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

in this issue

TERM 3 WEEK 8- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

College Principal - “The Power of Speech"

Associate Principal - "School of Excellence"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Deputy of Pastoral - Pastoral

Academic Year 7/8

Literacy Centre

NZIBO - New Zealand International Biology Olympiad

NZ Alpine Trust Ski Camp- A rather unconventional classroom

NZ Secondary Schools Olympic Wrestling National Championship

First V Basketball - Regional Tournament

Notices

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“the power of speech”

Mr Myles Hogarty

College Principal

This generation of school students can be described as “Digital Natives”.

They have been born into and conduct much of their lives using many forms of technology.

Many of our young men use a range of Social Media to communicate with their peers, friends, family and of course thousands of others on these shared sites, most of whom they have no connection to at all, something that we need to be cautiously aware of.

The ease of communicating via a key pad or touch screen can sadly have its disadvantages, with inappropriate content and messages being posted without much thought of the consequences.

Sadly, social media destroys privacy and the chance of correcting your mistake as your actions are broadcast instantly on a world-wide basis, the damage of your behaviour recorded forever.

Another concern due to the increased use of digital communication is the decline in the “art of conversation”.

One of the things we ask of our young men is to look you in the eye when talking to you. Added to this is the expectation that they can speak in a clear, fluent style and express themselves.

Speaking in person teaches our young men how to contextualise what they are saying by the way the other person is reacting to their words, it teaches them to identify anger, embarrassment, hurt or pleasure in the recipient’s eyes, reactions which are unable to be seen and lost in the use of technology.

Young men need to know how to start a conversation and also how to end one. This skill takes not only verbal knowledge but social knowledge as well.

The young men of De La Salle as we know must be well connected to all technology in our digital world.

However, they must also be able to hold a decent conversation with their families, teachers, friends and those they meet for the first time.

Our students will be judged on their ability to talk with confidence and clarity particularly as they move into Tertiary education and employment. We must continue to place high expectations on their ability to communicate face-to-face.

The growth of Debating and Spoken Word in the College is a wonderful example of giving our young men the experience of speaking fluently and thoughtfully.

Parents, I urge you to encourage your son to practice speaking confidently and thoughtfully.

Ask your son to explain to you what he learned at school that day, what he needs to do to lift his weakest subject and what he needs to work on to lift a grade from Merit to Excellence.

This week saw our Years 11-13 completing a week of preliminary exams in the College MPC.

The College MPC was transformed for the week into our Exam Centre, there was high attendance and a scholarly atmosphere in all of the exams. These preliminary exams are a valuable dress-rehearsal for our young men and it has been encouraging to see very high attendance, an acknowledgement of how serious they take their education. The young men will be receiving their marked exams and important feedback from their teachers so that they can make further improvements in their work before the end of the year.

Similarly, the Year 7-10 students have completed assessments of their recent learning as they focus on achieving their De La Salle Certificate.

Congratulations to our College Wrestling team who won 8 medals last weekend at the NZ Nationals, a huge achievement for such a new sport at the school. Outstanding commitment and effort from our competitors and Coaches.

Congratulations to our 1st XIII Premier Boys League team who were Runners-up at the NZ Secondary Schools competition. A well trained, well lead and managed team who represented the College with pride and dignity at this National level.

Congratulations to our 1st V Basketball team who competed for the first time in the NZ regional tournament, a tough introduction playing several of the best school Basketball sides in NZ, but a great experience and learning exercise.

School is a busy, vibrant place with the young men experiencing “education” in its holistic sense.

God bless

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

School of Excellence

This term has witnessed the return of De La Salle boys to Olympic Wrestling competitions, after a gap of many decades. After four weeks preparation they won many medals at the Auckland Champs, then at the open North Island Champs. After four months preparation they competed in the Nationals with great success, winning 3 bronze and 3 silvers. Two of our boys also became National Champions.

At the National Secondary School Rugby League Champs our team made the New Zealand final and almost managed a come-from-behind win. Seven of the team have achieved national representation at U16 and U18 level.

