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 - “Which of you if your son asks for bread will give him stone?"

Associate Principal - "Cabbage Soup for Breakfast"

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

Deputy of Pastoral - Pastoral

Academic Year 7/8

Intermediate School

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

Cover page- Pompallier Shield Waiata Group Index page- Pompallier Shield Group

“which of you if your son asks for bread will give him stone?”

Matthew 7:9

Mr Myles Hogarty

College Principal

Greetings, The New Zealand Council for Educational Research from time to time asks schools like De La Salle to participate in studies on educational achievement. A study that they did was titled, “Achievement in Boys’ Schools”, De La Salle was identified as a high performing boys’ school to be included in this national research. To be honest, my first thoughts are always to avoid attention for the College, particularly when the results will be published in the media as you can be a media favourite one minute and be persecuted by them soon after. However, the results of the research into the factors that make De La Salle a successful learning environment for our young men, affirmed the vision and goals that we stand for at the College and reflect just what it is we aim to achieve with our young men. The researchers of this study summarised the practices that they found were responsible for producing high performance in several boys’ schools, these are below. In bold are the practices that De La Salle uses to achieve these factors that lead to achievement in our school. Factors that lead to achievement in Boy’s Schools:

Ensuring first-year students identify with the school and its values, often giving senior students a role here. – Retreats, Camps, Orientation day, Lasallian History, Buddy System, Senior Mentors
Providing a range of sporting, cultural, and service co-curricular activities so that there was opportunity for every boy to experience the need for effort before achievement; the value of working toward goals; success and enjoyment in something that mattered to them; relate to each other as ‘brothers’; get to know and trust teachers in other settings: all these were also useful for classroom engagement and achievement. – Sports, Music, Cultural Groups, Academic Counselling, Service Programme
Leadership roles for senior students that invest them in the school’s wellbeing and success as well as their own individual success. – Prefects, Portfolio Leaders, House Leaders, Leadership Courses, Assemblies
Identifying student need early on and responding to it, particularly with targeted literacy and numeracy support in junior years; and later, identifying students at risk of not achieving qualification goals sufficiently early in the school year to improve their work. – Literacy Centre, Year 9 & 10 Literacy Classes, Academic tracking, Academic Counselling, Talanoa Ako, UE Success, MATES, After school Tutorials
Making the most of the NCEA structure— openness, goal setting, progress marking, greater range of achievement, and public recognition of opportunities.- Academic Counselling, Assembly Awards, Scholars
Publicly recognising academic achievement, so it is ‘cool’. – Assembly Awards, Scholars Tie, MATES, PILOT, Talanoa Ako, Goals-focused, Excellence Endorsement trip
Framing high expectations for achievement in terms of effort and student goals related to meaningful qualification and career pathways, and backing all students with support. – Careers Ed, Careers Expo, Academic NCEA Tracking
Including sporting, cultural, and service goals within those to be identified by each boy, so that there is an all-round education. – Sports, Music, Culture and Faith opportunities.
Openness around student goals and progress so that parents can better support their child and students have a clear framework for their learning. – Parent Partnerships – Teacher – Student Conferences

Coherence from a values base

Threading core school values through the school day and in the way teachers and school leaders relate to the boys. – Our Catholic and Lasallian values and traditions, Daily Prayer, Worship and Reflection

Sound basis for teaching practice

Ongoing reviews of class achievement and school operations in order to improve practice. – Regular College Self Review, Strategic Plan, Annual goals
Evolutionary change on the basis of careful inquiry using data related to students. – Staff Professional Development using student data
Making the most of teaching time. – Focus on Attendance, Punctuality, and priority of Teaching and Learning time over all other activities

The full Report is available on-line from NZCER and identifies many other of the practices that De La Salle uses to allow our young men to achieve success of “the head and the heart.”

Our term has started very well and our young men are well settled into their learning routines and extra-curricular activities. A reminder that all students must now be in their Winter uniform which includes Black Dress trousers and College Tie. I thank all parents for their engagement and support with their son’s and the College in creating great men of Faith, Service, Community and Excellence.

