lasalle star 03.03 - lasalle catholic college respec subjects,ve those who achieved band 6 ......

LASALLE STAR

LaSalle Catholic College 544 Chapel Road Bankstown 2200 Ph: 9793 5600

2017

DATES TO REMEMBER

MARCH 2017

5‐11 Catholic Schools Week

6 Year 11 Biology Excursion

7 Year 11 Auto Excursion

8 Dr Mark Turkington’s Visit

9 Tech Savvy Bankstown Library

10 College Swimming Carnival

13/14 Year 7 HSIE Excursion

15 College OPEN DAY 3‐5.30pm

16 MCC Golf & Squash

17 St Patrick’s Day

20‐21 Year 7 Camp

23 MCC Swimming Carnival

28 Year 11/12 IDT Excursion

Year 9/10 PASS Excursion

30 MCC Cross Country

Michael Egan

Principal

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St John Bap st de La Salle,

Pray for us

Live Jesus in our Hearts,

Forever

Issue # 03 3 March 2017

www.lasalle.nsw.edu.au

COMMITMENT · CONFIDENCE · SUCCESS

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HIGH ACHIEVERS’ RECOGNISED AT LASALLE

Earlier this week, the College community gathered for the 2016 HSC High Achievers’

Assembly. Following the outstanding results achieved from the Class of 2016, parents,

students and teachers gathered to acknowledge students who achieved first place in

their respec ve subjects, those who achieved Band 6 results (marks above 90%) and the

nine Lasallians who received an ATAR above 90 in their HSC.

As part of the assembly, it was announced that the College Dux for 2016 was Benjamin

Pham, who received an ATAR of 97.85. Benjamin addressed the student body,

encouraging them to make the most of the opportuni es that are offered to them here

at LaSalle so that they too can also achieve their poten al in the HSC.

He stressed the importance of the work that he directed towards his studies in his

junior years, laid the founda on for the success that he achieved with such outstanding

results in the HSC.

Benjamin also reminded the senior students of the College, par cularly the current

cohort of Year 12, that making sacrifices throughout this year and inves ng their energy

towards their studies, is a rela vely short‐term sacrifice that results in significant long‐

term gains.

FROM OUR LEADER OF LEARNING: DAVID CLORAN

Benjamin Pham – College Dux ATAR of 97.85 Dis nguished Achiever in

Mathema cs Extension I and Mathema cs Extension II

Subject Dux in Chemistry, Standard English and Mathema cs Extension II

Edwin Singh ATAR of 96.65 Dis nguished Achiever in Advanced English, English Extension I, Mathema cs, Mathema cs Extension I

Subject Dux in Biology, Advanced English, English Extension I and Mathema cs

Michael Briskoski ATAR of 94.00 Dis nguished Achiever in Advanced

English, English Extension I, PDHPE and Studies of Religion I

Subject Dux in Economics, English Extension I and Studies of Religion I

E ore Pacilli ATAR of 91.70 Dis nguished Achiever in Business

Studies and PDHPE Subject Dux in Business Studies, PDHPE

and Studies of Religion II

Sharif Fayad ATAR of 95.45 Dis nguished Achiever in

Mathema cs Extension I and Mathema cs Extension II

Subject Dux in Mathema cs Extension I and Physics

Jack Stacey ATAR of 92.95 Dis nguished Achiever in Advanced

English and Mathema cs General 2 Subject Dux in Mathema cs General 2

and Modern History

Rian Hocro

Subject Dux in Hospitality



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FROM OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: MS LEONIE DOWD

YEAR 7 MEET THE TEACHER EVENING: The journey at LaSalle Catholic

College as a Coeduca onal College has con nued in its second year with much

energy and excitement. The thrill of transi oning to secondary coeduca on

has been remarkable.

The Year 7 Meet the Teacher barbeque held on Monday 20th February was a

lovely evening and College community event. Many students from Year 7 and

their families joined us from 6.00pm for an Informa on Session with the

Homeroom Teachers followed by a barbeque, with many teachers in

a endance for parents to chat to.

Also pleasing was the number of Senior Leaders who a ended and assisted

with the hos ng of the evening. Both students and parents that I spoke to

over the course of the evening were certainly pleased with the future that lies

ahead for the latest members to the LaSallian community.

