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AUSTRALIA

Kids Helpline Counsellor ‘Indy’ is passionate about understanding young people and what has shaped or motivated them to become the person that they are today.

“For many young people, trusting others with their story and deepest parts of their life can be difficult for many reasons, however, when they get to a place where they are comfortable and feel safe enough to share this with me, I feel privileged,” she said.

“They are often able to express positive and constructive ways to work towards solutions when offered the opportunity to do so.”

Kids Helpline, a service of yourtown, is Australia’s only free, confidential 24 hours, seven days a week phone and online counselling service for young people aged five to 25.

Support can be accessed by a free call 1800 55 1800 or by visiting www.kidshelpline.com.au.

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DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, MANGERE EAST

DLS MANGERE SERVE THE LEAST, THE LAST AND LOST

Author: De La Salle College, Mangere East

Recently, Lasallian brothers at De La Salle College Mangere East volunteered for the Red Cross, a non-profit organisation that focuses on giving back to the community, and aligns with our Lasallian values of serving ‘the least, the last and lost’. The students at De La Salle Mangere enjoyed giving back and helping those who are less fortunate.

The students learnt to be grateful for the little things in life, and be thankful for food, clothes and the roof over their heads.

“We should not always take things for granted and think of the struggles that others are going through. We encourage the boys also to take part in service, and helping the community, as we are all one.” Mr Apuda.

MINISTRY AND MISSION @ DLS MANGERE

Author: Kane Raukura, Lasallian Facilitator at De La Salle College Mangere East

Dear Lasallian family, we can give thanks for the beautiful gift of community and that our lives have been blessed with some much-needed normality over the last few weeks. This opportunity has allowed our students and staff at De La Salle College to be able to once more participate in activities that promote our unique charism and Catholic character. Seven staff were able to take a road trip down to Francis Douglas Memorial College (FDMC) in New Plymouth. Here they were hosted by the kind staff of FDMC, and attended a special programme called ‘Heritage II’. This programme is designed for new staff to Lasallian schools, and enables them to grow in their understanding around our history and traditions. The seven staff greatly enjoyed themselves, and found the time away rewarding and enriching

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As well as staff, we have also had students away on ‘Lasallian Leadership Training’ at John Paul College in Rotorua. With 11 keen young souls meeting in the early morning hours, and departing the college at 6am, I accompanied them down along with Mr Matthew Apuda (Campus Minister). We were both impressed with their participation and personal insights during the presentations and discussions. The students represented the school well, and were exceptionally behaved. During the course, they were able to listen to motivational speakers who were alumni of John Paul College, and who had integrated their ‘Lasallian leadership’ into their personal lives and careers, which were all quite impressive and successful. The students came away inspired, and more connected to the ideas of service, inclusivity and social justice.

I ask Our Lord to bless our students and keep them safe over the two-week break. Thank you once again for entrusting your sons to our care. It is a privilege and honour.

Live Jesus in our hearts!

LUNCHTIME MASS INTRODUCED AT DLS MANGERE

De La Salle College Mangere East has introduced lunchtime Masses in 2021. This new time is proving to be a lot more flexible for students who cannot get to school early.

The Thursday Mass is to be hosted by all classes starting with year 7 and 8. Student’s will develop key skills like organisation and public speaking. Each Mass will take place in the chapel and will be presided over by Father Martin Wu.

“As a student who attended Mass, I can confidently say that it was superb.” Lucas Vaaga .

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FRANCIS, DOUGLAS MEMORIAL COLLEGE, NEW PLYMOUTH

“GOD, GROWTH, GRATITUDE”- A LASALLIAN PRINCIPAL REFLECTS

Words to summarize twelve years of leadership and career can be devilishly hard to choose. For Martin Chamberlain, the first lay principal of Francis Douglas College (FDMC), New Plymouth, NZ, these three words encapsulated for him values, relationships and the broad perspective.

Named after a local Columban priest who died a heroic death during the Second World War, the school is a state-integrated Catholic day and boarding college, owned by the De La Salle Brothers, who founded it sixty years ago. With the withdrawal of Brothers in 2009, Martin was appointed Principal. Born, as he says, “a cradle Catholic”, he is a true Kiwi, of sheep- farming stock from Orawia, Western Southland. He was educated as a boarding student under the Rosminian and Mercy St. Peter’s College, Gore. As for career, Martin “was greatly influenced by many talented teachers during my formative years. It was natural for me to turn to teaching as a vocation”. One core teaching value he narrates as important for him is “social formation”, which he engendered in his previous stints as a principal, and recently, over his 12 leadership years at FDMC. His role has taught him that “kindness and love are important. The power you have should be used for empowerment not dominance, and you can be successful only if you are part of a team to which you are kind, loyal and hard-working. If you are fortunate, they will respond in kind”.

