Delagram 3rd June, 2023

From the Principal

‘The relationship between family and school ought to be harmonious…’

                                    (Pope Francis, 2015)

 It might sound like a broken record, but we have had a busy, at times hectic, yet exciting start to 2023 at La Salle Academy. There is so much happening in, through and around our school. I am always excited to engage with our community and discuss not only our progress and successes, but also the challenges and obstacles that we have yet to overcome. We are determined to engage with our families as much as possible, listen to concerns, enact recommendations and understand different positions to inform our strategic directions. We work in partnership with our families to ensure that we position your children, our students to transition to post schooling options successfully and confidently. Another opportunity to hear our progress, and raise any issues occurs this coming Thursday evening, the 9^th June at Black Gold Motel in Wallerawang. I am hoping that parents/guardians may consider attending so that you can discuss key issues that we are currently developing at LSA. Some of these include:

• Building and Capital Works projects;
• Teaching and Learning Developments;
• Uniform concerns including Winter Jackets;
• Contributions to our Collaborative Behaviour Management Strategies;
• Initial consultation regarding our Mobile Phone & Artificial Intelligence policy developments;
• Information about the effects of Vaping.

Another exciting series of events over the next two weeks is our enrolment interviews for incoming Year 7 students for 2024. We approach these interviews with much anticipation as we look to welcoming and beginning the transition of these students from primary to secondary school. We look forward to engaging interviews and meeting new young people who are looking to write a new chapter in La Salle Academy’s archives. If you know of someone that has not yet handed in their enrolment pack and is interested in attending LSA in 2024, please encourage them to do as soon as possible.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Black Gold Motel in Wallerwang on Thursday 9^th June (Please go to the Facebook page and RSVP).

God Bless
Glenn Carpenter

From the Assistant Principal

Reports and Mid-Year Assessment Tasks
Our Year 11 students are in the process of completing their second assessment tasks having reached the mid-course point of their 2020 path of study. Year 11 reports are in the process of being finalised and will be available to parents and students via Compass next week. I would like to congratulate many of our Year 11 students for their application to this higher level of study. For many it is a good time to evaluate their strengths and areas on which to focus in the coming months.
All students in years 7-10 are also completing their Semester 1 assessments and reports will be prepared in the coming weeks. Many students have made use of study materials and revision that is available to them on their Atomi learning platform. We encourage all students to access this useful tool in combination with the guidance for their teachers to help prepare them of their assessment and in class tasks.

HSC Minimum Standards Testing - Year 10 
Year 10 students will be given the opportunity to take the first round of their Minimum Standards Tests scheduled for Weeks 7 & 8. Since 2020, students in NSW have needed to meet a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy to receive the Higher School Certificate.
Students will have many chances to meet the HSC minimum standard from Year 10 until a few years after completing Year 12, but their Higher School Certificate will not be awarded until the minimum standards have been met.
Students will demonstrate they have achieved the minimum standards by completing three online tests to a Level 3 standard. These online tests are 45-minutes long each, and include: 

•  a multiple choice test for reading;
• a multiple choice test for numeracy;
• a test for writing based on a written or visual prompt.

Feedback of student results will be provided as soon as it becomes available, usually within two weeks.
For further information, please see the HSC Minimum Standard Information on the NESA website, which can also be viewed in the link below.

>>> Click here to view the HSC Minimum Standard Information.

Have  great week!
Katie Bennett

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From the REC

Pentecost

Last weekend we celebrated Pentecost. This joyful occasion commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament. It marks the birth of the Christian Church and serves as a reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost continues to hold great significance for Christians worldwide. It reminds us of the enduring presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit strengthens and empowers us to live as faithful followers of Christ, inspiring us to serve others with love and compassion.
Let us open our hearts to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Let us seek wisdom, courage, and inspiration to make a positive difference in our school, our community, and the world. May this celebration remind us of the unity and diversity that exists among believers and inspire us to work together for a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Ms Belinda Redden
REC Co-ordinator

Year 10-12 Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

As we complete Week 6, we are now over the ‘hump’ of Term 2. What is means for students though is the increasing pressure of meeting assessment task requirements. Parents are reminded that if a student is absent on the day of the task or has a legitimate reason for requesting an extension a “Show Cause” form must be submitted to the teacher as close as possible to the date of the task. These forms can be obtained from the library or from the back of the Assessment Booklet shared with students earlier in the year.

