From the Pen of the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

This Friday, 15th November, our Year 12's will finish their schooling days at Xavier Catholic College.  Graduation is a very special time and an important rite of passage for our graduating students.  Our Seniors have been fine leaders throughout 2019 and have been generous with their time, particularly with the younger students at the school.  I wish them well for the future and hope that they continue to represent the values of the College as they move into a new phase of their lives.

Over the past three years I have heard a great deal about Xavier Catholic College's traditions.  I want to share with you what I believe to be the only true traditions of this College, symbolized by the touchstones of Jesuit Education: Competence, Conscience, Compassion and Commitment with an attitude of excellence and service.

I asked our graduates to be proud of these traditions and be proud of their time at the College, for if they carry these virtues in their hearts, they will be truly blessed and make a mighty difference to our world.

I share my final thoughts with our Graduating Class in a prayer that has guided me through my life. It is one that I know well as it hung outside the Principal's office when I was a boy at school and we were made to write it out when we broke the rules. When I look back on my life and when I look forward to the future, I come back to these words for inspiration, wisdom and peace:

The Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly: and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons then yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.  But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.  Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars.  You have a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive God to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be careful.  Strive to be happy.

God bless

Simon Dash

Principal

Upcoming Calendar

School Fee Accounts Due to be Finalised by 30/11/2019

Just a reminder to parents that School Fee charges for 2019 need to be paid in full by 30.11.2019 unless you have a payment arrangement which will finalise the account by this date or an ongoing Direct Debit or Credit Card payment plan.

At the beginning of November we commenced following up on all School Fee Accounts that are in breach of our School Fee Collection Guidelines which are available on the Parent Portal.

If you feel you need assistance with school fees please download a 2019 Concession Application and submit to us complete with all the documents required.

Our friendly Finance Staff are available to assist on 4197 1261 or via xFees@bne.catholic.edu.au

Uniform Shop Opening Hours – Purchase for 2020

The College Uniform Shop will be open from 10am to 1pm on Friday 29 November for Year 6/7 Transition Morning and Prep Orientation Morning.

Opening hours in December will be as follows: -

Monday 2nd 8.00 – 10.30am

Tuesday 3rd 8.00 – 11.00am

Wednesday 4th 8.00 – 11.00am

We recommend where possible you utilise these opening hours to order your 2020 uniforms as the Uniform Shop is very busy in January with long waiting times and no appointment times offered.

Xavier Kindy

Key upcoming dates for Xavier Kindy 2020 cohort

• 2020 Group A play afternoon Tuesday 26th November 3pm to 4pm

• 2020 Group B play afternoon Wednesday 27th November 3pm to 4pm

• 2020 Parent enrolment meetings Monday 2nd December to Thursday 5th December from 3pm to 6pm (book time at the Kindergarten)

• 2020 Parent enrolment meetings Monday 9th December to Wednesday 11th December 9.00am to 12.00pm (book at the Kindergarten)

STEM and Chem News

The Questacon Invention Convention

During the last school holidays, Year 10 student Chloe Kingsman attended the Questacon Invention Convention in Gladstone. Registrations were open to young people aged 14 -18 keen to work on solving real-world challenges by building their own prototypes, getting hands on with new tech and meeting amazing community innovators. Information about this event was provided during STEM workshops earlier in the year. Chloe is to commended on her enthusiasm and commitment in making the most of opportunities such as this.

XCATS National Finals Results

In May this year, a team consisting of Amelia Frawley, Isabella McMahon and Phoebe Fraser were placed 4th  in the South East Queensland Regional competition. As a result of their performance, this team was one of only 171 teams, out of the 1700 teams from schools all across Australia invited to compete in the National Finals in October. The finals competition required the students to accurately analyse a chemical sample using specific techniques, calculations and equipment.

These skilful students rose to the occasion. Students were awarded badges to acknowledge the level of the accuracy of their analysis. The highest level being the Gold award.

Gold Award: Isabella McMahon

Gold Award: Phoebe Fraser

Silver Award: Amelia Frawley

This Xavier team also achieved the highest possible team award of “Excellent Team". Their outstanding efforts placed them 4th in Queensland and 19th in Australia.  As there were approximately 1700 teams competing in Australia this is a remarkable achievement.

STEM students are working on projects developed to answer questions of personal interest to them. Some of them involve; devising an electronic science quiz device, using the 3-D printer to test out bridge designs and an Archimedes screw, building an indoor vegetable growing centre, using Leslie Cubes to test the heat and light reflection of different surfaces, determining the accuracy and speed of different football passes and the effect on ball trajectory in netball, testing the effect of colour on taste, comparing different soft drinks on gas production, and evaluating various sustainable energy options. Students will be presenting their findings in a conference in Campion at the end of the term.

Congratulations Oztaggers!

Congratulations to our girls from the inaugural Xavier Oztag Team who will be officially recognised by QLD Oztag for their contribution to QLD Schools Oztag. These girls have been passionately playing Oztag for Xavier Catholic College for the last 4 years and through their determination, drive and enthusiastic love of the game of Oztag, that one team has grown to six!

The girls have been invited to attend QLD Oztag's Awards Evening at Caloundra in early December where they will be showcased on stage and congratulated for their contribution towards QLD School Oztag. Well done ladies!

Back: Teagan McCloskey, Kasey Gamble

Front: Madi Wakely, Emily Thompson, Taya Walters, Tahlia Torrisi, Danielle Sankey

Book Fair

With only 42 days till Christmas, Xavier's Book Fair has you covered. This week only in the library, pop in before or after school to buy a book as a gift. Whether it's a fictional adventure to imaginary lands, a biographical piece with lessons from history, or something entirely different, a book has the power to spark curiosity, introduce innovation, and open opportunity.

Buthu Primary Swimming House Champions for 2019

Perfect weather set the scene for a wonderful day at the pool for those who attended the Xavier Catholic College 9 to 12 years Primary Swimming Carnival held last Friday the 1st November at the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre. With a focus on participation, all year 4, 5 and 6 students who attended the carnival, as well as a handful of competitive year 3 and year 7 students, competed in 4 races while also having the opportunity to have some fun while participating in the novelty activities.

Congratulations to our 2019 Swimming Age Champions.

                              Age champions                                                 Runner Up

2010 Boy             Charlie Woolgar                                                Maximus Bowman

2010 Girl              Enya Brennan                                                   Ayla Moss and Sienna Collins

2009 Boy             Sesath Gunathilaka                                          Cooper Low

2009 Girl              Lucy Wright                                                       Ariana Rasmussen

2008 Boy             Jack Ryan                                                            Lincoln Hislop

2008 Girl              Lylyana Mckillop                                               Lily Barker, Ruby Fribrance

2007 Boy             Pierce Mailer                                                      Harry Davies

2007 Girl              Talayla Rasmussen                                           Hannah Bould

Buthu were convincing winners for 2019. Congratulations Buthu!

1^st           Buthu

2^nd          Kondari

3^rd           Narwari

4^th           Dirum

From the results at our carnival, a Xavier team will be selected to compete at the Hervey Bay District Swimming Carnival on Friday 29th November. This carnival will take place at the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre. Letters of invitation will be sent home with students who have earned a place on the Xavier team.

Junior Primary Swimming Carnival

The Prep, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 Carnival will be held on the 28^th November at Elders Swim Centre. Preps and Year Two will attend from 9.30 to 11.00am. Year One and Year Three will attend from 11.00 to 12.30pm. We invite parents and caregivers to come along and join in the fun.

Community Announcements