in this issue
TERM 3 WEEK 6- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER
College Principal - “We Enrol A Family"
Associate Principal - "Relationships"
Special Character - Ministry & Mission
Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum
Deputy of Pastoral - Pastoral
Academic Year 7/8
Introducing the Ei Faitanga
Year 11 Student Opinion Pieces
Spoken Word Poets
Apifo'ou College Rugby Team
In the Community
Notices
Enrol Now
Contact Us
“We enrol a family”
Mr Myles Hogarty
College Principal
Myself and Mr English are currently interviewing families for the enrolment of their sons in Year 7 and 9.
This process of enrolment is a thoughtful, considered one which takes many hours of planning, conversations and decision making.
We believe that sitting down with a boy and his family and learning about him, his home and aspirations for his education is crucial in his transition into De La Salle.
This process also allows the young man and his family the opportunity to hear about the expectations that the College has of them as they become members of our community.
One of our College Goals in 2024 is a stronger “connected community.”
There are schools in which the “just drop him off at the front gate”, mentality is used, there are not however so many, particularly secondary schools, whose philosophy is to “Enrol the Family”.
At De La Salle every family is made very aware of this inclusive philosophy at their son’s interview. We also put flesh around this statement through the actions that we adopt to “Enrol the Family”.
The following are some actions behind the words:
- The initial enrolment interview with the family the year prior to entering the College.
- A thorough Academic Counselling interview with the boy, his parents and Homeroom teacher in the first week of the year, followed up with another in Term 3.
- A Weekly Note emailed every Friday to parents informing them of their son’s Weekly progress on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), so 40 Reports a year.
- Induction for parents and boys which includes an overnight Camp, Parents & Grandparents Mass, Matariki Evening, Year 7 and 9 Retreats, Parent Partnership Evenings.
- An Invitation for parents to be involved in sports coaching and management of any of the 15 sports offered at the College.
- An invitation for families to attend and share with us their son’s success at Prize Givings and Award presentations.
- An expectation that all parents contribute towards the cost of their son’s education for his entire duration at De La Salle.
- Invitation to parents to be involved in College Cultural and Music groups and performances.
- Full and informative Academic reports to families twice a year.
- Pastoral Care of our boys that always involves immediate contact with families about any concerns over behaviour or student discipline.
- Parent surveys to give the College feedback on our processes and programmes.
Does this philosophy and practical application of “enrolling the family”, have positive results for the achievement of our boys?
Definitely ! Engaged families foster sons who are engaged in their education.
I thank the many parents who are fully engaged in the College and their son’s education and have shown this through their “enrolment”, at De La Salle.
Thank you to the many family members who attended the Year 7 & 8 Family Mass at the College on Tuesday, another wonderful example of “enrolling the family and connected community.”
Congratulations to our Senior Open Debating team who competed in the semi-final of the Auckland competition narrowly going down in the Debate on Tuesday night.
Best wishes to two of our Rugby teams the 2B and 2C who play in the ASSRU Finals on Saturday at the Marist Rugby Club.
Best wishes to our 1st XIII League team who play in the NZRL NZSS Tournament Championships next Friday to Sunday at Bruce Pulman Park.
associate principal
Mr Dermot English
Relationships
I was in an RE a class yesterday discussing marriage. I asked boys to write down two qualities of the best marriage/relationship that they know off. They came up with qualities like trust, compassion, kindness and good communication. Some boys could not think of a good relationship. I realise after years of teaching, and from my own experience that knowing how to have a good relationship is not automatic. Boys need examples, mentors and occasionally some teaching about it. What example to our relationships set for our boys?
Why talk about this in a newsletter? Because the school is here to add to boys’ lives and give them as much chance of having a fulfilling and happy life as possible. Having healthy major relationships is the key to that. Several years ago an old-boy of about 26 came back to visit, and I could tell by the way his partner looked at him that she trusted, respected and admired him. If the school has had anything to do with making that happen then we have been very successful.
special character
Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua
Staff Spirituality Day
On week 4 during the teachers only day, the staff gathered in the newly transformed library space for a day dedicated to retreat and professional development centred on the theme of "God's Grace."
