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Ex-Students and Staff Association
Newsletter
May 2010
The President’s Report
The Old Boys committee recently held its first meeting for
the year. Usually at our meetings, Michael Barrington,
the Principal, gives a report on current school activities. I
was struck by the number of new initiatives the school was
undertaking this year, from introducing a music program to
the usual sporting and academic programs the school runs.
Put the date of this year’s Dinner in your diary: 19th November
– it is not only a great way to catch up with mates but you are
also helping the student body by funding these worthwhile
scholarships. If you have school mates who have not been
able to attend any of our dinners, make sure you pass on the
date and get them to come along.
It is a credit to Michael, the teachers and the students that
they pack so much into a school year. It was also heartening
to hear that in the ACER Wellbeing survey results, the school
was ranked above the national average – this is a great result
for the school and clearly shows that not only are the students
growing into mature young adults but they are happy and
looking to improve themselves at the same time.
I am proud to be President of the Association but sad that
Graham Lucas decided to step down, although we do not lose
his experience in the role, since he has agreed to remain on
the committee.
Once again the committee has been able to provide $7,500 in
scholarships to students at risk. The funds allow students to
continue their education at DLS Ashfield. This money came
directly from our Annual Dinner last November. We should
all be proud that we are able to give something back to the
school which, in some way or another, has had a significant
impact on our lives.
I also want to introduce the committee for 2010: Michael
Megna – Treasurer, John Bova – Key Contacts Officer, Paul
Keating – Sponsorship Officer, Graham Lucas – Secretary,
Chris Gray and Rommel Avanzado Lenon.
I am looking forward to strengthening the bond between the
school and the Ex-Students & Staff Association and hope to
see you all at the dinner in November.
Robert Gullotta.
De La Salle College
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De La
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Principal’s Report
The College this year welcomed a number of new staff:
New Business Manager, Mrs Ann Hurley, Mr Chris
Cafarelli (HSIE faculty, Mrs Monica Caly (assisting
with ESL/Literacy, Mrs Karen Davis (T.A.S.). We
welcome them to the College and trust their time with
us will be happy and productive.
At our opening Assembly, we acknowledged and
congratulated the group of ‘High Achieving’ students
from the Class of 2009, who received great HSC
results. Sean Chung, College DUX received an
ATAR of 98.5, a splendid performance, and featured
on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald on
December 17, the day the HSC results were published.
Year 11 student
Joshua Favaloro with
the Premier, Kristina
Keneally at the recent
ANZAC ceremony in
Hyde Park.
We were very pleased to record a significant
improvement in the number of students achieving
bands 4, 5 and 6 over previous years.
We commended Silvan Rus (Year 12, 2009) on
receiving the ‘Young Artist of the Year’ Award
presented by Ashfield Council; and Joshua Favaloro,
who was announced by Premier Kenneally as the
Premier’s ANZAC Scholarship recipient – the
only student from a Sydney school to receive this
prestigious award. Josh will travel with six other
students from throughout NSW to Belgium and France
in October this year to visit the sites of fallen ANZAC
soldiers. This year, Josh has added to his laurels by the
Ashfield Council Award of ‘Young Citizen of the Year’
and gave a moving and inspiring address at the City of
Sydney Anzac Ceremony in Hyde Park recently.
Year 11 students lay
a memorial wreath
at the recent ANZAC
ceremony in Hyde
Park.
This proved to be a highly successful occasion and
was really appreciated by our visitors, who were
able to see the students in action, ask questions, and
speak with College staff. A feature this year was an
on-site broadcast from Radio MIX106.5 fm, with live
crosses for the ‘Drive program’, as well as prizes and
giveaways
We congratulated Technology Teacher of Excellence,
Mr Nick Manganas, on his selection to present at the
Archdiocesan eLearning Conference.
Year 9 students provide morning tea and Easter eggs
to the senior residents at our local nursing home.
The College is equipped with state of the art technology,
including the Federal government laptop program for
all students in Years 9 and 10. All students in Years 7
and 8 have access to laptop computers in the classroom
and we have installed 13 interactive whiteboards.
The first Parents & Friends meeting for the year was
conducted in March to address a number of issues
and important matters raised by parents. Items on the
Agenda included:
The new National Curriculum,
The Digital Revolution (Technology roll-out of
wireless laptops to Year 9)
The ‘On the Block’ Band program and Information
Nights
The role of the Parents & Principal Consultative
Committee
We are presently in the very busy Enrolment Period
and I have been visiting our Primary ‘feeder’ schools
to discuss enrolments with prospective students. To
highlight the advantages of enrolling at De La Salle
Ashfield, we recently conducted a very successful
‘Open Day’ – which was an opportunity for families
– current and prospective – to visit us, see the College
in action and learn about the wonderful advances in
technology which are presently adding to our students’
learning experiences.
