| Term 3, Week 1028 September 2018

I am usually asked to speak to your sons at this time of year about their upcoming exams, which will begin for most students in the fourth week of Term Four. My message encourages students to start now in their preparation for the yearly exams, and I often go through the example of an athlete preparing for the Olympics who leaves their training until the night before the big event. The message has always been one where we do not expect every student to achieve top results in every subject, but for students to set themselves realistic goals and work hard to achieve and even surpass their personal best.

Last year, we held a luncheon during Term Three for our Semester One 2017 award winners. Part of this lunch was a Q&A session, where we asked these students what they believed had led to their success. One of the questions we asked was, ‘What

strategies work for you when you are planning for and completing tests?’ Overwhelmingly, we heard the same answers:

• Set aside 1-2 hours per night as soon as the notification is received

• Create effective study notes by summarising your book/computer notes

• Develop a study timetable• Start early• Be motivated• Do revision• Ask for extra work• Do practice tests• Ask the teacher for help

It is not simply the teachers at De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah who believe in these simple strategies, it is a vast number of students as well.

From the Leader of Teaching & Learning

"... The challenge for all students at the College in the

coming weeks is to not shy away from the opportunity to test yourself, but to persevere

when times get tough..."

Surpassing your personal best

| Term 3, Week 814 September 2018

In 2018, Mr Peter Buxton was appointed as the new Principal of De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah. I was asked to take up the role of Assistant Principal at the College for 2018 to support him in the commencement of his leadership journey.

Mr Buxton committed to developing an authentic Catholic school founded in Lasallian values which; is founded on the person of Jesus Christ and enlivened by Gospel values; highlights the relevance of our faith to life and contemporary culture; is a community of believers who share in the evangelising mission of the Church; and is committed to the development of the whole person. I felt honoured to be asked to support him in the commencement of this important stage of his leadership journey.

In 1706, John Baptist de La Salle, patron saint of teachers, listed twelve virtues of a good teacher in

his Conduct of the Christian Schools. These virtues have formed a part of the foundation for our leadership of the school community. The virtues are: gravity, silence, humility, prudence, wisdom, patience, reserve, gentleness, zeal, vigilance, piety, and generosity. Some of these virtues are easier to achieve than others.

I reflect on these virtues daily and try to ensure that they guide me in my everyday interactions with the students and teachers at the College. In 2019 I will be returning to Mount St Joseph’s, Milperra and will be taking with me fond memories of the many experiences that I have had at De La

"...It is my hope that the boys blossom into the best that they

can be and that they take up the mantle of being A grade which

means that they will try to achieve their personal best in

all endeavours..."

A message from the Assistant Principal

NAPLAN RESULTS 2018

There are some aspects of the NAPLAN data analysis which are still rolling in as I write for the newsletter, but the data we have been able to access at this stage has been overwhelmingly positive. Some highlights include:

NAPLAN Area

Year State Average

DLSCCC Average

Difference

Numeracy 9 603.2 620.5 17.37 554.4 571.6 17.2

Reading 9 589 594.7 5.77 544.8 539.1 -5.7

Area of NAPLAN Students greater

than expected growth (%)

DLS Caringbah growth above expected growth (%)

Difference

Numeracy 61.5 77.4 15.9

Writing 53.2 58.2 5Reading 63.5 72.6 9.1Grammar & Punctuation

52 54.8 2.8

Spelling 53.6 53.4 -0.2

Parents /caregivers play a crucial role in the education of our boys. Accordingly, I encourage all parents/caregivers to sit down with their boys in order to set at least one educational goal for the upcoming yearly exams. Families could then work together to set up a plan to realise this goal,

which might include:

• Developing a study timetable• Setting up a quiet study environment• Checking in with parents nightly to check how

you are going• Setting limits on the use of technology,

especially technology for recreation

It does require a certain amount of bravery, courage and strength to set goals and plans, because you might not realise your goals. The challenge for all students at the College in the coming weeks is to not shy away from this opportunity to test yourself, and to persevere when times get tough. This is what all members of our community should strive for - to achieve not only at, but beyond, your expectations!

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These numbers look even more favourable if we compare with just boys from comparable schools.

Looking forward, the evidence from the current NAPLAN suggests that the reading, writing and numeracy strategies that we have worked hard to embed across the curriculum are paying significant dividends. Also, our intervention programs, such as Rise and Shine and Quicksmart Numeracy, are adding enormous value. Preliminary results indicate that for both literacy and numeracy, these programs are leading to even better results than those outlined above.