The session began with an exploration of the Catholic worldview on Grace, focusing on the Sacraments and the concept of Sacramentality. The day then shifted to a deeper reflection on Reconciliation and forgiveness, examining how these vital aspects of faith manifest in our spiritual, cultural, and personal lives.
PIZZA & PRAISE
The Year 12 students hosted a Pizza and Praise event for McAuley High School and Marcellin College during Week 5 (video below). The event featured a liturgy, singing, ice-breaker activities, and a scripture-based activity.
These initiatives provide a valuable opportunity for the boys to engage with peers from other schools and share their faith.
It is always a meaningful experience for students to come together, fostering fellowship and strengthening their connections within the Catholic school community. Congratulations to the team involved in organizing this Special Character event!
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
Since the start of Term 3, we have been holding Sacramental classes every Monday after school in C3.
Next Tuesday, we will welcome Fr. Kevin, to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism during Period 4 and the Sacrament of First Reconciliation during Period 5 in the Chapel for our Candidates.
Following these events, the Sacramental programme will continue every Monday during Period 3 as we prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist to be celebrated in term 4
Live Jesus in our Hearts forever
curriculum
Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle
OPTIONS
Year 9 -12 students have almost completed selecting 2025 options. The last of the Parent Partnerships have been taking place this week. Students and Parents can still access Subject Selection 2025 on the KAMAR portal https://parent.delasalle.school.nz/index.php
If you have any questions regarding your son’s options, please contact the school. The first point of contact is always your son’s Homeroom teacher. If you have any more questions, please contact
- Careers and Transition – Mrs Moganaygee Nayagar NayagarM@delasalle.school.nz and Mr Grant Hobbs HobbsG@delasalle.school.nz
- Deputy Principal – Curriculum Mr Doyle doylep@delasalle.school.nz
SENIOR EXAM WEEK
A reminder about Senior Exam Week September 9 – 13. This week will also include opportunities for Year 11 and some Year 12 students to complete the Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Activities. Get your son to highlight for you his exams or workshops. All students should be checking in with their teachers on what exactly they are being assessed on and what is needed for each level of achievement. It important for students sitting practice exams to aim high as these grades may be used as Derived Grades if anything happens before November.
Year 11 , 12 and 13 students have study leave in Exam Week. Students are welcome to use the Library to study before, after and between exams. The Library is open to 4.30 pm each day.
Many of the assessments are digital, particularly for Year 11 in Health, Religious Studies and the Literacy and Numeracy CAA. Students will require a charged laptop on the day. If a student has recently got their laptop, they are reminded to register their laptop here at school before the week so they can access the digital exams. You can do this by visiting our ICT technician at school. Students who are unable to bring in a laptop will be provided one.
Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Activities for selected Year 10 students
You will have seen a lot in the media about the new Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Activities . We have taken a slightly different approach to some schools here at De La Salle. We only enter students who we know are ready for success. Teachers have spent a lot of time assessing where students are at. We are confident that the students who we select will be successful in the assessments and have been preparing them to do well. A large group of Year 10 students will be completing Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Activities in week 9. Students who are not sitting will get their first opportunity in May 2025.
These assessments are digital. So, students will require a charged laptop on the day. If a student has recently got their laptop, they are reminded to register their laptop here at school before the week so they can access the digital exams. You can do this by visiting our ICT technician at school. Students who are unable to bring in a laptop will be provided one.
Students will be receiving copies of old exams to help with preparation. All students have access to LeanCoach resources. Students can go to https://my.learncoach.com/study/start
Login or register using his school email and join the class Year 10 [Join code: SOZU] or Year 11 Class [Join code: ZLFU]
ACHIEVEMENTS
Year 11 NCEA Level 1
As of 27 August, the average number of credits per student is 34 credits [c.f. 32 in 2022, 44 in 2023] towards the target of 60 credits. We are well over half way.
There are 14 students who have already achieved NCEA Level 1 – Outstanding!
Year 12 NCEA Level 2 update
As of 20 August, the average number of credits per student is 53 [c.f. 46 in 2022, 44 in 2023] towards the target of 60 credits for NCEA Level 2. This is significantly higher than 2023.
There are 53 Year 12 students who have already achieved the NCEA Level 2 qualification – What a turnaround from 2023.
