Journal La Salle - Edition 1, 2021

JOURNAL “TRANSFORMING LIVES, ENERGISING MISSION, SUSTAINED BY FAITH.”

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Gary Wilson fsc (‘Creative Writer’/ Sometime ‘Author’)

Greetings from Sydney, Australia, where we are experiencing a solid wintry lockdown with COVID. While it restricts physical movement, it still allows Lasallians to connect with what’s happening over continents.

Welcome to the January-June 2021 digest of news, views and activities from the ANZPPNG Lasallian District. As usual, there are the “Outlook” articles, blog posts and resources. In addition, new sections include significant appointments, some highlighted Lasallian achievements, a “Together and by Association” segment , as well as a comprehensive listing of links worldwide. A ‘Rest in Peace’ page notes some Lasallians who have recently died.

Special mention to the articles on the history of the Papua New Guinea Mission, this in its 75th Year!

Well worth reading.

What is regular is the astounding kaleidoscope of activities recorded in our four nations. A huge thank you to all our regular correspondents.

Spread the word, share the good news, and keep the miracle of faith and community pulsing in this Lasallian mission of the Lord!

Enjoy this Issue of “Journal La Salle”!

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CONTENTS FORMATION FOR MISSION 4 YOUNG LASALLIANS 8 LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS 13 LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING 17 NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS 28 LA SALLE SISTERS 42 AUSTRALIAN SECTOR 43 NEW ZEALAND SECTOR 83 PAPUA NEW GUINEA SECTOR 96 PAKISTAN SECTOR 113 SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENTS 123 SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS 128 LASALLIANS WORLDWIDE 135 SAFEGUARDING 140 TOGETHER AND BY ASSOCIATION 142 PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES 152 RESEARCH 155 REST IN PEACE 156

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FORMATION FOR MISSION THIRTY-EIGHT LASALLIAN LEADERS FOUR COUNTRIES RE-CONNECT IN 2021 Author: Merv McCormack Executive Director of the Lasallian Mission Council.

Approximately thirty-eight Lasallian leaders representing all Sectors of the ANZPPNG District gathered for a one-hour zoom meeting on 1 March hosted by Lasallian Mission Services. After introductions, Lasallian Youth Ministry Coordinator Maddy Forde led the Acknowledgement of Country and opening prayer.

Br David, Visitor, followed, providing opening remarks. Quoting Hebrews 6: 10-12, ‘God is not unjust, so as to forget your works and the love you have shown for his name, or your past and present ministry to the saints’, he spoke of the 44 Lasallian schools and other ministries across the District, the work at yourtown across six States of Australia, the ministry at the La Salle Centre itself, and the almost 32,000 students across the four countries of the District. He expressed his ‘deep appreciation for the successes of 2020 in the unforeseen circumstances’, which COVID presented. He reminded participants that: “You are Part of the Miracle: Our Vision, Our Passion, Our Future”, and that this can be realised with Lasallian zeal, within the certainty of Christian hope.

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FORMATION FOR MISSION Br Peter Ryan, Director of Formation for Mission, as the keynote speaker, referred to the Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission (2020) focussing on:

• Our Living Lasallian Heritage (Why we do what we do?)

• Participants involved in the Lasallian Educational Mission (Who are the stakeholders?)

• Inspiring and Enduring Fundamentals of the Lasallian Educational Heritage (What are the essentials?)

• Looking to the Future Challenges of the Lasallian Educational Mission (Where do we go from here?)

• Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’s encyclical on fraternity and social friendship.

• Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on his text Morality.

A short breakout session then allowed participants the opportunity to re-engage and respond to Br Peter’s presentation. Julie Alibrandi, LMC Director of Operations, Br Adrian Watson, Acting CEO of the Lasallian Foundation, and Joanne Nehme, LMS’s Development and Projects Officer, then spoke to various goals which included aligning financial and material support offered by ANZ to PPNG, such as provided through ‘Twinning’ and the ‘Women of Hope’ projects.

This District- wide zoom meeting for leaders was the first of a series of such meetings which will occur throughout the year. The limited time of 60 minutes per meeting deliberately aims to be a user- friendly gathering for busy Lasallians.

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FORMATION FOR MISSION BR. PETER: TAKING UP THE BATON FOR FORMATION The new Director for Mission has reversed the journey. Completing a Doctorate in Ministry on the east coast of USA in 2019, Br. Peter Ryan returned home to spread the word in the District that “The Work is Ours” the title of his research. Peter from western N.S.W. joined the Brothers in 1982 and has taught at Scarborough, Armidale, Mentone, Oakhill and in New Zealand. As Principal successively at New Plymouth, Bankstown and Oakhill, his wide experience in administration and religious education has prepared him well for the role in formation, vacated by Amanda.

The sub-title of Br. Peter’s dissertation encapsulates his convictions and interests in taking up his new role: “Nurturing and Sustaining Charism in Catholic Schools in the Lasallian Tradition”. Church has experienced increasingly the rapid falling of Brothers’ numbers in our schools, as well as natural on-going generational change of committed Lasallian lay colleagues. It is well recognised, that to safeguard the vitality of the Mission for the future, sophisticated formation of laity in our schools is critical. Peter sees a special emphasis lays in considering any Lasallian formation as a component of Christ’s universal mission and God’s Reign. In addition, John Baptist’s gift may well be in its inclusive nature a ‘spirituality’ open to all in our institutions and agencies, who wish to engage.

The startling COVID world of 2020 has already shown to Br. Peter that versatility and adaptation is critical in delivery of programs. Various technologies can “build on the outstanding work of recent years, and maintaining the building of relationships, tailored to participants across the District”. While face-to-face formation is preferred, IT also offers a broader reach, as 2021 broaches the unknown.

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FORMATION FOR MISSION FINDING THE WAY: LASALLIAN COMPASS DAY 2021 Understanding the tradition and practices of a new school can be daunting for starting or transferring teachers, but it can be enlightened somewhat when they meet, even on-line, across many Lasallian schools.

The Compass program provided just that for thirty-seven educators. Run by the ‘Formation for Mission’ team from Lasallian Mission Services Bankstown, it was seen by participants as welcoming, engaging, and relevant to their teaching practice.

The one-day, three-session program combined meeting others, listening to stories of John Baptist de La Salle, the tradition of education for the disadvantaged, and the values that inspired De La Salle and Lasallian schools today. For the beginnings of a network of Lasallian Animators, there was a presentation on the powerful family network in Reims to which John Baptist de La Salle belonged, and which made things difficult for him. Inputs blended into reflection, discussions and listening to others’ experience and perspectives. Some features that were appreciated were a booklet with quotations, timelines etc., and focus on the challenges of incorporating ideas and learnings into one’s interactions with students and colleagues.

Interest was raised in the global reach and connections of Lasallian education. A few comments were: “This is a fantastic program that enables us new teachers to learn about De La Salle as well as broaden our reach through meeting other Lasallian teachers. A great day.”

“Very welcoming and enjoyable way to meet and learn from people from other Lasallian schools and get a deeper insight into how the Lasallian tradition plays a role in our schools.”

“A welcoming and informative day. I found the history of La Salle interesting and the excerpts relevant to my practice. Overall an excellent introduction to the Lasallian community.”

“Very thorough, inclusive and practical. Understanding Lasallian ethos is so important to our culture and behaviour.”

The team of Br Peter Ryan, Mr Philippe Dulawan and Br John Cantwell, who ran the program, foreshadow some timetabled seminars during the coming year.

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YOUNG LASALLIANS THE CHANGING PERSONNEL OF THE YOUNG LASALLIANS “DREAM TEAM” Author: Philippe Dulawan, Associate Director Formation for Mission, Lasallian Mission Services

One of the joys of working for, with and in the Lasallian Family is the diverse and engaging people that are met along the way. The Young Lasallians team, affectionately called the “Dream Team”, comprising Lasallian Volunteers (LVs) and Lasallian Youth Ministers (LYMs), is no exception. During these opening months of 2021, there have been some noteworthy changes to the team: At De La Salle College, Ashfield, Dean Bestos is welcomed as an LYM working 2-days per week. Dean is a former Vice-Captain of Ashfield (2019) and is the first Ashfield alumni to take-up this position. He has made an impressive start, having already facilitated the Year 7 and Year 10 retreats. Heartfelt appreciation is given to Aiden Moore, the LYM in 2019-2020, who generously volunteered his time to be onboard and orient Dean to the school, alongside Maddy Forde, Young Lasallians Coordinator. Aiden leaves a lasting legacy, having played an instrumental part in accompanying Ashfield graduates and now LV, Salesi Lata (Balgo) and LYM, Juan Pablo (Revesby), to take up these opportunities. Thank you, Aiden and welcome, Dean.

Similarly, Meryla Lowther is offered gratitude for her service over a multitude of roles. Meryla has concluded her time as a Dream Team member to pursue further education with a prestigious scholarship from Western Sydney University. Meryla is a Young Lasallians pioneer, having graduated from Oakhill College in 2014, before taking up a Lasallian Volunteer position in Middle Swan. She was the first repeat Lasallian Volunteer, completing her second year in the Balgo Hills community in 2015, before continuing her employment at the school in 2016. She returned to Sydney in 2017, taking up the position of LYM at Holy Spirit Catholic College, Lakemba and De La Salle College, Revesby. She continued at both communities until 2018 before focusing her time at Revesby in 2019 until the present. Juan, who began job-sharing with Meryla this year, will increase his presence at the Revesby from 1 to 2 days per week. We thank Meryla immensely for her many years of service and commitment to our Lasallian mission.

Shaye Baker-Baines, a graduate from Lasalle College, Middle Swan, has decided to return home after taking up the position of LV at Southern Cross College, Scarborough. We thank Shaye for her service and wish her a smooth return home. Angelina Bone, who initially took up an LV position in Scarborough in 2019 before returning home due to COVID, will continue as the sole LV in QLD in 2021. Angelina has displayed determination and resilience to come back for a second year, serving at yourtown and Southern Cross.

Lastly, this work is only possible through the ongoing collaboration of several key stakeholders, including the Colleges themselves, yourtown, Lasallian Communities, community Directors, site and placement supervisors, and Lasallian Mission Council staff. Special thanks are given to each of these stakeholders who are involved in supporting our young people.

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YOUNG LASALLIANS “DREAM TEAM” CONNECTS 150 STUDENT LEADERS 2021

Lasallian Youth Ministry seemingly creates new goals each year in its history. The virtual Student Leaders Seminar happened on 20-21 January for five hours each day. It saw the whole Team, including School Youth Ministers, the new Lasallian Volunteers and past members numbering 45 young Lasallians leading the e-gathering. There were 150 student leaders from almost all District colleges zooming and participating from Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. (Pakistan were to run their own program locally).

Welcomed for the first time were St. John’s Dubbo, founded by the Brothers in 1927, and La Salle Academy Lithgow, opened in 1952. (Both schools now operate under lay principals). Most students clocked on from home, with some centrally, from their school. The themes included “Navigating the Year Together”, and “Tools for the Journey” threaded together with inputs, breakout groups and of course some ice-breakers to relax and build a sense of community. Workshops included “Being an Effective Networker”, “Delegating, Asking & Collaborating”, and “Embracing an Authentic Faith”.

It was very relevant and will help me during my time as a student leader in 2021 and beyond. I would definitely recommend to future leaders and wish that more leaders from my school were able to attend.

The expertise of the facilitating Team LaSalle was well rewarded with students judging the Seminar “engaging”, the “big win of small groups” and “amazing work” of the workshops.

I took away the fact that I’m not alone and that there is a diverse community of leaders across Aus., NZ, PNG and Pakistan. I was also able to reflect on what leadership means for me, so I can go out into my school community with a greater awareness of my strengths and weaknesses, and as a result be able to best serve and work with others.

Individuals of the Team itself saw “great varied methods of delivery with anecdote and moral and spiritual lessons consistently”; and “an energetic experience through a platform that is quite difficult to be interactive and engaging in”. Overall, the Seminar was seen by the Team to offer a capacity to build connection, increase Lasallian leadership awareness and widen relationships. It was notable in its large reach of participants and the big number of students from PNG. Lydia Avia-Aumua, on behalf of the Team, offers thanks to the schools, the families and the students themselves for their commitment. There will be three “check-in” dates to re-connect over 2021, and a final one on Wednesday 29 September.

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YOUNG LASALLIANS DAMIAN K: “TOMORROW” STARTS TODAY Damian K is pushing the boundaries in bringing his music to the masses, after six years in the business.

His debut single, “Tomorrow” pushes a vision and offers purpose, as we start our re-start after the depths of COVID. A session musician on piano and violin, Damian Khoury currently co-ordinates youth work for Lasallians across Australia, New Zealand, and even Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.

Coming from his own experience, the single acknowledges that different chapters of life can be quite challenging. Damian’s authenticity and optimism shine through. Lyrics and melody tap into a passionate hope, a call to action, and leaving a mark on the world for future generations: “our children’s children will remember how we responded.” It’s all about empowering oneself, seeing the direction, taking the challenge.

Damian started his musical tertiary studies in 2013, studying a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Creative Technologies through Central Queensland University. It was through that course, he says, that he “met and built a network of fellow musician on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane(He) has played with artists such as The McClymonts, Travis Collins, Carl Wockner, Caitlyn Shadbolt and many other upcoming artists”.

Other artists he has shared the stage with have included Jimmy Barnes, Kasey Chambers, The Cat Empire, Sticky Fingers.

One can access the song through: https://linktr.ee/damiankmusic

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YOUNG LASALLIANS

LASALLIAN YOUTH LEADERS -FORMATION DAY 2021 Author: Ms Zani Bates, Lasallian Youth Minister The Lasallian Youth Leadership (LYL) program operates across almost every Lasallian School in our District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. This program has been offered at St Michael’s College for over 15 years. This year approximately 25 students from Year 10 and 11 have joined this fantastic leadership initiative.

On Friday 19 February the new LYLs at St Michael’s College Adelaide attended the Formation Day at the Grange SLSC. This day is the first formal event for the LYLs, helping them develop the required skills and knowledge to carry out their leadership role. They not only learn more about each other and our founder, St John Baptist de La Salle, but also brainstorm ideas which we can hopefully implement in 2021.

Students reflected on their experience: “The LYL formation day was a great experience for me, and all students who attended. This experience has allowed me to make new friends of varying ages and build upon my understanding and values, on what it means to become a LYL. We performed many activities to help teach us these skills, such as how different techniques can help with public speaking, and what it means to be Lasallian. I’m looking forward to my future as a LYL and the new people I will meet.”

Joel Grygus (10PC-04) “On the formation day I learned what it means to become a Lasallian Youth Leader, and the importance of the Lasallian history, and how much of an impact it has on today’s modern education. There were many fun and educational activities including a presentation on the importance of being a Lasallian Youth Leader. The LYL formation day allowed me to know what to expect in my future as an LYL.” David Levett (11PC-09) We were very fortunate to have Mr Robert Dempsey, Director of Mission, Mr Andrew Spencer, Year 10 Director and Indigenous Coordinator, Mr Nicholas Flynn Year 10 Assistant Director, and Ms Thu Nguyen, Teacher, present on the day.

We are very thankful for old scholar, and now SALT (South Australian Lasallian Team) member, Jordan Tucker (2019) who also took the time to visit. Jordan expressed how fortunate she was to be part of the LYL program, and how she has developed vital skills through the opportunities within the program.

Overall, the day was a great success, and we look forward to the exciting initiatives the LYLs will be a part of this year.

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YOUNG LASALLIANS CHECKPOINT ON THE JOURNEY: STUDENT LEADERS MEET ON-LINE Journeys need occasional stops to examine progress, re-evaluate and plan the future. The Lasallian Youth Ministry team engineered that on 11 March for Student Leaders from our network of schools. In addition, many of the 20-plus Youth Ministers helped with feeding-in their experience as peer leaders.

Working expertly from two venues, the Team Office in Bankstown and James Sheahan College in Orange, the team of Philippe Dulawan, Maddy Forde, and Br Arian Lopez hosted and ran the technology, while Damian Khoury presented the theme, unpacking the experience of points in John Baptist de La Salle’s life.

There was a renewing friendships and re-meeting stage from the opening-of-year seminar, before reflections on the leadership experience so far in the schools. Breaking up into small discussion groups and individual jotting down insights and suggestions ensued. The intention of this first of three checkpoints in the year was, as Damian Khoury, Co-ordinator, said was “to bring the (Founder’s) story to life”, and how it links with the leaders’ experience of their journey.

The one-and-a-half-hour twilight session included a video and real-time presentation on the work of Lasallian Volunteers: this shows an option in what these young leaders and the school Youth Ministers might discern for 2022. In creating this event, the Team were promoting essentially a “pastoral gathering”, which was formative and enriching for Student Leaders on the ground. The Team has had from 2020 the goal of becoming professional in offering an on-line space for development.

Once more, a creative and focused event in the youth program, as it gears up for the District Youth gathering in July.

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LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS BALGO! A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE Author: Ms. Pearl Bartlett, former Lasallian Volunteer My name is Pearl Bartlett from Chichester, England. I was a Lasallian Volunteer in Balgo Hills, Western Australia, for 11 months. I had previously volunteered at St Cassian’s Centre Kintbury UK for two years; I decided to continue my Lasallian service and experience a whole new and exciting culture in Balgo, which was an opportunity I will never forget.

My primary role was as teaching assistant at Luurnpa Catholic School, helping students with Maths, English, Art, and many other subjects. I also helped in t h e Mangarri (food) room, serving students breakfast and lunch, and helped with the upkeep of the school grounds, by mowing lawns and cleaning. The staff at Luurnpa School were so helpful and encouraging.

They all have a passion for helping the students learn, which was such an inspiration to see.

I also had the opportunity to work within the local community by helping at Warlayirti Art Centre and the Kapululango Aboriginal Women’s Law and Culture Centre. All the artists and elders were happy to tell me their stories and taught me so much, including the local language Kukatja, which was an important part of immersing myself within their culture.

It isn’t easy to pinpoint my favourite part of my year as a Lasallian Volunteer because I was lucky enough to experience so much. I loved working in the school and helping the students with their learning, and just chatting and having a yarn with them, learning about their lives and stories. I also enjoyed the time when I played AFL football with the community; even though it was in the scorching heat, I enjoyed everyone’s company and the opportunity to meet new people. I had never played AFL before (which was very obvious), but the encouragement everyone gave each other to get involved was immense.

I have learnt so many new life skills. Excursions in the outback with the students, collecting bush tucker, was such a memorable experience and something I shall never forget, as well as seeing the most stunning scenery (the stars at night in the outback are something to behold).

I would encourage anyone thinking about becoming a Lasallian Volunteer in Balgo to apply! No matter how far away you live or who you are, if you have a strong passion for helping others, do it!

Take a chance, try something different, and step out of your comfort zone; you never know what you may find. My experience from the Lasallian Volunteer program has opened so many pathways for my future.

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“AN INCREDIBLY EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE FOR ANY YOUNG GRADUATE WHO WANTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORLD” “I really tried to learn about myself during that time, and understand how I would like to make a difference in the world”.

Like most younger people, Rhys Jack has travelled many roads discovering and developing the self, including where one can “make a difference” for the world. Growing up in a family of three boys in leafy Cherrybrook, on the outskirts of Sydney, he attended Oakhill College, Castle Hill from 2002, graduating in 2007. Attracted to sport in a proud rugby union school, he opted for rugby league! Under the expert tutelage of Br. Malachy Yates and other teachers, the team flourished. A man of many skills, Br. Mal gave the team a lesson in good table manners the day before a team presentation night! All good fun, remembers Rhys.

Further study at the local Macquarie University was for a business degree, while playing semi-professional Rugby League for a couple of years at the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers clubs. A career in the construction industry followed. At the same time, Rhys’ life took a new road with a desire to keep up the Lasallian spirit that he had maintained from schooldays. Rhys volunteered in Papua New Guinea, helping at Lasallian Schools in Mannar, Hohola and Bomana. During the Volunteer program, he taught English and assisted on various projects.

“Gap-years” and volunteering may be somewhat remote for those finishing Year 12 at present, but Rhys sees it as “an incredibly eye-opening experience for any young graduate who wants to learn more about the world. The things I learnt on those trips taught me much more then what I was able to teach or give during the experience. I was very thankful that I did it when I did”.

He remembers playing cricket and soccer with the kids. They were full of energy and happy to just be outside running around freely. “I probably most remember the people and teachers I met overseas though, people like Mick Brosnan who was continually volunteering and organising containers of donated goods and also teaching the school boys about building and construction”.

With this ‘self-education’ under the belt, he did more travel, finished two uni degrees, working at some absorbing construction sites, like Barangaroo, and kept up his fitness with football. “I really tried to learn about myself during that time, and understand how I would like to make a difference in the world”.

Those younger years of exploration has found fruit in several operations since. Rhys has become a strong advocate of the Black Dog Institute, because of his strong belief in the area of mental health, especially of young men. He writes and speaks on his blog, about it from his learnings, as well as promoting it on his website. “Putting yourself out there to share your experience” can possibly help someone who is struggling.

Another venture that has helped the community was trekking the Kokada Trail in Papua New Guinea in 2015. Rhys wanted the experience of relating to his great-grandfather’s during the Second World War, and from that, with others, raised some funds and awareness for a number of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) charities.

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LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS A REAL SENSE OF FULFILLMENT Author: Gabby Russo, Marketing & Community Liaison Coordinator - Oakhill College

Georgia Brown, former Oakhill College Student, realised she wasn’t ready to start university, so she applied for the Lasallian Volunteer program and never looked back.

Why did you volunteer?

While I was finishing Year 12, I realised I wasn’t motivated enough to start university. I’d had a real sense of fulfilment, by helping out and giving back when I went to the Philippines in Year 11 as an Lasallian Youth Leader. I had actually missed the deadline to volunteer for La Salle, but another girl had pulled out, and I saw the advertisement which was to go to yourtown in Queensland, which appealed to me, so I applied and was lucky enough to be chosen.

Where were you placed?

I was placed at yourtown in Deception Bay, Queensland for 11 months. yourtown is a social work centre facilitated by volunteers, who run a young parenting program, to help out mums and dads under 25, and kids under 5. Most of the people at yourtown are disadvantaged and have come from troubled backgrounds or poverty. Volunteers counsel the parents and we help them with all the responsibilities of parenting, as well as encourage them to have positive interactions with the kids.

What was the experience like?

A little bit daunting at first, as I was leaving all my friends and family. Also, Amy my volunteer partner and I were the first to go to Deception Bay, so we didn’t have the chance to ask other people what it was like, or know what the expectations were. We weren’t sure what it would be like to live with the Brothers, but it was great. They were so interesting to talk to, inspiring and helpful, and this was an awesome opportunity to live with and learn from them. They were very positive, experienced and well-travelled, and we enjoyed listening to their stories. The Brothers had all retired up to Scarborough, as they enjoyed living in the community. It was a real family environment. I really enjoyed working with the families, and I felt a real sense of fulfilment, as I was making a difference to their lives and really helping them out.

What were the highs and lows of your time volunteering?

There were many highs, such as having the kids really opening up and trusting you. Also getting to know them, and hearing their stories and life experiences were inspiring and motivating. I also worked in a school in Scarborough, and formed close connections and friends particularly with Year 12. I feel like I gained so much knowledge and wisdom during my time away. There weren’t many lows, but I did miss my family and friends at times, and being away from home.

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LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS What advice do you have for anyone who is thinking of volunteering?

My advice would be to go for it. This is pretty much a once in a lifetime opportunity. It has helped me so much as a person and I have more clarity now about what I want to do with my life. I’ve got to see the many pathways that I can choose. This was such a good opportunity.

How has it been to move back to Sydney?

It is a bit weird moving back into my family home, after being so independent and self-reliant for so long. I feel that I have improved as a person, and definitely matured.

What are your plans for the future?

After my extended gap year, I am now working full time, and planning to go to university next year to study psychology.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING FREE BREAKFAST -ALL WELCOME AT HOHOLA! Getting up to be at school by 6am doesn’t sound like much fun. That is the lot of the ‘Breakfast Club’ volunteer students, at La Salle Technical College at Hohola in Port Moresby. Four days a week, a nutritious meal is served to 200, could be 300 students.

Although the idea is not new for schools, where students are struggling in disadvantaged families, La Salle’s Club must be near the gold standard. In 2012, this important program was begun. As the current College Director says: “We have students that commute to school from villages as far away as Tubusereia & Boera along Magi Highway, east of Port Moresby. Additionally, 75% of our students live in settlement areas, which lack basic services of water, electricity and sanitation. (“Settlements” in PNG is the term for squatter areas).

Most of these students miss out on breakfast... Many students arrive as early as 7am at school. They get up around 5am to make their way to school.”

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING The core reason for the program is promoting health. Some students arriving at school at 8.30am might otherwise have nothing to eat before they leave at 4pm. Secondly, it is well known that lack of nourishment badly affects a person’s learning and concentration. And from a Christian point of view, it fulfills the Gospel call to “feed the hungry” of our brothers and sisters.

The volunteer students prepare the food from the markets in the afternoon, ready for the next morning. Mr. Larry Aua, the Youth Minister at La Salle Technical College, reports: “On the menu is rice, a source of protein and veggies (rice, donated by a local businessman, rotated with sausage or chicken, and vegetables). Every day, 10kg of rice is cooked as well as 5kg of protein. Breakfast is served at 7:20am to many hungry teenagers. Each volunteer helps serve even-portion sizes to every student. Growing teenagers eat together in the yard, and are continually thanking the staff and volunteers.

They appreciate the kind gesture, and are grateful for the funds provided to support this vital initiative, for their well-being and education”.

One Australian De La Salle school has had this program as one of its base-donation projects for many years.

Br. Adrian Watson, Acting Director of the Lasallian Foundation, mentions that “Oakhill College in Castle Hill (NSW) has been particularly supportive, donating $AUS10,000 in 2019 and $AUS3,000 in 2020. Following a submission from the Lasallian Foundation in early 2021, the Lasallian Foundation International in the USA was able to source funding for the Breakfast Club, from the FSC Foundation of $US7,500.

“The Breakfast Club costs about $AUS250 per week or $10,000 over the 40 weeks of the academic year.

This amount does not include the donation of sausages worth $1,300 over the course of a year from a local businessman, and the use of equipment and electricity supplied by the College. For the hundreds of students who regularly benefit from the Breakfast Club, this works out to be $1.25 per student per week or $50 per student per year”.

Donors are always welcome - to continue this valuable service!

And to upgrade th equipment and facilities, used for making a tasty meal, by students, for students.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING ST BEDE’S COLLEGE, MENTONE AND BENTLEIGH EAST, MISSION ACTION DAY Author: Ria Greene, Deputy Principal, St Bede’s College Mentone Identity, Community and Action In solidarity with many Catholic schools in the Lasallian tradition, St Bede’s College strives to uphold the Catholic Social Teaching principle of ‘preferential option for the poor’ by holding our annual Mission Action Day (MAD); a major event on the College Calendar. This year, however, there were some points of difference with previous experiences.

Firstly, as a newly amalgamated, dual campus school (Mentone and Bentleigh East), we had to plan for our combined community of over 2200 students and staff that would be involved in Mission Action Day 2021!

Secondly, due to the extended periods of COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne during 2020, we were unable to have Mission Action Day last year. This meant that almost half of the student body had never experienced MAD; while for the remainder it was but a distant memory. (Yes, two years is a long time in the lives of young people!)

