Postal Address: PO Box 98 Cranebrook NSW 2749 Address: Ninth Avenue, Llandilo 2747 Phone: 4777 0900 Email: xavier@parra.catholic.edu.au Fax: 4777 0930 Website: www.xavierllandilo.catholic.edu.au

Volume 16 Issue 19 11th December 2014

From the Prin

cipal

It is difficult to find the words to thank the Xavier community for the wonderful

way in which I have been farewelled. It has been both memorable and humbling.

On Friday Fr George and Fr Paul con-celebrated a wonderful Farewell/Xavier

Day Mass. I was very humbled by both Fr George’s and Fr Pauls’ words. Our

amazing choir was spectacular and I will always remember the experience.

At the conclusion of the Mass a brief ceremony was held and I am indebted to

Edward Brincat, a former student, who gave the Acknowledgement to Country as

well as his affirmation. It was wonderful to have my professional colleagues

present as well former colleagues, Dr Anne Benjamin and Dr Michael Bezzina. I

was especially blessed by the presence of Brother Aengus Kavenagh, who for me

as a leader, has always been a steadfast witness to the values of Catholic

education in Western Sydney

For my final Companion edition I thought it would be appropriate to publish my

final Principal’s address delivered at such a special and memorable occasion.

“When I dream alone, that remains a dream.

When we dream together that is the beginning of reality.”

Such were the opening words of a reflection shared by members of the

inaugural enabling committee as they sat around the dining room table

in Fr Paul’s Parish House on 12th November 1997.

That same week I gave a speech at Corpus Christi, my first as an

aspiring Principal. I was nervous beyond belief as our prospects weren’t

looking particularly bright having just been told we didn’t have a school

site, our development application had been denied and the Penrith Press

had just accused us of being solely responsible for the mass culling of at

least 100 kangaroos on the ADI site and the impending demise of the

large land snail. Not to put too fine a point on it; we weren’t the most

popular school on the block, irrespective of the fact that we didn’t

actually have one.

The next day a brief handwritten note arrived from a prospective parent

telling me that yes, despite all the obstacles, she was prepared to take the

risk, she liked and believed in the vision that she had heard expressed

that night and was prepared to do the hard yards that come with a

beginning school. I have kept that note to this day and all three of her

wonderful children have graduated from Xavier College Llandilo.

In our early days I often said to our community that schools were about

people, not buildings (mainly because we didn’t have any). The success

of a school is about the relationships that are forged within it;

relationships that are Christ centred, life giving and empowering. Yes,

Christ was and is the reason for this school. One expression that we often

hear when we talk of achievements or progress of any kind is that of

‘standing on the shoulders of giants.’

It is a metaphor and expresses the meaning of " disovering truth by building on previous

discoveries". While it can be traced to at least the 12th century, its most familiar expression is

expressed in a letter of Isaac Newton: ‘If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of

giants.’

Today I would like respectfully to suggest that this metaphor needs to be if not rethought, then

definitely added to. Perhaps great discoveries and indeed great achievements are not simply

achieved by standing on the shoulders of giants but rather on the shoulders of passionate,

committed and yes, at times, “ungiant-like”, even diminutive women.

As we planned the creation of North Penrith Catholic High School, Dr Anne Benjamin was at the

forefront of planning the vision and the creation of this special place despite every obstacle

placed in our way. As time went on my leadership has always been supported by determined

women who were there along the way from Sue Walsh in the early times to Christine Howe

today. The vision for learning in this school was born out of the belief that every child is a

successful learner firstly embedded by Zeffie Nicholas and carried on by the late inspirational

Deb Hartfield.

The college has been ably supported by our parent body led by our three P and F presidents here

today: Noelene Alchin, Mandy Marshall and Karen McGann. If I have had a small part in all of

this I am both privileged and humbled. In hard hat, colour coordinated safety vest and yes,

stilettos, we were able to build a special place.

I shared with our students on assembly a few weeks ago the words of Malala Yousafzai ‘one

child, one teacher, one pen, one book, can change the world.’ These words were spoken by a 16

year old girl who believed that education would free her and her world and this year was the co-

recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. We should never underestimate the power of one, particularly

a determined and passionate female one! I have been thinking for quite a while what I would

share with you today. Let’s face it the students have had their fill of Mrs Maidens’ stories. But

there was one story that I felt I had to repeat for one last time and no, probably to the surprise

and delight of my staff, it is not the starfish story.

It is a copy of a letter that a principal wrote to her new teachers every year. It began,

“I am the victim of a concentration camp.

My eyes saw what no one should witness:

Gas chambers built by learned engineers,

Children poisoned by educated physicians,

Infants killed by trained nurses.

I am suspicious of education.

My request is: help your students become human.

Your efforts must never produce learned monsters,

Skilled psychopaths, educated concentration camp commanders.

Reading, writing, and arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children

more human”, she concluded.

I have often wished I had written those words but when I say to you at the heart of education is

the education of the heart, the message is the same.

