SCHOOL VISITS

 The visits included Chan Sui Ki (La Salle) Primary School, St Joseph's Primary School and Kindergarten and observation of the Visual Arts class of Br Joseph Hung at La Salle Primary. The environment in each school is unashamedly Lasallian with images and symbols, including those with a local flavour displayed in public places and classrooms. The school chapels and various religious shrines attest to the Catholic character of the schools even though the percentage of Catholic students varies according to Government policy. The administration and staff of the schools are very professional with pastoral care in the Lasallian tradition given a top priority. The teachers are very hard working. I could not help but notice the volumes of papers being assessed by the teachers in the staff rooms visited. The students were very engaging and their command of English at the primary level commendable. The experience at St Joseph's Kindergarten was a real treat and while I understand the rationale for the planned closure of the kindergarten, it is sad that an alternative has not been explored.

LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION

 The commitment of lay Lasallians to the educational mission, in addition to their respective careers as educators is the direct result of the Sector's priority given to formation both in Hong Kong and at PARC programmes and also the support offered by the Brothers and the utmost loyalty given to the Brothers by all Lasallians including the Old Boys. The Mission Council and various Boards of Management under the leadership and guidance of the Supervisors, both Brothers and lay, assures the continuation and development of the Lasallian educational mission in the Special Administrative Region of China. The La Salle Study Centreunder the leadership of Br David Liao, and supported by many Lasallians in Hong Kong has for ten years witnessed a presence of the Institute on the mainland and provides a launching pad for a hopeful future growth of the Lasallian presence there as is the expressed wish of Br Alvaro, Superior General. It is encouraging to hear that a group of lay Lasallians including Old Boys will report some progress to him during his March 2010.

CONCLUSION

 The occasion of the La Salle College Speech night afforded me an opportunity to engage with staff, Old Boys, graduates and parents. I valued the conversations on this occasion and once again noted the esteem and affection with which the Brothers are held in Hong Kong.

Thank-you to each of you for who you are and what you have achieved and continue to achieve.

May God bless you and may Mary our Mother, St Joseph, St John Baptist de La Salle and all Lasallian Saints and Beati intercede for you.

Yours fraternally

Br David Hawke FSC
General Councillor for PARC Region