So, a re-boot launch program was designed for both campuses to inform all and motivate support that is urgently needed (especially during a time of pandemic) to make possible many of the great Lasallian works that we support in India, Thailand and Australia, including:

• • • •

Educating under-privileged children and adults Building schools and learning centres Upgrading schools and learning centres Providing a safe environment to learn and live

To this end, the ‘re-boot’ campaign included the annual and locally produced St Bede’s College MAD film, a series of communications to families and local authorities, and addresses to students and staff. Personal testimonies from staff at St Bede’s were able to speak from their own first-hand experiences of immersion programs in Thailand, India and Balgo, WA underscored the message that every effort makes a difference in the lives of our Lasallian brothers and sisters in need. As a bonus, the scheduling Mission Action Day within the season of Lent enabled us to give a tangible expression to the Lenten practice of almsgiving; giving to those in need.

Momentum grew with ongoing and regular promotion of MAD by staff and student leaders, and student led fundraising activities. So, by the time we had reached the actual day, all were primed and ready for a great day of faith, service and community! In addition to the promotion of the day, there was a significant amount of practical planning to ensure the health and safety of over 2000 walkers on the Mentone to Rickett’s Point public beach path.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING While there were some moments of ‘overflow’ from the regular path, we are pleased to advise that all who set out for the 10-kilometre walk returned safely for the post-walk program (these afternoon activities are a recent adjustment to MAD and a conflation of the usual Founder’s Day celebrations).

The day commenced with performances by the College Band, then a whole College prayer service spiritually prepared us for the day ahead. The focus of the liturgy was the Christian mandate to care for the vulnerable and needy. By reflecting on the letter of St James we were reminded that “faith without action is dead”; this was supplemented with a reading from the Gospel of St Matthew that taught us that we serve God when we serve one another. Following our time of prayer, waves of keen walkers were released to start their 10-kilometre MAD walk along the beach trail. Then, returning a little weary but satisfied, students received a hot dog lunch (over 2000 were cooked and served!), then enthusiastically enjoyed the post-walk program of carnival rides, performances and other activities planned by the College Student Leadership Team.

To gain an insight into how students experienced the day, let’s read a selection of reflections who answered the following question:

What does Mission Action Day mean to you? Consider its purpose, some highlights and what you would like others to know abouvt our day at St Bede’s.

Aidan Carroll, College Captain Ever since my first year attending St. Bede’s College I’ve always understood the importance of MAD Day yet it is only now in my final years at the College that I’ve come to fully appreciate what it is all about. I found myself and my classmates deeply engrossed in the sense of community that generated around the time of MAD Day. For those unaware, Mission Action Day is the culmination of more than a month’s effort of our school community in fundraising for disadvantaged peoples within our Lasallian communities.

It’s often easy to forget that MAD is not a day that rolls around during March every year, but is instead a sustained effort by our friends and families to show charity to people whom they will never meet or know.

Often, we tend to focus on ourselves and those in our immediate lives during the year and that is not a bad thing, however it’s still incredibly important that we stay aware of our place within a global community and make an effort every now and then to give each other a hand- MAD Day gives us this opportunity.

And as I’ve reached Year 12, I finally appreciate that MAD Day is all about community. I’ll always remember seeing our entire school community relish MAD, and seeing other students selling Zooper-Doopers and soft drinks in order to raise money for those in our Lasallian and global community. It is a great initiative which I truly hope persists for years to come.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING Elijah McEvoy, College Vice-Captain To me, the purpose of MAD Day is about uniting a community under a single goal. This relates to both what our money is used for and the fundraising itself. The funds help us build a stronger global community with Lasallians and those struggling across the world, helping ensure that those in need can rely on those with the ability and position to reach out and provide care. Furthermore, the fundraisers we do for our programs in Thailand, India, PNG and Balgo also help unite out own community under a single goal. Students, teachers and families all group together in order to raise money, with students running videogame competitions, raffles and more all in an effort to raise money. It is noticeable that the connection between younger and older year levels really builds in the lead up to this momentous event in the school calendar. The amazing rides and entertainment on MAD Day are more of a celebration of what we have achieved together in the lead up to the day than it is about the activities themselves.

The highlight of MAD Day for me would be the excitement built around it. Leading up to it and on the day itself, there is this visible buzz of anticipation surrounding the various competitions and activities that the student leaders and teachers run across the school. This year, more than ever, there seemed to be a heightened excitement both before and on the day itself, with more students than ever sticking it out to do as much as they could before rides shut at 2pm.

While bigger is not always better, something I think others don’t realise about MAD Day is just how big it is to our St Bede’s community. After talking with others from different schools, they are always surprised to see just how much we do in order to raise funds and make the day one to remember for the students. However, within all this, the core of our mission is still not forgotten.

It is hard to find anyone at the school who is unaware of the MAD goals of Making A Difference in the global community, the Blue Sky Home or Bamboo School in Thailand or at least the stories of older boys who got the chance to lend a hand in person. Ultimately, it’s a big day with big goals.

Gavin Boyed, College Vice-Captain MAD is a whole school fundraiser the school puts on every year to raise money for our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate in locations through Australia, India, Thailand and abroad. Its purpose is designed to help those who are less fortunate than us and to me it means going out of your way to make a difference to the little things that we all at times just accept as given.

I would like others to know that MAD Day isn’t just a day that rolls around each year, it is a day when the school community is able to come together to make a difference in the lives of others.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING Hunter Trumble, Year 11 MAD day, is an opportunity to be thankful for being able to gather together with mates in having some fun all across the entire school, but also a day to be raising money for the Lasallian schools and missions throughout different countries, such as Thailand, India, Papua New Guinea, and even in Australia, where we help schools and families to support their education, housing, children, communities and many other things of importance to them.

The day itself consisted of a prayer service, with both campuses gathering together as one college, reflecting on the videos and speeches presented by our college leaders, our teachers, and the principal, on what they believe MAD day is about. Following these speeches was a brilliant performance by the school band on some well-known songs, and the tribute song for our founder, De La Salle. We were then split up into different groups and then performed the 10km from the Mentone Campus to Rickett’s Point, and back again, where we were met with rides, sporting games, competitions, the incredible magic show, the Wii bowling tournament, laser tag, obstacle courses, the list goes on!

From this special day, it has taught us to not only grateful for the special events and opportunities we have available for us, but that we are celebrating a day for those who truly need support. As a St Bede’s student, I, on behalf of our college, encourage the general public to be generous and sympathetic to these children and adults, who come from different parts of the world, and are going experiencing much more challenging lifestyles than we are. Finally, if the general public ever see a person from a certain school, group, or community, attempting to raise money for a certain charity or cause, give whatever you can, because you are performing a small act of kindness that actually has a more positive effect on those who need support, and the rest of the world in making a change for good.

Dylan Collins, Year 10 To me MAD is a day where all of the community at St Bede’s have the opportunity to come together and enjoy time united, with the idea of giving of ourselves to others at its core. MAD is the perfect opportunity for us all to live Lasallian values by donating money and organising impactful fundraisers for the less fortunate. The reach of this day is made visible by the wave of two-thousand boys walking along the beach trail, enjoying the beautiful country we live in and recognising how fortunate we are. Ultimately, MAD is the day of the year where all of our hard work is put into perspective, we take a view of empathy, practise gratitude and all try our best to give of ourselves.

Archie Lamb, Year 9 The St Bede’s College Mission Action Day (MAD) is a really important event on the school’s calendar. Its main goal is to raise money for ‘the poorest of the poor’, for children in India, Papua Guinea, Thailand and Balgo, Western Australia.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING It is a chance for us to do our part in improving their lives at home and school, by building houses or helping out at schools. But it is also a time to bring the school and community together united for one cause. My highlights of MAD so far have been enjoying myself with my mates and having all sorts of fun whether that be on rides, games or any of the other activities on offer.

I would like others to know that the St Bede’s College MAD is very special, and makes a positive difference to not only the people it is aimed at but also the St Bede’s community itself.

Evan Bowles, Year 8 MAD is a day where all St Bede’s students and staff come together to raise money for Lasallian schools and children in countries and communities struck with poverty. Even though MAD just means Mission Action Day, fundraising goes on for weeks in different creative ways. For example, Mario Kart and Wii bowling tournaments took place in earlier weeks and raised money to go towards the charity. The main way of money being raised however is the 10Km walk that takes place on the day. We kindly ask family and friends to sponsor us for this walk and all money raised goes towards the cause.

Highlights of the day include the 10km walk, rides to go on, activities to do and learning more about where your money actually goes too.

MAD day is one of the most important days on the school calendar and is looked forward to every year by every student. Everyone sees the importance of the fundraising and enjoys helping children in need in Papua New Guinea, India, Balgo and Thailand by building houses and school facilities.

Click HERE to watch the 2021 MAD Day Promotional Video

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING BUILDING KNOWLEDGE: LA SALLE HOHOLA’S NEW RESOURCE CENTRE La Salle Technical College (LSTC) in suburban Port Moresby is bursting at the seams, as it changes to the national curriculum. Approaching the College’s 50-year anniversary, the Government wanted its 680 female and male students to change from the distance education syllabus, to the standard Year 9 syllabus.

(The pressure comes too from higher employer expectations and increased numbers of eligible primary school students). This prospect will result in bigger enrolments of students, who are still largely from poor settlements. A modern and flexible library resource centre is a necessity.

Formerly known as Hohola Youth Development Centre, the College was established by the Brigidine Sisters in 1973, to provide non-formal and trade training opportunities for young people who were not accepted into a secondary school. It is a “permitted school” with its courses recognised by the government, but receiving no regular government funding.

With the ballooning student population in the last 10 years, a more multi-functional learning / resource space was needed. The previous library had been established in 2009, when class sizes were about 35. It now struggled to cater for 50 students, the size of a current average class. (There is government pressure (but no funding), to increase its enrolment to 1000 students in the next two years).

Another reason for a new library was explained by Br. John, the previous Principal. The language most students hear and use every day is really their second or third language. Tok pisin, the common local language, or a regional one is the home speech used. A crying need, now recently fulfilled, is an attractive, well- stocked resource centre a great way to promote the use of English, itself an important aim in a developing country.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING

Extending the project to new library stock and furniture would help the plan to implement the PNG National Curriculum for Grade 9 in February 2021. A new curriculum means class sets of new textbooks. These will be used by 165 students each year for at least five years. The school now had, in addition, an experienced, qualified Librarian, Cecilia, from the Highlands.

La Salle Technical has a reputation for getting things done. Over the last decade, it successfully netted two AUSAid funding offerings, and partnered with the Australian agency to provide 14 additional classrooms and new workshops for auto-mechanics, metal and carpentry, and expansion of the curriculum to Grade 11. Built also was a large multi-purpose hall, administration area and electro-technology facilities.

Fortunately, Br. Adrian Watson, Acting CEO of the District Lasallian Foundation, was on hand to write up a project brief, and submit it to the international Brothers aid agency in Rome. Funding from Lasallian Solidarity (including JAPAN NAP Alumni) gifted the execution of the project. It aimed to expand the size of the library by half, provide staff and students with more electronic and printed resources, facilitate reading and study spaces (seldom available at home), and provide new flexible furniture with the new resources.

Now with the project completed, the results are that the teachers are using the resource centre more frequently for their classes. Groups now undertake subject research, engage in group discussions and have increased access to computers. Individual students are coming in before and after school, and during recess and lunch breaks, for personal study and reading activities.

La Salle now has excellent facilities, even without secure ongoing Government funding, to give disadvantaged PNG youth “a second chance” at education - and the prospect of employment.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING DE LA SALLE MALVERN - RAMPING UP MISSION ACTION DAY Organising a walkathon for 1,050 school kids sounds daunting. The staff at De La Salle Malvern handles it deftly. The annual fund-raising event - “Mission Action Day” which also involved all staff - has become a more significant affair over the decades. Held for up to a half-century now, its purpose has been widened to encompass a deeper understanding of its purpose, as well as building the Lasallian ethos, and developing modern marketing and communication techniques. Chris Martin, teacher and lead organiser outlined the workings over the years.

Twenty-odd years ago, Br. Hilary Walsh, in charge of Lasallian Mission Aid, challenged the school to understand more the Christian motivation underlying the help for Lasallian works in developing countries.

The concept was presented that Christian social justice challenges our response: people, especially our brothers and sister students overseas deserve and need help in school and health supplies, and in school infrastructure. Immersion experiences for older students, initially begun by Br. Denis Loft, were at first focussed on volunteer work brigades in India (for graduating Yr. 12), and now Sri Lanka & Bomana PNG, with senior V-CAL students going to a more remote school in Wilcannia NSW.

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LASALLIAN FOUNDATION / TWINNING The Lasallian culture grew over the years as De La Salle students were educating themselves by interacting with overseas Lasallians in developing countries. This deeper understanding of social justice needs filtered into the walkathon fun event for all De La Salle students.

Chris noted how modern expertise and changes in fund-raising have also had impact. It was more moulded now by the school’s M.A.D. Committee, the Marketing Manager and the Team as a profile event of the school year: structures and logistics changed. As we enter a cashless society, students were invited to look at how money could actually be raised, e.g. “Go fund Me!” `a la Facebook, rather than by door-to-door foot-slogging.

The internet could also promote the event and its charitable purpose astronomically. Sponsorship from College suppliers helped infrastructure costs, e.g. banners, vans with advertising for 6 weeks prior. Involvement of all parties grows as the event nears.

In previous decades $30,000 was a fine effort. In 2019, the total contribution topped $100,000. Until 2012, the Lasallian Foundation Australia was the recipient of monies raised, for its disbursement to overseas Lasallian works. Currently, the College’s Faith & Mission Co-ordinator gets requests yearly. The school makes its own decisions, including its ‘Twinning Schools’ (in Pakistan and/or Papua New Guinea), contributions to District donor projects, and more local needy organisations.

The regular walkathon route of 13 km. is from Kooyong to Ashburton. With this year’s money-raising total unknown at this stage, the hope is to reach towards the $100,000 mark. Nervousness with COVID - although receding- was a factor, but Chris Martin saw it as a fantastic day: “as a community we all went M.A.D. together to do what we can for people who really need assistance and to celebrate as a community.”

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS

BROTHER GERARD RUMMERY HONORED WITH JOHNSTON AWARD Author: Elizabeth Jodice, District of RELAN Lasallians from across the world gathered virtually to honor and celebrate Brother Gerard Rummery, FSC, who was recognized with the Brother John Johnston, FSC Award for his lifetime of service to the Lasallian mission. The Johnston Award is the highest honor given in the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN).

The virtual celebration took place Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Established by the former Regional Education Board in 2009, the Johnston Award is now presented by the Lasallian Education Council (LEC). It was named in honor of Brother John, the 25th Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, for his uniquely significant lifetime contribution to the Lasallian mission.

“We are so pleased to have had this opportunity to honor our teacher and mentor, Brother Gerard,” said Dr. Kurt Schackmuth, Lasallian Education Council (LEC) chair and vice president for mission at Lewis University, who hosted the virtual event. “His contributions to the Institute’s work are so very worthy of our recognition and gratitude. I also wish to thank all those who contributed so creatively and energetically to the success of this special ceremony.”

The ceremony included an opening prayer by Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC, RELAN General Councilor, a congratulatory message from Brother Superior General Robert Schieler, FSC, and a closing prayer by Brother Ricky Laguda, FSC, General Councilor for the Pacific-Asia Regional Conference.

With Brother Robert presenting the award virtually, Brother David Hawke, FSC, Visitor of the District of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea (ANZPPNG), Brother Gerard’s home District, assisted with the physical presentation of the award and sat down with Brother Gerard to reflect on his Lasallian journey.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS “I often refer to Brother Gerard as a Lasallian icon,” said Brother David. “His reception of the Johnston Award attests to this. The District of ANZPPNG is proud that one of our own has made such an exemplary contribution to the international Institute, and appreciate that he has been honoured by RELAN.” Among his many contributions specifically in RELAN, Brother Gerard was a founding presenter of the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies, and of the former Lasallian Leadership Institute.

“The invitation to teach the second year of the Buttimer Institute in USA from 1988-2006 became a joy, not a burden,” shared Brother Gerard. “From my first year with only Brothers as students, I taught increasing numbers of Lasallian women and men from whom my faith and commitment has been strengthened by their faith and dedication. Because of (the languages which I learned), I have absorbed so much Lasallian research myself that I always feel privileged to share it.”

Brother Timothy shared, “Brother Gerard’s loving retelling of the Lasallian story is a source of inspiration, and a call to do the same in our own communities.”

The ceremony also included a compilation video of messages that Lasallians from around the world submitted to express their congratulations and share with Brother Gerard the impact he has had on their lives.

Watch the event recording >

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS A Brother since 1947, Brother Gerard’s contributions to the Lasallian mission stretch far beyond his home District of ANZPPNG. He served two periods on the staff of the International Lasallian Center in Rome (1973, 1977-1982), which he directed from 1983-1986. He was twice elected to the General Council (1986-1993, 1993-2000), which were the same years Brother John served as Superior General. Brother Gerard is the author of the Institute’s official life of Brother John Johnston, many Lasallian articles in various journals and a number of other books, including the 2003 title “Brothers to One Another”, which shares stories of displaced Brothers in Czech, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania prior to 1989. Since his return to Australia after 2000, he has worked mainly with educators as a presenter for Lasallian Education Services, an adjunct professor at the Australian Catholic University, and a presenter at the Broken Bay Theological Institute. Adapting to current COVID-19 restrictions, Brother Gerard has hosted multiple online sessions for Lasallians throughout PARC, as well as around the world.

In RELAN, in addition to his significant contribution to Regional formation programs, Brother Gerard has generously given countless hours leading retreats, sharing presentations, participating in discussions and more, to advance the mission. Brother Gerard attended the 2019 Huether Lasallian Conference to personally address the inaugural cohort of the Regional Formation Institute as well as to present the Johnston Award, as a posthumous honor of his longtime friend and colleague Brother Jeffrey Calligan, FSC. The Johnston Award recognizes Brothers and Lasallian Partners who, like Brother John, have endeavored on the international or Regional levels over the course of many years to advance the Institute’s mission to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor. It is presented to those whose leadership, teaching, evangelization or scholarly research and writing have borne witness to an abiding faith and zeal, and whose efforts have had a transformative impact upon the founding story as lived today.

Previous distinguished recipients of the Johnston Award include: Brother Miguel Campos, FSC; Brother Luke Salm, FSC; Father Kenan Osborne, OFM; Brother Frederick Mueller, FSC; Brother William Mann, FSC; Brother Lawrence Goyette, FSC; Brother James Gaffney, FSC; Gerry Short, AFSC; and Brother Jeffrey Calligan, FSC.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS BACK TO SCHOOL! - A PRINCIPAL ALWAYS LEARNING Br Garry grew up in an inconspicuous village out of Orange, N.S.W., but left his mark as a popular school leader at De La Salle Orange in the early 1960’s. Now, after being a Principal at five De La Salle Colleges and an educational consultant- he has in his more mature years returned to school!

Garry’s return to school life has been as ‘Staff mentor and Coach’, at Oakhill College Castle Hill. His role focuses on promoting growth in leadership for middle managers. He works, as well, with new staff pushing quality learning and teaching; this involves classroom teacher observation and analysis. Complementing this ministry is developing resilient and better leadership in Lasallian schools in Papua New Guinea and Pakistan, via Zoom. For him, the impact of COVID-19 is the challenge to make just another adjustment to daily life, but it has also been a blessing- in providing more time for reading and prayer.

School as a Christian ministry became central in his life, but without great forethought and planning. Garry explains that failure at secondary school led to the journey of being a De La Salle Brother in the Church.

“Somehow God was using failure for me to lead me on this journey”, challenging him to grow as a spiritual person. “Schools”, he says, “have a life, an energy, which I am at home with; they sustain me...” The daily life of school gives me energy, and the youth keep me positive and happy. I still love to work with youth(with) the diversity of youthful ways. Education is a place where daily small miracles can occur. I want to be an instrument to allow such miracles to happen”.

The opportunities in being a Brother has also amply provided a road for professional development. After several years training as a Brother and teacher, he served a happy apprenticeship, like the biblical Jacob, at O’Connor High School, Armidale over 7 years, five as Principal. As Principal of the senior Benilde High, at Bankstown, he completed a top Masters in Educational Administration. Garry’s leadership talents were further tapped with principalships at De La Salle Colleges in Malvern, VIC., Mangere, Auckland, N.Z. and Mentone, back in Melbourne, there for 12 successful years. Never one to let grass grow underfoot, he also juggled other post-graduate courses in educational and business leadership, as well as a Harvard University-Leadership: Evolving Vision Course, in 2013.

Today, his commitment is fired, he says, by “a love of Christ through scripture reflection, and through the Christian Meditation movement”.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS BR. RAFFY REYES: apostolate from fishing village to Mt. Hagen Highlands One Filippino De La Salle Brother has a fascinating history in serving poorer, or disadvantaged people. , in the 1980’s, was a member of a De La Salle community that was established for the face-to-face service of poorer people. “We lived in a small fishing village and the work of the Brothers involved providing a non-formal education to farmers and fishermen which was based on the Paulo Freire model. Basically, we taught them how to read and write”. Today, he is establishing a professional counselling service for teacher trainees at Mt. Hagen Teachers College.

Arriving this year in the Highland province, in his second stint as a Brother partnering in the PNG Sector Mission, he noticed a difference. The bigger crowds, and also somewhat alarmingly- that people did not seem to follow strictly the COVID-19 protocols of face masks and social distancing. Br. Raffy had worked previously in PNG for 13 years ten at Rosary Secondary School in Kondiu in Simbu, and three more years at Mt. Hagen. He was one of several Filippino Brothers who have served in PNG. In 2004, he was recalled to needful work back home in various schools, but always harboured a desire to return to the Land of the Unexpected.

“First, when I first arrived in PNG in 1991 as a missionary, I told myself that this is what I would like do for the rest of my life. I used to spend time to talk to the old SVD missionaries in Kondiu, about their experiences in the mission, and their stories inspired me a lot.”

Br. Raffy lives in the small community on-site, with Indian Brother Britto, who also works in the College.

Brothers ran the Teachers College in Hagen for many years: it is seen today as an associated ministry, with a Lasallian Facilitator, Mr. Lambert Lapkit, with some teachers and the lay Principal keen on the Lasallian ethos. Although not having some of the conveniences of life back home, Raffy knows the lifestyle in PNG, and, as he says, “I have always wanted to come back”. His postings in the Philippines, like Kondiu and Mt. Hagen, had been in smaller provincial towns and cities Iligan, Ozamiz, Bacolod and Lipa, and so he was accustomed to his 2021 volunteering post.

The returning Brother is quite open about his deeper motivations: “God continues to call me to serve Him and his people to go (as the Lasallian Brothers’ vow says) wherever I may be sent, and to do what I will be asked to do by the Body of this Institute or by its Superiors”. Seeing clarity in life-direction, and a heart for God and his people’s welfare, speaks volumes in today’s razzle-dazzle world of options.

Mt. Hagen Teachers College is a lush campus for a mission!

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS CELESTINE GAVIN, A BROTHER FOR OTHERS Br Celestine Gavin was born into a Catholic family of seven children in 1931, in Dulwich Hill. His father knew horses well, and with the Australian Depression in full bore worked selling vegetables to the markets. He attended De La Salle College Marrickville and was dux of Third Year, before deciding to try out the Brothers’ way of life, as a religious teacher. At ninety years of age this February 22, living in the Cronulla Brothers’ community, he still focusses on the well-being of others.

Brother Celestine, as he became in 1947, was appointed after his religious training to Malvern De La Salle in 1951. After his eight years in Victoria, teaching and also gaining his B.A. at Melbourne University, he was asked to become the second-in-charge of the Brothers’ Novitiate (spiritual training years) in 1959-60. Br. Maurice who has lived with him over 20-odd years says: Br. Celestine, “is a deeply spiritual and prayerful person ever ready to serve the needs of others”. Several others remember him then as having a fine concise mind, that homed in on the essentials of a topic.

Teaching at various Lasallian colleges, he was seen to be skilled to the extent of being appointed Principal of the small senior De La Salle Cronulla from 1966 till 1973. A leader at 35 years of age of a senior boys’ school, entering a new educational era with the Wyndham Scheme, spoke of his calibre. In 1968, he, with three other younger Brothers, were sent to the Brothers’ central formation course (C.I.L.) in Rome, as the De La Salle Institute learnt about the renewal and change that came with the Vatican II Council. His talents were confirmed with two further years as Novice Master. His strong sense of human dignity and freedom was important in inducting new young men in the Order. “He lives his faith by example” is a further comment by a Brother; he could relate, and regularly see, the positive in people- never disparaging others.

With his ready acceptance to do whatever he was asked, over his 20 middle years in religious life, Celestine took on stints of a few years at six different Lasallian schools, some jobs that others preferred not to. As he himself says: you would “take things as they came(doing) whatever was asked of you”. Benilde Senior High School Bankstown and Cronulla (again) were very enjoyable teaching years. Not flamboyant as a teacher, he taught over the years many subjects, with a special love for language courses. His status among the Brothers was such that he was elected to District chapters and chosen to be on the Visitor’s Council.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS In his teaching, Br. Celestine could challenge older students intellectually, while being very concerned for the lesser-gifted. One instance of Celestine’s concern for the disadvantaged was the project, initiated by some women in the Cronulla parish to provide help to the Sisters of Charity who had just established a ministry in far-western New South Wales, at Bourke. Four or five times he drove out there with clothing and other goods to assist their work for the very poor. At one stage of his career, he expanded his mastery of Italian in order to teach a solo enrolled student at Benilde High.

Cronulla De La Salle became his base of ministry in 1994 until the present. Teaching, especially three languages-Latin, French and Italian, as well as administration absorbed him well into his seventies. His delight in Italian led him in more recent years to pursue a diploma and then a B.A. (Hons.), studying the religious poetry of a medieval Franciscan priest. He was encouraged to work towards a Ph.D. This activity was supplemented with the role of Director of the Brothers’ community for many years.

Celestine led a peaceful and harmonious community; he was non-intrusive, and treated his Brothers as mature religious, as related by two of the Brothers. He quietly committed to solid manual work, scrubbing out the kitchen weekly, and buying groceries etc. for 6-7 others. This suited his personality quietly and simply living the Christian life in a striking way - “getting to the heart of things” quotes Br. Quentin, who lived with him. As Celestine himself says; “you try to oblige and not make people stress”. This, perhaps, is the secret to his benign, unpretentious and fruitful influence over so many people, in his 74 years of living as a De La Salle Brother for others.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS EULOGY FOR BR. CHRIS GORRINGE, RIP Author: John Gorringe, Chris’ eldest brother (edited) Recently, a Mass of Remembrance and Thanksgiving was held at Oakhill College, Castle Hill, to honor Br Chris Gorringe, who passed away on 13 April 2020.

“Good Morning. On behalf of the Gorringe Family, I would like to thank you all for attending this Mass…(and also)… Br David for giving me the opportunity to say a few words about Chris on behalf of his family.

Christopher Francis Gorringe was born on 10 September 1945 at Dunedoo, being the fourth of six children to our parents, Alan William Gorringe and Mary Margaret Gorringe (nee Womersley). Chris had a happy and normal upbringing, and as you could imagine, growing up with three older and two younger siblings, life was rather hectic. Chris (attended)…St Michael’s Catholic School, Dunedoo , (until Third Year), and in 1960 he became a boarder here at Oakhill (College), following me and preceding his younger brothers Joe and Gerard. Chris was a very diligent student (with)… a great flair for languages, doing honours in Latin and French, and involved in Senior Debating, Rugby and Athletics teams , as a Senior Prefect … (He) went onto study Italian, German and Spanish. He joined the De La Salle Brothers in January 1963 as a Postulant.

I believe that Chris was the first Oakhill Old Boy to join the De La Salle Brothers. In 1968, on completing his Religious and University studies, Chris began teaching - at De La Salle College Armidale…and St Michael’s’ College Adelaide (1974-78) and in 1979 he was on the staff (part time) at Boys Town, Beaudesert, Queensland… (while) studying for his PhD at the University of Queensland. It was during this period that my family saw a great deal of Chris. He was a regular visitor on a Saturday evening for a baked dinner, or a BBQ or his favourite, would you believe, pizza, with of course the obligatory bottle or two of Red. It was on one of these evenings in December 1984 that Chris arrived with a bottle of Red wrapped in photocopy paper.

