Delagram 8th May, 2023
From the Principal
Welcome back to Term Two at La Salle Academy. Already in the space of two weeks we have had a busy calendar of events:
- ANZAC Day Parades and Assembly;
- Guest Presentation from Brent Williams – Empower U;
- Trade Readiness Program delivered by TAFE;
- Diocesan Basketball Gala Day;
- Parent Teacher Interviews;
- Year 12 FACTS Day at CSU.
Over the next few weeks, you will hear another radio advertisement from La Salle Academy on Move FM. Thank you to Emma Rushworth (Year 10) and Noah Fitzpatrick (Year 7) who are the La Salle Academy student voices on this advertisement. This advertisement is once again promoting our wonderful school, but also highlighting the need for families to submit their enrolment forms for Year 7, 2024 by the end of May. Our enrolment interviews for Year 7 will be over a two week period in June.
The enrolment period is an exciting time for any school, and it is no different at La Salle Academy. It is a time where we can reflect on all the positive things that are happening in our school, communicate our strategic directions and vision, and share our combined hopes and aspirations for our student population. When we consider the events of the next couple of weeks, there is no doubt that there are great things happening here at LSA!
- Monday Afternoons in May: School Tours from 4.00pm (Book on the Website or FB);
- Wednesday 10th May: Careers Fair for Year 10 & 11 Students;
- Friday 12th May: Mother / Motherly Breakfast BBQ starting at 8.00am;
- Tuesday 16th May: White Card Training for Students;
- Saturday 3rd June: HSC & Careers Expo in Sydney for interested Year 10 & 11 students;
- Thursday 8th June: Parent Engagement Session (Term Two) – Venue/Time TBC;
- Friday 9th June: Trivia Night organised by our Senior Leaders – get your team together!
As we continue through Term Two, I would remind all students that expectations around our uniform and behaviour remain high and our focus on creating safe and supportive learning environments is fundamental to the further growth and pride that is experienced with our school.
Please be sure to communicate any questions or concerns with the school as we journey through this term together.
Glenn Carpenter
From the Assistant Principal
Parent Teacher Interviews
Thank you to all of the parents who were able to book for interviews with teachers and attend our Parent Teacher evening last Tuesday. It was wonderful to see that so many teachers were fully booked for their allotted time slots. The best outcomes for all students happen when parents and the school can work in partnership. If you were unable to secure a booking we encourage you to make contact with the office or the teachers directly as we will be happy to have a meeting at an alternate time or over the phone. There will be a second opportunity for parent teacher interviews in Term 3 following the publishing of the Semester 1 Reports.
Diocean Spelling Bee
We have taken some nominations for the Diocesan Spelling Bee which is to be held in Wellington on May 24th. Students from Year 7-10 are encouraged to nominate with Mrs Bennett by Monday, May 8th.
Have a great week.
Katie Bennett
From the REC
Catholic Schools Week
This week our school community has been celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The theme for this year’s celebrations is: Experience the Spirit of Community. Catholic Schools Week is about strengthening relationships between all those who make our school the wonderful community that it is – students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider community. Families are warmly invited to embrace this week as an opportunity to also recognise and celebrate the Catholic faith in your own home. This can be done in small ways, by praying before meals or before bed throughout the week or attending Mass on Sunday as a family. Our school has a supportive community of teachers, parents, carers, clergy, parishioners and support staff who work together to focus on giving students the best education possible, encouraging success, promoting discipline, supporting creativity and instilling compassion. As an entire school community, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support of La Salle Academy.
Visit to St Joseph’s, Portland
As part of our celebration of Catholic Schools Week, five Year Eleven students represented La Salle Academy at St Joseph’s School Mass. The students were exemplary role-models. It is wonderful to see the ties between La Salle Academy, St Patrick’s School and St Joseph’s school become closer.
Volunteer Readers
I commend the following students who accepted the offer to read or serve at our Friday Parish Mass. The ability to represent your peers and speak in public are skills often acquired by upcoming leaders. I encourage all students to accept and seek out opportunities to be involved.
Caitlan Swart
Olivia Kearns
Samara Kirkland
Ronald Younger
Noah Green
Emily Dean
Save The Date: La Salle Community Mass
On Sunday, May 21st, we invite all members of our La Salle community to join us for our parish Mass.
It would be wonderful to have many students and their families in attendance.
Venue: St Patrick’s Church, Lithgow
Date: 21st May 2023
Time: 10 a.m.
