De La Salle College Newsletter

“A Catholic School for Boys in the Lasallian Tradition”

in this issue

TERM 2 WEEK 10- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

College Principal - “Achievement & Thanks"

Associate Principal - "Cheers"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Deputy of Pastoral - Pastoral

Academic Year 7/8

Literacy Centre

360 Tautua Mātua Pampering Day

Certamen Certa Returns to the Big Sing Stage

Tiritirt Matangi Island - Year 9 Science Trip

Year 9 Students Launch Community Clean-Up Initiative

De La Salle College First XIII Season Wrap-Up

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

“achievement & thanks”

Mr Myles Hogarty

College Principal

Greetings, The end of a Term creeps up on us quickly and it is always an appropriate time to reflect on all the outstanding learning opportunities that have been accomplished by our staff and young men over this term. We have achieved this with the selflessness and commitment of our staff, students and parents, what we know as Community. I thank you all for your contribution towards achieving our College’s and student’s learning goals. The end of a Term is often a hectic time and staff and students as well as their families are looking forward to a break from the regular routines of the school day. We are not quite there yet and we will be expecting the highest standards from our young men right up to the last day of term on Friday July 3rd. Coming to the end of the term ,we reflect on our work and overall performance over the last 10 weeks of school. We have a strong culture within the College of acknowledging and celebrating success, achievement is expected and regarded as the first priority for why we are here. Some of our outstanding events and achievements over the last term.

Settled, learning focused classrooms where the interactions between staff and students are both positive and respectful.
Outstanding celebration of our Catholic and Lasallian charism on De La Salle Founders Day and College Liturgies and Masses.
An outstanding review of the College’s Catholic Character undertaken by the Auckland Diocese, with the defining statement by the Review Team that, ” The Board, Principal and staff are to be commended for the outstanding holistic education, focus on excellence in educational outcomes, engagement in Christian witness, service, formation and evangelisation, together with the lived traditions of faith that are all hallmarks of authentic Catholic education.”
Parent Partnership meetings well attended by our families to reinforce the links and engagement between home and school learning.
High number of Winter Sports teams who are competing in Auckland Premier competitions in a growing number of sports.
The growing number of Year 7 & 8 students who are reaching the “Millionaires Club,” expanding their Literacy skills to an Outstanding level.
Positive feedback and congratulations from organisations, thankful for the Service that our students have performed for them.
Preparation and commitment of our students and Staff towards Common Assessment Activities.
Contribution from our Senior student leaders in mentoring and academic tutoring of our younger boys.
Commitment and care from College staff to be involved in coaching teams, running tutorials and workshops outside school time, assisting in the co-curricular and Service programmes.
Celebration of all Cultural Language weeks and highlighting these to the College with a real sense of pride and ownership from our students and staff.
The growing Debating programme and increased numbers of students participating in this valuable experience on an Auckland wide level and defeating schools who have had Debating programmes for many years.
The wonderful experiences of Education Outside the Classroom seen in our Camps, Kairos Retreats, field trips and Leadership Courses.
Opportunities to represent the College with pride yet humility at Student Leadership events in and around Auckland.
The Young Enterprise Scheme which gives our young men a practical opportunity to put their learning into a real-life context within the Business world.
The College 1st XIII Rugby League team finishing runner-up in the Auckland Premier Grade final.

The above are some of the many ways that we have met the goals that we have set as a College. They are not complete by any means and are constantly in our planning and reviews as we seek to achieve our Vision of “Creating Great Men of Faith, Service, Community and Excellence”. I thank the College Staff, Parents, Old Boys and our young men for their efforts over this term in contributing to the achievements in and outside the College. We focus strongly on completing the last week of term, maintaining our high standards across all areas. I hope to see every young man everyday next week, finishing the term in a strong, positive manner.

God Bless

special character

Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

Sacramental Programme 2026

De La Salle College Registrations Now Open!