Martin’s clear values have developed in crafting education for “strong Christian Lasallians” in a school which proclaims Faith, Service and Community. Lasallian pedagogy highlights, the school website says, Faith, Respect, Inclusivity, Quality Education and Awareness of Social Justice Needs. He believes that students can voice these values, and that the ‘Lasallian charism’ is “logical to the mind and amenable to the heart”. From his standpoint, the departure of the Brothers after 50 years produced grieving, “a real sense of loss, a nostalgia that was both real and often idealized”.

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The change was at times prolonged and gruelling: the support of Boards, Brothers and some staff resulted in a transition that was ultimately unifying, and productive of healthy and proud community. Strategic leadership and collaboration aided the process.

In terms of relationships also, from 2009, he has seen the young men of Francis Douglas develop to be “more rounded, more reasonable creatures, who see their teachers as helpful fellow pilgrims in the world of learning. Our students are kinder, more globally aware and concerned, and more attuned to the feelings of others”. He points to their resilience. Part of this character is FDMC’s ‘Special Character’ as a Catholic institution and its Lasallian dimension. On a larger purview, Martin believes that, in the rapidly changing world, schools have maybe lost a love of learning in the rush for qualification credits. Education has moved too far from a strong knowledge base to IT and the skills domain. New Zealand education, a complex world, has experienced “faddish lurches” and the “latest silver bullet”. But “young people are wonderful!”

A rejuvenating break with family and celebrations, with possibilities of new opportunities awaits Martin, as he hands over to Mr. Tim Stuck to lead the 790-strong student cohort, of whom 120 board in La Salle House in the city of New Plymouth.

PASSING THE BATON AT FRANCIS DOUGLAS, WITH DEDICATION

Anna Zsigovits-Mace, Director of Religious Studies reported from New Plymouth, N.Z. that “Wednesday 10th February 2021 was a very auspicious day for Francis Douglas Memorial College. On this day, we dedicated ourselves to the new school year. As always, we acknowledged and blessed our Year 13 cohort as the big brothers of the school. We also presented our Year 13 Leadership Team with their badges, but this year we had the pleasure of blessing our new Tumuaki.

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“The blessing was made even more special with the members of Mr. Stuck’s family surrounding him, as they will tautoko him in this new role. (After) a blessing from Fr Vui Hoang and the whole school community, Sir Br Pat Lynch then welcomed Tim into his role on behalf of the De La Salle Brothers. After the homily our Student Leaders were presented with their badges before our Lasallian Captain, Jackson Powell, spoke to the school”.

The new Principal, Mr. Tim Stuck comes from sterling Taranaki stock. His father, his brothers and he are all Ex-Students of the College; his son is following the tradition. Having a degree in Sports Science, he was approached to teach Physical Education and Health at Francis Douglas, while gaining post-graduate qualifications in teaching. A wider view of life was acquired during a three-year teaching stint in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders, as well as more recently completing a Master’s in Lasallian Leadership at St. Mary’s Minnesota, USA.

For Tim, there is an everyday enjoyment in teaching; education is-enabling others to reach their full potential, and knowing them as individual persons. Relationships have always been my focus in education.

Service, empowerment and building community are core component of a school leader for him. “To provide a climate that enables leadership, direction and co-ordination within the school. Clear vision of where we want to go as a community. Making sure we have effective educational programmes to promote effective teaching and learning. Of course, this requires us to be ‘e waka eke noa’, that is, all in this together”.

What is the new Principal’s vision, in terms of relationships? It includes the provision for every student to excel and reach his potential. The primary goal for this well-admired Taranaki school is to produce young men “who care and are kind, (that) add value to society -men of character”. The entrance sign - ‘Enter to learn, leave to serve’-sets the scene about who Francis Douglas people are, and what they stand for.

Another of Tim’s goals is to create greater connections with Old Boys, as a College of sixty plus years. He sees that the College is building on its history: Francis Douglas is a “meaningful place, not just for the elite, but, more importantly, for the ‘ordinary boy’”, a place where the Lasallian ethos lives “extensive brotherhood”. The new Principal is proud of that learning to serve and being brothers to each other.

A theme for this year is the Lasallian principle of ‘Quality Education’, which each engages in, and which one is accountable for in one’s own sphere. This means maintaining high standards. Time will also be set aside to keep up his love of rugby and surfing.

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TEACHERS AS LIFE-LONG LEARNERS

Tony Williams, the newly-appointed Deputy Principal at Francis Douglas (FDMC), New Plymouth, fits the type of teacher who sees life as a fruitful field of learning. Coming from a family of two teachers, he knows the craft and the creativity needed in educating youth today.

