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

in this issue

TERM 4 WEEK 1- COLLEGE NEWSLETTER

College Principal - “In Praise of Great Young Men"

Associate Principal - "Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself"

Special Character - Ministry & Mission

Deputy of Curriculum - Curriculum

ICT - Student IT Internship

Literacy Centre Report

Intermediate School

Auckland Intermediate Basketball Championship

Phodiso

Pacific Climate Justice Exhibition

School Attendance Dues- Financial Assistance

Notices

Enrol Now

Contact Us

“in praise of great young men”

Mr Myles Hogarty

Greetings,

Over the next week the College community will gather on several occasions to acknowledge and celebrate the successes and achievements of our young men over this last year and in the case of our Year 13 students, the last 7 years.

This coming Friday we have our Year 13 Leaver’s Assembly. We formally acknowledge and celebrate once again with the young men who are leaving De La Salle.

We farewell our students as a whole College to wish them well for whatever pathway they will be taking next year and to thank them for the contributions that they have made as young men of Faith, Service, Community and Excellence.

On Friday evening we will gather as community with our Year 13 students to celebrate our Leaver’s Mass with their families and thank them for working so closely with the College in partnership to create the outstanding young men we are farewelling. It is fitting that we finish with the celebration of the Eucharist to mark our young men’s end of their Catholic, Lasallian secondary education.

Our College’s Mission statement declares that, “We educate young men in a Christian environment of love and service.” The Mass is one of the unique rituals and customs that serves to bring our community together.

On Tuesday morning we will gather as a whole College in our Senior Academic Prize Giving. We will again recognise and celebrate the young men who have achieved at an excellent standard over the year in their studies, Sport, Music, Faith and Service opportunities.

Acknowledging and celebrating achievement is part of the culture of the College, at our College Assembly this week I spoke to our young men of being proud of their successes while maintaining their humility and keeping their feet on the ground.

As we often remind parents, at De La Salle we “enrol the family”, and the families of our prize winners have been warmly invited to share with us in their son’s success. Henry Ford wisely said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success”.

As we look back over this last year and the last seven with our Year 13 boys, there was certainly a beginning, and thankfully there was also progress and yes - undeniably we have been successful.

As a College we have much to celebrate and these events are testament to the work, perseverance and vision of our Staff, educators who enjoy seeing the outstanding outcomes of our young men as they finish their secondary education.

We look forward to these opportunities of gathering in community in the coming week to highlight success in all its forms in the education of our young men.

.

God bless

M.Hogarty

Principal

associate principal

Mr Dermot English

"DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF"

Yesterday I was walking across the tarmac near the end of the day and a senior boy said to me, ‘Have a good day sir, don’t be too hard on yourself’. I said, ‘How did you know that was my problem?. He said ‘I know you sir!’ I mention this for two reasons. The first is that it demonstrates the way our boys are, that they acknowledge people, that they are concerned about others, and that they have a certain confidence. The second reason is that his excellent advice applies to most of us. There is a lot on at the moment, and plenty of things to be stressed about, but we aren’t perfect and we can’t always get everything done just how we would like, but its very important that we still make an effort.

This is a good message for those boys leaving the college in the next few days. It’s the same for staff and parents and family. We will know if we have made the effort. If we haven’t then we need to figure out our action plan. If we have, then we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves. We wish all of our leavers the very best in their future, in study, careers and most importantly in relationships.

special character

Director of Mission- Mr Kane Raukura

Dear Lasallians, families and friends of the College, we are rapidly approaching the end of the year and the final NCEA examinations for our senior boys. It is a busy and a stressful time. Regardless of our personal situations I am reminded of what our Founder said about ‘Decorum and Politeness’ –

“It is surprising that most Christians look upon decorum and politeness as merely human and worldly qualities and do not think of raising their minds to any higher views by considering them as virtues that have reference to God, to their neighbour, and to themselves.”

– St. John Baptist de La Salle

My mother died of cancer when she was 42. I was in Form 5 and my brother Harley was in Form 3, both of us at De La Salle College. My father, my brother and I, cared for her in her final years. My Dad, suddenly alone, a labourer, continued to work hard and do his best for his two boys. He felt adrift though, and he knew he needed to do something to get things back in line. When I asked him later how he coped, he said, “I pulled weeds.” Each day, he went into the backyard, and on he hands and knees would pull weeds and worked in the garden. That is what worked for him.

The lived details of what we do influence how we see things and how the world fits together, shaping the larger experienced reality of something, personally or collectively.

