Enrichment

What drives you? What inspires you?

What sets Xaverian apart from many other colleges is our commitment to your fulfilment outside the classroom.

Our state-of-the-art facilities aren’t here just to support coursework. They’re a hive of activity for anyone who wants to try something new. To experiment. To record. To sing. To draw. To play.

Click on the Xtras sign to see our current timetable.

MUSIC FACILITIES

When Music students have struck a chord, you can borrow an instrument and get your own groove on.

We have a new music complex including state-of-the-art recording studio and three live rooms. Orchestra of 110 musicians. Choir of 100+ singers. 38 ensembles – from flute to funk, sax and string to swing, gypsy and rock.

ART AND MEDIA FACILITIES

If you want to make a film, we’ve got all the hardware to support your ambitions.

And if you’ve got designs on beautiful art, we’ve got a blank canvas ready for illustration.

Every Xaverian student is encouraged through enrichment to expand their artistic ambitions.

While Art students can experiment across a wide array of media and formats, using some of the region’s best creative facilities and resources, to find their calling.

SPORTS FACILITIES

Health and fitness are a huge part of Xaverian life. Healthy body, healthy mind. And we’ve got a packed schedule of fitness classes and team tournaments to help you get fit and healthy.

We recognise the links between mental and physical health which is why we’ve invested in all kinds of exercise and recreational facilities to help you take a break from working hard.

DRAMA FACILITIES

Fancy yourself on the West End or in the next big hit TV show? You don’t need to study Drama to get involved with our productions each year.

Each year, the department stages over seventeen productions, including college productions and even the staff put on an end of year play!

ENRICHMENT XTRAS

Xaverian Xtras supports your learning at the College to ensure you have the opportunity to learn a a new skill, meet new friends or simply have fun! We also offer Study Xtras which can help you improve your knowledge within your A Level or Applied subjects.

Our programme of activities is designed to fit around your existing timetabled sessions, and will be invaluable when it comes to writing your UCAS application for places at university. See below for our range of enrichment activities.

Accounting Software

Calling all budding Accountants. Join our friendly Accounting Club and discover more about accounting software and its use in the industry. We also have fun with accounting techniques and refining your skills in using accounting software.

Art Club

Expressive Painting: Explore and practice different approaches to expressive painting techniques. This Xtras activity is available to Fine Art students only.

Art for Non-art Students

This club is an opportunity for students who do not take Art as a subject to get creative and work together with specialists in the Art Department! The club is located in the Ward Hall Art Basements, which have been used as sets for well-known TV programmes. Where better to take a creative break from your studies!

Book Club

Xaverian’s Book Club is a chance to meet, fortnightly, with likeminded lovers of literature and discuss your interpretations of a carefully curated list of books.

Calm Colouring

A relaxed, mindful space for you to engage in colouring! This is a weekly opportunity for you to take a deserved break from your studies to regain calmness in a supportive environment with your peers. Fun fact: According to a University of the West of England study, mindful colouring is said to: • Reduce anxiety and stress • Improve sleep • Improve focus • Improve vision and motor skills

Chess Club

The club aims to promote chess within College and give our chess enthusiasts a friendly place to meet, have fun and learn. There is a mix of friendly games and an internal tournament that is an eagerly-anticipated event within the College.

College Magazine

Work with our growing Xaverian Student Magazine editing team to contribute towards the very popular Xavazine. Covering everything from Politics, Sport and College updates; gain experience and develop your journalistic flair in a supportive and creative environment.

'Xavazine' College magazine

Debate Club

This group is where you can learn the art of debate. You select the topics you want to discuss and we will help develop your public speaking skills. If you are interested in developing your public speaking skills, share perspectives on topical events and meet likeminded people then this is the ideal forum for you to put your viewpoint across.

Crafty Corner

Crafty Corner continues to be one of the most popular Xtra Clubs and has been for many years. Crafty Corner is a supportive space for both students and teachers to learn, practice and develop their ability to knit, and crochet.

Creative Writing

Calling all aspiring writers! Come and join us to develop new techniques to add to your creative writing talents to take your work to the next level. The group also goes on regular trips, takes part in competitions to provide you with plenty of inspiration to include in your work.