As we look forward here at De La Salle Caringbah, we set ourselves the challenge of working with our Year Seven cohort, as we believe that the next two years represents an opportunity for us to ensure that their growth matches that of our current Year Nine group. Also, despite the strength in most areas of NAPLAN, we still have work to do in the area of spelling across all year groups.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of all teachers, especially those with special responsibility for literacy and numeracy, Mrs Slater, Mrs Conneely, Mrs Halfpenny and Mrs Halpin. Thanks for all the work you have put in to make these fantastic results possible.

Mr Craig HaranLEADER OF TEACHING & LEARNING

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL

KEVIN TRIMBLE

Mr Trimble has decided to conclude his time at De La Salle Caringbah at the end of this term and spend Term Four completing his Doctoral Studies. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Kevin for his wisdom, leadership and responsibility in fulfilling his role as Assistant Principal this year. Kevin has been on secondment to De La Salle and has made a wonderful contribution during this time. I know Kevin prides himself on developing strong and meaningful relationships in making a difference in the lives of the young men he works with. I thank Kevin for his friendship and loyalty this year and I wish him every success in the years ahead.

DOMINIC RITCHIE

I announced in the last newsletter that Mr Ritchie has been appointed as the new Assistant Principal for 2019. Mr Ritchie, along with the support of Sydney Catholic Schools, has kindly agreed to begin his role from the start of Term Four this year. I look forward to welcoming Mr Ritchie to our community.

THE LAST WEEK OF TERM THREE

This week is a compulsory school week and learning will continue in all classes right up until and including the last day. If any student is absent on the last day of school, he will be required to submit a doctors certificate day one next term.

THANK YOU

A huge thank you to our community of student, staff, parents, priests, Brothers and friends for the year so far. Support, communication, respect and partnership is the key to the success of the students in our care. My great hope is that what you as parents want in life and in learning for your son’s is exactly what we want for them as well. I particularly say thank you to parents for the great support and trust that you place in the staff and myself at De La Salle Caringbah. Term Three was certainly topped off on Wednesday with an amazing Mass and festivities to celebrate Dela Day in style.

TERM 4IMPORTANT DATES

WEEK 1MON, 15 OCTOBERTerm 4 commences (Day 6 timetable)

WED, 17 OCTOBER Years 8 & 10 SCS RE Tests

WEEK 2MON, 22 OCTOBERYr 7 2019 Information Night@6.30pm

THU, 25 OCTOBER Whole College Assembly

FRI, 26 OCTOBER Sports / Extra Curricular photo day

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.

Mr Peter Buxton

Principal

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TERM 4IMPORTANT DATES

WEEK 1MON, 15 OCTOBERTerm 4 commences (Day 6 timetable)

WED, 17 OCTOBERYears 8 & 10 SCS RE Tests

WEEK 2MON, 22 OCTOBERYr 7 2019 Information Night@6.30pm

THU, 25 OCTOBERWhole College Assembly

FRI, 26 OCTOBERSports / Extra Curricularphoto day

WEEK 4MON, 8 NOVEMBER Remembrance Day Assembly@9.00am

WEEK 6TUE, 20 NOVEMBER Newman Symposium@5.45 - 6.45pm

FRI, 23 NOVEMBERWhole College Assembly

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De La Day

Our annual De La Day / founder’s day celebration, which is the pinnacle of our Eucharistic celebrations for the year, was an incredible success, with all the young men present and fully involving themselves in the mass.

Our mass was celebrated by Father Julian and included a number of guests such as; five De La Salle Brothers (Br Martin, Br Michael, Br Paul, Br Colin and Br Gary), Mr Michael Blowes, Secondary Regional Consultant of the Southern Region, and most importantly, nine members of our foundational class of 1958, who were in attendance to help us celebrate 60 years since the College first began. All of our guests and members of the public all commented to me about the outstanding behaviour of our boys during the Eucharist. We were also lucky enough to hear from Mr Michael Griffiths, who spoke to our community at the end of our mass. Our mass was a fitting celebration of what it means to be Lasallian.

