Delagram 26th February 2024

From the Principal

Through the desert, God leads us to freedom. 

This was the 2024 Lenten message from Pope Francis.  In a world that remains in conflict, this short message is a reminder that belief and trust in our faith provides us with hope.  Aside from the major conflicts around the world, and daily reports of bad news in our communities, each of us struggle at times to overcome personal battles of anxiety, stress, loneliness and depression.   Our faith based community here at La Salle Academy should be a beacon of hope for the young students and their families in our region.  Quite simply, we are here to provide our students, alongside their families, with the support for their holistic growth.  It is therefore timely, that I remind our families of the supports that are available to them at our school.  The following attachment is designed to help guide our parents/guardians to the right person when they are looking for support and guidance in relation to their child.   The attachment refers to the position, so please use the following list to assist you in understanding the attachment.  

Principal:  Mr Glenn Carpenter

Assistant Principal:  Ms Jennifer Holgate (TAS / Certificate Course enquiries here)

Leader of Teaching & Learning:  Ms Donna Mitchell (Career Enquiries here)

Middle Leader KLA Religious Education:  Ms Anne-Maree Wilsmore-Smith

Middle Leader KLA English/Humanities:  Ms Leonie King

Middle Leader KLA Mathematics/Creative Arts/PDHPE:  Mr Greg Devine

Middle Leader KLA Science / Agriculture:  Mr. Jason Mackinnon

Learning Support Teacher:  Ms Colleen Houghton

Pastoral / Wellbeing Coordinator (Year 10-12):  Mr Steve Carroll

Pastoral / Wellbeing Coordinator (Year 7-9):  Ms Tahni Isedale

School Counsellor:  Ms Tegan Kiely

Aboriginal Education Worker:  Ms Mikayla De Losa

The Fortnight that was

I am reminded that I mention how busy the school in in every newsletter.  These last two weeks have been no different:

• Shrove Tuesday;
• Ash Wednesday;
• St Valentine’s Day;
• School Photos;
• Year 7 Parents/Guardians Welcome BBQ;
• Stage Four Sports Afternoon;
• School Swimming Carnival;
• Staff Professional Development Day.

I am also reminded of the hard work and dedication of our staff who work tirelessly to provide these opportunities for your child/ren.  I thank all our staff for the dedication and enthusiasm in these first couple of weeks of 2024.  Additionally, I would like to congratulate and continue to motivate our students to maintain the great classroom behaviour and playground attitudes that we have witnessed so far this year.  I firmly believe our culture has changed and that with our continued growth, development and innovation across the school, we have a great future ahead of us.   Our hope resides in our youth, and I am confident that with our message of taking responsibility and with the influence of our catholic faith, our students can contribute positively to our future. 

As always, I encourage any questions or concerns to be forwarded to me at the school on 02 6354 5100 or via email at g.carpenter@bth.catholic.edu.au 

God Bless

Mr Glenn Carpenter

Assistant Principal

It has certainly been a busy fortnight here at La Salle. Following on from our Opening Mass,we celebrated Shrove Tuesday or pancake day with all proceeds going to Project Compassion. I would like to congratulate Mrs Wilsmore-Smith and her team of student leaders who cooked and distributed pancakes.
Ash Wednesday and St Valentine’s day coincided this year and the day began with a liturgy and distribution of ashes to mark the start of lent. I would like to congratulate the reverence our students showed during this occasion. The afternoon saw the love being shared with Chocolates, roses and balloons. Special thanks goes to Imogen Della Bosca who assisted with preparing all of the gifts and to our student leaders for the delivery of the gifts to the students.
Year 11 and 12 had a visit from some Charles Sturt University representatives to discuss further study options. It was interesting to see how university life has changed with many different study paths and platforms and there are many exciting opportunities for study that await our senior students as they consider their futures.School photos were taken on Monday 19 th February, and this is always a busy start to the school week. Our students looked very smart in their full school uniforms. Photos will be distributed to students later in the year.
NAPLAN is fast approaching for Year 7 and 9 students in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. We will commence the tests on Wednesday 13 th March to Monday 18 th March. A timetable will be distributed to students within the next week, and this will be also sent home to parents through Compass.

Mrs Jenny Holgate
Assistant Principal

From the Religious Education Coordinator

I hope this fortnights school newsletter finds you well and filled with the spirit of joy and compassion. Over the past few weeks, our school community has been actively engaged in various events aimed at fostering faith and support for those in need.

