HEAD OF SCHOOL ADDRESS
REFLECTING ON OUR PRACTICE
As an Ignatian College we take on the practices of the founder of the Society of Jesus, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, who believed in reflecting on our actions and always searching for the Magis – the more, to be better. This is achieved by seeking feedback and using it to grow and develop. Therefore we write to inform you of actions we are currently taking to collect feedback from our stakeholders.

So far this year we have sought feedback from our community through the Community Satisfaction survey early this year and Simon Dash has now run two Parent Engagement meetings to inform parents as well as collect feedback on College initiatives. This has continued with us seeking feedback from staff and students on our school culture. This has been achieved through three surveys:

1. The School Organisation Climate Survey (SOCS) is completed by teachers to provide feedback to the College Leadership team on a variety of matters, such as participation in the decision-making process, an understanding of the school Mission and Vision and improving our practice.
2. The ‘What’s Happening In This School’ Survey (WHITS) is completed by all students across the College. Students are asked for feedback on areas such as: Peer Connectedness, Wellbeing, Teacher Support and Behaviours.
3. The third survey is the ‘Classroom Climate Questionnaire (CCQ) which is a classroom based survey. This means that individual teachers select a class and conduct a survey with that class to seek feedback on teacher performance, relationships and the classroom environment. The teacher will then review the data and select one aspect to address. The class will then be re-surveyed after 6 to 10 weeks to measure  improvement.
   

We look forward to sharing this data over the coming months.


CAREER PATHWAYS PLANNING
It was a ‘packed house’ at the Year 9 Information Evening last Tuesday as parents and students came along to hear about the introduction of the new Senior Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) in 2019. Mr Chris Relf took parents through the many changes and provided a lot of valuable information for parents. This presentation can be accessed through the ‘Parent Portal’ on the ‘Curriculum’ link or by using this link.
Year 9 Parent Information Presentation

The next step for our Year 9 students is a three day learning activity that will be facilitated by College staff, led by Mr John Donnelly. John and Mrs. Kim Heckles, Youth Support Worker, undertook the training for “Coaching Young People for Success” earlier this year and have now incorporated this program with the subject selection process. An email has been sent to parents and students with details of the course. It will be held at the College and there is no charge for the program. We encourage you to speak to your son/daughter about the process and how this should lead to a much clearer understanding of how planning for the future NOW, will pay off in the longer run.

By now all Year 10 students should have their Work Experience organised and be planning how they can get the most from their week at work in the last week of term. We look forward to hearing of their successes next term. It is always very rewarding to hear how well they went but also the number of students who gain either part time work, school-based traineeships and apprenticeships from this week.


YEAR 12 FORMAL EVENING
There is great excitement amongst our senior students as they complete their Exam Block and start to prepare for their Formal. This will be held on this Friday evening from 5.30pm. It is always a spectacular evening with an amazing array of vehicles that deposit students on the red carpet with the girls looking stunning in their beautiful gowns and the boys cutting dashing figures in their suits. All are welcome to come along to see the red carpat arrivals before the dinner that follows.


YEAR 4 UNDERWATER WORLD
Year 4 headed off to Underwater World this week for an overnight experience.  This is the first step in the camp program at Xavier and a wonderful opportunity for students to experience everything this wonderful facility has to offer. Not only do students have the chance to learn about the vast array of marine life at Underwater World, they also spend the night sleeping (or at least attempting to sleep) on site.  Our thanks to the Year 4 teachers and all staff who attended for giving the students the opportunity to experience this wonderful adventure.


READERS CUP
Good luck to our Readers Cup teams as they head off to the State finals at the Brisbane Writers Festival.  From all reports the students are very excited and we look forward to hearing about their experiences when they return.


UPCOMING EVENTS
September 6 – Year 4 Camp Underwater World Overnight
September 7 – Brisbane Writer’s Festival
September 8 – Year 12 Formal
September 11 – Year 10 Work Experience
September 15 – End Term 3
November 6 – Junior School Grandparents’ Day Liturgy

 

Dear Parents
Commencing in Term 4 the Absentee phone line will no longer be available.
To ensure the safety of students and to provide accurate records, from the start of Term 4, student absences and late arrivals should be lodged via the Parent Portal, BCE Connect or by email to xavierabsentees@bne.catholic.edu.au 
This can be made easier by ensuring you download the BCE Connect App which can be downloaded from the App Store for Apple devices or Google Play for Androids.
 
Alternatively, a written note is acceptable.


FROM THE APRES
YEAR 11 HOUSES OF WORSHIP EXCURSION
Last Wednesday, the Year 11 Study of Religion students went on an excursion to Brisbane to visit a variety of religious houses of worship. The excursion provided students with an opportunity to gain firsthand experience of four of the world’s major religions: Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Whilst in Brisbane we visited the Chung Tian Buddhist Temple in Priestdale; the Brisbane Synagogue on Margaret St; the Cathedral of St Stephen on Elizabeth St; and the mosque of the Islamic Society of Darra in Oxley. The students learned much about the intricacies of each religion as well as the common bonds shared by each. Their experiences from the day will surely enhance their understandings of world religions as they progress in their course of study.



SAVE THE DATE!
Next term, on Monday 6th November, the Junior School will hold its annual Grandparent’s Day Liturgy at 9:00am in Goa! All grandparents are welcome to join us for a liturgy and morning tea. Please pass this information to your children’s grandparents so that they can plan accordingly.