I remember Dr Michael Bezzina in the augural ADC lecture spoke of the common good, the need

for authentic leadership and ethical sensitivity. Education does not make us necessarily wise.

Intelligence is not wisdom. Education must make us more reflective, more compassionate and

more just.

I see it every day. I see it here today surrounded by over a 100 hampers brimming with gifts to

the local parish, I saw it on Wednesday at the Joan Sutherland Centre as Penrith Councillors

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stood and applauded our Kirinari students as they performed as the signing choir to open

International Disability Expo. I feel it strongly as I read our Year 12 exit surveys where, to a

student, they vote their most memorable experience as the Year 12 retreat and the most important

aspect of school as the relationship they have with their wonderful and inspirational Xavier

teachers.

In September 1999, the year our school began, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires asked a simple

question of his congregation in his homily one Sunday. “What world are we leaving our children?

Maybe it would be better to ask, What children are we giving to this world?” You may know him

as our Pope Francis.

We can ponder on performance and disaggregate the data.

We can agonise over averages and soul search over surveys,

but at the end of the school day these things are at the heart of education:

Conscience, compassion and a moral compass.

That is real education and that is the importance of it.

True education must be value-laden if our students, your children, are to reach their full human

potential and education is to be real and relevant for this generation of learners. Education is

only important if it does this and provides for all students the capacity to adapt to whatever the

future has in store. Because despite the futurists, we simply do not know.

Many thanks today for the wonderful way in which I have been farewelled from this community. I

have enjoyed farewell dinners, P and F soirées, primary school farewells, amazing student

assemblies, memorable staff morning teas and now today a beautiful mass celebrated by two dear

friends, Fr Paul and Fr George.

Thank you Sue (Walsh) for those affirming words; I will value them. Thank you to our student

leaders past and present, to our parent body who has always showed such trust and confidence

and to the teaching body for their support and belief in me.

I especially would like to thank to Mr Finnerty. A more loyal, steadfast and committed right hand

man, anyone would be privileged to have. I have been blessed by his presence and support as I

was in the early days with Mr Trefoni.

Finally, my family. They have always shared me with my other family, Xavier College and they

have always loved me unconditionally knowing this. Life will now be a little bit different and yes I

am so looking forward to being able to be a volunteer at my grandson’s primary school, as long

as I pass the Working with Children check!

Since 1999 I have written a letter to my staff each Sunday. Last week (November 30th) I wrote my

final letter and shared with them a reflection I read once on a diary note that, in the end, these

things matter most:

How well did you love?

How fully did you live?

How deeply did you learn to let go?

I would hope that my legacy at Xavier is one that testifies that I have loved well, that I have lived

fully and now dear friends, it is time to let go.”

Yours in Xavier,

Tricia Maidens

Principal

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and

Farewell Mass, 5th December 2014

Farewell Mrs Maidens

Assembly

4th December 2014

An unforgettable serenade by the SMB Choir

From the Assistant Principal

Last Friday the Xavier College community farewelled Mrs Tricia Maidens, our inaugural Principal. What a

wonderful celebration it was.

I would like to pass on my congratulations to all the students for their exemplary behaviour, their enthusiasm

in participating in the farewell activities and the warmth and generosity of their words and actions; the stories

they told, their thoughtful gifts, and the many smiles and waves which they shared with their Principal.

Sincere thanks are also extended to the many parents who also took the time to generously thank Mrs Maidens.

For those who could not attend the farewell Mass, the following is a copy of the speech that I gave in

introducing Mrs Maidens’ final address:

“Fr George, Fr Paul;

Distinguished guests from the Catholic Education Office of Parramatta: Mrs Sue Walsh (Director System Learning

Services), Mrs Christine Howe (Director System Performances), and Br Aengus Kavanagh;

Dr Anne Benjamin, Honorary Professor from the Australian Catholic University;

Dr Michael Bezzina, Director of Teaching and Learning from the Catholic Education Office of Sydney;

Our collegial Principals: Mr Richard Blissenden, Mr Paul Ryan, Mrs Robyn Meddows and Mrs Cathy Anderson;

Mrs Marie Cottee, representing Corpus Christi Parish;

Current President of our Parents and Friends Association, Mrs Karen McGann, and past Presidents,

Mrs Mandy Marshall and Mrs Noelene Alchin;

Foundation Assistant Principal of Xavier College Mr Glen Trefoni;

Edward Brincat, ex student and representative of the Aboriginal people;

Members of Mrs Maidens’ family: her husband Ian, daughter Lisa, and son-in-law Jamie;

And, of course, our Xavier family, past and present, parents, family, staff and students.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Xavier College this morning. Our community comes together annually to celebrate Xavier Day where we take the opportunity to honour our Patron, Saint Francis Xavier. This year, as a part of our celebration, we take this opportunity to recognise the contributions of an exceptional leader, teacher, and friend.

Mrs Tricia Maidens, the Foundation Principal of Xavier College Llandilo which was established in 1999, comes to

her final day at Xavier College.