Year 13 NCEA Level 3 update
As of 20 August, the average number of credits per student is 40 [c.f.46 in 2022, 31 in 2023] towards the target of 60 credits for NCEA Level 3.
Twelve students have already achieved the NCEA Level 3 qualification – Keep up the great work!
pastoral
Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles
Raising Mentally Healthy Boys
A Guide for Parents
As we continue our journey in educating and nurturing the young men at De La Salle College, it’s important to remember that academic success is just one part of their overall well-being. As a community, we must also focus on their mental health. Ensuring that our boys are mentally healthy is crucial not only for their current happiness but also for their long-term success in life. Here are some strategies to help you support your son’s mental health.
1. Open Lines of Communication
Encourage your son to talk about his feelings and experiences. Create an environment where he feels safe expressing his emotions without fear of judgment or dismissal. Regularly check in with him, not just about schoolwork but about how he’s feeling in general. Conversations about mental health should be normalized in the same way we talk about physical health.
2. Teach Emotional Literacy
Help your son understand and label his emotions. Boys are often socialized to suppress their feelings, but recognizing and naming emotions is the first step toward managing them. Encourage him to express his emotions in healthy ways, whether through talking, writing, or physical activity.
3. Model Healthy Behaviors
Children often learn by example. Show your son how to cope with stress and difficult emotions in healthy ways. This might include practicing mindfulness, exercising regularly, or engaging in hobbies. Demonstrating a positive attitude towards self-care will encourage him to adopt similar habits.
4. Promote Balance and Boundaries
While academic success is important, it’s equally crucial to maintain a balanced life. Encourage your son to pursue interests outside of school, whether it’s sports, arts, or other hobbies. Teach him the importance of setting boundaries, taking breaks, and not overloading himself with too many commitments.
5. Monitor for Signs of Stress or Distress
Be vigilant for signs that your son might be struggling with his mental health. These signs can include changes in mood, sleep patterns, eating habits, or a withdrawal from activities he used to enjoy. If you notice any concerning changes, don’t hesitate to seek help from professionals, whether it’s a school counselor or a mental health specialist.
6. Encourage Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks. Help your son build resilience by encouraging him to take on challenges, learn from failures, and keep trying. Teach him that it’s okay to ask for help and that perseverance is a strength.
7. Support Social Connections
Strong, positive relationships are key to mental health. Encourage your son to develop and maintain friendships. Help him understand the importance of being a good friend and the value of empathy, kindness, and cooperation in building strong relationships.
8. Stay Involved in His Life
As boys grow older, they may seek more independence, but your involvement remains crucial. Stay engaged in your son’s life by attending school events, knowing his friends, and being aware of what’s happening at school and in his social circles. Your support and presence can make a big difference in his mental well-being.
Conclusion
Raising mentally healthy boys is a shared responsibility. By providing support, guidance, and understanding, we can help our young men at De La Salle College grow into strong, resilient, and emotionally intelligent adults. If you ever have concerns about your son’s mental health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our pastoral care team for support.
Source: This guide is based on information from Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand. It has been shortened for a quick and easy read to help parents understand the key points about student attendance.
Student Attendance:
A Simple Guide for Parents
Why Attendance Matters
Every school day is important for your child’s learning and future success. Regular attendance helps your child reach their full potential.
What You Should Do
- Make sure your child goes to school every day.
- Inform the school if your child is sick or unable to attend.
- Avoid family holidays during school time.
- If you are moving, enrol your child in a new school immediately.
Is My Child Well Enough for School?
It can be tough to decide if your child is too sick for school. Here’s some basic advice:
Mild Symptoms: If your child has mild symptoms (like a slight cough, runny nose, or mild allergies) and no fever, they can usually still go to school. Let their teacher know.
Stay Home If:
- Your child is too sick to learn.
- They have a fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, or difficulty breathing.
- They tested positive for COVID-19.
- They have an infectious illness.
What If My Child Is Anxious?
- Anxiety is common and can make school challenging. Talk to your child and work with the school to find solutions.
- Inform the School
- Always inform the school if your child will be absent and explain why.
- When to Seek Medical Advice
- If you’re worried about your child’s health, contact your doctor or call Healthline at 0800 611 116 for free advice anytime.