De La Salle College warmly invites students and their families to participate in this year's Sacramental Programme. This programme provides students with the opportunity to deepen their faith journey and prepare to receive the Sacraments of:

Baptism
Reconciliation
First Holy Communion
Confirmation

Through engaging sessions, prayer, reflection, and community involvement, students will grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith and strengthen their relationship with God. Who can register? Students of De La Salle College who wish to receive one or more of the Sacraments and are committed to attending the preparation sessions.

Programme Dates: Tuesday 30 July 2026-Sacramental classes begin Friday 6 November 2026- Sacramental Mass in MPC celebrated by Bishop Steve Lowe Location: De La Salle College Literacy Centre Registration Deadline: July 24 2026 For further information or to register, please contact our Campus Minister: Mr Anthony Ngan- Woo Email: Ngan-wooA@delasalle.school.nz Phone: +6421 0889 3080 We look forward to accompanying our students and families on this important step in their faith journey.

Live Jesus in our Hearts forever

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

Cheers

This term we have had visits from the Special Character Review team from Auckland Diocese, as well as from the Education Review Office. Both of the reviews conducted have been very positive. Most of us work away for years trying to effect change or improvement so when it is acknowledged by independent reviewers that things are going well its good to stop from the grind and for a brief moment give ourselves a ‘cheers’ and a small pat on the back. The same goes for life outside of school, in our families, our parishes, our businesses and our relationships. Often we don’t even notice when we receive positive feedback, or we don’t believe it. Take a break for one day from being hard on yourself and notice when you have received acknowledgement that you are doing well. Cheers.

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

Photography Competition

Santene Cruz 13LAB has announced the winners of the De La Salle College Photography Competition. Honourable mention to Marvin Kaetau 10FUT.

Junior Winner Maselino Tominiko 8TNV

Winning shot below from Maselino

Senior Winner Omier Ylanan 11JER

Winning shot below from Omier

2-Minute Tuesdays - Parenting Tips and Tricks!

Here is this week’s 2-Minute Tuesdays - Parenting Tips and Tricks! from Rob Cope - Nurturing Our Children's Mental Health and "Raising Resilient Kids in an Instant World" In a world where everything is just a tap away, how do we teach patience, grit, and emotional strength? True resilience isn’t built through endless screen time or quick rewards—it’s forged in real experiences, challenges, and human connection. By encouraging play, problem-solving, and emotional expression, we equip our children with the tools to navigate life’s ups and downs. Strong mental health starts with balance—less scrolling, more exploring; fewer shortcuts, more perseverance. Let’s raise a generation that thrives, not just survives!

Pacific Academy

The Pacific Academy has been running at De La Salle College all term, every Tuesday evening 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm. The Pacific Academy is a mentoring and tutoring programme run by the University of Auckland. We have partnered with the University as part of our strategy to improve our UE results. The programme is tailored for Māori and Pacific students in senior secondary school. It aims to strengthen our students’ academic journey in Maths and Science while building confidence, community, and clarity about your future. Whether you're aiming for NCEA success or exploring university pathways, Pacific Academy is designed to support you every step of the way. Pacific Academy is open to tauira Māori and Pacific students in Year 12 and Year 13 who are enrolled in NCEA Maths and Science externals. If you're looking for support in Maths, Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, or Biology, this is the place to be. If you think this sounds like you, here is an early registration link for students for term 3 workshops. Term 3 registrations

Literacy and Numeracy Common Assessment Results [CAAs]

Don’t forget that the Writing and Numeracy CAA results are released 20 July by NZQA. The Reading results for the CAA will be released on the evening of Friday 26 June.

