Principal's Message
Lasallian
What does it mean to be Lasallian? This question has the power to make make many of us stumble and pause, as it is difficult to put into words.
I first heard the term Lasallian in Year 7. I knew it had something to do with St John Baptist
De La Salle - the man who provided education to impoverished children in 17th Century France. Other than this, I knew it held an important place at St Bede’s College, but it took me a while to realise why. We hear a lot about being Lasallian, and whether or not we know it, it drives everything we do here both in and out of the classroom.
Strangely, it means something slightly different to everyone who is involved in this community In July this year, myself, Pat Hurst, Pat Callanan, Aidan Glacken, and Ms Haggert attended the Lasallian Youth Gathering in Brisbane, and it was this experience which allowed me to formulate a greater understanding of what it means to be Lasallian
180 students, past and present, teachers and volunteers from all around Australia, PNG, New Zealand and the US - all coming together to share and learn about what we have in common. As well as getting to know everyone, we listened to guest speakers, spoke about our faith and discussed social issues in the world, as well as how we can go about making a change.
Different people who live different lives; whether in Melbourne, Australia; Rotorua NZ; Philadelphia in the US; or the Western Islands in PNG - we were all united and instantly shared something through being Lasallian - an unspoken bond.
LYG in Brisbane gave me a greater perspective on this global community. While we talk about being Lasallian here, there are hundreds of schools all around the world focused on the same mission that we are. Being a part of this mission allows us to understand that we aren’t alone in how we operate and in what we aim to achieve.
For me, the focus on action and working towards change is also an important aspect. I noticed that many of the people I met from Papua New Guinea don’t have all that much themselves, but they are constantly trying to help others who have even less than they do. Ultimately, gaining satisfaction not from accumulating material things, but by fulfilling the needs of others is a cornerstone of the Lasallian spirit.
From our missions in India, to the work the Year 11 boys do in Thailand, on a global scale being a part of this community allows us to help the less fortunate.
But in our own school, these acts of kindness and generosity are not limited to our actions in overseas and distant lands. Every day in the school yard, our behaviours often illustrate that being Lasallian is in our nature. Whether its helping a mate with his homework, or sticking up for someone in the squares, being Lasallian is not about being a spectator to unfairness or injustice it’s about actively seeking positive change.
The Lasallian community is so appealing to many people as it allows them to expand and maintain their faith in God in ways other than simply going to church. This aspect is the reason why young people are so engaged; it provides an avenue for people to act on their faith, to collaborate and to learn.
So there we have it; faith, community and service.
Some may see being Lasallian as something that ends with our schooling, however, it is something we all carry with us everyday, and can positively influence our lives and the lives of those around us if we allow it to.
In a world where some people couldn’t care less, the Lasallian community aims to produce people who can care more.
I began by saying that it can be hard to describe and fully encompass the meaning of Lasallian into words alone. This is because the meaning of Lasallian is not to be heard in what we say, but to be seen in what we do.
Sean Hollis
College Vice-Captain