Delagram 6th April, 2023 -

From the Principal

The Season of Lent is a journey to the celebration of Easter. Like all journeys, it can have its moments of difficulty and discomfort. We keep going because we hope to arrive at a destination better than the place where we started
(Lenten Message, Bishop McKenna, 2023)

We each travel on our own journeys. At the start of our Lenten season, I referenced Pope Francis message about the different paths we take and the different people that we listen to, to develop and strengthen our own faith and our relationship with God and the church.Bishop McKenna referenced this same theme of our journey and highlights that this journey is not always pleasant or straight forward. I hope that, now that as we approach our Easter weekend, you are starting to see the benefits of your own Lenten journey’s and strengthened your connection and understanding of the teachings of Jesus.
It is poignant that we reflect on the concept of a journey. La Salle Academy has been on a new journey this year.   We have aimed to create a path for those at our school where pride, respect and commitment is at the core of all of our activities. We have had our challenges, and we will continue to have our challenges, but we remain determined to provide a school environment that motivates our staff and students to achieve more, aim higher, develop and demonstrate self-respect and resilience in a safe and structured learning environment. We have only just started this journey. I envisage that we will continue on our exceptional start to 2023 in a collaborative manner where all of our students, staff, parents and community members have a collective voice in the directions we choose and the obstacles we will try to overcome.

Having a new leadership team, a number of new staff and new practices and policies is enough to deter some people from joining us on this journey. I thank everyone for their continued support and participation in our new direction to encourage everyone to remain on the course to achieve our goal, which ultimately is to allow our students to achieve to the best of their ability.   It has been a busy and enjoyable term and I am excited about the coming months and years at La Salle Academy, but for now we take time to reflect, pray and rejuvenate.  I hope that you all have the opportunity of visiting our local parish masses on Easter weekend and I wish you all a safe Easter break.

God Bless
Glenn Carpenter

From the Assistant Principal

What a busy term we have had at La Salle, especially in recent weeks during our Term 1 assessment period. I encourage all students to make the most of the Easter Holiday break and enjoy a well-earned rest! The holidays are a e great time to reconnect and recharge.  

Year 12 Reports
Students aand parents will receive access to the Year 12 Semester 1 Reports today via Compass. While we at the half-way mark for our HSC students it is important to use these reports as a means of reflecting on student progress and alo on areas in which each student should focus. We encourage parents to discuss the report feedback with your son/daughter as they set their final goals for the last few months of schooling.

Year 7-11 Progress Reports
Our students and parents for years 7-11 wil be able to access a Term 1 Progress Report via Compass from today. The progress reports provide a brief overview of the levels of achievement and work habits for our students. It also gives an indication of some areas on which students can focus in the terms ahead. 

Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews for Semester 1 wil be held on Tuesday, May 2nd from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. Interviews slots will be open for bookings on Monday, April 24th. We would ask that is possible that senior students in particular attend the interviews with their parent/guardian. Having an opportunity to discuss the learning with the teachers individually can provide great insights to both parents and teachers. It is the sharing of such important information between the school and home that can make a significant difference in the success of our students.

Have a great holiday!
Katie Bennett

From the REC

Stations of the Cross

On the last day of school this term, all students and staff gathered for a Stations of the Cross service. The Stations of the Cross are a series of reflections that help us pray and remember the things that Jesus’ did on his way to the cross on Good Friday. Many thanks to Mrs Hicks Year 10 Religion class for their wonderful work on preparing the Stations of the Cross service. Thanks must also go to Mr Pearce, the choir, musicians, sound crew and readers.

Easter Art
This year we had two students, Emma Rushworth and Isabella McMurtrie enter the Diocesan Easter Art competition. Both girl’s entries were thoughtful and visually appealing. Emma was awarded a Highly Commended for her efforts. I was particularly impressed with the Artist’s Reflection that each girl wrote and I would like to share them with you here.

God Bless,
Belinda Redden

Name: Bella McMurtrie
Year: 10
La Salle Academy
Name of Artwork: Night Of The Washing
Script: Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
John 13:1-17.
This artwork reflects on Jesus and Peter. Jesus being the moon
and Peter being the water. Jesus represents the moon because he
is bright and high in power. After he washes Peter’s feet he say
“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also
ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example,
that you also should do as I have done to you”.
Which means he wants Peter to do a good deed. Peter represents
the water because he is below Jesus. Jesus wants Peter to do the
same thing as him.
So Jesus reflects onto him and says to do the same thing as him.