With our College now having a population of over 1050 students and holding an excellent reputation in the wider

community, Mrs Maidens believed it is the right time to say goodbye.

We have been blessed to have such an experienced and caring educator guiding our community. With over

40 years in both the Catholic and Government sector, holding positions of leadership from Subject Coordinator

through to Pastoral Care and Curriculum Coordinator, and Foundation Assistant Principal at Loyola College,

Mrs Maidens now leaves us, to pursue other avenues.

Mrs Maidens has always demonstrated a passion for life long learning.

In 2006 she travelled to Boston to present on school development at the National Conference of Educational

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Leaders and in 2010 attended Harvard to participate in a number of seminars focusing on school improvement.

Over her career she has enjoyed the opportunity to work with both Independent and Government Secondary

Principals to press for action on a number of national and state educational agendas. She has represented

Catholic education in meetings with both Federal and State Ministers of Education, as well as the Premier.

As a result of her outstanding contribution to education Mrs Maidens has been the recipient of numerous

awards.

In 2009 she was awarded the Brother John Taylor Award for Excellence in Catholic Education. The award recognised Mrs Maidens for being ‘an inspirational builder of pastoral learning communities and for fostering

positive change among her peers. “

In 2014 she received, The New South Wales Leadership Excellence Award, and the John Laing Professional Development award in recognition of her work in professional learning. To us though, at Xavier College, after all of the awards and well deserved accolades, we will miss the humble, giving teacher, who has time for everyone, who cares for everyone. Mrs Maidens has demonstrated time and time again a genuine concern for each and every individual in the Xavier Community. Last night, at our annual presentation evening Mrs Maidens was presented with the Jack Alchin Award for teaching excellence, by Noelene and Ian Alchin. Noelene said in her speech… Leaders can clearly be identified by the way they inspire others. This person not only has vision but has shared their vision with all those they come in contact with. This person demonstrates leadership in all that they do and in who they are, as a human being. I will say it again, we have been truly blessed to have Tricia Maidens lead our community. I will now say to you what countless students and staff have said to me…We will miss Mrs Maidens so much. I will now ask Mrs Sue Walsh, Director of Learning Services, to speak on behalf of the Parramatta Catholic Education Office. I will now ask Alana Angeli and Jayden Shepherd, the Captains of 2014, to address our guests and community. Our Captains for 2015, Chanelle Chahoud and Bailey Macklinshaw, would now like an opportunity to speak on behalf of the current school community. Mrs Maidens will now deliver the Principal’s address. Thank you Mrs Maidens. We have been privileged to have you lead our community. That concludes our Ceremony this morning. Thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of our Mass and Farewell Celebration this morning.

Thank you to all of our special guests, parents and friends for celebrating this important event with our community.”

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Final Assembly for 2014

At today’s final assembly for 2014, a number of staff members who will not be returning in 2015 were farewelled from Xavier College:

Mrs Alissa Robson, HSIE, has been promoted to the position of Assistant to the Director of Studies at Patrician Brothers, Fairfield. In her time at Xavier College, Alissa has contributed to College life as a General Coordinator, a SRC Convener, a Coordinator of the Companion Model and Assistant HSIE Coordinator; Mr Craig King, School Counsellor, will be transferring to St Columba’s Catholic College at Springwood as the Student Counsellor where he will continue his dedication to students’ health and wellbeing; Mrs Michelle Baxter, TAS and House Leader (Campion) will be commencing at MacKillop Catholic College at Warnervale; Mr Joel Budd, TAS and House Leader (Cumberland) has accepted a teaching position at St Mark’s at Stanhope Gardens; Mr Terry Guilfoyle, College Site Manager and WHS representative, will be moving out of the area; Mrs Morag Ellis, Maths, will be taking leave to pursue overseas aid work.

We wish each of them every success in their new endeavours and give our heartfelt thanks for their commitment and dedication to our Xavier Community during their years of service.

Our sincere thanks are also extended to departing relief teachers: Mr Mark Tynan, English and RE; Mrs Maria Mazzochi, HSIE; and Ms Amie Connor. Their contributions and commitment to the students’ learning at Xavier College has been gratefully appreciated. Important Reminders…

If your child does not feel well at school please encourage them to go to the front office and speak to the office

staff. The office staff will make contact with you if required.

Please be aware that if you come to the front office to pick up your child without prior notice there will be a delay.

This practice should only occur in an emergency.

There are numerous lost house keys being held at the College office. If your child has lost their house key, please

ask them to come to the Office to check the lost property.

If you have a question or a concern regarding the education of your child please make an appointment with the appropriate teacher at our Parent Teacher Interview Day on 17

th December.

This week I have been reminded a number of times of how much we take our health for granted. There are families in our community for whom chronic illness is an ever present part of their lives. As I share this brief reflection, I ask you to keep in your prayers those who live with ill health and those who support family members and friends through ill health.

The poor and the sick are those who demonstrate the secret sickness in us all.

In helping them, we merit help for ourselves when we are finally ready to admit our deep needs,

our great gaping wound of soul, our desire to be fed,

to be loved, to be helped,

to be made whole.

