LEADERSHIP ADDRESS
Dear Parents/Carers
A reminder that we are calling for volunteers to form a Parent Engagement Committee as a means of promoting consultation, communication and feedback.
Being a member enables you to contribute ideas for school/community operations, as well as get answers to questions or concerns you may have, in a small group setting. It is a well-known fact that being an involved parent can help to make your child's school experience be a more positive one. Meetings frequently serve an information function, but parents are encouraged to share global concerns or ask questions about the school curriculum, instruction, policies and procedures. The goal of the PEC is to broaden parent/community involvement in our school.
Parent Engagement Committees build parent engagement by:
The Parent Engagement Committee (PEC) will meet once a Term for about 90 minutes. Volunteers are called for parents of children in every Year Level to ensure appropriate representation. This is your opportunity to help make a difference in our school and our community.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Suzanne Gee on 41971263 or via email at sgee@bne.catholic.edu.au . Nominations close on Friday 19th May, with our first meeting to be held on Thursday 25th May at 5.30pm.
At our first meeting we will be looking at the draft Anti-Bullying Policy, the Draft Personal Responsibility Policy, discussing parents thoughts about the College Uniform along with any items that parents may wish to bring up.
God Bless
Simon Dash
HEADS OF COLLEGE ADDRESS
Attendance at School
We are currently looking at attendance of our students across the year levels. While we are tracking well in comparison with other similar schools we have found that we have a number of students who are falling below in their expected attendance. This is a concern for the College so we will be shortly starting to make contact with families to see if we can support you to increase attendance.
It is possible for you to track your students’ attendance by logging into the Parent Portal and click on MY STUDENTS. The next step is to click on ‘Attendance Reports’. You can see the percentage present/absent. It is expected that students attend 100%, however when attendance falls below 90% concerns are raised. Please investigate your student’s attendance rates and if you have concerns please feel free to contact you head of House or PC Teachers
On Wednesday evening at 6.30pm the Parents &Friends group will meet in the GOA boardrooms. Interested parents from across the College are welcome to attend. Apart from our regular agenda items, we share a light supper and have the opportunity to hear of events that occur across the College. Feel free to come along or contact a member as detailed below.
NAPLAN
It was a big week for our students in years 3, 5, 7, and 9 who completed their NAPLAN assessments and for those who were away we had a ‘catch up’ day on Friday. Many thanks to the staff who worked with students to complete these tests with a minimum of disruption and impact on our students.
Learning Lounge
Last week two staff – Ms. Jo Kliendiest and Ms. Tami Hammond presented a “Learning Lounge” to undergraduate students at University of the Sunshine Coast. They presented two workshops to Education students at the College. It was a great opportunity for the university students to come in to Xavier and see our facilities as well as learn from our ‘expert’ teachers in the areas of Literacy and Learning Intentions. Their success has meant that they have been asked to look at presenting another session later in the year.
Bell Shakespeare Theatre Presentation
Our Yr 9 and 10 students had the opportunity to hear a world class presentation from a Sydney based theatre troupe at the College. Mr. Colin Wright, Head of English, is to be congratulated in attracting this group to the College on behalf of our students.
FROM THE APRES
Mother’s Day Liturgy
Thank you to everyone who came along to celebrate Mother’s Day with the Junior school last Friday. It is a real joy to celebrate all that mothers have done and continue to do for each and every one of us throughout our lives. It is no coincidence that the Catholic Church devotes the month of May to the veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus and our Heavenly Mother. Mary’s faithful acceptance of God’s plan should be an example to all of us to always place our trust in God. Her response to the angel Gabriel can serve as a mantra for all of us: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” This month we may continue to ask God how we can do God’s will.
