Delagram 27th October 2025

Assistant Principal

Welcome to Term 4
As we dive deeper into Term 4, I am pleased to provide you with updates on some crucial events and initiatives within our school community.

Year 11 Reports and Year 12 Courses.
Year 11 End of Preliminary reports will be issued to parents and students early next week and this is an ideal time to reflect upon your current goals and consider making some changes to your study habits and routines to ensure that you are setting yourself up to reach your full potential as you commence Year 12. On Tuesday, 4th November, we will be holding a Parent/Teacher Interview session for Year 11 parents only, from 3:30 - 5:00pm followed by an information session about the HSC and ATAR. Booking will be available at the same time that the reports are distributed. Term 4 is the beginning of all Year 12 courses, and even though we are heading towards the Christmas break, you should not be in holiday mode just yet. Term 4 is also not a time to be taking time off, as there are assessment tasks to complete that contribute towards your final Higher School Certificate school assessment mark.All Year 12 students in 2026 will drop down to 1 unit of Studies in Catholic Thought, which will give students 4 study periods across the 2-week timetable. VET Nursing students will be the only students who can modify their pattern of study. Please make this decision in consultation with your parents/carers and the school to ensure that all NESA rules are met. A change in subject can also mean that you miss out on being eligible for an ATAR, so this needs to be considered also.

Elective Forms
All student in years 8, 9 and 10 who still need to return their signed elective forms for 2026 are requested to do so as soon as possible, even if your electives are correct. These were due at the end of Term 3.

Junior Exams Coming Up in Weeks 5 - 8
For our junior students in Years 7-10, exams are just around the corner, scheduled to take place in Weeks 5 - 8 of this term. Year 10 will be completing their exams in Week 5 followed by Year 9 in Week 6, Year 8 in Week 7 and Year 7 in Week 8. Notifications for these tasks will be distributed to students in the next week or two. These assessments are essential milestones for our students as they develop their study and time management skills. We aim to ensure our junior students are well-prepared to tackle these exams successfully. Teachers will be starting to have revision sessions, offering study guides, and providing guidance on effective study techniques. All students also have access to ATOMI study skills modules and should take the time to review these in preparation for the exams. Parents, we encourage you to help us with our efforts by asking your sons/daughters about their studies at home and supporting your children during this critical period. Exam timetables will be sent to students via email and Compass in the week before the exam period starts with a reminder of the rules and regulations when sitting exams. For our students, remember that the effort you invest in your studies now will reap rewards in the future!Please note that exams are conducted in most subjects and are assessment tasks that form part of a student’s final result for their report. For Year 10 students, the exam will for part of the final grade for their RoSA, so it is important that students attend all exams. The normal protocols are to be followed if a student does not attend, i.e a Show Cause Form will need to be completed for each exam missed and an alternate task arranged.

Have a great fortnight
Mrs Holgate

Religious Education Coordinator

Welcome back to what is set to be a massive and faith-filled Term 4 at La Salle Academy! As we begin the final term of 2025, our school community is buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. We have many exciting events and initiatives planned that reflect our Lasallian values of faith, service, and community.

2025–2026 Sacramental Program

We are delighted to begin the 2025–2026 Sacramental Program next week. 

This program offers our students the opportunity to deepen their faith and understanding of the sacraments of the Catholic Church. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Mrs Jackie Tse for facilitating and coordinating this special journey with our students, guiding them with compassion and dedication as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. 

This is a sacred milestone in their faith journey, and we look forward to celebrating with them and their families in the coming months.

Breakfast Club

Our much-loved Breakfast Club continues to operate every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 8:30–8:50 am upstairs, led by our inspiring Youth Ministers. 

This initiative continues to be a simple yet powerful expression of care and community spirit, ensuring every student starts their day feeling nourished, supported, and ready to learn. Whether it’s sharing a meal or a friendly chat, Breakfast Club embodies our Lasallian mission of inclusivity and kindness in action.

Socktober Week (Week 4)

Get ready to pull up your craziest socks and join in the fun for Socktober Week in Week 4, proudly organised by our Year 11 students! 

This event is part of Catholic Mission’s annual Socktober campaign, which raises awareness and funds to support communities in developing countries. 

Throughout the week, students will enjoy a range of engaging and meaningful activities, including a soccer round robin competition, Crazy Sock Day, a BBQ lunch, and the always-entertaining Sock Runway. 