God Bless

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

Cabbage Soup for Breakfast

Our brains are wired by our experiences so different experiences create different brains. That is why we try to provide our boys varied experiences. Recently we have had all of Year 8 on a camp and 22 boys on the Endorsement Trip to Hong Kong. Boys have been doing things they have never done before, for example riding a bike, or having cabbage soup for breakfast with a Chinese family in a high rise apartment in Hong Kong. We do need to have routine but sometimes its worth it for our own brain development to experience something new and unfamiliar in order to broaden our understanding of others and build our ability to cope with challenges. Every boy who joins rugby for the first time or decides to try debating or manages to give a speech in front of others for the first time in his life is doing this. I don’t like cabbage soup and I most certainly don’t want to have it for breakfast, but just thinking about it made me enjoy my usual breakfast this morning so much more! What mildly uncomfortable activity are we doing to re-wire our brains? Please take the time to look at the videos of the two trips mentioned above.

curriculum

Deputy Principal Curriculum- Mr Phil Doyle

Literacy and Numeracy CAA are 3 weeks away!

-Year 10 sit in the week 18 – 22 May -Year 11 and above in the week 25 – 29 May Students have done a great job been setting up their MyNZQA. We now want to make sure students have practice using the digital platform. Familiarity and comfort with the platform itself is essential. Past assessments are available for students to practice using the platform. To access these goto the Past Digital Exams link on the NZQA site and scroll down. Students can also access through theor MyNZQA account. Get your son to show you a past exam. If you think your sone would benefit from having the text read to them, Polly [an Office365 product] is available for any student to use in the Writing and Numeracy CAA – not Reading – make contact with your son’s homeroom teacher or our Leaning Support leader Br Lewis HarwoodB@delasalle.school.nz. For the Numeracy test students, we encourage students to keep working with paper, pen, calculator, and a ruler alongside the laptop. A piece of string may even be useful if they are required to take measurements on the screen. This week we have also been checking that the Year 10 and 11 students that are enrolled in the CAA have access to a laptop. If your son needs to borrow a school device on the day please make contact with your son’s homeroom teacher before the date. We will not be able to guarantee access to a laptop if the student has not informed us well before the date. If your son has a lap, make sure that they have registered at school so they have access to the wifi. We are unable to register devices on the day of the assessment.

2-Minute Tuesdays - Parenting Tips and Tricks! from Our Kids Online

“How to Turn Your Kids Bad Day into a Good Day”. Sometimes our kids get stuck in a funk, and no matter how hard we try, they seem determined to have a bad day! But here’s a simple way to help turn things around. If we can teach our children from a young age that, no matter what happens, they always have the power to choose their response, we’re setting them up for lifelong resilience and stronger mental health. Learning that we are responsible for how we navigate life is one of the most valuable lessons we can give them. Viktor E. Frankl captured this idea beautifully in Man’s Search for Meaning:" Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way." Helping our kids understand this now will empower them to face life’s challenges with strength, grace, and confidence.

Junior [Years 7 – 10] and Senior [Years 11 – 13] Photography Competition

Media Team member Santene Cruz 13LAB is organising a photography competition for Junior and Senior students. The theme is “Show us the world through your Lens”. There is a prize for each division. Entries to Santene @Santene Cruz on TEAMS or santene.cruz@my.delasalle.school.nz by Wednesday 13 May.

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Hard Work Beats Talent

At De La Salle College, we often talk about potential—about the talents our young men bring into the classroom, onto the sports field, and into everyday school life. Talent is important. It can open doors and give students confidence. But there is something far more powerful, and far more reliable: hard work.

Talent might give someone a head start, but hard work is what sustains success over time.

We see this every day. The student who revises consistently, who shows up on time, who keeps trying even when the work gets tough—these are the students who make the greatest gains. Progress is rarely about being the “best” from the start; it is about effort, discipline, and the willingness to improve. This message is especially important for our boys to understand. It is easy to rely on natural ability or to become discouraged when something does not come easily. However, real growth happens when students push through challenges, take responsibility for their learning, and commit to doing the small things well every day. Hard work also builds character. It develops resilience, accountability, and pride in one’s efforts—qualities that extend far beyond school. Whether in academics, sport, or personal goals, the habits our students form now will shape the kind of men they become. As a school community, we encourage our students to focus less on comparing themselves to others, and more on their own growth. Show up. Be prepared. Stay consistent. Do the work, even when it’s difficult. Because in the long run, hard work doesn’t just beat talent—it builds it. Thank you, as always, for your continued support in reinforcing these values at home.

