PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS

Dear Parents and Carers

School Improvement Audit
We really need your help. So far 500+ students have completed the survey along with 74 staff. However, so far only 15 parents have managed to complete the task. We need around 20% of parents to complete the survey in order to gain accurate data.

In June this year Xavier Catholic College will be undergoing an external audit based on the National School Improvement Framework. This will be a critical review from which a new Strategic Plan will be developed.

In preparation, we wish to hear from all parents, students and staff. Last year we launched a very successful Community Satisfaction Survey which helped shape many new directions for the College including our new Responsible Behaviour Policy.

This year we are partnering with the University of Southern Queensland for our data gathering. USQ have developed a survey tool which aligns with the National School Improvement Framework. The survey tool is called the Diagnostic Inventory of School Alignment (DISA).

Your support in completing the survey is crucial to our future planning. Only when we hear all voices can we plan for long-lasting and sustainable improvement. Click the below image to complete the survey.

After this you will see a welcome page and you click on the dropdown box on the left-hand side to choose your survey (Parent, Student or Staff). The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete and it will be open for the next few weeks to give people the time and opportunity to have their say.

                                             https://disasurvey.acelleadership.org.au/survey/b088fc38

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My thanks to you in anticipation.

God Bless
Simon Dash
 

HEADS OF SCHOOL ADDRESS

Year 1 Excursion – Historical Village

Our Year One students recently visited the Hervey Bay Historical Village to learn about the past and gain some insight into how society worked in earlier times. They had a wonderful time and spent many hours exploring the village. The volunteers at the Historical Village were extremely impressed with our students and commented many times on their attitude and behaviour.  Well done to the Year One teachers and their students. 

Year 6 Camp

Our Year 6 students returned from camp on Friday having experienced three days of challenge, adventure, excitement and some sleep.  It was a very successful camp which allowed students to further investigate their motto for the 2018 school year “Aspire to Lead". Upon returning from camp it was wonderful to see the students in their Year 6 leader shirts.  These shirts were distributed at the Camp Liturgy on Thursday night and represent the significant role our Year 6 students play in the everyday leadership of our P-6 community.  Thanks to all staff who were involved in making camp such a wonderful experience for our Year 6 students.

Prep Come and Try Day 1

We will be hosting the first of our Prep “Come and Try Days" for 2018 on Friday 18^th May from 9.00 am to 11.00 am.  All prospective and enrolled Prep students for 2018 are invited to attend.  Please register at the College office should you wish to attend with your child. Details of the upcoming sessions are shown below:

Secondary School Camps for Year 8 to 11

Despite being tired from the many and varied activities that students were involved in they appreciated the time and effort that staff put into making the Camps a reality. Xavier is one of the few Colleges in the district that are able to offer students a camp experience, mainly due to the generosity of our staff.  We thank the House Deans who coordinated the year level programs – Mrs. Wright. Miss Sullivan, Mr. McQuaid and Miss Hogan. We also thank staff who gave up time with their own families, and a comfortable bed, to provide this wonderful opportunity for our students.

Year 8 Camp News

The Year 8's had a great three days at camp with perfect weather. They all enjoyed the variety of activities, everything from canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, dragon boat racing, dominoes and balloons. Quinn was lucky enough to have his birthday on camp. Thanks to all the wonderful students for participating with such a positive attitude and to the great staff that made the camp happen: Mrs Pritchard, Mrs Love, Mrs Murray-Jones, Miss Sardoni, Mrs May, Doc Turner and Mr Relf.

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Mother's Day Stall

A Mother's Day Stall will be running from Tuesday to Thursday this week in the Library.  Each class will have the opportunity to visit this stall and purchase a special item, should they wish to do so.  All money raised will support the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge team.  Our thanks to the P&F for organising this event with the assistance of Mr Bebington.

Mother's Day Liturgy

A reminder to all parents and carers that we will come together as a P-6 community to celebrate Mother's Day with our annual Liturgy on Friday morning in GOA at 9.00 am.  We invite you to join us for this special occasion which will be followed by a morning tea in the GOA foyer.