This initiative encourages our students to combine fun, faith, and social justice, living out our call to “see, judge, and act” for those in need.

Visit from Bishop Michael McKenna

We are honoured to announce that Bishop Michael McKenna will be visiting La Salle Academy on Thursday, 13th November. During his visit, Bishop Michael will bless our newly renovated Sacred Heart Chapel and our beautiful new St John Baptist de La Salle mural, which celebrates the rich heritage and charism of our Lasallian tradition. 

This will be a deeply significant moment for our community, a time to give thanks for our renewed sacred spaces and to reflect on how our faith continues to guide and inspire every aspect of school life.

LSA Youth Group Gatherings

Faith in action continues to thrive through our LSA Youth Group Gatherings, taking place on Fridays in Week 4 and Week 8. These gatherings offer students from across the year groups an opportunity to connect with others. Week 4’s night will be a movie night.

Led by our Youth Ministers and student leaders, the sessions aim to strengthen identity, build relationships.

Year 12 Leaders at Irise and ACYF

Our Year 12 Leaders will represent La Salle Academy at Irise in Bathurst on 14th November, a diocesan leadership gathering that celebrates student voice, faith, and mission. 

They will engage with leaders from other schools, share ideas, and continue to grow as ambassadors of our Lasallian values.

In addition, several of our senior students will be travelling to Melbourne later in the term to participate in the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF). This national event brings together thousands of young Catholics from across Australia to celebrate their faith through music, prayer, workshops, and community. 

It promises to be a transformative experience for our students, strengthening their faith and inspiring them to be leaders of mission and hope.

Closing Mass and Christmas Appeal

As the year draws to a close, our community will gather in faith and gratitude for our Closing Mass on Friday, 12th December. This will be a time to give thanks for the many blessings of 2025 and to celebrate the growth, learning, and connections that have shaped our year. 

Alongside this, our Christmas Appeal will be launched, inviting students and families to share in the true spirit of Christmas through acts of generosity and service to those in need.

Welcome our 2026 Mission Captains

We are thrilled to announce our 2026 Mission Captains, Abby Long and Glen Okon. 

Both students have shown exceptional commitment to faith, leadership, and service within our school community. We congratulate them on this well-deserved appointment. and look forward to seeing their passion and leadership guide our school’s mission in the year ahead.

Term 4 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and meaningful yet. 

As we journey together through this final chapter of the school year, may we continue to live with faith, act with compassion, and serve with joy, true to our Lasallian call to “Live Jesus in our Hearts… Forever.”

With warm regards,
Mrs Wilsmore-Smith
Religious Education Coordinator

Pastoral and Wellbeing Co-ordinator Year 7,9 and 11

As we begin Term 4, I feel incredibly privileged to step into the role of Pastoral and Wellbeing Coordinator for Years 7, 9 and 11. It is a great honour to support our students through such an important and busy time of the school year.

This term marks a significant milestone for many of our students. Year 7 are completing their final assessment tasks as they reflect on a year of growth and transition into high school life. Year 9 students are preparing for their end-of-year exams and setting goals as they look ahead to their senior years. For Year 11, Term 4 represents the exciting start of their Year 12 journey, with their first HSC assessments providing a strong foundation for the year ahead.

Across all year groups, this term is a time to consolidate learning, maintain routines, and prioritise wellbeing as we head toward the end of the school year. I encourage students to seek balance—staying organised, asking for help when needed, and taking moments to rest and recharge.

I am located in the Wellbeing Hub and warmly invite students, parents and carers to contact me with any wellbeing concerns or questions. It’s a privilege to walk alongside our young people as they continue to grow, learn and thrive.

Ms Megan Walker
Pastoral and Wellbeing Coordinator – Years 7, 9 & 11

Pastoral and Wellbeing Co-ordinator Year 8,10 and 12

Welcome back to Term 4!

We hope all families enjoyed a restful break and that students have returned refreshed and ready to finish the year strongly.
This term is an important one for our Year 8 and Year 10 students as they prepare for their end of year exams. These assessments provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their learning, consolidate key skills, and reflect on their progress throughout the year. The year 10 exam period begins in week 5 and year 8 in week 7.
Teachers will be guiding students through targeted revision and exam preparation in class.
We encourage students to take responsibility for their learning by setting aside regular study time at home, reviewing class notes, and seeking clarification where needed. Parents cansupport their child’s success by helping them establish a balanced routine that includes study, rest, and recreation.
Exam timetables and study guides will be distributed shortly, and further details will be
communicated via Compass.
We look forward to seeing our students apply themselves with focus and determination as they approach the end of another productive school year.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mrs Soliette Markovic
Pastoral/Wellbeing Coordinator for Year 8, 10 and 12

Finance

SCHOOL FEES FOR 2025

Now is a good time to look over your account balance and work out the weekly instalments to finalise your account by December 12th. For those who need to discuss your account, please call the office and ask for myself.

