College News

Local Schools Community Fund Grant

In early December, 2019, our local member for parliament, Barnaby Joyce, notified us of our successful application for the Local Schools Community Fund. We were fortunate to be granted $6500 for our ‘Science Investigation Equipment Project.’

With this very happy news, Mrs Brown and the Science Department set about procuring the type of equipment that could only be described as serious learning experience enhancers! The ability to delve into forensics and disease diagnoses had previously been somewhat abstract, and difficult to truly conceptualise in the classroom - but not now.

We have been enabled to invest in three key types of equipment: Electrophoresis Kits, a spectrophotometer and incredibly accurate scales. Our students’ ability to engage in and access real-world applications and to make meaningful connections between the NSW Science curriculum and a future in STEM learning and enterprise, has been truly enhanced.

How cool is it that our students can now effectively study the spectral analysis of chlorophyll in plant pigments? They can simulate DNA - look out Crime Scene Investigation! And now, when they are doing loss of mass experiments, like when you transform something and it loses mass in the process, they can weigh the loss in real time!

This grant has enabled us to foster interest and engagement, that is sustainable, in all things Science. And this is critical to our students’ ability to participate fully in a century marked by innovation, critical thinking and progress!

Parent Satisfaction Survey

Satisfaction surveys of parents, students and staff will be conducted on behalf of all Catholic schools in the Diocese this term. The surveys are designed to gather feedback from parents, staff and students about our school and will be used to inform school improvement. Responses are confidential and individuals can not be identified. Click on the button to access the survey.

Parent Satisfaction Survey

Athletics Carnival

A full report can be found included in the Sport page of the newsletter.

Enrolments 2021

Enrolment applications for Year 7 - 2021 are now open. Contact Mrs Gemma Creagan by calling 6772 1666 or email gcreagan@arm.catholic.edu.au for an enrolment pack. Limited spaces are also available for Years 8 -12.

Promotional Video

Archives Corner

Anthony Kelly - College Archivist

De La Salle student James (Jim) Fitzgerald gained three firsts and four seconds on the day and won what is known as the 'Bishops Cup' in 1920. The photographs were discovered in a box of items in storage and is a beautiful cup with a number of names inscribed on the front.

PHOTO: (above) James (Jim) Clement Fitzgerald - winner of the aggregate point score for De La Salle's Annual Sports Carnival in 1920.

PHOTO: Inscriptions of past winners on the Bishop's Cup which is one of our prized trophy's from that era in the College Archives. The names read - J Mc Manus, P Rooney, S Delander, J Wilkinson, A Giles, J Fitzgerald, G Wilkinson, E Trim, B Keys, A Rafferty, C Wilcox, T Melvil, D Dwyer, J Gainen.

Although not all of the records and memorabilia from both De La Salle and St Ursula's Colleges have survived, it is fantastic that we have quite a range of items and records which are being added to by alumni of those Colleges and their families. You are most welcome to contact the College if you have an item of interest which you would like to be included in our archives.

O'Connor Youth Group

At a recent Youth Group session the students participated in Prayer Stations.

The three stations were

1. Prayer Knots; to allow the exploration of where each student is on their journey and who is important/ walking alongside them.

2. Prayer for the world; the very talented LYM Taryn Ramage drew a world map on the whiteboard while the students prayed for different countries and the hardships that are happening globally during these unprecedented times.

3. "Christ Aid Boxes"; the students made spiritual first aid boxes either for themselves or someone they knew in need. They included:

Lip balm – to represent the balm of Gilead

Hand sanitizer – to represent Christ lifting us up and making us clean

Gummy Bears – to represent Christ bearing our burdens

Striped candy (like Zebra striped gum) – heals us with His stripes

Candy rings – talk about how Christ represents the bridegroom

Rock – Christ can be our rock during trials, He’s the rock we should build our testimonies upon

Candle – Christ is the light and can help light the way when things seem dark

Our Lasallian Youth Ministers are really proud of the time these students are committing to YG and the fun faith filled things they are up to.