College Open Day – “X-Cite 

It was a pleasure to host the many current and prospective families who visited our College on Wednesday afternoon. The staff and students were 'excited' to be able to showcase the College and the many great opportunities that students have both in and outside the classroom. Many of our student leaders across the College acted as Tour Leaders and demonstrated a high level of maturity and responsibility as they chatted with our visitors.

Each learning area displayed their programs and the many ways they enhance and reinforce student learning for success. The many extra-curricular programs and activities were also demonstrated by students and staff. This included:

·         The Debating program
·         Kokoda Challenge
·         Xavier Soccer and Dance Program that is part of our Year 7 & 8 Sport program
·         “Grease"- this year's College Production
·         Choirs
·         Human-powered vehicle challenge
·         The wide range of Sports that are offered across the College.

We thank the many students who were part of the evening's activities.​

NAPLAN

A reminder to all parents that our Year 3, 5, 7 & 9 students will sit their NAPLAN examinations next week.  We wish all students the very best for the week ahead and congratulate them on their preparations for these national tests. At the College we recognise these tests as a point in time and will make results available to parents later in the year.

Fr. Regi's Birthday

Our Parish Priest Fr.Regi celebrated his birthday on Wednesday the 9^th May. We hope he had a very happy day and thank him for the work he does in supporting the College.

Our Junior choir sang him a very special birthday song which you can view on our Facebook page by clicking the image below.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Please note the following up-coming events:

 NEWS FROM THE CAMPUS MINISTER

As we continue to celebrate the Year of Youth we consider the invitation to open new horizons for spreading joy.  Sr Hilda Scott once said that “Joy is part of your DNA."  It is often difficult in tough times to find the joy, but God is always with us, through good times and bad.  God can't bear to be apart from us.  So how can we respond to this invitation?  This year we are offering many opportunities for our young people to buy into this relationship with God and to find the Joy that is inside each one of us.    At the start of the term we held a “Come and See" afternoon here at Xavier where we spent time enjoying each other's company and discerning how we can spread joy in others' lives and indelibly our own. One of the things we discussed is that “You never have to scrub up for God".  He loves us just the way we are, but we need to love ourselves and ultimately others. 

Also, some of our students who are a part of the Parish Youth Ministry Team travelled to Nambour for the “Activate Joy" rally at the end of April.  Fr Rob Galea spoke with passion and joy to all in attendance and challenged us to live a life worthy of our created self.  This week there was an event held in Maryborough, “The Life you're Living" with Jessie Manibusan, again inviting us to live with purpose and meaning.  Below are some photos from these events. 

So, let us pray.  In this Year of Youth that those who minister to young people may generously share with them the love and joy of living in Christ.  We pray for young mothers during this Year of Youth: May they be blessed for their patience, love, care and dedication to their children.  We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen. 

Carmel Donnelly
Campus Minister

SPORTS NEWS

HERVEY BAY DISTRICT CROSS-COUNTRY

On Wednesday 2^nd May, Xavier had 63 students competing at the 9yrs to 19yrs Hervey Bay District Cross-Country. Students ran distances ranging from 2km to 6km on an often wet and muddy track, providing a genuine cross-country course. With Year 6 and Year 8 to Year 11 camps also starting on Wednesday, Xavier had limited numbers competing in these age groups. Despite this, Xavier still performed strongly against other schools in the district, and were placed in the top three for a majority of the trophies on offer. Many students ranked in the top six for their age division, ensuring their selection in the Hervey Bay team to compete at the Wide Bay Cross Country on Tuesday 29^th May.

 Age Champions from the day were as follows:

Colton Blyth – 10yrs Boys

Madison Fletcher – 11yrs Girls

Dylan Ilka – 14yrs Boys

Chantelle McCarthy – 15yrs Girls

Tobias Powers – 15yrs Boys

Students who have been selected to compete at the Wide Bay Cross-Country championships have had information communicated.  The Qkr! payment and Project Consent Form is due by the 24^th May.  If you can submit these as soon as possible it would be greatly appreciated.

Wide Bay Netball

Grace Farrelly and Madison McGovern represented the Wide Bay at the State titles for Netball in Brisbane last week.

Grace was part of the U15's team & Madison played in the U19's.  Both girls encountered strong competition but played beautiful netball over the five days.  

