School of Leadership

News from the School of Leadership

A Note from the School of Leadership Head of School

While sitting in the student galleries overlooking the Senate Chamber last week, our tour guide, Seth, shared an interesting detail about the design of Parliament House. Twenty-eight years ago, the galleries were purpose-built exclusively for school students so they could observe the parliamentary process in action. The seating arrangement itself tells a story. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives sit at the lowest level as a reminder of those they are elected to serve. Above them are the public galleries. Higher still are the student galleries, symbolising that young people are the future of our nation and will one day choose who occupies those representative seats, perhaps even sitting in them themselves! Seth posed the question: Could one of our own future leaders be sitting in the gallery among us?

It was a powerful reminder that symbols matter. The architects of Parliament House intentionally used the building itself to communicate values and purpose. We are surrounded by similar symbols every day. A school uniform reminds us that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. An annual family holiday in the same place, or the tradition of Christmas gathering at a different family member's home each year, becomes more than a routine. It becomes a symbol of belonging, continuity and shared identity.

Our Catholic faith is rich with symbols for the same reason. The cross, the altar, water, candlelight, bread and wine all point beyond themselves to deeper truths about who God is and who we are called to be. More than symbols of the past, these symbols invite us to live differently in the present. They challenge us to bring the Kingdom of God a little closer through the choices we make, the way we treat others, and the hope we bring into our communities. As Freddie Mercury posited, "This could be Heaven for everyone." Or you may prefer Belinda Carlisle's more emphatic assertion, "Ooh, Heaven is a place on earth."

At St Luke's, we strive to ensure that our own daily practices become symbols too. The way we welcome students each morning, the way we speak to one another, the high expectations we hold and even the small things we ask students to do all communicate that every child is known, valued, cared for and here to learn.

Perhaps this offers an invitation for all of us to reflect on the symbols that shape life in our own homes. Not only the visible ones - a welcome mat, a crucifix on the wall or a Bible on the shelf - but the symbolic ways that we quietly communicate what matters most. How do we greet one another at the end of the day? In the busyness of family life, how often do we sit down and share a meal together? When we do, are our conversations marked by gratitude and genuine curiosity about one another, or do we find ourselves slipping into cycles of complaints and negativity? Do the mobile phones in our hands help us connect, or do they unintentionally become symbols of distraction from the people sitting right beside us? Do we have a shared space where we can gather and chat?

I offer these questions without judgement. As a father of four, they are the very questions my wife and I find ourselves reflecting on at any given moment. They remind me that the culture of a family is rarely shaped by grand gestures, but by the small, repeated practices day in, day out. These practices become symbols and communicate a message about who we are much more keenly than any single conversation.

As you reflect this week, perhaps consider this question: What is one action, ritual or symbol that has been handed down to you that you are grateful to see continuing in your own family? Those quiet traditions often become the strongest reminders of who we are, what we value, and the legacy we hope to hand on to the next generation.

Mr Scott Carroll - Head of School, School of Leadership

A Note from The SOL Assistant Principal

E-scooters and e-bikes

Escooters and e-bikes are not permitted on school premises as they pose a risk of explosion and fire. Riding e-scooters and e-bikes that exceed the speed limit of 10 km/h is illegal for all users under 16 years of age. Escooters and e-bikes are highly dangerous to riders, pedestrians, and other vehicles and can attract significant fines, including the following offences:

Use unregistered vehicle on road or road-related area - $844.00
Use uninsured motor vehicle on road - $844.00
Ride bicycle on footpath (person 16 years or older) - $140
Owner use vehicle on road/road-related area with tax unpaid - $844.00

If your child has an e-scooter or e-bike, please consider where they are permitted to ride it for their safety. These bikes are only permitted on private property, not on roads or footpaths.

The Bus Bay on Northbourne Ave

When I have been at the gate in the mornings or afternoons, I have observed a number of parents stopping in the bus bay to drop their children off at school. Please do not stop in this area as it is unsafe and interrupts the flow of traffic, including our school buses. In NSW, the fine for stopping in a bus zone ranges between $330–$344 and can also attract 4 demerit points in some circumstances. In NSW, stopping in a bus zone within a school zone carries higher penalties than a normal bus zone offence, with fines up to $423 and 2 demerit points. School zones attract increased penalties because of the higher risk to children and traffic congestion around schools.

Key rules:

You cannot stop or park in a signed bus zone unless you are driving a bus.
This includes “just for a minute” pick-ups/drop-offs.