SYDNEY CATHOLIC COLLEGES (SCC) SWIMMING CARNIVAL: It has

certainly been a busy start to 2017. The SCC Swimming Carnival was held on

Monday 27th at Olympic Aqua c Centre Homebush and it was a deligh ul

evening. LaSalle girls entered into the arena with great gusto.

Some of our Year 7 students even entered events above their age to show

their loyalty and support for the College. Our Senior Leaders also volunteered

to be there to show their support for the younger Year 7 and 8 students. LaSalle College was definitely the most vocal in the

cheerleading field. My congratula ons and thanks to those young ladies who represented the College and to the Senior Leaders for

their support.

The pillars of our LaSalle community: Commitment, Confidence and Success were certainly expressed over the course of the

evening. The swimmers were determined to do their best in the pool and for those who are not swimmers – their commitment to

comradeship, support and care was amazing.

LENTEN PERIOD: The season of Lent also began this week, 1st March with Ash Wednesday and commences the 40 day

prepara on for Easter. Ash Wednesday is considered one of the highest holy days of the liturgical year. During Lent we seek to

experience the loving mercy of God and to prac ce this in our daily ac ons. Lent is also a period of

me when we personally reflect on our own brokenness. Therefore, Lent is a peniten al season of

prayer, self‐denial and a me of almsgiving or helping others. The ashes used in the liturgy are

made from blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday Mass of the previous year. The ashes are

christened with Holy Water and are scented with incense. The ashes symbolise penance and

contri on and they remind us of our God who is merciful and forgiving. Ash Wednesday and Good

Friday are a me of fas ng and abs nence.

On all other Fridays during the year we may show our repentance by prac cing prayer or a ending

Mass; giving up something that you would normally consider as a treat such as sweats or an

entertainment. Helping others is another great deed that can be very fulfilling. It is very easy to be

kind to those we love, but it is a much greater act to be loving towards someone that is not a part of

our immediate circle of friends. So pay a en on to the poor, the sick, the elderly or those who may

be lonely. This is the true meaning of Lent and our iden ty as a Catholic faith.

God bless,

Leonie Dowd



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Embers Days (from the German Quatember, quarter day or, as the Irish used to say, Quarter Tense) mark the beginning of each of

the four seasons. Honoured in the Roman Catholic tradi on since the fi h century, they are observed on the first Fridays of

Autumn and Spring (March and September). Perhaps this Friday we can honour this tradi on by giving thanks to our Lord for the

fruits of the earth.

As you see in this Newsle er, our College’s Open Evening will be held on Wednesday 15th March. I warmly invite anyone with

younger sons or daughters to join us at this event.

NOTE TO PARENTS:

NSW Public Health Department have issued the following recommenda ons to prevent

occurrence of head lice:

Daily combing of hair using a fine tooth comb

Keep a fine tooth comb in the bathroom and encourage family members to use it when

they wash their hair.

Regularly checking

Tie back long hair

Further informa on is available on the NSW website: h p:\\www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/environment/

headlice/treatment.asp

FROM OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR: MS KATHRYN WHITE

This week has been an important me in our Liturgical Calendar. Ash Wednesday

marked the beginning of Lent, the 40 day journey to the most important me in

the Church's calendar ‐ Easter.

On Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday pancakes

were sold to begin fundraising efforts for Project

Compassion. Shrove Tuesday is the last day for celebra on and

feas ng before the period of fas ng during the Lenten season.

Over 400 pancakes were sold and $450.00 was raised for Project

Compassion.

A big thank you to Mrs Newton, Ms Taylor, Year 12 Hospitality class, Year 11

Lasallian Youth Leaders and Year 12 College Leaders who assisted on the day in

preparing, se ng up and distribu ng the pancakes.

On Ash Wednesday, the College community celebrated with a liturgy, where staff and

students received the Ashes on their foreheads. These ashes are a

symbol of sorrow, repentance and cleansing.

Lent is a me for working towards a good rela onship with God,

ourselves, others and our environment. During this period we are

encouraged to reflect on our choices and join in a revitalisa on of

our heart and mind. Prayer, fas ng and almsgiving are especially

important during Lent.



