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

in this issue

TERM 4 WEEK 5- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

College Principal - “Managing Myself"

Associate Principal - "Manila Trip"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Deputy of Pastoral - Pastoral

Academic Year 7/8

Literacy Centre

Intermediate School- Celebrating PNG Pidgin Language Week

10SAM: Tusitusiga (writing assessment)

1st XV Rugby Pre-Season

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

“managing myself”

Mr Myles Hogarty

College Principal

People ask me at this time of the year that, “Your year must be winding down and things must be quieter at school ?”

I tell them that this is far from the reality of the end of year life at De La Salle, where things are winding up, not down.

We are four weeks from the end of our school year, our Senior students are fully engaged in their NCEA Exams and the remaining Year 7-10 students are preparing for the completion of their exams and assessments next week.

Preparations are being made for student activity week, sports and service activities continue, Junior Prize Giving is being planned along with New Parent and student meetings in preparation for next year.

Summer sports continues and there are fitness programmes commencing for some of next year’s teams.

A very busy time for the staff, students and parents of the College.

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We have been emphasising to our young men this week about self -management and how to prepare themselves for the many end of year events that they need to plan for.

Very good lessons for our young men as they are at the centre of all plans and must do their part to ensure that our programmes run smoothly with their full co-operation.

We often teach our young men self -management, by expecting them to be at school everyday, on time, correctly dressed and ready to learn. These are simple, yet very important self-management tasks that if done successfully will prepare our young men well for more complex tasks as they go through school and in later life.

Self-management is learnt by doing these things for themselves, by attending extra study and tutorials to raise a Maths or English mark from their mid-year exams. Doing extra personal fitness to secure a place in a sports team he may have missed out on previously.

We are in the final straight of the year, but we are not there yet and staff will continue to place high expectations on our young men for excellence in their academics, behaviour, discipline and engagement with their College life.

We expect our young men to finish with optimism and positivity in their work, sports and in their relationships at the College.

They must continue to grow their own self-management skills by having a clear and committed plan for the final four weeks of school, this is not the time to let the foot off the accelerator and try to cruise to the end of term.

Establishing strong self-management skills in our young men are vital and will serve them well as they progress through school.

Parents, continue to ask your son about how he will plan and execute his plans for the remainder of this term and how you can assist him with these, particularly in his preparation for end of year exams and assessments.

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

Manila Trip

Hi everyone

Day One...

Trip over was more or less all good, stayed in a fairly interesting part of town for the first two nights. We were under the umbrella of DLSU, a university with 20,000 students. They organised our visit the very first morning to Tondo, a squatters settlement of 650,000. This is my 4th time there, so we meet the local mayor then go to the little school that we have helped over the years. We buy 60 Jollibee take-out meals and the boys go to 'houses', some of which aren't much bigger than a dining table, for 2.5 hours for lunch. They coped really well for day one given that it was 33 degrees and humid. Next day we went up to a poor rural community, which was really a major town. We were welcomed by about 40 ‘elder persons’ singing and dancing. We spent time with them, and then later with families from the local parish. The convoy of 10 pedi-cabs used to get us around made a bit of a splash locally. Met the local mayor then to the parish, meeting Fr Joseph, a filipino who spent 11 years living in the Congo, living on monkey, alligator and snake. . Lots of sitting around waiting for it to get cooler.

The boys started to listen about eating and drinking enough after one of them fainted and was taken to an infirmary. He just needed three burgers and some Gatorade. The boys were then hosted by families who don’t have a lot but showed wonderful hospitality. Troy got to stay in the house with the massive yellow python. We went to mass the next morning and afterwards the boys performed to a couple of hundred people, which went down very well. Those first three days were like being shot out of a cannon, but the boys have coped very well.

Our next major stop, where we are now is Lasalle Greenhills. There are 4800 student from Year 1-13. They also have a night school for adults with 900 students. Everything about it is massive, but I have to say our boys at Mangere are much better behaved at assembly! They sang Mo Maria in front of a few hundred students at a yard assembly, to mark the first day of the month of Mary. They then were sent individually to classrooms, and only about 3 hours later came back as rock-stars. Some of the boys, like Thurston, Lesuni and John Faafili, are really coming out of their shells. JP Schmidt caused a stir in the cafeteria by striking a pose looking a bit like Aquaman and students just started pointing,taking out their phones and taking pictures!

Today we drove a couple of hours, all through suburbs, to a coastal fishing village to help with building at a turtle sanctuary. There aren’t many fish left so they are definitely poor, Again the boys used their x-factor to help, engage and entertain.

We came back from the hills and are now at Greenhills School, 4700 students from Yr 1-13. Boys made lifelong friends after a few hours in class. They were in shock the first couple of days, but most people would be! Thanks to anyone who helped us out, right back to the raffle in November last year. The boys are completely blown away, as I knew they would be and they do realize how lucky they are to be here, and to live in South Auckland, in a house, with a car, a big TV and water.

Just met tonight with some of the 900 Night School students. Once again our boys made an impression. The Lasalles here do a huge amount to connect the rich with the poor. See you in a bit.

Here's a short album just as a taste of the experience here.

Day One Manila photos

special character

Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

A Joyous Celebration of All Saints Day

On All Saints Day, our community gathered for a beautiful Eucharistic celebration led by Bishop Peter Brown. The occasion was made even more special as 26 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and 23 of them also celebrated their First Holy Communion. It was a joyful and spiritually uplifting ceremony, during which we all renewed our Baptismal vows and invoked the Saints.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Br. Thomas, Mrs. Gloria Salanoa, and Niko Lomano for their dedication in preparing our candidates for these significant Sacraments. Special appreciation also goes to the team of staff and Year 12 students who lent their support on this memorable day.

We were honoured by the presence of Bishop Emeritus of American Samoa, adding further meaning to this highly memorable occasion for our community.

Inaugural Fuimaono Scripture Cup

This week we spent 3 wonderful days celebrating scripture and honouring the memory of our dear friend and colleague Fuimaono Tuiasau. Mr Tuiasau became an RE teacher after a long career in Justice and law and the Ministry of Pacific peoples. He was very passionate about the boys’ proclaiming scripture and being able to interpret scriptural messages and meanings.

Well done to all our Lectors who proclaimed God's word with great heart over the past 3 days, and shared interpretive and oratory skills with a spirit of wisdom. All your gifts are truly inspirational!

Special acknowledgement to our finalists:

Taye Kyd 7TNV
Amos Tapuosi 7OLI
Hemi Timoti-Hohaia 8AND
Taipaleti Veatupu 8JPL
Manulevu Koloamatangi (9BRE)
James Fidow (10UFI)
Semo Sititi (10UFI)
Soane Kepu (10 VER)

Thank you to our esteemed judges from the DLS RE department Mrs Fernandes, Mr Ngan Woo and additional guest judges for our final, Mr Juan Koti 2024 DLS Dux and Ms Hinemoa Finau RE teacher from McAuley High School for your time and efforts.

CONGRATULATIONS to our top 3 lectors!!

3rd place Taye Kyd 7TNV
2nd place Hemi Timoti - Hohaia 8AND
1st place and winner of the inaugural Fuimaono Scripture Cup - James Fidow 10UFI

Fuimaono Scripture Cup winner - James Fidow 10UFI

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

1 Corinthians 12:4

Live Jesus in our Hearts forever

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

Year 9 and 10 Exams

We encourage all students to keep studying over the weekend for their exams and assessments next week.

Junior Exam Timetable

Weekly Note

Only two weeks left for 2024. Let's see if we can get scores of 5 in these last weeks.

NCEA Exams continue

NCEA Exams are progressing well. Mrs Barbara Warrender reports excellent turnout and engaged students. Well done to our Seniors. Remember that the library is available for study before and after the exams.

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Taking Care of Yourself During NCEA and Junior Exams

Tips for Wellbeing and Success

With NCEA examinations well underway and our Junior exams starting next week, it’s a critical time for our young learners. Exams can bring feelings of pressure, stress, and anxiety—but with the right strategies, our students can thrive both academically and mentally. It’s important that we all work together to ensure they are well-prepared, supported, and in a positive state of mind.

1. Prioritising Health and Wellbeing

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind. During this busy time, students should pay attention to their basic needs:

Sleep: Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Lack of rest can lead to poor concentration and memory retention. Establish a regular bedtime routine and avoid late-night cramming.

Nutrition: Fuel your body with nutritious meals, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Minimise sugary snacks, energy drinks, and excessive caffeine, as these can lead to crashes and anxiety.

Hydration: Water is essential for brain function. Encourage students to keep a water bottle handy and drink regularly.

2. Effective Study Habits

Quality beats quantity when it comes to studying:

Create a Study Schedule: Organising study times helps break down material into manageable chunks. Include short breaks to prevent burnout—study in 25- to 50-minute sessions, followed by a 5- to 10-minute break.

Set Realistic Goals: Focus on specific topics or questions each session rather than attempting to tackle everything at once. This builds confidence and ensures steady progress.

Practice Past Papers: Familiarising themselves with the exam format and practicing under timed conditions can greatly reduce anxiety.

3. Managing Stress and Anxiety

Stress is natural but can be managed with mindfulness and support:

Breathe and Relax: When feeling overwhelmed, take a few moments to breathe deeply. Slow breathing calms the mind and helps regain focus.

Talk It Out: Students should feel comfortable discussing their concerns. Parents, teachers, or peers can offer encouragement, advice, or a listening ear.

Balance is Key: While preparation is important, so is downtime. Ensure students have moments for relaxation, exercise, and hobbies they enjoy.

4. Stay Positive and Keep Perspective

Exams are a part of learning, not a measure of self-worth. Parents, remind your children to:

Focus on Effort, Not Just Results: Praise their hard work and perseverance.

Stay Optimistic: Encourage positive self-talk. Replace "I can't do this" with "I will give it my best effort."

Limit Comparisons: Every student’s journey is unique. Comparing results can add unnecessary stress and distract from individual goals.

5. Practical Exam Day Tips

Pack Essentials: Ensure students know what they need for each exam, including pens, pencils, calculators, and ID.

Eat a Good Breakfast: Start the day with a balanced meal for energy and focus.

Arrive Early: Rushing can increase anxiety. Arriving early allows for a calm, composed start.

Final Words of Encouragement

To our students: Believe in yourselves! You have worked hard, and with preparation and self-care, you can handle these challenges. To our parents: Your support, understanding, and encouragement make a world of difference. Together, let’s make this exam season a time of growth, not just pressure.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

The Sir Peter Blake Trust have been working with our Year 7/8 boys for 3 years now using VR headsets to show them the marine life in NZ. The trust is about giving students in low decile areas opportunities to experience our natural marine and wildlife through VR videos.

This term the Blake Foundation have upped the ante and given our Year 7/8 boys real life experiences with marine and wildlife. Our Year 7 boys were taken out to the Hyundai Marine Centre and taught various aspects of sailing including practical lessons on the water. Mr Anderton’s environmental group were very lucky as they were taken off to an Explorers camp around Leigh area. During the camp the students were lucky enough to handle marine life and snorkel for kina (which they ate on the beach). They also came across all sorts of fish and a few stingrays as well as seeing Dolphins! On land they travelled into the forest reserve and with the Blake personnel playing bird calls on their phones they got to witness all sorts of native birds approach them as they sat still. In the evening the quietly went into the bush to see kiwis in the wild. Their final day was learning to surf followed by a celebration lunch at the Sawmill restaurant.

We are very grateful to the Blake Foundation staff who provided such an excellent camp this week for our students. Only one of our young men had been to Goat Island before, one had previously snorkeled, and two others had surfed. Our students had experiences that were well outside their comfort zone, and they reveled giving things a go! The instructors from various organisations were very impressed with how well behaved and keen our students were with activities

In Christ

literacy centre

intermediate school

Celebrating PNG Pidgin Language Week

Br. Thomas Yapo here at De La Salle College from Papua New Guinea sharing some artefacts from his culture with the staff

A huge thank you to Kilakore (7OLI) and Emosi (7TNV) and their Tabudravu family for sharing about their homeland and culture of Papua New Guinea❤️ Their fellow class mates and staff appreciated the sharing of delicious baked goods provided by the family. Happy PNG Language Week!

10SAM: Tusitusiga

Writing Assessment

Teacher of Gagana Sāmoa- Tupuola Vaifale Leilua S. Endemann

The 10SAM classes have been working on their final internal assessment for the year. For their assessment the students had to write one piece of text in Gagana Sāmoa. They given four themes they could base their story around:

- Sauni mo le a‘oga (getting ready for school)
- O le matā‘upu e fiafia i ai (favorite subject)
- Ta‘aloga i le a‘oga (games/sports at school)
- O se uo mamae (a best friend)

This year a different approach towards writing in Gagana Sāmoa was used, instead of the usual one page essay, the boys were encouraged to express their writing through storytelling accompanied by images. The students were able to write in Sāmoan language confidently because the new format allowed them to express their understanding ‘upu ma fuai‘upu fa‘asāmoa (words and sentences in Sāmoan) in their own unique way.

Maselino Taulote 10UAL

Taamilo Jr Emani-Johnson 10UAL

Mosiah Apulu 10WEN

Darnell Armstrong 10TLG

1st XV Rugby Pre-Season

Kicks Off with New Coaches

This week marked the beginning of the De La Salle College 1st XV rugby team's pre-season training, as up to 30 enthusiastic players from Years 10, 11, and 12 gathered on the school rugby field. The boys were excited to meet and train with the newly appointed coaching team, composed mostly of De La Salle old boys, each bringing extensive experience and passion to the squad.

We’re thrilled to welcome head coach Sherwin Stowers, a De La Salle alumnus (class of ’04) who has returned to his roots, to guide the team this season. Stowers is joined by assistant coaches Ben Masoe, Fa'atiga Lemalu, trainer Johnnie Timu along with team Manager Mr Rex and assistant manager Ben Salt. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, setting high standards for the team as they begin their training journey.

Training sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Boys from the (current) years 10, 11 and 12 are welcome to join. Under the guidance of their new coaches, the players are being put through their paces, with a focus on building both individual skills and team cohesion. The emphasis during these early sessions is on strength, speed, micro-skills and agility, helping the boys build a solid foundation for the competitive season ahead.