We are all in this together, simply waiting for the other

to carry us along.

(J. Chittister, God Speaks in Many Tongues, p35)

In closing, I would like to wish all our Xavier families the blessings of this Holy Season. May you all have a very Merry Christmas, a truly Happy New Year and a safe and refreshing holiday.

Thank you for your continued support,

Patrick Finnerty

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From the Religious Education Coordinator

Advent

Sunday November 30th marked the beginning of the Advent Season. I will share with you a reflection that

was sent to me by the CEO.

This Advent, see everything in your life as precious and important. Get stabbed by things, by flowers and by

babies and by beautiful things - just the very act of living, of walking and breathing and eating and having

friends and chatting. Look for more beauty rather than less, look for miracles.

The secret to prayer is not to try to make God present, but to make ourselves present to God. The secret to

finding beauty and love in life is basically the same. Like God, they are already present. Karl Rahner was

once asked whether he believed in miracles. His answer: “I don’t believe in them, I rely on them to get

through each day!”

In Advent, we stop just a bit. We stop being so busy, we become more attentive about why Jesus ever

existed, and why we are here now. We listen for Jesus. We listen for God. We listen to Jesus. We listen

to God.

Advent Reflection

Advent is a time we watch, wait and wonder in hope for the coming of Christ.

What do you understand as hope?

What hope have you set on God?

Where are the genuine voices of hope and encouragement?

Hope has nothing to do with logic or doing things well,

it’s about participation in the very life of God.

Hope is not so much about finding balance in life,

but allowing God to HOLD the dilemmas of life, the contradictions, and the opposites of life.

Hope is about falling into great mercy, falling into great love.

Hope is a series of small actions that transform darkness into light.

It is putting one foot in front of the other when we can find no reason to do so at all.

Hope for us is Jesus Christ in his historical humanity and risen humanity!

A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. When no one listens to me anymore, God still listens to

me. When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God. When there is no

longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope,

God can help me. When I have plunged into complete solitude…; if I pray I am never totally alone.

(On Christian Hope – Spe Salvi” Pope Benedict XVI)

The Advent Wreath and Candles

‘Advent wreathes are a tradition used to mark the four weeks of Advent. Its

usual form of a horizontal evergreen wreath holding four candles. Each

week a candle is lit. The underlying symbolism is that the accumulation of

light is an expression of the growing anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ

who is the light of the world. Three of the candles are violet, coloured to

symbolise faithful expectation, and the one rose candle symbolises joy and

hope. Finally, the circular wreath represents God’s eternal love which has

no beginning or end.’ For more info, go to http://www.catholicenquiry.com

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From the Leader of Learning

Parent/Teacher/Student interviews have been organised for Wednesday 17th December for Years 7 to

12. This is a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and areas in need of improvement. Your

child/children will receive their Semester Two reports in Week 10. Please take the time to look at your

child’s report and identify areas of concern or issues you may wish to discuss with his/her teacher. This is

an ideal time to examine your child’s progress and look at strategies they could employ to effect

improvement throughout 2015.

Interview times will be available between 8.30am and 4:00pm. It is recommended that 5-minute breaks

are scheduled between each interview.

We use an on-line booking system (instructions follow) for scheduling all interviews. This allows parents/

guardians to work with their child in arranging the interviews on any personal computer with Internet

access.

Please Note: If you experience any difficulties, or require some assistance in

making an interview, please contact Mrs Krohn on 4777 0900.

Alyssa Roach

Leader of Learning

Warning: Advent Virus

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE. The hearts of a great many have

already been exposed to this virus and it is possible people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic

proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict

in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of the Advent Virus:

A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.

An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment

A loss of interest in judging other people

A loss of interest in conflict

A loss of interest in interpreting the action of others.

A loss of the ability to worry (this is a very serious symptom)

Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation

Frequent attacks of smiling

Contented feeling of connectedness with others and nature

An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen

An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it

Please alert all your friends to this highly contagious virus. Reports are saying it has the ability to completely

transform those affected.

Kellie Robinson

Religious Education Coordinator

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The Premier's Reading Challenge is a literacy initiative developed by Australian state governments. It

is set not as a competitive event, but rather as an individual challenge to each student, as well as to

promote a love of reading books. The challenge is run in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia,

and Victoria.

This year, six students from Years 7 and 8 completed the Challenge. They read twenty books over a seven

month period (from March to September 2014).

The successful students were:

Lauren Debono

Ethan Du Ross Smith

Ali Hillany

Alexander Smith

Emily Vlores

Brennan Zuniga Terrey

Congratulations to these students who were acknowledged at the School Assembly on Tuesday.

Mrs Sandy Hazell

Teacher Librarian

Parent/Teacher/Student interviews will be held between 8.30am and 4.00pm on

Wednesday 17th

December. You can now book interviews at times that suit YOUR FAMILY BEST. Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and follow these simple instructions. BOOKINGS CLOSE ON TUESDAY 16

th DECEMBER AT 5PM.