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

A new term begins! The change of weather reminds everyone that just like our four seasons, life too, is constantly changing. We started Term 2 by going straight into Camp Brotherhood and upon returning there was no respite in the action with the Thursday swimming lessons starting up (we are very privileged to have the Find your Field of Dreams trust providing transport and free swimming lessons at Papatoetoe Pools for all our Year 7/8 students). This term our community masses restart with the first one at Ms Kuresa’s parish (St Anthony in Mangere). I have been to so many churches in Auckland of various denominations but never have I been to Ms Kuresa’s church. Visiting and experiencing new churches is the aim of our “community” masses. Despite the busyness of our teachers implementing a new curriculum (and with the recent release of the new Smart Assessment giving me something to think about this month) things in the Year 7/8 area seem to be a bit quiet. When Mr English asked me this earlier this week “If there was one thing you could improve in Year 7/8 what would it be?” I could not think of anything at all! The top floor of our school is in a good place but I keep thinking something is not right…like I am missing something or I am not doing my job properly Is this no different to being a parent? Always wondering if there is something we have missed. The young ones are oblivious to what is happening and having a great time but we don’t fully join in because we are watching out for something? If you have seen the TV series “Game of Thrones” you would know a about fictitious military order in the show called the “Nights Watch” (more commonly known as “The Watchers on the Wall”); tasked to watch for a northern invasion. As a parent you are your son’s watcher. As teachers we watch over your son’s progress in school. But do teachers and parents watch over each other? Are we too focussed on young people we forget to check on each other? Is there a floor or a wall between parents and teachers? The community masses are not only an opportunity to watch the boys experience another church but also an opportunity for teachers and parents to mix. You might be thinking it is awkward talking to teachers, but rest assured as teachers we can be just as shy talking to parents! If you watch me carefully you will see me hiding in the background of school events involving parents…so please, don’t think all teachers are confident extroverts like Mr Brown or Mrs Olive lol! I guess for us shy types, we can start with a little smile or a simple hi as a first step when making connections 😊 Looking forward to a term of chatting with you all.

In Christ

Year 8 Brotherhood Camp

Last week, my school, De La Salle College, went on a 3-day camp called Brotherhood Camp. I was really excited because I got to go with my brothers and my friends. At first, I felt a little nervous, but when we got there, I was ready for the adventure. During Brotherhood Camp, we did lots of activities that helped us work together as a team. Some activities were hard and challenging, but we encouraged each other and never gave up. It taught me that teamwork and brotherhood are very important. We also learned life skills like cooking and helping others. My brothers and I worked together to make food and clean up after ourselves. This taught me responsibility and how to help more at home. My favourite part of camp was spending time with my brothers and friends. We laughed, talked, and made strong memories together. The camp helped us build stronger friendships and trust. At the end of the three days, I felt tired but proud. Brotherhood Camp was a great experience, and I learned a lot about teamwork, responsibility, and friendship.

Intermediate School Can Competition

Welcome to de la salle College

Welcome to Ms Kavitha Dominic. Ms Dominic will be teaching Food Technology to our Year 7, 8 and 9 students as well as our visitors from Mary MacKillop Primary. She is familiar face around the college having worked as a reliever in the college for sometime. Welcome back to Mr Vinay Pal, who has returned to De La Salle College after a short stint at Manurewa High School . Mr Pal is teaching Year 9 to Year 12 Mathematics.