SCIENCE NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

Build a Droid in a Day

Fabulous opportunity for up to 10 students from years 7-12. Would you like to Build a Droid? A free workshop using Programmable Edison Robots is coming to Xavier on the 5th of June during periods 3 and 4. If you are a year 9 STEM (Semester 1 and 2) student you will already be involved but there are approximately 10 places available to other Xavier students. To apply: send an email to Mrs. Hopgood (lhopgood@bne.catholic.edu.au) by 3pm Friday stating why you would like to attend.

Sunflower Competition Update

The weigh-in day for the Xavier Sunflower competition is on next Monday the 14th of May. Students will need to organise to bring their plants STILL in their pots into school on Monday the 14th or during this week. The heaviest plant will be eligible to enter into the UQ regional competition. Other awards will be given. Some of the categories are tallest plant, smallest plant, largest flower, heaviest flower, most ornamental plant etc. If you bring in your plant before the weigh-in day please bring it to room 16 for storage in the boat area.

Xavier Awarded Second Place in the Fraser Coast Science and Engineering Challenge

Young scientists and future engineers of the Fraser Coast showed their initiative, problem solving abilities and effective team work at the PCYC on Tuesday. A full team of 32 year 9 and year 10 students represented Xavier at the Fraser Coast Science and Engineering Challenge. Students were selected for this team based on their academic progress and commitment to their studies. They are congratulated on their selection and their behaviour and performance at the event.
The challenges included making weight bearing and earthquake proof tall towers, connecting electrical circuits for a city, building a water turbine to generate power, making a strong and light weightbearing bridge, making a robotic hand for signalling, designing and constructing a catapult, using strings to design a railway network.

Overall, Xavier was placed second out of the teams representing eight schools. The team was very strong across all activities and the students worked very well together on difficult tasks.

This is an annual event open to year 9 and 10 students. We look forward to meeting this challenge again next year.

PARISH YOUTH MINISTRY TEAM

Calling all young people in Secondary school and older.  You are invited to our next monthly meeting for the Parish Youth Ministry Team. 

WHEN:  20^th May

WHERE: John Paul Centre, Bryant St, Pialba

TIME: 6pm – 8.00 pm

WHAT TO BRING:  BYO plate to share

RSVP: Carmel Donnelly cjdonnelly@bne.catholic.edu.au

MISSION FOCUS

This Term we draw our attention to the works and services of the Dirum House Charities, Jesuit Refugee Services and Jesuit Social Services.  Throughout this term our community will develop an understanding of these charities through prayer and advocacy, culminating with a response of donations and a call to action by our students.  Please visit their websites to find out more about their works and continue to pray for all those who are supported by their services.

Are you looking for new ways to show your faith or be an active member of your community?

Xavier are inviting all parents to join the Blood Donation drive and stand in solidarity with people in need in our community.

1 in 3 people will need a blood donation in their life time and almost all of you will know someone who has needed one or will need one.

Did you know that you could save 3 lives with your one donation?

Take the quiz to see if you are eligible to donate:  https://www.donateblood.com.au/eligibility#

For more information and to book an appointment:  https://www.donateblood.com.au/
If you are a new or existing donor, next time you visit the team at the blood bank you can ask to assign your donation to TEAM XAVIER.

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EQUESTRIAN OPPORTUNITY

Please contact Melissa Davis by email: madavis@bne.catholic.edu.au, for further information regarding nominations for the Interschool Equestrian Competition, details below.

PAYMENTS TO THE COLLEGE

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to accept payments by Credit Card over the phone.

A Payment of School Fees item has been added to the Qkr! app. This item allows you to nominate the amount you wish to pay and to enter your account details.

Details for accessing Qkr! are available on the Parent Portal or by following this link: Qkr! Instructions

CHILDCARE INFORMATION

Plaza Kidz offer care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age with a government approved Kindergarten program.  A bus service is available at no additional cost which runs each morning and afternoon for families. 

Plaza Kidz Early Learning Centre

(07) 41246000

plazakidz@gmail.com

79 Boat Harbour Drive, Pialba QLD 4655

Situated in the Fraser Shores Shopping Complex.

P&F Mothers Day Stall