At the beginning of our mass together, I challenged the young men to sing loudly and proudly with one voice, so that all of Caringbah knew what it meant to be a De La Man. I was extremely pleased and encouraged by the way our students participated in the singing and responses during our celebration; the hours of preparation by a number of staff and students were rewarded greatly. I was reminded of the words from St Irenaeus when he said, “The glory of God is Man fully alive.” During our celebration of the Eucharist our young men were certainly “fully alive” and active participants. I would like to thank a number people who helped me make it possible to put this Mass together, including the many readers, our Year 10 House and Lasallian leaders, our fantastic musicians and Mrs Cathy Moran for her amazing leadership of the College band, and all staff involved in the organisation and running of the liturgy.

Prayer for Teachers in Lasallian Schools (for De La Day)

You, O Lord,are our strength, our patience, our light, and

our counsel.It is you who touch the hearts of the children

entrusted to our care.Abandon us not to ourselves for one moment.

For our own guidance and that of our students,grant us the spirit of wisdom and

understanding,the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of

knowledge and piety,the spirit of a holy fear of you and an ardent

zeal to procure your glory.

We unite our efforts to those of Jesus Christ, and we beg the Most Blessed Virgin, Saint Joseph, the Guardian Angels,

and Saint John Baptist de La Salle to protect us this day in the performance of our duties.

Amen.

Above: special guests at our mass included De Lasallian Brothers and members of the foundational class of 1958, as we celebrated 60 years of De La Salle Caringbah education

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Mr Peter Strudwick RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Year 8 and 10 SCS RE Test

On Wednesday, 17th October 2018 (Term 4 , Week 1), all Year 8 and Year 10 students in Sydney Catholic Secondary schools (systemic) will participate in the Year 8 and 10 Religious Education Test. The questions are designed to assess knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith as taught in Catholic secondary schools. Questions are based on the Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8) and Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) Religious Education Curriculum. The test will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions and will be scored out of a possible 50 marks. Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) at the University of New South Wales will mark the test, analyse the results and produce the reports and certificates. Students will be required to bring a 2B pencil for the examination. Students have been preparing for this exam over the last two weeks in their RE classes to ensure they can achieve their best.

De La Day Mass

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De La Day 2018

67

De La Day 2018

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School Musical - Aladdin

After six months of preparation the combined School Musical with Our Lady Of Mercy College, “Aladdin” was performed to sell out audiences. In total there were six performances and the students exceeded all of our expectations. The musical marked the sixth joint production between Our Lady of Mercy Buraneer and De La Salle Caringbah.

The show ran for a week and was seen by over 2,000 students, families and friends of the cast and both colleges. The students from both schools are to be commended for the highly professional way they approached both rehearsals and performances. There were 65 students involved on stage and many more helping backstage. The lead characters were exceptional and they were supported by a highly skilled chorus who added so much to both the story and the choreography.

All year groups were represented across both schools and it was pleasing to see firm friendships being formed as they united to perform a cohesive and professional producation led by the teaching staff from both schools.

The opportunity to be part of the musical is offered

every second year. The commitment by staff from both schools as well as the students is huge and requires lots of after school and Sunday rehearsals as well as the dedicated time each Friday in place of Sport.

It was a privilege to work with a talented team of teachers lead by Mrs Joanne Furnari from OLMC. Joanne always has such an amazing vision which somehow comes together in a highly professional production. This year she was assisted by her daughter Ms Sarah Furnari who choreographed the entire show. Mrs Cathy Moran (DLS) and Mrs Sarah Olsen (OLMC) did a wonderful job as the Musical Directors. Our thanks to the many parents who were involved in assembling the set, working as ushers and servers on the nights.

Congratulations and thanks to all the cast and crew. We are proud of your hard work and know you have developed a passion for musical theatre through this production.

Mrs Cathy Moran (Musical Director) Mrs Catherine McLennan (Assistant Director)

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Aladdin The Musical

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Aladdin The Musical

Aladdin The Musical

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Sydney Catholic Schools' (SCS) authentic approach to teaching and learning is paying off with students' 2018 NAPLAN results above the state mean in the literacy and numeracy assessment's key areas.