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FROM OUR YEAR 7 COORDINATOR: ADAM WESTWOOD

MACBOOK BOOTCAMP: During Week 4 students par cipated in a

MacBook eLearning workshop. The basis of the workshop was to learn how to

use the MacBook in the classroom se ng.

Students were also advised on the correct use of technology within the school

and the concept of a digital footprint. Crea ng a digital footprint that is

something posi ve rather than using technology in an improper way and the

consequences associated with improper use of technology.

The students gained a great deal from this and it important to thank Mr

Hawach (ITC support) for presen ng such an informa ve and useful session.

INDUCTION PROGRAM: In Week One Year 7 students took part in an Induc on Program to give students the opportunity to

learn more about the day to day working of LaSalle and ge ng to know each other.

The Induc on Program included; building resilience, introduc on to the Learning Centre, homework assessments and study,

building posi ve rela onships, team building, learning literacy and introduc on to technology. The students got a lot out of this

Induc on Program making them feel more comfortable moving into high school.

GUEST SPEAKER ‐ HEADSPACE: Year 7 students had the opportunity to listen to a guest speaker from Headspace. Headspace is

the Na onal Youth Mental Health Founda on providing early interven on mental health services to 12‐25 year olds, along with

assistance in promo ng young peoples’ wellbeing. This covers four core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study

support.

Year 7 students learn't a great deal from the Headspace guest speaker including where to get help and that there is a Headspace

centre right here in Bankstown.



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FEES OVERDUE

TERM 1 SCHOOL FEES: Term 1 School Fees are now overdue. Please make arrangements to have your account paid. if

you have any concerns please contact the office on 9793 5600.

YEAR 7 CAMP FEES: Dear Parents, Year 7 Camp fees are now due and are to be paid in full.

SCC SWIMMING CARNIVAL

On Monday 27th February, I had the pleasure of taking 12

girls to SOPAC, Homebush for the SCC Swimming Carnival.

We had two training session in the weeks leading up to

the carnival for the girls to work on improving their dives,

starts and finishes, and this also allowed me the chance to

choose which races the girls were going to swim.

The girls were highly mo vated and although the speed

suits and fancy goggles of the other swimmers was quite

daun ng, the LaSalle girls put their best foot forward and

gave 100%. The support and comradery they showed for

one another in addi on to their amazing effort in the wa‐

ter did LaSalle proud.

Congratula ons to all the swimmers:

Year 7: Lily Elaro, Verica Minovska, Kiara Hearne, Elizabeth Chifley, Angelina Sokaroska, Angelique Saveski,

Natalia Taychouri, Victoria Solole.

Year 8: Amelia Wannous, Chloe Bozinovska, Isabella Silvera and Grace Le.

Par cular men on to Amelia Wannous who placed 4th in the 14's 50m bu erfly.

Thank you to the Year 12 leaders and staff who supported us throughout the evening:

Fai, Anthony, Charbel, Benjie, Ethan, Anthony K, Steven, Ms Akkari, Ms Dowd, Ms Saad,

Mr Westwood, Mr Stonefield, Br Gerry and Mr Daher. Ms Kerryn Blanch

JUST LEADERSHIP DAY: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR

On the 24th February, Lasallian Youth Leaders went to Mount Saint Joseph

along with six other schools to a end the ‘Just Leadership Day’. The day

commenced with a guest speaker from Fiji, who informed us about the harsh

living condi ons of his hometown. Semi , grew up in the informal communi es

of Fiji, he demonstrated the difficul es people face and his strategies to

overcome these adversi es.

Through various ac vi es Semi showed the uneven wealth distribu on in the

world, with the top 20% of the world have over 90% of the world’s resources.

We also collaborated with members from other schools to promote ini a ves and encourage further ac on. We look forward to

implemen ng these ini a ves in order to raise funds and awareness for Caritas. Ms Maryanne Nemer



YEAR 7 REFLECTION DAY: On Tuesday, 21st February, 2017, Year 7 had their first Reflec on Day which focused on ‘Building

Communi es’. The day began with icebreakers which challenged the students to step out of their comfort zones, before working in

small groups which were run by volunteer Year 10 and 11 Lasallian Youth Leaders and Year 7 teachers. They worked together to

complete ac vi es such as establishing each students’ gi s and talents and how these can contribute to form a posi ve community.

