De La Salle College is an integrated Catholic secondary boys' school in the south of Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1953 by the De La Salle Brothers, it continues to educate young men in the Catholic faith and Christian values. In New Zealand there are two schools along with De La Salle College established by the Brothers in New Zealand. Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth and John Paul College in Rotorua. Students are encouraged to develop every aspect of their person and a strong emphasis is placed on excellence in academic study, cultural pride and sporting ability.[3] Applicants need to be willing to support the Catholic character of the college.
De La Salle College is a Lasallian educational institution, based on Christian and Catholic values. The college motto is "Fight the Good Fight of Faith". Prayer and worship are emphasised in the life of the college. The college students bear a crest on their uniform in the shape of a shield with a cross in the middle and the words 'Bonum Certamen Certa' which are the Latin words for the motto.
In 2008 a new gymnasium was opened, replacing the previous gym, which was opened in 1969. Guests of honour included Prime Minister Helen Clark, Bishop Patrick Dunn, Manukau Mayor Len Brown, as well as past associates with the college. The old gym has been divided into technology suites and material workshops.
In 2012, former St Peters College deputy headmaster Myles Hogarty replaced Br David Miller as principal, ending a 60-year tradition of a De La Salle Brother principalship.[4]
The house system of De La Salle College places students into one of four houses, each named after a De La Salle Brother. This system is used for events such as inter-house athletics.
The school has taught many notable sportsmen. De La Salle has produced many great sporting talents including All Black great John Kirwan and Kiwi rugby league player Francis Leota. In recent times the most notable is All Black Isaia Toeava, Motu Tony (NZ Warriors, Kiwis) and Henry Fa'afili (NZ Warriors, Kiwis and Manu Samoa), Lesley Vainikolo (Canberra Raiders, Kiwis and England Rugby International), Junior Poluleuligaga (Waikato Chiefs, Manu Samoa), George Carmont (Newcastle Knights, Toa Samoa, Wigan Warriors), Jeff Lima (Melbourne Storm, Kiwis) and the late Sonny Fai (NZ Warriors).
The 2008 De La Salle 1st XV have had great success, winning not only the Auckland title, but the National title. The team traveled to Japan in 2009 for further competition.[5]
Last visited by Education Review Office (ERO) on 29 June 2016. The next review is scheduled within three years (2019).[6]
De La Salle College had 996 students enrolled and all were males. Out of those, 66% were Samoan, 16% are Tongans, 8% Māori, 4% Cook Islands Māori, and 6% were of other ethnicity.[6]
^Martha McKenzie-Minifie, "School's secret of success revealed: Praised by PM, De La Salle's exam results belie its low decile-status", The New Zealand Herald, 11 February 2008, p. A9.
^Terry Maddaford, De La Salle pip Kings for crown: Across the tracks school battle proves decile no barrier to sporting prowess. The New Zealand Herald, 13 November 2008, p. C18.
