De La Salle College marks 60 years serving west Belfast families
De La Salle College marks six decades in west Belfast, with former pupils recalling its early years and the teachers who shaped their lives.
De La Salle College reaches its 60th anniversary on Sunday 25 October, following a Mass attended by around 300 people in west Belfast. Bishop Alan McGuckian led the celebration on Friday 23 October, as former pupils joined the school to reflect on six decades of community life, The Irish News reports.
Local parishes and the De La Salle Brothers founded the school as Andersonstown’s population expanded rapidly. It opened officially on Tuesday 25 October 1966, with an initial intake of 275 boys to meet local families’ needs.
Known initially as La Salle Boys’ Secondary School, it adopted its present name in 2009. Its current building opened in 2008 on the original Edenmore Drive campus.
From first intake to teaching staff
David McBride, 72, was among those first pupils and later spent 25 years teaching geography there. He recalled arriving after being taught in changing rooms at Casement Park, and his amazement at the new school’s science laboratories, workshops and gym.
McBride described the Brothers as “regimental” and remembered pupils changing into black slipper-style shoes to protect the new floors.
Another original pupil, Francis Casey, 71, credited Brother Stephen with introducing him to great novels and Brother Aidan Walsh with developing his essay-writing skills. Those lessons, he said, helped him when he went to study in Manchester.
A connection across generations
Class photographs and attendance registers were displayed for the anniversary. Current head boy Conleith Corr described former pupils’ achievements as a “huge inspiration”.
Acting principal Áine Best said the college had served its community through the Troubles and through good and bad times. She highlighted the statue of St John Baptiste de La Salle beside a young person at the school’s entrance, describing its arm-around-the-shoulder pose as her favourite school symbol.
Best said the college would maintain its Lasallian mission while responding to challenges in education and wider society.
Source: The Irish News