NO BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME.

Enter THIS school event code. Then follow the 3 simple steps:

When you click finish, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically - check your junk mail folder if you do not receive your email immediately.

You can return to www.schoolinterviews.com.au at any time, and change your interviews - until bookings close.

4MEL4

Ten Top Tips to Make the Most of the End of Year School Report

Before your child’s report arrives home, a useful exercise would be to ask your child to write their own school

report. Make up a grid similar to this (below) for all subjects, and ask your child to pretend to be the teacher and

write about themselves. You could also create a grid that simulates your child’s previous school report.

This gives your child the opportunity to reflect on his/her own performance at school. It can provide parents with a

useful insight and can be a reference to compare the teachers’ perspectives with your child’s viewpoint. It is also a

good discussion point when the school report arrives home. And a discussion should take place to help your child

reflect and evaluate the report with you.

Read your child’s report with your child. This immediately indicates openness, and provides direct

encouragement and support to your child. Wherever there are positives, in either comments, grades, effort and so

on, point them out to your child first. Most students will have areas to commend and should be acknowledged by

the parent.

The report should be viewed as a vehicle to move forward, and not be perceived as a final judgment of a child’s

ability - because it is not. It’s a “screenshot” and not the whole story. It is important students know they have the

ability to modify and change their work ethic or study strategies, and they can improve. Reinforcing that the report

is an opportunity to highlight strengths and weaknesses, which will happen throughout their working life through

appraisal or performance reviews, can help the student develop goals for next year.

Compare the yearly report to the Semester 1 report and last year’s report. This can be useful to identify

specific subject areas where there has been an improvement or a decline. If grades improved, celebrate this

achievement. If the grades declined, ask your child why this may be the case. For example, Semester 1 report

grades may have been based on assignments and not exams. This could flag that exams were either not fully

prepared for and study skills should be reviewed, or your child needs exam practice as they are a very different

mode to demonstrate knowledge, or perhaps new concepts were introduced in Semester 2 and these could be

weaknesses to work on!

Don’t just look at grades, focus on effort also. A child’s performance is not measured solely by grades. Not

every child will receive an A or B, in fact the average child would mostly like achieve a C grade (which typically

represents the middle 60%). Effort grades however can reflect the teacher’s perspective on how hard your child

worked, his/her commitment to fulfill homework, assignments and contribution in class. A child who achieved a C

grade, or 55%, yet gained an A for effort should be congratulated. Again, as the report should be viewed as a

discussion and evaluation, if the effort grade is lower, ask your child why this might be the case, and make a note

of this to form one of the goals for next year.

Consider the “year average” mark or grade. Many schools will include the year average grade as well as your

child’s grade. This is important to consider. If your child attained a 75%, and the year average was 62%, then your

child is well above the average. Celebrate this.

Teachers’ comments. The teachers’ comments are valuable when discussing the report with your child. Ask him

or her if they agree with the comment, or why, if they don’t. Encourage your child to consider the teachers’

comments. Obviously if there is a consistent thread from multiple teachers, this needs to be addressed. For

example, if many teachers comment on your child’s lack of concentration, or need to focus on answering the

question, then the comments suggest a specific area of weakness. Similarly, if multiple comments commend your

child on commitment, determination and diligence, it suggests your child’s attitude to school is solid.

Subject Grade (A-E) Effort (A-E) Teacher’s comment

English

Maths

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TALK to your child about the report, and LISTEN. Help your child not to blame someone or something that

resulted in a disappointing report. Blame does not lead to action. If there are extenuating circumstances for a

disappointing report (such as a difficult family situation like parents separating, or relocation or demanding co-

curricular activities etc), acknowledge these may have affected your child’s focus and give understanding. However

help your child accept that they perhaps did not put in the effort, or had not established an effective revision

program, or had not given the required commitment. Asking your child what they could do next year to improve or

maintain excellence is a good start. Again, it would be worthwhile jotting down your child’s comments to establish

goals. Reinforcing that a yearly report is a vehicle to move forward is vital.

Grades varying between subjects, and compare exam results with assessment results. Identify specific subjects

where grades were ‘low” and where others were ‘high’. It is not uncommon for students to have strengths in some

subjects and weaknesses in others. Few children excel across all subject areas, particularly in Years 7 – 10 when they

have not yet been able to refine their academic program to areas of interest or strength. Talk to your child about why

grades may vary, as there could be good reasons. For example, if your child’s report grades range from 98% to 62%,

ask why? Most students would be able to articulate the divergence and it could be simply that they did not study for

a subject at all, or had misread a heavily weighted question. Again, make a note of your child’s comments, to form

goals or strategies for next year. Similarly compare exam grades against assessment grades. If your child’s exam

marks are noticeably less than the assessment grades, it could easily identify a weakness in exam technique and/or

revision, and not be a reflection of ability or understanding. Remember, examinations are just one medium for

determining a child’s knowledge.

Establish goals for next year and consider a holiday review program (even if only 1 hour a week). The report

can, and should, be read as an instrument to create goals for next year, and possibly plan a holiday review program.