Artist: Emma Rushworth
School: La Salle Academy, Lithgow
Year- 10
Artwork title: Freedom with a thought
Scripture reference: Luke 23: 26-43
Reflection:
She sits and stares
Wondering and watching
Far away from her everyday
Viewing the painting in the sky
The image of the yellow bread fading into the blood of christ
Remember and reminding her what Jesus did
She holds tight of the cross in her hand as she reviews the stories of the Crucifixion
The clouds are the mountains which were around at the time
She stopped her day, to listen and to watch the story in the sky The water reflects below
Doing our job
As well as She views her reflection below
Realising she is apart of the story, she needs to play her part
She can, she will, she must spread the word
But before she sits and stares in the free air with a thought of our saviour.

Years 10-12 Pastoral Care Coordinator

It’s amazing to think that the First Term is already completed as we move in to the holy period of Easter. This means that Year 12 are half way through their HSC studies. it goes without saying that the upcoming two weeks holiday should be devoted not only to getting extra work shifts, but also to study. This could include essay writing practice, summarising, note making, rereading of novels and completion of practice exam questions.
On the second week back next term, Year 12 will be attending the CSU FACTS day at Bathurst.

Last week I took more than twenty students out to Notre Dame University for the Lithgow Health and Community Services Expo. Students listened to a “panel of experts” talking about their careers in medical related fields before engaging in different hands-on activities.

The Caritas fundraising efforts have drawn to a close this week with the drawing of the Benildus Easter Egg Raffle, the Tenison Lolly Guessing Competition and the drawing of the 100 Club. Last week, thanks to Soloman House, many children were lucky enough to win a chocolate in the Chocolate Toss.

Year 10 have all received their paperwork for Work experience which will be held over the last two weeks of Term 2. Already many of them has at least one of their two placements organised.

Next term there will be lots of exciting things happening for the students of Year 10, 11 and 12 with regard to careers, so watch this space.

With regards to fundraising, letting you know that in Term 2, to raise money for Beyond Blue and Breast Cancer Research, Year 12 will be conducting a Trivia Night. More details to follow, but it is not too soon to start getting your team of trivia buffs together.

I wold like to wish all the families a very safe and holy Easter break.

Best Wishes,
Mrs Bernadette Hicks
Pastoral Welfare Co-ordinator Years 10 - 12 and Careers Advisor

Years 7-9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Wow, we made it! Term 1 ✅ What a fast-paced term this has been. We have had our La Salle Opening Mass, NAPLAN, our Annual Swimming Carnival, Year 7 Yarramundii Camp, Year 6 Taste of High School Day, and the list is endless. So many laughs, successes and fun has been shared with peers, staff and our local community. 

Let's start with our annual Year 7 Camp, as my Year 7 students are still talking about it. What an amazing time both the students and staff had at Yarramundi. 

Our coffee was strong and our Coke Zero (no sugar) was in abundance! 

Thank you to the  ‘A Team’, Mr Robert Miller, Miss Keely Millar, Mrs Tracey Legge, Miss Mikayla De Losa and Mr Harry Pottinger for their amazing support on the camp.

A special shout out to Harry for creating our Year 7 Camp shirts, we all wore them with pride and to Miss Keely for representing the teacher's team in a dance off completing the best ‘worm’ I have ever seen! Teachers won the trivia for the second year in a row, certainly not keeping count…

I can not stress enough how incredibly well-mannered and behaved our Year 7 students were over the course of the 3 days. I was and am certainly proud to be LSA!