I was about to bin the paper when Chris stopped me and asked me to look at the piece of paper. In typical Chris fashion, it was a photocopy of his PhD which had been presented to him at a graduation ceremony, that no one knew had taken place.

He taught back at St Michael’s Henley Beach, …from 1985 …before being appointed Principal at Frawley College, in 1991. Scarborough, Brisbane. In 1995, Chris spent two and a half years working for the Brisbane Catholic Education Office.

In September 1998, Chris was appointed Principal of Oakhill College, being the first former student to become Principal of the College. Chris enjoyed his time at Oakhill even though it was an entirely different place to the one that he had spent here as a boarder. Not only had the boarding part of the College closed and Oakhill no longer had a Primary Department, Oakhill now had female students in Years Eleven and Twelve, and of course the student numbers had increased significantly. … He was fully immersed in College life - teaching, building programs, extracurricular activities and supporting the College sporting teams. …

(This included taking the returning netball girls team to MacDonald’s on the way home). Chris also had a unique way of getting to know the new Year Seven students… (They had lunch with the principal) ...

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In 2007, Chris returned to Scarborough as Acting Principal and to manage the amalgamation of a number of Catholic Schools to form Southern Cross Catholic College. It was a daunting task, however Chris managed to achieve the end result, after much heartache.

In 2008, Chris joined the Staff at the Provincial Office, Bankstown. His roles included District Bursar, Auxiliary Visitor, Acting Brother Visitor and being a member of the District Council. Chris was also a Board Member of De La Salle Schools in Melbourne and Adelaide and also here at Oakhill, including being Board Chairman.

(He)…made frequent trips to Pakistan, the Philippines, Italy, Papua New Guinea and Countries throughout Asia…(all done) in a no fuss manner, right up until the time he died.

Chris loved his sport. He enjoyed running, something that he did for most of his life…. He endeavoured to run or walk most days during his life… Chris followed the Parramatta Eels in Rugby League and the Sydney Swans in the AFL. He regularly attended Swans games at the SCG. Chris was a highly intelligent individual with a great capacity for work and dealing with complex issues in a calm and considered manner…A reserved person, and knowing that he did not have too long to live (at the end), he chose the hymns and readings for his funeral Mass, and due to Covid restrictions, he left a list of people whom he would like to attend his funeral. Chris being Chris, didn’t want his illness known, except to a very select few …It deeply saddens our family that none of us were able to be with Chris during the final weeks of his life due to the restrictions placed upon the community by the Covid-19 pandemic…

I would like to publicly express the family’s gratitude and thanks to the Doctors and Medical Staff at St Vincent’s Hospital, to Brother David Hawke for his compassion and kindness…and Sister Antoinette Baldwin for her friendship and care…Peter and Thao Cartwright’s great friendship with Chris (was a blessing)… during the last weeks of his life…Peter’s (very close relationship with Chris will leave us)… forever in our debt.

I had numerous conversations with Brother David during Chris’ illness and also after he died and a couple of things about Chris came to light. Our family was unaware of Chris’ reputation with the RED biro, coming perhaps from our father’s corrections of my letters home!)…His love of PEPPERJACK red wine was also well known to those who knew him.

Chris was a loving son to our parents, Alan and May (as Mother was known), a loving brother to his brothers and sister and a loving uncle to his nephews and nieces. He was a loyal friend and colleague to many and was a loving and respected member of the De La Salle Brothers. I would like to thank all the De La Salle Brothers who have been friends of Chris over the fifty-seven years he was a Brother, for supporting him and for all the kindness and respect shown to him. It was quite extraordinary the number of condolence messages that were received from within Australia and Overseas when Chris died. He was well respected and held in high regard by many people…. …A couple of quotations that meant a lot to Chris: (To the Brothers, he said): “I have tried to be “a good Brother” rather than a professional religious”. That was something he certainly achieved.

(And from the Brothers’ Founder): “Be satisfied with what you can do because God is satisfied but be assured that with the help of God’s grace you can accomplish more than you can possibly imagine”.

I think these quotations sum Chris up perfectly.

Rest in Peace our Dear and Loving Brother. We all miss you.”

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS BR. PATRICK MCINERNEY, RIP Br Patrick McInerney (Paddy) of the St Joseph’s Brothers’ Community Queensland passed away peacefully on the 26 April. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday 6 May. The Reflection of Br Tim Peter and the Eulogy of Paul McInerney (Nephew) is below, in this edited form.

“Humour and love within a clear mind” Br Tim, Auxiliary Visitor and Community Leader reflected: “God has been very good to us allowing Br Patrick to be with us these many years. We can no longer think about our own lives without thinking about him. Paddy belongs to us all especially to the many generations of Papuan New Guineans, he served so faithfully for over 30 years.

And God has been good to him to the very end of his life. After a short conversation with him last week, he asked the nurse if he could have some water; we both held the glass, Paddy took a couple of sips, closed his eyes and passed to the Lord, waking up to the dawn of a new day.

With great clarity, humour and love until the very end, Paddy participated in community life and did those small things that we took so much for granted. There were always clean tea-towels and place mats ready for use in the linen cupboard…His maintenance of the front garden received passer- byers’ compliments, …with the bruises and scratches of the bougainvilleas.

God also enabled him to see clearly his own circumstances, and gave him the courage to accept them as part of his journey through life. Paddy throughout his long life continued to grow in wisdom and grace, so quietly nurturing his hidden life in Christ (and) allowing the light of the children of God to shine brightly in the simple and ordinary events of daily living. Paddy was truly faithfully kind... a wonderful person!

In his letter to the Galatians St Paul outlines a cluster of qualities that are signs of the actions of the Holy Spirit. What the Spirit brings is very different; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). On their own, these qualities would not be life-giving but living with a little bit of each, and perhaps emphasizing one of these fruits we have a recipe for living a deeply human life. Brother Patrick, from his years of meditating and reflecting on his “first and principal rule”, the New Testament, leaves a final witness of kindness and gentleness. …His life hidden with God (grew) his conviction to be kind faithfully.

Paddy has left us both heritage and wisdom…His humility and steadfastness… loved, lived, learnt and taught to others by example…(was) his legacy. Brother Patrick’s work in the inner-city, as well as country classrooms, and those he helped in the towns and countryside in Papua New Guinea (was)…the barest minimum in learning space, and would attract the adjective “poor”, as the best description. in terms of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Paddy’s work with young people was rich, making all he came in contact with “aware of their dignity and to live and to be recognised as human beings and children of God.” 37 JOURNAL LA SALLE - EDITION 1, 2021

Farewell Paddy, Brother Patrick, God’s good and gracious servant, minister and ambassador of Jesus Christ, deep listener to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Enter joyfully into the kingdom prepared for you, rejoicing in a job well done!”

Paul McInerney, Patrick’s nephew, spoke about his Uncle Syd “Born on the 13th November 1927 to James and Ines McInerney in Orange, NSW, (our uncle) was the younger brother of Don, and older brother to Jim. (Uncle Syd and)…Don shared many experiences in early life and this contributed to the closeness of their relationship… In Orange, he attended school with the Mercy Sisters and the De La Salle Brothers James, father of the family, returned from WW 1 invalided. No one, neither Syd, my father Don, nor my grandmother would say anything about their life at home during this time, I think the demands of caring for James as his health deteriorated is what prompted the decision to send Syd and Don to board at the new school the De La Salle Brothers were opening at Cronulla in Sydney. (They were among) … the. first students, starting there in 1936 An eager participant in all sports, including football and sailing, (Syd also) developed his great love for swimming and surfing. He used to attend the pool at Coogee (Wylie’s Baths), run by returned Olympian Mina Wiley, and listen to coaching advice which he would later practise. He also became friends with fellow Cronulla student and Champion lifesaver Bob Johnson. All of us have memories of Uncle Syd and the beach.

At the end of school, just 17 years old, Uncle Syd began his life’s work as Brother Patrick, when he joined the De La Salle Brothers. Nanna told me once that the Brothers were now Syd’s family and she had accepted this. (I heard that) when he first learnt of his posting to PNG, he was reluctant to go. Once there however, he fully embraced the country, the people and the mission. For all of us Uncle Syd and PNG are forever linked.

Chinook helicopter on school oval. “Oh, and while you are here would you please lift this pre-fabricated roof onto our new building”. A favourite observation was that in PNG they have 2 seasons, the wet season and the wetter season. Apparently, he never got to master speaking “pigeon English” but could understand it.

As Syd’s relatives, our contact was sporadic, occurring about every 5 years when he was at home visiting his mother, either in Orange or later on the Gold Coast. All the nieces and nephews remember Uncle Syd at Nanna’s house, showing great patience with us, playing games, telling jokes and stories and especially his laugh. There were always good treats at Nanna’s place, but some extra ones when Uncle Syd was home.

Ginger beer was always present.

Speaking with our relatives, there were several common themes that defined our interactions with Uncle Syd: Papua New Guinea. His love of and commitment to his work there was apparent to all of us. Therese (who worked with him at Bomana) … told me that it was Syd’s inspiration for her to apply for a teaching job at St Joseph’s International School in Port Moresby. For the rest of us it was the stories, exotic presents, and wonderful stamps that we remember.

Education. He was a passionate educator. and was always interested in those of us who have gone into education.

Surfing and swimming I have already mentioned. Jim told me that Syd’s lessons in the surf probably saved his life once or twice.

Duncan summarised for me that our Uncle Syd, Br Patrick or just Paddy was a happy, jovial, loving and caring man…His life was a prayer; …his acceptance of a life of service to the Brothers and others gave him a rich, varied and fulfilling life, filled with challenges, but also joy and fun. He will be missed.

May he rest in peace”.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS BROTHER CHRISTIAN: A Wonderful Teacher, And A Great Storyteller!

Author: Mr Allan Drummond, Volunteer Shortly after I joined the De La Salle Brothers, I was chatting with the provincial, Brother Baptist, and he said to me: “You will be a good teacher, because you have had good teachers.” At De La Salle College in Malvern, I did indeed have some very fine teachers, though there were a few of lesser quality. When I was in the novitiate and the scholasticate, I was taught by Brother Christian, with whom I am pictured yesterday.

Chris has celebrated his 99th birthday, but you wouldn’t pick it.

In the last few years, I often asked my South Sudanese students to think of the best teacher they had, to identify the qualities that they admired, and to wonder how they can incorporate those qualities themselves.

Chris was a wonderful teacher, and a great storyteller. A highlight of my training college days was Sunday nights, when Chris wheeled out the epidiascope and fascinated us with his collection of postcards and pictorial history books, together with his encyclopedic insights into it all. I’ve never risen to Chris’s standards, but I think I’ve done a fair job carrying the storytelling and teaching baton that he passed to me. That’s another of my themes with student teachers. You are in a kind of relay race, with the baton of education passed to you to run with, and to pass it on to future generations.

The students at Yambio Teacher Training College will return on 1 February, to resume their studies which have been disrupted since March of last year. I am proud to have played a small part in their education, but I want to acknowledge that Brother Christian, one of the very finest of teachers, has therefore had some small influence on South Sudan.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS BROTHER QUENTIN: “A quiet teacher will have a quiet classroom. A loud teacher will have a loud classroom” Author: Mr Allan Drummond, Volunteer Here’s one of my former principals - Brother Quentin, aka BQ. As a teacher, sometime last century, his students were known to comment on his quiet manner. He spoke so softly that the students in the back row were leaning forward, straining to hear what he had to say. Of course, they wouldn’t have bothered if he weren’t saying something useful. Classes usually reflect the personality of their teacher. A quiet teacher will have a quiet classroom. A loud teacher will have a loud classroom. A walk along the corridors of a big school will verify this.

I have been blessed with a versatile voice that can be quiet. or VERY LOUD!!! I like to use the whole range to keep the students guessing. More than once, I’ve gone into a lesson and not said a word, but have had the students working their little tails off. A bit of drama and the unexpected never hurt any class.

BQ had a routine of calling students into his office on or near their birthday, to get to know them and to wish them well. Quite a task in a school of 1200 or so. Pre computerised report cards, he spent many hours checking the spelling and grammar of a key point of communication between school and parents.

In an earlier life, he had been one of New South Wales leading junior tennis players.

I’ve been fortunate to teach with many talented and admirable people, and BQ is one of them.

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NEWS FROM THE BROTHERS A REQUEST FOR BROTHERS’ PRESENCE Author: Sr Antoinette Baldwin SSJ, Health Care Coordinator at the De La Salle Provincial Office Recently Brother David Hawke, Brother Visitor met with the Consul - General of Timor Leste at the latter’s request.

Mr Luciano Valentim Da Conceicao was accompanied by the Consul Mrs Maria Lydia Soares Henrique and Mr Pereira Aquino. Brother David requested that Sr Antoinette Baldwin join the meeting as she has worked in Timor Leste with the Sisters of St Joseph.

It was a courtesy visit as the Consul General established connections with significant people in the Church and State in his jurisdiction. After introductions and general conversation about the Church in Timor Leste, the work of the Brothers and mutual acquaintances, Mr Conceicao extended an invitation for the Lasallian Mission to extend to Timor Leste. He was particularly keen to have the presence of the Brothers in that country. Regretfully, this is not possible at this time.

Br David and Sr Antoinette were gifted with a copy of “Raising a Nation”, the speeches of Xanana Gusmao.

Mr Da Conceicao also presented Brother David with a Tais, a local scarf which is a mark of welcome and respect.

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WORD DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE

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LA SALLE SISTERS LA SALLE SISTERS - A DREAM FOR POOR CHILDREN Authors: Br Ambrose Payne /Br Gary Wilson Three religious sisters, unknown to many Lasallians, live, work and study in multicultural Bankstown, N.S.W. They are establishing themselves, in their community house, and ministering to young children in a functioning Child Care Centre. The La Salle Sisters Theresa, Anna and Theresa- are members of a Sai Gon, Vietnam Congregation, more than fifty years old. It is an expression of the Lasallian charism (Spirit-gift to the Church).

The brave move to Australia happened over ten years ago. The Sisters are somewhat global too, having missions in Bangkok, San Jose California, Houston Texas and Cambodia. In their home country there are 150 plus Sisters working mainly in early childhood education. Their focus has been, similar to the De La Salle Brothers, who started schools for the marginalised youth of France. One core concern in Vietnam is the education of ethnic and poor minority children, who are quite numerous, who have little schooling or who drop out from attending.

Coming to Australia posed several difficulties. A key one was learning English, and then getting professional qualifications in order to run pre-school or child care centres. Then there was finding suitable employment, as they did not have their own functioning centre.

And of course, there was the need for permanent residency visas. The Brothers have given strong financial support, to the stage where the Sisters now earn wages.

Staying the course so far has seen the Sisters gaining recognition as an Australian-working religious congregation.

In March 2021, a successful hurdle was passed: they are now an incorporated ‘association’ which can own property etc. A happy endpoint will be achieving registration as a ‘Charity’ with the Australian Not-for-Profit and Charities Commission in the near future.

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AUSTRALIA 200 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA Author: Cathnews (edited) The celebrations marked 200 years since the first official Catholic school opened in Parramatta in October 1820.

Masses were held with school representation in most cathedrals across Australia, as well as a number of individual parishes and schools.

National Catholic Education executive director, Jacinta Collins, said the National Mass, held on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, was a highlight of the bicentenary year.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison provided a message of congratulations…recognising the contribution of Catholic Education to Australian life: “Two hundred years ago, Fr John Therry answered the call to educate the youth of Parramatta. From that small beginning of 31 students began a great work that now spans 1755 schools, 100,000 staff and 777,000 school students.

“From Xavier Catholic College, Wurrumiyanga in our most north, to Sacred Heart Catholic School, Geeveston in our south; to St Mary’s Star of the Sea, Carnarvon in the west, to St Finbarr’s, Byron Bay in the east; and to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Alice Springs in our red centre, Australia’s Catholic Schools cover the breadth of our country.

Over 200 years, your schools, preschools and now universities, have transformed Australia through the millions of lives you have influenced.”

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP said: “We in Catholic education are determined to make an even greater contribution to the lives of our young people, families, church and society.”

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AUSTRALIA ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE, ADELAIDE ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE WELCOMES ITS FIRST CO-EDUCATION RECEPTION COHORT

Author: Olivia Peressin, Communications & Community Relations Coordinator, St Michael’s College In 2019, St Michael’s College formally announced commencement of co-education at the Primary Campus in 2021. This exciting initiative was based on the evolving history of co-education at the College and to meet the needs of current and future families, enhancing the strong sense of community engagement across the College.

Sixty-five years ago, the De La Salle Brothers were invited by the Archbishop of Adelaide to provide an additional, quality Catholic education option in the Western suburbs, to meet the needs of the growing population. St Michael’s College was opened with just 29 boys at inception… (There was) a second campus at Henley Beach in 1967, then welcoming girls in the early 70s to undertake their final year of schooling: evolution is the backbone of the College’s spirit.

The shift to co-education was momentous not just within the College, but in wider society. It signaled changing times. The years that followed saw the Year 8 cohort become co-educational in 2008, and the College welcomed 272 new Year 7 students to a secondary education in 2019. The next progression of this story was the development of a R 12 co-educational model which reflects a world in which women and men collaborate, work, live, lead and succeed as equals.

On 27 January 2021 the next chapter in the history of St Michael’s College was written, as the College welcomed the newest members of the community to the Primary Campus, the first Reception co-education cohort. Nineteen old scholars’ children form part of the Class of 2033 cohort. Here’s what some had to say: “I have two daughters and it was always my intention to send them to the Secondary Campus the week we found out that St Michael’s was going co-ed in 2021 we enrolled immediately and were delighted to accept the offer.” David Sorby (Class of 1991)…

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AUSTRALIA “My time at St Michael’s played a huge role as to why we enrolled Ella, it has always been a great school, one which three generations of our family have attended. I think the thing that has meant the most to me are the friendships I still have from school… going on 35 + years (now), even though we have all been spread out all over the country.” Adam Nicks (Class of 1993) “I think going co-educational was a brilliant decision and I’m very supportive of this. I have a younger daughter, and my wife and I have always wanted our children to go to the same school...” Steve Hatsitsopanidis (Class of 2001) …

Nerves and excitement filled the brand new Early Primary Centre, as students met their teachers and classmates for the first time...As they embark on their thirteen-year journey at St Michael’s College, we look forward to seeing these young people explore their curiosities, flourish and fully realise their potential.

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AUSTRALIA A NEW AND IMPROVED EARLY PRIMARY, INNOVATION AND ART CENTRE Author: John Foley, Principal, St Michael’s College, Adelaide The Early Primary, Innovation and Art Centre was officially opened by Mrs. Marie Dorrington OAM, Chair of the St Michael’s College, Adelaide Board on Tuesday 23rd March 2021. Student MC Alex Slattery welcomed our special guests, including Brother Visitor David Hawke FSC, St Michael’s College Board Members, Old Scholars, in particular those from the original class of 1954, past leaders of the Primary campus Mr David Hine and Mr Shaun Fitzpatrick, old scholar. (Also present were) Member for Cheltenham Mr Joe Szakacs, representatives from the building industry who oversaw this magnificent development, and representatives from Catholic Education South Australia. (Finally, there were)… staff and students, particularly the girls and boys from the first-ever Reception classes.

My own welcome included a brief history of the St Michael’s Primary campus and the evolution of co-education at the College, as well as recognition to Damian Patton and Dominic Lo Basso for their project leadership, Marie Dorrington for her determination in ensuring the scope of the design was centered around quality education, and our key project partners, Edge Architects and Sarah Constructions.

The formal celebration then commenced with a beautiful liturgy held outside in the Innovation Centre Courtyard, presided by Fr Paul Cashen, who holds a special connection with the College, being one of the original 29 boys who started at Beverley in 1954. The liturgy included a presentation of symbols which were presented by the Reception classes and included a VR headset, power tools, dinosaur, robot, sustainability project models and candles….(symbols) for inspiring young minds…The candles represented the theme of “Let your light shine”.

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AUSTRALIA In officially opening the new facility, Marie reflected on the exciting extension and expansive renovation, as well as the beginning of co-education within it. She expressed her awe, gratitude and overwhelming faith in the future of St Michael’s as a Catholic school in the Lasallian tradition providing her personal experience as a grandmother at the College. She proudly observed that her grandson knows he is “part of an inclusive and respectful community where he feels known, valued and cared for; he is aware that the positive learning culture of the College is authentic, challenging and supportive; and he is conscious his is ‘a quality Lasallian education, inspired by the Gospel and a concern for social justice’, where students are ‘empowered to better choose who they become as people, learners and leaders in the world’. …Marie shared that due to ongoing collaboration, co-operation, commitment and much dialogue, the College facilities are now increasingly able to cater for the educational demands of our ever-changing world. It was a particular pleasure to also have Br David Hawke FSC to assist in the unveiling of the plaque, and to provide some heartfelt concluding words…

We are looking forward to the Stage 2 development and the ongoing evolution of co-education which will see St Michael’s College become a fully co-educational school across R 12 by 2027.

PINO DICHIERA: CREATIVE SPACES MAKE QUALITY EDUCATION Who better to design an imaginative school for little people than an Old Boy who made cardboard houses and tracks for model cars in his youth? Pino Dichiera, of Edge Architects was engaged by St. Michael’s College Adelaide, to design the refurbished and expanded Beverley site as an Early Primary, Innovation and Art Centre. It was successfully created and opened on 23 March 2021. The new Centre marks the initiation of a Reception cohort for St. Michael’s, in its evolution into a fully co-educational R to 12 school by 2027.

Pino, eldest of five boys, grew up in a traditional first-generation Italian household in the western suburbs of Adelaide. After primary school, St. Michael’s Adelaide was an easy choice as the closest Catholic school, being only a 5-minute bike-ride from his home.

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AUSTRALIA As Pino recalls, “My experience was nothing but positive, making life-long friendships which are still going strong today. In fact, we have our own regular reunions which constantly gets 10-12 of us recounting our stories of our school times. I was heavily involved in school sport as well as being a College leader”.

This Lasallian formation included several teachers. One outstanding influence was “Mr Lyn Martin, recently deceased: he was an “incredible teacher, sports coach and outstanding man. Teaching us morals and persistence, his sporting prowess and coaching traits also taught us to never give up his strong Catholic faith always being foremost in his teachings”.

Another strong influence was Br. Paul Rogers, Principal at the time, in terms of guidance and support.

Pino remembers also as “great blokes”, as well as great teachers Br. Alf Zoanetti, Br. Brian Sharkey and Br. Geoff Kennewell. Their heavy involvement in many activities, including sport exemplified the Brothers’ teaching philosophy of holistic education, with strong pastoral care, what Pino describes as teaching being “relate-able to young adolescents”.

Architecture was an early love for Pino, and after graduating from the University of S.A., his career branched over design of hospitals, offices and sports stadia, before settling on a specialty in master planning and design of educational works.

With the challenge of the 1959 two-storey Beverley building, Pino’s Edge Architects (with Sarah Constructions) adapted to produce open and visual connections, with external nature play and teaching areas. There are “reading caves and quiet learning booths for student-centred learning”.

Noting the College’s passion for new technologies in its teaching, Pino’s team rebuilt the Library into an “Innovation Centre” with specialist STEM-based areas, AV-integrated space, gathering places, discussion and independent study points- “also known as caves, watering holes and campfires” importing nature into the built environment!

Outside work, Pino maintains a life-healthy balance: he follows sports avidly, having been an American Football player and coach. Family, maintaining friendships and arranging get-togethers with “St. Mick’s” friends are part of the agenda as well.

Connecting people in life is often built on early in schools, where teachers inspire the young, and appositely at St. Michael’s: to think and create in great designed buildings, like the modernistic Early Primary, Innovation and Art Centre.

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AUSTRALIA

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AUSTRALIA DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, ASHFIELD THE LASALLIAN CHARISM ALIVE AT DLS ASHFIELD

Author: Paul Forrester, Principal, De La Salle College Ashfield Jesus put a parable before the crowds, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the biggest shrub of all and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and shelter in its branches”.

(Matthew 13:31-33) Our La Salle Week celebrations were truly an inspiring example of the beautiful community we have here at De La Salle Ashfield. A week of fun, reflection and celebration was highlighted for me, by the incredible generosity of our community, in supporting outreach initiatives that embody the spirit of the Lasallian charism that we celebrated throughout the week. The College donated over 800 personal items to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal and raised $5,000 for our twin Lasallian school in Pakistan at our MAD (Mission in Action Day).

The spirit of the Lasallian charism is so alive in the College, as was evident by our Founder’s Day Mass, which included 10 De La Salle Brothers, Old Boys, parents and special guests from Oakhill College staff and student community, who joined us on the day.

As part of my reflection, I have included an extract from my address, which reflects my feelings on the legacy of the De La Salle Brothers, and the 200 years of Catholic education that we celebrate in Australia this year.

“It would be easy for me to espouse the incredible impact and achievements of Catholic education over the last 200 years, but I believe no Prime Minister, scientific achievement, engineering feat, famous piece of art or music are as important as the relationships we have with people we meet in our Catholic schools. I believe Saint John Baptist de La Salle knew this; Father John Therry and Saint Mary Mackillop knew this.

The De La Salle Brothers here today who have committed their entire lives to this adventure we know as Catholic education know this: I believe that is why they are here - to continue to be in relationship with us, this wonderful school community, and all those who are part of it.

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AUSTRALIA You see they know this because they listen to Christ, and this is what Jesus asks of all of us. Jesus’ life was dedicated to being in life-giving relationships with all he met, regardless of whether they were priests or prostitutes, doctors or lepers, legionnaires or criminals. He came that we may have life, and have it to the full. He told us how to do this with the greatest commandment – ‘Love one another as I have loved you’.

For over 340 years, Lasallian education, and for 200 years, Catholic education in Australia, have been built on the relationships that have developed between those whose love of Christ and of each other has been prepared to overcome the most significant barriers and hurdles to ensure we sit here today with the benefit of an incredible Catholic education. We are the beautiful branches of the majestic mustard tree.

I am truly humbled to be a part of it.”

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AUSTRALIA TWENTY-TWO LASALLIAN YOUTH LEADERS APPOINTED AT DLS ASHFIELD Author: De La Salle College, Ashfield At a recent College Assembly, De La Salle College Ashfield Year 11 Lasallian Youth Leaders (LYL’s) for 2021 were presented with their badges. These students applied to become LYL’s in Term 4 2020 (Year 10,) and after interviews and training days, 22 of them have been selected to this senior leadership role in the College.

LYL’s are required to promote the Lasallian charism of the College, and be role models to all other students at all times. They work closely with Dean Betsos, Lasallian Youth Minister, and are called upon to represent the College frequently throughout the year. Their first duty was to help facilitate the Year 7 Lasallian Induction Day on 2 March. Next, they will be called upon to assist the College in a variety of ways at the Open Night on Wednesday 24 March. There are many meetings and events throughout the year that LYL’s need to attend to represent the College, both on site and at various other venues.

Congratulations to the following students on being selected as the College LYL’s for 2021 - Alessio Parisi, Jonas Cook, Nicholas Toia, Jake Parisi, Brenden Knight, Yuhan Jin, Ryan Chiam, Gianluca Aliberto, Stefan Kilic, John Elbeaini, Jerome Sassine, Mark Espiritu- Moran, David Berridge, Marcello Aliberto, Jarrod Mendonca, Joseph Succar, Samuel Soo, Jacob Farrugia, Joseph Gatto, Sebastian Migliaccio, Joseph Boutros, Alessandro Binaggia

SCHOOL TOUR

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AUSTRALIA LA SALLE CATHOLIC COLLEGE, BANKSTOWN GIRLS IN TRADE The Year 10 girls from La Salle Catholic College Bankstown participated in a ‘Girls in Trade Day’ with two other associated schools. At this event, students heard first-hand about careers in trade from several outstanding female “tradies”.

