Teacher's Day

Happy Teacher’s Day!

As I write this reflection, our students are enthusiastically moving about the school, stopping by the classrooms of their teachers, sharing with them notes and tokens of appreciation. The Parent Support Groups of both the Elementary and High School have organised celebrations this afternoon which are always a highlight of the year for teachers and staff.

Teacher’s Day provides a wonderful opportunity for us to consider the legacy left to us as Lasallian educators by St. John Baptist de La Salle, recognized by the Church as the Universal Patron Saint of Teachers. 

A powerful moment in Lasallian history occurred just four months ago, on 15 May 2025, when Pope Leo XIV granted a special audience to the De La Salle Brothers at the Vatican. The meeting, which took place on the solemnity feast of St. John Baptist de La Salle, was a significant event for two reasons: it was one of the first official audiences of the new pontificate, and it marked the 300th anniversary of Pope Benedict XIII’s official Church approval of the Institute of the Brothers.

In his address, Pope Leo XIV praised the Brothers and the entire Lasallian family for their enduring legacy in education. He emphasised two key themes: the Lasallian response to modern challenges and the ministerial dimension of teaching.

Pope Leo XIV directly challenged the Lasallian community to view today’s educational obstacles not as dead ends, but as “springboards” for innovation. He highlighted the challenges facing today's youth, and reminded Lasallians that our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, faced similar challenges in his own time. Instead of being discouraged, La Salle saw these problems as signs from God, spurring him to create a new system of education that was available to all, especially the last, the lost, and the least. The Pope called on today's Lasallian teachers to follow this example, urging them to “explore new paths, develop new tools, and adopt new languages” to reach the hearts of students.

Pope Leo XIV passionately reaffirmed the Lasallian charism of “evangelizing by educating and educating by evangelizing.” He commended the Brothers for their unique fourth vow of teaching, recognising it as a genuine ministry and a sacred calling, one that prepares young people to live a life of holiness and service.

He concluded by encouraging the Lasallian family to continue their work with "enthusiasm, fidelity, and a spirit of sacrifice," praying that our schools would inspire "joyful and fruitful paths of holiness" among the young people we serve.

This Teacher’s Day, let us thank God for the enduring legacy of the Patron of Teachers, and for the faithful witness of the women and men of the staff of SJI International. Enjoy the break!