The students also enriched their knowledge about the life of St John Bap st De La Salle and how he formed schools to teach the

poor.

The day concluded with 17 Year 7 volunteers reading out their group prayers to pray for each other and areas around the world.

The grade was also fortunate to hear from Brother Collin as he acknowledged their great work throughout the day and how they

have bonded into a greater community. Overall, I would like to thank all those who were present on the day for ensuring the day

was a great success! Live Jesus in our Hearts… Stefanie Breda, Lasallian Youth Minister

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NEWS FROM THE LEARNING CENTRE: BORROWING AND RETURNING FROM THE LEARNING CENTRE

Borrowing Books: Book loan is for 2 weeks. If you finish a book more quickly than this, please drop it in the

green Return’s box next to the Library Desk.

If you need more than two weeks to read your book, please see the Library Staff who will arrange an extension for

you.

Returning Books: please return your books promptly within the 2 week loan period. Place your books into the green

RETURN’S box next to the Library Desk or hand your book to a member of the Library Staff.

Loan extensions: Library Staff will arrange an extension of a further 2 weeks in your loan if requested. Speak with a member of the

Library Staff at lunch me or a er school.

Reserving a book: it is possible to place a book on Reserve so that when it is available you have the chance to borrow it. Speak with a

member of the Library Staff who will show you how to do this. Mrs Sophie Oparcik and Mrs Anne Nowakowski

LEARNING CENTRE POSTER COMPETITION – ALWAYS SEEK KNOWLEDGE (ASK)

The winners of the ASK Poster Compe on are: Ayda Garcha; Victoria Solole; Jeremy Hanna; Marian Gill and Jack Liu.

Congratula ons!! Each of these students will be presented with a $20 JB HiFi gi card at the next Year 7 Year Mee ng. Thank you to

all students who submi ed entries. It was a difficult task to choose winners. There will be more Learning Centre compe ons in

2017 so look out for further chances to win prizes.

STUDY SKILLS HANDBOOK: BUILDING CONCENTRATION SKILLS Many students find it difficult to concentrate and stay focused when they are doing their schoolwork at home. So what can we do to

improve concentra on levels? Try these top ps:

1. IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT: Have a good hard look at the environment you are trying to concentrate in. Is it noisy? Are

there more exci ng things happening around you? Is it too hot? Too cold? Are you uncomfortable? Too comfortable? What

can you do to make the space more conducive to concentra on?

2. BLOCKS OF TIME: If you are someone who finds it difficult to concentrate at home, don’t try and study for too long at a

me. Instead tell yourself you will work for 20‐30 minutes then you can have a break. If you know it is only 20‐30 minutes

it is much easier to concentrate than if it was for an indefinite period of me.

3. ANCHOR TO THE PRESENT: Create a focus word that brings you back on task. We all daydream. The key is to start to pay

more a en on to when you are doing it and then immediately take ac on. If your key word for example was ‘orange’ when

you no ce you are day‐dreaming say ‘orange, orange, orange…’ to refocus your a en on to your work.

4. RESET THE BRAIN: Some mes you just need a me‐out from what you are doing in order to be able to concentrate again. If

your a en on is constantly wandering, then get up and have a drink, walk outside, kick a ball – just take 5 to 10 minutes to

clear your head so you can come back fresh to your work.

5. WORK OUT PEAK TIMES: Start to pay a en on to what me of the day you are most focused. That’s when you need to do

the harder work or the work that requires greatest concentra on. If you know you get red a er dinner, don’t leave the diffi‐

cult work un l then.

6. CARROT AND STICK: Some people are mo vated by working towards rewards, others by avoiding punishments. Give yourself

a target me to focus with a li le reward at the end if you achieve it – or maybe a li le punishment if you don’t!

You can learn more about how to be a more effec ve student at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with the details

below and working through some of the units. There are also lots of useful grids and planners at the bo om of the Things to Print

page. Username: lasalle Password: 544achieve



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lasalle star 03.03 - lasalle catholic college respec subjects,ve those who achieved band 6 ......

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