Year 13 Student, Jasmine Shum, has gained an impressive profile of over 60,000 followers after setting up and running her own TikTok fashion account, alongside studying a BTEC Extended Diploma in Business at Xaverian College.

Jasmine uses the account to post about fashion trends and to communicate her insights and thoughts on these. She started creating TikToks during the first Covid lockdown as way to make use of her spare time and get back into having a presence on a social media platform after having previously run a business on Instagram. Jasmine said: I’ve had a few videos reach views in the millions, however I’m quite lucky that my growth on the platform has always been more steady rather than in rapid growth spurts, which can be unsustainable as a creator in the long term. When I started posting more fashion-focused content I definitely saw an increase in engagement.”

Jasmine chose to study the Business course at Xaverian as it offered her the opportunity to gain a broad range of skills that she could apply to the real world. She also wanted to be in a college that was near to the city centre and all the opportunities that would open up to her. Jasmine commented: “I love my Business course because it involves so many different things such as being creative, strategic and innovative. Every lesson is so different and I’m constantly learning new things and seeing how they apply to real-life current affairs.

“I remember my first day at Xaverian, I didn’t know a single person but during the day I spoke to a lot of students and made friends that I still have to this day. I remember thinking that everyone would already have their friendship groups from high school and no one would make an effort to talk to me, but in reality everyone was so nice and that first day really set the tone for the rest of the year.”

Jasmine is coming towards the end of her two years at Xaverian and has packed an incredible amount into her time at the College. She has learnt a range of new skills, including networking, leadership and management, negotiation, interpersonal skills, and as Jasmine admits herself: “The most important skill is believing in and backing myself. Ultimately the only person who can give you what you want is you and if you don’t fully believe in yourself, then why should you expect others to? A lot of my drive comes from within, and I’ve always been extremely ambitious and set on achieving what I set out to do. I also gain inspiration from women in business online, such as Grace Beverley and Krissy Cela, who definitely help inspire and encourage me to pursue as many opportunities as I can so that I can expand my knowledge and experience.”

Jasmine has her sights set on a Degree Apprenticeship in Marketing and PR to start building up a career within the industry, whilst also continuing to grow her social media presence. Jasmine said: “I’ve had lots of help preparing for interviews and assessment centres from the amazing Careers Team at the College who have really helped me to take my next steps. As well as working towards having my own business again, I’d love to combine my passion for social media and marketing to create a digital platform that will help support young people with all things mental health and well-being, as this is something that is extremely important and personal to me.”

“I would advise other students to listen to advice from others but prioritise your own wants and needs and explore the opportunities that you are actually passionate about. Put you first, prioritise your own mental health and well-being, interests and passions. You can’t show up for others and succeed in your studies and other areas of your life unless you prioritise and show up for yourself first.”

As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers an extensive range of A Levels, and several BTEC courses that can be studied as standalone subjects or combined with A Levels. Visit xaverian.ac.uk to find out more.

Students at Xaverian College are celebrating yet another year of impressive A Level results, retaining its position as a leading sixth form college.

A Level students achieved a pass rate of 99%, with 34% of students achieving A* to A grades, 62% achieving A* to B grades and 85% achieving A* to C grades.

Amongst those celebrating were aspiring Medics, Melisse Desroy and Eleanor Potts and future Dentist, Clarisse Molomba.

Melisse, who came to the College from Stretford High School, gained A* in French, A in Physics, A in Mathematics and B in Chemistry and is progressing to the University of Paris to study Medicine.

She said: “Being at Xaverian has made me grow as a person. I feel like I am a completely differently person now, more mature and ready to take the next step to university. I’ve loved Xaverian, the subjects I’ve studied, and the teachers were always kind and made studying enjoyable.

“I’m delighted with my grades as I will be going to the University of Paris to study Medicine as I want to work as a Doctor with Medicines Sans Frontiers working in humanitarian medicine in other countries.”

Eleanor, former St Monica’s RC High School student, gained 3 A* grades in Chemistry, Biology and Psychology and is going to the University of Liverpool to study Medicine.

She said: “I chose to come to Xaverian as it is a campus-based college and I wanted to study in more of a university environment. Being at College has been hard work, but enjoyable and rewarding as it has enabled me to gain the grades I need for university, as well as help me to become more independent.

“I hope to complete my Degree in Medicine and my ambition is to work as a Trauma Doctor in an Accident and Emergency unit in a hospital.”

Clarisse, who completed her GCSEs at The Kingsway High School before joining Xaverian, gained an A in Mathematics, B in Chemistry and a B in Biology and is going to Newcastle University to study Dentistry.

She said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Xaverian as it is just like being at university and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve found studying difficult, but with the support of the College, got the grades I needed for university. I enjoyed Maths the most, it was difficult, but I enjoyed the challenge and the teacher was great. I’m so pleased with my grades and can’t wait to go to university!”

Medicine and Dentistry are demanding professions where you will not only be required to demonstrate outstanding academic ability but also manual dexterity and clinical skills. Students studying at Xaverian and setting their sights on senior healthcare roles, have access to specialist support as part of the College’s Medics, Dentists and Vets (MDV) Programme. The programme ensures students receive guidance to help them successfully complete the early UCAS application, admissions tests and interview process, as well additional support and training to secure the high academic entry requirements.

