ISSUE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2016 14

ANZPPNG Think highly “of your work - Meditations for the Feast” of Saint Matthew

Headmaster, Director of Novices, Plymouth, Peter Smith and Health a classroom teacher but he is fully Greetings Lasallians teacher of Scholastics (Brothers in and Education Teacher at De La involved in co-curricular activities, formation) and secretary to Br Salle College Mangere East, Joseph particularly sports. And just to keep We are reminded often as Agathon, Superior General. Some Keane spent a week giving of their himself fully occupied he is Director Lasallians that we are “brothers days prior to his death he wrote time and talent teaching. As of the Brothers’ community at and sisters” to those entrusted to from prison to his sisters: “Let us Lasallians without borders, they Bankstown. He is indeed a brother our care. Relationships are so endure with joy and thanksgiving too made an impact on students to those entrusted to his care. important wherever we work the crosses and afflictions that he and teachers at Hohola being across the District, not only with As 2016 comes to a close let’s all will send us. As for myself, I am brothers to those entrusted to their those entrusted to our care but also reflect on our respective tasks as not worthy to suffer for him, for I care. The article on the work of colleague to colleague. sisters and brothers to those have not yet encountered any Peter and Joseph may serve as an entrusted to our care. In this issue of Journal La Salle we problems, and yet there are so invitation for others to volunteer to read some inspirational accounts of many others who are suffering.” serve in solidarity responding to David Hawke fsc Lasallians whose quality of And Br Solomon paid the ultimate needs beyond their borders. Visitor relationships with those entrusted price for being brother to those In this edition there is a profile to their care is exemplary. Their entrusted to his care…… article on Br Gerald Barrett also stories are worth reflecting upon martyrdom! known by most as Br Gerry. He is a and sharing with others. Last month two teachers from New long serving teacher at La Salle On 16th October our entire Zealand travelled to La Salle Catholic College Bankstown but Lasallian Family celebrated the life Technical College, Hohola in Papua has served as a Brother in the and martyrdom of Br Solomon New Guinea as part of a twinning classroom for many years in a canonised St Solomon by Pope programme set up in the District. variety of places in . Br Francis. St Solomon had several Computer Science and Gerry just “keeps on keeping on” responsibilities as a Brother Mathematics teacher at Francis as the paint advertisement once including, science teacher, Douglas Memorial College New said! Not only is he well known as

crest on them and the students PNG and NZ Teachers benefiting from new Twinning program were all very appreciative of everything we did for them”, he Two New Zealand teachers who sessions for fellow Lasallian calculators, pens, chalk and rulers. said. recently returned from a week teachers in Papua New Guinea. “The students were so Both the teachers say they felt very teaching at a fellow Lasallian “Before we left New Zealand, we appreciative, very polite and eager much at home in a fellow school in Port Moresby say it was a asked the teachers in Hohola what to learn in an environment where Lasallian school and they life-changing experience with long sort of support we could offer they lack the technology common particularly enjoyed leading a term benefits for both countries. them during our stay”, explained in our classrooms, including professional development program The professional development Mr Smith. laptops or even a decent internet for teachers from La Salle program is a key element of the connection”, he added. Technical College and the fellow “And they were in desperate need District’s new Twinning program, Lasallian schools in Port Moresby- of sets of textbooks and stationery Mr Keane spent a week taking aimed at forging closer professional Jubilee Catholic Secondary School in classes of up to 45 students, so physical education and personal ties between teachers in schools in and De La Salle Secondary School we were eager to take over as many health and wellbeing classes in Papua New Guinea and in at Bomana. teaching resources as we could”. Hohola and said he came away Australia and New Zealand. inspired by the students and the “We focused our professional Mr Smith was able to take with Computer Science and teachers alike. development on classroom him over 46 kilograms of Mathematics Teacher at Francis management and how to go about classroom resources which many “At a whole school assembly, I Douglas Memorial College, Mr forging better relationships students in New Zealand would presented the school with 30 rugby Peter Smith and Health and between teachers and students”, take for granted, including balls with the De La Salle Mangere Physical Education Teacher at De Mr Smith explained. (cont’d on pg 3) La Salle College Mangere, Mr Joseph Keane travelled to La Salle Technical College in Hohola last month. They received a particularly warm welcome from teachers and students at the coeducational school in Port Moresby where they were not only able to lead daily classes in their subject areas, but also offer professional development Journal La Salle ISSUE 14

