Xanten Connection

Family ties to Xanten

WHEN Alexandria Patrick was researching high schools for her eldest son, Liam, one word jumped out from the St Norbert College website - Xanten.

St Norbert's birthplace in Germany is where Alex's grandmother, or Oma, was born and it is a destination the family regularly visit. 

While St Norbert’s birthdate stretches back to 1080,  Alex's Oma, Paula Otten, was born in Xanten in 1930 and grew up on a farm during the war before the family built the Xantener Stuben tavern which, although no longer in the family, is still a popular restaurant in the town. Paula – who grew up in Xanten with six siblings - moved to England when she was 19 to become a nurse's assistant, then married Walter Taylor and had three children - Michael, (Alex's mother)  Julie and Simon.  

When Michael and Julie were young, the family went back to Xanten and lived in the family restaurant/home with their Oma and Opa while Walter, a roof carpenter, helped restore the spire at St Viktors Cathedral (Xanten Cathedral), which was bombed during the war. The Taylor family  moved back to Manchester after the spire work was completed and emigrated to Perth to fill a labour shortage in 1969, making suburban Morley their home. The Ottens stayed in Xanten and raised families and livelihoods. 

Fast forward to 2023 and Alex, her husband Jaymie and Liam, who is currently in Year 6, visited St Norbert College for an interview ahead of Liam's pending arrival next year. During the interview with Mr Harvey and Ms Chrystelle Borrello, pictured above, Alexandria explained how she had just returned from visiting Xanten. In fact, she was in Xanten when she received a phone call from the College offering Liam an interview time.

 "My mother has visited Xanten several times over the years, my sister Kate went with her in 2018 to scatter our Oma's ashes in the family gravesite, and I have visited with my husband Jaymie in 2009 and again with my mother this year,'' Alex explained.

 "We have several remaining family members who still reside in and around Xanten.''

Alex, who describes the town as beautiful and carefully looked after, is well-versed in its history: "There are many interesting facets to the town, with architectural digs occurring in an old Roman settlement (12/13BC) where the Romans built an impressive town and remained for about 400 years,'' she said.

"Siegfried the dragon slayer was also said to have lived in Xanten and there is a museum dedicated to him. St Viktor's Cathedral is very impressive and just off the main square of the town, the twin spires can be seen from anywhere in town. Construction started in 1263 and went for 280 years until its completion. 

"St Norbert's residence and plaques with information about him remain in the town, and his statue is in the main square. His presence is definitely there, and the locals could answer questions for us. My mother and I were fascinated with the connections, and we learnt a lot about Xanten and its rich history.''

The family first heard about St Norbert's College a year ago when some friends were enrolling their children.

"I did some research into the school and I was delighted to see the name Xanten pop up and excitedly looked into all the connections that St Norbert had with my Oma's hometown,'' Alex said.

"Looking through the school website and reading previous newsletters, we quickly decided that St Norbert College sat with our morals and values. We want our children to be in a fun safe learning environment filled with opportunities and we believe St Norbert's can deliver that for us. 

"The personal link with St Norbert's birthplace is really fascinating and we are all excited to be a part of this school over the next few years.'' 

Liam's brothers, Oliver and Elliot, are expected to embark one day on their own journey to Xanten - and to St Norbert College. 

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations and Marketing)