te awamutu museum

History201 Trip

My name is Josiah Taufao, and I was fortunate enough to be one of the many boys to attend the history 201 trip that took place on the 17th of March. Attending the Awamutu Museum was an eye-opening experience for me. Before going, we had a basic understanding of the New Zealand Land Wars, but being there in person made the history feel much more real, meaningful, and authentic for all of us. As I walked through the exhibits, I noticed how the museum presented both Māori and Pākehā perspectives. This helped me understand that the conflicts weren’t just about battles, but about deeper issues like land, power, and identity. Seeing artefacts, maps, and written accounts made it easier to picture what people at the time experienced, especially Māori communities who were directly affected by invasion and land confiscation. Fortunately, we were able to hold replicas of weapons used during wars such as muskets and Māori weapons. This helped us understand more about the conflicts as we were taught the brutality that occurred during the war and what kind of defenses both perspectives used during the event. We also visited historical sites like the rewi Maniapoto reserve and Rangiaowhia which held significance to the land wars. It was different than reading about its importance on a website or a history book as we got firsthand in person experience by standing on the lands where many people lost and fought for their lives. I think these sites like the Rangiaowhia help us realize that it's not only a site of commemoration, but also a memorial for the leadership that was portrayed by Māori chiefs to protect their land. From this trip, our history class came in with a very broad and undefined understanding of the events within the Waikato land wars, but being able to experience landmarks where the conflicts occurred and hold some of the historical weapons, we were able to deepen our knowledge which created leeway for us to complete our assessment effectively. Lastly a big thank you to Mr. Stowers-Tualega and Ms Gutschlag for organising and taking us on this trip.

anzac dawn service

On Saturday morning, 25th April, Jacobshalom Liu and Toa Vaetoru-Sakalia (Year 13) proudly represented our school by presenting a wreath at the ANZAC Day service. They showed great honour and respect throughout the ceremony, alongside Ms Chapman and families from De La Salle College.

hong kong endorsement trip

On Friday 17 April 2026, I had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong for a 7 day academic trip with 23 boys and our deans, Mr Joynt and Mr Felise. Initially, I almost didn't want to go on this trip, but looking back now, I'm really glad I did because it turned out to be one of the best experiences I’ve had. One of the main highlights was being billeted. Instead of staying in a hotel, I stayed with a host family in their apartment. At first, it felt different adjusting to a new home, but they made me feel welcome straight away and treated me like part of their family. I really appreciated having dinner together each night and experiencing their daily life. They also took me out to eat, shop, and visit different places, which made the trip more meaningful. Living with a host student helped me appreciate things I usually take for granted. Sharing a small bedroom made me realise how much space I have back at home in my own bedroom. My host student also had a long journey home from school using multiple types of transport (long walks, trains, and two buses), which made me reflect on how easy my own route is to get home after school. Hong Kong itself was an amazing city. It was warm and always busy, with people and tall buildings everywhere. What stood out most was the scenery. The combinations of older streets, crowded markets, and modern buildings with lights gave the city a unique feel. This made me always inclined to capture photos of the aesthetic scenery. Another highlight was visiting two La Salle schools in Hong Kong, one all boys (La Salle College, Kowloon) and one co-ed (De La Salle College New Territories, Kam Tsin Tsuen). The students were welcoming and friendly, and it was interesting to see how their school environment contrasted to ours. It showed us how strong the La Salle connection is, even across different countries. The most enjoyable day out of the week for me was definitely visiting Ocean Park (theme park). We went on many different rides multiple times and spent the day laughing and enjoying ourselves. It was a great chance to step out of my comfort zone (facing my fears of heights) and create memories with the boys. On behalf of the group, I would like to thank Mr English for organising the trip, Mrs Nayagar for her family’s support in Hong Kong, and Mr Joynt and Mr Felise for looking after us throughout the trip. Overall, this trip helped me grow as a person. It made me more open to new experiences and more grateful for what I have here in New Zealand. It also strengthened my friendships and made the experience even more special. I would strongly encourage younger students to take opportunities like this in the future, leaving behind no regrets.

notices

Our First XV Rugby Team are heading into their season against Botany Downs College this Saturday — and your support would be appreciated! VENUE: Botany Downs College ⏰ KICK:OFF: 2:30PM Let’s show up and back our boys for their first game of the season. Bring your voices, your energy, and your school spirit!