My first encounter with La Salle, Kota Kinabalu was way back in 1973 when I was interviewed by Rev Bro Charles O’Leary, the Principal. He agreed to take me on as an English Language and English Literature teacher and I was to teach General Paper in the sixth form as well. Those were the days when teachers who taught in both the junior ( Bridge, Forms 1 – 3 ) and the senior block had to walk between the two schools that were located in two different compounds about 5 minutes’ walk apart. They are still apart but the wooden junior block has morphed into a modern building complete with an archive where one can view the history of the school.
During my fourteen years at the school, I saw the school hall being built after years of fund raising through lion dances, tournaments, dinners etc, etc. spearheaded by the indefatigable Bro Charles and his trusty loyal band of old boys.
The strength of the school lies in the bond the old boys have with their alma mater and this bond grows strong with the culture that has been incalcated by the La Salle Brothers and the teaching staff all along.
It being an all boys’ school except for the sixth form where girls are admitted, it is quite different from other schools which are mostly co-educational. The School Rally is the song that rouses the spirit of the boys and every La Sallian, present and past knows this song and whenever they get together, they never fail to sing this song. It keeps them together in spirit.
I have gained in experience from being part of La Salle during those 14 years, having taught thousands of students and learnt from them as well. Friendships made among the teaching and non-teaching staff, some of whom have been called home by the Lord, still last and we still get together.
Every year, without fail, the old boys will invite the teachers who have taught them to the annual La Salle dinner where everyone reminisces about the old times. Each year as we teachers get older, we also see our former students growing greyer too. Some of them have children who have already graduated too. This is such a sweet gesture from them and we teachers are very touched each time they remember us.
The spirit of camaderie, the teasing and the laughter as old comrades get together, coming from different parts of the world to where they have already made their homes—this is the true spirit of being a La Sallian which is totally unique to La Sallians. The school is currently headed by an old girl and some members of the teaching staff are old boys themselves. This means that the school ethos, spirit and traditions will always be nurtured and held close to the heart.
The stalwart among La Sallians is Rev Bro Charles of course, an institution in himself, so dear is he to the old boys that they never fail to include him in their activities although he is now an octogenarian.
May the spirit of La Salle continue to light the path of all La Sallians!
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