Br Robert Sutton

Principal

Volume 33 Number 13 27 October 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students & Friends of SFX

CIRCLE (The Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in

Education) has been asking some serious questions about the future of

education. In particular, this US based group, has been challenging schools,

students and parents about whether they are ready for the changes that are

occurring in the 21st Century.

They maintain that “A great 21st Century school focuses on balancing tradition and current demands with the need to look

ahead to the things that matter the most”. This philosophy would not only apply to schools, but also to business

corporations and those who are actively engaged in the workforce.

CIRCLE proceeds to provide some signs that could be indicators that a 21st Century focus is operative. These include:

Developing a civic competency in the local, regional and global arenas,

Demonstrating reflective, sensitive and strong communication,

Embracing a change mindset,

Acquiring the values of a good character,

Cultivating the skills that are required to work productively in diverse teams, and

Becoming equipped with creative and critical thinking skills in order to solve evolving problems.

For the 21st Century school, these practices require policies and processes that are well researched, targeted and well

delivered. They would be clearly focused on the future and endeavour to develop the capacity of each student in the

different indicators that have been identified.

For the 21st Century student, these goals also mean a purposeful focus on the future. Employers of leading business are

seeking a workforce that will enhance the company’s competitiveness in the modern world. Accordingly, they are looking

to employ staff who can demonstrate these practices and are eager to further develop them in the

company and for the company.

There are plenty of examples of corporations that have rigorously adhered to their tried and

tested practices only to find that their future is in doubt. Those camera companies that stuck

with the film medium when the digital cameras were being introduced would be a good

example. Similarly, there are many examples of workers who have found themselves redundant

because their expertise is no longer required.

Y e ar

Term 4

Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Week 4: Wednesday, 1 November 2017

College Library

1:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Year 11 Major Awards Ceremony

Week 7: Friday 24 November

College Hall

Commences 10:15 am

Y e a r

2018

Enrolments

Enrolment Form and Enrolment Payment Tax Form

are available on the

St Francis Xavier’s College Home Page

go to Quicklinks (shown at the bottom of the page)

click on Enrolment Application

When Enrolment Form and Enrolment Payment

Tax Form are completed

please email to

susan.maloney@mn.catholic.edu.au

or post to Enrolment Committee, St Francis

Xavier’s College, PO Box 300, Hamilton 2303

You may contact the College for an enrolment package to be mailed.

Student Services

Hours: 8:00 am until 3:10 pm

Telephone: 4961 2110

Email hml-studentservices@mn.catholic.edu.au

All student related phone calls can be made directly to the Student Services. If the phone

is unattended please leave a message.

St Francis Xavier's College

Phone Number: 02 4961 2863

Facsimile Number: 02 4961 2384

Student Service Phone Number: 02 4961 2110

Email: admin@hamilton.catholic.edu.au

Web Site: www.hamilton.catholic.edu.au

A Celebration of Singing

Nine of our new Year 12 HSC Music students volunteered to attend a day of Diocesan Choral Workshops recently at St

Joseph's High School, Lochinvar. The students enjoyed the day and participated in a variety of vocal workshops with the

focus being on 4 - part harmony a cappella singing, vocal and performance confidence, vocal

exercises, general vocal health and looking after the voice as an instrument.

Congratulations to our nine participants. We are sure that these experiences all contribute to

increased preparation and confidence for your HSC year. These students are certainly on the

front foot and are working well towards their HSC Practical Examination preparation.

Participants were: Angelica Dabu, Rachel Haberl, Jordan Houston, Helayna

McCloy, Isabella Rendina, Thomas Rodgers, Shayla Sharpe,

Johanna Soo, and Emma Tu

Mr Luke Baker and Mrs Melissa Wattus

Music Staff

Diocesan Choral Workshops

Twenty, Year 11 students

submitted their Business Plans

into this competition.

An element of the incentives

was a draw for four mini iPads.

Kate Partridge was the lucky

recipient of one of these. Well

done Kate!

College St Vincent de Paul Society

Spring Food Appeal

Please donate generously to our St Vincent De Paul

Spring Food Appeal which started on Monday, 23rd

October, and finishes on Tuesday, 31st October.

The College motto on our school blazer, “Christus Lux

Mea”, translates to "Christ My Light" and emphasises

that we are a Catholic community dedicated to the

development of Gospel values for all, especially respect

for the life and dignity of each individual. So why not

provide the light of hope by giving to those in our

neighbourhood who suffer hunger this spring?

The cross in the centre of our College badge symbolises

strength and unity, in both our school and the broader

community, as we stand in care and solidarity for those

doing without.