Using the Pedestrian Crossing

To maintain student safety, we ask that you encourage your children to use the pedestrian crossings located on Northbourne Ave or Frontier Ave. We have witnessed a number of children and students crossing the road at various points on Northbourne Ave, rather than at the safe locations of the pedestrian crossings, sometimes with their parents or with the encouragement of their parents. To prevent serious injury, please use the pedestrian crossings. Being a little late is better than getting hit by a passing vehicle.

Book Week - Week 5

Book Week is fast approaching! We are very excited to welcome several authors and illustrators to our school. Our annual Book Week Parade will be happening on WEDNESDAY 26th of August @9am in the Performance Hall for students in K-6. All students in 7-12 are also encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character. There will also be some exciting competitions including our K-6 Colouring Competition and Where’s Mrs Wongy and What Instrument is she playing? (for students in years K-6). We will also have Blind Date with a book in the Hub all week for students in Years 5-12. Stay tuned for more information. The Book Fair will also be arriving in the middle of August so stay tuned for your child’s wish list. The Book Fair will close the day of the Book Week Parade.

The Importance of Reading

If your children are anything like my daughter, when I ask her to read, she complains, says she hates reading and that it is BORING! This is usually because kids need to experience autonomy in what they choose to read. In the recent holidays I took my children to The Book Attic, a beautiful boutique bookstore in Richmond (11 West Market Street). Both of my daughters (aged 5 and 8) had a ball sitting in the childrens area, reading books, looking at the pictures and displays and choosing the books they wanted to read. I introduced my eldest to the series by Anh Do, Wolf Girl to which she immediately became addicted to. She also loves reading graphic novels.

Finding the right books and getting them to pick them makes all the difference. Reading is such an important skill that sets our kids up for success. Below are some handy infographics that talk to the importance of reading and how just as little as 20 minutes a day, can make all the difference. Happy reading.

Mrs Josephine Camilleri - Assistant Principal, School of Leadership

Stage 3 Stories…

Stage 3 Instructional Leader

Welcome back to another exciting term in Stage 3!

We've certainly hit the ground running, with our Year 6 students returning from an incredible Canberra Tour and many of our students proudly representing St Luke's at recent sporting and extracurricular events. It has been wonderful to see so many students embracing new experiences, challenging themselves and supporting one another.

As the term continues, there is still plenty to look forward to. We have some of our students preparing to represent our school at the Voice of Youth finals, our bookweek celebration coming up in Week 6, our Olympiad students preparing for their next comp and many other exciting events coming up this term. Our wonderful Stage 3 teachers remain committed to creating engaging learning experiences while encouraging every student to achieve their personal best, both in and out of the classroom.

Thank you for your continued support of Stage 3. We look forward to another wonderful term of learning, growth and celebration.

Mrs Lauren O’Halloran - Stage 3 Instructional Leader

Year 6 Canberra Tour

In Week 2, our Year 6 students headed off on an incredible three-day educational tour of Canberra. We left school bright and early on Monday morning, setting off on the three-hour journey to our nation's capital. Along the way, we made a special stop in Berrima, where our students enjoyed some morning tea and had the exciting opportunity to be part of the official launch of our tour provider Un-Earthed's brand new coach. To make the occasion even more memorable, some of our students had the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon before we continued our journey!

Over the next three days, students explored some of Australia's most iconic landmarks, including Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Electoral Education Centre. They stepped into the role of Members of Parliament, participated in mock elections, conducted science experiments and even put their sporting skills to the test.

Our students stayed at Alivio Tourist Park, where there was just as much excitement outside the learning experiences as there was during them. From sharing cabins with friends and enjoying meals together, to watching a movie together on the first night, camp provided plenty of opportunities to connect, laugh and make memories that will last well beyond Year 6.

Beyond the educational experiences, the tour gave students the chance to build new friendships, strengthen existing connections and develop greater independence, resilience and teamwork. It was wonderful to see students stepping outside their comfort zones, supporting one another and embracing every opportunity that camp had to offer.

We are incredibly proud of the way our Year 6 students represented St Luke's throughout the tour. They approached every experience with enthusiasm and curiosity and made the most of all that camp had to offer. This incredible experience would not have been possible without our dedicated staff. Their care and commitment ensured every student was supported throughout the tour and able to make the most of every opportunity. We are sincerely grateful for all they did to make these three days so memorable for our students.