A Pilgrim Principal writes from Parmenie by Stephen Pooley, Principal- St James’ College East Bentleigh One aspect of the Pilgrimage was a visit to the Carmelite monastery in Paris where the tragic account of Brother Saint Solomon’s death occurred. We were able to walk along the corridor that St Solomon tread in his final moments before being asked to renounce his faith, and we visited the garden where he was subsequently martyred. Given his canonisation was less than two weeks after our visit to I was very fortunate to have had stage of the Founder’s life journey Parménie - the rural retreat for St this monastery, this was an the opportunity to participate in and our pilgrimage. John Baptiste De La Salle where experience that had great impact the recent Lasallian Pilgrimage. we were able to participate in our on all in our group, with the From the perspective of a lay This Pilgrimage followed in the own retreat. As well, we visited realisation of how and where, St partner, having worked in footsteps of the Founder visiting the Le Grande Chartreuse Solomon was martyred along with Lasallian schools for over 30 historical and religious Lasallian Monastery, the head monastery for many others. years, it was an amazing sites in France and in Italy. The the Carthusian Order of monks experience to visit the sites that Thank you to the Brothers from pilgrimage was led by Br Anthony where De La Salle visited in 1715 feature in the life of St John Australia, France and Italy who Cummins along with our specialist for a secluded retreat. Baptiste De La Salle - sites that we shared their personal insights guide, Br Claude Reinhardt, who refer to when working with our Rome - The De La Salle Mother during the Pilgrimage, and for is based in Reims. students and staff. The Pilgrimage House - Casa La Salle, St Peter’s their companionship over the two A Pilgrimage is a journey of further develops our knowledge of Basilica where Fr John celebrated our weeks. companions who share faith the Lasallian story, and allows one own pilgrimage mass at the Altar of A Pilgrimage adds value and experiences while retracing the to appreciate the challenges the Transfiguration, and on our last meaning to our work with the steps of a religious figure, thus Founder faced alongside the first Sunday, being in the congregation in students and staff in our Lasallian contributing to a greater Brothers, dealing with church and St Peter’s Square for mass and settings, and provides us with understanding of our religion, and government authorities in procession with Pope Francis. much to share with our own in our case, appreciating the work establishing the first schools for The pilgrimage also included time communities as well as allowing and the subsequent Lasallian the poor children in France. with the Superior General of the opportunities for reflection on our Charism of St John Baptiste de la The Pilgrimage included visits to: , Br Bob own role. Salle. Schieler who met with us on our Reims - where the Founder lived I would recommend such a Our Spiritual Director and first day at Casa La Salle in Rome, as a child and young priest and pilgrimage to all in our Lasallian Chaplain while on pilgrimage, was and who also made time to join us established the first school schools and works for the Fr John O’Connor from while at dinner on our last evening experience, the companionship Christchurch and who is well in the Mother House in Rome. Paris - Maison De La Salle (the with fellow pilgrims and the known in our District. In his daily Brothers’ House) centrally located In all of the Lasallian houses, knowledge that is to be gained reflections and when celebrating in the area where John Baptiste De works and schools, we were through such a journey and I am mass, Fr John placed each location La Salle studied, worked and set graciously welcomed by the local very thankful for this opportunity. in the context of De La Salle’s up the first school in Paris. De La Salle Brothers and extended work, and emphasised the every courtesy to make our visit significance of each location to the Rouen - St Yon and the place of his final days. memorable.

De La Salle Day was also an supporting Lasallian Foundation St Michael’s College Adelaide celebrates opportunity to acknowledge the and yourtown projects and contribution of long serving staff Adelaide-based organisations, De La Salle Day members, with 23 members of the including the Australian Refugee college community recognised with Association and the St Vincent De Students, staff and alumni at St Principal and friend of the College, awards for 10, 20 and 30 years of Paul Society. Michael’s College in Adelaide have Adelaide-born De La Salle Brother service. united in a combined celebration John Pill. The Adelaide school has a long across the school’s primary and It was also a chance to celebrate tradition of nurturing its alumni Year 12 students came dressed as secondary campuses to mark De the school’s Lasallian ethos, and the Old Scholars and SALT their favourite characters and La Salle Day. particularly its commitment to team (South Australian Lasallian ushered the primary students into supporting its twinned school in Team) helped organise some of the The celebrations took place in a the hall in a true display of the Pakistan, La Salle High School fun activities available for the difficult week for Lasallian commitment to acting as Campus 2 in Faisalabad. students to celebrate De La Salle after a violent storm left residents a big brother/big sister to the Day, including food stalls, a Like St Michael’s College, this across the state without power for juniors. sideshow alley, mascot race and a days, but that did not weaken the school also has a primary campus, At the conclusion of the Liturgy, staff vs students’ netball game. positive Lasallian spirit on display but it caters for students from very students across all year levels to honour the Founder and his disadvantaged backgrounds with recited a pledge, committing ethos at the school. many students exposed to social themselves to abide by Lasallian problems such as drugs, child 1500 students and staff joined in a values, serving others, especially labour and domestic violence. Thanksgiving Liturgy in Founder’s the poor and making a difference Hall which included speeches by to those less fortunate than St Michael’s College’s strong social Principal Mr John Foley and past themselves. justice programs also extend to 2 NOVEMBER 2016