Firstly, our Shrove Tuesday pancake party held on 13th February was a tremendous success! I'm delighted to announce that we raised over $100 for Project Compassion during this event, with Benildus House contributing an impressive $46 towards this total. Your generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of others, and I'm grateful for your continued support.

Following this joyful celebration, we gathered for a beautiful Ash Wednesday liturgy on 14th February, led by our school leaders. It was a solemn yet spiritually enriching service, reminding us of the significance of the Lenten season and the importance of reflection and renewal.

Additionally, on St. Valentine's Day, we once again came together in the spirit of giving and compassion, raising over $100 more for Project Compassion. Your contributions bring us closer to our goal of $1000, with the current total standing at $330.

For those who may not be familiar, Project Compassion is an initiative by Caritas Australia aimed at raising funds to support communities in need around the world. These funds provide vital resources for education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, and emergency relief in some of the most vulnerable regions. Your donations truly have a global impact, and I encourage everyone to contribute whatever they can, be it students, staff, parents, family, or members of our local community. Each family can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at or scan the QR code below. Our aim this year is to raise $1000. https://schools.projectcompassion.org.au/o/la-salle-academy-lithgow

Looking ahead, we have some exciting events lined up. On 14th March, we will be holding a 'Stations of the Cross' liturgy, providing an opportunity for reflection on the journey of Jesus Christ towards his crucifixion. This will be followed by our Easter liturgy on 28th March, as we come together to celebrate the resurrection and the hope it brings to our lives.

Lithgow Mass Times

Tuesday: 12.30pm – St Patrick’s Church, Lithgow

Thursday: 9.30am – St Patrick’s Church, Lithgow

Friday: 9.30am – St Patrick’s Church, Lithgow

Saturday Vigil : 5.00pm – St Patrick’s Church, Lithgow (6.00pm daylight saving time   

        October – March)

Sunday: 10.00am – St Patrick’s Church, Lithgow

Lastly, I would like to wish everyone a happy and fulfilling fortnight ahead. As a gentle reminder, please note that Religion assessments are starting to be handed out to students from Year 7 to Year 12. Your support in encouraging their academic endeavors is greatly appreciated.

Thank you once again for your support and dedication to our school's religious education initiatives. Together, we can make a positive difference in the world and embody the values of compassion, kindness, and faith.
With warm regards,
Mrs Wilsmore-Smith
Religious Education Coordinator

LaSalle's 2024 Youth Minister

Over the past two weeks many of our students participated in our Ash Wednesday Liturgy and helped contribute their time and efforts to cooking and selling pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Both of which were a great success, especially with the money that was raised to go towards Project Compassion. I am really enjoying getting to know the students and helping them to further build their connection to their faith within different aspects of the school life. 

Starting next week we will be running a Breakfast Club on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Friday mornings for those students who get to school on the earlier side and may not have time to have something to eat. If that is the case feel free to come up to the Learning Centre before school from 8.20am-8:40am to have a chat and get some breakfast. I will also be opening our Chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch times for all students who would like to come in and play some games. 

Have a great week!

Imogen Della Bosca
La Salle Youth Minister

Leader of Teaching and Learning

All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. — James Clear, author of Atomic Habits
We’re now in week 4 of term and hopefully all back into the rhythm of school life. I’ve included the quote above to draw attention to the fact that effective learning is supported by good habits of learning.
While there are many effective habits, I just want to focus on 3 key habits from a student perspective:
1. Set yourself up for success. Have the materials you need, the books, the stationery and any special equipment needed. Organise yourself the night before, if you can.
2. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t understand’ or to ask questions. If you’re not sure of
what to do, how to do it, when to do it, what something means, ask your teacher.
The chances are that you are not the only one with questions.
3. Seek and understand feedback. When a teacher provides you with information
about how you’re doing or a comment on a task, read it or listen carefully, then
apply it. If you don’t understand ask questions and seek guidance.
As parents and carers, you can support your students in these endeavours by:

 Making sure your student has everything they need and is organised for school.

 Asking about how school is going and encouraging your student to ask questions if
they’re not clear or need help

 Reviewing formal feedback with students to help them understand what to do next.