As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers an extensive range of A Levels in addition to several BTEC courses. Visit xaverian.ac.uk to find out more. There has never been a better time to #ExploreYourFuture!

The Xaverian College Easter Concert will be held at the RNCM on Sunday the 20^th of March, it will start at 7.30pm.

Tickets are on sale at student services:

£10 Adults

£6 Students & Concessions

Xaverian College has recently become champions in two of the regional AOC tournaments.

Winning the Women’s North West 7 a side tournament. This was a 19 team knockout competition in which the side played magnificently, conceding only one goal throughout the whole competition.

Next up was the Men’s volleyball team who stormed through unbeaten to become North West winners.

Both teams will now progress to the national finals in Nottingham in April to play the other regional champions from all over the country to compete for the title of English Champions.

Great wins for Xaverian’s Sport Teams!

Xaverian Year 12 student Rosella Togo recently competed in Glasgow, for England in the Schools International Indoor Pentathlon. She also had the opportunity to meet other young athletes from the other home nation teams and represent England.

Rosella had personal bests in high jump and 60m hurdles, and an overall points PB. Team England walked away with a Gold Medal.

We are very proud of Rosellas sporting accomplishments!

Not one, not three, but SIX Xaverian Film Studies students have managed to secure a place on the highly prestigious BFI Film Academy which accepts only 18 young people on every year. The course is run from Home – Manchester’s multi-million pound Arts Centre, the patron of whom is Danny Boyle – director of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire.

The successful students were Megan Heald, Alishbah Ahmed, Elijah Darling, Luca Simi (all pictured) joined by Aimmee Hankinson and Fin Woods.

The course is run by film industry professionals and over this last half term our students have learnt to write, shoot, direct and edit a professional short film that will then be screened at the cinema. They are extremely passionate Film students and the course is giving them tremendous opportunities to get a foot into the highly competitive film industry.

Xaverian Film students have been accepted onto the course every year it has been running, including Tehreem Faisal (who is now working at Pinewood Studios on Indiana Jones 5 and the new Star Wars series for Disney Plus) and Izzy Glenton (who was an editorial assistant on Venom 2 and Black Widow and who now works at Home herself).

Curriculum Leader for Film Studies Phil Drinkwater has praised our student’s motivation and talent – “All six of them are excellent film students whose enthusiasm for the subject shines through in every single lesson. They have already shown they have the drive and knowledge to pursue a career in this industry and I hope their place on the BFI Film Academy brings them a step closer to their dream.”

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our staff and students.

Have a wonderful break and stay safe. We look forward to seeing you next term on January 4th 2022.

The Xaverian College Christmas Concert took place on the 15th of December in the college’s Sports Hall. Due to the increase in Covid cases nationally, the music department decided to stream the whole concert live on the college’s YouTube channel. The concert is available in its entirety and excerpts are also accessible on the music department’s YouTube channel.​

​The music department would like to thank the Drama and PE departments for videoing, streaming, and producing the concert, without their support the concert would not have been possible. Lydia-Faith Smith and Will Philpotts were the concert’s comperes for the evening, and they brought sophistication, style, and comedy to the proceedings. ​

​The students were both the audience and the entertainment, they were truly outstanding young professionals. Their quality of performance was magnificent, the music department are extremely proud of them all. ​

​​On show were the college’s fantastic ensembles, directed by staff and instrumental tutors. ​

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The first half consisted of: ​

Percussion Group: Directed by Joe Luckin​

Big Band: Directed by Neil Bowden​

Flute Group: Directed by Jennifer Dyson​

Brass Band: Directed by Mike Cavanagh ​

Jazz Band: Directed by Josh Brierley ​

Clarinet Group: Directed by Ben Pinto​

Soul Band: Directed by Neil Bowden​

Concert Choir: Directed by Ged Marciniak​

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And the second half:​

Chamber Choir: Directed by Ged Marciniak​

String Orchestra: Directed by Duncan Reid​

Orchestra: Directed by Andrew Levendis 

The annual Xaverian College Christmas Concert will be taking place on Wednesday 15th December and will be streamed live at 7:15pm.

We hope you’re looking forward to watching!

Click here to watch

The RNCM visit Xaverian College on an annual basis to run a Performance Masterclass. Students receive extensive feedback for their performances and are guided on how to prepare for auditions, competitions, and recitals.  

The RNCM visited Xaverian on the 3^rd of November 2021 and spent 3 hours coaching our fantastic students, they conducted 2 classes simultaneously: 1 for classical and 1 for pop/jazz musicians.  Senior representatives, Chris Hoyle (Head of strings), and Stuart McCallum (Deputy Head of Popular Music, Tutor in Guitar and Composition) led the event.  The feedback enabled students to improve their posture, communication, phrasing, interpretation, technique, musicianship, and stage presence.  

Andrew Levendis, Director of Music Xaverian College:

“Our young musicians were focused, confident and were eager to learn.  I am so proud of how well they performed, they demonstrated exceptional professionalism beyond their years, the RNCM tutors have inspired them to progress to the next level and fulfil their potential.”