De La Salle College (Toronto)

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De La Salle College "Oaklands"
Image:OaklandsLogo.jpg
Motto Signum Fidei (Sign of Faith)
Established 1851
Type Private, Co-educational, Military academy
Principal Br. Domenic Viggiani '76, FSC
Faculty 58
Students 590
Grades 5–12
Location Toronto, Ontario Canada
Colors Green and Red
Mascot Squirrel

De La Salle College "Oaklands" is an independent co-educational Catholic school in Toronto, Ontario. It is operated by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The school bills itself as a university preparatory institution in the Roman Catholic tradition. It offers instruction from grades 5 through 12.

The college is founded on four traditions: -The Catholic Tradition -The Liberal Arts Tradition -The Lasallian Tradition -The Service to Others Tradition

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

The College's main building.
The College's main building.

De La Salle College "Oaklands" was founded by and continues to be administered by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. It is part of a global community of Lasallian educational institutions who are assisted by more than 73,000 lay colleagues and teach over 900,000 students in over 80 countries and vary from teaching in impoverished nations like Nigeria to post-secondary institutions like La Salle University in Philadelphia and De La Salle University in Manila. The central administration of the Brothers operates out of the Generalate in Rome and is made up of the Superior General and his councillors. From 1851 to present day, the Brothers based in English Canada had provided assistance in creating 58 schools ("Lasallian Educational Apostolates") primarily Ontario, along with a few schools in Edmonton, Montreal, and Cleveland, Ohio.

The Brothers of the Christian Schools arrived in Montreal in 1837 and founded the first permanent community of De La Salle Brothers in North America. At the request of Bishop De Charbonnel, five Brothers came to Toronto in 1851 and there established a grammar school at the corner of Lombard and Jarvis Streets. In September of that year, the Brothers extended their ministry to St. Paul's School, which is still in existence today. Among their early graduates was Denis O'Connor, who became the 5th Bishop of Toronto in 1899.

The Brothers opened their own secondary school in 1863 on Jarvis Street, originally called 'Christian Brothers Commercial Academy'. In 1870, the school was moved to Duke Street and the name was changed to De La Salle Institute. Twenty years later, the school was extended to include secondary education and was relocated to what was then the Bank of Upper Canada. The name De La Salle Institute was changed to De La Salle College in 1880 when university entrance courses were added to the commercial curriculum. This building still stands at the corner of Adelaide and George Streets as 252 Adelaide Street East.

The next major step occurred in 1913 when De La Salle College took over part of the 67 Bond Street building, right next to St. Michael's Cathedral. In 1925, the senior section was relocated to De La Salle Moore Park in what is now Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. In 1932 and 1933, these classes were moved to De La Salle College "Oaklands" which had opened in 1931.

[edit] Later history

"Oaklands" was once part of the Crown Lands deeded to Honourable John Elmsley in 1798. In 1858, Senator John Macdonald - a successful dry goods merchant who would become the only Liberal appointee to the Senate by Canada's founding Prime Minister - acquired 35 acres of it from the Anglican Church and built what is at present the residence of the Brothers. This land ran up the east side of College Avenue (now Avenue Road) from what is today Cottingham Street to almost St. Clair Avenue. He named the property "Oaklands" due to the splendid abundance of oak trees on the acreage.

Construction on Senator MacDonald's mansion on the property on the crest of the hill, began in 1860, and was completed with a tower observatory that would provide him with a clear view of Lake Ontario some 5 kilometres to the south. Currently, the mansion has been designated as a historical building by the City of Toronto as an excellent example of local Gothic architecture. The property was purchased in 1905 by the family of Cyrus McCormick (whose farm implement business evolved to become International Harvester).

The Brothers of the Christian Schools bought 12 acres of the property in 1931 and turned it into a boys' school. Brother Alfred was the guiding genius in acquiring the property and became the school's first Director/Principal. In its first year, the school was home to 270 students and had matriculation classes ranging from Grade 5 through to Grade 10. Ten years later, grades 1 through 4 were added. In 1970 the 1st 5 grades were phased out leaving only Grades 6, 7 and 8 in addition to the full high school curriculum.

