PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS

Dear Parents and Carers
This week I thought I would give you an update about some things we are doing at the College to prepare for 2018. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services to students in our ongoing efforts to continuously improve as the school of choice on the Fraser Coast.

Our new Responsible Behaviour Policy and Anti-Bullying Policy are ready for implementation, along with our revised College Leadership Team and Middle Leader structures. We are currently reviewing our Mobile Phone Policy and the Year 12 Formal in an effort to ensure that they reflect both our high standards as well as being responsive to the needs of our students.  

Bus and Car Procurement
The College has taken possession a 2014 minibus with a 28-seat capacity. The bus is in excellent working order and signage is being organised so it will advertise the College while it is out and about. Some of the additional features that we were unaware of include a reversing camera, an on-board surveillance camera, a microphone and P.A. system and a scrolling front digital sign.

The College has disposed of the KIA Carnival and purchased a Toyota Dual Cab Utility vehicle with tow bar. This increases the versatility of the use of this vehicle as it will still be able to be used for staff travel to Professional Development, but also be used by the Grounds and Maintenance staff and can tow the College boats for marine activities.

Diaries 2018
After seeking feedback from staff and students, we have made the decision to return to paper diaries in 2018. We are seeking to work with the Learning Curve whose diaries provide information and activities on Positive Education and Wellbeing. Additionally, diaries from the Learning Curve provide free access to the Learning Curve’s online Positive Education and Wellbeing program which contains activities from Prep to Year 12.

Online Tutoring Service
As a way of supporting our efforts to improve academic outcomes, in 2018 the College will enter an agreement with Studiosity who provide an online tutoring service. Initially we will purchase 10,000 minutes for our Year 10, 11 and 12 students for $12,500.

About Studiosity:
There are over 150 secondary schools where students have access to Studiosity. Schools include Independent, Catholic and Department schools, in all states and territories. Within schools, there is a diverse leadership approach to how Studiosity is implemented. Depending on a school’s five-year plan, learning culture, and staff engagement, programs range from general access for all students, through to programs targeting specific students. The nature of our services allows schools to tailor usage to support and complement existing educational programs.

Connect Live
Connect Live provides students with the ability to connect to a live subject specialist between the hours of 3pm to 10pm each day (except Saturday). The service has a number of subjects where specific content can be addressed, as well as more general academic skill development.

Subjects where specific content can be covered are:

• Maths
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• Economics
• Accounting
• Business Studies
  

Areas of academic skill development include:

• Essay Writing
• Report Writing
• English skills and concepts
• Creative writing
• Speeches
• Assignment research
• Referencing
• Study skills
  

The Connect Live service focuses on helping a student solve his or her own immediate problem, rather than providing course specific guidance.

Studiosity provides complete transparency. Schools receive reports at their desired frequency (which can be daily). There are a number of ways in which schools and students can use the information create by the system and supplied to schools.

Schools which opt for daily reports will be given information about their students that can provide information at the class level or at a personal level. With the use of Connect Live all students should be able to complete their homework when it is due. The reports provided to the school would enable a teacher to know which students in their class needed additional assistance to complete their work. As the teacher moves onto the next section of the curriculum, which builds upon the previous work, the teacher will have knowledge of which student(s) struggled and can ensure that the next concepts are fully embedded with the student.

Connect Live Transcripts
Students have access to their past transcripts, as an ongoing study resource, and to avoid double-up of an additional session if they require the same help with a different question later. Some teachers also ask students to include transcripts with any work handed in, as additional transparency and evidence of working and thoughtful reflection.

Writing Feedback Submissions
Where a student has made a writing feedback submission, the feedback provided by Studiosity can be incorporated into the final submission to the teacher. Teachers can request the Studiosity feedback to be submitted as well, providing the teacher with a greater insight to the performance and learning progression of the student.

God bless
Simon Dash
Principal

HEADS OF SCHOOL ADDRESS
SENIOR CELEBRATION EVENING
Next Wednesday 25th October we will be holding one of our major College events for the year, the Senior Celebration Evening. On this evening, we will recognise the many achievements of our students across years 10 to 12 in a variety of endeavours: academic, spiritual, cultural and sport. We will also enjoy performances from our Senior Choir, the Strings Ensemble as well as a band throughout the evening.

All students in years 10-12 are expected to attend this event, in their formal uniform.  We ask that they are seated by 6.45pm in time for a 7pm start.

CONSISTENCY OF TEACHER JUDGEMENTS
Last Monday 16th October teachers spent their time working together and sharing their decisions about assessment. Staff focused on the marking and assessment of writing with a view to ensuring accountability for all teachers within both the College and Brisbane Catholic Education. 

