burrum Heads Road Boat Ramp
8:15am – March to Burrum Heads Memorial
8:30am – Commencement of service
CAMPUS MINISTRY CORNER
During the school Easter holidays, it was with much sadness that we learnt of the passing of Dom Merrett who graduated in 2014. We ask that you pray for Dom’s family, Mum Kylie, Dad Ian and his sister Jessica, who graduated in 2011. Dom was a young man who had a twinkle in his eyes, quietly going about his business of school and a great mate to many. He will be missed incredibly by his family and friends. It is during this Easter time that we recall the death and resurrection of Jesus and how his friends and family must have felt during this difficult time. By Jesus dying on the cross and his rising to a transformed human life, Jesus has opened the door for all. He has shown us the way to follow, living life to the full with unconditional love. Knowing that we are loved unconditionally gives us the confidence to give this grace to all. As Easter people, we live with hope, a hope that knows the power of living a life of love, a love that is unconditional. Many came to celebrate Dom’s life and all left feeling somehow blessed to have shared this time together and to continue his story in their daily lives. Many Blessings for a wonderful week ahead for you all.
Carmel Donnelly
Australian Catholic Youth Festival - Sydney 7th – 9th December 2017
Expressions of Interest are being sort for this national event from all students in year 10 – 12. Places are limited so please encourage your child to collect a letter from student reception. These letters need to be returned prior to camp.
UPCOMING EVENTS
20/4 P-12 XCC Cross Country
24/4 ANZAC Day liturgy (JPAC - 1:45pm)
26/4 Year 6-11 Camps (through until 28/4)
01/5 Labour Day Holiday
02/5 Year 11 and 12 Geography Fraser Island Camp
SPORT NEWS
Equestrian
Nellie Davis has continued her excellent form in Equestrian. She competed in an Interschool event in Rockhampton last weekend. She finished 2nd in the 80cm Power and Speed and 6th in the 90cm Power and Speed. These were open categories with approximately 20 competitors in each. Nellie also finished 4th in the secondary combined training. Well done Nellie
Cross-Country
The
Xavier Cross-Country Carnival will be held this Thursday 20th April.
Parents and families are invited to come and watch the students
participate in this whole College event. The schedule of races for the
day is below:
Junior School: Kindy to 11yr olds (born 2006)
Middle & Secondary School: 12yrs to 17yrs
Please note that Years 7 – 12 will have shortened Periods 1-4 on the day and so will need materials for these lessons.
BCE CONNECT MOBILE APP
BCE Connect, our mobile app for all our BCE Schools, is another great way to participate in our community.
BCE
Connect gives parents, staff, extended family, friends and the public
easy access to school information, making it easier to keep track and
stay in touch.
BCE Connect has been designed to work on both Apple and Android devices.
Now, parents/legal guardians can use their BCE login to access extra
Parent Portal features and private information such as absences,
directories, and newsletters.
A CHANCE TO MEET OTHER FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) mothers and fathers are invited to bring their children along to a free play group at the community centre’s childcare centre, 22 Charles Street Pialba, on Wednesdays (starting on the 26th April) from 9:30-11. For more information on how to register for a free play group please call Robyn on 4194 3077 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.