Account Statements were issued on Tuesday the 21st of October via email. The final instalment was due Friday 15th August for those paying by instalments.

If you have a Payment Plan, please make sure your payments clear the account by Friday, December 12th. I strongly encourage those who have not yet set up a Payment Plan to do so, as there are only 7 weeks left in the payment plan timeline and time is quickly passing. We must ensure that any outstanding fees are all paid up by the end of the current year.

Again, for anyone who may be experiencing difficulty or needing to have a discussion regarding account payments, I do encourage you to reach out so we can discuss options that may be available.

Your account is also accessible 24 hours via Compass to make payments. If you have any questions relating to your account, please let us know by contacting the school office. If you have not received your School Fee Statement via email at all, please contact the school office to ensure that we have the correct email address on our system.

Fee Billing Dates for 2025 are listed below:
Fees are generated at the beginning of the year and split into 3 instalments. Instalment due dates are as follows:* Term 1 Statement Date 28/02/2025 and instalment due date 14/03/2025* Term 2 Statement Date 9/05/2025 and instalment due date 23/05/2025* Term 3 Statement Date 1/08/2025 and instalment due date 15/08/2025.

A reminder that payments can be made by the following payment options:
• Account balances can be accessed via Compass and payments can be made on the App.
• BPay Payment References are readily available on the Fee Statements.
• Direct Debit Forms are available at the school – just call or email to enquire.
• EFTPOS is available in person at the office or you are welcome to make payment over the phone.
• Centrepay Forms are available from ServiceNSW or call / email and we can arrange one to be sent.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the office by calling (02) 6354 5100 or by emailing the school at
lasallelithgow@bth.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions relating to your account or if experiencing any difficulty so we can arrange a suitable solution.

Thank you.

Kind regards,
Narelle Lee
Office Manager

All Things Attendance

It is law in NSW that all school age children must attend school every day that the school is open.
There is a direct relationship between learning success and excellent attendance.

Welcome back to Term 4!

Even though we are nearing the end of the year, we still need to focus on regular school attendance for your child.
What does that look like? And why are we so insistent on making sure your child attends regularly and always reminding parents of the importance.
I came across this article and have included an excerpt below for parents to read.

The Advantages of Daily School Attendance

The advantages of daily school attendance extend well beyond the classroom, embedding a set of skills and values that prepare students for both academic achievements and the broader life experiences that lie ahead.

Daily school attendance creates an uninterrupted learning experience, where each day builds on the previous one, reinforcing knowledge and understanding in a consistent manner. This continuous engagement in the educational process enables students to maintain a steady pace with the curriculum, ensuring they grasp key concepts and stay aligned with their classmates’ learning trajectory.

Beyond academics, regular attendance nurtures essential life skills such as discipline, punctuality and accountability. It sets a daily routine that instils in students the importance of commitment and responsibility, qualities that are invaluable throughout life. By attending school every day, children develop resilience, learning
to face and overcome the daily challenges that accompany their educational journey.

Socially, daily attendance enhances students’ ability to forge and maintain meaningful relationships with both peers and educators. It provides a platform for constant social interaction, crucial for developing strong communication skills and emotional intelligence. These interactions contribute to a sense of belonging and
community, vital for emotional and mental health.

Furthermore, regular attendance prepares students for the future workforce, mirroring the expectations and structure they will encounter in their professional lives. It signals to future employers that they are dependable and committed, setting a strong foundation for career success.

https://www.goodtogreatschools.org.au/better-attendance/

As you can see attending school isn’t just about learning it prepares students for life out in the big wide world. Creating good habits by attending school promotes life awareness and being ready for the future.

If you have received any notifications or letters in regards to your child’s attendance over the past few weeks please know that we understand that children get sick, have some commitments to attend to and have things going on in their lives that sometimes not being at school can be impacted. However, when students miss a lot of school the impact of this can be quite significant to their academic learning, social interactions and learning essential
life skills.

