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

in this issue

TERM 2 WEEK 2- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

College Principal - “May-Mary-Mothers"

Associate Principal - "Speaking Out"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Deputy of Pastoral - Pink Shirt Day

ICT Academy

Academic Year 7/8

Literacy Centre

Year 7 & 8 Mathletics

L O G O S

Young Navigators

Technology- DVC Howick Trip

Gateway & Careers

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

“May-Mary-mothers”

Mr Myles Hogarty

College Principal

Greetings,

In our Catholic tradition we dedicate the month of May to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Mary was a wonderful example to us of giving unconditional love and support to her son particularly as many others abandoned him when things became tough.

She was a woman who stood strong in the face of adversity, in her faith and in the mission that she was asked to perform as the mother of Christ.

This weekend we celebrate “Mother’s Day’, sadly it has become commercially driven, we are bombarded by various messages from media to spend vast amounts of money on our mothers in the false pretense that this material gift will demonstrate gratitude and love that we have for our mothers.

Sadly, I lost my mother many years ago, she was the “heart” of our home. She was the rock, the constant in our family who would often solve many of the family’s problems in her quiet, calm way. She was always there for us.

A diminutive woman from a strong Irish Catholic upbringing in Dublin in the 1920’s, she and my father raised four children giving them the hopes and aspirations of being successful in life while always recognising and strengthening our faith.

My mother would be at every school event, she was the one waking us to get up for Sunday Mass and organising family occasions.

My mother would be no different from the mothers of the young men of De La

Salle, who wish for their sons to be highly educated, skilled and fit sportsmen, young men who will also have a deep sense of their faith and community which they will carry through their lives.

“Mothers” are the Heart of many of the families of our young men. As we do for Christ’s mother Mary, we must treasure them, show our love for them and thank God for them.

I challenge the young men of the College to “give Mum a day off”, this Sunday. Make a fuss of her by giving her your time and take over all those tasks that she usually does for you.

So, mums of your young men, I thank you for all that you do for your sons.

Your unconditional love for them is the greatest gift that a young man can ever have.

De La Salle mums expect some special treatment from all the men in your life on Sunday. Let these men look after you and spoil you, let them show their appreciation and love for the “Heart of the Home”

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The Term has started well with our young men keen to get back into their work and extra-curricular activities.

School Academic Reports will be sent home next week for you to see the progress of your son. If there are any concerns that you have from the Report, I urge you to make contact with your son’s teacher to resolve your concern.

Winter Sport starts this week and I am pleased by the large numbers of our young men who have been practicing in preparation for their competition. Representing your College must always come before club.

Our young men have shown commendable self-management in the recently introduced Cell phone ban. De La Salle young men understand the need to remove all distractions from their work and I am pleased to report that our staff have had only the rare instance of having to remove a phone from a student.

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

Speaking Out

Twice every week this term there are competitions for debating. Our teams, as has become common are doing very well. These boys are learning to speak up and speak out. A number of them are doing debating because they wish to become lawyers.

At the Pompallier shield our boys had to give speeches and read scripture as well as sing, and make themselves heard. We received an email from Auckland Council about what an outstanding speech our Head Boy Troy Sanday gave at Papatoetoe on ANZAC day. In many English classes boys have to give speeches in front of their peers as part of their assessments. Next week Year 12/13 boys will be going out to pitch their businesses in front of business leaders.

These are all very valuable experiences that develop leadership within our community. Outstanding community leaders such as Efeso Collings and Fuimaono Tuiasau had a gift in speaking out and getting their message across.

Thanks to the staff and others who provide these opportunities. Boys, for the sake of the future of your community please take every effort to develop these skills and to develop the courage to speak out for others.

special character

Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

Pompallier Shield

We have been off to a busy start with Pompallier Shield happening in week one this term. Pompallier Sheild is an annual Diocesan event held between all the Auckland Catholic secondary schools and Pompallier College Whangarei. All 16 Catholic schools compete in 7 categories that celebrate Catholicity and Charism through scripture, oratory and waiata.

Our students have been working with teachers to mentor them and prepare them for the competition since term one. We had a wonderful family evening on the Wednesday evening so that families had an opportunity to see their pieces and to give them feedback and encourage our young men.