Students sit NAPLAN - which provides a snapshot of student learning growth in reading, writing, numeracy, spelling, grammar and punctuation - in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

This year, students in Years 3 and S achieved their highest results above the numeracy state mean in the assessment's 11-year history. Year 3 students were 16.7% above the state mean in Numeracy. Year S results were equally strong. Though the NSW mean has climbed less than one per cent in Year 5 Numeracy since 2010, SCS results have grown by 11% in the past six years. Year 3 reading results were similarly outstanding. Year 3 students achieved SCS' best result ever in Reading, with almost 70% in the top two bands compared with 54.2% across the state. NSW schools were under scrutiny this year for a lack of growth in Year 9 Writing results across the

state. However, SCS students' results have grown in this age group by about 4% since 2016, where the national average has declined by the same percentage in those two years.

Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools Dr Dan White said the 2018 NAP LAN results were a credit to the students and staff who achieved them, and reflect the effectiveness of the system in educating students.

"The percentage of our students in each year group who achieve in the top two bands in each area of NAPLAN continues to be well above the NSW student average," Dr White said.

"We are exceedingly proud of the efforts of our dedicated teachers and creative, highly capable students. Though NA PLAN is just one tool to gauge where our students are at in their learning journey, it continues to show how real-world learning, explicit teaching and high expectations allow them to thrive and develop key skills for their future."

NAPLAN 2018: Sydney Catholic School Students Shine

From the Sports Coordinator

NSWCCC ATHLETICS

Congratulations to the following students on their results at the NSWCCC Athletics Carnival on Friday, 21 September 2018.

16yrs Sam Stonestreet 4th 100m 8th High Jump

Izac Taylor (14 years) 4th place - High Jump

Bevan Lord (16 years)5th 800m, 5th 1500m

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CANTEEN ROSTER OCTOBER 2018

WEEK 1 (15-19 OCT)

Mon Amanda Reynolds-Smith

TueMichelle SchneiderPettina Hetherington

Wed Claire Morrison

Thu Kristine Ruhle

FriAnnie MillettReggie DonaghyBeth Bradley

WEEK 2 (22-26 OCT)

Mon Lee Parmeter

TuePenny CassidyRaelene Roby

WedAnne-Marie GordonMelissa Turner

Thu Wendy Macken

FriStacey FerosHayley Griffiths

As always, the College is grateful to the parents who volunteer at the Canteen, and we welcome more parents / caregivers to join our wonderful team!

PEN

YEAR 7

Angus Juffermans

GOLD CERTIFICATES

YEAR 7

Dylan Bedwell, Harley Cass, Joseph Tomassian

SILVER CERTIFICATES

YEAR 7

Antonio Altiparmak, Daniel Benjamin, Alex Bliss, Jasper Catton, Caleb Fishburn, David Guidone, Aidan Kunzendorf, Luke Sheppard, Taj Summerhayes, Brendan Vagg

YEAR 8

Isaac Fan, Tye Smith, Nicholas Sullivan

BRONZE CERTIFICATES

YEAR 8Christopher Andrews, Oscar Café, Jack Cameron, Ethan Lays, Rory McKell, John Perreau, Jordan Reynolds, Luca Salisbury YEAR 9Keiran Brown, Alexander Casella, Henry Fisher, Campbell Hannington, Harry Luxford, Hayden Miller, Owen Pountney

YEAR 10Gabriel Ferrazzano, Jordan Peterson

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Follow DLSCCC on Instagram for all the latest news

@dlscaringbah

College Website - New Pages

The College website now has two pages dedicated to streamline communication with parents and carers. The LETTERS & FORMS page lists all relevant information per year group of letters and forms which have been sent home. The EVENTS page will provide families with links to College events.

We encourage parents, carers and students to access these pages to keep up to date with events happening at the College. The pages can be accessed via the main MENU bar on the website under the sub category NEWS & EVENTS.

https://dlscaringbah.catholic.edu.au/letters-forms/

https://dlscaringbah.catholic.edu.au/news-events/news-

events/

OUR FAMILY IS TRAVELLING OVERSEAS

Q; What information do I need to give the school when my son is travelling overseas during school time?

A: When submitting the

APPLICATION FOR LEAVE

FROM SCHOOL (A1), parents

are asked to also include

a copy of an eticket and/

or itineary. The Letters and

forms can now be obtained

from the College website, on

the POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS

page, which is accessed via

the MENU bar.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

DE LA SALLE CATHOLIC COLLEGE CARINGBAH | 389 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah NSW 2229 P: (02) 9524 9133 | dlscaringbah.catholic.edu.au | info@dlscaringbah.catholic.edu.au

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