and students from the three schools Both teachers are eager to return to and I am sure this is just the start PNG and are also encouraging of a very rewarding program for their colleagues across New everyone involved”, he said. Zealand and Australia to follow their lead and spend some time Br Antony expressed his gratitude teaching in Papua New Guinea. to Lasallian Mission Council board members, Br Sir Patrick Lynch and “It really deepens your capacity to Mr Kane Raukura for coordinating teach across different cultural the exchange program. settings and it has no doubt helped to forge a longer term bond Mr Raukura said the new program between our schools as well as would help forge closer long term students and move towards a more ongoing pedagogical benefits for (cont’d from pg 1) ties between teachers in Papua student centred approach to our fellow teachers in PNG”, Mr New Guinea and New Zealand, PNG and NZ Teachers benefiting learning”. Keane added. from new Twinning program allowing for ongoing pedagogical The Principal of La Salle Technical support and teaching resources. Staff interested in participating in College in Hohola, Br Antony the Lasallian Volunteer Teacher “In classrooms that are still more Peter Smith and Joseph Keane said Swamy said his staff and students program should contact the focused on a ‘chalk and talk’ they were grateful to the De La benefited enormously from the work Executive Director of the Lasallian approach because of limited Salle Brothers’ community in of the two New Zealand teachers. Mission Council Mr Merv resources, we helped encourage the Hohola who offered them McCormack- teachers to become more mobile to “It was a wonderful teaching and accommodation and hospitality [email protected] help them interact more with their learning experience for teachers during their stay in Port Moresby.

Committed Lasallian: Around Mangere with Blossom Fernandes As a Religious Education Teacher home in Catholic education, Mangere and I took up the advice at De La Salle College Mangere, working at a Salesian school there of the Salesian Provincial in India Mrs Blossom Fernandes sees for 27 years”, she explained after a and immediately applied”, Mrs herself very much as a role model, busy day of teaching at Mangere. Fernandes said with a chuckle. promoting strong values to “Once my husband and I decided As a qualified teacher across students from a wide diversity of to settle in New Zealand, the English, History and Religious religious backgrounds. Provincial of the Salesian Order in Education, Mrs Fernandes had a The Auckland all boys school India took me aside and busy workload and she was pleased boasts an enrolment of over 1000 recommended I look out for a to be able to focus solely on students, most of whom come from Lasallian school over here because Religious Education once a full-time the local Maori and Pasifiker he knew I would be well suited to a opportunity came up in 2010. community, including many fellow teaching charism”. “What I particularly love here at students from non Catholic Like our own Founder, St John Mangere is the emphasis upon backgrounds or some from no faith Baptist de la Salle, the Founder of service projects as part of the background at all. the Salesians, St Don Bosco was a religious education curriculum, “It would be great to expand what Having started her teaching career committed educator who focused whether that is through Young we can offer here beyond the in a public school in India nearly his work on assisting Vinnies, a Food Bank for the Lasallian Heritage program and it 40 years ago, Mrs Fernandes disadvantaged youth in Italy in the homeless or visits to aged care is wonderful to see how the brought a strong inclusive 19th century. homes in Auckland”, she added. Buttimer program in the United approach to teaching with her “When we settled in Auckland and Her affection for the Lasallian States has really enhanced the when she began working at De La started going to Mass, it took some charism has deepened over the past work of our Lasallian Principals Salle Mangere eight years ago. time before I noticed an eight years and Mrs Fernandes is and other senior staff in New “Through public schools I taught advertisement in the parish now keen on pursuing further Zealand and hopefully we can many Hindu students in the Indian newsletter for long-term relief formation programs in New build upon these opportunities city of Goa and then I found my teachers at De La Salle College Zealand and abroad. over coming years”.

