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

in this issue

TERM 2 WEEK 6- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

Associate Principal - "World Class"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Deputy of Pastoral - Pastoral

Academic Year 7/8

Intermediate School

Spoken Word Poets

Service

Challenge, Grow, Achieve

Gateway & Careers

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

World Class

Talofa lava,

Mr Hogarty is currently on a 5-week Principals Sabbatical and will return next term.

Last Wednesday at assembly the theme was ‘World Class’. First we had a speech from Charm Tuala, Head Boy from 2022, who has just finished a year at one of the world’s top universities, Brown University in the US. He emphasized that ‘I have sat where you’ve sat, I’ve thought what you’ve thought, I’ve had the same struggles’, but with consistency and effort anyone from Lasalle can get to that level. He managed to keep up with a very demanding academic schedule while still become a Division 1 National US Champion in university rugby.

Next we had two boys talking about their academic trip to Lasalle High School in Hong Kong. 11 boys spent 8 days being hosted by local Chinese families across a very wide range of wealth. This school is one of the top academic schools in the world, with half of its graduates going to the worlds top 20 or so universities. They found out that the major difference was not intelligence but that every day after school the Hong Kong students do 3 hours in a tutor school followed by about 4 hours of homework. They realised that they also could be world class.

After that we had the boys who competed in the Model United Nations event held in Auckland for 100 teams from about 50 schools throughout NZ. Each team has to debate on four major global issues while representing a specific country. We had four teams and in a national competition came First, Second and Third. This is a world class result. In the North Island Ethics Olympiad our best team came Fourth. This is where the boys debate on major ethical issues. These results come from the very hard work of the teachers who support debating in the school, Ms Kuresa, Ms Phillips, Mr Stowers-Tualega and the leader Mr Wendt, as well as a group of boys who have stuck to a demanding practise schedule.

When staff, students and parents work together our boys can achieve world class results.

special character

Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

Kahui Mass at Holy Cross Papatoetoe

Our Year 7 & 8 Special Character prefects and Year 13 Community prefects represented our college at a beautiful Kahui Mass hosted by Holy Cross School in Papatoetoe on Catholic schools day 28 May. The theme for Catholic schools day 2025 was "Shine like stars in the world - E tiaho ana koe hei rama I te ao." The Mass, celebrated by Fr Chris Skinner and Fr Peter McDermott, brought together over 400 students from South Auckland Catholic schools. It was a joyful and unifying experience, followed by a shared meal that deepened our sense of fellowship. Thank you to our gracious hosts from Holy Cross Papatoetoe!

Year 12 LOGOS Retreat: “Becoming - Strength in Unity?”

Our Year 12 students participated in a transformative day retreat this week led by the Logos Project, a Marist Youth Development organisation. The retreat focused on the theme “Becoming - Strength in Unity”, encouraging students to explore their identity and spiritual journey. Through fun activities, music, and reflective group sessions, students engaged in meaningful discussions like "where are you and who are you becoming?" and activities that fostered personal growth and a deeper connection with their faith. Thank you to the amazing Logos team for giving our boys a great experience.

Celebrating Samoan Language Week with a Special Mass

To add to the celebrations of Samoan Language Week, we hosted a special Samoan Mass and invited our Catholic schools to join in the richness of Samoan culture and Catholic faith. We extend our gratitude to Fr Michael Endemann for leading the Mass, and to Sala Anthony Ngan Woo and Tupuola Seugagogo Endemann for their efforts in organizing this special event. It was a wonderful occasion that highlighted the importance of language and tradition in our spiritual lives.

A Star Among Us: Anapela Polataivao ONZM Inspires Year 13 Students

This week, our Year 13 students were privileged to engage with Anapela Polataivao ONZM, an acclaimed New Zealand actor, writer, and director renowned for her contributions to Pacific performing arts. Raised in South Auckland, Anapela has garnered international recognition for her work.

Polataivao's visit brought excitement and inspiration to both students and staff. She shared personal anecdotes and insights from her career, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, resilience, and embracing one's cultural identity. Her engaging storytelling and heartfelt advice resonated deeply with students preparing to embark on their post-secondary journeys.