The Taranaki provincial capital and College have been the home of several staff. Tony grew up in the city, and attended Francis Douglas, as do his two sons Fletcher and Ewan. He took up the teaching profession shortly after completing school. The experienced success, teaching students during a Sports and Recreation course, led to Waikato University and completion of his bachelor of education degree.

After serving in primary education for some time, as well as experience in schools in Scotland, he decided to apply for the deputy position at his old College.

Tony himself speaks of the impact that the College had on him as a 13-year-old boy, the “level of care” he was given as he transitioned in his family life. He mentions, of course, the enjoyment of rugby, and his old coach, Br. Will Harnett. There was also the hook of current family members and friends being present in the school.

Critical for him is learning what are the needs of the teaching staff, and the expressed desires of the students.

The important role of a Deputy Principal includes, for Tony, his strengths of organisation and pastoral care. Critical for him is learning what are the needs of the teaching staff, and the expressed desires of the students. “A 15-year-old boy is no different (in many ways) to a younger child”. What is required is “a listening ear”. As for discipline, it is working within the structure, already functioning, with the Deans of the various year levels.

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What are the distinctive features of Francis Douglas College? For Tony, it is how well teachers know their students, and the huge support of the staff for each other. In terms of curriculum, “Gateway”, funded for 50 places, allows FDMC students to mix school with workplace learning and experience, delivering accreditation for national trade certificates. In addition, the Taranaki Trades Academy can be accessed to further a vocational qualification.

Tony Williams is fired to “working with others to achieve common goals”, including seeing the development of the whole person of students. It sounds like a commitment that progresses over time, that one keeps learning in life.

“DELIVERING BOYS TO MEN” - A PRINCIPAL’S REFLECTION

Author: Tim Stuck, Principal, Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth

There are many challenges and rewards when we look at the journey of our young men in our care. Adolescent males are highlighted in the media for many of the wrong reasons, and society often treats teenage males negatively, until they have at least passed their adolescent years.

At Francis Douglas Memorial College, boys have been our core business for over 60 years. Our mission statement is focused on educating students for life by providing ‘a human and Christian education’. Our hope is to navigate things that can hold young males back, and provide them with a hope-filled future.

There are factors which hold young men back from reaching their potential and our Catholic Lasallian College seeks to address these and prepare our boys to be “Good College Men”.

Our focus this year is on the core Lasallian value - ‘Quality Education’. We seek to deliver the students towards success by focusing on the following:

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• Raising literacy across every year level.

• Emphasis on creating good college men, by involvement in extracurricular activities e.g. music groups, sports teams, kapa haka, special character groups. This face-to-face interaction is critical for growing stronger communities.

• Strengthening their self-management skills, to prepare them for everyday College life and beyond our school gates.

• The expectation that every boy must be suitably qualified to enter tertiary study or access the Career Pathway Programme to pursue employment, supported by our well-staffed

Careers and Guidance Department.

• The value of respect for all staff, students and families. Being a man of service to others trumps the focus on self.

• Regular prayer and Catholic and Lasallian rituals to give young men the opportunity for internal reflection.

There are many additional ways that boys grow into fine young men at Francis Douglas Memorial College. The holistic approach to education we provide enables opportunities for our young men to reach their own excellence, their own potential. While society and the media tend to zoom in on the negatives around adolescent males, we constantly look to how we can celebrate and raise the profile of our “Good College Men,” so that they become men of faith, men of service and men who add value to our community.

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JOHN PAUL COLLEGE, ROTORUA

Seventeen years as a successful Principal of a large secondary school is noteworthy. Add to that a high profile in Catholic and national education in Aotearoa New Zealand and you sense the achievement of Patrick Walsh, currently Principal of John Paul College Rotorua. His long stepping up to speak on many educational issues and developments shows a creative mind and broad commitment.

In 2019, Patrick was elected by his peers to the National Teachers Council. The Minister of Education subsequently appointed him the Deputy Chair. The recognition of leadership came from his extremely broad activity in teacher education, in teaching professional bodies and in advocacy with Government. He notes that his interest and engagement in national education leadership roles began when the De La Salle Brothers appointed him as the Deputy Principal of De La Salle College Mangere over 28 years ago. At that point a N.Z. teachers’ council, to which he was elected, was just forming. Teachers and senior managers then were concerned about disciplinary processes and initial teacher training.

