Officer Campus – 14 November 2019

Year 10 2020 Commencement program

Congratulations to all Year 9 students on their efforts over the past few weeks in participating in examinations. This week has been more focused on celebrating the contributions of all Year 9 students both individually and as a cohort before they venture to the Beaconsfield Campus to for their 3-week Year 10 commencement program. This starts with a special House Retreat Day on Monday 18 November.

With regards the Year 10 Commencement Program – here are some key points of reference

• The commencement program is compulsory for all students to attend, it is essentially the start of the 2020 academic year.
• It is recommended to bring your lunch on the first day, but the canteen will be open during the week of commencement.
• The morning bell at Beaconsfield sounds at 8:45 am and dismissal is at 3.25 pm except on Thursdays where classes conclude at 1.25 pm.
• Monday November 18 – On the first morning of the commencement program all students are asked to gather in the Hall upon arrival.
• Tuesday November 19 – Upon arrival, students are asked to gather in the following locations for a House meetings:
  • Burgess – Burgess House Area
  • McDonagh – Drama Room
  • McKenna – MJ Auditorium
  • Gallagher – Chapel
  • Schneider – FLA Open Space
  • Synan – Hall
  • Thomas – VCE Open Space (Ground Level)
  • White – VCE Open Space (Level 1)

All Year 9 students are wished all the very best with their commencement transition at the Beaconsfield Campus.

Remembrance Day

On Monday we paused to remember the spirit of those who served. We did this because on Monday 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. With their armies retreating and close to collapse, German leaders signed an Armistice, ending the First World War. At war, our Australian soldiers achieved a fighting reputation out of proportion to their numbers, but victory came at a heavy cost. They suffered almost 48,000 casualties during 1918, including more than 12,000 dead. Over the four years of the war, more than 330,000 Australians had served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. The social effects of these losses cast a long shadow over the post war decades.

We remember them.

“As the stars shall be bright when we are dust,

Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,

As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,

To the end, to the end, they remain.”

Written by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869 – 1943)

Year 9 Inquiry

Student Work and Advocacy for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing

I wanted to share some fine student work with you that was completed as a part of the Year 9 Inquiry Program. It is a stunning example of the work we saw at the Year 9 Inquiry Evening on Thursday of last week. The table was completed by Sarah Newlassie of McDonagh House. The table is on display in the Officer LRC and going to a silent auction. All proceeds will go to raise awareness of youth mental health and wellbeing. If you would like to bid, please contact info@sfx.vic.edu.au .

Well done Sarah and team!

SIS Art Show – Officer Students Shine

Monday evening was the opening night of the SIS Art Exhibition; showcasing the best artwork from the Independent Schools in the area. St Francis Xavier College had many great works featured from across all three Campuses. From our Campus we had the following students work selected. If you see them, please congratulate them as this is a huge achievement.

• Shewetha Mannapperuma
• Yashaya Jayasuriya
• Mia O’Carroll
• Zachary Shillito
• Mara Hughes
• Jayda Hudman
• Danielle Villaneuva
• Scarlett Daly
• Elizabeth Flynn
• Melanie Fonseka
• Elizabeth Flynn
• Raven Dyball
• Kyle Villaneuva
• Alannah Auld
• Matthew Watson
• Neomi Gestano

St Vinnie’s Appeal – An Opportunity to Get Involved

At St Francis Xavier College we strive to live the gospel values which are explicitly demonstrated through groups such Vinnie’s who espouse and live the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. To assist them in this work and to allow our students to react to the words of Christ, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

There are people in our community who are in real need and Christmas time, and for some people this season can cause stress, difficulty, loneliness and depression. To support Vinnie’s in their amazing work we look to support them in our Christmas Hamper drive. This initiative is a fundamental way that we as a Catholic, Christian community can strive to make a difference. Please support us in this initiative if you can by supplying something from the list below. Help make Christmas a special time for families and children who are struggling.

The items which St Vincent de Paul requested to be in the Christmas hampers are:

• Vouchers (Cinema, grocery)
• Money donations
• Hand written cards
• Non-perishable food items
• Reusable bags (canvas)
• Luxury items (hand cream, lipstick etc)
• Toiletry and sanitary items
• Bathroom and kitchenware (bathroom towels and tea towels etc.)