Jesus says in Matthew 25:40

"Whatever you do to one of the least, you do to me".

Remembering when we have received the mercy and

compassion of others, may we give generously to those

less fortunate than ourselves.

Thank you in anticipation 😊

Johanna Soo

BISHOP’S AWARD

Applications are now called for the 2017 Bishop’s Award.

Students currently enrolled in Catholic Secondary Schools within our Diocese in Years 7-11 are invited to

collect a Bishop’s Award Information and Application pack from their school’s administration office and

discuss their application with their Priest, Deacon, Minister or church leader as well as their school Principal.

Applications are to be forwarded to the Catholic Schools Office bishopsaward@mn.catholic.edu.au and be

received no later than 2 February 2018.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Cath Garrett-Jones on email:

bishopsaward@mn.catholic.edu.au or go to www.mn.catholic/bishops-award

Kate Partridge and Mrs Norma White

From the Careers Desk

Mrs Julie McLoughlin Careers Coordinator

P: 02 4961 2863 F: 02 4961 2384 E: julie.mcloughlin@mn.catholic.edu.au

Cricket

On Wednesday, 18 October, our College Cricket team played ASC St Mary’s Maitland in round one of the

NSWCCC Downie Shield. The boys’ came together as a team, having not played together before, showing

good skill and an understanding of the game. However, this was not enough as our ASC Maitland opponents,

using their home ground advantage, took the win. We wish St. Mary’s good luck in the rest of the tournament

as the team now focuses on their upcoming Tournament, the ‘Marist Cricket Carnival’ at Traralgon Victoria in

December.

A big thank you to Mr Dan Mitchell & Mr Justin Gordon for training the team.

Outstanding Sporting Achievement

Congratulations to Lucie Fityus who was

awarded ‘Outstanding Female Athlete in an

Individual Sport’ and ‘Best & Fairest’ for

Cycling at this Year’s Hunter Academy

Award Day.

Lucie has been training and competing this

year at a National Level in preparation for

the World Championships and has placed

herself in a good position to contend this.

We congratulate Lucie on her successes thus far,

and wish her all the best in her cycling future!

Sports & Special Photos

Throughout 2017, we have had a number of students participate in the College’s Sport Program and other extra-curricular

activities. We congratulate all of these students and thank them for their contributions to our College community.

For those students photographed at the end of term three, the photos are available to view and purchase online. To access

photos, please visit: www.academyphoto.com.au and go to "Products for Parents" "Order Online"

They will need to enter the following 8-digit shoot key:

General – Shoot Key: SSPS6P3Z

Sports – Shoot Key: 6RL6TLE4

Mrs Amanda Corrigan

Sports Coordinator

SFX

R E P O R T

R E P O R T

From the Finance Office

REMINDER

Reminder statements were emailed on 16 October

with the following subject ‘St Francis Xavier’s

College Term 3 Fee Statement’, sender details:

hml-finance@mn.catholic.edu.au.

Please ensure emails from the College do not go

directly to your spam account. It is your

responsibility to ensure you receive the statement.

If you have not received an email please contact the

Finance Office immediately.

Please contact the Finance Office if you are

experiencing difficulty finalising your account.

However, if you are making regular payments by

direct debit, QKR or BPAY the statement is for your

information, but please note accounts must be

finalised no later than the end of Term 4, 15

December for Year 11 students and end of Term 3,

22 September 2017 for Year 12 students. If you are

making regular instalments a calculator has been

provided St Francis Xavier's College Fee

calculator to enable you to check your payments and

finalise your account by the required date.

Alternatively please contact the Finance Office to

assist you in calculating a weekly, fortnightly or

monthly payment or if you have not yet finalised

your Term 3 account.

Method of Payment Options

QKR is available for

payment of College fees,

excursions and sport

payments.

Details are available on our website St Francis

Xavier's College website. Please take the time to

read the information and download the App as

this provides a secure method of paying for

excursions, activities and fees.

QKR Help Notes

QKR Instructions

College fee payments can

be made by BPAY, the

Biller Code and

Reference Number can be

found on your statement.

Credit Card /

EFTPOS: The College

accepts MasterCard or

Visa only. Please be

aware that if you are paying by credit card you can

email, fax, post or telephone your credit card details

to the College. An authorisation slip is provided at

the bottom of your statement each term.

In Person: Parents are welcome to pay directly at

the Finance Office between 8:30am and 3pm.

Students can only pay before the start of school and

in their lunch and recess breaks.

Direct Debit: Please contact the Finance Office.

Finance Office Hours

8:30 am to 3:00 pm – Monday to Friday

E: hml-finance@mn.catholic.edu.au

College Fees

Receipts will be