Thus began some decades of raising issues in Wellington government circles which he mentions in a PPTA News interview recently: issues like strong advocacy for teachers, and a high benchmark for pre-service training entry. In the late 1980’s Patrick’s return to study in laws- while teaching, led to his admission as a barrister and solicitor with honours qualifications, and a growing interest in education law. He began giving seminars to teachers on the “legal fish-hooks they face”.

His later Masters in education led to increasing involvement in professional bodies. He was chosen at various times, the N.Z. Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand, the Schools International Education Business Association, and The Australia New Zealand Education Law Association (N.Z. Chapter). In 15 years, he has published/co-authored nine books largely on education law.

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More locally, Patrick was appointed the Principal of John Paul College Rotorua in 2003. He perceived his new role as requiring much work to change staff morale, community perceptions and number of students 635 at that time, and now 1200 with a waiting list. It is now the largest co-educational Catholic school in New Zealand. The years 2015-17 saw him as Executive Principal and Project Leader of an innovative educational network of a “Faith-Based Community of Learning” involving nine Catholic regional schools. There have been leading achievements of students in decile 7 results, development of infrastructure, and personal leadership reviews over several recent years. Programs have included initiating scholarships with business funding, and mentoring Maori and Pacifika students.

It could be affirmed that in the Lasallian philosophy of education, John Baptist, in France, put a premium on educating his teachers, and raising their status- all for the benefits of their students. In 2019, Patrick was conferred as an Affiliated Member of the De La Salle Brothers in continuing the Lasallian ethos at John Paul College and previously in Mangere.

“I would strongly encourage all Catholic and La Sallian School principals to seek out national leadership opportunities when they arise. It is very much a form of ‘service’ in the La Sallian tradition. Our very own Founder, in fact, was a very politically astute and a strategic lobbyist.”

The national leadership challenge, Patrick says, he now passes on to others. “Rather than lament and criticize Government policies and regulations”, he urges teachers to “bring a professional and practical voice to political decision-making”.

“There is nothing more worthwhile and inspiring than to be able to shape and influence the lives of young people. At times it is very challenging, but ultimately rewarding to see students emerge from school well qualified, confident and seeking to make a positive difference in the world.”

Pursuing excellence in the classroom within a high-trust environment and empowerment of teachers are Patrick’s goals, and a drive for Lasallians.

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“HE ORA TE WHAKAPIRI : THERE IS STRENGTH IN UNITY”- SHARING LEARNING AT JOHN PAUL COLLEGE ROTORUA.

Authors: Paulene Walsh, JP College Rotorua / Br Gary Wilson

Paulene Walsh reports that in November 2015 a faith-based “Kahui Ako” was established to develop a connected, collaborative community of Catholic schools in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. The “Forest Hub” includes the secondary John Paul College, primary schools St Mary’s and St Michael’s Rotorua, Bishop Edward Gains Tokoroa and St Mary’s Putaruru. The “Seaside Hub” is Aquinas Secondary School Tauranga, St Thomas More Mount Maunganui, Suzanne Aubert Papamoa, St Joseph’s Opotiki (opened February 2021), and St Mary’s Tauranga. This “Community of Learning” sees many initiatives and shared learning benefits. The Executive Summary describes the “Kahui Ako encompassing a web of interconnected pathways which support the journey of our tamariki from early childhood to tertiary, and beyond to the workforce. Every educator walking alongside our tamariki has an integral role on the journey and is part of the life of each child”. The network has been strengthened in several ways. One way has been the strong relationships of the Principals, and the commitment of the Catholic schools. Another is teachers dedicating time, travel and sharing resources. A third is utilising the Rotorua Ministry of Education Vocational Pathways programs which link into tertiary and trades education. (The primary schools are seeking connections with business partners within their local communities).

Paulene reports that the Ministry of Education in Rotorua has been available, and very keen to support the growth via attention to the cluster’s data, resources and networks. Rotorua Energy Trust has been keen to support and provide sponsorship to its Rotorua Whanau (families). RECT has promised to provide funding for professional development in 2021. “It has provided funding for schools for the last 30 years - an amazing legacy”.

Naturally, there have been some problems with different primary and secondary processes and pedagogies, documentation for funding etc. Despite these issues, the vision is “to know the educational thumbprint of each and every child. Once we know this, and each student’s story, we can’t help but to succeed”. Learning support for co- ordinators was rolled out February 2020. One big focus for 2021 is cultural inclusiveness.

The Founder knew a lot about “Association”, finding patrons for funding, and pastoral concern. As Paulene says: “John Baptist de La Salle understood the value of education and aroha (love): ‘To touch the hearts of young people is the greatest and long-lasting miracle we can perform’”.

Kia Kaha, Kia Maia, Kia Manawanui (Be Strong, Be Brave, and Be Steadfast).