MBAS Newsletter, Term 4, Week 1, October 10th 2025

MBAS Calendar

Kia Ora tātou – Greetings to you all

Welcome back to what promises to be a highly productive Term 4! The final term of the school year is always an exciting time, filled with opportunities to celebrate achievements and all the learning that has happened during the year.

For our Year 11, 12, and 13 students, this is arguably the most crucial term of your school year. With the end of the academic year fast approaching, your focus must be on being present in every class , having a clear understanding of what you have achieved to date and working toward your final academic goals.

I strongly encourage all senior students to take full advantage of this time to reflect on the recent Derived Grade Exams. This reflection is not just about the mark, it's about the opportunity to ask your teachers questions, identify specific areas for improvement, and expand your knowledge in a targeted way. The effort you put in now will directly translate to success in your end-of-year NCEA examinations.

For our Middle and Primary years, we still have a fantastic range of engaging learning opportunities and events scheduled on the Term 4 calendar. These events are integral to the education we offer. Please ensure you are regularly checking the school calendar and come along to support where you can. Your presence makes a huge difference to our students' experiences!

We want to inform our school community that the education unions, NZEI Te Riu Roa (representing primary teachers and support staff) and PPTA Te Wehengarua (representing secondary teachers), are currently engaged in national contract negotiations with the Ministry of Education.

As is common during this process, there is a possibility that union members may vote for industrial action to support their claims.

Please be assured that should any form of industrial action be confirmed and formally notified to the school, we will communicate this information to our community as soon as possible. This advance notice will allow families time to make necessary arrangements for their children, should the school be affected.

We will continue to keep you updated via our usual communication channels.

Nga mihi nui,

Ross Dunn
Principal / Tumuaki

Attendance Matters!

Welcome back to Term 4 - we are on the home stretch for 2025!
Unfortunately we have started back with a large number of students signing in late to school on a daily basis.  Arriving late  has an impact on the student's learning and on the class with the interruption of students arriving late after the lesson has started.  There are always the instances where a student has attended a medical appointment or arrived late for reasons beyond their control. Our school bell goes at 8.42am which gives the students three minutes to walk to their classroom; the classroom they should already be heading to! :)  Any problems or concerns with getting your student to school please come and see us.

Upcoming Teacher Only Day

Please note: Friday 14th November is a Teacher Only Day

School will not be open for Tuition

MBAS 2025 Magazine - Order Now!

Please note that below is our NEW MBAS bank account number NOT the previous BNZ one

Welcome to our new BoT

I would like to formally welcome our new Board following the conclusion of our triennial parent election, staff and student elections and the mid-term by-election.

Dan Asquith            Presiding member

Ross Dunn               Principal / Tumuaki

Caroline Duffield    Parent representative

David Pointon         Parent representative

Joel Barton              Parent representative

Gary Hinds              Parent representative

Joe Reece                Co-opted member

Tania Dixon             Co-opted member

Joe Davis                 Iwi representative

Paul Maskery           Staff representative

India Percival           Student representative

I would also like to thank Lorraine Macallister, Max Ross and Hugh Fairweather for their time and efforts serving on the board.

Ross Dunn

CAA External Assessments

Results for the CAA Literacy-Reading external assessments were published yesterday (9 October). Students can view their results through their NZQA learner login. Students who did not achieve this assessment can view their feedback by clicking on the assessment title. 

Results for the CAA Literacy-Writing and for the CAA Numeracy assessments will be published by NZQA on 20 October. 

Homestay Families Needed

2026 Primary Production

Mercury Bay Primary is holding a production in 2026 called Maui Unmasked. We need volunteers! I (Freya Marra, Primary Arts Coordinator) am putting together a committee. We need set designers and construction, costume design and production, lighting and sound technicians, backstage help, stage manager, and choreographer. Most of this will take place during school time with some out of school time commitment needed but we can work around you. The production is scheduled for Term 3 of 2026. Please reach out to marraf@mbas.ac.nz if you have any questions or can help.