On competition day 3 May, our young men represented the college with pride, integrity and joy. They displayed a love of their faith and Lasallian brotherhood, as well as a natural approach to making meaning of scripture in their everyday lives in the following categories:

Junior Maori Scripture: Hemi Timoti-Hohaia
Junior English Scripture: Noah Mati
Junior Oratory: Joseph Malele
Senior Maori Scripture: Juan Koti
Senior Oratory: Deverrel Samasoni

Waiata: Jozanam Emani, Christian Letufuga, Tony Ulberg, Nevaeh Bell, Joshua Taioalo, Levi Nansen Ieremia Seulu, Augustino Taufao, Caleb Williams, Cyrus Holloway

CONGRATULATIONS to our WAIATA GROUP who placed FIRST OVERALL and through the collective impressive placings of all our students we PLACED FOURTH OVERALL out of 16 Schools!! Congratulations also to St Marys college won overall and retained the Pompallier Shield!

We are extremely proud of our boys and their amazing efforts as well as the first class support, they had from staff and families. Thank you to Mr Williams - Folau, Mr Ngan Woo, and Mr Fifita who have been mentoring and training the boys in preparation for the competition. To Niko and Br Thomas (our Brothers community) Fr Martin thank you for ongoing love and support. Whaea Michelle and our families for their support in preparing the boys and making the family night a beautiful occasion. Toleafoa Elenoa Mo’a Sili-Mati who accompanied us to the competition, thank you for your generosity and support. And thanks to Mr Hogarty and Mr English for your support and presence on the day.

Above all thanks be to God!! From whom all good things come! And for his travelling mercies and granting a wonderful experience for us all.!

KAHUI MASS

On the last day of term 2 we joined our Kahui schools at St Josephs Pukekohe for the annual Kahui Mass. The kahui is our community of learning which includes Holy Cross Papatoetoe, St Annes Manurewa, St Johns Otara, Holy Trinity Takanini, St Josephs Otahuhu and St Josephs Pukekohe.

It was a great celebration for our community of faith. Students from years 5- 8 gathered for the occasion, with all schools contributing to the parts of the Mass. This was followed by some formalities to welcome everyone to St Josephs Pukekohe and have some lovely kai and fellowship afterwards.

Thank you to Mrs Olive and 7OLI for the superb singing and especially Kilakore Tabudravu our Cantor for the psalm. Also to Mrs Dromgool our Community of learning Across school lead who helped with the organisation of the event and accompanied us.

SHINE TV RECORDING OF PENTECOST MASS

In week 2 we have prepared the groups from Pompallier Shield and Kahui Mass to record Pentecost Mass for Shine TV. The combined efforts and talents of these two groups culminated in a beautiful offering of the Mass. This will screen on Shine TV on Pentecost Sunday 19 May at 1.00pm and be accessible on the Diocese website that weekend.

Thank you to Father Martin, Campus Minister Niko, Mr Williams – Folau, Mrs Olive and to our amazing students for your generosity of heart, time and talent – proud of you team!

Live Jesus in our Hearts forever

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

REPORTING TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

Year 11 – 13 students

Year 11 – 13 students and their families have been emailed a report and credit update for the start of Term 2. The boys will also bring home a printed copy on Friday. Year 11, who are working towards the new NCEA Level 1, need to check their progress towards the Literacy and Numeracy requirements. Congratulations to the students who have met the requirement through the Common Assessment Activities [CAA]. However, please note that these credits do not count towards the 60 total required for success in NCEA Level 1.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please make contact with Jace's Homeroom teacher.

SCHOLARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ENGLISH

Albert Quilantang Year 9 has crafted a wonderful poem as part of their Poetry and Prose unit. The poem and a photo of Albert with his teacher Mrs Shingade is seen below. Great work Albert.

VISUAL ARTS

Aluia Nio-Akai Year 11 with his teacher Miss Phillips

Aluia Nio-Akai Year 11 has completed some outstanding pieces of art as he prepares for NCEA Level 1. Congratulations Aluia. Keep up the great work. Below are two examples of Aluia’s work and a photo with his teacher Miss Phillips.