In the sporting arena, our A Grade Basketball team
competed in the 2009 Grand final vs Marcellin College
Randwick. Although going down narrowly to a very
strong team, they represented the College with pride
and look forward to the next opportunity to show their
skill and commitment.
Our MCC Swimming team at the Olympic Park
Aquatic Centre.
Our Swimmers also performed well in the Annual
M.C.C. Swimming Carnival, and overall our boys
are enjoying a wide range of sporting activities –
competitive and non-competitive.
In May we celebrated Founder’s Day at the College
and as usual, a number of De La Salle Brothers have
came along to speak with each class. This initiative
met with great success and the students enjoyed
hearing about past experiences of the College from the
Brothers. The day continued with a Mass celebrated by
former student Father Michael Walsh and then several
team building activities including a ‘dunking machine’
for some selected students and staff! It was a fitting
way to honour the memory and the achievements of
St. John Baptist De La Salle.
Parents and
Friends
Association
Former Principal, Br. Peter McIntosh speaks to
students at our Founder’s Day Celebration.
On Harmony Day, we celebrated the rich cultural
diversity we have at Ashfield DLS with an inspiring
school assembly in the College Hall. College ViceCaptain (2008) and new staff member Bol Bol gave
the keynote address.
We also congratulated Eddie Que (Year 11) who was
runner-up in the History Teachers’ Association Annual
Essay Writing Competition. Eddie produced a video
from scratch that portrayed the battles of WW1 and his
prize was a trip to Canberra where he was presented
with his award by the Minister at Parliament House.
Our MCC Basketball team in the grand finals for the
third year running.
During 2009, the College completed a successful
Cyclic Review. This exercise enabled the College
to take stock of our progress over the past five years
and evaluate the effectiveness of our programmes
in the areas of Catholic Spirituality, Pedagogy and
Curriculum. The process will give direction for the
next Strategic Management Plan, 2010-2015.
Students process
the flags of the
many nationalities
represented at the
College at our
‘Harmony Day’
Service.
Recently, we have been conducting the annual Project
Compassion appeal at the College and as usual, the
response of our students has been extraordinary. Their
total this year was in excess of $13,000 a wonderful
effort indeed. Our boys can always be counted on to
give generously to these appeals and we congratulate
them on their spirit of endeavour and compassion for
those less fortunate in our world. We are very proud
of them.
We are very appreciative of the great support of the ExStudents & Staff Association and for their generosity
in providing funds to assist needy families.
The annual Old Boys Dinner will be held this year
on November 19 in our College Hall. I am confident
it will prove to be a very nostalgic and enjoyable
occasion and look forward to sharing it with you.
Wishing you all God’s blessings,
Michael Barrington,
Principal
Re-living school
memories
The Committee was sad to hear that JOHN BRIDGE (class of
1935-1944) died recently. John has left us a lasting memory
of the school in his memoirs. Below is an extract – these are
a history lesson in their own right:
Congratulations to the ‘Old Boys Cricket
Team’ who finished in FIRST place this
year in the Cricketers Club of NSW Classics
competition.
1935 School fees were one pound one shilling ($2.10) per
term, payable weekly or (in a) lump sum
1936 Saw the introduction of homework and the serious business of study. However, no homework
was given on Thursday, which was the ‘half-day
sports day’. The playground was a mixture of dirt,
clay, blue metal and stones. The main playground
games were marbles. (Big Ring, Little Ring and
3-hole), top spinning, flip cards and cockylora
1939 At last we became big boys of the Primary
school! Our prayers were answered with the
arrival of a new Brother…he had a roll call of 60.
This was twice the number in 3rd class…Boaters
part of the school uniform… were worn with pride
as Ashfield led the St Patrick’s day march.
1940 High School at last. New subjects and different
teachers for each subject. Extra half hour added to
school day – 9 to 4. School sport on Thursday and
school finished at 3.30 Tuesday for sport practise.
If lucky enough to be in a school team playing at
Manly, school finished at 11 am. Rugby League
teams were by weight, 5 stone 7lb. 6/7 and 7/7.
1941 The wooden roof of the classrooms became the
home of missing pens, compasses and protractors.
The big boys took great pleasure in hitting our
handballs over the school into the primary
playground.
1942 War raging and air raid trenches dug in the Brothers’
front lawn.
1943 Year 4 house captain but no school captain. School
ball held in Ashfield Town Hall after dancing
lessons in St Vincent’s Hall.
1944 The end of the road. 16 pupils – 2 of the original
class of 1935 and 7 from the Primary school – and
2 repeats from the 1943 1 C class. The exam results
left a lot to be desired. However, what we did learn
at 24 Bland St. gave us a great foundation for the
years ahead.
Mario’s Day
The Class of ’44 no longer worries about sport or exam results.