Sensory Garden Update

Massive progress on our sensory garden over the holidays. This will be a space for all students to enjoy, it focusses on the senses - sight, sound, touch and smell.  A huge shout out to Leanne at Chops for her knowledge and support.  This labour of love would not have happened without the help of a team of gardeners - thanks to Christine, Judy, Ang, Chris, Maria, Svenja, Tamara, Harry and Ross.  We have some amazing rocks coming from Peninsula Aggregates which will add even more interest - watch this space. 

M1 - Reading

This week M1 finished reading “George’s Marvellous Medicine”.

Big thumbs up for this book, lots of laughing at Grandma and George.

M8 - Native Planting

This week M8 were involved in a planting project called “Trees for Survival”.

They helped to plant te kouka- cabbage trees. Once they have grown a little they will be planted in between the bike park and the golf course.

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M9 - Nature

M9 enjoyed spending some time on the field, this week. We tried to notice the shape of our tree, it's branches, leaves, roots, moss or lichen and if any insects had made a home in it.

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Y1-2 Cross Country

The Year 1 and 2 Cross Country event was a fantastic day full of energy, excitement, and encouragement as our youngest students took to the field for their very first running challenge. Held under clear skies and with plenty of cheers from teachers, parents, and classmates, the event was a wonderful celebration of fitness and school spirit.  Mighty Matahaorua was the winner on the day!

Results can be found here.

Y9-13 Students - Expressions of Interest

Year 9-13 Students - If you are interested in joining a school Clay Bird shooting club for 2026, please contact Ms Buchler buchlers@mbas.ac.nz for more information.

Y10 Camp - Kauaeranga Forest

In the last week of Term 3 the year 10 camp was held at Kauaeranga Forest Education Camp in Thames.  This four day camp is an epic experience for our year 10 rangatahi allowing them to take on the challenge of summiting the Pinnacles - 759m high, along with many other team building activities and challenges put together by the staff in attendance. The students were treated to heaps of amazing food catered by Mr Irwin and even a movie night!  Thankfully the weather co-operated and there was only one rainy afternoon but luckily card games and a roaring fire were available with hot milo and afternoon treats. Thank you to the caregivers who came along to help - parent/caregiver support is always welcome on camps.  This is the last camp the cohort has the option to go on together and it was wonderful to have so many of our students participate as they come to the end of their middle years journey at MBAS.

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L2 Design and Visual Communication

Level 2 Design and Visual Communication students use computer aided design to create people spaces.  Here are some of the projects they have been working on.

Junior Basketball Starts next Wednesday School Gym

Aotearoa Maori Rugby League Tournament

Congratulations to Mereaneta Wirihana-Ngataierua Curry (Rm32), Tyler Lowe (Rm30), and Keylan Taogaga (Rm33), who represented Hauraki Māori Rugby League at the National Māori Rugby League Tournament held in Rotorua during the school holidays. Over two days, they played five games against some of the best Māori rugby league players from across New Zealand and Australia.

While they went to play rugby league, they came away with a deeper sense of whanaungatanga, team spirit, and pride.

 Mereaneta was awarded Most Outstanding Kōtiro for the U10s.

 Keylan received the Most Inspiring Player award for the U10s and was also named Most Outstanding Player across the U10, U11, and U12 grades for Hauraki Māori.

We are all incredibly proud of their achievements and the way they represented their whānau, team, and community.
Ka mau te wehi!

Plane Build Weekly Log 8.10.2025

Plane Build Log 8th October 2025 - Wheel Fairings, Mid Fuselage Section. Open the photos below to see the full log.

Tertiary Tidbits

Wintec 2026 Scholarships Now Open - Study with Less Stress

Nurses Notes

Community Notices

The Great Pumpkin Grow-Off

Mercury Bay Museum - Spooky Halloween

Oscar Explorers - After School Care

Skool Loop - One Stop School Information App