Delagram 20th June 2025

From the Principal

"Positive anything is better than negative nothing." 

Elbert Hubbert

I often reflect on what type of world our students will inherit!  It is rare to turn on a news broadcast and find news stories that promote positivity, or find positive news stories leading the news.  As we look around the world we are faced with regional wars, aggressive and divisive politics, critical incidents and warring factions in our own streets across Australia.  But closer to home, we are quick to find errors in others, be judgmental and consider a narrow picture that is focused on oneself.  Is this the world we wish to continue to build and leave to our youth. 

Whilst this is depressing, it doesn’t have to be.  There are many positives in our world, society and, right here Lithgow.  There are wonderful people, exciting ventures, amazing acts of kindness and a great community spirit.  But these narratives and stories are often hidden at the expense of bad news, or negativity.  My challenge to our students recently is to find the positive, look for the next exciting positive interaction or activity, reflect on the kindness of others.  My hope is for a student population who can be a vehicle of positive messaging to change the narrative, lighten up our days and provide hope for wonderful future.   For whatever reason, it is easy to be negative, but hard to be positive. 

My challenge extends to our community also, for our youth are influenced by those around us.  Do we centre our conversations around success, achievement, recognition and reflection; or do we discuss the negativity that surrounds us and is so visible.  How do we react when we don’t get the answers that we want; or a driver cuts you off; or when we come home after a tough day at work or the office.

Schools are not immune to these thoughts either.  This is why over the coming weeks we will reflect on how we as a school can respond positively within our interactions.  At our upcoming staff meeting, we will consider how we can strengthen our positive messaging about what our students are doing well, celebrating their achievements and recognising their efforts.  Just like the results from our satisfaction surveys recently.  It would be easy to focus on the results that are not so good, but I choose to look at these differently.  There were many, many positives in our survey results, and then there were justified and constructive elements that will help us to be even better.  I hope that this is a true example of turning what could be perceived as being a negative into a challenge and positive outlook of where we can go. 

We need more positive news in the world right now.  We need more positive people in the world right now – and it starts with us, and it starts with you. 

God Bless
Mr Glenn Carpenter

Assistant Principal

Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews 
Year 11 Reports have been released on 6th June on Compass. If you are having
difficulties viewing the reports please call the office and they can assist you. If you are accessing Compass on your phone via the app, you will need to click the ‘view on web browser’ link.
From here simply navigate to your child’s report for Year 11 Mid-Course Report, 2025. 
Parent Teacher Interviews will be held again in Term 3. Parents will be notified via
Compass when bookings can be made for each year group. Please keep an eye out on
Compass for these notifications. 
Students in Years 7 – 10 will also be receiving their reports in Week 10 of this term.
Assessment is still on-going that will form part of these reports so it is important to
complete your best work in all assessment tasks and follow the correct procedures when it comes to absences when tasks are being conducted. A Show Cause form will be required for missed tasks and these can be collected from the school’s reception.

Stage 6 Assessment
Just a reminder to our Stage 6 students and in particular Year 11. When you miss an assessment task, you must have a doctors certificate for the day you were absent and it needs to be submitted together with a Show Cause Form ON THE DAY or the following day that the task was to be completed. As per the school’s assessment policy, teachers
are required to send out an N Warning Letter for tasks that are not submitted. These warning letters are a requirement of NESA and need to be taken seriously. If a teacher has to send out 3 of these warning letters for 1 particular task, the student can receive an N determination/grade for the subject which will result in not receiving the RoSA at the end of the Preliminary HSC year which will mean the students will have to start Year 11 again as they will not have met the prerequisite for Year 12. It is unfortunate that this has to be stated, but our Assessment Policy is clearly identified in the Assessment handbooks that were distributed to all students and parents and we, as a school are following this procedure.
Attendance at school and completing set classwork and meeting outcomes is also a part of course completion in Year 11 which a student can also receive and N Determination so regular school attendance is key not just academically but for building relationships and connections with others.

Have a great fortnight
Mrs Holgate

Religious Education Coordinator

As we approach the end of a very busy and rewarding Term 2, we take a moment to celebrate the many meaningful faith-based experiences that have taken place in our community over the past two weeks. 

