News from 

our Acting Principal 

Dear Parents,

This year is my 7th year as Principal at De La Salle Caringbah. Prior to this, I was an Assistant Principal for ten years across four large all boys Year 7-12 schools in Sydney's East and Inner West (Marist College Pagewood, Holy Cross College Ryde, Marcellin College Randwick and Marist College Kogarah). When I was asked by SCS to take on the important role of Acting Principal at Our Lady of Fatima for 8 weeks as Mrs Clay enjoys her sabbatical leave overseas, as well as to continue in my role as Principal at De La salle, I thought to myself, I think I’m up for the challenge! What I probably meant was I hope I’m up to the challenge!

Wow! There is such a difference between primary and secondary school, and spending half of my time at OLF has certainly been a baptism of fire. Two weeks in, I look forward every day to coming across to OLF. All of the staff are professional, welcoming and dedicated to teaching your children. Each day I have been walking in and out of classrooms where the learning is palpable. Teachers and LSO’s are keen to invite me into their classrooms and are very proud to show me such impressive learning in action. Parents, I mean this when I say that you should be very proud of your children. All I have met are fine young men and women so eager to say good morning or good afternoon, to learn and to let me know how good their teachers are. I have found this such an uplifting experience.

At De La Salle, we talk about respect all of the time. Respect for one another, respecting ourselves, our teachers and our families, respectful relationships, respect for women and the notion of being a good christian and good citizen. If what I have seen in two short weeks is any indication, OLF is a wonderful school built on respect. When a teacher walks into a classroom, students respectfully stand and greet them ending with “and may God bless you”. I am just so impressed with what I see. Young men and women are reflections of their families and come to school each day holding the values that are taught to them at home. I am certainly looking forward to the many more conversations I intend to have with all of the children at OLF in the next few weeks.

I would like to thank everyone in this community for your warm welcome, as I embrace this wonderful challenge. You are all in such good hands with an amazing staff under the guidance of Mrs Clay and Mrs Gordon.

My Dean of Mission has written a special prayer for all of you at OLF.

Dear Lord,

We thank you for the gift of OLF, where every child’s potential is nurtured.

May our classrooms continue to be places of respect, where teachers and students inspire one another.

Help us to embrace the differences that enrich our learning experiences each day.

Guide us to recognise the dedication of our staff, who teach with passion and care.

Let every child feel valued and encouraged to share their unique perspectives.

As they greet each other with kindness, may they carry the values of their families.

We celebrate the joy of learning, and the friendships that grow.

May our school community continue to uplift one another in faith and purpose.

Together, let us build a future filled with hope, understanding and respect.

Amen.

Mr Peter Buxton | Acting Principal