![NEW LEADERSHIP: La Salle's principal, Joyce Smith, is seeking to build upon the solid foundations the school already has in place and guide the organisation through the current changes in the education system. Photo: Hosea Luy NEW LEADERSHIP: La Salle's principal, Joyce Smith, is seeking to build upon the solid foundations the school already has in place and guide the organisation through the current changes in the education system. Photo: Hosea Luy](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/bzKWYgn6VBjQPEQBVZjRGQ/cadca57b-d588-4c56-b27b-c4113fd945a0.JPG/r0_360_5232_2988_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
La Salle college has entered a new era under the direction of its first female principal.
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Joyce Smith’s appointment comes after the retirement of long-standing principal, John Emms in August last year.
"Lithgow interested me because it's just a beautiful area and it looked like a lovely community so I thought to try something new, a different place," said Mrs Smith.
"The school looks like an amazing school with the facilities and lovely staff and lovely kids, it was a very welcoming place. I'm really glad that I was able to come."
Mrs Smith previously worked as the assistant principal at St Catherine's Catholic College in Singleton and before that held the position at two other Catholic schools.
She is originally from Missouri in the United States and began her life in Australia after moving here after university.
La Salle’s principal is seeking to challenge herself as a leader and is keen to see how she can best use her skills to help others strive for excellence.
Mrs Smith believes school is meant to be about helping students gain a sense of what their gifts are and how they can contribute to the community.
"To help them formulate their goals and achieve their goals for what they do after school but also that holistic education of citizenship, spiritual growth, academic excellence and reaching one's potential, I think are the most important things about school."
Although Mrs Smith won’t be able to have extended time with the pupils in the classroom she will be trying her best to build relationships with students, parents and staff.
"So I'm hoping I'm not so much a person sitting behind a desk, I really want to get into the classroom and see the great things that are happening there but also go out and meet the kids every day.
"I've asked to be put on playground duty every morning so I can greet the kids when they get here and parents as they come in.
“Also I'm hoping to have greater links with the community around Lithgow as well to develop those partnerships because I do believe it takes a village to raise a child and certainly we need to get on board with what we can contribute to the community."