"Serving Others as Lasallian Brothers” at De La Salle College Revesby Heights

De La Salle College Revesby Heights has announced its 2024 college theme: “serving others as Lasallian brothers.” The College Captain and Vice Captain announced this theme at the beginning of the 2024 academic year. The year’s focus is embedded in the scripture, Lasallian principles and the College’s overarching motto of “Christo Regente.” Students are encouraged to consider the theme and apply it to all aspects of their lives as they grow scholastically, spiritually and personally.

As inspiration for the year’s theme, College leadership looked to Mark 10:45: “For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." This message of service and selflessness is one of the Gospel’s most important lessons. Just as Jesus came to serve, Revesby Heights students are also called to serve their community.

Students can embody the spirit of the theme and serve others in many different methods. Celebrating Mass is a vital way to affirm the Catholic faith and build a strong religious community. Becoming active in activities such as sport, music and other co-curriculars is another avenue for strengthening Lasallian bonds. Finally, community initiatives are an excellent opportunity to serve those outside the College.

The theme highlights the Lasallian principles of service through social justice and education. The De La Salle Brothers were founded in the late 1600s by St John Baptist De La Salle, who founded the first public schools in France as a ministry to educate and uplift the poor. Lasallian schools still offer meaningful, human education based on Catholic teachings as a way to empower communities. De La Salle College Revesby Heights is one such institution.

De La Salle College Revesby Heights was founded in 1960 thanks to support from local priests, the parents of future students and the local parish communities. De La Salle Brothers administered the school until its first lay principal took on the task in 1992. Staffing has remained remarkably consistent since the school’s founding which provides a valuable sense of tradition.

The College taught Year 5-10 until 1995, when it moved to a Year 7-10 model. De La Salle College Revesby Heights is now a Year 7-12 institution. It began offering HSC classes in 2006 and the first HSC class graduated in 2007.

The school’s theme deliberately calls back to the words of St John Baptist de La Salle, who said, "God has chosen you to do his work." There are many paths to serve God and so the College community is encouraged to find meaningful ways to serve one another. Even seemingly small actions of friendship can reflect love, compassion and service. Every student is encouraged to meditate on the theme and apply it to his actions over the coming academic year.

Finally, the theme also speaks to the College’s motto, “Christo Regente.” Lasallian brothers are called to let Christ reign in them as a way to spread God’s love, message and actions throughout the world. By consciously focusing on serving others, students can expand their influence beyond its typical reach. The students’ combined service can multiply to have a meaningful, lasting effect on the Revesby Heights community—and far beyond.

The College hopes that this theme, “serving others as Lasallian brothers,” will expose students to the joys of selfless service. While students will study the theme during the 2024 academic year, there’s no reason to drop this focus at year’s end. De La Salle College Revesby Heights students can continue to transform their communities through service for years to come.