Jesuit Refugee ServiceNext week is Dirum Mission Week at Xavier. Throughout the week a variety of awareness and fundraising activities will be held to support a range of Jesuit charitable organisations including Jesuit Refugee Service, Jesuit Social Services and Jesuit Mission. All three organisations work to uphold the dignity of our brothers and sisters across Australia and around the world. Below is a link to Keyhan’s story, one of many people whom have been helped by Jesuit Refugee Service: http://www.jrs.org.au/a-journey-in-search-of-hope/
Parish Youth Ministry Team Meeting
21st May 6pm – 8pm
Pizzas will be provided for dinner, just bring yourself. We meet at the John Paul Centre, near the Church. It is for anyone in year 7 upwards. Love to see you. RSVP Carmel Donnelly 0448488442
UPCOMING EVENTS
22/05 Dirum Mission Week (Continues until 25/05)
26/05 Fraser Coast Show Holiday
07/06 Sacrament of Confirmation
09/06 Yr 7 Immunisations
BUTCHULLA TRADITIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Last Friday, Year Four students had the privilege to listen to Shania a descendant of the Butchulla people. She proudly spoke about her clan and the many ways that they care for and look after our local environment. Shania spoke about traditional Indigenous culture, land and water management and the sustainable practices that allowed Fraser Island (K’gari) to be inhabited and maintained for thousands of years.
The students showed their interest by asking a myriad of questions. They were very curious to learn how to find water on Fraser Island and which foods were traditionally eaten, especially when it came to fish. They learnt about finding ochre in the bottom of dams and gained a very clear understanding of the importance of Butchulla lores in maintaining their local area for thousands of years. Students also learnt how to distinguish between male and female pippies and mudcrabs and how the Butchulla people only ever took the males for sustainability. They learnt what a scarred tree was, why Hervey Bay’s fish are never the same, the importance and meaning of Country AND how to make clothes without a sewing machine!!!
The Year Four teachers would like to personally thank Shania for delivering such an insightful and interesting talk. The students were truly captivated. A special thank you to Kerry-Ann Bates who was instrumental in organising this event for our students. It was an amazing experience for all – so thank you!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO ASSIST WITH READING
Do you have a blue card?
If so, Year 3 needs YOU!!
Where: Year 2/3 shade sails
When: Tues, Wed, Thurs afternoon from 2:40pm-2:55pm
Who: Small groups of Year 3 children need your help
What: Listen to children read selected
books, assist with prompting to use reading strategies and discuss
books/words to assist with understanding
Why: To help support reading progress
If you can help on any or all days, please see our friendly Year 3 teachers in the building alongside GOA.
Mrs Wilson, Mrs Jensen & Mr deWaard
UNDER 8s DAY
Our Under 8s Day will be held next Thursday 25th May here at Xavier, with friends from Star of the Sea joining us from around 9.30am until just after 12 noon. The theme this year is “Children are playing Country to Coast – Inspiring learning in the Early Years Through Play”, and we’ll have a wide variety of craft, movement and sensory experiences for the children to explore!
CANTEEN MENUS
Our updated and accurate menu lists are no longer our website, but are now available on the parent portal. Prices and ordering is encouraged through the QKR! App, which makes lunch ordering fast and easy.
10 -12 YRS WIDE BAY NETBALL & BASKETBALL TRIALS
Megan Mulholland and Ellie Olsen recently earned selection to represented Hervey Bay School Sport, for Netball. The girls participated in several weeks of training, which culminated in the Wide Bay Regional Netball Trails Carnival, held on the 4th and 5th of May.
The girls showed true Xavier sportsmanship, and played extremely well against tough competition, contributing towards Hervey Bay earning Third place overall at the Carnival.
Megan and Ellie had an amazing time and are both grateful for the opportunity to represent their school at Regional level.
At the Wide Bay Basketball trials, Bailey Voigtlander, Billy Jordan, Larry Smith, Toby Railz, Mia Jordan, Caitlin Smith, Sarah O'Donohue represented the Hervey Bay district.
Bailey, Mia, Caitlin and Sarah all made the Possibles and Probables with Mia and Sarah being selected in the Wide Bay team to compete at State Champs in June at Boondall. Congratulations on your selection.