These are outstanding levels of achievement. We spend a lot of time digging away in the trenches, without always feeling the inspiration, so it’s great to acknowledge these outstanding results when they happen. We also acknowledge the staff who assisted with this success. In the case of the wrestling it was Ms Natayla Vaai and her husband Josh. With the league it was managers Miss Pulieku and Ms Teiotaata Iobu, coach Mr Phil Peyroux-Donaldson and trainers Kalani Peyroux-Donaldson and Norman Cameron Tuipulotu, class of 2023 who both represented the school in league and were part of the team that won the 2022 National title. We are truly a School of Excellence.

special character

Assistant Principal Mission- Mrs Teuila Vaotuua

In Week 7, we had the joy of welcoming three new members into the Catholic faith through the Sacrament of Baptism, celebrated in our College Chapel. We extend our gratitude to Fr Kevin for leading such a beautiful and meaningful ceremony.

We congratulate the following students on their Baptism:

Carlos Toafa (8AND)
Mason Mosese (9BRE)
Nickolas Liakimatagi (8AND)

Following this special occasion, 26 students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a key step in their preparation for the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion, which will take place in Term 4.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who have supported their sons in this important spiritual journey, and to Br. Thomas, Mrs Salanoa, and Campus Minister Niko for their dedicated efforts in guiding our Sacramental programme this year.

Please continue to keep all our Sacramental candidates in your prayers as we continue our programme into term 4. Friday 1st November we will have our Sacramental Mass in the MPC at 10.15am and we are looking forward to having this with Bishop Peter Brown. All families of our candidates of Confirmation and First Communion are welcome to attend this special occasion.

Live Jesus in our Hearts forever

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

Senior Exams and the Literacy and Numeracy CAA

Congratulations to our Senior Students who completed practice exams and workshops this week. Attendance has been excellent, and students have entered into the exams determined to give their best.

A special mention to our Year 11 students who completed several digital exams using the new NCEA Level 1 standards. Great to see the majority of boys bringing a charged laptop and confidently uploading their work to NZQA.

We can now start preparation for the real exams in November – 7 weeks to go. The NZQA exam schedule is attached. Students will also be getting a copy to highlight their exams and stick on the fridge as we count down to the end of the year.

Year 11 students have been working towards the Literacy and Numeracy CAA this week as well. Year 10 students will complete in Week 9.

Reports

Year 11 – 13 Students will have their reports sent home in the last week of term. There will be useful guidance and feedback in the reports. A key bit of advice will be to start revision early and attend the wide range of tuition opportunities available Reports as always will be available on the KAMAR portal. The easiest way to access the portal is through our website https://www.delasalle.school.nz/

Senior Options are now closing

All Year 9 – 12 students should have now completed their 2025 Option Selections on the KAMAR Portal. We will send a confirmation email to parents and our Timetable Team will start the challenging task of meeting the student’s needs.

Year 9 Language Module 2025

Planning is also underway for our Year 9 students in 2025. In Year 9 all students complete one term modules in Art, Drama, Music and Te Reo Māori alongside their core subjects of RE, English, Maths, Science, Health and PE, Social Science and Technology.

The only option selection for Year 9 students is the chance to select one additional language. This will mean that they will study the language instead of one from Art, Drama, or Music modules. Currently we offer Niuean, Samoan or Tongan. Around half of students choose an additional language option. It is fine not to select an additional language. We also very interested to find out if there are any other languages that students and families would like to see at De La Salle College.

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Healthy Breakfast Choices

for a Successful School Day

It’s concerning to see many of our students starting their day with energy drinks and pies—foods that may seem convenient but come with serious long-term health and learning consequences. What we eat in the morning sets the tone for the day, especially in terms of concentration, energy levels, and overall well-being. A healthy breakfast fuels a productive and focused school day, while an unhealthy one does quite the opposite.

The Impact of Energy Drinks and Pies

Energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar, which can lead to a short-term burst of energy but is often followed by a crash in concentration and mood. Over time, high sugar and caffeine intake can contribute to obesity, heart issues, and even behavioral problems. Pies, typically high in fat and refined carbohydrates, offer little nutritional value. They digest quickly, leaving students feeling sluggish and tired after the initial sugar high fades.

For students, starting the day with these options not only affects their ability to focus in class but also makes it harder to maintain a balanced diet. Over time, these habits can lead to long-term health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and poor academic performance.

Better Breakfast Options

A healthy breakfast doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are a few simple ideas that will help your child stay alert and focused throughout the school day:

Whole Grain Toast with Peanut Butter or Avocado: Whole grains provide slow-releasing energy, while peanut butter or avocado adds healthy fats and protein.

Smoothies: A blend of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat yogurt can be both nutritious and tasty.

Oats with Fresh Fruit: Oats are rich in fibre and help keep your child full longer, while fruit adds vitamins and a natural sweetness.

Eggs with Whole Wheat Toast: A source of high-quality protein that can be paired with whole grain toast for long-lasting energy.

Greek Yogurt with Nuts and Berries: This offers protein, healthy fats, and a good dose of antioxidants.

How Parents Can Help

Parents play a critical role in shaping healthy habits. Here are some ways you can help your child make better food choices:

Plan Ahead: Prepare breakfast the night before if mornings are busy. Overnight oats or pre-cut fruits are easy options.

Be a Role Model: Children often imitate what they see. When parents prioritize healthy eating, kids are more likely to follow.

Limit Access to Sugary Drinks and Junk Food: Instead of sugary energy drinks, encourage water or natural juices.

Educate Your Child: Talk to your child about the importance of a balanced diet and how it helps them feel better throughout the day.

Pack a Healthy Snack: If breakfast has to be quick, send them to school with a healthy snack like a banana or a granola bar.

By making small but meaningful changes to their morning routine, students can set themselves up for success both in their studies and in their long-term health. Let’s work together to make better food choices a part of our school culture!

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

20 of our Year 8 boys were at Sports Camp this week and had an amazing time! We played 22 different sports against 7 other schools and received a variety of bronze, silver and gold medals. The camp is all about making connections and having fun (which was pretty much impossible not to do). This is our third time going to the Find Your Field of Dreams Sports Camp run by YMCA and we were very lucky to have combined with Marist Girls (they made up our female contingent of 20 girls).

For a few years now we have had our Year 7 and Year 8 rugby boys play under the Marist Brothers banner for Saturday rugby, so it seemed fitting that we combine with Marist Girls College for our Sports Camp. We have been honoured the last few years that Marist Girls have invited our Year 7/8 boys to their Term 4 dance and are thrilled we can repay that kindness. Isn’t life about making connections? If our ultimate goal is to connect with God, then is that not the example to also connect with each other? Understanding someone the first step to loving someone?

The world could learn a thing or two about the 2 greatest commandments of the Bible.

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it:

You shall love your neighbour as yourself

Matthew 22: 35-40

I have been really impressed with our 20 De La Salle boys in the WAY they have connected with the young ladies of Marist College. Respectful to a "T". This is in part thanks to the hard work from parents, teachers, role models, and even peers. However, I would suspect it is mainly from the boys own personal convictions, perhaps their own connection to God the underlying factor in their respectful connections with Marist students?

Let us all connect with someone new this week; as Christ would.

In Christ

literacy centre

C H A I R C H A T S

with Riel-Aukan Espinoza-Leota

Welcome to another great session of "Chair Chats". This episode Joseph Malele and Elijah Tuala speak to the amazing and creative Riel-Aukan Espinoza-Leota in Year 11 .

If you want to see more of these wonderful Felties, they are on display in the Library .