Year 11 Reports will be accessible to parents, online, over the next few days. Paper copies will not be printed. Please take the time to sit with your son or daughter to discuss the report, identifying strengths, but also areas for improvement. Parents of Year 11 students will already be aware that the journey to the HSC started months ago and that their ongoing support of their child is crucial for the next twelve plus, months.

On Tuesday of this week, Mr Carpenter and I accompanied close to thirty students of Years 9 and 10 to Lithgow High School for “Try-A-Trade” which was an immersive event where the students engaged in hands on activities in a variety of industries; where they had the opportunity to ask employers about the employment opportunities in their industry and the educational pathways required for that to happen.

This Saturday, 3^rd June, Mr Carpenter and I will be taking a bus-load of students from Years 10 and 11 to a HSC and Careers Expo at Randwick Race Course. At that, students will have the opportunity to speak to exhibitors who are:

• Universities, TAFE Colleges and training providers
• Providers of HSC resources, information and services
• Organisations with apprenticeship information and opportunities
• Organisations with employment opportunities
• Organisations with cadetship opportunities
• Careers advisors and student support services
• Providers of international exchange and GAP year programs.

It is hoped that attendance at this event will help all students to become open to the possibilities that await them with either subject selection for Years 10 or post HSC possibilities.

I was fortunate enough to attend a Careers Adviser’s Conference in Sydney last week and hope to be able to offer the students more advice and guidance with regard to careers. I now have access to many more resources which can only benefit the students in my dealings with them.

I am still waiting for some Year 10 Work Experience forms to be returned asap. If your child is having difficulty arranging a placement, they are to come and speak to me as I know of business that are willing to take students on. Work Experience is compulsory. Students who do not organise anything are expected to attend school. The two weeks are not to be regarded as an extension of the holidays. Emails were sent to the parents concerned earlier this week by me.

Please support the Year 12 Fundraiser for “Beyond Blue” and “Breast Cancer Research” by attending the Trivia Night on Friday, June 9^th at 6.30 pm in the hall. A registration form was sent out to parents on Wednesday morning making the process of entering a team, easier. There will be a light supper of soup, buns and slices provided. You will also have the chance to win prizes over the course of the evening. Please bring loose coins so adults can test their accuracy in throwing, to win a bottle of Scotch. Students can enter a “Chocolate Toss”. There will also be raffles available to enter.

Have a great two weeks.
Regards,
Mrs Bernadette Hicks
Pastoral Welfare Co-ordinator Years 10 – 12
Careers Adviser

Year 7-9 Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

We hope this newsletter finds you well and in high spirits. It is my pleasure to share with you the fantastic behaviour, remarkable achievements, and dedicated study habits exhibited by our incredible students across Year 7, 8, and 9 over the past fortnight. 

Our vibrant Year 7 and 8 students are currently engrossed in athletics practice as they gear up for the highly anticipated School Athletics Carnival at the start of Term 3. It's exhilarating to witness their enthusiasm and determination as they hone their skills in various track and field events, especially Javelin, Discus and Shot Put. We encourage all students to participate wholeheartedly, embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, and make the most of this wonderful opportunity to showcase their talents. 

Starting Week 7, I will be running practice and training sessions for any students in years 7-11 that wish to practice their skills before the athletics carnival. 

Monday Recess 1 on Oval- Javelin

Tuesday Recess 1 on Oval- Discus

Wednesday Recess 1 on Oval- Shot Put

In our recent Pastoral Care lesson on Thursday, we took the time to reflect on Reconciliation Week and its significance. We explored the importance of reconciliation, acknowledging and respecting the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. By engaging in meaningful discussions and activities, our students are developing a greater understanding and appreciation for our diverse Australian heritage. I would like to take this opportunity to  thank you Miss Delosa, our Aboriginal Education Worker, for her support with Year 7. 

A heartfelt congratulations to all the students who received an Achievement Award at our recent school assembly. These awards are a testament to your dedication, hard work, and commitment to your studies. We commend your outstanding achievements and encourage you to continue striving for excellence in all areas of your education. Well done!

Beyond these specific highlights, it is important to recognize the ongoing efforts of all our students in their academic pursuits. Our Year 7, 8, and 9 students have shown tremendous resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset in their approach to learning this term.  Their positive attitudes and perseverance are truly commendable, and we are proud to witness their progress day by day.
A special shout out to one Year 7 student that needs to be recoginsed for his outstanding efforts outside of school. Congratulations to Beau Hughan for his selection in the U15’s Representative Hockey team for the Nepean Group and additionally being selected to play in the upcoming U13’s Representative Team. 
As we move forward, let us continue to foster an environment of support, encouragement, and respect for one another. The success of our students relies not only on their individual efforts but also on the collective strength of our school community. 