At school we have to follow procedures and policies in regards to your child’s attendance and notification to parents need to be sent. If you are having difficulties with your child’s attendance at school we are here to help. Please contact your child’s Pastoral Coordinator -
 
Mrs Soliette Markovic – Years 8,10 & 12 or Ms Megan Walker – Years 7, 9 & 11.

Mrs Kath Staines
Attendance Wellbeing Officer

Mission Captains

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Glen Okon and my name is Abby Long, and together we are the new mission captains for 2026.

Last week, Year 11 attended our camp at KCC in Katoomba. It was a great experience to start Term 4 as we begin our Year 12 coursework and enter the final year of our schooling. Camp was a refreshing break filled with fun and laughter, from dancing around the campfire to witnessing Harry’s unforgettable dance moves. One of the highlights was the talent show, which gave everyone a chance to come together, showcase their creativity, and cheer each other on. It was a memorable way to strengthen friendships and set a positive tone for the term ahead.

In addition to the Year 11 camp, a number of our students also took part in Rise, a spiritual summit for Years 6 to 9 held at Ridgecrest Convention Centre in Mumbil, during the first week of the holidays. The event was filled with worship, workshops, and inspiring messages. One of the highlights was seeing Father Cong’s breakdancing skills, which had the entire room cheering. It was so unexpected to see such joy and energy from someone you wouldn’t expect! We’re incredibly proud of the students who chose to spend part of their holidays growing in faith, building friendships, and representing our school community with such enthusiasm at Rise. We hope to see this level of engagement next year.

Have a great fortnight.
Glen Okon and Abby Long
Mission Captains 2026

Aboriginal Education Officer

Celebrating National Aboriginal Languages Week

This week marks National Aboriginal Languages Week — a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful learning experiences our Year 10 students had during last term’s Wiradjuri language sessions.

Throughout these sessions, students explored Indigenous culture, practised pronouncing selected Wiradjuri words, listened to a Dreamtime story about the biladurang (platypus), and even created their own Indigenous-inspired artworks on rocks and boomerangs.

The sessions were led by Karen Brown, a local Wiradjuri custodian, who shared her vast cultural knowledge and passion for keeping language and tradition alive.

In conjunction with this learning, Rick Slaven, also a Wiradjuri custodian, has created a stunning artwork that will soon be displayed proudly within our school grounds.

We thank both Aunty Karen and Uncle Rick for sharing their knowledge and creativity with our students, helping us deepen our understanding and appreciation of Wiradjuri language and culture.

Kind regards
Zoe
Aboriginal Education Officer

Inter-schools Horse Extravaganza

On the 16th – 20th October 2025 one of our enthusiastic and talented equestrians, Macy Brown, proudly represented our school at the popular Inter schools Horse Extravaganza held in Tamworth (ISHE) With  over 540 riders, 681 horses, and 2,128 entries  The event brought together riders from across New South Wales to compete in a wide range of equestrian disciplines, celebrating skill, dedication, and the partnership between horse and rider.

Macy competed in the Working Horse Challenge, which consisted of three disciplines — Hack Pattern, Working Pattern, and Time Trial finishing with excellent results. She also showcased her versatility and horsemanship by competing in both campdrafting and sporting events, performing well across all areas.
Macy’s dedication, sportsmanship, and strong connection with her horse were evident throughout the competition, earning her well-deserved recognition.

We congratulate Macy Brown on her achievements and for being such a wonderful ambassador for our school at this event.

Interested in Joining the Fun?
Are you passionate about horses and interested in representing our school at Interschool Equestrian events? Our equestrian team is always looking for new members who want to challenge themselves, develop their riding skills, and be part of a supportive and enthusiastic group.

Come and see Kim in the office if this is something you would like to be a part of!

Catholic Faith handbook for 2026

CCSP have recently updated the Our Catholic Faith handbook for 2026 – it’s a very popular guide to Catholicism because it’s easy to read. Resources and Links for Families: https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/faith-formation

CEBD Community Charter

PCYC Activities

Announcement

Centacare programs

NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy | Have Your Say

Becoming a foster carer

Canteen- Flexischools App

Canteen cut off times for order are as follows:

Recess: 10am

Lunch time : 12pm 

If you are interested in helping in the canteen please call our office 6354 5100

Thank You

Regards
Leanne
Canteen Manager

We have the flexischools app for your convenience order online - See the flyers below with instructions on how to order.

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.