…’I really enjoyed our trip to Yarramundi. My favourite activity was either the giant swing or abseiling, because these activities gave a rush of adrenaline after you accomplished it. The food was nice, but the trivia and cave maze was really fun as well. The cabins were a good place to just relax and have a good time with your friends. Also, a shout out to Mrs Wilsmore-Smith, Miss Millar, Mr Miller, Mrs Legge, Mikayla, Haz Pot and YMCA team members for organising activities and providing us with fun games and nice food’... Noah Fitzpatrick
…’It was an extraordinary experience and would definitely go back for more fun’... Laila Oliver

…’I thought that the giant swing was the best and the cabins. What I liked about the giant swing was when you went all the way to the top you would feel a lot of adrenaline and when you swung down it felt really good. What I liked about the cabins was that it was a good place to chill out and have fun. Overall I thought that camp was really fun! Thank you to all the teachers and Harry!’... Harry Luka

…’It was a good way to get to know people and would go back for more’...  Mia Eckford

…’I really liked the cave maze when It was very dark. When we were In the hard level one for the cave maze it was very fun because I was with Miss Millar, Ruby and Talei and that was very fun. I also really loved the food that we got given the food was very nice. I also loved the giant swing when I went all the way up. It was also very fun and I loved all the other activities. I also liked the cabin rooms when I was with my very good friends. I liked everything about camp. I really liked the activity group that I was In and I also liked the people who advised us and the teachers’... Mia Hogan

…’I really liked the camp and it was good to be able to get away for a while. I really enjoyed the food and the activities we did. I had a lot of fun’... Evie Whittaker

With Term 1 drawing to a close, I feel that it is extremely important to acknowledge those students who continue to work hard and apply themselves in and outside the classroom. The following Year 7-9 students have achieved 10, 15 or 20 Merit Awards over the last 12 months. 

2 Achievement Awards (10 Merit Awards)

Year 8: Kaedynce Boyd, Jasmin Cole, Vann Cutler, Samuel Edwards, Ava Millar, Parker Moloney, Mary Romanous and Addisen Welsh.

Year 9: Glen Okon, Caitlan Swart, Malcolm Williams, Isabelle Youman and Violet Younger.

3 Achievement Awards (15 Merit Awards)

Year 8: Lily Wallace.

Year 9:Joshua McManus and Mitchell Scott.

4 Achievement Awards (20 Merit Awards)

Year 9: Molly Lambert

Please have a lovely and safe break over the next two weeks and I hope the easter Bunny is good to you all. I look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday 26th April for a great Term 2. 
Please remember that if you have any concerns regarding the welfare of your child, please reach out and contact me 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

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Regional Da Vinci Decathlon

Sports Report

It has been a busy few weeks for our students that are competing and trialling at the representative level. Firstly both Emily Dean and Jacob Wilson travelled to Homebush on Friday, 31st March to compete in the NSWCCC Swimming Championships. Both competed across a number of events and again swam very close to their personal bests. Jacob narrowly missed placing in a number of events and both again are congratulated on their achievements. 

In rugby league, we had Dominic Davidson, Kaiden Beckett, Archie Morris, Levi Deveigne and Kyan Campbell travel to Forbes to trial for the Western Rugby League Under 15 team. There were 59 boys in total trialling to make the squad and all our boys competed and trialled very well, some may say were unlucky in not progressing. However, Archie Morris was successful and was named in the squad that will now travel to Wagga early next term. This is a pathway and a further squad will be selected for the NSWCCC Team. Congratulations Archie, we wish you all the very best for this next stage! 

In football, Jed Simcoe will also be trialling for the Southern Country Open’s Football Team. Jed is a current member of the Bathurst Diocesan Football Team and will be competing in the final week of this term at Proctor Park in Bathurst. 

Finally, Macy Brown of Year 9 has again successfully gained selection to compete in the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Macy competes on her horse Marvel in the Hack events. It must be mentioned that to qualify for the show, Macy was required to win 7 events across the recent shows. Macy did this with her recent win at the Lithgow show, being named overall champion as well as other wins in Rydal, Gulgong and Rylstone to name a few. We wish Macy and Marvel all the very best for the show. 

Mr Stephen Carroll

PE Teacher

Art News

We have been busy in visual arts this term! I am proud of the work students are creating in all classes and I am looking forward to presenting students' work at the school showcase later in the year. 
Students from years 9, 10 and 12 elective visual arts have been participating in enrichment activities travelling to the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre in Katoomba to view the Blue Mountains Portraits exhibition and participate in a film photography workshop with artist Linda Swinfield. Students then participated in a follow up incursion with Linda at school during week 9. Students created a series of photographs called ‘double exposures’ where two photographs are overlaid in camera and are excited to see their results in coming weeks. 