As she walked through the school, students affectionately called out "Tinā"—a term of respect in Samoan culture meaning "mother"—and eagerly approached her for photos and hugs. This warm reception highlighted the profound impact of her recent role as Mareta Percival in the film Tinā, where she portrays a grieving mother who finds healing through teaching and music

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Anapela Polataivao for her time and for sharing her journey with us. Her presence was a powerful reminder of the impact of perseverance and the importance of representation of our Pacific people in the arts

Live Jesus in our Hearts forever

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

Scholars in the Spotlight

Talavou Tunumafono Sale 9RET

Sebastian Nelson 9LAM

Bass Tuala 7FEL

Bass, Sebastian and Talavou have been planning and creating outstanding dishes with Mrs Salanoa. The pancakes were delicious! This week these young men are perfecting their scone recipe. Mr Charles and I can’t wait to try one!

Literacy and Numeracy CAA Tests

Congratulations to all of the Year 10 to 13 students who completed a Literacy or Numeracy CAA tests in the last two weeks. The boys worked hard, and it was clear, especially with our Year 10s, that some good preparation was done. NZQA states that the Literacy and Numeracy CAA results for the May co-requisite assessments will be released between June 25 and July 14. Students will be able to see their results on the NZQA login and the KAMAR portal from the start of term 3.

The next round of assessments will be at the end of term 3 from 1 – 12 September. We have started planning for who will be entered already. If you are interested in finding out more, please make contact with your son’s homeroom teacher.

Weekly Note Feedback

Below is the summary of the Weekly Note Survey. Thanks to all families who contributed. What do the results show us? Well first of all, it is pleasing to see that almost all parents are looking at the Weekly Note each week. IS it going to the right people? Do you want both mum and dad to receive a copy? If so, please email your son’s dean to get another email added. Are you also aware that students get a copy? We are also pleased that our parents really value the Weekly Note.

We also appreciate your feedback comments. We understand the frustration regarding the attendance figures. We have gone back o our vendor KAMAR to improve the accuracy of the attendance calculations. Your greatest frustration is an incomplete Weekly Notes. We are working with individual teachers to address this. Finally, you told us that you want more follow-up, especially when there is a poor score. As we head into the end of term 2, teachers are going to make a special effort to follow-up with the Weekly Note. If you would like to make contact you can start with your son’s homeroom teacher or dean.

The dean emails are

Year 7 and 8 Ms Rosana Kuresa KuresaR@delasalle.school.nz

Year 9 Mr Mark Skipps skippsm@delasalleschoolnz.onmicrosoft.com

Year 10 Miss Fusi Puleiku PuleikuF@delasalle.school.nz

Year 11 Mr Ulu Hakeagatoa HakeagatoaU@delasalle.school.nz

Year 12 Mr Patrick Joynt JoyntP@delasalle.school.nz

Year 13 Ms Marise Judd JuddM@delasalle.school.nz

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Building Resilience in Our Boys: A Message to Parents

At De La Salle College, we are committed to growing young men of courage, compassion, and strength. One of the most important traits we can nurture in our boys is resilience—the ability to bounce back from setbacks, cope with everyday challenges, and keep going even when things get tough.

In a world where pressure, disappointment, and failure are part of life, resilient boys grow into strong men who can face adversity with confidence and calm. But resilience doesn’t come automatically—it is developed through experiences, guidance, and support from the adults in their lives, especially parents.

Here are some ways you can help foster resilience at home:

1. Let Them Face Challenges

Avoid rushing to “fix” every problem your son faces. Struggling with friendship issues, tough assignments, or sport losses teaches him how to problem-solve and builds emotional muscle. Support him, but don’t remove the difficulty.

2. Encourage a Growth Mindset

Praise effort, not just results. Say things like “I’m proud of how hard you tried” instead of “You’re so smart.” This teaches boys that success comes from persistence and effort—not luck or talent alone.

3. Talk About Failure

Let your son know it’s okay to fail. Share stories of your own setbacks and how you overcame them. Boys learn a lot when they see adults handle failure with perspective and determination.

4. Teach Patience and Delayed Gratification

In a fast-paced world, help your son understand the value of working towards long-term goals and not giving up when results don’t come right away.

5. Model Resilience Yourself

Our boys are always watching. When they see you dealing with stress, setbacks, or disappointments in a calm, solution-focused way, they’re more likely to do the same.

6. Promote Self-Care

Sleep, healthy food, regular exercise, and downtime are the foundation of emotional strength. Help your son maintain routines that protect his mental and physical wellbeing.

7. Remind Him He’s Not Alone

Let your son know that he can talk to you or any trusted adult at school. Resilience is not about “going it alone”—it’s about knowing when to seek help and still carry on.