We Grow Together!

Lisa Harkin – Deputy Principal – Head of Campus – Officer

Textiles at Officer Campus

This semester the Year 8/9 Textiles students have developed their skills on the sewing machines and overlockers and have planned and created designs for their proposed jumpers. Over the past six weeks students have been putting their creations together, with some now completed. Our students’ enthusiasm, motivation and perseverance has shone brightly, and their expressions when viewing the finished product is priceless. All have worked collaboratively and supported each other through this process, which has certainly had a positive impact for all involved.

Beth Baldwin – Textiles Teacher – Officer

Learning Resource Centre Report

Dr Seuss says, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” With this in mind, the 2019 LRC Committee have selected new books for holiday reading. Mrs Murphy says, Please come on in and borrow a novel, or two, today!

Lauren Murphy – Learning Resource Centre – Officer

Farewell Officer Campus from your Campus Captains

The theme of our assembly today is, The year that was. For both Mary and I, we have had amazing experiences and opportunities during our time as Campus Captains and students at Officer Campus. There were numerous times when we had support from both students and staff.

Our theme was created by everyone here. It was a pleasure to represent and promote this year’s theme as Campus Captains. There have been numerous times where Mary and I struggled and had very tough and compromising situations. But there was always support from everywhere we looked. Our parents, and in particular you the students, were a constant support. It was your friendship and encouragement that gave us courage to get through these times. The Student Executive Team had very good communication and we’re proud to thank both Ms Kloprogge and Ms Harkin for organising our meetings and helping us to thrive.

All the staff here are exceptional at what they do. Throughout our years here, they have always been here to support and make us grow.

Santoro Kep – Campus Captain – Officer

As I reflect upon these past three years all I can see is growth. Santoro and I are very different now to the people we were at the start of our journey at St Francis Xavier College. We were quiet, reserved and introverted in Year 8.

I looked up to Matt and Alyanna as they were such amazing leaders and I knew that Campus Captain was something that I wanted to apply for. I never expected to be standing here today as one of 2019 Campus Captains. This leadership position has been a long journey. My friends and family have always been there for me. You have been there for me through everything and you have supported me throughout this whole experience. You have always been the ones to clap the loudest at assemblies and the ones who make me laugh every day.

I will miss the great talks shared with my Literature class, all the memories made on the Japanese excursion and the familiar buildings and people that I see every day. Reflecting upon the past Year 9 students, I wondered why they would be so emotional about leaving this campus, well I now know. There’s a fear about going into the unknown next year, I’m going to miss this campus, the people we leave behind and the memories.

Mary Wijewardene – Campus Captain – Officer

An Alternative Australian Voice

Our Year 7 Humanities classes have been learning about the meanings and uses of flags in Australia. One task was to design and create their own Australian flag. Look at what the Year 7 stusents came up with!

Amy Cumper – Humanities Teacher – Officer

Hands On Learning

Hands on Learning is a specialist program to assist in re-engaging students in their education and in building communication, teamwork, resilience and problem-solving skills. We work in small groups and one-on-one to provide a safe, welcoming and harmonious environment free from judgement, where everybody is equal and able to have a go and try new things.

We have been very proud of the hard work our students have put in and their dedication to the program. We have loved watching our students build new skills, make new friends and grow in a variety of areas. What started as a shed turned into a safe house, one which is filled with happy memories that our students helped build.

As our Year 9 students move on to senior campus at Beaconsfield, we wish them all the best and hope their experience has taught them valuable life and social skills, including the following key messages which have become a part of our hands-on learning mantra:

• A lesson in self-confidence: If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend the rest of its life thinking that it is not intelligent. You are all intelligent and worthy.
• A lesson in resilience: You might hit rock bottom, but rock is a good foundation of which to build on.
• A lesson in kindness: Remember – every person you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind, always.

We have selected a few of our favourite shots from this year. All the best to our students and we are very excited for what the program holds in 2020.