Camp was so much fun! We went to the Old Parliament house, now called the Museum of Australian Democracy and New Parliament House where we learnt about voting and how the House of Representatives and The Senate works. We also went to Questacon, my personal favourite was the free drop slide which was scary but also so much fun! At the Australian War Memorial we got to see the ancient aircrafts used during war and learnt different stories of soldiers and women who served in WW1 and WW2. At the National Gallery of Australia, we got to see Australian art and learnt the background knowledge and motivation behind different artworks. Lastly, at the Australian Institution of Sports (AIS) we got to see and experience where some Australian athletes train and the specific standards they need to meet in order to compete in competitions and the olympics. - Maddison Morris, Freeman

Sydney Academy of Chess - Online Tournament

On Friday Week 2, Mr Rodwell’s Chess Club participated in the Sydney Academy of Chess Online Tournament, representing both the School of Learning (SOL) and the School of Entrepreneurs (SOE).

Throughout the tournament, students demonstrated excellent strategic thinking, problem solving and perseverance as they took on their virtual opponents. They approached each match with focus, resilience and outstanding sportsmanship, embracing both the challenges and successes of the competition.

We are incredibly proud of all students for the way they represented St Luke's. Congratulations to each participant on their efforts and achievements, and we look forward to seeing them continue to develop their chess skills in future tournaments.

Stage 3 Gala Days

Recently, Stage 3 students represented St Luke's at two gala days - the Touch Football Gala Day on 24 July and the Soccer Gala Day held on Tuesday this week.

Across both days, students enjoyed the opportunity to compete against other schools within the diocese, put their skills into practice and challenge themselves in a team environment. The gala days provided valuable opportunities for students to develop their game awareness, teamwork and confidence while enjoying healthy competition.

Our girls' soccer team had an outstanding day, winning every game they played to finish as overall champions. Their determination, teamwork and sportsmanship were evident throughout the competition, making them deserving winners.

Our boys' soccer team also put in a fantastic performance, winning all but two of their matches. They demonstrated resilience, skill and great teamwork across the day, and should be proud of their strong effort.

Thank you to our staff and parents for supporting our students throughout both days. We look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for our students to participate in representative sport and develop their skills both on and off the field.

Stage 4 Stories…

Focus on Year 7

Welcome back to Term 3! It is hard to believe that we are already more than halfway through the school year. The nervous students who walked through the school gates on their first day in February have transformed into confident young people who are embracing all that high school has to offer.

Since the beginning of the year, our Year 7 cohort has achieved so much. Together they have:

Completed over 100 days of learning and settled confidently into high school routines.
Participated in hundreds of lessons across a wide range of subjects, developing new knowledge and skills.
Completed numerous assessment tasks, learning how to manage deadlines, organise their workload, and respond to teacher feedback.
Built new friendships and become valued members of their classes, mentor groups, sporting teams and co-curricular activities.
Developed independence, confidently navigating the school grounds, managing timetables, and taking increasing responsibility for their own learning.
Grown as young leaders, with many students now advocating for themselves, asking thoughtful questions, sharing ideas in class, and stepping outside their comfort zones to embrace new opportunities.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this growth has been watching our students find their voice. Many who began the year feeling uncertain are now confidently speaking with teachers, seeking support when needed, volunteering answers in class, participating in school events, and showing initiative within our school community. Their resilience, maturity, and willingness to challenge themselves have been wonderful to witness.

This growth was celebrated at the end of Term 2 during our Life Design Values Showcase. The event provided students with the opportunity to confidently engage with parents, carers, staff, and members of our wider community while showcasing who they are, what they value, and the personal growth they have experienced throughout the year. Watching our Year 7 students speak with confidence, share their learning, and proudly represent themselves was one of the highlights of my year so far. It was a wonderful reminder of just how far they have come since their very first day of high school.

This term, we have introduced another initiative that continues to build students' sense of responsibility and pride in their learning environment. Designated spots have been added to our Year 7 classrooms to help students return tables and chairs to their correct positions at the end of each lesson. This simple routine ensures that every class enters an organised learning space, allowing lessons to begin promptly and creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

We have been incredibly impressed by the way our Year 7 students have embraced this responsibility. They have taken pride in caring for their classrooms, worked collaboratively with their peers, and demonstrated leadership by encouraging others to do the same. While returning furniture may seem like a small task, it helps establish positive habits, fosters respect for shared spaces, and sets the tone for successful learning throughout the day. To celebrate these efforts, our three Year 7 classes are taking part in a friendly classroom competition, and I look forward to sharing the results with students over the coming weeks.