As students in December typically focus on the long summer holidays, freedom and unstructured days, it’s natural

for school work to wane. However, now is the time to create goals for next year, whilst the academic year remains in

their recent memory. It is more difficult to establish goals in February. Goals are best determined by the child, yet

parental input after discussing a yearly report is prudent and can provide direction. Identify 3 – 5 goals for Semester

1, 2015. The goals should be in response to you and your child’s discussion of the report, and teacher

recommendations. Some goals could be:

Focus on reading the question in assignments/exams carefully to ensure the question is answered.

Ensure I make summary notes when I finish each topic.

Do at least 30 minutes reviewing what I learned at school each day, in addition to homework.

Ask the teacher if I don’t understand a concept.

For example, if Maths is a weakness, spend 1 hour a week doing extra Maths practice. When the goals are listed put

them in a prominent place – fridge, bedroom wall, notice board etc.

It would also be prudent to develop a holiday review program if there are specific subjects or areas of subjects that

are weak. This does not need to be extensive, in fact, shouldn’t, however regular practice of specific subjects that

will be required for cumulative learning next year can make an enormous difference. Examples of subjects where

knowledge learned this year would be assumed knowledge for next year can include Maths, Science, English and

Languages – as well as many others!

Holiday review programs can easily be incorporated into your child’s vacation plans. For example, if your child sees

a movie, they could write a review, or analyse the film techniques. If your child reads a newspaper or magazine or

internet site, they could write a short paragraph about bias, purpose, persuasive techniques etc.

LASTLY, if you are very concerned about your child’s report, you should contact the school.

Learn more this year about how to set goals and be more efficient and effective with your schoolwork by

working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. You might like to work through a few units

over the holidays.

Username: xaviercollege

Password: 64success

Mrs Sandy Hazell

Teacher Librarian and Year 7 Wellbeing Co-ordinator

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Careers News

The Northern Sydney Institute Information Sessions

Associate Degree of Accounting:

Meadowbank Campus (Building P, Level 5, Room P.5.0.2), 7.00pm

9 December 2014 OR 27 January 2015

Visit http://www.nsi.tafensw.edu.au/About/News/EventList.aspx for

more information

IT Degree Information Session

Bachelor of Information Technology: 10 December, 6.00-7.00pm

Sydney TAFE at Petersham College, 27 Crystal Street, Petersham (Room A1.10, Level 1, Building A

Strengthen your skills ready for job hunting or a promotion with TAFEnow

Sign up and complete your study by 31st December 2014. If living or working in NSW, you will be eligi-

ble for the Government subsidised price of only $267. Studying with TAFEnow means that you can study

at your own pace, at a time and in a place that suits you. Full details at http://tafenow.com.au/skillsets or

call us on 1300 8233 669.

Australian Careers Business College: Last round Open Days

Wollongong—18 December

Liverpool—19 December

Parramatta 22 December

Graduate in one year in Accounting, Business Administration, Child Care, Counselling, Information Tech-

nology, Marketing, Legal Services or Tourism, with a nationally recognised qualification that allows work

experience in your chosen field and up to one year of subject credits at university.

For more info or to register your attendance, call 1300COLLEGE or visit www.openday2014.com.au

Peter Moore Careers Adviser

Tickets to Les Miserables 2015—Capitol Theatre, Sydney

Expressions of Interest

Xavier College would like to offer parents, students and staff the opportunity to attend a performance of

“Les Miserables” at The Capitol Theatre in Sydney for the discounted price of $60 per ticket.

The date of the show is yet to be confirmed, but the performance would be held on either a Tuesday or a

Wednesday evening from 7.30pm. Transport to the venue would not be included in this price however, if

enough people are interested, we would consider hiring a bus for an additional fee. We are seeking

expressions of interest to determine whether this is a viable option.

Please email your expression of interest to Mrs Lesley Watters at

lcwatters@parra.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday, 16th December.

Lesley Watters

Music

5th December 2014

Page 14

Page 15

Rabobank’s F20 Summit

On Thursday, November 13th, Miss Phillips and I attended the Rabobank’s F20 Summit on Global Food

Security. We were there to represent The University of Western Sydney and Xavier College. The F20 was

a gathering of industry leaders, government officials from various countries, global institutions involved in

the food chain supply, academics from leading agricultural institutes, journalists and leading farmers, all

of whom represented over 20 countries from across six continents. The conference was deliberately held

just before the G20 Summit in Brisbane, as the idea was for the stakeholders to discuss recommendations

for consideration at the G20 summit.

The goal of this conference was to bring together the international food and agribusiness community as a

proactive way to contribute solutions for the global food security challenge. In 2050, the global population

is expected to rise to nine billion, not only will more people need feeding but due to people living longer

lives it will cause a significant impact on food production systems and the supply chain. The strain from

the rising population will be placed not only on the food production systems and supply chains, but also

on farmers, who not only have to keep up with production but have to achieve this production sustainably

while meeting the needs of consumers.