The school's primary focus is its emphasis on academia above all other matters. That despite whatever athletic championships its teams could produce, there was no greater mark of success for the school than the inordinate number of its graduates who were able to successfully enrol in university with academic scholarships. Traditionally, all graduates advance to universities in Canada and the United States; it is very rare occurence for a student to matriculate and not proceed to university.

In its long history of excellence in academia and athletics, Oaklands had also fostered a strong reputation for its musicals and drama efforts which, for the most part, commenced in 1951 and carry on to present day. As well, its student-run newspaper, Oakleaves, has been providing ample commentary of the school's goings on since 1931.

In 1950, after a great deal of effort and sacrifice on the part of the Brothers and the alumni of the school, the present main building structure was officially opened. De La Salle had always been a completely private school, but in 1967 a very significant change took place when grades nine and ten were placed under the auspices of the Metropolitan Separate School Board ("MSSB"). By 1987, the maintenance, curriculum, funding and control of the entire high school was under the MSSB, now known as the Toronto District Catholic School Board.

Prior to the 1970s, De La Salle "Oaklands" demonstrated an order and disciplined environment where direction and goals were clear and commitment by students, teachers and parents to that culture was strong.

In the 1970s and 1980s, society underwent change and the school mirrored the milieu in which it existed. Spontaneity, flexibility and creativity replaced the status quo. The traditional student's blazer was abandoned, returning in 1974. With the advent of full funding of the entire high school under the MSSB in 1987, the traditions, standards and values fostered by the Brothers of the Christian Schools seemed to be challenged, forced to step aside, and gave the Brothers little control over the institution that carried their Founder's name.

In 1989, a flood caused by student vandalism caused over $4,000,000.00 of damage to the main building. After the complete repair and renovation of the structure, the Ontario provincial government proposed a "de-streaming" of classes as of September 1993. In essence, that meant that students would no longer be divided into advanced, general and basic levels (note: despite the participation of the MSSB at "Oaklands" since 1967, the school had only offered 'advanced' level classes). In response, the school requested the MSSB that De La Salle carry on as an 'advanced-classes-only' academy. This request was rejected by the school board.

In a letter dated June 28, 1993, the school notified the MSSB that as of June 30, 1994, "Oaklands" would re-privatize in order to preserve its long standing tradition of the pursuit of academic excellence. After much ongoing thought and discussion, the Brothers of the Christian Schools determined that returning the school to its former independent status would best meet the spiritual and educational needs of the Catholic community they are called to serve. In September 1994, De La Salle College "Oaklands" again reopened its doors as an independent, now co-educational, university preparatory school.

In order to serve the needs of its existing students at the time of re-privatization, the Brothers of the Christian Schools funded financial assistance, from full to partial scholarships, to any existing advanced-level student who wished to stay enrolled at the school. In all, 58 students accepted the Brothers' offer.

[edit] Patron Saint

[edit] St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle

St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle was born in Rheims, France on April 30, 1651. He was just 29 years old when he realized that the educational system of his day was inadequate to meet the needs of the poor children of Seventeenth Century France. To provide a Christian and human education that would be practical and effective, De La Salle founded a religious community of men, the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Fratres Scholarum Christianarum), dedicated to the instruction of youth, especially the poor. After many hardships, De La Salle died on Good Friday, April 7, 1719. He was canonized a saint of the Catholic Church in 1900 and declared "Universal Patron of All Teachers" by his Holiness Pope Pius XII in 1950. The feast of St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle is celebrated on the 15th of May by the world-wide Lasallian movement.

[edit] Campus

The "Oaklands" campus in the heart of Toronto, obtained its name because of the great Oak trees that adorned the property. To this day, the great Oaks still stand, providing the ideal setting for study. There are seven major areas to the campus:

  • Main Building (which includes classrooms, administration, auditorium, gymnasium and chapel)
  • Arena
  • Oaklands Stadium
  • De La Salle Centre
  • De La Salle Hall
  • Brothers' Residence
  • Gate House

  • The school recently completed construction of its outdoor, all-purpose gym/tennis courts/batting cages.