Oakhill College outreach to India and the Philippines Foundation projects across the help to construct a new toilet Asia-Pacific region. block, urgent building repairs and A group of around 80 Year 11 and painted cottages at a school computers in the classroom. students and staff members from for disadvantaged youth at The school signed a recent Oakhill College in Sydney have Dindigul in Tamil Nadu state. twinning arrangement with a The fundraising will also help to given up some of their recent fellow Lasallian school in Multan improve teachers salaries at La They also helped as teachers’ spring holidays to help on building in Pakistan- Alban’s Academy. Salle Technical College, a assistants and joined in sporting coeducational school at Hohola projects and as teachers’ assistants Students at the Multan school activities with the local students. near Port Moresby which focuses in India and Philippines. struggle with poor access to clean on vocational education and Another 21 students travelled to the drinking water and the funds The immersion visits have become training programs. Philippines to work as volunteers at an annual tradition at the Castle raised through Oakhill College will Lasallian schools near Bacolod City. Hill college as part of its Lasallians Without Borders Program under The immersion visits are an the leadership of the school’s integral part of the social justice Solidarity and Social Justice program at Oakhill College and Coordinator Mr Chris Goodman. came after a highly successful Mission Action Walkathon last In India, 60 Oakhill students term to support Lasallian helped on a major building project 3 Journal La Salle ISSUE 14

Lasallian Alumni: Marko Panzic

performance at Eurovision in 2014 “I have particularly fond memories because the best performers need and has worked with many other from joining in a Rock Eisteddfod to be able to have solid critical internationally recognised in Year 8 and the great support thinking skills, especially in areas recording artists including and encouragement I received like choreography”. Ricki-Lee, DJ Havana Brown and from my teachers to follow my Olivia Newton-John. dream career”. Marko Panzic said he is gaining some of the greatest personal The La Salle College Middle Swan A graduate of the class of 2001, satisfaction in his career so far graduate made history last year, Marko has provided choreography through his work with the Dream founding Australia’s first for household TV programs Dance Company, through being commercial dance company, the including Australia’s Got Talent, able to foster new, long term Dream Dance Company, aimed at The Voice Australia and X Factor employment opportunities for maximising employment Australia. talented Australian dancers. opportunities for local dancers. He is a passionate believer in the “Australia houses so much talent Since he first captured public Marko Panzic believes his strong importance of the performing arts and through the company, I really attention in 2008 as a finalist on passion for the performing arts in the school curriculum. want to strengthen that reputation the national TV series, So you was nurtured at a very young age on the global stage and take a lot think you can dance, Marko and his old school certainly played “Whether it is music, art or dance, of our productions overseas”, he Panzic has had a remarkable a key part in it. research has shown that there are career in the performing arts as a real benefits for student learning in explained. Dancer, Choreographer and “There were so many great fostering creativity”, he said. “We have an endearing underdog Creative Director, leaving a strong opportunities at La Salle College, mentality in our national psyche mark on the international stage. not only as a dancer but as a “But I also would encourage all and I’m enjoying drawing upon choreographer as well”, he students who are interested in a that and really putting our work He choreographed Jessica explained from his current studio career in the performing arts to go on the global map”. Mauboy’s special guest in Sydney. ahead and pursue a good education beyond school too