Students could hear how each of the women tradies established their careers by studying a VET trade course at school, or by gaining work experience, that led to a full-time apprenticeship, followed by movement in various leadership positions.

The Year 10 girls were given the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities, including a 2-way electrical wiring system, light testing and the advantages of copper tools.

Staff at La Salle Bankstown were excited by the positive reaction of the girls to the day, and hope to see some of the participants choosing these VET subjects and career options in the future.

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AUSTRALIA DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, CARINGBAH DE LA SALLE CARINGBAH MAKES A DIFFERENCE ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ started thirty years ago by an “average Australian bloke” who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard. Over the years, approximately 18.3 million Australians have donated 36 million hours, clearing over 380,000 ute loads of rubbish. Today’ Clean Up Australia Day’ inspires and empowers communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment.

De La Salle College Caringbah recently took part in the nation’s largest community-based environmental event. A busload of young men from De La Salle Caringbah used their God-given hands to clean up the environment at Gunnamatta Park in Sydney. (In 1861 Gunnamatta Park consisted of 300 acres and was reserved for ‘Military Uses’; since then, the land has been subdivided, and 14 areas are now available for public use).

Zach O’Hara, Social Justice Leader at De La Salle Caringbah, stated, “We at De La Salle aim to reach out and help the community we live in, as often as we can. ‘Clean up Australia Day’ was a great way to do so.”

The De La boys also participated in a ‘Graffiti Removal Day’, celebrated on 28 March 2021. Graffiti vandalism costs the NSW Government and residents more than $300 million every year. The aim of ‘Graffiti Removal Day’ is to highlight the problem of graffiti across NSW, and encourage people to volunteer their time to remove and prevent graffiti. Since ‘Graffiti Removal Day’ was established in 2012, volunteers have removed 141,000sqm of graffiti, saving the community approximately $10.40 million.

Angela Porra, Leader of Religious Education at De La Salle Caringbah, said, “Coming together as a Lasallian family and spending time together assisted not only the environment but also our growth as individuals. I was thankful to attend, and give back and pay gratitude to the land I live on. During Lent this year, we as a College have been challenged to return the favours our world does for us, in non-materialistic ways – to give alms, not just money. I ask you - what can you do?’”

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AUSTRALIA GOLDEN GUITAR AWARDED TO DLS CARINGBAH MUSIC TEACHER Mr Luke O’Shea, Music teacher at De La Salle College Caringbah, recently won two Golden Guitars at the 2021 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Luke won the Heritage Song of the Year award for the song ‘Happy Australia Day’, which was written and performed with Kamileroi man, Mr Kevin Bennett.

The song and video were designed to be used as teacher resources to provide students with a new and valuable perspective of Australia’s shared history. Through learning about the past, Mr O’Shea’s belief is that we can better understand our current divided situation, and that this can then hopefully help us make more informed decisions that can unify us in the future.

His second award was for the ‘Traditional Country Album of the Year’ for his album ‘There In The Ochre’.

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AUSTRALIA PASTORAL LESSON USING RECYCLED GARBAGE Authors: Angela Porro Religious Education Coordinator, & Mr Michael Beaton,De La Salle Catholic College, Caringbah I am constantly at awe to be part of the community at Caringbah - the Lasallian spirit is always alive.

Congratulations to the students of Benildus 3, and Mr Beaton for a fabulous artwork (on recycling garbage).

At De La Salle Catholic College, Caringbah, we had a unique opportunity to create the spirit of St John Baptist de La Salle in an art form, using recycled garbage, that was collected by our College Leaders. We were given a piece of plywood, and a bag of recycled material, to use in a 1-hour lesson; the artwork had to reflect the spirit of De La Salle. In the Benildus 3 homeroom, I proposed to the students to do a portrait of De La Salle. We chose a portrait with De La Salle holding a red book and traced the outline on the plywood.

Then we started to use the recycled material to fill in the portrait. The class did an excellent job as shown by the finished product.

The students also had to write a small blurb to go with the artwork and the following are three examples; “By building St John Baptist from recycled material, we had the experience and opportunity to create something from the ground up like St John Baptist did with the schools.”

“By sculpting St John Baptist out of recycled materials, we have demonstrated the De La spirit by commending the Founder of our spectacular school system.”

“Any tool, any object, can be used to create learning opportunities. De La Salle inspired us to create a recycled portrait of him.”

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AUSTRALIA OAKHILL COLLEGE, CASTLE HILL TOGETHER WE STAND STRONGER! OAKHILL COLLEGE RAISE $5,300 FOR LASALLIANS IN BEIRUT Following the devastating explosion in Beirut, Oakhill College Castle Hill, organised fundraising activities to assist Lasallian schools. It raised over $5,300.00 to help with the cleanup and replacement of vital teaching aids and equipment.

Elliott Prasad, one of our Lasallian Captains, has produced a video to show our solidarity and support for our brother and sister schools. This has been sent to our Lasallian schools in Lebanon Mont La Salle, Notre Dame, De La Salle, Ecole St Vincent de Paul.

Click HERE to view the video.

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AUSTRALIA RESPECT @ OAKHILL Oakhill College, Castle Hill, continue their 2021 theme of ‘Respect’. Vice Captains Elizabeth Kitcher and James Houseman spoke to students at a recent Assembly about each letter in this powerful word which creates meaning and installs actions:

R” relationships we have for each other “E” esteem and honour we have for “

someone or something

S” safe College environment “P” parents, peers, friends and family “E” engaged and challenged to be respectful “C” consideration and understanding for “

individuals and groups in our society

“

T” to be in a supported and safe environment.

They encouraged our community to continue to strive and Think, Give, Get Respect inside and outside of Oakhill.

To solidify the students’ message the Year 9 and 12 leaders have collaborated to make an inspirational video on how respect affects everyone and benefits the community.

Click HERE to view the video.

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AUSTRALIA DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, MALVERN RECOGNISING DE LA SALLE WOMEN AT MALVERN

Author: Kerry Martin, editor of About: Roll Call Alumni Magazine, De La Salle College, Malvern This year the women on staff at the College celebrated International Women’s Day with a breakfast in the PAC at Tiverton. Among the guests were three women, who collectively have taught at the College for more than 100 years.

In 1981, Christine Thompson (nee Andrews) and Clare Kennedy-Curtis (nee Kennedy) arrived at the College; a year later Jacinta Ryan (nee de Vries) joined them. Working at the junior school, now Tiverton, the three women have made an enormous contribution to the education of literally thousands of young men who have passed through the College since then. Roll Call is proud to share some of their reflections with our readers.

Christine Thompson started her career at the College in 1981 as a Year 7 classroom teacher. Now the Humanities Learning Area Team Leader and VCE History Revolutions ‘guru’, Thompson has seen a lot of change during her tenure, especially in the opportunities for women.

“The difference now is that female staff feel more empowered and confident to apply for leadership roles, whereas this was not the case years ago.”

“There are more opportunities available for women to access leadership positions and we are encouraged to apply when positions become vacant.”

As well as her reputation as a respected teacher and colleague, Thompson was been instrumental in supporting many of the College’s social justice initiatives. Along with her husband, and fellow long-term staff member at De La Salle College, Charles Thompson, whom she met in 1981 at the College, the pair embody everything that is Lasallian. Mrs. Thompson was one of the people who developed offshore social justice opportunities for students.

“A trip to the Philippines in 1986, opened my eyes to the possibilities for our young men to contribute to a world far outside their comfortable lives in Melbourne.”

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AUSTRALIA Subsequently, she alongside a dedicated group of teachers who, along with Br Denis Loft (1965), established the annual Year 12 volunteer program in India. She participated in four trips to India, known as ‘Coolies.’

“Participating in the Coolies program was nothing short of amazing. Observing our young men come to terms with conditions so very different to their own and working to improve the living and learning conditions of the students at these De La Salle partner schools was so rewarding.”

As she approaches her 40th year on staff, Thompson said it is the ethos and spirit of the De La Salle College community which has compelled her to stay.

“The atmosphere in the College, both amongst staff and the students, and the Lasallian ethos passed on by the Brothers, is something I value and believe enables us all to lead the students during their journey here to develop into fine men.”

Clare Kennedy-Curtis also joined the College in 1981 as a full-time Teacher/Librarian working at the Tiverton Campus. She still works in the library, and teaches primary classes, VCAL Literacy and is a dedicated St Edwin’s House Mentor.

As well as her role as a teacher/librarian, over the last 39 years she has channelled her energies to improving the welfare of students through a range of cocurricular activities, committees, overseas excursions, camps, retreats and the sporting life of the College. She rates managing the 2nd XVIII as a career highlight.

Over the years she has seen the change to the balance of women on staff. “If anything has changed over the years it is the better balance between men and women on staff, and I have felt very fortunate to be a woman on staff at De La Salle, because I have simply felt very much a part of a community,” she said.

“There are more opportunities for women to take up positions of leadership and this balance can only be of benefit to the students. I can confidently say a healthier balance will continue to empower these young men.”

“When I started, De La Salle was full of nurturing, intellectual men, professional and empathetic women, and the humour and dedication shared by all staff was magical.”

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AUSTRALIA LA SALLE CATHOLIC COLLEGE, MIDDLE SWAN WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING A MIDDLE SWAN?

Author: Natalie Quinn

Year 11s touching hearts for cancer research Our Year 11 students and a number of staff members participated in the annual ‘Relay For Life’ for the Cancer Council of Western Australia (WA).

‘Relay For Life’ is a fun and overnight experience that raises vital funds for cancer research, prevention, information, and support services. The event also celebrates local cancer survivors and helps to raise money to help save more lives.

Our students were challenged to keep the College baton moving around the running track at WA Athletics Stadium in Mount Claremont for 24 hours without a break. They were successful in this task, even when it required getting up in the early hours of the morning to complete their allocated one-hour shift. We are incredibly proud of the way our students represented themselves and the College.

These efforts exceeded our College fundraising goal, contributing almost $3,000 to cancer research in Western Australia. It was a fun and memorable experience for our students. Everyone went home very tired, but satisfied that we had followed closely in the footsteps of St John Baptist de La Salle in ‘Touching Hearts’ by serving those in need in our community.

Thank you to all those involved, particularly the staff members who generously gave their time to supervise this worthwhile community event.

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AUSTRALIA Make a Difference (MAD) DAY On Friday 14 May, our students and staff celebrated MAD Day, a significant day in the Life of La Salle College. It is the day we celebrate our founder, St John Baptist de La Salle.

The aim of the day is to think about ‘the least, last and lost’ - and through our actions focus on service to others, as well as raising funds through stalls and activities, to support those in our community that need a helping hand.

The money raised will go to the Archbishop’s ‘LifeLink Appeal’ to support those in need in our local community, and the Lasallian Foundation. This year our twinned school in Pakistan, Sant Singh Wala, needs a toilet block and water tank, and so the Foundation will finance that project. We recognise that people do not just need financial assistance, but actions can improve the lives of others. Our MAD Day had a strong emphasis on ‘service to others’ and was a fantastic day for our school community to come together to work as one for others.

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AUSTRALIA ST BEDE’S COLLEGE, MENTONE LET’S CONNECT! - ST. BEDE’S TWO CAMPUSES FROM 2021

From this school year, St. James College East Bentleigh and St. Bede’s College Mentone are amalgamating, the result of 18 months of planning. Both sharing the Lasallian heritage from 1970 and 1938 respectively, their decision, announced by the St. Bede’s College Board Chair, Mr. Anthony Brinkley and the Principal, Mr. John Finn, was signed and celebrated in a liturgy on January 27 2021 at St. Bede’s.

Forming possibly the largest secondary school in Victoria, the ‘new’ St. Bede’s footprint will gradually offer expanded opportunities for students ‘broadened pathways’ - for the wide backgrounds and talents of boys in south-eastern Melbourne. Already, and historically, the majority of Year 10 boys from East Bentleigh transition into their final two years at Mentone. The senior level at St. Bede’s has some of the widest curricula offerings in the state, with VET, sports, music, speaking & drama prominent. In addition, the future offers the shared expertise of many more teachers, and several integrated areas of administration and pastoral care.

There has been a Steering Committee harnessing the process of joining together. One College Board with appropriate representation and expertise, reflective of the amalgamation will exist. Current staffing, enrolment criteria and curricula will continue at both campuses, with a strong recommendation required re future curriculum provision and any changes to student fees. Parent, staff, student and Old Boy consultations will take place this year, as the changes are embedded more in the future. The St. Bede’s school uniform will be worn by all Year 7 2022 boys for the first time. Mr. Stephen Pooley is the St. James campus Deputy Principal.

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AUSTRALIA John Finn, the Principal, pointed out that as pilgrims who invest in the future, we Lasallians are grateful “for the vision of the Brothers”, and the imitation of John Baptist de La Salle who constantly travelled France, in his concern for broadening education for all youth. He noted, at the ceremony, the profile of youth entering adulthood: by 2030 there will be more insecurity in employment, marriages ending on average after six years, and so changed needs for today’s youth searching for confidence, health, and a moral compass. An expanded St. Bede’s College, with its Lasallian educational principles, looks to the overall health of each young person.

To watch the ceremony click HERE

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AUSTRALIA POST COVID LEARNING AT ST BEDE’S Author: Brenden Mair, Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning, St Bede’s College Mentone It is with interest that I once again write in response to the challenge that 2020 presented. As a school, we continue to see the impacts, which I will elaborate on. However, we also recognise that these challenges are not ours alone, but rather exist across the educational landscape. I share these with you in order to give you an insight, and perhaps prompt conversation with your children, that might help them to make sense of where we are at this moment.

We recently received some information at the school that highlighted the impact that the pandemic had on learning and it made for interesting reading. The NAB Education Insight Report focused on the effects coronavirus has had on students in 70 schools across Australia. It was interesting to see that where relevant, statistics were differentiated between Victoria (which obviously had a longer lockdown) and other states.

Of particular note were increases in anxiety as a result, with the highlight indicating that about 2 in 3 boys experienced anxiety as a result of the pandemic. This will have obviously impacted on learning. There was also concern expressed about interpersonal, cognitive, critical thinking and communication skills.

Nevertheless, there were also some positives highlighted. Particularly for the students, their increased skills in self-directed learning and mastering of digital skills was noted. As teachers, we are encouraged to capitalise on these as they will be beneficial in the long term.

From a teacher perspective, it was noted that there is a sharper focus on teaching ‘what really mattered’, as well as a feeling of greater appreciation from parents, regarding what we do in the classroom.

Anecdotally, we are certainly seeing something of a lasting effect here at the College. Slightly shorter attention spans for students and increased need for refocusing appears to be presenting itself, with a re-socialisation approach needed in this regard. Acknowledging that this will take some time, it does not present a significant issue. On the flip side, a greater appreciation of a face-to-face environment is apparent for both teachers and students, with the students relishing being back in the classroom.

Re-adjusting to the rigours of being back on site are not something any of us should take for granted. As parents, it may well be wise to have a conversation regarding the challenges that this presents, and you may get some useful insights that better support your sons in their learning. We are always open to insights and look forward to working with you, to enable learning for all students into the future.

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AUSTRALIA HELPING THEM LEARN AND GROW FROM THEIR DIFFICULTIES Author: George Vlamakis, Student Counsellor, St James College East Bentleigh A parent’s attitude to their child’s difficulties will heavily determine how successfully the child will meet and overcome many of the obstacles and hurdles that will come their way.

Whether it is missing out on a sports team, frustrations with classmates or teachers, or having to do a task they find unpleasant, our students/children will experience difficulties they need to overcome.

When children overcome problems and deal with unpleasant situations, they learn they are capable. This is the basis of self-esteem and confidence. Resilience is fostered when they overcome problems, and manage unpleasant social situations, such as teasing. If we over-protect our children from challenging experiences we rob them of chances to learn, develop and grow.

Resilient teens look back and draw on skills and understandings they have developed in the past to help then deal with present challenges. For example, I have had the experience of a 16-year-old boy who revealed how his time on school camp, helped him overcome the homesickness he experienced on a six-month student exchange.

He remembered how on the first day of camp, he did not think he could make it, but he did. He experienced those same doubts early in his exchange, but he knew that just as he had coped before, he could do so again, but this time in more difficult circumstances. He was drawing on the same resources.

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AUSTRALIA Here are five great parenting ideas to help your sons leapfrog the inevitable challenges that come up in life.

Frame the problem as a challenge Frame the difficulty as a challenge rather than a problem. Framing it as a challenge, gives them something to rise to, rather than be overwhelmed.

Coach them to do well Talk them through their challenges, giving them ideas to cope and manage. Consider rehearsing some skills or language that they may need.

Show confidence they will succeed Make sure your expectations are realistic, positive and supportive of their feelings

Give them a chance Allow them to approach challenges in their own way without constantly checking on them. Your nervousness can be contagious.

Celebrate their success Even if they were only partially successful, praise their efforts. Praise is a far greater influence than criticism.

The attitude and approach of parents and teachers will influence our children’s ability to meet and overcome the hurdles they’ll encounter.

An attitude that is affirming, supportive, but not smothering, will resource your child to meet and overcome life’s inevitable challenges

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AUSTRALIA JAMES SHEAHAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE, ORANGE AMAZING MONTH @ JAMES SHEAHAN ORANGE Author: Mr. Bill Rollo, Year 10 Co-ordinator / Br. Gary Wilson “Amazing month of May.... The Jindabyne outdoor education trip was a highlight, and most likely (will) be a talking point for many years, (and) the retreat that was held later in the month. In both instances, I have seen personal growth in many students, which will set them up well for senior years.

“The purpose of running the camp is to extend and challenge students as a whole. They had the opportunity to strengthen bonds with other students in the year group, and provide students with challenges, and the chance to grow in a completely different environment.

“The weather at the start dampened some spirits, but saw the groups work together to overcome adversity.

By the end of camp, the cohesiveness of each group showed through with strong-team building activities and a sense of belonging. (A major highlight) was seeing a group summit (of) Mount Kosciuszko, and later reflecting on the trek. When first asked about this, most students used negative language to describe the trek. A few wise words (were offered) about working together, making the summit as a team, supporting each other, sharing the experience, overcoming the same challenges. The group at the end of camp reflected that the trek was the most worthwhile and best part of the camp.

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AUSTRALIA They had the opportunity to strengthen bonds with other students in the year group, and provide students with challenges, and the chance to grow in a completely different environment.

“The second (highlight) was watching a student learn how to ride a bicycle. This student was (very unsure and fearful). With support from the wonderful ALI staff and teacher/parent support, this student not only was able to ride, but enthusiastically take on mountain biking obstacle courses. Magic moments!

“A special thank you to parents that attended and supported the students on that week. If it wasn’t for the support of the parents, camps like this would be nearly impossible to run.’

The following week saw the Year 10 Retreat conducted by Sebastian Duhau, Br Arian, and Maddy Forde of the Youth Ministry Team of the District. With them as leaders were Bathurst Diocese Youth Ministers Bec Geddes (based at James Sheahan, Orange) and Winston Neville (based at La Salle Academy, Lithgow).

(The following day they facilitated the Year 8 retreat day on the theme “I am courageous”).

As Mr. Rollo commented: “This was a wonderful opportunity for Year 10 to gather together again on the back of the Jindabyne experience. The theme for the day was ‘Service, Opportunity, Sacrifice SOS’. The day engaged the students with thought-provoking discussion and the opportunity to share ideas. The level of maturity and willingness to actively take part in the day was wonderful to see”.

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AUSTRALIA DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, REVESBY ANNOUNCEMENT: RETIREMENT OF TIM LOGUE Author: Merv McCormack Executive Director of the Lasallian Mission Council.

Mr Tim Logue will retire at the end of 2021 after 11 years of dedicated leadership as Principal of De La Salle College, Revesby. His service to Catholic education will have covered 44 years. It is a momentous time, and one which calls for grateful celebration of a loyal and committed man.

Memories of Tim will be as varied as the thousands of teachers, students and parents with whom he has journeyed over those years. For this writer, recollections of Tim will be of the unfailingly positive colleague who invariably sought the best outcomes for those entrusted to his care. Never one for the limelight or personal acclamation, Tim was the most grounded of leaders. His interest was in making a difference in the lives of others, never for achieving laurels for himself.

Tim’s challenge of others was motivated by what was best for them. In others, he saw potential they did not see in themselves. For the College, he wanted the best.

Lasallians would speak of his zeal. In an increasingly complex educational milieu, Tim’s leadership was straightforward and unfussy, accompanied by his wonderful sense of humour. He took his work seriously, but not himself. He wanted high quality teaching and learning, superior pastoral care, and the best possible school facilities. He wanted a Lasallian school where people were welcomed and respected. He led the way in achieving these things.

Tim always believed that every boy deserved a compassionate hearing. In a previous career working with Tim, I asked favours for places where boys needed fresh starts. Tim never hesitated- “of course”, would be his standard response, “let’s see what possible”. He intuitively grasped St John Baptist De La Salle’s words: To be entrusted with the teaching of the young is a great gift and grace of God. Tim, to you and Kerrie, go with our heartfelt thanks and very best wishes for a wonderful retirement with the family which means so much to you. What a loyal and long serving Principal and friend you have been.

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AUSTRALIA SOUTHERN CROSS CATHOLIC COLLEGE, SCARBOROUGH CELEBRATING HERITAGE IN A BIG WAY - SOUTHERN CROSS SCARBOROUGH Australia, the Land of the Southern Cross, is a huge country, but it values community even over vast distances.

Huge is the Catholic and Lasallian-associated school, Southern Cross Catholic College Scarborough (SSCC).

It operates on the Redcliffe peninsula, on the outskirts of Brisbane. June 4 this year saw the celebration of its multiple traditions, embedded in four extraordinary Christians who established Catholic schools in Queensland.

Each year, on or near the solemnity of Mary, Help of Christians, Southern Cross Catholic College has its ‘Patron’s Day’. It is an important day, as the one occasion in the year when the Primary campuses at Woody Point, Kippa Ring and Scarborough join with the Scarborough Secondary campus for festivities. The older students adopt the ethos of being ‘big brothers and sisters’ to the younger cohorts.

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AUSTRALIA It began, as usual, with the total community Mass. Including students, staff and parents, there were nearly 2000 people in attendance at the liturgy. Then came the dynamics of building community further. Majella Thompson, SSCC Communications, describes the energy and downright fun of the day: “Prep to Year 3 (classes)... took part in fun games on the oval, including building sand-castles with some specially-delivered sand. Years 4-12 took part in the ‘De La Dash’ a fun run around the secondary campus.

Years 4-6 then took part in a dancing competition and the Secondary Campus got involved in the legendary ‘High Beam’ talent show where House competed against House to win the overall ‘Patron’s Day Cup’ (points were gained for participation, by coming a place in the ‘De La Dash’ and participation in ‘High Beam’). The winning house this year was Delany”.

The four ‘traditions’ which are reflected in the four Houses show the origins of Catholic education, Redcliffe style. A true legend in Scarborough was Monsignor Bart Frawley (1904 - 2002), Parish Priest, who invited the first De La Salle Brothers to come to his parish in 1955, supporting the three Brothers financially in a generous way (He became an Affiliated Member of the Brothers’ Institute). Eighty-two boys were taught in a reconditioned army hut that year. The second ‘founder’ and charism was thus St. John Baptist de La Salle.

The third was the Brigidine Sisters’ founder, Irish Bishop Daniel Delaney, whose sisters conducted secondary Soubirous College. The last founder was Australia’s St. Mary MacKillop whose Josephite Sisters taught in the primary schools on the peninsula.

Mr. Chris Campbell, the Principal commented: “Patron’s Day is a day to celebrate our history and our present. We unite to reflect on our Patron, Mary Help of Christians, the Mother of the Catholic community in Australia, and our four founders. We also reflect on our theme for the year ‘You are part of the miracle’. We are all a part of the miracle of Southern Cross Catholic College.”

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AUSTRALIA OPENING MASS AND INAUGURATION OF STUDENT LEADERS Author: Ms. Vanessa Hall, A.P.R.E “On Friday 5th February, the students from Year 7 to Year 12 at Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough, gathered in the College Community Centre to celebrate our Opening Mass and inauguration of student leaders. The Mass was led by our Parish Priest, Father Bob Harwood, and our Year 12 Student Leaders shared the readings and prayers, that focused on our 2021 Lasallian theme, “You Are Part Of The Miracle”.

The student Liturgy Band led the music with great passion and skill, after spending much of their own time rehearsing in the week before Opening Mass. Following our Mass we took time to bless our Year 12 student cohort for 2021, and recognise the Year 12 Student Leaders who play such an important role in our whole College community, from Prep to Year 12. The Student Leaders for 2021 are: • College Captains: Kerryn Hamilton-Smith and Ethan McLeary • Lasallian Prefects: Shaun Rath and Charlotte Grant • House Captains: Kayla Nutley, Ava van Bladel, Alana Smith, Claudia Colbert, Mikayla Quirk, Joshua Millwood, Georgia Cullen and Elise Hodges Following the investiture of the 2021 Student Leaders our College Captains, Kerryn and Ethan, addressed the community. They shared their vision of leadership for SCCC community, and made strong connections to our theme for 2021. Their speech captured what it is to be a Catholic community in the Lasallian tradition and some of their words are below: The Lasallian theme for 2021 is ‘You Are Part of The Miracle’. At Southern Cross Catholic College, we aim to embrace each other’s differences, by accepting everyone’s uniqueness. Through acceptance, we come to acknowledge that we are all part of the same community for our own purpose.

We all hold greatness inside each one of us: it is how we let it shine out that builds the foundation of living Jesus’ miracle. The Lasallian vision is seeing the abundance where others see scarcity, and bringing nourishment when there is none. As part of the Southern Cross community, we encourage a sense of belonging, to look out for each other, as brothers and sisters.

Your vision will differ from the person beside you; your passion will differ from the person beside you; your future will differ from the person beside you. But at the end of the day, you are all part of the miracle. So, remember, what you do in the present will shape who you are in the future.

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AUSTRALIA INDIGENOUS IMMERSION OPENS STUDENTS’ EYES Author: Br Rick Gaffney FSC An opportunity of a lifetime was provided to students from Southern Cross Catholic College, Redcliffe, when they took part in an immersion to learn about local indigenous history and engage in indigenous culture.

Cherbourg is visited each year as a place of indigenous historical significance.

Eighteen Year 10 and 11 student volunteers spent 29-31 March 2021 as a part of the annual College Cherbourg and Barambah Cultural Immersion. The College, across all streams of the curriculum, is committed to its journey to strive for excellence in Indigenous Education through heightening cultural identity, maintaining high expectations, promoting active leadership, and building strong community relationships. The Brisbane Catholic Education’s Molum Sabe Indigenous Education Strategy aims, in addition, to bridge the gap in learning achievement and exceed learning expectations for each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learner in the BCE community of schools.

Br Rick Gaffney, Program Leader of the College “Garanyali Unit”, said: “Cherbourg is the largest Aboriginal community in south-east Queensland, and it is the place where the Queensland government forcibly removed Aboriginal people from all over Queensland and New South Wales. The Aboriginal community there has established the Ration Shed Museum which has interactive displays, educating about its history, and the contribution of Aboriginal people since the late 1800s.”

Displays also highlight the injustices experienced by the Aboriginal people of the area as a result of the Aboriginal Protection Acts, which were enforced from the 1890s through to the 1960s.

The final two days of the immersion were spent at the Barambah Environmental Education Centre, located in the Barambah State Forest. There, students learned how local Aboriginal people in the area used to live. Activities experienced included identifying and tasting bush food from the forest; viewing Aboriginal art painting and culture; seeing boomerang and spear throwing. There was also star gazing and learning aboriginal names and stories linked to the stars, clearing the forest of noxious weeds, and reflective prayer and “Dadirri” an Aboriginal mediation activity.