As we continue through Term 3, we encourage every student to keep setting goals, embracing challenges, and making the most of every opportunity. There is still so much to look forward to in the second half of the year, and we are excited to watch our Year 7 students continue to grow both academically and personally. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students thrive.

Mrs Ashley Pepper - Year 7 Wellbeing Coordinator

Japanese 日本語

Konnichi wa!

こんにちは！

Our theme in Term 2 was Yōkai. These are Japanese mythical, magical creatures, each with their own unique moral teaching or way of keeping people safe. Students immersed themselves in the topic and truly enjoyed themselves. It was a fun way to learn language, history and culture without even realising they were learning so many different subjects! Students were able to consolidate the module with an explanatory paragraph to show their understanding. They all did very well.

Students put 100% effort and interest into their task, which was to create their own Yōkai which not only showed amazing creativity, but also a Christian and moral understanding of the world around them. They had to introduce it, using Japanese language they had learnt in class. This allowed students to show their ability to transfer information from one form to another. Students had the opportunity to showcase their writing skills in hiragana, one of the Japanese writing writing systems.

At the end of the term, we finally got to start our adventure learning calligraphy using brushes. Thanks to Ms Zambon’s advice, we are now able to practice this without the use of staining black ink!

We also tried to play BINGO too! Sensei made us create a grid too large and we got confused. Sensei said, Gomen nasai! We did have fun learning the words though.

This term, we will be focusing on the language needed in a classroom and school setting, with students making a poster to help each other learn the terms and language, as well as a skit showing school situations. Another PEEL paragraph comparing Japanese Junior high schools to our Australian SOL will showcase students’ improvement in paragraph writing. Due to high demand and hunger for learning about Japanese food, we will start our unit on Food by first learning how to say certain words and phrases describing how to make sushi, culminating in the making and devouring of it! Itadakimasu!

We also tried to play BINGO too! Sensei made us create a grid too large and we got confused. Sensei said, Gomen nasai! We did have fun learning the words though.

Focus on Year 8

Mrs Grace Villarosa - Year 8 Wellbeing Coordinator

Learning Showcase

Year 7 Religious Education

In Term 2, our Year 7 students explored Jesus' powerful words, "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32) through a series of profound and thought-provoking artworks. As part of this learning journey, students investigated unethical practices within various organisations and used their creative talents to raise awareness about the importance of truth, integrity and justice. Their artworks demonstrated both critical thinking and a commitment to living Gospel values in everyday life.

This term, students have begun exploring a new and deeply engaging inquiry: How can we know and experience the existence of God? As part of their entry into this unit, they examined the extraordinary complexity and orchestration of the human genetic code through Jeans for Genes Day, discovering how scientific knowledge can inspire awe and wonder at the gift of life.

Students also created symbolic paper chains, illustrating how divinity and humanity are beautifully intertwined, reminding us that every person is created with inherent dignity and purpose.

We are immensely proud of our Year 7 students for embracing both scientific curiosity and spiritual reflection as they continue their journey of discovering God in the world around them.

Year 8 Religious Education:

Last term, our Year 8 students embraced the Beatitude Expo, creating thoughtful and inspiring artworks that reflected how they can live out their chosen Beatitude in everyday life. Through creativity, personal reflection and Scripture, students explored what it means to be authentic disciples of Christ in today's world. Their artworks also aligned with the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Year 8 Art Expo theme, showcasing the many ways faith can inspire action and transformation.

This term, students have embarked on an exciting new inquiry exploring the driving question: Can Science and Faith coexist in today's world? Through engaging entry events, students discovered that science and faith are not opposing forces but complementary ways of understanding truth and the wonder of creation.

Their learning journey began with investigations into the Shroud of Turin and the Miraculous Staircase of St Joseph at the Loretto Chapel, examining how both scientific inquiry and faith perspectives contribute to our understanding of these remarkable mysteries.

Students also connected their learning with Jeans for Genes Day, exploring how scientific research into genetic conditions reflects the Christian call to compassion, solidarity and care for others. This rich learning experience highlighted that scientific advancement and faith can work hand in hand to bring hope, healing and human flourishing.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 8 students for their curiosity, creativity and willingness to explore the relationship between science and faith with open minds and open hearts. We look forward to seeing their learning continue to unfold throughout the term.

Student Samples from the Beatitude Expo: