LASALLE STAR

Issue # 12 18 AUGUST 2023

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRINCIPAL, MR MICHAEL EGAN ON RECEIVING THE

2023
ACEL NSW INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
DATES TO REMEMBER
“Michael Egan has made a significant contribution
AUGUST 2023
to principal and system leadership in Catholic
21 Year 10 PDHPE/Reflection Day
schools. He has supported principal professional
22 The Queenship of the Blessed
learning throughout his principalship career Virgin Mary
spanning more than a decade, and most recently 23 St Felix Retreat
through his current role as President of the NSW Year 10 Art Excursion
Association of Catholic School Principals (ACSP). 24 HSC Ind Technology Practical
Michael’s career in Catholic education spans 39 Exam 12.30 to 4.30pm
years and includes principalship in two schools, 30 College Extra Curricula Photo
Day
most recently as Principal of LaSalle College
SEPTEMBER 2023
Bankstown. As Principal, he led the transformation
1 STAFF Development Day
of the College into to a Year 7-12 Co-educational
5 MAD Day
College and Trade School.
6 College Assembly
We are pleased to present Michael with the ACEL NSW Leadership Award for his Young Lasallian Evening
contribution to education in New south Wales.” 8 Archbishops Awards @ St
Mary’s Cathedral College
Executive members of the College attended this prestigious awards evening.
Year 7 Science Excursion

Michael Egan
Principal

St John Baptist de La Salle,

Pray for us
Live Jesus in our Hearts,
Forever

LaSalle Catholic College 544 Chapel Road Bankstown 2200 Ph: 9793 5600 1
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FROM OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: MS LEONIE DOWD

UPHILL BATTLES
I was running (well stumbling really) along in the ‘City to Surf’, surrounded by the masses, both young and old, when I
had a brief moment of reflection. Though I was aware of my own personal suffering (out of breath, sore soles of the feet,
blisters) especially on that long and constant Heartbreak Hill, I also remembered the journey and struggle of each person
on this run to strive towards their own personal goal of finishing this race.
It is very true that in life we all face the occasional ‘uphill battle’ and how we react to these challenges is the essence of
the matter, not necessarily what is achieved at the end. The journey for Christians is a long one, and we know that
during our challenging times, God walks with us and at times carries our burdens.
Our World Youth travellers have now returned and I am sure they faced their own uphill journey as I pen this. Seven of
our students and four of our staff members chose to devote their personal time and dedication to live out the Gospel
values in Lisbon, Portugal. Extreme heat, 10,000s of people, but they would have been enlightened by this pilgrimage
and shared so many stories with other Christians along the way.
The Year 12 students have faced up well in their most recent ‘uphill battle’ of the rigour of preparing and then sitting the
trial exams. As a College, we encourage them to reflect on their results in the upcoming weeks with an honest and open
desire to refine their learnings before the HSC.
Year 10 students have had a great opportunity to experience a ‘taste’ of the many courses open to them for their HSC
final years before they make choices in their subject selection. Choose well Year 10.
At all times when we are ‘battling uphill’ we must always remember that God is with us in the journey. We are never
abandoned.
I finish here with one of my favourite poems/prayers, that I often reflect on if I am in need of encouragement. I hope
that you too, will read this and remember that God is a constant in our lives.

Footprint in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you God Bless
Never, ever, during your trials and testings. Leonie Dowd
When you saw only one set of footprints, Assistant Principal
It was then that I carried you."

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LEADER OF TEACHING & LEARNING: MR PETER CARTLEDGE

UPCOMING ASSESSMENT DUE DATES
Please note the following due dates of assessment tasks across the College. We
encourage you to discuss assessment tasks with your son or daughter as they prepare for
them, and to help them manage their time in the lead up to these due dates.

Week 6 Week 7 Week 8

 Catholic Studies
Year 7  Geography
 Mathematics
 Catholic Studies
Year 8  Mathematics  Geography
 PDHPE
 Geography
 Mathematics  Science
Year 9
 Graphics Technology (e)  PDHPE
 Industrial Technology Timber (e)
 Mathematics
 Geography
Year 10  Dance (e)  Science
 Food Technology (e)
 Commerce (e)
 Information Processes &
Technology  Industrial Technology Timber
Year 11  English Studies
 Sports, Lifestyle & Recreation  Work Studies
 Exploring Early Childhood
Year 12 Study for HSC Exams Study for HSC Exams Study for HSC Exams
N.B. (e) denotes a Stage 5 Elective Subject

NSWCCC U/16s RUGBY LEAGUE SELECTION:

Congratulations to our Emily Castillo.

Emily, our Year 11 student) attended the
St Mary’s Rugby League Complex, the
NSWCCC Secondary Schools Rugby
League 16 years Girls Trials.
Emily, was selected to travel to Port
Macquarie in September as a member of
the first ever NSWCCC U16s Rugby
League Squad to play in the Australian
School Girls Carnival.
We wish Emily and her team the best.

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MISSIONOF
LEADER AND
PASTORAL
IDENTITY:
CARE:
cont’d
MR ADAM WESTWOOD

POSITIVE BODY IMAGE PROGRAM

Over the past 5 weeks in pastoral lessons across the school, students have taken
part in a Positive Body Image program that the school Wellbeing team produced
and then was implemented by Homeroom teachers in pastoral lessons.
Areas that were discussed in pastoral lessons included; being healthy, self esteem/self concept, what is healthy, the
effects of social media on body image and what are eating disorders. All content was related to the age of students in
the hope this program will continue within the pastoral program for years to come.
The five week program culminated with Years 7 - 11 participating in a presentation by Butterfly. Butterfly is a national
charity that provides support to people experiencing eating disorders and body image issues. During the one hour
session each year group focused on some or all of the areas listed below;
 strategies to build resilience and improve self esteem and body confidence;
 understanding of the various influences on body image and ways to manage these positively;
 media and social media literacy skills to develop critical thinking to challenge body and appearance ideals,
messaging and language;
 modifiable risk factors that underpin the development of more serious body image and eating issues: self esteem,
appearance and weight based bullying and teasing and body comparisons;
 protective factors including role of friends/peers, the importance of healthy relationships with a person's body,
eating and physical activity; and
 the importance of help seeking if a person is worried for themselves or a friend.
The students were highly involved and motivated throughout the program which only helps to improve wellbeing across
the school. Well done to all staff and students for their involvement and participation in the program.

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MISSION AND IDENTITY: MRS SARA GIORGIUTTI & MRS CHRISTINA BREDA

PRAYER OF THE WEEK : 15th August - The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Solemnity of the Assumption honours the fact that when the Blessed Virgin
Mary completed her life on earth, she was taken body and soul into Heaven to
be with her resurrected Son so as to adore the Most Holy Trinity forever.
It’s an amazing fact to consider that she retains her body and soul, united as
one in Heaven, in anticipation of that glorious day when the new Heavens and
Earth will be created and when all the faithful will rise so as to live in a new
bodily form forever with God.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my
Saviour for He has looked with favour on His lowly servant. From this day all
generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is His Name.” Luke 1:46–49

St John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts forever!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

WORLD YOUTH DAY

This week, we welcomed back our staff and student pilgrims from World Youth Day.
World Youth Day 2023 was the most stressful, tiring and difficult experience of my life, but it was
also the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Every single day was a dream-like experience, a time I’ve never been
happier in my life. I met the most amazing, loving and inspirational people on the pilgrimage and I’m forever grateful
that I got to share this experience with them.
I was blessed to be with such an incredible group of teachers and students from others schools, who I never thought I
would become so attached to and I am so happy I could share my experience with them. I was able to encounter my faith
in such a different and beautiful way, building my faith and connecting to it like never before. I am forever thankful that I
had this opportunity and I would definitely take it again. Love you Bus 4!! George Abdnoor
This was an experience that I’m sure nobody on this pilgrimage would ever forget. To the restless nights to the plane
ride back home I share all the memories I made with the people on this trip. The students and teachers made the
experience more fun and worthwhile going to World Youth Day, something we can share together.
I met the most wonderful people in the world on this trip that share the same faith with me, it was truly a sight to see.
Even though we had our ups and downs we went through it together and supported each other along the way during the
hot weather, getting bored, and getting squashed into a train at some point. I honestly won’t forget the bus rides,
singing alongs and many other memories I share with these lovely people. If I got the opportunity to do it again with the
same people, I would say YES in a heartbeat. Love you bus 4, forever in my heart. Katrina Galvin-Valencia

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MISSION AND IDENTITY: MRS

cont’d
SARA GIORGIUTTI & MRS CHRISTINA BREDA

World Youth Day was a life changing experience for us. We had so much fun making friends with lots of students and
teachers from Sydney Catholic Schools. Our faith has blossomed and we truly have a more deepened understanding our
faith. Ever since we departed from Sydney airport we knew that this was an opportunity we wouldn’t regret. Everyone
from all the different schools were so welcoming and we became like family almost instantly. These are friends we will
always treasure and keep in touch with.
We can’t describe how eye opening this experience was for our faith, seeing millions of people from all around the world
gathered together to celebrate our faith was so beautiful and we knew that we were meant to be here. Our bus group
consisted of a couple schools and we travelled around Italy and Portugal with them.
The teachers were more than teachers they were like our second parents, while ours were at home. If we could go back
in time, there is nothing we would change about it, and we would have encouraged more of our friends to come on this
pilgrimage to experience this incredible journey with us. We love and miss you Bus 4! Jesse Azar and Georgia Parisi
World Youth Day was an experience I won’t ever forget. From the beginning of the trip departing Australia, to the
moment we soon departed and headed back home to our homes. While it was stressful at times, with our occasional
ups and downs with a few sick people on our bus group and the gruesome tall hills in Siena, they didn’t ruin the
experience. Instead they only strengthened me to push myself all to complete one goal.
Having been with my bus group for the three weeks, I would know that I have made a lifelong friendship with those
individuals. This connection I have made is something that I know I will treasure for the years to come. If there was ever
a chance I could do it again, I’d gladly take it without any hesitation. I won’t forget bus 4, and all the teachers who made
it possible. Veronica Galvin-Valencia

6
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MISSION AND IDENTITY: MRS SARA GIORGIUTTI & MRS CHRISTINA BREDA
WORLD YOUTH DAY:
World Youth Day will be an unforgettable experience that I’ll never forget. Not only was I able to broaden and deepen
my faith with God, I also gained a family. BUS 4. If you told me 2 years ago that I was gonna travel across the world to
build my relationship with God, with a bunch of strangers, my Dad would’ve said no. But I did, and I can say that I was
one of 1.5 million other christians who went to World Youth Day, and that still sounds crazy to me.
Words can not express how happy I was on the trip, and how happy I still am that I went. So I want to take this
opportunity to thank everyone who made this trip possible, thank you to all the family I made and to Mr Francis who had
to put up with us. Thank you. Hayley Bui

YEAR 7 MASS: WEEK 5

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MISSION AND IDENTITY: MRS SARA GIORGIUTTI & MRS CHRISTINA BREDA

CONGRATULATIONS TO FATHER VAN on his 20th ANNIVERSAY OF ORDINATION:

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MISSION
FROM SAINT
ANDYON
IDENTITY:
TRADE cont’d
TRAINING CENTRE: MS ANNA DO

CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION
Students with an interest in construction had the opportunity to visit a major Lend Lease project
in the heart of the Sydney CBD. They completed an induction and were provided with an
opportunity to tour the project.
Students learnt about how a construction team is structured and how the different roles interact
to construct a building. From safety, project and trade management and on the ground engineering.

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MISSION
YEAR AND IDENTITY:
8 STUDENTS: COOKING cont’d
IN TECHNOLOGY

YEAR 8 STUDENTS COOKED UP YUMMY HERB AND CHEESE PLAITS

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MISSIONCATHOLIC
SYDNEY AND IDENTITY:
SCHOOLS
cont’d
HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

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MISSION AND
UNFORM SALEIDENTITY:
@ LOWES cont’d

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