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Community and Care – Living the Golden Rule

This year, our school has reflected on the Gospel message:

"Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

While these words are simple, they challenge us to think carefully about how we treat the people around us every day. In a busy school environment, it can be easy to focus on our own needs and responsibilities, but Jesus reminds us that we are called to show kindness, understanding, and respect to others in the same way that we would hope to receive it ourselves. This message applies to every aspect of school life. It can be seen in the way students treat one another in the classroom, on the sports field, and during break times. It can be seen in the way staff support students and colleagues, and in the way families work in partnership with the school. A welcoming greeting, a word of encouragement, patience when someone is struggling, or offering help without being asked are all practical ways of living out this Gospel value. At De La Salle College, we are proud of the strong sense of community that exists within our school. Our Lasallian tradition reminds us that each person has inherent dignity and worth. We are called not only to respect one another but also to actively care for those around us, particularly those who may be facing challenges or difficult circumstances. As we move through the year, let us continue to reflect on how our actions affect others. Before we speak, act, or make decisions, we might ask ourselves a simple question: "Is this how I would want to be treated?" If we can honestly answer yes, then we are likely walking the path that Christ asks us to follow. By living this Gospel message each day, we strengthen our school community and help create an environment where every student, staff member, and family feels valued, respected, and supported. "Do to others as you would have them do to you." May this continue to guide our words, actions, and relationships throughout the year.

ICT Academy

Academic Counselling – Wednesday 29 July

Booking Instructions:

Bookings are open from Wednesday July 1st.
Use our SchoolBridge Portal to make bookings to see your son’s Homeroom Teacher.
SchoolBridge can be accessed from either a mobile device or any web browser
Sign in using the email address you have registered with the school
Click “Conferences” to make bookings

Instructions to install SchoolBridge Mobile App

Instructions to sign in using a Web Browser

Go to our school’s homepage https://delasalle.bridge.school.nz/ and click the SIGN IN button
Click your account type: Parent/Caregiver
Sign in using the email address you have registered with the school

Contact the school office or email comms@delasalle.school.nz for support.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

This week our Year 7/8 lost the Auckland Champs rugby semifinal to Henderson Intermediate. This is not the first time Henderson Intermediate have beaten us at Auckland Champs. It happened in Term 1 for Tag as well as last year. I found myself saying “Who is Henderson Intermediate?”, as usually from the west zone we traditionally come across Glen Eden or Kelston Intermediate at Auckland champs. Well, after a bit of investigation I found out that Henderson Intermediate have an excellent sports system for their elite athletes. Their newfound dominance is justified. After our defeat on Thursday, I have been torn between my usual “We must get revenge on Henderson in the Term 3 rugby league tournament!” with, dare I say it, admiration. Here at De La Salle we work very hard to ensure our Year 7/8 boys succeed in the classroom and the sports field. We are confident we are amongst the top curriculum programmes for Year 7/8 in NZ. For anyone to better us…they would have to work extra hard. The amount of mahi we put in, makes me admire the amount of mahi other schools are putting in to beat us. Proverbs 27:17 states: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Is Henderson forcing us to pick up our game? Absolutely. They need to be commended as being as brothers in our development. The same could be said of St Pauls after we narrowly lost to them in the Rugby League final on Wednesday. They are our rivals…but they are also our brothers. Iron sharpeneth iron…what would we be like if there were not St Pauls and we played schools no where close enough to our level? Would we grow stronger? Would we have opportunities to overcome adversity? I thank God that St Pauls are so good at rugby league and they would also be thinking the same of us. We make each other sharp and our players look forward to continuing their rivalries throughout the years in the club scene. Thank you again whanau for an excellent term! Camp brotherhood was an amazing start in week 1 and since then it has been so enjoyable here at De La Salle. Next term we will continue to strive to be even better that we are in everything we do….for the glory of God....God bless and may the lord watch over you all safely over the winter break.

In Christ

literacy centre

360 Tautua Mātua Pampering Day

Campus Minister - Mr A Ngan-Woo

A heartfelt thank you to our Year 11 delegates who proudly represented our college through a wonderful service opportunity at Te Puke Ōtara Community Hall. Our students spent the day serving and supporting members of our elderly community, demonstrating compassion, respect, and a genuine commitment to others. Through their actions, they embodied our college values of service and community while living out the Lasallian charism with pride and humility. We are incredibly proud of the positive example they set and the care they showed to our wider community. A special thank you to Mrs Vaotu'ua and Miss Puleiku for organising this meaningful experience and providing our students with the opportunity to serve others in such a valuable way.

