De La Salle College Newsletter

“A Catholic School for Boys in the Lasallian Tradition”

in this issue

TERM 1 WEEK 10- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

College Principal - “Easter, Our Time of Hope"

Associate Principal - "The Lasallian Web"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Deputy of Pastoral - Pastoral

Academic Year 7/8

Literacy Centre

Learning Support Team - Volunteer at De La Salle College

Life Skills Class

Waipapa Ōhanga Rau at UoA

SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival

Students Inspired at PWC R.I.S.E. Pacific Village Event

Gateway & Careers

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

“easter, our time of hope”

Mr Myles Hogarty

College Principal

Greetings, Easter (Greek Pascha) comes from the Hebrew word which means “to pass”. At Easter we celebrate as Christians as we attempt to pass from the sorrow of Christ’s death to the joy and hope of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. During Lent the young men of De La Salle have been encouraged “to pass” from indifference and looking inward at themselves, to perform service for others, “to pass” into reconciliation with themselves and God. Our students have had the opportunities through their Religious Studies classes, Masses, Retreats and Service acts “of passing” into a closer relationship with God and learning of the hope that Christ’s resurrection can bring “to pass” in their own lives. At our whole school Easter liturgy, the College staff and students will perform the “washing of the feet”, a tradition where Christ displayed his selfless humility and servanthood towards his apostles before the Last Supper washing each of their feet. Christ was seen “to pass” from the lofty position of master to perform the work of the lowliest of servants, an act that stunned his apostles into silence. When challenged by his apostles on why he would perform such a lowly act he responded by telling them. “I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. When you have the servant’s heart we will all be greatly blessed.” A powerful lesson and example for the young men of De La Salle at this reflective time leading into Easter, putting yourself in the Service of others is one of our College’s key Values.

I thank the parents of our young men for your continued partnership with the College in the many events and College activities over this Term. It is encouraging to see the very high levels of parental involvement with the College and your son’s learning which adds to our philosophy of “Enrolling the family at De La Salle”. I urge all parents to attend the Parent Partnership evenings in Term 2 as a sign of support for your son’s learning and so that you are kept well informed about his education. ·
I thank the young men and their families for prioritising daily attendance at school. Our achievement data shows a strong relationship that students who are at school over 90% of the time are achieving highly in all areas of their education both in and outside the classroom. As we regularly remind our young men, “99% of success is being there.” ·
I thank our College staff for their insistence of keeping high expectations and standards on the young men that they teach, making excellence for our young men the daily habit of doing one’s best ·
Summer Sports have wrapped up their season and it has been heartening to see the large numbers of young men who are preparing for the Winter season of sport in their pre-season training squads and trials.

We expect our young men to participate in College teams before local club sides, playing for your school is where brotherhood is grown and strengthened.

I wish all young men and their families a blessed, restful Easter season and I hope that you take some time to reflect on the sacrifice that Christ made and how you can use his example of humility and service to better the lives of others.

God Bless

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

The Lasallian Web

Last week the final parent night for the Talanoa Ako, which supports parents to help their sons with school, was held. The speaker Miriam was from Tonga, via Pago and then Auckland. She told us her story, and that when she finished school in NZ she had no qualifications and no confidence. She ended up at a PTE called Martin Hautus, run by the father of our current Director of Mission. He was the first person in NZ to tell her that she was intelligent and capable. That changed her life, as she went on to university and studying and working in the UK, but when she came back she couldn’t get a job. Once again Martin Hautus were able to employ her. She went on from there to become a senior advisor in the Ministry of Education and now can share her fluency in three languages and her experiences with her Pasifika community. Four years ago an old boy of this school met an old boy of DLS Philadelphia at a conference in NZ. As a result of this the Philadelphian now funds Robotics and Electronics at our college and also provides 20 fees scholarships for our families. At the last Winter Paralympics this Lasallian funded two snow skiers representing El Salvador.

Currently a number of old boys are helping the college with sport and employment and volunteer work as part of the Lasallian web of service. Something that was said to someone, or a little bit of support given maybe years ago has now come to fruition in our community. I encourage all of us to keep throwing out our own seeds of encouragement and support, which will in time build up and add to the Lasallian Web. That’s what others have done for us.

special character

Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

Today we gathered as a school community to enter into one of the most powerful and intimate moments of Holy Week. On Holy Thursday, we remembered the night when Jesus sat at the table with his friends, shared a final meal, and then did something unexpected — he knelt down and washed their feet. In that simple and humble act, Jesus showed his disciples that true greatness is found in service. The teacher became the servant, the leader took the lowest place, and through this he gave us a lasting example of love expressed through humility and care for others. This message continues to speak deeply to us as a school community. Faith is not only something we believe, but something we live through the way we treat one another, the kindness we show, and the way we respond to the needs of others. The spirit of Holy Thursday has been clearly reflected in the generosity shown by our community through support for those beyond our own school gates. Well done to our Special Character Prefects and our St Vincent de Paul Society group for leading the collection for the Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Lenten Appeal. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our wider community for your generous donations, which totalled $783.20. Your giving reflects the same spirit of compassion and service that Jesus modelled, with these funds helping to meet urgent needs, including humanitarian emergencies in the Middle East and wherever support is most needed. We also conclude the term with our Year 8 retreats completed last week, meaning all of our junior school students have now begun the year with a spiritual formation day centred on Lasallian brotherhood and a deeper understanding of their House Saint. These experiences continue to nurture the faith life of our young people and help ground them in the values that shape who we are as a community. As we move toward Easter, we are reminded that even small acts of humility, service, and generosity can become powerful expressions of faith in daily life. Finally, may this Easter bring peace and joy to your homes as we commemorate the Passion of our Lord. May we continue to grow in faith, strengthened by the assurance of Christ’s love for us, and carry that light into our homes, our community, and the wider world.

Live Jesus in our Hearts forever

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

Pacific Academy registrations open

As part of our partnership with the University of Auckland, De La Salle College will be hosting the Pacific Academy in Term 2. The Pacific Academy is a mentoring and tutoring programme tailored for Māori and Pacific students in senior secondary school for Maths and Science. Sessions are staffed by teachers and university student mentors. These Term 2 tutorial sessions will run for 7 weeks starting on Tuesday 5th of May here at De La Salle College from 4.30pm-6.30pm each Tuesday. Here is what is on offer:

Level 1 Algebra – Mathematics
Level 2 Algebra – Mathematics
Level 3 Organic Chemistry

Pacific Academy registrations are now available via this link. You must register if you want to attend.

Weekly Note Summaries and De La Salle Certificate updates

All Year 7 – 10 students will receive their Weekly Note Summary in the last week of term. If you have any concerns, please contact your son’s Homeroom teacher or Year Level Dean. If you would like to make contact with a particular Subject teacher, then you can email them directly. Year 11 – 13 students will receive a NCEA update in the first week of Term 2.

Our Kids Online

Here are the latest 2-minute Parenting Video from our friends at Our Kids Online. the first one goes to the heart of why we have "Away for the Day" policy for mobile phones here at De LA Salle College. At what age should I give my kid a phone? It's one of the biggest parenting decisions today!

Parents Guide to Movies and TV Not sure if a movie or TV show is age-appropriate for your child? Before they watch, check: IMDB Parents Guide – detailed breakdowns of violence, language, sex, and more. Common Sense Media – reviews, age ratings, and what to talk about after the credits roll. Know what they’re watching — and make informed choices that fit your family!

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Building Resilience in Our Young Men

Last week Auckland experienced its first significant rain for quite some time. Interestingly, this also coincided with a noticeable increase in student absences. While bad weather can certainly make the morning routine a little more challenging, it also raises an important question about the habits and resilience we are helping our young people develop. At De La Salle College, we want our students to grow into young men who are dependable, resilient, and able to meet their responsibilities even when conditions are not perfect. In life, there will be many days where things are inconvenient — the weather is unpleasant, motivation is low, or circumstances are not ideal. Learning to push through those moments is an important life skill. For many of us as adults, going to work on a cold or wet morning is simply part of our responsibility. The same mindset is something we are trying to develop in our students. Attending school consistently, regardless of the weather, builds discipline, reliability, and resilience. Sometimes, out of care and concern, we can unintentionally make things easier for our children than necessary. While this comes from a place of love, it can also prevent young people from developing the perseverance they will need later in life. One of the strongest predictors of success at school is simply showing up consistently. When students attend regularly, they stay connected to their learning, their teachers, and their peers. When they miss school, even for small reasons, they quickly fall behind. As we move further into the year, we encourage families to support their sons by reinforcing a simple expectation: rain or shine, school is where they need to be. Together, by setting clear expectations both at home and at school, we can help our young men develop the resilience and determination that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Winter Uniform

At the start of term two, it is crucial that all students come back prepared with their winter uniform. The winter uniform will be worn throughout terms 2 and 3. For our winter uniform students are expected to wear:

Black trousers from the College Uniform Shop (No Jeans)
College Shirt
Black Lace Up shoes
College Tie – Compulsory
College Jersey and/or Jacket
College Blazer

No other clothing item is permitted to be worn to school. Please ensure all Uniform items are named. Your co-operation regarding our school uniform policy is appreciated.

De La Salle College Uniform Pricelist

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa The term has come to an end. We finished off with an act of service; the washing of feet at our Thursday Holy Week mass. Jesus said of himself,

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

Matthew 20:28

By the time you read this it will be Easter, a time to reflect and remember Jesus giving the ultimate service, his life as a ransom for us. I was reading this week about teachers around the world who have laid down their lives protecting students from attacks. I confess I cannot absolutely say for sure if I would do likewise if confronted with the same life/death situation (I don’t think any teacher could definitely say how they would respond). I am moved whenever I think of the heroism of these teachers; martyrs for sure, worthy of any saint. Like Christ, they gave the greatest sacrifice, the ultimate act of service. Like Christ, these teachers would have also known through their teaching career that service starts in the small and unseen. A kind word to a struggling student. A free 1B5 for a student from a struggling family. Or in case of our Lord Jesus, washing the feet of the one he knew would betray him. I am encouraged when I see the acts of service from my colleagues to help our students achieve academically. A lot of these acts are random spur of the moment things (such as answering a student email asking for help the evening before an exam or talking to students needing help while on lunch duty). Christlike service is not about grand gestures or wanting social followers. As teachers do we feel empowered to serve your son? We absolutely are! It is our joy as staff to come to school everyday and help your son become a better person. Yes, there are some students who are difficult to serve, but then it would not be service if it were easy. Difficult service requires a greater sacrifice, and even more so if the sacrifice is not seen by anyone but God. Let us all serve and sacrifice in gratitude to God for the sacrifice and service of his Son.

In Christ

literacy centre

From right to left: Br Lewis, Mrs Joy Marcelo, Ms Patricia Campaña, Mrs Gloria Salanoa, Miss Henrietta Crichton and Mr Tim Elliot

Learning Support Team

Volunteering at De La Salle College

Attention families and alumni of De La Salle College community An invitation is extended to graduated students, families, parents and grandparents of the College who would like to volunteer two or one day a week in the Learning Support Team for Terms 2 and 3. Volunteer Learning support aide duties include:

Assisting the learning support team to help students with reading and writing; literacy and numeracy support and reviewing assignment work and homework tasks.
Offering support for supports of neurodiverse learning and students of ESOL support needs.

You will need to go through a police clearance and vetting process and will receive some teaching aid training. A commitment to the Catholic and Lasallian traditions of the College is required in partnership with the special character of the College. An interview with the College Senior Leadership team will be required. At De La Salle we are committed to providing students of learning needs with the best possible support for their future learning and look forward to your expressed interest. To provide your interest email or phone: Br Lewis, Learning Support Coordinator Email: HarwoodB@delasalle.school.nz Phone: 09 276 4319 - extension 866

life skills class

The Life Skills class creates a safe, inclusive space where students with varying learning abilities can develop practical life skills through engaging activities, supporting their journey toward greater independence. Cooking is an integral part of the programme, giving students the opportunity to build practical skills in a hands-on way. This week, they made spaghetti bolognese, learning to follow step-by-step instructions, work as a team, and share in the enjoyment of the finished meal.

Waipapa Ōhanga Ra at UoA

Year 13 ākonga Māori

A group of Year 13 ākonga Māori attended Waipapa Ōhanga Rau at UoA on Thursday March 19. Grounded in the values of the wharenui, identity, responsibility, and collective purpose. The programme provided practical guidance on applications, scholarships, accommodation, and student support. It promoted academic excellence, a strong sense of belonging, and meaningful connections to the people, places, and opportunities at Waipapa Taumata Rau.

Picture taken at the waharoa of Waipapa Marae

sGCNZ Shakespeare festival

by Toa Vaetoru-Sakalia, Year 13 This year, I had the opportunity to be part of the SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival, held at Macleans College, where I led as the student director for our performance of Romeo and Juliet: Act 1, Scene 1, with a Polynesian twist. Working with my resilient team of Year 11 and 12 students, we reimagined the opening scene and conflict through a cultural lens that reflected our own identities. To do this, we incorporated elements such as colour-representative lavalava's, sandals, and humour familiar to Polynesian families—like the use of a jandal instead of a weapon—which made the performance authentic and entertaining. The judges loved our unique interpretation and appreciated how we introduced Polynesian aspects within an original Shakespearean text. It was rewarding seeing our hard work being recognised, with myself receiving two awards which were: Student Director Award and 2 tickets from the Auckland Theatre Company for directorial choices and Polynesian influences, and with another student; Elijah Tuala, Year 12, recognised for his acting with a voucher along with our school's group being selected by a judge to participate in a specialised fight workshop. I’d like to thank Mr Waugh for his guidance throughout the process. Overall, the festival was a valuable experience that allowed us to grow creatively and hopefully will allow us to continue to grow in the performing arts aspect of our school whilst proudly representing De La Salle College.

Students Inspired at PwC R.I.S.E. Pacific Village Event

Mr A Lin Six of our students recently had the opportunity to attend the PwC R.I.S.E. Pacific Village event, joining many other students from schools across Auckland for a day of learning, challenge, and inspiration. PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing expertise in areas such as accounting, business advisory, consulting, and auditing. Events like R.I.S.E. Pacific Village give students valuable exposure to professional pathways and opportunities beyond school, while also encouraging them to build confidence, connections, and future aspirations. Throughout the day, the boys took part in a range of activities and challenges that encouraged them to think creatively, work collaboratively, and step outside their comfort zones. It was a valuable experience for them to meet other young people from across Auckland and be part of such a positive and motivating environment. A special highlight of the event was reconnecting with De La Salle old boy Fred Gasu, who spent time sharing his journey and experiences with our students. Fred is currently working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant, and it was inspiring for the boys to hear from someone who once walked the same halls as them and is now pursuing a professional career pathway. His story made the experience even more meaningful and showed our students what is possible through hard work, perseverance, and ambition. We are grateful to PwC and the organisers of the R.I.S.E. Pacific Village event for providing such a meaningful opportunity for our young men. The boys thoroughly enjoyed their time and came away inspired by the people they met, the challenges they completed, and the pathways they were able to see for themselves.

gateway & careers

It is coming to the end of a very busy first term for our Trades students. While doing well in their carpentry and electrical courses at NZMA. These courses are often difficult because the students love the practical work but did not anticipate the written work that is also needed in assessment. The Trades class has also all completed a Health and Safety Assessment with all being successful. Half of the students have passed their Forklift licenses and the other half will go in term 2. The students have all completed their "Plan a Career Plan" unit. It looks having marked most of them that all will pass. Gateway has been going very well. McDonalds is having students completing and new students starting the programme. We have had some excellent year 11 students taking part. The Woolworths programme finished this week and we are waiting for the results of the first term students. I am sure all will achieve with their assessment. The Careers team have worked extremely hard for our students and Mrs Nayagar and Mrs Emani have such a commitment to our students. It is with excitement and sadness that this term is my last at De La Salle College. It has always been a dream to live in Rarotonga and opportunities have come that my wife Moeroa and I will be shifting to Rarotonga hopefully around June. My time at De La Salle has been a real honour. It has not always been easy but with great support from staff, parents and community, nothing has been too hard. I am Leaving an excellent Trades group who have helped my teaching so much and so many excellent young men at our school. My thanks to Mr Hogarty for first of all believing that I would be good for the school, and his leadership in the school, putting God first and insisting good standards always with our staff and students. My thanks to Sir Brother Pat Lynch who, like so many are inspired by the legacy he continues to bring to our community. It has been an honour being in your company. Brother Jack, I will also miss your booming voice and to the other Brothers who help bring Jesus into our hearts. To the staff at De La Salle. A big thank you. I have made some lifetime friendships and those I will always be thankful for. To the students. My prayer is that you take the opportunities that God has given to you at De La Salle and strive to succeed in academic, sports, music, cultural and the Arts. Finally to the parents and community of our young men. For our young men to succeed we know that our parents and community are a big part of the answer. Thank you all for believing and loving your sons. God bless Grant Hobbs

notices

✨ Student Photos Are Now Live! 📸 Student photos are ready to view and order. Photolife has sent each parent an email with your unique keycode — use it to access your child’s photos and place your order today. Don’t miss out! https://photolifeonline.co.nz/ordering/access Free delivery applies to orders placed before midnight on Sunday, 12 April 2026

Want to earn badges for service hours?- sign up here