An Audacious August -a busy time for the Lasallian Mission Services team

The Lasallian Mission Services’ (LMS) team has again been busily engaged in exciting events involving Principals, school and yourtown staffs, and students in recent weeks.

A regathering of Lasallian Principals and LMS recently occurred at DLS College Caringbah.  The agenda included important input from Julie Alibrandi and Br John Pill which was followed by discussions around the Identity Criteria for the Vitality of Lasallian Educational Ministries, and Lasallian Identity: What it is that really makes a school Lasallian” .  Flowing from the input, LMS and Tony Daley, Principal, St Michael’s College, Adelaide and Peter Buxton, Principal, DLS, Caringbah led discussions on best practice and strategic plans which highlighted their commitment to the Five Lasallian Core Principals.  Other Principals including Br Steve Hogan, Oakhill College, shared resources and insights into the ways in which the Lasallian identity is animated through Teaching and Learning and Leadership initiatives. Other important agenda items included: managing critical incidents; safeguarding; Principal wellbeing and self- care; and the formation of Assistant Principals.  In a concerted effort to further engage with each other, the Principals demonstrated a strong commitment and desire for fellowship.  Furthermore, they have agreed to meet twice in person in 2025, firstly at the annual Lasallian Leaders’ gathering (19-21 March 2025 at DLS College, Malvern); and secondly, in Term 3 at DLS College, Revesby.

Back in Sydney, Br John Cantwell, Lydia Avia-Aumua and Julie Alibrandi hosted a highly successful gathering of Lasallian Support Staff at the La Salle Centre. The agenda invited participants to reflect on the significant role they exercised in their valuable work, and to consider the contribution of women including from the founding story. The opportunity to meet colleagues from other Lasallian works and to enjoy hospitality made for a fine gathering.  Feedback included: “A wonderful day. To be appreciated in the work we do. I love the history of the de La Salle Brothers. To John, Julie and Lydia: thank you for an amazing day”.   

Back south, Br John, Lydia and Julie attended DLS College Malvern for a staff formation day where John provided input and led conversations around DLS’s values and their interconnectedness with the Founder’s story.  Lydia led a session on the Founder’s 100 quotes, and Julie facilitated a panel discussion for all staff.  She also took the opportunity to liaise with College Principal, Peter Houlihan, around planning for LLG in March 2025.  Rana Brogan, College Deputy Principal, later wrote: “… today was tremendous. Such positive feedback from staff.  Everything I had hoped for was delivered. THANK YOU …please pass on my gratitude to Julie,  Lydia and Br John. … I look forward to continued collaboration”.  

Back in the western suburbs of Sydney, Br John and Lydia had the pleasure of presenting to yourtown staff at their Blacktown office. 

Heading north, Br John and Lydia facilitated a one-day Principals’ retreat at Tamworth for the Armidale Catholic schools’ leaders, and returned in the following week to provide a range of formation opportunities to the Catholic Schools’ Office staff over several days.  The invitation came from Regina Menz, current Executive Director of Armidale Catholic Schools and formerly the Principal of O’Connor Catholic College, our own Lasallian school in Armidale.

Travelling east, Julie and Lydia were also invited to attend John Paul College in Rotorua, New Zealand, to provide a program aimed at building team cohesiveness among the school Deans who provide pastoral care to students.  Their presentation included recognising the importance of the Lasallian charism in the life of the school, through “Faith and love” – which is at the heart of the Catholic Character of the College. The successful program is likely to be built upon in 2025.  In the spirit of Together and By Association, Julie also had the opportunity to engage with the Mangere Community and members of the Old Boys Association.

The LMS team is pleased to share aspects of its work and is proud of its ongoing efforts to enliven and animate the Lasallian mission.  The continued invitations from schools (both Lasallian and beyond) and yourtown reflects the respect in which our work is held.    

Source: Julie Alibrandi, Director of Operations