Certamen Certa Returns to the Big Sing Stage

Mr S Williams-Folau - HOF Music

This year marked a significant milestone for our school as Certamen Certa proudly returned to The Big Sing for the first time in over a decade. After more than ten years away from New Zealand’s premier secondary school choral festival, our choir embraced the opportunity to once again showcase their musical talent, commitment, and passion for choral singing. Preparing for The Big Sing required a term of dedication, with students committing countless timetabled music classes to rehearsals, refining vocal technique, musical interpretation, and ensemble performance. Their hard work culminated in a confident and expressive performance that reflected not only their musical growth but also the strong sense of unity and camaraderie within the choir. For many of the students, this was their first experience performing in a large-scale choral festival. Sharing the stage with some of the country’s finest school choirs was both inspiring and motivating, providing valuable opportunities to learn, perform, and celebrate the art of choral music. The return of Certamen Certa to The Big Sing represents more than just participation in a competition—it marks the revival of a proud choral tradition within our school. The choir’s performance demonstrated courage, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, laying a strong foundation for future generations of singers. We congratulate every member of Certamen Certa for their outstanding efforts and thank our dedicated staff, accompanists, whānau, and supporters who made this achievement possible. We are incredibly proud of what the choir has accomplished and look forward to seeing the ensemble continue to grow and establish itself once again as a strong presence on the New Zealand choral stage.

Essence Shines at Tangata Beats 2026

The weekend was one to remember as our talented band, Essence, proudly represented our school at the Tangata Beats regional competition. Performing alongside some of the finest young Māori and Pasifika musicians, the group showcased not only their musical excellence but also their commitment to celebrating culture through performance. The highlight of the event was Essence receiving the Te Reo Māori Award, recognising the band’s outstanding use and promotion of te reo Māori within their performance. This award reflects the group’s dedication to honouring te ao Māori through authentic language, powerful storytelling, and meaningful musical expression. Their performance was a testament to the countless hours they invested in refining every musical and cultural detail. The recognition they received is well deserved and speaks to the passion and pride they bring to the stage. Congratulations to every member of Essence for representing our school with excellence, humility, and pride. We also extend our sincere thanks to the staff, whānau, supporters, and mentors who encouraged the students throughout their Tangata Beats journey. This achievement is one our entire school community can celebrate, and we look forward to seeing what Essence accomplishes next.

Harlem Fono
Tali Kepu
Bronson Tuiafitu
Cornelius Nanai
Koriano Pauta
Nathaniel Motufoua
Calvin Lemana
Jireh Pita

Bronson Tuiafitu

Cornelius Nanai

Harlem Fono

Nathaniel Motufoua

Tali Kepu

Calvin Lemana

Koriano Pauta

Jireh Pita

tiritiri matangi island

Year 9 Science Trip

Mr A Kumar - HOF Science

By Motu Vatikani 9 CAA

Recently, a group of around 44 Year 9 students were selected to take part in the privileged opportunity of visiting Tiritiri Matangi Island. The trip was both enjoyable and educational, giving us the chance to learn about conservation, native wildlife, and the island’s history. One of the highlights for me was seeing a Takahē, as there are only around 500 left in NZ, making them an endangered species. It felt very special to see such a rare bird. Another highlight was walking up the hill where the lighthouse is located and using binoculars to look out across the surrounding area. We were able to see various boats out on the water, including a navy warship, and in the distance, we could even see the Sky Tower and the Auckland city skyline. We had lots of laughs and made great memories with our friends and our teachers. During the trip, I learnt more about conservation and endangered species and even discovered that the Tūī can be quite a bully! The experience inspired me to think about ways we can care for our own environment, such as picking up rubbish, protecting the Pūkeko that visit our school, and helping restore our creek so it can support native wildlife. Overall, it was a memorable experience that taught us the importance of protecting New Zealand’s natural environment.