The summit provided insight to the future of agriculture and food production on a global scale and how to

achieve it sustainably.

Trent Kitching (Year 12)

Conference delegates with Miss Phillips

(second right) and Trent Kitching (right)

Trent Kitching (left) with a conference delegate

Page 16

Student Representative Council Social Justice Day

With an interested attitude and the desire to further our knowledge on social justice issues, six SRC

representatives, (Emily Kowal, Grace McCurley, Oliver Kellner-Dunk, Drew Stahlhut, Bianca Portelli and

myself) recently attended a high school gathering at Loyola Senior High School which was run by St

Vincent de Paul. Throughout the day we learnt about many of the harsh and unfair realities faced by

members of our local community, as well as the injustices experienced by countless people on a global

scale.

One of the lectures brought home to us the crude truth relative to homelessness in Australia. Most pertinent

to our age group was that, on a secondary level (temporary housing and couch surfing), one in every 200

teenagers experiences the lack of a safe and reliable living environment. Already surprised by these

realities, we were made aware of the massive numbers of homeless people (105,000) on any given night in

Australia.

A scenario situation presented by a representative of Catholic Mission demonstrated the immoral

occurrences in undeveloped nations. Our leader used the analogy of one full aeroplane crashing every 15

minutes to equate the amount of children dying from preventable issues such as malnutrition in the same

time frame. Over one year, 5.4 million children die due to the disadvantages of being born into poverty.

We were informed about the second largest illegal industry in the world, human trafficking. Human

trafficking can be defined as modern day slavery as people are compelled to work strenuously without pay.

This issue is not isolated to overseas. It exists in Australia as a destination country, which means that

people are not from here but are imported here illegally. On the black market, the average cost of a human

life is $100 AUD.

We all knew that we are lucky to live the way we do but it was put into perspective of how exceptionally

grateful we all should really be. There are so many different hardships and challenges people face on a

local, national and global scale and, if we learnt one thing, it would be that there is always a way to help.

Everyone can make a difference. We would like to thank Miss Lee for attending the day with us and

allowing us to have the privilege and opportunity to widen our knowledge on social justice issues.

Amy Hliounakis

Year 11 Cumberland SRC Leader

Ms Amanda Lee with SRC Representatives: Emily Kowal, Grace McCurley, Oliver Kellner-Dunk, Drew Stahlhut,

Bianca Portelli and Amy Hliounakis

Page 17

School Fees A big "Thank You" to all those families that met their payment obligations with the college in 2014. It is also timely to remind all families who took advantage of the payment arrangements during the year that all payment arrangements are only valid until the college resumes in 2015. At this time, all arrangements will need to be reviewed. Therefore if you wish to enter, or re-enter, into a payment arrangement with Xavier College for 2015 please contact me, Steve Hackett (Fees Officer), on 02 4777 0924 or by email on shackett@parra.catholic.edu.au in early February 2015. The sooner these arrangements start, the smaller the regular instalment payment amount is going to be. Have a safe Christmas and New Year and I look forward to assisting you in the coming year.

Steven Hackett

School Fees Officer

REMINDER TO PARENTS

Parents are asked to notify the College if your

child will not be attending school.

Phone: 4777 0900 between

8am and 4pm

OR

leave a message on the College

answering machine

Uniform Shop Extended Trading Hours

2014

Thursday, 11th December 8.00am to 7.30pm

Tuesday, 16th December 8.00am to 4.00pm

2015

Friday, 16th January 9.00am to 3.30pm

Monday, 19th January 9.00am to 3.30pm

Tuesday, 20th January 9.00am to 3.30pm

Wednesday, 21st January 9.00am to 3.30pm

Thursday, 22nd January 9.00am to 7.30pm

Monday, 26th January CLOSED—Australia Day Public Holiday

Tuesday, 27th January 8.00am to 3.00pm

Thursday, 29th January 8.00am to 4.00pm

Days in the summer months can be very hot and

the shop becomes very crowded, particularly

during the last days in January. It is recommended

that you do not leave it until the last few days to

make your uniform purchases. However, if you are

unable to make it to the Uniform Shop until then,

be mindful that there may be a delay with being

served.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Page 18

Thursday, 11th December to

Friday, 12th December Year 10 PASS Outdoor Recreation Camp

Monday 15th December and

Tuesday, 16th December Year 9 Swim School

Tuesday, 16th December Students’ last day for 2014

Wednesday, 17th December Reporting Day

Thursday, 18th December Staff Development Day—Pupil free

Friday, 19th December Staff Development Day—Pupil free

Term 4

Important Dates for 2014

Important Dates for 2015

Monday, 19th January College Office reopens

Wednesday, 28th January Year 7 students commence

Thursday, 29th January Year 12 students return

Friday, 30th January Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 students return

From the Bishop’s Office

Call for Pastoral Care Volunteers

Do you have some spare time on your hands and enjoy spending time with seniors and the elderly? St Hedwig Village

is a German and English speaking, aged-care facility in Blacktown and is currently looking for volunteers. Prior train-

ing in pastoral care work, or a willingness to undertake a course would be advantageous. Support will be given in the

role. Days and hours are flexible to suit your own commitments.