Lasallian Alumni: Vanessa Penitani “And the beauty of the Lasallian “You gain a tremendous charism is the way it supports satisfaction from seeing the “Merv McCormack was the students well beyond their school students grow on their spiritual Principal at the time and he made years through programs like Share journey and alongside that, as a sure that before I underwent any the Mission and Young Lasallian teacher, the experience can be surgery, I received a whole school leadership events”. spiritually enriching for you as blessing and there were constant well”, she said. Mrs Penitani has drawn heavily phone calls to my mother to make upon that Lasallian tradition of Upon returning to Sydney, Mrs sure I was okay and flowers service as an Ambassador in the Penitani was among a prestigious delivered to our home as well”. Cancer Council’s Relay for Life group of teachers recognised Mrs Penitani drew heavily upon her program. through the Catholic Education Catholic faith through what would Office with a proficiency award “I chose very consciously to turn have been a challenging time for for the high calibre of her work. my own experiences with the anyone, let own a senior student illness into something positive and Her attention has now turned about to embark on their HSC. community-focused”, she towards possibly pursuing a Her fellow students and staff explained. Masters degree in Religious members were inspired by her Education and taking up more The energetic young teacher has unfailing positive attitude and senior executive roles in Lasallian participated in the Shellharbour Upon meeting Casimir Catholic remarkable resilience, leading to schools. Relay for Life for the past three College teacher Mrs Vanessa her appointment as College years, which involves a 24 hour Penitani, it is easy to come away Captain in Year 12. “I have such fond memories inspired by her remarkable faith, long walk to raise vital funds for from the work of the De La cancer research. courage and zeal for the Lasallian Now over ten years later, Mrs Salle Brothers including mission. Penitani is Year 9 Coordinator and “This year, I was quite honoured Lasallian Facilitator at her old former Principals here like when the organisers made me an A graduate of the Marrickville school, combining a busy teaching Br Colin Griffin and Br Ambassador for the program, college herself in 2005, Mrs load across her two subject areas Paul Rigney who would alongside a farmer from Penitani believes it was the of Religious Education and Wollongong who was another know every student and overwhelming support she received Physical Education. from the school community when cancer survivor and it was a great teacher’s name and would battling a potentially fatal illness “What I love the most here opportunity to share my journey be there to offer them in Year 11 and 12 that inspired her at Casimir College is the with others and in that sense to act support or just a friendly as a beacon of hope for those who to contribute back later on as a great sense of community chat over lunch or recess”, teacher there. are still fighting the illness”. that makes a Catholic school she added. Vanessa Penitani recently led a “I was diagnosed with thyroid feel a lot more like a family “I love that tradition so deeply group of Casimir College students cancer and had to undergo a lot of now that I would also love to send where no-one is judged, but on a World Youth Day pilgrimage treatment through my senior years my own children to a Lasallian everyone is nurtured and to Poland, an experience she at Casimir College and I’ll never school, just as I benefited from it supported along whatever would strongly recommend to forget the tremendous support I and my mother also did as a other teachers in Catholic schools. received at the school”, Mrs path they want to take in student at Casimir College”. 4 Penitani explained. life”, she added. NOVEMBER 2016

Pope Francis declares a new Lasallian Saint

Lasallian communities around the of privilege to pursue a religious world have held celebrations to vocation. mark the canonisation of the martyred French De La Salle Br Solomon had a deep devotion to Brother, Solomon Le Clercq. teaching children and teenagers and remarkably instructed a class of Brother Solomon was canonised by over 130 students after only one Pope Francis alongside six other year of training at the novitiate. revered Catholics in a ceremony at St Peter’s Square in Rome. He went on to hold a number of key leadership roles, including Many Lasallian colleges across our Director of Novices for his District have inter-school houses community, Procurator at the named in honour of Saint Solomon Motherhouse and Secretary to the who worked for several years as a Superior General of the De La Salle teacher in schools throughout Brothers. France in the 18th century. Brother Solomon provided strong At the canonisation ceremony in spiritual advice and guidance to Rome, large numbers of De La fellow De La Salle Brothers, while Salle Brothers and Lasallian seeing first-hand the political partners were among the turmoil, tearing France apart in the congregation there to witness the lead up the 1789 Revolution. event, including Br Ambrose Payne, Br Tony Cummins and Br Tim In the summer of 1792, Peter from our own District. Brother Solomon was The Brother Visitor of France, Br among many priests and Jean Paul Aleth had the honour of religious who were In March this year, a medical It was the case of a Venezuelan girl doing a reading at the Mass in imprisoned and martyred as consultant from the Sacred who had been miraculously cured Rome. part of the suppression of Congregation for the Causes of after having been bitten by a Saints examined a case involving a venomous snake. Like our Founder, St John Baptist Christianity during the miraculous cure which had been de la Salle, Brother Solomon (born attributed to the intercession of This paved the way for the Nicholas Leclerq) renounced a life French Revolution. Blessed Solomon. canonisation of Brother Solomon.