BUTHU MISSION WEEK
Last week we celebrated a very successful Mission week with funds being raised for the Catholic mission and the Jesuit mission. Our Junior Choir performed at the Assembly and ‘brought the House down’. They performed two numbers under the leadership of Mrs Shannon May. We encourage you to click onto the Xavier Catholic College website to see a video of their performance, as well as the many positive comments that were made.

SENIOR SCHOOL SUBJECT SELECTION FOR 2018
We thank the work Mr. Chris Relf has put into supporting students across the Senior School in the selection of their subjects for next year. Over the course of Term 3 and into this term, he has organised Parent Information Evenings for various cohorts students and parents, to ensure they have the latest information on Senior School, Assessment and Curricullum. Year 8 will make their selections later this week.

XAVIER PLAYGROUP

PREP COME AND TRY DAY
On Monday 16th October, we held our 2nd come and Try Day for Prep 2018.  Despite the wild and wet weather, a number of students and their parents attended and enjoyed experiencing what a Prep classroom is all about.  Thank you to the staff who facilitated the day and the parents who braved the weather to attend.

KEY EVENTS
Term 4 is a very busy term.  Please see some of the key dates below for the coming weeks:

•    Wed 25/10/17 – Senior Celebration Evening 7.00 pm
•    Fri 27/10/17 – Xavier Playgroup 9.00am
•    Fri 3/11/17 – 8-12yrs XCC Swimming Carnival
•    Mon 6/11/17 – Grandparents Liturgy
•    Wed 8/11/17 – Prep Parent Information Evening 7.00 pm
•    Thurs 9/11/17 – P-2 XCC Swimming Carnival


CARE & CONCERN COMMITTEE --- WHAT THEY DO… We need volunteers

Xavier Catholic College has a group of parents who volunteer their time to welcome and help other members of the school community. They do this by :

• Holding first day morning tea (Meet and Greet opportunity)
• Providing meals for school families experiencing a crisis
• Providing information about the school to families
• Assisting the College Board in planning and reviewing the Pastoral Care Policy of the College
• Working closely with the Campus Minister
  

At all times we encourage you to explore the parent portal or to talk to your child’s classroom teacher or Pastoral Care teacher about any questions that you may have as your first point of contact. Each House has parent contacts and they range from P-12.  If you wish to contact any one of our parent contacts their details will be published each term in the College Newsletter.  We are in need of parent contacts in our P-6 area so if you would like to nominate yourself or to ask further information of what is involved please do not hesitate to contact Carmel Donnelly (Campus Minister).  Confidentiality is utmost for our committee and any information shared with our parent contacts will not be passed on unless you so desire it. 


House Parent Contacts
Narwari House Parents

Claire Sinclair​	​Cassandra	​4129 5730
Rachel Neck​	​Chelsea	4128 7859  /  0417 768 798​
​Jo O'Neill	​Will, Lucy & Kate	​0422 942 289
​Ellen Geldard	​Connor, Lachlan & Matthew	​4128 6910  /  0400 499 508
​Mary Arnold	​Riley, Corey & Joey	​0418 729 967
​Karen Grumley	​Lachlan & Stewart	​4124 3034  /  0413 306 540
​Cassie Wilson	​Max, Anabele & Imogen	​0409 761 207
Kerrie Payne	​Cameron	​4128 0554  / 0407 581 389

Buthu House Parents

​Michelle Wiegmink	​Connor, Jenna & Reece	​4128 7941  /  0409 890 188
Deanna Wyvill​	​Amy	​4128 2176
​Karen Goffinett	​Alex & Patrick	​4128 7375  /  0421 322 121
​Allison McGovern	​Madison & Georgia	​0411 416 943

 
Dirum House Parents

​Rachel Loague	Oscar​	​0417 792 179
​Melissa Lynch	​Mya & Noah	​missyjane300@gmail.com
​Helen Hatchett	​Bryce, Charli, Summer & Sam	​0438 347 153
​Kellie Robinson	​Nathan & Alysha	​0448 623 963

 
Kondari House Parents

​Michelle Begaud	​Blake & Kyle	​0438 242 252
​Carole Dewhurst	​Patrick, Rory & Freya	​4120 6240  / 0400 793 188

 

COLLEGE OFFICE HOURS
College Office have recently extended in the mornings and will now be open form 7.45am to 4.00pm daily.


