Founder's Day
Founder’s Day in Melbourne
‘Together and By Association”
The Melbourne model for the Tercentenary celebrations of Founder’s Day was epic! Involving around 4,000 students, almost 450 staff and numerous buses, the four Lasallian Colleges hosted four Combined Lasallian Colleges’ events, that is, simultaneously but across four different venues.
All Year 7 and Year 8 students went to St John’s College, Dandenong, all Year 9 students went to St Patrick’s Cathedral, hosted by St James’ College, East Bentleigh, all Year 10 and Year 11 students went to St Bede’s College, Mentone, and finally, all Year 12 students went to De La Salle College, Malvern.
Regardless of location, the program was identical:
- Travel time to host College/venue
- Mass
- Age appropriate inspirational Guest Speakers and Entertainment
- Travel time back to home College
While the structure of the program seems straightforward, the planning and execution took great dedication and attention to detail; as host Colleges, we started our preparations over 12 months ago. The Planning Committee are grateful to the positive and practical support that was received within each College.
De La Salle Brothers attended each Mass and their presence reminded us of their life-long commitment to education and to the legacy of which we are both beneficiaries and custodians.
In this Tercentenary Year, with all Lasallians around the world, we aimed to give ‘honour and praise for the life of De La Salle’. The following reflections, from each venue, will provide some insight to this special celebration.
Combined Year 7 and Year 8 Founder’s Day at St John’s Regional College, Dandenong
A Report by John Rhynehart, Director of Faith and Mission, St John’s Regional College, Dandenong
It was fitting that the Brother Visitor was the guest of honour, along with nearly 1200 students in Years 5 - 8, at St John’s Regional College, Dandenong, as we gathered to celebrate the Founder’s Tercentenary. Fitting because we had the opportunity to hear from one who has dedicated a lifetime to De La Salle’s mission and those listening, the young ones embarking on a Lasallian Journey, were all ears! We were blessed with the liturgical leadership of Fr Andrew Jekot who opened up for us the Tercentenary Theme – he gave it life as we imitated his gestures and called out the words. We grew in happiness of the Spirit as Andrew Chinn led us on a musical mystery ride through the values of the Gospel. A friendly game of basketball during lunchtime spoke of the manner in which the students from the Lasallian schools in Melbourne happily came to together to play, pray and, with the inspiration of the Founder, practice what they preach. It was a joyful day. Combined Year 9 Founder’s Day with St James College, East Bentleigh at St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne
A Report by Hunter T and Lachlan S,
Year 9 students at St Bede’s College, Mentone
On 17 May, 2019, the Year 9 students from St Bede’s College travelled to St Patrick’s Cathedral in the city to attend a special Mass celebrating Founder’s Day. Hosted by St James’ College and celebrated by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, the Mass went for one hour and was a great Mass. Students from De La Salle College and St John’s Regional College were also there. Following this we had lunch together in Carlton Gardens on a really beautiful, sunny day. After lunch, we walked to the Academy of Mary Immaculate, an all-girls school, to hear presentations about making everyone feel equal. During the presentations we saw how homeless people have become ‘invisible’ in modern society with people walking past them, even if they are a family member. We also received a talk from someone who is a part of a group called NET (National Evangelisation Team) about homelessness. Overall it was a great and interesting day to commemorate St John Baptist de La Salle, our Founder.