Around yourtown with Br David Zande

tackling homelessness, family and “I quickly realised though that in the Brothers’ community, I didn’t domestic violence, youth through my welfare work as a De realise I was being personally called unemployment and counselling for La Salle Brother, I was able to focus to become a Brother til after I left children and young adults. my efforts solely on the needs of the school”. disadvantaged, whereas as a teacher, One of its flagship programs, Kids I was tending to work more with Looking back on 50 years with the Helpline is marking its 25th students from a broader cross De La Salle Brothers, David Zande anniversary this year, but section of socio-economic has seen first-hand how dramatically yourtown’s history stretches back backgrounds”, Br David explained. the Lasallian mission has changed over 50 years in Australia when it within our District, including the commenced programs supporting “And I feel very much through great expansion of yourtown into the disadvantaged under its previous yourtown that our mission is areas such as web counselling which name, BoysTown. therefore very much in line with would have been unthinkable in what our Founder would be doing if previous decades. What unites all of yourtown’s he were still alive today”. programs are its strong Lasallian “I hope too that through values, focused on putting the A graduate of De La Salle Colleges encouraging Share the Mission message of St John Baptist de la at Ashfield and Marrickville, Br volunteers to take up placements Salle into action through David became curious about the life with yourtown next year in Within a short walk of the busy concentrating its work on of the Brothers in his senior Campbelltown in Sydney, that we’ll railway station at Blacktown in supporting Australia’s most secondary years and was keen on see more Young Lasallians take up Sydney’s north-west, Br David disadvantaged communities. exploring it more. welfare work with our organisation Zande is one of a small team of and potentially some young men welfare workers offering daily For Br David Zande, that journey “I remember a priest, Fr McGovern, may take up the calling to become support and assistance to the began over 23 years ago when he who was responsible for promoting De La Salle Brothers as a result of unemployed in one of the city’s most made a transition from working as a vocations in the Archdiocese of that experience”, he said. disadvantaged communities. teacher in Lasallian schools across Sydney at the time, visiting our Australia and New Zealand to school in Marrickville, to give a talk “And the yourtown staff benefit Br David is part of the employment working as a counsellor for about religious life and he asked us greatly from and really appreciate services arm of the Lasallian agency, disadvantaged young people, all to pray for vocations”, Br David the presence of the Brothers across yourtown. including those in prison. explained. our organisation which helps us to The organisation has a total staff of maintain that ongoing heritage and At the time, it was a major shift in “And at the time, while I was that contemporary face of John 500 people spread across Australia, direction after spending his first 20 inspired by the sense of community working in roles as diverse as Baptist de la Salle”. years as a teacher. 5 Journal La Salle ISSUE 14

Committed Lasallian: Gary Burrows

After resigning as Principal in 2008 to focus on caring for a son with special needs, Mr Burrows has gone on to play a pivotal role as a Sustainability Officer, promoting environmental responsibility across Catholic schools in Sydney.

“I have tried to draw upon the Lasallian tradition too in that work with Year 6 students acting as big brothers and sisters to As visitors enter De La Salle Year 4 students, training them College at Caringbah in southern to turn off the lights and the Sydney, there is an unmistakable air conditioners at the end of sign marked on the main building the school day, while linking overlooking the main courtyard care for the environment to with a distinctly Lasallian our relationship with God’, he message- “Enter to Learn, Leave in Bankstown and as Assistant explained. directly upon their classmates and to Serve”. Principal for four years and Acting teachers. Principal for one year at the Over recent months, Mr Burrows It is just one of a number of former school, De La Salle College “I saw it as a fundamentally has also turned his attention legacies left behind by the former in Kingsgrove. Lasallian approach to towards running a series of Principal of the all boys school education because De La restorative justice workshops for Mr Gary Burrows who has been He has particularly fond memories Lasallian teachers at a national Salle’s guiding philosophy a committed Lasallian for over of his years as a student at De La conference in Papua New Guinea. 50 years, dating back to his time Salle Colleges at Caringbah and was very much focused on as a young student himself at the Cronulla and he credits some of strengthening relationships “I came away inspired by Caringbah college. the De La Salle Brothers with between teachers and their infectious zeal for inspiring him to pursue a teaching students, but not in an the Lasallian mission and As Principal of his old school for career. authoritarian way”, Mr the way they see it very ten years from 1999-2008, Mr Burrows explained. much as their responsibility Burrows introduced an innovative “I particularly remember an Irish- to pass on the Lasallian restorative justice program which born Brother, Dermot Brosnan at “Restorative Justice is charism to their students”, fundamentally strengthened the Caringbah who had an amazing fundamentally about correction he added. relationship between teachers and work ethic and could be an over punishment and correction students at the college to such incredibly hard task-master as that is for the betterment of the Through his work at the Catholic an extent that it has now been well”, Mr Burrows said. student involved”. Education Office, Mr Burrows adopted by many other Catholic has also provided critical support “I really enjoyed maths at school Gary Burrows believes one of schools in Sydney. to the Lasallian Mission Council and on one occasion I scored the most life changing decisions in its efforts to send furniture “The Lasallian ethos has totally 99/100 on an exam paper and Br he made as a school principal donations from Sydney schools to shaped my values and outlook Dermot turned to me scoldingly was to undertake counselling PNG. in a way that I never realised it and said- ‘you let me down’, he studies, focused specifically on the would as a student, but which I said with a chuckle. psychology of choice theory. As he looks towards the have grown to treasure so much future, Gary Burrows said he Mr Burrows went on to qualify as “It’s very much focused on more as a teacher and later as a is particularly encouraged by a Maths teacher himself, working empowering individuals to make Principal”, Mr Burrows explained. the work of Lasallian alumni first in public schools for nine better choices in their lives and I and senior students undertaking years, before finding himself more saw so many lives turned around “Lasallian schools are immersion programs in at home in Catholic education. as a result of it at De La Salle very much focused on life disadvantaged countries. Caringbah”, he added. education which goes far He believes the happiest years of his “It comes back to the sign that I beyond preparing students career were spent as Principal at De As Principal, Mr Burrows saw at a Lasallian school in San to sit examinations and La Salle College Caringbah where consciously gave many students a Francisco in 2004 and I later had really instils them with an he gained immense satisfaction from second chance at the college who put up at Caringbah- ‘ Enter to unshakeable set of values seeing the school transform itself had been expelled from nearby Learn, Leave to Serve’”. based on valuing respect after introducing the restorative schools. and the dignity of each justice program in 2003. “And I am always very encouraged “We admitted 29 students over 10 person”. when I run into alumni and they Through the program, students years who had been expelled from explain the sorts of social justice Mr Burrows’ remarkable are encouraged to take greater other schools and remarkably 27 projects they’re involved with and contribution to Lasallian personal responsibility for their of them went on to receive their they finish by telling me- Sir, this is education also includes periods as own actions and to consider School Certificates at the end of what I’m doing to serve”. how their misbehaviour impacts Year 10”. 6 Principal of De La Salle College NOVEMBER 2016

