Today our Lasallian Mission in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea encompasses twenty-six schools, the welfare work of BoysTown, Australia’s largest children’s charity including Kids Help Line and other initiatives, and the Lasallian Foundation which funds projects for disadvantaged youth across Asia-Pacific.
Our active and vibrant Youth Ministry programs provide personal and spiritual development opportunities for young people of all backgrounds, as well as an opportunity for service. Lasallian Education Services provides professional development and formation courses for staff and volunteers within our network to deepen their understanding of our values, tradition and charism, as well as enhance their professional skills.
Mission
"The purpose of this Institute is to give a
human and Christian education to the young, especially
the poor, according to the Ministry which the Church
has entrusted to it".
- Rule, Chapter 1.3
The De La Salle Brothers and lay partners work together
as Lasallians to achieve our Mission to meet the educational
and welfare needs of the young people in our care, particularly
the poor and marginalised.
Values
Our core Lasallian Values are Faith, Service and Community.
We relate to our fellow Lasallians and the young people
in our care as Brothers and Sisters.
History
Twelve De La Salle Brothers came to Australia from Ireland
and France in January 1906. In february 1906, they opened
their first school at Armidale in country New South
Wales. From Armidale the work expanded throughout Australia
and to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. In 1946, the
Brothers opened a Teachers’ Training College in
Papua New Guinea, followed by a number of primary and
secondary schools. The first two Lasallian schools in
New Zealand began in 1953. Currently, New South Wales,
Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia
have Lasallian schools.
Founder
John Baptist De La Salle came from a wealthy family in Rheims, France. He was a highly educated priest who completed his university studies in Paris. With education in 17th century France confined to wealthy families, John Baptist grew up in a city where most children spent their days on the streets and frequently became involved in petty crime. De La Salle responded to the needs of these "street kids" by providing schools for poor boys. In 1684, he established the first group of Brothers, giving them a new "Lasallian spirituality", community rules to live by as well as a particular way of dressing. He was canonised in 1900 and became the Patron Saint of Teachers in 1950. |