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

in this issue

TERM 3 WEEK 6- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

College Principal - “Celebrating Mary, the Mother of Christ"

Associate Principal - "Silver Linings"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Academic Year 7/8

Literacy Centre

Intermediate School

Business Hall of Fame Event

Year 12 Faith & Service Portfolio

The Story of Constantine- Year 9 Religious Education

Psalms Vaotu'ua - Junior Instrumentalist, 2 Golds and a Silver

2023 Debating Season

Welcome to Lasalle Mr Isa'ako

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

“celebrating mary, the mother of christ”

Mr Myles Hogarty

College Principal

Last week the College celebrated the Feast of the Assumption in a wonderful Mass at the College. Father Martin once again challenged our young men to hold fast to the hope that was shown by Mary when she showed unconditional love and support for her son.

This celebration of the life of Christ’s mother was a genuine expression of the College’s Catholic character and an opportunity for our staff and young men to be participants in and experience the rituals and traditions of our 2023 year old Catholic faith community.

Creating Great men of Faith, Service, Community and Excellence at our College involves providing them with experiences in our Catholic heritage. The symbols and traditions that were experienced by our young men on Friday were an ever present reminder that our Catholic faith is alive and living through them in the present.

I was impressed by the way our students and staff took ownership of the Celebration and the reverence and respect for the celebration by our young men demonstrated that they certainly have a sense of occasion for our traditions and rituals.

These Catholic traditions and rituals have a necessary place in the lives of our young men. They have prominence at the College and in our modern nano-second world, they are constants in the fickle, rapidly changing society our young men experience.

The rituals, traditions and symbols our young men constantly experience in their daily lives at the College give them a foundation and roots to their faith, cultural backgrounds and links to global Lasallian traditions.

Our celebration of Mary’s life was also a strong reminder to our young men of the unconditional love and support that our young men receive in their lives from their mothers, many of whom are the “glue”, the “rock” in our young men’s families.

We are in Week 6 of the term and all Year Levels are preparing for Exam/ Assessment Week in Week 8 of this term. The Exam week will give our young men the opportunity to practice and show their learning under the same conditions that they will be doing in their end of year final exams. All students will receive their Exam timetable and their teachers will be briefing them on what they will be assessed on over the week. Parents please discuss with your son what he needs to do to prepare himself for his assessments. There are many after school tutorials and workshops being offered by the College staff to help our young men if they need to get that extra help.

A reminder that we will be running Parent Partnership Meetings for all Years 9 – 13 over the next weeks. Year 10 students and parents have a very informative Partnership meeting on Tuesday 29th to give Parents valuable information on Subject choices and Options as their sons prepare for NCEA Level 1 next year.

I encourage all Parents to attend their son’s Parent Partnership Meeting with your son so that you both receive all the important information relating to his education at De La Salle for this year and beyond.

Best wishes to the 2A and 2C rugby teams who play in the finals of the Auckland Secondary Schools finals this Saturday at the Marist Rugby Club. Both games are scheduled for a 9.15am kick off.

Congratulations to our Junior and Senior Open Debating teams who reached the semi finals of the Auckland Secondary Schools competition, reaching the top 4 is an outstanding achievement from a competition comprised of up to 80 teams.

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

"Silver Linings"

Over the last two weeks our boys have had several examples of a small margin making a big difference. Our 1st XV drew in the semi-final and lost on a countback. The 1st XIII in their final drew also on full-time and lost in Golden Point time. Our Junior Debating team lost in a split decision in an Auckland semi-final

1st XIII

The first point is that these all happened in semi-finals or finals, which means that these teams had already had very good seasons. Its

The second point is that these are the experiences that build character, not only in young men, but also in adults! Trying to control what seem like overwhelming emotions at the time, is great practice for the challenges of life.

The third point is that whether we have won or not, life moves on. There have been other major events, such as Wednesday school assembly we had a performance by the NZ Army Band. This was an awesome performance by a group of 15 very talented musicians and the boys had a great time.

Our debating teams have finished their seasons with excellent results, most winter sport has now finished and the focus is on senior exams. This is life, and it always has a silver lining.

Debates

special character

Director of Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

Special Character

ASSUMPTION MASS

God chose Mary to be the mother of his son, Jesus. By doing so, she became the FIRST DISCIPLE. Mary was always ready and willing to do whatever God wanted, and because she was so special, she was taken up body and soul to be with Jesus.

At our recent Assumption Mass Father Martin used a helium balloon as a prop, to demonstrate to the congregation how it quickly floats to the sky because it is “light”. Because Mary’s heart was light and without sin, we are confident in our Catholic faith that she was assumed body and soul into Heaven.

As we celebrate Mary, we reflect on the qualities Mary possessed that we can better emulate. And reflect on how can we say YES more to God?

Mary Queen of Heaven and Earth

PRAY FOR US

SACRAMENTAL & FAMILY MASS

We had a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist with the junior school and their families on Monday. This included 8 students receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and first Holy Communion.

Francis Lefono
Lotu Hifo
Leo Muliaga
Mark Tafaese
Folau Lui – Siaosi
Marvin Kaetau
Jazaiah Mokalei
Taimo Fatai

May you embrace the gift of Sacramental life and share the fruits of faith, hope and love with everyone around you. Alleluia, receive the power, to be a light unto the world!

Thank you to Br Jack and Campus Minister Niko for all your work with our candidates and the families during the Sacramental programme.

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

REMINDER - OPTIONS FOR 2024 DUE

A reminder that students in Year 9 to 12 need to select their Options for 2024. Student option choices will close at the start of Week 9 Term 3 – Monday September 22

Student Option Selection is accessed through the KAMAR Portal http://parent.delasalle.school.nz Once you have logged in you should select the Option Selection 2024 link. You can make changes and save as many times as you like on the KAMAR Portal up to September 22. There are copies of the Options Booklets saved on the school website under the Academic section – Subject Selection.

REMINDER – PRACTICE EXAMS AND WORKSHOPS Week 8

The senior assessment for Year 11 – 13 students week runs from Monday 4 until Friday 8 September. The timetable is attached. Students have leave to study at home during the week. Remember study leave is a privilege and students who are not studying will be asked to remain in school. Exam sessions are up to three hours and may require students to check their travel plans. Students are required to remain in the MPC or at workshops for a minimum of two hours unless instructed otherwise. Students should leave the school grounds promptly to return home after exams to continue study for their next exam. Year 11 – 13 students will be able to study quietly in the library before and after exams.

EXAM SUPERVISORS REQUIRED

The senior assessment week runs from Monday 4 September until Friday 8 September. Are there any parents who have always wanted to volunteer as a supervisor for an exam session with our teachers in the MPC? It would be for a one-hour time slot between 8.45am – 11.45am or 1.00pm – 4.00pm. Our teachers would be very appreciative as they are then able to use this time for marking papers and writing reports. Please email doylep@delasalle.school.nz if you are interested.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

The season has finished for our 1st XV and 1st XIII teams. The boys played valiantly and gave their all, the 1st XV unlucky to have lost their semifinal by a technicality, the 1st XIII also losing in extra time. The boys trained hard and were well prepared for both matches leaving no stone unturned in their preparation. The coaches showed exemplary commitment throughout the season, working tirelessly with the boys. The dedication by everyone to help the boys achieve on the sports field cannot be faulted.

Yet we still lost.

Is there something that we are missing?