Brother Visitor’s Canonical Visit to Pakistan

Brother Visitor David Hawke has Br David heard an excellent Last week, Br David attended a Salle Brother in the country received a warm welcome at presentation on youth activities in Ceremony for 100 Prefects at La around 34 and 16 young men Lasallian schools and De La Salle Pakistan by Solomon Ronald. Salle College Faisalabad to mark currently undergoing training Brothers’ communities across the Feast of the Guardian Angels whether in Pakistan itself or Pakistan as part of his annual Solomon outlined the diverse and also visited the De La Salle through a regional novitiate canonical visit to the country. scope of work the Young Brothers’ community in Khushpur. program in Sri Lanka and the Lasallians have been involved Philippines. Br David presented awards to the with, including attending regional During his visit to Faisalabad, Br winners at an annual inter-sports Lasallian youth events in Malaysia David was also a special guest at a The Young Lasallians in Pakistan competition between Lasallian and school-based social justice Speech Day for Aspirants at the also held an outstanding Inaugural schools hosted by La Salle College activities such as a popular Book San Miguel House of Formation. Gathering last October, bringing in Faisalabad. Bank for needy students and visits together 140 students and alumni to a brick kiln, offering support to There is a particularly vibrant from six Lasallian schools in The school also hosted a Young bonded workers. culture of vocations in Pakistan Faisalabad, Multan and Khushpur. Lasallians event last week where with the average age of a De La

Pakistan schools mark the International Lasallian Days for Peace

Lasallian schools and other workplaces holding up banners marked with peace badges to each other and Lasallian schools across the around the world hold icons for peace including doves and sang songs for peace. Pakistani cities of Faisalabad olive branches. and Multan have held peace community events, such After a moment of silence to walks, special assemblies and as prayer services, weekly Principal Br Shahzad Gill promote peace, students and staff music performances to mark the moments of reflection or congratulated the students and flew pigeons into the sky as a sign International Lasallian Days for projects of service to mark spoke about the importance of of peace and freedom. Peace. the International Lasallian peace in a multi-faith nation such Fellow Lasallian schools in Multan Days for Peace which is as Pakistan and around the globe. The celebrations in Pakistan were have also held a series of events to part of a global event from 21 now in its tenth year. At La Salle Girls High school, mark the International Lasallian September to 21 October and this In Faisalabad, primary students students also gathered for a special Days for Peace, including special year, the theme for the event was at La Salle College gathered for assembly to mark the International assemblies, music, dance and “Our Voices of Mercy are calling a morning assembly, followed by Lasallian Days for Peace. singing on the theme of peace and for Peace”. harmony. a peace walk around the school, Students and teachers distributed 7 Journal La Salle ISSUE 14

Around La Salle Catholic College

Q & A with Br Gerald Barrett

Br Gerald Barrett or “Br Gerry” as he is affectionately known is a familiar face to students at La Salle Catholic College in Bankstown where he has been teaching Maths and Religious Education for over ten years.