[edit] Athletics

De La Salle has a long history of athletic excellence, having won multiple city and provincial championships (particularly in hockey and football) in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. After the school had re-privatized, its efforts on the competitive playing fields were pale in comparison to its rich history. However, by the year 2000, teams from De La Salle were beginning to be noticed. Teams such as the Girls and Boys Varsity Hockey, Boys Varsity Basketball, Girls Volleyball, and Girls Soccer were regularly advancing far into the playoffs of their respective leagues, with some making their way to the OFSAA championships. It wasn't until the fall of 2002, when the football team made its improbable run to upset Upper Canada College and St. Andrews College for the CISAA championship, and then beat Markham, Lakeshore Catholic, and Nelson for the Golden Horseshoe Bowl that people began to notice De La Salle once again as a school where athletics is an integral part of interscholastic life. Teams reflect the Lasallian mission of developing a well-rounded young person that will go on to be a leader in the community. A short sample of the De La Salle commitment to excellence (since 1965):

  • 1965 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1965 TDCAA Senior Football Championship
  • 1965 TDCAA Junior Football Championship
  • 1966 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1966 TDCAA Senior Basketball Championship
  • 1966 TDCAA Senior Football Championship
  • 1966 TDCAA Bantam Football Championship
  • 1967 TDCAA Senior Basketball Championship
  • 1967 TDCAA Senior Football Championship
  • 1967 TDCAA Bantam Football Championship
  • 1968 TDCAA Senior Football Championship
  • 1969 TDCAA Senior Football Championship
  • 1973 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1973 TDCAA Senior Basketball Championship
  • 1973 TDCAA Junior Football Championship
  • 1974 TDCAA Senior Basketball Championship
  • 1976 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1977 TDCAA Senior Hockey Championship
  • 1978 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1979 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1983 TDCAA Senior Baseball Championship
  • 1984 TDCAA Senior Baseball Championship
  • 1985 TDCAA Senior Baseball Championship
  • 1984 TDCAA Bantam Volleyball Championship
  • 1990 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1990 TDCAA Boys Bantam Soccer Championship
  • 1991 TDCAA Junior Hockey Championship
  • 1991 TDCAA Boys Bantam Soccer Championship
  • 1999, 2000 TDCAA Varsity Girls Hockey Championships
  • 2000, 2005 and 2006 Brother Arthur Memorial Hockey Championships
  • 2001 UCC Invitational Boys U-14 Hockey Tournament Championship
  • 2001 CISAA Boys U-14 Hockey Championship
  • 2002 CISAA Boys Football Championship
  • 2002 OFSAA Golden Horseshoe Bowl Championship
  • 2004 & 2006 CISAA Girls U-14 Basketball Championship
  • 2004 and 2005 CISAA Girls Cross-Country Championship
  • 2005 Varisty Girls Hockey Ice Gardens Tournament Championship
  • 2005 CISAA Overall Cross-Country Championship
  • 2005 CISAA Girls Track and Field Championship
  • 2005-06 CISAA Girls Varsity Hockey Championship
  • 2005-06 CISAA & OFSAA Girls Varisty Soccer Finalists
  • 2006 CISAA Girls Cross-Country Championship
  • 2006 CISAA Overall Cross-Country Championship

[edit] Brother Arthur Tournament

Every December, "Oaklands" hosts an invitational hockey tournament named after Brother Arthur Brockman (1915-1979), a gifted athlete who wanted his students and athletes to always display fair play and sportsmanship at all times on the ice and on the campus. The tournament began a year after his death and is held annually to this day. The school has won this competition on numerous occasions.

[edit] House system

2005 Brother Arthur Memorial Champions.
2005 Brother Arthur Memorial Champions.

Every year, the Oaklands Cup is awarded to the house that accumulates the most points throughout the school year. Points are won through both academic and athletic achievement, as well as through commendable displays of school spirit. Every De La Salle student is a member of one of six houses, each named for a prominent Brother in "Oaklands" history:

  • Brother Wilfrid
  • Brother Michael
  • Brother Alfred
  • Brother Xavier
  • Brother Arthur
  • Brother Gabriel

[edit] Dramas and Musicals

Commencing with Brother Gabriel's efforts in Cinderella O'Reilly (1951) and Dear Ruth (1952), the school has consistently produced strong musicals and dramas to enhance the artistic campus life. The success over so many years of top-rated productions was solely due to the dedication of its directors, choreographers, set designers and performers who selflessly contributed their time and efforts. A sample of "Oaklands'" theatrical tradition is as follows:

  • 1951 Cinderella O'Reilly
  • 1952 Dear Ruth
  • 1953 Mikado
  • 1954 Music & Dance Review
  • 1955 H.M.S. Pinafore
  • 1956 Iolanthe
  • 1958 Around the World
  • 1959 Pirates of Penzance
  • 1960 Oklahoma
  • 1961 Annie GetYour Gun
  • 1962 Carousel
  • 1963 Finian's Rainbow
  • 1964 Bells Are Ringing
  • 1965 Guys and Dolls
  • 1966 Bye Bye Birdie
  • 1967 L'il Abner
  • 1968 Pajama Game
  • 1969 Calamity Jane
  • 1970 South Pacific
  • 1971 Merchant of Venice, Music Man
  • 1972 Julius Caesar, Brigadoon
  • 1973 Arsenic and Old Lace, Oklahoma
  • 1974 Charlies' Aunt, Mame
  • 1975 Tea House of the August Moon, Damn Yankees
  • 1976 Odd Couple, Musical Review
  • 1977 Ten Little Indians, Oliver
  • 1978 Done to Death, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
  • 1979 3 One Act Plays, The Rainmaker, Finian's Rainbow
  • 1980 West Side Story
  • 1981 Diary of Anne Frank
  • 1982 Butterflies Are Free, Carnival
  • 1983 Mousetrap, Jesus Christ Superstar
  • 1984 Deathtrap, Applause
  • 1985 Man of La Mancha
  • 1986 Count Dracula, Exit the Body, Camelot
  • 1987 Black Comedy, Of Mice and Men
  • 1988 Our Town, Musical Review
  • 1993 Count Dracula
  • 1995 You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
  • 1996 Fantasticks
  • 1997 Oliver
  • 1998 Much Ado About Nothing
  • 1999 Little House of Horrors
  • 2000 The Servant of Two Masters
  • 2001 The Sound of Music

[edit] Oak Leaves

Oak Leaves began as the school's student paper that is still published today. It has won recognition from the Columbia University Literary Society and the Canadian School Papers Association not only for its appearance, but also for its journalistic qualities of writing and layout.

[edit] Cadet Corps

The Oaklands Cadets (De La Salle Cadet Corps, DLSCC) was formed January 7, 1911 as #269 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps - involving nearly all the students at De La Salle College. (Though according to Corps historian Mr. Murt Howell, there is evidence to support the fact that the Cadet Corps at De La Salle existed even at the De La Salle grammar school at the corner of Lombard and Jarvis Streets even as far back as the 1860s. The Cadet Corps had tremendous success in its original days - even earning the honour to participate in the Guard of Honour for the Royal Visit in the 1930s. During the Second World War, one of the ex-Cadets (Major Fred Tilston) was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Hochwald Forest. (Please see: http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-71-596-3095-10/on_this_day/conflict_war/tilston_victoria_cross)

Following the Second World War, the Cadet Corps was disbanded December 1, 1947, and perpetuated in the Cadet Band - which grew to great renown in the 50's, 60's and 70's. (For more information please see: "A Tribute to Courage" by Mr. Murt Howell http://www.delasalle-drumcorps.com/tribute.html)

The Oaklands Cadets reformed September, 2004 by petition of "Oaklands" Lasallian student Mena Ghabbour (class of 2006), unaffiliated to the National Canadian Cadet Movement. Teacher moderators for the program are Captain Joseph Nonato (CO), Second Lieutenants Robert Costanzo (DCO) and Richard Rumble (Ops O), and (now graduated) Officer Cadet Mena Ghabbour. The Principal, Brother Domenic Vigianni, FSC is the Corps Honourary Lieutenant Colonel - keeping in tradition with that begun by the Brother who began the program in 1911, Hon LCol, Brother Rogatian, FSC.

The De La Salle Cadet Corps (DLSCC) is a student-run, teacher moderated program designed as a leadership laboratory for the participants in the program. Cadets are taught to systematically assess problems of a task, determine best courses of actions, strike out a plan, and then lead a team of their peers to successfully accomplish that plan.

The DLSCC strives to help its members reach the goals of Sound Character, Scholastic Excellence, Strong Athletics, and Competent Professionalism - all within a spirit of service. The Corps is a university prep program in and of itself - teaching students not only to get to university, but to succeed in it. Time management, self discipline, order, organization and leadership are some of the many lessons learned through responsibility in The Corps.

