Pause for a moment and reflect. La Salle College has stood here since 1932. It has weathered wars and transformed countless young lives.
La Salle College is more than just a school. It is a Kowloon landmark with a rich history. This institution is known for academic excellence and sporting achievements.
Brother Aimar Sauron was key to La Salle College’s founding. In 1928, he bought land on the edge of Kowloon. By 1932, La Salle College opened its doors. The first students came from St. Joseph’s Branch School.
World War II greatly impacted La Salle College. In 1939, the British War Department used the campus as an internment camp. It housed German civilians deemed “enemy aliens”. The Brothers continued teaching in a nearby annex during this time.
In December 1941, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong. The British first used La Salle College as a relief hospital. Later, the Japanese military also took control. The Brothers were expelled in February 1942. From then until August 1945, the college served as a Japanese military hospital.
After the war, La Salle College faced more challenges. In 1949, the British Army took over the school again. They needed it as a military hospital. The school moved to cramped wooden huts on Perth Street. The army occupied La Salle College for ten years. Schooling was greatly affected.
In September 1959, La Salle College finally returned to La Salle Road. The school quickly recovered.
When La Salle College was built, its beauty awed people. But after military use, the building was in poor condition. Maintenance costs were high. In 1979, the school decided to build a new, modern building.
The new La Salle College had up-to-date facilities. These included an all-weather track, and an artificial turf football pitch. Central air-conditioned classrooms were installed. There was also an Olympic-size swimming pool. A spacious library, a sound-proof auditorium, lecture theaters, and an indoor gymnasium were added. These modern facilities ensured progress for years to come.
La Salle College’s crest displays the Latin motto “Fides et Opera”. This means “Faith and Works”. It reminds the community to show spiritual values through good deeds.
La Salle College continues to stand tall. It symbolizes resilience, faith, and the pursuit of excellence.