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AUSTRALIA Br Rick said the immersion opens students’ eyes, both indigenous and non-indigenous, to the history of the region. “This is a unique experience for our students, one that very few Queenslanders have the opportunity to be a part of. Our students gain a greater awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal culture and experiences over the last 50,000 years,” he said. “Students also greatly increase their understanding of the suffering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who for hundreds of years had their basic human rights denied to them after the arrival of the Europeans.”

Year 11 indigenous student, Haley Ashton-Stark, was grateful for the experience of a lifetime: “I have learnt so much about the history of my culture and the triumphs of my culture as well,” Haley said.

A visit to the Ration Shed Museum might seem boring at first but once you take a closer look, you find all the hidden stories about the past. It makes you think how far the nation has come in creating peace for the indigenous population. I walked away from this camp knowing more about the tools, stories and traditions of my culture and that is something that I will take with me forever.”

After returning to school, students work together to find ways to share their understanding and experience with others in their cohort, aiming to bridge the gap, instill respect and value diversity.

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AUSTRALIA YOURTOWN YOURTOWN - WITH YOUTH, FOR YOUTH NATIONALLY A unique multi-faceted part of the Lasallian District, as well as a well-regarded professional charity, is Yourtown, based in Brisbane. With non-denominational programs and services at both a national and local level, it helps young people and families to improve their lives in a multitude of ways. With over 600 staff of counsellors, youth workers, indigenous mentors, vocational/trades trainers, employment consultants, child & family workers and policy writers, it is a proud network of services. These are financed through art unions and donor support, and some funded partnerships with government and businesses.

The vision articulated by yourtown, is to transform especially young peoples’ lives, and to strengthen communities they and adults live in. This encapsulates the core of the Lasallian mission - to enable young people, especially those who are marginalised and without voice to be educated and skilled for life. Looking to answer the educational, training and welfare needs of young people has been the ‘business’, the mission of the De La Salle Brothers and their Partners for 340 years.

The agency first opened its doors as “BoysTown” in 1961. when the De La Salle Brothers set up a Queensland-based residential school and home for youth, largely referred from the courts. With a working farm and later a cattle stud, it branched into outreach programs, and by 1991 to Kids Helpline. Evolution in the organisation changed many things - the services delivered, and the way it interacted inclusively with the community.

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AUSTRALIA The 2016 name-change and philosophy reflect the modern professional world yourtown is embedded in. (In terms of governance, yourtown is an incorporated entity, with an independent board, under the ownership of the Brothers’ Institute.)

The number of services delivered are astounding. They include education, mentoring, counselling, vocational and trades training, job seeking, family crisis intervention and associated programs for marginalised youth and parents. Social, personal psychological and economic issues often demand help in re-engaging people in the community whatever their race, gender or situation.

Inclusivity and Community are strongly valued at yourtown, and are reflective of its original growth in the 1960’s on. Education and engagement are central to all service programs. This fits neatly with the value of Quality Education & Learning. Brothers and Lasallian institutions have always prided themselves on this professional outcome. Concomitantly, the varied sectors of yourtown staff find and build strong bonds with youth and sometimes parents, becoming sister and brother role-models as they work together. An underlying result is what could be termed a Family-style Association of Lasallians. Over the years large numbers of yourtown staff have shared in Lasallian in-service / formation, in their stories of Service/ Work for Youth, especially the Disadvantaged.

A shining service achievement has been Kids Helpline (KHL), 30 years old this year. Initiated in a visionary way by Br. Paul Smith, it is a free, private and confidential counselling service for children and young people, and is the sole one, Australia-wide. KHL professionally trains counsellors who are available 24/7 via phone, Web Chat and email. Children and young people can contact the service about anything and for any reason.

Known and advertised in all media regularly, KHL answers many thousands of contacts every year about issues like suicide, abuse, domestic and family violence, self-injury and bullying.

Parentline in Queensland and the Northern Territory (Aust.) provides professional counselling, education and support about issues such as parent-child relationships, custody and access, and mental health and emotional wellbeing. In addition, there is face-to-face counselling in many of yourtown services, e.g. the Family Mental Health Program.

A major sector of yourtown is the area of employment & training. There are 23 locations in four states which provide help in job-seeking preparation, search and follow-up. Youth who are unemployed can access skills vocational training, especially in Qld. in six areas and in three other states in Australia. On-the-job experience and skills development are other avenues offered.

I had no work experience and it was hard to get a foot in the door but yourtown helped me with my resume and work-ready skills, and get the job I’m in now. I’m a junior draftsperson and practically jack-of-all-trade s for the company, and I love it.

Mentoring is an important part of all the programs where staff are expected to lead by example, as members of a yourtown community that cares. Services like the Youth Engagement Program include formal mentoring such as literacy tutoring by yourtown volunteers. Other programs include a domestic & family violence 78 JOURNAL LA SALLE - EDITION 1, 2021

AUSTRALIA service, with a specialist accommodation for families in great need in the outer suburbs of Sydney. Another program is conducted in partnership in a “Building Communities Program” in outer Brisbane.

With the heavy burdens for welfare / well-being support experienced by schools, yourtown has expanded into other learning arenas like School-based Traineeships for Indigenous Students, Youth Mental Health intervention, Youth at-risk Support, Youth Offenders Prison Support and early school leavers at high-risk.

Primary schools are using at-touch technology to access mental well-being, resilience & help-seeking skills development.

All these services provide a rich information database which yourtown uses in advocacy work in the welfare sector, as well as professional research. This contributes to government enquiries and dissemination of statistics on key youth issues and needs to the general community awareness.

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AUSTRALIA 30 YEARS OF KIDS HELPLINE WITH 8.4 MILLION RESPONSES TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Author: Maree Reason-Cain, yourtown Corporate Communications & Media Advisor The 30-year anniversary of Kids Helpline, the country’s only free, 24/7 online and phone counselling service marks a significant milestone for the service, and decades of support with more than 8.4 million telephone and online contacts responded to over that time.

Kids Helpline took its first call in Brisbane on 25 March 1991. On its first day, 3,200 young people called Kids Helpline, two-and-half years later Kids Helpline was operating as a national service available 24x7 in every Australian state and territory.

Within a year of opening, Kids Helpline had answered 75,000 calls and by 1993, its calls numbered over one million.

Over the last 30 years the top three reasons children and young people sought counselling support are mental health, emotional well-being and family relationships, with more than 500,000 counselling sessions related to mental or emotional health concerns including self-injury, and over 440,000 counselling sessions relating to family relationships,” said CEO Tracy Adams.

According to Ms Adams, Kids Helpline has become a crucial part of the child protection and mental health systems and works to not only support young people, but to normalise the concept of help seeking. The complexity of issues reported to Kids Helpline over the past 30 years has grown substantially, as has the number of children and young people using the service in an ongoing way.

What started as phone service has become so much more with support available via phone, email, webchat, and information and resources available via social media and the website. In recent times the service has also evolved to include KHL@School taking counsellors in primary school classrooms via virtual means, and introduced counsellor moderated peer-to-peer support via MyCircle.

“Having multiple ways to engage, enables children and young people to make contact in ways they feel comfortable with, from anywhere in the country” said Ms Adams.

Whilst 2021 marks a significant milestone for Kids Helpline, the 2020 Kids Helpline Insights Report released today highlights that the service is needed as much today as when it started 30 years ago, with the report highlighting just how challenging 2020 was for many children and young people. Of particular note was the increase in first-time contacts about mental health from younger children in the 5–12-year-old age group; and an increase in Duty of Care emergency interventions.

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AUSTRALIA The Insights report analyses the issues children and young people raised in counselling sessions with Kids Helpline during 2020, with the effects of the summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic putting pressure on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

Kids Helpline received a significant increase in the volume of children and young people seeking help in 2020 - up 20% in 2020 vs 2019, with mental health or emotional wellbeing the most common issue for children and young people with one in four raising these as concerns in counselling sessions.

“Children were particularly vulnerable during 2020 since they rely on parents, schools and friends for support.

Many children and young people struggled with changes to their learning environment, and with the impacts the pandemic had on their family life. First-time mental health contacts to Kids Helpline increased 38% in 2020 vs 2019 across all age groups,” Ms Adams said.

Kids Helpline received a significant increase in the volume of children and young people aged 5-9 years of age seeking support during 2020 with an 80% increase compared to the same time in 2019.

“Young people in the 5 12 age group tell us they experience issues ranging from anxiety, problems sleeping, online addiction, anger issues or mood swings through to self-harm, eating disorders, depression and thoughts of suicide.

Tracy Adams said: “Young people’s concerns highlight the need for an ongoing commitment to support their mental health and wellbeing beyond the pandemic so that today’s young people are equipped with the information and tools to manage their mental health early on in their journey to adulthood.”

Kids Helpline has responded to a greater number of children and young people in 2020 across all age cohorts as a direct result of the additional counsellor resourcing of the service. With more 100 additional counsellors recruited over the past 12 months.

In addition to direct support, Kids Helpline holds a unique data set and qualitative information on different issues faced by the children and young people who contact us,” Ms Adams said.

“Many may not realise that Kids Helpline also works as an important public advocate for young people, using non-identifying data we give voice to the concerns, needs and aspirations of your people.

“Kids Helpline continuously listens and seeks to understand youth perspectives. We believe it is an important part of our role to use every means at our disposal to effectively support and promote the protection of young people,” says Ms Adams

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AUSTRALIA KIDS HELPLINE’S BLACKTOWN HUB CELEBRATES MULTIPLE MILESTONES Author: Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women The Kids Helpline counselling centre in Western Sydney is on track to respond to an extra 18,000 contacts during its first year of operation, thanks to a $5.5 million investment from the NSW Government.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the Blacktown hub, which employs 30 professional counsellors dedicated to taking calls from children and young adults in NSW, has already responded to 14,528 contacts since its opening in April last year.

“It’s been a really tough year, especially for children and young people, which is why we’re making sure that no matter where they live, support services are ready and available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Mrs. Taylor said.

“We’re building a safer, stronger NSW and having a bricks and mortar presence in Western Sydney means that Kids Helpline now has a physical hub for creating better local connections with communities and services all across the state.”

Between March and September 2020, Kids Helpline answered 35,403 calls and online chats from children and young people living in NSW, an increase of 33% on the same period last year.

Mrs. Taylor said the increased capacity is also helping ensure children and young people can connect with the same counsellor over a period of time.

“Being able to speak to the same person on the end of the line week in, week out is so important for building that trusted relationship and making that help-seeking behaviour we want to encourage feel really normal,” Mrs. Taylor said. yourtown CEO Tracy Adams said she looks forward to another year of supporting children and young people.

“Kids Helpline is not only celebrating its first year of operation here, we are also celebrating a milestone of 30 years of dedicated service to children and young people,” Ms Adams said.

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AUSTRALIA Kids Helpline Counsellor ‘Indy’ is passionate about understanding young people and what has shaped or motivated them to become the person that they are today.

“For many young people, trusting others with their story and deepest parts of their life can be difficult for many reasons, however, when they get to a place where they are comfortable and feel safe enough to share this with me, I feel privileged,” she said.

“They are often able to express positive and constructive ways to work towards solutions when offered the opportunity to do so.”

Kids Helpline, a service of yourtown, is Australia’s only free, confidential 24 hours, seven days a week phone and online counselling service for young people aged five to 25.

Support can be accessed by a free call 1800 55 1800 or by visiting www.kidshelpline.com.au.

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NEW ZEALAND DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, MANGERE EAST DLS MANGERE SERVE THE LEAST, THE LAST AND LOST Author: De La Salle College, Mangere East Recently, Lasallian brothers at De La Salle College Mangere East volunteered for the Red Cross, a non-profit organisation that focuses on giving back to the community, and aligns with our Lasallian values of serving ‘the least, the last and lost’.

The students at De La Salle Mangere enjoyed giving back and helping those who are less fortunate.

The students learnt to be grateful for the little things in life, and be thankful for food, clothes and the roof over their heads.

“We should not always take things for granted and think of the struggles that others are going through. We encourage the boys also to take part in service, and helping the community, as we are all one.” Mr Apuda.

MINISTRY AND MISSION @ DLS MANGERE Author: Kane Raukura, Lasallian Facilitator at De La Salle College Mangere East Dear Lasallian family, we can give thanks for the beautiful gift of community and that our lives have been blessed with some much-needed normality over the last few weeks. This opportunity has allowed our students and staff at De La Salle College to be able to once more participate in activities that promote our unique charism and Catholic character. Seven staff were able to take a road trip down to Francis Douglas Memorial College (FDMC) in New Plymouth. Here they were hosted by the kind staff of FDMC, and attended a special programme called ‘Heritage II’. This programme is designed for new staff to Lasallian schools, and enables them to grow in their understanding around our history and traditions. The seven staff greatly enjoyed themselves, and found the time away rewarding and enriching

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NEW ZEALAND As well as staff, we have also had students away on ‘Lasallian Leadership Training’ at John Paul College in Rotorua. With 11 keen young souls meeting in the early morning hours, and departing the college at 6am, I accompanied them down along with Mr Matthew Apuda (Campus Minister). We were both impressed with their participation and personal insights during the presentations and discussions.

The students represented the school well, and were exceptionally behaved. During the course, they were able to listen to motivational speakers who were alumni of John Paul College, and who had integrated their ‘Lasallian leadership’ into their personal lives and careers, which were all quite impressive and successful. The students came away inspired, and more connected to the ideas of service, inclusivity and social justice.

I ask Our Lord to bless our students and keep them safe over the two-week break. Thank you once again for entrusting your sons to our care. It is a privilege and honour.

Live Jesus in our hearts!

LUNCHTIME MASS INTRODUCED AT DLS MANGERE De La Salle College Mangere East has introduced lunchtime Masses in 2021. This new time is proving to be a lot more flexible for students who cannot get to school early.

The Thursday Mass is to be hosted by all classes starting with year 7 and 8. Student’s will develop key skills like organisation and public speaking. Each Mass will take place in the chapel and will be presided over by Father Martin Wu. “As a student who attended Mass, I can confidently say that it was superb.” Lucas Vaaga .

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NEW ZEALAND FRANCIS, DOUGLAS MEMORIAL COLLEGE, NEW PLYMOUTH “GOD, GROWTH, GRATITUDE”- A LASALLIAN PRINCIPAL REFLECTS Words to summarize twelve years of leadership and career can be devilishly hard to choose. For Martin Chamberlain, the first lay principal of Francis Douglas College (FDMC), New Plymouth, NZ, these three words encapsulated for him values, relationships and the broad perspective.

Named after a local Columban priest who died a heroic death during the Second World War, the school is a state-integrated Catholic day and boarding college, owned by the De La Salle Brothers, who founded it sixty years ago. With the withdrawal of Brothers in 2009, Martin was appointed Principal. Born, as he says, “a cradle Catholic”, he is a true Kiwi, of sheep- farming stock from Orawia, Western Southland. He was educated as a boarding student under the Rosminian and Mercy St. Peter’s College, Gore. As for career, Martin “was greatly influenced by many talented teachers during my formative years. It was natural for me to turn to teaching as a vocation”. One core teaching value he narrates as important for him is “social formation”, which he engendered in his previous stints as a principal, and recently, over his 12 leadership years at FDMC. His role has taught him that “kindness and love are important. The power you have should be used for empowerment not dominance, and you can be successful only if you are part of a team to which you are kind, loyal and hard-working. If you are fortunate, they will respond in kind”.

Martin’s clear values have developed in crafting education for “strong Christian Lasallians” in a school which proclaims Faith, Service and Community. Lasallian pedagogy highlights, the school website says, Faith, Respect, Inclusivity, Quality Education and Awareness of Social Justice Needs. He believes that students can voice these values, and that the ‘Lasallian charism’ is “logical to the mind and amenable to the heart”. From his standpoint, the departure of the Brothers after 50 years produced grieving, “a real sense of loss, a nostalgia that was both real and often idealized”.

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NEW ZEALAND The change was at times prolonged and gruelling: the support of Boards, Brothers and some staff resulted in a transition that was ultimately unifying, and productive of healthy and proud community. Strategic leadership and collaboration aided the process.

In terms of relationships also, from 2009, he has seen the young men of Francis Douglas develop to be “more rounded, more reasonable creatures, who see their teachers as helpful fellow pilgrims in the world of learning. Our students are kinder, more globally aware and concerned, and more attuned to the feelings of others”. He points to their resilience. Part of this character is FDMC’s ‘Special Character’ as a Catholic institution and its Lasallian dimension. On a larger purview, Martin believes that, in the rapidly changing world, schools have maybe lost a love of learning in the rush for qualification credits. Education has moved too far from a strong knowledge base to IT and the skills domain. New Zealand education, a complex world, has experienced “faddish lurches” and the “latest silver bullet”. But “young people are wonderful!”

A rejuvenating break with family and celebrations, with possibilities of new opportunities awaits Martin, as he hands over to Mr. Tim Stuck to lead the 790-strong student cohort, of whom 120 board in La Salle House in the city of New Plymouth.

PASSING THE BATON AT FRANCIS DOUGLAS, WITH DEDICATION Anna Zsigovits-Mace, Director of Religious Studies reported from New Plymouth, N.Z. that “Wednesday 10th February 2021 was a very auspicious day for Francis Douglas Memorial College. On this day, we dedicated ourselves to the new school year. As always, we acknowledged and blessed our Year 13 cohort as the big brothers of the school. We also presented our Year 13 Leadership Team with their badges, but this year we had the pleasure of blessing our new Tumuaki.

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NEW ZEALAND “The blessing was made even more special with the members of Mr. Stuck’s family surrounding him, as they will tautoko him in this new role. (After) a blessing from Fr Vui Hoang and the whole school community, Sir Br Pat Lynch then welcomed Tim into his role on behalf of the De La Salle Brothers. After the homily our Student Leaders were presented with their badges before our Lasallian Captain, Jackson Powell, spoke to the school”.

The new Principal, Mr. Tim Stuck comes from sterling Taranaki stock. His father, his brothers and he are all Ex-Students of the College; his son is following the tradition. Having a degree in Sports Science, he was approached to teach Physical Education and Health at Francis Douglas, while gaining post-graduate qualifications in teaching. A wider view of life was acquired during a three-year teaching stint in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders, as well as more recently completing a Master’s in Lasallian Leadership at St. Mary’s Minnesota, USA. For Tim, there is an everyday enjoyment in teaching; education is-enabling others to reach their full potential, and knowing them as individual persons. Relationships have always been my focus in education.

Service, empowerment and building community are core component of a school leader for him. “To provide a climate that enables leadership, direction and co-ordination within the school. Clear vision of where we want to go as a community. Making sure we have effective educational programmes to promote effective teaching and learning. Of course, this requires us to be ‘e waka eke noa’, that is, all in this together”.

What is the new Principal’s vision, in terms of relationships? It includes the provision for every student to excel and reach his potential. The primary goal for this well-admired Taranaki school is to produce young men “who care and are kind, (that) add value to society -men of character”. The entrance sign - ‘Enter to learn, leave to serve’-sets the scene about who Francis Douglas people are, and what they stand for.

Another of Tim’s goals is to create greater connections with Old Boys, as a College of sixty plus years. He sees that the College is building on its history: Francis Douglas is a “meaningful place, not just for the elite, but, more importantly, for the ‘ordinary boy’”, a place where the Lasallian ethos lives “extensive brotherhood”.

The new Principal is proud of that learning to serve and being brothers to each other.

A theme for this year is the Lasallian principle of ‘Quality Education’, which each engages in, and which one is accountable for in one’s own sphere. This means maintaining high standards. Time will also be set aside to keep up his love of rugby and surfing.

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NEW ZEALAND TEACHERS AS LIFE-LONG LEARNERS Tony Williams, the newly-appointed Deputy Principal at Francis Douglas (FDMC), New Plymouth, fits the type of teacher who sees life as a fruitful field of learning. Coming from a family of two teachers, he knows the craft and the creativity needed in educating youth today.

The Taranaki provincial capital and College have been the home of several staff. Tony grew up in the city, and attended Francis Douglas, as do his two sons Fletcher and Ewan. He took up the teaching profession shortly after completing school. The experienced success, teaching students during a Sports and Recreation course, led to Waikato University and completion of his bachelor of education degree.

After serving in primary education for some time, as well as experience in schools in Scotland, he decided to apply for the deputy position at his old College.

Tony himself speaks of the impact that the College had on him as a 13-year-old boy, the “level of care” he was given as he transitioned in his family life. He mentions, of course, the enjoyment of rugby, and his old coach, Br. Will Harnett. There was also the hook of current family members and friends being present in the school.

Critical for him is learning what are the needs of the teaching staff, and the expressed desires of the students.

The important role of a Deputy Principal includes, for Tony, his strengths of organisation and pastoral care.

Critical for him is learning what are the needs of the teaching staff, and the expressed desires of the students.

“A 15-year-old boy is no different (in many ways) to a younger child”. What is required is “a listening ear”. As for discipline, it is working within the structure, already functioning, with the Deans of the various year levels.

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NEW ZEALAND What are the distinctive features of Francis Douglas College? For Tony, it is how well teachers know their students, and the huge support of the staff for each other. In terms of curriculum, “Gateway”, funded for 50 places, allows FDMC students to mix school with workplace learning and experience, delivering accreditation for national trade certificates. In addition, the Taranaki Trades Academy can be accessed to further a vocational qualification.

Tony Williams is fired to “working with others to achieve common goals”, including seeing the development of the whole person of students. It sounds like a commitment that progresses over time, that one keeps learning in life.

“DELIVERING BOYS TO MEN” - A PRINCIPAL’S REFLECTION Author: Tim Stuck, Principal, Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth There are many challenges and rewards when we look at the journey of our young men in our care.

Adolescent males are highlighted in the media for many of the wrong reasons, and society often treats teenage males negatively, until they have at least passed their adolescent years.

At Francis Douglas Memorial College, boys have been our core business for over 60 years. Our mission statement is focused on educating students for life by providing ‘a human and Christian education’. Our hope is to navigate things that can hold young males back, and provide them with a hope-filled future.

There are factors which hold young men back from reaching their potential and our Catholic Lasallian College seeks to address these and prepare our boys to be “Good College Men”.

Our focus this year is on the core Lasallian value - ‘Quality Education’. We seek to deliver the students towards success by focusing on the following:

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NEW ZEALAND •

Raising literacy across every year level.

•

Emphasis on creating good college men, by involvement in extracurricular activities e.g. music groups, sports teams, kapa haka, special character groups. This face-to-face interaction is critical for growing stronger communities.

•

Strengthening their self-management skills, to prepare them for everyday College life and beyond our school gates.

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The expectation that every boy must be suitably qualified to enter tertiary study or access the Career Pathway Programme to pursue employment, supported by our well-staffed Careers and Guidance Department.

•

The value of respect for all staff, students and families. Being a man of service to others trumps the focus on self.

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Regular prayer and Catholic and Lasallian rituals to give young men the opportunity for internal reflection.

There are many additional ways that boys grow into fine young men at Francis Douglas Memorial College.

The holistic approach to education we provide enables opportunities for our young men to reach their own excellence, their own potential. While society and the media tend to zoom in on the negatives around adolescent males, we constantly look to how we can celebrate and raise the profile of our “Good College Men,” so that they become men of faith, men of service and men who add value to our community.

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NEW ZEALAND JOHN PAUL COLLEGE, ROTORUA

Seventeen years as a successful Principal of a large secondary school is noteworthy. Add to that a high profile in Catholic and national education in Aotearoa New Zealand and you sense the achievement of Patrick Walsh, currently Principal of John Paul College Rotorua. His long stepping up to speak on many educational issues and developments shows a creative mind and broad commitment.

In 2019, Patrick was elected by his peers to the National Teachers Council. The Minister of Education subsequently appointed him the Deputy Chair. The recognition of leadership came from his extremely broad activity in teacher education, in teaching professional bodies and in advocacy with Government. He notes that his interest and engagement in national education leadership roles began when the De La Salle Brothers appointed him as the Deputy Principal of De La Salle College Mangere over 28 years ago. At that point a N.Z. teachers’ council, to which he was elected, was just forming. Teachers and senior managers then were concerned about disciplinary processes and initial teacher training.

Thus began some decades of raising issues in Wellington government circles which he mentions in a PPTA News interview recently: issues like strong advocacy for teachers, and a high benchmark for pre-service training entry. In the late 1980’s Patrick’s return to study in laws- while teaching, led to his admission as a barrister and solicitor with honours qualifications, and a growing interest in education law. He began giving seminars to teachers on the “legal fish-hooks they face”.

His later Masters in education led to increasing involvement in professional bodies. He was chosen at various times, the N.Z. Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand, the Schools International Education Business Association, and The Australia New Zealand Education Law Association (N.Z. Chapter). In 15 years, he has published/co-authored nine books largely on education law.

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NEW ZEALAND More locally, Patrick was appointed the Principal of John Paul College Rotorua in 2003. He perceived his new role as requiring much work to change staff morale, community perceptions and number of students 635 at that time, and now 1200 with a waiting list. It is now the largest co-educational Catholic school in New Zealand. The years 2015-17 saw him as Executive Principal and Project Leader of an innovative educational network of a “Faith-Based Community of Learning” involving nine Catholic regional schools. There have been leading achievements of students in decile 7 results, development of infrastructure, and personal leadership reviews over several recent years. Programs have included initiating scholarships with business funding, and mentoring Maori and Pacifika students.

It could be affirmed that in the Lasallian philosophy of education, John Baptist, in France, put a premium on educating his teachers, and raising their status- all for the benefits of their students. In 2019, Patrick was conferred as an Affiliated Member of the De La Salle Brothers in continuing the Lasallian ethos at John Paul College and previously in Mangere.

“I would strongly encourage all Catholic and La Sallian School principals to seek out national leadership opportunities when they arise. It is very much a form of ‘service’ in the La Sallian tradition. Our very own Founder, in fact, was a very politically astute and a strategic lobbyist.”

The national leadership challenge, Patrick says, he now passes on to others. “Rather than lament and criticize Government policies and regulations”, he urges teachers to “bring a professional and practical voice to political decision-making”.

“There is nothing more worthwhile and inspiring than to be able to shape and influence the lives of young people. At times it is very challenging, but ultimately rewarding to see students emerge from school well qualified, confident and seeking to make a positive difference in the world.”

Pursuing excellence in the classroom within a high-trust environment and empowerment of teachers are Patrick’s goals, and a drive for Lasallians.

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NEW ZEALAND “HE ORA TE WHAKAPIRI : THERE IS STRENGTH IN UNITY”- SHARING LEARNING AT JOHN PAUL COLLEGE ROTORUA. Authors: Paulene Walsh, JP College Rotorua / Br Gary Wilson Paulene Walsh reports that in November 2015 a faith-based “Kahui Ako” was established to develop a connected, collaborative community of Catholic schools in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. The “Forest Hub” includes the secondary John Paul College, primary schools St Mary’s and St Michael’s Rotorua, Bishop Edward Gains Tokoroa and St Mary’s Putaruru. The “Seaside Hub” is Aquinas Secondary School Tauranga, St Thomas More Mount Maunganui, Suzanne Aubert Papamoa, St Joseph’s Opotiki (opened February 2021), and St Mary’s Tauranga.

This “Community of Learning” sees many initiatives and shared learning benefits.

The Executive Summary describes the “Kahui Ako encompassing a web of interconnected pathways which support the journey of our tamariki from early childhood to tertiary, and beyond to the workforce. Every educator walking alongside our tamariki has an integral role on the journey and is part of the life of each child”. The network has been strengthened in several ways. One way has been the strong relationships of the Principals, and the commitment of the Catholic schools. Another is teachers dedicating time, travel and sharing resources. A third is utilising the Rotorua Ministry of Education Vocational Pathways programs which link into tertiary and trades education. (The primary schools are seeking connections with business partners within their local communities).