We encourage you to stay engaged with your child's education and reach out to their teachers or myself should you have any concerns or queries at La Salle Academy on 02 63545100 or email me at A.wilsmoresmith@bth.catholic.edu.au

Positive reinforcement changes behaviour for the better, while criticism stabilises negative behaviours and blocks change. 

Virginia H. Pearce

Mrs Wilsmore-Smith
Year 7-9 Pastoral Welfare Coordinator

Provocations - Seven Valleys Festival of BIG Ideas

On Sunday the 7th of May, Jasmin in Year 8 and Samara in Year 7 performed a reverse
poem they wrote together at the Provocations - Seven Valleys Festival of BIG Ideas. The
writing prompt for the poetry was “my voice to power for our future”, and the girls wrote a
fantastic poem which explored themes of how important it is for young people to be active in
their choices to engage with each other and the environment respectfully. Using a reverse
structure, the girls also cleverly turned an initial message of despair and apathy into hope
and affirming statements, using the exact same words and sentences to empower young
people’s voices. It was a great opportunity to challenge themselves and think critically about
the impact they can have in their communities. Amelia and Noah in Year 7 also attended to
assist and support their peers. This was a wonderful experience for students to be involved
in, and I would like to thank the Greater Blue Mountains Creative Arts Network for inviting
our students to participate. Students were graciously given a cash prize for their moving and
insightful spoken word performance, and should be commended on their dedication in
volunteering to attend such an important event. I look forward to seeing these students
continue to use their voices to drive change in our school and wider community.

Miss Isabelle Tannous
English, Religion and Physics Teacher
i.tannous@bth.catholic.edu.au

Youth Minister

RISE / CSYMI

Hey everyone, for those of you who don’t know me, my name is Charlotte Edwards and I am this year’s Youth Minister here at La Salle. I graduated from La Salle last year and am now back to encourage young people to find and explore their Faith while also helping them to develop leadership skills.

This year I have been running the CSYMI program with the Year 9 students, alongside Miss Tannous. CSYMI stands for Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International. This program allows the students to develop their leadership skills in preparation for Year 10 and beyond while also learning and discovering more about their Faith. The ultimate goal for these students is to learn how to run retreats and engage with younger students about their Faith, which will eventually include running a retreat for the Year 5 students in Lithgow. The students have developed wonderfully and have engaged fully with each lesson, taking up the tasks even if they are out of their comfort zones. Last week, students had to recreate a parable by acting it out. The students did very well and all participated, even if they had never done it before.

I also help other students outside of Lithgow. This year, the Diocesan Youth Festival is on and bigger than ever. RISE is a youth event designed to delve deeper into faith while also learning the many different ways to pray, worship and develop leadership skills. I myself have been attending these events for a few years as a student and firmly believe that our kids could contribute greatly to the community of the Bathurst Diocese. RISE is held in the first week of the July holidays from the 6 - 7 of July and is designed for Years 6 - 9 students. This is a brilliant opportunity to meet new people and explore the faith side of going to a Catholic school.
If you are interested in RISE, the registration link is attached to the QR code on the poster below.
I can’t wait to see some Lithgow representation!

Miss Charlotte Edwards
Youth Minister

Win Your Ticket to an Unforgettable Youth Festival with These 5 Scholarships!

RISE Youth Festival – 6-7 July 2023

Catholic Diocese of Bathurst
Open to all students in Year 7, 8 and 9.
We have fantastic news for you! Our school is offering five incredible scholarships to RISE, offering an opportunity of a lifetime. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to expand your horizons, make lifelong memories, and grow as an individual.
The Diocesan Youth Ministers facilitate a festival full of fun, friendship, small group challenges, workshops, games, music and lots of opportunities to encounter Jesus.

Venue: St Philomena’s School, South Bathurst

Email Ms Redden mailto:b.redden@bth.catholic.edu.au to find out more or express an interest.

Trivia Night at LaSalle Acedemy

 Where:  BISHOP DOUGHERTY HALL

 When: Friday, 9^th June, 2023, 6.30pm

Money raised will go towards Year 12 Charities of

“Beyond Blue” and “Cancer Research, Australia”.

Wear blue or pink to show your support for these charities.

Teams of 1-8 persons.

$20 per adult; $15 per student payable before or on arrival.