BUTHU MISSION WEEK

Thanks to everyone for the support of Buthu's Mission Week. The enthusiasm and involvement was amazing, best exemplified by the Buthu Coin Challenge on Friday which raised a total of $1967. This is nothing short of phenomenal, with the funds raised to be donated to Jesuit Mission and Catholic Mission Charities.

Special acknowledgement must go to the first, second and third placed classes in the Coin Challenge fundraiser, which was measured by weight, of the money donated.

JUNIOR SCHOOL
4.2 (5.6kg)
2.1 (4kg)
1.3 (2.8kg)

LIBRARY NEWS … Junior School Book Club … Orders due Friday 20th October!
We are excited to have distributed our last Scholastic Book Club for the year.  If you have not had a chance to view it, it is available online at http://www.scholastic.com.au/schools/bookclub/.  We hope our students enjoy browsing through the jam-packed Issue 7 catalogue, and find lots of fantastic titles to read!  Please remember to place all orders through LOOP, the Scholastic Book Clubs Linked Online Ordering & Payment platform for Parents.  This is a safe and easy method which eliminates the need for paper order forms and cash payments.  A huge thank you to all parents and students who have supported our Book Club this year.  Your generous support has supplied our school library with lots of new books and teaching materials.
Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming Christmas Book Fair!
If you have any questions, please contact us:

Graham Bebington (Teacher Librarian)
Email: Graham.Bebington@bne.catholic.edu.au

Malina Blackley (Library Aide)
Email: mblackley@bne.catholic.edu.au



QLD ALL SCHOOLS TOUCH
From Thursday 5th October to Sunday 8th October, 58 students represented Xavier at the biggest schools touch tournament in the world held at Whites Hill, Brisbane. The tournament hosts over 500 schools and over 5000 students across the 5 days of competition. Xavier entered 5 teams this year: 13 Girls, 13 Boys, 15 Girls, 15 Boys and Open Mixed. Teams had been training since mid-Term 1, often with 2 sessions a week. Xavier teams performed strongly throughout the competition with all teams registering wins, finishing either in the middle or top half of their pool. The Open Mixed team finished 2nd in their pool and qualified for the final series held on the Sunday. Their Round of 16 match saw them play against an undefeated St Columbans team which proved too strong for the Open Mixed. All Xavier students represented the College with great distinction and are to be congratulated on their excellent level of commitment and energy throughout the tournament. Xavier consistently punches well above its weight at this high-level competition, often taking wins from schools that are much bigger. A Players’ Player award for this tournament has been decided for each team and will be presented at a small presentation held during 1st break next Tuesday. Please keep an eye out for the Touch Highlights Video to be posted on our College Facebook page soon.

As the 2017 School Touch season has now come to an end, I would like to thank and congratulate the following people:

• Xavier Touch students: Congratulations on another wonderful season of touch football. Your commitment to training sessions, team meetings and the competitions we play is the reason that touch at Xavier continues to remain such a highlight on the Xavier sporting calendar.
• Xavier Touch Parents & Families: Thank you for the amazing support you provide to the Xavier Touch program. From the early morning drop-offs and the purchasing of uniforms and associated costs, to the enthusiastic sideline support and first aid response to cuts, bruises and strains, your contribution is an integral part of the success of Xavier touch. We appreciate how dedicated you are and thank you once again for the support you provide.
• Mr Jonathon Wedemeyer: Our hard-working and dedicated Grounds Support officer marks the lines and keeps our training oval in the best possible shape throughout the year.
  
• Uniform Suppliers: thank you to Mandy Govers from the Uniform Shop at Xavier and other suppliers, in particular Phill and Aimee Munson from Morgan Sewing - we thank you for the prompt filling of orders throughout the year.
  
• Xavier Touch Coaches: Thank you to our highly energetic coaches for 2017: Ms Blaire Roffey (13 Girls), Mr Michael Tyrrell (13 Boys), Mrs Tracey Moore (15 Girls) and Mr Brad Mitchell (Open Mixed). The energy you bring to the Xavier Touch program is the cornerstone of its success. Thank you for giving up your time throughout the year to coach these teams. A special mention to both Mrs Tracey Moore and Mr Brad Mitchell who have coached Xavier touch teams for many years. You have provided so many students with these wonderful opportunities in touch football and your expertise in coaching and ability to bring out the best in each of the students you have coached is an infectious energy that will continue at Xavier Touch in the future. Thank you for all your work.
  

I look forward to the 2018 Touch Season, where we can do it all again!

Nathan Milne
(Director of Sport & 15 Boys Coach)

BUS FARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM


SUMMERCAMP