For further information please contact Maria Lynam on 02 8822 9928.

Catholic Institute of Sydney – Ten Australian Catholics course

The Catholic Institute of Sydney will be running the course ‘Ten Australian Catholics’ as an extensive from January

28 – 30 and May 16 – 17, 2015. The course looks at the history of the Catholic Church in Australia through the lives

of ten Catholics. A book of readings will be provided. Registrations close Thursday 11 December. Costs are $1700 for

award students; $500 for audit students and $10 CISSA fee.

For more information, contact Dr John Luttrell fms, jluttrell@cis.catholic.edu.au or 02 9752 9513.

Website:www.cis.catholic.edu.au

Ordination to the Diaconate – your invitation

Everyone is welcome to attend the Ordination to the Diaconate of Pio Yong Ho Jang, Thomas Thien Hien Bui and

Willy Limjap by Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP, Archbishop of Sydney.

Date: Friday 12 December at 7.30pm

Where: Padre Pio Catholic Church, 34-38 William Howell Drive, Glenmore Park

RSVP: SMS - 0450 908 036 or ordinationpt@gmail.com

Positions vacant

The Diocese of Parramatta is seeking applications for the position of Chief of Operations and Finance. For a confi-

dential discussion and a copy of the Information Pack please contact Anthony Spata, REACH Human Resources on

0402 210 055 or anthony@reachhr.com.au.

Applications close 19 December 2014.

Advent and Christmas books, cards, CDs, DVDs & gifts

St Pauls Books & Gifts Centre in Parramatta publishes religious books, CDs and DVDs for adults, teenagers and chil-

dren in the following areas: Bibles and biblical studies, liturgy and liturgical resources, parish bulletins, theology, spir-

ituality, Australian Church, ecumenism, prayer, devotions, Vatican documents, educational resources for schools and

parishes. Visit St Pauls for all your Advent and Christmas books, cards, CDs, DVDs & gifts.

Where: St Pauls Books & Gifts Centre, 238 Church St, Parramatta.

Mass: Mass from 1pm-1.30pm, Monday to Friday, in the Mary MacKillop Chapel above the Centre.

Contact: Ph: 02 9126 8912, bookcentreparra@stpauls.com.au Order online: www.stpauls.com.au

Noël! Noël! Christmas concert

The Brandenburg Choir and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra will perform this annual concert in St Patrick’s Cathe-

dral. Noël! Noël! features Gregorian chant, medieval carols, French and German hymns, English Christmas songs and

many favourites such as Christmas Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, Once in Royal David’s City, and Stille Nacht. With

its timeless and ageless appeal Noël! Noël! is the perfect gift to share with family and friends.

Date: Thursday 18 December, starts 7.30pm.

Venue: St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Marist Place, Parramatta.

Tickets: Adults $72, Concession $52, Under 30 $45, Student $42, Child $25. Transaction fees apply.

Bookings: www.brandenburg.com.au

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Saturday, 6th December 2014 (8pm—10pm)

The evening will include a presentation, a 3D astronomy movie and stargazing through the University’s computerised telescopes (weather permitting).

Cost: Adults $15.00; Children/Concessional $10.00; Family (2 adults, 2 children) $40.00

Bookings are essential: Book and pay online www.uws.edu.au/observatory, What’s On

Enquiries: Phone (02)4736 0135 or email r.mccourt@uws.edu.au

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY PENRITH OBSERVATORY

ASTRONOMY NIGHT

The St John of God Institute of Counselling,

established in 1969, offers a course designed to

develop skills in personal growth, communication,

parenting and general counselling principles.

Participants can learn new skills in dealing with

daily personal challenges and the issues that arise

within families, the school environment and in the

workplace. It is conducted on Tuesday evenings

within the school term between 7.30pm – 9.45pm

at Holy Cross College, Victoria Road, Ryde

commencing on Tuesday 3 February 2015. The

cost for the course is $450 for the year, with an

early bird offer of $400 if paid in full by the end of

February 2015.

For enquires please contact:

Michael Hill

9869 3774 or 0410 774 432;

Carol Harding

9639 0096 or 0408 705 848;

Jannelle Carlile

0431 598 004; or

Email: counselling1969@gmail.com

SEEKING MENTORS

Do you want to give something back to your community?

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta’s Post School

Options Team provides one-on-one mentoring for secondary

students. We are seeking new mentors who would like to join

this valuable and worthwhile program.

The volunteer mentor hosts the student in the workplace for one

day per week (May to September excluding school holidays).

The mentor is both a personal and professional role model for

the student. All mentors are offered free TAFE mentor training

and receive a TAFE Certificate of Attainment ‘Mentoring in the

Community’. They can be from any industry or trade area, from

a small business to a large company.

If you would be interested in becoming a mentor or finding out

more information, please contact:

Leoni Jeavons-Fellows

Coordinator Post School Options (0424 750 583)