In the Lasallian world, such details are focused on schools, classrooms, and teaching. Three essential books by De La Salle, one with his teachers, were all “granular” in their level of detail: The Conduct of Christian Schools (How to start and run a Christian School), The Rules of Christian Decorum and Civility (How students should be and act like a Christian person), and the Meditations (How to reflect and pray as a Christian teacher).

In The Conduct, the details of teaching methodology served the lesson’s purpose. One historian wrote, “De La Salle required the students to explain what they had read. … The teacher must have carefully read and studied in advance the material the students would be asked to read. … Above all he was to question the students to determine whether they could apply to themselves what they had read, something they could do only if they understood it.” In Christian Decorum, one’s behaviour referenced God, neighbour, and oneself through the details of daily life. There is a whole chapter on yawning, spitting, and coughing, and sections on dressing and undressing, how to eat soup, and how to have conversations with others: “You need not refrain entirely from spitting. … It is necessary when you are … in places that are usually kept clean that you turn aside slightly and spit into your handkerchief. … After spitting into your handkerchief, fold it immediately without looking at it, and replace it in your pocket.” And at the end of each of the Meditations, it is directly applied to the teacher’s practical life and daily disposition: “Do not, then, be so foolish, so unreasonable, and so unchristian as to expect to have nothing to suffer from your Brothers, for this would be to ask for a most extraordinary and unheard-of miracle.” De La Salle was a fan of the practical. His regular question was, “Do the schools run well?”

There are implications of this approach today… especially today. What practical protocols do we share – either directly in our interactions with students or in terms of our modelling – about phone and technology use, for example? Pope Francis recently said that getting young people involved in the practical details of Christian life, to do works of mercy, helps them become grounded in “concreteness” and to “enter into a social relationship.” “It worries me that they communicate and live in the virtual world,” he said, noting that on a recent visit with youth, instead of extending their hands when they saw him, they “greeted” him with their phones held up, taking photos and selfies. “Their reality is that… not human contact. This is serious,” he continued. “We have to make young people ‘land’ in the real world. Touch reality, without destroying the good things the virtual world can have.

Regularly touching the plain surface of reality applies to all of us because doing so tends to realign the other details of our lives. One Trappistine postulant – now an abbess – speaks of how she had sought distraction from monastic routine and boredom, which masked an escape from confronting the self. She asked a visiting monk for advice. “His advice to me was simple and concrete: and to this day it helps me to come back to the place where my life is called to bear fruit. He said, ‘Just get up and wash your socks.’ He did not say go and do your laundry! He just mentioned one small action to shake boredom, sadness, laziness, inertia, lassitude. One single action can cure all this.”

What is that single action for you and your unique world?

What is one thing that you do, or that you could do, to shake your attention awake in a simple, explicit way? It may change. It should change. But it should not be dismissed. God is present in the promiscuously eclectic encounters of daily life. None of them are worth missing. All of them carry the soft, silent whisper of a genuine, even intimate, encounter with that which transforms the rest.

And if things get difficult, perhaps we should go out and pull weeds, or wash our socks.

God Bless you and may these days be kind.

Mr. Raukura

AFSC

REMINDER:

LOOKING AHEAD-

  • 28 October Leavers Assembly
  • 28 October Leavers Mass
  • 1st November Senior Prizegiving
  • 18 November New Student Induction
  • 2-4 December Kairos

Let us pray..

Let us remember we are in the

holy presence of God +

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.

With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;

Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.

We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.

Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.

Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.

All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Our Global Lasallian Family!

LASALLE COLLEGE – HONG KONG: https://www.lasalle.edu.hk/

Brother Steve Hogan (past Principal of De La Salle College Mangere and past Principal of Lasalle College Kowloon, Hong Kong) with Mr. David Beckham.
Did you know that the famous Mr. Bruce Lee was Lasallian? He attended Lasalle College Kowloon

curriculum

Deputy Principal- Mr Phil Doyle

NCEA

YEAR 9 AND 10 EXAMS

Year 9 and 10 students will have exams in week 5. The timetable and content for each exam is provided as to help with planning and study.

The end of term examinations for Year 9 and 10 will be taking place in weeks 5 (Monday 14 November to Thursday 17 November) Students should be starting his revision for these as soon as possible. To help him plan, a list of topics and a blank template of a study plan is attached. It may be useful to print and fill in each week in the lead up to the examinations. He will also have assessments for his other subjects option subjects but will need to talk directly to those teachers to find out further details.