By Vernon Santos 9HUR

Our Trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island was a great experience for me and the other students, teaching us more about conservation and protecting New Zealand's native wildlife. We travelled to the island by ferry, which was exciting and gave us some great views on the way. Once we arrived, we were taken on a guided tour where we learned why many native birds live on the island and how it is kept predator-free to help protect endangered species. We also took part in activities, including a Jenga challenge that represented hihi bird populations and showed the importance of conservation, as well as an activity where we identified animals and predators that could have made their way onto the island. Along with the sightseeing, the trip was both enjoyable and educational, helping us develop a greater appreciation for conservation and the protection of Aotearoa's unique wildlife.  Acknowledgements: Thanks for the following teachers who supervised the boys on the trip, Mr M Tetlow, Mr B Laufoli, Mr A Ufi and Mr A Kumar. De La Salle College is grateful to the Growing Mind for funding the ferry cost for the students and staff, and several volunteers and educators who supported student experiences on the island.

Year 9 Students Launch Community Clean-Up Initiative

Mr N Hurst - Religious Education teacher

Last Tuesday, a dedicated group of Year 9 students proudly launched our new Community Clean-Up service programme. Their mission is to help keep the areas surrounding our college—from the Rosella Road Dairy to the Middlemore Train Station—clean, tidy, and free of litter. The students will head out twice a week during lunchtime to collect rubbish and take pride in caring for our local community.

left to right Emosi Tabudravu, Elijah Sola, Darian Rixon-Lalovao, Fritz Shepperd and Penetikito Tupou all Year 9. In Front Solomon Manulelia year 11 leader

As the programme grows, our vision is to establish a student-led clean-up team operating every school day, with senior students leading groups from Monday to Friday. This initiative is a wonderful example of our students living out the values of service, stewardship, and community responsibility. We are incredibly proud of their commitment to making a positive difference beyond our school gates.

De La Salle College first XIII Season Wrap-Up

Miss F Puleiku - Team Manager and Year 11 Dean

The 2026 season has been one of growth, resilience, and brotherhood for our De La Salle College 1st XIII. Throughout the year, the team represented the College with pride, showing commitment both on and off the field. The season was filled with memorable performances, hard-fought contests, and valuable lessons that have helped shape the players into better athletes and young men. While there were challenges along the way, the squad never lost sight of the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. A huge thank you goes to our coaching staff, managers, parents, supporters, and wider school community for their unwavering support throughout the season. Your encouragement made a significant difference. As we look ahead to the National Tournament, the team remains focused and determined to finish the year strongly. We are proud of everything this group has achieved so far and look forward to representing De La Salle College on the national stage. Images taken by year 11 student Joseph Malele (vs Manurewa High)

James Lynch

team mates congratulating Lordzz Matapa

Marcel Suamili

Cairo Wheeler

Frank Sio

Nokise Manuleleua

Likati Tovia

Notices

Get Your School Google Account Ready for Term 3

Attention All Students: Activate Your School Google Account Before Term 3

The school has a number of Chromebooks available for student use, including devices in the Social Sciences department. Any student who wants to continue using these devices must activate their school Google account before the start of Term 3. Students who have not completed this quick setup may be locked out of these devices from the beginning of Term 3. Please complete the steps below before the holidays end to avoid any disruption to classroom learning.

HOW TO ACTIVATE YOUR SCHOOL GOOGLE ACCOUNT

Step 1: Go to Google Open any web browser and go to google.com. Click the blue Sign in button in the top right corner. Step 2: Sign in with your school details Enter your official school email address, for example: username@my.delasalle.school.nz Then click Next and enter your normal school password. Step 3: Accept the terms A “Welcome to your new account” screen will appear. Scroll to the bottom and click the blue I understand button. Your Google account is now active. How to Check It Worked To confirm your account has been activated, open the Google My Account Dashboard: https://myaccount.google.com If you can access the page and see your school profile details, your account is ready to use. Important Note Google is only being used to log in to physical school devices such as Chromebooks. There are no changes to the way students complete their digital schoolwork.

Emails: Students will continue to use Outlook for school emails.
Schoolwork: Classroom work, assignments, and collaboration will continue through Office 365 and Teams.
Google services: Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive are switched off on these school Google accounts.

Thank you for completing this setup before the start of Term 3.