Returning to School
- Send your child back to school as soon as they are no longer infectious and feel well enough to participate.
Tips for Parents
- Talk positively about school and help your child develop good habits.
- Work with the school to support your child’s attendance.
- Seek help if your child is struggling to attend regularly. Schools and the Ministry of Education offer support.
Need More Help?
If your child has ongoing issues with attendance due to illness, bullying, or other challenges, talk to the school or contact your local Ministry of Education office for support.
ICT Academy
Term 3 School Holidays Computer Courses
Senior students are invited to enrol in Computer Courses during school holidays at the Techtorium Institute of Technology in Newmarket. These courses provide students opportunities to explore career pathways in Computer Science and Engineering at Tertiary level.
Term 3 School Holidays Courses are listed below. All course costs are funded by the College.
See Mr J Singh in Room H4 for Enrolment details.
Academic Year 7/8
Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa
This week we had the Year 7/8 Family Mass, and what a great occasion it was for parents to come into the school and spend time with their son in holy communion with our Lord!
Our Year 7/8 Mass coincidentally occurred 2 days after our students had attended as a community Sunday Mass at Holy Cross Church in Papatoetoe. Here we had our Year 7/8 students mixing with the other year groups all the way up to our Year 13 prefects. It was good to see our Head boy and Deputies leading by example for the student body. As I observed Troy (2024 Head Boy) kneeling in prayer I imagined his beginnings as a Year 7 student at De La Salle and wondered if he had ever envisaged back then in 2018 where he would be today? In the row in front of Troy were Year 7 students and I wondered if they were thinking about what they would be doing as Year 13 De la Salle students in 2030? Probably not; the Year 7 boys I am guessing would most likely only see as far as lunch that day. I confess I was seeing the same thing too.
As our parents sat with their sons at our Family Mass it marked the halfway point in their sons schooling. If they imagined 7 years ago a moment as sitting with their boy at a school mass, they would have been very proud of reaching that milestone on Tuesday. No doubt parents would be hoping to repeat a similar moment 7 years in the future, where their son, (like Troy) would sit with them in community mass as a Year 13 student. It can never be understated how special a moment that is.
What can also not be understated is how privileged we are as teachers to be a part of so many special moments in your son’s development at De La Salle. Some moments are obvious, some not so. Some moments are enjoyable, others are tough, painful lessons. Either way it is a moment, and it will always be special.
This Sunday’s Mass happens to fall on Fathers Day. Don’t miss the moment!
In Christ
introducing the ie faitanga
Year 13 Uniform
Our school is excited to introduce the ie faitaga as a part of the official DLS Year 13 uniform. This was a proposal driven by a our 2024 Year 13 student leadership team which reflects our commitment to honouring and celebrating our Pacific culture. As a student, I am incredibly proud to see this meaningful garment incorporated into our daily lives. The ie faitaga is not just a piece of clothing,
it is a symbol of our heritage, respect, and identity. By wearing it, we acknowledge and uplift the rich traditions of our Pacific community. It’s important that we represent who we are and where we come from, not just in our words, but in how we present ourselves every day. This inclusion is a powerful step towards embracing diversity and fostering a deeper connection to our roots.
Year 11 student opinion pieces
The following essays are from Year 11 students who recently, after research and reflection, used writing as a tool to express their thoughts and opinions on issues that matter to them.
These essays serve as practice for their upcoming external exams in English. Follow the link here to read their writing.
Year 11 Corleone Tunamafono-Voi, Nashawn Laumatia, Teinakitea Sionetama and Agapetos Evalu
spoken word poets
Written by Frank Sio
Last weekend, David Kolo, Kaharau Gilbert, Valentino Pulu, Aitasi Smith, Mala’efo’ou Ufi and I went to compete in ‘Word the Frontline’ – the annual high school spoken word competition. We qualified in regional heats, which consisted of teams from 42 schools into the semi-finals to compete against the top 14 teams from across Auckland. In our semi-final slam, we were competing against other schools such as McCauley High School, Alfriston College, Auckland Girls Grammar, Birkenhead College, Wesley College and Waitakere College. We were coached by Miss Puleiku and old boys Luani Nansen and Noah Brown, who were also De La Salle Poets when they were here at school. We even had some of our brothers come and support us such as Peto Paulo, Steven Taufa, William Edwards- Finau, and Fou Belford.