Prizes and raffles on the night. (Bring coins)

Light supper provided.

Please register by phoning La Salle Academy on 63545100 or completing the Google Form on Compass

The Biggest Morning Tea Fundraiser

At this stage, the SRC has raised $504 for the Cancer Council. We have achieved this by holding online donations and holding a Biggest Morning Tea. We also had a bake-off between staff members and students. Each winner will receive a $10 canteen voucher.The winners of the bake off are: Mr. Carpenter (staff entry), Samara Kirkland (slices), Amelia Johnston (brownies), Chole De Losa (cupcakes), and Jorja Bailey (biscuits). Congratulations to everyone who participated in the bake-off and a round of applause to those who won in their chosen category! On behalf of the SRC, a huge thank you to everyone who helped out, baked or supported the Morning Tea!
Written by Noah Fitzpatrick, SRC

School Counselling Corner

Hello Students, Parents and Carers,
VAPING
Lets talk about it…..
Vapes are not water. The main ingredient in vapes is propylene glycol, vegetable
glycerine or glyercol. Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning
products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. They just don't put it on the
pack.
Research shows that 1 in 5 young people have vaped and nearly 80% of them say it
is easy to get a vape illegally at a shop or online.
Information from the NSW Government indicates that:
 Many vapes contain nicotine making them addictive
 The nicotine in 1 vape can = 50 cigarettes. Depending on the size of the vape and
nicotine strength, it can be much higher
 Vapes can leave young people at increased risk of depression and anxiety
 Vapes contain toxins such as formaldehyde and heavy metals as well as ultrafine
particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
 Vapes also contain flavouring chemicals such as diacetyl (a chemical linked to
serious lung disease)
 Young people who vape are 3 times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes
 Vapes can cause long-lasting damaging effects on the brain and physical
development, the impacts can include impaired attention, learning, memory, and
changes in mood.
It’s important that we discuss the risks of vaping with young people. I have attached two
helpful information factsheets in this Delagram. If you would like more information,
please head to: www.lungfoundation.com.au

Take care of yourselves and each other,
Tegan Kiely

Sport News

It is time for the largest interschools equestrian event! The North West Equestrian Expo (better known as the Coonabarabran Expo) is held each year and this year La Salle is sending 5 students and their horses to compete. Jarah Cafe, Riley McIIveen Webb, Gabby Dray, Isabelle Youman and Macy Bown will all represent LaSalle and compete. I look forward to reporting on their achievements. 
Kaiden Turnbull, Isaac Beckett and Isikeli Tamanitoakula were all successful in being named in the Group 10 Rugby League Team. This is a remarkable achievement as all boys have been successful in gaining a place in this team which is picked from all group 10 teams. For those who don’t know that is teams from Lithgow to Mudgee to Bathurst to Orange and Dubbo!!! Well done boys and again we will be sharing your achievements as you compete for our region.
Mikayla Johnson will also be competing in a few weeks in the NSWCCC Cross Country and again wish her well for this meet. 
Mr Carroll

From the Finance Officer

2023 School Fees
Any family that does NOT receive their School Fee Statement via email is asked to contact the school office to ensure that the correct email address is listed in our system.

2023 Billing Dates
Term 1 billing date 03/03/2023 and instalment due date 17/03/2023
Term 2 billing date 05/05/2023 and instalment due date 19/05/2023
Term 3 billing date 28/07/2023 and instalment due date 11/08/2023
Please note that school fees are charged over the first three terms, therefore no school fee charge in Term 4.

Payment Arrangements
Families wishing to make a payment arrangement can contact the school office. Payment arrangements are made by Direct Debit. Payment plans of up to 52 weeks are available. Please obtain a copy of the Direct Debit Authority Form to set up a direct debit payment.

For your information:
Payments can be made by the following payment options:
Account balances can be accessed on Compass and payments can be made via the Compass app.
BPAY Payment references are printed on the statements.
Direct Debit Forms are available from the school office.
EFTPOS is available in the school office and can be used for payments over the telephone.
Centrepay Forms are available from the CentreLink Office
Please do not hesitate to contact Mary Cassar, School Finance Officer, if you would like assistance with any matters in relation to school fees.

Mary Cassar

July School Holiday Activities

School Zones Reminder

A reminder to all our parents that school zones remain in place for the safety of our children and families. School zones operate on all gazetted school days, which are all the days the school is open, even pupil free days. School zones for our school will end on Friday 30th June and resume on Monday 17th July.