They enjoy their memories of their days at Ashfield and the
association with the Brothers. They are happy that they were
taught to enjoy each other’s company, respect and appreciate
their teachers and to be proud of the Blue and White Esto Vir.
They are still proud to be associated with De La Salle College
Ashfield.
Just a quick note to alert you that a fellow
DLS Old Boy is in need of our help. Mario,
younger brother of Philip Bianco, Year of ’78,
has suffered a serious injury which will see him
permanently confined to a wheelchair.
The Parish Church, family and friends are
holding a fundraising luncheon, on Sunday 13th
June 2010 at Concord RSL from 11am to 4pm to
raise money to offset some of the nursing costs
and build a ramp to enable Mario to go into the
family’s backyard.
Mario’s day will be hosted by entertainer Andy
Jones with a special appearance by comedian
Joe Avati and music supplied by Classic Twist
whose members include a couple of DLS Old
Boys from the Year of ’78 & ’79.
This is another opportunity for our year to catch
up again and show our support for a member
of our Old Boys community! Partners are
encouraged to come along. I hope to see some of you there lending your
support to an old friend and making Mario’s day
a great success.
Report from Graham Lucas:
On the 10th of February I had much pleasure in attending
the Opening Mass for 2010 with other guests and
parents. The mass was celebrated by Father Michael
Walsh assisted by Father Gerry Scott, both of whom
are ex-students of De La Salle Ashfield. Father Walsh
gave a sermon and talked to all. The college choir this
year sounded great. After the mass Year 7s and the new
Teachers were welcomed to the College and then the
parents and guests were given a very nice morning tea.
Just as a side note: I would like to thank the committee,
Michael Barrington and Mrs Jackson for the support
they gave me in my 14 years as president and I am
pleased to hand that role on to Robert Gullotta. I will
still be on the committee but in a minor role.
Regards,
Graham Lucas
GRAHAM LUCAS – 14 YEARS AS
PRESIDENT
Graham resigned as President this year, after 14 years
– this is certainly a great achievement in anyone’s
book. Over that time Graham has witnessed the ups
and downs of the Association and overseen its growth
to the present day, including the introduction of the
Old Boys’ Scholarships. Graham has provided an
enormous amount of his time attending countless
school functions as the Association’s representative,
not to mention positions on various boards and
committees. Thank you Graham for your diligence
and commitment to the Old Boys and we are sure your
legacy will continue for a long time into the future.
IT WAS TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY...
The year I graduated with a 160+ De La Smellers,
Saddam Hussein invaded Iraq and Nelson Mandela
was released from prison.
1990 was topsy-turvy for me, when I tackled The
Duchess of Malfi in 3-unit English, trinomials in Mr
O’Connell’s maths class, and listened to very eclectic
music in Mrs Armstrong’s art class when I was
doing my 2-unit major called “Alcohol As Art”, an
installation piece with a huge clock. Time is always
short during one’s Year 12 Higher School Certificate,
which was considered the end-all and be-all of all
exams.
Briefly, I brandished a sword and shield, as a Greek,
Brad Pitt-like (years before Troy and Gladiator) with
English maestro Roger Wise’s production of Trojans
for DLSA’s entry to the Rock Eisteddfod that would
eventually win the State and National Championships
– a feat only bettered by winning it again the following
year with The Prodigal Son. I also entered the Young
Writers’ Competition (Sydney Morning Herald)
with a short story about a mischievous boy and was
enamoured by the metaphor of glasses as a vision of
God in first of four Year 12 Retreats in Mittagong that
year.
But, the most powerful aspect of my 1990 was nothing
to be ashamed of, nor was a secret.
It was an illness many young people, and 20 percent
of the population at one point in their lives, succumb
to: depression. Mine was caused by genetics (my father
had it) as well as the stress of the HSC. It was also a
family re-connection (my estranged father contacts me
for the first time in 10 years) that probably ignited it in
April/May of that year. My teachers were kind enough
to use my Trial marks in Year 11 and the beginning
of Year 12 to determine my eventual T.E.R. (Tertiary
Entrance Rank) as for most of the second half of the
year, insecurity, guilt and improper thoughts took me
away from my studies and my friends. A fantastic child
psychiatrist and the pre-Prozac anti-depressant drugs
ensured a slow but effective recovery and by year’s
end, I was again having fun with friends at that most
treasured rite of passage: schoolies week on the Gold
Coast!
1991 and beyond were colourful years as I embarked on
my chosen path as film producer, travelling the globe,
including viewing the New York skyline on the World
Trade Centre two years prior to its tragic destruction.
I began my time at De La Salle College Ashfield as
a Year 5 primary schooler in 1983 and finished with
life-long friends and a fun and enthralling academic
high school year in 1990. That was twenty years ago
today….
ROMMEL AVANZADO LENON
Friday 30th April 2010.