The acting principal of a west Belfast school has said that it is “very special” as they celebrate six decades of “serving the community”.
De La Salle College, which officially opened on October 25, 1966, marked its 60th anniversary with a mass led by Bishop Alan McGuckian and around 300 people in attendance on Friday.
The school was founded in partnership between the local parishes and the De La Salle Brothers as the population of Andersonstown grew rapidly.
The secondary school was established to serve the needs of local families, with 275 boys enrolled in the first class of 1966.
One of those original pupils was David McBride, who would later to go on to teach geography at the school for 25 years.
Speaking to The Irish News, Mr McBride (72) recalled the excitement of his first years at La Salle Boys’ Secondary School, as it was known until it took on its current name in 2009.
“I, believe it or not, finished my days in primary school in Casement Park in the changing rooms for a couple of years,” he said.
“So, if you can imagine being taught in Casement Park with an oil paraffin heater which put you to sleep and then suddenly coming into a brand-new school; you were afraid to touch things.
“You were going along, science labs, woodwork, metalwork, a huge, big gym; it was incredible as a young 11–12-year-old, you just started at it – and everything – in amazement.”
Mr McBride said that one of his main memories was the striking image of the Brothers and what he described as their ‘regimental’ nature.
“They wore these collars which were like huge bibs and long black gowns,” he said.
“It was quite frightening for those of us who had never seen anything like this and they were strict. I try to use the nice term, they were regimental – all rules and so on.
“When I was a teacher later, we had to fight with pupils not to wear their track shoes into class; here you had to wear what we called ‘mutton dummies’, which was a black, slipper school shoe [to protect the new floors],” he said.
“As soon as you came into the school, you had to take your shoes off, we had lockers and you switched into those.”
Fellow 1966 pupil Francis Casey (71) said that the memory of the size and newness of the school also stands out in his mind – as well as some of his favourite teachers.
“One of the best teachers I think I ever had was Brother Stephen, who taught us English and introduced us to so many of the great novels,” he said.
“There were some really inspirational teachers. There was Brother Aidan Walsh who taught us A Level history and he really taught you how to write an essay.
“I went over to Manchester [to study after leaving school]. I suppose at that time with the Troubles on, you had an inferiority complex coming from Northern Ireland.
“And whenever you got there, I found that I could write essays and things much more competently than any of the English people – because you’d been taught so well over here.”
The school continued to grow over the decades, with its current building, located on the original Edenmore Drive campus opening in 2008.
Current head boy Conleith Corr said that it was a “huge inspiration” to look back at the success of the school’s alumni over the past six decades.
“It has just shown me how many opportunities you have, even coming from a small school in west Belfast – you can really do anything you want as long as you put your mind to it,” he said.
Acting principal Áine Best added that she felt “very privileged” to be in the position as they celebrate “this milestone in the college’s history”.
“It’s served this community in the times of troubles, in good times and in bad times, so to still be standing here after 60 years is definitely a significant milestone – and one that we’re delighted to be able to celebrate,” she said.
“This school has been a beacon of west Belfast; generations of young men have come through the doors.
“We have a statue at the very front of the school of St John Baptiste de La Salle with a young person and for me it’s my favourite symbol in the school because it’s the arm around the shoulder – St John Baptiste de La Salle isn’t standing from afar, he’s standing side by side with the young person with the arm around the shoulder.”
Mrs Best said that as the school deals with the “complexities of society today” and challenges in the educational landscape, they will continue with their Lasallian mission as they look to the future.