Ms Chapman

NZIBO - New Zealand International Biology Olympiad

National Entrance Examination Bronze

BIO201 L2 Biology Teacher - Mrs R Spencer

Congratulations to Year 12 Level 2 Biology students Elijah Hunt 12KEA, Marck Noble 12FIF, Inglis Tavu'i-Lemalie 12KUM, and Elijah Tia 12JMA for achieving Bronze in the NZIBO New Zealand International Biology Olympiad National Entrance Examination.

Bronze was awarded to the top 250 students in the country, with over 400 student completing the examination from 48 schools across New Zealand. This is the second year this examination was offered to Level 2 Biology students at De La Salle, with two students gaining Bronze in 2022.

Elijah, Marck, Inglis and Elijah will complete an online Biology Tutorial programme. Further opportunities if selected the top 25 students will attend a Biology Practical Training Camp, and the top 4 students competing in the International Biology Olympiad representing New Zealand in the Philippines in 2025. Further information can be found at https://nzibo.org/

NZ Alpine Trust Ski Camp

A rather unconventional classroom

Each day had a different focus - Resilience & Grit, Comfort Zones, Habits and we finished the week strong with “human assets” in particular the greatest asset of all the mind. We were lucky enough to have some inspiring guest speakers join us including former All Black Kees Mews, NZ Free Skiing Legend Finn Bilous and an Auckland Unitec Lecturer who did a session with the boys on the “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” The boys were all super engaged throughout the week and from all accounts thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

NZ Secondary Schools Olympic Wrestling National Championship

We took 10 wrestlers to the New Zealand Secondary Schools Wrestling competition Friday 6 September. This was held at Rutherford College.

Baytex 2024 Best Wrestling Team

Our school team was selected as the "Baytex 2024 Best Wrestling Team" and awarded a $200 voucher. One of our team members Jordan Halalele- Year 11, was chosen by Olympian Coach Amir to be part of the Tongan Wrestling Team who will compete in Oceania next year in America Samoa.

Jordan Halalele (Year 11)
Zion Te'o (Year 12)
Latu Enoka (Year 11)

currently have their names 'drafted' for the NZ Wrestling Team to compete at Oceania next year but the team won't be finalised till the end of the year.

The team were awarded eight medals

Zion Te’o – Gold
Latu Enoka – Gold
Thomas Enoka – Silver
Etuale Mateai – Silver
Jordan Halalele - Silver
Wayne Esekia – Bronze
Tatum Betham – Bronze
John Faataape - Bronze

For a team that was established just four months ago they have done extremely well in representing their school winning a total of 29 Medals all from Auckland Champs, North Island Champs and now NZ Secondary School Nationals. Our top wrestlers have been invited to compete in the Wider National Pool in October 11/12 in Hamilton in hopes they will be selected to represent their country possibly in Spain next year. You can watch them in action here

First V Basketball

Regional Tournament

Mr P. Isaako - basketball coach

Leading into the tournament there was some nervousness because:

We were playing against schools that are 2 grades above us
We were playing 10minute stop clock which means the depth is tested a lot more than our normal in-season games

As a coaching team we believed that our students represented the school well.

Dilworth (undefeated in Snr A, averaging 40pt margins per game, will be in Prems next year) – Loss
Rosmini (Always one of the top basketball schools in the country – 2nd in Prems, 2nd at 2024 Regionals) – Loss
Rangitoto (Traditionally seen as a basketball school) – Our best game of the tournament fought hard right till the end (with our captain fouling out during the 2nd qtr) – close till the end, 20ish pt loss
Aorere (Traditional Rivals) – Couldn’t get up after the big effort in the previous game – Loss
Manurewa (Traditional Rivals) – A win here would move us out of the bottom placing games in the tournament – Win
Selwyn (Traditionally good, but not where they used to be since being relegated to Open) – Gave them a 20-point head start, only had 9 players got within 4 in the last few minutes then lost by about 10
Western Springs – Close game, scored in the final seconds to tie the game, went into OT and won by 8 with 7 players.

Proud of the effort that our team put in throughout the tournament.

Malo le Soifua

First V team pictured w