Study Plan template
Example of a study plan

YEAR 11 – 13

Congratulations to

  • the Technology and Visual Arts students who are completing their portfolios this week
  • the Computer Science students who completed their DCAT Exams
  • the Year 11 – 13 students who have already passed NCEA

However, for most students the race is not over yet. Some will still need credits to achieve. Many will be aiming for Merit and Excellence Endorsement, Subject Endorsement and UE.

YEAR 11 CATCHUP AND STUDY

There will be a group of students who will be in school next week to prepare for exams and work on Literacy and Numeracy requirements. They will need to come in school uniform.

This is a good reminder to all students to keep connected to your teachers after you leave for study and exams and that when you do come into school to make sure you are in uniform. The library will be available for study at all times.

NCEA EXAMS

NCEA Exams start Monday 9 November with Level 2 Physics exam and continue until the Level 2 Samoan exam on Thursday December 1. We encourage all students in their study and revision.

NCEA morning exams start at 9.30 am. You need to be at school by 8.45 am to enter the exam. Afternoon exams start at 2.00 pm. You need to be at school by 1.30 pm to enter the exam. You must be in school uniform.

Keep studying hard and look after yourself. Be prepared and be at school early for all exams. Make sure you have all the equipment needed and that extra pen. Calculators are required for Science and Mathematics exams,

NCEA ADMISSION SLIPS

All NCEA students require an Admission Slip to enter the exams. NZQA Exam Centre Manager, Mrs Barabara Warrender must confirm their identity. NZQA provide the Admission Slip. Please contact your homeroom teacher if you are yet to pick up your Admission Slip. If your son loses his slip he can either print one off his NZQA student login page.

ACTIVATE YOUR NZQA LEARNER LOGON - IMPORTANT

Students should login to the NZQA learner site using their National Student Number (NSN) and date of birth. If you need your NSN number make contact with your Homeroom teacher or Dean. To prevent delays in accessing results in January this should be done as soon as possible.

NCEA RESULTS NOTIFICATION

Year 11 – 13 students and families are advised that results will be available mid-January on-line. The NZQA website is also where he should be ordering his results and Certificates in January.

pastoral

Deputy Principal- Mr Elton Charles

Preparing for Change

Getting ready to leave school and preparing for the next stage of your life can be exciting. You could be setting yourself up for going to university, entering the job market, or starting an apprenticeship. Whatever you may be choosing, this will bring about change. For some of us this may be an easy process and for others this may be a difficult time.

Leaving school is undoubtedly an achievement worth celebrating but it does not mean the end of friendships and connections built over the years. Keep the contact with your friends especially with the one you have built close contacts with over the years.

As you are getting ready for the external examination, it will be useful to keep the following in mind:

  • Deal with anxiety by preparing yourself thoroughly for your external assessments
  • Have a study plan in place
  • Make sure that you are using study plans that work for you
  • Take practice examinations under test conditions
  • Review mistakes you tend to make

I wish all the senior students’ success with the upcoming examinations.

ICT ACADEMY

Director of ICT- Mr John Singh

Student IT Internship

Congratulations to Year 13 students Nehemiah Talau-Brown and Ignatious Laumemea for participating in New Era Technology’s Internship programme during Term 3.

Both students learnt how Technical Services interact with users and gained knowledge of different aspects of IT– from networking and software, to setting up hardware devices. They gained skills not only in IT, but also in problem-solving, communication and time management

Academic Year 7/8

Assistant Principal- Mr Herbert Tanuvasa

Term 4 has arrived, and with spring in full swing and that sense of summer Christmas excitement also approaching, comes adjoined the bittersweet anxiety of End of Year school reports.

No doubt our young men will be wanting to accomplish at the highest possible level to elicit a sense of pride amongst their families and peers (as well as themselves). At stake is a summer of satisfaction (not to mention extra gifts under the Christmas tree) and the inner growth that follows accomplishment, leading to an increase in confidence and self-belief.

But what of those who struggle to “achieve” at De La Salle, particularly the measures outlined for academic achievement?

Recently you may have read the news of Auckland Secondary School rugby and how principals of the schools that compete in the 1A competition, have pulled back their rugby games from being broadcast live on TV (also social media). The reasoning for this drastic action was so there would be a “strong and necessary emphasis on the wellbeing of students at a time when secondary school rugby players are being exposed to an unhealthy level of scrutiny in both traditional and social media"

From this report in the NZ Herald (endorsed by Graham Henry himself), it would seem that schoolboy rugby in Auckland (led by 1A teams) is explicitly making a shift towards the “wellbeing of students” and away from what is described as “an unhealthy level of scrutiny”. Is this move towards student wellbeing amongst schoolboy rugby players also something we should consider regarding academic achievement? Are we guilty at times of becoming “unhealthy” when we scrutinise what our boy’s learning levels are in the classroom?

