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

special character

Assistant Principal- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

Dear families

As we approach the end of the year, we reflect with gratitude on the many milestones and achievements of 2024. These accomplishments have been made possible through hard work, dedication, and steadfast prayer. In particular, much of the success in our Special Character Campus Ministry has been thanks to the unwavering commitment of our Special Character team.

A heartfelt thank you to our prefects John Paul Schmidt, Jozanam Emani, Caleb Williams, and Anselm Nakaora for their outstanding service to the College this year. Your leadership and faith have truly shone through, and we have witnessed your growth as both leaders and young men of faith. As you move forward, may you carry this ministry with you into whatever communities you join. We wish you all the very best in your future endeavors.

We also extend a warm welcome back to Benedict Lauofo, who has returned from Balgo in Western Australia, where he served as a Share the Mission Lasallian Volunteer for the year. Ben's impact as a youth minister in our Lasallian school, which serves First Nations children in Australia, has been extraordinary. We are proud of the feedback we've received from the Australian provincial office, which speaks highly of Ben's dedication and the difference he made. Well done, Benedict, for your incredible service to the wider Lasallian community.

Looking ahead, we are excited to begin preparing our Year 13 students who are interested in applying for the Share the Mission Volunteer Programme for 2025. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to serve in Middleswann, Perth. Please keep our applicants in your prayers as they go through the selection process and prepare for this incredible opportunity and adventure.

As we close out the year, we rejoice in the many blessings of 2024 and look forward to the new journeys that await us 2025.

Thank you for your continued support and prayer as we move into the future with faith, hope and love.

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Reflecting on a Year of Success and Teamwork in Pastoral Care

As we conclude another school year, I am proud to reflect on what has been a truly successful period for our pastoral care team. This success is the result of dedicated collaboration and hard work by a group of exceptional professionals. Our social workers, nurses, SENCO, and counsellors have worked tirelessly to support our students, often going above and beyond to ensure that each student receives the care they need to thrive. Together, as a cohesive pastoral care team, we have strived to create a positive, supportive environment where all students can feel valued and understood.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our deans for their ongoing dedication and care. Their daily efforts, guidance, and interventions have had a profound impact on our students' lives. The deans have been an integral part of our successes this year, consistently putting students at the centre of their work. Their support has been pivotal in shaping positive student outcomes across the school.

A special mention must go to Mr Sehan Jay, our Year 13 Dean, who is moving on to new challenges at another school. Mr Jay’s commitment, leadership, and influence have made a lasting impact on our students and colleagues alike. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours—he is truly a name to watch out for in the field of education.

This year, we have also witnessed outstanding development in student leadership, particularly among our Year 13 cohort. This group of students demonstrated a commendable level of maturity, respect, and focus, setting an example for the younger years to follow. The Year 13 leadership team deserves particular recognition for their efforts in fostering a positive school culture and setting high standards for behaviour. Thank you, Troy Sanday, for your exemplary leadership. I wish all our Year 13 students success in their future endeavours; you leave our school ready to take on whatever lies ahead.

Improving student attendance was another key focus for us this year. While we experienced pockets of success, it remains an area that needs continued attention. The Ministry of Education has signalled its commitment to supporting schools in addressing attendance challenges, and we look forward to working closely with them to ensure all students benefit from regular engagement in their learning.

Finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to our parent community. Without your support and partnership, achieving the best for our students would be much more difficult. Your involvement in parent partnership meetings and other school events has been invaluable, and we look forward to your continued engagement in the coming year.

As we prepare for the challenges and opportunities that the new year will bring, I wish all our families a blessed Christmas and a happy, prosperous New Year. Thank you for making this a successful and meaningful year for our school and students.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

Turning Pages, Building Stages

A 2024 Retrospective

As the final bell of 2024 rings out, the Year 7/8 Faculty at De La Salle College finds itself reflecting on a year woven with innovation, collaboration, and a dash of the extraordinary. This year wasn't just a chapter in our school's story—it was a plot twist that set the stage for future adventures.

Our educators have been the architects of curiosity, embracing independent learning like never before. In the realms of Religious Studies, Social Studies, Science, Health, and Physical Education, classrooms transformed into hubs of inquiry and exploration. By championing presentation-based projects, we've watched our students not just absorb information but dive deep, surfacing with pearls of wisdom and a newfound confidence in their research abilities. This isn't just teaching—it's kindling the sparks that ignite lifelong learning.

Looking toward the horizon, we're thrilled to announce the return of the Middle School Musical as a biennial spectacle, with the next performance slated for 2025. The overture has already begun, with plans unfolding like a well-composed score. This event promises to be more than a show; it's a symphony of community spirit that harmonizes our collective talents.

The year was not without its crescendos. Welcoming new deans to our faculty was like adding virtuosos to an ensemble, elevating our harmony to new heights. The surge in extracurricular activities didn't just fill calendars—it filled hearts, offering students avenues to explore passions and compose their own narratives. Our teachers, more attuned than ever to the curriculum's rhythm, have been instrumental in orchestrating an environment where education isn't just heard but felt.

As we close the book on 2024, the Year 7/8 Faculty stands poised on the precipice of possibility. We're committed to turning each page with intention, fostering independent thinkers, and writing a story of community that's rich with connection and purpose. The prologue to 2025 is already being penned, and we can't wait to see where the next chapter leads us.

Here's to a year that was anything but ordinary—and to the unwritten pages that await our collective touch.

In Christ