He is currently the only De La explained during a break between Salle Brother working as a full- classes at Bankstown. time teacher in Australia and “Br Ambrose taught me for five is also Director of the Brothers years in Cootamundra in what was community at Bankstown, directly his first school after graduating next to the Sydney college. from the novitiate and remarkably Br Gerry currently takes three we are now in the same Brothers’ front gate each day and one of the being a Big Brother in the Lasallian Maths and two Religious community all these years later”. Year 2 boys noticed I looked a bit tradition is all about”, he said. Education classes across Years 7-9 down one day and came up and Br Gerry has had a remarkable “A lot of the young men I was where he is known for combining sat on the bench next to me and journey as a De La Salle Brother working with were struggling with an energetic teaching style with a wanted to talk to me”. over the past 46 years, teaching in mental health problems and you genuine pastoral approach to the urban, rural and remote primary “And he asked me- ‘Br Gerry are could see how grateful they were students under his care. and secondary schools across you sad?’ I told him I was after my just to have a companion there Br Gerry will be joined next year at Australia as well as a period as a father died and he said to me- ‘It’s playing a game of snooker with the school by an Aspirant Kenneth welfare worker with yourtown in okay-you have us”. them at the youth centre”. Gan who will also be living in the Queensland. “And that just reflected so well Br Gerry has seen first hand the Brothers’ community at Bankstown that Indigenous perspective on changing nature of the Lasallian He spent the first 20 years as a De SEP2015 and working as a Science Teacher La Salle Brother working in primary family and that once you come mission overNAL the past 40 years as at the college. schools, including a life-changing to appreciate that fully, you will JOURLasallian Partners take on greater Like many fellow De La Salle four years as Principal of the Holy never walk alone”. positions of leadership in the global family. Brothers, Br Gerry said he was Rosary School in Derby in Western Br Gerry said he has gained a great inspired to join the order through Australia’s remote Kimberley deal of personal satisfaction from “And I continue to be inspired the positive experiences he had as a region. working with the disadvantaged, by the commitment and zeal in student at a Lasallian school. “What stood out to me most including a year spent as a the mission, particularly through “I went to a Brothers’ school in from that whole experience was counsellor assisting troubled youth the volunteer projects that many Cootamundra in country New the great sense of community, in Beaudesert in Queensland. Young Lasallians are involved in both in Australia and abroad South Wales from primary through family and kinship in Indigenous “It was through that work as we work together to keep the to secondary school and I have communities”, Br Gerry explained. with what was then known as a lot of fond memories from my charism vibrant and alive for future “As Principal of the school, I used BoysTown, but is now yourtown, time there in the 1960s”, Br Gerry generations”. to farewell all the students at the that I came to appreciate what

UPCOMING EVENTS In next month’s issue: ISSUE Australia New Zealand Pakistan 15 2016 2017 2016 Encounter Day, Lakemba Lasallian Heritage program- Rotorua Recollection Day for Christian ANZPPNG 21 November 27 April Teachers 17 December Lasallian End of Year Mass, Bankstown Shared Brothers/ Partners Retreat- • End of Year Mass and Awards Night 24 November Auckland Outreach for Youth Volunteers in Sydney 9 July 2017 18 December • Lasallians in Canberra hold their Lasallian Womens Symposium- annual Alumni Gathering Lasallian Student Leader Seminar, Auckland Lasallian Alumni and Guiness World Collaroy NSW • 16-19 July Record Holder: Anthony Kelly 16-20 January Around St James with Martin Callanan Lasallian Leaders Gathering, Wollongong • NSW 26-28 February To contribute to the newsletter, please contact, Michael Kenny Lasallian Youth Gathering, De La Salle LMC Communications Officer Ashfield [email protected] 10-14 July

De La Salle Brothers Provincial Office P O Box 3485, Bankstown Square, NSW 2200, Australia E: [email protected] 8 T: +61 2 9795 6400