Together, we can raise resilient young men who are ready to face life with strength, humility, and purpose.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us in this important journey.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

Samoa Language Week has been very enjoyable at De La Salle College, especially the staff lunch which was huge! We had our ava ceremony on Tuesday morning where the students who are not Samoan got to see how it is done in the 685. In New Zealand most students have experienced a Powhiri, so it was good for them to compare similarities with how formal greetings are done in other cultures, this week being Samoan.

On Thursday I asked my class “How many of you are Samoan?” and was surprised that most of the students stood up. I then asked, “How many of you can speak Samoan?”. Around a fifth of the Samoan students raised their hand. I am Samoan and cannot speak the language. It is interesting that in Samoa most people are wanting to learn English, yet in New Zealand a lot of those with Samoan descent are not pushing to learn Samoan, me included. Hmmm…why is this?

Perhaps this is not a problem that is exclusively Samoan. Other kiwis who have overseas roots seem to be happy being monolingual, whether it be solely knowing their overseas native tongue (not learning English) or conversely English speaking, (not learning the language of their ancestors). The reasons for this vary but there is a common factor behind it all. Learning a second language is hard work! It takes a very long time to become proficient in a second language (you have to practice all the time).

I tell my students who are bilingual that they have multi-dimensional brains, yes they amazing! It is something to be proud of, they can see the world through a different lens. Research has shown that learning a language gives your brain a workout (the way learning an instrument, or solving complicated maths algorithms would). The more students engage in different areas the wider their perspective is when solving specific problems. I always tell students to try out various sports as it teaches them different skills that can help in their specialty sport. It also helps them to deal with challenges as we all feel awkward when we do something we are not comfortable with.

Samoa Language week is a celebration of diversity, and diversity is a celebration of “more”. More experiences is life…because life is to be experienced to its fullness. As Jesus said:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10 : 10

I can’t wait for the other Language weeks at De La Salle.

In Christ

intermediate school

Year 7 & 8 Mathex

Hi! My name is Soane (7NVA) and I will be covering about the competition that was held at De La Salle as well as my personal time being part of the Mathex group.

As I came to join Mathex for the first time, I had high expectations and thought about the competition. When I came to the trainings, I was immediately greeted with a warm welcome from the teachers, seniors and Year 8’s. I felt like I was at home. The atmosphere felt safe and challenging (due to the fact that we were given math equations that vary in difficulty).

As we were creeping closer to the comp, all the other schools were coming in with their Year 7 and 8’s teams. We have 4 Year 7 teams and 2 Year 8 teams. With such little Year 8 teams but many Year 7 teams, I thought to myself surely they would lose. But when the competition ended, both Year groups finished with placings. The Year 7 took out the 3rd place while the Year 8 got 1st place. After that day, other school are now setting a big target on our backs. But that doesn’t scare me and my team. We are READY!

- Soane Kauhalaniua

Taking part in the Mathex was a truly enjoyable and enriching experience. One important lesson I learned from Mathex was it’s not always just about solving the problem correctly but doing it quickly and efficiently as possible. Also, you have the chance to skip a question if you are unsure of it, as it will not affect your point and to get a move on to the next question. I will surely come back to compete with the other schools and become the best team from South Auckland! Thank you to Mr. Marcelo and Miss Kuresa for helping us to prepare throughout our Mathex competition.

- Sunset Ahovelo

spoken word poets

by Kerie Aumua

A group of us Year 12 and 13 students recently had the privilege of competing in Word: The Front Line—a spoken word inter-high school competition that empowers young people to express themselves through powerful and creative performance. It was a chance to connect, reflect, and share the stories that have shaped who we are.

With the support of Miss Puleiku and Old Boy Noah Brown, we spent countless hours after school writing and rehearsing six original poems across two teams.

The Year 13 team—Inglis Tavu'i-Lemalie, Tony Ulberg, Kelemete Sola, and myself—explored themes such as rugby and religion, fatherhood, and a Gen Z perspective on the search for “the one.”

The Year 12 team—Kaharau Gilbert, James Ash Faulalo, Jace Afamasaga, Aitasi Smith, and Valentino Pulu—drew from personal experiences, addressing challenges faced by young people today. Their pieces covered topics like family struggles, the impact of substance misuse, and the idea of Notepad as a safe space for expressing unspoken thoughts.

We performed these pieces during the Spoken Word heats, standing alongside other talented schools from across the region. Luckily, our Year 13 team have advanced to the semifinals of the competition. With passion in our voices and purpose in our words, we’ll continue to rise—telling our stories, representing our school, and reminding others that our voices matter. Watch this space!

service

Mr C Tuli- Service Co ordinator

Malo le lagi e mama, malo le soifua maua.