Paulene reports that the Ministry of Education in Rotorua has been available, and very keen to support the growth via attention to the cluster’s data, resources and networks. Rotorua Energy Trust has been keen to support and provide sponsorship to its Rotorua Whanau (families). RECT has promised to provide funding for professional development in 2021. “It has provided funding for schools for the last 30 years - an amazing legacy”.

Naturally, there have been some problems with different primary and secondary processes and pedagogies, documentation for funding etc. Despite these issues, the vision is “to know the educational thumbprint of each and every child. Once we know this, and each student’s story, we can’t help but to succeed”. Learning support for co- ordinators was rolled out February 2020. One big focus for 2021 is cultural inclusiveness.

The Founder knew a lot about “Association”, finding patrons for funding, and pastoral concern. As Paulene says: “John Baptist de La Salle understood the value of education and aroha (love): ‘To touch the hearts of young people is the greatest and long-lasting miracle we can perform’”.

Kia Kaha, Kia Maia, Kia Manawanui (Be Strong, Be Brave, and Be Steadfast).

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NEW ZEALAND JOHN PAUL COLLEGE ROTORUA: SIGNUM FIDEI COMMUNITY 2021 Author: Bernadette Fredricksen: Co-ordinator of the JPC Signum Fidei community.

To begin 2021, members of the John Paul College Signum Fidei community held their annual Retreat at the Tyburn Monastery. The Monastery is situated 37 kilometres out of Rotorua, provides the ideal environment for prayer and reflection. We were fortunate that Brother Jack Iremonger from the Mangere community was able to join us for the day. Our Retreat began with Mass and following morning tea, we discussed and reviewed our activities during 2020, in particular, the very first JPC La Salle Camp for Year 7/8 girls. Amid the challenges we faced with COVID-19 and the eventual Lockdown, we were still able to engage with families.

So, we agreed to continue with this plan in 2021.

Following our meeting, we had a shared lunch. In the afternoon, we had time to wander the beautiful gardens and Monastery environs, while reflecting on the following meditations from St John Baptist De La Salle.

“If you want to fulfil your ministry, lead the children you teach with zeal, and teach them to be kind to one another, compassionate, mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven them.”

“What good is it to profess faith without practising it? Such faith has no power to save one, has it? What good is it then, to teach your disciples the truths of the faith if you do not teach them to practise it? For faith without works is dead. Take special care to help them put these virtues into practice.”

Our final session for the Retreat was a time of sharing. As the co-ordinator of the community, I continued to be uplifted by the members of our Signum Fidei community who dedicate many hours of their time, (often unseen) to those students and families who are on the margins. This year we will continue to work with those who have experienced hardship through COVID-19.

I commend also our wider JPC community who have generously answered the call and donated funds which will support projects such as lunches in schools, purchasing uniforms and stationery items, and sponsoring camps and sporting fees.

Our community continues to grow, with several new members. We look forward to further meetings scheduled for this year, where we will meet for prayer and fellowship.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS IN PNG

Author: Br David Hawke On this day 75 years ago Brothers Patrick Howard, Celsus McGuire, Lucian Thorpe and Anthony Broderick arrived at Bomana having travelled from Australia. They would not have imagined in 1946 how the Lasallian mission would grow all over Papua New Guinea as we witness now in 2021. They would not have imagined let alone used the term “Lasallian Family”, but I am sure they would take great pride in you, the Lasallian family and your various ministries right across Papua New Guinea. They would not have imagined in 1946 that what were known as “Brothers’ Schools” would become “Lasallian Schools” but they would take great pride in the fact that Lasallian Schools in Papua New Guinea now embrace the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of education. They would take great pride in the fact that there is a National Office of the Lasallian Family that resources Lasallian across the country.

While the pioneering Brothers would take great pride in Lasallian Education in your country today, the entire Lasallian Family has every reason also to take pride in its achievements and successes down through the years. One has only to look at publications like “Mambu”, “Journal La Salle” and “Lasallian Outlook” to see a record of the Lasallian Mission in Papua New Guinea and the contribution of the Lasallian Family.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA The final chapter of Brothers’ Rule is titled “Brothers Today”. A section of it reads: “The life and development of the Institute depend above all on the mystery and the power of grace. But by the gift of freedom, the Lord wanted to put the destiny of the Institute into the hands of the Brothers. At the heart of the Lasallian Family, the Brothers are a source of inspiration for all Lasallians who increasingly share the mission and the charism of the Institute. (Rule 154)” As you reflect on 75 years, I am sure you will name Brothers who have been “a source of inspiration for all Lasallians.” And today we thank God for them and especially for those Brothers who were pioneers in the various schools, not to forget that Mrs. Bernadette Ove as far as I know was the first lay woman pioneer of a Lasallian school in Papua New Guinea.

Except for one ministry in the country, the leadership is now very much in the hands of committed Lasallian Partners who build so admirably on the foundations laid by the pioneering Brothers. The Lasallian Family now not only shares “the mission and charism of the Institute” but has taken responsibility for it. The structures in place across the country for the Lasallian Family under the leadership of Grace Wrakia and the Papua New Guinea Sector Mission Council have the responsibility now to ensure the viability and vitality of the Lasallian Education Mission in Papua New Guinea supported by the District Lasallian Mission Council and the services of Lasallian Mission Services.

On this day when the Lasallian Family celebrates 75 years, I congratulate each of you for your contribution to the “human and Christian” education of young people and others acknowledging that in a spirit of faith and zeal you face many challenges. The District appreciates who you are and the gifts that you share.

Live Jesus in our hearts.

LASALLIAN PRESENCE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEAN EDUCATION “Their approach to students is gentle and their commitment to teaching is exemplary”.

Education had expanded greatly as Christian missionaries came to Papua and New Guinea in 19th century.

The De La Salle Mission in Papua New Guinea began briefly in 1914 when three Germans ran a school in New Britain. Australian Brothers came in 1946, at the request of Bishop de Boismenu, and were soon running a teachers’ college for catechists on Yule Island, and later a secondary boarding school in Bereina.

Today, many city students live in poor settlement communities which have no access to basic amenities such as electricity and running water. Youth come from broken families and difficult circumstances. In remote provinces, there are often primary schools only, to which students might walk long distances from their villages. Catholic education comprises about 27% of the total national education system.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA Currently, Brothers and Lay Partners conduct De La Salle College Bomana (from 1964), educating 1200 boys. De La Salle Technical College Hohola, founded in 1993, caters for 720 female and male students, unable to progress past Grade 9. They are often from struggling settlement families. Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, founded in 2000, one of the top academic schools in the nation, is a vibrant Lasallian school of 1200 co-educated students. All are in Port Moresby. In these three Christian schools, the Lasallian call to prayer is universal. Lasallian youth ministers and student leaders work with their peers to instil a sense of community, and an outreach service in the local community. Teachers are encouraged to take on the five Lasallian principles of education, including a strong pastoral relationship of teacher-to-student. Over the years, up to 8 Filipino Brothers, several Indian Brothers and 3 Pakistani Brothers have given service, as well as many Australians. There are 3 Papua New Guinean Brothers.

Lasallian impact on teacher training continues at Mt. Hagen and Moresby Teachers Colleges, promoting a Lasallian spirit. At Holy Trinity Teachers College in Mt. Hagen of 300 students, there is an active group of Lasallians as lecturers, with the Principal a strong advocate. They recently established a Catholic Students Association on campus, and there is a Young Lasallian Ministry established now. The induction program for new teachers includes Lasallian pedagogy, and the Lasallian prayer starts and ends all classes. Every month Lasallians from the province primary schools meet. There is a Brothers Community on campus.

At Sacred Heart Teachers’ College, there are a good number of lecturers who have had Lasallian formation and inductions. There, a community of lay Lasallians and a Brother continue to teach, pray and witness within the campus, which has three other religious order traditions as well. There is an annual Lasallian Induction that takes place every year around August and September. The 3rd final-year students are invited to follow a program of 7-10 sessions that inducts them into the “Lasallian Family”.

From these Colleges and schools, the Lasallian spirit and practice has had a phenomenal growth through the “Family” over the last two decades. The National Co-ordinator animates approximately 400 educators across the country, who are members. They teach in all sectors of education in the country - elementary, primary and secondary schools, and include tertiary lecturers, as well as some education department officers. A large number teach solo or in small numbers in remote establishments, appreciating their ‘association’. They are spread over 17 of the 21 provinces, in approximately 82 schools and 3 tertiary or teacher training colleges. Each province has an area co-ordinator.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA Daily, “Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God” is called out in innumerable classrooms around the nation.

Some Area Co-ordinators have seminars, or establish a Lasallian Youth group. There may be pastoral projects in the school. One instance has been a 3-day teachers retreat for a region. As the current National Co-ordinator says: You can identify the charism by observing how these teachers live their lives in their homes, communities and at school. Their approach to students is gentle and their commitment to teaching is exemplary. The Lasallian expressions and ways of prayers are part of their everyday language.

They lead organized activities in their schools; they are vocal on issues that affect the quality of teaching and learning. A good number of these Lasallians are recognised as leaders in their schools, and those who are Catholics, are active members in their parishes and in their dioceses.

The District Lasallian Mission Council in Australia, through its Services personnel, offers formation support to lead teachers and youth ministers. It establishes M.O.U’s with institutions, and creates twinning partners with ANZ schools to help funding and inter-national volunteering.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA THE DE LA SALLE BROTHERS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Beginnings 1946-56 Author: Br. Gary Wilson A big loss to our Sydney schools but the Mission (in Papua New Guinea) is worthy of the best we can send” Today, many city youths live in poor settlement communities have no access to basic amenities such as electricity and running water. As school students, they may come from difficult circumstances or broken families.

In the remoter provinces, there are often one-teacher schools only, to which students might walk long distances from their villages daily. Education is a social and nation-building enterprise.

The Lasallian Mission, Now and Then De La Salle Brothers from four countries, with PNG teachers, run a Catholic educational network operating in three schools in the NCD, two Catholic teacher training colleges in Boroko and Mt. Hagen and numerous town and village schools.

Christian priest missionaries had come to Papua and New Guinea in the 19th century, established “missions” and trained young lay men, to teach and nurture Christianity in their village stations. A De La Salle Mission had begun briefly in 1914, when three German Brothers ran a school in German New Britain. It was aborted by 1921. An unknown source by Br. John Cleary numbers a possibly exaggerated 216 Catholic catechists by 1932! From the 1920’s, Archbishop de Boismenu, MSC, an Old-Boy of the Brothers, had persisted in asking for Brothers for his Papuan Vicariate. Finally, in 1946, his successor had agreement that four Australian Brothers would re-establish an Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (O.L.S.H) Sisters’ school at Bomana, to train young men as Christian catechists and teachers in the village schools.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA shows him as a benign man who sent back, on his return to base, photos, a reading lamp and letters from Sisters’ relatives. His Council (senior advising Brothers) were unanimous in the decision to establish a foreign mission. There was a “helter-skelter of preparations,” said Br. Christian in his manuscript history - tools of all sorts, medical supplies, a violin!, books and fly-wire, tropical clothing and church supplies, including 4 statues. Tons of stores, donated by the Brothers, went with the pioneers from Sydney.

The Pioneers These Australian Brothers were led by Patrick Howard (Director), an experienced school principal, university-educated, and an admired spiritual man of 29 years.

Br. Anthony Broderick had background in agriculture, while Br. Lucian Thorpe’s strength was in the technical field. Lastly, Br. Celsus Maguire, a musician, was a solid classroom teacher. They arrived in Port Moresby on January 19, 1946, to be greeted by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) priests.

Bomana Foundation, 1946 The Mission school aimed to be more than academic training for young catechists. Phillip Cahill, a former Brother, wrote in his history that “given that these young men-students would become co-workers with the missionaries at the village level, they would get also some basic technical and agricultural training. The early days for the Brothers, (starting school on 25 February), were demanding: adjusting to the climate and the new students”. The school, 17 km. from Port Moresby, was located close to the Laloki River and there was ample opportunity for developing both crops and livestock.

Br. Benignus had pointed out, that in matters relating to their Rule, the Brothers would be totally independent.

Financially, however, the Brothers would be supported by the Vicariate in accommodation and normal daily needs. This agreement had to be re-stated by the Brothers, who found that the promises of transport, school equipment, building material never eventuated.

It must be remembered that this was a religious venture into the unknown. In one of his letters dated 25 September, 1945, Br. Benignus urges the Brothers, says Phillip Cahill, to “ regard this work as the first contribution of our Australian Province towards the advancement of the cause of Christ in the mission fields. Keep this work before the minds of the pupils and make them interested in it.”

The Brothers live in a community with a recognised Rule of life: “This work will demand great faith, zeal and a spirit of sacrifice, for without these dispositions our efforts would be in vain”.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA Huge Problems Difficulties piled up. Most of the 83 “students” were from two Sisters’ schools, some in their twenties, and of mixed race. They found the upper primary syllabus too hard, and the afternoon work program was not to their liking. The site itself, said Br. Columban, writing later “was still a wilderness. There were three galvanised iron buildings riddled with Japanese bullet-holes; bare interior and grass all round from 3 to 10(!) feet in height.

Desolation”.

The site was an agricultural lease of 300 acres with a double-storeyed boys’ boarding /school block, as well as the 3 main buildings. Materials needed to put things on a steady basis were largely “obtained”, relates Cahill, through means described by Br. Lucian as “scrounging” -dismantling buildings, and relocating the materials to the school from the surrounding dumps and abandoned camps, left after the end of the war.

“Each morning there was school work, but in the afternoon the trucks (of boys and Brothers) would go to the army camps to see what could be picked up”. The lack of promised help from technical Mission personnel may well have been the MSC men misunderstanding that the Brothers, being laymen, would be essentially skilled labourers, as well as educators.

Despite the grand plans, it was obvious to Br. Patrick that “the first year was all trial and error”. The Brothers had little cultural immersion (re local customs, mentality and educational methods). There was no ‘practice school’ for would-be teachers, and the attractions of life and jobs in the nearby capital were strong. The first year of teaching was at primary level.

Yet the ingenuity, self-reliance and drive of the new missionaries stood them in good stead. Br. Patrick was a fine administrator, a country boy, one of 16 children, and was soon asked to be the educational advisor of the Bishop. The Brothers integrated well into the expatriate Australian community; and the OLSH Sisters and the native Handmaids of the Lord Sisters (A.D.) were friends and a great support.

A startling development came when the new Bishop Sorin decided in later 1947 to transfer the school to Yule Island, 104 km off the coast, and the centre of his Vicariate. In obedience to their Provincial’s agreement, “with some reluctance”, said Br. John Clearly, they began the dismantling and packing of valuable items to be transported. After typical delays, the move was made in early 1948.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA have a minimum of schooling and a large dose of manual work”. The site was a “thorn-covered area”. The builder-teachers had to survey, plan, clear and build! Brs. Patrick and Celsus with groups of boys went to the mainland to bring back milled timber. Effectively they stayed there for 3 months, felling trees with the help of MSC brothers’ advice. A Brothers’ house was begun in April, when Br. Lucian returned after 7 months away with tropical diseases; it was serviceable by year’s end. By December 1949, there was still no “This work will demand great faith, zeal and a spirit of sacrifice, for without these dispositions our efforts would be in vain.” catechist class, as no boys were advanced enough to begin teacher training. Gradually, the training developed, following the Queensland syllabus, until the local Education Department issued its first certificates in 1956, including some Yule Island boys. One graduated catechist, Joseph Apini, wrote back to the Brothers in 1955: “If I am really called by Jesus Christ, no doubt he will give me the grace to do what he wants me to do for Him”.

A True Teachers College By 1952 a whole compound of Brothers’ house, classroom block, shower area, toilets and dining room was completed, as well as roads around the College. In 1959, an inspection by Mr. G.S. Crouch said: “I have been able to appreciate an efficiently run school(it) easily qualifies for registration A good school”. The little College began a correspondence course to upgrade older village teachers, but lack of facilities, long travel distances and irregular mail services lessened its success. Short refresher courses in catechetics, Church history, grammar etc. did raise catechists’ standards. Br. Patrick, and later Br. Patrick McInerney and Br. Columban MacDonald led a fine enterprise, the last-named upgrading scholastic and sporting facilities.

Consolidation, resourcing and huge energies had overcome huge obstacles, a result of the great religious “zeal and true Aussie grit and ‘bloody-mindedness’ “. (Cahill) In the early 1950’s a young Mekeo man from Egefa Village was attracted to pursue the vocation of a De La Salle Brother. Consequently, Peter Keaga made the long journey to the De La Salle Training College at Castle Hill, Sydney. His religious and teacher training over 7 years bore fruit in his return as a Brother to his compatriots. In addition, several students of the Brothers proceeded to the minor seminary at Ulapia near Rabaul, to pursue studies leading to the priestly vocation.

There were also valued co-workers of the Brothers too. One such person whose name stands out prominently was Mr. Francis Hau of Tsiria Village on Yule Island, whose commitment to the Brothers as a carpenter saw him continue to work with the Brothers on Yule Island, and then later on to Mainohana in Bereina.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA He eventually retired sometime in the late 1990s due to old age. Mr. Francis Hau was made a ‘Benefactor of the Institute’ in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the support of the Education Mission of the DLS Brothers. (Cahill) After the first decade the De La Salle vision and work was bearing fruit!

Sources: Cahill, Philip: A Short History of the De La Salle Brothers in Papua New Guinea, 1914-2003 (2003) Cleary, Br. John: Clipper Cleary- An Autobiography (2007) De La Salle Brothers (ANZPPNG). Archives (esp. work of Br. Anthony Moore) Donovan, Peter: For Youth and the Poor- The De la Salle Brothers1906-2000 (2001) Moe, Br. Christian: De La Salle Brothers Papua New Guinea 1946- (1996)

MISSION ALIVE!

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, BOMANA JOHN BAPTIST, “PROPHET FOR THE POOR”: LASALLIAN 75 YEARS IN PNG Lasallians gathered at De La Salle Bomana for a Eucharistic `celebration on May 15, to honour the day in 1950, when De La Salle was declared as Patron of All Teachers by Pope Pius XII. Subsequently, the bishops of PNG and the Solomon Islands declared this day to be “Catholic Teachers’ Day” in their two countries. The day also honoured the four pioneer Brothers from Australia, who arrived 75 years ago in PNG. Students, Brothers, teachers and Lasallian Family members were present.

Br. Paul Toohey, himself a long-standing PNG teacher and formator outlined the event. “The Mass was led by Father Justin Nenat SVD (Vicar-General, Archdiocese of Port Moresby) and four concelebrants Fr. Pius To Eure (Secretary of Cardinal Sir John Ribat), Fr John Glynn, Fr. Michael Pakure MSC and Fr. Giorgio Licini PIME (General Secretary, PNGSI)”. Jubilee Catholic College students and staff ably prepared the music and liturgical dance.

De La Salle’s prophetic action, in assuming the work of Christian education to the poor of his town and country, at a time when he already had a comfortable future ahead for himself.

“In his homily, Fr John Glynn, a longtime associate of the Brothers, highlighted De La Salle’s prophetic action, in assuming the work of Christian education to the poor of his town and country, at a time when he already had a comfortable future ahead for himself within the diocese of Rheims”.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA The occasion honoured the pioneer missionaries and the three Brothers buried at Mainohana by a new memorial wall, and a plaque. It was blessed and then unveiled by Mr. Joseph Mainteit, representing the Australian High Commissioner. In his short address, Mr. Mainteit expressed his thanks and admiration on behalf of the Australian Government to the Brothers and Lasallian teachers for their continuous contribution during the past 75 years to the lives of young people and to PNG as a nation.

A generously catered lunch followed, and the opportunity for all to mingle.

DLS BOMANA TO START ACADEMIC YEAR WITH E-LIBRARY Source: Bank South Pacific Students of De La Salle Secondary School outside Port Moresby will commence the 2021 academic year with a fully kitted e-Library - the second of such project by Bank South Pacific under its ‘Digital Inclusiveness’ themed Community Projects in 2020.

CEO Robin Fleming signed the partnership agreement with De La Salle Principal Br Anthony Swamy-Pancras and Telikom Foundation Rep Larry Recks looking on. BSP in partnership with Telikom Foundation and the Lasallian Alumni Association PNG, signed an agreement for the e-Library project rollout at the De La Salle Secondary School on Friday 18th December, 2020.

This project will see students have access to an e-Library network - Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning (or RACHEL) plus Lesson Planner and Content Storage for teachers.

Students will be able to access over 1 million research material and educational sites both on and offline.

Students who have smart phones and are within the radius of the Wi-Fi network can also access the e-Library.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA DLS BOMANA HONOUR THE COUNTRY’S FIRST PRIME MINISTER On Thursday 11 March, De La Salle Secondary School Bomana celebrated the life of ‘The Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare’ who passed away at the age of 84 on 26 February 2021.

With a career that spanned five (sic) years, Sir Michael was the Country’s first prime minister who led Papua New Guinea into independence from Australia in 1975.

Staff and students honoured the founding father with a ceremony highlighting Sir Michael’s accomplishments and achievements. An inspiring video was played in the different languages of the country, encouraging students to continue the legacy of Unity as one People, one Heart and One Nation “true greatness, true leadership in selfless service. his was a life lived to the fullest.”

DE LA SALLE STUDENTS HELPING KEEP SCHOOL CLEAN As students, parents and teachers prepare for the new school year, a group of students from De La Salle Secondary have been residing at the school over the holidays and keeping the school clean.

On Friday, when The National visited the school, students were cutting grass at the side of the road leading into the school.

Team leader Berry Obora, who will be doing grade 11 this year, said the boys had been cleaning all around the school area over the holidays, making sure the school was clean.

He said the nine boys volunteered to be caretakers and cleared the bush outside the school.

Obora said parents and students would be coming back to a clean and tidy environment.

Earlier, principal Br Anthony Pancras said De La Salle Secondary was one of the top-performing schools, and hoped to maintain that this year.

Meanwhile, parents and students were already at the school registering students.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA JUBILEE CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL, HOHOLA JUBILEE WAR CRY Author: Dagia Ma’i-Aka,: Former Lasallian Youth Minister and Jubilee Catholic Secondary School Student Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, Hohola was approached to participate in a National Capital District (NCD) Schools War Cry Competition. A group of interested students was tasked to put together a war cry in a matter of days, find volunteers to be part of the War Cry team, and submit a professional video.

Unfortunately, the competition never eventuated, but the passion and pride of the students at Jubilee is evident in the attached video..

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA SACRED HEART TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, BOMANA PNG CATHOLIC EDUCATORS: 2021 COMMISSIONING MASS Author: Rose Polume, Deputy Principal Academic, Sacred Heart Teachers’ College Papua New Guinea saw educators resuming duties on 25 January, with a Staff week; students commenced on 1 February.

Catholic educators in the Central Province and National Capital District normally have a Commissioning Mass annually, to dedicate the academic year to the guidance of our loving God. On the 29th January 2021, more than 130 educators from the St Margaret, Brown River Primary School and Marienville Secondary joined Lasallian De La Salle Catholic Secondary and Sacred Heart Teachers’ College to celebrate the yearly commissioning at Boroko parish.

The pastoral theme of the Archdiocese - “Striving for our Inner Freedom, Deepening our Faith” - was developed by Fr Mars Oabel, CM, in his spiritual sharing, encouraging all educators to work collaboratively in living out our core values. The Catholic Educators from the various sectors in education were commissioned and reminded of our teaching responsibilities.

We Lasallians continue to be encouraged by our Founder’s words, “Touching the hearts of your students is the greatest miracle one can perform”. As we prepare to take on 2021 after the challenges of the COVID 19 Pandemic, we feel blessed and revitalized to do our best, believing that God will do the rest in our teaching ministries.

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA ROSARY SECONDARY SCHOOL, KONDIU POWER RESTORED AFTER 9 MONTHS OF DARKNESS An incident between Rosary Secondary School students and Papua New Guinea Power employees in July last year sparked the disconnection of power. After nine months of negotiations and relationship building, the much-needed power has been restored.

During the nine months, the school relied on an erratic standby generator as an alternative source of electricity which caused many problems for the school administration and academic operations. The generator eventually stopped working, which resulted in the school closing down.

The Student Representative Council President thanked and apologised to the PNG Power employees for the unacceptable behaviour that sparked the dispute. He further stated that the students learned from their mistakes, and have suffered the consequences. The PNG Power employees accepted their apologies, reconnecting the power in front of the teachers, student leaders, ancillary staff and the school administration.

Tears of joy were exchanged after the restoration event.

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PNG LASALLIAN FAMILY COMMITTED LASALLIANS MEET IN MADANG The Lasallian Family in Madang held its first meeting for 2021 with 17 committed Lasallians in attendance.

The Madang Lasallian family welcomed long-standing committed Lasallians Nelson and Barbara, who attended their first meeting in Madang.

Led by Area Coordinator Schola Hori, the group discussed vital topics associated with providing a ‘human and Christian education’ to young people. Topics included the upcoming National Women’s Symposium, the strength, growth and future of the Lasallian Family, a Strategic Plan, 6th Decade Rosary, development of Youth Groups and financial contributions.

The Lasallian Family in Papua New Guinea is an integral part of the District. At the end of 2020, there were 417 registered members in 17 areas across the country.

In a recent statement, Br David Hawke, Br Visitor, stated: “The pioneering Brothers (Brothers Patrick Howard, Celsus McGuire, Lucian Thorpe and Anthony Broderick) would take great pride in Lasallian education in Papua New Guinea today; the entire Lasallian Family has every reason to take pride in its achievements and successes.

The leadership is now very much in the hands of committed Lasallian Partners who build so admirably on the foundations laid by the pioneering Brothers. The Lasallian Family now not only shares “the mission and charism of the Institute” but has taken responsibility for it...”

Due to the recent COVID-19 lockdown, the next meeting with be held on Saturday 1 May 2021 in Megiar, where members will focus on “the life of the Founder”.

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YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN… Mambu, Mambu, Mambu!

Dear Reader, Looking for some bright days during COVID and lockdowns? Try this latest issue of the Lasallian PNG Family news.

You can sense the massive faith, and the energising zeal of the writers here, leaders with deep conviction about the Lasallian Mission in Papua New Guinea.

The nation of the Bird of Paradise shows its kaleidoscopic colours huge variety of regional commitment, despite distance and cultures. Something for all of us to be proud of, after 75 years.

The Brothers over the years have made the sacrifices and the partnerships, which allow you, Lay Brothers and Sisters to be the leaders for today and tomorrow.

Get cosy, and read on!

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LASALLIAN PRESENCE IN PAKISTANI EDUCATION De La Salle Brothers began a mission in the Punjab of Pakistan in 1960, with the establishment of a high school in the city of Multan, a strong Muslim area. Only 12 of 177 boys were Christian, the rest being Muslim.

Three very experienced foreign Brothers Sri Lankan Br. Oliver, Englishman Br. Stephen Harding and a French Br. Caesar - came from Sri Lanka. Within a year, a second high school was opened at the request of the same bishop in Lyallpur. By 1963, schools and hostels for poor Christian boys were opened in two small villages, and significantly, Brothers started administering the catechist training centre for young Catholic adults at Khushpur. By 1967 a small technical school was opened in Karachi, in Sind Province. Already, Lasallian education was seen as valuable by the Catholic Church.

The predominantly Muslim nation demanded Muslims to be educated. (A large number of other Christian and government schools catered for the better-off classes). Muslim boys’ fees could sustain the two English-Medium city schools, but the Brothers’ three Urdu-Medium schools and hostels were catering for about 1,000 “poor low-caste” Christian boys, according to a visiting Superior Brother. The calibre of the Brothers’ training, their dedicated zeal and the flow of manpower from Colombo were key factors for success.

The Catholic Church’s Vatican II Council ensured that focus on disadvantaged youth with a deep respect and openness to the local culture were hallmarks as the 1970’s-1990’s proceeded. War, nationalisation of schools, discrimination towards minority Christians were all weathered.