In Week 8, our Year 5/6 Confirmation Retreat Day was a beautiful witness to student leadership and peer ministry. The day was facilitated by 15 of our Year 9 CSYMI students, who led with confidence and care. They explored with 50 primary students the meaning of Confirmation as a sacrament, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the importance of choosing a saint, and the role of a sponsor. The highlight was seeing strong connections built between our students across campuses, and of course, the sausage sizzle lunch was a big hit with all!

We also celebrated a successful Year 3 Holy Communion Retreat Day, led by our compassionate and engaging Year 10 CSYMI students. They supported over 50 Year 3 students in exploring the sacredness of the Eucharist, the meaning of receiving the Body of Christ, and how this sacrament strengthens their relationship with God. Their creative activities, prayerful reflections, and mentoring spirit brought great energy to the day.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal Sleepout has been postponed until Term 3. We thank all students and families who were already preparing and showing support for this initiative, and we look forward to a powerful evening of awareness and solidarity next term.

This week also marks Refugee Week, with Refugee Day being recognised today. As a school highly committed to social justice, we continue to raise awareness and stand in solidarity with those seeking safety and hope. Early next term, we will be hosting a cook-up in support of those in need in our community, and we thank Acts for Peace for providing resources and helping our students gain a deeper understanding of the refugee experience. Their work has inspired our students to reflect on compassion, justice, and our shared responsibility to welcome the stranger.

We are also excited to share that five students from La Salle will be attending the Ignite Conference during the holidays alongside students from surrounding Catholic high schools. This powerful youth experience of worship, formation, and encounter with Christ will no doubt enrich their faith journeys. A thank you to Mrs Markovic for generously giving up part of her holidays to accompany and support our students on this incredible opportunity.

Thank you to all who have supported these initiatives. Together, we continue to live out our mission of faith, hope, and love in action.

Warm regards,
Mrs Wilsmore-Smith
Religious Education Coordinator

Leader of Teaching and Learning

Community Outreach
In our school mission statement for 2025, La Salle Academy acknowledges the importance of the Catholic Church’s social justice teaching and the value of  ‘contributing to a better and just community that works for the common good’.  While activities within this area usually sit in the domain of our Religious Education team and the work of our REC, Youth Ministers and Senior Leaders, we have also engaged in community outreach within the area of Teaching and Learning.  Through establishing our After School Academy (in partnership with Lithgow Library), our senior students have been able to provide support to primary school students in our local area. This support predominantly focuses on literacy, numeracy and homework help. However, in the process of tutoring, our students are also acting in a pastoral capacity to build confidence within the younger students through these social interactions and conversation. This has helped to build community connections and help students to feel more confident in themselves and in their future transition to high school. 

I would especially like to commend the following students for their willingness to support this initiative and their overall participation: Ashlee. C., Isabella.F, Glen. O., and Isabelle. Y. 

Students from Years 10-12 are encouraged to participate and can see me for further details. 

Teen Tech Tutors
Whilst undertaking our After School Academy at the library, the wonderful staff there alerted us to the issue of older members of the community having difficulties in accessing technology and completing tasks via the internet. As we now live in a world where most of our ‘life administration’ is conducted online, it can be very difficult for people to complete these necessary tasks if their digital literacy skills are not sound. Therefore, as an additional service, we have now established ‘Teen Tech Tutors’ in Lithgow Library. This service will run concurrently with the After School Academy and provides the opportunity for members of the community to come into the library and get assistance with accessing the internet, using email and general searching information. Not only are we providing a vital community service, but it enables our students to develop empathy and strong communication skills as they learn to understand different perspectives and express ideas clearly. They also build leadership and problem-solving abilities through collaboration and support. All students in Years 10-12 are encouraged to participate in this initiative.

Yours in learning, 
Mrs Devine

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

Reflecting on Our Motivational Speaker, Luke Kennedy
A few weeks ago, our school had the privilege of welcoming motivational speaker Luke Kennedy, thanks to funding support from Headspace. The response from our students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how much they connected with Luke’s story and message. A number of students even felt confident enough to stand up and ask questions in front of the entire school — a powerful testament to the impact of his words and the safe, supportive atmosphere created during his visit.
Luke shared his compelling life story – from a young man caught up in negative influences, trying to prove his toughness, to someone who completely turned his life around through self-awareness and vulnerability. His message resonated strongly with our students, as he spoke openly about how easy it is to fall into the trap of seeking approval from the wrong crowd, and the courage it takes to step away and build a more authentic life.