A short story…please bear with me. One of my favourite kung fu movies back in the 80s was “Seven Grandmasters”. It is about a Grandmaster who as a young man had his kung fu teacher leave him the secret book “The Twelve Strikes of Pai Mei”. However, a masked man stole several pages of the book, leaving only nine strikes. The final three strikes of Pai Mei (which are the deadliest) can beat the other nine strikes. Eventually the movie reaches a showdown between the Grandmaster and the masked man where the Grandmaster starts to lose the fight. As he is lies almost defeated, he remembers his masters’ final words to him many years before:

“Effort is Connected to Habits”

In Christ

literacy centre

intermediate school

COMMUNITY MASS

Year 7 & 8 Community Mass - Sunday 27 August at St Anthony’s Parish Mangere Central Kirkbride Road, 9.00am start

This Sunday is our second Community Mass for Term 3 – Sunday 27 August at St Anthony’s Parish Mangere Central Kirkbride Road. Mass starts at 9.00am, please meet in the foyer at 8.30am in full, clean school uniform. Please bring one grocery item to donate to the food bank for the less fortunate of this community. Another opportunity for our boys to show "Man of Community".

Students will receive five Community points added towards their DLS certificate.

We look forward to seeing many of our boys at this Mass.

ATAMIRA DANCE WORKSHOP

We highly recommend this workshop. We were asked to really feel the words that we hear, write and speak. A great way that our ancestors told stories and also another option to express ourselves and possibly keep fit too. Most thankful to the 3 mentors/tutors they were amazing.

NZ ARMY BAND

The Year 7 students have been looking for opportunities to practice their “Man of Courage”. On Wednesday the NZ Army band visited our school so the Year 7’s eagerly rushed to the front for an opportunity to get up and dance. They did not disappoint.

business hall of fame event

by Mr M Jeremic- Head of Faculty Social Studies

On 10th of August, Year 13 Business Studies students, Junior Tuiloma and JD Fili had a wonderful opportunity to represent their school but also the Southern Region of the Young Enterprise Scheme to support the inauguration of Ted Manson into a Business Hall of Fame.

Junior read a speech honouring Ted’s contribution to New Zealand business and presented a plaque with his name on it. Junior was acoompanied in the official presentation by the Governor General Cyndy Kiroa and many other distinguished guest in the audience. The Cordis conference room was filled with big names of NZ business world and our boys did really well in the presentation.

Prior to the event, Junior and JD visited Ted’s office to get the first hand experience of how a successful business is run. The surnname Manson has been associated with innovative property development in New Zealand for more than 40 years. Ted started the family business with his father Colin in the mid-1970s and still runs it today with his sons Culum, Luke and Mac.

Well done boys, for showcasing De La Salle College at this very special event.

YEAR 12 Faith & service portfolio

by Semisi Fa'aui on behalf of the Year 12 Faith & Service Portfolio

We started our Bible study group a few weeks back with the Year 7 and 8 students. It has been going very well for our portfolio, as we are able to not only learn about the Bible but also bond with the younger brothers of our college.

Moving forward our portfolio want to expand our bible study group to do things such as clean ups, service activities and etc. We want to use this group to be able to build that bond with the younger brothers and mentor them. As a portfolio we have identified a main issue with our younger brothers of the college, as they can be easily influenced by bad role-models, we want to make sure we mentor them and guide them in the right direction and onto the right pathway.

the story of constantine- year 9 Religious Education

illustrated by students in 9V, 9T, and 9H classes

Story boards illustrated by Jehrancis Ioane, Siaosaia Sefesi, Joshua Talalelei, David Morris, Mosiah Apulu, Gideon Fe'ao and Elvis Lu'u

These story board illustrations show the Story of the events leading up to Constantine becoming a Christian:-

In 312 AD at the Milvian Bridge over the Tiber River in Rome two mighty armies gathered to do battle.
This battle between Constantine and Maxentius would decide who controlled the Roman Empire.
Maxentius prayed to the Roman gods to help but Constantine turned instead to the God of the Christians.
In the Sky Constantine saw a vision, a glowing cross and the words - in this sign you will conquer.
Constantine was amazed. He adopted Christ's sign the Chi-Rho, and painted it on his soldiers' shields.
Constantine went into battle, even though his army was outnumbered, and won. From then on, he regaled himself as a Christian.

In conclusion, we see the close bond that developed between the Church (Papacy) and the Empire as a result of Constantine’s conversion. In the coming centuries, the Church became a political as well as a spiritual force. Today, the Pope exerts spiritual rather than temporal leadership over the world’s Catholics. Any political influence that he has springs from his spiritual authority.

VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK

We are very excited to share that this week 28 August to 1st September is to engage you in 'Vocation Awareness Week'. This includes vocations to religious life such as De La Salle Brothers. It's cool to be a Brother! Join us and mitigate the poverty with touching hearts, teaching minds and transforming lives through education.

God bless us all

psalms vaotuua- junior instrumentalist, 2 golds & a silver

Psalms Vaotuua pictured with sister Maretta

Psalms Vaotuua 10LIN attended the 26th Annual World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, where he received two Golds and a silver medal for various categories as a Junior instrumentalist. He was also the overall division winner and semi-finalist for junior grand champion. His sister Maretta Brown won a Gold and Silver Medal and overall division winner as a senior vocalist. She was also awarded a scholarship from the New York conservatory to study toward a degree in Musical performance.

2023 debating season

by Mr O Wendt- Teacher in Charge

The Debating Season draws to an end! And what a season it has been. Since Term 1, all nine De La Salle Debate Teams have represented our College with mana.

De La Salle College Auckland Schools Debating Standings:

Junior Opens: Year 9 Steve Roberts, Leroy Lauvao, PJ Utoaluga, Iosefo Tominiko and Lelava Sauioge: Top 8 in Auckland (eliminated by St Cuthberts in quarter finals.) Rank 1 for South Auckland division.

Senior Opens: Year 11 Tony Ulberg, Christian Fa'avae, Inglis Tavu'i-Lemalie, Bonaventure Lipa-Patau and Sione Mafuahingano: Rank 2 for South Auckland division. Top 4 in Auckland (eliminated by Papatoetoe in semi finals.)

Premier Junior Grade (Year 10/11): Year 11 Jacob Tominiko, Cadell Armstrong and Year 10 Leato Collins:

Manukau Regional Champions, Rank 1 for Auckland. Top 4 for Auckland PJ competition (eliminated in the semi's by Auckland Grammar.)

Massive thank you to Ms Phillips, Mr Tualega and Ms Kuresa for keeping the debate teams afloat this year. Your help with training the teams and transport all over Auckland for their competitions in the evening. Thank you to all families of the team who supported our orators in the debating space this year. Special thank you to Year 12 Juan, our debating alumni Gabriel Toreja and Violet Ekeroma who were instrumental in coaching the teams this year.

Well done to all nine of our teams this year across all grades especially the teams mentioned above who were exceptional in their respective grades. You should all be proud of your efforts.

God bless

welcome to lasalle mr isa'ako

New Director of Sport Mr Patrick Isa'ako

My name's Patrick Isa'ako, I'm married with three children who have Samoan, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Cook Island and Niuean links. My passion is for youth and community and I feel my new role helps me keep my cup refilled in both of these aspects. I coach and mentor using basketball as my vehicle from the grassroots level u10s to adults, and school as well as representative level basketball. I'm a big sports fan and am super competitive and it comes out in the way that I coach:

Respect - your opposition, your teammates, the officials, your friends/family that support you and respect the game both on and off the court.

Quick Fire 3

Rugby or League supporter and what team I believe sport my preferred sport is basketball is a great way to engage communities and has a number of skills that translate to real life and help us to be good people. Otherwise Rugby League - NZ Warriors #updawahs
What is your favorite thing about working for De La Salle College so far Favourite thing about working at De La Salle College so far is that you get something new every day not just from our students but our staff too. Keeps you on your toes!
Name someone you admire and why My parents - came to NZ, found each other, got married and just wanted better for their children and the generations to come. Hard workers, homeowners and smart enough to be able to help their children get into the housing market at a time when owning a home didn't seem so far-fetched.

rugby finals

Good luck to our 2A and 2C rugby teams playing in the rugby finals at Mount Wellington War Memorial, Dunkirk Rd. Both games kick off at 9.15am. Come along and support the boys #FTGF