A striking achievement from the 1990’s has been catering for marginalised Christian youth, and increasingly girls. Brothers have always administered La Salle Urdu High School Faisalabad, Alban’s Boys and Girls High School Multan and La Salle Khushpur. “Sister Schools” (previously “supervised Schools”) are fully conducted

by Lay Partners, usually with a supervising Brother Principal on a part-time basis. Those at Gokhuwal and Sant Singh Wala, both out of Faisalabad, are thriving under female lay Principals. Both enrol and promote female students in the main. There is a primary school St. Solomon’s Ahmadabad and a mainly boys’ secondary school at Malkhanwala.

Over the last ten years, as Pakistan joined the District of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, greater emphasis has been placed on the vast number of lay colleagues in the schools, on resourcing professional development of Brothers and Partners, and on improving infrastructure and teaching conditions.

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PAKISTAN The increasing numbers of the more disadvantaged Christian students in the English-Medium schools have continued in La Salle High School and College Faisalabad and La Salle Higher Secondary school Multan.

In 2019 the Brothers took over administration of 700-strong St. Joseph’s English High School, Gujranwala, out of Lahore.

The Lasallian Sector is served by 20-odd Brothers and 570 Lay Partners in thirteen institutions. Its strengths include a recognised principle of religious inclusivity and harmony between Muslims and Christians. There is a movement towards strategic planning via a Mission Council, and growth of youth ministry at local and inter-school levels. Two critical goals are leadership formation of middle-management in administration, and continued emphasis on the education of girls, severely disadvantaged in the schools system. A shining light, too, is the enduring commitment to lead the St. Albert’s National Catechists’ Training Centre, with upward of 100 students, in Khushpur. The Lasallian Mission Council provides some professional education, as well as promoting a ‘twinning’ program with Australian and New Zealand schools.

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ST. ALBERT’S CATECHETICAL TRAINING CENTRE, KHUSHPUR GO AND SPREAD GOOD NEWS! YOUNG CATHOLIC CATECHISTS IN PAKISTAN Authors: Br Gary Wilson / Br. Zafar Daud In Khushpur, a very small village in largely Muslim Pakistan are fifty young Catholic men preparing to be catechists. The role they have taken on is support and enrich the Catholic way of life in one of the seven dioceses of their nation. They are ‘catechist’ students at St. Albert’s Catechetical Training Centre (CTC), conducted by the De La Salle Brothers.

Deeply committed to their religious faith, they are preparing to assist and stand in for the priest in sometimes 20 + villages - teaching, leading worship and pastoral support. They will be contacts, helpers and care workers to their Catholic brothers and sisters. (Only 2% of Pakistanis are Christians, of various denominations; many of them are very poor and discriminated against).

A significant recent event at the Centre was the yearly presentation, by fifteen of the final year students, of their researched theses on a topic of their choice. Three such were “The Role of Christian Youth in Pakistan”, “The Role of Women in the Bible”, and “The Nine Gifts (sic) of the Holy Spirit”. As Br. Zafar Daud, Director, reports: “As the students are promoted to 3rd year, they are given different topics for research... (They) are asked to choose the topics and come up with three, according to their interests. The staff helps and guides them to choose one of them. At the same time, a mentor is provided to each student for further guidance and help.

The topics are based on theological studies, Biblical (study)... Church history, social issues and current affairs, well-known personalities and saints’ lives. Though the writing resources are very much limited according to the modern world, still the trainees and staff try their best to fulfil their requirements. The catechists learn how to write a thesis, with a proper understanding of the chosen topic, (and)... also how to develop the ideas with proper references and footnotes”.

The staff team includes Br. Zafar, five laymen, one lay woman and Br. Shamoun. They constitute an examining panel which questions the student defending his thesis, judging the presentation critically and grading it on set criteria.

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The student learns through initial reading, interacting with people for information, research, and writing critically. A great plus, the Staff notes, is the trainee gaining in self-confidence and communication skills. The thesis is an important component of the final assessment for the course and diploma. It is the happy end to great self-sacrifice and an invaluable religious education.

The fifteen young, mature-aged students who presented their theses, received their graduating diploma on 1 June 2021. Some, as married men, were learning with their wives, who attend the on-site Benildus Literacy Centre. (A number of the wives have never been to school before). “The diploma holders”, Br. Zafar mentions, “were from three different dioceses - Archdiocese of Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi Islamabad. His Excellency Bishop Indrias Rehmat (Bishop of Faisalabad Diocese) was the main celebrant for this year diploma Mass and ceremony.

The De La Salle Brothers have been an important group within the Catholic Church in Khushpur, conducting the reputed Centre for the Bishops, from 1963, and running St. Thomas’ High School (to 1971). La Salle High School was opened at the request of villagers in 2004. Its current Principal is Br. Qumar Iqbal. Little Khushpur village is an important facet of the Brothers’ work in Pakistan.

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LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL, FAISALABAD LASALLIANS FROM OPPOSITE ENDS UNITE The De La Salle Brothers took over the management of La Salle High School, Faisalabad, in 1961, from the Diocese of Faisalabad. Co-educational primary classes (Nursery to Grade 5) were established in 2002, and a separate girls’ school (La Salle Girls High School) was established in 2012 on the same site, with the two schools having a common Principal and governance structures.

Five hundred sixty-five girls were enrolled in 2020, spread over 11 classes from Nursery to Grade 10. In Pakistan, it is both legally and culturally unacceptable for secondary school students (aged 11-18) to be in a co-educational situation; girls are therefore taught separately from boys and have their own dedicated recreation area.

Staff strive to provide a comfortable environment for the girls who attend, to educate and instil in them moral values. Since its inception, the school has shown outstanding results in matriculation exams.

The girls’ school occupies the oldest building on the La Salle College site, and in 2019, the roof ceiling of the building began to collapse, forcing staff and students to evacuate to the boys’ school.

In Pakistan, it is not culturally acceptable to have girls’ classes on the boys’ campus, so the need for repairs is urgent.

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PAKISTAN La Salle University Nezahualcóyotl in Mexico has committed to raising the USD 86,000 towards the structural repair of the classroom block. The assistance of the Lasallian International Solidarity and Development Secretariat in sourcing a donor is acknowledged and appreciated, as is the willingness of La Salle University Nezahualcóyotl in raise funds for this project.

CLEAN GREEN PAKISTAN Clean Green Pakistan (CGP) is a flagship five-year campaign of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Imran Khan. Recently, “Clean Green Pakistan” was celebrated at La Salle High School and College Faisalabad, among the “Iqbal”, “Jinnah”, and “Liaqat” Houses.

The house system is a traditional feature of schools, whereby the school is divided into sub-units called “houses”, and each student is allocated to one house at the moment of enrolment. Houses occasionally compete with one another at sports and, in other ways, providing a focus for group loyalty.

All three houses were tasked with implementing practical ways to beautify buildings and classrooms with the vision of “Clean Green Pakistan”. Flowers of different colours and many trees and seasonal plants were sowed.

Principal Br Shahid Mughal expressed his appreciation to the school community for putting their heart and soul into promoting the vision of the Prime Minister, “Clean Green Pakistan”.

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La Salle Higher Secondary School Multan LASALLIAN PRIDE IN MULTAN, PAKISTAN: DR. ABEEL IRSHAD Authors: Br Gary Wilson / Mr. Hadayat Nazar Schools, as social institutions, prize success in members of their communities. La Salle Higher Secondary School Multan is no exception. Its long heritage from its foundation by the De La Salle Brothers seventy-odd years ago has seen many alumni find success in Pakistani business and politics. One such was a previous Prime Minister.

Abeel Irshad, who graduated as top of his class in 2012, is now an intern doctor in a Multan hospital. He remembers his alma mater: “Along with the academics, I was always very fond of the extra-curricular activities carried out in our school. I used to take part in speech competitions, plays, spelling-bee competitions and sports events. The importance given to our English accent and hand writing left a lasting impact on our grooming”.

Starting in the recognised Cambridge curriculum Section from 5 years of age, he notes, with respect and enthusiasm, Brother Herman Nanayakkara (recently deceased, a fine humanities teacher from Sri Lanka who spent over forty years as a Lasallian missionary in Pakistan). Equally remembered are Brother Shahid Mughal (current Principal of La Salle Faisalabad), Mr. Dominic Gohar, Mr. Tanveer Ahmad and Mr. Raheel Mukhtar. He admires them as leaving no stone unturned in helping him be successful in life.

He appreciates their valuable contribution, saying “Because of the excellent education I got from La Salle, I got admission in the Aga Khan University, Karachi, one of the best medical colleges in Pakistan”. Mr. Hadayat Nazar, a current teacher at La Salle, reports also that it is quite difficult to get admittance to the public medical colleges/universities. Only the very best make the cut-off mark. (There are a number of privately managed medical colleges as well but they charge high fees).

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Teaching and caring run in Abeel’s immediate family. His father is a teacher at La Salle Higher Secondary.

While his mother is a teacher-nurse at Nishtar College of Nursing. One of three boys in the family, Abeel has joined his elder brother Tabeel, also an intern doctor in Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Both have attained a MBBS in medicine, a profession that holds great status in the Islamic nation. The family used to live in Village 174/10-R, about 45 kilometres from Multan.

The city in the southern Punjab, was the choice for the Brothers’ first school in Pakistan. Called the ‘City of Piris and Sufis’, it is an important and very historic city, and an industrial and commercial centre. It has numerous schools, hospitals, universities and a strong Muslim culture. The Brothers welcomed many bright young farm boys, like Dr. Abeel, from the outskirts, so they could- and still- gain the advantage of a fine education under their humanistic and Christian influence.

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ISLAM AND MISSION On 12th of March this year, SEDOS organized a “Spring Session” on the topic of Islam and Mission. Due to the ongoing pandemic, it was organized as an on-line Seminar, a webinar.

This meant that we were not able to see and hear the speakers live.

However, it gave many more people the opportunity to join in the event, also from outside Rome, even from far away countries, such as Asia and Africa; places where the dialogue with Islam is an especially “hot” topic.

In this Bulletin we have gathered the talks of the Seminar, and printed them in the order they were given.

The flow of the Seminar was prepared with the help of Fr. Markus Solo, SVD, and Fr. John Mallare, CICM, both well qualified to deal with this difficult topic. The lead idea was to have two Speakers in the morning: a Christian about mission in Islam, and a Muslim about mission in Christianity. The result was that Fr. John Mallare, who has just graduated in Arabic and Islamic Studies at PISAI, Rome, spoke about the concept of da’wah, and Dr. Aan Rukmana, professor at the Paramadina University in Jakarta, Indonesia, about his experience of Christians. The first talk was very scientific, the second very friendly. These two talks were introduced by Fr. Markus Solo, SVD, who is in charge of organizing the dialogue with our Muslim brothers and sisters, in the Vatican structures.

The afternoon session was devoted to our missionaries working in the field. Fr. Victor Edwin, SJ, gave the opening lecture. He spoke on how he tries to encourage the dialogue with Islam through teaching and other activities in India. Since both religions experience a similar situation in India today, this helps the two to co-operate. This talk was followed by three testimonies.

Sr. Jeanne Lokalola, ICM, who lives and works among Muslims in Podor, Senegal, gave the first one. She spoke in a very lively and happy way about her work there, and had even prepared a short video of a dialogue with one of her Muslim friends. The video can be viewed on the SEDOS website.

Fr. Thomas Hendrikus, CICM, gave the second talk. Fr. Hendrikus works in Antwerp, Belgium, to help the Diocese and its Christians to dialogue with Islam. He has many contacts with Muslims in Belgium, and these encounters enable him to transmit in an honest and dialogical way their faith and religious practice.

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PAKISTAN The third Speaker was from Pakistan, a La Salle Brother, Zafar Daud, FSC. His work is the formation of catechists. One of the main aspects of this formation program is to ensure the correct understanding of Islam because the catechists are the “front-liners” in the dialogue. If the catechists can show the parishioners the importance of dialogue, peace can be maintained in a country in which the Catholic population is a real minority.

The last Speaker we had invited was White Father Diego Cucarella, M. Afr, Director of PISAI. He knows what it takes to train missionaries to become “heralds” of dialogue with Islam. Dialogue has to be paired with Christian witness. This balance is a fragile one, but when dialogue is carried out with love and wisdom, the partner in dialogue will readily forgive some “imbalances” in the encounter.

We have added one more article, concerning the obstacles that arise in dialogue with Islam. It is an online talk Fr. Christoph Roucou gave a few weeks ago at an Interreligious dialogue event organized by the IRD Committee of the USG-UISG in Rome. The article summarizes well the different aspects that come into play when we talk about mission and Islam

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: The Role of Catechists in the Dialogue with Muslims in Pakistan

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SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENTS Administration of De La Salle Secondary School Bomana and La Salle Technical College Hohola Author: Br David Hawke Sir John. M. Cardinal Ribat MSC, DD, KBE has notified the Department of Education in Port Moresby that Br Antony Swamy Pancras is re-appointed Principal of De La Salle Secondary School Bomana with Br Thomas Mabol Yapo and Ms Annette Ingirin continuing as Deputy Principals.

I have appointed Br Reegan Acting Principal of La Salle Technical College Hohola and Br Antony Swamy Pancras Director. In consultation with Br Antony and Mr Merv McCormack Executive Director of the Lasallian Mission Council position descriptions for both Brothers have been developed.

I appreciate the generosity and availability of Brothers Antony and Reegan.

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SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENTS New Visitor for The District of Eastern North America New Visitor for The District of Eastern North America Author: Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) Brother Superior General Robert Schieler, FSC, has announced Brother Robert Schaefer, FSC, as the third Visitor for the District of Eastern North America (DENA).

Brother Robert most recently served as the Secretary of Formation for the Lasallian Mission for the Institute.

He previously served as a teacher, campus minister, assistant principal and principal in numerous Lasallian schools.

“The breadth of his experiences, combined with his positive attitude, good humor, and abundant zeal makes Brother Robert an ideal candidate to assume leadership for our District,” Brother Dennis Lee, FSC, current DENA Visitor, said.

Brother Robert began his term as Visitor on 1 September 2021 More info: https://www.fscdena.org/2021/03/02/the-third-visitor-of-the-district-named/

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SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENTS Archbishop Appoints Acting Principal of Jubilee Catholic Secondary School Author: Merv McCormack, Executive Director of the Lasallian Mission Council.

It is pleasing to report that the Archbishop of Port Moresby, Cardinal Sir John Ribat KBE MSC, has endorsed the appointment of Mrs Barbara Lames Miles as Acting Principal of Jubilee Catholic Secondary School from the commencement of 2021. Barbara has been a staff member at Jubilee for thirteen years, the last five of which have been as Deputy Principal (Academic). Barbara is a well-known and respected senior leader at the school, and will seamlessly move into the Principalship.

On behalf of all Lasallians throughout the District of ANZPPNG, welcome, Barbara. We look forward to you joining the Lasallian Principals’ network.

At this time, it is appropriate to acknowledge again, the faithful, generous and longstanding Lasallian service provided by the retiring Principal, Mrs. Bernadette Ove AFSC. Bernadette’s twenty years as Jubilee’s leader was marked by a genuine commitment to the Lasallian education mission in Port Moresby and beyond.

As Bernadette returns to her home village in coming months, there is no doubt that she will devote her considerable skills and experience to important educational endeavours.

Farewell, Bernadette- we know that you will continue to be a faithful Lasallian presence in the times ahead.

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SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENTS Brother Carlos Castañeda is Appointed Visitor of The District of Mexico Norte Brother Robert Schieler, Superior General, has appointed Brother Carlos Castañeda Casas as Visitor of the District of Mexico Norte for a term of office that runs from May 15, 2021 to May 14, 2024.

Br. Carlos was born in the city of Zacatecas, Mexico on 12 September 1970. He entered the Juniorate in 1985, made his first vows in 1988 and his perpetual profession in 1996.

He completed his university studies at the Centro de Estudios Superiores La Salle de Monterrey, he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Sciences. Subsequently, he completed a Master’s degree in Education with a specialisation in cognitive processes at the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. He holds a PhD in Education and Educational Leadership from the Universidad Autónoma del Noreste.

Brother Carlos Castañeda has carried out his ministry in various roles, such as teacher and at elementary education, as well as Academic Director and Rector at the university level. He was also Director of Mission for the District of Mexico Norte and for five years he was the Secretary for Mission in the Regional Office of RELAL, while he was also a member of the International Council for Association and the Lasallian Educational Mission CIAMEL.

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SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENTS Becoming a Bishop: Anthony Ireland, Lasallian Old Boy Father Tony Ireland, known to some Brothers, and by his parishioners at Doncaster in Melbourne, has been appointed by Pope Francis as one of two auxiliary bishops to share leadership with Archbishop Peter Comensoli in Melbourne.

Monsignor Anthony was educated in the once classic Catholic way, in a parish primary school at Caulfield, which led to De La Salle Malvern for secondary studies. Graduating in 1974, he tested out the world of commerce before essaying the vocation to priesthood at Corpus Christi College in 1981. He was ordained as a presbyter in 1987, and later, showing aptitude, was appointed Dean of Studies at his old seminary in 2006. For the three following years he was the in-charge Rector of the Seminary.

Appointments have flowed over his ministry: a member of the CDF Board and Ministry to Priests; a Director of Catholic Capital Grants (Victoria) Ltd: the Archbishop’s appointee to the Archbishop’s Melbourne Senate; on the Archbishop’s Curia; member of the College of Consultors; Commissioner and Assessor for the Diocesan and Extension and Maintenance Fund; School Chaplain and Canonical Administrator to varying Colleges at Mentone, Frankston and Bulleen; and Chaplain to the Catholic Nurses Guild. He was the Spiritual Adviser to the State Council of St Vincent de Paul for eight years. Over time, he has been the Episcopal Vicar for Health and Aged Care and is also currently the Episcopal Vicar for the Eastern Region of the Archdiocese.

His qualifications show his ease in the academy. He holds the degrees of Bachelor of Theology from the University of Divinity, Master of Arts in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas (Rome), Licentiate in Sacred Theology (Moral Theology) from the Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome), and Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas (Rome).

With Fr. Martin Ashe, he will receive episcopal ordination in July.

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SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS JOHN GILL - 47 YEARS OF COMMITMENT Author: Natalie Calleja, La Salle College, Middle Swan John has been a member of the Lasallian community for his entire life! He attended La Salle College Middle Swan when it was an all-boys’ school and then returned as a teacher and has been here ever since. During that time, he witnessed many profound changes to the College.

John has a great sense of fun, making guest appearances at many camps and retreats, running “Gill’s Games”, setting off the traditional Mission Aid Day pyrotechnics, leading cultural tours to New Zealand and photographing College events. He always greeted students and staff with positivity and an amusing anecdote, always showing interest in every individual.

His life has been dedicated to education and has taught many and varied subjects including Science, Industrial Arts, Photography, Religious Education and Maths.

We thank John for his immense contribution to the College and the Lasallian community. We wish him good health and happiness in his retirement..

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SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS AN AUTHENTIC LASALLIAN - AFFILIATION OF CHRIS GOODMAN How to judge a truly authentic Lasallian educator? Many different ways perhaps. One measure is a formal ‘Affiliation’ the highest honour of the Brothers’ Institute, and a recognition- as it were- of being esteemed affectionately as a ‘brother’. Chris Goodman of Oakhill College, Castle Hill, NSW, was conferred Affiliation on Thursday 4 February 2021.

Fellow-teachers and the Brothers’ Community have seen that, for over 24 years, Chris has imbibed the Lasallian spirit, and grown as a powerful Christian witness to a multitude of students and staff at Oakhill. His involvements and on-going commitments cover numerous fields. As an academic teacher over these years, he has been a Technology & Applied Studies faculty member, a Religion teacher, facilitator of junior and senior retreats, administrator, longtime sport coach, and a wide-ranging facilitator and leader in the College of many community service initiatives and programs.

In terms of Lasallian spirituality, Chris has been heavily committed to the District and our Lasallian Region.

Having done professional in-service, the Lasallian heritage short-course, and especially the international 3-year Buttimer Program in USA, he has had teachers’ immersion in the wider Lasallian mission in Asia. With colleague Katrina Mann, he founded and has led the “Lasallians without Borders Team India / Philippines”, from 2009-2020. The students make regular immersion /volunteer trips to marginalised Lasallian institutions in Asia. Linking up with the Lasallian Foundation, he has supported the “twinning” of Oakhill with the poorer Albans High School in Pakistan, raising funds via Founder’s Day etc. He was a delegate to the District Mission Assembly (2018).

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At the local level, Chris has strongly influenced the post-school Lasallian Volunteers and the yearly Lasallian Youth Ministers in their formation, via the Team India/Philippines. As the Director of Mission for the College from 2017 to the present, he has also overseen the Lasallian Youth Leaders’ Program, which includes many service and fund-raising projects for the local community, e.g., hampers for yourtown San Miguel, St. Vincent de Paul, and support for indigenous youth institutions & a local women’s refuge.

Working with Lasallian Mission Services, Chris has helped facilitate junior Oakhill reflection days. He helps co-ordinate the weekly Chapel Masses. All of these roles make him a critical member of the ‘Catholic Lasallian Policy Committee’ of the school, and one who lives the Lasallian spirit of “Zeal”- a Lasallian who puts relationships front and central in his teaching and pastoral work.

Chris acknowledged being “humbled by this honour”, speaking to the 1,800 students and 200 staff at the College’s Commencement Mass: “Our Lasallian world is a world that we should all be proud of. Being part of the Lasallian family, and its extended network, means that we share the same values of faith, service and community - values that make us closer to God values that should be the driving force in everything we say and in everything we do”.

He thanked his extended Lasallian ‘family’- his Oakhill colleagues and mentors- and various Brother Principals, Ms. Miranda Chow and Br. Paul Smith of the Lasallian Foundation, Brothers in Philippines & India, and Br. Finbar (RIP) of San Miguel, who have inspired him. For Chris, they have walked alongside him to teach and guide “our community; to make sure that every individual here can grow to be the best person that they can be”. The students, he said, “constantly ‘walk the talk’ and rise to the occasion to make our world a better place through the many opportunities that we have, to give to others who are less fortunate”.

The audience of 2,000 students and staff gave an ovation of several minutes that capped thee occasion.

For so many, Chris Goodman has embodied the Lasallian charism (the Spirit-gift to the Church), and its values and educational principles, whereby offering service, building relationships, and walking in faith, are a great privilege which does ‘make a difference’ to other peoples’ lives.

Click HERE to read Chris’ speech 131 JOURNAL LA SALLE - EDITION 1, 2021

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS A ‘DO-GOODER’ OR A “BENEFACTOR”?

“He went about doing good”, the Christian Gospel says about Jesus. Australians traditionally feel uncomfortable with “do-gooders”, when linked to religion. Yet, we can be full of praise for fire-fighters, surf life-savers, not to mention the ‘Salvoes’ and the ‘Vinnies’. The De La Salle Brothers show gratitude by recognizing a person as a “Benefactor of the Institute”. The ANZPPNG District has given this acknowledgment to 85 individuals since its 1906 founding.

Heather Muirhead was recognised recently in a ceremony. Heather was given a formal certificate, thanking her for thirty years of service in support of our De La Salle vocation, and our association for the Lasallian Mission. The outline of this service is impressive: Heather has been a loyal friend to Brothers in their community over the decades, with her generosity shown especially at Christmas time and for major celebrations.

In the College, she has taken the lead in organisation of ‘St Lucy’s Day’ a service programme for the visually Impaired. There has been involvement in the ‘Show Team’ helping students with farming skills and involvement in exhibitions at Regional Shows and the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Invitational Tennis Tournaments, the 1990’s Science Club activities and researching and help hosting, as College Archivist, the Class Reunions each year have been all extra commitments taken on.

Over the decades, these Benefactors have supported the local Brothers or the larger Lasallian community mission by their service, often beyond any paid capacity. Many have been teachers, school support or welfare people, Board or committee members, or those from parents, and from friends’ groups. This generosity and openness to the work of “the human and Christian education of youth” is reciprocated by prayer in Brothers’ communities for this multitude of associates.

May Heather with other colleagues be inspired to offer service where it is needed for our youth and young adults!’

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SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS 38 YEARS OF VOCATION: a pilgrim of Lasallian Christian faith Continuing a journey over thirty-eight years sounds out of this world, exhausting. For Joan Ferguson, fulfilling several roles within De La Salle College Malvern, the path was greatly fulfilling. On Sunday 14 March, it was acknowledged with the conferral of formal affiliation with the Lasallian Institute, in a Mass in the Brothers’ chapel at Malvern, due to COVID restrictions. Family and friends witnessed the occasion.

Br Quentin O’Halloran spoke of the significance of “Affiliation”, in becoming an honorary member of the De La Salle Family, and Br Gerard Rummery, a guide and friend over the years, read the Citation. Joan herself mentioned several Bothers with affection previous Principals in the person of Brs James Taylor (deceased) and two present for the day William Firman and Timothy Peter. She grew up in a strong Catholic family, being a member of Young Christian Workers in her youth, graduating in theology over several years with the Catholic Theological Union, all the time developing her faith and commitment.

Joan took on the job of private secretary to Br. James Taylor as Principal, and - as she related- worked long hours with a passion and zeal over many years, wrote grant submissions, presented the Lasallian charism at inductions for new staff, interviewed candidates for employment, and drafted many College policies. There was teaching the teachers to use computers for the first time (in Saturday morning classes) and writing easy Word and Excel manuals for them to use. Joan was a member of the Melbourne Archdiocesan RCIA forum, and so was asked to prepare the school’s non-Christian students for the Catholic sacraments, in ways that involved the whole boys’ families celebrating together. Br. William, Principal at that stage, invited her to take on the role of official College Chaplain, a position she held for 12 years. Her mandate would be “to instruct all students new to the College in the Catholic tradition of the Christian faith, and especially the sacraments, and to respond to students and families in need”.

In terms of Lasallian formation, Joan participated in various District programs. She visited the Brothers’ mission in Vietnam, offering personal support; while overseas, she went to Reims to connect with the Founder’s spirit. She believed, as she said, on the day, that the Institute is “inclusive and forward thinking”, and thus still relevant after 340 years, as it believes in “educating the whole person”. She could quote the relevance of the Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission (2020) and how she had found: “Fraternity/Community/Association in the daily friendship and wisdom of great (Lasallian) men and women, on whose shoulders I stand today.”

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SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS “Educational zeal for the poor” spiritual, not solely material has been found by her, she narrates in “grass roots commitment to the poor, regardless of race, religion or creed, during my travels” in the Lasallian global network. Closer to home, her husband Don and several of her five children have offered service / ‘tours of duty’ to the Lasallian ministry in Papua New Guinea. Steeped, as one Brother says, in the Lasallian tradition, Joan, as a dedicated Catholic Christian, continues to prepare people for Christian initiation as adults in her parish, and serves at ‘Tony’s Cafe’ feeding homeless people three days each week.

Joan Ferguson is the latest of fifteen female affiliates of the Lasallian Institute in the ANZPPNG District.

STEVE MOLLOY: AFFILIATION AND GRACE-FILLED SERVICE “Living gracefully” was how a life-long friend and classmate summarises Steve Molloy’s life. That achievement, in terms of his service over twenty years, was recognised by the De La Salle Brothers, in their conferring “affiliation to the Institute” on 27 March 2021.

Br. Chris Gorringe, previous District Bursar (RIP) outlined in a commendation to the Br. Visitor and his Council that Steve was educated by the Brothers at De La Salle College Caringbah and De La Salle College Cronulla.

“He has constantly expressed gratitude for the influence of his teachers, naming specifically Br. Quentin O’Halloran and Br. Paul Rigney. He attributes to the former his love of literature and culture, even recalling parts of Br Quentin’s speech at his final-year graduation ceremony. Steve always speaks of the Brothers who taught him with affection and respect.