Attending parent-teacher interviews so you can hear teacher feedback and are able
to support learning at home.
In particular, I would like to ask everyone to make sure that La Salle students have a
calculator for Mathematics. This is a key piece of equipment that is necessary for learning. If
you are having any problems with accessing one, please contact me.
Likewise, if you have any concerns, questions or comments about teaching and learning,
please feel free to contact me at any time.

Dr Donna Mitchell
Leader of Teaching and Learning

Year 7-9 Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

We’ve been back at school for about a month now and are well and truly settled back into the routine of high school. Years 7, 8 and 9 have had a busy fortnight with PAT testing, school sport choices, swimming carnival, school photos and some students completing their Rugby League Referee Course. On Tuesday night, we welcomed Year 7 families to La Salle with our meet and greet BBQ. I was very impressed to see so many families turning up to invest time in their child’s education. A strong home-school partnership is essential for fostering a supportive environment that nurtures the academic, social and emotional success of our students. 

Over the past fortnight, I have seen a rise in issues that have stemmed from our students’ use of mobile phones and social media. I am asking for support from parents and families to promote healthy and safe habits around our students’ use of technology. 

Monitoring your child’s social media use is paramount to their safety and wellbeing. While social media offers numerous benefits, it also presents potential risks, including cyber bullying, exposure to inappropriate content and privacy concerns. By staying actively involved in your child’s online activities, you can help ensure they navigate these platforms responsibly and safely. Encourage open communication with your child about their online experiences and set clear guidelines for their social media usage. Utilise parental control tools and regularly check their profiles for any red flags. Your guidance and monitoring plays a crucial role in fostering a positive and safe online environment for your child. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s social media use, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your continued partnership in safeguarding our students. 

Ms Tahni Isedsale
Year 7-9 Pastoral Welfare Coordinator

Pastoral Welfare Co-ordinator Years 10 - 12

One area that requires a lot of attention is attendance. At this early stage of the term we already have several students that have missed 4 days of school or more! That is, 4 days out of 10! It is 40% of school missed so far and at least 4 hours of class time per subject. In NSW it is stated as unsatisfactory attendance to miss more than 18 days in the one year. Some of our students have begun the year having already missed close to a ¼ of this 18 day threshold. 18 days a year is not satisfactory which when averaged out equal 4.5 days per term. Some students have already reached the quota for the term and will be challenged over this. Please also be aware that a day missed is a day missed and counts towards the total days absent. This means holidays and sickness are counted as days absent. 

There have been many studies that have explored this topic. High absenteeism has been found to have a direct correlation with poor academic results, increased likeness of dropping out, increased risk of social isolation, increased risk of poor mental health, increased risk of being involved in criminal activity and increased risk of requiring social assistance. There is a strong link between academic success and future earnings and even life expectancy. This may sound a little harsh and scary but all points above have been concluded in academic studies.

Partial days also count and create an attendance profile of each student. Leaving school early for trivial reasons or arriving late habitually is not acceptable and again students will be challenged over their choices to be habitually late or leave school early for trivial reasons.   

I was involved in a conversation earlier this week talking about this issue when the person I was speaking with voiced their opinion relating lateness and absenteeism in the workplace. This person stated that absenteeism in the workplace is also an issue and that many young people are not attending work and/or are taking a lot of days from work on a regular basis. This was a local person talking about a large employer of young people here in Lithgow. Some of these local young people are using their entire sick leave during the year and are having to take leave without pay when they are actually sick.

What are we teaching our children? What habits are we enforcing? What habits are we allowing our children to develop? What work ethic are we wanting our children to take into the big wide world outside LaSalle? Habits are easy to form and at times challenging and difficult to change and break. This topic can be difficult for some and the source of great stress for others. A challenge for many, lets hope we can begin to make some positive changes in this area of the school. 

Mr Stephen Carroll
Year 10-12 Coordinator.

Wallerwang Soccor Team Registrations

Netball Players Needed

LINC Activity - Trading Games

LINC in Lithgow is start a new activity for both children and older people in two different sessions. One for young people 10-17 and a later one for 18+.
We are starting a Trading Card Game (TCG) afternoon at LINC on Friday afternoons for children and young people. It is for playing the TCG games such as Pokemon and Yugioh etc. 
We will be providing some Pokemon playable desks for children without cards to come and play or learn to play and are hoping to grow that number as we go along.

Free Autism Workshop for Parents and Carers

Basic Student Stationary Pack

Canteen- Flexischools App

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.