FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Focus on Final Examinations Dear Members of the De La Salle Community, The College is well and truly in examination mode. Year 12 students are already quite advanced with their final examinations while our Year 11 cohort commence their exams next Wednesday. Students in Years 7-10 will undertake their examination program over the next three weeks. Examinations play a pivotal role in the total assessment program. While ongoing tests conducted in class time, assignments etc during the year are essential, nevertheless formal examinations at the end of each Semester give students an excellent guide as to their grasp of coursework covered over an extended period of time and their ability to cope with the pressure of a formal examination setting. If they are well prepared, hopefully they will produce results which reflect their “best” in each subject. I hope students in Years 7 – 11 will give preparation for their examinations their highest priority in the coming weeks. Social activities should be restricted, especially on weekends, as should contact with friends during regular study times at home. A planned revision program in all subjects will help optimise performance in the final examinations.
Year 12 students farewelled in style Our Year 12 Class of 2013 was farewelled appropriately by the College in recent days. They attended and engaged with their parents and the staff in a reflective Mass of Thanksgiving in the school gym. The carefully planned Liturgy invited the participation of several students, staff and parents and the music provided by our students and music staff added a special dimension to the proceedings as did the visual effects produced by teachers within the Arts Faculty. After the Mass, the Valedictory Dinner was held in a beautiful setting at Caulfield Racecourse featuring our vibrant and attractive school colours. There was a real buzz in the air which was indicative of people enjoying themselves. A more reflective and delightful moment was provided by former Principal, Br Paul Rogers fsc, who delivered the keynote address and three students – Daniel Anastasio, Mitchell Carey and Harry Thompson - who recounted amusing stories about their time associated with De La Salle. Mrs Helen Pentifallo delivered both a moving and amusing address of gratitude on behalf of the Year 12 parents. On the following Tuesday, the whole school community gathered to acknowledge and farewell the Year 12 students on their last day at the College. Proceedings were orchestrated by Mr Luke Kenealy, Head of Kinnoull Campus and Mr Michael Petrie, Year 12 Coordinator along with the Year 12 Homeroom Teachers. Mr Petrie delivered a wonderful tribute to our departing cohort while Patrick Arceri, as School Captain, spoke from the heart in thanking the College on behalf of his peers for all they had received during their time here. It was a very moving occasion which highlighted for me the deep affection and gratitude that our Year 12 students have developed for their school as well as forming potentially lifelong friendships.
Lasallian Service in action
The Lasallian focus of the College has been very much in evidence in recent times. While the remarkable Year 11 Papua New Guinea trip has been featured elsewhere in this publication, all Year 9 students completed a week of Lasallian Service just three weeks ago. This program is an integral part of the Year 9 total educational program at De La Salle. We value it so highly that it is placed in term time and every one of our
He’s Learning to Live and Lead
Newsprint Issue No. 12 page 1