FEMSOC

This student-run group gives you the opportunity to discuss local, national and global societal issues from a feminist perspective. This group welcomes all students to take part.

Gardening Club

This club is open to anyone with an interest in gardens, gardening and helping to protect the many beautiful green spaces that make up our historic campus and helping it thrive!

Improv Club

This club runs every other week to give you the opportunity to develop your improv skills in our very own Drama Studio. This is a fun and friendly group for stepping into the mindless fun of improvised acting, providing a creative and expressive balance to your academic programme here at Xavs. It is a great way to meet new people, gain more confidence. No experience in acting, comedy or improv needed whatsoever!

Learn Italian

A club designed for all-comers looking to improve their ability to speak Italian. From beginners with no prior experience speaking Italian, to advanced speakers looking for the opportunity to gain an additional A Level in Italian, Ms Jacques and Ann Maria are here to help immerse you in the language and the culture!

Latin

With around 60% of English words being derived from Latin, the study of Latin can support literacy development and provides a strong linguistic foundation on which to build. Latin offers rich learning opportunities which go beyond language to embrace history, philosophy, civilisation, art, drama and mythology. Learning Latin helps students to engage with some of history’s key personalities and to study the Romans’ perspectives on the events which have shaped the contemporary world.

Maths and Computing Olympiad

Do you enjoy problem solving? Are you looking to take your numerical skills to the next level? Why not come to the Maths and Computing Olympiad group, who look to tackle complex problems in preparation for events and competitions.

Mindfulness Club

College life is a busy time for all students, we understand that. Balancing your study programme with homework, revision and other external commitments can be challenging and it is important you have a space to relax and unwind. If this sounds like it is for you, come and join us. There are two sessions a week to help you stay mindful and reduce your stress levels. Yoga, colouring, breathing techniques are just some of the activities that take place in the Mindfulness Club.

Music

Join our Music Club and pursue your passion for performing or producing music. Our music department boasts a wealth of expertise and facilities where you can meet likeminded students to create musical magic and improve your skills. Activities include String Quartet, Jazz Band, String Orchestra, Flute Group, Big Band, Soul Band , Concert Choir, Orchestra, Brass Band, Sax Group, Percussion Group, Chamber Choir and Clarinet Group

Running Club

Whether you are looking to bolster your overall health and fitness, improve your times or simply to meet new people with a similar interest, running club may be for you! For keen runners of all abilities, join us on Thursday lunchtimes to take part in guided 5k runs.

Team Sport

Make the most of your free time and join one of our sports teams, including badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball and five-a-side football. As well keeping fit fit and developing your competitive edge, it's a great way to meet new friends and have fun.

STEM Club

A club focused on supporting students with their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths-based aspirations. If you are interested in a career in these fields and are looking for further support, access to trips to universities/employers, advice on career progression and a space for discussion with like minds then why not join STEM Club?

Sport Psych

This activity will get you thinking about where your mind plays a part within sport and performance. giving you an insight to some of the key aspects of psychology and mental skills relating to these areas as well an understanding of career options within the field. It will cover a range of areas including motivation, confidence, focus, understanding nerves and moving on into a career in Sports Psychology.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award

Xaverian is where you come to develop academically.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DoE) Gold Award supports your work towards attaining competency through extra-curricular activities in skills such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork.

It’s not only life-changing – in giving you experiences you never thought possible and meeting lifelong friends – but shows future employers you’ve got the resilience and tenacity to be their best-ever hire.

Let’s not sugar-coat this. The Gold Award is not a walk in the park, everyone completing the Award gets their certificate at a swish ceremony hosted by none other than a member of The Royal Family.

HOW TO GET YOUR DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD

Choose and set objectives in all these areas:

volunteering

Undertaking service to individuals or the community.

physical

Improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.

SKILLS

Developing practical and social skills and personal interests.

EXPEDITION

Planning, training for, and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.

To seal the deal you’ll put everything you’ve learned to the test at a fun but challenging adventure, the fifth and final chapter of this award when you’ll stay and work away from home.

There’s even an app to keep track of everything you’ve achieved!

This is a commitment that could take up to 18 months. But the rewards last a lifetime.