HERITAGE
En Route
La Salle Road / College Road
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
On 10th May 1951, Br. Cassian Brigant gave a talk on Radio Hong Kong about St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of modern pedagogy. In the historical summary he gave about our work in Hong Kong, he pointed out with pleasure that the Government had dedicated one of its thoroughfares to our Founder St. La Salle. It was called “La Salle Road” and came into existence in 1934. La Salle Road is now a very busy thoroughfare. College Road too was named after La Salle College. There was no other College around at the time.
The School Comes into View
Approaching the school along La Salle Road is the decorative wall fence. The motif is the Christian Cross. Many people look between the cross beams to watch the activities on the Track and Field.
The School Crest, by the artist Mr. Borboa, is prominent on the gable wall of the school.
You will notice a young tree, a sapling, along the pavement. It is now a healthy young tree. It reminds us of one of St. John Baptist de La Salle’s words to the teachers that they should “cultivate these young plants”.
Mural of St. La Salle and Children
Wall of La Salle College facing La Salle Road
Artist : Francisco Borboa
This mural is another of Mr. Borboa’s masterpieces. It depicts St. La Salle in an elongated form, stretching towards the sky or heaven or the stars. In his left hand he holds an open book, a symbol of education.
At the base is a large group of children following La Salle as he leads them onward and upward.
Education is the means to become better persons in this life and in the next.
In 2004, the mural disappeared with the demolition work connected with the school extension. However, a replica was made and now adorns the wall of the new Brother Aimar Wing, facing La Salle Road.
La Salle College and Primary School Crests
La Salle College and La Salle Primary School
The school badge has been worn proudly by La Salle students ever since their school opened. Each component symbol or motto is meaningful.
THE LAMP and OPEN BOOK are allocated on the right or ‘dexter’ side, that is on the right for the wearer of the badge. Together they symbolise study, or the continuous process of learning, the lamp being a symbol of the light of knowledge.
THE CHINESE CHARACTERS are a Confucian motto which can best be rendered as “By self-culture bring yourself to behave rightly to everyone and on every occasion. Keep in tune with men, events, even with nature.”
THE THREE INVERTED V”S to the left or ‘sinister’ side of the wearer were taken from the coat of arms of the Reims branch of the family of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the Founder of the Christian Brother’s Order. They symbolise the long and faithful service which the members of that family had rendered to both Church and State. Such bent bars, or chevrons, stand for firmness and constancy.
THE 5 POINTED RADIANT STAR at the top of the badge was adopted from the coat of arms of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. A star has always been a symbol of the high ideals that we should set ourselves to attain. The star also helps us to think about the guiding star which led the Wise men of the East to Divine wisdom and knowledge.
FIDES ET OPERA at the bottom mean literally ‘Faith and Works.’ This moves us to think of the need to prove our religious beliefs by our good works and reminds us of the saying of St. James:”Faith without good works is dead”.
La Salle College Nameplates
The School nameplates are mounted on the ornamental stone wall near each entrance/exit gate. They are made of bronze. The signage blends discreetly with the wall thus avoiding loud or garish display.
The school address has changed over the years, from simply Boundary Street in the early years to No. 10, No. 16 and now No. 18 La Salle Road.