Senior art students travelled to The Art Gallery of NSW to see the ARTEXPRESS exhibition which consists of works by the 2022 visual arts students from around the state to help gain insight and inspiration for their own bodies of work in visual art. Students also viewed the gallery's permanent exhibitions and visited the newly built extension of the gallery.

Emma Rushworth, Bella McMurtrie, Victoria Faunce and Isabelle Youman represented La Salle in attending the Easter Art Exhibition. Emma and Bella both submitted works for this competition with Emma receiving a highly recommended award in the tear 10 category. Well done Emma! 

Science and Engineering Challenge

On Tuesday, 28th March, a squad of 19 students from La Salle Academy that included 3 students from Year 8, 11 students from Year 9 and 5 students from Year 10 participated in the Science and Engineering Challenge at St. Stanislaus College Bathurst. At the challenge, students were organized into teams. Each team either did the full-day Bridge activity or two half-day activities. Teams selected from each school’s squad competed against each other and were awarded points for each activity attempted. The school with the most points at the end of the day was declared the winner of the event.

A brief description of the activities done are written below:

Bridge: Students designed and constructed a model bridge to support a trolley carrying masses across a gap in the tracks.
Helter Skelter: Students designed and refined a tower to withstand sideways motion as iobserved during an earthquake.

Job Juggle: Students solved a series of scheduling problems based on real life scenarios.

Return to Mars: Students constructed a buggy with a basic suspension system to transport loads over an undulating surface.

Stringways: Students planned efficient transport networks to link towns using string.

Confounding Communication: Students created functional codes to accurately and efficiently send secret messages to one another using pulses of coloured light.

ElectraCity: Students worked out the most efficient pathways to provide the lowest-cost electricity to the city’s infrastructure.

I’d like to say a big Well done! to these students for their participation in the challenge.

Year 8
Lily Wallace, Emily Commins and Parker Moloney

Year 9
Molly Lambert, Joanie Franklin, Violet Younger, Mia Hamilton, Abigail Long, Joshua McManus, Glen Okon, Mitchell Scott, Zachary Fitzpatrick, Jacob Wood and Lincoln Hutchison

Year 10
Annika Della Bosca, Mia Nichols, Isolde Samundsett, Amira Kathir and Harry Richardson

These students were strongly engaged in their activity(ies) throughout the day.
I would also like to thank Miss Tannous from the Science/English/Religious Education Staff who came along on the day to help supervise and encourage our squad to try their best in their activity(ies).

Throughout the day our rank within the challenge changed. By lunchtime we were placed 3rd out of 6 teams and almost at the end we were placed 1st out of 6. In the end, we were placed 4th overall.

The feedback I received from the members of our squad was that they enjoyed the experience overall. I would encourage students currently in Years 7, 8 and 9 to think about being involved in next year’s challenge.

Thank you.
Mr. J. MacKinnon

Canteen News

Dont forget to sign up with flexischools before the 13th of April to get your $5 credit added  to your account!

From the Bursar

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 arrange a payment arrangement, can contact the school office. Payment arrangements can be paid via BPAY or Direct Debit. Payment plans of up to 52 weeks are available. Please to 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

Job opportunities at Oliver's

Oliver's real food are looking for enthusiastic and motivated students to join our team. As a member of our team, you will be responsible for providing exceptional customer service, preparing and serving food, maintaining a clean and tidy workspace, and handling cash transactions. You will work closely with our experienced staff to learn new skills and gain valuable work experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. We hope to provide an opportunity to students to gain valuable work experience in a real-world setting. This role is flexible so is able to be tailored to fit your school schedule, You'll work with fun and supportive team that'll give you a chance to build your customer service and teamwork skills. Our Olivers store is only a 3min drive/a 20 min walk from your campus. 

How to Apply: If you are interested, please send through a Cv, if you don't have a cv don't stress send through a little information about yourself and we can organize a chat from there. We look forward to hearing from you!!

Ronin.coppins@Olivers.com.au

0402490242

Lithgow Rangers Soccor Club

Lithgow City Rangers Soccer Club registrations are now open for season 2023

The club has advised that further information can be found at Lithgow City Rangers Facebook page.
Any further information please feel free to contact Nigal Lloyd  (President) on 0409 676 019