Our principal Myles Hogarty explained the shift in schoolboy rugby to cater for wellbeing when interviewed:

"Too often we have seen the negative impacts of unnecessary hype. Many of our students already feel enormous pressure when they take the field.”

We all realise that pressure is good in the sense that it can lead to growth. “Enormous” pressure can also lead to enormous growth. There is a flip side though that we need to keep in mind, as conversely, too much pressure and high expectations are documented as contributing factors in adults who develop depression. Pressure has outcomes, both positive and negative. The question we need to ask ourselves is, should we be putting “enormous” pressure on boys trying to navigate their developmental journey? Are some of our expectations for them unrealistic? Unhealthy? Are we overdoing it when we scrutinize boys? Do we judge young men with yardsticks that adults would deem unreasonable if applied to themselves? Are we contributing to a young generation growing up with anxiety, a growing epidemic prevalent in an unforgiving, persecutive media driven world.

When Paul wrote to the saints in Philippi (who were experiencing poverty and outside persecution), he comforted them by saying:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Have we left our hearts unguarded at times and unwittingly created anxiety upon our young men?

Whanau- If our students are anxious about their academic achievement OR if we as whanau and teachers are worried about our student’s academic achievement, we should simply calm down, pray and show our thankfulness to God.

It is from this perspective of prayer and thankfulness that the peace of God will begin to lead our hearts away from the hype and unrealistic expectations of a pressure driven, expectation fuelled world; directing us towards the acceptance of God’s will in our lives, and significantly, the lives of our young men in De La Salle College. Simply said, if your son is trying his best, be thankful for whatever level he achieves academically this year.

In the end a good heart is much more important than a good academic report.

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

Luke 6:45

In Christ

literacy centre report

intermediate school

Term 3 Prize Giving

Due to the business of the end of last term we had to postpone our Year 7&8 prize giving to the beginning of Term 4. Once again, we acknowledge the hard work of our young men from each class. We are so proud of the way these young men have worked and continued to fight the good fight of faith in our school and class community. Congratulations to the following:

Peer Mentors

Way back in March of this year until last week Friday the Year 7&8’s have been blessed with the privilege of working side by side with our older brothers in Year 11 and 12 in a Peer mentoring programme. These sessions were quite informal and allowed us to get to know each other and share about how things were going in and out of school. We talked about issues that we thought were important and our big brothers gave us advice about study habits, setting goals and what to look out for, as we travelled on our Lasallian journey.

We are grateful to our Peer Mentors who gave up their precious time to work with us each and every Friday for the past seven months.

Speech Results Term 3 

Our Year 7/8 speech competition this year, had a wide range of topics and it quite was clear who our confident speakers in front of a crowd are! I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some of these young men in politics in the future. The winners were as follows:

  • 1st place – TL Iosua 8AND
  • 2nd place – Ben Coward – Ramsay 8TLG
  • 3rd place – Steve Roberts 8KUR

Participation certificates – Kingston Toleafoa 7ABR, Elijah Tuala 7TUF, Dontaye Fidow 7TNV, Semo Sititi 8CLA, Ropati Tipasa 7OLI.

A massive thanks to our judges: Mr Shirley our school librarian and our special guest judge writer Pauline Smith – author of Dawn Raid.

Year 7 & 8 speech winners pictured with Pauline Smith- author of Dawn Raid fictional comic based on the true story of the Polynesian Panthers in 1970s, New Zealand

AUCKLAND INTERMEDIATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

by Mr M Jeremic- coach

Tuesday 25 October the Intermediate basketball team competed at the Auckland Championship for the very first time in the school history. They earned this honour by winning the Southern Zone Tournament held at the Allan Brewster centre in Papatoetoe- competing and winning against nine other schools in the southern region.

The Auckland final was held at the North Shore Event Centre and was well organised by Harbour basketball. Facing a tough competition, our boys gave their best on the day and finished 8th overall. This placing is very commendable and represents an amazing personal accomplishment considering the majority of boys play multiple sports, and basketball is only one of the sports they compete in.

Winning the championship tournament was Murrays Bay Intermediate from Mairangi Bay on the North Shore- one of the teams our boys faced in the pool in round robin play.

Congratulations!