"Many are called, but few are chosen." The program of the DLSCC does not intend to make service men and women out of its Cadets - the vast majority of the participants have never even had the thought of joining the Canadian Forces cross their mind. What the program does intend to do is in keeping with the Lasallian ideology of imparting practical leadership - as was taught by the founder of the De La Salle Brothers - St. Jean Baptist de La Salle. This practical leadership is imparted efficiently and effectively through the same system used by the military to forge men and women who are capable of responsibility and leadership to those around them - and who are willing to do so. This system can be summarized by: "No nonsense, no excuse leadership; lead by example." Cadets are taught to act with: "Competence, Commitment, Courage and Compassion" - in keeping with the College's Christian and Catholic spirit.

Field and adventure training for the Cadets include such activities as: Reconnaissance Patrolling at Night, Rope Bridges, First Aid and Casualty Evacuation, Night Familiarity Exercises, Ontario Wilderness Survival, etc.. Land for training has been graciously made available by a generous family and supporter of the Corps who allows the DLSCC to train on their property located 1.5 hours drive north of the College.

The Corps was awarded "Team with the most Spirit" by the Patients and Staff at the Hospital for Sick Children for their participation in the Cadet Corps selected Charity: Meagan's Walk, in 2006.

Today, the Corps runs a military academy program for students attending the college, offering cadet training on a full time basis. In January of 2006, Brother Dominic Viggiani granted members of this program permission to wear their own uniform on a daily basis due to their outstanding commitment and service, a landmark in the history of the school. This kind of recognition was not ever given out in previous school history.

[edit] Drum and Bugle Corps

In 1958, with the dissolution of the De La Salle Band, the De La Salle Drum and Bugle Corps was born. Different from a traditional marching band, the Drum Corps (as they became known) played modern music with quick-paced formations that were clearly designed for crowd appeal. In their first 2 years, the Drum Corps placed 3rd in the Junior A National Championships. From 1961 to 1965, the Drum Corps would finish in 2nd at the Canadian National Championships and finally in 1969, would win the National Championships. They would go on to win consecutive national championships in 1970, 1971 and 1973.

[edit] De La Salle Camp

A boys' camp was opened by the Brothers in 1916 on the shores of Lake Simcoe at Jackson's Point. Following a fire in November 1931, the camp re-opened the next summer with newly-built facilities. It continued operating until 1980 when most of the property was sold to Georgina Township.

[edit] The Arena

In 1954, the school's natural ice rink was replaced with the opening of an artificial ice rink through the generosity of its benefactors. This was the first artificial rink in the city not owned by the municipality. In 1967, after a spirited fundraising campaign and the sale of a portion of the property at 423 Avenue Road for an apartment building, the arena building was opened by Metro Toronto Chairman, William Allen, Mayor William Denison and the entire Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. Today, the arena primarily serves the school's physical education programme and its athletic teams.

[edit] De La Salle Hall

In 2004, construction was completed on De La Salle Hall which was a structure dedicated solely to the pursuit of musical education at the school. The building boasts a tremendous acoustically-designed concert hall / instructional area as well as private practice and rehearsal rooms and an physical exercise area overlooking the Toronto skyline and De La Salle Stadium.

[edit] Boarders

Boarders were commonplace at De La Salle dating back to 1871. At "Oaklands", boarders first occupied 6 rooms at the Brothers' residence. The school opened its Junior Hall on what is now the arena grounds in 1936 and two years later, the house at 423 Avenue Road was leased, then purchased to house students. The Gate House at the property's south-west corner (which stood guard over Senator MacDonald's original still-standing ornate entrance) was converted for student housing. As well, an exclusive home donated to the Brothers by the late Senator Frank O'Connor at his Wexford estate was converted to student housing. With the onset of the MSSBs participation at "Oaklands" in 1967 (which resulted in an influx of more locally-based students), the need for boarders at the school had diminished and eventually, the programme was phased out.


[edit] Notable alumni

In keeping with the learned traditions of the College, alumni remain humble even in obvious success. This value is instilled unto students from their first day at the school to their last. Alumni are continually active in the De La Salle community, as well as in their own respective communities around the world.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Weisblott, Marc (1997-07-10). Keanu's speed:Tracing the steps of our Toronto homeboy. Eye Weekly. Retrieved on August 8, 2006.

[edit] External links

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