Study in empathy: In floods Xavier Catholic College opted to swim, not sink

Amid disaster, Xavier Catholic College became an evacuation centre for displaced flood victims and a makeshift hospital. Then it got its HSC on to soar in the rankings.

When flooding devastated large parts of Ballina, left, Xavier Catholic College stepped up as an evacuation centre, and makeshift hospital, left. Pictures are some of the 2022 school graduates who helped out: Samuel Stockham, right; Ellie Morley, centre, who made the HSC Distinguished achievers list and Mia Ruffell, left. Pictures: Supplied

Xavier Catholic College at Skennars Head near Ballina has soared 72 places in the HSC rankings, cracking into the top 70 after placing at 135 in 2021 – despite being shut down, used as an evacuation centre, and its own students facing losses during the Northern Rivers floods.

The school was shut down twice in March, first for a week early in the month, and then again for two days later on when flash flooding returned.

In the midst of disaster, Xavier College emerged as a sanctuary, becoming not only an evacuation centre for Ballina’s displaced flood victims, but also a makeshift hospital when Ballina Hospital was also forced to evacuate.

Principal Kevin Lewis said it was “a miracle to watch” the hospital’s staff set up triage rooms and wards within four hours of Ballina’s levee overtopping.

He said he was very proud of how his students and school community banded together not only in the face of disaster, but to support each others’ academic achievements too.

Xavier Catholic College’s school hall became an evacuation and rescue centre during the March floods of 2022,Picture: Supplied

“Our Year 12 students answered the call. They were a marvel to watch.”

Among them was 18-year-old Xavier student Reuben Adlington, who has been volunteering for the SES for two years, inspired to do so after mucking in with clean-up efforts in Lismore after the floods of 2017.

Patients from Ballina district hospital were moved tot he school as the floodwaters rose. Picture: Supplied

Jayda Thompson was impacted by the Ballina / Lismore floods in March 2022. Picture: Supplied

“I applied and I’m so glad I did,” he said.

“As soon as it started flooding in Lismore (in February) we got put on high alert for what would be coming down the river.

“We had a week off school due to the floods, and I spent that week out in the community just trying to help out.”

As the floodwaters receded, the teenager realised he would have to “swap (his) brains out, and put (his) school brain in” to get ready for his first set of exams.

One of Ballina’s many flooded homes. Picture: Liam Mendes

On Thursday, Reuben found out that he was one of his school’s four all-round achievers, securing six Band 6 marks and an ATAR that will see him study space engineering in Sydney.

“I’m happy it’s all over,” he said.

“The teachers played a huge role getting us back on track after what was a pretty rough and rocky start to the year.

“The whole school community … really banded together.”

17-year-old Jayda Thompson was one of the Xavier College students affected by the floods. Her home was one of several in Ballina cut off for nearly a week, with no internet access.

“It was kind of like a Covid lockdown. The entire area was flooded off from both entries and exits,” she said.

“I do remember everyone making jokes about having to ration. At the start it was a bit Doomsday – asking ‘how are we going to fill the pantries’.”

Having missed a couple of weeks at school, Jayda had a lot to catch up on, but “the psychological element was hard to overcome”.

“It was really strange after the floods. There was definitely as sombre vibe permeating the town.”

Despite it all, Jayda opened her results on Thursday to find out she too had nailed all her subjects.