De La Salle College Newsletter “A Catholic School for Boys in the Lasallian Tradition”

special character

Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

Dear Families   We have begun the year with hope filled spirits within our Special Character portfolio, and it has been wonderful to have many members of our community actively involved. To begin the year, we were fortunate to welcome back Lasallian Volunteer Jozanam Emani (Class of 2024), who spent 2025 serving at La Salle Middleswan in Perth alongside fellow Old Boy Kisi Pulu (Class of 2024). Well done young men on living your Lasallian vocation in service beyond our gates. Over the first weeks of term, Jozanam has stepped into the role of Campus Minister while Anthony Ngan Woo is on leave. He has brought energy, humility, and a deep sense of faith to the role, working closely with our student leaders and supporting the spiritual life of the College.  Jozanam, thank you for your faithful service to your alma mater. We are truly grateful for your generous and wholehearted contribution to Campus Ministry.

LSLS – Lasallian Student Leadership Seminar

  A special thank you to Br Lewis, who accompanied our students to Sydney for the Lasallian Student Leadership Seminar (LSLS). Head Boy Harvey Smith and Deputy Head Boy of Special Character Raymond Patolo represented the College beautifully. The seminar provided an excellent foundation for their leadership journey this year, offering formation, reflection, and the opportunity to build strong connections within our wider Lasallian network across Australia.

Staff Spirituality Day

We began Day One of 2026 with our Staff Spirituality Day. The morning opened with a gathering in the staffroom to remember Mr Mike Han, who passed away during the holiday break. Long-time friends and colleagues, Mr John Singh and Mrs Verma, led us in reflection and prayer as we honoured his life and service. This was followed by our Staff Mass in the chapel, celebrated by Fr Jean Paul from Holy Cross, Papatoetoe. Newly ordained Deacon Michael Tanoai then led two retreat sessions alongside Ipu Lagaaia. With his extensive experience in retreat leadership and social services in South Auckland, Deacon Michael guided us through an uplifting and reflective time together.

Year 9 Retreats

  At De La Salle  wellbeing and spirituality are integral to academic success. Identity, belonging, and connection are at the heart of Catholic and Lasallian spirituality, and our Year 9 retreats in the opening weeks were designed to embed these foundations. We are grateful to Old Boys from the Class of 2025 — Cyrus Holloway (Head Boy 2025), AJ Faalave, Jarrell Taufao, and Christian Letufuga (Exodus Band) — along with our current Special Character Prefects, Psalms Vaotuua and JJ Palea, for supporting these retreats. Through bonding activities, learning about their Lasallian House Saints, and exploring our core values, our newest students have begun forming the strong sense of brotherhood that defines our College.

WIMUN Family Mass

  Fr Martin celebrated Mass for our WIMUN students and their families before their departure for New York. The Brothers’ community, Principal, staff, and Special Character Prefects gathered to offer prayer and support as the group embarked on this exciting opportunity. It was a special moment of commissioning and blessing.  

Dedication Mass

  Fr Jean Paul celebrated our beautiful Dedication Mass, commissioning our school, student leaders, and wider community to God for the year ahead. Following Mass, there was a wonderful gathering with our Prefects and their families to acknowledge and celebrate their leadership appointments.

Diocesan Dedication Mass

  On 17 February, Bishop Steve celebrated Mass for schools across the Auckland Catholic Diocese at Christ the King. Nine staff members from De La Salle attended, joining the wider diocesan community in prayer and unity at the beginning of the school year.  

Ash Wednesday

  Ash Wednesday was marked by a sacred and reflective liturgy led by our Special Character Prefects, with the support and involvement of our Year 9 students. Jozanam worked closely with the student leaders to prepare a prayerful and reverent celebration that set the tone for the Lenten season.