Max Jeremic – Coach

Dominic Anderton – Manager

Phodiso

by Mr F Vaotuua- music

NZ Mentoring in Schools programme is a programme which is run by the New Zealand Music Commission which places an industry professional into classrooms to support teachers and students years 7-13 with their aspirations in music.

We have been blessed to have Phodiso a rising star in the hip hop industry, also a songwriter and producer sharing his gifts and talents with our boys. It has been a great exchange for both our students learning about how to follow their passion in music and for our music mentor to hear the wealth of talents from our boys.

Malo fa'afetai.

.

Pacific Climate Justice Exhibition

by Miss Phillips- Art

In Term 3, De La Salle was invited to submit artwork for the Pacific Climate Justice Exhibition. The kaupapa of the exhibition aims to “engage with intergenerational storytelling and how we are intrinsically connected to the environment and have an obligation to lessen our impact on the world. It will look at accountability and a shared collective responsibility for our futures, connecting Pacific communities as well as creating a platform for all communities throughout Auckland to learn, engage, and hear the stories and to know more about climate justice" (more info here https://aucklandclimatefestival.vercel.app/pacific-climate-justice-exhibition)

This exhibition had its opening night on the 14th of October and will run until December 30th 2022 featuring artists from throughout our Pasifika communities.

poster designed by Sione Loni from 10VCO

De La Salle has played a pivotal role in this event with the poster designed by Sione Loni from 10VCO and artwork created by students in 8TLG, 8KUR, 7TUF and 7ABR. We also had students from the class of 2020 performing spoken word on the opening night and exhibiting their own graphic design artwork.

(left) Alistair Afualo feat his artworks and Luani Nansen & Noah Brown- poets (right)

If you are in the Onehunga area between now and the end of the year, pop into the Onehunga Community Recycling centre to check out some artwork (also has an op shop and cafe) https://www.facebook.com/OnehungaCRC - First of it's kind in NZ to be run and operated by Pasifika whanau.

Thank you to Mesepa Edwards (curator and climate catalyst) for inviting us to be part of this important cause and Miss Tanuvasa for helping to organise her classes to submit artwork for the exhibition.

School Attendance Dues - Financial Assistance

Financial assistance is available to assist families who may need financial support with the payment of Attendance Dues for preference students attending both primary and secondary Catholic schools in Auckland Diocese.

Families facing financial difficulties can contact their school office, their Parish Priest, or Auckland Common Fund Ltd at the Catholic Diocese of Auckland on 09-360-3069 for further information. Application forms for this assistance are available from school and parish offices, or can be downloaded from the Catholic Diocese of Auckland Website: https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/catholic-schools-2/

Please feel free to come and talk to Whaea Michelle in confidence if you need help with anything relating to Attendance Dues & College contributions.

If you have had a change of circumstances or if you are finding it difficult to pay Attendance Dues, please reach out for help.

Whaea Michelle can be contacted on 09 276 4319 ext 813 or by email: accounts@delasalle.school.nz

notices

Parents have been emailed their child’s unique Key Code to go online to view and purchase 2022 School Photos including the TEAMS. ***FREE DELIVERY EXPIRES Midnight 6th NOVEMBER Sunday *** If you missed the communication please keep an eye on your trash / spam folder or contact the school comms@delasalle.school.nz if you did not receive your unique Key Code but would like to place an order.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Bishop Steve Lowe, bishop of Auckland's desire is for young people to be involve in the work of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission as advocacy for the diocese. This is an important ministry as discipleship of Christ who came NOT to be served but to serve. If you are interested in this important ministry, please get in touch with Deacon Sanele Poluleuligaga.

Deacon Sanele Poluleuligaga

Executive

Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission

Mob 027 2673210

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ENROL NOW

De La Salle College

A Catholic School for Boys Year 7-13 in the Lasallian tradition

Creating great men of Faith - Service - Community - Excellence

  • Strong Catholic Character and Lasallian traditions
  • Dynamic teaching staff
  • Strong academic achievements
  • High expectations of every student
  • Caring and Supportive Pastoral Care team
  • Extensive co-curricular activities

For enrolment enquiries contact Mrs Bianca Leau

Phone: +649 276 4319 ext 816

Email: enrolments@delasalle.school.nz

Website: delasalle.school.nz/enrolments

contact us

Connect with us

Website: www.delasalle.school.nz

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De La Salle College

81 Gray Avenue

Mangere East

Auckland 2024

NEW ZEALAND

+649 276 4319

comms@delasalle.school.nz

Credits:

Thank you to all who contributed