A key takeaway from Luke’s presentation was his powerful mantra: “Do more things that embarrass you.” He explained that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and not being afraid to look silly or different. Whether it's putting your hand up in class, trying a new activity, or simply being kind when it’s not the popular choice — embracing discomfort is a vital part of confidence and resilience.

Luke also encouraged students to question the people they surround themselves with. Are they lifting you up? Are they helping you grow? This message prompted some great reflection on friendships, peer pressure, and the importance of surrounding yourself with positive, supportive influences.

We’re grateful to Headspace for making this opportunity possible and encourage families to continue these important conversations at home. Luke’s story is a reminder that change is always possible, and that small choices can shape a brighter future.

Warm regards,
Mrs Tahni Hotham
Wellbeing Coordinator (Years 7, 9 & 11)

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

Hi parents and students,

We are fast approaching the end of the term and the students have continued to engage in exciting opportunities in and out of the school.

Year 8
Year 8 have been busy the last couple of weeks working on assessments and working hard in their classes. During their year group meetings, we have been going through some helpful strategies that will be beneficial for the upcoming tasks at hand. This included using their diaries to set reminders and realistic goals, making sure that they are getting enough sleep at night and ensuring that they have clear communication with their classroom teachers in case they need assistance.
Earlier this term, students had the opportunity to engage in a talk conducted by our local
Police Youth Liaison. This was a good opportunity for students to ask questions and learn
more about safe and respectful relationships and using different apps online. I ask that
parents keep those communication lines open with their child, discussing their online
presence is important.
Year 10
Year 10 have been busy the last couple of weeks and will continue to do until the end of term. In week 6 we had four of our students attend the Job Ready week with PCYC. The students did their First Aid Course and were able to obtain their White Card on the last day of the program. Opportunities like these are available almost all year round for our students and it’s an excellent opportunity for them to gain the skills required for the workplace. The
same group of students attended the Fit for Change Reward Day this week. They were taken to Aqua Golf and Flipout in Penrith. This was an excellent way to end the program!
Students also attended the RYDA Safe Driving workshop this week. I was very proud of their
behaviour and how well they conducted themselves during the program. We are hoping that
students will take what they learnt from this course and apply it when they start making an
appearance on the road.
Year 12
The focus for year 12 the last couple of weeks has been mental health and prioritising. At this point in their HSC, it is so important to make sure that they are making time for themselves. The conversations I have had with students are mostly around not having enough time. The truth is, decisions not made are still decisions. I encourage students to make the continuous decision to work hard, but to also ensure that they are making time for themselves. I continue to keep these communication lines open with students and I encourage parents to reach out if they have any concerns.

Mrs Markovic
Coordinator Years 8, 10 and 12

Library News

Winter Display
As the winter chill sets in, it is only fitting that our newest library display acknowledges the beauty of the season. A big thank you to Mrs Doohan for her creativity in putting together another wonderful and eye-catching display for our library. Combining her work as the school’s archivist, Mrs Doohan has included some fabulous photos of La Salle Academy covered in layers of snow. The books on display include some great titles, both fiction and non-fiction, so be sure to come and check them out. 

Activity Hub
In the cooler weather, the library is a welcoming space to enjoy a range of fun activities. Many students have taken advantage of the opportunity to spend time with friends whilst participating in activities such as playing board games, engaging in chess tournaments, working on the jigsaw puzzle and enjoying some mindful colouring in. It is wonderful to see our students take advantage of the opportunities provided in the library.

New Books
Each month we receive a delivery of new fiction titles for our collection. Some of the wonderful texts on offer this month are:

Good Luck and Other Lies by Catriona McKeown
In this heart-pounding tale of wealth, deceit, and moral reckoning, the millionaires club find themselves entangled in a treacherous game where the price of fortune is higher than they ever imagined. As they attempt to shield their newfound riches and each other from the relentless pursuit of the truth, they begin to realise that luck can be far from good, and lies, once buried, have a way of clawing their way back to the surface.

