Cooerwull Academy was founded in the 1880’s as a Presbyterian School for boarders and day students. It was attached to St. Andrew’s College, Sydney University and was one of the first G.P.S. Schools in NSW. It closed after World War I.
LA SALLE ACADEMY takes its name from the original Cooerwull Academy, replacing “Cooerwull” by “La Salle”. This latter honours the memory of St. John Baptist De La Salle, a French priest who established the teaching order of Brothers, named after him, over three hundred years ago. Since his death in 1719, his brothers, who now are of many different nationalities, have established educational institutions in many countries throughout the world.
The Brothers first came to Australia from Ireland in 1905.
In 1953 the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney purchased the property and the De La Salle Order was invited to start a Catholic School for boys. In 1968 the Academy became a co-educational junior secondary school. The De La Salle Brothers conducted the school until 1995 when full lay administration was commenced.
Apart from the Lithgow District, the school serves families from the upper Blue Mountains to Capertee. Its enrolment is projected to increase to well above 400 students in the next few years.
| Year | Event |
| 1882 | The original double storied sandstone building was designed and built by Andrew Brown to serve as a boarding school for young Presbyterian boys, some of whom it was hoped, might go into the ministry. It was known as Cooerwull Academy (This is the origin of the “Academy” part of the title to be later used by the Brothers, a title which is generally not used in Australian educational establishments). |
| 1883 | Cooerwull Academy opened with, initially, one student. |
| 1916 | Teaching staff enlisted to fight for the colours in World War One. The old building was sold and used as a private dwelling for various groups. It fell into disrepair and the grounds became overgrown. |
| 1953 | It was bought by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, of which LITHGOW was then part, to serve as a day school for the Catholic boys of LITHGOW, who until then had been cared for by the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Patrick’s in town. The new venture now called La Salle Academy, was to be conducted by the De La Salle Brothers in the School’s colour, purple and gold. |
| 1968 | With the inauguration of the so-called Wyndham Scheme, and the relatively small numbers of Secondary boys at La Salle and the girls at St. Pat’s, it was decided with some of the Nuns coming to join the Brothers on the staff of La Salle. In addition, the secondary department of St. Joseph’s School, Portland, was amalgamated into La Salle. Four new classrooms were built, together with two Science rooms and an Administration block. The school colours were changed to maroon and gold. Carmel Allen and Denis O'Brien elected the first school captains of the co-educational college |
| 1977 | Four more classrooms were added to the present complex. |
| 1980 | The Sisters of St. Joseph who had been members of the La Salle staff since 1968 withdrew at the end of 1980, so that La Salle is now staffed by De La Salle Brothers and Lay teachers, and is under the direction of the Catholic Education Office of the Bathurst Diocese. Varying roll numbers over the past few years have caused certain classes to increase from two streams to three in Year 7 to 10. |
| 1985 | Because of the growing student population and the desire to increase number of subjects available to students, a new Library and Staff rooms were added to replace inadequate facilities. |
| 1991 | During this year some 100 desks have been purchased, a sprinkler system has been laid on the oval, some 500 square metres of roadwork's have just been completed, and a multi-purpose hall, with space for a basketball court and other indoor sports is under construction. |
| 1992 | This year has seen further building improvements with a much-needed and now well-used multi-purpose hall. The surface is prepared for indoor basketball, netball, tennis and volleyball. The computer facilities have been upgraded with the purchase of ten new Apple Macintosh computer together with a laser-printer. |
| 1993 | Among the physical improvements this year, sixty desks and one hundred chairs have been purchased, as well as two more computers. The drinking facilities have been upgraded by replacing two bubbler systems with five independent bubblers. |
| 1994 | Physical improvements - painting of roof of original building. A further sixty desks and one hundred chairs purchased. At the end of academic year, De La Salle Brothers’ community was withdrawn from Lithgow. |
| 1995 | The first lay Principal, Mr Brian Morrissey was appointed. The school started on a Strategic Plan to accommodate the Bishop’s decision to proceed into Years 11 and 12. The Bathurst Diocesan Trustees approved the funds for building works to start in a major upgrading of the Monastery to provide modern administration and educational facilities. Architectural plans were drawn up to redevelop school facilities for the Year 11 and 12 extension to commence in 1997. A new Vision and Mission Statement was developed by the school community. |
| 1996 | Major curriculum planning for H.S.C studies. Building additions and refurbishment of school in a $1.05 million Stage 1 Program. |
| 1997 | First Year 11 commenced. Language courses introduced, the first being Indonesian. |
| 1998 | First Higher School Certificate class. Introduction of Agriculture - Stage 1 development of Good Luck Hollow land. Completion of Stage 2 Refurbishment Program. Samantha Haddin and Luke Cummings elected first school captains of La Salle as a years 7 to 12 school. |
| 1999 | Development of land on southern side of Good Luck Hollow Creek for Agriculture and the development of an environment centre. |
| 2000 | Planning Brief to examine future school facilities in view of large increases in enrolments especially in the Upper Blue Mountains. |
| 2002 | Strategic Plan 2000 - 2003 developed. Major Computer network installed linking the entire school. Computer laboratories revamped. Planning and construction begins involving a $1.05 million program for a new Library and Canteen, to be followed by our new classrooms in 2003. |
| 2004 | New Library opened. Old Library redeveloped for a Drama Centre. Environment Centre expanded. Sheep yards established to complement Cattle Yards. |
| 2005 | New Senior Classroom block opened adjacent to New Library. Strategic Plan 2005 - 2008 developed. Extensive environmental improvements on Oval. |
The Principals of La Salle Academy
Years |
Principal's |
1953-1958 |
Brother Dominic Finn |
1959-1964 |
Brother Matthew Kennedy |
1965-1965 |
Brother Josephus Garrity |
1966-1971 |
Brother Hugh Cokeron |
1972-1974 |
Brother Cletus Storey |
1975-1978 |
Brother John Hanson |
1979-1986 |
Brother Maurice Salmon |
1987-1994 |
Brother John Cokeron |
1995-2005 |
Mr Brian Morrissey |
2006- |
Mr John Emms |
House Groups
The La Salle Sports Houses were developed in 1953.
| House Name | House Colour |
Who was it named after | Details |
| Benildus | Blue | Saint Brother Benildus (1805-1863). |
He was a venerated De La Salle Brother and School Principal. |
| Mackillop | Yellow | Blessed Mother Mary Mackillop (1842-1909) |
Founder of the Sisters of St Joseph. |
| Solomon | Red | Brother Blessed Solomon (1745-1792) |
He was martyred for supporting the people against oppression and against government. |
| Tenison | Green | Father Tennison Woods (1832-1889) |
Co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph |
