FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Students,

SENIOR STUDY

As many of you would by now have realised, Xavier Catholic College is characterised by the open and innovative approach it has to achieving excellence in all areas of school life.

Over the last twenty-one years, Xavier Catholic College has grown and thrived on a culture fuelled by a commitment to teaching and learning that involves the student, the teacher and the parents in a partnership aimed at producing a full and well-rounded education. With Christ as our example, we strive to be the best so that we can reach our full potential and enhance our dignity as human beings, and the dignity of those within our community. It is in building a healthy community that we fully develop as individuals.

In the new millennium, education has been increasingly tied not only to academic achievement and career paths after school, but also to the personal development of young people in our society. The school which recognises and faces this challenge is the school which provides the best environment and education for your child.

Part of the secret of success lies in the ability of students;  part lies in the qualifications and dedication of teachers.  However, a third vital ingredient at Xavier Catholic College is the environment we try to create.  In selecting a school, be mindful of the fact that your child will be spending years in that environment: it will have an impact on personality and maturation. Academic excellence based on excessive competition, isolation, moral sterility and a dog-eat-dog mentality denies a student the opportunity to personally develop. At Xavier Catholic College, we encourage a positive attitude to learning and a sense of satisfaction at having achieved to the best of one’s ability. However, we also value respect for people — the staff and students of our school. Students should not learn in a vacuum and should not lack personal contact. Selfish ambition is negative. Ambition coupled with friendly rivalry and respect for the value of others, whether equal in ability or not, is positive. Ambition in a team environment is conducive to improving interpersonal skills and maturity. Our students have displayed such qualities. We point with pride to the impact of our school environment, coupled with parental confidence and appreciation, in achieving what we have so far.

The move from Year 10 to the Year 11 Higher School Certificate (HSC) year marks a time of many challenges. It is an important recognised stage in one’s education.

In this regard, there are three basic challenges facing all students:

1. a challenge to involvement

2. a challenge to integration

3. a challenge to growth and development

The challenge to involvement is one of attempting to participate fully in life; in this case, in the life of Xavier Catholic College in all its aspects — spiritual, intellectual, social and sporting. It means recognising that a school is a living organism, the quality of whose life depends on the whole-hearted contribution of each student and teacher.

Ultimately there is the challenge to growth and development. All growth requires some effort, some self-denial and further responsibility.  The choice to continue in Year 11 and 12 requires doing without some freedom. It requires the self-discipline of study and commitment to the demands of the HSC Curriculum. It also requires the selflessness that enables a person to become a good leader or to become a good person concerned about the welfare of others in any particular community.

In addition to formal classes, students participate in sports, retreats, masses, liturgies, excursions and field trips.   They are asked to assist in the various school functions that occur.

One of the many challenges that face all schools is to establish a broad and meaningful curriculum for its students. What we hope to do is to build our curriculum upon student choice, the best educational practice and pedagogy, the existing and emerging trends in education, and educational excellence and relevance, while ensuring that whatever we do is grounded in our tradition of Catholic Education that values the dignity of each individual. 

The curriculum covers traditional HSC courses as well as the emerging vocational education (VET) courses and some Board-Endorsed courses. The aim will be to allow students to have maximum flexibility in achieving post-secondary school choices and even pathways and traineeships while still at school.

It is into this community that I, as Principal, warmly welcome students intending to study in Years 11 and 12. I sincerely hope that the years ahead are very happy ones for them and that they find at Xavier Catholic College an environment which is supportive, caring and accepting. I look forward to a close association with parents, in the hope that this will bear much fruit for the Christian development of your sons and daughters, our students.

Mr. Kevin Lewis
Principal