Year 10-12 Pastoral Care Co-Ordinator
We’ve just completed the second week of Term 2 and at Assembly this week, Mr Carpenter detailed all the events that the students have been involved in over that time. Whew! It’s been busy.
Firstly, I would like to thank the students who so proudly marched on behalf of La Salle at Lithgow, Wallerawang, Portland and Blackheath. They are a credit to themselves, their families and their school.
On Thursday and Friday of last week, sixteen Year 10 students engaged in a Trade Taster event after receiving a grant to participate through the RIEP (Regional Industry Educational Partnerships.) At the completion of the two days, the students proudly emerged from the Tech shed with a completed wooden folding chair.
On Friday of this week, Mr Carpenter and I travelled to CSU Bathurst for the annual FACTS Day (Facts About Careers and Tertiary Study). As well as visiting the Careers Market showcasing 55 exhibitors, they could choose to attend one of two lectures presented by the University Admissions Centre (UAC) or Training Services NSW.
Careers events coming up:
- Successful Pathways Program – Wednesday, 10th May (Years 10 and 11)
- Skillset presentation - Wednesday, 10th May (Year 10)
- “White Card” Training – Tuesday 26th May (Selected Yr 10 students)
- “Try-a-Trade” at Lithgow High – Tuesday, 30th May (Interested yrs 9 & 10)
- HSC & Careers Expo, Randwick – Saturday, 3rd June (Years 10 and 11)
- HVTC/Centennial Coal visit to inform about Centennial Apprenticeship Program – Thursday, 8th June (Years 10, 11 and 12)
- Western Sydney HSC & Careers Expo, Homebush – Saturday 24th June
Thank you to the parents who availed themselves of the opportunity to discuss their child’s academic progress at the Parent Teacher interviews on Tuesday night.
I had the honour of attending a Quota dinner on Tuesday evening at which Year 12 student Grace Dean was acknowledged as being the recipient of the Judith Whyte Award for Science in 2022. Grace was in attendance with both her parents and spoke well on her future goals.
As the days are getting cooler please ensure that your son or daughter is leaving home in the correct uniform. If you are unsure on colours of scarves etc, please refer to the student diary.
At the end of Tern 1, I emailed notes regarding unexplained absences to some parents. All absences must be explained. If my email has slipped your mind, please check and provide explanations on the sheets attached to the email.
Year 12 are organising a Trivia Night as a fundraiser on the Friday, 9th June. This will be a chance for the La Salle community of parents, students and staff to join together for an evening of fun. Prizes are to be won. Please see advertisement in this newsletter.
If you have any concerns regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Have a great fortnight.
Mrs Bernadette Hicks
Pastoral Welfare Co-ordinator Years 10-12
Careers Advisor
Year 7-9 Pastoral Care Coordinator
Welcome back to all our Students and Staff. I hope that all our students, parents and staff are well-rested and had a lovely break, enjoying the sunshine.
Term 2 has already started with several opportunities for Year 7-9 students to participate in.
Our students had an amazing opportunity to participate in ‘Empower U - Building tomorrow's youth’ during Week 1. There were many take home messages for our students, most importantly I feel the concept of being able to step outside of your comfort zone. Discussing the idea that fear can be both a positive and negative driver to our success and that fear that stops people from living their best life.
This week we visited our parents/carers for our semesterly Year 7-12 Parent Teacher Interviews.
It was fantastic to be able to report the progress and overall improvements of students being prepared for classes and a willingness to engage in their learning. It was also amazing to see so many parents and carers actively involved in the development of their children’s learning. Just a reminder that if you are concerned about your child not completing assessment tasks or homework, contact their teachers directly, as our staff are more than happy to communicate your child's progress and areas of concerns.
Year 7-9 students are starting to receive Assessment Tasks for Term 2.
If your child requires extra support or is not understanding what is expected of them, again I ask that they approach their teachers for help and clarification.
Can I please ask parents and carers to:
- Sign your child’s student planner each week. This is an important component of our Pastoral Care Program.
- Check that your child has the appropriate school uniform on at the start of each day.
- Explain to your child the importance of not having their mobile phones in class as it will be taken and sent to the front office for collection at 3:20pm.
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 Anne-Maree Wilsmore-Smith
Pastoral Welfare Years 7-9
Sports Report
Champions!!!
