De La Salle College Ashfield

De La Salle College was an independent Roman Catholic comprehensive single-sex secondary day school for boys, located in Ashfield, an inner-western suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

For other uses of "De La Salle College", see De La Salle College.
For Ashfield College in Dublin, Ireland, see Ashfield College.

De La Salle College Ashfield
New College Hall in November 2009
Location
Ashfield, Inner West, Sydney
,
New South Wales
,
2131

Australia
Coordinates33°53′3″S 151°7′31″E
Information
TypeIndependent, comprehensive, single-sex school, secondary school, day school
MottoLatin: Esto Vir
(Used in context as "to be the best man you can be." If translated directly from Latin it means "Be a man"[1])
Religious affiliation(s)De La Salle Brothers
DenominationRoman Catholic
Established10 December 1916 (1916-12-10)
StatusClosed
Closed20 December 2022 (2022-12-20)
PrincipalPaul Forrester
Assistant PrincipalWayne Wheatley
ChaplainBr Pat McCarthy[2][3]
Staff~58[4]
Key people
Years7–12
GenderBoys
Enrolmentc. 384 (2021[4])
CampusSuburban
Houses
  • Maurice
  • Bernard
  • Kevin
  • John
Colour(s)Blue and white   
SportsMetropolitan Catholic Colleges Sports Association
AffiliationCatholic Secondary Schools Association NSW/ACT
AlumniOld Boys
Websitedlsashfield.catholic.edu.au

Established in 1916 by the De La Salle Brothers and Vincentian Fathers, the college caters to students in Year 7 to Year 12[4] from the inner-west Parishes of the Archdiocese of Sydney. The college is under the patronage of the Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher. De La Salle College is one of 18 Lasallian Schools in Australia,[5] and in the 1970s became the first Catholic high school in Australia to have a lay headmaster.[6]

On 8 June 2022, it was announced that the college would amalgamate with adjacent girls' high school, Bethlehem College, and St Vincent’s Primary School, due to increasing demand for co-educational schools in inner Sydney.[7] From 2023, the new school was known as St Vincent's College and from 2027, after a five year transition period, it will become a fully K-12 co-educational school precinct.[8][9]

The school is affiliated with the Catholic Secondary Schools Association NSW/ACT,[10] and the Metropolitan Catholic Colleges Sports Association (MCC).[11]

In education, the college was fully accredited in 2018 to run the Newman Selective Gifted Education Program (the Gifted and Talented program), which caters towards the significant learning needs of capable students.[12] The program is currently being facilitated in a number of the Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools within Sydney Catholic Schools.[12][13] The school also uses Inquiry-Based Learning approach, focusing mainly on the Solution Fluency framework.[14] They offer a number of co-curricular activities and experiences, including immersions to Lasallian schools overseas. The school follows the NSW Syllabus and Australian Curriculum.

History

The foundation stone for the school was laid on 10 December 1916. Upon completion a year later, the school consisted of just three classrooms, and was located behind a boarding house that was to become a monastery for the six De La Salle brothers who were given the task of educating Catholic boys of the Ashfield parish.[6][15]

De La Salle College students in the Saint Patrick's Day pageant, 1939

Despite the effects of the Great Depression, enrolments continued to increase, with 300 on the role in 1931. Through the efforts of Father Macken, a provincial of the Vincentian Fathers, the college established a separate primary school in 1934. Further, a "tech" was established in 1937 for boys who would not be going on to university or office jobs. The two-stream system of "pros" and "techs" continued until 1955.[6]

Lay staff were employed in 1956 as the number of brothers had declined. The 1960s saw further change with the Wyndham scheme introduced in 1962 necessitating the addition of new subjects to the curriculum, and thus requiring more specialist rooms. With support from the parish and the Old Boys' Union, the principal of the time, Br Peter, began to expand the college. The main building of the college opened in 1966 during the celebration of its Golden Jubilee.[6]

In 1972, Peter Donnan became the first lay principal of the school, thus making the school the first Catholic high school in Australia administered by a lay principal.[6] The college's primary section closed in 1988.[6]

In 2008, five new science laboratories were completed and an air-conditioned multi-purpose hall with seating for up to 1500 and a full theatrical lighting and sound system was added.[15] The college hall hosted the World Youth Day 2008 Journey of the Cross and Icon (JCI) in Sydney.[15][16]

In 2013, the college began implementing its student laptop program where all students could have their own personal device, now called Bring Your Own Designated Device (BYODD).[15][17]

Principals

The following individuals have served as College Principal or any precedent title since the College's opening in 1917.[18] The current principal is Paul Forrester.