We had a few months to prepare for this event and have been spending many hours, especially in the last three weeks to write and memorise our poems. We produced three poems called ‘Peanut Butter Ice Cream’ which was a solo performed by Kaharau Gilbert, ‘Seen’, and ‘Christopher Luxon’, which were group pieces. Our experience at the event was hectic. We were nervous before our pieces because we didn’t want to forget our lines or be out of sync when reading the group poems. But we were so happy after performing because we performed our lines perfectly, just like we were back in our spoken word space in D2! Seeing other schools perform their pieces made us realize that our style of poems was very different to theirs and it made us second guess whether we were good enough or not. At the end of the slam, when we heard our school name called out, we all jumped for joy and realised, we were good enough! We made it to the Grand Slam – the finals of the competition. Miss Puleiku told us that this is only our third time making it to the finals, out of all the years that she’s done spoken word so we were all so happy.
We’ve got more work to do to prepare for the Grand Slam and if you’re free on Saturday 21st September, come out to the Aotea Centre to support our team. We also hope to put on a spoken word showcase later this year so watch this space!
Apifo’ou College rugby team
on tour from Tonga
This week De La Salle hosted a senior rugby team from Apifo’ou Catholic College in Tonga. It was a great experience for both teams. After spending the first week in the South Island playing St Thomas and St Bedes teams, the Tongans were happy to be in the warmer part of the country. Being both Catholic schools, we started with both teams attending a liturgy held in the school chapel and run by our Deputy and Head Boy, John Paul Schmidt and Troy Sanday.
It was great to see the Tongan Community come and support this event. The game was played in good spirits with both teams showcasing their rugby ability. After a hard-fought match, the home team proved victorious winning 24-14. To end the day both teams, supporters and parents shared a light meal and our De La Salle boys had the opportunity to hand gifts to their buddy of the day. It was fantastic to see the smiles on their faces as the gifts meant a lot to our visitors. I would like to thank everyone that supported this day, making it a memorable day for our visitors from the Kingdom of Tonga.
in the community
2024 Pacific Music Awards with Mr Siosaia Folau
The Pacific Music Awards reached their 20 year anniversary celebrating Pacific music and honouring Pacific artists for two decades.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to create a memorable experience for some of our young people and aspiring musicians. In celebration of the Pacific Music Awards 2024, held last night at Due Drops Events Centre in Manukau, we doubled the size of our Auckland Pasifika Schools Choir.
These talented students, who are all part of the music departments, bands, and choirs within their respective schools, were integral to the 20th anniversary celebration of the PMAs. They had the honor of representing not only their schools but also their cultural heritage.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the students from the following schools: Auckland Girls Grammar, Avondale College, De La Salle College, Glen Eden Intermediate, Kelston Boys High School, Marcellin College, Marist College, Southern Cross Campus, St Paul's College, and St Mary's College.
A special thank you goes out to the music teachers who supported our vision and call-out, and especially to our dear friends Mr. Glenn Stanbridge (St Paul's College), Mr. Saia Folau (De La Salle College), and Mr. Junior Nansen (Southern Cross Campus).
This will not be the last time you see this choir together, there’s more to come 🙏🏽
excerpt and images taken from SaintzUp Performing Arts, Events & Ent facebook page
notices
ENROL NOW
De La Salle College
A Catholic School for Boys Year 7-13 in the Lasallian tradition
Creating great men of Faith - Service - Community - Excellence
- Strong Catholic Character and Lasallian traditions
- Dynamic teaching staff
- Strong academic achievements
- High expectations of every student
- Caring and Supportive Pastoral Care team
- Extensive co-curricular activities
For enrolment enquiries contact Mrs Bianca Leau
Phone: +649 276 4319 ext 816
Email: enrolments@delasalle.school.nz
Website: delasalle.school.nz/enrolments
contact us
Connect with us
Website: www.delasalle.school.nz
Facebook: De La Salle College, Auckland , La Salle Collegians (NZ)
College app: SchoolAppsNZ
De La Salle College
81 Gray Avenue
Mangere East
Auckland 2024
NEW ZEALAND
+649 276 4319