Mr Doyle with our 5 scholarship recipients

Five students from our school have been awarded the FIRST FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP. Juan Koti, Deverrel Samasoni, Gregory FIlimohalai, Lia, Aumareva, Alista Mafileo. A huge thank you to Mrs Nayagar in supporting the boys in their applications, interviews.

ABOUT FIRST FOUNDATION

Much more than a scholarship, the First Foundation programme not only provides financial help and exposure to the world of work but provides a dedicated mentor who’ll be there along the way for our five students. They’ll have support from someone who’s been there before. Our students worked diligently to become a First Foundation scholar, students applied, demonstrating their academic and leadership credentials. They were then shortlisted to go through a rigorous interview process with First Foundation. Thereafter our students were partnered with a mentor from the corporate sector. Congratulations to the five students, they have proven themselves to be worthy of the first foundation scholarship.

This scholarship would support students to continue to explore new learning horizons , inspire others and shape the future and enhancing their futures. This year is a special year for First Foundation. The Foundation has been supporting top achievers for 25 years. A highlight for De La Salle College is seeing our alumni now acting as mentors to other young, talented New Zealanders.

Juan Koti with the team from the University of Auckland

Alista with his mother

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Pink Shirt Day

In a world where standing up against bullying and fostering inclusivity is more important than ever, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming celebration of Pink Shirt Week at De La Salle College next week. During this time, we will be spreading a message of kindness, acceptance, and solidarity.

Pink Shirt Week, also known as Pink Shirt Day, originated in Canada in 2007 when a group of students took a stand against bullying by wearing pink shirts to school in support of a fellow student who had been bullied for wearing pink. Since then, it has grown into a global movement, symbolizing the collective effort to combat bullying in all its forms.

At De La Salle college we believe in creating a campus environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and safe. By participating in Pink Shirt Week, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting a culture of inclusivity and empathy. It's an opportunity for us to come together as a community and show our support for those who may have experienced bullying or discrimination.

Throughout the week, we have planned a variety of events and activities to engage and educate our students. From informative sessions on bullying prevention to interactive activities on diversity and inclusion, there will be something for everyone to participate in and learn from.

We encourage all members of the College community to join in participating in Pink Shirt Week. Let's show the world that our college is a place where acceptance and empathy thrive.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

ICT Academy

Term 1 Holidays Techtorium Computer Results

A group of Senior students attended Computer Engineering courses during the April School Holidays at the Techtorium Institute of Technology in Newmarket.

Level 3 Programming course involved students learning and using Visual Studio Programming skills by creating applications ranging from calculators to multi-form programs. Korey Donaldson- Witehira , Samuela Alatini and Sione Nisa successfully completed this course.

Samuela & Korey

Level 3 Cloud Technologies course involved students learning about virtual devices used in the Computer industry and managing Cloud applications on a Network. John Acaso, Chanel Leota, Manase Tuitupou, Kisi Pulu, Lucius Pocock, Caleb Williams, Fonteyn Olofai and Jordan Mamoe successfully completed this course.

John Acaso and Jasper Sanidad attended and achieved the Tech Pathways Computer programme.

Congratulations to the above students for your commitment to study additional Computer courses.

Enrolment details for Term 2 holiday Computer courses will be available soon.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

Welcome back to Term 3 and what a start we have had with the Blake Foundation coming in with their VR sets, Soccer and Rugby practices starting up at breaktimes, Mathex teams beginning their practices, and some exciting changes in our teaching personnel.

We farewell Mr Stowers-Tualega who takes up a position in the senior school Social Science department, a passion he has had since starting teacher training and we wish him well. We welcome Ms Apelu who is well known to the boys and will be looking after Mr Stowers-Tualega’s class this term.

Mr Anderton

A huge congratulations to Mr Anderton who has taken on the role of Environmental Tzar and has great plans to recycle fruit scraps in our enviro garden.

Finally, congratulations to Ms Kuresa and Mr Brown who have taken on the roles of Year 7/8 Dean and Assistant Dean respectively. We wish our departing Dean Ms Tufuga all the best at her new school in Brisbane and we look forward to visiting and enjoying her free accommodation in the future.

Mr Brown

In Christ

literacy centre

year 7 & 8 mathletics

Well done to these students achieving Silver status in Mathletics

Congratulations to the following year 7 & 8 students for their achievements in Mathletics

l o g o s

The LOGOS project was an opportunity for the selected boys who are influenced to become future leaders for their school, at this retreat it fostered the coinciding qualities and characteristics of how and what leadership is purposed towards the many who attended the retreat. Through participation, many get to experience the attributes of team building activities and periods of learning within a campus of self-discovery and have the ecstasy to form new bonds with many unique characters and people. The LOGOS project was a retreat that welcomed and nurtured spaces for young people to hone their skills arbitrarily and thrive amongst the masses. Through this retreat, the boys of De La Salle College were also given the resources to further our prior understanding towards the terms of which “salt” and “light” play a role within our lives and how we can share, add, or further enhance our own ‘light’ and ‘salt’ to ourselves and for others.

Additional information from the LOGOS Project:

Light: is the prospective influence and confidence within character that represents the contours of self-reliance and our natural well being of the soul and mind, light is described as the metaphor of influence as from the bible it correlates to how we must share the light to others.

Salt: is the inducing product of enhancing our own or others respective and natural qualities. In society, this implies wider situations where many people suffer from showing their abilities, talents, having a space for safety and nurturement which is instead drowned and explicitly discouraged. Salt, being an enhancer to consumables and food, is also the metaphor that was used to describe how we must add flavor to our lives and others to proceed within the future.

I was extremely fortunate to take on the Salt and Light retreat, held during the term 1 first-week holiday from Monday to Wednesday. This retreat taught me what our identity and talents were, referred to as Salt, and to show them to the world and enlighten the darkness with our light. I learned to be open minded and get out of my comfort zone which was a blasting experience.

So, my highlight of the Salt and Light camp was when we had a talent show on Tuesday night, in our groups that we started with before we got to the campsite. I chose this as my highlight of the camp because this was the only time when everyone got to be loud and open themselves to one another, my group was called the All-Star Saints and our group had to do a musical act which did not end well, but I really enjoyed the time we had there and I'm willing to experience another opportunity like this again.

A highlight of the Salt & Light retreat for me was the bonds and connections I made with the other Catholic Schools and their leaders. These bonds and connections I made were in hopes of building a relationship between our school and theirs, in hopes of more opportunities such as this retreat. And to support one another in future endeavors to come, as Catholic schools rooted in our Catholic Faith.

Team LOGOS

Young navigators

In the 2nd week of school holidays, 45 Maori and Pasifika young minds from high school across Aotearoa came together in Auckland to attend the entrepreneurial education programme, ‘Young Navigators’ including our own Thurston Ngametua and John-Paul Schmidt.

The initiative, sponsored by One NZ, alongside Pacific Business Trust, and New Zealand Māori Tourism, is designed to immerse Māori and Pasifika students in three days of enterprise-focused activities to connect, collaborate and learn. The programme is a fusion between the organisation’s flagship programme, ‘Young Enterprise Scheme,’ and a fast-paced startup weekend.

In teams, the students were hosted by1 of 7 New Zealand companies; One NZ, ARA Journeys, Spark Foundation, Deloitte, Grid Auckland, Pacific Business Trust and Ngahere Communities who mentored the students as they tackled ‘The One NZ Business Challenge’. Students were challenged to create a business leveraging technology and innovation to build are resilient food system, improving any aspect of the food supply chain with the aim to address and alleviate the burden of food insecurities for whanau in Aotearoa.

Team Ara Journeys took out first place in the 36-hour business challenge with their innovative solution addressing the challenge. The winning team members were Rimu Tayor (Mount Albert Grammar School), Mariah Taungapeau (Otago Girls High School), Akkadian Winterstein (Aorere College), Hu’i vaka (Wesley College), and Alize Ross-Araia (Hastings Girls High School), Lotia Lio (Chanel College), Thurston Ngametua (De La Salle College). The team was guided by the alumni mentor, Rosa Merideth, and company host from Ara Journeys, Amber Taylor. The judges were impressed by the team’s plausible business plan and the scalability of their idea.

“The One New Zealand Foundation and One NZ are proud to sponsor Young Navigators this year. This programme ensures Young Māori and Pasifika students can ‘be’ and ‘see’ themselves in entrepreneurship. It also equips our young people with the tools to create intergenerational change,” says Ezekeil, Head of Foundation at Te Rourou One Aotearoa Foundation.

Young Navigators participants were chosen from applicants who are all participants in The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) programme. They represented a total of 25 schools from 11 regions. The YES programme has over 5000 participants, who create and run their own businesses throughout the school year as a part of the entrepreneurial education programme.

Young Navigators was a program for Pasifika business students that ranged from years 12-13. John-Paul and I were given the opportunity to be surrounded by 45 people from all over the region and learn more about how to do a business and what we can do to boost the business. Throughout the two days that we spent in the city we were given a problem where we had to make a business and pitch it to four business people. The problem was to find a way to eliminate food insecurity. My team (MAIKAI) had made an app that allows low-income families to receive the right nutrition and farmers to show their works to others. As a result, my team had the pleasure of winning the competition and was able to receive reward money and a trip to Wellington to compete for a bigger prize. I encourage all boys that the opportunities that you take only allow you to build a wider connection with others, but they also allow you to open more doors for a better and brighter future.

winning team feat Thurston- MAIKAI

technology

DVC Howick Trip

On Tuesday 9th April, the Year 11 Design and Visual Communication students undertook a trip to the Owairoa Marae, Howick. The trip’s purpose was twofold, firstly to let students engage in understanding Tikanga of a Marae and the story of design related to the wharenui. Secondly to meet local mana whenua and listen to Mr Dobson explain the whakapapa and matauranga of the marae.

The boys left in two vans and were welcomed by Mr Dobson who is a kaumatua on the marae. He explained elements of the powhiri and the Tikianga we were to follow upon entering the wharenui. The karanga call and entrance onto the marae by the mana whenua allowed our De La Salle group to respectfully engage in the protocols of the process.

Part of Mr Dobson’s whaikorero he introduced us to kuia and mana whenua who were so pleased to have De La Salle College students. Mr Hawkins whaikorero was followed by a waiata of one verse of Mo Maria.

We have been learning about “spatial design” or space in the architectural context for their DVC assessment. Mr Dobson explained the Maori world view of “space”. We were given the history of the area and the marae as well as looked at environmental and landscape elements. He also spoke about the whakapapa links of Maori to Pacifica whanau across the motu, in the past, present and into the future.

Mr Dobson had arranged for De La Salle College to plant a Kauri tree given by the marae.

We would like to thank Mr Dobson and the Owairoa Marae for their generous hospitality and the knowledge they gave to our students. These experiences widen our students scope of possibilities for their future choices in Architectural Design, Environmental Design, Landscape Design.

gateway & careers

Typically the second term is a big term for the careers and Gateway Department.

A very busy holidays with the learners and restricted licences. The L block was full with students working hard to pass these licences.

The students were all nervous but very successful all doing extremely well.

Scholarships are well underway and many of our year 12 and 13 students are already working toward their scholarships.

CVS are being done at the moment with our senior students so the department is very busy.

All students in term one who did work experience at the Warehouse and Countdown were successful. The students worked hard and were a credit to themselves, family and school.

The McDonalds programme is well underway and all the students are working well and hard. These are young men and are doing an independent programme so they need to feel very proud.

Term 2 Warehouse and Countdown are starting week 3 so we are looking forward to seeing our men working hard

We had 7 students doing their forklift licence and all passed which was great. This means these students will be able to work part time in jobs where forklifts are being used.

There are two new programmes being started with 45 of our year 13 students taking part this term and more in term 3.

Service IQ is offering our year 13s to do work experience at a workplace and if successful these students will get 20 level 3 credits. This could be at a distribution centre, retail, cafe, barbers, warehouses etc.

Also young men who are working part time are eligible to earn 20 credits as well. Work while they learn is another great way for our students.

We have students working at the Airport at the moment and this is always an excellent programme.

We have had a number of students going through this programme and we have a number working there full time and part time.

So another positive start to the term.

notices

Farewell Mr Joffers

Mr Joffers has served our College community for 25+ years. He has witnessed a lot of change throughout the years and has a great many stories to tell. We thank Mr Joffers for his tireless commitment and are grateful for his unwavering service to the College, the staff, and the students. We wish him well in his retirement.

Mr Joffers Kimitaunga