Heir of Storms by Lauren Hamilton Murray
This is an addictive fantasy story full of so many twists and turns. It has dangerous trials, lots of elemental magic, adventure, sparkling romance and top it all off with the intrigue of court politics, and this book will have you hooked from the first page. The characters are wonderful, as is the love Blaze has for her family, especially her little brother, Renly. Blaze goes through so many emotions as she tries to find the courage that she needs to face this strange new world she finds herself in.

Happy Reading, 
Mrs Devine

Atomi

Introduction to Atomi:   
Welcome to Atomi—your child’s trusted learning companion for high school. High school is full of milestones, whether your child is stepping into Year 7 or preparing for their senior exams. It’s also a shared journey for families as you support your child through growing responsibilities and new challenges.
Atomi works alongside schools and families to simplify study and empower students. With engaging video lessons, interactive quizzes, and personalised tools, Atomi helps your child build confidence, stay organised, and succeed.Partnering with families makes high school a smoother, more rewarding experience for students and parents alike. Ifn you have any additional questions .
Reach out to support if you have any questions - https://support.getatomi.com/en/

Energy Australia (BESS) Visit

On Thursday 12th June and Friday 13th June, Rhana, Deborah, Robert, Grant and Catherine from Energy Australia education team visited La Salle Academy to run a STE(A)M activity with Years 7 and 8.

Below is an outline of the activities the students undertook:
1.  A brief discussion about what energy is and what the different forms of energy are.
2. Classifying energy sources in the home as renewable or non- renewable.
3. Identifying the renewable energy sources in the home.
4. Viewing of the model of the future Mt Piper BESS (Battery Energy Storage Solution) and discussion around the concept of energy storage.
5. Investigating simple energy storage using a potato. Each studentcreated their own potato battery using a potato and small pieces of metal for the battery electrodes. They performed ongoing testing of their battery to try to improve its efficiency. A small light globe was used to determine if the potato battery was functional.
6. Discussion and reflection of student findings from the potato
battery investigation.
7. Students discussed what they knew of the transition from non- renewable to renewable energy over the past years.
8. Students designed a renewable energy technology solution for the future by connecting their potato batteries with those of the others to achieve the greatest energy efficiency, in smaller groups at first, then in larger groups, and finally within the whole group.

9. A discussion about how this renewable technology solution could be used, where it could be placed, who would benefit from it, the constraints on energy production, and how to overcome these.
10. A review of the key concepts learnt throughout the activity.
11. Students undertook a survey on their learnings throughout the activity. From the surveys, students noted, that in general, they  enjoyed the activities they were involved in.

Thank you for your time.
J. MacKinnon
Science Co-ordinator

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Winter Health campaign NSW Health

NSW Health Department Information:

Health direct campaign resources found at the link below:
  https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/pages/healthdirect-toolkit.aspx

NSW Health is pleased to share with you the new call health direct Campaign toolkit. The campaign aims to promote the health direct number as the first step to access health advice, care and treatment for non-life threatening conditions.
When you call health direct, you’ll speak to a registered nurse who will help you get the care you need. They can find you a nearby doctor, pharmacist, urgent care service, or even connect you to specialist virtual care. We’re encouraging people to save this number, 1800 022 222, for free, easy access to health advice and care whenever they need it.

The key links are:

● For more information about health direct:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/Pages/healthdirect.aspx

● Campaign launch Ministerial media release:

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20250521_01.aspx

Thank you for your support to help protect the NSW community.

 Vaccination education campaign:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/vaccination-resources.aspx

NSW Health is pleased to share with you the 2025 Vaccination Campaign toolkit. This campaign aims to raise awareness, support and encourage proactive information-seeking so individuals can make informed decisions about immunisation. These materials are evergreen and can be used throughout winter and beyond.

The key links are:
• For more information about vaccinations: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaccinationinfo

• Translated information about vaccinations:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaccinationinfo#translations

Thank you for your ongoing support to help protect the NSW community.
2025 Influenza Vaccination campaign –

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/respiratory/Pages/resources.aspx

NSW Health is pleased to share with you the 2025 Influenza Vaccination Campaign toolkit.
This campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of flu vaccination during winter, to help increase uptake of the flu vaccine among all of population in NSW, particularly at-risk audiences. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over and offers the best protection from getting really sick.