Our Intermediate Boys Basketball team were crowned Champions of the Bathurst Diocese earlier this week being undefeated and winning the final against St John’s Dubbo. The team have been training for some time and their hard work paid off with a real tough win in a hotly contested match. The team consisted of Jai Simcoe, Archie Morris, Levi Devieigne, Liam OReagan, Aydin Bayer Barrow, Lincoln Hutchinson and Kyan Campbell. Mr Greg Devine has been working hard coaching these boys giving up morning tea breaks and lunches for some time. They were true champions and when faced with tough circumstances, played the game hard and more importantly fair to win the final by 4 points. This team will now go on to represent the school and region further in the state finals. The intermediate girls and junior boys did not come away with trophies but did have a successful and enjoyable day on and off the court. Thank you to Miss Keely Millar for her expertise and inspirational words during breaks in play.
Macy Brown and her horse, Marvel were also named champions at the recent Sydney Royal Easter Show. Macy won the hacking event in the 14-17 years age group. This is an outstanding achievement, given that Macy will still compete in this age group for the next 2 years!!! Great work Macy. We look forward to more reporting on your achievements as well as a host of others at the upcoming Coonabarabran Show where you alongside some of your peers will be representing LSA!
Gabby Dray of Year 11 competed in the state titles at the Merriwa Campdraft Event. Gabby finished 4th which is a huge achievement, given there were competitors from not only NSW but also Queensland.
Jacob Wilson competed in his first national swimming meet and came away with a second in the 4 by 50m freestyle. Jacob was swimming and representing the Bathurst Swimming Club and swam the second leg of the relay. He swam a PB and put his team into a really tight and competitive position.
Archie Morris of Year 9 is currently representing the diocese in rugby league and competing for a position in the Southern NSW Rugby League Team. We also have 8 students representing La Salle at the Diocesan Cross Country Championships held in Orange next week as well as a small number competing for a position in the NSWCCC Hockey Team. Stay tuned for results and congratulations in these spaces.
Local Lithgow Hero created his own Memorial
The moving Anzac Day service held at Last Salle Academy remembered the life and ultimate sacrifice of local boy Ronald Burns and those who served with him. The Burns family has left an indelible impression on La Salle Academy – literally. Their family name was carved into the first-floor exterior wall of the main building by one of their adventurous children. What at the time would have been considered an act of vandalism has now become a memorial to a fallen Anzac hero. Ronald Burns attended the school when it was the Presbyterian Cooerwull Academy. He was born in Marrangaroo and grew up in Lithgow where his parents, Edward and Sarah Burns, owned several buildings in Main Street. His mother passed away when he was only 12. Like his father, Ronald would become an auctioneer but answered the call of King and Country soon after the war began. He enlisted on 27 August 1914 and was allotted to the 3rd Battalion, F Company, which embarked from Sydney, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 20 October 1914. (The HMAT A14 Euripides weighed 15,050 tons with an average cruise speed of 15 knots or 27.78 kmph. It was owned by the G Thompson & Co Ltd, London, and leased by the Commonwealth until 2 June 1917). Ronald held the rank of lieutenant, having served as a Commanding Officer in the Senior Cadets and afterwards as Area Officer in the District. He was appointed to go to India for training and successfully completed the course. Then, at his own expense, he went to England and successfully completed the Hythe Musketry School course and passed as an aviator. He was promoted to Captain prior to serving in Egypt. During the first day of the Gallipoli Campaign, Ronald, adjutant of the 3rd battalion, hearing that the 10th Battalion badly needed reinforcements, took a party of men across MacLaurin’s Hill to Courtney’s Post. He was killed in action while directing the fire of his men. He has no known grave, but his name appears on the Lone Pine Memorial (Panel 19), Gallipoli, Turkey. Most cemeteries on Gallipoli contain relatively few marked graves, and most Australians killed on Gallipoli are commemorated here. Ronald also appears on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial (Panel 35) and is commemorated in Lithgow General Cemetery. On May 11th, 1915, a crowded congregation at St. Paul's Church of England held a memorial service for Captain Ronald Burns. He was (posthumously) awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was 29.
The service held at the school also looked at the connections Lithgow and its street names has with those who have served to keep Australia safe and free.
By Jonathan Coller,
History Teacher, La Salle Academy.
School Counsellor
Dear Parent/Guardian and Students,
Please see the attached flyers from Headspace that might be of some interest to you. If you have any concerns or would like to talk to me I am available Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays.
Regards
Mrs Tegan Kiely
School Counsellor
Canteen -Flexischools
Don't forget our flexischools app. Find the instructions below on how to register with flexischools and how to place an order with the Canteen.
