FEATURE : TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS | LUMEN
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Founder ’ s Day Dinner
Celebrating 300 Years of Lasallian Glory
By Dr Gerard Nah , President of SJI Old Boys ’ Association ( SJIOBA )
The Founder ’ s Day dinner on 30 April 2019 was the fruit of months of planning by the alumni from eight Lasallian schools . Approximately 600 alumni members , students , family members , teachers and staff gathered at SAFRA Toa Payoh to commemorate the Tercentenary anniversary of our Founder St John Baptist De La Salle . It was a grand affair that began with the march-in by the SJI Pipeband , followed by the flag bearers and principals of our Lasallian schools - a fitting demonstration of how our schools beat with One Heart .
The event was graced by the presence of the La Salle Brothers , in particular Br Gregory Lim , the oldest Brother in Singapore . Voices resounded to the School Rally as the alumni members from different schools vied with one another for the loudest cheer for their respective school . In solidarity with the Lasallians who lost their lives in the recent bombings in Sri Lanka , a minute of silence was observed , led by the organising Chair , COL ( RET ) Rupert Gwee , President of the Patrician Society .
Following this , the party started . The food was plentiful , the drinks flowed and money was raised through an engaging auction for Hopehouse , the social mission of the Christian Brothers in Singapore , to help youths at-risk . Musical entertainment was provided by Mel & Friends and TVOX , bands led by Patrician and Josephian alumni respectively . The bands belted out old and contemporary favourites to delight the diners while the evening ’ s proceedings were energized by emcees Edmund
and Lawrence .
The night came to a close with the stirring song of ‘ We are
Lasallians ’. Everyone , be it a Josephian , Patrician , Michaelian , Stephenian or Anthonian , came as strangers but parted ways as reunited brothers and sisters , knowing that we all belong to a larger family and heritage we proudly call Lasallian . Indeed , this was a family reunion like no other .
Founder ’ s Day Dinner will be held every year on 30 April , to mark the birthday of St John Baptist De La Salle . This is a family dinner where all are welcomed . So mark this in your calendar as your annual date with the Lasallian family !
This page ( top ): The principals of the Lasallian schools blow out the candles on the giant cake to celebrate the Founder ' s birthday on 30 April .
This page ( centre ): One of the organising members Dr Gerard Nah ( seated left ) reunites with his friends and alumni
This page ( bottom left ): The students bearing the flags of the 8 Lasallian schools