Young Vinnies

  Our Special Character Prefects have also relaunched Young Vinnies for the year. A range of service opportunities will be available for students as we continue to foster a culture of faith in action and commitment to those most in need. It has been a rich and prayerful beginning to 2026. I am deeply grateful to Br Pat, Br Jack and our Brothers community, our staff, students, Old Boys, clergy, and families who continue to support and strengthen the Special Character of our College. Together, we continue to build a community grounded in faith, service, and brotherhood.

Live Jesus in our Hearts forever

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Late Nights, Late Starts

Setting Our Young Men Up for Success

Over the past few weeks, we have noticed an increase in students arriving late to school. When we speak with them about the reason, the most common response is simple: “I slept in.” In many cases, this is linked to late nights — time spent on phones, gaming, social media, or streaming. While technology is a normal part of teenage life, without clear boundaries it can quickly undermine routines, sleep, and ultimately learning. Teenagers still need structure. Although our young men are growing in independence, they are not yet adults. Healthy limits around device use are not about control — they are about protection and preparation. Research consistently shows that sleep is critical for adolescent brain development, concentration, mood regulation, and academic performance. A tired student cannot perform at his best. We encourage families to consider some practical steps:

• Establish a clear digital curfew (for example, devices off by 9:30pm on school nights).
• Remove phones from bedrooms overnight.
• Use built-in parental controls where needed.
• Keep chargers in a common family space.
• Maintain consistent bedtimes.
• Model healthy digital habits as adults

Leaving late-night device use unchecked can lead to patterns that become difficult to reverse — chronic lateness, reduced motivation, mood swings, and declining academic performance. What may seem minor now can develop into habits that affect future employment and wellbeing. As a school, we will continue to emphasise punctuality and accountability. However, the strongest influence remains at home. When school and home work together with consistent expectations, our young men thrive.

Let us continue building not only connected learners — but disciplined, independent young men who understand that success begins the night before.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

Lent has started and we reflect not only on Christ’s journey to the cross but also our own journeys. A solemn time…but also an opportunity to reflect.   Again, we remember those we have lost in the Lasallian community.   The Year 7/8 faculty have had a busy 4 weeks, and our students are adjusting to the new learning they have this year. As you already know we are teaching Te Mataiaho (the new curriculum) and it is a bit of an adjustment for both students and staff. The exciting thing is, when things change it creates opportunity. We want to take this opportunity (with the introduction of Te Mataiaho) to be at the forefront of education in New Zealand for Year 7/8. I am very proud of Mangere and teaching at De La Salle College and I want us to be held to the highest standard so others will be inspired. As Jesus said:

“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:15

By the time you read this Athletics Day would have been completed. It is again another opportunity in De La Salle for our students to grow within themselves as they confront their anxieties. I remember in 1982 I was the fastest boy at Mangere Intermediate. A new student arrived from Samoa and others started to mention that he was a true sprinter, and perhaps faster than me. I was overwhelmed with anxiety “What if I lose my title as the fastest in the school?” so I went and hid in the toilets. Many of our students will also go through these same emotions when it comes to not just Athletics, but any event where their personal reputation is on the line. As teachers at De La Salle when we see this we know it is a teaching moment, an opportunity, a chance for your son to grow. We need to help our students see pressure and anxiety not as something to dread, but as an opportunity to overcome. If there is no pressure then growth isn’t real. Those of you who go to the gym understand the “No pain, no gain” concept . Luckily for us, humans are self-actualising creatures (we want things to be better). Therefore as teachers and parents we need to sell these anxiety inducing events to the young men as “If you give it a go…you will 100% grow significantly as a person. You will be the manz!”

As we go through our journey of Lent heading towards Easter let us reflect on not only our difficulties and anxieties, but also the difficulties and anxieties of those around us. Lent leads us towards humility, no one is perfect and definitely not ourselves. Let us also remember Christ on his journey towards Golgotha and how his anxiety so overwhelmed him he cried out to the Father and asked for this cup to pass over him. Let us also remember Christs empowering example as he also said “…  

nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:39

In Christ