HEALING MASS
Monday morning three Year 11 students represented the College at the parish healing mass.  These masses are held monthly and we are invited to spend two per year with the members of the parish who attend.  What they lacked in numbers they certainly made up in kindness, compassion and enthusiasm.  The parishioners thoroughly enjoyed their company and several made a point to approach me and congratulate us as a school on their behaviour, as well as what great conversationalists they were. Thank you to Talia, Maddi and Zoe for your generous gift of time to our parish.



FOR SALE BY TENDER
The College vehicle is for sale by tender.  Please email psherveybay@bne.catholic.edu.au for tender documents containing full details relating to the vehicle and conditions of sale.
Tenders will close on Wednesday 20 September, 2017.


XAVIER PLAYGROUP
What:  Playgroup @ Xavier
When:  our first session will be on Friday 20th October
Time:  9 – 11am
Where:  In GOA in the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) room, just along the path from the main car park (follow the signs)
Why:  To have a play with your children in a happy setting, to come along to meet other mums and dads, to enjoy a story together……….
What to bring:  morning tea for your children, and a hat for outside play.  We will provide a cuppa and some morning tea!
 
 
OFFICE HOLIDAY CLOSURES
The College Office will be closed Monday 18 September until Wednesday 20 September and will reopen on Thursday 21 September and will be open for the remainder of the school holidays from 9am – 3pm.
 
P&F SECOND HAND UNIFORM DONATIONS
Xavier's P&F community is calling for second hand uniform donations, that can then be sold at discount prices to our families which also contributes towards fundraising that directly supports our College community. Donations can be handed into College Reception. We please ask that any donations are clean and in good order, suitable for re-sale.  

SVDP CLOTHES DRIVE
Bring in dresses, shirts, scarves, jumpers, shorts, jeans and clean clothes for the Magis Minis clothes drive.  Please no stains or holes because they need to be worn.  Bin locations for the clothes are GOA, Library, Language Centre and Student Reception from 30th August until the 13th September. 


YEAR 4 INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTS STUDY
Last week Year 4 had a visit from Shae and Shannon from the Department of Main Roads in Bundaberg. The purpose of their visit was to speak to students about the causes and effects of the road development at the front of the school. The students learnt about the many hours of environmental work that goes on before any tree clearing happens and how Main Roads makes sure the impacts to the environment are as minimal as possible. Students saw an aerial image of the school and its surroundings from 1958 and compared it to images from a drone sent up that morning. Students could connect their learning about the environmental impacts of deforestation to the clearing of trees at the front of the school. Year 4 would like to thank the Department of Main Roads for creating an interesting and engaging presentation and travelling all the way from Bundaberg to speak to us.





On Saturday 19th August Year 9 students, Larissa Wilson, Lachlan Relf, Taryn Lynch and Meg Mason, travelled to Gin Gin State High School, for the inaugural Year 9-10 Readers Cup Challenge. The team were outstanding representatives of the College, demonstrating a friendly team spirit and camaraderie with other teams throughout the day.  Schools from Gympie to Gladstone competed in the challenge and students thoroughly enjoyed the experience with positive feedback from all participants. Competitors received novels of their choice, courtesy of the sponsors of the event, The Children’s Book Council of Australia. A highlight of the day was quiz master and local author Kathryn Apel who did an amazing job entertaining us all. Kathryn also provided a Writer’s Workshop for all students which explored creative writing. Xavier placed a close third in the competition, behind Gladstone SHS and James Nash SHS. We look forward to the 2018 Readers Cup and the chance to compete again!


APEX INTERSCHOOL DEBATING COMPETIION – Final winners – 7/8 Xavier 1
On Tuesday, the 22nd August three eager debaters, Stella Ignatenko, Sarah Garty and Isabella Jensen, represented Xavier in the Finals of the Apex inter-school Debating Competition. Through careful preparation, commitment and enthusiasm these girls were able to defeat the Fraser Coast Anglican College team. This win meant that they were undefeated throughout the competition.

During their final debate, Sarah, Stella and Issy faced the daunting task of convincing the adjudicators and audience that “it is never justifiable to break the law for a cause”.  They explored the implications that allowing the law to be broken would have on individuals and wider society and presented a strong argument that breaking the law was seen as both morally and religiously wrong. Their opponents were also very strong debaters, which made for an entertaining debate!

Throughout the season this team was commended by adjudicators on their confident presentation and well-structured speeches and praised as very “mature debaters”. This was outstanding feedback as for two of these girls it was their first time debating in a formal competition and our third member was only entering her second year.  These girls are to be commended on their efforts and achievements in debating in 2017!




NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK



XAVIER KINDERGARTEN

 

WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN
The Woolworths Earn and Learn program is back for 2017 and once again Xavier College is participating.
The program works like this – if our community saves their stickers when they shop at Woolworths we can use these to ‘purchase’ educational resource items from Modern Teaching Aids at the end of the promotion.

The program runs from 26 July – 19 September.
Staff, grandparents, neighbours and friends can all support our school by collecting stickers and placing them on a sticker sheet and dropping them into the boxes marked ‘Xavier College” at each Woolworths store or in the box in the college foyer.
Last year we were able to supplement our PE equipment for junior school and this year we would love to be able to use the resources in other learning areas.