The key links are:
• Book a flu vaccine: www.healthdirect.gov.au/nswfluvaccine
• For more information about influenza: www.health.nsw.gov.au/flu
• For more information about respiratory illness: www.health.nsw.gov.au/respiratory

Thank you for your ongoing support to help protect the NSW community.

2025 Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) campaign – 

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/heal/Pages/winter-toolkit.aspx

NSW Health is pleased to share with you the 2025 Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)
Campaign toolkit. This campaign, which runs until the end of winter, includes budget-friendly and accessible ways for families to:

Eat healthily – tips to eat healthily and drink water, including free low-cost winter recipes and lunchbox ideas
Get active – ideas and tips to help you stay active during winter such as at-home exercises or connecting with nature
Support – free programs to help you and your family keep up healthy habits.

The key links are:
● NSW Healthy Eating Active Living website: Healthy Eating Active Living - Getting healthy starts with small steps
https://www.healthyliving.nsw.gov.au/

Finance

SCHOOL FEES FOR 2025
Thank you to all those who have set up/organised a payment plan for this year's school fees. Thank you also to those families who have made both 1st and 2nd instalment payments in a timely manner. I strongly encourage those who have not yet set up a Payment Plan to do so, as there are only 27 weeks left in the payment plan timeline. 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 will be 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 on 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 and stay warm in this Winter season.

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.

Can you believe that we are nearly at the end of Term 2. Here are a few reminders for  parents:

 * We are now experiencing a high level of absence at school due to sickness – Cold and flu and Covid is back in the mix. We ask that if your child is displaying symptoms of cold and flu to keep them at home. If you are worried that your child is missing any lessons, please let the school know. If your child is off when an assessment is due
especially the senior students you will need to provide a Doctor’s Certificate as per the Assessment Policy.

*  Whilst at school and at home we ask that we adopt the usual practices of washing and sanitizing our hands regularly to keep the germs at bay.

* There has been an increase in children being absent during the school term for non-essential travel and we ask that this be only done when absolutely necessary.

If you are planning on taking leave during the school term, even if this only for a few days, we ask that you contact the school prior to going away and that written confirmation of the leave is provided before the leave is taken. Parents are adding the note to compass and the school has not been provided with any notice of the leave. If you are planning on taking more then 10 days leave for an extended holiday the appropriate paperwork needs to be submitted and sometimes an interview with the Principal is needed.

Mrs Kath Staines
Attendance Wellbeing Officer

Important Information

Catholic Education Benefits All Australians

Catholic schools are Australia's largest non-government education provider, delivering choice, affordability and value for all. With the election coming up,parents might be interested in finding out more information by going to https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/2025-federal-election/ There is a great short video explaining how school funding works.

Fundraising Do it for Dolly

A message from our school captains:

Noah - "Dolly’s Dream is an important initiative that raises awareness about the serious impacts of bullying, anxiety, and youth mental health issues. Our school’s involvement in Dolly’s Dream is vital because it helps create a safer, more supportive environment for students by promoting kindness, resilience, and open conversations about mental health and wellbeing. I am very proud of what we have raised for this crucial initiative."

Emma - "In today’s society, social media implements a great burden on all individuals which has resulted in the Australian youth to be heavily affected. We, the class of 2025, are promoting an end to the fight of decimating self worth by expressing our love for the initiative of Dolly’s Dream. By having everyone realise the consequences of what a singular text could do to a young person, allows us to have the ability to reflect on our and others actions. Bullying is not to be ignored, it is to be challenged, and this is us challenging it to stop."

CEBD Community Charter

School Holiday Activities

Karate Classes

We are a local karate school who have been operating for over 25 years with experienced, qualified instructors.
We provide fun, affordable karate classes for kids, teens and adults to develop fitness, determination, focus and self defence in a safe, welcoming environment.
Our karate school is a traditional school that follows the virtues of respect, peace and perseverance and helps to develop students in the dojo as well as in their daily lives.
We are offering a FREE trial lesson to all new students.

Kind regards,
Tamara Snow
Blue Mountains Karate Admin and Instructor

Phone: 0425 370 859
Email: info@karatensw.com.au
Website: karatensw.com.au
Facebook: chito ryu karate blue mountains

Student stationery pack

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.