Principals of De La Salle College, Ashfield
Ordinal Officeholder Name of office Term start Term end Time in office
1Br Benignus Patrick191719202–3 years
2Br Jerome Foley192019210–1 years
3Br Victor (incomplete)192119220–1 years
4Br Leopold (incomplete)192219230–1 years
(1)Br Benignus Patrick192319251–2 years
5Br Edward Joseph192519271–2 years
6Br Thomas (incomplete)192719280–1 years
(4)Br Leopold (incomplete)192819301–2 years
7Br Julian Lennon193019365–6 years
(5)Br Edward Joseph193619381–2 years
8Br Victor Aengus193819412–3 years
(5)Br Edward Joseph194119420–1 years
9Br George Benedict194219485–6 years
10Br Baptist Will194819512–3 years
11Br Aloysius Carmody195119531–2 years
(10)Br Baptist Will195319551–2 years
12Br Cassian Corbett195519615–6 years
13Br Peter McIntosh196119675–6 years
14Br Michael Lynch196719724–5 years
15Peter DonnanCollege Principal197219818–9 years
16Allan Coman198119875–6 years
17Peter McNamara198719924–5 years
18Patrick O'Connor199219963–4 years
19Thomas Galea199620014–5 years
20Michael Barrington2001201311–12 years
21Phil GaneActing College Principal201320141 year
22Stephen KennaughCollege Principal201420185 years
23Paul Forrester201920224 years

Co-curriculum

Sport

De La Salle College is a member of the Metropolitan Catholic Colleges Sports Association (MCC),[11] and competes in a range of sports including athletics, cricket, cross country, basketball, golf, rugby league, soccer, squash, swimming, tennis, touch football and volleyball.[19]

Through MCC, the college competes against schools such as Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham, LaSalle Catholic College, Bankstown, Marcellin College Randwick, Marist College Kogarah, Champagnat Catholic College Pagewood, Holy Cross College Ryde and Marist Catholic College North Shore.[11] Sport has traditionally been an important part of college life, notwithstanding the school's own limited sporting facilities.

The college also has a number of elite sporting pathways for students who excel at particular sports and wish to play or compete at a professional level.

Other co-curricular activities

Since 2015, the college has offered students in Years 9-12 the ability to complete the Duke of Edinburgh (or Duke of Ed). The program is offered through the school and students from Lasallian brother & sister schools around the world frequently join participants in their hikes.

The college also excels in debating and public speaking, through the Catholic Schools Debating Association (CSDA) and other public speaking competitions.

In music, the college offers in-school instrumental & vocal tuition and also participates in the Australian A Capella Awards (AUSACA). The school also has a college choir and band. In creative arts, the college offers chances to enter national and international art competitions.

Other co-curricular activities at the college include current affairs & social justice club, science club, photography club, the Tournament of Minds competition and coding club.[20][4]

The college also offers opportunities to take part in different competitions in the performing and creative arts.

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. "De La Salle College Ashfield". Schools & Colleges. Australian Government Directory. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  2. "Around Ashfield with Br Pat". De La Salle Brothers - ANZPPNG. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  3. Proulx, Amanda (18 May 2017). "A Chat with Br Pat McCarthy". De La Salle Brothers - ANZPPNG. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  4. "Annual Report to the Community 2021" (PDF). Plans/Reports. De La Salle College Ashfield. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  5. "Lasallian Schools in Australia". Lasallian Presence in Australia. International Lasallian Youth Gathering. 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  6. "A Brief History of the College". History. De La Salle College Ashfield. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  7. "Ashfield Plans". Sydney Catholic Schools. Sydney Catholic Schools. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  8. Baker, Jordan (11 June 2022). "Two inner west single-sex schools to merge into new co-ed college". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  9. Trimboli, Domenic (10 June 2022). "St Vincent's College Ashfield Announced". Sydney Catholic Schools. Sydney Catholic Schools. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  10. "About Us". Catholic Secondary Schools Association NSW/ACT. Catholic Secondary Schools Association. 2007. Archived from the original on 20 November 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  11. "Teams". Metropolitan Catholic Colleges Sports Association. 2006. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  12. "The Newman Selective Gifted Education Program". De La Salle College, Ashfield. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  13. "Newman Selective Gifted Education Program". Sydney Catholic Schools. Sydney Catholic Schools. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  14. "Inquiry Based Learning". De La Salle College, Ashfield. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  15. "About Us — History". De La Salle College, Ashfield. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  16. "WYD Icon And Cross". WorldYouthDay.com. World Youth Day. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  17. "eLearning". De La Salle College, Ashfield. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  18. "Directors and Principals". De La Salle Ashfield. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  19. "Sport". Features. De La Salle College Ashfield. 2007. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  20. "Co-Curricular". De La Salle College Ashfield. 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  21. "De La Salle centenary: 100 years of service to Catholic education". The Catholic Weekly. 9 April 2006. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  22. "Bevan jnr gets call for his senior debut". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media Australia. 26 March 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  23. "Brooks, Colin William". re-member. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  24. "Lasallian wins Archibald Prize". De La Salle College, Ashfield. De La Salle Brothers - ANZPPNG. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  25. "Pat Drummond". 30 Years In Music Retrospective. Shoestring Productions Pty Ltd. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  26. Fellows, W.; Marx, J. (1997). The Damage Done. Pan Macmillan Australia. p. 3. ISBN 1-84018-275-X.
  27. "Mr Ray Septimus Maher (1911–1966)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  28. Carlton, Mike (29 November 1997). "Heaven-sent hokum". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  29. Briars Cricket Club (11 June 2020). "Gerard Price Receives OAM". Briars Sports. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  30. Richardson, Peter D. (2019). "The Briars Sporting Club Limited 69th Annual Report 1986–1987" (PDF). Briars Sporting Club Limited. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  31. Rowland, Michael. "Michael Rowland LinkedIn". LinkedIn. LinkedIn. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  32. "John Sidoti". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  33. "The Hon. Paul Francis Patrick Whelan". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
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