This is the day that the Lord has made, and we shall rejoice and be glad in it. My name is Chad, or known as Mr Tuli and I am an old boy of the college. I now serve here a the current Service Co-ordinator. Coming back to school this early in life was definitely in my plans, but further down the line. This year, all students are encouraged to complete a minimum of 10 service hours as part of our commitment to developing well-rounded young men of character. These hours can be earned through a variety of opportunities both within and outside of school — from helping at events, volunteering in the community, to supporting local initiatives and causes.

Our college community service plays a vital role in shaping the character of our young men. It’s more than just ticking off hours — it’s about building empathy, leadership, and a heart for others. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing how our students grow through giving back, whether it's through local outreach, school initiatives, or supporting families in need. Community service teaches our boys the importance of humility, responsibility, and the power of working together to make a difference. I encourage all students to get involved and take ownership of their service journey. For any questions, ideas, or to get your hours signed off, feel free to visit me in my office during lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Let’s continue to serve with purpose and lead with heart.

Service at Otahuhu library last week

I had a group of boys come along to get their service hours last week at Otahuhu library. If you see these photos and wondering how you can participate in these programmes, reach out to me on Teams, keep an eye out for my emails/posts on Teams 'Student Hub' or come and see me in my office.

Challenge, Grow, Achieve

ROPES Course Reminder for Year 12 PED201 Students

Mr J Keane- Head of Faculty PE

A reminder to all Year 12 parents and caregivers: students enrolled in PED201 will soon be participating in an exciting and valuable experience as part of their NCEA Level 2 Physical Education programme — the ROPES Challenge Course.

This activity supports the internal assessment focused on leadership and participation in a physical activity, providing students with the opportunity to develop confidence, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills in a safe but challenging outdoor environment.

Course Name: ROPES Challenge (PED201)

Date: Monday 16 June – Thursday 19 June
Location: Kōkako Lodge
Cost: $50 per student
Payment Due: Friday 7 June

We ask all families to ensure that payment is made by the due date to secure your child’s place. If you have any questions or require further information about the course or payment process, please contact Mr Keane at keanej@delasalle.school.nz.

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn and grow beyond the classroom — we look forward to an unforgettable experience for all involved.

gateway & careers

Gateway and Trades Update – Term 2

We are now into the third week of our Countdown Work Experience Programme, which provides senior students the chance to gain valuable on-the-job training and insight into the retail industry. Due to the King’s Birthday holiday, students missed one session, but we are pleased to see their enthusiasm as they get back into routine.

We are currently awaiting the results from our first McDonald’s Gateway group, who recently completed their assessment and in-store experience. These results will help guide and encourage our next intake of students, for which enrolments are now underway. We’re also planning ahead for our Term 3 Countdown group, as well as new work experience placements for Year 13 students across various industries.

Our Trades Academy programme continues to run well, with students attending NZMA, MIT, and other partner providers. While we’re pleased with their practical progress, attendance remains a concern and we continue to work closely with students and families to support better engagement both in and out of the classroom.

One of our in-school unit standards, “The Impact of Social Media”, is now near completion and on track to be fully assessed by the end of Term 2. This unit has sparked strong discussion and reflection among students, particularly around how social media influences their personal and school lives.

We are still actively seeking more community partners for work placements and would welcome any new contacts or opportunities for our young men to gain real-world experience.

Thank you to all staff, whānau, and industry partners who continue to support our students on their vocational pathways.

Gateway & Trades Team

notices

S A T U R D A Y R U G B Y

💻 Got an Old Laptop Gathering Dust? We’re on the lookout for old, but working, laptops to give them a second life in the hands of our students. If you have a working laptop (up to 10 years old) that’s sitting unused because it’s too slow to run modern software, we’d love to take it off your hands. Mr. Lin is turning these older devices into Chromebooks so students without reliable access to devices can use them for learning at home. Please note: We cannot accept broken devices (e.g. cracked screens, won't power on, missing parts). The best donations are laptops that still switch on but are simply outdated or sluggish. This is a simple, sustainable way to support our students and reduce e-waste. 📦 If you’d like to donate or want to check if your laptop is suitable, please contact Mr.Lin at LinA@delasalle.school.nz. Thank you for helping us bridge the digital divide—one laptop at a time!