“In 1997, he was appointed to the position of Bursar at Oakhill College Castle Hill, a position he held until his retirement in 2015, having served with four Brothers Principal (Ambrose Payne, Chris Gorringe, Ken Ormerod and Peter Ryan). In addition to demonstrating competence in business and financial matters, and proving himself to be a loyal supporter of the diverse Principals with whom he worked, Steve proved himself to be a genuine Lasallian community-builder, encapsulating in his relationships with others the very best of our Lasallian ideals, including a deep compassion for the poor, which he demonstrated in his approach to families who could not afford to pay fees. Likewise, he showed practical concern for staff who were in need of practical or emotional support - for whom he became a reliable friend and confidant and for senior students.

His community-building was shown in the welcome he invariably gave to visiting alumni and to Brothers who called in to the College, often unannounced, in his introduction of regular College reunions for alumni, and in his close involvement with the Parents & Friends Association”.

Early in his Oakhill career as College Bursar, “Steve responded positively to the invitation of Br. David Hawke (Visitor), to join the District’s Economic Council and remained on the Council until his recent retirement, brought about by a pressing need to provide care for his ageing parents. As a member of the Economic Council, Steve was an active contributor to discussion, showing a person with independent views, but always

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SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS prepared to listen and assist the Council in working collaboratively. His expertise in financial matters, and especially in planning appropriate asset management strategies, has proved most valuable in the current circumstances, where the District is facing financial challenges.

“Steve also served as a member of the Board of the Lasallian Foundation for nine years, and as a member of the Management Committee of the Lasallian Centre at Narooma. As a member of the former body, Steve was most passionate about promoting and supporting the Foundation’s work for the poor and disadvantaged in the Asia-Pacific region and, while understanding and respecting the decision to wind up the Foundation, urged that the good work be continued through alternative strategies”, Br. Chris said.

A priest-friend, Fr. Terry Gleeson, notes his “sharp intelligence and inquiring and critical mind, balanced by humour and flexibility, compassion and tolerance” in the significant impact he had in helping advance the Lasallian District. Br. Ambrose, a close working colleague, noted on the occasion of the conferral Steve’s habitual “getting on” with his work, with qualities highlighted in the event’s prayerful reading of Romans 12 genuine affection for people, patience and a calm demeanour.

Steve’s other personal qualities of honesty, loyalty and trustworthiness, also underpinned his long-standing service of the District in a wide variety of roles. A worthy recipient of the highest honour given to Lasallians, in the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools! And a service willed with grace.

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LASALLIANS WORLDWIDE LA SALLE FOR BEIRUT! We did thanks to your help!

On 5 August 2020, the Secretariat for Solidarity and Development, through its legal instrument, the Fondazione De La Salle Solidarietà Internazionale ONLUS, launched an emergency appeal to rebuild the Lasallian Schools in Beirut ,and to support the basic needs of the families that were impoverished due to the explosion.

Thanks to the help and support of our Lasallian Family, we raised 1,806,678.97 US Dollars!

Our educational centers have been restored. Students can now attend classes virtually using distance learning, which is compliance with COVID-19 national mandates.

The Collège Notre Dame and the École Saint Vincent de Paul have been restored while due to the COVID-19 confinement, some renovations work are delayed at the Collège Sacré-Cœur, but the school is ready to resume classes when it will be possible.

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LASALLIANS WORLDWIDE

EDUCATION TO DEVELOPMENT Do you want to engage children, girls and youth in solidarity activities and global citizenship issues?

Join our campaign, we have what you need!

Each year, together with a network of Lasallian, Claretian and Marist organizations, we implement a global citizenship campaign focused on one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In September 2020, we launched the “Education, let’s build our future together” campaign to tell the story of issues related to Goal 4, Quality Education. Through posters, brochures, videos and teaching materials, designed for all schools at all levels, we give you all the tools to bring the new generations closer to the major international issues.

Visit our website lasallefoundation.org to download all the material in your language!

For further information please contact Laura Ballerini, Director of Communication: lballerini@lasalle.org.

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LASALLIANS WORLDWIDE LA SALLE SCHOOL RUMBEK, SOUTH SUDAN This school is in Rumbek, South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, that became independent in 2011, after a long and bloody war with northern Sudan. Due to the civil war, started in 2013, many of the already insufficient educational infrastructures have been destroyed, or misappropriated and converted for other use.

In order to respond to this urgent educational need, the La Salle School Rumbek opened its doors in March 2018 in the Loreto Sisters’ existing facilities, with a first cohort of 23 students. Meanwhile, work started to build the new school on the 48 hectares donated by the local chiefs.

In March 2019 (the beginning of the South Sudanese school year), the number of students increased to 73, and in June of the same year, our students were able to attend classes in their still unfinished school.

The school campus was completed in March 2020, offering 8 classrooms, two labs, offices, students’ dorms, teachers’ quarters and the Brothers’ community. The school is powered by clean, renewable energy from solar panels Like the majority of the schools, La Salle School Rumbek has remained closed, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The school reopened in February 2021, and during all this time our students have kept asking us when it will be possible to go back to school, because they can’t wait to resume all their activities, especially the extracurricular ones. Dance, drama, rounds of debates on Friday, and the sports competitions among the 4 Houses of the campus (Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow) were part of their everyday lives.

In this year of closure, we have not stopped, and have built a brand-new on-campus cafeteria, which is supplied with produce of the land surrounding the school, which is dedicated to agricultural purposes, so as to ensure food security for our students.

Today, a second residence for teachers and a second dormitory for students is under construction.

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LASALLIANS WORLDWIDE PODCAST - BROTHERS BANTER Here is a recently launched podcast that was created and developed by two religious Brothers looking to invite everyone into a conversation about religion, spirituality, current events and all things Lasallian.

It was initiated by two De La Salle Christian Brothers who are currently (2020) in the Novitiate in Chicago, IL, Brother Joseph “JD” Macioce (DENA) and Brother Rafael Rodriguez (SFNO).

They decided to provide this podcast updated every two weeks, in order to share their interests in religious matters, spirituality topics, perspectives on current events, and things related to the world of the Lasallian educational network.

LASALLIAN DISTRICT OF SOUTH ASIA: A NEW DISTRICT “The Institute is pleased to announce the newest District to be known as the Lasallian District of South Asia (LASAD). The new District is composed of India and Sri Lanka. The inauguration took place on Saturday, May 15. On that very day, the first Visitor of LASAD, Brother Bertram Perera, began his term of office. The Auxiliary Visitor is Brother Amalan Thangasamy.

The process of merging started two years ago and culminated last February with two separate local Chapters.

LASAD is another phase in the life of Lasallians in India and Sri Lanka. Let us all pray for the success of the Lasallian Mission in this part of the world”.

The new identity given to the District is ‘Lasallian South Asia District LASAD’. From this moment onwards, the TWO Sectors of INDIA and SRI LANKA, will journey together in unison, with ample opportunity for implementing ‘Association for the Mission’. Inspired by some Brothers from India and Sri Lanka, the District Logo was conceived on 12 May 2021. The divided Blue and Green Star represents the two Sectors. The identity “LASAD” unites both sectors together as one. The two Sectors are held by TWO mighty hands which signify the ‘Presence and Omnipotence of God’ in our New District. As we are situated in the South Asian Region, as well as in the middle of Indian Ocean, the Logo displays LASAD emerging from the Ocean. It reveals the historical bonds of multi culture, diverse spirituality, socio-political background and economic development that exist in the South Asian Region. The ocean also denotes the challenges and opportunities that we will experience as one District. Let us travel together for the promotion of ‘Human and Christian Education to all youth, especially the poor’.

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Lasallian Year of St Joseph 2021 Patron Saint of the Lasallian Family Dear Brothers and Lasallians, In 1871, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph Patron of the Catholic Church. On the 150th anniversary of the declaration, Pope Francis declared 2021 a special Year of Saint Joseph “in which each member of the faithful, by his example, can daily strengthen his or her own life of faith in the full fulfillment of the will of God”.

The devotion of our Founder to Saint Joseph is well known. Days before his death, John Baptist de La Salle urged his Brothers to have a special devotion to this Guardian of Jesus and the Patron of our Institute. Saint Joseph is our model: Joseph, the man of confidence and faith in God; Joseph, the just and humble man.

With Mary he raised and educated Jesus.

In his biography of the Founder, Canon Blain explains De La Salle’s devotion to Saint Joseph: What struck him most in the admirable life of the holy spouse of the Mother of God was his great docility to the action of Divine Providence, his submission to the most vexing commands, his prompt obedience to the voice of the Lord, his hidden life, his angelic chastity and, finally, his tenderness and love for Jesus and Mary. Virtues of this great saint that he longed to imitate.

I invite you to join the People of God and the entire Institute in celebrating the Year of Saint Joseph. In a special way, let us ask our Patron to accompany us as we compassionately respond to the sickness and suffering caused by the pandemic.

During the coming months, the Brothers of the General Council and I will offer on the lnstitute’s web site a variety of related resources and suggestions for their use. I invite Districts and Lasallian educational communities to plan creative and joyful celebrations of the Year of Saint Joseph and I invite all Lasallians to actively participate in these activities. I suggest that you to share your activities on social media.

Fraternally, Brother Robert Schieler, FSC Brother Superior

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

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SAFEGUARDING NEW NATIONAL CATHOLIC SAFEGUARDING AGENCY ESTABLISHED

The Catholic Church has established a new company to oversee all safeguarding, child protection and professional standards in Australia, creating a more focused and streamlined model.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) and the Association of Ministerial PJPs (AMPJP) have today launched Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited.

We have discerned what was working well and what needed to change, and we are convinced this new national agency will make the Church’s work more coordinated, accountable and best prepared to ensure the safety of people in Catholic settings,” CRA president Br Peter Carroll FMS said.

Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited will reduce duplication and consolidate work previously undertaken

by Catholic Professional Standards Limited, the Implementation Advisory Group and the Australian Catholic Centre for Professional Standards.

Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said multiple reviews and extensive consultation within and beyond the Church, including with survivors and their supporters, have led to the establishment of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited.

“The work of safeguarding and professional standards is constantly evolving, including through important and necessary state regulation and oversight. We in the Church knew we had to evolve as well, which has brought us to this point and to this new agency,” he said.

“Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited will build on the strong work of the previous bodies, including in demanding accountability of Catholic entities and in requiring independent audits and reviews of adherence to the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.”

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SAFEGUARDING Archbishop Coleridge said insights and recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse have also shaped the new approach. Some of the bodies ceasing operation were established before or during the Royal Commission.

Eva Skira, the chair of AMPJP, said the members of the Association canonical stewards of Church ministries, including in education, health, aged care, disability and social and community services were supportive of the consolidated national approach.

“While Ministerial Public Juridic Persons as an ecclesial structure are relatively new and emerging, we are deeply committed to child protection and safeguarding in our various contexts,” she said.

“We are very pleased to be collaborators with the Bishops Conference and CRA, which have made significant progress in recent years.”

Said Br Peter: “AMPJP’s membership of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited extends the impact of the company across an even broader range of Catholic ministries.

“Our focus must always be on the safety of all those who come into contact with the Church.”

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BY ASSOCIATION STATE-SIDE TO DOWN UNDER: AMANDA PROULX, LASALLIAN FORMATOR 2016-20 Some East-Coasters USA might wonder why someone would want to leave ‘The Land of the Free’ to take up a new position in Lasallian resource/formation. Amanda Proulx, campus minister and theology teacher, did so in January 2016. She leaves Lasallian Mission Services after five years of formation activities for the ANZPPNG District, for more green paddocks.

The lure to Down Under, was Mr. Merv McCormack, attending with Amanda Lasallian Studies in Moraga, California. He saw an intelligent, articulate woman with considered views. Merv, the Executive Director of the District Lasallian Mission Council wanted someone to bring more competencies and know-how to District formation in the youth / young adult area or beyond. Amanda’s qualifications include a Master’s degree in theology and ministry and Buttimer Institute Lasallian Studies, as well as other bachelor degrees. These ready kitbag resources were not duplicated literally: a sultry Sydney summer day of 32 deg. greeted Amanda, but not her belongings!

Things quickly looked up as she brought a steadying influence, some fresh programs, and knowledge, all with her customary courteousness and respect for others, as Merv McCormack notes. The expertise seen in Moraga soon became apparent to a far broader District audience. More involvement in adult formation brought enlivening encounters. The respect she brought to interactions ensured her recognition of the gifts of others, and her encouragement for them to utilise their talents in ministries. In these various ways, she professed professionalism and broadened capacity-building. An initial two-year contract was extended to three, and later became five. Her status was recognised in being appointed the new Director of ‘Formation for Mission’ in 2020. Permanent residency was sought and achieved.

The current Visitor saw that she “met people in their own contexts and responded to their specific needs. “As a Lasallian woman, Amanda empathised with and accompanied women across the District”.

Her standing led to joining an international Lasallian committee in Rome. As she finishes five years of great and grateful service to youth and adults, in a culture and Church not her own, the District says ‘Bon voyage’ Amanda for the next stage of the life journey!

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BY ASSOCIATION YOURTOWN COUNSELLOR INDY SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE Author: Br Patrick McCarthy Br Patrick McCarthy, Chaplain Oakhill College, sat down with 23-year-old Indy to discuss her role as a Kids Helpline Counsellor.

Kids Helpline has been operating since 1991 and is a service provided by yourtown. yourtown formally known as BoysTown was founded by the De La Salle Brothers. “yourtown is a charity with service young people can access to find jobs, learn skills, become great parents and live safer, happier lives. We believe every young person has the right to a brighter future” - Tracy Adams, CEO What is your role - i.e. how would you explain what you do to someone you just met?

As a Kids Helpline Counsellor, I support children and young people from all walks of life to talk about anything that is happening for them and to work with them around realising personal goals.

What’s unique about this type of counselling?

At the Kids Helpline, we focus on what the young person wants to talk about, and we allow them to lead the direction of the calls. We do this by ensuring we check-in with the young people during our sessions, to make sure we are hearing their needs as well as what they hope to achieve from a session with a Kids Helpline Counsellor.

Sounds like you have a great chance to make a positive difference to others’ lives - can you tell me about a time when that had a big impact on you?

Reflecting on my role as a Kids Helpline Counsellor, I feel sincerely privileged to be in a position to hear young people’s stories and to facilitate a safe space for them to share what can be the most vulnerable aspects of their life.

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BY ASSOCIATION For many young people, trusting others with their story and deepest parts of their life can be difficult for many reasons, however, when they get to a place where they are comfortable and feel safe enough to share this with me, I feel privileged.

What drew you to this field of work?

Ever since my primary school days, I have loved listening other people and being a support for them particularly those who may have been isolated by others. I’m passionate about really understanding young people and what has shaped or motivated them to become the person that they are today.

What is the biggest challenge in the role?

The most challenging aspect of the role would be working with young people who are in pain, facing adversity, while recognising my limited capacity to change their circumstances. However, I am hopeful that despite this, I might be able to make that small difference that enables a young person to stay safe.

What characteristics are important in a role like this?

As a Kid’s Helpline Counsellor, it is important to be empathetic and respectful in our work with young people.

We need to be relatable in the way we communicate, non-judgemental and accepting of all people. Being flexible and having a sense of humour is a pre-requisite.

Have you seen any positive ripple effects in the work you’ve done?

Yes, I have. One example of this would be when a young person called Kids Helpline for the first time and shared their experience of mental health which they had not shared with anyone else because of their fear (and unfortunately the reality) of judgement. Since our first session, this young person has developed the confidence to seek further support from specialist services and to improve their mental health and life generally.

What are some of the most common struggles/ issues that you are hearing in this time? How can young people and their families manage these?

The most common issues young people face in these current times include struggles with mental health concerns, emotional well-being and suicide-related concerns. We need to continue to encourage young people and families to keep the communication channels open and to ask for the help they need to move forward.

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BY ASSOCIATION What has been the most surprising thing for you about this role?

The most surprising thing has been how much insight young people have into the situation or issue they’re experiencing. They are often able to express positive and constructive ways to work towards solutions, when offered the opportunity to do so. So often, the voices of young people are ignored or diminished because they are not yet adults, however, I believe that young people often have creative and positive ways of working through tough times.

What advice do you share with others that you need to remind yourself to keep doing / practising yourself?

I believe that personal boundaries (i.e., physical, emotional and mental limits) are crucial, not just for Social Workers, Counsellors or Psychologists; but for everyone’s health and wellbeing. While listening, helping and supporting others is an important part of relationships, we need to be conscious of the energy we are outputting and recognise when we need to take care of ourselves. As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup...” and I believe personal boundaries are the key to self-care!

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BY ASSOCIATION BERNADETTE OVE - A LASALLIAN GODMOTHER: Two Decades as Founding Lasallian Principal at Jubilee The Papua New Guinean Lasallian Family is losing a shining light, as Bernadette Ove has retired as leader of Jubilee Catholic Secondary School in Hohola in December 2020. Never retiring in her zeal and commitment, she leaves a massive heritage with Lasallians.

Initiated by Br. Denis Loft in 2000, with six teaching positions and a K45,000 grant from the NCD Education Department, the first Years 11 & 12 Catholic school in Port Moresby, was looking for a Principal. Marie Hardwick, volunteered and was seconded from De La Salle Malvern. She became the mid-wife of the new venture, lead teacher and effectively in charge. Three classes of 35 were the initial students from Marianville.

Br. Denis, Acting Principal later in 2000, had approached Bernadette, a principal in Goroka. She was one of a very few Level 9 teachers. Marie Hardwick’s strong belief in Lasallian practices ensured Mrs. Ove was mentored and partnered in developing a Lasallian ethos. In the new millennium, increasing emphasis was put by the District on lay Lasallian formation programs: Bernadette was urged by Marie to attend one such program at Narooma NSW in mid-2001.

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BY ASSOCIATION As Br. Denis says: “She has been an extraordinary influence on the school, and made sure that the school was always seen as a Lasallian enterprise. She had various sayings of the Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle painted in strategic places, named the school houses after Lasallian saints and family, and always had staff or students attend whatever programmes were happening in PNG or Australia”.

As a highly experienced Principal already, Bernadette became a dynamo in Jubilee Catholic School, leading by example and heavily involved in school activities. The quite outstanding academic results, always in the top tier, established Jubilee’s continuing reputation in NCD education.

Her early colleague, Marie Hardwick saw her as the “godmother of the school”. Other teachers and ex-students viewed her as a wisdom figure, encouraging, welcoming and selfless. Aware of those at the margins, she promoted moral values encapsulated in the ‘Five Characteristics of a Lasallian School’.

Grounded in her judgments, other Lasallians have seen her as compassionate, collaborating and fully supportive of events like teacher formation seminars, the 2016 Inter-Schools Lasallian Cultural Day, and the more recent Women’s Symposium in New Zealand.

For many years, particularly when De La Salle Bomana was no longer administered by the Brothers, Bernadette was the one who maintained the Lasallian gatherings, retreats and publicity. Br. Joseph Gabel, then teaching at Hohola Youth Development Centre, remembers her high regard for the Brothers. She was: “Passionate about all things Lasallian, and in particular about the quality of education the students received, and which teachers gave”.

In February 2018, her achievements and dedication to Lasallian education in Papua New Guinea was recognised with the Brothers’ Institute conferring on Bernadette the honour of Affiliation.

In an interview recently, she maintains that her professional development, as well as her Christian spiritual formation, has been nourished by her involvement in the Lasallian educational mission. Her message to her co-Partners in the Mission, as she retires after 20 years of leadership, is to be “passionate about teaching”.

And she sees the same passion needing to be engendered in students’ learning. For her, serving others in the ‘Holy Presence of God’ brings life. Lasallian spirituality is “very relevant to Christian educators”, and with other denominations common ground can be found in what is, we believe, ‘God’s work’ in God’s vineyard.

(From an interview for Mambu magazine, November 2020).

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BY ASSOCIATION A REMOTE PLACE WITH A RICH CULTURE, SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS, TROPICAL GARDENS AND A COMMITTED LASALLIAN Ever wanted to work in a remote place with a rich Melanesian culture, spectacular waterfalls and tropical gardens? One could try Enga Province, in the north Highlands of PNG, where many do not speak English or Tok Pisin. Aileen Fapiou Saleu is a Catholic teacher and proud Lasallian, there at Holy Cross Primary School, Pompabus. This Catholic school shows the impact Christianity has had on Papua New Guinea as a nation of sometimes remote tribes, first colonized by European powers in the nineteenth century. (In fact, German De La Salle Brothers established a brief mission in Vunapope, present New Britain, from 1914 to 1921). Other Catholic and Protestant missionaries had come in the 1880’s to spread the Christian Gospel.

In an interview, Aileen explained that her school of 400 students has 15 predominantly Catholic teachers, in “a Catholic area (that is) inviting and welcoming”. The school is quite well-resourced, with teachers using their mobile phones for preparation for class. While there are 50 students per class, the school doesn’t suffer from teacher absenteeism. She is the sole ‘Lasallian teacher’ but the majority of staff were inducted in Lasallian spirituality “but yet to see commitment”.

Aileen has taught at Holy Cross for two years, as a Senior Teacher and has a delegated duty as Assistant Religious Co-ordinator. Overall, she sees that youth in the nation are challenged by peer pressure to be wayward socially. Family issues include broken marriages and some acceptance of polygamy. Youth living with relatives only “are most times abused, and this affects their learning”.

Teachers can struggle with “lack of support of learning materials, not having a supportive (School) Management, problems with salaries (unnecessary deductions)”. as well as family and marriage problems and problem students.

As a convinced Lasallian, Aileen’s history is long and enriched. “Being a Lasallian means so much to me.

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BY ASSOCIATION Being one instilled with faith continues to ignite in me personally, and guides me in my daily life (It) helps my own children at home, and those in my class and school, not forgetting the vulnerable children. My call as a Lasallian (has led me) to see the life of St John Baptist as a guide to living the gospel.”

Where does this rich inspiration come from? Aileen mentions, seemingly proudly, that she is one of the pioneer Lasallian youths that were inducted by Br. Ignatius Kennedy (RIP), the founder of the Lasallian Family in Papua New Guinea. Br. Ignatius “inducted me into a great family of teachers, who followed the footsteps of St John Baptist De La Salle. He lived that life fully as a De La Salle Brother when serving in PNG. He was a dawn to each brother (and sister) and his faith was tremendous and great. He had time for all of us, and was firm and gentle in his decisions. As one of his first youths, he inspired me into living the Lasallian spirituality. He was a living saint to us”.

As an assistant to the Area Co-ordinator in the local Lasallian Family, Aileen aims to “revitalise and energize effective teaching and learning”. Her action starts with living in the conscious presence of God. She reads about the Founder and attends Family gatherings and retreats. She herself initiates Lasallian formation through the above means. She promotes Lasallian youth ministry, empowering youth in the school through teaching prayer etc. Her own constant prayer, she says, helps her answer the real challenges in Enga. These include lack of response to communication with other teachers, lack of meeting attendance and a lack of resource material. The latter includes the need for crucifixes, rosaries, bibles and statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as material on the Founder’s life and thought.

She has been able to inspire her family so that all her children are now ‘Lasallian Youths’. Her husband, who is not a teacher or educator, but a medical lab technologist, is supportive towards the Mission by providing funding, assisting with documentation, and also attending gatherings with her and their children.

“My call as a Lasallian is truly a blessing to me and my family. It also guides me, and that taught me the 12 virtues of the good teacher (from De La Salle) to the students. It often reminds me on how to look at each child in class. The job I have is not just a paid job but a vocation which I live by the Lasallian Values in teaching my students, identifying vulnerable students. Continuously working together and by association with my Lasallian lay partners, Communities of Brothers and the communities (we create)”.

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BY ASSOCIATION YOURTOWN BOARD DIRECTOR AWARDED AN AM Author: The Standard www.standard.net.au Her childhood was marked by instability, but Megan Mitchell has spent the decades since changing the lives of children just like her.

The Sydney woman went on to become Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner, in a career driven by the firsthand knowledge of what it is like to be a vulnerable kid.

Ms Mitchell has now achieved another career high, being recognised in the Australia Day honours for her significant service to children, human rights, and wellbeing initiatives.

She is thrilled but shocked to join the likes of Olympic champion Ian Thorpe, award-winning actress Rachel Griffiths, and a host of politicians and industry and community leaders, as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia.

“I thought it was a mistake,” she told AAP with a laugh.

Ms Mitchell has spent her career quietly going about the work of protecting and uplifting children who were born at a disadvantage.

“My mum was a single parent with hardly any help around her, and she did it pretty tough ... we moved 14 times before I was 17,” she said.

“I’ve always had an appreciation for those people who are poor or who are disadvantaged.”

Ms Mitchell has been the chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Services, and held senior public service roles in the areas of child protection and disability in two states.

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BY ASSOCIATION She’s also sat on a number of boards, led the development of policy responses to the child sexual abuse Royal Commission, and published six statutory reports on child rights issues.

However, it is her work as the first National Children’s Commissioner, putting a focus on children’s rights for the first time at a national level, that she is most proud of.

While Ms Mitchell has seen huge advances in children’s rights in her career, today’s youth are under pressure in ways unlike those experienced by generations before.

“Knowing the awful things that can happen to children is a pretty hard thing to swallow.”

“One of the hardest things is knowing that in trying to protect children, you don’t always get the best outcomes for them, and they get swept up into systems that do them even more harm.”

Compounded by the threats posed by technology, the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing domestic violence and struggling child protection systems, there’s still a long way to go in securing children’s rights in Australia.

Keeping her going, however, is the pride she knows her late mother would feel of what she made of her rocky upbringing.

“She would probably be a bit emotional about this. She’d be proud as punch. She’d be over the moon.”

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PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ

Br Visitor 2021 Reflection

Pastoral Letter Br Robert Schieler Superior General

Mel bulletin: from (non-) god of culture to a spiritual god

The De La Salle Brothers in the Bathurst Diocese

Association in PARC and RELAF

Kids Helpline 30 year history

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Association in PARC

Insights into young people in Australia

Islam and Catholicism: Towards a Dialogical Mission

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ

VOCATIONS PRAYER

“Bless us on our Journey, Lord” “The Miracles of God’s Providence take place every day”

“God of love, set me a flame with love for you and for my neighbour” “Prepare a path for God so that he can enter your heart.”

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“The more loving you are to the young, the greater will be the effects of God’s grace.”

“God looks on them with compassion and takes care of them as being their protector, their support, and their father, and it is to you that God entrusts this care.”

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LET US REMEMBERS

Remembering the Ashes

Easter Reflection

International Women’s Day

Yourtown, Schools and ‘Graced Wholeness’

Because La Salle said Yes

Recognising the Grey

Seasons of Life

St John Baptist de La Salle

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RESEARCH PAPERS CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO READ

One Woman’s Lasallian Journey

Lasallian Accompaniment and Lasallian Spiritual Direction: A Proposal

An ecological approach to school reviews Going beyond verification and accountability to achieve real school improvement

Reflections on Five Core Principles That Help Lasallian Education

Filling the Basket: Addressing Student Food Insecurity at Lasallian Institutions of Higher

Beyond the school gates: The distinctiveness of the Catholic school in an increasingly pluralist world

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The Lasallian Mission: A Global Educational Network

Lasallian Education: Following in the Footsteps of the Greats

Reading Reality in the Light of the Word: Lectio Divina for Lasallians

REST IN PEACE Please pray for the eternal rest of:

Br Gregory Lim

Br James Mahon

Br Herman Nanaykara

Br Patrick McInerney

Mr. Mike Bailey Benefactor of the Institute

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Connect with Us www.delasalle.org.au admin@delasalle.org.au +61 (02) 9795 6400

lasalleanzppng @lasalleanzppng @lasalleanzppng www.linkedin.com/company/lasalleanzppng